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JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) – Veterans Day is observed on Friday, Nov. 11, but the Tri-Cities wasted no time beginning celebrations to honor those who served in the armed forces.
On Thursday morning, Tennessee Middle School in Bristol held its Veterans Day Recognition in the school gym. Students were given the opportunity to thank local veterans and learn about their service and sacrifice.
Adam Slaughter was one of the event’s organizers. He is a teacher at Tennessee Middle and also served as a corporal in the United States Marine Corps. Slaughter told News Channel 11 that his hope is that the event will foster a sense of appreciation for veterans among the students.
“This generation of students have no idea about what veterans go through or why we are free to do what we want to do, and our program will hopefully get the messages to these students and teachers,” Slaughter said. “And honestly, to respect the vets and how to do certain things these days – thank a veteran, why we do that and why we celebrate.”
The Mt. Carmel community was also invited to a celebration of veterans Thursday. First-grade students at Mt. Carmel Elementary presented a veterans’ program and served refreshments to those in attendance.
In Johnson City, military veterans were honored during a special ceremony on East Tennessee State University’s campus at 10 a.m. Col. Matt Skaggs spoke at the event, which also featured music from the University School Choir and the ETSU Ensemble Band.
Several veterans were in attendance on the campus, including retired Army Command Sergeant Major John Heritage. Heritage, a Vietnam veteran, told News Channel 11 that events like Thursday’s bring back memories of the brothers in arms he served with.
“I am not a hero, but I spent a lot of time with heroes,” Heritage said. “I’ve seen a lot of death, and I’ve caused a lot of death. What you see here today is truly an honor.”
A wreath was also placed on the Veterans Memorial during ETSU’s ceremony. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/veterans-honored-throughout-tri-cities-ahead-of-veterans-day/ | 2022-11-10 22:36:48 | 1 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/veterans-honored-throughout-tri-cities-ahead-of-veterans-day/ |
- Led by significant growth in renewables and storage, plan features diverse energy mix to balance reliability, affordability.
- All options in plan meet carbon reduction targets in North Carolina's clean energy law, including least-cost and reliability mandates.
CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- After months of stakeholder input, Duke Energy today filed its proposed Carolinas Carbon Plan with the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC) – a clean energy plan that balances affordability and reliability for customers.
The proposed plan provides a path to achieve 70% carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions reduction by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050, while offering regulators multiple options that balance affordability and reliability for customers. Duke Energy has already retired two-thirds of its coal plants in North Carolina and South Carolina – to retire the rest by the end of 2035, the company has outlined a diverse, "all of the above" mix of solar, storage, natural gas, wind and small modular nuclear generation, as well as energy efficiency programs and other measures to help customers reduce their energy use.
The plan provides a foundation for upcoming state regulatory processes to consider. By 2035, the clean energy transition would include:
- More than three times the current level of solar.
- Diversification of renewables with wind resources.
- Significant growth in energy storage – 3,700 megawatts (MW) to 5,900 MW to support renewables.
- Initial steps to develop zero emissions load-following resources (ZELFRs) to enable coal retirements and eliminate natural gas use over time.
"We are committed to bringing our customers and communities affordable, reliable, carbon-free energy as quickly as possible," said Stephen De May, Duke Energy's North Carolina president. "Customers in North Carolina and South Carolina deserve an orderly energy transition that supports communities and maintains affordable rates, while ensuring the continued reliable service and economic competitiveness on which both states depend."
The efficiency of Duke Energy's dual-state system improves reliability and helps keep costs as low as possible – rates in both North Carolina and South Carolina are well below the national average. The proposed plan will also be shared with the Public Service Commission of South Carolina (PSCSC) and filed in a future resource planning docket for PSCSC decision.
Customers would see minimal costs from carbon plan implementation over the next two years. Depending upon the portfolio, the average annual bill impact from the plan is projected to range from about 1.9% to 2.7% each year through 2035. Duke Energy will continue working with stakeholders and regulators to check and adjust the plan every two years, incorporating technology advancements, updated cost forecasts, and potential federal funding to ensure ongoing affordability and reliability.
More than 500 individuals representing over 300 organizations from both North Carolina and South Carolina participated in the stakeholder engagement process between January and March.
Third-party facilitator Great Plains Institute (GPI) hosted three virtual stakeholder meetings to walk through the plan development process and gather feedback from customers, regulators, state and local officials, industry experts, economic development partners, environmental organizations and community groups. At the request of stakeholders, GPI also facilitated three additional sessions to allow a deeper dive into technical issues examined by subject matter experts.
"Our proposed plan is stronger as a result of this input," said De May. "For example, based on the robust conversation, we accelerated the timeline for offshore wind options and significantly ramped up projections for new solar and storage resources. We're grateful for the hundreds of stakeholders who've participated so far, and we look forward to working with the NCUC as it continues to gather public input, make adjustments and determine its final plan by the end of 2022."
The plan explores the benefits, challenges and costs of achieving the interim 70% carbon reduction target as outlined in North Carolina state law. The plan's first portfolio achieves the 70% target by 2030, while the other three portfolios achieve the 70% target by 2032 or 2034 through increased reliance on both onshore and offshore wind and/or small modular nuclear generation, leveraging the law's flexibility intended to help advance cutting-edge, carbon-free generation. All four portfolios reach carbon neutrality by 2050.
In the near term, the plan focuses on aggressive energy efficiency and demand-side management, along with grid upgrades to enable significant growth in renewables. That includes between 7,600 MW and 11,900 MW of new solar by 2035, depending on the portfolio, on top of the 5,000 MW of solar expected online by yearend and an additional 1,900 MW of solar currently planned or under development. Approaching the 2030s, wind and small modular nuclear come into play to diversify the carbon-free energy mix. This diversity is key to meeting the least-cost and reliability mandates required by state law.
The plan also proposes prudent near-term activities that will enable tangible progress in the energy transition regardless of the chosen portfolio, while preserving optionality to allow regulators and stakeholders to refine the plan over time. Those include:
- Growing energy efficiency and demand-side customer programs to reduce peak demand by more than 3,400 MW by 2030.
- 3,100 MW of new solar, including 600 MW of paired storage.
- 2,000 MW of hydrogen-capable natural gas units to replace coal and back-stand renewables.
- 1,000 MW stand-alone battery storage.
- 600 MW in onshore wind.
- Early development work for offshore wind (800 MW), small modular nuclear (570 MW) and pumped storage (1,700 MW) – long lead-time resources for deployment in the early 2030s.
The plan will be updated every two years. An overview, executive summary and the full carbon plan can be found at duke-energy.com/CarolinasCarbonPlan. The plan is being shared with all stakeholders who participated in the engagement process, along with modeling data for those who've signed confidentiality agreements.
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities serve 8.2 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 50,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs 28,000 people.
Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy transition to achieve its goals of net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business and at least a 50% carbon reduction from electric generation by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The 2050 net-zero goals also include Scope 2 and certain Scope 3 emissions. In addition, the company is investing in major electric grid enhancements and energy storage, and exploring zero-emission power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.
Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2022 "World's Most Admired Companies" list and Forbes' "America's Best Employers" list. More information is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos and videos. Duke Energy's illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
Media contact: Bill Norton
800.559.3853
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SOURCE Duke Energy | https://www.kalb.com/prnewswire/2022/05/16/duke-energy-files-proposed-carolinas-carbon-plan-deliver-cleaner-energy-future-customers/ | 2022-05-16 23:06:27 | 0 | https://www.kalb.com/prnewswire/2022/05/16/duke-energy-files-proposed-carolinas-carbon-plan-deliver-cleaner-energy-future-customers/ |
WASHINGTON — The cherry trees in the nation’s capital are confused by Earth’s changing climate, with the iconic blossoms appearing earlier than expected because of the unusually warm winter.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser and the National Park Service announced Wednesday that Washington’s 3,700 cherry blossom trees would reach peak bloom this year from March 22-25. That’s several days earlier than observers and experts had expected. “This has been a challenging year to read the trees,” said Jeff Reinbold, NPS superintendent for the national mall and memorial parks. One of the warmest winters on record, plus dramatic fluctuations in temperature have essentially sent confusing signals to the trees.
The district's winter featured dramatic temperature shifts, including a week in February where it hit 81 degrees one day and briefly snowed two days later. The end results, Reinbold said, are trees that he compared to a hormonal teenager. “There’s a lot going on in there,” he said.
The early bloom, by itself, isn’t a huge problem, unless the temperatures drop suddenly again now that the vulnerable blossoms are emerging. “An early frost would definitely damage the blossoms,” Reinbold said.
Cherry Blossom Festival President Diana Mayhew said this year’s bloom dates aren’t unprecedented, but they’re the second earliest she had witnessed in 23 years with the organization. As a result, her organization has accelerated their own timetable, moving up multiple events planned at the Tidal Basin by a week.
Mayhew said she and city officials are expecting a boom year for the festival, which typically signals the unofficial start of D.C.’s tourist season. The 2020 cherry blossom season was essentially wrecked in real time by the creeping shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic, which was moving across the country just as the festival was holding press conferences. Organizers finally were forced to cancel most in-person events.
Washington’s cherry blossoms date back 111 years to an original 1912 gift of 3,000 trees from the mayor of Tokyo. The Japanese embassy has remained deeply involved in their maintenance and in the annual festival – organizing a host of cherry blossom-themed events and performances.
Koichi Ai, head of chancery for the Japanese Embassy, said Wednesday that the trees hold “special status” within Japanese culture. Their brief but spectacular bloom cycle represents, “the transient nature of beauty and the everlasting cycle of life.”
The 2021 Cherry Blossom Festival took place fully under pandemic restrictions with organizers offering bloomcams and multiple virtual events and activities. Last year’s season drew an estimated 1.1 million visitors—close to the pre-pandemic average of 1.5 million. This year, Mayhew said she hopes to match or exceed those pre-pandemic numbers.
In their ongoing quest to maintain and protect the trees, NPS officials have to contend with a second climate change-related issue —regular flooding in the Tidal Basin due to rising seas levels. The 107-acre man-made reservoir where the largest concentration of trees is located now floods twice a day at high tide, submerging a stretch of sidewalk next to the Jefferson Memorial. During heavy rains that routinely occur in Washington, the floodwaters completely overflow the sea wall in multiple locations and soak the tree roots with brackish water.
The original 1880s design of the Tidal Basin also simply wasn’t equipped to handle the kinds of crowds and traffic the area now receives. That traffic has only increased as more monuments have been added to the Tidal Basin area over the years: a memorial to Franklin Roosevelt opened in 1997, and the Martin Luther King Jr. memorial was inaugurated in 2011.
In 2019, the NPS, along with the Trust for the National Mall and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, launched a long-term project to rebuild the basin’s deteriorating sea wall and modify and expand sidewalks to accommodate modern crowds. Reinbold on Wednesday said the funding for the project had been secured and the proposed changes were in the design stage. | https://www.wtvr.com/news/national-news/washington-dc-cherry-blossoms-peak-march-22-25-2023-national-park-service | 2023-03-01 20:03:15 | 0 | https://www.wtvr.com/news/national-news/washington-dc-cherry-blossoms-peak-march-22-25-2023-national-park-service |
HAYDEN, Idaho, May 4, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- To celebrate National Pet Month, Impact Dog Crates has launched a new charitable initiative to provide safety, shelter, and security for every pup by donating $250,000 in crates to animal welfare organizations across the country. Through launching this new charitable initiative, Impact Dog Crates is proud to further its goal to prioritize pet safety and celebrate the human-animal bond.
As a longtime supporter of numerous non-profit organizations, Impact Dog Crates has donated more than 1,000 heavy-duty dog crates to hundreds of animal welfare foundations, K-9 units, and shelters in communities throughout the United States. Throughout May, for every 10 dog crates purchased, Impact Dog Crates will donate one crate to a non-profit organization, for up to $250,000. With this initiative, Impact Dog Crates is looking forward to giving back to more communities and animals nationwide as part of the company's mission to ensure the safety and well-being of pets.
"Before we became Impact Dog Crates, we were dog lovers first," said Hunter Bailey, CEO of Impact Dog Crates. "We are proud to celebrate National Pet Month with this initiative because we are committed to shaping a happier and safer future for every pup. We look forward to continuing these efforts, knowing our donations are helping dogs receive the protection and care they deserve."
To get involved and learn more about how you can support this charitable initiative, visit www.impactdogcrates.com.
About Impact Dog Crates
Founded in Northern Idaho in 2012, Impact Dog Crates is a family-owned, American-made pet company that manufactures and sells the highest-quality aluminum dog crates and accessories, putting pet safety first. Through years of product innovation, and with a team of talented engineers behind every model, Impact Dog Crates has become the most trusted brand by dog owners for airline travel, vehicle transport, escape-artist pups, and at-home use. For more information, visit www.impactdogcrates.com.
Media Contact:
Kendall Wolford
Kendall.wolford@impactdogcrates.com
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SOURCE Impact Dog Crates | https://www.dakotanewsnow.com/prnewswire/2023/05/04/impact-dog-crates-announces-donation-250000-crates-celebrate-national-pet-month/ | 2023-05-04 18:26:35 | 1 | https://www.dakotanewsnow.com/prnewswire/2023/05/04/impact-dog-crates-announces-donation-250000-crates-celebrate-national-pet-month/ |
Asian stocks mixed after US job gain paves way for rate hike
By JOE McDONALD
AP Business Writer
BEIJING (AP) — Asian stocks were mixed on Monday after strong U.S. jobs data cleared the way for more interest rate hikes and China reported its exports rose by double digits.
Shanghai and Tokyo advanced while Hong Kong and Seoul retreated. Oil prices edged higher.
Wall Street’s benchmark S&P 500 lost 0.2% on Friday after government data showed American employers added more jobs than expected in June. That undercut expectations a slowing economy might prompt the Fed to postpone or scale back plans for more rate hikes to cool inflation.
“Now it seems they will be debating whether they need to be even more aggressive,” Edward Moya of Oanda said in a report.
The Shanghai Composite Index shed less than 0.1% to 3,226.04 after China’s July exports rose 18%, beating forecasts. The Hang Seng in Hong Kong fell 0.7% to 20,055.39 while the Nikkei 225 in Tokyo gained 0.2% to 28,241.09.
The Kospi in Seoul declined 0.3% to 2,482.32 and Sydney’s S&P-ASX 200 shed 0.1% to 7,005.40.
On Wall Street, the S&P 500 declined to 4,145.19 on Friday while the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.2% to 32,803.47. The Nasdaq composite lost 0.5% at 12,657.55.
Investors worry that tighter policy from the Fed and central banks in Europe and Asia to cool inflation that is running at multi-decade highs might derail global economic growth.
Markets also have been rattled by Russia’s war on Ukraine, which has caused prices of oil, wheat and other commodities to spike and by uncertainty about the impact of Chinese anti-virus curbs that have disrupted manufacturing and shipping.
China’s exports in July surged 18% compared with a year earlier while imports rose just 2.3%, reflecting weak global demand, customs data showed Sunday. The country’s global trade surplus swelled to a record $101 billion.
Last week’s strong U.S. employment data gave ammunition to Fed officials who say the economy can tolerate higher borrowing costs to cool inflation. After Friday’s announcement, traders expect the Fed to raise its benchmark rate by 0.75 percentage points next month, up from forecasts of half a point. That would be triple the usual margin and the third such outsize hike this year.
Higher interest rates are meant to dampen inflation by cooling business activity, but that also raises the risk of recession and job losses. The latest inflation spike is unusual because forecasters blame shortages of goods due to the coronavirus pandemic, rather than rapid economic growth.
Wall Street is coming off the best month for stocks since late 2020, a rally driven mostly by what had been falling bond yields. Traders hoped the economy was slowing enough for the Fed to ease off.
In energy markets, benchmark U.S. crude edged up 7 cents to $89.08 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract rose 47 cents to $89.01 on Friday. Brent crude, the price basis for international trading, added 1 cent to $94.93 per barrel in London. It gained 80 cents to $94.92 the previous session.
The dollar rose to 135.28 yen from Friday’s 135.11 yen. The euro advanced to $1.0181 from $1.0178. | https://kion546.com/news/ap-national-news/2022/08/07/asian-stocks-mixed-after-us-job-gain-paves-way-for-rate-hike-2/ | 2022-08-08 06:35:01 | 0 | https://kion546.com/news/ap-national-news/2022/08/07/asian-stocks-mixed-after-us-job-gain-paves-way-for-rate-hike-2/ |
Thanks to researchers, face mites are getting an image makeover Published July 4, 2022 at 5:07 AM EDT Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email New research suggests face mites, long considered parasites, might actually be helpful to humans. Copyright 2022 NPR | https://www.ctpublic.org/2022-07-04/thanks-to-researchers-face-mites-are-getting-an-image-makeover | 2022-07-04 09:20:27 | 0 | https://www.ctpublic.org/2022-07-04/thanks-to-researchers-face-mites-are-getting-an-image-makeover |
LONDON, May 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- IFS, the global cloud enterprise software company, today announced that it is positioned in the Leaders category in IDC MarketScape: Worldwide SaaS and Cloud-Enabled Manufacturing ERP Applications 2022 Vendor Assessment (doc #US49047922, May 2022). The company attributes its continued growth and success to its deep industry expertise, innovative and flexible IFS Cloud solution, and service management expertise.
The IDC MarketScape study provides an assessment of the most popular SaaS and cloud-enabled manufacturing enterprise resource planning (ERP) software solutions and discusses what criteria are most important for manufacturers to consider when assessing/selecting a system. It considers the trends and drivers impacting the global manufacturing industry - including customer and market expectations for more personalised products, deliveries and services, and the unanticipated events and demand shocks - and how digital-first manufacturing organizations are turning their focus to SaaS and cloud-enabled software to provide flexible and agile ERP applications.
The report reinforces the depth and breadth of IFS's manufacturing industry knowledge, noting how IFS Cloud provides solutions across all four manufacturing value chains - asset-oriented (AOVC), brand-oriented (BOVC), engineering-oriented (EOVC), and technology-oriented (TOVC).
Along with deep industry expertise a strength highlighted is IFS field service management software, which stands out as a differentiator, especially as many in the industry continue to suffer from the commoditization of products. Manufacturers will continue to explore new value-add services and servitization to grow revenue or move into new markets.
The IDC MarketScape assesses that IFS Cloud offers a flexible, integrated ERP solution tailored to the needs of manufacturers. IFS Cloud supports mixed-mode manufacturing, covering the full process from design, engineering, estimating, and configuration through to strategic and operational planning, production, delivery, and service.
The report describes how IFS Cloud also supports sustainable manufacturing, a growing investment area for IFS. Besides the digital core of financials, human capital management (HCM), manufacturing and distribution, IFS Cloud, a single product that delivers all the company's solutions and capabilities, also includes enterprise asset management (EAM), product lifecycle management (PLM), field service management (FSM), and CRM. Launched in April 2021, the new value proposition offers new functionalities twice a year, giving customers the option to stay evergreen, but equally offering the flexibility to choose only select updates.
"Disruption remains an ongoing challenge for the manufacturing industry and isn't likely to subside anytime soon. Being able to adapt, be nimble and resilient is essential for enterprises, especially those who have complex operations but are also committed to innovation and the customer experience," said Antony Bourne, SVP Industries at IFS. "Other factors like becoming more sustainable, closing the skills gap and managing the future product/services mix only add to the pressure. At IFS we live and breathe our customers' industries so feel confident that we can help them navigate the path to digitalization, not only to support key business functions but also - and perhaps most excitingly - to propel them towards their most innovative future with new ways of applying technology, whether that's IoT, AI/ML or beyond. He concluded: "The way in which IFS delivers innovation is completely customer-centric and value-focused, to ultimately deliver the high-quality experiences that really matter in their Moment of Service™."
Download the full report here
About IDC MarketScape
The IDC MarketScape vendor assessment model is designed to provide an overview of the competitive fitness of ICT (information and communications technology) suppliers in a given market. The research methodology utilizes a rigorous scoring methodology based on both qualitative and quantitative criteria that results in a single graphical illustration of each vendor's position within a given market. IDC MarketScape provides a clear framework in which the product and service offerings, capabilities and strategies, and current and future market success factors of IT and telecommunications vendors can be meaningfully compared. The framework also provides technology buyers with a 360-degree assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of current and prospective vendors.
About IFS
IFS develops and delivers cloud enterprise software for companies around the world who manufacture and distribute goods, build and maintain assets, and manage service-focused operations. Within our single platform, our industry specific products are innately connected to a single data model and use embedded digital innovation so that our customers can be their best when it really matters to their customers-at the Moment of Service™. The industry expertise of our people and of our growing ecosystem, together with a commitment to deliver value at every single step, has made IFS a recognized leader and the most recommended supplier in our sector. Our team of 4,500 employees every day live our values of agility, trustworthiness and collaboration in how we support our 10,000+ customers. Learn more about how our enterprise software solutions can help your business today at ifs.com.
IFS Press Contacts
MEA & APJ: Adam Gillbe
IFS, Director of Corporate & Executive Communications
Email: press@ifs.com
Phone: +44 7775 114 856
USA: Mairi Morgan
Corporate Communications
Email: press@ifs.com
Phone: +1 520 396 2155
Europe: Marie-Christin Hansen
Corporate Communications
Email: press@ifs.com
Phone: +44 755 306 1878
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SOURCE IFS | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2022/05/26/ifs-named-leader-idc-marketscape-worldwide-saas-cloud-enabled-manufacturing-erp-2022/ | 2022-05-26 09:00:13 | 0 | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2022/05/26/ifs-named-leader-idc-marketscape-worldwide-saas-cloud-enabled-manufacturing-erp-2022/ |
Canine influenza: Tips for preventing its spread
ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - With more and more cases of canine influenza being reported, the Minnesota Board of Animal Health released new guideline to help keep your dog safe.
On April 6, the Board announced a canine influenza outbreak where around 200 dogs were sickened at shelters in Anoka, Hennepin, and Washington counties. They say there are now strong indicators of community spread throughout the Twin Cities.
In order to stop the spread, experts are asking the public to take some preventative steps.
For dog owners:
- Avoid direct dog-to-dog contact with dogs outside your household or dogs known to have been boarded, attended dog day-care, or visited a dog park in the last seven days.
- If your dog is sick, keep them at home, away from other animals, and call your veterinarian.
- Consider avoiding dog parks and other locations with uncontrolled dog-to-dog contact.
- Keep your distance (six feet) at places where dogs congregate like dog parks and while on walks with your dog.
For kennels, shelters, and dog daycares:
- Direct staff to be on alert for clinical signs.
- Immediately separate symptomatic dogs from others and contact your veterinarian. Signs of influenza include coughing, runny eyes or nose, hard swallowing or throat clearing, fever, and lethargy. Signs often appear suddenly, and a dog that appears healthy in the morning may show signs in the afternoon.
- Any dog showing signs of respiratory disease should be immediately sent home and not allowed to return to the facility for 30 days. Even a dog that appears to have recovered can continue to shed infectious virus for 30 days.
- Increase cleaning and disinfection measures and frequency. Advise staff to wash hands and clean their clothes between dog interactions.
- Consider reducing the number of dogs in play groups and keep group membership consistent.
- Screen new arrivals for upper respiratory symptoms.
For Veterinarians:
- Report positive canine influenza test results to the Board via our online case report form. Once the Board receives a case report, our agents conduct all follow-up investigations and quarantine procedures with your client.
- Treat symptomatic patients with caution and advise a 30-day in-home quarantine even without a positive influenza test.
- Practice good biosecurity in the clinic. Isolate dogs with respiratory illness and thoroughly clean and disinfect surfaces and instruments used during the exam. Wear full PPE when treating these patients | https://www.fox29.com/news/canine-influenza-tips-for-preventing-its-spread | 2023-04-26 20:06:25 | 1 | https://www.fox29.com/news/canine-influenza-tips-for-preventing-its-spread |
GRAND RAPIDS — Minnesota firefighters are headed north to help battle Canadian wildfires.
Gov. Tim Walz on Monday announced 17 wildland firefighters from the Minnesota Interagency Fire Center in Grand Rapids were headed to Manitoba, Canada, after a mutual aid request from “our neighbors in the north.”
“We have a strong partnership and will continue to do everything we can to share resources and contain the Canadian wildfire,” Walz said in a news release.
In a video update, Leanne Langeberg, a spokesperson for the Department of Natural Resources, said the crew will go to “a very remote area in northern Manitoba helping to support some of those remote communities that are threatened by wildfires.”
The crew will be focused on cutting down trees and vegetation to create “a fire containment line” to disrupt the path of the fire.
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“Their work as a crew will be focused on the groundwork to hold the fire in place,” Langeberg said.
As of Sunday, 68 fires were burning throughout Manitoba, according to a fire situation report by the province’s Department of Natural Resource and Northern Development.
Wildfires are burning throughout Canada, causing poor air quality throughout the U.S., especially in the Midwest and along the East Coast .
The DNR firefighters were deployed after a mutual aid request through the Great Lakes Forest Fire Compact, a partnership among states and provinces including Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, Manitoba and Ontario.
The DNR last sent firefighters to Canada in 2019, Langeberg said.
Minnesota used the compact for additional resources during the 2021 wildfire season, which saw multiple large fires in and around the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Superior National Forest. The compact provided engines, aircraft and firefighters to Minnesota, according to a news release from Walz’s office.
“Canada is experiencing a historic fire season this year and I’m proud that our DNR wildland firefighters are ready to protect life and property in Minnesota and beyond, whenever the call comes in,” DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen said in the release. “The Minnesota DNR’s partnership with Canada and with our neighboring states ensures we can quickly and efficiently share resources to respond to wildfires throughout the region.”
Officials said that before Minnesota resources are provided to another state or province, the DNR ensures that local needs are met first.
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The fire danger throughout Northeastern Minnesota has improved considerably in the last 10 days, thanks to a period of rain after a dry spring put the region into a drought.
Burn bans were lifted Monday and fire danger in the region is considered low as of Tuesday, according to the DNR. | https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/local/17-minnesota-dnr-firefighters-headed-to-fight-manitoba-wildfires | 2023-07-04 20:46:30 | 1 | https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/local/17-minnesota-dnr-firefighters-headed-to-fight-manitoba-wildfires |
On Tuesday, Arizona's attorney general sued to stop a transfer of election duties in a rural county where the leaders have embraced voting conspiracy theories.
The Republican majority on the Cochise County Board of Supervisors voted last week to transfer all election functions from the nonpartisan elections department to the county's elected recorder, also a Republican. The move follows the resignation of the elections director, who had objected to the board's efforts to conduct a full hand count of last year's vote.
Attorney General Kris Mayes said switching the duties from the elections office to the recorder was illegal.
“While counties may appropriately enter into cooperative agreements with their recorders to manage elections, Cochise County’s agreement steps far over the legal line,” Mayes said in a news release announcing the lawsuit.
Mayes contends the agreement improperly gives all power to county recorder David Stevens rather than being a “hand in hand” agreement to work with the county's three supervisors. The county's two Republican supervisors, Tom Crosby, and Peggy Judd voted for the agreement while the lone Democrat on the board, Ann English, voted against it.
Crosby and Judd have said they believe the transfer is legal under Arizona law and that they have little choice because the elections director, Lisa Marra, resigned last month, citing threats and intimidation.
The lawsuit is only the latest legal fight between the state and Cochise's Republican supervisors over their embrace of unorthodox election procedures stemming from conspiracy theories spread by former President Donald Trump after his 2020 loss.
During the November 2022 election, at the urging of Crosby and Judd, Stevens was prepared to count all ballots by hand until a judge stopped it. Crosby and Judd then refused to certify the county's elections results, protesting what they contended were irregularities in Maricopa County that they blamed for statewide wins by Mayes and other Democrats. A judge eventually forced them to sign off on the election.
Stevens is a friend of former Arizona State Rep. Mark Finchem, a Republican who attended the Jan. 6, 2021, rally in Washington, D.C., that preceded the violent attack on the Capitol. He ran unsuccessfully last year for the state's top elections post, secretary of state. Stevens recently agreed to serve on the board of an elections-related nonprofit Finchem founded.
Recorders already have some elections duties in Arizona — they print ballots, mail them out and verify signatures on returned ones. But the elections office, which reports to the county supervisors, handles tabulation and Election Day voting. | https://www.abc15.com/news/local-news/arizona-attorney-general-sues-to-stop-county-election-switch | 2023-03-07 23:32:58 | 0 | https://www.abc15.com/news/local-news/arizona-attorney-general-sues-to-stop-county-election-switch |
KINGSTON, Jamaica, Dec. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- TransJamaican Highway Limited ("TJH" or the "Company") announced today that it has received the requisite consents (the "Requisite Consents") from the holders of US$183,790,000 in aggregate principal amount representing approximately 81.68% of its outstanding 5.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2036 (the "Notes") as of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on December 16, 2022 (the "Expiration Time"), pursuant to the Company's previously announced solicitation (the "Consent Solicitation") of consents (the "Consents") upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Consent Solicitation Statement, dated as of November 25, 2022 (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the "Statement").
As a result of receiving the Requisite Consents, on the Effective Date (as defined below) the Company will execute (i) a supplemental indenture (the "Supplemental Indenture") to the indenture governing the Notes, (ii) an amendment to the direct agreement dated as of February 18, 2020, among the Company, JIO, Vinci Concessions ("Vinci Concessions"), Bouygues Travaux Publics ("Bouygues"), and The Bank of New York Mellon ("BNYM") as Offshore Security Agent (the "Amended O&M Party Direct Agreement"), (iii) an amendment to the agreement among the Company, BNYM, as Offshore Security Agent, Offshore Account Bank, and Indenture Trustee and JCSD Trustee Services Ltd., as the Onshore Collateral Agent (the "Amended Offshore Security and Accounts Agreement" and together with the Amended O&M Party Direct Agreement, the "Amended Ancillary Documents") and (iv) the termination and release of (a) that certain guarantee, dated February 18, 2020, between TJH and Bouygues, pursuant to which Bouygues has agreed to unconditionally guarantee 49% of the payment obligations of JIO to TJH under the O&M Agreement (the "Bouygues O&M Guarantee") and (b) that certain guarantee, dated February 18, 2020, between TJH and Vinci Concessions, pursuant to which Vinci Concessions has agreed to unconditionally guarantee the remaining 51% of the payment obligations of JIO to TJH under the O&M Agreement (the "Vinci O&M Guarantee", and, together with the Bouygues O&M Guarantee, the "Parent Guarantees") (such termination of the Parent Guarantees and the Amended Ancillary Documents, the "Updated Ancillary Documents"). The Company will pay to each holder of record of the Notes as of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on November 23, 2022 (each such holder, a "Holder"), who has delivered a valid Consent in respect of such Notes prior to the Expiration Time (and has not properly revoked such Consent prior to the Consent Date (as defined in the Statement)), US$1.25 in cash for each US$1,000 principal amount of such Notes in respect of which a valid Consent was so delivered (and was not properly revoked) (the "Consent Fee"). The Consent Fee is expected to be paid on December 20, 2022. The effectiveness of the proposed amendments, waivers, and consents (the "Proposed Amendments, Waivers and Consents") set forth in the Statement is subject to the Company delivering confirmation to the Trustee in writing that the Consent Fee has been paid to each Holder entitled thereto (such date of effectiveness, the "Effective Date"). Holders of Notes for which no Consent was delivered prior to the Expiration Time (or Notes for which a valid Consent was delivered, but such Consent was validly revoked prior to the Consent Date), will not receive a Consent Fee. The Supplemental Indenture, the Updated Ancillary Documents, and the Proposed Amendments, Waivers, and Consents once operative, will bind all Holders and their transferees, including those that did not give their Consent.
Upon satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in the transaction agreement dated as of November 23, 2022 among the Company, Jamaican Infrastructure Operator (the "Operator" or "JIO"), Bouygues, and Vinci Concessions (the "Transaction Agreement"), including receipt of the Requisite Consents referenced above, Bouygues and Vinci Concessions have each granted the Company a call option (the "Call Options") to purchase their respective equity interests in the Operator. As previously announced, following the grant of the Call Options to the Company and the consummation of the Consent Solicitation, the Company and the other parties thereto will amend the operation and maintenance agreement dated September 2003, between the Company and JIO, as amended and restated on February 18, 2011, and as further amended and restated on December 9, 2019 (the "Amendment to the O&M Agreement") in order to amend the Operator's fee structure. On the Effective Date, the Company will exercise the Call Option granted by Vinci Concessions to acquire 51% of the outstanding equity interests in the Operator upon consummation of the Consent Solicitation. For the avoidance of doubt, the amendments to the concession agreement, dated November 21, 2001, between the Company, as concessionaire and National Road Operating and Constructing Company Limited ("NROCC"), as grantor, as amended and restated on January 29, 2020 (the "Concession Agreement") set forth in the Statement will not become effective unless and until the Company has received approval from NROCC on behalf of the Government of Jamaica to make such amendments. Immediately following receipt of such approval, the amendments to the Concession Agreement will become effective. Similarly, the Company will not be able to exercise its Call Option to purchase Bouygues' shares in JIO until it receives approval from NROCC.
The Company has engaged UBS Securities LLC to act as Solicitation Agent and D.F. King & Co., Inc. to act as Information and Tabulation Agent for the Consent Solicitation. Questions regarding the Consent Solicitation may be directed to UBS Securities LLC at (888) 719-4210 (toll-free) or (203) 719-4210 (collect). Requests for documents relating to the Consent Solicitation may be directed to D.F. King & Co., Inc. at (800) 628-8538 (toll free), (212) 269-5550 (banks and brokers) or email: tjh@dfking.com. The Company has engaged NCB Capital Markets Limited ("NCBCM") as local coordinating agent (the "Local Coordinating Agent"). Holders of Notes in Jamaica may reach out to NCB with any questions regarding the Consent Solicitation at 1-876-960-7108 or email: ncbcapinfo@jncb.com, Attention: Timar Jackson or Sekou Crawford, who will coordinate with the Solicitation Agent and Information and Tabulation Agent for a response.
This press release is for informational purposes only and the Consent Solicitation is only being made pursuant to the terms of the Statement. Neither the Statement nor any documents related to the Consent Solicitation have been filed with, and have not been approved or reviewed by any federal or state securities commission or regulatory authority of any country. No authority has passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of the Statement or any documents related to the Consent Solicitation, and it is unlawful and may be a criminal offense to make any representation to the contrary.
This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities.
About TransJamaican Highway Limited
TJH holds and operates, a 35-year concession, granted by NROCC, for the operation and maintenance of the "Highway 2000 East-West", Jamaica's first tolled highway which stretches approximately 49.9 km and connects the capital of Jamaica, Kingston with (i) the city of May Pen, with a connection to the city of Spanish Town, through highway T1 (also known as the Kingston – May Pen corridor or the "T1 Corridor") and (ii) the city of Portmore, through highway T2 (also known as the "Portmore Causeway", the "Port Kingston Causeway", or the "T2 Corridor"). TJH is a public limited liability company organized under the laws of Jamaica. TJH has been listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange since March 2020, after undertaking Jamaica's largest initial public offering ever. The address of the registered office of the Company is 2 Goodwood Terrace, Kingston 10, Kingston, Jamaica and the main phone number at such office is 876-925-7441. The Company's website address is https://transjamaicanhighways.com/. Its internet website and the information contained therein or connected thereto are not intended to be incorporated into this press release.
Forward-Looking Statements
Some of the statements in this press release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "believe", "anticipate", "plan", "expect", "intend", "target", "estimate", "project", "forecast", "guideline", "should" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying those statements. Specific forward-looking statements include, among others, statements as to the Proposed Amendments, Waivers, and Consents, pro-forma Operator fees and the expected payment of the Consent Fee.
You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which are based on current expectations. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. No assurance can be given that the transactions described herein will be consummated or as to the ultimate terms of any such transactions. They involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. All forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date hereof, based on information available to us as of such date, and we assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statement.
Contact: Ivan Anderson
Managing Director
Email: i.anderson@h2k-tjh.com
Telephone: (876) 925 7441
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SOURCE TransJamaican Highway Limited | https://www.weau.com/prnewswire/2022/12/19/transjamaican-highway-limited-announces-successful-receipt-requisite-consents-with-respect-its-consent-solicitation-its-575-senior-secured-notes-due-2036/ | 2022-12-19 15:05:25 | 1 | https://www.weau.com/prnewswire/2022/12/19/transjamaican-highway-limited-announces-successful-receipt-requisite-consents-with-respect-its-consent-solicitation-its-575-senior-secured-notes-due-2036/ |
Which underwater drone is best?
You don’t need to be a Hollywood director or international filmmaker to capture amazing underwater footage. Sure, you can swim with a bulky waterproof camera, but that restricts your movements and occupies your hands.
So before you head out to explore an underwater cave or shipwreck, get yourself a remotely operated vehicle (commonly known as a drone) that can accurately capture the submerged action in high-definition. You might not be able to film the Titanic like James Cameron did, but you’ll see aquatic nature like never before.
How does an underwater drone work?
To glide through the water, drones use similar technology to that of boats or submarines. While the propulsion methods vary, most underwater drones use a series of fans or rotors that spin quickly. The force expelled by the spinning blades is what drives the drone forward.
Controlling a drone is relatively simple. Generally, the two types of control methods are wireless through a mobile phone or tablet, or through an electrical umbilical connected to the above-water Wi-Fi unit.
The camera’s resolution matters
Naturally, you want to capture whatever is swimming around you in as much detail as possible. An underwater drone with an inferior camera will only frustrate you when you review the footage and the beautiful jellyfish looks like a floating plastic bag.
There are no reshoots or second chances, so you must ensure you get it right the first time. To capture anything meaningful, the drone’s camera should film at a minimum resolution of 1080p, which is Full HD. For even better footage, some of the more expensive drones have 4K cameras and can livestream visuals back to the boat.
Of course, you can never be sure of what the conditions will be like when underwater. Unless you are swimming in crystal-clear water, your footage will benefit immensely if the drone has several built-in headlights.
Best underwater drones
Best underwater drone with 4K camera
PowerVision PowerRay Explorer Underwater Camera Drone
What you need to know: With a powerful camera, this drone can capture underwater beauty with an easy-to-use controller.
What you’ll love: The camera records video at 4K resolution and can take still images at a resolution of 12 megapixels. It can dive to a depth of 100 feet, while the base station tether is 165 feet long.
What you should consider: It comes with a 32-gigabyte memory card, which will fill up quickly when recording in 4K.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Best underwater drone with 1080p camera
Chasing Innovation Dory Underwater Drone
What you need to know: This is the world’s smallest underwater drone, as it measures slightly larger than your palm.
What you’ll love: Even though it’s small, it still packs five thrusters to move around effortlessly underwater. It records video at Full HD resolution and can stream live footage to the monitor at 720p resolution.
What you should consider: It has a depth range of only 49 feet, and needs to be within the same distance of the Wi-Fi buoy for streaming.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Best underwater drone for shallow diving
What you need to know: This is perfect for when you explore a shipwreck or the seabed as the articulated claw makes it easy to grab and pick up items of interest.
What you’ll love: It’s guided through a handheld controller and a mobile device, and the Wi-Fi connection lets you see a livestream from the camera. It has four thrusters and two high-powered LED headlights, and can dive to a depth of 100 feet.
What you should consider: It weighs just under 10 pounds, so it is heftier than most underwater drones.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Best underwater drone with sonar
Fifish MP200 V6 Expert Underwater Photography ROV Robot
What you need to know: Searching for something specific is made easy with this drone’s built-in 2D sonar scanner.
What you’ll love: Not only can you ping for objects in 2D, but you can also record underwater sounds with the built-in hydrophone. In addition, the MP200 has a 4K camera with a 166-degree field of view, which can also take photographs at a 12-megapixel resolution.
What you should consider: The drone comes with a full virtual reality kit, pushing the price tag to over $6,000.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Best sea scooter with an underwater camera
CellBee Underwater Sea Scooter With Camera
What you need to know: Functioning much like an underwater drone, this sea scooter has a camera in the front so you can record whatever you encounter.
What you’ll love: With a top speed of almost 3 miles per hour, the sea scooter has a built-in battery that can last for about 45 minutes. A parent can also remotely control the device through a mobile phone, giving it drone-like properties while kids enjoy the views.
What you should consider: It doesn’t have a camera built in, but it does have an attachment for an action camera such as a GoPro.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Best underwater drone for cinematography
PowerVision PowerDolphin Water Surface Drone With 4K UHD Camera
What you need to know: The PowerDolphin is an amazing drone if you want to capture Hollywood-style footage above and below the waves.
