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2023-08-01 00:47:37+00:00
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2023-07-31 23:06:00
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wdam.com%2Fprnewswire%2F2023%2F07%2F31%2Ftruecar-releases-second-quarter-2023-financial-results-stockholder-letter%2F.json
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Live call and webcast will occur on August 1 at 9:00 a.m. ET
SANTA MONICA, Calif., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- TrueCar, Inc., (NASDAQ:TRUE) today announced financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2023 in a stockholder letter, which is available HERE and on the TrueCar investor relations website at ir.truecar.com .
TrueCar, Inc. Logo (PRNewswire)
The company will host a call to discuss its second quarter results on Tuesday, August 1 at 9:00 a.m. ET/6:00 a.m. PT. A live webcast of the call will be available through TrueCar's Investor Relations website and the link below.
TrueCar Second Quarter 2023 Live Call and Webcast Details:
Date: Tuesday, August 1, 2023 Time: 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time (6:00 a.m. Pacific Time) Dial-In: 1-833-816-1391 (domestic) 1-412-317-0484 (international) Webcast: Access the live webcast HERE
An archived version of the call will also be available upon completion on the Investor Relations section of TrueCar's website at ir.truecar.com .
TrueCar has used and intends to continue to use its Investor Relations website ( ir.truecar.com ), LinkedIn , Facebook and Twitter as means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD.
About TrueCar
TrueCar is a leading automotive digital marketplace that lets auto buyers and sellers connect to our nationwide network of Certified Dealers. With access to an expansive inventory provided by our Certified Dealers, we are building the industry's most personalized and efficient auto shopping experience as we seek to bring more of the process online. Consumers who visit our marketplace will find a suite of vehicle discovery tools, price ratings and market context on new, used and Certified Pre-Owned vehicles. When they are ready, shoppers in TrueCar's marketplace can connect with a Certified Dealer in our network, who shares our belief that truth, transparency and fairness are the foundation of a great auto shopping experience. As part of our marketplace, TrueCar powers auto-buying programs for over 250 leading brands, including AARP, Sam's Club, Navy Federal Credit Union and American Express.
TrueCar Investor Relations:
investors@truecar.com
TrueCar Public Relations:
Sara Morgan
Senior PR Manager
pr@truecar.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE TrueCar.com
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TrueCar Releases Second Quarter 2023 Financial Results and Stockholder Letter
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2023-08-01 00:47:17+00:00
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2023-07-31 23:35:00
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wdam.com%2Fprnewswire%2F2023%2F07%2F31%2Ffibra-prologis-announces-change-its-technical-committee%2F.json
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MEXICO CITY, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- FIBRA Prologis (BMV:FIBRAPL 14), a leading owner and operator of Class-A industrial real estate in Mexico, today announced that after having served as a member of the Technical Committee for the past years, Gimena Peña Malcampo, will step down as an independent member.
"We appreciate the time and effort that Gimena put on our Technical Committee meetings. Her perspective, in particular on the ESG initiatives, was highly valued," said Luis Gutiérrez, CEO, Prologis Property Mexico.
"Serving on the FIBRA Prologis Technical Committee has been a rewarding experience. I have always admired the company's commitment to innovation and sustainability, and I'm particularly proud of the progress that has been made toward advancing our sustainability-centered goals. It has been my privileged to serve as a board member of this impactful organization," said Mrs. Peña Malcampo.
FIBRA Prologis Manager will announce a replacement to Gimena Peña Malcampo as an independent member of the Technical Committee.
ABOUT FIBRA PROLOGIS
FIBRA Prologis is a leading owner and operator of Class-A industrial real estate in Mexico. As of June 30, 2023, FIBRA Prologis was comprised of 228 logistics and manufacturing facilities in six industrial markets in Mexico totaling 44.2 million square feet (4.1 million square meters) of gross leasable area.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The statements in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the industry and markets in which FIBRA Prologis operates, management's beliefs and assumptions made by management. Such statements involve uncertainties that could significantly impact FIBRA Prologis financial results. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements, which generally are not historical in nature. All statements that address operating performance, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future — including statements relating to rent and occupancy growth, acquisition activity, development activity, disposition activity, general conditions in the geographic areas where we operate, our debt and financial position, are forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Although we believe the expectations reflected in any forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that our expectations will be attained and therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. Some of the factors that may affect outcomes and results include, but are not limited to: (i) national, international, regional and local economic climates, (ii) changes in financial markets, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates, (iii) increased or unanticipated competition for our properties, (iv) risks associated with acquisitions, dispositions and development of properties, (v) maintenance of real estate investment trust ("FIBRA") status and tax structuring, (vi) availability of financing and capital, the levels of debt that we maintain and our credit ratings, (vii) risks related to our investments (viii) environmental uncertainties, including risks of natural disasters, (ix) risks related to the coronavirus pandemic, and (x) those additional factors discussed in reports filed with the "Comisión Nacional Bancaria y de Valores" and the Mexican Stock Exchange by FIBRA Prologis under the heading "Risk Factors." FIBRA Prologis undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements appearing in this release.
Non-Solicitation - Any securities discussed herein or in the accompanying presentations, if any, have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or the securities laws of any state and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements under the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws. Any such announcement does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities discussed herein or in the presentations, if and as applicable.
(PRNewsfoto/FIBRA Prologis) (PRNewswire)
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE FIBRA Prologis
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FIBRA Prologis Announces Change to its Technical Committee
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2023-08-01 01:13:29+00:00
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2023-08-01 00:34:13
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The suspect's bond was set at a total of $250,000 during his initial appearance on Monday afternoon.
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HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WDAM) - Dennis Swails, 18, is now in custody after being charged in connection to the shooting death of a 16-year-old, according to the Hattiesburg Police Department.
Swails is charged with second-degree murder and tampering with evidence. His bond was set at a total of $250,000 on Monday afternoon during his initial appearance in Hattiesburg Municipal Court before Judge Wes Curry.
The suspect has been booked into the Forrest County Adult Detention Center.
The incident happened Saturday on North 19th Ave in Hattiesburg in an all-residential neighborhood.
“I don’t think that there’s any child that is too far gone, that there is hope for every one of them, but if it takes a village, then it takes every single one of us,” said Victor Estudiante, the executive director of the Salvation Army in Hattiesburg.
The organization has a boys and girls program that caters to first graders through high school graduates.
Estudiante said they offer a program that teaches and promotes manhood to help teens who may need additional guidance.
“Passport to Manhood is an educational program that is first and foremost built upon educating people about bullying and understanding what it means to be a bully or to be bullied,” Estudiante said. “And then it explores themselves, it lets them kind of go through life and figure out what it is that led them to this particular point of their life.”
Estudiante says providing good examples for teens can make a difference.
“We’re built on leadership, honesty, and integrity and making sure it’s shown to the students we serve, but also they show it to one another.”
Want more WDAM 7 news in your inbox? Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.
Copyright 2023 WDAM. All rights reserved.
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Community official reacts to Saturday shooting incident in Hattiesburg
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2023-08-01 01:30:51+00:00
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2023-07-31 20:07:00
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Thousands of citizens have to stand in line for hours in order to get some minimum amount of food or essential goods in the severe humanitarian conditions created in Artsakh as a result of the ongoing blockade, Artsakh’s Human Rights Defender Gegham Stepanysn wrote on Facebook.
“In the most difficult humanitarian conditions created in Artsakh as a result of the ongoing blockade, thousands of citizens are forced to stand in line for hours to get some minimal amount of food or basic necessities.
In these crowded queues, cases of fainting are often recorded, which are directly related to the overstressed state of residents, the vulnerability of the immune system in conditions of malnutrition and hot weather.
Our research shows that the number of cases of fainting are increasing. This irrefutably proves that the dire humanitarian situation has catastrophic consequences for public health, putting the lives of thousands of people at risk,”-Stepanyan wrote.
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The number of cases of fainting are increasing-Artsakh’s Ombudsman
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2023-08-01 01:15:43+00:00
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2023-08-01 00:01:55
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gerweck.net%2F2023%2F07%2F31%2Flive-coverage-of-tonights-wwe-raw-237%2F.json
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– The SummerSlam go-home edition of WWE RAW opens live on the USA Network with a graphic in memory of “Exotic” Adrian Street, who passed away on July 24 at the age of 82. We’re now live from the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas as Kevin Patrick welcomes us. He’s joined at ringside by Corey Graves. They hype tonight’s show.
– We go right to the ring and out comes Logan Paul. We see what happened between Paul and Ricochet last week. Patrick hypes their SummerSlam match.
Paul gives a shout-out to Houston, but then insults the fans to boos. He’s not here for brain-dead fans, he’s here for Ricochet. Fans chant “you suck!” now. Paul goes on about how he tried introducing Ricochet to his audience, who are nothing like these fans, as a way to hype their SummerSlam match, but he was victimized. Paul says you can forget about a fight, he’s going to beat Ricochet in the most viral WWE match ever. There’s nothing he won’t… the music interrupts and out comes Ricochet to a pop.
Ricochet says last week he was in Paul’s livestream but he’s in his head this week. He knocks Paul for buying online followers and says no matter how Paul spins it, Paul is not the good guy. Ricochet does respect how Paul is an athlete and a show-man. Paul really appreciates that. He goes to give Ricochet props but a “you suck!” chant interrupts. Paul says Ricochet was one of the best until Paul showed up. Paul talks about their history going back to Royal Rumble and then he shows us a replay of their springboard collision.
Paul agrees they will put on a hell of a match. Paul offers his hand and Ricochet finally shakes it. Ricochet goes to leave but Paul stops him and brings up how Ricochet’s girlfriend Samantha Irvin will announce him as the winner, and he hopes there will be no hard feelings then. Ricochet attacks and takes Paul down, unloading on him. They go at it and Ricochet gets the upperhand. Ricochet goes to the apron and springboards in but Paul decks him in mid-air with a big right hand. Paul stands tall as his music hits while Ricochet is laid out.
– We see what happened last week with Drew McIntyre, Matt Riddle and Imperium. Jackie Redmond is backstage with Imperium now. WWE Intercontinental Champion GUNTHER is not worried about McIntyre, his only concern right now is disappointment with Ludwig Kaiser, who could’ve stopped all this last week. And don’t even get him started with Giovanni Vinci. GUNTHER was ready to end Drew tonight but he’s not here due to a prior commitment, so Kaiser will have the chance to finish that meddling maggot Riddle. GUNTHER says then he will end Drew for good at SummerSlam.
Matt Riddle vs. Ludwig Kaiser
We go back to the ring and out comes Matt Riddle. Back to commercial.
Back from the break and out comes Imperium – Ludwig Kaiser with WWE Intercontinental Champion GUNTHER and Giovanni Vinci. The bell rings and they go at it back & forth to start.
Riddle ends up missing a big kick as Kaiser rolls him up for 2 following several minutes of back & forth. Riddle with a pair of gutwrench suplexes, then they trade chops. Riddle with a Fisherman’s suplex for 2.
Kaiser ends up sending Riddle into the ring post shoulder-first. Kaiser knocks Riddle to the floor with a big dropkick, then follows out with a running European uppercut. GUNTHER yells at Kaiser to finish Riddle. Kaiser stays on him in the ring but Riddle fights back and sends him back to the floor. Riddle with a big kick from the apron, then a big dive off the apron. GUNTHER yells at Kaiser while he’s down and we go back to commercial.
Back from the break and Kaiser is in control. Riddle unloads with strikes and a kick, then the pele kick. Riddle with more signature offense, including the running forearms in the corner, then the Exploder. Riddle with a senton, a kick and a big German suplex for 2.
Riddle with another senton. Kaiser blocks the next senton with his knees. Kaiser mounts offense now until Riddle nails a big kick and the rolling senton for a close 2 count. Kaiser turns it around in the corner, blocking a big boot and chopping away.
Riddle with a Ripcord knee and more offense. Vinci tries to interfere from the apron but Riddle rushes him. Riddle with a big powerbomb to Kaiser, then a knee to the face. Kaiser blocks Bro-Derek and rolls him for 2. They trade strikes and Kaiser is laid out. Riddle goes up top and flies but Kaiser moves as GUNTHER barks at him. Kaiser with a running enziguri, then the big twisting DDT for the pin to win.
Winner: Ludwig Kaiser
– After the match, Kaiser stands tall as the music hits. GUNTHER comes in and shakes Kaiser’s hand. Imperium now poses.
– We see how The Viking Raiders recently defeated Alpha Academy in a six-person Viking Rules match. We now see Maxxine Dupri warming up backstage with her stablemates. We also see Valhalla backstage with The Vikings.
– Still to come, Brock Lesnar and Cody Rhodes are here. Back to commercial.
– Back from the break and Byron Saxton catches up with Logan Paul backstage. Paul says he gave Ricochet just a small taste of what he will get at SummerSlam. Paul promises their match will be one of the most viral in WWE history. Paul says Ricochet always claims to be one step ahead of him… so what happened tonight? Paul says Ricochet looks like a fully grown fetus. He swats Byron’s mic away and walks off.
– We get a lengthy music video on Brock Lesnar and Cody Rhodes.
Valhalla vs. Maxxine Dupri
We go back to the ring and out comes Alpha Academy – Maxxine Dupri with Otis and Chad Gable. Back to commercial.
Back from the break and Maxxine looks on ahead of her singles debut. Out next comes The Viking Raiders – Valhalla with Erik and Ivar. The bell hits and Valhalla immediately launches herself at Dupri with a big knee strike.
Valhalla mounts Dupri with a big punch. The referee holds Valhalla back as Dupri recovers. Dupri with arm drags now as Otis cheers her on. They tangle and Valhalla launches Dupri down into the ropes. Valhalla keeps control for a 2 count.
Valhalla dominates Dupri and grounds her with a submission now as fans begin to rally. Dupri gets out and hits more arm drags, a kick, and a Fisherman’s suplex. Dupri charges and drops Valhalla in the corner. Otis and Gable hype Dupri up from the apron now as she hits The Caterpillar and the elbow drop for 2.
Erik tries to disrupt the pin from the apron, but this causes a ringside brawl to break out between The Vikings and Otis. Gable goes up top and hits a big moonsault to the floor. Valhalla decks a distracted Dupri. Valhalla takes Dupri up top for a superplex but Dupri slides down and walks to the middle of the ring with Valhalla on her shoulders. Dupri drops Valhalla back into a big bridging suplex for the pin to win.
Winner: Maxxine Dupri
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LIVE COVERAGE OF TONIGHT’S WWE RAW
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https://www.gerweck.net/2023/07/31/live-coverage-of-tonights-wwe-raw-237/
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[
"Dawn Magyar",
"Dmagyar Njadvancemedia.Com",
"Nj Advance Media For Nj.Com"
] |
2023-08-01 01:24:20+00:00
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2023-08-01 00:45:00
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lehighvalleylive.com%2Fbusiness%2F2023%2F08%2F16-barbiecore-products-on-sale-during-the-nordstrom-anniversary-sale.html.json
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If you’re a fan of the new “Barbie” movie, you’ll want to checkout these Barbiecore deals from Nordstrom’s “Anniversary Sale.”
Nordstrom has a ton of Barbie-inspired merchandise that is now selling at a deep discount through Sunday, August 6.
The film, which has been a hit with Barbie fans of all ages, has given way to a pink fashion movement among moviegoers seeking out the Barbie vibe.
Nordstrom’s “Anniversary Sale” has plenty of Barbie must-haves, including Margot Robbie’s now-popular white Western boots or all the hair styling tools you need to get Barbie’s locks. Plus, you won’t want to forget to scoop up a pink handbag or pair of pink-hued shoes to complete your Barbiecore look.
Here’s a roundup of some of the best Barbie-inspired deals you can find during Nordstrom’s “Anniversary Sale.”
Barbiecore Clothing
Barbiecore Shoes
Barbiecore Handbags
Barbiecore Beauty Finds
Find more discounts during the Nordstrom “Anniversary Sale.”
RELATED STORIES ABOUT RETAIL AND SHOPPING:
Here’s where to buy Margot Robbie’s pink Birkenstocks in the ‘Barbie’ movie
‘I am Kenough’ Barbie movie hoodie: Where to buy the sweater for $25
Barbie collabs 2023: 47 of the best collections to shop before the movie premiere
Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.
Dawn Magyar can be reached at dmagyar@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips.
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16 Barbiecore products on sale during the Nordstrom ‘Anniversary Sale’
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https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/business/2023/08/16-barbiecore-products-on-sale-during-the-nordstrom-anniversary-sale.html
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2023-08-01 00:45:47+00:00
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2023-07-31 23:30:00
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.uppermichiganssource.com%2Fprnewswire%2F2023%2F07%2F31%2Fchinas-national-medical-products-administration-accepts-astellas-biologics-license-application-zolbetuximab%2F.json
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TOKYO, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Astellas Pharma Inc. (TSE: 4503, President and CEO: Naoki Okamura, "Astellas") today announced that the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) of the China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has accepted the Biologics License Application (BLA) for zolbetuximab, a first-in-class investigational Claudin 18.2 (CLDN18.2)-targeted monoclonal antibody, for first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-negative gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma whose tumors are CLDN18.2-positive. If approved, zolbetuximab would be the first CLDN18.2-targeted therapy available in China for these patients.
Astellas stands on the forefront of healthcare change to turn innovative science into value for patients.(PRNewsFoto/Astellas Pharma Inc.) (PRNewswire)
Moitreyee Chatterjee-Kishore, PhD, MBA, Senior Vice President and Head of Immuno-Oncology Development, Astellas
"China accounts for nearly half of the world's new cases of gastric cancer, with more than 478,000 new cases diagnosed and more than 373,000 deaths in 2020. The CDE's acceptance of our BLA for zolbetuximab brings us one step closer to having a new therapy available for Chinese patients with advanced-stage disease and in need of treatment options."
The BLA is based on results from the Phase 3 GLOW and SPOTLIGHT clinical trials. The GLOW study evaluated zolbetuximab plus CAPOX (a combination chemotherapy regimen that includes capecitabine and oxaliplatin) compared to placebo plus CAPOX. In the GLOW study, 145 patients were randomized in mainland China. The SPOTLIGHT study evaluated zolbetuximab plus mFOLFOX6 (a combination regimen that includes oxaliplatin, leucovorin and fluorouracil) compared to placebo plus mFOLFOX6. In the SPOTLIGHT study, 36 patients were randomized in mainland China.
In both GLOW and SPOTLIGHT, approximately 38% of patients screened for the trials had tumors that were CLDN18.2-positive (≥75% of tumor cells with moderate-to-strong membranous CLDN18 staining intensity), as determined by a validated immunohistochemistry assay.1,2
Astellas has already reflected the impact from this acceptance in its financial forecast of the current fiscal year ending March 31, 2024.
About Locally Advanced Unresectable or Metastatic Gastric and Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer
Gastric cancer, also commonly known as stomach cancer, is the fifth most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide.3 In China, gastric cancer ranks third among incidences of all cancer, with more than 478,000 cases diagnosed and more than 373,000 deaths in 2020.4 Signs and symptoms can include indigestion or heartburn, pain or discomfort in the abdomen, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, bloating of the stomach after meals, loss of appetite, and sensation of food getting stuck in the throat while eating.5 Signs of more advanced gastric cancer can include unexplained weight loss, weakness and fatigue and vomiting blood or having blood in the stool.6 Risk factors associated with gastric cancer can include older age, male gender, family history, H. pylori infection, smoking and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).5,7 Because early-stage gastric cancer symptoms frequently overlap with more common stomach-related conditions, gastric cancer is often diagnosed in the advanced or metastatic stage, or once it has spread from the tumor's origin to other body tissues or organs.5 The five-year relative survival rate for patients at the metastatic stage is 6.6%.8 Gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma is a cancer that starts at the area where the esophagus joins the stomach.9
About Zolbetuximab
Zolbetuximab is an investigational, first-in-class chimeric IgG1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) that targets and binds to Claudin 18.2 (CLDN18.2), a transmembrane protein. Zolbetuximab acts by binding to CLDN18.2 on the cancer cell surface of gastric epithelial cells. In pre-clinical studies, this binding interaction then induces cancer cell death by activating two distinct immune system pathways — antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC).10 Zolbetuximab has not been approved by any regulatory bodies for the treatment of patients with gastric and GEJ cancers, and there is no guarantee the agent will receive regulatory approval or become commercially available for the uses being investigated.
INVESTIGATIONAL STUDIES
About GLOW Phase 3 Clinical Trial
GLOW is a Phase 3, global, multi-center, double-blind, randomized study, assessing the efficacy and safety of zolbetuximab (IMAB362) plus CAPOX (a combination chemotherapy regimen that includes capecitabine and oxaliplatin) compared to placebo plus CAPOX as a first-line treatment in patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-negative gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma whose tumors were CLDN18.2-positive. The study enrolled 507 patients at 166 study locations in the U.S., Canada, United Kingdom, Europe, South America and Asia, including China. The primary endpoint is progression-free survival (PFS) in participants treated with the combination of zolbetuximab plus CAPOX compared to those treated with placebo plus CAPOX. Secondary endpoints include overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR), duration of response (DOR), safety and tolerability and quality-of-life parameters.
Data from the GLOW study were initially presented at the March 2023 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Plenary Series with an updated oral presentation at the 2023 ASCO Annual Meeting on June 3.1
For more information, please visit clinicaltrials.gov under Identifier NCT03653507.
About SPOTLIGHT Phase 3 Clinical Trial
SPOTLIGHT is a Phase 3, global, multi-center, double-blind, randomized study, assessing the efficacy and safety of zolbetuximab (IMAB362) plus mFOLFOX6 (a combination regimen that includes oxaliplatin, leucovorin and fluorouracil) compared to placebo plus mFOLFOX6 as a first-line treatment in patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-negative gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma whose tumors were CLDN18.2-positive. The study enrolled 565 patients at 215 study locations in the U.S., Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Europe, South America and Asia, including China. The primary endpoint is PFS in participants treated with the combination of zolbetuximab plus mFOLFOX6 compared to those treated with placebo plus mFOLFOX6. Secondary endpoints include OS, ORR, DOR, safety and tolerability and quality-of-life parameters.
Data from the SPOTLIGHT clinical trial were presented during the 2023 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Gastrointestinal (GI) Cancers Symposium in an oral presentation on January 19 and were subsequently published in The Lancet on April 14.2
For more information, please visit clinicaltrials.gov under Identifier NCT03504397.
Investigational Pipeline in CLDN18.2
An expanded Phase 2 trial in metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma is in progress. The trial is a randomized, multi-center, open-label study, evaluating the safety and efficacy of investigational zolbetuximab in combination with gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel as a first-line treatment in patients with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma with CLDN18.2-positive tumors (defined as ≥75% of tumor cells demonstrating moderate-to-strong membranous CLDN18 staining based on a validated immunohistochemistry assay). For more information, please visit clinicaltrials.gov under Identifier NCT03816163.
In addition to zolbetuximab, ASP2138 is under development in our Primary Focus Immuno-Oncology. ASP2138 is a bispecific monoclonal antibody that binds to CD3 and CLDN18.2, and it is currently in a Phase 1 trial for people with gastric, GEJ or pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The safety and efficacy of the agent under investigation have not been established for the uses being considered. For more information, please visit clinicaltrials.gov under Identifier NCT05365581.
There is no guarantee that the agent will receive regulatory approval and become commercially available for the uses being investigated.
About Astellas
Astellas Pharma Inc. is a pharmaceutical company conducting business in more than 70 countries around the world. We are promoting the Focus Area Approach that is designed to identify opportunities for the continuous creation of new drugs to address diseases with high unmet medical needs by focusing on Biology and Modality. Furthermore, we are also looking beyond our foundational Rx focus to create Rx+® healthcare solutions that combine our expertise and knowledge with cutting-edge technology in different fields of external partners. Through these efforts, Astellas stands on the forefront of healthcare change to turn innovative science into VALUE for patients. For more information, please visit our website at https://www.astellas.com/en.
Cautionary Notes
In this press release, statements made with respect to current plans, estimates, strategies and beliefs and other statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements about the future performance of Astellas. These statements are based on management's current assumptions and beliefs in light of the information currently available to it and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: (i) changes in general economic conditions and in laws and regulations, relating to pharmaceutical markets, (ii) currency exchange rate fluctuations, (iii) delays in new product launches, (iv) the inability of Astellas to market existing and new products effectively, (v) the inability of Astellas to continue to effectively research and develop products accepted by customers in highly competitive markets, and (vi) infringements of Astellas' intellectual property rights by third parties.
Information about pharmaceutical products (including products currently in development) which is included in this press release is not intended to constitute an advertisement or medical advice.
References
1 Xu RH, Shitara K, Ajani JA, et al. Updates on Abstract 405736: Zolbetuximab + CAPOX in 1L claudin-18.2+ (CLDN18.2+)/HER2− locally advanced (LA) or metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction (mG/GEJ) adenocarcinoma: Primary phase 3 results from GLOW. Presented at: 2023 ASCO Annual Meeting. Abstract 405736.
2 Shitara K, et al. Zolbetuximab plus mFOLFOX6 in patients with claudin-18 isoform 2-positive, HER2-negative, untreated, locally advanced unresectable or metastatic gastric or gastrooesophageal junction adenocarcinoma (SPOTLIGHT): a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, phase 3 trial. The Lancet. Published online April 14, 2023; S0140-6736(23)00620-7.
3 Sung H, et al. Global cancer statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries. CA Cancer J Clin. 2021;71(3):209-49.
4 World Health Organization. Cancer Today. Available at: https://gco.iarc.fr/today/. Last accessed July 18, 2023.
5 American Cancer Society. Signs and symptoms of stomach cancer (01-22-2021). Available at https://www.cancer.org/cancer/stomach-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/signs-symptoms.html. Last accessed July 18, 2023.
6 National Cancer Institute. Gastric cancer treatment (PDQ®): patient version (08-24-2021). Available at https://www.cancer.gov/types/stomach/patient/stomach-treatment-pdq. Last accessed July 18, 2023.
7 American Cancer Society. Esophageal cancer risk factors (06-09-2020). Available at https://www.cancer.org/cancer/esophagus-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html. Last accessed July 18, 2023.
8 National Cancer Institute. Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program. Cancer stat facts: stomach cancer. Available at https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/stomach.html. Last accessed July 18, 2023.
9 American Cancer Society. About esophagus cancer (03-20-2020). Available at https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/CRC/PDF/Public/8614.00.pdf. Last accessed July 18, 2023.
10 Sahin U, et al. FAST: a randomised phase II study of zolbetuximab (IMAB362) plus EOX versus EOX alone for first-line treatment of advanced CLDN18.2-positive gastric and gastro-oesophageal adenocarcinoma. Ann Oncol. 2021;32(5):609-19.
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China's National Medical Products Administration Accepts Astellas' Biologics License Application for Zolbetuximab
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Live call and webcast will occur on August 1 at 9:00 a.m. ET
SANTA MONICA, Calif., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- TrueCar, Inc., (NASDAQ:TRUE) today announced financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2023 in a stockholder letter, which is available HERE and on the TrueCar investor relations website at ir.truecar.com .
TrueCar, Inc. Logo (PRNewswire)
The company will host a call to discuss its second quarter results on Tuesday, August 1 at 9:00 a.m. ET/6:00 a.m. PT. A live webcast of the call will be available through TrueCar's Investor Relations website and the link below.
TrueCar Second Quarter 2023 Live Call and Webcast Details:
Date: Tuesday, August 1, 2023 Time: 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time (6:00 a.m. Pacific Time) Dial-In: 1-833-816-1391 (domestic) 1-412-317-0484 (international) Webcast: Access the live webcast HERE
An archived version of the call will also be available upon completion on the Investor Relations section of TrueCar's website at ir.truecar.com .
TrueCar has used and intends to continue to use its Investor Relations website ( ir.truecar.com ), LinkedIn , Facebook and Twitter as means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD.
About TrueCar
TrueCar is a leading automotive digital marketplace that lets auto buyers and sellers connect to our nationwide network of Certified Dealers. With access to an expansive inventory provided by our Certified Dealers, we are building the industry's most personalized and efficient auto shopping experience as we seek to bring more of the process online. Consumers who visit our marketplace will find a suite of vehicle discovery tools, price ratings and market context on new, used and Certified Pre-Owned vehicles. When they are ready, shoppers in TrueCar's marketplace can connect with a Certified Dealer in our network, who shares our belief that truth, transparency and fairness are the foundation of a great auto shopping experience. As part of our marketplace, TrueCar powers auto-buying programs for over 250 leading brands, including AARP, Sam's Club, Navy Federal Credit Union and American Express.
TrueCar Investor Relations:
investors@truecar.com
TrueCar Public Relations:
Sara Morgan
Senior PR Manager
pr@truecar.com
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TrueCar Releases Second Quarter 2023 Financial Results and Stockholder Letter
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If you are interested, meet by 1 p.m. on Sunday afternoon at Hancock Beach, where the first garden is located. The event is free to attend.
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HANCOCK, Mich. (WLUC) - The Keweenaw chapter of the Wild Ones organization will be holding a walking tour this weekend.
The native garden tour this Sunday will feature three separate gardens around the area. The event is free, and all are welcome.
If you’re interested, meet by 1 p.m. on Sunday at the Hancock Beach parking lot, where the first garden is located. Carpooling is encouraged due to the limited size of the lot.
A bioswale garden in the beach’s parking lot is the first to be checked out, featuring a variety of flowers for pollinators and birds. The two remaining gardens on the tour are being kept a secret, with another in Hancock and the other in Dollar Bay near Point Mills.
“When people get here, they’ll get a map,” said Wild Ones Keweenaw Chapter President Marcia Goodrich. “That tells them directly how to go to them.”
The tour will run until 3 p.m.
“If you’ve never gardened with native plants before, it’ll give you a sense of how beautiful they are and how well they work in a conventional garden,” continued Goodrich. “If you have gardened with native plants, it’ll be really exciting because there’s not that many native gardens around here.”
Goodrich also says that attendees will also be able to ask experienced gardeners questions, ranging from plant species to plant locations.
Additionally, the chapter will be offering a plant sale starting this week, including plants people can find during the tour.
“We’ve got black-eyed susans, lots and lots of monardo, common milkweed,” added Goodrich. “We have Jacob’s ladder and wild blue phlox; these are a couple of shade plants that we haven’t been able to offer in the past.”
Visit the shop and view its offerings here.
Copyright 2023 WLUC. All rights reserved.
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2023-07-31 23:29:45
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Officials said three of the four victims killed in a fiery crash on Friday were siblings.
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CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. (WANF/Gray News) - Three siblings were among four people killed in a crash early Friday morning in Georgia, according to officials.
The three siblings were identified by a family member in a GoFundMe account set up to help pay for funeral expenses.
According to the GoFundMe, 14-year-old Jovany, 18-year-old Brenda, and 21-year-old Carl Pamphile were all killed just after 1 a.m. Friday on I-75 South near the I-285 exit after their vehicle clipped another car, crashed into a tree, and caught fire.
The family’s beloved dog Zoe also died in the crash, according to the GoFundMe.
The fourth person killed in the crash was in the same vehicle as the three other victims but has not yet been identified by officials. According to WANF, the unidentified victim was female.
Donations can be made to the Pamphile family’s GoFundMe account to help support memorial costs for the siblings.
Officials said the person in the clipped car was taken to the hospital to be treated for their injuries. No further information has been released on their condition.
The crash remains under investigation.
Copyright 2023 WANF via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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3 siblings killed after vehicle clips car, smashes into tree, catches fire, family says
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An assessment team will be at the department on Wednesday and Thursday, reviewing aspects of the department including archived evidence, department money handling and officer behavior.
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HOUGHTON, Mich. (WLUC) - The Houghton Police Department is looking to be the second accredited police department in the Upper Peninsula.
The first was the Marquette Police Department in 2018.
A department must meet professional standards to be accredited, with the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police (MACP) handling this process. According to Houghton Police Chief John Donnelly, there are over 100 standards that need to be met to qualify for accreditation.
“It’s set forth through the MACP,” said Donnelly. “They come up with the standards, and then we have to show proof of what we’re doing to make sure that we’re performing at a level to make us accredited.”
Donnelly says accreditation is also a way to improve the department as a whole and build better trust with the community.
“Our policies and procedures were not as strong as they should have been a couple of years ago,” continued Donnelly. “It was something that we recognized as a need to try and strengthen, and this is a wonderful way to not only strengthen our policies and procedures but make sure that we’re actually following them.”
Officer Kirk Mills and Police Administrative Assistant Polly Salmi are to thank for making this all possible, says Donnelly.
An assessment team will be at the department on Wednesday and Thursday this week. Their review will include checking archived evidence, department money handling and officer behavior.
“Our assessors will finish up their process on Thursday,” said Salmi. “They will present whether we should be approved for accreditation to the MACP board.”
Whether the department receives accreditation will be revealed at a Lower Michigan conference in September.
Public opinion is also a key step in the process.
“Part of that process is to have a two-hour, public call session,” added Salmi. “Where people can give their feedback on our department.”
Interested parties can call (906) 481-4630 to give feedback from 9 to 11 a.m. on Thursday morning. There is a five-minute limit.
Copyright 2023 WLUC. All rights reserved.
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MEXICO CITY, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- FIBRA Prologis (BMV:FIBRAPL 14), a leading owner and operator of Class-A industrial real estate in Mexico, today announced that after having served as a member of the Technical Committee for the past years, Gimena Peña Malcampo, will step down as an independent member.
"We appreciate the time and effort that Gimena put on our Technical Committee meetings. Her perspective, in particular on the ESG initiatives, was highly valued," said Luis Gutiérrez, CEO, Prologis Property Mexico.
"Serving on the FIBRA Prologis Technical Committee has been a rewarding experience. I have always admired the company's commitment to innovation and sustainability, and I'm particularly proud of the progress that has been made toward advancing our sustainability-centered goals. It has been my privileged to serve as a board member of this impactful organization," said Mrs. Peña Malcampo.
FIBRA Prologis Manager will announce a replacement to Gimena Peña Malcampo as an independent member of the Technical Committee.
ABOUT FIBRA PROLOGIS
FIBRA Prologis is a leading owner and operator of Class-A industrial real estate in Mexico. As of June 30, 2023, FIBRA Prologis was comprised of 228 logistics and manufacturing facilities in six industrial markets in Mexico totaling 44.2 million square feet (4.1 million square meters) of gross leasable area.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The statements in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the industry and markets in which FIBRA Prologis operates, management's beliefs and assumptions made by management. Such statements involve uncertainties that could significantly impact FIBRA Prologis financial results. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements, which generally are not historical in nature. All statements that address operating performance, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future — including statements relating to rent and occupancy growth, acquisition activity, development activity, disposition activity, general conditions in the geographic areas where we operate, our debt and financial position, are forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Although we believe the expectations reflected in any forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that our expectations will be attained and therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. Some of the factors that may affect outcomes and results include, but are not limited to: (i) national, international, regional and local economic climates, (ii) changes in financial markets, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates, (iii) increased or unanticipated competition for our properties, (iv) risks associated with acquisitions, dispositions and development of properties, (v) maintenance of real estate investment trust ("FIBRA") status and tax structuring, (vi) availability of financing and capital, the levels of debt that we maintain and our credit ratings, (vii) risks related to our investments (viii) environmental uncertainties, including risks of natural disasters, (ix) risks related to the coronavirus pandemic, and (x) those additional factors discussed in reports filed with the "Comisión Nacional Bancaria y de Valores" and the Mexican Stock Exchange by FIBRA Prologis under the heading "Risk Factors." FIBRA Prologis undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements appearing in this release.
Non-Solicitation - Any securities discussed herein or in the accompanying presentations, if any, have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or the securities laws of any state and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements under the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws. Any such announcement does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities discussed herein or in the presentations, if and as applicable.
(PRNewsfoto/FIBRA Prologis) (PRNewswire)
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FIBRA Prologis Announces Change to its Technical Committee
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Katie Hagebusch and Drew Hughes are on their way to Lackland Air force Base in San Antonio, Texas.
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IRON MOUNTAIN, Mich. (WLUC) - Two 2023 Gladstone graduates are set to serve their country.
Katie Hagebusch and Drew Hughes are on their way to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. They were picked up from a recruiting office in Iron Mountain Monday.
Technical Sergeant Ryan Bartlett said Hagebusch will be a member of security forces and Hughes will maintain aircrew flight equipment. He also said, since they’re from the same school, the transition was less stressful.
“I know it was a lot easier for the families to be there for each other and for them to be able to be together as they’re heading down to basic training,” Bartlett said. “Both actually have older siblings in the military.”
During their service, both Drew and Katie will also get their college education.
Copyright 2023 WLUC. All rights reserved.
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2 Gladstone graduates join Air Force
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HOUSTON, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Stellus Capital Investment Corporation (NYSE: SCM) will release its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2023 on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, after the close of the stock market.
(PRNewsFoto/Stellus Capital Investment Corp) (PRNewswire)
Stellus Capital Investment Corporation will host a conference call to discuss these results on Thursday, August 10, 2023 at 10:00 AM, Central Time. The conference call will be led by Robert T. Ladd, Chief Executive Officer, and W. Todd Huskinson, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Compliance Officer, Treasurer, and Secretary.