What you’ll love: Riding on the surface, it has a 220-degree, rotatable 4K camera on the front that is great for recording epic surfing videos. But the drone can also dive underwater and use the built-in sonar for a quick overview of the underwater topography.
What you should consider: It is only waterproof up to 6 feet below the surface.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://www.wane.com/reviews/the-6-best-underwater-drones/ | 2022-05-11 21:33:15 | 0 | https://www.wane.com/reviews/the-6-best-underwater-drones/ |
TIME to host the second annual TIME Women of the Year Gala on International Women's Day, March 8, in Los Angeles, CA
Event to Feature Appearances by TIME Women of the Year Honorees Including Cate Blanchett, Ayisha Siddiqa, Angela Bassett, Quinta Brunson, Ramla Ali, Olena Shevchenko, Masih Alinejad, as well as a special musical performance Phoebe Bridgers
NEW YORK, March 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, TIME reveals the annual TIME Women of the Year list recognizing 12 extraordinary leaders working toward a more equal world.
The 2023 TIME Women of the Year list includes: actor and UNHCR ambassador Cate Blanchett, actor Angela Bassett, musical artist Phoebe Bridgers, writer, producer, and actor Quinta Brunson, soccer player and champion of equal pay Megan Rapinoe, professional boxer and refugee advocate Ramla Ali, environmental and human rights defender Ayisha Siddiqa, Iranian dissident and journalist Masih Alinejad, activist and leader of war efforts for women and LGBTQI communities in Ukraine Olena Shevchenko, incoming CEO of Suntory Beverages Makiko Ono, reproductive rights activist Verónica Cruz Sánchez and Brazil's Minister of Racial Equality Anielle Franco.
The 2023 Women of the Year issue has two worldwide covers, each highlighting a member of the list. See the covers featuring Cate Blanchett and Ayisha Siddiqa here: https://bit.ly/3mgn6q7
Read more about the 2023 TIME Women of the Year: https://bit.ly/35kz6id
Of this year's list, TIME Executive Editor Naina Bajekal and Senior Editor Lucy Feldman, write: "A defining project at TIME is the study of influence—who has it, what form it takes, and what it means to wield it. Our annual Women of the Year list examines the most uplifting form of influence by spotlighting leaders who are using their voices to fight for a more equal world… The 12 women featured on this year's list come from across the globe and have made significant impact in their respective communities and fields, from activism and government to sports and the arts. Many of them have faced immense challenges that inspired them to push for change." https://bit.ly/3mjvN2U
To celebrate, TIME will host the second annual invite-only TIME Women of the Year Gala on International Women's Day, Wednesday, March 8, in Los Angeles. The event will feature appearances from Women of the Year honorees including Cate Blanchett, Ayisha Siddiqa, Angela Bassett, Quinta Brunson, Ramla Ali, Olena Shevchenko, Masih Alinejad, as well as a special musical performance by Phoebe Bridgers. P&G is the presenting partner of TIME's 2023 Women of the Year gala and FIJI Water is the supporting partner.
TIME Chief Executive Officer Jessica Sibley said: "TIME's mission is to shine a light on the people and ideas that are making the world a better place. The 2023 TIME Women of the Year are leading us all toward a more equal world and affecting real change through their efforts and commitments to climate activism, human rights, social justice and more. We are thrilled to celebrate these honorees with the support of our partners at P&G and FIJI Water on International Women's Day."
The annual TIME Women of the Year list is an extension of the special project, launched by TIME in 2020 in partnership with P&G, that highlighted 100 influential women from the past century, as a way of correcting the record and addressing the legacy of the Man of the Year franchise, which only became known as Person of the Year in 1999. See the 100 Women of the Year project here: https://bit.ly/3Sqd5mb.
TIME is the 100-year-old global media brand that reaches a combined audience of more than 100 million around the world through its iconic magazine and digital platforms. With unparalleled access to the world's most influential people, the immeasurable trust of consumers and partners globally, and an unrivaled power to convene, TIME's mission is to tell the essential stories of the people and ideas that shape and improve the world. Today, TIME also includes the Emmy Award®-winning film and television division TIME Studios, a significantly expanded live events business built on the powerful TIME100 and Person of the Year franchises, an industry-leading web3 division, an award-winning branded content studio, the website-building platform TIME Sites, the sustainability and climate-action platform TIME CO2, and more.
Media Contacts:
Emily Alwell, TIME
Emily.Alwell@time.com
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SOURCE TIME | https://www.wbtv.com/prnewswire/2023/03/02/time-reveals-2023-women-year-list-extraordinary-leaders-working-toward-more-equal-world/ | 2023-03-02 14:01:38 | 0 | https://www.wbtv.com/prnewswire/2023/03/02/time-reveals-2023-women-year-list-extraordinary-leaders-working-toward-more-equal-world/ |
Once upon a time, Polly just wanted a cracker. Nowadays, Polly might want a Zoom call.
A recent study took 18 pet parrots and examined whether video calls could help them fulfill their social needs.
Parrots are incredibly socially complex creatures, and surpass 6- and 7-year-old children in puzzle tasks and memory skills, says Jennifer Cunha of Northeastern University, who co-authored the study.
"They have high mental needs that aren't always catered to very well in companion situations," she said.
And pet birds of a feather shouldn't always flock together, according to another lead researcher, Ilyena Hirskyj-Douglas from the University of Glasgow.
"A very high percentage of them have diseases which can be transferred when in-person interaction takes place," Hirskyj-Douglas said.
So Hirskyj-Douglas and Cunha got together with lead author Rébecca Kleinberger, also of Northeastern University, to see if parrots in captivity could find companionship through video calls.
They taught them to ring a bell, after which a tablet would be presented. One or two images of fellow parrots would appear on a phone or tablet, and using their beaks or tongues, the parrots would choose.
To see how much the parrots actually wanted to spend time on video chats, researchers measured engagement and agency.
"So how frequently they rang the parrots when the system was available and then how quickly they use the system," Hirskyj-Douglas explained.
They were prepared to see negative reactions from the birds, like aggression. But instead, they say they saw a lot of social behaviors they would potentially see between birds that were together or in the wild.
"So mirroring behaviors where they might move in the same kind of way, dancing, singing together," Cunha said. "They really seem to, as one owner said, come alive during the calls."
Kleinberger said while there was potential for connection between animals through the screen, there were also unknown risks of exposing the birds to a new technology, so they had to be careful in training the owners and monitoring the video chats closely. But the researchers did conclude that video calling technology could reproduce some of the social benefits of living in a flock, even between parrot species.
And Cunha said some of the birds still ask to chat with their pals.
"Some of the birds continue to call each other. So I think that there's a lot of long-term potential for these kinds of relationships," she said.
In other words, maybe what Polly wants is a lasting friendship, even through a screen.
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-npr/2023-04-29/lonely-pet-parrots-find-friendship-through-video-chats-a-new-study-finds | 2023-04-29 10:32:23 | 1 | https://www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-npr/2023-04-29/lonely-pet-parrots-find-friendship-through-video-chats-a-new-study-finds |
(NewsNation) — Last week, there was a flurry of police activity along New Hampshire’s Route 112. Dozens of police cars and a mobile command unit were parked along the route and officers searched the area where 21-year-old Maura Murray was last seen in 2004.
Murray was a nursing student at UMass Amherst when she disappeared minutes after crashing her car on a rural road in New Hampshire.
“Out of the blue, New Hampshire conducted a massive search for my sister Maura, not far from where she disappeared in 2004,” sister Julie Murray said. “My family’s encouraged. I’m in constant communication with law enforcement, and I will update when I can. But this is big.”
Coming just days after the launch of Facebook, the case has been labeled as the “first crime mystery of the social media age.”
Erinn Lakin hosts the “107 Degrees” podcast about the case. She and Maura Murray were on the UMass track team when Murray suddenly left campus.
“It’s sort of two mysteries. It’s, why was she going to New Hampshire and what happened to her? Combined with the fact that there’s really not a lot of clues,” Larkin said.
“She told her professors that there was a family emergency, or death in the family, and she was going to be away for a few days,” Larkin said, later adding: “Then she got in her car and drove to an ATM off campus and withdrew $290 and then stopped at a liquor store and bought about $40 worth of alcohol.”
But there was no death in the family. Her parents did not know anything about her plans.
As she headed north on a country road around 7:30 on a Monday night, she lost control on a sharp turn. The car went off the road and crashed into a tree.
911 transcripts show a call from a man driving by minutes later. He said she was shaken up and the airbags had deployed with heavy damage, but Murray refused help.
By the time an officer arrived, the car was locked and there was no sign of Murray.
“I think the most likely thing is that she was picked up by a local who offered her help, perhaps at first, but then … something bad happened, and that person is most likely responsible for her disappearance,” Larkin said.
After 18 years of searches and candlelight vigils, there are still no solid leads or answers.
Bones discovered last summer turned out not to be Murray’s. Now, with Murray’s profile finally entered into the FBI database, there’s hope that something will turn up. | https://who13.com/news/national-news/first-crime-mystery-of-the-social-media-age-still-unsolved/ | 2022-07-22 15:06:00 | 1 | https://who13.com/news/national-news/first-crime-mystery-of-the-social-media-age-still-unsolved/ |
Billionaire MacKenzie Scott donates $4 million to Topeka foundation
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - A Topeka organization has received a gift from one of the richest people in the world.
The Sunflower Foundation announced billionaire philanthropist and novelist MacKenzie Scott gave the nonprofit organization a one-time, unrestricted gift of $4 million.
“We are grateful for and humbled by Ms. Scott’s gift,” said Billie Hall, Sunflower Foundation president and CEO. “That she chose our foundation to be part of her philanthropic vision is a testament to the determined work of Sunflower’s many partners across Kansas – nonprofit organizations and public entities that remain steadfast in their efforts to improve the health of their communities and enhance the quality of life for all who call Kansas home.”
The foundation has partnerships with rural communities throughout the state designed to strengthen health care systems, address food and nutrition security, create more opportunities for people to get outdoors and stay active.
Scott’s donation will allow the foundation expand on work in these areas and others.
“This timely gift will accelerate and enhance our ability to advance equity in health care and find innovative strategies and solutions for improving and sustaining rural health systems,” Hall said.
Scott has pledged to give away at least half of her wealth in charity in her lifetime. She said she seeks to identify and award funds to high-impact, equity-oriented nonprofits working to support the needs of people and groups that historically have been underrepresented.
According to the Sunflower Foundation, their rural-based grant-making strategy has engaged thousands of Kansans who are working to make the state a healthier place, with nearly 40% of its grants and over 40% of its grant dollars distributed in the past 10 years having supported entities in rural communities.
Copyright 2022 WIBW. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/10/25/billionaire-mackenzie-scott-donates-4-million-topeka-foundation/ | 2022-10-25 23:55:37 | 0 | https://www.wibw.com/2022/10/25/billionaire-mackenzie-scott-donates-4-million-topeka-foundation/ |
CENTERVILLE, Ohio (WDTN) – There have been a handful of local basketball players here in the Miami Valley to enjoy success beyond the high school hardwood.
But for one rising star from Centerville, he made his mark as one of the most sensational talents to come out of southwest Ohio.
His name is Gabe Cupps and his story is only just beginning.
Gabe and his dad Brook, the varsity boys basketball head coach at Centerville, sat down with Joey DeBerardino in a 2 Sports exclusive interview. | https://www.wdtn.com/sports/centerville-basketball-star-gabe-cupps-leaves-lasting-legacy/ | 2023-06-30 01:03:40 | 0 | https://www.wdtn.com/sports/centerville-basketball-star-gabe-cupps-leaves-lasting-legacy/ |
- Asimov to provide iGEM students with access to software, the 2023 iGEM Distribution Kit, genetic device characterization as a service, and a collection of mammalian parts.
BOSTON, Feb. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Asimov, the synthetic biology company building tools to design living systems, announced today a 2023 partnership with the International Genetically Engineered Machines (iGEM) student competition, aimed at advancing the field of synthetic biology. This partnership represents a commitment by Asimov to support the iGEM community and to help build the future of the field.
Through this collaboration, Asimov will provide iGEM teams with the following:
- Access to Kernel, Asimov's cloud-based software for genetic design and collaboration
- Manufacturing and shipping the 2023 iGEM Distribution Kit, which includes hundreds of purified genetic part plasmids and a measurement kit
- Genetic device characterization as a service at Asimov's lab in Boston
- A collection of mammalian genetic parts
"iGEM provides the experience of a lifetime to budding scientists; it's the path by which many synthetic biologists break into the field, myself included," says Alec Nielsen, Asimov's CEO and iGEM alumnus. "My life wouldn't be the same if not for iGEM, and I'm proud to have gone from an undergrad team member, to a team mentor, to a Jamboree judge, to a track organizer, and now to a partner through Asimov."
"Asimov brings a wealth of resources to iGEM, with best-practices for the manufacturing of the iGEM distribution kit and state-of-the art technology in mammalian synthetic biology. They have a deep understanding and commitment to the iGEM community. We are thrilled to welcome Asimov as a partner in creating the future of synthetic biology," said Vinoo Selvarajah, Director of Technology at iGEM Europe.
About Asimov
Headquartered in Boston, Asimov's mission is to advance humanity's ability to design living systems, enabling biotechnologies with outsized societal benefit. The company is developing a synthetic biology platform – from cells to software – to empower genetic designers. For more information, visit www.asimov.com.
About iGEM
The International Genetically Engineered Machines (iGEM) Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of synthetic biology, education and competition, and the development of an open, collaborative, and cooperative community. The iGEM competition is the world's largest and most prestigious student competition in synthetic biology. Teams of undergraduate students work together throughout the year to design and build biologically-based projects.
The iGEM Competition is an annual, worldwide synthetic biology event that gives students the opportunity to push the boundaries of synthetic biology by tackling everyday issues facing the world. Multidisciplinary teams work together to design, build, test, and measure a system of their own design using interchangeable biological parts and standard molecular biology techniques.
Contact
Asimov, Inc.
Alec Nielsen
Co-founder & CEO
press@asimov.com
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SOURCE Asimov | https://www.ktre.com/prnewswire/2023/02/08/asimov-partners-with-igem-support-next-generation-synthetic-biologists/ | 2023-02-08 14:51:00 | 1 | https://www.ktre.com/prnewswire/2023/02/08/asimov-partners-with-igem-support-next-generation-synthetic-biologists/ |
NEW YORK, Nov. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Klein Law Firm announces that a class action complaint has been filed on behalf of shareholders of Rite Aid Corporation (NYSE: RAD) alleging that the Company violated federal securities laws.
Class Period: April 14, 2022 to September 28, 2022
Lead Plaintiff Deadline: December 19, 2022
No obligation or cost to you.
Learn more about your recoverable losses in RAD:
https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/rite-aid-class-action-submission-form?id=33684&from=4
CLASS ACTION CASE DETAILS: The filed complaint alleges that Rite Aid Corporation made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) despite representations to the contrary, the number of new members that the Elixir pharmacy benefit management services business was adding during the selling season ending on January 1, 2023 was in material decline; (ii) Rite Aid was likely to recognize a significant charge for the impairment of goodwill related to Elixir due to a decrease in "lives" covered by Elixir's pharmacy benefit management services business; and (iii) as a result, the Company's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.
WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU AS A SHAREHOLDER: If you have suffered a loss in Rite Aid you have until December 19, 2022 to petition the court for lead plaintiff status. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.
NO COST TO YOU: If you purchased Rite Aid securities during the relevant period, you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out-of-pocket fees.
HOW TO PROTECT YOUR FINANCIAL INTERESTS: For additional information about the RAD lawsuit, please contact J. Klein, Esq. by telephone at 212-616-4899 or click this link: https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/rite-aid-class-action-submission-form?id=33684&from=4.
J. Klein, Esq. represents investors and participates in securities litigations involving financial fraud throughout the nation. The Klein Law Firm is a boutique litigation firm with experience in a wide range of areas including securities law, corporate finance and commercial litigation. Since 2011, our experienced attorneys have achieved superior results for our clients with a personalized focus. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
CONTACT:
J. Klein, Esq.
535 Fifth Avenue
4th Floor
New York City, NY 10017
jk@kleinstocklaw.com
Telephone: (212) 616-4899
www.kleinstocklaw.com
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SOURCE The Klein Law Firm | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2022/11/15/rad-alert-klein-law-firm-announces-lead-plaintiff-deadline-december-19-2022-class-action-filed-behalf-rite-aid-corporation-shareholders/ | 2022-11-15 11:27:31 | 1 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2022/11/15/rad-alert-klein-law-firm-announces-lead-plaintiff-deadline-december-19-2022-class-action-filed-behalf-rite-aid-corporation-shareholders/ |
SEOUL, South Korea, May 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Smilegate globally released its highly anticipated new mobile turn-based role-playing game (RPG) 'OUTERPLANE'. The game is now available in multiple languages, including Korean, English, and Chinese (Simplified and Traditional) in over 170 countries.
Developed by VA Games and serviced by Smilegate, 'OUTERPLANE' is a turn-based RPG that follows the story of a protagonist suddenly summoned from Earth to a fantasy world and sets off on an adventure with his/her companions.
One of the distinguishing features of OUTERPLANE is its strategic combat system. Players can employ various tactics such as aerial attacks, skill chains, and breaking manoeuvres to engage in thrilling battles. Players can effectively counter boss attacks and execute powerful finishing moves by utilizing skill bursts, providing an immersive and strategic gameplay experience.
The game's stunning visuals and charming characters, imbued with an anime-inspired aesthetic, further enhance the overall gaming experience. OUTERPLANE's meticulous attention to detail and captivating animations contribute to the game's high level of polish and refinement.
OUTERPLANE's global launch encompasses over 170 countries. OUTERPLANE presents a series of exciting and various events for its players worldwide to celebrate the game launch. Notably, the game's pre-launch in select Southeast Asian countries resulted in a remarkable achievement, as it reached the top position on the popular games list in the Singaporean Google Play Store.
Smilegate will hold an event to commemorate the global launch so players who complete the Start Dash and Guide Quest events can obtain three-star heroes. In addition, various special events are available with numerous in-game rewards that guarantee 80 summonses.
OUTERPLANE is available for download on Google Play Store and the App Store, allowing players worldwide to embark on an unforgettable journey in this captivating 3D turn-based RPG. For more information and updates, please visit https://page.onstove.com/outerplane/en or follow OUTERPLANE Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@OUTER_PLANE.
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SOURCE Smilegate | https://www.kait8.com/prnewswire/2023/05/23/smilegate-launches-new-mobile-rpg-outerplane-globally/ | 2023-05-23 10:24:10 | 1 | https://www.kait8.com/prnewswire/2023/05/23/smilegate-launches-new-mobile-rpg-outerplane-globally/ |
BOSTON, Jan. 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Corium LLC (Corium) announced that President and Chief Executive Officer, Perry J. Sternberg, will present at the 41st Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. Pacific.
Corium is a leading commercial-stage neuroscience company focused on the development and commercialization of differentiated therapies that provide clinicians with meaningful new treatment options for patients, their families, and their caregivers.
Corium is commercializing two FDA-approved products in the U.S., AZSTARYS® and ADLARITY®. For further information, please visit http://www.corium.com.
Contact:
Heather Gartman
Gartmanpr@gmail.com
202-413-4226
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SOURCE Corium, LLC | https://www.wbay.com/prnewswire/2023/01/06/corium-present-41st-annual-jp-morgan-healthcare-conference/ | 2023-01-06 13:31:26 | 1 | https://www.wbay.com/prnewswire/2023/01/06/corium-present-41st-annual-jp-morgan-healthcare-conference/ |
Attorney General Ken Paxton will face lawyers for the men who accused him of securities fraud seven years ago in a one-hour deposition after the November elections.
The Dallas Morning News reported Thursday that Collin County District Court Judge Cynthia Wheless ordered Paxton to sit for the deposition on Nov. 28, three weeks after the culmination of Paxton’s reelection race. He is running against Democrat Rochelle Garza.
Paxton did not immediately respond to requests for comment through his government or campaign offices. Phil Hilder, the lawyer representing Paxton in his securities fraud case, declined comment.
Paxton is facing a tough challenge from Garza, with two recent polls showing the two-term incumbent up by only 2 percentage points and 3 percentage points, respectively. Legal challenges have troubled him for years, including during the GOP primary earlier this year, when three opponents highlighted the legal scandals. On top of the securities fraud case, Paxton also faces a whistleblower lawsuit from former top deputies who accused him of abuse of office. An FBI investigation stemmed from those allegations.
The deposition is part of a lawsuit that is separate but related to the seven-year-old securities fraud indictment in which two men, Byron Cook and Joel Hochberg, accuse Paxton of encouraging them to invest in McKinney-based technology company Servergy Inc., without disclosing he would make a commission from those investments. Cook is a former state legislator who served in the Texas House with Paxton.
A year after Paxton was indicted on three felony charges alleging securities law violations, an associate of his, Charles “Chip” Loper III, sued Cook and Hochberg, accusing them of creating a scheme to profit off the investment funds of Unity Resources, a mineral assets company. Loper said the scheme hurt him and his father financially.
Cook and Hochberg’s lawyers said that lawsuit was retaliatory. Last year, they were able to add Paxton as a “responsible third party” to the case by arguing that he was also an investor and the company’s lawyer. As such, they said, Paxton should be held responsible for any alleged wrongdoing.
In a deposition in the Unity case, Cook and Hochberg’s lawyers can ask Paxton about his other securities fraud case.
Paxton has denied wrongdoing in both cases. He faces up to 99 years in prison if convicted in the securities fraud case tied to Servergy.
Cook and Hochberg’s lawyers had tried to depose him twice over the summer in the Unity case, but Paxton’s legal team had said the attorney general had scheduling conflicts. He was deposed in the Unity case once before in August 2019, but records of that deposition remain under seal, according to The Dallas Morning News.
The Texas Tribune Festival is almost here! From Thursday through Saturday, Sept. 22-24, in downtown Austin, TribFest attendees will enjoy three days full of mind-expanding events, conversations and panels featuring more than 350 big names including Chris Bosh, Pete Buttigieg, Liz Cheney, Annette Gordon-Reed and many others. Join us for Texas’ biggest politics and policy event when you buy your tickets today.
This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2022/09/15/ken-paxton-securities-fraud-deposition/.
The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org. | https://www.kxxv.com/hometown/texas/texas-ag-ken-paxton-could-be-deposed-about-securities-fraud-accusations-after-election | 2022-09-16 04:05:01 | 0 | https://www.kxxv.com/hometown/texas/texas-ag-ken-paxton-could-be-deposed-about-securities-fraud-accusations-after-election |
MIDTOWN, Manhattan (WPIX) – A fire broke out at the Tiffany & Co. Landmark store in New York City on Thursday.
Thick, black smoke billowed from the Fifth Avenue shop in Midtown Manhattan, as seen in photos and videos posted to social media on Thursday morning.
Firefighters with the FDNY arrived on the scene shortly after the fire broke out around 9:40 a.m. The fire was located in a utility vault in the building, fire officials said. The cause remains under investigation.
Two people were taken to a hospital. Their injuries were not immediately disclosed by the FDNY.
The Landmark store, Tiffany & Co’s New York City flagship, reopened to the public in April after undergoing a major renovation. The project took nearly four years to complete, Reuters reported.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates. | https://wgntv.com/news/nexstar-media-wire/fire-breaks-out-at-flagship-tiffany-co-store-in-nyc/ | 2023-06-29 18:30:06 | 0 | https://wgntv.com/news/nexstar-media-wire/fire-breaks-out-at-flagship-tiffany-co-store-in-nyc/ |
Delivers record net income for a third straight quarter
Achieves record coking coal realizations and gross coking coal margins
Announces a quarterly dividend of $118.7 million, or $6.00 per share
ST. LOUIS, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Arch Resources, Inc. (NYSE: ARCH) today reported net income of $407.6 million, or $19.30 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2022, compared with net income of $27.9 million, or $1.66 per diluted share, in the prior-year period. Arch had adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, depletion, amortization, accretion on asset retirement obligations (ARO), and non-operating expenses ("adjusted EBITDA") [1] of $460.0 million in the second quarter of 2022, which included a $1.9 million non-cash mark-to-market loss associated with its coal-hedging activities. This compares to $66.5 million of adjusted EBITDA in the second quarter of 2021, which included an $8.8 million non-cash mark-to-market loss associated with its coal-hedging activities. Revenues totaled $1,133.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022, versus $450.4 million in the prior-year quarter.
In the second quarter of 2022, Arch made significant progress on numerous strategic priorities and objectives:
- Delivered record net income for the third straight quarter
- Achieved record coking coal realizations and gross coking coal margins
- Reduced total indebtedness by $135.8 million, or 42.1 percent, resulting in a net positive cash position of $94.9 million
- Reached the targeted funding level of $130.0 million – inclusive of a July payment of $30 million – for its recently established thermal mine reclamation fund
- Deployed $280.7 million for dividends and convertible securities settlements under its recently relaunched capital return program, and
- Declared a third quarter cash dividend of $118.7 million, or $6.00 per share, even with a $137.8 million build in the company's receivables balance associated with a substantial increase in high-priced seaborne shipments in the quarter's second half
"During the second quarter, the Arch team delivered another strong financial performance – with record net income, record coking coal realizations and record coking coal margins – despite continuing rail service challenges and isolated geologic issues in our core metallurgical segment," said Paul A. Lang, Arch's CEO and president. "In addition, Arch deployed a total of $280.7 million under its recently relaunched capital return program; further fortified the balance sheet via the repayment of $135.8 million of indebtedness; and contributed $90 million to the thermal mine reclamation fund – inclusive of a July payment – that increased total funding to $130.0 million, or 100 percent of the target level. In short, we are delivering on our clear, consistent and actionable plan for value creation by continuing to strengthen our financial position and reward our stockholders."
"Based on the continuing strength in Arch's operating performance and in keeping with the company's recently adopted capital return formula, the board has declared a total quarterly dividend of $118.7 million, or $6.00 per share, which is equivalent to 50 percent of Arch's second quarter discretionary cash flow," Lang added. "We view this substantial dividend, in conjunction with the $8.11 per share dividend paid in the second quarter, as a clear indication of the board's ongoing confidence in the company's future outlook, and as compelling evidence of Arch's significant and expanding cash-generating capabilities."
Capital Allocation Model
In February 2022, Arch announced a new capital allocation model that includes the return to stockholders of 50 percent of the prior quarter's discretionary cash flow – defined as cash flow from operating activities minus capital expenditures and contributions to the thermal mine reclamation fund – via a variable quarterly cash dividend in conjunction with a fixed quarterly cash dividend. The company plans to retain the remaining discretionary cash flow from the prior quarter for use in share buybacks, the repurchase of potentially dilutive securities, special dividends, and/or capital preservation.
Arch generated $268.2 million in cash flow from operating activities in the second quarter, despite a $137.8 million build in the company's receivables balance associated with a substantial increase in high-priced seaborne shipments in the quarter's second half. The second quarter dividend payment of $6.00 per share – which includes a fixed component of $0.25 per share and a variable component of $5.75 per share – is payable on September 15, 2022 to stockholders of record on August 31, 2022.
While the board is still evaluating the optimal use of the discretionary cash flow remaining after the announced cash dividend payment, it views share buybacks as an effective means of returning capital to stockholders and views Arch stock as an attractive investment option.
The Arch board recently increased the company's authorization under its share repurchase program to $500.0 million.
Financial and Liquidity Update
Arch ended the second quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $281.9 million and total liquidity of $349.7 million. As indicated, Arch repaid $135.8 million of its outstanding indebtedness during the second quarter, reducing its total debt outstanding to just $187.0 million and resulting in a net positive cash position of $94.9 million at quarter-end.
"We are pleased to deliver on our commitment to returning our discretionary cash flow to stockholders, even as we take steps to further fortify our balance sheet, fully fund our thermal mine reclamation fund, and simplify our capital structure via the settlement of a significant percentage of our convertible notes," said Matthew C. Giljum, Arch's chief financial officer. "Through these carefully structured efforts, we believe we are driving significant value for our stockholders while at the same time reducing the overall risk profile of the company and ensuring we have the financial flexibility to manage through future market downturns."
Since the beginning of 2022, Arch has deployed approximately $403.2 million under its capital return program (inclusive of the just-announced third quarter dividend); reduced its total debt by an aggregate of $417.5 million, or approximately 70%; and used a total of $110.0 million to complete the cash pre-funding of its thermal mine reclamation fund.
Operational Update
"The Arch team generated strong margins in both our core metallurgical and legacy thermal segments during the second quarter despite ongoing rail service disruptions, mounting inflationary pressures, and isolated geologic issues in our coking coal portfolio," said John T. Drexler, Arch's chief operating officer. "Even with localized, tougher-than-expected cutting conditions in the second panel at Leer South, the metallurgical segment continued to build coking coal inventories during the quarter. With 1.1 million tons of high-value coking coal in our mine and port stockpiles at quarter-end and the expectation of much-improved geologic conditions at Leer South beginning in late August, we fully expect to capitalize on still-strong market conditions as rail service recovers."
Despite higher-than-anticipated unit costs related to localized geologic issues, higher sales-sensitive costs associated with a higher average selling price, and inflationary pressures on materials and supplies, the metallurgical segment generated record margins during the second quarter. Arch expects coking coal shipments to increase modestly in the third quarter when compared to second quarter levels, reflecting gradually improving but still hampered rail and logistical service levels, but has adjusted down full-year volume guidance to reflect ongoing challenges.
Despite a sequential stepdown in shipments during the second quarter, which is typically the weakest shipping period of the year in the Powder River Basin, as well as modest margin erosion, Arch's legacy thermal segment again generated robust amounts of cash.
Strategic Plan for Legacy Thermal Assets
During the second quarter, Arch continued to deliver on its dual objectives of driving forward with an accelerated reclamation plan at its legacy thermal operations, while simultaneously harvesting cash from these assets. During the quarter, the legacy thermal segment delivered $93.3 million in segment-level adjusted EBITDA while expending just $4.6 million in capital. Over the past 23 quarters, Arch's thermal operations have contributed just under $1.1 billion in segment-level adjusted EBITDA, while expending just $118.6 million in capital.
Since the beginning of 2021, Arch has reduced the asset retirement obligation at its Powder River Basin operations by more than 20 percent to $151.2 million at June 30, 2022. As previously discussed, Arch has also created a thermal mine reclamation fund that it is using to pre-fund and defease the long-term mine closure and reclamation obligations of its Powder River Basin operations. Inclusive of a $60 million contribution to this fund in the second quarter and an incremental $30 million contribution earlier this month, the company has now reached its targeted funding level of $130 million, matching the asset retirement obligation at the Black Thunder mine. Arch expects future contributions to this fund to total $3 million to $5 million per quarter – consistent with projected future accretion related to its asset retirement obligation at Black Thunder – potentially offset by creditable reclamation work completed during any given period.
"Since establishing our thermal mine reclamation fund in the fourth quarter of 2021, we have moved quickly to build the fund's balance to the targeted level of $130 million," Giljum said. "In doing so, we have set the stage for strong, continued cash generation from these assets even as we move forward with winding them down over an extended timeframe in a careful and responsible manner."
Market Update
While global metallurgical coal markets have softened considerably in recent weeks, coking coal prices remain at exceptionally strong levels in historic terms. Arch's primary product, High-Vol A coking coal, is currently being assessed at $249 per metric ton on the U.S. East Coast. The principal driver behind the recent erosion in coking coal market dynamics, Arch believes, is slowing economic growth across most of the world, which is having the predictable knock-on effect on global steel markets. For the first six months of 2022, global hot metal production is down approximately 5.5 percent.
However, Arch sees other market dynamics that are acting to support global coking coal markets at present. The first of these is still-weak coking coal production and shipping levels globally. Coking coal exports out of Australia – traditionally the source of more than 50 percent of seaborne coking coal supply – continue to undershoot already weak 2021 levels, with export volumes down approximately 5 million tons, or roughly 7 percent, year-to-date. Additionally, the war in Ukraine threatens to trim Russian coking coal export levels, particularly once the EU's ban on Russian coal imports take effect in a few weeks' time. Elsewhere, U.S. and Canadian export levels are up only modestly year-to-date, despite exceptionally strong pricing levels through the year's first half.
Another potential support mechanism for the global coking coal market is a still strong international thermal market. The price for thermal coal in Australia is currently around $415 per metric ton, and the thermal price in northern Europe stands at approximately $390 per metric ton. As a result of that nearly unprecedented negative spread between metallurgical and thermal prices, Arch recently sold a vessel of its High-Vol B coking coal to a European thermal customer for delivery in the fourth quarter, at a price significantly above the U.S. East Coast metallurgical marks, and is actively exploring other such opportunities.
In addition, Arch continues to capitalize on exceptionally strong international thermal market conditions directly through the export of thermal volumes from its West Elk and – to a lesser extent – Black Thunder mines. While rail service remains a significant barrier to moving additional volumes to energy-short international customers, Arch still anticipates shipping an incremental 600,000 tons of West Elk coal and nearly 500,000 tons of Black Thunder coal into international markets in the second half of 2022, at exceptional price levels.
Looking Ahead
"With our greatly upgraded coking coal portfolio, Arch is exceptionally well-positioned to capitalize on still-constructive coking coal market dynamics, both in the near and longer term, while continuing to harvest robust amounts of cash from our increasingly de-risked legacy thermal segment," said Lang. "Even with rail-related volume constraints, inflation-driven cost pressures, and lower-than-anticipated productivity rates, we expect to generate significant amounts of discretionary cash flow in the year's second half, and to return this cash flow to stockholders according to the clearly articulated tenets of our recently established capital return formula."
"Looking ahead, we fully expect our world-class metallurgical asset base, premium High-Vol A product slate, highly fortified financial position, top-tier marketing and logistics expertise, and industry-leading ESG performance to continue to differentiate Arch from its competitors and to drive exceptional value for our stakeholders."
Note: The company is unable to present a quantitative reconciliation of its forward-looking non-GAAP Segment cash cost per ton sold financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures without unreasonable efforts due to the inherent difficulty in forecasting and quantifying with reasonable accuracy significant items required for the reconciliation. The most directly comparable GAAP measure, GAAP cost of sales, is not accessible without unreasonable efforts on a forward-looking basis. The reconciling items include transportation costs, which are a component of GAAP cost of sales. Management is unable to predict without unreasonable efforts transportation costs due to uncertainty as to the end market and FOB point for uncommitted sales volumes and the final shipping point for export shipments. In addition, the impact of hedging activity related to commodity purchases that do not receive hedge accounting and idle and administrative costs that are not included in a reportable segment are additional reconciling items for Segment cash cost per ton sold. Management is unable to predict without unreasonable efforts the impact of hedging activity related to commodity purchases that do not receive hedge accounting due to fluctuations in commodity prices, which are difficult to forecast due to their inherent volatility. These amounts have historically varied and may continue to vary significantly from quarter to quarter and material changes to these items could have a significant effect on our future GAAP results. Idle and administrative costs that are not included in a reportable segment are expected to be between $10 million and $20 million in 2022.
Arch Resources is a premier producer of high-quality metallurgical products for the global steel industry. The company operates large, modern and highly efficient mines that consistently set the industry standard for both mine safety and environmental stewardship. Arch Resources from time to time utilizes its website – www.archrsc.com – as a channel of distribution for material company information. To learn more about us and our premium metallurgical products, go to www.archrsc.com.
Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended - that is, statements related to future, not past, events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address our expected future business and financial performance, and future plans, and often contain words such as "should," "could," "appears," "estimates," "projects," "targets," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "may," "plans," "predicts," "believes," "seeks," "strives," "will" or variations of such words or similar words. Actual results or outcomes may vary significantly, and adversely, from those anticipated due to many factors, including: impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic; changes in coal prices, which may be caused by numerous factors beyond our control, including changes in the domestic and foreign supply of and demand for coal and the domestic and foreign demand for steel and electricity; volatile economic and market conditions; operating risks beyond our control, including risks related to mining conditions, mining, processing and plant equipment failures or maintenance problems; weather and natural disasters; the unavailability of raw materials, equipment or other critical supplies, mining accidents, and other inherent risks of coal mining that are beyond our control; loss of availability, reliability and cost-effectiveness of transportation facilities and fluctuations in transportation costs; inflationary pressures and availability and price of mining and other industrial supplies; the effects of foreign and domestic trade policies, actions or disputes on the level of trade among the countries and regions in which we operate, the competitiveness of our exports, or our ability to export; competition, both within our industry and with producers of competing energy sources, including the effects from any current or future legislation or regulations designed to support, promote or mandate renewable energy sources; alternative steel production technologies that may reduce demand for our coal; the loss of key personnel or the failure to attract additional qualified personnel and the availability of skilled employees and other workforce factors; our ability to secure new coal supply arrangements or to renew existing coal supply arrangements; the loss of, or significant reduction in, purchases by our largest customers; disruptions in the supply of coal from third parties; risks related to our international growth; our relationships with, and other conditions affecting our customers and our ability to collect payments from our customers; the availability and cost of surety bonds, including potential collateral requirements; additional demands for credit support by third parties and decisions by banks, surety bond providers, or other counterparties to reduce or eliminate their exposure to the coal industry; inaccuracies in our estimates of our coal reserves; defects in title or the loss of a leasehold interest; losses as a result of certain marketing and asset optimization strategies; cyber-attacks or other security breaches that disrupt our operations, or that result in the unauthorized release of proprietary, confidential or personally identifiable information; our ability to acquire or develop coal reserves in an economically feasible manner; our ability to comply with the restrictions imposed by our term loan debt facility and other financing arrangements; our ability to service our outstanding indebtedness and raise funds necessary to repurchase our convertible notes for cash following a fundamental change or to pay any cash amounts due upon conversion; existing and future legislation and regulations affecting both our coal mining operations and our customers' coal usage; governmental policies and taxes, including those aimed at reducing emissions of elements such as mercury, sulfur dioxides, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter or greenhouse gases; increased pressure from political and regulatory authorities, along with environmental and climate change activist groups, and lending and investment policies adopted by financial institutions and insurance companies to address concerns about the environmental impacts of coal combustion; increased attention to environmental, social or governance matters; our ability to obtain and renew various permits necessary for our mining operations; risks related to regulatory agencies ordering certain of our mines to be temporarily or permanently closed under certain circumstances; risks related to extensive environmental regulations that impose significant costs on our mining operations, and could result in litigation or material liabilities; the accuracy of our estimates of reclamation and other mine closure obligations; the existence of hazardous substances or other environmental contamination on property owned or used by us; risks related to tax legislation and our ability to use net operating losses and certain tax credits; and our ability to pay base or variable dividends in accordance with our announced capital return program. All forward-looking statements in this press release, as well as all other written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained in this section and elsewhere in this press release. These factors are not necessarily all of the important factors that could cause actual results or outcomes to vary significantly, and adversely, from those anticipated at the time such statements were first made. These risks and uncertainties, as well as other risks of which we are not aware or which we currently do not believe to be material, may cause our actual future results and outcomes to be materially, and adversely, different than those expressed in our forward-looking statements. For these reasons, readers should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which such statements were made, and we do not undertake, and expressly disclaim, any duty to update our forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by the federal securities laws. For a description of some of the risks and uncertainties that may affect our future results, you should see the risk factors described from time to time in the reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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SOURCE Arch Resources, Inc. | https://www.kbtx.com/prnewswire/2022/07/28/arch-resources-reports-second-quarter-2022-results/ | 2022-07-28 11:08:54 | 1 | https://www.kbtx.com/prnewswire/2022/07/28/arch-resources-reports-second-quarter-2022-results/ |
Record Store Day is Saturday, April 22, and there’s tons of limited-edition vinyl to be had at your local independent record store. Here’s a look at some of the goodies you can grab this weekend:
Taylor Swift‘s folklore: the long pond studio sessions arrives on vinyl — double gray vinyl, to be exact. The album features live performances of all the songs from Taylor’s 2020 album folklore, recorded at Long Pond Studio with her collaborators Aaron Dessner, Jack Antonoff and Justin Vernon. Tracks include “Cardigan,” “Betty,” “Exile,” “August” and “The Lakes.”
Stevie Nicks‘ Bella Donna Live 1981 comes to vinyl for the first time. The two-LP set was recorded live on December 13, 1981, on Stevie’s White Winged Dove tour. Tracks include “Dreams,” “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around,” “Gold Dust Woman,” “Rihannon” and “Edge of Seventeen.”
Billy Joel‘s Live at the Great American Music Hall is a double album pressed on opaque gray vinyl. Recorded in 1975 during Billy’s Streetlife Serenade tour, it features early versions of future Turnstiles songs like “New York State of Mind” and “James,” plus Billy’s musical impressions of Joe Cocker, Leon Russell and Elton John.
Speaking of Elton, his 1973 album Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano Player, featuring “Daniel” and “Crocodile Rock,” will be available on two LPs, pressed on “propeller splatter” vinyl.
Madonna, Duran Duran, Carole King, Em Beihold, Belinda Carlisle and Stephen Sanchez are among the other artists putting out exclusive vinyl for Record Store Day. You can see the entire list at RecordStoreDay.com.
Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. | https://warm1069.com/record-store-day-is-saturday-grab-exclusive-vinyl-from-taylor-billy-stevie-elton-and-more/ | 2023-04-21 19:53:06 | 1 | https://warm1069.com/record-store-day-is-saturday-grab-exclusive-vinyl-from-taylor-billy-stevie-elton-and-more/ |
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A federal judge ruled Wednesday that Walgreens can be held responsible for contributing to San Francisco's opioid crisis for over-dispensing highly addictive drugs for years without proper oversight and failing to identify and report suspicious orders as required by law.
San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu said the pharmacy chain “continually violated what they were required to do under the federal Controlled Substances Act,” failing to track opioid prescriptions, preventing pharmacists from vetting prescriptions and “nor did they see the many red flags of physicians and others who were dramatically over-prescribing.”
“Pharmacists were pressured to fill, fill, fill," he said, “and as a result, Walgreens filled our streets with opioids.”
U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer ruled that for 15 years, Walgreens dispensed hundreds of thousands of pills, eventually contributing to the city's hospitals being overwhelmed with opioid patients, libraries being forced to close because of syringe-clogged toilets, and syringes littering children's playgrounds in San Francisco.
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A Walgreens spokesman said the chain is disappointed in the outcome, which he said is not supported by the facts and the law.
“As we have said throughout this process, we never manufactured or marketed opioids, nor did we distribute them to the ‘pill mills’ and internet pharmacies that fueled this crisis,” spokesman Fraser Engerman said in a statement. “The plaintiff’s attempt to resolve the opioid crisis with an unprecedented expansion of public nuisance law is misguided and unsustainable. We look forward to the opportunity to address these issues on appeal.”
San Francisco in 2018 sued Walgreens and drug manufacturers and distributors over the city's worsening opioid epidemic, saying they created a “public nuisance” by flooding the city with prescription opioids. All the other defendants previously settled with the city for a total of $114 million, including $54 million that opioid makers Allergan and Teva agreed to pay on the eve of closing arguments in the trial, leaving Walgreens as the sole defendant.
Wednesday's ruling did not include a ruling on monetary damages, which will be determined in a future trial.
The opioid epidemic has been linked to more than 500,000 deaths in the U.S. over the past two decades, counting those from prescription painkillers such as OxyContin and generic oxycodone as well as illicit drugs such as heroin and illegally produced fentanyl.
The surge in deaths has led to more than 3,000 lawsuits filed by state and local governments, Native American tribes, unions, hospitals and other entities in state and federal courts over the toll of opioids. In San Francisco, Mayor London Breed declared a state of emergency last year in the Tenderloin neighborhood, saying something had to be done about the high concentration of drug dealers and people consuming drugs in public.
The city attorney’s office says San Francisco saw a nearly 500% increase in opioid-related overdose deaths between 2015 and 2020 and that on a typical day, roughly a quarter of visits at the Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital Emergency Department are opioid-related.
In 2020, 712 people died of drug overdoses, compared with 257 people who died of COVID-19, according to the city health department.
A high percentage of an estimated 7,800 homeless people in San Francisco — many of whom pitch tents in the Tenderloin — are struggling with chronic addiction or severe mental illness, often both. Some people rant in the streets, nude and in need of medical help.
Pharmacy chains have been sued less often than opioid makers or wholesalers that distribute pharmaceuticals more broadly. In one groundbreaking case, a federal jury in Ohio last year found CVS, Walgreens and Walmart recklessly distributed massive amounts of pain pills in two Ohio counties.
In May, Walgreens reached a $683 million settlement with the state of Florida in a lawsuit accusing the company of improperly dispensing millions of painkillers that contributed to the opioid crisis. Walgreens did not admit wrongdoing in its agreement with Florida and will make payments to the state over 18 years.
The company also faces litigation in Alabama, Michigan and New Mexico, among other states.
Deerfield, Illinois-based Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. runs a network of around 9,000 drugstores in the United States. Walgreens and other prescription drug distributors have faced a slew of lawsuits over the opioid crisis.
Associated Press writer Tom Murphy in Indianapolis contributed to this report. | https://wcfcourier.com/lifestyles/health-med-fit/judge-walgreens-contributed-to-san-francisco-opioid-crisis/article_6d30b17a-c4d6-57da-9b94-d888ee18cc62.html | 2022-08-10 21:28:11 | 0 | https://wcfcourier.com/lifestyles/health-med-fit/judge-walgreens-contributed-to-san-francisco-opioid-crisis/article_6d30b17a-c4d6-57da-9b94-d888ee18cc62.html |
WASHINGTON, D.C. (The Hill) — A large majority of Americans favor a maximum age limit for elected officials, a new CBS News/YouGov poll found.
When asked if there should be an upper age restriction at which point lawmakers are forced to leave office, 73 percent of poll respondents agreed. Only 27 percent of those surveyed did not agree with the idea.
The majority across all political parties polled were in favor of the maximum age limit, with 71 percent of Democrats, 75 percent of Republicans and 75 percent of independents supporting it.
The majority support also held through every age group of respondents.
Most of those polled (40 percent) said 70 would be an appropriate cut-off age. The other ages offered were age 50 (8 percent), age 60 (26 percent), age 80 (18 percent) and age 90 (2 percent).
Currently, the oldest members of Congress are 87-year-olds Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa). President Biden is 79 years old.
The poll, conducted on a sample of 2,085 U.S. adults between August 29-31, 2022, has a margin of error of 2.6 points points. | https://www.wric.com/news/u-s-world/most-americans-want-maximum-age-limit-for-elected-officials-poll-2/ | 2022-09-08 21:11:44 | 1 | https://www.wric.com/news/u-s-world/most-americans-want-maximum-age-limit-for-elected-officials-poll-2/ |
Mississippi State head football coach, Mike Leach, spoke at the 2022 SEC Media Days on Tuesday. His Bulldogs went a mediocre 7-6 in 2021 and he is looking for his team to improve this season. Leach is going into his third year as the head coach in Starkville and with a tough schedule in 2022, he hopes to have his best season yet.
📸 @Coach_Leach x #SECMD22#HailState🐶 pic.twitter.com/FSlzAXYjZN
— Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) July 19, 2022
2022 Improvements
Leach spoke about some improvements he would like to see out of his football team in 2022. He pointed out two position groups, in particular, that he hopes will take a step forward this season.
The wide receiver position is one that the Bulldogs will need to find some new production from this season. Their leading receiver in 2021 was Makai Polk. Polk recorded over 1000 yards receiving and nine touchdowns on 105 catches last year. He had more than double the receptions as any other player did. Polk is now gone as he signed a contract with the Baltimore Ravens after he went undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft.
With Polk out of the picture, quarterback Will Rogers will need to find a new top target in Mississippi State’s pass-first offense.
On the defensive side, the secondary definitely has room for improvement. In 2021, the Bulldogs intercepted just eleven passes total. Cornerback Emmanuel Forbes led the team in this stat with three INTs. Another player that will play a big role in their secondary is Collin Duncan. Leach was asked about Duncan’s play and what he sees in his fourth-year safety.
Leach will look for a step forward from Forbes and Duncan, along with the rest of his secondary as they attempt to force more turnovers to get their high-powered offense on the field more often.
Tough Conference Schedule
While Leach and the Bulldogs are looking to improve on their 7-6 record from last season, it won’t be easy. Mississippi State faces one of the toughest schedules in the country in 2022. They go against LSU in Death Valley, Alabama in Tuscaloosa, and Ole Miss in Oxford. They also have to face Auburn, Georgia and Texas A&M at home.
Leach spoke about the defending national champion, Georgia Bulldogs, and the rest of their very tough SEC schedule.
Mississippi State marched into College Station in 2021 and handed Texas A&M their only home loss of the season. This was the Bulldogs’ first victory over the Aggies since 2018. Leach has an 8-4 record all time as a head coach against A&M, dating back to his days at Texas Tech. He knows it is tough to go into Kyle Field and get the job done but he’s not afraid of the challenge.
“Kyle Field is a tremendous place to play. Beating a quality team like the Aggies is tough under the best of circumstances and it’s a significant accomplishment.”
College Football Landscape
The college football world is going through drastic changes. With NIL deals and the realignment of conferences, many are worried about the state of the sport. However, many others feel like this sort of change is good for football, and college football in particular. Leach gave his opinion on the landscape of college football right now.
While Leach did not say he thinks all this change in college football is bad for the sport, he did not seem to take to it well. He said that because of all the NIL deals going on, college athletes are becoming much more “privileged.”
“Being a professional is not all privilege and no responsibility.”
Countdown to Kickoff
Mississippi State kicks off their 2022 season in just over a month. They will play their first game on September 3rd against Memphis in Starkville. With Coach Leach looking for his team to improve on what was a disappointing season in 2021, the Bulldogs are hungry for a victory in Week 1. | https://www.wruf.com/headlines/2022/07/20/mike-leach-speaks-on-mississippi-state-football/ | 2022-07-21 04:07:17 | 1 | https://www.wruf.com/headlines/2022/07/20/mike-leach-speaks-on-mississippi-state-football/ |
‘Top Gun,’ ‘Matlock’ actor Clarence Gilyard Jr. dies at age 66
(Gray News) - Actor Clarence Gilyard Jr., known for roles in movies like “Top Gun” and TV shows “Matlock” and “Walker, Texas Ranger,” has died at the age of 66.
UNLV, where Gilyard worked as a film and theatre professor, announced his passing Monday.
“It is with profound sadness that I share this news,” said Dean Nancy J. Uscher, UNLV College of Fine Arts, in a news release. “His students were deeply inspired by him, as were all who knew him. He had many extraordinary talents and was extremely well-known in the university through his dedication to teaching and his professional accomplishments. He had a national and international following through his celebrated work in the theatre, in film, and television.
“His generosity of spirit was boundless - he was always ready to contribute to projects and performances however possible. We remember Clarence with joy and gratitude for all he contributed to the College of Fine Arts, the UNLV community, and, through his impressive personal achievements, to the world.”
UNLV did not state a cause of death.
Gilyard was featured in two of the biggest action movies of the ‘80s, as the pilot Sundown in “Top Gun” and the technical expert Theo in “Die Hard.” He also found success on the small screen, appearing in 85 episodes of “Matlock” and in 196 episodes of the original “Walker” among nearly 40 acting credits, per IMDb.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.wymt.com/2022/11/29/top-gun-matlock-actor-clarence-gilyard-jr-dies-age-66/ | 2022-11-29 15:57:56 | 1 | https://www.wymt.com/2022/11/29/top-gun-matlock-actor-clarence-gilyard-jr-dies-age-66/ |
PORTLAND, Maine — Lewiston's Museum L-A, founded in 1996 and open to the public since 2004, is beginning a fresh chapter.
For starters, it has a new name. It will now be known as the Maine Museum of Innovation, Learning + Labor, or Maine MILL for short.
Its mission is also changing. The museum is broadening "the stories we’re telling to ensure that the histories and cultures we’re representing are of the entire region," Executive Director Rachel Ferrante said.
The changes are moderate, not sweeping; the museum will remain true to its mission of telling stories about the people who built Lewiston and Auburn, especially through its mills.
"At our core, it will feel much the same," Ferrante said. "We have lots of resources available, particularly for teachers. We have great lesson plans, virtual tours, and we have an oral history database. So we hope those kinds of resources, which people may not have been aware of previously, will now be readily accessible to them on our website."
Another hope is that the changes will attract more people to the museum and, equally importantly, more people to Lewiston, helping to turn it into a destination that more travelers seek out.
"It’s an exciting next step for the museum," Ferrante said. "I’m really excited to see where this takes us." | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/207/for-a-museum-in-lewiston-a-new-name-and-a-new-direction-culture-community-l-a-auburn-maine/97-d021bac5-95e4-4cb5-87bc-ae95d7c6e503 | 2023-02-01 22:30:40 | 0 | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/207/for-a-museum-in-lewiston-a-new-name-and-a-new-direction-culture-community-l-a-auburn-maine/97-d021bac5-95e4-4cb5-87bc-ae95d7c6e503 |
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Fighter jets roared off the USS Nimitz as the nuclear-powered U.S. aircraft carrier and its battle group began exercises with South Korean warships on Monday, hours after North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles in an apparent protest of the allies’ expanding drills.
The seventh missile test this month underscored heightening tensions in the region as both the North’s weapons tests and the U.S.-South Korea joint military exercises have intensified in a cycle of tit-for-tat.
The launches may have been timed for the arrival of the USS Nimitz and its strike group, including a guided missile cruiser and two destroyers, which engaged in air defense exercises and other drills with South Korean warships in waters near Jeju island.
Jang Do Young, a South Korean navy spokesperson, said the drills were aimed at sharpening joint operational capabilities and demonstrating the U.S. commitment to defend its ally with the full range of options, including nuclear, in face of the North’s “escalating nuclear and missile threats.”
The Nimitz strike group was expected to arrive at the South Korean mainland port of Busan on Tuesday.
“The United States has deployable strategic assets at the ready on every day,” said Rear Adm. Christopher Sweeney, commander of Carrier Strike Group Eleven. “We can continue to deploy those assets and we will.”
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the two North Korean missiles were fired from a western inland area south of the North’s capital of Pyongyang from around 7:47 a.m. to 8 a.m. and traveled around 370 kilometers (229 miles) before landing at sea. Japan’s military said the missiles, which landed outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone, flew on an irregular trajectory and reached a maximum altitude of 50 kilometers (31 miles).
Japan has previously used similar language to describe a North Korean solid-fuel missile apparently modeled after Russia’s Iskander mobile ballistic system, which is designed to be maneuverable in low-altitude flight to better evade South Korean missile defenses. North Korea also has another short-range system with similar characteristics that resembles the U.S. MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System.
Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said North Korea may dial up its testing activity further with more missile launches or even conducting its first nuclear test since September 2017.
The South Korean and Japanese militaries denounced the latest launches as a serious provocation threatening regional peace and said they were working with the United States to analyze the missiles further. The U.S. Indo Pacific Command said the launches did not pose an immediate threat to the United States or its allies, but still highlighted the “destabilizing impact” of North Korea’s illicit nuclear weapons and missiles programs.
North Korea, which has weathered tightened U.N. Security Council sanctions since 2016 over its nuclear developments, didn’t immediately comment on the launches.
The United States and South Korea completed their biggest springtime exercises in years last week, which had included both computer simulations and live-fire field exercises. But the allies have continued their field training in a show of force against the North’s rising threats.
North Korea had also fired a short-range missile when the USS Ronald Reagan and its battle group arrived for joint drills with South Korea in September, which was the last time the United States sent an aircraft carrier to waters near the Korean Peninsula.
North Korea has launched more than 20 ballistic and cruise missiles on 11 occasions this year as it tries to force the United States to accept its nuclear status and negotiate a removal of sanctions from a position of strength.
The weapons tested this month included an intercontinental ballistic missile and a series of short-range missiles intended to overwhelm South Korean defenses as North Korea tries to demonstrate an ability to conduct nuclear strikes on both South Korea and the U.S. mainland.
The North last week carried out what it described as a three-day exercise that simulated nuclear attacks on South Korean targets.
The country’s leader Kim Jong Un has condemned the U.S.-South Korean joint military drills as invasion rehearsals. The allies say the exercises are defensive in nature.
The tests also included a purported nuclear-capable underwater drone that the North claimed can set off a huge “radioactive tsunami” and destroy naval vessels and ports. Analysts were skeptical whether such a device was a major new threat and Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement Monday that it considers the North Korean claims likely to be “exaggerated and fabricated.”
North Korea, following some of its ballistic and cruise missile tests this month, also claimed that those weapons were tipped with mock nuclear warheads that detonated 600 to 800 meters (1,960 to 2,600 feet) above their sea targets, communicating them as heights that would maximize damage.
North Korea already is coming off a record year in weapons testing, launching more than 70 missiles in 2022. It had set into law an escalatory nuclear doctrine that authorizes pre-emptive nuclear strikes in a broad range of scenarios where it may perceive its leadership as under threat.
“It appears North Korea might be practicing, or signaling that it’s practicing, the use of nuclear strikes, both preemptive and retaliatory, in a range of scenarios that are authorized in its nuclear doctrine,” said Duyeon Kim, a senior analyst at the Center for a New American Security.
“The problem is that continued testing helps Pyongyang perfect its technology, strengthen its nuclear weapons capability that threatens South Korea and Japan, increase the likelihood of miscalculation that could lead to inadvertent conflict, and accumulate political leverage ahead of future diplomatic talks with Washington.”
Following the North’s announcement of the drone test on Friday, South Korea’s air force released details of a five-day joint drill with the United States last week that included live-fire demonstrations of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons.
The air force said the exercise was aimed at verifying precision strike capabilities and reaffirming the credibility of Seoul’s “three-axis” strategy against North Korean nuclear threats — preemptively striking sources of attacks, intercepting incoming missiles and neutralizing the North’s leadership and key military facilities.
___
Associated Press writer Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo contributed to this report. | https://www.myarklamiss.com/news/ap-top-headlines/south-korea-says-north-korea-test-fired-another-missile/ | 2023-03-27 21:46:51 | 1 | https://www.myarklamiss.com/news/ap-top-headlines/south-korea-says-north-korea-test-fired-another-missile/ |
CARRIZO PLAIN NATIONAL MONUMENT, Calif. — The roads are still rutted where rainwater carved them and farms are still flooded down the valley, but here in California's largest remaining grassland, the benefits of the state's destructively wet winter are on full display.
And they're spectacular.
Wildflowers — yellow, purple, blue and orange — are splattered across the landscape in sweeps and pools like a clumsy airbrush painting.
A superbloom. Seas of wildflowers so vast they can be seen from space.
"This is definitely one of the benefits to a wet year like we just had," said Gabe Garcia, the head of the Bakersfield field office for the Bureau of Land Management, standing amidst a field of purple phacelia and yellow goldfields, hillside daisies and tidy tips. "For perspective, last year this area [looked like] it was mowed. No vegetation coverage. Almost like dirt."
Now the flowers reach his knees.
The flourish of color and buzz of new life does little to alleviate the suffering thousands of Californians have experienced in recent months. Estimates for economic damages from one series of storms in early January are in the billions of dollars alone. The state has proclaimed states of emergencies for 47 counties since the start of February. And in some parts of the state's Central Valley, a national agricultural hub, people are preparing to be flooded, possibly, for years.
"I try to look at it as: these floods are devastation for some but they're also opportunities," said Matt Kaminski, a regional biologist for Ducks Unlimited.
Wetlands, long severed from the rivers and streams that nourished them, are being flooded with freshwater. Biologists are seeing baby salmon, fattened by new food sources in flood plains, make their way to sea. Endangered birds and waterfowl are nesting next to flooded fields.
"When we see water spread across the landscape, as you're driving through the Central Valley, you think of this as a really negative thing," said Carson Jeffres, a researcher at the University of California Davis's Center for Watershed Sciences. "And yet there are so many benefits that happen because of it."
California is a state of extremes
California, more than any other state in the U.S., is a place of climatic extremes. Weather whiplash. "Going back-and-forth between extreme dry and extremely wet," said Julia Kalansky, a climate scientist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
For centuries, Native Americans learned to live with the changing conditions, moving with the ebbs and flows of inland lakes. Plants and animals evolved to withstand periods of extreme dryness. Bulbs for many of California's native wildflowers can lie dormant for years, outlasting invasive species while waiting for rainy winters and springs like this.
While those natural cycles in the climate continue — intensified, scientists say, by human-caused climate change — the landscape they're occurring on has dramatically changed.
Where waters from rivers like the Kern, Kaweah and Tule used to spill out of the southern Sierra Nevada mountains, spreading across the desert in alluvial fans and coalescing in basins like Tulare Lake, they now meet a highly engineered system. Dams slow and collect snowmelt. Streams are channeled into canals, carrying water to a vast grid of orchards and farms.
In normal years, most of the water that comes down from the mountains is used up by agriculture. Low-income rural communities, wetlands and riparian areas are lower in the water pecking order. Years of drought forced California to cancel its $1.4 billion salmon fishing season, earlier this year, for just the third time in history. Some wetlands, "oases of habitat," Kaminski said, haven't received surface water during the drought either, relying instead on landowners like duck hunting clubs to pump groundwater to the surface.
"The only wetlands that are on the landscape here now are when big floods happen, sort of recreating the wetlands that were here historically," he said, driving along a water and bird-filled wetland northeast of Bakersfield. "And then these duck clubs that traditionally have drilled wells and pumped groundwater to flood their wetlands."
This year, the few wetlands that remain are getting their share of water up and down the Central Valley, helping alleviate the flood risks to the towns and farms that are slowly displacing them.
Idling along a levee on the wetlands edge, along the channeled waters of Poso Creek, Kaminski gestured to the south. The levee on the other side had breached a couple weeks earlier, as rainwater filled the creek, flooding part of a dairy farm.
"I look at that [and see] devastation for some," he said. "But then for other conservation-minded people, there's opportunities."
Opportunities to show the value of wetlands in flood mitigation during wet years like this. Opportunities to provide habitat for the migratory birds that travel the Pacific Flyway from South America to Alaska. And opportunities to see what once was.
Kaminski looks at the muddy scar and flooded field beyond. "It's kind of like stepping back in time."
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.mainepublic.org/npr-news/npr-news/2023-04-21/californias-destructively-wet-winter-has-a-bright-side-youll-want-to-see-it | 2023-04-21 21:56:09 | 0 | https://www.mainepublic.org/npr-news/npr-news/2023-04-21/californias-destructively-wet-winter-has-a-bright-side-youll-want-to-see-it |
VANCOUVER, BC, July 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Zacatecas Silver Corp. ("Zacatecas Silver" or the "Company", (TSXV: ZAC) (OTC: ZCTSF) (FSE: 7TV) is pleased to announce that it has engaged Palaris Ltd. ("Palaris") to lead a pre-feasibility study ("PFS") of the Esperanza Gold Project in Mexico.
Palaris is an established mining consultancy that provides bespoke services to mineral exploration and mining companies worldwide, including pre-feasibility, feasibility, and optimisation studies, life-of-mine engineering services, project management services and mine finance advisory services. Palaris have completed over 3000 projects in over 40 countries, which encompass most deposit types, mining scenarios and commodities.
Dr Chris Wilson, Chief Operating Officer and a Director of Zacatecas Silver comments, "The appointment of Palaris is a significant step in the overall advancement of the Esperanza Gold Project. A pre-feasibility study is fundamental to decision making and forward planning, and the appointment of Palaris demonstrates our desire to progress the project as quickly and efficiently as possible. Timely completion of a pre-feasibility study is important at Esperanza, as it will define the project's scope, which is a core component of a MIA submission (Manifestación de Impacto Ambiental or EIA)."
Palaris will work closely with the Company's technical staff, independent mineral resource modellers and metallurgists, and the in-country specialist consultancies responsible for the MIA. The initial focus of Palaris will be to:
- Provide an overall scope of the project for input into the MIA.
- Provide oversight to the Company during verification and resampling of the historical RC and diamond drill core database.
- Review of resource model prepared by the independent resource modeller.
- Provide oversight on compositing of bulk samples for further metallurgical test-work.
- Development of an open-pit mining method and life of mine plan.
- Development of a mineral processing and gold-silver recovery flow-path including design of heap leach pads.
- Design of overall project infrastructure and mine layout with an aim of reducing footprint through life of mine.
- Economic analysis to include capital and operating costs scenarios, and market studies and contracts, in order to establish a best-in-class mining operation. This analysis will include a trade-off study designed to assess the optimum scope, value, and execution strategy for the project.
Palaris is a mining consultant and trusted mining advisor with over 20 years of global industry service, with office in Australia, South Africa, the UK and Canada. Palaris provides multi-service consultancy with leading specialists from industry, providing deep technical and financial knowledge to mining companies, banks and funds. Palaris has completed over 3,000 projects and has developed a track record of conducting all levels of technical study required on projects that have led to successful outcomes, project financing and development into full mining operations.
The contents of this news release have been reviewed and approved by Chris Wilson, B.Sc. (Hons), PhD, FAusIMM (CP), FSEG, Chief Operating Officer of Zacatecas Silver. Dr Wilson is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and is responsible for all technical information in this news release.
Zacatecas is a mineral resource company with the gold focused advanced stage Esperanza Gold Project and the silver focused advanced stage Zacatecas Property. The Zacatecas Property is located in Zacatecas State, Mexico, within the highly prospective Fresnillo Silver Belt, which has produced over 6.2 billion ounces of silver. The Company holds 7,826 ha (19,338 acres) of ground that is highly prospective for low and intermediate sulphidation silver-base metal mineralization and potentially low sulphidation gold-dominant mineralization. On December 15, 2021, Zacatecas Silver announced a mineral resource estimate at the Panuco Deposit consisting of 2.7 million tonnes at 187 g/t AgEq (171 g/t Ag and 0.17 g/t Au) for 16.4 million ounces AgEq (15 million ounces silver and 15 thousand ounces gold) (see Company's news release dated December 15, 2021).
The Zacatecas Property is 25 km south-east of MAG Silver Corp.'s Juanicipio Mine and Fresnillo PLC's Fresnillo Mine. The Zacatecas Property shares common boundaries with Pan American Silver Corp. claims and El Orito which is owned by Endeavour Silver Corp. There are four main high-grade silver target areas within the Zacatecas Property concessions: the Panuco Deposit, Muleros, El Cristo and San Manuel-San Gill. The Zacatecas Property also includes El Oro, El Orito, La Cantera, Monserrat, El Peñón, San Judas and San Juan silver-base metal vein targets, and such targets are relatively unexplored and will be the focus of rapid reconnaissance.
The advanced stage Esperanza Gold Project, comprising 14,337.83 hectares), is located in Morelos State, Mexico. To date, significant core and reverse circulation drilling has occurred at the Esperanza Gold Project resulting in a total of 389 drill holes for 69,716 metres.
Alamos Gold Inc. reported in its most recent annual information form a resource estimate of a measured and indicated resource of 34,352,000 tonnes at 0.98 g/t gold and 8.09 g/t silver for 1,083,366 ounces of gold and 8,936,201 ounces of silver and inferred resource of 718,000 tonnes at 0.80 g/t gold and 15.04 g/t silver for 18,375 ounces of gold and 347,192 ounces of silver. The Company considers this to be an historical resource for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101. Resource blocks were defined using with dimensions of 10 metres (m) by 10 m by five m. The estimation of grades was performed with the ordinary kriging method on capped composites. An added step in the estimation strategy was the utilization of the dynamic anisotropy technique in Vulcan's unfolding options. This added capability allows for a more realistic outcome of the estimated grade's spatial distribution as it follows the folded shape of the deposit. Assumptions used in the resource include the following metal prices: gold price of $1,400 (U.S.) per ounce (oz) and silver price of $22 (U.S.) per oz. The resource assumed the following economic assumptions: recovery of 60.4 per cent at 0.2 g/t to 71.9 per cent at 1.6 g/t for gold, 25 per cent for silver, $2.60-per-tonne mining costs, 64-cents-per-tonne general and administrative costs, $4.20-per-tonne milling costs and a pit slope of 45 degrees. The Company considers the resource relevant due to its identification and modelling of the Esperanza deposit.
The Company has not done sufficient work to classify the resource as a current mineral resource or mineral reserves and the Company is not treating the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. Although the resource estimate is considered reliable, the Company will resample a portion of the drill core for the purpose of carrying out a new resource estimate. Furthermore, additional data verification, including resurveying of select diamond drill holes collars; review of graphic drill core logs, comparison of these logs with remaining half-cut core and a cross check of select geological logs agonist database entries; and a check of original assay certificates against the assays and drill hole database.
On behalf of the Company
Bryan Slusarchuk
Chief Executive Officer and Director
Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. Zacatecas Silver cautions that all forward looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by many material factors, many of which are beyond their respective control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to Zacatecas Silver's limited operating history, its proposed exploration and development activities on its properties and the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, Zacatecas Silver does not undertake to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
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SOURCE Zacatecas Silver Corp. | https://www.wflx.com/prnewswire/2022/07/05/zacatecas-silver-commences-work-pre-feasibility-study-esperanza-gold-project/ | 2022-07-05 13:33:01 | 0 | https://www.wflx.com/prnewswire/2022/07/05/zacatecas-silver-commences-work-pre-feasibility-study-esperanza-gold-project/ |
MADISON, Wis. (AP) _ The winning numbers in Thursday evening's drawing of the Wisconsin Lottery's "All or Nothing Evening" game were:
02-05-07-08-09-12-14-17-18-20-21
(two, five, seven, eight, nine, twelve, fourteen, seventeen, eighteen, twenty, twenty-one) | https://www.sfgate.com/lottery/article/Winning-numbers-drawn-in-All-or-Nothing-Evening-17492831.php | 2022-10-07 03:55:02 | 0 | https://www.sfgate.com/lottery/article/Winning-numbers-drawn-in-All-or-Nothing-Evening-17492831.php |
CLEVELAND — Myles Garrett’s face cringed as if he had just missed a certain sack by letting a quarterback escape.
Garrett won’t be surprised if it gets flipped again.
“Everyone’s pretty good this year,” said the Browns’ All-Pro defensive end, who entering his sixth year has never seen the division so balanced. “You couldn’t say that every year that I’ve been here. But everyone has a chance to win it.”
One of the NFL’s roughest divisions figures to be another four-team fracas.
Cincinnati believes it can repeat, and with Burrow that’s a solid bet.
Baltimore, healed up after an injury-ravaged 2021, is poised to bounce back behind a healthy Lamar Jackson.
Pittsburgh’s is replacing future Hall of Fame QB Ben Roethlisberger with Mitch Trubisky or rookie Kenny Pickett, and will rely on its defense.
And then there’s Cleveland, whose Super Bowl hopes are on hold with Deshaun Watson’s 11-game suspension.
Last season, 10-7 was enough for the Bengals to win the division. It seemed to stun everyone but Burrow, who moved into elite status in Year 2.
As he handicapped the North, Garrett pointed to the North’s brightest.
“There’s a lot of stars on each team and at each position,” he said. “Now it’s just about those guys stepping up and making those plays when they need to, and carrying those guys alongside them.”
NOT THE BUNGLES
Out to prove last season was no fluke, the Bengals will rely on one of the league’s most explosive offenses and a clutch kicker.
Cincinnati added guard Alex Cappa, center Ted Karras and tackle La’el Collins in free agency to keep Burrow upright after he was sacked an NFL-high 51 times in the regular season, 19 in the postseason.
Expectations are sky-high for wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, the Offensive Rookie of the Year following a 1,455-yard, 13-touchdown debut. Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd round out a terrific trio of targets.
Kicker Evan McPherson was money as a rookie in the playoffs, making made all 14 field-goal attempts, two of them game-winners.
The goal is simple: another AFC title.
“That’s what we strive to work for this year, to get back,” fourth-year coach Zac Taylor said.
DOLLARS AND SENSE
One of the game’s most unique talents, Jackson will be under a microscope. His contract situation is already.
He’s entering the option year of his rookie deal, and he and the Ravens have yet to reach a compromise.
“It’s obviously a very strange situation for everybody else, including me, but whenever I talk to him, he’s always like, ‘I’ll get it done when it gets done,’” cornerback Marlon Humphrey said.
The Ravens lost their final six games last season, in part because Jackson missed the last four with ankle problems. He won’t have receiver Marquise Brown, traded to Arizona.
In addition to Jackson’s health, a big key is how the secondary rebounds from finishing last in the NFL against the pass.
The Ravens changed defensive coordinators, replacing Don Martindale with Mike Macdonald, who helped Michigan reach the College Football Playoff last season.
BACKUP PLAN
Watson’s on the shelf until at least December after agreeing to the 11-game ban and $5 million fine for violating league’s personal conduct policy after two dozen women alleged he was sexually inappropriate during massage therapy sessions.
It’s not what the Browns had in mind when they traded three first-round picks to acquire the three-time Pro Bowler from Houston.
For now, Jacoby Brissett, a break-glass-in-case-of-emergency QB throughout his career, will have to keep Cleveland’s season afloat.
Fortunately, the Browns can turn to running back Nick Chubb, behind one of the league’s best lines, to carry even more of the offensive load. He rushed for 1,259 yards last season despite missing three games.
Amari Cooper came over in a trade from Dallas to be new No. 1 receiver, but the Browns lack quality depth at that position and need Donovan Peoples-Jones, Anthony Schwartz or rookie David Bell to pick up the slack.
Garrett leads a defense that improved dramatically as the 2021 season wore on. With Pro Bowler Denzel Ward and Greg Newsome II, Cleveland has two of the game’s best coverage cornerbacks.
Rookie Cade York is a major upgrade on an inconsistent kicking game.
SHIFT CHANGE
The starting quarterback won’t be the only thing new in Pittsburgh.
From the coaching staff (hello, defensive assistant Brian Flores) to a chunk of the offensive line to inside linebacker to even the place the Steelers call home (it’s Acrisure Stadium, not Heinz Field), Pittsburgh enters 2022 somewhat of a mystery.
If anything, Roethlisberger’s departure shifts the team’s identity to the other side of the ball, perhaps for the first time since the halcyon days of Troy Polamalu and James Harrison.
In outside linebacker T.J. Watt (the reigning Defensive Player of the Year), defensive lineman Cam Heyward and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, the Steelers have difference-makers at all three levels. Yet for all of that star power, Pittsburgh still finished last in the NFL against the run.
Enter Flores, hired as a senior defensive assistant, and Teryl Austin, promoted to defensive coordinator after Keith Butler’s retirement. Their job will be to return a bit of menace to a unit that was a pushover at times against quality opponents.
If the Steelers are to get back to the playoffs a third straight season, they’ll likely have to do it relying on running back Najee Harris and a defense designed to win low-scoring games.
That’s fine by Heyward.
“We understand our goals,” said Heyward, entering his 12th season. “We understand where we fell short last year, but our aspirations to be the No. 1 defense every time we step out.”
PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
Bengals, Ravens, Browns, Steelers.
___
AP Sports Writers Will Graves, Noah Trister and Mitch Stacy contributed.
___
More AP NFL coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL | https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nfl/bengals-try-to-stay-on-top-in-balanced-brutal-afc-north/2022/08/31/f6fc4e46-2950-11ed-a90a-fce4015dfc8f_story.html | 2022-08-31 18:43:35 | 0 | https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nfl/bengals-try-to-stay-on-top-in-balanced-brutal-afc-north/2022/08/31/f6fc4e46-2950-11ed-a90a-fce4015dfc8f_story.html |
Miami's Cuban-American community and some Republican officials are in turmoil over the proposed sale of two Spanish-language radio stations to a Latina-owned network backed by George Soros.
Copyright 2022 NPR
Miami's Cuban-American community and some Republican officials are in turmoil over the proposed sale of two Spanish-language radio stations to a Latina-owned network backed by George Soros.
Copyright 2022 NPR | https://www.kcbx.org/2022-07-16/the-sale-of-2-spanish-talk-radio-stations-could-counter-the-spread-of-disinformation | 2022-07-16 21:45:40 | 1 | https://www.kcbx.org/2022-07-16/the-sale-of-2-spanish-talk-radio-stations-could-counter-the-spread-of-disinformation |
Suspect running from police falls off balcony, dies
CAYCE, S.C. - Authorities said that an unidentified suspect died after falling off a balcony while trying to run away from police.
The Cayce Police Department in South Carolina said the incident started early Saturday morning after an officer responded to Guignard Park and noticed two individuals inside a vehicle.
The park is closed after dark.
As the officer approached the vehicle, the suspects drove away at a high rate of speed before crashing at the Columbia Convention Center.
RELATED: Teen pulled from burning barn after upstate NY car crash
After the crash, police said one suspect escaped and ran away. Officers did not chase him because they attended to the second person inside the vehicle.
"Our officer responded in accordance with his training by calling for additional officers and first checking on the other individual from the single car accident," Police Chief, Chris Cowan said in a statement on Facebook. "There was no foot chase initiated."
The fleeing suspect then fell from the top of the upper-level balcony at the convention center to the lower level, where he died.
Authorities said he was wanted on a non-extradition warrant in Georgia but did not specify the charge.
Meanwhile, police said the second person is seeking medical attention.
This story was reported from Los Angeles. | https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/suspect-running-from-police-falls-off-balcony-dies | 2022-09-25 15:16:04 | 0 | https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/suspect-running-from-police-falls-off-balcony-dies |
LONDON (AP) — A computer hacker who stole unreleased songs from British pop star Ed Sheeran and American rap artist Lil Uzi Vert has been sentenced to 18 months in prison, U.K. prosecutors said Friday.
Adrian Kwiatkowski, 23, of Ipswich in southern England, hacked the artists’ cloud-based accounts and sold their songs on the dark web in exchange for cryptocurrency. City of London Police, which investigated the case, said Kwiatkowski made 131,000 pounds ($147,000) on the transactions.
“Kwiatkowski had complete disregard for the musicians’ creativity and hard work producing original songs and the subsequent loss of earnings,’’ said Joanne Jakymec of the Crown Prosecution Service. “He selfishly stole their music to make money for himself.”
In August, Kwiatkowski pleaded guilty to a variety of charges, including 14 copyright offenses and three counts of computer misuse. He was sentenced Friday in Ipswich Crown Court.
City of London Police worked with authorities in the United States to investigate the case after the management companies of several musicians reported that an individual, known online as Spirdark, had gained access to their clients’ cloud-based accounts and was selling their content.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office launched an investigation in 2019, and linked the email address used for Spirdark’s cryptocurrency account to Kwiatkowski. It then identified the IP address of the device used to hack one of the accounts as his home address.
After further investigation, Kwiatkowski was arrested by the City of London Police’s Intellectual Property Crime Unit in September 2019.
“Cybercrime knows no borders, and this individual executed a complex scheme to steal unreleased music in order to line his own pockets,’’ Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L Bragg Jr said. | https://www.wearegreenbay.com/entertainment/ap-entertainment/ap-uk-hacker-who-stole-sheeran-songs-sentenced-to-18-months/ | 2022-10-21 18:30:38 | 0 | https://www.wearegreenbay.com/entertainment/ap-entertainment/ap-uk-hacker-who-stole-sheeran-songs-sentenced-to-18-months/ |
CINCINNATI (AP) — Aaron Judge had a go-ahead single in the 10th inning for his fourth hit of the game, and the New York Yankees beat the Cincinnati Reds 7-4 on Saturday after cutting Aaron Hicks with $27.6 million on the outfielder’s contract.
New York overcame a 4-1 deficit in a three-run fifth inning against Luke Weaver on Isiah Kiner-Falefa’s homer, Judge’s RBI double off the left-field wall and Anthony Rizzo’s run-scoring single.
Judge also had a run-scoring single against the left-field fence in the third as part of a 4-for-4 afternoon with three RBIs. He is hitting .378 with seven homers, 18 RBIs and a 1.402 OPS in 11 games since returning from the injured list on May 9..
“I try not to think about being in a hot streak,” he said. “It’s about going out there and assessing the situation. I look at who is on the mound and what I have to do to help the team. If you go up with that mindset, you never know if you’re hot or cold.”
Greg Allen, reacquired by the Yankees on Friday night, opened the 10th as the automatic runner on second. He advanced on Gleyber Torres’ flyout and scored on Judge’s single off Ian Gibaut (3-1).
“If you’re not competing against him, he’s fun to watch,” Reds catcher Luke Maile said.
Anthony Rizzo followed with a two-run homer, his second in two nights and 24th at Great American Ball Park.
“Having Riz behind me helps big time,” Judge said.
Rizzo is hitting .303 with 11 homers and 28 RBIs.
“Rizzo has been our rock,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “He’s been rock solid to start the year, that one constant, even when we missed Judge for the 10 or 11 games, Anthony was right in the middle of things. He’s hit for power and is one of our leaders.”