Conference Call Details
Via Phone: Dial 888-506-0062 (domestic). Use passcode 810825. Starting approximately two hours after the conclusion of the call, a replay will be available through Thursday, August 24, 2023 by dialing 877-481-4010 and entering passcode 48865.
Via Live Webcast: Connect via the Public Company (SCIC) section of our website at www.stelluscapital.com, under the Events tab. A replay of the conference will be available on our website for approximately 90 days.
About Stellus Capital Investment Corporation
The Company is an externally-managed, closed-end, non-diversified investment management company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Company's investment objective is to maximize the total return to its stockholders in the form of current income and capital appreciation by investing primarily in private middle-market companies (typically those with $5.0 million to $50.0 million of EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization)) through first lien, second lien, unitranche and mezzanine debt financing, and corresponding equity investments. The Company's investment activities are managed by its investment adviser, Stellus Capital Management, LLC. To learn more about Stellus Capital Investment Corporation, visit www.stelluscapital.com under the Stellus Capital Investment Corporation link.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Statements included herein may contain "forward-looking statements" which relate to future performance or financial condition. Statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements and are not guarantees of future performance or results and involve a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which change over time. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those described from time to time in filings by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement made herein. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release.
Contacts
Stellus Capital Investment Corporation
W. Todd Huskinson, (713) 292-5414
Chief Financial Officer
thuskinson@stelluscapital.com
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Stellus Capital Investment Corporation Schedules Second Quarter 2023 Financial Results Conference Call
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Results Show an Alternative Twice as Effective Compared to Antidepressant Medications
LONDON, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Flow Neuroscience, the creators of the Flow tDCS headset that provides at-home non-invasive brain stimulation to treat depression, today announced the results of its FDA pivotal clinical trial. The trial results show that the Flow headset was twice as effective as the most commonly-prescribed antidepressants in the treatment of depression.*
In July 2022, Flow received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation, demonstrating the innovative nature of the platform and the significant advantages it offers over existing approved or cleared alternatives. It was the first medical device in the category to achieve this status. Flow is now being reviewed for full FDA approval, which would make this device available as an at-home treatment option in the U.S.
In a study of patients in the US and the UK, the largest-ever clinical trial of its kind, 56% of the participants using the Flow tDCS headset were relieved of all depressive symptoms within 10 weeks**. Daily use of Flow was confirmed to be safe with minimal side effects.
Flow has already been granted regulatory approval in Europe where it is available over the counter via Flow's website and in major UK pharmacies. More than 12,000 people and 100 clinics/hospitals in Europe use Flow today, including NHS partnerships.
Preliminary results include:
The trial sites at the University of Texas and the University of East London measured the effectiveness and safety of the tDCS headset designed by Flow Neuroscience.
173 patients were taken through the at-home treatment program, completely remotely and with minimal supervision, over a 10-week period. This was the largest ever US/UK tDCS study for the treatment of depression.
56% of patients in the treatment group went into remission (complete relief from depression symptoms), and 62% had a clinical response (more than 50% improvement in depressive symptoms.)**
The study showed that participants had greater than three times higher odds of getting substantially better if they got the active treatment vs if they got placebo/sham stimulation, approximately double the average effect size witnessed in the trials for the 21 best-selling antidepressants reviewed by the FDA.
No major side effects were reported from the treatment group.
Flow's study results come at a time when depression is at an all-time high among U.S. adults, but with nearly half of Americans in 2021 reporting they did not seek help for clinical-level mental health issues, citing an increased desire for self-help options. The Flow tDCS headset and treatment is conveniently administered at home five times a week, creating an effective, safe, and accessible treatment option for depression.
How Flow works:
The Flow headset uses a brain-stimulation technique called tDCS to target the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, which is the area of the brain associated with depression.
Depression is associated with lowered activity in the Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (DLPFC). This area of the brain helps regulate mood, and focus, and can even impact sleep and appetite. When this area of the brain has lower activity, these functions are affected.
By delivering a weak electrical current (2 mA) to the DLPFC via electrodes placed on the forehead, activity increases in this part of the brain. This addresses what some researchers believe is one of the physical causes of depression.
Since Flow can target specific brain areas involved in depression directly, users experience little to no side effects compared to antidepressants.
Allan Young (Chair of Mood Disorders, Director of Centre for Affective Disorders in the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience at King's College London) said: "These exciting and encouraging new data raise the prospect of a real advance in the treatment of depression. Major depression is undertreated throughout the world, and all of the currently widely used treatment modalities have significant limitations. The nature of this treatment, being both effective and well tolerated, means that it is a treatment which may be widely adopted and should be a helpful intervention for many people suffering from major depression."
Azhar Zafar (GPA Director of Research, NHS GP, and Senior Lecturer at the University of Buckingham) said: "These findings are incredibly promising and align with the valuable insights gained from utilizing Flow in primary care. Flow has gained significant popularity among our NHS patients, and a considerable number of them willingly opt for Flow when presented with the choice for the treatment of depression with or without pharmacotherapy. This positive reception speaks volumes about the effectiveness and patient satisfaction associated with Flow."
Flow Neuroscience co-founder Daniel Månsson said: "Depression is one of the most common mood disorders, and unfortunately, it is also one of the hardest to treat. Our core mission was to create a treatment that is effective and accessible to as many people as possible in their own homes, with little to no side effects. The results of this clinical trial show how effective this treatment has become and how breakthroughs are still possible in the treatment of depression."
Corey Keller (Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University) said: 'These results show clear separation of active and sham treatment arms in a large, multisite, randomized controlled trial for at-home low-intensity brain stimulation for depression. Flow's novel brain stimulation approach could offer valuable opportunities for individuals to manage their depression from home effectively, signaling a very promising development in mental health treatment.'
Visit www.flowneuroscience.com to find out more information about Flow's first at-home depression treatment.
Key Stats about Flow Neuroscience:
12,000+ real-world users in UK and Europe
Live in 100+ clinics and hospitals in UK and Europe
8 million minutes of stimulation using the Flow headset and over 260,000 stimulation sessions
Flow attracts users from all ages and walks of life, with over one-third of users above 50 years of age
More About Flow Neuroscience
Founded in 2016, Flow Neuroscience's mission is to develop new ways to combat mental health issues with science and technology. The Flow headset is a medication-free treatment for depression, the leading cause of disability in the world. It combines a brain stimulation wearable and an app-based therapy program to create a new effective, safe, and affordable way to treat depression, at home. The Flow headset offers a treatment you can take with you from your home to your office to your everyday. On average, the majority of Flow headset users see significant improvements within 4 to 6 weeks of treatment.
Notes to Editors:
*Based on a comparison of odds ratios, a standardized way of comparing clinical trials and a form of measurement for the difference in effect between treatment and placebo. The study showed that participants had greater than three times higher odds of getting substantially better if they got the active treatment vs if they got placebo/sham stimulation, approximately double the average effect size witnessed in the trials for the 21 best-selling antidepressants reviewed by the FDA.
**Measured by the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). The trial was also measured by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-17), and results demonstrated 45% clinical remission and 55% had an improvement of at least 50%.
Media Contact: flowneuroscience@greenbrier.partners
View original content:
SOURCE Flow
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Flow Neuroscience Achieves Groundbreaking Results for Depression Treatment in Clinical Trial
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"Alex Arger"
] |
2023-08-01 01:19:16+00:00
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2023-07-31 20:28:00
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A Japanese man spent $14,000 to become a Border Collie.
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Don't be fooled by the furry exterior: Some dogs aren't all what they seem. In fact, one isn't even a dog at all.
It's a conundrum making the rounds online after a Japanese man wearing a hyper-realistic Border Collie outfit took a stroll outdoors and posted a YouTube video of the excursion, garnering more than 4.6 million views in the 10 days it's been online.
The footage was filmed last year for an interview with a German TV station according to the video description, and the dog/man, identified only as Toco, released it to the public this month after getting permission to post it.
The video under the account name "I want to be an animal" shows Toco getting pets around town while walking on four legs in the costume.
In a video posted last year, Toco said he had "a vague dream of becoming an animal" ever since he was a child and that he chose to become a collie because it's his favorite breed and is larger in size, comparable to a human.
This childhood dream prompted him to spend around $14,000 to have specialist costume company Zeppet create the outfit in 2022. The Japanese company is known for creating models and suits for films and commercials, but this was a custom, personal order, according to its website.
Zeppet's site also lists personal comments Toco made during and after the 40-day building process.
"I suppose creating a four-legged model for a two-legged human is extremely tricky, as our skeletal structure is quite different from canines," Toco said upon completion of the project. "I was therefore naturally worried about how it would turn out. After various trials and errors of the studio, however, the final result was brilliant and very satisfactory."
But despite the long-lived goal and its online virality, Toco still hopes to remain anonymous behind his animal persona.
In an interview with the Mirror, he said, "I rarely tell my friends because I am afraid they will think I am weird. My friends and family seemed very surprised to learn I became an animal."
And comments on the recent YouTube video seem to echo his fears. While some users were curious and supportive, others were concerned, with one user saying "I've worked with animals for 15 years now and this is the creepiest animal related thing I've ever seen."
Trending stories at Scrippsnews.com
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Man transformed into Border Collie takes a walk for the first time
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https://www.wtkr.com/man-transformed-into-border-collie-takes-a-walk-for-the-first-time
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[
"Alex Arger"
] |
2023-08-01 01:19:34+00:00
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2023-07-31 19:33:00
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U.S. national team cyclist Magnus White was training for the mountain bike world championships when he was struck by a vehicle near his home.
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A 17-year-old American cyclist was killed Saturday when a car hit him as he was training.
Magnus White, who was deemed a "rising star" in the sport, was cycling on the shoulder of a highway in his hometown of Boulder, Colorado, Sunday when he was struck by a car, USA Cycling said.
The national team athlete had been in final training preparations for his first Junior Men's Mountain Bike Cross-Country World Championships, which is set for Aug. 10 in Glasgow, Scotland.
White was an avid cyclist from an early age and had a knack for off-road cycling.
He specialized in cyclocross, which is a cross between road cycling, mountain biking and steeplechase, and won the junior national championship in the sport in 2021. He went on to complete a season with the USA Cycling National Team and competed in two cyclocross world championships: one in 2022 in Fayeteville, Arkansas, and another in January in Hoogerheide, Netherlands.
"We offer our heartfelt condolences to the White family, his teammates, friends, and the Boulder community during this incredibly difficult time. We ride for Magnus," USA Cycling said in a statement.
White is survived by his parents and a brother. Friends of the family have organized a GoFundMe in his memory.
SEE MORE: Man travels across the country by bike with cat
Trending stories at Scrippsnews.com
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Rising cyclist star dies at 17 after being hit by car while training
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[
"Jay Greene"
] |
2023-08-01 01:19:22+00:00
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2023-07-31 21:10:00
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A Newport News man is accused in the death of a North Carolina physician. It all started just before 2:45 p.m. Sunday when Eden police said they got a call about a shooting at Freedom Park.
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EDEN, N.C. — A Newport News man is accused in the death of a North Carolina physician.
It all started just before 2:45 p.m. Sunday when Eden police said they got a call about a shooting at Freedom Park.
At the scene, officers found Gwendolyn Lavonne Riddick, 40, of Eden, with multiple gunshot wounds, police said. First responders took her to UNC- Rockingham where she died.
Police said they arrested John Michael Powell, 35, of Newport News, Virginia, as he was trying to leave the scene.
In a press release, Eden police said Powell and Riddick have a child together, and authorities believe the shooting was a result of a domestic issue.
Powell is charged with first-degree murder and also faces a count of discharging a weapon into occupied property, according to Eden police.
UNC Health confirmed to News 3 Riddick was a member of UNC Women’s Health at Eden. She joined as an OB/GYN in 2021.
"UNC Health was saddened to learn about the tragic loss of Dr. Gwendolyn Riddick, a much-loved OB/GYN with UNC Women's Health at Eden," said Alan Wolf, a spokesperson for UNC Health. "Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones. We will provide support for her teammates and patients."
Powell was being held without bond and is set to appear in court on Aug. 8.
Eden police are asking anyone with information about the case to call 336-623-9755 or 336-623-9240.
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North Carolina OB/GYN killed in shooting; Newport News man charged, police say
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https://www.wtkr.com/news/north-carolina-ob-gyn-killed-in-shooting-newport-news-man-charged-police-say
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[
"Scripps News Staff"
] |
2023-08-01 01:19:28+00:00
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2023-07-31 20:59:00
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A lack of precipitation coupled with extreme heat has contributed to major stress on the iconic saguaro cactuses.
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Record high temperatures in many parts of the United States have contributed to major stress on plants, animals and humans. The extreme heat, coupled with a lack of rainfall, has caused problems with Arizona's iconic saguaro cacti.
SEE MORE: Extreme heat expected to be costly, especially in Texas
The Desert Botanical Garden in Arizona said that the condition of its cacti have been affected because of the lack of precipitation and record high sustained heat conditions.
Temperatures in Phoenix have held above 100 degrees Fahrenheit for weeks. On Monday night temperatures calmed down, hovering in the 80s after much needed rain visited the area.
Experts say the high heat puts excessive stress on the cacti, despite their ability to survive in desert climates. While they might experience some respite during the night in the cooler desert air, extreme heat during the day can tend to suffocate the cacti, experts say.
The saguaro cactus is native to the Sonoran Desert and are considered giants among cactus species.
The area's Tohono O’odham nation considers the iconic cactus not as plants, but as respected members of their group, the National Parks Service writes.
They can grow at altitudes of up to 4,000 feet above sea level. "Saguaro forests" are seen in more abundance around the Ajo Mountain Drive area of Arizona.
But experts say that continued hikes in heat over time could cause new generations of the cactus giants not to be able to grow at all.
Trending stories at Scrippsnews.com
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Record heat contributes to killing off iconic saguaro cactuses
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https://www.wtkr.com/record-heat-contributes-to-killing-off-iconic-saguaro-cactuses
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[
"Stephanie Sandoval"
] |
2023-08-01 01:19:40+00:00
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2023-07-31 20:26:00
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Yellow Corp., one of the largest freight companies in the U.S., said it was closing operations and filing for bankruptcy on Monday.
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One of the largest trucking companies in the country shut down over the weekend, leaving tens of thousands of people without jobs at the start of the work week.
The Teamsters Union said Monday that Yellow Corp. informed them the 99-year-old company was shuttering operations and filing for bankruptcy, despite receiving a $700 million pandemic loan just three years ago.
Scripps News reached out to Yellow to confirm but did not hear back. No bankruptcy filings have gone live yet.
Yellow employs 30,000 people nationwide including 22,000 union workers. But one worker in Nashville says he arrived at work without hearing anything about the status of his job.
"They haven't told us they're out of business yet, they haven't told us what they're doing, filing bankruptcy or whatever," said Danny Smallridge. "I'm in pretty good shape myself and I know I'll be taken care of but a lot of my union brothers and sisters — they're not in the same boat as I am and that's heartbreaking. Shame on the company."
Another worker went viral over the weekend after a video showed his emotional reaction to learning he'd leave Yellow with no pension despite spending 30 years on the job.
In a statement, Teamsters president Sean O'Brien called the news "unfortunate but not surprising." He added Yellow "has historically proven that it could not manage itself despite billions of dollars in worker concessions and hundreds of millions in bailout funding from the federal government. This is a sad day for workers and the American freight industry,”
SEE MORE: Lumber prices could surge again due to too few lumber workers
Yellow is the nation's third largest carrier of small freight, earning $5 billion in revenue a year, according to its website, serving major customers like Walmart and Home Depot.
But after a series of failed cost-cutting measures to stay afloat, Yellow saw customers leave in droves. According to the Associated Press, the company is now $1.5 billion in debt with $729.2 million owed to the federal government.
This, despite the government handing Yellow a $700 million pandemic loan just three years ago.
Mike Regan, the co-founder of TranzAct technologies, which helps companies manage their supply chains, says Yellow used most of that money to round out pension plans and extend the life of its equipment.
But in June, a congressional investigation found the Treasury and Defense departments "made missteps" in giving Yellow the loan, with auditors calling the handout "reactive at best" and saying it "may not be the best course of action to protect taxpayer funds."
Regan says Yellow's problems arose decades ago after the company acquired rival companies and put them under one roof.
"When they bought Roadway, it was like having the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears come together to form a football team. You had basically people that competed against each other, were enemies, then you brought them together and said 'we're going to play nice,'" he said. "If you don't have your culture synchronized, I don't care what your strategy is, it's not going to work because you have disparate parties."
SEE MORE: Wage and salary increases in the US slowed down
He added that problems worsened when Yellow tried to reduce its debt and eliminate financial redundancies by shutttering 24 of its 300 truck terminals.
Regan says that considering some of the locations were as valuable as $80 million, it could've helped the company with some of its money troubles. But Teamsters, which was angered by the course of action, said the move would lead to unnecessary job cuts.
Regan says Yellow's latest setback came from the threat of a union strike over health care benefits when the company missed a $50 million welfare and pension fund payment. Teamsters said they'd strike if Yellow didn't make the payment.
"That basically was the death knell for Yellow because if you're a shipper, one of the things that you don't want to do is have freight trapped in a system when the carrier's not operating," said Regan.
The shutdown could mean shipping delays for consumer because many shippers relied solely on Yellow's vast terminal network to move is products.
"In the LTL (Less-than-truckload) industry, your capacity is driven by your terminal network, the amount of doors that you have available to clear freight," said Regan. "The reason this is a big deal for shippers is because some shippers had Yellow [as their] one carrier. Well, they may take three or four carriers now to replace that Yellow volume because of the network."
Regan says more carriers sharing doors could mean greater delays, leading to price increases to make up for the gap.
Trending stories at Scrippsnews.com
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Shipping company Yellow is closing down, putting thousands out of work
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[
"Hendrik Bittorf"
] |
2023-08-01 01:07:34+00:00
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2023-07-31 18:28:04
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DALLAS — Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL)-based Vistara (UK) no longer operates flights with its Boeing 737-800s. The airline has owned three 737-800s since 2019 and has now floated out the last remaining one.
On July 26, the only remaining 9.97-old 737-800 with the registration VT-VGE carried out its last flight for Vistara. It went from Kochi International Airport (COK) to Delhi Airport (DEL). The airline relies on modern Airbus narrowbodies.
Vistara VT-TTN Airbus A320. Photo: Ratchapon Pipitsombat/Airways
Fleet Upgrade
The flotation of nine Boeing 737-800 took place after the bankruptcy of Jet Airways (9W) in 2019. The Boeing 737 was used to increase capacity while UK waited for new Airbus aircraft. A year later, however, the first Boeings were floated out again.
At the beginning of 2023, the Indian airline had only three of them but retired VT-TGH in February and VT-TGB in May.
Most recently, VT-TGE operated UK885/886 between Kochi and Delhi and UK895/896 between Thiruvananthapuram and Delhi. These flights are now served by an A320-200N.
After the last Boeing 737-800s has been floated out, the airline, owned by Singapore Airlines (SQ) and the Tata-Group, 49% and 51% respectively, still has 59 aircraft left and many more ordered from Airbus.
Vistara now operates a fleet of forty-six A320-200Ns, nine A321-200NX, one A321-200NX(LR), and four Boeing 787-9s.
Featured image: Luxury Indian Traveler via YouTube.
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Vistara Ends Boeing 737-800 Operations
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[
"Joshua Kupietzky",
"Joshua Kupietzky Has A Passion For Aviation",
"Deep Expertise In The Aviation Industry. He S Been Enamored With The Facts",
"Figures Of The Airline Industry",
"The Details Of The Make",
"Model Of Commercial Aircraft For As Long As He Can Remember. Based In Chicago",
"Us. Follow Him On Instagram"
] |
2023-08-01 01:07:21+00:00
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2023-07-31 19:41:08
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https%3A%2F%2Fairwaysmag.com%2Fjet-airways-revival-aoc-renewal%2F.json
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DALLAS — On Monday, the Jalan-Kalrock Consortium, the winning bidder for bankrupt Jet Airways (9W), obtained the renewal of the airline’s air operator certificate (AOC) from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
This paves the way for the grounded passenger airline to revive its services in India. Furthermore, India’s Supreme Court has instructed the airline to reinstate 169 of its temporary workers with full wages, according to The Economic Times.
In a statement published in the Hindustan Times, the Jalan-Kalrock Consortium commented, “The Jalan and Kalrock Consortium remains fully dedicated to the revival of Jet Airways and is committed to implementing a comprehensive strategy to ensure the airline’s success. JKC will continue to work closely with all relevant authorities, industry partners, and stakeholders in reviving Jet Airways in the coming weeks.”
A Jet Airways Boeing 737-800 on approach to Singapore Changi Airport in 2010. Photo: Aldo Bidini, GFDL 1.2
About Jet Airways
Jet Airways launched operations in 1993 and became known for premium air travel for discerning travelers in India. The airline was known for its high-quality service and pioneered new services to the Indian aviation market, including business-class lounges and in-flight entertainment.
Before suspending operations in April 2019, the airline flew to over 65 destinations throughout Southeast Asia, North America, the Middle East, and Europe with 124 narrow and wide-body aircraft.
Jet Airways was then revived under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code under the National Company Law Tribunal, which settles company disputes and the structures and laws of the companies. In a first in Indian aviation history, an airline is being revived under the same name after being grounded for an extended period.
Following the insolvency resolution process, Jalan-Kalrock Consortium emerged as the winning bidder for the grounded airline. With that said, the ownership transfer to the consortium has yet to occur due to persisting differences between the airline’s lenders and the consortium.
On May 20, 2022, the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) was re-issued to 9W. However, because the airline did not start operations, the AOC expired on May 19, 2023. So the renewal of the AOC revalidates the confidence of the Indian aviation regulator in the revival of 9W.
Première Class on board the Boeing 777-300ER. Photo: By Schuey from London, London – the layout, CC BY 2.0
Revival Plans
Following the AOC, 9W plans to reinforce its commitment to revive ‘India’s most admired airline,’ the company said in a press statement. However, the renewal of the flying permit only lasts until September, and the airline’s fate is still uncertain. Jet Airways has stated that it plans to operate as a full-service carrier in a two-class cabin configuration, including a business class cabin that meets global standards and a new-generation economy class.
Jet Airways’ fleet consists of old and primarily defunct aircraft. Moreover, the consortium has not leased or purchased a single aircraft in addition to not paying any of the airline’s dues. The clearance comes when Jalan-Kalrock Consortium’s deadlock with 9W’s banks continues in court.
The banks have stated that the consortium hasn’t repaid any money to creditors. At the same time, Jalan-Kalrock Consortium believes that lenders have prevented the transfer of ownership and have challenged every effort it has made to begin operations at 9W. The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal will hear the final round of arguments on August 7.
Jet Airways’ closure was a significant setback for the Indian aviation industry and left a massive vacancy in the market. This has now been filled by other airlines such as Air India (AI), Vistara (UK), and Indigo (6E). With that said 9W’s return to the skies would be a welcome development for the Indian aviation industry.
Jet Airways would be the first Indian airline to be revived after ceasing operations.
Featured image: A Jet Airways Boeing 777-300ER on approach to London Heathrow Airport in 2012. Photo: Robert Underwood – VT-JEH@LHR 18AUG12, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Jet Airways Revival Back on Track With AOC Renewal
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[
"Siddharth Ganesh"
] |
2023-08-01 01:07:28+00:00
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2023-07-31 08:33:40
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https%3A%2F%2Fairwaysmag.com%2Fkorean-air-own-beer%2F.json
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DALLAS — Korean Air (KE) ventures into a new product available to its customers, a lager beer. In a partnership with Playground Brewery, the airline’s branded beer, ‘KAL’s Lager,’ will be available at Korean Air’s lounges at Seoul Incheon (ICN) and Gimpo International Airport (GMP) from July 27.
KAL’s lager will make it to the beverage cart from September onwards for those flying with the airline.
“The beer embodies a delightful harmony of tropical fruit aromas and a refreshing taste, delivering a smooth and enjoyable drinking experience. The lager is packaged in a can that captures the excitement of travel, featuring an aircraft soaring in the blue sky,” the airline states.
Images: Korean Air.
A Unique Experience
“We’ve been working on this initiative since April this year. We wanted to launch a premium craft beer for the summer season that could promote our brand and give our customers a unique experience,” said Korean Air to Airways.
KAL’s Lager will be available for sale at Emart24 convenience stores and its mobile application.
In 2019, British Airways (BA) teamed up with BrewDog to create “Speedbird100,” a special IPA beer commemorating the carrier’s centenary. In January 2021, it launched a follow-up, “JetStream,” an “easy-drinking American Pale Ale, made for travel.”
Meanwhile, in May 2023, German leisure carrier, Condor (DE) also brought its own beer onboard. The so-called “Ferien Lager” was aimed to be a perfect holiday companion after partnering up with BrewDog, the experimental beer brand from Berlin.
Remember to always drink responsibly!
Featured Image: Korean Air
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[
"Lee Cross",
"European Deputy Editor",
"Writer",
"Aviation Fanatic",
"Airways European Deputy Editor",
"Lee Is A Plant Geek",
"Part-Time Flight Attendant For A Uk-Based Airline. Based In Liverpool",
"United Kingdom."
] |
2023-08-01 01:07:15+00:00
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2023-07-31 11:57:18
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https%3A%2F%2Fairwaysmag.com%2Fazerbaijan-airlines-buta-airways-merge%2F.json
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DALLAS – Azerbaijan Airlines (J2) has announced that it will retire its Buta Airways (J2) low-cost brand in October 2023. The Baku-based flag carrier will replace the airline with a new no-frills fare class known as ‘Buta Budget’ onboard its own metal under the single brand – AZAL.
Buta Airways was created in 2016. It currently operates a fleet of seven Embraer E190s on routes across Russia, Turkey and the Middle East. No announcement has been made regarding the future of the E190 within the reorganised carrier.
The two carriers will merge in October. Photo: Azerbaijan Airways.
Single Brand
Speaking of the move, Azerbaijan Airlines said that “The merger will include the best qualities of both airlines, further expand the opportunities for our passengers to travel at affordable prices, as well as ensure that our customers can plan their trips comfortably and increase the level of service provided to them.
“All Buta Airways flights will be offered under the single AZAL brand with the same affordable prices as they are currently available but with a superior level of service.”
Earlier this year, Azerbaijan Airlines announced that it had ordered 12 Airbus A320neo family aircraft, including the larger A321, and eight new Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Currently, the carrier operates a fleet of 15 Airbus jets, including four A319ceos, six A320ceos, and two A340s. The new aircraft will be used to enhance its domestic and international network. It also has a single Boeing 757, two 767s and a pair of 787-8s.
Further information regarding the combined carriers is set to follow in due course.
Featured Image: 4K-AZ79 Azerbaijan Airbus A320 CDG/LFPG. Photo: Tony Borelais/Airways.
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[
"Bob D'Angelo",
"Cox Media Group National Content Desk"
] |
2023-08-01 01:02:29+00:00
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2023-08-01 00:26:52
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.y100fm.com%2Fnews%2Ftrending%2Fi-was-shaking-like-an-earthquake-bull-shark-attacks-fishing-boat-8-times%2FQXLRKSUSENHHPDNKQVMWIMKB2E%2F.json
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Bull shark: A bull shark tried to take a bite out of the back of a boat as fishermen attempted to catch cobia. (Joseph Prezioso/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
PALM BEACH, Fla. — Well, it is Shark Week.
>> Read more trending news
A fisherman said he was “shaking like an earthquake” when a bull shark recently attacked his boat in the Atlantic Ocean off the east coast of Florida, USA Today reported.
Joshua Jorgensen, who hosts the BlacktipH Fishing show on YouTube from Palm Beach Gardens, used a drone to capture aerial footage of the shark bashing into the back of boat. The agitated shark thumped the boat of Jorgensen’s friend, Carl Torresson, at least eight times, Fox News reported.
Jorgensen filmed two large cobia swimming with a bull shark circling nearby, the news outlet reported. The video that Jorgensen posted to Instagram shows the fishermen casting their lines into the water -- and then the shark became aggressive.
“I was flying my drone at the beach and spotted two huge cobia swimming with a bull shark. Cobia is one of the best-tasting fish in the ocean,” Jorgensen said in the video. “So I called my buddy Carl, and he raced over to try (to) catch them.
“I was following his boat with my drone and then all of a sudden the shark attacked his engines.”
Jorgensen added that the shark initially attacked the boat five times and “then came back for more.”
The shark attacked the boats a total of eight times, Jorgensen said, according to USA Today.
“We’re thinking, you know, maybe he grabbed the propeller,” Torresson said in the video. “We weren’t expecting the damage that we had when we got back to the dock, and it was just astronomical. The whole middle of the engine’s completely ripped out. The trim tab’s broken.
“And I didn’t think a shark could actually shake a boat like that. The boat was shaking like a bag of popcorn. Like literally, I was shaking like an earthquake. I was like, what’s going on? I went back there and I noticed it was a shark doing it. I’m like, are you kidding me? This is like a ride from Universal Studios.”
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‘I was shaking like an earthquake’: Bull shark attacks fishing boat 8 times
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https://www.y100fm.com/news/trending/i-was-shaking-like-an-earthquake-bull-shark-attacks-fishing-boat-8-times/QXLRKSUSENHHPDNKQVMWIMKB2E/
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[
"Bob D'Angelo",
"Cox Media Group National Content Desk"
] |
2023-08-01 01:02:22+00:00
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2023-07-31 23:45:13
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.y100fm.com%2Fnews%2Ftrending%2Fexotic-adrian-street-flamboyant-pro-wrestler-dead-82%2FIBX4XC6TURF7VHLQX454O5IBQE%2F.json
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Adrian Street: Pro wrestler Adrian Street, left, posed with his coal miner father in 1974. "Too dark down there, I was born for the spotlight," Street said about the coal mines. (Dennis Hutchinson/Mirrorpix/Getty Images)
“Exotic” Adrian Street, a flamboyant professional wrestler who dressed like a glam rocker but exhibited the toughness of his Welsh roots as the son of a coal miner, died July 24, his family confirmed. He was 82.
>> Read more trending news
Street had recently undergone brain surgery, the BBC reported.
Born on Dec. 5, 1940, in Brynmawr, Wales, Street was known for his androgynous appearance and claimed to have wrestled in more than 12,000 bouts during his seven-decade career, according to The Guardian.
A genre-bending pioneer whose larger-than-life presence and ruthlessness between the ropes changed the wrestling world forever. Honored to have called Adrian Street a friend.
My thoughts are with Miss Linda and the family, friends and fans of Adrian Street. pic.twitter.com/fQrbWPem8p — Triple H (@TripleH) July 31, 2023
“His flamboyant style entertained audiences and reimagined what was possible in sports-entertainment,” WWE said in a statement.
Street would enter the ring with his longtime manager and future wife, Miss Linda, garbed in pastels and glitter, wearing lipstick and sporting brightly dyed hair while wearing a feather boa, The Guardian reported.
Street was “the kindest, most loving man you could ever meet,” his wife told the BBC on Sunday. “The total opposite to how he behaved on stage.”
He refused to follow in the footsteps of his father, who worked in the coal mines of Wales, according to the BBC.
“Too dark down there, I was born for the spotlight,” Street once confessed in an interview.
WWE is saddened to learn that Adrian Street has passed away.
WWE extends its condolences to Street’s family, friends, and fans.https://t.co/DjCT1ESCnE pic.twitter.com/2cUspIV58i — WWE (@WWE) July 31, 2023
Former WWE wrestler Paul “Triple H” Levesque, who is currently an executive with the wrestling promotion, called Street “a genre-bending pioneer whose larger-than-life presence and ruthlessness between the ropes changed the wrestling world forever.”
As a teenager, Street ran away from home and began wrestling in London, billed as “Kid Tarzan Jonathan,” the BBC reported.
I’m deeply saddened to hear of the passing of my friend and truly a one off talent Adrian Street. My deepest condolences to Linda and Adrian’s family. Rest well.x — William Regal (@RealKingRegal) July 31, 2023
Later returning to his real name, Street became a wrestling “heel,” antagonizing fans with his appearance and rough tactics. He further infuriated fans with his flamboyant costumes that was a precursor to glam rockers like David Bowie, Marc Bolan and Gary Glitter, according to The Guardian.
Street ignored the catcalls, skipping around the ring and planting lipstick kisses on his opponents’ foreheads before smashing them into the canvas, the BBC reported.
Street later moved to Florida, where he and his wife started a costume-making business called The Bizarre Bizarre, the news outlet reported. He also founded a wrestling school, the Skull Krushers Academy.
Street was featured in a 2019 biopic, “You May Be Pretty, But I Am Beautiful,” The Guardian reported.
©2023 Cox Media Group
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‘Exotic’ Adrian Street, flamboyant pro wrestler, dead at 82
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[
"Ross Dellenger",
"Yahoo Sports"
] |
2023-08-01 01:02:07+00:00
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2023-07-31 23:45:28
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.y100fm.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fsources-notre-dame%2FQV2IIDIEYMCRWWMG7X5QWZDSCI%2F.json
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COLLEGE FOOTBALL: APR 23 Notre Dame Spring Game SOUTH BEND, IN - APRIL 23: A detail view of a Notre Dame Fighting Irish helmet is seen during the Notre Dame Blue-Gold Spring Football Game on April 23, 2022 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, IN. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) (Icon Sportswire/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The richest apparel deal in college athletics belongs to the Golden Dome.
Notre Dame and Under Armour are extending their relationship, agreeing to a new 10-year contract that puts the Irish at the top of college sports with a price tag of more than $10 million annually in cash and gear, sources told Yahoo Sports.
Notre Dame and Under Armour officials declined to comment.
Notre Dame, in the final year of its previous 10-year contract with Under Armour, hit the open market this spring after the expiration of the exclusive negotiating window with UA. Under Armour won a bidding war against the other top two apparel brands in the country, Adidas and Nike.
A win for UA founder and chairman Kevin Plank, UA lands one of the country’s most valuable brands again. The school and apparel brand have been partners since 2014, when UA replaced Adidas as Notre Dame’s apparel outfit in what was at the time believed to be the most lucrative apparel contract in college athletics history, a deal thought to be around $90 million.
This one exceeds that amount and vaults the Irish to the top of college sports, alongside the likes of Texas (Nike), Kansas (Adidas), Louisville (Adidas), Ohio State (Nike), Nebraska (Adidas) and Michigan (Nike) — all schools with deals believed to range from $8-$10 million a year.
Financial details of apparel contracts are not always clear. Some are not publicized and others were impacted by the COVID pandemic. But the Irish’s deal is expected to exceed all others in the market.
Apparel deals are revenue-generating giants for some of the most elite college athletic departments. In normal cases, apparel companies pay an annual licensing fee ranging from $5-10 million in cash for some of the powerhouses in college football and men’s basketball. In some deals, the school receives a cut of royalties from merchandise sales (usually 10-15%). Most agreements require the company to outfit that school’s athletic teams with $2-5 million in gear each year, as well as discounts in merchandise purchases.
Over the last several years, Under Armour has withdrawn from being a major player in college athletics. The Baltimore-based outlet has canceled deals with UCLA, Cal, Hawaii and Cincinnati, and Boston College ended its relationship with the company by signing with New Balance and Adidas.
Despite the past setbacks, Under Armour recently released figures that show its 2023 fiscal year revenue is up 3 percent to $5.9 billion. The company continues to outfit a handful of major college programs, including Auburn, Wisconsin, South Carolina, Utah and Texas Tech. But its crown jewel is Notre Dame.
Like its independence within the sport and exclusive television contract with NBC, Notre Dame officials enjoy being the apparel company’s most valuable and featured brand. But the final determination in the decision was price, and Under Armour well outpaced the other offers, sources told Yahoo Sports.
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Sources: Notre Dame, Under Armour agree to richest apparel deal in college athletics
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[
"Shalise Manza Young",
"Yahoo Sports"
] |
2023-08-01 01:02:00+00:00
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2023-07-31 23:18:44
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.y100fm.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fsexist-remarks-radio%2FFDNFA6SUNXKVXOES3EO4CYZDIA%2F.json
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There is skill to reading a room, and not everyone is good at it. But it doesn't take a Harvey Specter-level ability at reading people and situations (thanks, Netflix) to realize that making sexist and demeaning jokes toward a female reporter, on the air, as a member of the Washington Commanders' flagship radio station, a week after a new ownership group came in with a mandate to clean up the toxic environment around the team, is an epically dumb idea.
And yet, here we are.
While broadcasting from Commanders training camp on Thursday, sports radio host Don Geronimo (real name Michael Sorce) called out to reporter Sharla McBride by referring to her as "Barbie girl" and later as "that chick." He also assumed the reporter was a cheerleader instead of a woman trying to do her job for WUSA-9, the CBS affiliate in Washington. Geronimo and Young were initially told not to come back to camp, and after a quick "internal review," iHeart Media D.C., which owns WBIG, fired Geronimo, who had recently announced a new contract that was to take him through 2026.
McBride has blond hair and is pretty, and Barbie is definitely having a moment this summer thanks to the blockbuster movie. But McBride is a career journalist who has been in the Washington market for three years and was awarded an Emmy last month for her work at WUSA. She was at Commanders camp to do her job: deliver the news of the day to viewers.
Washington's new ownership group, led by Josh Harris, took over little more than a week before Geronimo's comments. A big part of the reason the Commanders were even available to buy is because of the bravery of dozens of women who stepped forward to tell their stories, and what the NFL deemed gross mistreatment those women faced while employed in team offices during the megalomaniacal reign of Dan Snyder. Their courage led to two league-mandated outside investigations as well as the eyes of Congress. It ultimately led to Snyder's exit from the NFL owners' club, a group he appeared to care deeply about being part of.
With that as a backdrop, how could iHeart D.C., likely with pressure from the Commanders, not have fired him? Sending Geronimo packing was an easy win for Harris — and one that Geronimo basically gift-wrapped for them.
Some of his longtime fans are bemoaning the decision, crying that everyone is too sensitive these days because they won't accept that being openly derisive toward a woman while on-air is unacceptable now, and really has been for years. It never should have been acceptable, but thankfully there has been some level of growth in this country that means in many corners women are expected to be treated with a basic level of respect.
This is Geronimo’s schtick, incapable of offering listeners anything more than tired, boorish "jokes." Incapable of reading the room, he gave the new ownership group a near-immediate chance to show the team's fans that they were different from Snyder. Just as Snyder finally had to face the music for his misdeeds, Geronimo was made to pay for his.
Harris and Co. will likely have a long honeymoon with Commanders fans simply because they are not the Snyders. Dan Snyder dragged the franchise through the mud with his litigious — and, according to the NFL's final report on him, lascivious — ways, his nearly 25 years of ownership producing little more than chaos and negative headlines.
There are questions about how successful the Commanders will be on the field this season, but it didn't take long for Harris to get his first win off it, one that was almost embarrassingly easy to claim.
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Sexist remarks from radio host enable Commanders to set tone that things are different after Dan Snyder
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[
"John Parker",
"Yahoo Sports"
] |
2023-08-01 01:02:14+00:00
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2023-08-01 00:00:53
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.y100fm.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fwwe-monday-night-raw%2FTONRC3WNJTCBRR7S3A27AYLL5Y%2F.json
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World Wrestling Entertainment will stage its marquee mid-year event this Saturday as SummerSlam takes place at Ford Field, home of the NFL’s Detroit Lions. After WrestleMania, SummerSlam is the second-biggest show WWE produces in a calendar year and this year’s card is typically strong from top to bottom.
Brock Lesnar, who has headlined nine previous SummerSlams, faces Cody Rhodes in a match that figures to finish their trilogy, Logan Paul is back to square off with Ricochet after a series of viral moments between the two and Roman Reigns continues to battle with his own family, putting both his Universal Championship and the title of “Tribal Chief” up against his cousin Jey Uso.
Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s SummerSlam:
WWE SummerSlam ‘go-home’ Monday Night Raw
• Brock Lesnar appears • Logan Paul appears • Maxxine Dupri vs. Valhalla • Seth Rollins and Sami Zayn vs. Damian Priest and Dominik Mysterio
WWE SummerSlam 2023
Date: Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023Time: 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT (Pre-show starts at 7 p.m. ET)Site: Ford Field in Detroit
How to watch SummerSlam 2023 in the US
How to watch WWE SummerSlam outside the US:
SummerSlam 2023 match card
• Logan Paul vs. Ricochet• Ronda Rousey vs. Shayna Baszler• Brock Lesnar vs. Cody Rhodes• SummerSlam Battle Royal (Sheamus, LA Knight, TBA)• Intercontinental Championship: Gunther (c) vs. Drew McIntyre• Women's Championship: Asuka (c) vs. Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair• World Heavyweight Championship: Seth Rollins (c) vs. Finn Bálor• Undisputed Universal Championship: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Jey Uso
WWE SummerSlam ‘go-home’ SmackDown card
Friday, Aug. 4 | 8 p.m. ET on Fox from the Nutter Center in Dayton, Ohio
The only announced segment for Smackdown is a singles match between the only two confirmed competitors in the SummerSlam battle royal, LA Knight and Sheamus.
• LA Knight vs. Sheamus
Storylines for WWE SummerSlam
Logan Paul vs. RicochetThese two first crossed paths in January's Royal Rumble match, staging an incredible spot with each spring-boarding halfway across the ring and clotheslining each other in mid-air.
Then, last month at the Money in the Bank ladder match, they went for another high spot that didn’t quite come off as smooth as Ricochet attempted a Spanish Fly from the top rope and put Paul through two tables. Ever since, the two have traded barbs on social media and in an in-ring segment setting up the SummerSlam blow-off.
Well, at least now he know how we all felt when he was added to the match 🤷🏽♂️ https://t.co/8S5vmRBOHF — Ricochet (@KingRicochet) July 8, 2023
Ronda Rousey vs. Shayna BaszlerBaszler, who got Rousey into the professional wrestling world to begin with, turned on her longtime friend during a women's tag team title defense at Money in the Bank, costing them the belts. When Rousey demanded an explanation two days later on Monday Night Raw, Baszler delivered a blistering promo in which she (correctly) pointed out that Rousey has had championship opportunities handed to her since she set foot in the WWE, while Baszler has had to work for every spot she's ever had. This feud has felt a bit rushed, likely because of Rousey's reported "hard out" date to exit the company.
Brock Lesnar vs. Cody RhodesLess than 24 hours after failing to capture the undisputed Universal championship from Roman Reigns at WrestleMania, Cody Rhodes was set to team with Brock Lesnar to face Reigns and Solo Sikoa on Raw. Before that match began, Lesnar attacked Rhodes and pummeled him for nearly 10 minutes until the show went off the air. Rhodes got a narrow win the following month at Backlash and then Lesnar (storyline) broke Cody's left arm during an attack on the May 22 episode of Raw. Five days later Lesnar beat Rhodes by technical submission after working over the arm most of the match. Rhodes has since spent weeks trying to get a third match and finally got it on the July 17 episode of Raw when Lesnar accepted and proceeded to pummel Cody in front of his family at ringside.
Intercontinental Championship: Gunther (c) vs. Drew McIntyreAt WrestleMania, Gunther retained the Intercontinental title in a triple-threat match against McIntyre and Sheamus in one of the best matches of the weekend. Following another successful defense over Matt Riddle at Money in the Bank, Gunther was confronted by a returning McIntyre, who hadn't been seen on TV since that WrestleMania match. Gunther formally accepted McIntyre's challenge on the July 24 episode of Raw.
Women's Championship: Asuka (c) vs. Bianca Belair vs. Charlotte FlairAsuka unsuccessfully challenged Belair for the title at WrestleMania but managed to win it at Night of Champions on May 27 thanks to a rather creative application of the blue mist. On the June 9 episode of Smackdown, Flair returned for the first time since WrestleMania to challenge Asuka, enraging Belair, who was in line for a rematch. The Flair-Asuka title match took place on June 30, with Belair interfering and laying both other women out. To resolve the issue a triple-threat was set for SummerSlam.
World Heavyweight Championship: Seth Rollins (c) vs. Finn BálorRollins won the newly introduced World Heavyweight Championship in a tournament final over AJ Styles. Soon thereafter Bálor began to stalk Rollins and demand a title match. There is history here as Bálor won the inaugural Universal Championship over Rollins at SummerSlam 2016, only to have to surrender it the next night on Raw due to an injury he suffered during the match. In promos to hype this match, Bálor has continually brought up that chapter as his motivation for targeting Rollins at this year's SummerSlam.
Undisputed Universal Championship: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Jey UsoThe Bloodline story involving members of the real-life Anoa'i wrestling family has been unfolding for more than three years at this point and has never been hotter. Since their tag-team championship loss at WrestleMania, Reigns has bullied and belittled his cousins, causing the Usos to turn on the "Tribal Chief" on the June 16 episode of SmackDown. In a tag-team match at Money in the Bank, Jey became the first person to pin Reigns in nearly three years to win the match and set up a singles encounter for the undisputed Universal Championship at SummerSlam.
Why you can trust us: We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we believe in. Pricing and availability are subject to change.
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WWE Monday Night Raw live: Brock Lesnar, Logan Paul speak before SummerSlam, Rollins and Zayn battle Priest and Mysterio
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"Stephanie Whiteside"
] |
2023-08-01 01:06:11+00:00
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2023-07-31 23:16:22
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Social media has gone wild as people claim the government confirmed aliens exist. But the truth isn't that simple, even as Congress vows to investigate.
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(NewsNation) — As in decades past, the question of whether aliens exist continues to captivate Americans. Following Wednesday’s widely-watched Congressional hearing on UAPs and UFOs, people flocked to social media — many proclaiming the government confirmed aliens exist.
But that’s not actually what happened at the hearing. While witnesses and lawmakers discussed the issue of UFOs, the government has not issued any official confirmation of alien life and what was said at the hearing, by witnesses and even a lawmaker, remains unverified.
As lawmakers continue to probe the issue, join NewsNation’s Brian Entin at 9 p.m. ET Sunday night for a two-hour special report on the hearing, including analysis from UFO experts. Find out how to tune in to NewsNation on your local channel lineup.
Here’s what we do (and don’t) know after the hearing:
Whistleblower David Grusch largely recounted second-hand testimony and provided no evidence to support his claims. Grusch is a former member of the UAP Task Force.
Former Navy Commander and pilot David Fravor recounted a first-hand experience with the so-called Tic Tac UFO but said he was never briefed on the object or its potential origins.
Former Navy pilot Ryan Graves, who founded the Americans for Safe Aerospace, also recounted an encounter he had with an object he described as a black sphere floating inside a clear cube. Graves indicated such encounters were extremely common among pilots. There was no evidence presented to support this claim.
While lawmakers seemed largely accepting of the witness testimony, only Rep. Matt Gaetz, R.-Fla., said he had seen any evidence of alien life firsthand.
Grusch was unable to answer a number of inquiries regarding specific evidence or proof in an open setting, though he indicated he would be willing to say more in a secure, classified briefing.
All three witnesses agreed these unidentified objects constituted a potential national security threat.
Official government bodies, including the White House, Pentagon, and NASA have all stated they have no reason to believe unexplained objects are extraterrestrial in nature.
National Security Council Spokesman John Kirby said after the hearing there are “no hard and fast” answers to the question but that the administration is taking it seriously.
This wasn’t the first time the U.S. government undertook investigations to address the question of UFOs, nor is it the first time the official response was that there was nothing “alien” going on.
However, at the heart of Grusch’s whistleblower complaint is his claim that the government, specifically the Department of Defense, is operating programs to retrieve material from crashes that are extraterrestrial in nature and are keeping those programs secret from the public while also operating without appropriate Congressional oversight.
Grusch spoke exclusively to NewsNation regarding his experiences, which he said include the U.S. government recovering the “non-human” pilots of downed craft.
In light of his claims, lawmakers on the House Oversight Committee have vowed to continue to hold more hearings, including classified briefings where Grusch could speak more freely. Members have also vowed to seek the power to subpoena documents and images that Grusch says back up his claims.
Lawmakers have also called for a centralized reporting system for both military and civilian reports of UFOs, to better analyze and understand the possible threat.
There is also the possibility of the creation of a new committee to specifically investigate UAPs/UFOs. It’s not entirely clear how Congress could compel the DoD or military to release information on any secret programs, should they exist, though, in the past, lawmakers have attempted to work UFO reporting into funding requirements for the Pentagon.
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Did the government confirm aliens exist?
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[
"Stefanie Dazio",
"Associated Press"
] |
2023-08-01 01:12:33+00:00
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2023-07-31 23:37:45
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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles Clippers shooting guard Amir Coffey was arrested early Sunday on a firearms misdemeanor in Hollywood, authorities said. Coffey, 26, was a passenger in a vehicle that police pulled over for speeding shortly before 2 a.m., according to Los Angeles Police Officer Tony Im, a department spokesperson. Coffey was cited […]
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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles Clippers shooting guard Amir Coffey was arrested early Sunday on a firearms misdemeanor in Hollywood, authorities said.
Coffey, 26, was a passenger in a vehicle that police pulled over for speeding shortly before 2 a.m., according to Los Angeles Police Officer Tony Im, a department spokesperson.
Coffey was cited for carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle, Im said. He was released on his own recognizance from a county jail on $10,000 bail.
He is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 24, jail records show.
The driver was cited for speeding, and another passenger received a misdemeanor for possession of marijuana, Im said.
Coffey has been with the Clippers for four seasons.
“We’re aware of a legal situation involving Amir Coffey and are looking into it,” the team said in a statement on Monday.
It’s possible that Coffey could face sanctions from the NBA. The league typically reviews all matters of personal and criminal conduct and can issue a fine or suspension when it deems appropriate.
The 6-foot-7 guard/forward has been primarily a bench player and is averaging 5.5 points per game.
He played in 50 games last season, including nine starts, and averaged 3.4 points per game. His best season came in 2021-22, when he played in 69 games with 30 starts and averaged 9.0 points and 2.9 rebounds per game.
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Clippers’ Amir Coffey arrested on suspicion of carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle, police say
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[
"Paul Wiseman",
"Associated Press"
] |
2023-08-01 01:05:24+00:00
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2023-07-31 13:23:55
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WASHINGTON (AP) — For more than a year, the U.S. economy has defied predictions of a forthcoming recession. It has withstood 10 interest rate hikes in 16 months from an inflation-fighting Federal Reserve. In June, America’s employers added a healthy 209,000 jobs. Will the economy remain resilient? Can the Fed achieve a notoriously difficult “soft […]
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.informnny.com%2Fnews%2Fbusiness%2Fap-insider-qa-an-economist-who-sees-a-recession-coming-despite-economys-resilience-so-far%2F.json
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WASHINGTON (AP) — For more than a year, the U.S. economy has defied predictions of a forthcoming recession. It has withstood 10 interest rate hikes in 16 months from an inflation-fighting Federal Reserve. In June, America’s employers added a healthy 209,000 jobs.
Will the economy remain resilient? Can the Fed achieve a notoriously difficult “soft landing” — slowing growth just enough to tame inflation without causing a recession?
The Associated Press spoke recently with Gus Faucher, chief economist at PNC Financial Services Group. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.
Q: The job market is cooling but remains strong. Does that suggest a soft landing?
A: What we have seen in the job market so far in 2023 is consistent with a soft landing. Over the past three months, we’ve added 244,000 jobs per month. That’s still too high from the Fed’s perspective but much better than what we had at the end of last year. Although it’s consistent with a soft landing, it’s also consistent with a story where job growth continues to slow, the economy continues to weaken and we get a recession at the end of 2023. We don’t know what the outcome will be. It’s more likely than not that we get a recession.
Q: When would a downturn begin?
A: A few months ago, we were seeing it starting in the second half of 2023. Now we’re seeing late 2023 or early 2024. The labor market is still holding up. Consumers are still in decent shape. But I do think we will continue to feel the impact of the Fed’s monetary tightening. By the end of this year or sometime early next year, those higher rates will be a significant drag on economic activity and lead to recession. But the economy has held up somewhat better than we were expecting.
The economy just can’t continue to add this many jobs per month. We just don’t have the labor force out there.
Q: Where is inflation headed?
A: We will see slowing inflation. If you go back to 2021, 2022, a lot of that inflation was coming on the goods side. Now, the inflation is coming on the services side. Services inflation tends to be stickier, and it tends to be more driven by what’s going on in the labor market. So the tight labor market is contributing to high services inflation. That will contribute to inflation remaining higher than the Fed would like in the near term. By the end of this year, early next year, we will see a significant softening in the labor market that will help bring inflation down to the Fed’s 2% target.
Q: Will the job market continue to favor workers over the longer term?
A: We have seen structural changes. The pandemic pushed forward a lot of retirements. You had people who were close to retirement in 2020 and planning on working a few more years. But when the pandemic came along, they decided to retire. The remaining workers have more bargaining power. Businesses are going to need to rethink a lot of things about pay, about benefits, about workplace flexibility.
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Insider Q&A: An economist who sees a recession coming despite economy’s resilience so far
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https://www.informnny.com/news/business/ap-insider-qa-an-economist-who-sees-a-recession-coming-despite-economys-resilience-so-far/
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[
"Kate Brumback",
"Associated Press"
] |
2023-08-01 01:08:19+00:00
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2023-08-01 00:24:52
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ATLANTA (AP) — A judge on Monday rejected an attempt by former President Donald Trump to keep a Georgia district attorney from prosecuting him and from using certain evidence gathered in her investigation into potential illegal meddling in the 2020 election in the state. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney didn’t mince words in […]
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.informnny.com%2Fnews%2Fpolitics%2Fap-trump-attempt-to-derail-georgia-election-investigation-rejected-by-judge%2F.json
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ATLANTA (AP) — A judge on Monday rejected an attempt by former President Donald Trump to keep a Georgia district attorney from prosecuting him and from using certain evidence gathered in her investigation into potential illegal meddling in the 2020 election in the state.
Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney didn’t mince words in his nine-page ruling, which said Trump lacked the legal grounds to bring the challenge before any indictment has been filed in the case. Any harm alleged by Trump and by Cathy Latham, a Republican fake elector from Georgia who had joined his motion, is “either insufficient or else speculative and unrealized,” the judge wrote.
The alleged harms “are insufficient because, while being the subject (or even target) of a highly publicized criminal investigation is likely an unwelcome and unpleasant experience, no court ever has held that that status alone provides a basis for the courts to interfere with or halt the investigation,” McBurney wrote.
In a caustic footnote, seemingly nodding to Trump’s status as the dominant frontrunner for the 2024 Republican nomination for president despite having been indicted twice already, the judge added, “And for some, being the subject of a criminal investigation can, à la Rumpelstiltskin, be turned into golden political capital, making it seem more providential than problematic.”
Separately Monday, an Atlanta-based journalist said he received two grand jury subpoenas to testify later this month.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, an elected Democrat, has strongly suggested that she is likely to seek charges in the case in the coming weeks. While she has not directly said she plans to seek charges against the Republican former president, she has repeatedly said no one is above the law.
Monday’s ruling came in response to a motion filed in March by Trump’s Georgia-based legal team that said a special grand jury seated to help Willis investigate “involved a constant lack of clarity as to the law, inconsistent applications of basic constitutional protections for individuals being brought before it, and a prosecutor’s office that was found to have an actual conflict, yet continued to pursue the investigation.”
The special grand jury did not have the power to indict, but it did issue subpoenas and heard from some 75 witnesses while meeting from May to December last year and issued a final report with recommendations for Willis.
Trump attorney Drew Findling did not immediately respond Monday to text and voicemail messages seeking comment.
Latham was one of 16 Georgia Republicans who met at the state Capitol in December 2020 and signed a certificate declaring falsely that Trump had won the presidential election and declaring themselves the state’s “duly elected and qualified” electors. Willis last year informed them that they were targets of her investigation, though some have since reached immunity deals with her team.
McBurney said there are no grounds to disqualify Willis from pursuing her investigation and likely prosecution, saying she had not acted improperly.
“The drumbeat from the District Attorney has been neither partisan (in the political sense) nor personal, in marked and refreshing contrast to the stream of personal invective flowing from one of the movants,” he wrote, no doubt referring to Trump.
Trump’s attorneys several weeks ago took another stab at barring Willis from prosecuting him and getting the special grand jury’s report tossed out with twin filings against Willis and McBurney in Fulton County Superior Court and the Georgia Supreme Court. Explaining this extraordinary action, they cited the fact that McBurney had yet to rule on their earlier motion and Willis’ indication that she would soon seek charges in the case.
The state Supreme Court unanimously declined to intervene, dismissing the petition.
A judge from neighboring Cobb County was assigned to consider the other petition after the chief judge of the Fulton County Superior Court recused himself and the other judges on that bench from hearing the matter involving McBurney. He has set a hearing for Aug. 10.
Independent journalist George Chidi on Monday posted a photo on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, of two subpoenas instructing him to appear before a grand jury between Aug. 7 and Aug. 31 and telling him he’d be given 48 hours notice to appear. He wrote in a first-person story for The Intercept that it’s the second time he’s been asked to testify.
Chidi testified before the special grand jury last year about “barging into a semi-clandestine meeting of Republicans pretending to be Georgia’s official electors in December 2020,” he wrote. He described being thrown out of the room just after entering, told that it was an “education meeting.”
Chidi wrote that he is reviewing his options with an attorney but that he expects to testify again “after receiving assurances that I will not be compelled to offer information outside of the narrow issue of election interference and my observations on December 14, 2020.”
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Trump attempt to derail Georgia election investigation rejected by judge
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https://www.informnny.com/news/politics/ap-trump-attempt-to-derail-georgia-election-investigation-rejected-by-judge/
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[
"Viknesh Vijayenthiran - Motor Authority"
] |
2023-08-01 01:03:16+00:00
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2023-07-31 14:00:00
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In 1998, Mercedes-Benz built the CLK LM to take on the FIA GT Championship in the premier GT1 class, as well as the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It dominated the series, though it failed to finish at Le Mans due to reliability issues. Just four examples are thought to have been built in total, […]
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.informnny.com%2Fautomotive%2Finternet-brands%2Froad-legal-mercedes-benz-clk-lm-race-car-up-for-sale%2F.json
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In 1998, Mercedes-Benz built the CLK LM to take on the FIA GT Championship in the premier GT1 class, as well as the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
It dominated the series, though it failed to finish at Le Mans due to reliability issues.
Just four examples are thought to have been built in total, and now one of them is up for sale.
According to its listing on Piston Heads, the striking race car is available via London-based dealership JM Performance and was used purely as a test vehicle during its motorsports career. After that career ended, the car was sold into private hands, initially to a customer in Japan. It’s been with its current owner in the U.K. since 2017, who went through the process of making it road legal.
Road-legal 1998 Mercedes-Benz CLK LM race car – Photo credit: Piston Heads
The CLK LM is the successor to the much more widely known Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR built a year prior. While that car required 25 road-going homologation specials to be built, the CLK LM needed just one.
That sole CLK LM homologation is currently in private hands and may eventually turn up for sale one day. Until that happens, anyone with a desire for a road-legal CLK LM can purchase this car from JM Performance. No price is mentioned in the listing.
For the CLK LM, Mercedes swapped out the CLK GTR’s V-12 engine in favor of a V-8 deemed to be better able to last when racing around the clock at Le Mans. The mid-mounted engine is a 5.0-liter unit rated at close to 600 hp. It’s paired with a 6-speed sequential transmission and spins the rear wheels only.
With the next season of the GT Championship adopting a prototype class for its premier class, Mercedes ended the CLK LM program, replacing it with the CLR prototype. That car had a disastrous outing at the 1999 24 Hours of Le Mans, with aerodynamic issues causing multiple high-speed flips.
Related Articles
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Road-legal Mercedes-Benz CLK LM race car up for sale
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https://www.informnny.com/automotive/internet-brands/road-legal-mercedes-benz-clk-lm-race-car-up-for-sale/
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[
"Bengt Halvorson - Green Car Reports"
] |
2023-08-01 01:02:24+00:00
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2023-07-31 15:59:00
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GM reported on Monday that first shipments of the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV from its assembly plant in Mexico have started, with dealerships due to start getting initial Blazer EV RS AWD versions in August. With the confirmation, GM rolled out more Blazer EV news including new price details, some confirmed EPA range ratings, and […]
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.informnny.com%2Fautomotive%2Finternet-brands%2F2024-chevy-blazer-ev-deliveries-start-with-awd-279-mile-range%2F.json
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GM reported on Monday that first shipments of the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV from its assembly plant in Mexico have started, with dealerships due to start getting initial Blazer EV RS AWD versions in August.
With the confirmation, GM rolled out more Blazer EV news including new price details, some confirmed EPA range ratings, and a confirmation that the high-performance SS won’t arrive until next year.
As detailed last year, the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV will be offered in LT, RS, and SS trims, with front-wheel-drive, rear-wheel-drive, and all-wheel-drive versions all part of the lineup. Three different battery packs are also planned for the Blazer EV.
2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV LT
Single-motor front-wheel-drive 2LT models are due to return a GM-estimated (EPA-cycle) 293 miles with a midsize battery, while the sportier-tuned RS with rear-wheel drive and the largest of the battery packs will go 320 miles, GM estimates.
While the previously mentioned range ratings all remain GM estimates, the automaker also this morning confirmed that all-wheel-drive versions of the Blazer EV 2LT and RS have been certified by the EPA at 279 miles of range.
The initial Blazer EV RS AWD versions being delivered in August start at $60,215 and include gloss-black trim, 21-inch wheels, cooled front seats, heated rear seats, and a head-up display. A rear-wheel-drive RS version will cost more, at $61,790, but it includes Bose audio.
The Blazer 2LT AWD set to arrive a bit later will cost $56,715 and include a 17.7-inch infotainment system, wireless phone charging, a power tailgate, adaptive cruise control, heated front seats, heated side mirrors, and a heated steering wheel.
2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV LT
The automaker also confirmed that the Blazer EV lineup will be eligible for the full $7,500 EV tax credit. Considering the Blazer EV’s base price of $44,995 including destination, that will make it available to some buyers for just $37,495.
Otherwise, GM has revealed few specs about what exactly distinguishes the models in the Blazer lineup on a technical basis—especially regarding its array of different motor units and its three battery packs.
2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV
The company on Monday also confirmed that the top-performance Blazer SS is being delayed until next year, with a production start expected for spring. The Blazer SS was due to start at $65,995 and with a 564-hp all-wheel-drive powertrain, independent front and rear suspension, adaptive damping, and more. Chevy estimates a 0-60 mph time in less than four seconds and performance that may challenge the likes of the Tesla Model Y Performance, Ford Mustang Mach-E GT, and Kia EV6 GT.
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2024 Chevy Blazer EV deliveries start with AWD, 279-mile range
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https://www.informnny.com/automotive/internet-brands/2024-chevy-blazer-ev-deliveries-start-with-awd-279-mile-range/
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[
"Jenna Fryer",
"Associated Press"
] |
2023-08-01 01:13:34+00:00
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2023-07-31 23:12:53
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AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — The United States arrived at the Women’s World Cup as the favorite to win an unprecedented third consecutive title. But after an underwhelming draw against the Netherlands, there’s a real chance the Americans could be eliminated in group play for the first time in tournament history. The U.S. plays Portugal […]
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.informnny.com%2Fsports%2Fap-us-needs-win-to-ensure-americans-avoid-elimination-in-group-play-for-first-time-in-womens-world-cup%2F.json
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AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — The United States arrived at the Women’s World Cup as the favorite to win an unprecedented third consecutive title. But after an underwhelming draw against the Netherlands, there’s a real chance the Americans could be eliminated in group play for the first time in tournament history.
The U.S. plays Portugal in the third and final match of Group E play, and if Portugal pulls off an upset Tuesday at Eden Park in Auckland, the Americans could be in big trouble.
The United States needs to either win or draw against Portugal, one of eight teams playing in its first World Cup, to ensure the Americans continue to play in this tournament.
“I think we feel like we have to win everything all the time,” said American star Megan Rapinoe. “That’s the expectation for ourselves. That’s the expectation playing for U.S. national team. It’s just kind of like, ‘Why would you come into the World Cup if you don’t think that you should win it, and if you don’t think that you can win it?’”
The United States sits atop the group after a 3-0 victory over Vietnam in the tournament opener, and a 1-1 draw with the Netherlands last Thursday in Wellington. The Dutch are tied with the U.S. on points, but the Americans have the tiebreaker on goals scored.
Portugal lost to the Dutch in its opener but then beat Vietnam 2-0. So if the Portuguese beat the United States, they’ll move on, and the Americans would then need Vietnam to beat the Dutch in Dunedin — while keeping their advantage on goal differential — to advance.
“One thing is for sure, that we have a job to do and that’s first and foremost to take care of our game, so our main focus right now it our performance, our team, and Portugal,” U.S. coach Vlatko Andonovski said. “What happens on the other side is something we can’t control. We have to stay focused on the things we can control.”
Portugal could use a swarming defense to try to prevent the United States from scoring the way Vietnam — unsuccessfully — played the Americans in the opener.
Portugal defender Ana Borges said her team will be prepared.
“This is the stage where we want to be. It’s against these teams that we want to play because we’re going to learn and grow from them,” Borges said. “Not saying anything about the other team, but if we weren’t prepared for this challenge, we wouldn’t be playing football.”
CHINA-ENGLAND
England is in very good shape headed into its Group D finale against China, needing only a draw Tuesday night in Adelaide, Australia, to win the group and advance to the round of 16.
Even a loss would be OK and push England through as group winners so long as Denmark doesn’t beat Haiti. If Denmark won and England lost, the group winner would be decided by FIFA tiebreakers.
England edged out a 1-0 victory over Haiti to open the tournament, then beat Denmark by the same score.
China lost 1-0 to Denmark in the opener but rebounded with a 1-0 win over Haiti and is now trying to keep its streak intact of advancing out of group play in all eight of its World Cup appearances.
It will be a tough task: China can advance to the round of 16 if the Chinese beat England. But if Denmark beats Haiti, coupled with a China win, then FIFA tiebreakers would come into a play. A loss would mean China’s only chance at advancing would be if Haiti beat Denmark.
England and China meet for just the fifth time, but first since a 2-1 China victory in 2015.
England has scored in each of its last 15 matches at the Women’s World Cup for a tally of 25 goals since 2015. A goal against China would make England the first team to score in 16 consecutive matches in the tournament.
China is looking to win consecutive World Cup games for the first time since 1999.
VIETNAM-NETHERLANDS
The Netherlands wants to win every match in the Women’s World Cup but none more so than Tuesday’s game against Vietnam.
At stake: avoiding Sweden in the knockout round.
The Dutch, the tournament runner-up in 2019, need only a win or a draw in the Group E match played in Dunedin, New Zealand. And even a loss would be OK so long as the United States beats Portugal in a game being played simultaneously.
But the Netherlands has mapped out the tournament and wants no part of Sweden anytime soon.
“The first aim is always to win and get to the last 16 and then after that if we can score goals we will, of course,” Dutch coach Andries Jonker said. “But looking at our colleagues from the U.S. and Portugal, we’ve noticed it’s not all that easy. We’ve never shown any kind of arrogance, but if we get chances to score goals we will. We would prefer to play against the number two in this group and not Sweden.”
The Netherlands are tied with the United States for the top spot in the group after playing to a 1-1 draw against the Americans and a 1-0 win over Portugal.
Vietnam has already been eliminated from its first Women’s World Cup following losses to the United States and Portugal. Vietnam has lost its last five internationals by a combined score of 18-1.
“The Netherlands tries to have as many goals as possible, and I have to say we are at a low level,” Vietnam coach Mai Duc Chung said. “If we compare with Asia, we’re still at a low level. So if we compare with the world, we are still quite behind. It is a success for us already. In the past two matches we have tried our best. Great effort already.”
HAITI-DENMARK
First-time Women’s World Cup participant Haiti would like to stick around a bit longer but needs a miracle against in the Group D finale against Denmark to have any shot to advance.
Haiti needs to beat Denmark in the Tuesday match played in Perth, Australia, and hope England beats China. If both those things happen, Haiti’s only chance would still come down to FIFA’s tiebreaker system.
It’s very long odds for Haiti, which has played better in this tournament than its 0-2 record shows. Haiti held both England and China to one goal each in the first two matches.
Haiti is on a six-game losing streak headed into what is probably its final game of this tournament.
Denmark, meanwhile, is trying to advance to the group stage for the first time since 1995. Denmark was a 1-0 winner over China to start the tournament, then lost 1-0 to England and heads into the game tied for second in the group with China with three points each.
A win over Haiti pushes Denmark through to the next round so long as England doesn’t lose to China. That scenario would put tiebreakers into play.
The Danes, in the tournament for the first time since 2007, can also get through with a draw, but again, only if England beats China.
Denmark has won five of its last seven international matches.
___
AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-womens-world-cup
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US needs win or draw to avoid risk of elimination in group play for first time in Women’s World Cup
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https://www.informnny.com/sports/ap-us-needs-win-to-ensure-americans-avoid-elimination-in-group-play-for-first-time-in-womens-world-cup/
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[
"Christina Marfice",
"Bestreviews Staff"
] |
2023-08-01 01:11:23+00:00
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2023-07-31 21:05:27
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Do you want your home to make a memorable first impression? Try these 4 things to help boost your home's curb appeal!
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.informnny.com%2Freviews%2Fbr%2Fhome-br%2Fhome-improvement-br%2F4-things-that-will-immediately-increase-your-curb-appeal%2F.json
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If you’ve ever tuned into HGTV or attended an open house, you’ve surely heard the term “curb appeal.” It’s basically your home’s first impression — the flash of awe (or disinterest) that potential buyers experience when they pull up to the curb and get their first good look at the exterior.
Curb appeal is important for many reasons: It helps boost your home’s value when you’re planning to sell, keeps property values high for your neighborhood and conveys a sense of pride in your property. But what does it take to maximize curb appeal? Thumbtack and Nextdoor found out.
What makes good (and bad) curb appeal?
In a survey of more than 1,000 homeowners across the U.S., home improvement app Thumbtack partnered with neighborhood networking app Nextdoor to ask what projects have the biggest impact.
If you’re looking to make a pretty big investment into your home’s curb appeal, landscaping is the way to go. Of all the homeowners surveyed, 82% ranked it as a major improvement. Also high ranking were painting your home’s exterior (78%), a well-kept lawn (73%) and beautiful windows (68%), all projects you can tackle to dramatically increase your home’s overall curb appeal.
On the other end of the spectrum, homeowners said the biggest curb appeal faux pas were trash in the yard and overgrown landscaping — 81% of them said these two things were a fast way to decrease your home’s curb appeal. They also agreed that other curb appeal killers were overgrown lawns (77%), parking old cars, RVs, vans or boats out front (64%), poorly maintained fences and exteriors (58%) and dirty or poorly painted home exteriors (57%).
Is curb appeal really that important?
Yes, this is something all homeowners nearly unanimously agree on, as 98% of them said having a home with good curb appeal is important. And if you’ve ever attended an HOA meeting, you know what a big deal it is when 98% of homeowners agree on something.
Curb appeal is especially crucial if you’re planning to sell your home. Of the homeowners surveyed, 54% said curb appeal on their street or in their neighborhood was a factor when they decided where to buy. And on average, a house with good curb appeal is 34% more valuable than the same house with bad curb appeal.
4 ways to immediately boost your home’s curb appeal
Keep your lawn from taking over: To stay on top of your lawn, you need a mower you can count on. For smaller lawns, a push mower will do the job. But for a larger property, consider investing in a riding mower to help you save time and effort. Keep things clean: Dirty home exteriors were one of the things homeowners said could tank your curb appeal. A good pressure washer is a versatile tool for cleaning your driveway, sidewalks, decks, stairs, siding and more. DIY your landscaping: Even though landscaping is one of the pricier ways to invest in your home’s curb appeal, you can still get a boost without spending too much. A small garden or flower bed is a great way to start — as long as you maintain it and don’t let it get overgrown. For that, you’ll need some gardening tools. Give it a new coat of paint: There’s nothing that freshens up a home’s exterior like a new coat of paint.
Best products for improving your home’s curb appeal
Ego Power+ Cordless Lawn Mower
This battery-powered lawn mower has up to 45 minutes of run time and other helpful features, including a push-to-start button, LED headlights and six cutting height settings. Plus, it folds up to save space.
Sold by Amazon
John Deere S100 Riding Lawn Mower
The John Deere S100 was designed with comfort in mind, which means you can tackle your lawn with ease. It has a cutting width of 42 inches and can mow, mulch and bag up to an acre.
Sold by Lowe’s
Simpson Cleaning MegaShot Gas Pressure Washer
This washer is less expensive than equally powerful brands, and it can be used practically right out of the box. It easily tackles stubborn grime on decks and pavement.
Sold by Amazon
Karcher- K1700 Electric Power Pressure Washer
Lightweight and quiet, this is a perfect pressure washer for beginners. But that doesn’t mean it skimps on power — it’s still a great tool for keeping your home’s exterior squeaky clean.
Sold by Amazon
Scuddles Stainless Steel Garden Tool Set
While this set is geared toward beginner gardeners, it’s still rugged enough for pros, with durable, rust-resistant stainless steel blades and a carry-on bag to keep everything organized.
Sold by Amazon
The One Exterior Paint and Primer
This durable combination of paint and primer from The One goes on smoothly, dries quickly and comes in a wide variety of trendy colors that are sure to boost your home’s value.
Sold by Amazon
Want to shop the best products at the best prices? Check out Daily Deals from BestReviews.
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Christina Marfice writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
Copyright 2023 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved.
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4 things that will immediately increase your curb appeal
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https://www.informnny.com/reviews/br/home-br/home-improvement-br/4-things-that-will-immediately-increase-your-curb-appeal/
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[
"Ronald Blum",
"Associated Press"
] |
2023-08-01 01:03:44+00:00
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2023-07-31 16:37:53
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BAYREUTH, Germany (AP) — Two years after the debut of the Bayreuth Festival’s first female conductor, Nathalie Stutzmann became the second to lead a Richard Wagner opera in the Festpielhaus’ famous covered pit. The 58-year-old former contralto, fresh off her first season as Atlanta Symphony Orchestra music director, drew a luminous performance of “Tannhäuser” on […]
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.informnny.com%2Fentertainment-news%2Fap-nathalie-stutzmann-become-second-woman-to-conduct-at-bayreuth-2-years-after-gender-barrier-broken%2F.json
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BAYREUTH, Germany (AP) — Two years after the debut of the Bayreuth Festival’s first female conductor, Nathalie Stutzmann became the second to lead a Richard Wagner opera in the Festpielhaus’ famous covered pit.