Reds manager David Bell admitted that walking Judge at that point among the scenarios he pondered.
“With Judge there, that’s an uncomfortable situation,” Bell said.
Clay Holmes (2-2) allowed a walk in a scoreless ninth, and Ryan Weber pitched the 10th to give the Yankees seven pitchers with saves, the most of any big league team.
After the final out, Boone exchanged a handshake with banned Reds great Pete Rose, who watched the game from a first-row seat.
New York (28-20) has won five of six and 10 of 13, improving to a season-high eight games over .500.
Hicks was designated for assignment to make room for Allen, acquired in a trade with Boston on Friday. The 33-year-old Hicks was batting .188 with a homer and five RBIs in 28 games this season. His $70 million, seven-year contract is guaranteed through 2025.
Cincinnati (19-26) has lost five of six.
“Those games are so much fun,” Maile said. “I wish every game was like that.”
The game drew 41,374 fans, Cincinnati’s second-largest home crowd and the team’s second sellout this season. Many of them raucously cheered for the Yankees.
Run-scoring singles by Jake Fraley in the first and Spencer Steer in the third and Maile’s two-run homer in the fourth built a 4-1 lead against rookie Jhony Brito.
FINALLY
Ben Rortvedt went 2 for 4 with a double and two strikeouts in his Yankees debut. Acquired from Minnesota in March 2022 trade that sent Gary Sánchez to the Twins, Rortvedt strained his right oblique during that spring training, went on the injured list and stayed in the minors when he returned. He had left shoulder aneurysm surgery late in spring training this year and played his first minor league game on April 21.
NOT QUITE
Judge was cut down at the plate in the fifth while trying to score from second on Rizzo’s single to right, Fraley to second baseman Jonathan India, who relayed to Maile at the plate.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Yankees: LHP Carlos Rondón (left elbow strain, back stiffness) played catch at up to 120 feet before Saturday’s game before catching a flight to New York, where he’ll rejoin the team after it returns from the current trip.
Reds: OF Henry Ramos was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right hip strain. OF Will Benson was recalled from Triple-A Louisville … A magnetic resonance imaging test revealed that RHP Derek Law has a flexor mass strain in his right elbow, Bell said. … India fouled a ball off his left leg, just below the knee, before striking out in the ninth and left the game at the start of the 10th. Bell said X-rays were negative.
UP NEXT
Yankees RHP Luis Severino is scheduled to make his 2023 debut against Reds RHP Hunter Greene (0-3) on Sunday morning after recovering from a strained right lat muscle that had sidelined him since spring training.
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://www.cbs42.com/sports/ap-judges-4th-hit-puts-yanks-ahead-in-7-4-win-over-reds-after-hicks-cut/ | 2023-05-21 21:22:19 | 0 | https://www.cbs42.com/sports/ap-judges-4th-hit-puts-yanks-ahead-in-7-4-win-over-reds-after-hicks-cut/ |
LOS ANGELES (AP) — When the NBA playoffs take the TV court even the most popular shows find the competition daunting.
Last week’s No. 1 program was the Golden State-Dallas conference finals matchup in which the Warriors extended their winning streak to three out of three. The first two games were among the top 10 programs, with playoff games overall claiming a quarter of the top 20, according to Nielsen figures released Tuesday.
Viewers fit in time for favorite series including CBS’ “FBI,” whose next-to-last episode for the season the most-watched drama. The network pulled this week’s season finale because its plot, about a cache of guns linked to a student, was deemed too close to Tuesday’s mass killings at a Texas elementary school.
CBS was the top network prime time television, averaging 4.4 million viewers. ABC had 3.74 million viewers, NBC had 2.95 million, Fox had 2 million, Univision had 1.4 million, Ion Television had 950,000 and Telemundo had 800,000.
On the strength of the basketball playoffs, TNT led the cable networks with a 2.78 million viewer average. ESPN had 2.27 million, Fox News Channel had 2.26 million, MSNBC had 884956,000 and HGTV had 927,000.
ABC’s “World News Tonight” won the evening news ratings race with an average of 7.4 million viewers. NBC’s “Nightly News” averaged 6.1 million viewers and the “CBS Evening News” had 4.5 million.
For the week of May 16-22, the top 20 prime-time shows, their networks and viewerships:
NBA Playoffs: Golden State at Dallas (Sunday), TNT, 7.42 million.
“FBI,” CBS, 7.15 million.
“Young Sheldon,” CBS, 7.06 million.
“Chicago Fire,” NBC, 6.79 million.
NBA Playoffs: Dallas at Golden State (Friday), TNT, 6.77 million.
NBA Playoffs: Dallas at Golden State (Wednesday), TNT, 6.52 million.
“NCIS,” CBS, 6.51 million.
“American Idol,” ABC, 6.49 million.
“60 Minutes,” CBS, 6.28 million.
“Chicago Med,” NBC, 6.24 million.
NBA Playoffs: Boston at Miami (Tuesday), ESPN, 6.07 million.
NBA Playoffs: Boston at Miami (Thursday), ESPN, 6.05 million.
“FBI: International,” CBS, 5.82 million.
“Survivor,” CBS, 5.7 million.
“911,” Fox, 5.56 million.
“The Neighborhood,” CBS, 5.5 million.
“Chicago PD,” NBC, 5.47 million.
“FBI: Most Wanted,” CBS, 5.46 million.
“Bob Hearts Abishola,” CBS, 5.33 million.
“This Is Us,” NBC, 5.32 million. | https://www.texomashomepage.com/sports/golden-state-dallas-playoff-games-score-in-weekly-tv-ratings/ | 2022-05-25 15:04:03 | 0 | https://www.texomashomepage.com/sports/golden-state-dallas-playoff-games-score-in-weekly-tv-ratings/ |
The Department of Homeland Security has removed the top medical official at U.S. Customs and Border Protection amid a widening investigation into the death of an 8-year-old girl held in U.S. custody last month at a border station in Harlingen, Texas.
“As CBP works to implement required improvements to our medical care policies and processes, including from the ongoing investigation into the tragic in-custody death of a child in Harlingen, we are bringing in additional senior leadership to drive action across the agency,” CBP said in a statement to The Post.
The child, Anadith Tanay Reyes Álvarez, died May 17 after spending four days in a Border Patrol medical isolation unit where she was not seen by a doctor despite worsening flu symptoms and a history of sickle cell anemia and heart problems.
Homeland Security investigators have been looking into claims the contract medical staff at facility failed to review Reyes’ medical files, and she was not provided more advanced care even after her fever reached 104.9 degrees Fahrenheit. The inquiry into Reyes’ death has been complicated by the fact that the closed-circuit camera system inside the station was not working while she was there.
Border officials say they have raised their standards of care in recent years amid record numbers of crossings by families and children whose needs are ill-suited to holding cells that were designed for adults. CBP established its chief medical officer role in 2020 following the deaths of several children taken into border custody during a record surge of migrant families in 2018 and 2019.
The agency says it has built 11 facilities with dedicated space for medical triage and basic care, as well as isolation areas for communicable diseases. More than 1,000 medical personnel have been contracted to provide care at border stations and other CBP facilities, according to the agency.
Tarantino, who led CBP medical operations during the coronavirus pandemic, did not respond immediately to a request for comment. He will be given a temporary assignment elsewhere in CBP starting next week, according to the agency.
CBP policy directs agents to process migrants within 72 hours for transfer to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or another agency, assigning priority to families and children. Reyes was in custody 8 days before she died, according to a CBP timeline of the incident.
Born in Panama to parents from Honduras, the girl crossed into the United States with her family on May 9. During an initial CBP medical screening, Reyes’ mother provided the agency with documents and information about the child’s delicate medical history.
On May 14, Reyes was diagnosed with the flu after complaining of abdominal pain, coughing and congestion. “During this medical encounter, CBP contracted medical personnel documented a past medical history including cardiomyopathy,” according to the agency.
The family was transferred to the medical isolation unit at the Harlingen Border Patrol station that day. As the girl’s flu symptoms worsened over several days, she was treated by nurses at the facility with over-the-counter pain relievers and antiviral medications.
Reyes’ mother, Mabel Alvarez Benedicks, brought her to medical staff for treatment three times on May 17, CBP records show. The child became unresponsive after having a seizure, and she was transported to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead less than an hour later. An autopsy by a county pathologist found Reyes’ lungs had filled with fluid.
Reyes “cried and begged for her life” as she grew sicker, but staff “didn’t do anything for her,” her mother told the Associated Press in an interview. A funeral for the girl will be held Saturday in New York City, according to legal aid groups assisting the family.
The medical contractor, Loyal Source Government Services LLC., received a $408 million contract from CBP in 2020, public records show. The Florida-based company did not respond to an inquiry regarding the status of the employees who treated Reyes.
Rep. Nanette Barragán, (D-California), the chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, said in a statement this month she was “at a complete loss of words after learning that medical staff both declined to review the medical file and ignored multiple requests from Anadith’s mother to call for an ambulance or for her to be taken to the hospital.”
“Anadith and her mother had multiple encounters with medical staff for fever, flu-like symptoms, and pain,” Barragán said. "Yet, she was not given the higher-level care that someone with severe health complications needs.”
After Reyes’ death, CBP officials announced a review of all “medically fragile" migrants in custody, and the agency sad it has cut in half the amount of time family groups are being held.
The agency has deployed a team of doctors from the U.S. Public Health Service to provide “additional medical guidance and oversight capability,” according to CBP.
Officials said they have directed the medical contractor to “review their practices and address deficiencies immediately,” and the providers who were involved in the incident have been banned from CBP facilities. | https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2023/06/15/border-patrol-medical-care-child-death/ | 2023-06-15 17:06:56 | 1 | https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2023/06/15/border-patrol-medical-care-child-death/ |
NEW YORK, Oct. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Arch Street Capital Advisors, LLC ("Arch"), a real estate investment advisory firm, is pleased to announce the acquisition of a single-tenant, build-to-suit, high-quality industrial asset ("Property") that is strategically located within a growing industrial submarket of the Cleveland MSA. The recently developed, Class A Property consists of approximately 280,000 SF and serves as a technologically advanced distribution and light-manufacturing facility for a leading e-commerce, publicly traded, investment grade company.
The Property was developed in partnership with a global real estate developer. Arch, on behalf of a capital partner, provided a short term capital solution during the construction phase followed by a forward purchase upon completion.
"We are excited to acquire, through creative structuring, another high-quality distribution center fully occupied to an investment grade, long-term tenant further expanding our industrial footprint in the Midwest," stated Hemal Patel, Vice President at Arch. "We continue to seek high-quality net lease industrial, office, medical and retail assets on behalf of our institutional capital partners."
Arch Street Capital Advisors is a full-service real estate investment advisory firm. Arch specializes in assisting institutional investors with their real estate investment strategies including acquisition and joint venture advisory, financing advisory, and asset management and disposition services. Since 2003, Arch has advised its capital partners on more than $9.4 billion of acquisitions, dispositions and financings. Arch manages a diverse portfolio of investments across multiple sectors, including industrial, office, multi-family, single-family, hospitality, retail, health care, student housing and land.
For more information, visit www.archstreetcapital.com.
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SOURCE Arch Street Capital Advisors, LLC. | https://www.weau.com/prnewswire/2022/10/03/arch-street-capital-acquires-class-single-tenant-investment-grade-distribution-light-manufacturing-facility-located-cleveland-msa/ | 2022-10-03 12:15:29 | 1 | https://www.weau.com/prnewswire/2022/10/03/arch-street-capital-acquires-class-single-tenant-investment-grade-distribution-light-manufacturing-facility-located-cleveland-msa/ |
When storms 'bomb out': Explaining how a bomb cyclone forms
That dangerous blizzard everyone is talking about this week will become a bomb cyclone as it wallops the Midwest and Great Lakes later this week. It will also bring damaging winds as it spreads toward the East Coast, creating a travel nightmare for millions ahead of the Christmas holiday weekend.
That dangerous blizzard everyone is talking about this week will become a bomb cyclone as it wallops the Midwest and Great Lakes later this week. (FOX Weather)
The term "bomb cyclone" comes from the meteorological term "bombogenesis" or "explosive cyclogenesis." This happens when a storm system's central pressure drops at least 24 millibars within 24 hours. A low-pressure system that achieves this mark becomes known as a "bomb cyclone." Meteorologists also use the phrase "bomb out" to describe the phenomenon.
The rapid drop in air pressure means the storm intensifies very quickly and can create large impacts such as heavy snow, rain, high winds and coastal flooding.
Bomb cyclones are more common in the Pacific Ocean but do happen in the Atlantic Ocean.
"Bombogenesis is fairly common in the Pacific Ocean region because there is enough water surface area for strengthening. It has happened a few times on the Atlantic coastline; however, it is not as common there," said FOX Weather Meteorologist Stephen McCloud.
What conditions are needed to create a bombogenesis or a bomb cyclone. (FOX Weather)
"Forecasting this phenomenon is rather difficult to do especially when there are changes in forecast model runs. Most of the time, this happens in real-time situations. It is easy to pick out, especially on the satellite, when you see bombogenesis occur," he added.
Not all bomb cyclones happen in the fall and winter months. A study published in the Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology looked at 783 bomb cyclones over 15 years in the Pacific Ocean.
The study found in 69% of cases, bomb cyclones frequently happened from December to February and early March. According to researchers, the frequency depends on the region of the Pacific where the storm is located, with a peak in March and the second peak in October, November and December. | https://www.wogx.com/weather/when-storms-bomb-out-explaining-how-a-bomb-cyclone-forms | 2022-12-22 13:59:47 | 1 | https://www.wogx.com/weather/when-storms-bomb-out-explaining-how-a-bomb-cyclone-forms |
NASHVILLE — Country music superstar Luke Combs has broken many records over his astonishingly fast ascent in Nashville, but this summer, he proved he can sell out stadiums — and voters awarded him accordingly. For the second consecutive year, Combs won entertainer of the year at the Country Music Association Awards, the most prestigious prize at the genre’s biggest awards show.
“I never know what to say,” said Combs, who also took home the trophy for album of the year for his most recent record, “Growin’ Up.” “I want to thank country music for making my dreams come true. … There is nobody in this category that doesn’t deserve to be standing up here.”
Combs triumphed over Chris Stapleton, Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert and Morgan Wallen — saving the industry from headlines about how Wallen, known to the mainstream audience as the singer who was caught on TMZ video saying the n-word in February 2020, had once again been rewarded on his redemption tour.
Any other potential controversies were also avoided; not a word was uttered about the recent, widely covered social media incident involving Jason Aldean and Maren Morris, after Aldean’s wife, the influencer Brittany, posted an Instagram video that Morris criticized as transphobic. Though Morris said earlier she might skip the show, they were all in attendance. (Both Aldean and Morris were nominated for one award and did not win in their respective categories.)
And although co-host Luke Bryan released a defensive statement last week after he received criticism for inviting Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) onstage at a recent concert, no one touched on politics or current events — save for Bryan and his co-host, Peyton Manning, joking that if Bryan ran for president his slogan could be “A candidate who will never plead the Fifth, but he will drink the fifth.”
Newcomers Cody Johnson and Lainey Wilson tied Combs with two wins; Johnson triumphed with his impossibly catchy hit “’Til You Can’t” in the single and music video categories, while Wilson won new artist and female vocalist. Old Dominion and Brothers Osborne continued their march as industry favorites as group and duo, respectively, and Jordan Davis’s recent smash “Buy Dirt” (featuring Bryan, his labelmate) won song of the year.
A full list of winners and nominees are below — here are some of the highlights from the night.
BEST
The Loretta Lynn tributes
The death of 90-year-old Loretta Lynn shook many members of the country music world last month, as they mourned the groundbreaking legend who broke down doors for countless women. The show kicked off with footage of Lynn accepting CMA’s entertainer of the year in 1972, the first time a woman ever won the prize, followed by a tribute from Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert and Reba McEntire.
The trio sang a sparkling medley of some of Lynn’s greatest hits, including “You Ain’t Woman Enough (To Take My Man)” from Underwood, “Don’t Come Home A-Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ on Your Mind)” from Lambert, “You’re Looking at Country” from McEntire and, of course, “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” sung by all three. While it would have been fitting for a woman to finally win entertainer of the year for the first time since Taylor Swift landed the trophy in 2011, alas, Underwood and Lambert went home empty-handed.
Cole Swindell and Jo Dee Messina and ’90s country
It was the moment ’90s country obsessives have been waiting for: The audience started screaming as Jo Dee Messina joined Cole Swindell onstage for an invigorating version of Swindell’s “She Had Me At Heads Carolina,” a reimagining of Messina’s 1996 smash, “Heads Carolina, Tails California.”
It’s hard to overstate how enormous this hit has been for Swindell, who has had several big singles in his career but saw this song explode over the summer and fall, sitting for five weeks at No. 1 on the radio charts — as Nashville knows, ’90s nostalgia is real and overwhelming. Swindell and Messina finally released a remix of the song together this week, timed perfectly to their CMAs performance.
Chris Stapleton and Patty Loveless, together again
The two Kentucky natives performed together at a recent Kentucky benefit concert for flood relief and thrilled the CMAs audience when they joined again for Loveless’s “You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive.” Stapleton’s booming voice always sends country fans into a frenzy, and aided by Loveless’s stellar vocals, the crowd was practically on its feet before the song was even over.
The Alan Jackson tribute
There is nothing country award shows love more than showing how much contemporary stars adore the hits from legendary artists, and the camera showcased Kelsea Ballerini, Breland, Ashley McBryde, Combs and many more singing along to Alan Jackson’s classics during his tribute.
Jackson, the recipient of this year’s Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award, took the stage for “Don’t Rock the Jukebox,” but a slew of others performed their own versions of Jackson’s hits, including Underwood (“Remember When”) and Dierks Bentley, Jon Pardi and Wilson all together for “Chattahoochee,” “Drive (For Daddy Gene)” and “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow.”
Brothers Osborne and the War and Treaty
Brothers Osborne continued the tradition of electrifying award show performances with a cover of “It’s Only Rock n’ Roll (But I Like It)” by the Rolling Stones — a track on an upcoming country music tribute album called “Stoned Cold Country” — along with the War and Treaty, husband and wife duo Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter, whose powerful vocals added to the riveting spectacle. The Trotters shimmied around the stage as the brothers stayed anchored on guitars, and the camera panned to crowd members dancing like they were having the time of their lives, from T.J. Osborne’s boyfriend to Morgane Stapleton.
Hardy and Wilson’s murder ballad
Country music award shows these days are known more for glitter than chilling murder ballads, but Hardy and Wilson were determined to change that during a captivating performance of a track that makes you go, “Wait, did he just say what I think he said?” In this case, yes, Hardy sings from the perspective of a man who kills Wilson’s abuser and then goes to jail. And to make sure no one missed the meaning, Hardy — standing in front of a truck — drew his finger across his throat after he sang the line about being in jail: “It ain’t paradise, that’s true / But it’s a whole hell of a lot better than the place I sent him to.”
“I want the people who have been abused to hear the song,” Wilson told the Associated Press. “I want them to feel like they are not alone. But I want the abusers to hear it. I want them to be haunted.”
Kelsea Ballerini’s drinking anthem with a twist
Ballerini has weathered criticism her whole career that she’s “too pop,” but her latest album has some of the most classic country songs of the year — including the upbeat anthem “You’re Drunk, Go Home,” her collaboration with Carly Pearce and Kelly “always seems like she’s on the verge of crossing over to country music” Clarkson. All three singers scornfully informed the drunk man in the song that they were not interested in his pickup lines, and as they belted out the lyrics, for some reason, a brief shower of fire rained down behind them.
Thomas Rhett and Katy Perry’s surprise chemistry
A duet between Thomas Rhett and pop star Katy Perry — decked out in a fringe dress and cowboy hat for the ultimate country authenticity — seems like it should not work … at all. And yet? They were both on their A-game for the collaboration of the wistful “Where We Started,” about a couple’s younger days. Rhett has admitted he was highly doubtful Perry would ever agree to be on the song, and Perry has confessed she had no idea who he was and had to ask Bryan, her fellow “American Idol” judge. But this time, their vocals sounded even stronger than they did when they sang the track together on the “Idol” finale in the spring.
WORST
The monologue jokes
Once again, the CMAs continue to struggle to find a hosting combination that can match the presence of Brad Paisley and Underwood, who sharpened their comedic skills over a decade-plus of helming the show. Bryan hosted solo last year and this time was joined by former NFL superstar Manning, who is not only pals with country stars thanks to his University of Tennessee days, but also hosts his own show with his brother Eli on ESPN, owned by ABC’s parent company, Disney.
The monologue jokes mainly consisted of the two making fun of each other (Bryan: “I walked around Nashville trying to find a cowboy hat to fit your head”; Manning: “I thought you really needed a co-host”). But for those who like dragging Eli, there were plenty of digs throughout the night: Manning said he keeps telling Bryan he’s like a brother to him but “he doesn’t realize that’s not a compliment” and later asked the Brothers Osborne if they, like him, only work together because their mom makes them.
The lack of a Naomi Judd tribute
There have been so many country legends who have died in the past year it would have been hard to fit all the tributes in, but the lack of attention given to the iconic Naomi Judd, who died in August, was puzzling. Brothers Osborne took on the task themselves when Wynonna, Naomi’s daughter and duo partner, arrived to announce duo of the year. The brothers insisted she stay onstage with them during their speech. “We’ve learned so much from you and your family,” T.J. Osborne said.
Jeff Cook, co-founder of the band Alabama who died this week, got a shout-out from Bryan, and Old Dominion briefly elaborated on Alabama’s influence during their win for group of the year. “There’s nothing like being in a band,” lead singer Matthew Ramsey said. “I can’t imagine losing one of you guys.”
The uneven balance of televised female winners, again
The country industry has publicly struggled with correcting its gender imbalance, and, once again, it took nearly two hours into the three-hour show before a female singer gave an acceptance speech. Eight out of the 11 prizes went to male acts — Wilson won female vocalist of the year and new artist of the year, while Pearce and McBryde’s win for musical event (for their duet “Never Wanted to Be That Girl”) was awarded earlier off-camera.
Winners and nominees
Entertainer of the Year
Luke Combs — winner
Miranda Lambert
Chris Stapleton
Carrie Underwood
Morgan Wallen
Male Vocalist of the Year
Eric Church
Luke Combs
Cody Johnson
Chris Stapleton — winner
Morgan Wallen
Female Vocalist of the Year
Miranda Lambert
Ashley McBryde
Carly Pearce
Carrie Underwood
Lainey Wilson — winner
Album of the Year
“Growin’ Up” Luke Combs — winner
“Humble Quest” Maren Morris
“Palomino” Miranda Lambert
“Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’ ” Lainey Wilson
“Time, Tequila and Therapy” Old Dominion
Single of the Year
“Buy Dirt” Jordan Davis feat. Luke Bryan
“Never Wanted to Be That Girl” Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde
“You Should Probably Leave” Chris Stapleton
“Half of My Hometown” Kelsea Ballerini feat. Kenny Chesney
“‘Til You Can’t” Cody Johnson — winner
Song of the Year
“Buy Dirt” Jordan Davis feat. Luke Bryan (written by Jacob Davis, Jordan Davis, Josh Jenkins, Matt Jenkins) — winner
“Never Wanted to Be That Girl” Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde (written by Pearce, McBryde, Shane McAnally)
“You Should Probably Leave” Chris Stapleton (written by Stapleton, Chris DuBois, Ashley Gorley)
“Sand in My Boots” Morgan Wallen (written by Ashley Gorley, Michael Hardy, Josh Osborne)
“Things a Man Oughta Know” (written by Lainey Wilson, Jason Nix, Jonathan Singleton)
Vocal Group of the Year
Lady A
Little Big Town
Midland
Old Dominion — winner
Zac Brown Band
Vocal Duo of the Year
Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne — winner
Dan + Shay
Locash
Maddie & Tae
New Artist of the Year
Michael Hardy
Walker Hayes
Cody Johnson
Parker McCollum
Lainey Wilson — winner
Musical Event of the Year
“Longneck Way to Go” Midland feat. Jon Pardi
“Never Say Never” Cole Swindell with Lainey Wilson
“Never Wanted to Be That Girl” Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde — winner
“Beers On Me” Dierks Bentley with Breland and Michael Hardy
“If I Didn’t Love You” Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood
Music Video of the Year
“Longneck Way to Go” Midland feat. Jon Pardi
“Never Say Never” Cole Swindell with Lainey Wilson
“Never Wanted to Be That Girl” Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde
“I Bet You Think About Me” Taylor Swift feat. Chris Stapleton
“’Til You Can’t” Cody Johnson — winner | https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2022/11/10/cma-awards-recap-best-worst-2022/ | 2022-11-10 10:16:15 | 1 | https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2022/11/10/cma-awards-recap-best-worst-2022/ |
MYAVANA celebrates 11 years in business, announces four new celebrity brand ambassadors, releases a docu-series, and prepares to take hair science to ESSENCEFest.
ATLANTA, June 29, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ahead of National Black Hair Independence Day on July 3rd, a day coined by brand partner Unilever, Atlanta-based, black-owned, female-founded & operated, beauty tech company, MYAVANA celebrates 11 years of research & development as a Pioneer in HairAI™ (Artificial Intelligence Hair Strand Analysis) technology and a leader in Scientific Intelligence Hair Strand Analysis. The beauty tech company is disrupting the multi-billion dollar, textured hair care market through data, science & technology coupled with the company's prescriptive, personalized data driven product recommendations and is transforming hair care solutions for consumers and provides an elevated data driven service and retail opportunity for professionals.
Myavana's product suite of data driven, personalized hair analysis + personalized product recommendations form a complete healthy hair care solution. As part of a major marketing push, the company today announced four new celebrity brand ambassadors, as well as the release of a moving docu-series, "The Hair That Bonds Us" at the International Beauty Show (IBS) in Las Vegas as it prepares to showcase its industry changing technology at ESSENCE Festival.
11 Years In The Making
MYAVANA's anniversary celebration included a hair lab experience where guests could discover the state of their strands through MYAVANA's proprietary hair AI technology. Along with the hair lab, MYAVANA Co-Founder & CEO Candace Mitchell Harris moderated a panel discussion entitled "Tending To Your Crown," a conversation with Nicole Mangrum (Oprah's hair stylist), Johnny Wright (Michelle Obama's former hair stylist) and on-air personality Jessie Woo who spoke deeply about her struggle with anxiety about wearing and tending to her natural hair. Panelists spoke about what it's like navigating hair texture, their professional hair journeys, and what it's like tending to the crowns of some of the most influential women of our time.
As the first Black hair stylist in the White House, Johnny talked about his journey becoming a professional celebrity stylist for the former first lady. He discussed everything from his feelings around being prepared for the opportunity and the power of saying yes. Nicole spoke about her journey becoming a professional stylist, initially owning her own salon in Chicago where she specialized in exceptional client service and the connections that led her to the opportunity to work with Oprah.
The discussion ended with an interesting discovery regarding how consumers have lost trust in professional stylists and how MYAVANA hopes to reconnect the two to help solve this —through the credibility of science and data.
The Hair That Bonds Us, A Documentary Series
As an honored sponsor of the IBS Powerhouse Pavilion the docu-series takes place at IBS and offers a peek behind the scenes. The five-part docu-series chronicles the founding of Myavana and the company's 21st-century transformative mission. With interviews from celebrity stylists, MYAVANA experts and beauty industry veterans, the series is both moving and informative. View the series here.
New Celebrity Ambassadors:
- Actress Gail Bean of renowned FX TV series "Snowfall"
- Actress and on-air personality Jessie Woo known for Dish Nation, Wild n' Out, Love & HipHop
- Celebrity hair stylist Nicole Mangrum known for clients like Oprah
- Celebrity hair stylist Johnny Wright known for clients like Michelle Obama and Queen Latifah.
ESSENCEFest
Join the brand for meet & greets at the 2023 Essence Festival of Culture at the MYAVANA Hair Lab Booth #8014. Featuring a variety of influencers and beauty experts, guests will have the opportunity to experience the MYAVANA Lab first-hand.
- Saturday, July 1 at 11:00amET - "Hair, Culture, and Sisterhood" Meet-N-Greet with Gail Bean
- Saturday, July 1 at 1:00pmET - "Being Naturally You" Meet-N-Greet with Johnny Wright, Tiffany Cross, and Brandice Daniel
- Sunday, July 2 at 2:00pmET - Press Conference: Myavana Revolutionizes the Textured Hair Care Industry with HairAI™, and Premieres Inspiring Docuseries on Black Women in Tech
About MYAVANA
MYAVANA is a Black Female-owned, and operated beauty tech company backed by over a decade of research, development and data. Myavana is disrupting the multi-billion dollar, textured hair care market as Pioneers of HairAI™ (Artificial Intelligence Hair Strand Analysis) technology and Scientific Hair Strand Analysis. Myavana Labs has analyzed over two billion hair strands, making it the world's largest database of textured hair care data. Myavana couples its personalized, scientific hair analysis with the company's prescriptive, data-driven, hair product recommendation suite, of over 3000 commercially available hair products on the market today which have been ingredient & performance tested,and validated by Myavana for effectiveness on textured hair types and conditions. The Myavan suite of products create a transformational hair care solution for consumers and an elevated data driven service and retail opportunity for professionals.
By partnering with Myavana's Consumer Intelligence Data Insights, Hair Product Manufactures can gain insights into textured hair conditions to inform product development needs. As a B2C and B2B solution, Myavana's Personalized Consumer Intelligence Data is poised to radically change how hair product purchasing decisions are made by consumers -through data personalization, and illuminate the massive data validated opportunity for more targeted textured hair relevant products and solutions by the hair care products industry.
About the founder
Candace Mitchell-Harris founded MYAVANA in beta in 2012 researching and developing proprietary AI hair care technology that analyzes the variables of hair strands and hair products to produce personalized hair care plans that support healthy hair and hair growth. As a graduate of Georgia Tech, she brings over 17 years of experience in computer science to MYAVANA. Candace is a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, WWD Top 50 Beauty Innovator, BET Honors STEM Award winner, Sephora Accelerate fellow, and recent Georgia Tech Computing Hall of Fame inductee. Candace's work has been featured nationally on CNN, Marie Claire, ESSENCE, Inc. Magazine, Black Enterprise, Business Insider, and more.
About Gail Bean
Gail Mitchell, known professionally as Gail Bean, is an American actress. Bean co-starred in the series Paradise Lost and the film Unexpected. She has also acted in Insecure, Love in the Time of Corona, Atlanta, and Detroiters. She is best known for her portrayal of Wanda Bell on the hit FX TV series Snowfall.
About Jessie Woo
Jessica Woo is an on-air personality actress, musician, content creator, and comedienne. She is a Haitian-Canadian originally hailing from Montréal, Canada – but spent her formative years in Miami, Florida. She became a viral sensation through her comedic alter ego, Cadouskha Jean-Francois, which catapulted her career as a red carpet host for BET and media personality.
About Nicole Mangrum
Nicole Mangrum is a Chicago native and renowned hairstylist, artist, and entrepreneur. Her 25+ years of work as a hair artist has earned her three Make-Up Artist & Hair (MUAHS) Guild Awards nominations.
Nicole's creative approach to hairstyling, wigs, and extensions has attracted a power list of clients, which includes Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama, Gayle King, Mellody Hobson, Valerie Jarrett, Sanaa Lathan, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams, among others.
Her work has been featured in such publications as Vogue, Variety, Vanity Fair, Oprah Magazine, Fast Company, The Wall Street Journal, The Hollywood Reporter, People, Essence, Time, InStyle, Elle India, and Harper's Bazaar. She has also collaborated with renowned photographers such as Annie Leibovitz, Mark Seliger, Ruven Afanador, Mario Sorrenti, Phil Poynter, Michal Pudelka, and Herring & Herring. Nicole now resides in California.
About Johnny Wright
Johnny was born and raised in Chicago, IL and got his start in the hair styling world watching his grandmother do press and curls on the front porch as a child. After working his way through Chicago and then Los Angeles, he spent 8 years as Michelle Obama's personal hairstylist during the Obama Administration. Since 2019, he's worked as Tamron Hall's key hairstylist on her Emmy Award winning eponymous daytime talk show and most recently co-starred in To Catch a Beautician with Tamar Braxton on Vh1. You'll also see his work on celebrities like Queen Latifah, Kerry Washington, Tiffany Cross, Angela Rye, and Samira Wiley, to name a few. His career spans professional and artistic accolades such as creative director for SoftSheen Carson for L'Oreal, HSN appearances, brand ambassadorships, and industry awards. Johnny's unique success is owed in part to years of mastering styling skills and precision cutting techniques as well as his business ingenuity and infectious upbeat personality.
For more information, visit MYAVANA.com or follow @MyavanaHairCare
Media contact: For media inquiries contact MYAVANA@dripcomm.com
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SOURCE MYAVANA | https://www.wafb.com/prnewswire/2023/06/29/myavanas-hairai-first-ever-artificial-intelligence-powered-hair-strand-analysis-technology-celebrates-over-decade-research-amp-development-ready-major-marketing-push-with-release-docuseries-hair-that-bonds-us/ | 2023-06-29 19:15:25 | 0 | https://www.wafb.com/prnewswire/2023/06/29/myavanas-hairai-first-ever-artificial-intelligence-powered-hair-strand-analysis-technology-celebrates-over-decade-research-amp-development-ready-major-marketing-push-with-release-docuseries-hair-that-bonds-us/ |
DEVELOPING... Story will be updated as new information can be verified. Updated 3 times
CHICAGO (AP) — Brandon Johnson, a union organizer and former teacher, was elected as Chicago’s next mayor Tuesday in a major victory for the Democratic Party’s progressive wing as the heavily blue city grapples with high crime and financial challenges.
Johnson, a Cook County commissioner endorsed by the Chicago Teachers Union, won a close race over former Chicago schools CEO Paul Vallas, who was backed by the police union. Johnson, 47, will succeed Lori Lightfoot, the first Black woman and first openly gay person to be the city’s mayor.
With about 91% of the vote counted, Johnson had 51.4% to 48.6% for Vallas. More votes will be counted as absentee ballots arrive in the mail.
Lightfoot became the first Chicago mayor in 40 years to lose her reelection bid when she finished third in a crowded February contest.
Johnson’s victory in the nation’s third-largest city capped a remarkable trajectory for a candidate who was little known when he entered the race last year. He climbed to the top of the field with organizing and financial help from the politically influential Chicago Teachers Union and high-profile endorsements from progressive Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. Sanders appeared at a rally for Johnson in the final days of the race.
Taking the stage Tuesday night for his victory speech, a jubilant Johnson thanked his supporters for helping usher in “a new chapter in the history of our city.” He promised that under his administration, the city would look out for everyone, regardless of how much money they have, whom they love or where they come from.
“Tonight is the beginning of a Chicago that truly invests in all of its people,” Johnson said.
Johnson, who is Black, recalled growing up in a poor family, teaching at a school in Cabrini Green, a notorious former public housing complex, and shielding his own young kids from gunfire in their West Side neighborhood.
He referenced civil rights leaders Martin Luther King Jr. and the Rev. Jesse Jackson and called his victory a continuation of their legacies. He also noted that he was speaking on the anniversary of King’s assassination.
“Today the dream is alive,” Johnson said, “and so today we celebrate the revival and the resurrection of the city of Chicago.”
It was a momentous win for progressive organizations such as the teachers union, with Johnson winning the highest office of any active teachers union member in recent history, leaders say. For both progressives and the party’s more moderate wing, the Chicago race was seen as a test of organizing power and messaging.
Johnson’s win also comes as groups such as Our Revolution, a powerful progressive advocacy organization, push to win more offices in local and state office, including in upcoming mayoral elections in Philadelphia and elsewhere.
Vallas, speaking to his own supporters Tuesday night, said that he had called Johnson and that he expected him to be the next mayor. Some in the crowd seemed to jeer the news, but Vallas urged them to put aside differences and support the next mayor in “the daunting work ahead.”
“This campaign that I ran to bring the city together would not be a campaign that fulfills my ambitions if this election is going to divide us,” Vallas said.
In a statement, Lightfoot also congratulated Johnson and said her administration will collaborate with his team during the transition.
Johnson and Vallas were the top two vote-getters in the all-Democrat but officially nonpartisan February race, which moved to the runoff because no candidate received over 50%.
On Tuesday, Johnson took many of the predominantly Black southern and western areas where Lightfoot won in February, along with the northern neighborhoods where he was the top-vote getter back then, according to precinct-level results released by election officials. Vallas did well in the northwest and southwest areas that are home to large numbers of city employees, just as he did in February.
The contest surfaced longstanding tensions among Democrats, with Johnson and his supporters blasting Vallas — who was endorsed by Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the chamber’s second-ranking Democrat — as too conservative and a Republican in disguise.
Both candidates have deep roots in the Democratic Party, though with vastly different backgrounds and views.
After teaching middle and high school, Johnson helped mobilize teachers, including during a historic 2012 strike through which the Chicago Teachers Union increased its organizing muscle and influence in city politics. That has included fighting for non-classroom issues, such as housing and mental health care.
Vallas, who finished first in the February contest, was the only white candidate in that nine-person field. A former Chicago budget director, he later led schools in Chicago, New Orleans, Philadelphia and Bridgeport, Connecticut.
Among the biggest disputes between Johnson and Vallas was how to address crime. Like many U.S. cities, Chicago saw violent crime increase during the COVID-19 pandemic, hitting a 25-year high of 797 homicides in 2021, though the number decreased last year and the city has a lower murder rate than others in the Midwest, such as St. Louis.
Vallas, 69, said he would hire hundreds more police officers, while Johnson said he didn’t plan to cut the number of officers, but that the current system of policing isn’t working. Johnson was forced to defend past statements expressing support for “defunding” police — something he insisted he would not do as mayor.
But Johnson argued that instead of investing more in policing and incarceration, the city should focus on mental health treatment, affordable housing for all and jobs for youth. He has proposed a plan he says will raise $800 million by taxing “ultrarich” individuals and businesses, including a per-employee “head tax” on employers and an additional tax on hotel room stays.
That plan is no sure thing, as some members of the City Council and the state Legislature — whose support would be needed — already have expressed opposition.
Resident Chema Fernandez, 25, voted for Johnson as an opportunity to move on from what he described as “the politics of old.” He said he saw Vallas as being in line with previous mayors such as Rahm Emanuel, Lightfoot and Richard M. Daley, who haven’t worked out great for places like his neighborhood on the southwest side, which has seen decades of disinvestment.
“I think we need to give the opportunity for policies that may actually change some of our conditions,” Fernandez said.
___
Associated Press journalist Teresa Crawford in Chicago and chief elections analyst Chad Day in Washington contributed. | https://www.abqjournal.com/2588176/johnson-elected-chicago-mayor-in-victory-for-progressives.html | 2023-04-05 16:19:16 | 0 | https://www.abqjournal.com/2588176/johnson-elected-chicago-mayor-in-victory-for-progressives.html |
DETROIT -- The Detroit Tigers optioned right-handed reliever Braden Bristo to Triple-A Toledo following Wednesday’s game.
Bristo pitched once during his two-day stint with the Tigers, allowing one unearned run in two innings of work on Tuesday night against the Texas Rangers.
When Bristo was announced as the new pitcher on Tuesday, the public address announcer and scoreboard incorrectly identified him as making his “Major League debut.” In fact, it was his second game, although his first as a Tiger.
The Tigers claimed Bristo off waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays on May 1. The 28-year-old came up in the New York Yankees system after being drafted in the 23rd round out of Louisiana Tech in 2016. He signed with the Rays as a minor-league free agent prior to this season. He made his Major League debut with the Rays on April 13, pitching three scoreless innings and striking out four against the Boston Red Sox to earn the save.
Bristo’s spot will go to rookie right-hander Reese Olson, who is joining the Tigers’ rotation in place of injured ace Eduardo Rodriguez.
Olson will make his big-league debut on Friday night in Chicago against the White Sox.
Olson, 23, was acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for Daniel Norris in 2021. The right-hander made 25 starts for Erie in 2022, striking out 168 in 119 2/3 innings.
He got off to a miserable start this season at Triple-A Toledo, posting an 8.44 ERA over his first eight starts. But in his last two starts, he’s allowed just one earned run in 10 innings, striking out 19 and walking two.
TIGERS’ 40-MAN ROSTER (40)
Left-handed pitchers (6): Tyler Alexander, Matthew Boyd, Tyler Holton, Eduardo Rodriguez*, Chasen Shreve, Joey Wentz.
Right-handed pitchers (13): Braden Bristo, Jose Cisnero, Seth Elledge, Mason Englert, Alex Faedo, Jason Foley, Garrett Hill, Alex Lange, Michael Lorenzen, Reese Olson, Spencer Turnbull*, Will Vest, Brendan White.
Catchers (3): Eric Haase, Jake Rogers, Donny Sands.
Infielders (12): Javier Báez, Miguel Cabrera, Andy Ibañez, Ryan Kreidler, Andre Lipcius, Nick Maton, Zach McKinstry, Tyler Nevin, Wenceel Perez, Jonathan Schoop, Zack Short, Spencer Torkelson.
Outfielders (6): Akil Baddoo, Kerry Carpenter*, Riley Greene*, Jake Marisnick, Parker Meadows, Matt Vierling*.
Players on the active roster are in bold.
*Player on 10- or 15-day injured list.
Outfielder Austin Meadows (anxiety); left-handed pitcher Tarik Skubal (flexor tendon); and right-handed pitchers Matt Manning (right foot fracture), Casey Mize (Tommy John surgery), Beau Brieske (right ulnar nerve entrapment), Freddy Pacheco (right elbow sprain) and Trey Wingenter (right biceps tendinitis) are on the 60-day injured list and do not count against the 40-man roster. | https://www.mlive.com/tigers/2023/05/tigers-option-reliever-to-make-room-for-reese-olson.html | 2023-05-31 21:20:55 | 1 | https://www.mlive.com/tigers/2023/05/tigers-option-reliever-to-make-room-for-reese-olson.html |
SAN MARTÍN, Peru (AP) — The Cordillera Azul National Park on the eastern flank of the Peruvian Andes takes in a sweep of Amazon rainforest, mountains and waterfalls in a territory about the size of Connecticut, so precious that tens of millions of dollars in carbon credits have been sold in a program that supporters said would protect its trees.
But an analysis by independent experts and reporting by The Associated Press raises doubts about whether the project has delivered on its promise to counter-balance emissions by oil companies such as Shell, TotalEnergies and others. And the tree loss has more than doubled, according to satellite analysis.
Experts say the Cordillera Azul project was flawed from the beginning, with far too many carbon credits generated and exaggerated benefits that allowed the nonprofit running the park for the Peruvian government to make more money — even as the tree canopy shrank.
Defenders of the project dispute that benefits were inflated. They say the tree loss was virtually all from natural causes, even as satellite analysis shows it’s concentrated on the western and northern borders of the park near large population centers and largely along rivers. These are places far easier to reach and illegally log than elsewhere in the mostly primordial landscape.
“It is clear something has gone wrong in this project,” said Edward Mitchard, an expert in deforestation and carbon credits at the University of Edinburgh School of Geosciences.
Skeptics of forest protection carbon credit programs note the market is largely self-regulated, and it’s easy for participants to exaggerate the benefits of a given project. But done correctly, they are supposed to allow a company to break even on carbon emissions by preventing them in one place — such as a rainforest — while the company emits a comparable amount elsewhere. And demand for the projects is growing as companies come under pressure to be carbon-neutral, with one database showing the number of programs has nearly doubled in the past two years.
Peru’s forests have long come under frequent pressure from people migrating into new areas to clear land for farming. In Cordillera Azul, the carbon credit program raises money that pays for forest patrols and education of local communities to stop deforestation, which releases huge amounts of carbon dioxide that contributes to climate change. Documents show more than 28 million credits have been sold for the Cordillera Azul project, enough to offset 28 million tons of carbon dioxide — and raising millions of dollars in a process that Indigenous Kichwa tribes have complained did not recognize their ancestral claim to the land.
Founding documents say the project, launched in 2008 and among the world’s largest such ventures, aimed to prevent “all deforestation” in the park.
But Mitchard’s company, Space Intelligence, found tree canopy loss jumped from an average of 262 hectares (650 acres) per year in the five years before the project launched to an average of 572 hectares (1,400 acres) per year from 2009 to 2021, the last year for which data is available. Space Intelligence is a for-profit company that undertakes satellite mapping that is used to verify carbon credits.
Some of the tree loss in the park can be seen in satellite images taken in 2010 and 2019 and provided to AP by Planet, a company that makes such images for governments, businesses and researchers.
CIMA, the Spanish acronym for the independent non-profit set up to run the park, said natural phenomena such as landslides caused the tree loss, not logging, farming or mining.
Inspection of satellite data does show many landslides, but deforestation is a major cause of landslides because tree roots help hold steep slopes in place. Academic modeling has found landslides happen up to 13 times more often in deforested areas. It’s impossible to know what caused the Cordillera Azul landslides without site inspections, but forest loss within 1 kilometer (0.6 mile) of a park boundary or rivers — the most accessible and logging-vulnerable areas of the park — was about double that of the rest of the park, Space Intelligence found. More than a third of all the tree loss mapped in the gigantic park was in these narrow bands of territory.
That “does suggest that there has been human disturbance of the forest, making these landslides more likely,” Mitchard said, though he noted that natural causes could not be ruled out.
Mitchard also said data showing that annual tree canopy loss inside the park rose at about the same rate as tree loss outside the park after 2008 suggested the carbon credit project afforded little protection to Cordillera Azul. The data implied “the same human pressures” operating inside and outside the park, he said.
Forest carbon credits each represent a ton of CO2 kept from entering the atmosphere by protecting trees. They are supposed to be minted only if a forest is at risk — and the Cordillera Azul was legally protected by presidential decree in 2001. But official documents show that CIMA pushed for the program, arguing that it was necessary to pay for enforcement and education because the law alone wouldn’t have saved its forests from slash and burn agriculture, logging or mining. They also cite the program as a more reliable source of funding for the park than depending on donations.
“Existence of a national park title in a country like Peru is not sufficient to halt deforestation,” Gonzalo Varillas, executive director of CIMA, said by email in response to questions from AP. He also said the sale of the credits brought in enough money to cover 90% of the park’s operating costs, making up for difficulty obtaining international donations. Peru’s government began letting nonprofits run some parks on the theory that they might better be able to attract foreign funding.
Steve Zwick, a spokesman for the nonprofit Verra, a certifier for forest carbon projects including this one, defended the program as a “lifeline” for the park. Without income from the carbon credits, CIMA would have been dependent on unreliable funders, he said. Carbon savings were thus “crystal clear.”
But experts said the project inflated projected benefits from the start.
In 2008, CIMA said without the carbon credit program, almost 29 million tons of CO2 would be released from illegal deforestation in the park over the next decade. To calculate those “prevented emissions,” under industry standard guidelines, CIMA compared the project to a reference area to predict what would happen without its protection.
Simon Counsell, who has been assessing forest carbon credit projects for nearly 15 years, analyzed the areas CIMA selected for Friends of the Earth Netherlands. He found that CIMA’s reference area artificially boosted the figure by oversampling lowland valleys and floodplains far more attractive to farmers — and thus vulnerable to logging — than the park’s more rugged terrain.
The bigger the figure for prevented emissions, the more credits could be sold — even as the supposed benefits were overstated, Counsell found.
Counsell said CIMA’s numbers were also distorted by questionable estimates of population growth in the reference area — another data point used to estimate prevented emissions, since more people typically means more forest destruction.
For example, in the district of Pampa Hermosa, CIMA used estimates that population would grow by more than 700% in the decade following the program’s launch. But the park’s own figures showed population had grown on average by only 2.2% per year between 1993 and 2002.
Compensate, a company that assesses and sells carbon credits, rejected Cordillera Azul for its portfolio in 2020. Its evaluation, shared with AP, also flagged both the population growth and deforestation estimates. It described the latter as “one way to inflate” the program’s prevented emissions.
Will Lock, an expert in the voluntary carbon market and Peruvian Amazon conservation at the School of Global Studies in the University of Sussex, said predictions employed a “heavily exaggerated, worst-case scenario approach” that resulted in a “worrying tendency to overemphasize threats” and maximize claims of carbon saved.
Zwick, from Verra, said the reference region was chosen by peer-reviewed processes, the best then available, and certain areas were excluded. He said people can and do farm on steep slopes, and topography was factored into the assessment. Questions raised at the time by independent auditors were addressed, he said, while population data was the best available then.
Verra has recently said it will bring in a new rainforest carbon credit methodology by 2025.
The project was carried out to the “highest quality,” said CIMA’s Varillas. Some of the observed deforestation was from natural causes, he argued, and population estimates were based on robust modeling.
The project’s biggest buyers, Shell and TotalEnergies, defended their participation.
A TotalEnergies spokesman said by email that comparing tree loss before and after the project gave the misleading impression it had failed, because deforestation cannot be halted instantaneously. The company only invests in carbon projects meeting “international standards and methodologies of the highest quality,” said the spokesman, who declined to allow his name to be used.
A Shell spokesman also cited protection of the park as a benefit of its credit purchases, and said “catastrophic deforestation” would have occurred without the program. But the spokesman, who also declined to allow his name to be used, said Shell will conduct an additional review before further purchases.
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Follow Ed Davey on Twitter: https://twitter.com/EdDavey1
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Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives support from several private foundations. See more about AP’s climate initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content. | https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/gone-wrong-doubts-on-carbon-credit-program-in-peru-forest/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_all | 2023-03-30 15:49:16 | 0 | https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/gone-wrong-doubts-on-carbon-credit-program-in-peru-forest/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_all |
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Shohei Ohtani is the talk of Major League Baseball, and not just because he’s the best two-way player perhaps ever to don a baseball uniform, or even because he’s already hit 36 home runs and it’s only July 25. It’s because he’s on the wishlist of every single team in baseball who wants to contend for the title.
It’s not guaranteed that the Los Angeles Angels will trade Shohei Ohtani before or at the deadline in just under a week. But there is a strong possibility that when the evening of August 1 rolls around, he could be playing for a different team.
On Tuesday’s episode of the Locked On MLB podcast, host Paul Francis Sullivan conducted a roundtable discussion with Brett Chancey of Locked On Astros, Ethan Smith of Locked On Pirates, and Brandon Warne of Locked On Twins. They talked about the fate of Shohei Ohtani and where they think he’ll end up.
BE SURE to listen and subscribe to Locked On MLB wherever you get your podcasts!
Which team will it be? Baseball pundits are bandying about a few names, but there’s one above all others, and all the Locked On hosts participating in the roundtable agreed. It’s the Baltimore Orioles.
“Ohtani would turn the Baltimore Orioles into immediate World Series contenders," Smith said. "And I’m not saying they aren’t right now, but a lot would have to fall their way pitching-wise.” Adding Ohtani to that starting rotation is a no-brainer.
That’s the consensus among the hosts, with Sullivan saying, “Jackson Hollidays grow on trees. Shohei Ohtanis do not.” Holliday is Baltimore’s top prospect and the son of Matt Holliday. He’s currently in Double-A Bowie. Sullivan then joked that the last time the Orioles won the World Series (1983), there was only one Indiana Jones movie, and it was called Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Chancey, the host of Locked On Astros, said, “With the Orioles having eight or nine of the Top 100 prospects in all of baseball, you can pick and choose (who to trade).”
The Angels could reload and rebuild with a ton of talent if they choose Baltimore as a trade partner. But, as Sullivan pointed out, the Angels were looking dead in the water before a sweep of the New York Yankees last week, and they’re not that far out of a Wild Card spot. So it is possible they hold onto Ohtani, try to fight for one of those three spots, and make the playoffs for the first since Ohtani signed with them.
Warne of Locked On Twins discussed the likelihood of the Angels re-signing Ohtani. “Here’s what I come back to if you’re the Angels and if you’re Perry Minasian, the GM. You’re no more likely to re-sign him if you keep him.” He added, “You’ve had all this time to sign him, and it hasn’t happened.”
Warne thinks the Angels should go for it regarding trading with the Orioles and getting a bunch of prospects in return for Ohtani. “What better way to woo him than to have a young Jackson Holliday coming up? With him and Zach Neto up the middle. Then you have Trout in center. You’ll convince him you’ll build around him. But you’re no more likely to sign him whether he’s an Angel or not.”
The Angels haven’t made the playoffs since 2014. Mike Trout has only had 12 at-bats in the playoffs. Ohtani has zero. He knows this going in. He has all the leverage when it comes to any deal made with the Angels, and as Warne said, it might be better for the Angels to let Ohtani go for a few months and then lure him back with a rebuilt and reloaded Angels system that has a chance at competing in the near future.
BE SURE to listen and subscribe to Locked On MLB wherever you get your podcasts! | https://www.12news.com/article/sports/locked-on/lo-national/locked-on-mlb/should-los-angeles-angels-trade-shohei-ohtani-baltimore-orioles-jackson-holliday-mike-trout/535-3746d933-00cf-4149-9960-9b1d7451d9e7 | 2023-07-25 23:58:52 | 0 | https://www.12news.com/article/sports/locked-on/lo-national/locked-on-mlb/should-los-angeles-angels-trade-shohei-ohtani-baltimore-orioles-jackson-holliday-mike-trout/535-3746d933-00cf-4149-9960-9b1d7451d9e7 |
WIMBLEDON, England (AP) — The Latest from Wimbledon (all times local):
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1:50 p.m.
Nick Kyrgios is already feeling the nerves ahead of his first Grand Slam final.
The unseeded Australian advanced to the Wimbledon final when Rafael Nadal withdrew from the tournament because of an abdominal injury.
He says the news caused him to have a restless night.
“So many thoughts in my head about a Wimbledon final,” Kyrgios said. “That’s all I was thinking about.”
Kyrgios will face either six-time champion Novak Djokovic or Cam Norrie in Sunday’s final. Norrie is playing in the semifinals of a major tournament for the first time, but Djokovic has plenty of experience at this stage.
“That’s where Djokovic has the advantage from the get-go. He can draw from experience, he’s done it so many more times, he knows the emotions he’s going to be feeling. I don’t know that,” Kyrgios said. “I don’t know anything like that, so … It was just all running through my head, every little thought, and I just slept really bad.”
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1:30 p.m.
Novak Djokovic will play for a spot in an eighth Wimbledon final.
The six-time champion, who has won the last three titles at the All England Club, will face ninth-seeded Cam Norrie on Centre Court.
The winner will face Nick Kyrgios in Sunday’s final. Kyrgios advanced to his first Grand Slam singles final when Rafael Nadal withdrew because of an abdominal injury.
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More AP Wimbledon coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/wimbledon and https://apnews.com/hub/tennis and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. | https://wtmj.com/sports/2022/07/08/wimbledon-updates-kyrgios-feels-the-nerves-ahead-of-final-2/ | 2022-07-08 17:09:28 | 0 | https://wtmj.com/sports/2022/07/08/wimbledon-updates-kyrgios-feels-the-nerves-ahead-of-final-2/ |
AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Abrigo, the leader of compliance, credit risk, and lending solutions for financial institutions, purchased BankLabs' Construct and +Pay loan administration and funding solutions, expanding Abrigo's award-winning loan origination solution and creating an end-to-end construction origination, management, and administration platform.
The acquisition allows construction lenders to seamlessly integrate pre-closing origination with post-closing administration activities to automate workflows, streamline communications, and realize greater interest income through faster funding.
"Abrigo has always focused on delivering products created out of a deep understanding of the needs of U.S. financial institutions. In BankLabs, we found a partner that produced a robust loan administration tool, developed to cover all types of commercial and residential construction loans and borrower types," said Wayne Roberts, CEO of Abrigo.
Mike Montgomery, BankLabs' Founder and CEO noted "the acquisition realizes BankLabs' vision of partnering with financial technology leaders to help community-oriented financial institutions succeed faster than BankLabs can deliver alone. We could not have found a better partner to execute on our mission. I know Abrigo will take Construct and +Pay to new heights."
Using the integrated Abrigo loan origination and Construct administration suite, loan officers can unlock greater efficiency and focus on strengthening relationships instead of managing spreadsheets. Real-time reporting, alerts, and detailed audit trails provide improved visibility and mitigate risk. +Pay manages the construction payment process for builders, general contractors, financial institutions, or any company that pays subcontractors, adding speed and eliminating mountains of paperwork.
"In partnership with The Carlyle Group and Accel-KKR, we're doubling down on our efforts to Make Big Things Happen in the industry as we invest in our people, our products, and our service to customers. We're thrilled to have some of the BankLabs team members join the Abrigo family, and we share their commitment to service, product excellence, and innovation. We're equally excited about additional opportunities to collaborate with BankLabs in the future," said Roberts.
"We are grateful to our clients, associates, and distribution partners who helped us reach $70 billion dollars in construction loans across about 100,000 projects," said Matt Johnner, President and Co-Founder of BankLabs. "Transitioning Construct and +Pay to Abrigo will provide even greater efficiency and interest income gains to our lenders. Abrigo's technical and product investments will expand the commercial features, integration points, and user experiences for these products. Meanwhile, BankLabs will focus on creating new products that accelerate banks' capability to move money, credits, and payments while growing our patented Participate product as the digital balance sheet management tool of choice."
Construct and +Pay join a strong and growing portfolio and will continue to enhance the value Abrigo brings to both its customers and the industry.
The Construct product is an easy-to-use, web-based software solution that automates the construction loan management process for residential and commercial projects. Accessible from any mobile device or computer, it eliminates paper files and spreadsheets, improves loan officer and loan admin productivity, and improves the experience for the borrower, builder, and other stakeholders.
+Pay automates the construction payment stream for institutions paying subcontractors on behalf of their trusted builders. It improves efficiency through approval routing of invoices and eSignature for lien waivers, differentiating the institution with builders and subcontractors and creating new income opportunities.
Abrigo enables U.S. financial institutions to support their communities through technology that fights financial crime, grows loans and deposits, and optimizes risk. Abrigo's platform centralizes the institution's data, creates a digital user experience, ensures compliance, and delivers efficiency for scale and profitable growth. Abrigo has secured strategic growth investments from funds managed by Accel- KKR and Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG). Visit abrigo.com to learn more. Follow Abrigo on social media using @WeAreAbrigo.
BankLabs provides community banks with state-of-the-art technologies that help increase efficiency, improve profitability, and enhance in-market relationships. BankLabs is committed to creating platforms that streamline loan processes for banks so you can get back to what really matters – serving your customers and your community. BankLabs' latest product, Participate, is the first patented loan participation and balance sheet management tool for community banks that brings buyers and sellers of loan participations onto a single platform.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Abrigo | https://www.kait8.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/abrigo-expands-lending-automation-with-acquisition-banklabs-construct-pay-technologies/ | 2022-08-15 19:51:51 | 1 | https://www.kait8.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/abrigo-expands-lending-automation-with-acquisition-banklabs-construct-pay-technologies/ |
- 45% of workers want to choose their own work start and end times
- Almost one fifth of workers (18%) would work a four-day work week for less pay
- A culture of trust is important; 71% of workers need trust in leadership to thrive
- Well-being now an essential strategy for hiring and business success
MILWAUKEE, Wis., June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Workers are calling for more from their employers to help them shift from surviving to thriving, prioritizing flexibility along with factors such as trust, purpose, and well-being, according to new research from ManpowerGroup (NYSE: MAN), and Thrive, the leading behavior change technology company founded by Arianna Huffington.
The research "What Workers Want: From Surviving to Thriving at Work," part of ManpowerGroup's What Workers Want series, is based on a survey of more than 5,000 workers across five countries and reveals that almost all workers (93%) now view flexibility as important. However, the nature of that flexibility varies. Workers from all backgrounds are now asking for flexibility on their own terms with 45% wanting to choose their own start and end times and 18% willing to reduce pay to work a four day week to achieve better balance. The results also point to a changing role for leaders as trust and shared values are increasingly significant – with workers willing to vote with their feet if they do not feel adequately supported.
"A lasting legacy of the pandemic will be flexibility, but it's not one-size-fits-all. Workers want more choice, autonomy and consideration for their well-being." said Jonas Prising, ManpowerGroup Chairman & CEO. "We're seeing the highest talent shortages in 16 years, giving workers at almost every level and in every sector the upper hand. Employers have no choice but to pay attention. The challenge for leaders will be to listen, adapt and think differently about how to approach flexibility, not just flexible working."
ManpowerGroup partnered with Thrive to identify immediate actions that employers can take to support employee well-being. By adopting practices like Entry Interviews, creating a culture of compassionate directness, and encouraging employees to practice Microsteps, companies can create long-lasting cultural change.
"The disruptions of the past two years have forced us to consider what we really value, and we have a once-in-generation opportunity to rethink the way we work and live," said Arianna Huffington, Founder and CEO of Thrive. "We were in the middle of a global epidemic of stress and burnout even before COVID. Then the pandemic hit, and employee well-being and resilience shot to the top of the agenda for companies all over the world. At Thrive, we work with companies who realize that their most important resource is their people. They're seeing the direct connection between the long-term health of their bottom line and the health and well-being of their employees."
Trust is important for a thriving workforce, according to the survey. Trust in colleagues was rated second only to fair pay and safe working conditions by workers (79%), while trust in leaders was rated highly by more than two-thirds (71%). Additionally, workers want to work for companies that share their values and beliefs, with 70% seeking meaning in their daily work.
The pandemic put mental health firmly at the top of public and corporate agendas and workers now see well-being as a shared responsibility with employers. Stress levels have dropped since the peak of the pandemic (42% to 38%) but are still higher than pre-March 2020. Increasingly employers will be called on to address burnout, build resilience and boost mental fitness.
The What Workers Want: From Surviving to Thriving at Work data provides clear insight and practical recommendations for organizations to understand what workers want to thrive at work, and what employers need to do now to ensure both organizations and individuals are primed to succeed.
Explore the new research: What Workers Want: From Surviving to Thriving at Work here.
About ManpowerGroup
ManpowerGroup® (NYSE: MAN), the leading global workforce solutions company, helps organizations transform in a fast-changing world of work by sourcing, assessing, developing and managing the talent that enables them to win. We develop innovative solutions for hundreds of thousands of organizations every year, providing them with skilled talent while finding meaningful, sustainable employment for millions of people across a wide range of industries and skills. Our expert family of brands – Manpower, Experis and Talent Solutions – creates substantially more value for candidates and clients across more than 75 countries and territories and has done so for over 70 years. We are recognized consistently for our diversity - as a best place to work for Women, Inclusion, Equality and Disability and in 2022 ManpowerGroup was named one of the World's Most Ethical Companies for the thirteenth year - all confirming our position as the brand of choice for in-demand talent.
About Thrive
Thrive is a leading behavior change technology company founded by Arianna Huffington in 2016 with the mission to end the stress and burnout epidemic. Thrive helps individuals and organizations improve well-being, performance and mental resilience with its AI-powered behavior change technology platform. Thrive's Microsteps – small, science-backed steps to improve health and productivity – have been adopted by employees at more than 125 organizations in over 140 countries, from frontline and call center workers to executives at multinational companies. Thrive Global is headquartered in New York City and has offices in San Francisco, Dublin, Athens, Bucharest and Melbourne. For more information, visit www.thriveglobal.com.
*About the Research: ManpowerGroup researched and analyzed responses from over 5,000 frontline, corporate, and call center workers, as well as job seekers, across five countries (Australia, France, Italy, United Kingdom and United States) to learn what it means to thrive at work. And we've partnered with leading behavior change technology company Thrive to help turn those insights into action to ensure both organizations and individuals alike are resilient and primed to succeed. Research was carried out by Reputation Leaders surveying workers aged 18 and over, balanced by age, gender in 5 countries, across five countries, Australia, France, Italy, United Kingdom and United States.
The research "What Workers Want: From Surviving to Thriving at Work," part of ManpowerGroup's What Workers Want series, is based on a survey of more than 5,000 workers across five countries and reveals that almost all workers (93%) now view flexibility as important. However, the nature of that flexibility varies. Workers from all backgrounds are now asking for flexibility on their own terms, with 45% wanting to choose their own start and end times, and 18% willing to reduce pay to work a four-day week to achieve better balance. The results also point to a changing role for leaders as trust and shared values are increasingly significant – with workers willing to vote with their feet if they do not feel adequately supported.
"A lasting legacy of the pandemic will be flexibility, but it's not one-size-fits-all. Workers want more choice, autonomy, and consideration for their well-being." said Jonas Prising, ManpowerGroup Chairman & CEO. "We're seeing the highest talent shortages in 16 years, giving workers at almost every level and in every sector the upper hand. Employers have no choice but to pay attention. The challenge for leaders will be to listen, adapt, and think differently about how to approach flexibility, not just flexible working."
ManpowerGroup partnered with Thrive to identify immediate actions that employers can take to support employee well-being. By adopting practices like Entry Interviews, creating a culture of compassionate directness, and encouraging employees to practice Microsteps, companies can create long-lasting cultural change.
"The disruptions of the past two years have forced us to consider what we really value, and we have a once-in-generation opportunity to rethink the way we work and live," said Arianna Huffington, Founder and CEO of Thrive. "We were in the middle of a global epidemic of stress and burnout even before COVID. Then the pandemic hit, and employee well-being and resilience shot to the top of the agenda for companies all over the world. At Thrive, we work with companies who realize that their most important resource is their people. They're seeing the direct connection between the long-term health of their bottom line and the health and well-being of their employees."
Trust is important for a thriving workforce, according to the survey. Trust in colleagues was rated second only to fair pay and safe working conditions by workers (79%), while trust in leaders was rated highly by more than two-thirds (71%). Additionally, people want to work for companies that share their values and beliefs, with 70% seeking meaning in their daily work.
The pandemic put mental health firmly at the top of public and corporate agendas and workers now see well-being as a shared responsibility with employers. Stress levels have dropped since the peak of the pandemic (42% to 38%) but are still higher than pre-March 2020. Increasingly, employers will be called on to address burnout, build resilience and boost mental fitness.
The What Workers Want: From Surviving to Thriving at Work data provides clear insight and practical recommendations for organizations to understand what workers want to thrive at work, and what employers need to do now to ensure both organizations and individuals are primed to succeed.
Explore the new research: What Workers Want: From Surviving to Thriving at Work here.
About ManpowerGroup
ManpowerGroup® (NYSE: MAN), the leading global workforce solutions company, helps organizations transform in a fast-changing world of work by sourcing, assessing, developing and managing the talent that enables them to win. We develop innovative solutions for hundreds of thousands of organizations every year, providing them with skilled talent while finding meaningful, sustainable employment for millions of people across a wide range of industries and skills. Our expert family of brands – Manpower, Experis and Talent Solutions – creates substantially more value for candidates and clients across more than 75 countries and territories and has done so for over 70 years. We are recognized consistently for our diversity - as a best place to work for Women, Inclusion, Equality and Disability and in 2022 ManpowerGroup was named one of the World's Most Ethical Companies for the thirteenth year - all confirming our position as the brand of choice for in-demand talent.
About Thrive
Thrive is a leading behavior change technology company founded by Arianna Huffington in 2016 with the mission to end the stress and burnout epidemic. Thrive helps individuals and organizations improve well-being, performance and mental resilience with its AI-powered behavior change technology platform. Thrive's Microsteps – small, science-backed steps to improve health and productivity – have been adopted by employees at more than 125 organizations in over 140 countries, from frontline and call center workers to executives at multinational companies. Thrive Global is headquartered in New York City and has offices in San Francisco, Dublin, Athens, Bucharest and Melbourne. For more information, visit www.thriveglobal.com.
*About the Research: ManpowerGroup researched and analyzed responses from over 5,000 frontline, corporate, and call center workers, as well as job seekers, across five countries (Australia, France, Italy, United Kingdom and United States) to learn what it means to thrive at work. And we've partnered with leading behavior change technology company Thrive to help turn those insights into action to ensure both organizations and individuals alike are resilient and primed to succeed. Research was carried out by Reputation Leaders surveying workers aged 18 and over, balanced by age, gender in 5 countries, across five countries, Australia, France, Italy, United Kingdom and United States.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE ManpowerGroup | https://www.kold.com/prnewswire/2022/06/09/surviving-global-pandemic-thriving-work-manpowergroup-research-explores-what-flexibility-means-workers-partners-with-thrive-identify-ways-employers-can-support-employee-well-being/ | 2022-06-09 06:22:34 | 0 | https://www.kold.com/prnewswire/2022/06/09/surviving-global-pandemic-thriving-work-manpowergroup-research-explores-what-flexibility-means-workers-partners-with-thrive-identify-ways-employers-can-support-employee-well-being/ |
MESA, Ariz. (AP) — A suspect has been arrested in connection with five separate shootings in the Phoenix metro area that left four people dead and a woman wounded, authorities said Sunday.
Mesa police said 20-year-old Iren Byers was taken into custody Sunday on suspicion of four counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted first-degree murder.
A motive for the shootings wasn’t immediately clear, but police said Byers took responsibility for the shootings and told officers where they could find the clothes and gun used in the crimes.
Police said video surveillance footage showed the suspect wearing the clothing reported by witnesses at multiple shooting scenes.
The names of the victims were being withheld Sunday until relatives could be notified. It was unclear Sunday if Byers has a lawyer yet who could speak on his behalf.
Police said officers were dispatched around 10:30 p.m. Friday to a Mesa park and found a 41-year-old man dead at the scene.
While still at the park, police reported hearing shots being fired nearby and searched the area and later found a 36-year-old woman with serious injuries. She remains in stable condition at a hospital.
Police said they received a call about a body near a Mesa bus station around 1 a.m. Sunday.
They said officers discovered a 41-year-old man dead at the scene and then another dead man just after 2 a.m.
Authorities said all of the victims had gunshot wounds. They also said shell casings recovered from the shooting scenes were all linked to the same 9mm handgun, including a fatal shooting Friday afternoon in Phoenix.
Details of the Phoenix shooting haven’t been released yet. | https://www.kxnet.com/news/national-news/ap-suspect-arrested-in-5-separate-shootings-in-phoenix-metro-area-that-left-4-dead/ | 2023-05-29 17:34:03 | 1 | https://www.kxnet.com/news/national-news/ap-suspect-arrested-in-5-separate-shootings-in-phoenix-metro-area-that-left-4-dead/ |
A look at what’s happening around the majors today:
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ALL ABOARD
Aaron Judge and Pete Alonso swing away as the Subway Series starts up at Citi Field with both New York teams in first place.
Jordan Montgomery (3-2, 3.24 ERA) pitches for the Yankees, who own the best record in the majors at 66-31 and a whopping 12 1/2-game lead over Toronto in the AL East.
Taijuan Walker (7-2, 2.55) starts for the Mets, whose once-formidable NL East edge over Atlanta is down to two games. Walker is 4-0 with a 1.80 ERA in his last seven outings.
Judge tops the majors with 37 homers and has 81 RBIs for the Yankees. Alonso leads the big leagues with 82 RBIs and has hit 25 home runs.
The teams play twice this week at the Mets’ home, then meet for two more games in late August at Yankee Stadium.
PAPI POWER
The Boston Red Sox will honor David Ortiz in a pregame tribute at Fenway Park, two days after he was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Ortiz pins will be given to fans as they enter the ballpark for the game against Cleveland.
Big Papi helped the Red Sox win three World Series championships. In 14 years with the Red Sox, Ortiz hit 500 homers, 17 of them in the postseason.
Ortiz was cheered by fans chanting his name and wearing his No. 34 jersey during Sunday’s ceremonies in Cooperstown, New York, about a four-hour drive from Fenway.
NO-FLY ZONE
The Cardinals will be missing two of their best players — first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and third baseman Nolan Arenado — when they open a two-game series at Toronto. They haven’t received the COVID-19 vaccination and aren’t allowed to enter Canada.
Catcher Austin Romine also won’t make the trip. The trio will be put on the restricted list and forfeit pay and major league service time in accordance with the terms of MLB’s collective bargaining agreement.
Goldschmidt is hitting .335 with 24 home runs and 77 RBIs. Arenado is batting .296 with 18 homers and 59 RBIs.
Right-hander José Berríos (7-4, 5.22 ERA) starts for Toronto against rookie righty Andre Pallante (3-4, 3.34).
ON THE BLOCK
A’s right-hander Frankie Montas makes what could be his final start in an Oakland uniform ahead of the Aug. 2 trade deadline.
Montas is expected to work with a normal pitch count against Houston after being limited to three innings last time out. Prior to that, he missed two straight outings with inflammation in his pitching shoulder. A quality performance against the Astros could help the rebuilding A’s get a bigger return in a trade.
The A’s have scored one or fewer runs in 10 of Montas’ 18 starts and have been shut out three times.
RAYS CONCERN
The Rays will be without veteran hitters Kevin Kiermaier and Mike Zunino for the rest of the season because of injuries, a significant blow for the defending AL East champions.
Manager Kevin Cash said before Monday night’s game at Baltimore that Kiermaier is having an operation in the coming weeks. The 32-year-old outfielder hasn’t played since July 9 because of a left hip injury.
Zunino, a 31-year-old catcher, hasn’t played since June 9 because of left shoulder problems. He’s out for the season because of thoracic outlet syndrome surgery, according to a team spokesman.
Tampa Bay entered Monday’s game holding the second of the American League’s three wild cards.
___
More AP MLB coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://www.wjhl.com/sports/us-world-sports/leading-off-subway-series-rolls-ortiz-honor-missing-cards-2/ | 2022-07-26 19:25:00 | 1 | https://www.wjhl.com/sports/us-world-sports/leading-off-subway-series-rolls-ortiz-honor-missing-cards-2/ |
PRICHARD, Ala. (WKRG) — Police in Alabama are investigating a Friday night shooting that left the son of a TikTok star dead.
The shooting happened around 7:45 p.m. in Prichard, just a few miles northwest of Mobile. Prichard Police said the homicide remains under investigation.
Randon Lee’s family have identified him as the victim of the shooting. He is the son of a popular local TikTok star, @shoelover99, who is known as Mama Tot. Her real name is Ophelia Nichols.
Nichols spoke with Nexstar’s WKRG about the shooting. She said her son was shot at a gas station before driving down the street to a different gas station, where he was later found dead.
Nichols took to her social media page Saturday to beg for someone to come forward with information about her son’s death.
In her video, she says Saturday would have been her son’s 19th birthday.
“I ain’t never asked y’all for anything,” Nichols said through tears. “But I need your help with this. There’s almost seven million people that follow me, somebody’s gotta know something.”
You can watch her heartfelt plea here. She later added a comment to her video, saying, “We have a lead on 2 individuals.”
Police have not yet released additional details. | https://www.kxnet.com/news/national-news/tiktok-stars-son-killed-in-alabama-shooting-family-confirms/ | 2022-06-26 15:26:40 | 0 | https://www.kxnet.com/news/national-news/tiktok-stars-son-killed-in-alabama-shooting-family-confirms/ |
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine, Oct. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Northern Maine Community College reported a 31.3% year-over-year increase in Fall enrollment this month, surpassing state and national trends. Nationally, community college enrollment has declined slightly, while other Maine community colleges reported a 12% increase. With growth rates more than double state averages, administrators on campus are facing questions about the cause.
"Enrollment at NMCC has been impacted by several factors this fall," College President Tim Crowley stated. "The Maine State Legislature focused its attention on community colleges while rebounding from the pandemic. The state passed legislation to offer free tuition and fees for recent high school graduates, and also provided funding to expand nursing programs. The discussions surrounding this action—at both state and local levels—brought the value of community college education into sharp focus."
According to Crowley, the College also benefited from increased local awareness gained through work in the community. "During the pandemic, NMCC partnered with Northern Light A.R. Gould Hospital and hosted a vaccination clinic in the College's Smith Wellness Center over several weeks. The clinics provided 23,000 vaccinations," Crowley stated. "Community members who had never visited NMCC experienced our facilities, our caring staff, and the value of partnerships we maintain that support the community in times of need."
Academic Dean Angela Buck attributes part of the increased enrollment to structural changes. "The pandemic required us to rapidly expand online offerings and improve the online learning environment," Buck said. "While the majority of students were eager to return to campus as restrictions eased, we've also found some demographics prefer the flexibility of online coursework, particularly non-traditional students and parents with children at home."
Not highlighted in October's official headcount is the College's significant growth in workforce development, through short term non-credit and credit programs including commercial driving, mechanized logging operations, and practical nursing. "State and federal dollars have allowed us to meet the demand in these high-wage fields," stated NMCC Assistant Dean of Continuing Education Leah Buck. "For example, we expanded our commercial driving academy into Bangor this summer, which trained another 43 CDL drivers who will be ready to hit the road and help alleviate supply chain pressures. Through support from the Alfond Center for the Advancement of Maine's Workforce, we have access to both state and private funding to create training opportunities for more short-term training; this supports both companies who want their skills upgraded and under-employed people looking for a new career. We're pursuing similar expansion in all areas that could benefit, and both students and employers are embracing the opportunities."
Under the leadership of NMCC's Dean of Students Matthew Grillo—who began the role in fall of 2021—admissions and counseling departments created a unified effort to enhance the new-student onboarding process while meeting the needs of current students. "We're working closely with high school graduates who have felt unmoored over these recent years," Grillo explained. "But we don't only serve traditional-aged college students. We work with parents, people returning to the workforce, international students coming to the U.S. for the first time, and students with learning disabilities. Our staff doesn't use a one-size-fits-all approach. We meet each student where they're at and support them to navigate obstacles and continue their education. "
"No single effort or initiative is responsible for the 30% growth in NMCC enrollment this fall," President Crowley added. "Luck is when opportunity meets preparation, and our campus used these recent years to reflect, adapt, and ultimately better meet the needs of our community. We've benefited from local, state, and federal support. We strive to be good stewards of the opportunities we're given, and responsible fiduciaries under any circumstance. These are campus efforts that we plan to continue."
For more information regarding NMCC's more than 30 programs or workforce development opportunities, please visit nmcc.edu or call the admissions office at (207) 768-2785.
Media Contact:
Griffin Goins
Development and College Relations Office
33 Edgemont Drive
Presque Isle, ME 04769
Phone: (207) 768-2806
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SOURCE Northern Maine Community College | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2022/10/19/nmcc-enrollment-surges-30-college-attributes-multiple-factors/ | 2022-10-19 15:30:13 | 0 | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2022/10/19/nmcc-enrollment-surges-30-college-attributes-multiple-factors/ |
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court will hear arguments over a California animal cruelty law that could raise the cost of bacon and other pork products nationwide.
The case’s outcome is important to the nation’s $26-billion-a-year pork industry, but the outcome could also limit states’ ability to pass laws with impact outside their borders, from laws aimed at combating climate change to others intended to regulate prescription drug prices.
The case before the court on Tuesday involves California’s Proposition 12, which voters passed in 2018. It said that pork sold in the state needs to come from pigs whose mothers were raised with at least 24 square feet of space, including the ability to lie down and turn around. That rules out the confined “gestation crates,” metal enclosures that are common in the pork industry.
Two industry groups, the Iowa-based National Pork Producers Council and the American Farm Bureau Federation, sued over the proposition. They say that while Californians consume 13% of the pork eaten in the United States, nearly 100% of it comes from hogs raised outside the state, primarily where the industry is concentrated in the Midwest and North Carolina. The vast majority of sows, meanwhile, aren’t raised under conditions that would meet Proposition 12’s standards.
The question for the high court is whether California has impermissibly burdened the pork market and improperly regulated an industry outside its borders.
Pork producers argue that 72% of farmers use individual pens for sows that don’t allow them to turn around and that even farmers who house sows in larger group pens don’t provide the space California would require.
They also say that the way the pork market works, with cuts of meat from various producers being combined before sale, it’s likely all pork would have to meet California standards, regardless of where it’s sold. Complying with Proposition 12 could cost the industry $290 million to $350 million, they say.
So far, lower courts have sided with California and animal-welfare groups that had supported the proposition. But for a number of reasons the law has yet to go into effect.
The Biden administration, for its part, is urging the justices to side with pork producers. The administration says Proposition 12 would be a “wholesale change in how pork is raised and marketed in this country.” And it says the proposition has “thrown a giant wrench into the workings of the interstate market in pork.”
California’s Proposition 12 also covers other animals. It says egg-laying hens and calves being raised for veal need to be raised in conditions in which they have enough room to lie down, stand up and turn around freely. Those parts of the law aren’t at issue in the case.