The 58-year-old former contralto, fresh off her first season as Atlanta Symphony Orchestra music director, drew a luminous performance of “Tannhäuser” on Friday night in a revival of the Tobias Kratzer 2019 production — the one featuring the title character in a clown suit and a murder in a Burger King parking lot.
“It’s good news to be second,” Stutzmann said. “It proves that things are moving.”
Launched by Richard Wagner in 1876 and currently run by great-granddaughter Katharina Wagner, the festival broke its conductor gender barrier when Oksana Lyniv led a new staging of “Der Fliegende Holländer (The Flying Dutchman)” in 2021. The 45-year-old returned this summer to preside over the Dmitri Tcherniakov production for the third straight year.
“They are very highly accepted,” Katharina Wagner said. “I hope that this question would disappear with time, that we are just talking about good conductors and not female and male conductors anymore.”
Stutzmann’s year so far has also included debuts with the New York Philharmonic and the Metropolitan Opera, where she provoked the orchestra when she alleged in a New York Times interview that musicians were bored playing while not being able to see onstage activity. The orchestra criticized her in a statement, prompting Stutzmann to apologize.
At Bayreuth, conductors must adjust to a pit Richard Wagner designed to keep the orchestra hidden from the audience, arranged in nine rows that descend toward the stage: violins in the first two, followed by violas, cellos, double basses, woodwinds, brass and percussion. The instrumental sound mixes with voices before traveling out to 30 rows of seats and three tiers of boxes.
“I had done a lot of research, so I knew the experience would be new and unexpected and tricky,” Stutzmann said in a response to an emailed question. “We hear the sound completely different from what the audience hears, that’s why we have to rely on our assistants. … You hardly hear the singers on stage and they sound always late even when we are perfectly together!”
Stutzmann’s performance, using the original Dresden score, featured unusual clarity when the overture slowed and the volume lowered during a pilgrims’ chorus repeat in the overture. She was greeted with boisterous applause and foot-stomping during 14 minutes of curtain calls.
Stutzmann has been invited back to conduct the 2024 revival of the sold-out “Tannhäuser” staging, notorious for the director adding the drag queen Le Gateau Chocolat and dwarf actor Manni Laudenbach, who combine with the title character and the goddess Venus to form a counterculture clique Richard Wagner never could have envisioned for a work that premiered in 1845.
During an interview in New York before heading to Germany, Stutzmann said “Tannhäuser” was the perfect vehicle for her Bayreuth debut, given her quarter-century as a contralto and the opera’s full title, which translates to “Tannhäuser and the Minstrels’ Contest at Wartburg.”
She winked.
“It’s a singer competition, after all,” she said with a laugh.
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Nathalie Stutzmann become second woman to conduct at Bayreuth, 2 years after gender barrier broken
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https://www.informnny.com/entertainment-news/ap-nathalie-stutzmann-become-second-woman-to-conduct-at-bayreuth-2-years-after-gender-barrier-broken/
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[
"Joe Mcdonald",
"Associated Press"
] |
2023-08-01 01:09:25+00:00
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2023-07-31 17:02:27
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BEIJING (AP) — China imposed restrictions Monday on exports of long-range civilian drones, citing Russia’s war in Ukraine and concern that drones might be converted to military use. Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s government is friendly with Moscow but says it is neutral in the 17-month-old war. It has been stung by reports that both sides […]
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BEIJING (AP) — China imposed restrictions Monday on exports of long-range civilian drones, citing Russia’s war in Ukraine and concern that drones might be converted to military use.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s government is friendly with Moscow but says it is neutral in the 17-month-old war. It has been stung by reports that both sides might be using Chinese-made drones for reconnaissance and possibly attacks.
Export controls will take effect Tuesday to prevent use of drones for “non-peaceful purposes,” the Ministry of Commerce said in a statement. It said some drone exports still will be allowed.
China is a leading developer and exporter of drones. DJI Technology Co., one of the global industry’s top competitors, announced in April 2022 it was pulling out of Russia and Ukraine to prevent its drones from being used in combat.
“The risk of some high specification and high-performance civilian unmanned aerial vehicles being converted to military use is constantly increasing,” the Ministry of Commerce said.
Restrictions will apply to drones that can fly beyond the natural sight distance of operators or stay aloft more than 30 minutes, have attachments that can throw objects and weigh more than 7 kilograms (15½ pounds), according to the ministry.
“Since the crisis in Ukraine, some Chinese civilian drone companies have voluntarily suspended their operations in conflict areas,” the Ministry of Commerce said. It accused the United States and Western media of spreading “false information” about Chinese drone exports.
The government on Friday defended its dealings with Russia as “normal economic and trade cooperation” after a U.S. intelligence report said Beijing possibly provided equipment used in Ukraine that might have military applications.
The report cited Russian customs data that showed Chinese state-owned military contractors supplied drones, navigation equipment, fighter jet parts and other goods.
The Biden administration has warned Beijing of unspecified consequences if it supports the Kremlin’s war effort. Last week’s report didn’t say whether any of the trade cited might trigger U.S. retaliation.
Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin declared before the February 2022 invasion that their governments had a “no-limits” friendship. Beijing has blocked efforts to censure Moscow in the United Nations and has repeated Russian justifications for the attack.
China has “always opposed the use of civilian drones for military purposes,” the Ministry of Commerce said. “The moderate expansion of drone control by China this time is an important measure to demonstrate the responsibility of a responsible major country.”
The Ukrainian government appealed to DJI in March 2022 to stop selling drones it said the Russian ministry was using to target missile attacks. DJI rejected claims it leaked data on Ukraine’s military positions to Russia.
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China imposes curbs on drone exports, citing Ukraine and concern about military use
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https://www.informnny.com/news/world-news/ap-china-imposes-curbs-on-drone-exports-citing-ukraine-and-concern-about-military-use/
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[
"Rod Mcguirk",
"Associated Press"
] |
2023-08-01 01:09:10+00:00
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2023-07-31 06:52:19
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CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — The Australian army helicopter that crashed Friday during a multinational exercise hit the water with a “catastrophic impact” and there is no chance its four crew members survived, officials said Monday. Australia’s fleet of more than 40 of the MRH-90 Taipan helicopters, made by French Airbus, has been grounded since the […]
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CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — The Australian army helicopter that crashed Friday during a multinational exercise hit the water with a “catastrophic impact” and there is no chance its four crew members survived, officials said Monday.
Australia’s fleet of more than 40 of the MRH-90 Taipan helicopters, made by French Airbus, has been grounded since the crash and there are doubts any will fly again.
They will be grounded until crash investigators determine what caused the tragedy. The government announced in January it plans to replace them with 40 U.S. Black Hawks. The Taipans’ retirement date of December 2024 would be 13 years earlier than Australia had initially planned.
Defense Minister Richard Marles said the search and rescue effort changed Monday to a victim recovery operation with no chance that Capt. Danniel Lyon, Lt. Maxwell Nugent, Warrant Officer Joseph Laycock or Cpl. Alexander Naggs had survived.
“There was a catastrophic incident and with every passing hour, it is now clear that any hope of finding (the four crew) alive has been lost,” Marles told reporters.
The helicopter crashed during a nighttime exercise with the United States and other nations near the Whitsunday Islands on the Great Barrier Reef.
Marles had said on Saturday the helicopter “ditched,” which refers to an emergency landing. But on Monday he would not rule our pilot error or disorientation in the dark causing the crash into the water. He urged against speculation about potential causes.
“There was a catastrophic impact on the helicopter when it hit the water,” Marles said.
“We will move through the process of putting the Black Hawks into service as quickly as we can … and we will not be flying MRH90s until we understand what has happened,” Marles added.
The lost Taipan had been taking part in Talisman Sabre, a biennial U.S.-Australian military exercise that is largely based in Queensland state. This year’s exercise involves 13 nations and more than 30,000 military personnel.
The exercise was continuing on Monday with some changes near the recovery operation, Australian Defense Force Chief Gen. Angus Campbell said.
Campbell thanked the United States and Canada for their help in the search and recovery efforts, which he said was “not an easy operation.”
The wreckage lay in the path of strong currents and tidal movements. It was too deep for standard diving operations.
Part of the airframe had been retrieved by Monday but most of the helicopter remained on the seabed, Campbell said.
It was the second emergency involving an Australian Taipan since March. The fleet was grounded after one ditched into the sea off the New South Wales state coast near the naval base at Jervis Bay during a nighttime counterterrorism training exercise. All 10 passengers and crew members were rescued.
Retired Maj. Gen. Fergus McLachlan was involved in integrating the Taipan into the Australian army when they arrived in 2007 and had been responsible for keeping them airworthy. He said the Taipan did not have the proven record of the Lockheed Martin-designed Black Hawks.
“We bought into an unproven system. In real terms, it was a developmental aircraft and it has never really matured,” McLachlan told Australian Broadcasting Corp.
“It was always a battle to maintain it and keep it flying,” McLachlan added.
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4 crew members on Australian army helicopter that crashed off coast didn’t survive, officials say
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2023-08-01 01:05:17+00:00
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2023-07-31 12:14:32
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NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Greece’s prime minister said Monday that his government wants to take full advantage of a developing positive political climate with neighboring Turkey in order to improve bilateral relations despite a string of decades-old disputes. But Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said that doesn’t mean Turkey has “substantially changed” its stance on […]
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NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Greece’s prime minister said Monday that his government wants to take full advantage of a developing positive political climate with neighboring Turkey in order to improve bilateral relations despite a string of decades-old disputes.
But Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said that doesn’t mean Turkey has “substantially changed” its stance on key differences between the two countries and needs to “decisively abandon its aggressive and unlawful conduct” against Greece’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Turkey and Greece remain at odds over maritime boundaries in the eastern Mediterranean, a dispute that affects irregular migration into the European Union, mineral rights and the projection of military power.
Mitsotakis said that he agreed with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 11-12 to initiate new “lines of communication” and to maintain “a period of calm.”
High-level talks between the the two countries are expected to take place in the Greek city of Thessaloniki later this year.
However, the Greek prime minister said that Erdogan’s outreach to the EU can’t come at the expense of efforts to heal Cyprus’ nearly half-century ethnic division.
Speaking after talks with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, Mitsotakis said that he told Erdogan that improved European-Turkish ties can’t exclude a Cyprus peace accord and that the issue can’t be “left by the wayside.”
Turkey and the breakaway Turkish Cypriots have insisted on a two-state solution since July 2017 when the most recent round of U.N.-facilitated peace talks collapsed.
That position overturned a long-standing agreement sanctioned by the U.N. Security Council in numerous resolutions that any peace deal would aim for a reunified Cyprus as a federation made up of Greek and Turkish speaking zones.
Cyprus was split in 1974 when Turkey invaded following a coup by supporters of union with Greece. Only Turkey recognizes a Turkish Cypriot declaration of independence in the island’s northern third, where more than 35,000 Turkish troops are stationed.
On Friday, Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar repeated that peace talks could resume only if Greek Cypriots recognize the Turkish Cypriots’ “sovereign equality.”
Christodoulides said Monday that any improvement in European-Turkish relations should be based on reciprocal action by Turkey, adding that the EU prioritizes a Cyprus peace deal in line with U.N. resolutions.
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Greek prime minister seeks improved relations with Turkey but says Ankara needs to drop aggression
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2023-08-01 01:10:30+00:00
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2023-07-31 12:16:57
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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A state-run oil giant in the United Arab Emirates said Monday it has moved up its target for achieving net zero emissions in its operations to 2045, as the country prepares to host U.N. climate talks later this year. The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, known as ADNOC, said […]
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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A state-run oil giant in the United Arab Emirates said Monday it has moved up its target for achieving net zero emissions in its operations to 2045, as the country prepares to host U.N. climate talks later this year.
The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, known as ADNOC, said it is also committed to acheiving zero methane emissions by 2030. Methane is a greenhouse gas that is 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide in the short term.
Earlier this year, ADNOC earmarked $15 billion for an array of green initiatives, including the development of hydrogen power, carbon capture facilities and the planting of mangroves.
The company had previously committed to net zero — the balancing of greenhouse gas emissions to the point that the amount removed from the atmosphere is equal to the amount emitted — by 2050.
The UAE, an OPEC member that produces over 3 million barrels of crude oil a day, will host the global climate talks known as COP28 from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12 in Dubai. It has appointed Sultan al-Jaber, the head of ADNOC, to chair the meeting, a move that drew criticism from some environmentalists.
Al-Jaber has emphasized the need to cut emissions, rather than end fossil fuel use itself. It’s prompted fears that he might seek loopholes for untested carbon-capture technologies and so-called offsets that experts say distract from the need to end the release of greenhouse gases.
Governments agreed eight years ago in Paris to limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit) — ideally no more than 1.5C (2.7F). With average global temperatures already about 1.2C (2.2F) above pre-industrial levels, experts say the window to meet the more ambitious target is closing fast and even the less stringent goal would be missed if emissions aren’t slashed sharply soon.
The UAE, a global hub for business and tourism, has pledged to be carbon neutral by 2050 — a target that remains difficult to assess and one that authorities haven’t fully explained how they’ll reach. Analysts believe the Emirates is trying to maximize its profits as the world turns to renewables.
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UAE state oil firm moves up net zero climate target to 2045
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[
"Evens Sanon",
"Michael Casey",
"Associated Press"
] |
2023-08-01 01:07:31+00:00
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2023-08-01 00:43:17
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PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Chants of “freedom” echoed through the streets outside an aid facility in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, on Monday where just days earlier an American nurse and her daughter were kidnapped by armed men. Hundreds of Haitians marched through the gang-ravaged zone, bursting with anger at the abduction, which has become a symbol […]
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PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Chants of “freedom” echoed through the streets outside an aid facility in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, on Monday where just days earlier an American nurse and her daughter were kidnapped by armed men.
Hundreds of Haitians marched through the gang-ravaged zone, bursting with anger at the abduction, which has become a symbol of the worsening violence plaguing the Caribbean nation.
New Hampshire woman Alix Dorsainvil had been working as a community nurse for the religious and humanitarian aid group El Roi Haiti when she and her daughter were taken from its campus on Thursday, the organization said. She is the wife of its founder, Sandro Dorsainvil.
Witnesses told the Associated Press that Dorsainvil was working in her organization’s small brick clinic when a group of armed men burst in and seized her. Lormina Louima, a patient waiting for a check-up, said one man pulled out his gun and told her to relax.
“When I saw the gun, I was so scared,” Louima said. “I said, ‘I don’t want to see this, let me go.'”
Other members of the community said the unidentified men asked for $1 million in ransom, something that’s become standard as Haiti’s gangs turn to slews of kidnappings to line their pockets and bleed the country dry. Hundreds have been kidnapping in Haiti this year alone, figures from the local nonprofit Center for Analysis and Research in Human Rights show.
Since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, gangs have taken over much of Port-au-Prince, killing, raping and sowing terror in communities already suffering endemic poverty.
The same day that Dorsainvil and her daughter were taken, the U.S. State Department issued a “do not travel advisory” for Haiti and ordered nonemergency personnel to leave amid growing security concerns. In its advisory, the State Department said that “kidnapping is widespread, and victims regularly include U.S. citizens.”
The violence has stirred anger among Haitians, who say they simply just want to live in peace.
Protesters, largely from the area around El Roi Haiti’s campus, which includes a medical clinic, a school and more, echoed that call as they walked through the sweltering streets wielding cardboard signs written in Creole in red paint.
“She is doing good work in the community, free her,” read one.
Among the protesters was Jean Ronald, a local resident who said the community has significantly benefitted from the care provided by El Roi Haiti.
Such groups are often the only institutions in areas far beyond the reach of the law, but have increasingly had to shut down operations as violence has deepened. The closures often leave thousands of vulnerable families without access to basic services like healthcare or education.
Earlier this month, Doctors Without Borders announced it was suspending services in one of its hospitals because some 20 armed men burst into an operating room and snatched a patient.
As the protesters walked through the area where Dorsainvil was taken, the streets were eerily quiet. The doors to the clinic where she worked were shut, the small brick building empty. Ronald and others in the area worried the latest kidnapping may mean the clinic won’t reopen.
“If they leave, everything (the aid group’s programs) will shut down,” the Haitian worried. “The money they are asking for, we don’t have it.”
Shortly after, protests dispersed.
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller refused to confirm Monday whether the abductors had made any demands, or to answer other questions.
“I will say we are aware of the reports that two US citizens were kidnapped in Haiti. Obviously, the safety and security of American citizens overseas is our highest priority. We are in regular contact with the Haitian authorities. We’ll continue to work with them and our US government interagency partners, but because it’s an ongoing law enforcement investigation, there’s not more detail I can offer,” Miller wrote in a statement Monday.
In a video for the El Roi Haiti website, Alix Dorsainvil describes Haitians as “resilient people.”
“They’re full of joy, and life and love. I’m so blessed to know so many amazing Haitians,” she says.
Dorsainvil graduated from Regis College in Weston, Massachusetts, which has a program to support nursing education in Haiti. Before that, she went to Cornerstone Christian Academy in Ossipee, New Hampshire which offers pre-K through eighth grade education.
“Pray that God would keep her safe, be with her through this trial, and deliver her from her captors,” the school said on its Facebook page.
Dorsainvil’s father, Steven Comeau, reached in New Hampshire, said he could not talk.
El Roi Haiti celebrated the nurse’s work in a statement over the weekend.
“Alix is a deeply compassionate and loving person who considers Haiti her home and the Haitian people her friends and family,” El Roi president and co-founder Jason Brown said in the statement. “Alix has worked tirelessly as our school and community nurse to bring relief to those who are suffering as she loves and serves the people of Haiti in the name of Jesus.”
Earlier this month, the National Human Rights Defense Network issued a report warning about an upsurge in killings and kidnappings and the U.N. Security Council met to discuss Haiti’s worsening situation.
——
AP reporters Megan Janetsky in Mexico City and Pierre Richard Luxama in Port-au-Prince contributed to this story.
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Haitians, weary of gang violence, protest the kidnapping of an American nurse and her daughter
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[
"Farnoush Amiri",
"Associated Press"
] |
2023-08-01 01:07:56+00:00
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2023-07-31 21:45:21
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WASHINGTON (AP) — Hunter Biden’s former business partner insisted in testimony to Congress Monday that President Joe Biden was never directly involved in their financial dealings, though Hunter would often put his famous father on speakerphone to impress clients and business associates. The Republican-led House Oversight Committee conducted a more than-five hour interview with Devon […]
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.informnny.com%2Fnews%2Fpolitics%2Fap-hunter-bidens-former-business-partner-appears-for-closed-door-interview-with-gop-led-committee%2F.json
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WASHINGTON (AP) — Hunter Biden’s former business partner insisted in testimony to Congress Monday that President Joe Biden was never directly involved in their financial dealings, though Hunter would often put his famous father on speakerphone to impress clients and business associates.
The Republican-led House Oversight Committee conducted a more than-five hour interview with Devon Archer as part of its expanding congressional inquiry into the Biden family businesses as the GOP explores a potential impeachment inquiry into the president.
Both Republican and Democratic lawmakers inside the closed-door interview said Archer testified that over the span of 10 years, Hunter Biden put his father on the phone around 20 times while in the company of associates but “never once spoke about any business dealings.”
New York Rep. Dan Goldman, who was representing Democrats inside the room, told reporters after the interview that Archer testified that Hunter sold the “illusion of access” to his father by taking credit for things his father did as vice president that he had no part in.
But Rep. Andy Biggs, a Republican member of the Oversight Committee, came out of the interview saying that testimony implicated the president directly. “I think we should do an impeachment inquiry,” the Arizona lawmaker told reporters.
Biggs, reading from his notes, said Archer testified that the Ukrainian gas company “Burisma would have gone out of business sooner if the Biden brand had not been invoked. People would be intimidated to legally mess with Burisma because of the Biden family brand.”
Focusing on that idea, Rep. James Comer, the GOP chairman of the Oversight Committee, said in a statement late Monday that “Joe Biden was ‘the brand’ that his son sold around the world to enrich the Biden family.”
“We are aware that all sides are claiming victory following Mr. Archer’s voluntary interview today,” Archer’s attorney, Matthew Schwartz, said in a statement. “But all Devon Archer did was exactly what we said he would: Show up and answer the questions put to him honestly and completely.”
He added, “Mr. Archer shared the truth with the committee, and we will leave to them and others to decide what to do with it.”
The White House saw the testimony as a falling short of House Republicans promise to deliver “bombshell evidence.”
“It appears that the House Republicans’ own much-hyped witness today testified that he never heard of President Biden discussing business with his son or his son’s associates, or doing anything wrong,” Ian Sams, a White House spokesperson, said in a statement.
Archer, who served with Hunter Biden on the board of Burisma, has long been seen by Republicans as a key witness in their search to directly connect the president to his son’s various international business transactions.
Comer had issued a subpoena to Archer in June, saying he “played a significant role in the Biden family’s business deals abroad, including but not limited to China, Russia, and Ukraine.” He said Archer’s testimony would be critical to the committee’s investigation.
Republicans have focused much attention on an unverified tip to the FBI that alleged a bribery scheme involving Joe Biden when he was vice president. The claim, which first emerged in 2019, was that Biden pressured Ukraine to fire its top prosecutor in order to stop an investigation into Burisma, the oil-and-gas company where Hunter Biden was on the board.
Democrats on the committee, including Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin, the ranking minority member, have reiterated that the Justice Department investigated the Burisma claim when Donald Trump was president and closed the matter after eight months, finding “insufficient evidence” that it was true. Democrats have also highlighted the transcript of an interview with Mykola Zlochevsky, Burisma’s co-founder, in which he denied having any contact with Joe Biden while Hunter Biden worked for the company.
“Mr. Zlochevsky’s statements are just one of the many that have debunked the corruption allegations,” Raskin said.
On top of his relationship with Hunter Biden, who is currently facing federal tax charges, Archer has his own legal troubles stemming from a 2018 felony conviction for his role in a conspiracy to defraud a Native American tribe. That conviction was overturned later that year, but the court of appeals in New York reinstated it in 2020. His sentencing in the case has been repeatedly delayed by appeals.
Archer’s appearance before lawmakers had been scheduled and canceled several times since June. Republicans suggested it was about to be delayed again after the Justice Department over the weekend asked a judge to schedule a date for Archer to surrender to prison and begin serving out his one-year sentence in the unrelated fraud case.
Republicans — led by Comer — criticized that delay, calling it an effort by the Justice Department to intimidate a witness. But the Justice Department in a follow-up memo to the court noted Archer’s surrender was not imminent and asked a judge to ensure that he testified to Congress before reporting to prison.
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Hunter Biden sold ‘illusion of access’ to his father, former business partner tells Congress
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[
"Charlie Fripp",
"Bestreviews Staff"
] |
2023-08-01 01:11:05+00:00
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2023-07-31 16:09:31
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Take the unnecessary stress out of back-to-school shopping by getting a supply kit packed with everything they’ll need.
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.informnny.com%2Freviews%2Fbr%2Feducation-br%2Fhomeschooling-br%2F8-school-supply-kits-that-make-back-to-school-shopping-easy%2F.json
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A new school year is stressful but shopping for it shouldn’t be
The long summer break is a great time for kids to get their minds off the coming school year. But whether they stayed home or went to summer camp, there comes a time when you must start to plan ahead.
While they might be more concerned about a new wardrobe, parents know that they won’t pass the new year with just a bright smile. They’re going to need supplies, and it might seem like a daunting task if you don’t know where to start. Take the unnecessary stress out of back-to-school shopping by getting a supply kit packed with everything they’ll need.
Shop this article: Moda West 52-Piece Back to School Supply Kit for K-12, School Supply Boxes 32-Piece Back To School Supply Box Grades K-5 and School Supply Bundle Pack for High School, Middle School or College
Essential ingredients for a successful start
Being thoroughly prepared is an excellent way to start a new grade. Of course, different grades need different items in their kits, but some universal objects are great from kindergarten to senior high.
For basic note-taking and studying, it’s essential to have a few pens, a pencil, an eraser and a ruler. Some paperclips, file dividers or a pencil sharpener will also come in handy. All these items need to be stored somewhere, and a sturdy pencil case is the best for that.
To nail art projects or presentations, a couple of Sharpies, colored highlighters, scissors and a glue stick will do wonders. But naturally, you can’t expect your child to walk around school carrying their art supplies and pencil case by hand. Put everything into a sturdy backpack or shoulder bag, ensuring that it is big enough for their textbooks, too.
Age-appropriate supply kits
Generally, back-to-school supply kits are made up of items used by kindergarten, elementary or middle school students. But if you want to put your own kit together, you must ensure that the items are age-appropriate.
For example, for younger students, you should avoid sharp scissors in favor of blunt, safety scissors. High school students probably won’t use a glue stick but might prefer a contact adhesive for paper or cardboard. You’ll also get strange looks if you throw in a box of crayons, so rather include some durable highlighters or markers.
Don’t forget to review your kid’s recommended items for the upcoming year. You might be covering the essentials with a supply kit, but there could be other objects that they need, such as a protractor, a sturdy lunch box, different colored pens or a stapler.
Best back-to-school supply kits
Moda West 52-Piece Back to School Supply Kit for K-12
This massive selection of 52 pieces comes pre-packaged and has everything a child needs. It includes notebooks, folders, pens and pencils, highlighters, an eraser and a clear pencil case. For art projects, it includes a 5-inch scissor, two glue sticks and an 8-inch ruler.
Sold by Amazon
Trail Maker 20-Piece School Supplies for K-12
Suitable for all grades, this supply kit includes a spiral notebook, a pocket folder, a ruler, three ballpoint pens and two pencils. You can store everything in the canvas pencil case. While it doesn’t include scissors, there is a glue stick and crayons for projects.
Sold by Amazon
Trail Maker 45-Piece School Essentials
This 45-piece bulk pack of school supplies is perfect for students up to elementary school. In addition to the two spiral notebooks and four pocket folders, the supply kit includes several pens, pencils, highlighters and two glue sticks. There is also a box of crayons, a ruler and scissors.
Sold by Amazon
School Supply Boxes 32-Piece Back To School Supply Box Grades K-5
Perfect for elementary school students, this supply box comes with a clear plastic pencil case, 12 colored pencils and a 10-pack of regular pencils. For creative projects, there is a 10-pack of Crayola markers, a 24-pack of Crayola crayons, glue sticks and scissors.
Sold by Amazon
Moda West 17-Inch Backpacks with 52-Piece School Supply Kit
If there are a lot of kids in the neighborhood or the family, this bundle is an excellent choice. The kit includes eight 17-inch backpacks, each with its own 52-piece school supplies. This comprises two notebooks, several pens and pencils, highlighters and pocket folders.
Sold by Amazon
Bundles Galore Mega Back to School Supply Kit Bundle
This bundle is perfect for all grades and includes everything a student might need. The more than 90 pieces include 10 pocket folders, five notebooks, four glue sticks, several pens and pencils and five Sharpie chisel tip highlighters. And since returning to school is tough, it includes a 2-inch stress ball.
Sold by Amazon
Sharpie Expo Paper Mate Back 2 School Essentials 37-Piece Kit
Back to school is made easy with this bundle from Sharpie. The 37-piece kit includes a host of items for late-night studying, such as six mechanical pencils, six regular lead pencils, two fine-point Sharpie markers, and five highlighters. There are also two erasers, two glue sticks and a ruler.
Sold by Amazon
School Supply Bundle Pack for High School, Middle School or College
This bundle includes a ring binder, two spiral notebooks, a pack of dividers, five mechanical pencils and index cards. Perfect for middle school students through college.
Sold by Amazon
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Charlie Fripp writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
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8 school supply kits that make back-to-school shopping easy
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https://www.informnny.com/reviews/br/education-br/homeschooling-br/8-school-supply-kits-that-make-back-to-school-shopping-easy/
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[
"Viknesh Vijayenthiran - Motor Authority"
] |
2023-08-01 01:02:39+00:00
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2023-07-31 12:45:00
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Audi will equip its upcoming Q6 E-Tron with lights whose pattern changes depending on the situation or wishes of the owner, the automaker announced on Monday. The electric compact crossover, which has been plagued by software development issues that have held back its launch by more than a year, will feature Audi’s second-generation OLEDs for […]
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.informnny.com%2Fautomotive%2Finternet-brands%2Faudi-q6-e-tron-will-have-changeable-light-signatures%2F.json
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Audi will equip its upcoming Q6 E-Tron with lights whose pattern changes depending on the situation or wishes of the owner, the automaker announced on Monday.
The electric compact crossover, which has been plagued by software development issues that have held back its launch by more than a year, will feature Audi’s second-generation OLEDs for the headlights and taillights, a technology the automaker said will enable the lights to act as intelligent displays that can communicate information to onlookers.
An example is what Audi refers to as a communication light that will feature in the taillights of the Q6 E-Tron. It will be able to warn other road users of accidents or breakdowns using cloud-based traffic information and the display of specific light signatures. It’s similar to a system Audi already launched in the headlights of the A8 flagship sedan in 2022.
Audi said the communication light could also be used to notify other road users for emergency assist, an imminent rear-end collision, emergency or roadside assistance calls, and more. Another application could be to warn approaching vehicles or cyclists that a door is about to be opened.
Audi Q6 E-Tron prototype
Another situation is using a specific light signature for when the Q6 E-Tron’s automated park assist feature is in operation. Of course, there is no accepted meaning for different light signatures, so the information the lights impart would be up to the interpretation of the onlookers.
Audi said Q6 E-Tron owners will also be able to change the light signatures for the daytime running lights for both the headlights and taillights. Owners will be able to install this feature on demand via the infotainment system or Audi app. Audi will offer multiple patterns to choose from, including some that feature an additional coming or leaving home sequence.
The lighting functions are controlled by a software module developed jointly by Audi and Volkswagen Group’s Cariad software development division.
The Q6 E-Tron is being developed alongside a related electric Porsche Macan. The Q6 E-Tron is set to debut later this year while the electric Macan will arrive in early 2024. Both models will use VW Group’s PPE platform for high-volume premium electric vehicles.
Related Articles
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Audi Q6 E-Tron will have changeable light signatures
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2023-08-01 01:07:37+00:00
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2023-07-31 12:57:05
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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden will travel to Arizona, New Mexico and Utah next week and is expected to talk about his administration’s efforts to combat climate change as the region endures a brutally hot summer with soaring temperatures, the White House said Monday. Biden is expected to discuss the Inflation Reduction Act, America’s […]
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.informnny.com%2Fnews%2Fpolitics%2Fap-biden-goes-west-to-talk-about-his-administrations-efforts-to-combat-climate-change%2F.json
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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden will travel to Arizona, New Mexico and Utah next week and is expected to talk about his administration’s efforts to combat climate change as the region endures a brutally hot summer with soaring temperatures, the White House said Monday.
Biden is expected to discuss the Inflation Reduction Act, America’s most significant response to climate change, and the push toward more clean energy manufacturing. The act aims to spur clean energy on a scale that will bend the arc of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.
July has been the hottest month ever recorded. Biden last week announced new steps to protect workers in extreme heat, including measures to improve weather forecasts and make drinking water more accessible.
Members of Biden’s administration also are fanning out over the next few weeks around the anniversary of the landmark climate change and health care legislation to extol the administration’s successes as the Democratic president seeks reelection in 2024.
Vice President Kamala Harris heads to Wisconsin this week with Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo to talk about broadband infrastructure investments. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack goes to Oregon to highlight wildfire defense grants, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg will go to Illinois and Texas, and Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona heads to Maryland to talk about career and technical education programs.
The Inflation Reduction Act included roughly $375 billion over a decade to combat climate change and capped the cost of a month’s supply of insulin at $35 for older Americans and other Medicare beneficiaries. It also helps an estimated 13 million Americans pay for health care insurance by extending subsidies provided during the coronavirus pandemic.
The measure is paid for by new taxes on large companies and stepped-up IRS enforcement of wealthy individuals and entities, with additional funds going to reduce the federal deficit.
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Biden goes west to talk about his administration’s efforts to combat climate change
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https://www.informnny.com/news/politics/ap-biden-goes-west-to-talk-about-his-administrations-efforts-to-combat-climate-change/
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[
"Greg Beacham",
"Associated Press"
] |
2023-08-01 01:12:06+00:00
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2023-07-31 14:52:33
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ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels reacquired slugger C.J. Cron and outfielder Randal Grichuk in a trade with the Colorado Rockies on Sunday, bolstering their injury-plagued roster with more veteran depth as they fight for a playoff spot. Los Angeles sent minor league pitchers Mason Albright and Jake Madden to the Rockies in […]
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.informnny.com%2Fsports%2Fap-angels-acquire-c-j-cron-randal-grichuk-in-trade-with-colorado-for-2-minor-leaguers%2F.json
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ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels reacquired slugger C.J. Cron and outfielder Randal Grichuk in a trade with the Colorado Rockies on Sunday, bolstering their injury-plagued roster with more veteran depth as they fight for a playoff spot.
Los Angeles sent minor league pitchers Mason Albright and Jake Madden to the Rockies in the deal that brought two former Angels first-round draft picks back to the team. Colorado also is sending $3,701,613 along with Cron and Grichuk, who are in the final years of their contracts before free agency. Cron is owed $2,540,323 in remaining salary and Grichuk $3,161,290, leaving the Angels in effect responsible for $2 million.
The Angels (55-51) are desperate to end their MLB-worst streaks of seven consecutive losing seasons and eight consecutive non-playoff seasons, but their efforts have been endangered by injuries that have seriously compromised their big league depth.
Los Angeles has a major league-leading 17 players on its injured lists after outfielder Taylor Ward joined the group Sunday before an extra-inning victory in Toronto. Ward was moved to the 60-day injured list later in the day, effectively ending his regular season, with facial fractures after Toronto’s Alek Manoah hit him in the face with a fastball on Saturday.
The 33-year-old Cron spent his first four major league seasons with Los Angeles, hitting 59 of his 186 career homers before getting traded to Tampa Bay in early 2018 for prospect Luis Rengifo, who is still a valuable contributor to the Angels. Cron is batting .260 with 11 homers and 32 RBIs this season for the Rockies as their power-hitting first baseman.
Grichuk was selected by the Angels one pick before Mike Trout in the 2009 draft. Los Angeles traded him to St. Louis before he reached the majors and began a 10-year career with the Cardinals, Toronto and Colorado.
Grichuk is batting .308 with an .861 OPS in 64 games this season for the Rockies. His positional flexibility in the outfield will be valuable for the Angels in the injury absences of Trout, Ward and Jo Adell, leaving Mickey Moniak and Hunter Renfroe as the only healthy outfielders on Los Angeles’ 40-man roster.
Grichuk is making just over $10.3 million this season, while Cron is earning $7.25 million. The moves continue the Rockies’ teardown for the final two months of what’s almost certain to be their fifth consecutive losing season.
The 20-year-old Albright is 11-8 with a 5.36 ERA in three seasons in the low minors. The 21-year-old Madden, a fourth-round pick in 2022, is 2-6 with a 5.46 ERA in 14 starts for Low-A Inland Empire this season.
The Angels have traded a significant amount of minor league talent in recent weeks in their determined effort to make the playoffs during the final season of Shohei Ohtani’s contract.
Los Angeles has acquired six veteran major leaguers — slugger Mike Moustakas, right-handed starter Lucas Giolito, reliever Reynaldo López and infielder Eduardo Escobar along with Cron and Grichuk — in four separate trades since late June.
Trout has been out since July 3 with a broken hand, and third baseman Anthony Rendon was sidelined one day later with a bone bruise after fouling a ball off his shin. Trout and Rendon are making roughly $75 million combined this season.
Ward and veteran infielder Gio Urshela are likely out for the season, while infielder Brandon Drury, rookie catcher Logan O’Hoppe and rookie shortstop Zach Neto have all missed significant time.
Los Angeles is in third place in the AL West, five games behind Texas. The Angels are four games behind Toronto for the final AL wild card, but the Red Sox and Yankees are also between them.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
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Angels acquire C.J. Cron, Randal Grichuk in trade with Colorado for 2 minor leaguers
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https://www.informnny.com/sports/ap-angels-acquire-c-j-cron-randal-grichuk-in-trade-with-colorado-for-2-minor-leaguers/
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[
"Stan Choe",
"Associated Press"
] |
2023-08-01 01:05:51+00:00
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2023-07-31 21:17:55
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NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street closed out its latest winning month with another tick higher on Monday. The S&P 500 added 6.73 points, or 0.1%, to 4,588.96 to cap its fifth straight month of gains. That’s its longest winning streak in nearly two years, and the index is at a 16-month high after rallying […]
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.informnny.com%2Fnews%2Fbusiness%2Fap-stock-market-today-asia-shares-gain-after-wall-st-rally-as-investors-pin-hopes-on-china-stimulus%2F.json
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NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street closed out its latest winning month with another tick higher on Monday.
The S&P 500 added 6.73 points, or 0.1%, to 4,588.96 to cap its fifth straight month of gains. That’s its longest winning streak in nearly two years, and the index is at a 16-month high after rallying on hopes cooling inflation will mean the economy can avoid a long-predicted recession.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 100.24, or 0.3%, to 35,559.53, and the Nasdaq composite rose 29.37, or 0.2%, to 13,346.02.
To be sure, critics have been saying Wall Street’s seemingly growing consensus for a soft landing for the economy has come too quickly. Several reports this upcoming week could poke holes in the theory that inflation will keep coming down enough for the Federal Reserve to not only stop hiking interest rates but to begin cutting them by early next year.