The case is National Pork Producers Council v. Ross, 21-468. | https://www.wdtn.com/news/u-s-world/supreme-court-to-hear-case-that-could-raise-price-of-pork/ | 2022-10-11 14:28:58 | 0 | https://www.wdtn.com/news/u-s-world/supreme-court-to-hear-case-that-could-raise-price-of-pork/ |
Treatment will be offered at the Neurology Centre of Toronto in Forest Hill
VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Numinus Wellness Inc. ("Numinus" or the "Company") (TSX: NUMI) (OTCQX: NUMIF), a mental health care company advancing innovative treatments and safe, evidence-based psychedelic-assisted therapies, today announced that its Toronto clinic, the Neurology Centre of Toronto (NCT) by Numinus, is now offering ketamine-assisted therapy for patients with neurologic conditions.
"Following a thorough evaluation, Numinus found NCT's existing infrastructure, client base and practitioners to be highly suitable for offering ketamine-assisted therapy. Mental health challenges are commonly associated with neurologic diagnoses and ketamine-assisted therapy is a promising tool that we now have available for our patients," said Dr. Evan Lewis (MD), VP, Psychedelic Neurology, Numinus. "The use of ketamine-assisted therapy within the field of neurology is novel, and we look forward to expanding access for our patients and contributing to the body of knowledge regarding ketamine applications."
NCT focuses on conditions including epilepsy, concussion, brain injury and functional neurological disorders, offering a comprehensive range of services that include primary neurologic care and supportive therapies offered by a team of over 20 specialists. The new service will be led by a psychologist and follow Numinus' existing protocol for ketamine-assisted therapy, already in use in its other locations in Canada and the US, which includes sessions for medical screening, medicine dosing and therapy for integration. The protocol will be modified to ensure it is appropriate for patients with neurologic conditions. A group of existing patients have been reviewed as candidates, with plans to provide treatment to more patients following evaluation of the initial cohort.
In addition to ketamine-assisted therapy, NCT is expanding its capabilities to support applications for other psychedelic-assisted therapies through Health Canada's Special Access Program (SAP). The SAP is a federal program through which patients with demonstrable need can apply for access to investigational medical treatments that are not yet available to the public, including therapies using psychedelics such as MDMA and psilocybin. A successful SAP application was recently completed by a Montreal Numinus physician to provide psilocybin-assisted therapy for depression.
"We look forward to making psychedelic-assisted therapies more accessible to those in need in Ontario through ketamine-assisted therapy and Special Access Program applications," said Payton Nyquvest, CEO and Founder, Numinus. "Our patients often face complex challenges, including comorbid neurologic and mental health disorders. By offering these additional services, we can help alleviate their distress and improve their quality of life."
More information on NCT by Numinus can be found online at numinus.com/location/toronto.The clinic is located in the Forest Hill neighbourhood of midtown Toronto.
Numinus Wellness (TSX: NUMI) helps people to heal and be well through the development and delivery of innovative mental health care and access to safe, evidence-based psychedelic-assisted therapies. The Numinus model - including psychedelic production, research and clinic care - is at the forefront of a transformation aimed at healing rather than managing symptoms for depression, anxiety, trauma, pain and substance use. At Numinus, we are leading the integration of psychedelic-assisted therapies into mainstream clinical practice and building the foundation for a healthier society.
Learn more at numinus.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Neither Numinus Wellness Inc., nor any of its subsidiaries is a professional corporation licensed to practice health services. In jurisdictions where health services may only be provided by a corporation if that corporation holds a valid permit to do so, Numinus and its subsidiaries operate in a management services function to affiliated professional corporations, who provide health services to patients. Numinus and its subsidiaries do provide health services directly to patients in those jurisdictions where authorized to do so.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements that are not historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding future estimates, plans, programs, forecasts, projections, objectives, assumptions, expectations or beliefs regarding future performance are "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "expects", "does not expect", "is expected", "believes", "intends", "anticipates", "does not anticipate", "believes" or variations of these words, expressions or statements, that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be" taken, will occur or will be realized. Such forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other known and unknown factors that could cause actual results, events or developments to differ materially from the results, events or developments expected and expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, dependence on obtaining and maintaining regulatory approvals, including the acquisition and renewal of federal, provincial, municipal, local or other licenses, and any inability to obtain all necessary government authorizations, licenses and permits to operate and expand the Company's facilities; regulatory or policy changes such as changes in applicable laws and regulations, including federal and provincial legalization, due to fluctuations in public opinion, industry perception of integrative mental health, including the use of psychedelic-assisted therapy, delays or inefficiencies or any other reason; any other factor or development likely to hamper the growth of the market; the Company's limited operating and profitability track record; dependence on management; the Company's need for additional financing and the effects of financial market conditions and other factors on the availability of capital; competition, including that of more established and better funded competitors; the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on the global economy; the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; and the need to build and maintain alliances and partnerships, including with research and development companies, customers and suppliers. These factors should be carefully considered, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Despite the Company's efforts to identify the main risk factors that could cause actual measures, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, other risk factors may cause measures, events or developments to materially differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to revise forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available as a result of future events, new facts or any other reason, except as required by applicable laws.
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SOURCE Numinus Wellness Inc. | https://www.wflx.com/prnewswire/2022/09/19/numinus-now-offers-ketamine-assisted-therapy-toronto/ | 2022-09-19 12:18:31 | 1 | https://www.wflx.com/prnewswire/2022/09/19/numinus-now-offers-ketamine-assisted-therapy-toronto/ |
WHL
All Times Local
Western Conference
B.C. Division
U.S. Division
Eastern Conference
East Division
Central Division
Note: Two points for a team winning in overtime or shootout; the team losing in overtime or shootout receives one which is registered in the OTL or SOL columns.
Tuesday's results
Lethbridge at Winnipeg, 7:05 p.m.
Wednesday's results
Lethbridge at Winnipeg, 7:05 p.m.
Edmonton at Medicine Hat, 7 p.m.
Moose Jaw at Prince George, 7 p.m.
Kamloops at Tri-City, 7:05 p.m.
Vancouver at Spokane, 7:05 p.m.
Kelowna at Seattle, 7:05 p.m.
Portland at Everett, 7:05 p.m.
Friday's results
Swift Current 5 Edmonton 2
Winnipeg 6 Saskatoon 3
Lethbridge 4 Brandon 3
Medicine Hat 3 Red Deer 2 (SO)
Prince Albert 5 Calgary 2
Moose Jaw 3 Kamloops 2
Seattle 6 Portland 1
Kelowna 4 Everett 2
Regina 3 Vancouver 0
Saturday's results
Lethbridge at Brandon, 7 p.m.
Edmonton at Swift Current, 7 p.m.
Winnipeg at Saskatoon, 7 p.m.
Prince Albert at Red Deer, 7 p.m.
Kamloops at Prince George, 6 p.m.
Calgary at Medicine Hat, 7 p.m.
Regina at Victoria, 6:05 p.m.
Spokane at Tri-City, 6:05 p.m.
Moose Jaw at Kelowna, 7:05 p.m.
Sunday's games
Portland at Vancouver, 2 p.m.
Prince Albert at Medicine Hat, 4 p.m.
Seattle at Tri-City, 4:05 p.m.
Red Deer at Calgary, 6 p.m.
Everett at Spokane, 5:05 p.m.
Tuesday's games
Moose Jaw at Victoria, 7:05 p.m.
Regina at Kelowna, 7:05 p.m.
Wednesday's games
Saskatoon at Edmonton, 7 p.m.
Moose Jaw at Vancouver, 7 p.m.
Seattle at Portland, 7 p.m.
Regina at Kamloops, 7 p.m. | https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/HKO-WHL-Standings-17611816.php | 2022-11-26 08:38:07 | 0 | https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/HKO-WHL-Standings-17611816.php |
BEIJING, May 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from chinadaily.com.cn:
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, the world's largest free trade agreement, will boost intraregional trade integration through lower tariffs and will accelerate the recovery and long-term growth and prosperity of the global economy, officials and experts said on Sunday.
As the world grapples with rising geopolitical tensions, increasing protectionism and unilateralism, and disruptions to industrial and supply chains, the trade pact — an open and inclusive cooperation system — will serve as a solid path toward mutual benefits, they added.
They made the remarks on Sunday in Haikou, Hainan province, at the third annual RCEP Media &Think Tank Forum, whose theme this year was "Jointly Build the World's Largest Free Trade Area".The forum was held by the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Hainan Provincial Committee, China Daily and the China Institute for Reform and Development.
The trade pact, signed by 15 Asia-Pacific countries in November 2020, will be fully implemented among all member economies on June 2. The signatories are China, Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea, as well as the 10 states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Wang Bin, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Hainan Provincial Committee and head of the provincial Party committee's Publicity Department, said that the Hainan Free Trade Port will better take advantage of the RCEP and align with international economic and trade rules, in order to foster an institutional environment with global competitiveness and to open up wider and at higher levels.
Hainan is well positioned to serve as an important hub for comprehensive strategic cooperation between China and ASEAN countries due to its geographic proximity, Wang said. Furthermore, Hainan will make ASEAN a high priority in its cooperation agenda to promote bilateral trade and two-way investment and to push forward the new round of upgrade of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, he added.
The province will also make good use of the RCEP's institutional advantages and Hainan's immense marine resources to scale up cooperation with RCEP member countries in such fields as marine ecosystem conservation and marine science-technology innovation, in order to promote sustainable marine development, Wang said.
In addition, efforts will be made to forge Hainan into a vital intersection between China and the RCEP member economies, to further tap into policy effects and advance regional integrated development, he said.
Qu Yingpu, publisher and editor-in-chief of China Daily, said that peace and development — the themes of the times — are now facing severe challenges due to deepening geopolitical tensions, rising protectionism and other risk factors.
Solidarity and cooperation are the answer to help contend with uncertainty and instability and to stand against bullying and zero-sum games, Qu said. The RCEP, which pursues mutually beneficial cooperation, will facilitate the steady recovery and growth of the regional economy and inject new impetus into global development and prosperity, he added.
Qu noted that the RCEP is not only the world's largest and most dynamic free trade area with the greatest growth potential, but also boasts the biggest population of young people, who are the backbone in fueling regional development.
Building on the good momentum, all parties concerned should provide broader platforms for the younger generation to showcase their talents and attract more of them to participate in the high-quality implementation of the RCEP, Qu said. Such efforts will enable them to contribute their part and advance the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, he added.
Chi Fulin, president of the China Institute for Reform and Development, said that the RCEP places a high premium on shared development, which will promote inclusive regional development and global economic growth.
The trade pact has established a mutually beneficial economic partnership that will facilitate the expansion of regional trade and investment, Chi said. Its progress proves that market- and rules-based regional economic cooperation is dynamic and has great vitality, and it will deliver long-term, sustainable growth to the region, he added.
High-standard opening-up is a key goal of the RCEP, and the openness pledged in the agreement should be fulfilled without delay, Chi said.
Moreover, he said, the alignment and integration of the RCEP with the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership will be advanced when appropriate, and efforts will be made to lay the groundwork for expediting the establishment of the Asia-Pacific free trade area.
The ASEAN countries and China provide the vitality and center of gravity for the RCEP region, and advancing the new round of upgrade of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area is key to promoting the RCEP's high-level opening-up, he added.
Ong Tee Keat, chairman of the Centre for New Inclusive Asia and former Malaysian minister of transportation, said it is no easy task to integrate the 15 RCEP economies, which stretch across the Asia-Pacific region and are of diverse sizes and cultures as well as quality and levels of development, creating a huge single market of 2.2 billion people.
The RCEP is a game changer and has transformed the economic landscape worldwide by positioning the Asia-Pacific region as a new center of gravity for global trade, he said.
It brings vast investment opportunities and greater market access to business communities in most of the emerging economies in the region, he added.
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SOURCE chinadaily.com.cn | https://www.kfyrtv.com/prnewswire/2023/05/23/hainan-expected-give-full-play-rceps-role/ | 2023-05-23 03:10:03 | 0 | https://www.kfyrtv.com/prnewswire/2023/05/23/hainan-expected-give-full-play-rceps-role/ |
Jenkins High School student receives Ralph Gabbard Memorial Broadcasting Scholarship
JENKINS, Ky. (WYMT) - Madi Canter is your typical high school senior.
She goes to class, focuses on her school work and already has 30 college hours under her belt.
”I want to show other people that even if you’re from a small town, that doesn’t have a lot of opportunities, you can always make a name for yourself,” she said.
After she graduates, she plans to attend Morehead State University for nursing.
”Because people are in need, they need help,” she added. “I would like to be the person to help them.”
That is where the Ralph Gabbard Memorial Broadcasting Scholarship comes in. It helps students like Madi achieve their dreams. She said she would like to start a podcast to share the good news of Jesus.
”I would like people to see the light that’s in me, so they want that light and peace,” she said.
She hopes to encourage her fellow classmates and other students in our region to aim for their goals.
”Even if people make fun of you for focusing on your studies, like they have done me, it doesn’t matter it’s your future in your hands,” she added. I honestly didn’t think I was going to get it, so just try even if you think you’re not going to get it.”
Madi plans to get her Associate’s Degree.
”In life, you have to take those leaps,” she added. “You have to go somewhere.”
Copyright 2022 WYMT. All rights reserved. | https://www.wymt.com/2022/12/08/jenkins-high-school-student-receives-ralph-gabbard-memorial-broadcasting-scholarship/ | 2022-12-08 21:23:44 | 0 | https://www.wymt.com/2022/12/08/jenkins-high-school-student-receives-ralph-gabbard-memorial-broadcasting-scholarship/ |
High Resolution Picture Quality, High Frame Rate Gaming Experience and Rich Variety of Gaming Filters Together Bring Superior Visual Quality for Mobile Gaming
SHANGHAI, Dec. 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Pixelworks, Inc. (NASDAQ: PXLW), a leading provider of innovative video and display processing solutions, today announced the latest iQOO Neo7 Racing Edition smartphone incorporates an upgraded Pixelworks X5 series visual processor, providing end-users with even more immersive and realistic gaming and video experiences by leveraging Pixelworks' patented MotionEngine® technology, HDR Enhancement and a diverse set of built-in visual effect enhancement modes.
The iQOO Neo7 Racing Edition is built on the Snapdragon® 8+ Gen 1 mobile platform from Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., and powered by Pixelworks' advanced visual processing technology. This powerful combination serves as a solid foundation for the superior visual display performance of the smartphone. The iQOO Neo7 Racing Edition features a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with 1080p resolution, and a 120Hz refresh rate. In addition, it is backed by a 5,000mAh battery with 120W fast charging support.
The iQOO Neo7 Racing Edition is powered by Pixelworks' visual processor for improved visual qualities through the following supported display attributes:
MotionEngine® Technology — Pixelworks' patented MotionEngine® technology (MEMC) uses an efficient interpolation algorithm to boost low frame rate gaming content to high frame rates of up to 120 fps. Coupled with the 120Hz high refresh rate screen panel, the technology ensures ultra-smooth motion quality while preserving original artistic intent of game creators for content displayed on the smartphone. Compared to running games at their original high frame rates, Pixelworks-enabled distributed processing offloads the GPU workload by reducing rendering pressure to avoid unnecessary system power consumption, which prevents overheating of mobile devices. This function has been adapted to over 20 popular mobile games, including Honkai Impact 3, Perfect World, Moonlight Blade, Genshin Impact, Game for Peace and King of Glory.
HDR Enhancement — Converts source SDR (Standard Dynamic Range) content to HDR (High Dynamic Range) content in real-time. For videos, this function improves the color saturation and contrast of images, producing a more detailed and vivid display, while minimizing power consumption of mobile devices. The solution is specifically tuned to deliver optimal experience on numerous leading video Apps, including BiliBili, Tencent Video and iVideo. For gaming content, the solution leverages an ambient adaptive color gamut to display a more true-to-life gaming environment. This function has been adapted to over 20 games supported by MEMC. Furthermore, the iQOO Neo7 Racing Edition has also integrated the HDR Enhancement feature into its own browser to improve the visual clarity of webpage content.
Gaming Visual Enhancement — To further enrich the visual experience, iQOO and Pixelworks also provide various visual quality enhancement modes for iQOO Neo7 Racing Edition users. For instance, a Game Appearance Reproduction mode with the game creator's unique perspective for specific games, such as Revelation, IdentityV, Sky: Children of the Light and Onmyoji. Additional built-in modes for all games include: Old Movie, Snow Blindness, Low Light Enhancement Prevention, Vivid, Soft, Highlight and Customized modes. Users can choose the right mode according to their own viewing preferences to create a more immersive gaming experience.
"With the advent of 3A mobile games, the display quality has gradually become a new standard to measure the visual processing capability of smartphones." Said Yaojing Yang, Director of Gaming Experience Planning Center, iQOO. "We feel glad to continue our cooperation with Pixelworks on the iQOO Neo 7 Racing Edition. Through the joint tuning of the two parties, we hope that more excellent mobile games with higher frame rate and higher picture quality could run smoothly on the smartphone screen, so that users can easily immerse themselves in the game world. At the same time, we have also optimized the visual display of popular video apps and the smartphone's own browser to ensure high-quality user experience in more visual scenarios. We hope that our consumers would be satisfied with the iQOO Neo7 Racing Edition."
"Congratulations on the release of the iQOO Neo7 Racing Edition!" said Ting Xiong, President of Pixelworks China. "iQOO's exploration of the mobile visual experience has always been at the forefront of the industry. From high frame rate visual experience to enhanced visual effects, from games to video apps, iQOO is marching forward steadily to cover more and more visual scenarios with its growing visual display capability. It is a great honor that Pixelworks' visual processing solutions can help the iQOO Neo7 Racing Edition achieve multi-faceted and in-depth display optimization. I believe that users can truly feel iQOO's sincerity and diligence to improve the visual experience when they watch videos, play games, or read news on this new smartphone."
vivo is a technology company that creates great products based on a design-driven value, with smart devices and intelligent services as its core. The company aims to build a bridge between humans and the digital world. Through unique creativity, vivo provides users with an increasingly convenient mobile and digital life. Following the company's core values, which include Benfen*, design-driven value, user-orientation, continuous learning and team spirit, vivo has implemented a sustainable development strategy with the vision of developing into a healthier, more sustainable world-class corporation.
While bringing together and developing the best local talents to deliver excellence, vivo is supported by a wide range of R&D centers in cities including Shenzhen, Dongguan, Nanjing, Beijing, Hangzhou, Shanghai, Xi'an, focusing on the development of state-of-the-art consumer technologies, including 5G, artificial intelligence, industrial design, photography and other up-and-coming technologies. vivo has also set-up smart manufacturing networks (including brand-authorized manufacturing centers). As of now, vivo has an annual production capacity of nearly 200 million smartphones, with its sales network across more than 60 countries and regions, and is loved by more than 400 million users worldwide.
*"Benfen" is a term describing the attitude on doing the right things and doing things right - which is the ideal description of vivo's mission to create value for society.
Stay informed of latest vivo news at https://www.vivo.com/en/about-vivo/news
Pixelworks provides industry-leading content creation, video delivery and display processing solutions and technology that enable highly authentic viewing experiences with superior visual quality, across all screens – from cinema to smartphone and beyond. The Company has more than 20 years of history delivering image processing innovation to leading providers of consumer electronics, professional displays and video streaming services.
For more information, please visit the company's web site at www.pixelworks.com .
Note: Pixelworks, MotionEngine and the Pixelworks logo are trademarks of Pixelworks, Inc. Qualcomm and Snapdragon are trademarks of Qualcomm Incorporated, registered in the United States and other countries. Qualcomm Snapdragon is a product of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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SOURCE Pixelworks, Inc. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/12/29/pixelworks-deeply-optimizes-visual-display-iqoo-neo-7-racing-edition/ | 2022-12-29 13:51:36 | 0 | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/12/29/pixelworks-deeply-optimizes-visual-display-iqoo-neo-7-racing-edition/ |
MEXICO CITY (AP) — The southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula was rattled by an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.3 on Sunday, but the country’s civil defense office said there were no immediate reports of damage.
The quake struck at about 2:30 p.m. It was centered in the Gulf of California, also known as the Sea of Cortez, about 81 miles (131 kilometers) east of the resort of Cabo San Lucas.
The National Civil Defense Coordination said, “At this time, no damages have been reported in the areas where it was felt.” | https://www.mrt.com/news/world/article/mexico-s-southern-baja-california-peninsula-18158812.php | 2023-06-18 22:53:58 | 1 | https://www.mrt.com/news/world/article/mexico-s-southern-baja-california-peninsula-18158812.php |
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Here’s a collection curated by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists of what’s arriving on TV, streaming services and music platforms this week.
MOVIES
— Lena Dunham adapts Karen Cushman’s young-adult novel in “Catherine Called Birdy,” a spirited medieval coming-of-age tale about a 14-year-old girl named Birdy (Bella Ramsey) in medieval England. Her father (Andrew Scott) wants to marry her off for some much-needed money, but Birdy's plans repeatedly foil him. In her review, AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr called the film “part ‘Bridget Jones’s Diary,’ part Mel Brooks and all joy.” Though still playing in select theaters, “Catherine Called Birdy” begins streaming Friday, Oct. 7, on Prime Video.
— From some of the same producing team behind the hit Michael Jordan documentary series “The Last Dance” comes another look back on a basketball high point. “The Redeem Team,” debuting Friday, Oct. 7, on Netflix, follows the 2008 U.S. men's basketball team as it seeks a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics after the team's disappointing bronze finish in 2004. LeBron James and Dewayne Wade, both team members, are producers of the documentary, which digs into coach Mike Krzyzewski's leadership and Kobe Bryant's considerable impact on the team.
— Mila Kunis stars in the Netflix thriller “Luckiest Girl Alive,” based on Jessica Knoll's 2015 best-selling debut novel. The film, streaming Friday, Oct. 7, takes some of the mystery stylings of “Gone Girl” and “The Girl on the Train." Kunis stars as a New York woman with a seemingly perfect life that unravels when a true-crime documentary starts looking into her dark high-school past.
— AP Film Writer Jake Coyle
MUSIC
— For his third album, pop singer-songwriter Charlie Puth is going with a very simple title — “Charlie,” due Friday, Oct. 7. It’s his first full-length project since his 2018 Grammy-nominated LP “Voicenotes.” You’ve likely already heard at least one of the 12 tracks — the earworm “Left and Right” featuring Jung Kook of BTS. Some other singles are the brooding ballad “That’s Hilarious” and the slinky “Light Switch.” Still not sure? listen to the lovesick up-tempo “Smells Like Me.”
— Guitarist Billy Duffy and singer Ian Astbury rejoin for a new album from The Cult, with their signature mix of heavy metal, goth and rock. The eight-track “Under the Midnight Sun” has triggered two singles, “Give Me Mercy” and “A Cut Inside,” with Astbury singing: “No heathens in heaven/ No sweet surrender/ Outsiders forever/ Ghosts of our lives.” Astbury says he pulled in influences from Brian Jones, Brion Gysin, William Burroughs, Buddhism, the Beats and the Age of Aquarius.
— What do you get when two of the three rappers from Migos release an LP? We’ll find out Friday, Oct. 7 when Quavo and Takeoff give the world “Only Built for Infinity Links" without third member Offset. The lead single “Hotel Lobby” has a video inspired by ”Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" and another club-ready single is “Us vs. Them,” with Gucci Mane. Then there's the Birdman-featuring “Big Stunna” and the memorable lyrics: “I was sick before carona/ice cold like pneumonia.” The title of their joint record is a reference to Raekwon’s 1995 solo work “Only Built 4 Cuban Linx.”
— Wasn’t super-producer Danger Mouse just celebrating an album release last month? Well, here’s another. Brian Burton (aka Danger Mouse) reconnects with The Shins’ James Mercer as Broken Bells for the album “Into the Blue.” Three singles with wildly different styles have preceded the album drop, including the spacy “We’re Not In Orbit Yet...” and the gorgeous “Love On the Run,” that has a sunny, ‘70s vibe leading to a Pink Floyd-ish guitar solo. Last month, Danger Mouse teamed up with The Roots’ Black Thought for the album “Cheat Codes.”
— AP Entertainment Writer Mark Kennedy
TELEVISION
— Lesley Manville, Joanne Froggatt and David Morrissey lead an ensemble cast in “ Sherwood,” a drama series inspired by a 1984 miners’ strike in Nottingham, England, that pitted the town against police and divided friends and relatives. Decades later, officers return in force to solve a pair of killings, with their presence rekindling past bitterness. James Graham (“Brexit — The Uncivil War”), who grew up in the real-life town of Nottinghamshire and witnessed the turmoil, wrote the series debuting Tuesday, Oct. 4, on the BritBox streaming service.
— “Hello, Jack! The Kindness Show” returns Friday, Oct. 7, for its second season and none too soon. Jack McBrayer (“30 Rock”) is the beaming center of the show that aims to help preschoolers appreciate the value of small acts of kindness. Shouldn’t the adults in this fractious world be watching, too? The Apple TV+ series, co-created by McBrayer and Angela C. Santomero (“Blue’s Clues,” “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood”), will welcome guest stars including Tony Hale, Stephanie Beatriz, Kristen Schaal and Kumail Nanjiani.
— The iHeartRadio Music Festival, held in Las Vegas at the end of September, is getting a four-hour, two-night special on the CW network. Among the dozens of artists at the festival: Sam Smith and Kim Petras, who performed their new song “Unholy”; a set by Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo that included “Love Is a Battlefield” and “Heartbreaker,” and Megan Thee Stallion closing out the festival with songs from her new album, “Traumazine,” and past hits. The special airs on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 7 and 8.
— AP Television Writer Lynn Elber
___
Catch up on AP’s entertainment coverage here: https://apnews.com/apf-entertainment. | https://www.ourmidland.com/entertainment/article/New-this-week-Lena-Dunham-Mila-Kunis-and-17478647.php | 2022-09-30 20:11:16 | 1 | https://www.ourmidland.com/entertainment/article/New-this-week-Lena-Dunham-Mila-Kunis-and-17478647.php |
Michigan lottery numbers for Sunday, Jan. 15
The Detroit News
These numbers were drawn Sunday:
Midday: 557, 3170
Evening: 943, 0928
Fantasy 5: 3, 11, 12, 17, 25
Double Play: 8, 15, 19, 30, 34
Monday jackpot: $148K
Keno: 5, 10, 21, 23, 29, 31, 35, 36, 42, 48, 50, 52, 54, 57, 59, 64, 67, 68, 71, 72, 73, 76
Poker Lotto: 7♥, 10♣, A♦, K♣, 8♦ | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/lottery/2023/01/16/michigan-lottery-numbers-for-sunday-jan-15/69810897007/ | 2023-01-16 03:24:02 | 0 | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/lottery/2023/01/16/michigan-lottery-numbers-for-sunday-jan-15/69810897007/ |
NEW ORLEANS, Aug. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., Esq., a partner at the law firm of Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF"), announces that KSF has commenced an investigation into Momentus Inc. ("Momentus" or the "Company") (NasdaqGS: MNTS) f/k/a Stable Road Acquisition Corp. (SRAC).
The Company was formed in August 2021 through a business combination with Stable Road Acquisition Corp., a SPAC investment company, with Momentus as the surviving, publicly traded entity. On July 13, 2021, the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") announced a civil complaint and cease and desist order against the Company, its predecessor, Stable Road Acquisition Corp., and others for making "misleading claims about Momentus's technology and about national security risks associated with [founder and former CEO Mikhail Kokorich]," detailing the defendants' scheme to defraud investors in connection with the merger. As a result, the Company reached a settlement with the SEC, agreeing to pay a civil penalty of $7.0 million.
Thereafter, the Company and certain of its executives were sued in a securities class action lawsuit, charging them with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws. Recently, the court presiding over that case denied the Company's motion to dismiss in part, allowing the case to move forward.
KSF's investigation is focusing on whether Momentus' officers and/or directors breached their fiduciary duties to its shareholders or otherwise violated state or federal laws.
If you have information that would assist KSF in its investigation, or have been a long-term holder of Momentus shares and would like to discuss your legal rights, you may, without obligation or cost to you, call toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or email KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn (lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com), or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nasdaqgs-mnts/ to learn more.
KSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. KSF serves a variety of clients – including public institutional investors, hedge funds, money managers and retail investors – in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, California, Louisiana and New Jersey.
To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com.
Contact:
Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC
Lewis Kahn, Managing Partner
lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com
1-877-515-1850
1100 Poydras St., Suite 3200
New Orleans, LA 70163
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SOURCE Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC | https://www.kfyrtv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/13/momentus-investigation-initiated-by-former-louisiana-attorney-general-kahn-swick-amp-foti-llc-investigates-officers-directors-momentus-inc-mnts/ | 2022-08-13 03:45:10 | 1 | https://www.kfyrtv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/13/momentus-investigation-initiated-by-former-louisiana-attorney-general-kahn-swick-amp-foti-llc-investigates-officers-directors-momentus-inc-mnts/ |
ORLANDO, Fla. (WFLA) – Walt Disney World announced Thursday that its Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser will permanently close this fall after opening over a year ago.
The Starcruiser, which opened in March 2022, offered guests a three-day, two-night Star Wars adventure on a cruise ship, where families could become fully engulfed in the conflict between the Resistance and the First Order.
Upon opening, the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser was sold out but then saw a wave of mass cancellations. According to Walt Disney News Today, the hotel experience was completely booked before the grand opening.
Disney released the following statement on the matter:
Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is one of our most creative projects ever and has been praised by our guests and recognized for setting a new bar for innovation and immersive entertainment. This premium, boutique experience gave us the opportunity to try new things on a smaller scale of 100 rooms, and as we prepare for its final voyage, we will take what we’ve learned to create future experiences that can reach more of our guests and fans.
Walt Disney World spokesperson
Although the “first-of-its-kind” experience garnered awards such as the TEA Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement in Brand Experience last year, the Starcruiser has a costly price tag, which could be a main factor as to why the hotel is closing for good.
For two guests booking in a standard cabin, the trip starts at $4,809. The cabin standard cabin consists of one queen-size bed and two twin-size bunks. As you add more guests, the price increases, leaving a family of four looking at costs of $6,000 for a standard cabin.
Disney shared that they will be “contacting guests who booked for voyages departing on or after Sept. 30 to discuss their options and modify their plans.” The resort is also pausing new bookings for the Starcruiser until May 26.
The immersive hotel experience will have its final voyage for guests on Sept. 28-30.
“We are so proud of all of the Cast Members and Imagineers who brought Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser to life and look forward to delivering an excellent experience for Guests during the remaining voyages over the coming months,” the spokesperson added. | https://www.wivb.com/news/national/disney-worlds-star-wars-galactic-starcruiser-will-make-its-final-voyage-this-fall/ | 2023-05-18 23:18:45 | 0 | https://www.wivb.com/news/national/disney-worlds-star-wars-galactic-starcruiser-will-make-its-final-voyage-this-fall/ |
Victoria's Secret brand CEO abruptly resigns
Victoria's Secret brand CEO Amy Hauk has resigned less than a year into the job, the company said Tuesday.
Hauk, who was also CEO of the company's Pink apparel brand geared to teens, notified the company of her resignation last week, the company said. She will leave Victoria's Secret in March.
Martin Waters, the CEO of the brand's parent company, Victoria's Secret & Co., will take over as CEO of the brand.
Shares of Victoria's Secret dropped 8% on the news during after-hours trading Tuesday.
Victoria's Secret has struggled in recent years as some customers rejected its marketing replete with supermodels and "Angels" fashion shows and switched to niche bra brands. As Victoria's Secret also become embroiled in turmoil over founder Leslie Wexner's ties to Jeffrey Epstein, its clothing went out of fashion among some longtime buyers.
The company overhauled its advertising, began using a broader range of models and ended its Angels fashion show. The company also bought Adore Me, an upstart rival, for $400 million. That deal closed last week.
But Victoria's Secret sales have been uneven since the start of the pandemic.
Sales tumbled in 2020 during the peak of COVID-19 but bounced back in 2021. They are projected to fall by up to 7% this year. | https://www.wvtm13.com/article/victoria-secret-ceo-resigns/42389448 | 2023-01-05 16:56:43 | 0 | https://www.wvtm13.com/article/victoria-secret-ceo-resigns/42389448 |
GOP leaders are keeping their powder dry when it comes to former President Trump’s 2024 campaign, declining to publicly back him despite his lead in most primary polls.
Prominent Republicans in early-voting states like Iowa and South Carolina have held off on endorsing him, as have some longtime allies in Washington, such as Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.).
The reluctance to weigh in comes as the Republican field starts to solidify and Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.), likely Trump’s most formidable primary opponent, is thought to be moving closer to his own White House bid.
“They’re waiting to see what Trump’s campaign is going to be about,” said Brian Seitchik, an Arizona-based GOP strategist and Trump campaign alum.
“I think people who support Donald Trump would like the campaign to be about inflation, to be about securing the border, to talk about the successes of his administration,” Seitchik continued. “I think people are fearful the campaign is going to be a grievance tour, and about how the race was stolen from him and how he doesn’t get enough credit for this or enough credit for that.”
Trump made his first notable foray onto the 2024 campaign trail this past week, visiting the crucial early-voting states of New Hampshire and South Carolina. The former president addressed officials at the New Hampshire Republican Party’s annual meeting and then unveiled his South Carolina leadership at the State House in Columbia.
Major figures like South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster (R) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) were in attendance at the event, which included an audience of 200 people. Still, Trump has not drawn the number of endorsements he did during his last campaign in 2020, and several prominent Republicans in the region were notably absent, including former Gov. Nikki Haley (R-S.C.), a Trump administration alum who is said to be planning a challenge to her ex-boss.
“If you’re the former president then why don’t you have every sitting Republican congressman in South Carolina endorsing you?” said Alex Stroman, a former spokesperson for Trump’s inaugural committee and former executive director for the South Carolina GOP.
The scaled-down nature of Trump’s campaign events over the weekend raised eyebrows among observers used to his normally crowded and raucous rallies. While critics said the weekend’s events were a sign of what could be Trump’s declining stock in the GOP, others said it was more likely to be a part of a broader strategy.
One alum of Trump’s 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns told The Hill that the more intimate events make Trump look more presidential.
“It was smart to do that,” the alum said. “Because that’s the classic hit, who is the x-factor at the rallies? How is it going to go? Is he just going to go off script way too much?”
Of course, there is still plenty of time for Trump to formally receive the backing of fellow Republican figures. On Tuesday, Politico reported that Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), who Trump endorsed in 2022, has told allies that he plans on supporting Trump in 2024. Vance’s fellow freshman Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) told the outlet that the former president has his support.
And Trump continues to hold a strong lead in most 2024 polls. An Emerson College survey released last week showed Trump with a 26-point lead over DeSantis, while a Harvard CAPS-Harris poll from last week shows Trump leading DeSantis by 20 points.
“The reality of this situation is that he is leading in all of these polls because people are hurting over the course of these past few years and I think the American public believes he is the person who can get us back to a state of normalcy,” freshman Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-Texas), a supporter of the former president, said in an interview with The Hill.
Other Republicans are more skeptical, arguing that Trump’s presence in the race this early on puts him at an advantage in the polls for the time being.
“It’s easy to be the front-runner when you’re the only person in the race,” Stroman said.
Republicans, both Trump supporters and critics, say they expect to see a robust 2024 primary.
DeSantis, by and large, is seen by many in the GOP as the next-best replacement for the former president and appears to be inching closer to a 2024 bid. Other contenders said to be exploring presidential campaigns include Haley, former Vice President Mike Pence, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R). Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) has also been floated as a possible contender and is set to attend the Polk County Iowa GOP’s annual Lincoln Dinner next month.
Various Republicans say they are waiting to see how the primary plays out, but Trump’s supporters argue that the former president’s record is reason enough to endorse him out of the gate.
“All of these people I think are great and will be great leaders for the future, but the reason why they still aren’t resonating is that they’re still unproven,” Hunt said.
But Trump has had harsher words for those looking to challenge him, particularly DeSantis.
“I do think it would be a great act of disloyalty because, you know, I got him in. He had no chance. His political life was over,” Trump told The Associated Press on Saturday.
The terse words from Trump sent a strong signal to DeSantis, who was once seen as one of the former president’s key allies.
“He is clearly fearful of the ascension of Ron DeSantis and wants to cut him off as quickly as he can,” Seitchik said. “I think he also wants to give him a taste of what the campaign would be like.”
The Florida governor hit back at Trump on Tuesday, contrasting his successful reelection bid in 2022 with the former president’s unsuccessful one in 2020.
“The people are able to render a judgment on that whether they reelect you or not and I’m happy to say in my case not only did we win reelection, we won with the highest percentage of the vote that any Republican governor candidate has in the history of the state of Florida,” DeSantis said to applause.
And while Trump’s Republican critics say the primary will not be a coronation for the former president, they maintain it won’t be one for DeSantis either.
In 2016, Trump saw great success in giving his Republican opponents insulting nicknames. Trump infamously dubbed former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) as “Low Energy Jeb,” while Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) was branded “Lttle Marco.”
“It is a test of wills and stamina on so many levels and enduring the daily and potentially hourly attacks of Donald Trump is part of the process,” Seitchik said.
And while Trump’s endorsed candidates largely underperformed in last year’s general election, his brand still proved to be successful in the primaries.
“As evidenced by the success he had in the primaries last year, not the general, but the success he had in the primaries, he’s still the guy to beat,” Seitchik said. “Until someone shows that they have the will and the mettle to stand up to Donald Trump, it’s a pretty tough cliff to jump off of.” | https://www.fox16.com/hill-politics/prominent-republicans-hold-off-on-backing-trump/ | 2023-01-31 22:40:31 | 1 | https://www.fox16.com/hill-politics/prominent-republicans-hold-off-on-backing-trump/ |
Former Rep. Harley Rouda, D-Calif, formally withdrew from the race to replace Rep. Katie Porter, D-Calif, Tuesday, saying he had suffered a fall and a brain injury.
Rouda's campaign issued the announcement Tuesday, saying Rouda had met with his doctor, who recommended that he end his campaign. The former representative says he suffered a "moderate traumatic brain injury with two intra parenchymal hemorrhages."
"Thankfully, my doctors say that I have started on the path to a full recovery. I want to thank the incredible nurses, doctors, and medical staff who made this possible, and whose professionalism and care was a comfort during this trying time," Rouda wrote in a statement.
"But on their advice, I am ending my campaign for California’s 47th congressional district today. This is not the outcome I wanted. But my family comes first, and to be there for them, I need to focus fully on my recovery in the months ahead," he added.
KATIE PORTER SENATE CAMPAIGN COULD BE HAMPERED BY ALLEGATIONS OF RACISM, TOXIC WORK CULTURE
Porter announced in January that she plans to run for Senate in 2024, leaving her House seat open. She is seeking Sen. Dianne Feinstein's Senate seat now that the 89-year-old has announced her retirement.
Porter has been hounded by controversies since her campaign began, however, with claims surfacing in late December that she fired a staffer, a wounded veteran, for allegedly giving her COVID, something her office denied. Porter has also faced accusations of using racist rhetoric and ridiculing other staff.
A social media account called Dear White Staffers posted screenshots of conversations with anonymous ex-Porter staffers who alleged they heard the congresswoman saying "rude/racist things" while trying to "mask it as edgy humor" and badmouthing Democrat leadership.
"Thinks she knows better and talks s--- about other members, leadership, staffers, local [elected officials], etc., at full volume, in public, and to literally [anyone] who will listen," the post reads.
CALIFORNIA DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSMAN REPLIES TO MCCONNELL WITH A VULGARITY ON TWITTER
The anonymous account also accused Porter of being "completely disinterested" in representing her district in Congress, adding that the only staffers who appear to "survive are superfans that participate in or overlook the abuse."
"Give it time and it will rank among the legendary toxic offices," the post read.
Fox News' Joseph A. Wulfsohn contributed to this report. | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/national/democrat-seeking-to-replace-rep-katie-porter-drops-out-of-race-after-suffering-fall-brain/article_ec3a7bbe-22f8-52c3-8f67-aed95452c59e.html | 2023-04-11 20:57:20 | 0 | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/national/democrat-seeking-to-replace-rep-katie-porter-drops-out-of-race-after-suffering-fall-brain/article_ec3a7bbe-22f8-52c3-8f67-aed95452c59e.html |
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) _ The winning numbers in Friday afternoon's drawing of the Missouri Lottery's "Pick 3 Midday" game were:
2-9-7
(two, nine, seven)
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) _ The winning numbers in Friday afternoon's drawing of the Missouri Lottery's "Pick 3 Midday" game were:
2-9-7
(two, nine, seven) | https://www.mrt.com/lottery/article/Winning-numbers-drawn-in-Pick-3-Midday-game-17384834.php | 2022-08-19 18:54:55 | 0 | https://www.mrt.com/lottery/article/Winning-numbers-drawn-in-Pick-3-Midday-game-17384834.php |
North Korea fires 2 more missiles toward sea as US redeploys aircraft carriers
SEOUL, South Korea - North Korea launched two ballistic missiles toward its eastern waters on Thursday, as the United States redeployed one of its aircraft carriers near the Korean Peninsula in response to the North’s recent launch of a powerful missile over Japan.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement the launches were made 22 minutes apart from the North’s capital region on Thursday morning.
It said South Korea has boosted its surveillance posture and maintains a readiness in close coordination with the United States.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida also confirmed the North Korean missile launches, saying the weapons firings are "absolutely intolerable."
The launches Thursday were North Korea’s sixth round of weapons firings in less than two weeks, which has prompted condemnation from the United States and other countries.
North Korea on Tuesday fired an intermediate-range missile over Japan for the first time in five years, forcing the Japanese government to issue evacuation alerts and halt trains.
It was North Korea’s most provocative weapons demonstration in years. Experts said the weapon was likely a Hwasong-12 missile capable of reaching the U.S. Pacific territory of Guam and beyond.
Thursday's launches came as the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan returned to waters east of South Korea in what South Korea's military called an attempt to demonstrate the allies’ "firm will" to counter North’s continued provocations and threats.
The carrier was in the area last week as part of drills between South Korea and the United States and the allies’ other training involving Japan. North Korea considers such U.S.-led drills near the peninsula as an invasion rehearsal.
The United States and South Korea have also been responding to North Korean tests with their own live-fire drills that have so far involved land-to-land ballistic missiles and precision-guided bombs dropped from fighter jets. But one of the tit-for-tat launches nearly caused catastrophe early Wednesday when a malfunctioning South Korean Hyumoo-2 missile flipped shortly after liftoff and crashed into an air force base in the eastern coastal city of Gangneung. South Korea’s military said no one was hurt from the crash and civilian facilities weren’t affected.
After Tuesday’s launch, the United States, Britain, France, Albania, Norway and Ireland called for an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council.
North Korea’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement Thursday that it strongly condemns "the Korean People’s Army on South Korea-U.S. joint drills escalating the military tensions on the Korean Peninsula."
North Korea carried out a record number of missile tests this year amid long-stalled diplomacy with the United States. Observers say North Korea aims to expand its nuclear arsenal to boost its leverage in future negotiations with the United States.
___
Associated Press writer Yuri Kageyama in Tokyo contributed to this story. | https://www.fox4news.com/news/north-korea-fires-2-more-missiles-toward-sea-as-us-redeploys-aircraft-carriers | 2022-10-06 13:43:33 | 0 | https://www.fox4news.com/news/north-korea-fires-2-more-missiles-toward-sea-as-us-redeploys-aircraft-carriers |
(The Hill) – Russia’s Interior Ministry has issued an arrest warrant for Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) after he praised U.S. military aid to Ukraine as “the best money we’ve ever spent.”
Russian officials reacted to a video of Graham’s meeting Friday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in which Graham acknowledged “Russians are dying” and later said, “it’s the best money we ever spent.”
Graham appeared to make the comments in different parts of the conversation, which was edited and posted on Zelensky’s social media account.
The South Carolina senator Monday said it “brings me immense joy” to know that his support for Ukraine “has drawn the ire of [Russia President Vladimir] Putin’s regime.”
“I will wear the arrest warrant issued by Putin’s corrupt and immoral government as a Badge of Honor,” he tweeted.
Graham also offered a deal to his “Russian ‘friends’ who want to arrest and try me for calling out the Putin regime.”
“I will submit to jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court if you do. Come and make your best case. See you in The Hague!” he pledged.
Russia’s Investigative Committee has also opened a criminal case against Graham, asserting that the Republican senator “declared the financial involvement of the United States is causing the death of Russian citizens.”
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov criticized the comments as a “shame.”
“It’s difficult to imagine a greater shame for a country than having such senators,” he said.
Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, said Graham “shouldn’t have done that” and called the 67-year-old lawmaker an “old fool.”
Graham later dismissed the criticisms by Russian officials as “propaganda.”
“As usual the Russia propaganda machine is hard at work,” he told Reuters.
“Mr. Medvedev, if you want Russians to stop dying in Ukraine, withdraw. Stop the invasion. Stop the war crimes. The truth is that you and Putin could care less about Russian soldiers,” he said.
Updated 9:34 a.m. | https://www.fox16.com/news/national-news/russia-issues-arrest-warrant-for-lindsey-graham-after-ukraine-comments/ | 2023-05-29 17:44:08 | 1 | https://www.fox16.com/news/national-news/russia-issues-arrest-warrant-for-lindsey-graham-after-ukraine-comments/ |
Kannapolis Youth Council accepting applications
KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (WBTV) - The Kannapolis Youth Council has opened applications for the 2023-2024 year. High school aged students, who live within the Kannapolis City limits, are eligible to apply to be on the Youth Council.
Applications are due at 5 p.m. on March 31.
The Council’s goal is to create opportunities for students to become engaged in leadership development, provide avenues for high school students to volunteer, develop leadership skills, develop high standards for behavior, to refine communication abilities, practice teamwork and to have a line of communication to the adult leadership in the decision-making process of the City. The formation of the Youth Council was the result of conversations between council members and area high school students.
To the greatest extent possible, the Youth Council will represent the geographic and educational diversity of the City with participants from the two public high schools located in the City, students living in the City but attending other public high schools, home school students, charter schools and private high schools.
Applications can be found here - www.kannapolisnc.gov/Government-Departments/Boards-Commissions/Youth-Council/Youth-Council-Application
For more information contact Annette Privette Keller, Director of Communications, at 704.920.4311 or aprivettekeller@kannapolisnc.gov
Copyright 2023 WBTV. All rights reserved. | https://www.wbtv.com/2023/03/01/kannapolis-youth-council-accepting-applications/ | 2023-03-01 11:51:43 | 0 | https://www.wbtv.com/2023/03/01/kannapolis-youth-council-accepting-applications/ |
SAN ANTONIO, Philippines (AP) — American and Filipino forces pummeled a ship with a barrage of high-precision rockets, airstrikes and artillery fire in their largest war drills on Wednesday in Philippine waters facing the disputed South China Sea that would likely antagonize China.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. watched the American show of firepower from an observation tower in the coastal town of San Antonio in northwestern Zambales province — the latest indication of his strong backing of the Philippines’ treaty alliance with the U.S.
Marcos has ordered his military to shift its focus to external defense from decades-long anti-insurgency battles as China’s increasingly aggressive actions in the South China Sea become a top concern. The shift in the Philippine defense focus falls in sync with the Biden administration’s aim of reinforcing an arc of alliances in the Indo-Pacific region to better counter China.
China has angered the Philippines by repeatedly harassing its navy and coast guard patrols and chasing away fishermen in the waters close to Philippine shores but which Beijing claims as its own. The Philippines has filed more than 200 diplomatic protests against China since last year, including at least 77 since Marcos took office in June.
Sitting beside U.S. Ambassador MaryKay Carlson and his top defense and security advisers, Marcos used a pair of binoculars, smiling and nodding, as rockets streaked into the blue sky from the U.S. High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS, a multiple rocket and missile launcher mounted on a truck that has become a crucial weapon for Ukrainian troops battling Russian invasion forces.
The coastal clearing in front of Marcos resembled a smoke-shrouded war zone, which thudded with artillery fire as AH-64 Apache attack helicopters flew overhead.
A private light plane flew by during the exercises, briefly interrupting them, and was asked to move away, said Col. Mike Logico, a Philippine military spokesman for the drills. Fishermen have been advised to stay away from the area.
“This training increased the exercise’s realism and complexity, a key priority shared between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military,” Lt. Gen. William Jurney, commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, said.
“Together we are strengthening our capabilities in full-spectrum military operations across all domains,” said Jurney, the U.S. director for the annual joint exercises called Balikatan, Tagalog for ”shoulder-to-shoulder.”
About 12,200 U.S military personnel, 5,400 Filipino forces and 111 Australian counterparts were taking part in the exercises, the largest since Balikatan started three decades ago. The drills have showcased U.S. warships, fighter jets as well as Patriot missiles, HIMARS and anti-tank Javelins, according to U.S. and Philippine military officials.
The ship targeted by the allied forces was a decommissioned Philippine navy warship, which was towed about 18 to 22 kilometers (11 to 14 miles) out to sea.
Smaller floating targets, including empty drums tied together, were also used as targets to simulate a battle scene where a U.S. Marine Corps command and control hub enabled scattered allied forces to identify and locate enemy targets then deliver precision rocket and missile fire.
Philippine military officials said the maneuvers would bolster the country’s coastal defense and disaster-response capabilities and were not aimed at any country. China has opposed military drills involving U.S. forces in the region in the past as well as increasing U.S. military deployments, which it warned would rachet up tensions and hamper regional stability and peace.
Washington and Beijing have been on a collision course over China’s increasingly assertive actions to defend its vast territorial claims in the South China Sea and Beijing’s goal of annexing Taiwan, by force if necessary.
Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said on Monday that China’s Shandong aircraft carrier group was also conducting training 120 nautical miles (222 kilometers) southeast of the island’s southernmost tip.
In February, Marcos approved a wider U.S. military presence in the Philippines by allowing rotating batches of American forces to stay in four more Philippine military camps. That was a sharp turnaround from his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte, who feared that a larger American military footprint could antagonize Beijing.
China strongly opposed the move, which would allow U.S. forces to establish staging grounds and surveillance posts in the northern Philippines across the sea from Taiwan and in western Philippine provinces facing the South China Sea, which Beijing claims virtually in its entirety.
China has warned that a deepening security alliance between Washington and Manila and their ongoing military drills should not harm its security and territorial interests or interfere in the territorial disputes.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry has said that such military cooperation “should not target any third party and should be conducive to regional peace and stability.”
___
Gomez reported from Manila. Associated Press journalist Joeal Calupitan contributed to this report. | https://www.wane.com/news/national-world/ap-international/us-filipino-forces-show-power-in-drills-amid-china-tensions/ | 2023-04-27 02:38:36 | 1 | https://www.wane.com/news/national-world/ap-international/us-filipino-forces-show-power-in-drills-amid-china-tensions/ |
An American Airlines regional flight hit turbulence over Alabama Tuesday night and lost a piece of its right wing known as the winglet.
No one was hurt on American Eagle flight 3729 from Charleston, S.C., to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, which was diverted to Birmingham after the Embraer 175 jet hit “moderate to severe turbulence” over Alabama.
A post-flight inspection revealed “a piece of the right winglet missing,” according to a preliminary Federal Aviation Administration incident report.
Fort Worth-based American Airlines said no one was hurt and the plane diverted safely to Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport “due to a potential mechanical issue midflight.”
“The flight landed without incident at BHM shortly after 6:45 p.m. (local time) and taxied to the gate under its own power,” said American Airlines spokesman Derek Walls in an email. “Upon arrival, the aircraft was taken out of service for evaluation by our maintenance team and all customers were transferred to another aircraft, which departed BHM for DFW last night.”
American Airlines wouldn’t confirm the condition of the aircraft on Wednesday, but the jet hasn’t left Birmingham since Tuesday evening, according to FlightRadar24.
“I was on the flight!,” Twitter user Brandon Owens said. “Surprisingly smooth flight and landing after the fact.”
Photos shared on social media Tuesday evening show a crew working on an American Eagle jet with what appears to be a significant section of the right wing broken off.
Winglets are the parts on the ends of the wings on some aircraft that curve upwards to improve fuel efficiency and maneuvering. Winglets are common on newer aircraft.
Map and altitude data from Flightradar24.com show the Embraer 175 jet cruising at 36,000 feet and about 450 miles per hour when it swiftly diverted from its flight path southwest of Birmingham.
The Embraer 170-200LR was built in 2016.
©2022 The Dallas Morning News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. | https://www.al.com/news/2022/05/american-airlines-plane-bound-for-dallas-loses-piece-of-wing-lands-in-birmingham.html | 2022-05-05 00:39:30 | 1 | https://www.al.com/news/2022/05/american-airlines-plane-bound-for-dallas-loses-piece-of-wing-lands-in-birmingham.html |
ORLANDO, Fla. – Monday marks seven years since the mass shooting at Pulse nightclub on June 12, 2016, and Orlando is remembering the 49 lives lost with events held around Central Florida in the week leading up to the date and throughout the month.
The onePULSE Foundation nonprofit, established to honor and preserve the legacy of those lost and to create a sanctuary of hope, announced the schedule of events from Saturday, June 3, to Monday, June 12, to take place during the Seven-Year Pulse Remembrance Week.
The week of events will conclude with the Seven-Year Pulse Remembrance Ceremony from 7 to 8 p.m. on June 12 in Steinmetz Hall at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.
Find the full schedule of events below.
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Acts of Love & Kindness
In the 49 days leading up to June 12, known as Orlando United Day, people in the community and across the nation are encouraged to participate in the Acts of Love and Kindness movement. These days are dedicated to honoring the 49 lives taken at Pulse and the loved ones, survivors, first responders and community members impacted by the tragedy.
Time: Anytime
Find more information here.
Weekly Momma and Friends Charity Bingo
This weekly drag queen charity bingo is donating proceeds to CampOut, an LGBTQ+ youth summer camp in Florida.
Time: 8 to 10 p.m. on Thursday, June 8
Location: Quinteassence, 839 N Massachusetts Ave Suite #101 Lakeland, FL 33801
Find more information here.
Legacy Work
This event for staff members of organizations that support survivors and community members affected by the Pulse tragedy will be facilitated on Zoom by a licensed mental health provider. The meeting aims to acknowledge the impacts of the tragedy over our professional and personal lives and identify all the work that has been done through many efforts and initiations that have supported survivors and the community.
Time: 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 8
Location: Zoom
Contact info@qlatinx.org for details.
Orlando City Soccer Club Community Corner with onePULSE Foundation
The onePulse Foundation will be at the Colorado Rapids vs. Orlando City SC game.
Time: 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 10
Location: Exploria Stadium, 655 W Church St., Orlando, FL 32805
Find more information here.
Drag Story Time
Momma Ashley Rose will be leading a story time alongside special guest Zara Nouveau.
Time: Noon on Saturday, June 10
Location: Mexican Consulate, 2550 Technology Drive, Orlando, FL 32804
Find more information here.
Pulse Memorial Crosses at Orange County Regional History Center
The Orange County Regional History Center will host the Pulse memorial crosses. Those interested in viewing them will gain free admission during this time.
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, Mondays and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays
Location: Orange County Regional History Center, 65 E Central Blvd., Orlando, FL 32801
Find more information here.
2023 Zebra Youth Pride Prom: Old Hollywood
The Old Hollywood, The Golden Age-themed, semi-formal prom is open to LGBTQ+ youth ages 14-20 identifying as any gender expression. Those under 18 years old are required to submit a parental consent form, which will be sent upon registration.
A suggested donation of $15 would help offset the cost of hosting the Pride Prom.
Time: 6 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, June 10
Location: Orlando Museum of Art, 2416 N Mills Ave., Orlando, FL 32803
Find more information here.
Dru Project Annual Scholarship Award Event
A drag brunch will be held to announce this year’s scholarship award recipients and raise funds to support next year’s awards and the Dru Project’s Gay Straight Alliance club grant program.
Time: Noon on Sunday, June 11
Location: The Hammered Lamb, 1235 N Orange Ave., Orlando, FL 32804
Find more information here.
Momma and Friends Pride
Momma Ashley Rose will host a family-friendly Pride show with special guests Miss Rose Dynasty 2023 Juno Vibranz, Mistah Aphrodite, Jessa Belle Light and Keirra Ka’oir Summers. All proceeds will go to the Rose Dynasty Foundation.
Time: 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 11
Location: ART/ifact, 820 N Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland, FL 33801
Find more information here.
Orlando Pride Fan Zone with onePULSE Foundation
The onePULSE Foundation will be at the Orlando Pride vs. Portland Thorns game.
Time: 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 11
Location: Exploria Stadium, 655 W Church St., Orlando, FL 32805
Find more information here.
49 Bells at First UMC Orlando
This Orlando church will sound 49 bells in honor of the 49 lives lost in the Pulse nightclub shooting.
Time: 4 p.m. on Monday, June 12
Location: Sanctuary at First United Methodist Church of Orlando, 142 E. Jackson St., Orlando
Find more information here.
Seven-Year Pulse Remembrance Ceremony
This free event, which can all be viewed on the onePULSE Foundation Facebook page, will honor and bring together the families of those whose lives were tragically taken on June 12, 2016, providing a space to remember their loved ones in peace.
Time: 7 to 8 p.m. on Monday, June 12
Location: Steinmetz Hall at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Art, 445 S Magnolia Ave., Orlando, FL 32801
Find more information here.
Inspiration Orlando United Mural
This free event will display a mural created by Michael Pilato, Yuriy Karabash and Chimene Hurst to pay tribute to the lives taken in the Pulse nightclub tragedy.
Time: 5 p.m. on Monday, June 12, mural can be viewed from Tuesday, June 13, through Friday, June 16, during regular museum hour
Location: Orlando Museum of Art, 2416 N Mills Ave., Orlando, FL 32803
Find more information here and here.
Remembrance Day Memorial Blood Drive with OneBlood
The Big Red Bus will be available to those interested in donating blood. All donors will receive a $20 eGift card, OneBlood limited edition Pulse t-shirt and wellness check.
Time: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, June 12
Location: First United Methodist Church on S. Magnolia Avenue
To schedule an appointment, click here.
Community Care Rooms
These Zoom rooms will be available after the Pulse Rembrance Ceremony so that community members, responders and organizational staff can debrief.
Time: 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, June 13
Location: Zoom
New Moon Yoga
This event allows community members to come together and practice restorative yoga as a way to channel intentions, acknowledge emotions and sow seeds of hope seven years after the Pulse tragedy.
Time: Noon on Sunday, June 18
Contact info@qlatinx.org for details.
Ni Uno Mas Community Conversations
QLatinx and Moms Demand Action will be hosting a community conversation about the local impact on gun violence in our community. They aim to elevate the voices of those who have been impacted by gun violence.
Time: 6 p.m. on Friday, June 30
Location: Zoom
Contact info@qlatinx.org for details.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/06/central-florida-events-mark-7-year-remembrance-of-pulse-shooting/ | 2023-06-06 19:02:10 | 0 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/06/central-florida-events-mark-7-year-remembrance-of-pulse-shooting/ |
NEW ORLEANS, Aug. 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., Esq., a partner at the law firm of Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF"), provides an update to KSF's continued investigation into FibroGen, Inc. (NasdaqGS: FGEN).
On April 6, 2021, the Company disclosed that cardiovascular safety data it had previously submitted for the Phase 3 program of its Roxadustat product "included post-hoc changes to the stratification factors." Then, on July 15, 2021, the FDA's Advisory Committee unequivocally concluded that the Company's own undisclosed, prespecified sensitivity analyses demonstrated that Roxadustat's efficacy over Epogen was inconclusive at best, that it caused "greater rates of some important adverse events [] than even [Epogen]," including a higher rate of death and other major side effects, and that the Committee had voted virtually unanimously against approval for Roxadustat for any patient population, even with a "Black Box" warning.
The Company was subsequently sued in a securities class action lawsuit for failing to disclose material information, violating federal securities laws.
Recently, the court presiding over that case denied the Company's motion to dismiss in part, allowing the case to move forward.
KSF's investigation is focusing on whether FibroGen's officers and/or directors breached their fiduciary duties to the Company's shareholders or otherwise violated state or federal laws.
If you have information that would assist KSF in its investigation, or have been a long-term holder of FibroGen shares and would like to discuss your legal rights, you may, without obligation or cost to you, call toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or email KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn (lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com), or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nasdaqgs-fgen/ to learn more.
KSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. KSF serves a variety of clients – including public institutional investors, hedge funds, money managers and retail investors – in seeking to recover investment losses due to corporate fraud and malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, California, Louisiana and New Jersey.
To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com.
Contact:
Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC
Lewis Kahn, Managing Partner
lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com
1-877-515-1850
1100 Poydras St., Suite 3200
New Orleans, LA 70163
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SOURCE Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/06/fibrogen-investigation-continued-by-former-louisiana-attorney-general-kahn-swick-amp-foti-llc-provides-update-its-investigation-officers-directors-fibrogen-inc-fgen/ | 2022-08-06 03:27:02 | 1 | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/06/fibrogen-investigation-continued-by-former-louisiana-attorney-general-kahn-swick-amp-foti-llc-provides-update-its-investigation-officers-directors-fibrogen-inc-fgen/ |
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Customers rave about Techy's quick repairs and exceptional customer service, so it is befitting that Techy will open a new sector of its business that is all about catering to its customers. Techy Cafe has partnered with Walmart to elevate the customer service experience. Consider it the supercenter of Techy repair stores. Inside Walmart, customers can visit a Techy Cafe for a cup of coffee, espresso, snacks, and more while they inquire about electronic repair services.
Techy Cafe's new Walmart locations will expand the franchise's existing partnership with one of the largest corporations in the world. Now, The Techy franchise has Techy and Techy Cafe inside Walmart throughout the country. Although both locations will provide repair services for all electronics, Techy Cafe will include a sitting area so customers can feel comfortable getting their devices repaired while having the coffee shop experience.
Walmart across the United States gets millions of foot traffic to their stores daily, giving franchise owners an opportunity for new and current customers to walk into their repair store. A Techy Cafe is a great business model for franchisees who want a store known for providing their customers with top-tier service.
When a franchise owner opens a Techy Cafe, they will have access to resources to help them run a successful store location, such as coffee and espresso machines, furniture for customers sitting areas, and more. Franchise owners can also provide buyback services for those who want to get rid of their gently used electronic devices (computers, tablets, phones). Customers looking for affordable devices can visit Techy Cafe for certified pre-owned smartphones, laptops, and more.
A warm, friendly smile from a Techy technician and a cup of coffee can help customers feel at ease, especially when someone comes in with a broken device. Techy is all about giving customers options and keeping a positive environment. The purpose of Techy Cafe is to let customers know that Techy is there to meet their needs.
Techy By DrPhoneFix changed its name in June 2020 to show that it offers more than phone repairs. It has added electronic buybacks and smart home installations like mounting TV as part of its services. Since its establishment in 2006, the company has grown to 230+ locations and has a 24,000 sq. ft state-of-the-art headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Contact: Nicole Cooper, franchise@techycompany.com, 877-752-0956
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SOURCE Techy | https://www.wbay.com/prnewswire/2022/07/28/techy-cafe-now-opening-inside-walmart-coffee-shop-experience-amp-electronic-repairs/ | 2022-07-28 14:30:24 | 1 | https://www.wbay.com/prnewswire/2022/07/28/techy-cafe-now-opening-inside-walmart-coffee-shop-experience-amp-electronic-repairs/ |
IN THIS ARTICLE:
- Flowtron BK-80D Electronic Insect Killer
- Black And Decker Bug Zapper
- Pestnot 20-Watt Electronic Indoor Bug Zapper
Nothing can ruin a barbecue, picnic or pool party faster than a bunch of flying pests such as mosquitoes, flies, gnats and wasps. They make it difficult to enjoy your deck, patio or other outdoor space to the fullest. A bug zapper can keep insects at bay so you and your family can enjoy your yard in peace.
Finding the right zapper can be tough, especially if you don’t know what to look for. Check out these tips for choosing the right bug zapper for your yard as well as the best models you can find to keep mosquitoes and other pests away.
Type
Bug zappers come in several types, each of which operate in different ways.
- Insect traps draw bugs to them via light and then suck them into a chamber with a vacuum. The bugs die inside the trap due to dehydration, so you have to regularly empty the chamber.
- Electronic zappers also draw insects to them with light, but the bugs die when they land on the zapper’s electrified grid. These zappers have a tray that collects the debris from the insects, so they also require emptying.
- Electric swatters resemble a tennis racket and use batteries to power their electric grid. You use the device to swat at insects and electrocute them when they touch the grid. They’re an excellent portable option for camping and other trips.
Indoor/outdoor use
Most people want a bug zapper for their outdoor living space, so most models are suitable for outdoor use. You may also need a zapper you can use inside your home if you have a bug problem. Read the product specifications carefully to determine if you can use the model you’re considering in the area of your home where you need it.
Design
A bug zapper’s design determines how it attracts insects to the device to kill them. Many zappers use light to lure in bugs, but this works best for insects like moths, mayflies and beetles. Other zappers feature chemical attractants that are effective for biting pests, including mosquitoes.
Range
For a bug zapper to be effective, it must have a large enough range to cover the area you plan to use it. Even so, bigger isn’t better for a zapper’s range. For example, models with ranges larger than your outdoor space can attract bugs from neighboring areas instead of only your yard.
Most bug zappers measure their range in square feet or acres. Measure your deck, patio or yard to determine the coverage you need.
Top bug zappers that cost under $25
Black Flag Extendable Handheld Insect Zapper
This portable handheld bug zapper offers 3,000 volts of power to keep your yard and home insect-free. It works on all types of bugs, including flies, mosquitoes and spiders, and only requires two AA batteries for operation. Its handle can extend for a reach of up to 2.5 feet.
Sold by Amazon and Home Depot
ZAP IT! Rechargeable Bug Zapper Racket
This 4,000-watt electric zapper racket makes it easy to get rid of pests on the go. It features a rechargeable battery you can charge via a USB cord and offers up to 10,000 zaps on a single charge. It has a blue light to attract insects.
Sold by Amazon
Top bug zappers that cost $25 to $45
This bug zapper is suitable for indoor and outdoor use and can cover up to 1,500 square feet. It has a long-lasting UVA light to attract bugs and an easy-to-clean trap that holds the dead insects. It doesn’t make much noise when in use.
Sold by Amazon
Black Flag 2,000-Volt 1/2-Acre Bug Zapper
This weatherproof, plug-in bug zapper can keep flying insects at bay all day. It uses UV white light to attract bugs and can cover up to an acre of land. It also comes with a chemical attractant that provides a 30-day continuous release.
Sold by Home Depot
PIC Portable Solar Insect Killer Torch
This cordless bug zapper can operate for six hours on a full charge and offers an LED flame effect for ambient lighting. It can attract and dispose of mosquitoes and other flying bugs without insecticides. It’s portable and ideal for hiking and camping.
Sold by Home Depot
Westinghouse Solar Lighting Solar Powered LED Outdoor Bug Zapper Lantern
This chemical-free, solar-powered zapper features an attractive lantern design with a built-in LED light. It comes with a shepherd hook for hanging, but you can also set it on any flat surface. Its UV light attracts insects like mosquitoes and flies. It weighs just over a pound, making it easy to move.
Sold by Wayfair
Top bug zappers that cost $45 to $75
This versatile bug zapper hangs from an included ring and chain or rests on a stable surface. It has a UV light to attract insects without chemicals and works well for mosquitoes, flies, gnats, wasps and more. It comes with a brush for easy cleaning.
Sold by Amazon
Pestnot 20-Watt Electronic Indoor Bug Zapper
If you have an insect problem inside your home, this indoor bug zapper gets the problem under control. It has two 20-watt black light bulbs to attract flying insects such as flies and mosquitoes. It has a range of up to 6,000 square feet and features a self-cleaning electrical grid.
Sold by Amazon
Top bug zappers that cost $75 and up
Flowtron BK-80D 80-Watt Electronic Insect Killer
This high-efficiency bug zapper has a non-clogging grid powered by a high-voltage transformer. It uses ultraviolet light and chemical attractants to dispose of more bugs. It’s backed by a two-year limited warranty.
Sold by Amazon
DynaTrap DT1050-AZSR Flying Insect Trap
This powerful insect trap attracts bugs such as mosquitoes, biting flies, moths and others. It covers up to a half-acre and features all-weather construction to stand up to the elements. You can also use it indoors, and the discreet design means it blends with your decor.
Sold by Amazon
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Copyright 2023 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://www.wane.com/reviews/br/camping-outdoors-br/backyard-br/everything-you-need-to-know-about-choosing-a-bug-zapper/ | 2023-05-05 00:47:41 | 0 | https://www.wane.com/reviews/br/camping-outdoors-br/backyard-br/everything-you-need-to-know-about-choosing-a-bug-zapper/ |
Super Bowl LVII quarterbacks Mahomes, Hurts would make my uncle Martin Luther King smile
There's a fine line between celebrating ethnicity and using race as a tool to divide us
With Super Bowl LVII slated for Sunday, the media has highlighted the fact that this will be the first Super Bowl in NFL history with two Black quarterbacks, Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts, squaring off against each other. This game will also be played during Black History Month, so the occasion is all the more momentous.
However, a fine line between seeing ethnicity as something to be celebrated and using race as a tool to divide us still exists. As I like to say, we are not colorblind. We can and do see ethnicity, and we celebrate the uniqueness of each other and the fact that we can still come together as one American people despite our differences.
Unfortunately, the liberal media is using race to divide America. The liberal media uses race as a tool of division and as an instrument of the progressive Left’s woke politics. This isn’t new, and in fact, it’s the playbook they’ve been running for years. We see it in everything from critical race theory in our schools, to the 1619 Project in academia, to the Biden administration’s push for racial "equity" in things such as climate policies. In all of these areas, race has been used to divide the American people and make us focus on our differences, rather than on what we share in common.
This Sunday, rather than speaking endlessly about how both quarterbacks have the same skin tone, what if we focused instead on what they stand for? For example, why don’t we point out that these quarterbacks are both men of good and upstanding character who give back to their communities? Why don’t we point out that they are both faithful men of God?
SUPER BOWL SHOWDOWN HAS AMERICA DIVIDED. WILL EAGLES OR CHIEFS HOIST THE LOMBARDI TROPHY?
By answering these questions first, we can help America determine whether these are the sort of men who our country should look up to. Before the woke takeover of many of our institutions, there was a time in America when our heroes were mostly men and women of faith and strong character. They were elevated to prominence to set good examples for our young people to look up to and to learn from.
Unfortunately, that is no longer the case. Color of skin is discussed more than content of character, and the examples we elevate are all too often seen primarily as a representative of their race.
On Sunday, we can highlight their athletic accomplishments and praise them for their skill and prowess. Patrick Mahomes will likely go down as one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history. He has already joined Peyton Manning as the only players in history to throw 50 touchdown passes and for 5,000 yards in a single season and has led his team to a Super Bowl victory while earning the Super Bowl MVP award.
Jalen Hurts also has an impressive record. Hurts was drafted by the Eagles in 2020 and became the team’s full-time starter in 2021. He earned a Pro Bowl selection this season after he posted 4,461 yards of total offense and 35 touchdowns with just six interceptions. His impressive season placed him among the final five contenders for the NFL MVP award.
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Our country has also seen Black excellence in the Super Bowl before. The first Black Super Bowl coaches were Tony Dungy and Lovie Smith, both men of strong faith and upstanding character. The first Black quarterback to ever lead his team to victory in the Super Bowl was Doug Williams, who earned the MVP award for his performance in the game. Further examples of Black heroics in the NFL abound.
This Super Bowl Sunday, let’s all join together as the one-blood human race to watch the biggest sporting event of the year. We must set aside the politics and division that will surely pop up, and instead focus on the athletic excellence that will be on display.
Let’s turn our attention to what my uncle, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., highlighted in his famous "I Have a Dream" Speech: the content of the character of these two men, rather than the color of their skin.
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My uncle spoke about that idea in 1963, and this August will mark the 60th anniversary of those immortal words. After 60 years, we can look back at all the progress we have made since the trials of the Civil Rights Movement. But we know that we aren’t all the way there yet, and racial divisions are still rife throughout our country. Accordingly, we should ask ourselves what is still holding us back, and what we can do to fix it.
The first thing we can do is set aside the attempts to divide us based on skin-color racism, and instead celebrate our beautiful ethnicities as they all come together to form these great United States of America. That’s how we ought to be viewing Super Bowl Sunday this year, and every year to come.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM ALVEDA KING | https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/super-bowl-lvii-quarterbacks-mahomes-hurts-would-make-uncle-martin-luther-king-smile | 2023-02-12 14:57:45 | 1 | https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/super-bowl-lvii-quarterbacks-mahomes-hurts-would-make-uncle-martin-luther-king-smile |
SAN JOSE, Calif., June 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- MGI Americas (MGI), today announced that its innovative CoolMPS sequencing chemistry and instruments* will become commercially available in the United States beginning from August 29,2022. More details about the launch will be revealed at the 22nd annual conference of Advances in Genome Biology and Technology (AGBT).
MGI's DNBSEQ-G400 sequencers* have been one of most popular medium-high throughput sequencers in the world with over hundreds of installed worldwide. Following the recent decision by the Court in the Northern District of California, MGI is pleased to accept orders of this powerful sequencing platform with CoolMPS* in the US market from August 29 and start commercial shipment to customers after that time. Moving forwards, MGI will continue bringing new instruments into US market and announcing future launch plans at ASHG, therefore take steps to launch its entire family of library preparation kits to enable whole genome sequencing, whole exome sequencing, RNA sequencing, metagenomics sequencing and more.
These market-proven sequencing products will fulfill US customers' needs, while delivering performance, quality, availability, and affordability to the scientific community. MGI's DNBSEQ™ sequencers* combine the high accuracy and cost-effective PCR-free core patterned array technology (DNBSEQ™)* with its unique DNB library and the higher quality and efficiency CoolMPS* antibody-based chemistry to redefine Massively Parallel Sequencing.
MGI has continued to drive technology innovation and complete workflow instruments and kits centered on the DNBSEQ™ platform*. In addition to sequencing instruments*, MGI has developed a comprehensive portfolio of lab automation instruments (MGISTP series, MGISP series and MGINE series) and sample/library kits which enable complete workflow automation.
"We are very excited to bring to this leading genomics market our well-tested complete genomics products centered on our unique DNBSEQ-based sequencers*" said Dr. Rade Drmanac, Chief Scientific Officer of MGI. "Our high-quality products have facilitated the work of countless genomics users in other markets over the past few years. Now US customers can enjoy an alternative when looking for products to their sequencing needs."
Since MGI commercially launched its first sequencer* in 2016, market adoption all over the world has grown dramatically. Thousands of MGI sequencers* have been installed worldwide, along with additional thousands of Automated platforms. A total of more than 1900 scientific papers have also been published with data generated from using MGI instruments*.
About MGI
MGI Tech Co., Ltd. (MGI), an affiliate of BGI Group, is committed to building core tools and technology to lead life science through intelligent innovation. Based on its proprietary technology, MGI focuses on research & development, production and sales of sequencing instruments*, reagents*, and related products to support life science research, agriculture, precision medicine and healthcare. MGI's mission is to develop and promote advanced life science tools for future healthcare. As of December 2020, MGI has a footprint that spans across more than 70 countries and regions, serves over 1,000 international users and employs more than 1,700 professionals globally, around 33% of which are R&D personnel. For more information, please visit the MGI website or connect on Twitter, LinkedIn or YouTube.
*No purchase orders will be accepted until August 29.
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SOURCE MGI Tech Co., Ltd. | https://www.kalb.com/prnewswire/2022/06/06/mgi-announces-commercial-availability-dnbseq-sequencers-united-states/ | 2022-06-06 18:15:45 | 0 | https://www.kalb.com/prnewswire/2022/06/06/mgi-announces-commercial-availability-dnbseq-sequencers-united-states/ |
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Six people were injured Sunday afternoon when a large tree fell on a group having a class reunion party in Philadelphia's Fairmount Park.
According to police, the incident happened at about 12:20 p.m. in the 5300 block of N. Georges Hill Drive.
The six people who were injured are between 66 and 67 years old, police said. The group was celebrating a reunion for the West Philadelphia High School class of 1972.
"Every man ran across this park to go pick up heavy tree branches together to get them off the classmates," said Florence Hagains, of West Philadelphia.
While people worked to pull heavy branches off those who were stuck, police arrived to the scene within minutes.
The victims were taken to area hospitals where they were being treated for their injuries. All six were listed in stable condition.
"We just praying for them and going to try and keep it going, this is something that's annual," Hagains said.
Alumni come together for the annual tradition to give back to current students and athletes at the school.
"We came together 15 years ago to try and improve quality of life for students at West Philadelphia High School," said Michael Brown, president of the West Philadelphia High School Alumni Association.
Brown said he will press the city to inspect or remove all the dead trees at the park because they'll be back next August. | https://6abc.com/fairmount-park-tree-falls-on-people-mann-center-fell-party/12107575/ | 2022-08-07 20:33:55 | 0 | https://6abc.com/fairmount-park-tree-falls-on-people-mann-center-fell-party/12107575/ |
Ellie King of Pittsburgh talks about the fruitcake recipe that's been passed down in her family for generations. It's part of our All Things We're Cooking series.
Copyright 2022 NPR
Ellie King of Pittsburgh talks about the fruitcake recipe that's been passed down in her family for generations. It's part of our All Things We're Cooking series.
Copyright 2022 NPR | https://www.nepm.org/2022-12-24/a-fruitcake-recipe-thats-been-passed-down-the-family-for-generations | 2022-12-24 15:56:54 | 0 | https://www.nepm.org/2022-12-24/a-fruitcake-recipe-thats-been-passed-down-the-family-for-generations |
(WPRI) — If you love candles and the scent of Texas Roadhouse’s honey cinnamon butter, look no further.
The restaurant chain unveiled a new candle that smells just like the butter, which is served alongside its signature rolls.
“You read that right,” the restaurant chain wrote on social media Monday. “We have perfected the scent of the delicious Honey Cinnamon Butter you enjoy on your Fresh-Baked Bread and put it in candle form.”
Honey cinnamon butter fanatics can pre-order the candle beginning Sept. 23. Texas Roadhouse said the link to do so will be released that day on its social media accounts.
The candle will cost $12, according to the restaurant chain. | https://www.texomashomepage.com/news/national/texas-roadhouse-creates-candle-inspired-by-its-honey-cinnamon-butter/ | 2022-09-20 15:41:05 | 0 | https://www.texomashomepage.com/news/national/texas-roadhouse-creates-candle-inspired-by-its-honey-cinnamon-butter/ |
328 Bitcoin mined, bringing reserves to 7,406
Hut 8 continues to HODL Bitcoin
North Bay site operating on 20 MW of power
TORONTO, July 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Hut 8 Mining Corp. (Nasdaq: HUT) (TSX: HUT) ("Hut 8" or "the Company"), one of North America's largest, innovation-focused digital asset mining pioneers, supporting open and decentralized systems since 2018, increased its Bitcoin holdings by 328 in the period ending June 30. With 7,406 unencumbered Bitcoin in reserve, Hut 8 remains committed to its HODL strategy.
- 328 Bitcoin were mined, resulting in an average production rate of 10.9 Bitcoin per day
- 100% of the self-mined Bitcoin in June were deposited into custody, consistent with our longstanding HODL strategy
- Total Bitcoin balance held in reserve is 7,406 as of June 30, 2022
- Installed operating capacity was 2.78 EH/s at the end of the month
- Production at our new North Bay site scaled up throughout the month, with approximately 5,800 miners operating on 20 MW of power by June 30
- Additional scaling will continue at North Bay in the coming weeks
- Our high performance computing business, which is not correlated to Bitcoin or Bitcoin mining, continues to bring in steady monthly recurring revenue and remains on track to grow up to 18% by the end of 2022
"The team had a successful month in North Bay and will continue to scale up over the next few weeks," said Jamie Leverton, CEO. "We are confident that our HODL strategy, coupled with the uncorrelated recurring revenue from our high performance computing business, will allow us to continue to successfully navigate the current market."
Hut 8 is one of North America's largest innovation-focused digital asset miners, led by a team of business-building technologists, bullish on bitcoin, blockchain, Web 3.0 and bridging the nascent and traditional high performance computing worlds. With two digital asset mining sites located in Southern Alberta and a third site in North Bay, Ontario, all located in Canada, Hut 8 has one of the highest capacity rates in the industry and one of the highest inventories of self-mined Bitcoin of any crypto miner or publicly-traded company globally. With 36,000 square feet of geo-diverse data centre space and cloud capacity connected to electrical grids powered by significant renewables and emission-free resources, Hut 8 is revolutionizing conventional assets to create the first hybrid data centre model that serves both the traditional high performance compute (Web 2.0) and nascent digital asset computing sectors, blockchain gaming, and Web 3.0. Hut 8 was the first Canadian digital asset miner to list on the Nasdaq Global Select composite index and the first blockchain company to be added to the S&P/TSX Composite Index in 2021. Through innovation, imagination, and passion, Hut 8 is helping to define the digital asset revolution to create value and positive impacts for its shareholders and generations to come.