Big names in the market, such as Rob Arnott at Research Affiliates, are warning not to be “overly hasty in popping the champagne corks.” Arnott sees the possibility of inflation rebounding again later this year, even though it’s cooled considerably recently.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell himself has pointed to Friday’s upcoming report on the overall U.S. job market as an important datapoint. Growth needs to be strong enough to keep a lid on worries about a possible recession. But a reading that’s too hot could also mean upward pressure on inflation, which could push the Fed to get more aggressive about rates.
High rates undercut inflation by slowing the overall economy and dragging on prices for stocks and other investments. The Fed has already hiked its main rate to its highest level in more than two decades, a jolting shock after the rate began last year at virtually zero.
Two of Wall Street’s most influential stocks are also set to report their earnings for the spring. Amazon and Apple are both scheduled to release their latest quarterly results on Thursday. Because they’re two of the most massive stocks on Wall Street, their stock movements pack much more punch for the S&P 500 and other indexes than other stocks.
Both stocks have soared this year, in part on expectations for strong continued growth, and they’ll need to deliver to justify the big moves. Both Apple and Amazon are up more than 50% so far this year.
Roughly halfway through the earnings reporting season, more companies than usual have topped analysts’ profit expectations, according to FactSet. Companies also seem to be more optimistic about their upcoming results, giving better-than-expected forecasts more often than usual, according to strategists at Bank of America.
“While economic uncertainty remains, we believe the profit cycle is inflecting higher,” the strategists wrote in a BofA Global Research report.
ON Semiconductor rose 2.5% for one of the larger gains in the S&P 500 after reporting stronger profit for the latest quarter than expected. The company, known as onsemi, also gave a forecast for profit in the current quarter that topped analysts’ expectations.
On the losing end was Tempur Sealy International. The mattress company said it discovered a cybersecurity event last week, which pushed it to shut down some of its technology systems. It has resumed operations after what it called a temporary interruption and is working to determine the incident’s full impact. Its stock fell 3%.
In stock markets abroad, indexes in Europe were mixed after data showed Europe’s economy has grown modestly after months of stagnation.
In Asia, stocks rose in Hong Kong and Shanghai amid hopes Beijing will deliver more stimulus for the sluggish Chinese economy.
In the bond market, U.S. Treasury yields slipped after a report suggested manufacturing in the Chicago region is weakening a bit more than economists expected. Manufacturing has been one of the hardest-hit areas in the economy by high interest rates, which work with a notoriously long lag effect.
The yield on the 10-year Treasury edged down to 3.95% from 3.96% late Friday.
___
AP Business Writers Matt Ott, Elaine Kurtenbach and Joe McDonald contributed.
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Stock market today: Wall Street perks higher to close out its latest winning month
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https://www.informnny.com/news/business/ap-stock-market-today-asia-shares-gain-after-wall-st-rally-as-investors-pin-hopes-on-china-stimulus/
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[
"Howard Fendrich",
"Associated Press"
] |
2023-08-01 01:13:40+00:00
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2023-07-31 19:36:43
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WASHINGTON (AP) — A poster hanging at the DC Open site shows Frances Tiafoe — a competitor in the field from nearby Maryland — flanked by other men such as Andy Murray and Taylor Fritz and women such as Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula. It is a simple visualization of a complicated change to a […]
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.informnny.com%2Fsports%2Fap-washington-tennis-tournament-offers-equal-status-for-women-and-men-but-unequal-prize-money%2F.json
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WASHINGTON (AP) — A poster hanging at the DC Open site shows Frances Tiafoe — a competitor in the field from nearby Maryland — flanked by other men such as Andy Murray and Taylor Fritz and women such as Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula.
It is a simple visualization of a complicated change to a tournament that began Monday and has been around for men since 1969, added women via a simultaneous but lower-tier and less-promoted event in 2009 and now is taking a further step by touting itself as the first combined ATP-WTA 500 event. That is two levels below Grand Slams and one level below Masters 1000s and was accomplished by elevating the women’s portion through the lease of what had been a hard-court tourney in San Jose, California, played during the same week.
While ostensibly that puts the men and women on equal footing in Washington — where players both will be trying to win a trophy and to prepare for the U.S. Open, the year’s last Grand Slam tournament — it still is not equal all the way around.
Most notably: The men’s champion receives a check for $353,445; the women’s champion earns $120,150. That is not an anomaly. There are other stops on the professional tennis tours that include female and male players but do not pay them evenly.
“Our main goal is to work toward equal prize money. That is what we want on the WTA side and what we think is fair. Especially at the combined events, we don’t want to see a discrepancy there. We want to see that we’re earning the same at the same event,” said Pegula, an American who is No. 3 in the rankings and seeded No. 1 in Washington and a member of the women’s tour’s player council. “The fans are coming to watch both of us, and we should be making the same.”
All four Grand Slam tournaments offer equal prize money across the board, something the U.S. Open started doing 50 years ago and others as recently as 2007. That won’t happen at the DC Open until 2027 as part of a wider plan the WTA recently announced to get equal paychecks at certain events by that year and at others by 2033.
“That will give everyone a chance to hopefully get revenues to grow to be able to afford it,” said Mark Ein, who has been the tournament chairman since 2019 and is part of the group that recently bought the NFL’s Washington Commanders from Dan Snyder.
“When we took over the tournament, one of my top goals was to secure a women’s event at an equal level as our men’s,” Ein said. “One of the things I love about tennis is it’s really the only sport where athletes of both genders compete on the same playing surface at the same time.”
There are other discrepancies between the men’s and women’s brackets in Washington.
The men’s field is 48 players; the women’s is 28. The rankings points available are nearly the same, but the men’s champion gets 500, the women’s 470.
Like Pegula, three-time major champion Murray, who is seeded 15th in Washington, said that all players “at the same event, on the same courts,” should be vying for the same payouts.
“But I think for it ever to become like truly equal, the WTA and the ATP are actually going to have to come together and work as one before that’s the case, because I don’t think it’s that straightforward just now that both tours have different sponsors, different TV deals and all of that stuff, too,” Murray said. “There is a few things that still need to change, but I feel like things are going in the right direction, like with the move to this event becoming a 500 for both. Can obviously still get better.”
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AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
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Washington tennis tournament offers equal status for women and men but unequal prize money
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https://www.informnny.com/sports/ap-washington-tennis-tournament-offers-equal-status-for-women-and-men-but-unequal-prize-money/
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[
"Emily Brooks",
"The Hill"
] |
2023-08-01 01:04:18+00:00
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2023-07-31 23:29:17
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Democrats and Republicans are offering clashing interpretations of the significance of former Hunter Biden business associate Devon Archer’s closed-door testimony, which lawmakers said included assertions that Hunter Biden was selling the “illusion of access” to his father and that Hunter Biden sometimes put President Biden on speakerphone to talk to his business associates. The revelations […]
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Democrats and Republicans are offering clashing interpretations of the significance of former Hunter Biden business associate Devon Archer’s closed-door testimony, which lawmakers said included assertions that Hunter Biden was selling the “illusion of access” to his father and that Hunter Biden sometimes put President Biden on speakerphone to talk to his business associates.
The revelations are fueling Republican attempts to link the president to his son’s business dealings. Republicans, including Speaker Kevin McCarthy (Calif.) and House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer (Ky.), say the testimony shows that President Biden “lied” when he made campaign trail statements that he had never talked to his son about his foreign business dealings.
But Democrats say Archer’s testimony to the House Oversight Committee on Monday actually shows the president was not involved in Hunter Biden’s foreign business affairs.
Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.), who attended the hours-long transcribed interview, said Archer testified that because Hunter Biden was under pressure from Ukrainian energy company Burisma, “he had to give the illusion — and he used that term, the illusion — of access to his father, and he tried to get credit for things that he — that Mr. Archer testified Hunter had nothing to do with, such as when Vice President Biden went to Ukraine on his own.”
Lawmakers clash over whether testimony implicates president
Archer was on the board of Burisma with Hunter Biden. Republicans have said then-Vice President Biden’s call to remove Ukrainian prosecutor Viktor Shokin, whose office was investigating Burisma, was directly related to his son’s involvement with, and sizable payments from, the company.
But the investigation in Burisma had been opened before Shokin took the position, and Shokin was widely criticized for failure to prosecute corruption, with his ouster supported by numerous U.S. officials.
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), the ranking member on the House Oversight Committee, said in a statement that Archer testified that “President Biden was not involved in his son’s business affairs, and that President Biden was never asked to, nor did he, take any official actions in relation to those business matters.”
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said last week that the president “was never in business with his son.”
On the other end of the partisan spectrum, Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), who also attended the transcribed interview, said he thought Archer’s testimony “implicate[s] the president.”
Reading from his notes of the transcribed interview, Biggs said Archer testified that “Burisma would have gone out of business sooner if the Biden brand had not been invoked. People would be intimidated to legally mess with Burisma because of the Biden family brand.”
According to Biggs, Archer said the Biden “brand” referred to President Biden. But Goldman later said that Archer clarified the “brand” was based on a “D.C. brand based on his own experience in lobbying” and “in conjunction with the fact that his last name was Biden.”
Burisma bribery allegations
Both Biggs and Goldman said that Archer had no knowledge of an alleged $5 million payment to Biden from Burisma, an allegation relayed by a confidential FBI source in a form released by Republicans earlier in June.
Goldman argued that Archer’s testimony undercut the premise of the Biden-Burisma bribery allegations.
“Even though it was perceived by Burisma that they had the Prosecutor General Shokin ‘under control,’ quote unquote, that Joe Biden advocated for his firing — which of course, was not coveted or desired by Burisma, and would potentially be bad for Burisma,” Goldman said.
Raskin said that Republicans appeared to be “chasing” the bribery allegations, and pointed to a recent letter to Comer from Lev Parnas, who was involved in an effort to dig up dirt about the Bidens in Ukraine ahead of the 2020 election, urging Comer to abandon efforts to chase the “conspiracy theories.”
Comer, on the other hand, took issue with Hunter Biden’s work with Burisma.
“When Burisma’s owner was facing pressure from the Ukrainian prosecutor investigating the company for corruption, Archer testified that Burisma executives asked Hunter to ‘call D.C.’ after a Burisma board meeting in Dubai,” he said in a statement, which a press release said raised concerns that Hunter Biden was in violation of the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
Phone calls with the president
Archer’s testimony did appear to partially back up Comer’s statement to the New York Post last week that he expected Archer to discuss the times he witnessed Hunter Biden’s putting then-Vice President Biden on speakerphone with foreign business partners.
Democrats downplayed that concern.
“The witness indicated that Hunter spoke to his father every day, and approximately 20 times over the course of a 10-year relationship. Hunter may have put his father on the phone with any number of different people, and they never once spoke about any business dealings,” Goldman said.
“As he described it, it was all casual conversation, niceties, the weather, ‘What’s going on?’” Goldman said, adding that “there wasn’t a single conversation about any of the business dealings that Hunter had.”
Democrats also stressed that there were especially frequent conversations between Hunter Biden and his father after his brother, Beau Biden, died from brain cancer in 2015.
Biggs pushed back on Goldman’s characterization.
“He probably forgot to tell you that Devon Archer himself said that was an implication of who the ‘big guy’ is,” Biggs said, referring to communications drawn from a laptop hard drive that purportedly belonged to Hunter Biden.
The House Oversight GOP also said in a tweet that President Biden attended a 2014 dinner with Hunter Biden and some of his foreign business associates at Cafe Milano in Washington, D.C.
White House slams GOP after ‘much-hyped witness’ testimony
Ian Sams, White House spokesperson for oversight and investigations, also argued that the Archer interview poked holes in the GOP attempts to directly link President Biden to his family’s foreign business dealings.
“It appears that the House Republicans’ own much-hyped witness today testified that he never heard of President Biden discussing business with his son or his son’s associates, or doing anything wrong,” Sams said. “House Republicans keep promising bombshell evidence to support their ridiculous attacks against the President, but time after time, they keep failing to produce any. In fact, even their own witnesses appear to be debunking their allegations.”
Raskin said that the Biden family investigation is a “desperate effort to distract everyone from former President Donald Trump’s mounting criminal indictments and deepening legal morass.”
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), who was also in the interview, told reporters that Archer had revealed new information, but declined to elaborate further.
Abbe Lowell, counsel for Hunter Biden, said in a statement that House Republicans “keep swinging and keep striking out in their obsessive pursuit of the President through his son, Hunter.”
“Mr. Archer confirmed one more time that Hunter Biden did not involve his father in, nor did his father assist him in, his business. It’s well known that Hunter and his father speak daily, and what Mr. Archer confirmed today was that when those calls occurred during Hunter’s business meetings, if there was any interaction between his father and his business associates, it was simply to exchange small talk,” Lowell said.
“Like the relatives of Donald Trump, Senators Ron Johnson and Ted Cruz, Rep. Lauren Boebert, and many others, family members of elected representatives meet people and may get opportunities because of those connections,” he continued. “Congress would be busy investigating many of their own if that’s their idea of an offense.”
Archer did not answer shouted questions when entering or leaving the transcribed interview, and his attorney declined to take a side in the debate over his testimony.
“We are aware that all sides are claiming victory following Mr. Archer’s voluntary interview today. But all Devon Archer did was exactly what we said he would: show up and answer the questions put to him honestly and completely. Mr. Archer shared the truth with the Committee, and we will leave to them and others to decide what to do with it,” said Matthew L. Schwartz, a managing partner of Boies Schiller Flexner LLP.
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Devon Archer debate focuses on Hunter Biden ‘illusion of access’
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https://www.informnny.com/hill-politics/devon-archer-debate-focuses-on-hunter-biden-illusion-of-access/
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[
"Anita Snow",
"Drew Costley",
"Associated Press"
] |
2023-08-01 01:06:54+00:00
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2023-08-01 00:34:39
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PHOENIX (AP) — A record string of daily highs over 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 degrees Celsius) in Phoenix ended Monday as the dangerous heat wave that suffocated the Southwest throughout July receded slightly with cooling monsoon rains. The historic heat began blasting the region in June, stretching from Texas across New Mexico and Arizona and […]
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.informnny.com%2Fnews%2Fnational-news%2Fap-forecast-calls-for-108-phoenix-will-take-it-as-record-breaking-heat-expected-to-end%2F.json
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PHOENIX (AP) — A record string of daily highs over 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 degrees Celsius) in Phoenix ended Monday as the dangerous heat wave that suffocated the Southwest throughout July receded slightly with cooling monsoon rains.
The historic heat began blasting the region in June, stretching from Texas across New Mexico and Arizona and into California’s desert. Phoenix and its suburbs sweltered more and longer than most, with several records including the 31 consecutive days of 110 degrees Fahrenheit-plus (43.4 degrees Celsius) weather. The previous record was 18 straight days, set in 1974.
The streak was finally broken Monday, when the high topped out at 108 degrees Fahrenheit (42.2 Celsius) at 3:10 p.m.
“The high temperature for Phoenix today is 108 degrees,” Jessica Leffel, meteorologist for the National Weather Service, said at 5 p.m.
“The record streak of 31 straight days of 110+ degree temperatures has ended.,” the weather service said on social media. “The high temperature at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport reached 108 degrees this afternoon, which is only 2 degrees above normal.”
The reprieve was expected to be brief, with the forecast calling for highs again above 110 for several days later in the week. And National Weather Service meteorologist Matthew Hirsch said August could be even hotter than July.
But residents and visitors were taking what they could get.
“It’s not going to last more than a couple of days, but I’m enjoying this break,” said Christine Bertaux, 76, who was cooling off Monday at a downtown day center for older people who are homeless.
“It has been REALLY hot here!” said Jeffrey Sharpe, of Kenosha, Wisconsin, who was in town for a long weekend that on Monday included watching his son’s two poodles frolic in a grassy dog park. “But today it was about 85 degrees, more like Wisconsin.”
Phoenix also sweated through a record 16 consecutive days when overnight lows didn’t dip below 90 degrees (32.2 degrees Celsius), making it hard for people to cool off after the sun went down.
In California, Death Valley, long considered the hottest place on Earth, flirted in July with some of the hottest temperatures ever recorded, reaching 125.6 degrees Fahrenheit (52.5 Celsius) on July 16 at the aptly named Furnace Creek.
The planet’s hottest recorded temperature ever was 134 F (56.67 C) in July 1913 at Furnace Creek, according to the World Meteorological Organization, the body recognized as keeper of world records.
And in Nevada, also on July 16, Las Vegas briefly reached 116 degrees (46.6 degrees Celsius) to tie the record for that date set in 1998.
The heat in Phoenix began to ease slightly last week with the city’s first major storm since the monsoon season began June 15.
The Southwest heat wave was just one kind of extreme weather events that hit the U.S. in July. Fatal flash floods swept people and cars away in Pennsylvania, and days of flooding led to dangerous mudslides in the Northeast.
At several points during the month, as many as a third of Americans were under some type of heat advisory, watch or warning. While not as visually dramatic as other natural disasters, experts say heat waves are deadlier — heat in parts of the South and Midwest killed more than a dozen people in June.
Rudy Soliz, who manages the center where Bertaux was cooling off, said those who visit to get a meal and cool off out of the sun “have been having a very hard time this summer.”
“Older people have a harder time with the heat, there are a lot of diabetics, people who take medicines,” he said.
“The heat has been pretty bad this summer. We’ve made at least five 911 calls from here this July for people who got heat stroke,” said Soliz. “They’ve found a couple of bodies around here this month but it’s not clear yet if they died from the heat.”
Maricopa County, Arizona’s most populous and home to Phoenix, reported 25 heat-related deaths this year as of July 21. Another 249 deaths are listed as under investigation, and results from toxicological tests that can take weeks or months after an autopsy could lead to many being confirmed as heat-related.
Maricopa County reported 425 heat-associated deaths in all of 2022, with more than half in July.
R. Glenn Williamson, a businessman who was born in Canada but has lived in Phoenix for years, said he really noticed a temperature difference Monday morning as he washed his car in his driveway.
“Now we have to get rid of the humidity!” Williamson said. “But honestly, I’d rather have this heat than a Montreal winter.”
___
Costley reported from New Orleans.
___
Follow Drew Costley on Twitter: @drewcostley.
___
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
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Phoenix has ended 31-day streak of highs at or above 110 degrees as rains ease a Southwest heat wave
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[
"Lolita C. Baldor",
"Tara Copp",
"Associated Press"
] |
2023-08-01 01:07:44+00:00
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2023-07-31 21:42:31
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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has decided to keep U.S. Space Command headquarters in Colorado, overturning a last-ditch decision by the Trump administration to move it to Alabama. The choice ended months of thorny deliberations, but an Alabama lawmaker vowed to fight on. U.S. officials told The Associated Press on Monday that Biden was […]
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.informnny.com%2Fnews%2Fpolitics%2Fap-biden-has-decided-to-keep-space-command-in-colorado-rejecting-move-to-alabama-officials-tell-ap%2F.json
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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has decided to keep U.S. Space Command headquarters in Colorado, overturning a last-ditch decision by the Trump administration to move it to Alabama. The choice ended months of thorny deliberations, but an Alabama lawmaker vowed to fight on.
U.S. officials told The Associated Press on Monday that Biden was convinced by the head of Space Command, Gen. James Dickinson, who argued that moving his headquarters now would jeopardize military readiness. Dickinson’s view, however, was in contrast to Air Force leadership, who studied the issue at length and determined that relocating to Huntsville, Alabama, was the right move.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details of Biden’s rationale for the decision.
In announcing the plans, Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon press secretary, said the decision was based on an “objective and deliberate process informed by data and analysis.” He said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin supported the president’s decision.
Reaction to the decision came fast and was sharply divided, as Colorado lawmakers praised it and Alabama officials slammed it as a political maneuver. “This fight is far from over,” warned Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., chairman of the House Armed Services Committee.
Biden, said the U.S. officials, believes that keeping the command in Colorado Springs would avoid a disruption in readiness that the move would cause, particularly as the U.S. races to compete with China in space. And they said Biden firmly believes that maintaining stability will help the military be better able to respond in space over the next decade. Those factors, they said, outweighed what the president believed would be any minor benefits of moving to Alabama.
Biden’s decision enraged Alabama lawmakers and is sure to fuel accusations that abortion politics played a role in the choice. The location debate has become entangled in the ongoing battle between Alabama Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville and the Defense Department over the move to provide travel for troops seeking reproductive health care. Tuberville opposed the policy is blocking hundreds of military promotions in protest.
The U.S. officials said the abortion issue had no effect at all on Biden’s decision. And they said the president fully expected there would be different views on the matter within the Defense Department.
Tuberville, in a statement, said the top three choices for Space Command headquarters were all in Republican-leaning states — Alabama, Nebraska and Texas — and bypassing them “looks like blatant patronage politics.”
Formally created in August 2019, the command was temporarily based in Colorado, and Air Force and Space Force leaders initially recommended it stay there. In the final days of his presidency Donald Trump decided it should be based in Huntsville.
The change triggered a number of reviews.
Proponents of keeping the command in Colorado have argued that moving it to Huntsville and creating a new headquarters would set back its progress at a time it needs to move quickly to be positioned to match China’s military space rise. And Colorado Springs is also home to the Air Force Academy, which now graduates Space Force guardians, and more than 24 military space missions, including three Space Force bases.
Officials also argued that any new headquarters in Alabama would not be completed until sometime after 2030, forcing a lengthy transition.
Huntsville, however, scored higher than Colorado Springs in a Government Accountability Office assessment of potential locations and has long been a home to some of earliest missiles used in the nation’s space programs, including the Saturn V rocket. It is home to the Army’s Space and Missile Defense Command.
According to officials, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, who ordered his own review of the matter, leaned toward Huntsville, while Dickinson was staunchly in favor of staying put. The officials said Austin presented both options to Biden.
In a statement Monday, Kendall said the service will work to quickly implement Biden’s decision, adding that keeping the command in Colorado will “avoid any disruption to its operational capability.”
The decision was hailed as a victory in Colorado lawmakers and condemned in Alabama.
“For two and a half years we’ve known any objective analysis of this basing decision would reach the same conclusion we did, that Peterson Space Force Base is the best home for Space Command,” Sen. John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., said in a statement. “Most importantly, this decision firmly rejects the idea that politics — instead of national security — should determine basing decisions central to our national security.”
Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., said the decision “restores integrity to the Pentagon’s basing process and sends a strong message that national security and the readiness of our Armed Forces drive our military decisions.”
Rogers, meanwhile, vowed that his committee will continue an investigation into the matter, calling it a “deliberate taxpayer-funded manipulation of the selection process.” He added, “It’s clear that far-left politics, not national security, was the driving force behind this decision.”
Republican Alabama Sen. Katie Britt echoed his sentiment, saying it was irresponsible for Biden to “yank a military decision out of the Air Force’s hands in the name of partisan politics.” She said an Air Force evaluation of the potential locations ranked Huntsville first, adding that the decision ”should have remained in the Air Force’s purview.”
___
Associated Press writer Kim Chandler in Montgomery, Ala., contributed to this report.
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Biden decides to keep Space Command in Colorado, rejecting move to Alabama
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https://www.informnny.com/news/politics/ap-biden-has-decided-to-keep-space-command-in-colorado-rejecting-move-to-alabama-officials-tell-ap/
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[
"Ed White",
"Associated Press"
] |
2023-08-01 01:05:39+00:00
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2023-07-31 22:02:40
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DETROIT (AP) — Major changes in Michigan’s car insurance system don’t apply to people who were catastrophically injured before a 2019 law kicked in, the state Supreme Court said Monday in a decision that delivers critical relief to thousands of people counting on long-term benefits. But the 5-2 opinion didn’t come soon enough for Brian […]
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.informnny.com%2Fnews%2Fbusiness%2Fap-michigan-court-affirms-critical-benefits-for-thousands-badly-hurt-in-car-wrecks%2F.json
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DETROIT (AP) — Major changes in Michigan’s car insurance system don’t apply to people who were catastrophically injured before a 2019 law kicked in, the state Supreme Court said Monday in a decision that delivers critical relief to thousands of people counting on long-term benefits.
But the 5-2 opinion didn’t come soon enough for Brian Woodward, who was paralyzed in the 1980s and had frequently talked about the law’s drastic impact on his care. He died Monday at age 64, his family said.
For decades, crash survivors were entitled to lifetime payment for “all reasonable charges” related to care and rehabilitation. But a new state law set a fee schedule and a cap on reimbursements. Suddenly, 18,000 people already receiving benefits were forced to scramble as some care providers dropped out.
The Supreme Court, however, said a “vested contractual right” to ongoing benefits “cannot be stripped away or diminished,” especially when lawmakers failed to declare an intent to do so when they changed the law.
“This is an enormous victory for the rights of crash survivors, and we want to thank all the advocates who fought along with us to make this day a reality,” said Tim Hoste, president of CPAN, a coalition of medical organizations and consumer groups.
The decision was written by Justice Elizabeth Welch, a Democrat, and joined by other Democratic justices and by Chief Justice Elizabeth Clement, a Republican.
In an effort to lower Michigan’s insurance rates, which were among the highest in the U.S., the Republican-controlled Legislature and Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer agreed to sweeping changes in 2019. Drivers can save money by choosing certain injury-coverage options. But payments for certain care were also slashed.
The catastrophically injured include hockey star Vladimir Konstantinov, a former member of the Detroit Red Wings, who requires 24/7 care. He suffered severe brain damage in 1997 when a drunken limousine driver crashed the car he was traveling in, following the team’s NHL championship.
Konstantinov had an outstanding balance of $250,000 for home care at one point due to the change in law, said Theresa Ruedisueli of Arcadia Home Care & Staffing, which continues to provide care.
“He can’t eat, he can’t cook, he can’t drive,” Ruedisueli said. “All of the things that you and I take for granted, just getting ready for work in the morning, he can’t do without help.”
Woodward suffered devastating spinal injuries in a crash but was able to get in-home care and even hold a job through insurance. When the law changed, and care rates were reduced, he said he lost caregivers and was shuttled from facility to facility.
“I’m dying,” Woodward told The Detroit News last week. “My body is breaking down because I’m not getting enough exercise.”
Hoste said the law led to the “spiritual, emotional and physical decline of many people, including Brian.”
An industry trade group, the Insurance Alliance of Michigan, said the Supreme Court decision will open the door to overcharging for medical care. The lower reimbursement schedule, however, remains intact for injuries since the law was overhauled.
In a dissent, Justice David Viviano said the Supreme Court majority crafted an opinion based on “vague and disputed concepts” to provide cover for those who simply believe it would be unfair to reduce future benefits for the long-term injured.
“As a result, the efforts of the Legislature and the governor to reduce costs and make insurance more affordable for all the residents of our state will not come to fruition for many decades,” said Viviano, who was joined by fellow Republican Justice Brian Zahra.
“If courts cannot be trusted to faithfully interpret and apply the laws, especially those involving such significant and contested topics, then the democratic process is in peril,” Viviano said.
___
Associated Press reporter Mike Householder contributed to this story.
___
Follow Ed White at http://twitter.com/edwritez
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Michigan court affirms critical benefits for thousands badly hurt in car wrecks
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https://www.informnny.com/news/business/ap-michigan-court-affirms-critical-benefits-for-thousands-badly-hurt-in-car-wrecks/
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[
"Adrian Sainz",
"Associated Press"
] |
2023-08-01 01:07:13+00:00
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2023-08-01 00:44:04
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MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Memphis police on Monday said officers shot a suspect after he attempted to enter a Jewish school with a gun and fired shots after he couldn’t get into the building. Assistant Police Chief Don Crowe said the suspect, whose identity has not been released, approached Margolin Hebrew Academy-Feinstone Yeshiva of the […]
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.informnny.com%2Fnews%2Fnational-news%2Fap-memphis-tennessee-police-shoot-suspect-after-he-fired-shots-outside-jewish-school%2F.json
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MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Memphis police on Monday said officers shot a suspect after he attempted to enter a Jewish school with a gun and fired shots after he couldn’t get into the building.
Assistant Police Chief Don Crowe said the suspect, whose identity has not been released, approached Margolin Hebrew Academy-Feinstone Yeshiva of the South around 12:20 p.m. He fired several shots and then left in a maroon truck.
“Thankfully, that school had a great safety procedure and process in place and avoided anyone being harmed or injured at that scene,” Crowe said.
Officers soon found the suspect’s vehicle “shortly after that,” Crowe said, adding that officers then shot the suspect after he exited the truck with a firearm in hand. The suspect was sent to a hospital, where he is in critical condition.
It was not immediately clear if school was in session.
When asked if law enforcement believe the shooting was a hate crime, Crowe said officers were still on the scene and collecting information.
“It’s way too early for that. Again, we’re very early in this investigation,” Crowe said.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigations is now handling the case.
Oscar Gomez said two of his teenage children were outside their house when the man was shot in their neighborhood. They told him about the shooting when he arrived home from work, he said.
“They heard the shooting, and they threw themselves on the floor trying to protect themselves,” said Gomez, 39.
U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, whose district includes Memphis, said in a statement that he was “shocked” to hear about the incident at the school and noted that acts of “violent antisemitism” are on the rise across the country.
Monday’s shooting comes nearly four months after a shooter opened fire at a private Christian school in Nashville and killed six people, including three nine-year-old children. That tragedy has sparked closer scrutiny of Tennessee’s relaxed gun laws and renewed calls to strengthen security at both public and private schools across the state.
___
Kimberlee Kruesi contributed to this report from Nashville, Tennessee
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Memphis, Tennessee, police shoot suspect after he fired shots outside Jewish school
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https://www.informnny.com/news/national-news/ap-memphis-tennessee-police-shoot-suspect-after-he-fired-shots-outside-jewish-school/
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[
"Jill Colvin",
"Brian Slodysko",
"Associated Press"
] |
2023-08-01 01:08:32+00:00
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2023-07-31 20:00:58
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WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Donald Trump ‘s mounting legal woes are growing more expensive, leading his campaign to request a refund from a supportive super PAC and launch a new legal defense fund to help cover costs. His political action committee, Save America, is expected to disclose Monday that it spent more than $40 […]
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.informnny.com%2Fnews%2Fpolitics%2Fap-trump-political-committee-splurges-over-40m-on-lawyers-fees-as-legal-peril-mounts%2F.json
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WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Donald Trump ‘s mounting legal woes are growing more expensive, leading his campaign to request a refund from a supportive super PAC and launch a new legal defense fund to help cover costs.
His political action committee, Save America, is expected to disclose Monday that it spent more than $40 million on legal fees during the first half of the year for costs related to defending the former president, his aides and other allies, according to a person familiar with the filing who spoke on the condition of anonymity before the deadline. The number was first reported by The Washington Post.
At the same time, Trump’s allies are creating a new legal defense fund that will help pay the soaring legal fees as Trump faces dozens of criminal charges stemming from indictments in New York and Florida, with more expected as soon as this week. The Patriot Legal Defense Fund, as it is called, is intended to raise money to defray costs for those “defending against legal actions arising from an individual or group’s participation in the political process,” according to a filing made last month with the IRS. The group will be run by Trump campaign senior advisers Susie Wiles and Michael Glassner.
“The weaponized Department of Justice and the deranged Jack Smith have targeted innocent Americans associated with President Trump,” said Trump spokesman Steven Cheung. “In order to combat these heinous actions by Joe Biden’s cronies and to protect these innocent people from financial ruin and prevent their lives from being completely destroyed, a new legal defense fund will help pay for their legal fees.” The fund was first reported by The New York Times.
Smith is the special counsel leading the federal investigations of Trump. His team has expressed interest in the payment of legal fees for Trump-aligned witnesses in the investigations and has sought information about it, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity in order to discuss ongoing criminal probes.
Trump’s PAC has also requested that his super PAC, MAGA Inc., return some of the money that it transferred to seed the group to help cover costs. It is unclear whether money was actually transferred or how much.
A spokesman for the super PAC did not respond to a request for comment.
Trump launched his PAC, Save America, in the days after the 2020 election, which he lost to President Joe Biden. For weeks, the group bombarded supporters with a nonstop stream of text messages and emails that purported to raise money for an “election defense fund” that would be used to contest the election’s outcome.
But the $170 million that the effort raised in less than a month was not used to contest the election, records show. Instead, it was used to pay down campaign debt and replenish the coffers of the Republican National Committee, with Trump also stockpiling another large chunk for his future political endeavors. Last year, the Justice Department issued a round of grand jury subpoenas that sought information about the political action committee’s fundraising practices.
Since then, Save America has served as a different sort of “defense fund,” covering the legal expenses for Trump operatives, allies and employees who have been ensnared in the Justice Department’s ongoing investigation.
Some of Save America’s money has been used to boost other candidates, though it’s a pittance compared to how much Trump has spent on ballooning legal costs.
As the 2022 midterm elections approached, Trump pledged to back congressional candidates loyal to him. But of the roughly $65 million earmarked by Save America for political spending, less than a third — about $20 million — was used to back midterm candidates through campaign contributions or paid advertising.
“Forty million dollars — I’ve never seen anything like it,” said Paul S. Ryan, a longtime campaign finance attorney in Washington, referring to the sum the group spent on legal fees this year. “There’s no legal issue. It’s really just a question for his donors: Do they want to be funding lawyers?”
___
Colvin reported from New York.
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Trump political committee has spent more than $40 million on lawyers’ fees as his legal peril mounts
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https://www.informnny.com/news/politics/ap-trump-political-committee-splurges-over-40m-on-lawyers-fees-as-legal-peril-mounts/
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[
"Viknesh Vijayenthiran - Motor Authority"
] |
2023-08-01 01:03:08+00:00
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2023-07-31 10:00:00
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Red Bull Racing scored a one-two finish during the past week’s Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix, which served as round 13 of the 2023 season and the final race before the summer break. Fresh from his win at Saturday’s standalone Sprint race, Max Verstappen took home another win on Sunday at the main event after […]
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.informnny.com%2Fautomotive%2Finternet-brands%2Fred-bull-secures-one-two-finish-at-2023-f1-belgian-grand-prix%2F.json
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Red Bull Racing scored a one-two finish during the past week’s Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix, which served as round 13 of the 2023 season and the final race before the summer break.
Fresh from his win at Saturday’s standalone Sprint race, Max Verstappen took home another win on Sunday at the main event after recovering from starting in the fifth position due to a grid penalty related to a gearbox change. Once again the rest of the field, including Verstappen teammate Sergio Perez, provided little in the way of competition.
Perez, who started the race second on the grid, finished 22 seconds after Verstappen to secure second place, while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, the polesitter, finished 32 seconds behind the winner to secure the final podium spot.
There was plenty of action at the start, with Perez moving ahead of Leclerc on the first lap and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri making contact. The damage eventually led to both drivers retiring, with Piastri out at the start and Sainz around the midway point of the race.
Mercedes-Benz AMG at the 2023 Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix
Verstappen was able to take advantage of the clash and move up to fourth early on, behind Hamilton, who was in third behind Perez and Leclerc. Verstappen made a successful move on Hamilton on lap six and passed Leclerc to claim second just three laps later.
He overtook race leader Perez on lap 16. With a gap of just half a second between them, Verstappen used the DRS on the Kemmel straight to shoot past his teammate. From there, the reigning world champion cruised to the end of the race.
Hamilton finished in fourth place, and managed to set the fastest lap of the race fresh after changing to Medium tires on the penultimate lap. Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso finished in fifth place ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell, who worked a one-stop strategy to take sixth.
Following the weekend’s action, Verstappen leads the 2023 Drivers’ Championship with 314 points. Perez is a distant second with 189 points and Alonso is third with 149 points. In the Constructors’ Championship, Red Bull leads with 503 points, versus the 247 points of second-placed Mercedes and 196 points of third-placed Aston Martin. Teams now enjoy a three-week summer break before returning for the Dutch Grand Prix.
Alfa Romeo at the 2023 Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix
Below are the full results from the 2023 Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix:
1) Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
2) Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing +22.305 seconds
3) Charles Leclerc, Ferrari +32.259 seconds
4) Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-Benz AMG +49.671 seconds
5) Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin +56.184 seconds
6) George Russell, Mercedes-Benz AMG +63.101 seconds
7) Lando Norris, McLaren +73.719 seconds
8) Esteban Ocon, Alpine +74.719 seconds
9) Lance Stroll, Aston Martin +79.340 seconds
10) Yuki Tsunoda, AlphaTauri +80.221 seconds
11) Pierre Gasly, AlphaTauri +83.084 seconds
12) Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo +85.191 seconds
13) Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo +95.441 seconds
14) Alexander Albon, Williams +96.184 seconds
15) Kevin Magnussen, Haas +101.754 seconds
16) Daniel Ricciardo, AlphaTauri +103.071 seconds
17) Logan Sargeant, Williams +104.476 seconds
18) Nico Hulkenberg, Haas +110.450 seconds
NC) Carlos Sainz, Ferrari – DNF
NC) Oscar Piastri, McLaren – DNF
Related Articles
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Red Bull secures one-two finish at 2023 F1 Belgian Grand Prix
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https://www.informnny.com/automotive/internet-brands/red-bull-secures-one-two-finish-at-2023-f1-belgian-grand-prix/
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[
"Maria Sherman",
"Associated Press"
] |
2023-08-01 01:04:10+00:00
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2023-07-31 14:13:12
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LOS ANGELES (AP) — This year Whitney Houston would have turned 60, and a special celebration to raise money for a good cause is being planned for her birthday. Houston’s estate, Sony and Primary Wave Music will host the 2nd annual Whitney Houston Legacy of Love on Aug. 9, which will benefit the late singer’s […]
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.informnny.com%2Fentertainment-news%2Fap-whitney-houstons-estate-announces-second-annual-legacy-of-love-gala-with-bebe-winans-kim-burrell%2F.json
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LOS ANGELES (AP) — This year Whitney Houston would have turned 60, and a special celebration to raise money for a good cause is being planned for her birthday.
Houston’s estate, Sony and Primary Wave Music will host the 2nd annual Whitney Houston Legacy of Love on Aug. 9, which will benefit the late singer’s foundation aimed at helping young people.
Houston’s close friends BeBe Winans and Kim Burrell will perform at the gala at Atlanta’s St. Regis Hotel, as will Whitney’s brother, Gary, who toured with her for three decades.
“When I turned 50, Whitney gave me two celebrations — one in Ireland and one in London. I always tell everyone now that one of them was for her,” says Pat Houston, Whitney Houston’s sister-in-law and the executor of her estate. Houston died in February 2012 at age 48. “This year is Whitney at 60 — we’re all looking forward to being a part of the power of love in that room.”
Houston found the Whitney Houston Foundation for Children in 1989 with the goal of empowering youth, providing resources to unhoused children, giving out college scholarships, and raising funds for charities like the Children’s Defense Fund and St. Jude Children’s Research.
A charity auction will raise money for the foundation, which is now called the Whitney E. Houston Legacy Foundation.
“We’re going to auction off a beautiful lavender dress Dolly Parton wore when she sang ‘I Will Always Love You’ at Country Music Television’s ‘100 Greatest Love Songs of Country Music’ special in 2004,” says Pat Houston. “This dress is particularly special because it’s lavender, and lavender is Whitney’s favorite color.”
The song, originally written by Parton, was recorded by Houston and became one of her great, everlasting hits. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified it diamond early last year, which means the track has sold and streamed 10 million equivalent units in the United States. It became her first diamond single, and made Houston the third woman to ever achieve diamond-status with both a single and an album, following Mariah Carey and Taylor Swift.
Clive Davis will serve as honorary chairman. Recording Academy President Harvey Mason jr. is scheduled to attend. Also expected are Gamma’s Larry Jackson and Whitney Houston’s musical director Rickey Minor.
“I always tell people, Whitney is the star,” Pat Houston said. “Everybody in that room is royalty, but she’s loyalty — and she’s still showing that.”
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Whitney Houston’s estate announces second annual Legacy of Love Gala with BeBe Winans, Kim Burrell
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https://www.informnny.com/entertainment-news/ap-whitney-houstons-estate-announces-second-annual-legacy-of-love-gala-with-bebe-winans-kim-burrell/
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[
"Dennis Waszak Jr.",
"Associated Press"
] |
2023-08-01 01:13:13+00:00
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2023-07-31 10:00:06
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The nights before games were always the toughest times for Darrelle Revis. One of the NFL’s most dominant cornerbacks would lie in bed thinking about what he needed to accomplish the next day on the field. Revis would go over the game plan, the notes from his film studies, the receivers’ routes and their tendencies. […]
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The nights before games were always the toughest times for Darrelle Revis.
One of the NFL’s most dominant cornerbacks would lie in bed thinking about what he needed to accomplish the next day on the field. Revis would go over the game plan, the notes from his film studies, the receivers’ routes and their tendencies.
Over and over until he’d fall asleep.
He’d wake up mentally prepared — and that brief anxiety would be replaced by supreme confidence.
“Restless nights, I’d say to start with,” Revis said. “Covering some of the greatest wide receivers in the game and future Hall of Famers at that time, I was probably the most nervous out of anybody on the field if I had that assignment.
“For me, it’s kind of looking at yourself in the mirror and saying to yourself, ‘It’s either me or him. I just have to stand up to the challenge.’ For me, I just took on the responsibility to take that assignment and try to shut him down.”
Revis did exactly that for most of his brilliant 11-year NFL career, including eight seasons over two stints with the New York Jets.
So much so, he earned the popular “Revis Island” nickname, a fitting tribute to how he’d single-handedly make many receivers disappear — lost on an island — from opponents’ game plans.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime type corner,” former Jets coach Rex Ryan once said. “And that’s a fact.”
Tough to argue, and voters for the Pro Football Hall of Fame made Revis a first-ballot inductee following a career during which he routinely locked down one side of the field with his air-tight coverage.
He also gave plenty of opposing offensive coordinators plenty of restless nights of their own.
“I just felt I had the ability and skill set and the coaching staff who believed in me that I had the ability to shut them down,” Revis said.
That was perhaps most evident during the 2009 season, when Revis had arguably the greatest year at his position.
Ever.
Randy Moss, Chad Johnson, Andre Johnson, Steve Smith, Terrell Owens, Reggie Wayne and Roddy White were all non-factors against the Jets that season — because they couldn’t shake Revis.
“I shouldn’t have even suited up,” Wayne said after having just a 1-yard catch in Indianapolis’ playoff loss to New York that season.
Green Bay cornerback Charles Woodson won the AP Defensive Player of the Year award that year, but Ryan insisted Revis should’ve been the choice after having “the best year a corner has ever had.”
Revis had six interceptions and set an NFL record that still stands with 31 passes defensed that season. He never really came close to matching those marks in any season the rest of his career — because teams simply stopped throwing his way.
That was the ultimate sign of respect.
“It was a very comforting thing as a player that we’d have a guy that can take away the greatest weapon of the other team’s offensive players,” former Jets center and long-time teammate Nick Mangold said. “So it was very much like a security blanket, like, we’ve got him, so we’re good.”
Revis was drafted by the Jets out of the University of Pittsburgh with the 14th overall pick in 2007 when they traded up 11 spots to add a player they believed could change their defense. And he certainly delivered, making an instant impact under coach Eric Mangini before thriving as the heart of Ryan’s defense.
“One of the highlights for me is just being drafted,” Revis said. “Just fulfilling that dream. Just the hills I had to run at an incline, the abs, the pushups, the overtime, just put into everything to try to even dare myself to be one of the best or one of the greatest or amount to be somewhat of the next Deion Sanders, in a way.”
The comparisons quickly became a regular thing for Revis, whose abilities were often measured up against the likes of Sanders, Woodson, Rod Woodson, Ty Law, Champ Bailey and Mel Blount.
Until the debates began about whether Revis was actually the best cornerback ever.
That’s subjective, of course, with some pointing out Revis’ relatively short period of greatness. A knee injury wiped out his 2012 season and a contract dispute — he had a few of those, helping set the market for cornerbacks — ended with him being traded to Tampa Bay the following offseason.
Revis won a Super Bowl the next year with New England, irking Jets fans, but he returned to New York in 2015 and played two more seasons for his original team. After a short stint with Kansas City in 2017, Revis retired. He was inducted into the Jets’ ring of honor last year.
His playing legacy came with his performance in games, but he built a reputation for striving to be great with his intense approach during practice. Revis would get on teammates who weren’t giving their all, and his goal was to not give up a catch to anyone.
And if he did, Revis would be ticked off. About catches that didn’t even count — to everyone other than Revis.
“Every practice, to him, was a game,” Mangold said. “So he was going out there and no one was going to catch a ball on him. It was the result of his competitive nature. He was always working to win.”
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL
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Revis shut down his nerves and then the NFL’s best wide receivers on his way to the Hall of Fame
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[
"David Brandt",
"Associated Press"
] |
2023-08-01 01:12:39+00:00
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2023-07-31 23:20:16
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PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks have solidified the back of their bullpen ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline, acquiring closer Paul Sewald from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for infielder Josh Rojas, outfielder Dominic Canzone and minor leaguer Ryan Bliss. The teams announced the deal on Monday. The D-backs opted to be buyers at the […]
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PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks have solidified the back of their bullpen ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline, acquiring closer Paul Sewald from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for infielder Josh Rojas, outfielder Dominic Canzone and minor leaguer Ryan Bliss.
The teams announced the deal on Monday.
The D-backs opted to be buyers at the trade deadline despite a 7-16 record in July that’s caused their overall record to slide to 56-50. They started Monday four games behind the Dodgers in the NL West and one game back from the final spot of a crowded NL wild-card race.
Sewald has been a mainstay at the back of Seattle’s bullpen for the past three seasons.
He has a career-high 21 saves this season in 45 appearances, after recording 20 saves in 2022 and 11 in 2021. In his three seasons with Seattle, Sewald has an 18-8 record and 2.88 ERA in 172 games.
“Gonna miss this place,” Sewald said. “It was an amazing three years and changed my life, changed my career — personally, professionally. I owe a lot to the people here and feel like I gave them everything I had for three years and it’s going to be tough.
“But the Diamondbacks traded for me which meant they wanted me more and I’m excited to get to Arizona and do what I can.”
Arizona’s bullpen has struggled of late, with a rotating cast of closers like Scott McGough, Andrew Chafin and Miguel Castro. Sewald’s arrival should give the Diamondbacks some certainty on who will handle the ninth inning.
For Seattle, it’s a similar move to two seasons ago when the Mariners dealt then-closer Kendall Graveman to Houston at the deadline in exchange for utilityman Abraham Toro and reliever Joe Smith. At that time, the Mariners were nine game over .500 and ended the season 90-72, barely missing out on a wild-card spot.
This season, the Mariners have been mired in mediocrity hovering around .500 for most of the season, never climbing more than three games above the .500 mark at any point. They started Monday 5½ games back in the AL West and 4½ games behind in the wild-card race.
“It’s a good baseball trade, but it’s one that hurts just because of our relationship with Paul and what Paul’s meant to us,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said.
Servais added that the Mariners aren’t necessarily waving the white flag after adding two players — Rojas and Canzone — who are already in the big leagues.
“Players never want to see a guy like (Sewald) walk out the door,” Servais said. “But you have to wait and see what comes in the door. There’s a lot of ways of improving your team and giving your team a better chance maybe to make a run at the playoffs and hopefully the guys we acquired can come in and help us.”
Rojas — a Phoenix-area native — was a mainstay for the Diamondbacks in 2021 and 2022, but has struggled this season. He’s got a .252 career batting average and 22 homers. A change of scenery might be good for the versatile player, who has spent time at third base, second base, shortstop and even the outfield, but admitted it was tough to leave home.
“It’s been an awesome experience being able to play at home, in front of my friends and family,” Rojas said. “So that’s definitely going to be missed.”
Canzone recently made his big-league debut and has a .237 average with a homer and eight RBIs in 41 plate appearances. Bliss was batting .358 with 12 homers at Double-A Amarillo. He was drafted in the second round out of Auburn in 2021.
The D-backs and Mariners just completed a three-game series at Chase Field, with Seattle winning two of the three games.
The deal was first reported by The Arizona Republic.
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AP Baseball Writer Janie McCauley in San Francisco and AP Sports Writer Tim Booth in Seattle contributed to this report.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
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D-backs become buyers at trade deadline, add Mariners closer Paul Sewald in exchange for 3 players
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2023-08-01 01:10:07+00:00
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2023-07-31 16:46:20
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BANGKOK (AP) — Myanmar’s military-controlled government has extended the state of emergency it imposed when the army seized power from an elected government 2 1/2 years ago, state-run media said Monday, forcing a further delay in elections it promised when it took over. MRTV television said the National Defense and Security Council met Monday in […]
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BANGKOK (AP) — Myanmar’s military-controlled government has extended the state of emergency it imposed when the army seized power from an elected government 2 1/2 years ago, state-run media said Monday, forcing a further delay in elections it promised when it took over.
MRTV television said the National Defense and Security Council met Monday in the capital, Naypyitaw, and extended the state of emergency for another six months starting Tuesday because time is needed to prepare for the elections. The NDSC is nominally a constitutional government body, but in practice is controlled by the military.
The announcement amounted to an admission that the army does not exercise enough control to stage the polls and has failed to subdue widespread opposition to military rule, which includes increasingly challenging armed resistance as well as nonviolent protests and civil disobedience, despite the army having a huge advantage in manpower and weapons.
The state of emergency was declared when troops arrested Aung San Suu Kyi and top officials from her government and members of her National League for Democracy party on Feb. 1, 2021. The takeover reversed years of progress toward democracy after five decades of military rule in Myanmar.
The military said it seized power because of fraud in the last general election held in November 2020, in which Suu Kyi’s party won a landslide victory while the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development party did poorly. Independent election observers said they did not find any major irregularities.
The army takeover was met with widespread peaceful protests that security forces suppressed with lethal force, triggering armed resistance that U.N. experts have described as a civil war.
As of Monday, 3,857 people have been killed by the security forces since the takeover, according to a tally kept by the independent Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.
The army-enacted 2008 constitution allows the military to rule the country under a state of emergency for one year, with two possible six-month extensions if preparations are not yet completed for new polls, meaning that the time limit expired on Jan. 31 this year.
However, the NDSC allowed the military government to extend emergency rule for another six months in February, saying the country remained in an abnormal situation. The announcement on Monday is the fourth extension.
The state of emergency allows the military to assume all government functions, giving the head of the ruling military council, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, legislative, judicial and executive powers.
Nay Phone Latt, a spokesperson for the National Unity Government, an underground group that calls itself the country’s legitimate government and serves as an opposition umbrella group, said the extension of emergency rule was expected because the military government hasn’t been able to annihilate the pro-democracy forces.
“The junta extended the state of emergency because the generals have a lust for power and don’t want to lose it. As for the revolutionary groups, we will continue to try to speed up our current revolutionary activities,” Nay Phone Latt said in a message Monday.
The military government labels the NUG and its armed wing, the People’s Defense Forces, as “terrorists.”
Monday’s report did not specify when the polls might be held, saying only that they would occur after the goals of the state of emergency are accomplished.
According to the constitution, the military must transfer government functions to the president, who heads the NDSC, six months before the polls. That would mean Acting President Myint Swe, a retired general.
The military originally announced that new polls would be held a year after its takeover and later said they would take place in August 2023. But the extension of the emergency in February made that timing impossible.
The MRTV report said Myint Swe told members of the NDSC that the government needs to do more to achieve stability and the rule of law to prepare for the election.
Critics say the polls will be neither free nor fair under the military-controlled government, which has shut independent media and arrested most of the leaders of Suu Kyi’s party.
Her party was dissolved along with 39 other parties by the election commission in March for failing to re-apply under a political party registration law enacted by the military government early this year. The law makes it difficult for opposition groups to mount a serious challenge to army-backed candidates.
Suu Kyi, 78, is serving prison sentences totaling 33 years after being convicted in a series of politically tainted cases brought mostly by the military government.
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Myanmar’s military-led government extends state of emergency, forcing delay in promised election
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[
"David A. Lieb",
"Associated Press"
] |
2023-08-01 01:07:19+00:00
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2023-07-31 21:41:20
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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri Gov. Mike Parson said Monday that the state will proceed with this week’s planned execution of a man who abducted and killed a 6-year-old girl nearly two decades ago, though the man’s attorneys are still pressing claims he is mentally incompetent. Johnny Johnson, 45, is scheduled to receive a […]
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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri Gov. Mike Parson said Monday that the state will proceed with this week’s planned execution of a man who abducted and killed a 6-year-old girl nearly two decades ago, though the man’s attorneys are still pressing claims he is mentally incompetent.
Johnny Johnson, 45, is scheduled to receive a lethal injection Tuesday evening for the July 26, 2022, fatal beating of Casey Williamson in her St. Louis County hometown of Valley Park.
Johnson’s attorneys have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to halt the execution. They also asked that Parson grant clemency — reducing Johnson’s sentence to life in prison — while asserting that Johnson’s mental illness has left him incapable of understanding the connection between his actions and his execution.
Parson denied the clemency request. He noted that a variety of courts — including the original trial judge and 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals just days ago — have thus far rejected Johnson’s incompetency claims.
“Johnny Johnson’s crime is one of the most horrific murders that has come across my desk,” Parson said in a statement. “Casey was an innocent young girl who bravely fought Johnson until he took her life.”
Parson, a former sheriff, said he received “countless letters in the last few weeks seeking justice for Casey” and hopes that carrying out the execution “may provide some closure for Casey’s loved ones.”
In a clemency petition, Johnson’s attorneys said that Casey’s father, Ernie Williamson, opposes the death penalty.
But other relatives urged the governor to let the execution go forward.
Casey’s great aunt, Della Steele, sent a message to Parson emphasizing that Johnson could have turned back at any point but instead chose to abduct, assault and kill Casey and then literally covered up his crime. The grief from Casey’s death led to destructive events in the lives of other family members, she wrote in the message, which she shared with The Associated Press.
“Please stand strong beside Casey,” Steele wrote. “Remove this threat from our presence. Send the message that it is not okay to terrorize and murder a child.”
Casey’s mother had been best friends in childhood with Johnson’s older sister and had even helped babysit him. When Johnson showed up at a barbecue, Casey’s family let him sleep on a couch in the same house where they were spending the night.
In the morning, however, Johnson lured the girl out of the home to an abandoned glass factory, even carrying her on his shoulders on the walk. When he tried to sexually assault her, Casey screamed and tried to break free, according to court documents. He killed her with a brick and a large rock, then washed off in the nearby Meramec River. Johnson confessed to the crimes that same day.
After a search involving first responders and volunteers, Casey’s body was found in a pit not too far from her home, buried beneath rocks and debris.
At Johnson’s trial, defense lawyers presented testimony showing that he had stopped taking his schizophrenia medication and was acting strangely in the days before the slaying.
Johnson would be the fourth person executed this year in Missouri, and the 16th nationally.
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Missouri governor rejects mercy plea from man set to be executed for killing 6-year-old girl
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[
"Kareem Chehayeb",
"Associated Press"
] |
2023-08-01 01:10:00+00:00
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2023-07-31 12:18:23
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BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s embattled central bank governor stepped down on Monday under a cloud of investigation and blame for his country’s economic crisis as several European countries are probing his alleged financial crimes. Riad Salameh, 73, ended his 30-year tenure as tearful employees took photos and a band played celebratory music with drums and […]
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BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s embattled central bank governor stepped down on Monday under a cloud of investigation and blame for his country’s economic crisis as several European countries are probing his alleged financial crimes.
Riad Salameh, 73, ended his 30-year tenure as tearful employees took photos and a band played celebratory music with drums and trumpets as he left the building.
His four vice governors, led by incoming interim governor Wassim Mansouri, quickly pivoted to urge fiscal reforms for the cash-strapped country.
“We are at a crossroads,” Mansouri said at a news conference. “There is no choice, if we continue previous policy … the funds in the Central Bank will eventually dry up.”
Salameh kicked off his tenure as governor in 1993, three years after Lebanon’s 15-year civil war came to an end. It was a time when reconstruction loans and aid was pouring into the country, and Salameh was widely celebrated for his role in Lebanon’s recovery.
Now, he leaves his post a wanted man in Europe, accused by many in Lebanon of being responsible for the country’s financial downfall since late 2019.
It was a steep fall for a leader whose policies were once hailed for keeping the currency stable. Later, many financial experts saw him as setting up a house of cards that crumbled as the country’s supply of dollars dried up on top of decades of rampant and corruption and mismanagement from Lebanon’s ruling parties.
The crisis has pulverized the Lebanese pound and wiped out the savings of many Lebanese, as the banks ran dry of hard currency.
With the country’s banks crippled and public sector in ruins, Lebanon for years has run on a cash-based economy and relied primarily on tourism and remittances from millions in the diaspora.
Mansouri said previous policies that permitted the central bank to spend large sums on money to prop up the Lebanese state is no longer feasible. He cited years of spending billions of dollars to subsidize fuel, medicine, wheat and more to keep the value of the Lebanese pound stable.
He proposed a six-month reform plan that included passing long awaited reforms such as capital controls, a bank restructuring law, and the 2023 state budget.
“The country cannot continue without passing these laws,” Mansouri explained. “We don’t have time, and we paid a heavy price that we cannot pay anymore.”
The reforms Mansouri mentioned are among those the International Monetary Fund set as conditions on Lebanon in April 2022 for a bailout plan, though he did not mention the IMF. None have been passed.
France, Germany, and Luxembourg are investigating Salameh and his associates over myriad financial crimes, including illicit enrichment and the laundering of $330 million. Paris and Berlin issued Interpol notices to the central bank chief in May, though Lebanon does not hand over its citizens to foreign countries.
Salameh has repeatedly denied the allegations and insisted that his wealth comes from his previous job as an investment banker at Merrill Lynch, inherited properties, and investments. He has criticized the probe and said it was part of a media and political campaign to scapegoat him.
In his final interview as governor, Salameh said on Lebanese television that the responsibility for reforms lies with the government.
“Everything I did for the past 30 years was to try to serve Lebanon and the Lebanese,” he said. “Some — the majority —- were grateful, even if they don’t want to say so. And there are other people, well, may God forgive them.”
Salameh’s departure adds another gap in crisis-hit Lebanon’s withering and paralyzed institutions. The tiny Mediterranean country has been without a president for nine months, while its government has been running in a limited caretaker capacity for a year. Lebanon has also been without a top spy chief to head its General Security Directorate since March.
Lebanese officials in recent months were divided over whether Salameh should stay in his post or whether he should step down immediately in the remaining months of his tenure.
Caretaker Economy Minister Amin Salam wanted an immediate stepdown, given that the central bank chief had a “legal question mark.”
“I cannot explain anyone holding on to a person while a nation is failing unless there is something wrong or hidden,” Salam told The Associated Press.
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Lebanon’s central bank governor ends 30-year tenure under investigation during dire economic crisis
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[
"Scott Mcfetridge",
"Associated Press"
] |
2023-08-01 01:06:36+00:00
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2023-07-31 17:51:33
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DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Another day, another billion dollar lottery jackpot. At least, that’s how it seems ahead of Tuesday night’s Mega Millions drawing for an estimated $1.05 billion top prize. It’s a huge sum of money, but such giant jackpots have become far more common, with five prizes topping $1 billion since 2021 […]
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DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Another day, another billion dollar lottery jackpot.
At least, that’s how it seems ahead of Tuesday night’s Mega Millions drawing for an estimated $1.05 billion top prize.
It’s a huge sum of money, but such giant jackpots have become far more common, with five prizes topping $1 billion since 2021 — and one jackpot reaching $2.04 billion in 2022.
The massive prizes are due in part to chance, but it’s not all happenstance. Rising interest rates coupled with changes to the odds of winning are also big reasons the prizes grow so large.
HOW DO INTEREST RATES INCREASE JACKPOTS?
Nearly all jackpot winners opt for a lump sum payout, which for Tuesday night’s drawing would be an estimated $527.9 million. The lump sum is the cash that a winner has actually won. The highlighted $1.05 billion prize is for a sole winner who is paid through an annuity, which is funded by that lump sum and will be doled out annually over 30 years.
That’s where the higher interest rate becomes a factor, because the higher the interest rate, the larger the annuity can grow over three decades. The U.S. is in the midst of a remarkable run of interest rate increases, with the Federal Reserve raising a key rate 11 times in 17 months, and that higher rate enables a roughly $500 million lump sum prize to be advertised as a jackpot of about twice that size.
HOW DOES THE ANNUITY WORK?
A winner who chooses the annuity option would receive an initial payment and then 29 annual payments that rise by 5% each year. Opting for an annuity has some tax advantages, as less of the winnings would be taxed at the top federal income tax rate of 37%. It also could be an option for winners who don’t trust themselves to manage so much money all at once.
If lottery winners die before 30 years, the future payments would go to their beneficiaries.
WHY DO WINNERS SNUB THE ANNUITY OPTION?
The annuities pay out big money, but not nearly as big as taking the lump sum.
For example, a sole winner of Tuesday night’s Mega Millions could choose a lump sum of an estimated $527.9 million or an initial annuity payment of about $15.8 million. Of course, those annuity payments would continue for decades and gradually increase until the final check paid about $65.1 million, according to lottery officials.
In both cases, the winnings would be subject to federal taxes, and many states also tax lottery winnings.
Given all that, nearly all jackpot winners think they could make more money by investing the money themselves, or they simply want the biggest initial payout possible.
WHAT ABOUT THE ODDS OF WINNING?
That’s another factor that has created so many huge prizes for those who match all six numbers.
In 2015, the Powerball odds were changed from 1 in 175.2 million to 1 in 292.2 million. Mega Millions took a similar action in 2019 by lengthening the game’s odds from 1 in 258.9 million to 1 in 302.6 million.
For lottery officials, the hope was that by making it harder to win jackpots, the prizes would roll over for weeks and create truly massive pots of money that would in turn generate higher sales.
The result is that all of the billion dollar jackpots have come after the changes in the odds.
HOW LONG UNTIL THERE IS A WINNER?
Luck remains a big factor, as the odds of any ticket being a winner never changes. However, the more people who play Mega Millions, the more of the potential 302.6 million number combinations are covered.
For the last Mega Millions drawing on Friday night, 20.1% of possible number combinations were purchased. Typically, the larger the jackpot grows, the more people buy tickets and the more potential combinations are covered.
Tuesday night’s drawing will be the 30th since the last jackpot winner. That is inching closer to the longest Mega Millions jackpot drought, which reached 37 drawings from Sept. 18, 2020, to Jan. 22, 2021.
The longest jackpot run was for a Powerball prize that stretched over 41 drawings and ended with a record $2.04 billion prize on Nov. 7, 2022.
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The top federal tax bracket has been corrected to 37%.
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$1.05 billion Mega Million jackpot is among a surge in huge payouts due to more than just luck
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https://www.informnny.com/news/national-news/ap-1-05-billion-mega-million-jackpot-is-among-a-surge-in-huge-payouts-due-to-more-than-just-luck/
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[
"Allen Foster",
"Bestreviews Staff"
] |
2023-08-01 01:11:17+00:00
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2023-07-31 15:50:28
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Getting the best back-to-school supplies at the best price requires time and planning. This guide will help you make smart purchasing decisions.
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Smart back-to-school shopping strategies
With inflation still rising, it is vital to have a shopping strategy mapped out to purchase back-to-school supplies this year. Especially for your high schooler, because they need more items. And those items tend to carry a higher price tag.
Buying school supplies, however, is a little different than shopping for other items. In most cases, you will have several lists created by each of your student’s teachers. Some items may be very specific, such as the exact model of a TI calculator, while others may be generic, such as a three-ring binder.
Getting the correct supplies at the best price requires time and planning. This guide will help you make smart purchasing decisions. It covers basic back-to-school shopping strategies and lists 12 products that will help prepare your kid for high school.
Shop this article: Hydro Flask Stainless Steel Reusable Water Bottle, JanSport Cool Student Backpack and Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus CE
What school supplies does a high school student need?
While it is essential that you first consider the lists that your student’s teachers provide, there are a few general categories for you to consider.
Essentials
These are the items that your student will use every day. You will find most of these on your student’s supply lists that they get from their teachers. They will include pens, pencils, erasers, markers, notebook paper, binders, composition books and more.
Organizational supplies
Organizational supplies are anything your student uses to organize, hold or transport the items they use every day. These products may include a pencil case, a backpack, an assignment book, a calendar or binder dividers.
Tech and tools
This category includes anything your student requires to complete their assignments or to solve a problem they might run into during the day, such as a torn notebook sheet. It can be a specific calculator, a tablet, a compass, a ruler, a protractor, hole reinforcements, tape or even white out.
Study supplies
If your child wants to spend a little extra time learning, you’ll need items to help them study. These could be post-it notes, page markers, index cards and highlighters.
Clothing
High school students are still growing. What fit last year might not fit this year. You may need comfortable shoes, casual clothing, clothing that displays school spirit, athletic wear for PE, sneakers, jackets, coats, specific gear for co-curricular activities and more.
Accessories
One category that students and parents may forget is the accessories that are essential to getting through each day. These will vary from student to student but may include a water bottle, a lunch bag, a case for glasses, contacts, combination locks for lockers, charging devices, towels, shower supplies for after PE, medications, an EpiPen and more.
Tips for back-to-school shopping
Strategy is the key when it comes time for back-to-school shopping. These tips can help you get everything you need for that first day.
Shop early
Even if the country wasn’t being plagued with supply chain issues, back-to-school products typically become unavailable by the end of summer. Do your shopping early so that your student has everything they need to start the school year off right.
Use school lists
Teachers make classroom lists for a reason: these are the items your student will need to succeed in the subject. The teacher’s supplies list is your starting point. Get those essentials first.
Don’t forget items that aren’t on the list
Classroom lists don’t always include products that will make your student’s life easier. After you check off all the items from their teachers’ lists, ensure you get the personal items they need daily.
Consider what you already have
If you have more than one student, the older child may already have what your younger child needs. Before buying a new item, check the items you already have at home.
Spend less on clothing
Clothing is important, but so is that expensive calculator. If it comes down to getting a $200 pair of sneaks or a $100 calculator, remember that the calculator will last longer.
Purchase quality items
School supplies need to be rugged. Notebooks are used daily, tossed in a backpack, thrown in a locker and mistreated. If you have a choice between getting a cheap budget item from a dollar store and paying a little more for a quality name-brand item, it is usually worth spending a little more on an item that will last the entire school year or longer.
Pay attention to sales
Back-to-school sales are a great way to get people to spend money on a specific retailer. Many stores will have deep discounts on a couple of key items that get you to their site. Take advantage of these sales, but consider if the other items that the retailer has on sale are worth it. If not, wait till the next sale or purchase from a different retailer to get the best deal.
It is also a good idea to download and install retailer apps, so you can track specific items and know when the best time to buy is.
Consider environmentally kind products
While this might not help you save money, it will help you save the earth. Always consider products that have been or can be recycled and purchased from companies with environmentally friendly manufacturing and business practices.
Budget-friendly products for your high schooler
Hydro Flask Stainless Steel Reusable Water Bottle
Hydration is essential to learning. It helps your student focus and feel revitalized. Sending your high schooler off for the day with 32 ounces of water in this vacuum-insulated option will help them stay hydrated throughout the day. Hydro Flask water bottles have a leakproof lid and a lifetime guarantee.
Sold by Amazon
JanSport Cool Student Backpack
Your high schooler needs to bring many items to and from school each day. A well-constructed backpack is the ideal tool to carry all of these. JanSport’s Cool Student Backpack is durable, washable and has many color options. It is designed with ergonomic shoulder straps and zippered compartments for organization and comes with a lifetime guarantee.
Sold by Amazon
Five Star Reinforced College Ruled Filler Paper
Reinforced notebook paper is a game-changer in the life of a student. This pack of 100 sheets of notebook paper is reinforced around the holes to resist tearing. It will prevent lost schoolwork and help keep all of your student’s pages organized.
Sold by Amazon
Gildan Heavy Blend Unisex Hooded Sweatshirt
A hoodie is essential school wear. This affordable offering from Gildan is made of 50% cotton and 50% polyester. It features a zipper closure and anti-pilling air jet yarn. The ribbed cuffs and waistband have spandex to help provide a more secure fit.
Sold by Amazon
Adidas Squad Insulated Lunch Bag
Teenagers need to refuel throughout the long day. Bringing lunch from home lets your student choose what they want to eat while saving you money. This durable lunch bag can keep their food at the perfect temperature and prevent it from getting broken or squished in transit.
Sold by Amazon
Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus CE
Graphing calculators are required by high school science and math teachers. Texas Instruments make a quality product that can accompany your teenager throughout their entire high school career, and possibly into college. This popular model has a 10-digit LCD display and 12 software applications. The graphic functions can handle polar, sequence, cobweb plot, zoom, parametric plot, histogram, scatter plot, and more.
Sold by Amazon
Belkin Boost Charge Wireless Charging Pad
Between classes, activities and part-time jobs, your high schooler may have a longer workday than you. To get through that day, they need a fully charged phone. Belkin is a trusted name in charging technology. This portable wireless charging pad is compatible with newer Android smartphones and iPhones.
Sold by Amazon
Oxford Color Coded Ruled Index Cards
Flash cards are a classic tool used for studying and improving memory. These cards are lined to allow for neatness, while the color-coded bar at the top lets the student organize the cards by subject or category.
Sold by Amazon
Prismacolor Premier Col-Erase Colored Pencils
A student can still use colored pencils at the high school level. Not only are they great for art class and doodling, but a student can use them for marking maps in history class, creating diagrams in science class and more.
Sold by Amazon
Staedtler Math Set
This set contains 10 essential tools often needed for geometry and drawing classes. Besides the typical items, such as a ruler and a protractor, you get a lettering guide, a pencil sharpener and more. The compass and divider have a short point for safety, and the set comes with a sturdy tin for organization.
Sold by Amazon
Avery Flexi-View 1-Inch 3-Ring View Binder
Avery’s flex binder has a clear window in the front, which is a handy place to store a class syllabus. It can hold 175 sheets of paper and has a flexible spine. The durable polypropylene cover means that you can use this binder over multiple school years.
Sold by Amazon
C-Line Top-Load Sheet Protector
Sheet protectors keep your student’s reference material unwrinkled and stain-free. The 50 standard-thickness polypropylene protectors are sealed on three sides. They are designed so students can add and remove materials while the protector remains secured in the binder.
Sold by Amazon
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Allen Foster writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
Copyright 2023 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved.
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Tips and products for shopping back-to-school on a budget
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[
"Jeff Amy",
"Associated Press"
] |
2023-08-01 01:06:48+00:00
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2023-07-31 21:34:16
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ATLANTA (AP) — The first American nuclear reactor to be built from scratch in decades is sending electricity reliably to the grid, but the cost of the Georgia power plant could discourage utilities from pursuing nuclear power as a path to a carbon-free future. Georgia Power Co. announced Monday that Unit 3 at Plant Vogtle, […]
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ATLANTA (AP) — The first American nuclear reactor to be built from scratch in decades is sending electricity reliably to the grid, but the cost of the Georgia power plant could discourage utilities from pursuing nuclear power as a path to a carbon-free future.
Georgia Power Co. announced Monday that Unit 3 at Plant Vogtle, southeast of Augusta, has completed testing and is now in commercial operation, seven years late and $17 billion over budget.
At its full output of 1,100 megawatts of electricity, Unit 3 can power 500,000 homes and businesses. A number of other utilities in Georgia, Florida and Alabama are receiving the electricity, in addition to the 2.7 million customers of Southern Co. subsidiary Georgia Power.
“This hadn’t been done in this country from start to finish in some 30-plus years,” Chris Womack, CEO of Atlanta-based Southern Co. said Monday in a telephone interview. “So to do this, to get this done, to get this done right, is a wonderful accomplishment for our company, for the state and for the customers here in Georgia.”
A fourth reactor is also nearing completion at the site, where two earlier reactors have been generating electricity for decades. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission on Friday said radioactive fuel could be loaded into Unit 4, a step expected to take place before the end of September. Unit 4 is scheduled to enter commercial operation by March.
The third and fourth reactors were originally supposed to cost $14 billion, but are now on track to cost their owners $31 billion. That doesn’t include $3.7 billion that original contractor Westinghouse paid to the owners to walk away from the project. That brings total spending to almost $35 billion.
The third reactor was supposed to start generating power in 2016 when construction began in 2009.
Vogtle is important because government officials and some utilities are again looking to nuclear power to alleviate climate change by generating electricity without burning natural gas, coal and oil. But most focus in the U.S. currently is on smaller nuclear reactors, which advocates hope can be built without the cost and schedule overruns that have plagued Vogtle. For its part, Womack said Southern Co. isn’t looking to add any more reactors to its fleet.
“In terms of us making additional investments, at this time is not something that we’re going to do, but I do think others in this country should move in that direction,” Womack said.
In Georgia, almost every electric customer will pay for Vogtle. Georgia Power currently owns 45.7% of the reactors. Smaller shares are owned by Oglethorpe Power Corp., which provides electricity to member-owned cooperatives, the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia and the city of Dalton. Oglethorpe and MEAG plan to sell power to cooperatives and municipal utilities across Georgia, as well in Jacksonville, Florida, and parts of Alabama and the Florida Panhandle.
Georgia Power’s residential customers are projected to pay more than $926 apiece as part of an ongoing finance charge and elected public service commissioners have approved a rate increase. Residential customers will pay $4 more per month as soon as the third unit begins generating power. That could hit bills in August, two months after residential customers saw a $16-a-month increase to pay for higher fuel costs.
The high construction costs have wiped out any future benefit from low nuclear fuel costs in the future, experts have repeatedly testified before commissioners.
“The cost increases and schedule delays have completely eliminated any benefit on a life-cycle cost basis,” Tom Newsome, director of utility finance for the commission, testified Thursday in a Georgia Public Service Commission hearing examining spending.
The utility will face a fight from longtime opponents of the plant, many of whom note that power generated from solar and wind would be cheaper. They say letting Georgia Power make ratepayers pay for mistakes will unfairly bolster the utility’s profits.
“While capital-intensive and expensive projects may benefit Georgia Power’s shareholders who have enjoyed record profits throughout Vogtle’s beleaguered construction, they are not the least-cost option for Georgians who are feeling the sting of repeated bill increases,” Southern Environmental Law Center staff attorney Bob Sherrier said in a statement.
Commissioners will decide later who pays for the remainder of the costs of Vogtle, including the fourth reactor. Customers will pay for the share of spending that commissioners determine was prudent, while the company and its shareholders will have to pay for spending commissioners decide was wasteful.