This press release includes "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities laws and United States securities laws, respectively (collectively, "forward-looking information"). All information, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including such things as future business strategy, competitive strengths, goals, expansion and growth of the Company's businesses, operations, plans and other such matters is forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is often identified by the words "may", "would", "could", "should", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "allow", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "predict", "can", "might", "potential", "predict", "is designed to", "likely" or similar expressions. In addition, any statements in this press release that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking information and include, among others, statements regarding: Bitcoin and Ethereum network dynamics; the Company's ability to advance its longstanding HODL strategy; the Company's ability to produce additional Bitcoin and maintain existing rates of productivity at all sites; the Company's ability to deploy additional miners and continue to scale up at its North Bay site; the successful impact the Company's North Bay site has on production results; the Company's expected recurring revenue and growth rate from its high performance computing business; and the Company's ability to successfully navigate the current market.
Statements containing forward-looking information are not historical facts, but instead represent management's expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events based on certain material factors and assumptions at the time the statement was made. While considered reasonable by Hut 8 as of the date of this press release, such statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to, security and cybersecurity threats and hacks, malicious actors or botnet obtaining control of processing power on the Bitcoin or Ethereum network, further development and acceptance of Bitcoin and Ethereum networks, changes to Bitcoin or Ethereum mining difficulty, loss or destruction of private keys, increases in fees for recording transactions in the Blockchain, erroneous transactions, reliance on a limited number of key employees, reliance on third party mining pool service providers, regulatory changes, classification and tax changes, momentum pricing risk, fraud and failure related to cryptocurrency exchanges, difficulty in obtaining banking services and financing, difficulty in obtaining insurance, permits and licenses, internet and power disruptions, geopolitical events, uncertainty in the development of cryptographic and algorithmic protocols, uncertainty about the acceptance or widespread use of cryptocurrency, failure to anticipate technology innovations, the COVID19 pandemic, climate change, currency risk, lending risk and recovery of potential losses, litigation risk, business integration risk, changes in market demand, changes in network and infrastructure, system interruption, changes in leasing arrangements, and other risks related to the cryptocurrency and data centre business. For a complete list of the factors that could affect the Company, please see the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's Annual Information Form dated March 17, 2022, and Hut 8's other continuous disclosure documents which are available on www.sedar.com.
These factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors that could affect Hut 8; however, these factors should be considered carefully. There can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in this press release as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, sought, proposed, estimated, forecasted, expected, projected or targeted and such forward-looking statements included in this press release should not be unduly relied upon. The impact of any one assumption, risk, uncertainty, or other factor on a particular forward-looking statement cannot be determined with certainty because they are interdependent and Hut 8's future decisions and actions will depend on management's assessment of all information at the relevant time. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and Hut 8 expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements containing any forward-looking information, or the factors or assumptions underlying them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
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SOURCE Hut 8 Mining Corp | https://www.wafb.com/prnewswire/2022/07/06/hut-8-mining-production-operations-update-june-2022/ | 2022-07-06 11:14:52 | 1 | https://www.wafb.com/prnewswire/2022/07/06/hut-8-mining-production-operations-update-june-2022/ |
Comprehensive analyst-based ESG research and ratings enables risk assessment across multiple asset classes in more regions
TORONTO, Dec. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Morningstar Sustainalytics, a leading global provider of ESG research, ratings, and data, announced an expansion of its ESG Risk Ratings coverage to enable material ESG risk assessment across more asset classes and regions. With a nearly 30 percent increase in comprehensive issuer ratings, the firm's coverage universe includes more than 16,300 analyst-based ESG Risk Ratings, spanning public equity, fixed-income, and privately held companies. Additionally, the expanded research universe now covers more Chinese companies listed in Shanghai and Shenzhen, which are predominant regional contributors in emerging market indices.
Recent market signals show increasing sustainable fund inflows in fixed income, stronger ESG risk management in emerging markets, and more sustainability opportunities within the global US $6.3 trillion total AUM private equity market. Yet, the availability of consistent ESG data has been challenging for investors looking to assess considerations for asset classes other than public equity. Now, investors can leverage Morningstar Sustainalytics' expanded ESG Risk Ratings to inform security selection across an even wider array of issuers and gain a more holistic perspective when assessing diversified portfolios.
"Sustainalytics' recent coverage expansion provides investors more human insights supporting the consistent data and research needed to effectively measure financially material ESG risk," said Laura Lutton, director of ESG research and risk products at Morningstar Sustainalytics. "The ESG Risk Ratings harness the power of our global research analysts' knowledge and capabilities when it comes to the nuances of ESG assessment."
This year's asset owner survey conducted by Morningstar Indexes and Sustainalytics found that 85 percent of respondents believe ESG factors are material to investment policy, demonstrating the growing influence that sustainable investment considerations are having on the global market ecosystem. By providing access to this enhanced analyst-based research coverage, Sustainalytics enables broader investment decision-making, new ESG fund and ETF development, and index construction across multiple asset classes. Sustainalytics' ESG Risk Ratings also underpin the Morningstar Sustainability Ratings™ for funds, which currently support more than 95,000 managed investment products globally.
The firm's award-winning ESG Risk Ratings measure a company's exposure to industry-specific material ESG risks and how well a company is managing those risks. This multi-dimensional approach provides an absolute measurement in which ratings are comparable for companies in different industries and sectors. Sustainalytics' ESG Risk Ratings continue to address the interconnected importance of supporting investor objectives, monitoring and reporting on portfolio performance, and aligning with region-specific ESG regulations like the EU's Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR).
To learn more about Sustainalytics' flagship ESG Risk Ratings and related solutions, please visit here.
About Morningstar Sustainalytics
Morningstar Sustainalytics is a leading ESG research, ratings and data firm that supports investors around the world with the development and implementation of responsible investment strategies. For nearly 30 years, the firm has been at the forefront of developing high-quality, innovative solutions to meet the evolving needs of global investors. Today, Morningstar Sustainalytics works with hundreds of the world's leading asset managers and pension funds who incorporate ESG and corporate governance information and assessments into their investment processes. The firm also works with hundreds of companies and their financial intermediaries to help them consider sustainability in policies, practices, and capital projects. With 17 offices globally, Morningstar Sustainalytics has more than 1,800 staff members, including more than 800 analysts with varied multidisciplinary expertise across more than 40 industry groups. For more information, visit www.sustainalytics.com.
Morningstar Sustainalytics produces various ratings, assessments and metrics which include assumptions of future events, which may or may not occur or may differ significantly from what was assumed. These ratings, assessments and metrics are statements of opinions, subject to change, are not to be considered as guarantees, and should not be used as the sole basis for investment decisions. Morningstar Sustainalytics does not provide investment advice or any other form of (financial) advice and nothing within this press release constitutes such advice.
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SOURCE Morningstar Sustainalytics | https://www.wymt.com/prnewswire/2022/12/01/morningstar-sustainalytics-expands-esg-risk-ratings-coverage-fixed-income-private-equity-china/ | 2022-12-01 13:51:38 | 1 | https://www.wymt.com/prnewswire/2022/12/01/morningstar-sustainalytics-expands-esg-risk-ratings-coverage-fixed-income-private-equity-china/ |
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Two stories beneath a modern steel production plant on Warsaw’s northern edge lies an untouched Cold War relic: a shelter containing gas masks, stretchers, first aid kits and other items meant to help civil defense leaders survive and guide rescue operations in case of nuclear attack or other disasters.
A map of Europe on a wall still shows the Soviet Union — and no independent Ukraine. Old boots and jackets give off a musty odor. A military field switchboard warns: “Attention, your enemy is listening.”
Until now, nobody had seriously considered that the rooms built in the 1950s — and now maintained as a “historical curiosity” by the ArcelorMittal Warszawa plant, according to spokeswoman Ewa Karpinska — might one day be used as a shelter again. But as Russia pounds Ukraine, with shelling around a nuclear power plant and repeated Russian threats to use a nuclear weapon, the Polish government ordered an inventory this month of the 62,000 air raid shelters in the country.
The war has triggered fears across Europe, and these are especially felt in countries like Poland and Romania that border Ukraine and would be highly vulnerable in case of a radiological disaster.
After the Polish government order, firefighters visited the steel plant’s shelter last week and listed it in their registry. Warsaw’s leaders said the city’s subway and other underground shelters could hold all its 1.8 million residents and more in the case of an attack with conventional weapons.
The ArcelorMittal Warszawa plant’s Karpinska is suddenly receiving inquiries about the shelter. Following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s threats to carry out a tactical nuclear attack, “everyone is worried,” she said. “I believe that he will not (stage a nuclear attack), that it would be completely crazy, but nobody really believed he would start this war.”
Amid fighting around Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, Poland also drew up a plan to give potassium iodide tablets to local fire stations, which would distribute them to the population if needed. There has been a rush elsewhere in Europe on potassium iodide — which protects the thyroid gland in the neck in case of radiation exposure — including in Finland where the government urged the population to buy them.
During the Cold War there were hundreds of thousands of shelters in Europe. Some dated from the buildup to World War II, while communist-era authorities also ordered that new residential and production facilities include underground shelters.
Finland, which borders Russia, along with Sweden and Denmark, have maintained their shelters in order. Finland, for instance, maintains shelters in cities and other densely populated areas capable of accommodating around two-thirds of the population. A few of them are designed to withstand detonation of a 100-kiloton nuclear bomb.
While some countries still maintain their Cold War underground shelters, after the collapse of the Soviet Union some were transformed into museums — relics of an earlier age of nuclear fears that would offer no real protection today.
Bomb shelters were a key element in the former Yugoslavia’s preparedness doctrine against a nuclear attack.
The most famous of all, in a mountainous area 60 kilometers (35 miles) from Sarajevo in Bosnia, is a vast underground fortress built to protect military and political leaders. Known then only to the Yugoslav president, four generals and a handful of soldiers who guarded it, the Konjic site was turned in 2010 into a modern art gallery.
“From the military-political and geopolitical standpoint, the global environment right now is unfortunately very similar to what it was like (during the Cold War), burdened by a very heavy sense of a looming war,” said Selma Hadzihuseinovic, the representative of a government agency that manages the site.
She said the bunker could be returned to service in a new war, but with nuclear weapons having become far more powerful it would not be “as useful as it was meant to be when it was built.”
In Romania, an enormous former salt mine, Salina Turda, now a tourist attraction, is on a government list of potential shelters.
Many urban dwellers also go past shelters every day without realizing it while riding subways in cities like Warsaw, Prague and Budapest.
“We measured how many people could fit in trains along the entire length of the metro, in metro stations and other underground spaces,” said Michal Domaradzki, director of the security and crisis management for the city of Warsaw. “There is enough space for the entire population.”
Attila Gulyas, president of the Hungarian capital’s Urban Transport Workers’ Union, has been involved in regular drills of the city’s metro lines. He was trained to shelter thousands of people as chief of the Astoria station at Budapest’s metro line 2.
“The system is still in place today, it works perfectly, it can be deployed in any emergency” Gulyas said. “Up to 220,000 people can be protected by the shelter system in the tunnels of metro lines 2 and 3.”
But with Russia waging an energy war against Europe and power costs soaring, for many the chief worry is how to get through the winter.
Sorin Ionita, a commentator with the Expert Forum in Bucharest, Romania, said many consider a Russian nuclear strike improbable as it would not “bring a big military advantage to the Russians.”
Still, Putin’s threats add to a general sense of anxiety in a world in tumult.
Just days after the Russian invasion began, Czechs bought potassium iodide pills as a precaution of sorts against a nuclear attack. Experts say these might help in a nuclear plant disaster but not against a nuclear weapon.
Dana Drabova, the head of the State Office for Nuclear Safety said that in such a case, the anti-radiation pills would be “useless.”
___
Eldar Emric in Konjic, Bosnia; Karel Janicek in Prague; Bela Szandelszky in Budapest, Hungary; Jan M. Olsen in Copenhagen, Denmark; Jari Tanner in Helsinki, Finland; and Nicolae Dumitrache in Bucharest, Romania, contributed. | https://www.wivb.com/news/world/ap-russian-threats-revive-old-nuclear-fears-in-central-europe/ | 2022-10-21 11:57:12 | 0 | https://www.wivb.com/news/world/ap-russian-threats-revive-old-nuclear-fears-in-central-europe/ |
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iranian authorities have shut down one of the offices of the country’s biggest e-commerce company and launched judicial procedures after it published pictures online showing female employees not wearing the mandatory Islamic headscarf, semi-official media reported.
The move appears to be part of a new campaign launched last week to impose the Islamic dress code nearly a year after the morality police largely melted away in the face of widespread protests.
Digikala, informally known as “Iran’s Amazon,” appears to have run afoul of the rules by posting pictures of a corporate gathering in which several female employees were not wearing the hijab.
The company boasts more than 40 million active monthly users and hosts over 300,000 merchants. Iranians are largely cut off from international retailers like Amazon because of Western sanctions linked to the country’s disputed nuclear program.
The website of Iran’s Hamshahri daily, which is affiliated with the municipality of the capital, Tehran, reported late Sunday that one of Digikala’s offices had been sealed. It said the website was operating normally.
The website of Iran’s judiciary said court cases had been filed in connection with the photos, without elaborating.
Nationwide protests erupted last fall after 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died in the custody of the morality police. She appears to have been detained for violating the country’s dress code, which requires that both men and women dress conservatively and that women cover their hair in public.
The protests, in which women played a leading role, quickly escalated into calls for the overthrow of Iran’s theocracy, which took power after the 1979 revolution. Authorities responded with a heavy crackdown in which more than 500 protesters were killed and nearly 20,000 were detained. The protests largely faded at the start of this year but there are still widespread signs of discontent.
After the protests began, the morality police largely vanished from the streets and many women — particularly in Tehran and other cities — stopped wearing the hijab.
But officials insisted throughout the crisis that the rules had never changed. Iran’s ruling clerics view the hijab as a key pillar of the Islamic Republic and consider Western-style dress to be a sign of decadence.
Last week, the morality police returned to the streets as officials announced a new campaign to force women to wear the hijab. | https://phl17.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-iran-targets-e-commerce-giant-over-photos-of-female-employees-without-headscarves-in-new-crackdown/ | 2023-07-24 18:41:17 | 1 | https://phl17.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-iran-targets-e-commerce-giant-over-photos-of-female-employees-without-headscarves-in-new-crackdown/ |
Certified B Corp Best for the World™ company offers 10% off sitewide and will donate 1% of all revenue to SolarBuddy
LOS ANGELES, April 18, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- It's Earth Week, and Avocado Green isn't holding back. The makers of certified organic and eco-luxury products launched a monumental Earth Week Sale with 10 percent off sitewide. That means huge savings on certified organic mattresses, sheets, and pillows, sustainable wood bed frames, adjustable bases, luxurious robes and pajamas, and clean skin + body products.
Customers can rest easy knowing their purchases support Mother Earth. As part of Avocado's partnership with 1% For the Planet, they'll donate 1% of revenue during Earth Week to SolarBuddy, an organization that fights energy poverty.
"At Avocado, every day is Earth Day," says Jessica Hann, Avocado Senior Vice President of Brand Marketing and Sustainability. "And this year, we want to help shoppers celebrate Earth in a big way with huge savings and a great cause."
From April 18 to April 24 only, shoppers can use the code PLANET to celebrate Earth and enjoy 10% savings, or up to $880, when they purchase one of Avocado's luxurious, non-toxic, GOTS certified (CU 863637) organic mattresses — all made with the finest natural and organic materials for deep sleep night after night.
Shoppers will also save 10% on bedding, pillows, blankets, adjustable bases, certified organic pillows, certified organic bath towels, alpaca blankets, sustainable robes and PJs, clean skin + body products, and more.
Every order placed during Earth Week will help SolarBuddy illuminate the futures of 25,000 children in developing communities impacted by extreme energy poverty — the lack of access to safe, reliable, and affordable electricity.
Each purchase also comes with free carbon negative shipping. As a Climate Neutral certified company — and one of B Corp's Best for the World™brands — Avocado reduces its footprint, offsets all of its scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, and advocates for legislation that will help mitigate the climate crisis.
From the beginning, Avocado just wanted a new kind of mattress. One that was greener — better for people and the planet — affordable, and comfortable. It was a simple idea rooted in a much bigger vision. Five years later, Avocado continues to expand — from bedding, to furniture, to their skin + bath collection, and their line of responsible loungewear. As the company grows, Avocado continues to redefine what it means to be a sustainable, ethical brand. The company is a Certified B Corporation, a Climate Neutral® Certified business, and a member of 1% For the Planet, remaining true to its original purpose: to be one of the most sustainable companies on Earth. Learn more at AvocadoGreen.com.
If you would like more information, please contact Jessica Hann at jessica@avocadomattress.com.
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SOURCE Avocado Green Mattress | https://www.kalb.com/prnewswire/2023/04/18/avocado-green-launches-epic-earth-week-sale/ | 2023-04-18 14:37:04 | 1 | https://www.kalb.com/prnewswire/2023/04/18/avocado-green-launches-epic-earth-week-sale/ |
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) _ The winning numbers in Sunday evening's drawing of the New York Lottery's "Pick 10" game were:
03-05-11-12-14-19-25-29-31-39-46-47-49-51-52-60-65-69-73-79
(three, five, eleven, twelve, fourteen, nineteen, twenty-five, twenty-nine, thirty-one, thirty-nine, forty-six, forty-seven, forty-nine, fifty-one, fifty-two, sixty, sixty-five, sixty-nine, seventy-three, seventy-nine) | https://www.ourmidland.com/lottery/article/Winning-numbers-drawn-in-Pick-10-game-17689149.php | 2023-01-02 02:41:46 | 1 | https://www.ourmidland.com/lottery/article/Winning-numbers-drawn-in-Pick-10-game-17689149.php |
Heather Mack, convicted in Bali of killing mom and stuffing body in suitcase, pleads guilty in US
CHICAGO (AP) — The American woman accused of helping to kill her mother and stuffing her body in a suitcase during a luxury vacation to Bali nine years ago changed her plea to guilty in Chicago federal court on Friday.
Heather Mack, 27, was convicted in Indonesia in 2015 of being an accessory to Sheila von Wiese-Mack’s murder with her then-boyfriend in a bid to gain access to a $1.5 million trust fund. Mack, then 18 and pregnant, covered her mother’s mouth in a hotel room while Tommy Schaefer bludgeoned Wiese-Mack with a fruit bowl, prosecutors say.
Mack stood before U.S. District Judge Matthew Kennelly in orange jail garb and orange slippers as he asked her questions before she was set to enter a plea. She spoke confidently and calmly as the judge asks her that she was giving up her rights to remain silent at the motion hearing. “Yes, your honor,” she responded from a podium.
After the judge explained the charge against her, Mack pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to kill a U.S. national.
The change-of-plea hearing is the latest chapter in a story that garnered international attention in part because of photographs of the suitcase, which seemed too small to hold an adult woman’s body. Mack’s Chicago trial on conspiracy to commit murder in a foreign country and obstruction of justice had been set for Aug. 1.
The judge set a Dec. 18 sentencing date for Mack. Her plea deal calls for a sentence of no more than 28 years.
Mack, who lived with her mother in suburban Chicago’s Oak Park, served seven years of her 10-year Indonesian sentence. She was then deported in 2021 and U.S. agents arrested her immediately after she landed at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.
Schaefer was convicted of murder and remains in Indonesia, where he is serving an 18-year sentence. He is charged in the same U.S. indictment.
Before Mack’s conviction in Indonesia, she gave birth to her and Schaefer’s daughter. Her then-six-year-old daughter was with her when Mack was arrested at the Chicago airport. The girl was later placed with a relative after a custody fight.
In successfully arguing against bond for Mack, prosecutors said she and Schaefer had planned the killing for months. They also said they had video evidence that showed both Mack and Schaefer trying to get the suitcase with Wiese-Mack’s body inside it into an Indonesian taxicab.
Some relatives of Wiese-Mack had complained that the Indonesian sentence was far too lenient. In filings, prosecutors said the U.S. charges don’t violate constitutional prohibitions against prosecuting someone twice for the same acts, including because the U.S. charges allege conspiracy and other acts not included in the Indonesian case.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.newschannel6now.com/2023/06/16/heather-mack-convicted-bali-killing-mom-stuffing-body-suitcase-pleads-guilty-us/ | 2023-06-16 15:58:01 | 0 | https://www.newschannel6now.com/2023/06/16/heather-mack-convicted-bali-killing-mom-stuffing-body-suitcase-pleads-guilty-us/ |
Percentages: FG .339, FT .571.
3-Point Goals: 8-31, .258 (Diboundje 3-8, Bayela 2-5, LaCount 1-2, Johnson 1-4, Felton 1-11, Walker 0-1).
Team Rebounds: 4. Team Turnovers: None.
Blocked Shots: 2 (Ausar, Johnson).
Turnovers: 17 (Walker 6, LaCount 4, Felton 3, Diboundje 2, Ausar, Johnson).
Steals: 3 (Felton 2, LaCount).
Technical Fouls: None.
Percentages: FG .404, FT .839.
3-Point Goals: 5-23, .217 (Hicks 2-5, Battle 2-8, Miller 1-5, White 0-1, Dunn 0-2, Jourdain 0-2).
Team Rebounds: 5. Team Turnovers: None.
Blocked Shots: 4 (Hicks, Jongkuch, Jourdain, White).
Turnovers: 8 (White 3, Dunn, Hicks, Jongkuch, Jourdain, Miller).
Steals: 8 (Miller 3, Hicks 2, White 2, Jourdain).
Technical Fouls: None.
A_4,007 (10,206). | https://www.mrt.com/sports/article/TEMPLE-73-EAST-CAROLINA-58-17726899.php | 2023-01-19 03:47:54 | 0 | https://www.mrt.com/sports/article/TEMPLE-73-EAST-CAROLINA-58-17726899.php |
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker will be the next president of the NCAA, stepping in to lead an organization with diminished power amid sweeping change across college sports.
The NCAA announced Thursday that Baker would replace Mark Emmert as the head of the largest college sports governing body in the country, with some 500,000 athletes at more than 1,100 schools.
Baker, a Republican, has been governor of Massachusetts since 2015. He announced a year ago he would not seek re-election. His second term ends in January, and he will start his new job in March.
He has never worked in college sports.
“I must say that when I was first approached about this, my initial reaction was that I was not exactly what you would call a traditional candidate,” Baker said on a video conference call with reporters.
Some of the traits that have made Baker a successful governor -- including his ability to negotiate with a Democrat-controlled Legislature and his more moderate stand on many social issues -- have been seen as closing off the pursuit of higher office in GOP that has turned sharply to the right.
Baker said his time in state government, building consensus among various constituencies, coalitions and factions, should help lead a diverse association with a wide range of priorities.
"I certainly think the challenges here are significant," Baker said.
He said he was approached by the NCAA's search firm about two months ago.
“When you consider the priorities that we have right now in the NCAA, it’s hard to imagine a better fit than Governor Baker,” said Baylor President Lind Livingston, who is the chairwoman of the NCAA Board of Governors. “As a public servant, he showed a talent for working across party lines, convening Bay Staters of all types to do big things together.”
The NCAA emphasized Baker's high approval ratings as the Republican governor of a blue state in announcing the hire. He will now become the face of an increasingly unpopular entity that has been viewed as an impediment to athletes getting a fair share of the billions of dollars generated by big-time college sports.
Emmert announced he would step down earlier this year after 12 years of leading the NCAA through a tumultuous time. Battered by losses in court and attacks by politicians, the NCAA is going through a sweeping reform, trying to decentralize the way college sports are run.
College sports leaders, including Emmert, have repeatedly asked for help from Congress to regulate name, image, and likeness compensation (NIL) since the NCAA lifted its ban in 2021 on athletes being able to earn endorsement money.
Now the association will be led by a politician for the first time.
Baker mostly sidestepped specifics when asked whether college sports needed government intervention. If a model could include athletes being paid, something schools have long opposed while arguing that it would upend the amateur sports model that is the foundation of college athletics.
“I’m going to wait until I actually have the job and I’ve had some conversations before I get into the details of several of these questions,” Baker said. “But to me, the jewel of college sports is the opportunity and the access that it provides to so many people and the experiences and the learning that comes with that.”
Baker was born in upstate New York, went to high school in Massachusetts and graduated from Harvard, where he played basketball. He also had two sons who played college football; his wife, Lauren, was a gymnast in college.
That's the extent of his experience in college sports.
The last two NCAA presidents, Emmert and the late Myles Brand, moved into the job after being university presidents. Before that, the job had typically been held by former college sports administrators.
With the NCAA moving into a new phase and college sports becoming more professionalized, it was clear the role of the president of the association was also changing.
Emmert and other college sports leaders have been spending ample time in recent years in Washington, hoping for a federal law to manage NIL and a narrow antitrust exemption for the NCAA.
The NCAA has been leaning on broad bylaws that outlaw recruiting inducements and pay-for-play to deal with NIL compensation, but detailed, uniform rules have been lacking. More than 30 states have passed their own NIL laws and it has resulted in a patchwork of regulations and hard-to-enforce rules.
Some federal lawmakers have expressed a desire to dig into college sports beyond NIL, with long-term health care and revenue sharing for athletes' potential issues.
NCAA revenues have surpassed $1 billion in recent years, most of that coming from its media rights deal for the men's Division I basketball tournament. The majority of the NCAA's revenue is distributed back to the schools through their conferences.
There are also billions flowing into the major conferences that play big-time college football. The top tier of Division I football (known as FBS) operates mostly outside the NCAA. That includes the College Football Playoff, which is on the verge of expanding from four teams to 12.
Amy Privette Perko, the CEO of the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics, said the biggest challenge Baker will face is trying to figure out how and if major college football can continue to exist under the NCAA’s umbrella.
“The NCAA receives zero dollars from the CFP, but it remains liable for the legal and health costs of FBS football,” Perko said. "The explosion of revenues, just for FBS football, is at the heart of much of the controversy about the future of all of college sports.”
During Emmert's tenure, the NCAA increasingly found itself tangled in political debates. The NCAA pulled its championship events out of states over the official use of the Confederate flag and made a similar move when state lawmakers moved to pull back protections for members of the LGBTQ community.
The NCAA became a target for some conservatives over its policies that allow transgender athletes to compete for national championships.
Baker will step to the front of an organization that is in the process of determining how it wants to govern and lead. Meanwhile, college sports themselves have never been more popular.
“That in some ways, I think, is an enormous asset,” he said, “when you’re trying to have a discussion about what the best way to ensure that what we have is not lost going forward.” | https://www.ksby.com/news/national/massachusetts-gov-charlie-baker-to-be-next-ncaa-president | 2022-12-15 23:37:16 | 1 | https://www.ksby.com/news/national/massachusetts-gov-charlie-baker-to-be-next-ncaa-president |
Coalition seeks fairness for Texas business owners in property damage claims
AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 24, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Business and industry groups in the state are asking the Supreme Court of Texas to reverse a series of legal opinions that for generations have allowed insurance companies to exempt coverage for property damage claims while leaving policyholders the burden to prove that those claims should be covered.
Texas is the only state in the nation that places policyholders in such a disadvantaged position.
Veteran insurance and construction litigation attorney Marc Gravely filed a friend of the court brief on Tuesday on behalf of the Texas Hospital Association, the Texas Hotel and Lodging Association, the Texas League of Community Charter Schools, the Texas Community Association Advocates, the Texas Automobile Dealers Association, the Texas Independent Automobile Association, and the Texas Organization of Rural and Community Hospitals.
The amicus brief urges the Supreme Court to reverse earlier opinions and follow Section 554.002 of the Texas Insurance Code statute that was specifically created in 1991 to clarify the issue, and which places the burden squarely on insurance companies. For more than 30 years, courts have applied faulty logic and effectively ignored the plain language in the statute, according to the amicus brief.
"Every other state follows the well-worn rule – reiterated over and over in all the major academic treatises on insurance law for decades – that the insurer bears the burden of proving when a loss falls within the exclusionary language of a policy," the Gravely brief states.
The matter before the court is Harold Franklin Overstreet v. Allstate Vehicle and Property. In that case, a homeowner filed a claim for roof damage following a hailstorm. Allstate claimed that most of the damage was from other causes, like wear and tear and previous storm damage. A lower court dismissed the lawsuit because Mr. Overstreet was not able to prove what portion of the damages was caused by the storm.
"The fact that we're in the middle of hurricane season puts this injustice in sharp relief," said Mr. Gravely. "This issue is of paramount importance to a range of Texas businesses and commercial property owners who pay their property insurance premiums with the assumption that insurance companies will act in good faith to honor those agreements."
Gravely Attorneys & Counselors has developed a national reputation based on record outcomes in large and complex construction defect litigation and first-party and bad-faith insurance disputes. The firm's veteran litigators are trusted advisors to commercial property owners, boards and governmental entities in disputes involving general contractors, design professionals and insurance companies. The firm pioneered the use of the contingent-fee litigation model for construction defect disputes and is known for its high degree of expertise in the complex engineering, scientific and technical issues at the heart of these disputes. Visit: https://www.gravelylaw.com/.
Media Contact:
Robert Tharp
214-420-6011
Robert@androvett.com
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SOURCE Gravely Attorneys & Counselors | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/24/texas-businesses-ask-state-supreme-court-hold-insurance-companies-accountable-damage-claim-denials/ | 2022-08-24 15:42:09 | 1 | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/24/texas-businesses-ask-state-supreme-court-hold-insurance-companies-accountable-damage-claim-denials/ |
RALEIGH, N.C., July 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Curi, an advisory firm for physicians and medical practices, today announced that its insurance arm, Curi Insurance, has been named to the prestigious Ward's 50 list of top-performing property and casualty insurance companies for 2022. Curi Insurance is the only company that specializes in physician professional liability to make the Ward's 50 list for the third year in a row.
"We're extremely proud to be recognized as a top-50 property-casualty insurer by The Ward Group," said Curi Insurance's CEO, Brad Diericx. "We remain deeply committed to the physicians and practices we serve, and our strong financial foundation and underwriting discipline will continue to be critical as we help them navigate and protect their businesses from the many challenges facing healthcare right now."
Ward Benchmarking, part of Aon, is a leading provider of benchmarking and best practices for the insurance industry. The group analyzes the financial performance of nearly 3,000 property-casualty companies in the U.S. every year to identify top performers. Each company on the list must pass primary safety and consistency tests and also achieve superior performance in areas such as revenue growth, surplus growth, and average combined ratio over a five-year analysis period to be included on the Ward's 50 list.
The 2022 list recognizes outstanding financial results in the areas of safety, consistency, and performance from 2017 to 2021.
"It's rewarding to see the exceptional work of our Curi Insurance team recognized by Ward again this year," said Curi's CEO, Jason Sandner. "The trust they've established with our policyholders and our steady insurance results have enabled Curi's continued growth—all in pursuit of our mission to help physicians in medicine, business, and life. We now reach more physicians across a broader geography than ever before, with new service lines and offerings from our Curi Advisory and Curi Capital businesses as well."
For more information on the 2022 Ward's 50 list, visit https://ward.aon.com/ward-benchmarking/wards50/.
For more information on Curi, including the company's insurance business, visit curi.com.
Curi (curi.com) is a full-service advisory firm that serves physicians and medical practices. Equal parts fierce physician advocates, smart business leaders, and thoughtful partners, Curi's advisory, capital, and insurance offerings deliver valued advice that is grounded in client priorities and elevated by their outcomes. From data-driven advisory services to private wealth offerings, to tailored insurance solutions and beyond, Curi delivers performance that is time-tested and trusted—in medicine, business, and life.
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SOURCE Curi | https://www.kold.com/prnewswire/2022/07/12/curi-named-wards-50-list-top-performing-property-amp-casualty-insurance-companies/ | 2022-07-12 15:36:50 | 1 | https://www.kold.com/prnewswire/2022/07/12/curi-named-wards-50-list-top-performing-property-amp-casualty-insurance-companies/ |
HOUSTON, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- HNR Acquisition Corp (the "Company") (NYSE: HNRA) today announced that, on February 5, 2023, it has received notice from HNRAC Sponsors LLC (the "Sponsor") of its intention to extend the period of time by which the Company must complete its initial business combination from February 15, 2023 to May 15, 2023. The Company also announced that, on February 8, 2023, in accordance with the Company's Certificate of Incorporation, the Sponsor's designee has timely deposited into trust account an aggregate of $862,500, representing $0.10 per public share of the Company, in order to effect such extension.
About HNR Acquisition Corp
HNR Acquisition Corp is a blank check company, also commonly referred to as a special purpose acquisition company, or SPAC, formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from what is expected, including the funding of the Trust Account to further extend the period for the Company to consummate an initial business combination, if needed. Words such as "expects," "believes," "anticipates," "intends," "estimates," "seeks," "may," "might," "plan," "possible," "should" and variations and similar words and expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Such forward-looking statements relate to future events or future results, based on currently available information and reflect the Company's management's current beliefs. A number of factors could cause actual events or results to differ materially from the events and results discussed in the forward-looking statements. In addition, please refer to the Risk Factors section of the Company's Form 10-K and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for additional information identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward looking statements. Except as expressly required by applicable securities law, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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SOURCE HNR Acquisition Corp | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/02/09/hnr-acquisition-corp-extends-timing-initial-business-combination/ | 2023-02-09 20:07:52 | 1 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/02/09/hnr-acquisition-corp-extends-timing-initial-business-combination/ |
PITTSBURGH, Sept. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- "I wanted to create a strain-free way to elevate the corner of a car with a scissors jack," said an inventor, from Clinton, Miss., "so I invented the JUST FOR HER. My design eliminates the need to struggle with a crank handle and it can also be used to turn the lug nuts."
The invention provides an easier way to operate a scissors jack and turn lug nuts when changing a flat tire. In doing so, it offers an alternative to manual methods. As a result, it helps to reduce struggles and strain and it saves time and effort. The invention features a portable and user-friendly design that is easy to operate so it is ideal for motorists.
The original design was submitted to the Jackson sales office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 20-JKN-244, 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.wcjb.com/prnewswire/2022/09/13/inventhelp-inventor-develops-easier-way-change-flat-tires-jkn-244/ | 2022-09-13 16:13:13 | 0 | https://www.wcjb.com/prnewswire/2022/09/13/inventhelp-inventor-develops-easier-way-change-flat-tires-jkn-244/ |
TOWSON, Md. — Police in a Baltimore suburb shot a woman who dragged an off-duty officer with her car and later rammed into other vehicles, according to a police department spokeswoman.
Later, several miles from where the officer was dragged, police shot the woman after she rammed her car into officers’ vehicles and a bystander’s vehicle, Lepola-Stewart said. A passenger in the woman’s car was arrested before the shooting.
The Baltimore Sun reports that it wasn’t immediately clear how many officers fired at the woman, whose name wasn’t released on Saturday. Lepola-Stewart said officers were wearing body cameras at the time of the shooting. | https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/police-woman-shot-by-police-after-dragging-off-duty-officer/2022/09/11/ec08bef4-31e6-11ed-a0d6-415299bfebd5_story.html | 2022-09-11 16:49:28 | 0 | https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/police-woman-shot-by-police-after-dragging-off-duty-officer/2022/09/11/ec08bef4-31e6-11ed-a0d6-415299bfebd5_story.html |
Which Crocs slides are best?
Cool and comfortable, slides are perfect sandals for casual wear. And you can increase your comfort even further by choosing Crocs slides. Made from lightweight closed-cell foam, it’s almost like you’re going barefoot.
Before you buy, you’ll need to decide what style of Crocs slides you prefer, and you might want to learn more about the materials used to make them. If you’re looking for simple slides, Crocs Classic Slide Sandals are the top choice.
What to know before you buy Crocs slides
Types of Crocs slides
Although all slides are relatively similar, you can still find several distinct styles. There’s not much difference in the way they feel to wear, so you should choose whichever you prefer the look of.
- Single strap: These have one single large strap in a classic slider style. Most people find them comfortable to wear and many like the casual look that this brings.
- Double strap: Instead of one large strap, these have two separate slimmer straps, but you still slide your foot straight in and there’s no ankle strap. This gives them a slightly more delicate look that some wearers prefer.
- Platform: Platform versions look like regular slides up top, but they have a chunky platform sole. If you’re looking for something trendier than standard slides, these are perfect.
Material
Crocs are made out of either of its two proprietary foam resin materials: the original Crosslite and the newer LiteRide.
- Crosslite: Crosslite is a closed-cell foam resin. While it might look like plastic or rubber, it’s neither. It’s light and feels soft to the touch but your feet don’t sink right into it, so it offers support. It’s resistant to odor and fungal growth.
- LiteRide: LiteRide has all the same great properties as Crosslite, but it’s 20% lighter and 40% softer. This means even more comfortable sandals.
Size
You can find Croc’s slides in a wide range of sizes for adults and kids alike. In most cases, you should choose your usual size, since they fit more snugly than Crocs clogs. However, if you’re between sizes, it’s best to size down. Crocs sandals for women are sized differently from those for men, so make sure you’re choosing the right size. For example, a women’s size 8 is the same as a men’s size 6. While Crocs shoes are divided by men’s and women’s sizes, people of any gender can wear any style of the slides.
What to look for in quality Crocs slides
Colors and prints
You can find Crocs slides in a wide range of solid colors and prints. Solid colors range from basics, such as black and white, to bold hues, such as hot pink and neon yellow. Popular prints include tie-dye, floral prints and camouflage.
Holes
You’ll usually notice holes in the straps of slides made by Crocs. These provide ventilation to keep your feet cooler, but they also provide a place to attach Crocs Jibbitz charms.
Wipe-clean
What’s great about Crocs is that you can easily wipe them clean or wash them with soap and water. Water doesn’t soak into them, so they dry extremely quickly. However, you can find some styles with parts that don’t wipe clean easily, such as faux fur pom-poms.
How much you can expect to spend on Crocs slides
Most cost $20-$40, but you can find some limited editions and collaborations for as much as $100.
Crocs slides FAQ
Are Crocs slides comfortable?
A. Whether footwear is comfortable can vary depending on your foot size and shape. However, the vast majority of wearers find them comfortable.
They’re made of Crocs’ patented lightweight foam, which is soft yet supportive. Some people who find flip-flops uncomfortable due to the post between the toes find slides more pleasant to wear. That said, it’s worth noting that some people have experienced rubbing or chafing, especially those with wide feet.
How should Crocs slides fit?
A. Unlike Crocs clogs that are supposed to be loose, the brand’s slides should fit snugly. Of course, they shouldn’t be uncomfortably tight, but they should fit closely enough so they don’t move around or slip off your feet. If you have to grip with your toes to keep them on your feet, they’re too loose. Use your regular shoe size as a guideline.
How long do Crocs last?
A. Crocs are extremely durable and can last as long as five years of daily wear. Since you’re unlikely to wear sliders daily, all year round, you can expect yours to last as long as a decade if you take care of them properly.
What are the best Crocs slides to buy?
Top Crocs slides
What you need to know: Excellent basic slides, these are great for everyday wear.
What you’ll love: You can choose from black or white. They have a single strap with holes in it for ventilation and displaying charms. They come in over a dozen colors.
What you should consider: They may be slightly loose on people with narrow feet and slightly tight on people with wide feet.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top Crocs slides for the money
Crocs Classic Two-Strap Slides
What you need to know: Thanks to their two-strap design, they stand apart from more common single-strap varieties.
What you’ll love: Easy to wear and easy to clean, these are a great choice for casual wear. They’re durable enough to stand up to regular use. You can choose from over a dozen colors.
What you should consider: They run slightly wide.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
Crocs Classic Cozzzy Platform Fuzzy Slippers Slides
What you need to know: Thanks to their two-strap design, they stand apart from more common single-strap varieties with the added bonus of a soft, fuzzy lining.
What you’ll love: Easy to wear and easy to clean, these are a great choice for when you want a little softness beneath your feat. They have platform lift with a relaxed fit. You can choose from over a dozen colors.
What you should consider: They are washable, but don’t always dry well.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Copyright 2023 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://www.wjhl.com/reviews/br/shoes-br/comfort-br/best-crocs-slides/ | 2023-03-07 23:13:17 | 0 | https://www.wjhl.com/reviews/br/shoes-br/comfort-br/best-crocs-slides/ |
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