Georgia Power CEO Kim Greene said the company hasn’t decided how much it will ask customers to pay.
“That will be determined as we move closer and closer to our prudence filing, but we have not made a final determination,” Greene said.
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The first US nuclear reactor built from scratch in decades enters commercial operation in Georgia
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[
"Absewell",
"David Keyton",
"Associated Press"
] |
2023-08-01 01:09:54+00:00
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2023-08-01 00:30:13
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BEIRUT (AP) — The Organization for Islamic Cooperation urged its member nations Monday to take action against countries that permit public burning or desecration of the Quran, including the recalling of ambassadors. The Saudi Arabia-based group made the call in a statement following an emergency online meeting of its foreign ministers to discuss recent incidents […]
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BEIRUT (AP) — The Organization for Islamic Cooperation urged its member nations Monday to take action against countries that permit public burning or desecration of the Quran, including the recalling of ambassadors.
The Saudi Arabia-based group made the call in a statement following an emergency online meeting of its foreign ministers to discuss recent incidents in which the Islamic holy book was burned or otherwise defaced at officially permitted protests in Sweden and Denmark.
The organization’s 57 member countries should “consider taking any necessary decisions and actions that they deem appropriate in their relations” with Sweden, Denmark, and other countries that allow such incidents, including recalling their ambassadors, the statement said.
It encouraged civil society organizations in the member states to work with counterparts in countries where the Quran has been burned or desecrated to file local lawsuits “before taking their cases to international judicial bodies, where applicable.”
It also called for more efforts at outreach to combat Islamophobia, praising Kuwait for commissioning the printing of 100,000 copies of the Quran translated into Swedish for distribution in Sweden.
Many of the points in the final statement echoed recommendations made by Iraq’s Foreign Minister Fouad Hussein, who also called on the United Nations to “take measures to prevent these incidents.”
Ahead of the meeting, two men who had previously burned a copy of the Quran in Sweden did so once again, in front of a crowd of a few dozen onlookers and about 20 counter-protesters.
In both Sweden and Denmark, t here is no law against blasphemy, and freedom of expression is generally held in high regard.
But as the recent Quran burnings have sparked angry demonstrations and diplomatic backlash in Muslim countries, officials in the Scandinavian countries have begun to consider whether there should be curbs on public defacement of holy books or other religious symbols.
Denmark’s foreign minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, said Sunday in an interview with Danish public broadcaster DR that the government is seeking a “legal tool” to prohibit such inflammatory acts without compromising freedom of expression.
In Sweden, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said Sunday on Instagram that his government is analyzing the legal situation regarding desecration of the Quran and other holy books, given the animosity such acts are stirring up against Sweden.
Before Monday’s meeting, the OIC had already suspended the status of Sweden’s special envoy over the Quran burnings.
Sweden’s Foreign Minister Tobias Billström said in a statement that he spoke in recent days with counterparts in OIC countries to explain how Sweden’s freedom of expression works and that police make independent decisions on protest applications. He added that “the government is very clear in its distance from the Islamophobic acts carried out by individuals at demonstrations in Sweden.”
The Danish foreign minister said his “government condemned and denounced the insult” to the Quran and “that it is studying this issue with great interest.”
___
Keyton reported from Stockholm. Associated Press staff writer Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad contributed to this report.
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Islamic group suggests that member nations downgrade ties with countries that allow Quran burnings
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https://www.informnny.com/news/world-news/ap-islamic-group-suggests-that-member-nations-downgrade-ties-with-countries-that-allow-quran-burnings/
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[
"Rebecca Boone",
"Associated Press"
] |
2023-08-01 01:04:31+00:00
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2023-07-31 22:55:00
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BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho mother Lori Vallow Daybell has been sentenced to life in prison without parole Monday in the murders of her two youngest children and a woman she saw as a romantic rival in a case that included bizarre claims that her son and daughter were zombies and that she was a […]
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BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho mother Lori Vallow Daybell has been sentenced to life in prison without parole Monday in the murders of her two youngest children and a woman she saw as a romantic rival in a case that included bizarre claims that her son and daughter were zombies and that she was a goddess tasked with ushering in an apocalypse.
Vallow Daybell, 50, was found guilty in May of killing her two youngest children, 7-year-old Joshua “JJ” Vallow and 16-year-old Tylee Ryan, as well as conspiring to kill Tammy Daybell, her fifth husband’s previous wife. Vallow Daybell will serve three life sentences one after the other, the judge said.
The husband, Chad Daybell, is awaiting trial on the same murder charges. Vallow Daybell also faces two other cases in Arizona — one on a charge of conspiring with her brother to kill her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, and one of conspiring to kill her niece’s ex-husband. Charles Vallow was shot and killed in 2019, but her niece’s ex survived an attempt later that year. Vallow Daybell has not yet entered a plea on the Arizona charges.
At the Fremont County Courthouse in St. Anthony, Idaho, Judge Steven W. Boyce said the search for the missing children, the discovery of their bodies and the evidence photos shown in court left law enforcement and jurors traumatized, and he would never be able to get images of the slain children out of his head.
A parent killing their own children “is the most shocking thing really that I can imagine,” Boyce said.
Vallow Daybell justified the murders by “going down a bizarre religious rabbit hole, and clearly you are still down there,” the judge said.
“I don’t think to this day you have any remorse for the effort and heartache you caused,” he said.
Boyce heard testimony from several representatives of the victims, including Vallow Daybell’s only surviving son, Colby Ryan.
“Tylee will never have the opportunity to become a mother, wife or have the career she was destined to have. JJ will never be able to grow and spread his light with the world the way he did,” Ryan wrote in a statement read by prosecuting attorney Rob Wood. “My siblings and father deserve so much more than this. I want them to be remembered for who they were, not just a spectacle.”
JJ’s grandmother Kay Woodcock, who first raised the alarm about the missing children in 2019, told the judge that it has been 1,536 days since she was last able to hug and kiss her grandson.
JJ was a preemie and had autism, and his biological parents weren’t able to care for him so he was adopted by Woodcock’s brother Charles and Lori Vallow.
Vallow Daybell appeared stoic through most of the testimony, but wiped her eyes when Woodcock talked about how confident she had been that Vallow Daybell would be a good mom.
“I knew she would be 1,000% involved in his care,” Woodcock said.
The Woodcocks frequently visited JJ, cooking and playing together and patting his back as he fell asleep at night. Now they have only memories and “immeasurable grief,” Woodcock said.
“Lori is a monster that has not taken any responsibility or shown an ounce of remorse for her vile actions,” she said.
The murder scheme and Tammy Daybell’s death left a deep rift in her family, Tammy’s sister Samantha Gwilliam told the court.
“Why? Why plan something so heinous? You are not exalted beings, and your behavior makes you ineligible to be one,” Gwilliam said, referring to a religious belief that Vallow Daybell purportedly incorporated into her claims. “Because of the choices you made, my family lost a beloved mother, sister and daughter.”
Tammy Daybell’s mother was fighting cancer, and spent the last months of her life watching the murder trial, Gwilliam said. “I miss my sister every day. I will grieve her, and the loss of my mother, every single day of my life,” Gwilliam said.
Boyce also heard from Vallow Daybell before handing down the sentence. She quoted Bible verses about how people should not judge each other.
“I mourn with all of you who mourn my children and Tammy,” Vallow Daybell said, crying and calling Tammy Daybell her “eternal friend.”
“Jesus Christ knows that no one was murdered in this case,” she said. “Accidental deaths happen. Suicides happen. Fatal side effects from medication happen.”
She also claimed that she regularly is visited by the spirits of the three victims, and that the children’s spirits had told her to “stop worrying” and that she “didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Because of these communications, I know for a fact that my children are happy and busy in the spirit world,” Vallow Daybell said. “Because of my communications with my friend Tammy Daybell I know that she is also very happy and extremely busy.”
Wood pointed to the two Arizona cases as well as the three murders in six weeks in Idaho.
“A defendant who is willing to murder her own children is willing to murder anyone,” Wood said. “Society can only be protected from this defendant by a sentence of life in prison without parole.”
Vallow Daybell was committed multiple times for treatment to make her mentally competent for the court proceedings. But Wood said there is no evidence that her crimes were impacted by her “alleged mental illness,” which includes a diagnosis of a delusional disorder featuring bizarre content and hyper-religiosity, as well as a personality disorder with narcissistic features, according to a doctor’s report provided to the court.
“The evidence is overwhelming that she did know right from wrong,” Wood said, noting testimony from several people who said she lied to them about the deaths.
In July 2019, Vallow Daybell’s brother, Alex Cox, shot and killed her estranged husband, Charles Vallow, in a suburban Phoenix home. Cox told police he acted in self-defense. He was never charged and later died of natural causes.
Vallow Daybell was already in a relationship with Chad Daybell, a self-published writer of doomsday-focused fiction loosely based on Mormon teachings. She moved to Idaho with her kids and brother to be closer to him.
The children were last seen alive in September 2019. A few weeks later Tammy Daybell was killed. Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow married just two weeks after Tammy’s death in November 2019.
The childrens’ bodies were found buried in Chad Daybell’s yard the following summer.
Defense attorney Jim Archibald argued during the trial that there was no evidence tying Vallow Daybell to the killings, but plenty showing she was a loving, protective mother whose life took a sharp turn when she met Chad Daybell and fell for his “weird” apocalyptic religious claims. He suggested that Daybell and Vallow Daybell’s brother, Alex Cox, were responsible for the deaths.
Daybell told her they had been married in several previous lives and she was a “sexual goddess” who was supposed to help him save the world by gathering 144,000 followers so Jesus could return, Archibald said.
Vallow Daybell’s former friend Melanie Gibb testified during the trial that Vallow Daybell believed people in her life had been taken over by evil spirits and turned into “zombies,” including JJ and Tylee.
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Idaho mom Lori Vallow Daybell sentenced in deaths of 2 children and her romantic rival
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https://www.informnny.com/news/ap-idaho-mom-lori-vallow-daybell-faces-sentencing-in-deaths-of-2-children-and-her-romantic-rival/
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[
"Lauran Neergaard",
"Associated Press"
] |
2023-08-01 01:06:24+00:00
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2023-07-31 21:21:16
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WASHINGTON (AP) — The National Institutes of Health is beginning a handful of studies to test possible treatments for long COVID, an anxiously awaited step in U.S. efforts against the mysterious condition that afflicts millions. Monday’s announcement from the NIH’s $1.15 billion RECOVER project comes amid frustration from patients who’ve struggled for months or even […]
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WASHINGTON (AP) — The National Institutes of Health is beginning a handful of studies to test possible treatments for long COVID, an anxiously awaited step in U.S. efforts against the mysterious condition that afflicts millions.
Monday’s announcement from the NIH’s $1.15 billion RECOVER project comes amid frustration from patients who’ve struggled for months or even years with sometimes-disabling health problems — with no proven treatments and only a smattering of rigorous studies to test potential ones.
“This is a year or two late and smaller in scope than one would hope but nevertheless it’s a step in the right direction,” said Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly of Washington University in St. Louis, who isn’t involved with NIH’s project but whose own research highlighted long COVID’s toll. Getting answers is critical, he added, because “there’s a lot of people out there exploiting patients’ vulnerability” with unproven therapies.
Scientists don’t yet know what causes long COVID, the catchall term for about 200 widely varying symptoms. Between 10% and 30% of people are estimated to have experienced some form of long COVID after recovering from a coronavirus infection, a risk that has dropped somewhat since early in the pandemic.
“If I get 10 people, I get 10 answers of what long COVID really is,” U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said.
That’s why so far the RECOVER initiative has tracked 24,000 patients in observational studies to help define the most common and burdensome symptoms –- findings that now are shaping multipronged treatment trials. The first two will look at:
— Whether taking up to 25 days of Pfizer’s antiviral drug Paxlovid could ease long COVID, because of a theory that some live coronavirus, or its remnants, may hide in the body and trigger the disorder. Normally Paxlovid is used when people first get infected and for just five days.
— Treatments for “brain fog” and other cognitive problems. They include Posit Science Corp.’s BrainHQ cognitive training program, another called PASC-Cognitive Recovery by New York City’s Mount Sinai Health System, and a Soterix Medical device that electrically stimulates brain circuits.
Two additional studies will open in the coming months. One will test treatments for sleep problems. The other will target problems with the autonomic nervous system — which controls unconscious functions like breathing and heartbeat — including the disorder called POTS.
A more controversial study of exercise intolerance and fatigue also is planned, with NIH seeking input from some patient groups worried that exercise may do more harm than good for certain long COVID sufferers.
The trials are enrolling 300 to 900 adult participants for now but have the potential to grow. Unlike typical experiments that test one treatment at a time, these more flexible “platform studies” will let NIH add additional potential therapies on a rolling basis.
“We can rapidly pivot,” Dr. Amy Patterson with the NIH explained. A failing treatment can be dropped without ending the entire trial and “if something promising comes on the horizon, we can plug it in.”
The flexibility could be key, according to Dr. Anthony Komaroff, a Harvard researcher who isn’t involved with the NIH program but has long studied a similarly mysterious disorder known as chronic fatigue syndrome or ME/CFS. For example, he said, the Paxlovid study “makes all sorts of sense,” but if a 25-day dose shows only hints of working, researchers could extend the test to a longer course instead of starting from scratch.
Komaroff also said that he understands people’s frustration over the wait for these treatment trials, but believes NIH appropriately waited “until some clues came in about the underlying biology,” adding: “You’ve got to have targets.”
___
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
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Brain fog and other long COVID symptoms are the focus of new small treatment studies
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[
"Tom Withers",
"Associated Press"
] |
2023-08-01 01:12:27+00:00
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2023-07-31 23:46:21
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CLEVELAND (AP) — In the midst of the playoff race, the Guardians traded their hottest pitcher for a minor league prospect currently sidelined with an injury. An uneven season in Cleveland just got a little bumpier. Despite being just one-half game out of first place in the AL Central, the Guardians dealt starter Aaron Civale […]
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.informnny.com%2Fsports%2Fap-cleveland-guardians-trade-pitcher-aaron-civale-to-tampa-bay-rays-for-prospect%2F.json
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CLEVELAND (AP) — In the midst of the playoff race, the Guardians traded their hottest pitcher for a minor league prospect currently sidelined with an injury.
An uneven season in Cleveland just got a little bumpier.
Despite being just one-half game out of first place in the AL Central, the Guardians dealt starter Aaron Civale to the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday for first base prospect Kyle Manzardo, who has been out with a shoulder strain.
Civale’s name has been thrown around in trade speculation for weeks, which has coincided with the 28-year-old right-hander pitching as well as he has in several seasons. Civale went 3-0 with a 1.45 ERA in six July starts and worked six scoreless innings Sunday in a win over the Chicago White Sox to improve to 5-2.
“He’s got some experience. He’s got some postseason experience. And he knows how to win. I think that’s what helps,” Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said in New York.
Civale is expected to join the Rays at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday and make his Tampa Bay debut Saturday in Detroit. He will replace rookie Taj Bradley (5-7, 5.67 ERA) in the rotation.
Bradley was optioned to Triple-A Durham on Monday, and the Rays recalled right-handed reliever Ryan Thompson.
“This was the most obvious need that we had,” Tampa Bay president of baseball operations Erik Neander said on a Zoom call. “This was the big item for us.”
The Rays have had their share of pitching problems this season, but Civale gives them another solid starter for the playoff push. Tampa Bay entered the week 1 1/2 games behind first-place Baltimore in the AL East and leading the wild-card standings by four games.
“I’ve seen his name on ESPN recently about a pretty good month of July, so that makes me excited,” Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe said before the opener of a three-game series against the Yankees. “Hopefully he comes in and doesn’t miss a beat and keeps doing exactly what he’s been doing. No more pressure than what he’s been dealing with over in Cleveland.
“Honestly, I think it’s kind of a jump start in this clubhouse a little bit,” Lowe added. “I think it kind of energizes everybody in this clubhouse, kind of makes us excited that we’re improving and trying to make this team better.”
The Rays have been short on starters with Jeffrey Springs and Drew Rasmussen suffering season-ending injuries, and Shane McClanahan and Tyler Glasnow missing time.
Civale slots into a rotation that includes McClanahan, Glasnow and Zach Eflin, who had an MRI on his left knee last week but remains on track to pitch Tuesday against the Yankees.
Tampa Bay’s starters have been effective — their collective 3.75 ERA ranks second in the majors behind the Padres — but they’ve also left a lot of work for the bullpen by working just 509 innings, 26th in the majors entering this week.
“I feel like our pitching has done a really good job to date, and we just added another one that’s good,” Cash said. “If we can keep him healthy along with the other guys, we should be OK.”
The Guardians have dealt with injuries to their rotation all season and are currently missing ace Shane Bieber, Triston McKenzie and Cal Quantrill. While the move with Civale creates a major pitching void for Cleveland, president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said getting a player of Manzardo’s stature was more important.
“Tough trade to make,” Antonetti said in a Zoom call. “But we did feel it was a unique opportunity to acquire someone like Kyle. We knew it would come at a steep cost.”
Antonetti said it’s possible the Guardians could make more trades before Tuesday’s deadline to address their pitching issues. The team has leaned on rookies Tanner Bibee, Logan Allen and Gavin Williams for much of the season, but all are nearing inning limits in their first major league seasons.
Noah Syndergaard, acquired last week in a trade with the Dodgers, could help. The oft-injured right-hander is making his debut for the Guardians on Monday in Houston.
Manzardo, 23, was named Tampa Bay’s top minor leaguer in 2022 after hitting .327 with 22 homers and 81 RBIs in 93 games between Class A and Double-A. Antonetti expects Manzardo to be playing in minor league games before the end of the season.
Cleveland has been in the market for a young power hitter for some time. The team is hoping Manzardo can end that search.
“The industry holds Kyle in high regard and we think he can develop into a really good offensive player and he’s a guy that’s near or close to the major leagues at some point in the next few seasons,” Antonetti said. “Those guys are not easy to acquire and so we made the choice in this case as we surveyed the landscape, but this is the right path forward for us.”
___
AP Baseball Writer Mike Fitzpatrick and AP freelance writer Larry Fleisher in New York contributed to this report.
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
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Cleveland Guardians trade pitcher Aaron Civale to Tampa Bay Rays for first base prospect
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https://www.informnny.com/sports/ap-cleveland-guardians-trade-pitcher-aaron-civale-to-tampa-bay-rays-for-prospect/
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[
"The Associated Press"
] |
2023-08-01 01:09:04+00:00
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2023-07-31 22:34:43
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“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,” “The Lost Flowers of Alice Hunt” with Sigourney Weaver and Quavo’s album “Rocket Power” are among the new television, movies, music and games headed to a device near you Among the offerings worth your time as selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists are “Mixtape,” a Paramount+ documentary celebrating […]
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.informnny.com%2Fnews%2Ftech-news%2Fap-what-to-stream-this-week-guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-3-quavo-reservation-dogs-and-mixtape%2F.json
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“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,” “The Lost Flowers of Alice Hunt” with Sigourney Weaver and Quavo’s album “Rocket Power” are among the new television, movies, music and games headed to a device near you
Among the offerings worth your time as selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists are “Mixtape,” a Paramount+ documentary celebrating hip-hop, and the return of the acclaimed comedy “Reservation Dogs” for its third and final season on FX on Hulu.
NEW MOVIES TO STREAM
— James Gunn’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” reaches an appropriately sincere, satirical and cornball finale in “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.” The film, one of the few non-“Barbie” or “Oppenheimer” summer hits, arrives Wednesday on Disney+ having already grossed $844 million in worldwide ticket sales. Gunn’s underdog superhero trilogy culminates with a tale focused on a backstory for Rocket, Bradley Cooper’s wise-cracking raccoon, and a showdown with a supervillain (Chukwudi Iwuji) hellbent on repopulating Earth with a “perfect” species. In my review, I praised the conviction of Gunn’s soupy sci-fi spectacle, writing: “Whatever this sweet, surreal sci-fi shamble is that Gunn has created, everyone here seems to believe ardently in it.”
— “Oppenheimer” isn’t the only movie around returning to Los Alamos. Steve James, the acclaimed documentarian of “Hoop Dreams,” in “A Compassionate Spy” details the story of physicist Ted Hall, a brilliant 18-year-old Harvard student when he was recruited to work on the Manhattan Project and went on to pass nuclear information to the Soviets. He confessed in 1998, a year before his death. Hall, one of several scientists to leak information from the atom bomb project, maintained he did it for the good of humanity and to prevent a nuclear monopoly. “A Compassionate Spy” debuts Friday, Aug. 4 on video-on-demand and in theaters.
— “Turn Every Page: The Adventures of Robert Caro and Robert Gottlieb,” a documentary of the decades-long collaboration between the “Power Broker” author and his revered editor is a stirring and affection portrait of two literary giants. The film, directed by the editor’s daughter, Lizzie Gottlieb, will begin streaming Tuesday on the Criterion Channel, just weeks after the death of Gottlieb, who edited novels by Toni Morrison, John Cheever, Joseph Heller and many others. In my review of the film, I wrote: “Civil wars over semicolons and heated debate over the word ‘looms’ would not, on the face of it, seem like the stuff of a gripping big-screen movie. But make no mistake about it, ‘Turn Every Page’… is as much a rock ’em, sock ’em clash of heavyweights as found in any blockbuster.”
— AP Film Writer Jake Coyle
NEW MUSIC TO STREAM
— Quavo will release “Rocket Power,” his first album since fellow Migos member Takeoff was shot and killed outside a bowling alley in November 2022. Quavo introduced the new LP with a trailer that features a massive CGI rocket preparing to launch into space. In a statement, he shared: “Through the process of healing I’ve learned to turn tragedy into triumph. I had to dig deep into my purpose and find the power to keep striving.” This summer, Quavo and Future shared a new song, “Turn Your Clic Up,” which followed recent singles “Greatness” and “Honey Bun.” Shortly before his death, Quavo and Takeoff had shared their joint LP, “Only Built for Infinity Links.”
— Rick Springfield, whose hits include “Human Touch,” and, of course, “Jessie’s Girl,” is putting out his 21st album, “Automatic.” Written and produced by Springfield, the collection features 20 new songs. “My goal was solid three-minute tunes with the biggest hooks I could come up with,” he said in a news release. Springfield previewed his sound by releasing the title track and “She Walks With the Angels.” The album is dedicated to Matty Spindel, a friend and soundman of 25 years who died in 2022. Springfield will be hitting the road this summer on the I Want My ’80s Tour.
— AP Entertainment Writer Mark Kennedy
NEW SERIES TO STREAM
— Hip-hop is markings its 50th anniversary and Paramount+ will stream a documentary called “Mixtape” beginning Tuesday. The film explores how before the hip-hop genre had radio play, streaming or social media, its songs were often shared via mixtapes. Lil Wayne, DJ Khaled, Fat Joe, 2 Chainz, Big Boi and KRS-One are just a few of the artists featured in the doc about mixtape culture.
— The half-hour critically acclaimed comedy “Reservation Dogs” returns for its third and final season on Wednesday on FX on Hulu. The series follows four Indigenous teens who, when we first meet them in season one, are reeling from the death of their friend Daniel. Daniel’s dream was to leave rural Oklahoma for California. The group decides the best way to honor Daniel is by fulfilling his goal and traveling to this magical state he was enamored with. To get there, they’ll steal and scheme but it’s not an easy road. In this new season, they’ve made it to California but don’t have the means to return home. Now that the friends have achieved Daniel’s wish, they also must decide what to do next with their own lives. The Indigenous representation in “Reservation Dogs” also extends behind-the-camera with each of its writers, directors and crew.
— Netflix’s popular British rom-com drama series “Heartstopper,” starring Joe Locke and Kit Connor returns for its second season on Wednesday. Locke and Connor play Charlie and Nick, two high school schoolmates who fell in love in season one. The series has been praised for its portrayal of LGTBQ+ characters.
— Sigourney Weaver and Alycia Debnam-Carey co-star in “The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart” for Prime Video. The story is based on a novel of the same name by Holly Ringland. Debnam-Carey plays Alice, who as a young girl, moved in with her grandmother June – played by Weaver – after a family tragedy. June is a flower farmer and teaches Alice how flowers can be used as a form of self-expression. The story spans two decades and follows Alice into adulthood. The series debuts Friday, Aug. 4 on the streamer.
— Alicia Rancilio
NEW VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY
— Dungeons & Dragons has seen a boom in popularity over the last few years, with a hit movie, live-streamed games and a major supporting role on “Stranger Things.” But it’s been a while since we’ve gotten a true D&D video game. That drought ends with Baldur’s Gate 3. You begin as just some poor sap with an evil parasite stuck in your brain, but once you round up the typical gang of wizards, brawlers, clerics and rogues, the fate of D&D’s sprawling Forgotten Realms is in your hands. Developer Larian Studios, best known for the terrific Divinity: Original Sin, has shown it has the chops to create stirring role-playing adventures, and has promised that this one could take up to 200 hours to fully explore. You can pick up your sword or wand Thursday on PC, or hold out for the PlayStation 5 version in September.
— Lou Kesten
___
Catch up on AP’s entertainment coverage here: https://apnews.com/entertainment.
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What to stream this week: ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,’ Quavo, ‘Reservation Dogs’ and ‘Mixtape’
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https://www.informnny.com/news/tech-news/ap-what-to-stream-this-week-guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-3-quavo-reservation-dogs-and-mixtape/
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[
"Michelle L. Price",
"Associated Press"
] |
2023-08-01 01:08:39+00:00
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2023-07-31 23:17:39
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Donald Trump has scored a major victory in his efforts to reshape the mosaic of state Republican Party rules that determine the GOP presidential nominee. The California Republican Party over the weekend voted overwhelmingly to approve a plan to award all of their 169 presidential delegates to a candidate that wins a majority of the […]
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.informnny.com%2Fnews%2Fpolitics%2Fap-trumps-early-work-to-set-rules-for-nominating-contest-notches-big-win-in-delegate-rich-california%2F.json
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Donald Trump has scored a major victory in his efforts to reshape the mosaic of state Republican Party rules that determine the GOP presidential nominee.
The California Republican Party over the weekend voted overwhelmingly to approve a plan to award all of their 169 presidential delegates to a candidate that wins a majority of the vote in the state’s March 5 primary.
That’s a hurdle that Trump, who remains popular in the party and is the early frontrunner in the crowded 2024 GOP field, could clear.
If no candidate wins more than 50%-plus-one in California’s Super Tuesday primary, then the delegates will be awarded to candidates based on their share of the vote. The rule change passed on a 53-16 vote Saturday by the California GOP’s Executive Committee is much more favorable to a frontrunner than a proposal that the party was considering a few weeks ago.
Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung called it “a humiliating defeat” for Trump’s strongest rival, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and the super PAC that’s been heavily supporting his presidential campaign.
“We are pleased the California Republican Party readopted a Winner-Take-All provision, and we look forward to competing across California to win all of its delegates, just as President Trump did in 2016 and 2020,” Cheung said in a statement.
DeSantis’ campaign had said it was closely monitoring the delegate plans in the states, but a spokesman for the campaign did not respond to questions about their conversations with the California GOP.
Communications Director Andrew Romeo said: “We’re putting an organization together that can win in any state, in any format, anytime, and anywhere. Game on.”
But Never Back Down, a super PAC supporting DeSantis’ campaign whose top advisors are schooled in the arts of delegate rules, was less sanguine.
“Smoke-filled back rooms do not reflect the will of or benefit voters in any state. Yet across the country games are afoot to enhance the potential outcome of primary elections for one former president who half of the Republican electorate no longer wants as the party leader,” Ken Cuccinelli, the founder of Never Back Down, said in a statement. “Even with these asinine primary rules changes, we remain confident Governor DeSantis will become the Republican nominee and 47th president of the United States.”
Never Back Down did not respond to a request to make Cuccinelli available for an interview.
California has more delegates to award than any other state, making its delegate haul valuable in the contest to win the majority of more than 2,000 Republican delegates and secure the party’s nomination.
State parties set their rules governing how delegates are awarded based on the results of presidential caucuses and primaries, a process that Trump and his team have been working for years to influence.
The complex process repeatedly tripped up Trump’s 2016 campaign but after years of work by the former president himself and his advisers, the resulting system largely favors a frontrunner.
Many state Republican parties made changes to their rules ahead of the 2020 election by adding more winner-take-all contests and requiring candidates to earn higher percentages of the vote to claim any delegates.
As state parties this year are finalizing their delegate plans for 2024, California’s proposal received heightened attention because of the number of delegates at stake.
The party was originally considering a plan earlier this month that could have potentially allowed a second-place finisher to collect more delegates.
The earlier proposal would not have allowed for a candidate to take all the delegates if they received a majority of the votes.
Instead, it split the 169 delegates into two groups. Of those, 156 of the delegates would be allocated based on the primary results in each of the state’s 52 congressional districts. The candidate who received the most votes in each district would receive two delegates, while the second-place candidate in the district would get one. The remaining 13 delegates would have been allocated to candidates based on the percentage of the statewide vote they won.
That proposal drew outrage from some Trump supporters on Twitter who cast it as a plot to harm Trump.
California Republican Party Chairwoman Jessica Millan Patterson said the initial proposal “was a starting point so that we could take the issue up,” but dividing up the delegates proportionally incentivizes every candidate to campaign in California because they could be awarded their share of what they win.
“This is what primaries are for,” Patterson said. “I’m excited to see all of these candidates step up and either show us that they can take a portion or win the state on their own and to make that case to California voters.”
Patterson declined to detail the specific input each campaign provided but said the party heard from campaigns beyond just those of Trump and DeSantis, along with supporters of the various candidates and potential delegates.
She said it was “a very open and transparent process,” with the party allowing for public comment and discussion during the final weekend vote and during an earlier meeting of the party’s rules committee, which first passed the change.
“I feel good about where we ended up on Saturday, despite what some people might say,” she said.
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Trump’s early work to set rules for nominating contest notches big win in delegate-rich California
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https://www.informnny.com/news/politics/ap-trumps-early-work-to-set-rules-for-nominating-contest-notches-big-win-in-delegate-rich-california/
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[
"Viknesh Vijayenthiran - Motor Authority"
] |
2023-08-01 01:02:31+00:00
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2023-07-31 12:00:00
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Ford is working on a mid-cycle update for its current F-150, and it will be unveiled in September at the 2023 Detroit auto show. The information was revealed by Ford CEO Jim Farley last week during a press conference for the company’s second quarter earnings results, according to Automotive News (subscription required). The updated F-150 […]
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.informnny.com%2Fautomotive%2Finternet-brands%2F2024-ford-f-150-set-for-2023-detroit-auto-show-debut%2F.json
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Ford is working on a mid-cycle update for its current F-150, and it will be unveiled in September at the 2023 Detroit auto show.
The information was revealed by Ford CEO Jim Farley last week during a press conference for the company’s second quarter earnings results, according to Automotive News (subscription required).
The updated F-150 will likely arrive as a 2024 model. The current F-150 arrived for 2021, and the update will likely be the only notable improvements until the arrival of a next-generation model, likely for the 2027 model year.
Prototypes for the updated F-150 have been spotted. Camouflage gear on the test vehicles points to new designs for the lights at both ends, a revised grille, and possibly a multi-function tailgate. A revised dash with a portrait-oriented infotainment screen is also thought to be coming.
2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R
Updated versions of the F-150 Raptor and F-150 Raptor R should also be coming, though timing for the high-performance variants isn’t clear.
Ford may also place more focus on the hybrid F-150 this time around. Speaking during the conference, Farley said Ford has been “surprised” by the popularity of the hybrid F-150. He said more than 10% of F-150 buyers opt for the powertrain, which pairs a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 with a single electric motor for a combined 430 hp.
The updated F-150 is thought to be one of six debuts planned by the Detroit 3 automakers for this year’s Detroit auto show. Organizers have said double the number of brands will participate compared to last year.
The show runs Sept. 13-24 and will include new attractions, including a track dedicated to electric vehicles and other outdoor events. The bulk of the action will still take place at Detroit’s Huntington Place (previously the TCF Center; before that, Cobo), which has held the show since 1965.
Related Articles
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2024 Ford F-150 set for 2023 Detroit auto show debut
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https://www.informnny.com/automotive/internet-brands/2024-ford-f-150-set-for-2023-detroit-auto-show-debut/
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[
"Seth Borenstein",
"Associated Press"
] |
2023-08-01 01:07:00+00:00
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2023-07-31 15:07:23
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At about summer’s halfway point, the record-breaking heat and weather extremes are both unprecedented and unsurprising, hellish yet boring in some ways, scientists say. Killer heat. Deadly floods. Smoke from wildfires that chokes. And there’s no relief in sight. Expect a hotter than normal August and September, American and European forecast centers predict. “We are […]
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.informnny.com%2Fnews%2Fnational-news%2Fap-heres-how-hot-and-extreme-the-summer-has-been-and-its-only-halfway-over%2F.json
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At about summer’s halfway point, the record-breaking heat and weather extremes are both unprecedented and unsurprising, hellish yet boring in some ways, scientists say.
Killer heat. Deadly floods. Smoke from wildfires that chokes.
And there’s no relief in sight.
Expect a hotter than normal August and September, American and European forecast centers predict.
“We are seeing unprecedented changes all over the world,” said NASA climate scientist Gavin Schmidt. “The heat waves that we’re seeing in the U.S. and in Europe, in China are demolishing records left, right and center. This is not a surprise.”
Imperial College of London climate scientist Friederike Otto said examining what’s causing heat waves is “boring” in a way since it keeps happening. Yet she added that it matters “because it shows again just how much climate change plays a role in what we are currently experiencing.”
“This story, these impacts, are going to continue,” Schmidt said. “We’re going to be seeing this pretty much this year and into next year” with a natural El Nino warming of the Pacific adding to the overwhelming influence of human-caused climate change largely from the burning of coal, oil and gas.
Here’s a rundown of the summer of Earth’s discontent.
RECORD-SHATTERING HEAT
Globally, June this year was the hottest June on record — and scientists say July has been so hot that even before the month was over they could say it was the hottest month on record. But it’s individual places where people live that the heat has stuck around and killed.
Phoenix, where the last day of June and each day of July has been at least 110 degrees (43 degrees Celsius), set records for the longest mega-heat streak and longest stretch when the temperatures didn’t go below 90 degrees (32 degrees Celsius) at night.
El Paso, Texas, had 44 days of 100 degree (37 degree) heat. Schools closed in Nuevo Leon state in northern Mexico a month earlier than usual as temperatures reached 113 degrees (45 Celsius).
Farther east, Miami added humidity to high heat for 46 straight days of feels-like temperatures of 100 or more.
Beijing had its own record streak with at least 27 days of 95 degrees (35 Celsius) in July, after a three-day streak of at least 104 (40 Celsius) in June. And the country set it’s all-time highest temperature on July 16 in remote Sanbao township with 126 degrees (52.2 Celsius).
Heat records fell all over southern Europe. Sardinia, Italy, hit 117 (47 Celsius). Palermo in Sicily broke a record that goes back to 1791 by a whopping 3.6 degrees (2 degrees Celsius). Temperatures hit 115 (46 Celsius) in Gytheio, Greece.
Spain reported nearly 1,000 excess deaths from the heat, mostly among the elderly, by mid July.
In Argentina, where it’s mid-winter, temperatures were above 89.6 (32 Celsius) four straight days in June in the northern part of the county. One July night in Buenos Aires didn’t get below the 70s (low 20s Celsius).
TOO MUCH RAIN
More than 10,000 people had to be evacuated in central Hunan province in China where heavy rainfall caused at least 70 houses to collapse. In Yichang, rain triggered a landslide that buried a construction site and killed at least one person.
Australia’s Queensland outback got 13 times its normal monthly July rain in just one day.
Thousands of people were evacuated from Delhi in India as rains caused flash floods and landslides. Elsewhere in the country at least 100 people were killed by the downpours.
In the United States, sudden heavy rain killed people in Vermont, Connecticut and Pennsylvania with tragic stories of children washed away in flooding.
WILDFIRES AND SMOKE
Too little rain in Greece and Spain fed wildfires that proved difficult to fight. In the Canary Islands, a fire caused 4,000 people to evacuate, others to wear face masks and had 400 firefighters battling it.
Hot and dry conditions caused about 160 wildfires to break out in Israel in early June.
But what really brought fires home happened in parts of Canada where few people live. Rare far northern Quebec wildfires triggered nasty smoke that inflicted the world’s dirtiest air on cities like New York and Washington, then switched to the Midwest.
As of late July more than 600 wildfires were out of control in Canada. A record 47,490 square miles (123,000 square kilometers) burned, and fire season isn’t near done. That’s an area larger than the state of Pennsylvania or North Korea.
WATER TEMPERATURES
Water temperatures in the Florida Keys and off the Everglades hit the high 90s (high 30s Celsius) with Manatee Bay breaking 100 degrees twice in what could be an unofficial world record for surface water temperature, although that’s in dispute.
The North Atlantic had hot spots that alarmed scientists. The world’s oceans as a whole were their hottest ever in June and got even hotter in July. In Antarctica, sea ice smashed record-low levels.
Ocean temperatures take a long time to warm up and cool down, said University of Northern Illinois meteorology professor Victor Gensini. So it doesn’t look good for the rest of the summer, he said.
A HOT FORECAST
“We are favoring above normal temperatures for the next three months,” said NOAA Climate Prediction Center meteorologist Matt Rosencrans.
The only potential relief he sees, especially in the hot Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, is if a hurricane or tropical storm moves through.
The peak of hurricane season in September hasn’t even started.
When going through the litany of this summer’s weather extremes so far, University of Pennsylvania climate scientist Michael Mann had one question: “How on God’s Earth are we still burning fossil fuels after witnessing all this?”
___
Researcher Rhonda Shafner contributed to this report from New York. ___
Follow AP’s climate and environment coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment
___
Follow Seth Borenstein on Twitter at @borenbears
___
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.
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Here’s how hot and extreme the summer has been, and it’s only halfway over
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https://www.informnny.com/news/national-news/ap-heres-how-hot-and-extreme-the-summer-has-been-and-its-only-halfway-over/
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[
"Michelle R. Smith",
"Ali Swenson",
"Associated Press"
] |
2023-08-01 01:04:51+00:00
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2023-07-31 14:33:19
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Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is running as a Democrat against President Joe Biden, tells many stories on the campaign trail about himself, his life’s work and what he stands for that are the opposite of what his record actually shows. The Associated Press found that Kennedy’s insistence that he is not anti-vaccine doesn’t square […]
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.informnny.com%2Fnews%2Fap-takeaways-from-aps-reporting-on-inconsistencies-in-rfk-jr-s-record%2F.json
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Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is running as a Democrat against President Joe Biden, tells many stories on the campaign trail about himself, his life’s work and what he stands for that are the opposite of what his record actually shows.
The Associated Press found that Kennedy’s insistence that he is not anti-vaccine doesn’t square with his long record of opposition to vaccines. His claims that he is a true Democrat inheriting the mantle of his famous family are contradicted by his alignment with far right figures and support from Republicans. And despite listing the environment as a campaign priority, he has pushed bitcoin — a cryptocurrency that requires massive amounts of electricity from supercomputers to generate new coins, prompting most environmental advocates to loudly oppose it.
Kennedy’s campaign is widely considered a long shot, but it’s gained media attention due to his famous name and the possibility that his run could weaken Biden ahead of what is expected to be a close general election in 2024.
The campaign didn’t return emails seeking comment about the contradictions in his candidacy.
Here are the key takeaways from the AP’s reporting:
KENNEDY’S ANTI-VACCINE RECORD
Kennedy told a congressional committee this month: “I have never been anti-vaxx. I have never told the public to avoid vaccination.” But Kennedy has a long record of anti-vaccine comments and rose to public prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic through the work of his anti-vaccine group, Children’s Health Defense.
Just this month, Kennedy said in a podcast interview that “There’s no vaccine that is safe and effective” and told FOX News that he still believes in the long-ago debunked idea that vaccines can cause autism. In a 2021 podcast, he recalled telling people on hiking trails not to get their children vaccinated.
That same year, Kennedy appeared in a video promoting an anti-vaccine sticker campaign by his nonprofit. A sticker shown beside him declared “IF YOU’RE NOT AN ANTI-VAXXER YOU AREN’T PAYING ATTENTION.”
The AP found that anti-vaccine activists are at the heart of Kennedy’s campaign. FEC records show several people paid to work on the campaign previously worked for Children’s Health Defense.
Kennedy has also received substantial support from the anti-vaccine community.
Children’s Health Defense currently has a lawsuit pending against a number of news organizations, among them The Associated Press, accusing them of violating antitrust laws by taking action to identify misinformation, including about COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines.
ASSOCIATION WITH FAR RIGHT HAS RAISED KENNEDY’S PROFILE
Kennedy is running as a Democrat, yet he has aligned himself with far right figures who have worked to subvert American democracy.
He has appeared on Infowars, the channel run by Sandy Hook conspiracy theorist Alex Jones. He has granted interviews to former President Donald Trump ally Steve Bannon and Tucker Carlson. After he headlined a stop on the ReAwaken America Tour, the Christian nationalist road show put together by former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn, he was photographed backstage with Flynn and Trump ally Roger Stone.
Those appearances have led to goodwill on the right. Trump supporters have floated a Trump-Kennedy unity ticket.
Kennedy’s run is also getting financial support from the right. A super PAC supporting Kennedy’s presidential run, called Heal the Divide PAC, has deep ties to Republicans, Federal Election Commission records show.
Kennedy denied knowing the PAC when it came up at a recent congressional hearing, but video available online shows he was a guest speaker at a Heal the Divide event just two days earlier.
SUPPORT FOR BITCOIN RUNS COUNTER TO ENVIRONMENTAL STANCE
Kennedy lists the environment as one of six top priorities on his campaign website and has spent many years speaking against pollution and climate change as an environmental lawyer. Yet he has made supporting the energy-intensive cryptocurrency bitcoin a key part of his platform.
Bitcoin mining, the process of generating new coins, uses massive amounts of electricity — more than some entire countries, experts say.
Kennedy has acknowledged the environmental downsides, but says he wouldn’t let them hinder its use. He promotes the argument that demand for the cryptocurrency will boost investment in renewable energy projects.
Kennedy has invested between $100,001 and $250,000 in bitcoin, his financial disclosure documents show.
KENNEDY INVOKES HIS FAMOUS FAMILY, WHILE RELATIVES DENOUNCE HIM
Though Kennedy peppers his speeches, podcast appearances and campaign materials with invocations of the Democratic Party legacies of his uncle President John F. Kennedy and his father Robert F. Kennedy, his relatives have distanced themselves from him and even denounced him.
“He’s trading in on Camelot, celebrity, conspiracy theories and conflict for personal gain and fame,” Jack Schlossberg, President Kennedy’s grandson, said of his cousin in an Instagram video earlier this month. “I’ve listened to him. I know him. I have no idea why anyone thinks he should be president. What I do know is, his candidacy is an embarrassment.”
Kennedy’s recent comments that COVID-19 could have been “ethnically targeted” to spare Ashkenazi Jews and Chinese people — which he denies were antisemitic but concedes he should have worded more carefully — also drew a condemnation from his sister, Kerry Kennedy.
___ The Associated Press receives support from several private foundations to enhance its explanatory coverage of elections and democracy. See more about AP’s democracy initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
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Takeaways from AP’s reporting on inconsistencies in RFK Jr.’s record
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https://www.informnny.com/news/ap-takeaways-from-aps-reporting-on-inconsistencies-in-rfk-jr-s-record/
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[
"Adam Beam",
"Associated Press"
] |
2023-08-01 01:06:42+00:00
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2023-07-31 18:20:43
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SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The largest dam removal project in United States history is underway along the California-Oregon border — a process that won’t conclude until the end of next year with the help of heavy machinery and explosives. But in some ways, removing the dams is the easy part. The hard part will come […]
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SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The largest dam removal project in United States history is underway along the California-Oregon border — a process that won’t conclude until the end of next year with the help of heavy machinery and explosives.
But in some ways, removing the dams is the easy part. The hard part will come over the next decade as workers, partnering with Native American tribes, plant and monitor nearly 17 billion seeds as they try to restore the Klamath River and the surrounding land to what it looked like before the dams started to go up more than a century ago.
The demolition is part of a national movement to return the natural flow of the nation’s rivers and restore habitat for fish and the ecosystems that sustain other wildlife. More than 2,000 dams have been removed in the U.S. as of February, with the bulk of those having come down within the last 25 years, according to the advocacy group American Rivers.
When demolition is completed by the end of next year, more than 400 miles (644 kilometers) of river will have opened for threatened species of fish and other wildlife. By comparison, the 65 dams removed in the U.S. last year combined to reconnect 430 miles (692 kilometers) of river.
Along the Klamath, the dam removals won’t be a major hit to the power supply; they produced less than 2% of power company PacifiCorp’s energy generation when they were running at full capacity — enough to power about 70,000 homes. Though the hydroelectric power produced by dams is considered a clean, renewable source of energy, many larger dams in the U.S. West have become a target for environmental groups and tribes because of the harm they cause to fish and river ecosystems.
The project will empty three reservoirs over about 3.5 square miles (9 square kilometers) near the California-Oregon border, exposing soil to sunlight in some places for the first time in more than a century.
For the past five years, Native American tribes have gathered seeds by hand and sent them to nurseries with plans to sow the seeds along the banks of the newly wild river. Helicopters will bring in hundreds of thousands of trees and shrubs to plant along the banks, including wads of tree roots to create habitat for fish.
This growth usually takes decades to happen naturally. But officials are pressing nature’s fast-forward button because they hope to repel an invasion of foreign plants, such as starthistle, which dominate the landscape at the expense of native plants.
“Why not just let nature take its course? Well, nature didn’t take its course when dams got put in. We can’t pretend this gigantic change in the landscape has not happened and we can’t just ignore the fact that invasive species are a big problem in the west and in California,” said Dave Meurer, director of community affairs for Resource Environmental Solutions, the company leading the restoration project.
PacifiCorp built the dams starting in 1918 to generate electricity. The dams halted the natural flow of the river and disrupted the lifecycle of salmon, a fish that spends most of its life in the Pacific Ocean but returns to the chilly mountain streams to lay eggs. The fish are culturally and spiritually significant to a number of Native American tribes, who historically survived by fishing the massive runs of salmon that would come back to the rivers each year.
A combination of low water levels and warm temperatures in 2002 led to a bacterial outbreak that killed more than 34,000 fish, mostly Chinook salmon. The loss jumpstarted decades of advocacy from Native American tribes and environmental groups, culminating last year when federal regulators approved a plan to remove the dams.
“The river is our church, the salmon is our cross. That’s how it relates to the people. So it’s very sacred to us,” said Kenneth Brink, vice chairman of the Karuk Tribe. “The river is not just a place we go to swim. It’s life. It creates everything for our people.”
The project will cost $500 million, paid for by taxpayers and PacifiCorps ratepayers. Crews have mostly removed the smallest of the four dams, known as Copco No. 2. The other three dams are expected to come down next year. That will leave some homeowners in the area without the picturesque lake they have lived on for years.
The Siskiyou County Water Users Association, which formed about a decade ago to stop the dam removal project, filed a federal lawsuit. But so far they have been unable to stop the demolition.
“Unfortunately it’s a mistake you can’t turn back from,” association President Richard Marshall said.
The water level in the lakes will drop between 3 feet and 5 feet (1 meter to 1.5 meters) per day over the first few months of next year. Crews will follow that water line, taking advantage of the moisture in the soil to plant seeds from more than 98 native plant species including wooly sunflower, Idaho fescue and Blue bunch wheat grass.
Tribes have been invested in the process from the start. Resource Environmental Solutions hired tribal members to gather seeds from native plants by hand. The Yurok Tribe even hired a restoration botanist.
Each species has a role to play. Some, like lupine, grow quickly and prepare the soil for other plants. Others, like oak trees, take years to fully mature and provide shade for other plants.
“It’s a wonderful marriage of tribal traditional ecological knowledge and western science,” said Mark Bransom, CEO of the Klamath River Renewal Corporation, the nonprofit entity created to oversee the project.
The previous largest dam removal project was on Washington state’s Elwha River, which flows out of Olympic National Park into the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Congress in 1992 approved the demolition of the two dams on the river constructed in the early 1900s. After two decades of planning, workers finished removing them in 2014, opening about 70 miles (113 kilometers) of habitat for salmon and steelhead.
Biologists say it will take at least a generation for the river to recover, but within months of the dams being removed, salmon were already recolonizing sections of the river they had not accessed in more than a century. The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, which has been closely involved in restoration work, is opening a limited subsistence fishery this fall for coho salmon, its first since the dams came down.
Brink, the Karuk Tribe vice chair, hopes similar success will happen on the Klamath River. Multiple times per year, Brink and other tribal members participate in ceremonial salmon fishing using handheld nets. In many years, there have been no fish to catch, he said.
“When the river gets to flow freely again, the people can also begin to worship freely again,” he said.
___
Associated Press writer Eugene Johnson in Seattle contributed.
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As work begins on the largest US dam removal project, tribes look to a future of growth
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[
"Hyung-Jin Kim",
"Associated Press"
] |
2023-08-01 01:10:22+00:00
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2023-07-31 14:47:58
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PYEONGTAEK, South Korea (AP) — The dogs bark and stare as Kim Jong-kil approaches the rusty cages housing the large, short-haired animals he sells for their meat. Kim opens a door and pets one dog’s neck and chest. Kim says he’s proud of the dog meat farm that has supported his family for 27 years, […]
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PYEONGTAEK, South Korea (AP) — The dogs bark and stare as Kim Jong-kil approaches the rusty cages housing the large, short-haired animals he sells for their meat. Kim opens a door and pets one dog’s neck and chest.
Kim says he’s proud of the dog meat farm that has supported his family for 27 years, but is upset over growing attempts by politicians and activists to outlaw the business, which he is turning over to his children.
“It’s more than just feeling bad. I absolutely oppose these moves, and we’ll mobilize all our means to resist it,” Kim, 57, said in an interview at his farm in Pyeongtaek city, just south of Seoul.
Dog meat consumption is a centuries-old practice on the Korean Peninsula and has long been viewed as a source of stamina on hot summer days. It’s neither explicitly banned nor legalized in South Korea, but more and more people want it prohibited. There’s increasing public awareness of animal rights and worries about South Korea’s international image.
The anti-dog meat campaign recently received a big boost when the country’s first lady expressed her support for a ban and two lawmakers submitted bills to eliminate the dog meat trade.
“Foreigners think South Korea is a cultural powerhouse. But the more K-culture increases its international standing, the bigger shock foreigners experience over our dog meat consumption,” said Han Jeoungae, an opposition lawmaker who submitted legislation to outlaw the dog meat industry last month.
Prospects for passage of an anti-dog meat law are unclear because of protests by farmers, restaurant owners and others involved in the dog meat industry. Surveys suggest that one in three South Koreans opposes such a ban, though most people don’t eat dog meat anymore.
Dogs are also eaten in China, Vietnam, Indonesia, North Korea and some African countries, including Ghana, Cameroon, Congo and Nigeria.
Earlier this month, Indonesian authorities announced the end of dog and cat slaughter at an animal market on the island of Sulawesi following a yearslong campaign by local activists and world celebrities. The Tomohon Extreme Market will become the first such market in Indonesia to go dog and cat meat-free, according to the anti-animal cruelty group Humane Society International.
South Korea’s dog meat industry receives more international attention because of its reputation as a wealthy, ultra-modern democracy. It is also the only nation with industrial-scale farms. Most farms in South Korea have more than 500 dogs, according to a dog farmers’ association.
During a recent visit, Kim’s farm, one of the country’s largest with 7,000 dogs, appeared relatively clean but there was a strong stench in some areas. All dogs are kept in elevated cages and are fed with food waste and ground chicken. They are rarely released for exercise and typically are sold for meat one year after they are born.
Kim said two of his children, age 29 and 31, are running the farm with him, and that business has been going pretty well. He said the dogs bred for their meat are different from pets, an idea opposed by activists.
It’s difficult now to find dog meat restaurants in Seoul’s bustling downtown, though many still exit in the countryside.
“I only earn one-third of the money I used to make. Young people don’t come here. Only ailing old people come for lunch,” said Yoon Chu-wol, 77, the owner of a dog meat restaurant in Seoul’s Kyungdong traditional market. “I tell my elderly customers to come and eat my food more frequently before it’s banned.”
Farmers also face growing scrutiny from officials and increasingly negative public opinion. They complain that officials visit them repeatedly in response to complaints filed by activists and citizens over alleged animal abuse and other wrongdoing. Kim said more than 90 such petitions were filed against his farm during a recent four-month span.
Son Won Hak, general secretary of the dog farmers’ association, said many farms have collapsed in recent years because of falling dog meat prices and weaker demand. He thinks that’s a result of activist campaigns and unfair media reports focusing on farms with inferior conditions. Some observers, however, say consumption of dog meat was already declining, with younger people staying away from it.
“Quite honestly, I’d like to quit my job (as a farmer) tomorrow. We can’t confidently tell our children that we’re raising dogs,” Son said. “When my friends called me, they said ‘Hey, are you still running a dog meat farm? Isn’t it illegal?’”
The number of farms across South Korea has dropped by half from a few years ago to about 3,000 to 4,000, and about 700,000 to 1 million dogs are slaughtered each year, a decline from several million 10 to 20 years ago, according to the dog farmers’ association. Some activists argue that the farmers’ estimates are an exaggeration meant to show their industry is too big to destroy.
In late 2021, South Korea launched a government-civilian task force to consider outlawing dog meat at the suggestion of then-President Moon Jae-in, a pet lover. The committee, whose members include farmers and animal rights activists, has met more than 20 times but hasn’t reached any agreement, apparently because of disputes over compensation issues.
Agriculture officials refused to disclose the discussions in the closed-door meetings. They said the government wants to end dog meat consumption based on a public consensus.
In April, first lady Kim Keon Hee, the wife of current President Yoon Suk Yeol, said in a meeting with activists that she hopes for an end to dog meat consumption. Famers responded with rallies and formal complaints against Kim for allegedly hurting their livelihoods.
Han, the lawmaker, said she “highly positively appraises” influential figures speaking out against dog meat consumption.
Han said her bill offers support programs for farmers who agree to close their farms. They would be entitled to money to dismantle their facilities, vocational training, employment assistance and other benefits, she said.
Ju Yeongbong, an official of the farmers’ association, said farmers want to continue for about 20 more years until older people, their main customers, die, allowing the industry to naturally disappear. Observers say most farmers are also in their 60s to 70s.
Borami Seo, a director of the South Korea office of the Humane Society International, said she opposes the continued killing of millions of dogs for such a prolonged period. “Letting this silent cruelty to (dogs) be committed in South Korea doesn’t make sense,” Seo said.
“(Dog meat consumption) is too anachronistic, has elements of cruelty to animals and hinders our national growth,” said Cheon JinKyung, head of Korea Animal Rights Advocates in Seoul.
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South Korean dog meat farmers push back against growing moves to outlaw their industry
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[
"Mark Long",
"Associated Press"
] |
2023-08-01 01:13:00+00:00
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2023-07-31 21:47:08
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Florida coach Billy Napier opened fall practice talking to his team about expectations — internal ones, anyway. The once-mighty Gators are mostly an afterthought in the Southeastern Conference these days. Coming off consecutive 6-7 seasons — one in former coach Dan Mullen’s final season and the other in Napier’s inaugural campaign […]
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Florida coach Billy Napier opened fall practice talking to his team about expectations — internal ones, anyway.
The once-mighty Gators are mostly an afterthought in the Southeastern Conference these days. Coming off consecutive 6-7 seasons — one in former coach Dan Mullen’s final season and the other in Napier’s inaugural campaign — Florida was picked to finish fifth in the Eastern Division in the league’s annual preseason media poll.
It was the lowest preseason prognostication for the Gators since also coming in fifth in 2015, former coach Jim McElwain’s first season. Florida responding by winning the East that year. Could it happen again? It would be an unbelievable long shot considering Napier pretty much has an overhauled roster after losing quarterback Anthony Richardson and 14 other starters.
“I really feel like we’re going to shock a lot of people this year as far as the standard is so low right now,” cornerback Jaydon Hill said. “It blows my mind a little bit. But then again, we’ve just got to win games. It just comes down to winning.”
Florida hasn’t won nearly enough for a fanbase that grew accustomed to it under legends Steve Spurrier and Urban Meyer. Although the Gators have enjoyed pockets of success since, they have yet to put it all together in terms of recruiting talent, developing players and building a consistent contender.
Napier had a detailed plan when he took over in November 2021, but it didn’t account for having to navigate a burgeoning transfer portal or a constantly changing name, image and likeness landscape.
So Napier sounds more like a coach entering their first year rather than one expecting the kind of second-year jumps that helped vault Spurrier and Meyer to stardom. He’s implemented several team-building exercises, including moving players into on-campus dorms for the opening week of training camp and rooming them with guys from other position groups.
They’ll eat every meal in an old-school dining hall — no phones allowed — and work on developing leadership as much as perfecting concepts, formations and plays.
“I think it’s important that we connect and try to create crossover relationships in all parts of what we do,” Napier said. “It’s absolutely important to what we do.”
Adding another layer to his unification efforts, Napier has a get-to-know-your-teammate initiative that requires players to be able to provide names and hometowns on the spot for 10 colleagues pictured.
“It’s one thing to know the guy’s first name, but it’s another thing to know his first and last name, where he’s from, part of his story, and I think with time we’ll get to that place,” Napier said. “But it’s about agreeing that there’s an expectation, and then, ‘Hey, if you can do better, you can do better.’ I think that’s the key to the drill. That’s where we’re at as a team.”
It’s a far cry from having to tamp down expectations of making the College Football Playoff or winning championships. No one’s ruled those out in Gainesville, but most would agree they seem more plausible down the road.
Florida returns seven starters from last year’s team and has a number of transfers to work into the mix. Quite possibly the main reason for Florida’s humble preseason forecast is because the team appears locked into starting former Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz, who completed 60% of his passes for 5,405 yards, with 38 touchdowns and 26 interceptions, in four years with the Badgers.
Florida lost four-star QB recruit Jaden Rashada in a failed NIL deal in January, leaving Mertz and former Ohio State backup Jack Miller to compete for the starting job. All signs point to Mertz taking the first snap when the Gators open the season at Utah on Aug. 31.
Although Napier appears to have Florida on the path back to national relevancy; the team’s 2024 recruiting class is ranked third behind Georgia and Ohio State, according to 247sports.com. In the meantime, the only expectations he’s focused on are the internal ones.
“The expectation we’re going to establish for each other … should be much higher than any outside narrative or outside opinion,” Napier said. “If I’m walking around the building each day, if I’m living life and I’m most concerned with not letting the people down that are going to be in this team meeting in a couple hours, that’s the most important piece.”
___
AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/ap_top25. Sign up for the AP Top 25 newsletter here: https://link.apnews.com/join/6nr/morning-wire-newsletter-footer-internal-ads
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Florida enters year 2 under Billy Napier amid lowest expectations in nearly a decade
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[
"Nick El Hajj",
"Associated Press"
] |
2023-08-01 01:05:04+00:00
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2023-07-31 11:22:54
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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — An escalating dispute over a gas field in the Persian Gulf poses an early challenge to a Chinese-brokered agreement to reconcile regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran. Saudi Arabia and neighboring Kuwait jointly claim the offshore Al-Durra gas field. Iran says it has rights to the field, which it […]
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This is a locator map for the Persian Gulf and its surrounding countries. (AP Photo)
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — An escalating dispute over a gas field in the Persian Gulf poses an early challenge to a Chinese-brokered agreement to reconcile regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Saudi Arabia and neighboring Kuwait jointly claim the offshore Al-Durra gas field. Iran says it has rights to the field, which it refers to as Arash. The two sides held talks in Iran in March but were unable to agree on a border demarcation.
A spokesman for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, Nasser Kanaani, said the country would not tolerate any infringement on its rights, echoing remarks by the country’s oil minister the previous day.
“We have expressed our readiness to engage in dialogue with the Kuwaiti side,” Kanaani told reporters Monday. “But if there is no interest in mutual utilization of this joint field, the Islamic Republic of Iran has naturally put the exploration and utilization of the resources on its agenda.”
Kuwait’s oil minister told Sky News Arabia last week that his country would commence drilling and production without waiting for a deal.
Saudi Arabia has sided with Kuwait, saying the two countries have exclusive ownership of the field, and has called on Iran to return to negotiations.
Saudi Arabia and Iran, which have backed opposite sides in conflicts across the Middle East and accused each other of destabilizing the region, formally restored diplomatic relations in April following a seven-year freeze. They have since reopened embassies and welcomed senior officials on visits.
But they continue to back opposite sides in Yemen’s civil war, which is ongoing despite a 15-month cease-fire. Saudi Arabia is also in negotiations with the United States over potentially normalizing relations with Israel, which Iran’s leaders have said should be wiped off the map.
“Any step in the direction toward normalization of ties with this aggressive regime will only serve to give it more leeway to commit more atrocities against the Palestinian nation,” Kanaani, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, said.
It’s unclear whether the dispute over the gas field, which goes back to the 1960s, will escalate beyond rhetoric. But tensions are already high in the Persian Gulf, where the U.S. is building up military forces in response to what it says is Iran’s unlawful seizure of oil tankers and harassment of commercial vessels.
Saudi Arabia and Kuwait agreed last year to jointly develop the gas field. Kuwait said at the time that they aimed to produce 1 billion cubic feet of natural gas and 84,000 barrels of liquefied gas per day. Iran denounced the agreement as illegal and said it should be included in any such plans.
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Dispute over Persian Gulf gas field poses early challenge to Saudi-Iranian rapprochement
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2023-08-01 01:10:15+00:00
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2023-07-31 07:30:24
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BEIJING (AP) — A zoo in eastern China is denying suggestions some of its bears might be people in costumes after photos of the animals standing like humans circulated online. The sun bears from Malaysia are smaller than other bears and look different but are the real thing, the Hangzhou Zoo said Monday on its […]
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BEIJING (AP) — A zoo in eastern China is denying suggestions some of its bears might be people in costumes after photos of the animals standing like humans circulated online.
The sun bears from Malaysia are smaller than other bears and look different but are the real thing, the Hangzhou Zoo said Monday on its social media account.
“Some people think I stand like a person,” said the posting, written from the bear’s point of view. “It seems you don’t understand me very well.”
An employee who answered the phone at the zoo declined to talk about the bears but said visits were being arranged for reporters Monday to see them.
Internet users questioned whether the zoo’s bears were real after photos circulated showing one standing upright on slender hind legs.
“Because of the way they stand, some people online question whether they are ‘humans in disguise,’” the newspaper Hangzhou Daily said.
Sun bears are the size of large dogs, standing at most 1.3 meters (50 inches) tall on their hind legs, compared with up to 2.8 meters (9 feet) for grizzlies and other species, according to the zoo.
Other Chinese zoos have been accused of trying to pass off dogs dyed to look like wolves or African cats, and donkeys painted to look like zebras.
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Our bears are real, a Chinese zoo says, denying they are ‘humans in disguise’
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[
"Zenel Zhinipotoku",
"Associated Press"
] |
2023-08-01 01:05:31+00:00
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2023-07-31 11:21:00
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PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) — Kosovo’s journalists on Monday protested against the government’s decision to suspend a private television station’s operations. Authorities made the move last week because they said there were irregularities concerning the registration of Klan Kosova’s business license that violated the country’s constitution. Scores of journalists and members of civil society organizations gathered […]
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PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) — Kosovo’s journalists on Monday protested against the government’s decision to suspend a private television station’s operations.
Authorities made the move last week because they said there were irregularities concerning the registration of Klan Kosova’s business license that violated the country’s constitution.
Scores of journalists and members of civil society organizations gathered in downtown Pristina in front of the main government building to protest the suspension of the broadcaster’s operations.
The demonstrators said it was a “politically motivated” action taken by the government of Prime Minister Albin Kurti. It was the first closure of a media outlet since the end of Kosovo’s 1998-1999 war, they said, holding a banner that read “Democracy dies in darkness.”
Last week, Kosovo’s Ministry of Industry and Trade suspended Klan Kosova’s license, after the documentation of its business registration in neighboring North Macedonia showed that its owners had named Kosovo’s municipalities as if belonging to Serbia, “which is a violation of our constitution,” according to a statement released Monday.
The journalist accused the government’s decision as “an open and unprecedented war … against the media,” urging owners of Klan Kosova to continue its legal fight at the court.
Klan Kosova’s editor-in-chief, Gazmend, Syla called the suspension “unfair.”
“We consider this a kind of pressure to stop us doing of what we are doing,” he told The Associated Press, adding they would challenge the government’s decision in court.
Last month, Kosovo’s Agency of Business Registration found the alleged fault and decided to suspend the operations of the television station, a move supported last week by the ministry.
The station has said it had already fixed the problems as requested.
Klan Kosova was launched in 2009 to become the country’s biggest private television station.
The embassies of France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States, and the European Union in Kosovo, expressed “their deep concern” about the suspension of Klan Kosova’s business license considering it “a disproportionate decision that will have repercussions on media plurality in Kosovo.”
Kosovo is a former province in Serbia, which doesn’t recognize Pristina’s 2008 declaration of independence. Kosovo’s sovereignty is backed by the U.S. and most EU nations, but not by Russia and China.
Serbia pulled out of Kosovo in 1999 after NATO bombed the country to stop the onslaught against ethnic Albanian separatists. At least 10,000 civilians, most of them ethnic Albanians, were killed in the conflict.
——-
Llazar Semini reported from Tirana, Albania.
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Kosovo journalists protest government’s suspension of private television station
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[
"Andrew Dalton",
"Associated Press"
] |
2023-08-01 01:03:50+00:00
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2023-07-31 22:59:40
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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Paul Reubens, the actor and comedian whose Pee-wee Herman character — an overgrown child with a tight gray suit and an unforgettable laugh — became a 1980s pop cultural phenomenon, has died at 70. Reubens, who’s character delighted fans in the film “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” and on the TV series “Pee-wee’s […]
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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Paul Reubens, the actor and comedian whose Pee-wee Herman character — an overgrown child with a tight gray suit and an unforgettable laugh — became a 1980s pop cultural phenomenon, has died at 70.
Reubens, who’s character delighted fans in the film “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” and on the TV series “Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” died Sunday night after a six-year struggle with cancer that he kept private, his publicist said in a statement.
“Please accept my apology for not going public with what I’ve been facing the last six years,” Reubens said in a statement released Monday with the announcement of his death. “I have always felt a huge amount of love and respect from my friends, fans and supporters. I have loved you all so much and enjoyed making art for you.”
Created for the stage, Pee-wee with his white chunky loafers and red bow tie would become a cultural constant in both adult and children’s entertainment for much of the 1980s, though an indecent exposure arrest in 1991 would send the character into entertainment exile for years.
The staccato giggle that punctuated every sentence, catch phrases like “I know you are but what am I” and a tabletop dance to the Champs’ song “Tequila” in a biker bar in “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” were often imitated by fans, to the joy of some and the annoyance of others.
Reubens created Pee-wee when he was part of the Los Angeles improv group The Groundlings in the late 1970s. The live “Pee-wee Herman Show” debuted at a Los Angeles theater in 1981 and was a success with both kids during matinees and adults at a midnight show.
The show closely resembled the format the Saturday morning TV “Pee-wee’s Playhouse” would follow years later, with Herman living in a wild and wacky home with a series of stock-character visitors, including one, Captain Karl, played by the late “Saturday Night Live” star Phil Hartman.
HBO would air the show as a special.
Reubens took Pee-wee to the big screen with 1985’s “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure,” which takes the character outside for a nationwide escapade. The film, in which Pee-wee’s cherished bike is stolen, was said to be loosely based on Vittorio De Sica’s Italian neo-realist classic, “The Bicycle Thief.” Directed by Tim Burton and co-written by Hartman, the movie was a success, grossing $40 million, and continued to spawn a cult following for its oddball whimsy.
A sequel followed three years later in the less well-received “Big Top Pee-wee,” in which Pee-wee seeks to join a circus. Reubens’ character wouldn’t get another movie starring role until 2016’s Pee-wee’s Big Holiday,” for Netflix. Judd Apatow produced Pee-wee’s big-screen revival.
His television series, “Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” ran for five seasons, earned 22 Emmys and attracted not only children but adults to Saturday-morning TV.
Jimmy Kimmel posted on Instagram that “Paul Reubens was like no one else — a brilliant and original comedian who made kids and their parents laugh at the same time. He never forgot a birthday and shared his genuine delight for silliness with everyone he met.”
Both silly and subversive and championing nonconformity, the Pee-wee universe was a trippy place, populated by things like a talking armchair and a friendly pterodactyl.
Director Guillermo del Toro tweeted Monday that Reubens was “one of the patron saints of all misfitted, weird, maladjusted, wonderful, miraculous oddities.”
The act was a hit because it worked on multiple levels, even though Reubens insists that wasn’t the plan.
“It’s for kids,” Reubens told The Associated Press in 2010. “People have tried to get me for years to go, ‘It wasn’t really for kids, right?’ Even the original show was for kids. I always censored myself to have it be kid-friendly.
“The whole thing has been just a gut feeling from the beginning,” Reubens told the AP. “That’s all it ever is and I think always ever be. Much as people want me to dissect it and explain it, I can’t. One, I don’t know, and two, I don’t want to know, and three, I feel like I’ll hex myself if I know.”
Reubens’ career was derailed when he was arrested for indecent exposure in an adult movie theater in Sarasota, Florida, the city where he grew up. He was handed a small fine but the damage was incalculable.
He became the frequent butt of late-night talk show jokes and the perception of Reubens immediately changed.
“The moment that I realized my name was going to be said in the same sentence as children and sex, that’s really intense,” Reubens told NBC in 2004. “That’s something I knew from that very moment, whatever happens past that point, something’s out there in the air that is really bad.”
Reubens said he got plenty of offers to work, but told the AP that most of them wanted to take “advantage of the luridness of my situation”,” and he didn’t want to do them.
“It just changed,” he said. “Everything changed.”
He did take advantage of one chance to poke fun at his tarnished image. Just weeks after his arrest, he would open the MTV Video Music Awards, walking on to the stage alone and saying, “Heard any good jokes lately?” (Herman appearances on MTV had fueled Pee-wee’s popularity in the early 1980s.)
In 2001, Reubens was arrested and charged with misdemeanor possession of child pornography after police seized images from his computer and photography collection, but the allegation was reduced to an obscenity charge and he was given three years probation.
Born Paul Rubenfeld in Peekskill, New York, in 1952, the eldest of three kids, he grew up in Sarasota where his parents ran a lamp store and he put on comedy shows for neighbor kids.
After high school he sought to study acting. He spent a year at Boston University, and was then turned down by the Juilliard School and Carnegie-Mellon University. So he enrolled at the California Institute of the Arts. That would lead to appearances at local comedy clubs and theaters and joining the Groundlings.
“Paul’s contributions to comedy and entertainment have left a lasting impact on the world, and he will be greatly missed by all in the Groundlings community,” the group said in a statement.
After the 1991 arrest, he would spend the decade playing primarily non-Pee-wee characters, including roles in Burton’s 1992 movie “Batman Returns,” the “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” film and a guest-star run on the TV series “Murphy Brown.”
He also appeared in the 1999 comedy film “Mystery Men” and Johnny Depp’s 2001 drug-dealer drama “Blow.”
Reubens — who never lost his boyish appearance even in his 60s, would slowly re-introduce Pee-wee, eventually doing a Broadway adaptation of “The Pee-wee Herman Show” in 2010, and the 2016 Netflix movie.
Reubens was beloved by his fellow comedians, and fans of Pee-wee spanned the culture.
“His surreal comedy and unrelenting kindness were a gift to us all,” Conan O’Brien tweeted. “Damn, this hurts.”
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Associated Press Writer Alicia Rancilio and Film Writer Jake Coyle contributed to this report.
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Pee-wee Herman actor and creator Paul Reubens dies from cancer at 70
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https://www.informnny.com/entertainment-news/ap-pee-wee-herman-actor-paul-reubens-dies-from-cancer-at-70/
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[
"Mark Kennedy",
"Associated Press"
] |
2023-08-01 01:04:03+00:00
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2023-07-31 14:42:50
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NEW YORK (AP) — When actor Casey Likes watched “Back to the Future” growing up, his mom would always say he reminded her a lot of the film’s star, Michael J. Fox. Something in the universe agrees: He’s taken on Fox’s classic movie role on Broadway. The rising stage star plays Marty McFly for a […]
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NEW YORK (AP) — When actor Casey Likes watched “Back to the Future” growing up, his mom would always say he reminded her a lot of the film’s star, Michael J. Fox. Something in the universe agrees: He’s taken on Fox’s classic movie role on Broadway.
The rising stage star plays Marty McFly for a musical adaptation of the beloved 1985 sci-fi comedy about a time-traveling duo who go back to the 1950s in a souped-up, gull-winged DeLorean.
“I remember growing up and just really, really loving the film. It kind of sat in that realm of like ‘E.T.’ and ‘Close Encounters’ — movies that came at a time when film was magical,” says Likes, 21. “I hope we accomplish something kind of similar with Broadway.”
The show, which won the Olivier Award for best new musical last year in London, arrives at the Winter Garden Theatre this summer with a story by Bob Gale, who previously co-created and co-wrote the movie with Robert Zemeckis. It hews very closely to the original, including having a DeLorean onstage and the shout “Great Scott!”
Broadway veteran and Tony Award-winner Roger Bart takes on Christopher Lloyd’s role of Doc Brown, the oddball scientist with a knack for inventions. Bart recalls seeing “Back to the Future” in his early 20s when it first appeared in movie theaters. He watched with three friends from theater school and they were all secretly jealous of Fox.
“None of my friends — even knowing each other as well as we did — none of them, including my mother, ever nudged me and said, ‘No, no, kid. You’re Doc Brown. Just be patient,’” the Tony-winner says laughing.
Like the film, the musical centers on Marty McFly traveling back to his hometown in 1955. Once there, he gets caught up in the soap opera lives of his own teenage parents, including his mom, who develops a crush on her future son. He must reconnect mom and dad or he risks disappearing from history.
“We feel like it’s very important – I’m sure Casey would agree — for the public to come to the show and recognize that they are seeing that story in a different form but with all of its charms very deeply intact,” says Bart, whose Broadway credits include “The Producers,” “Disaster!” and “Young Frankenstein.”
New songs have been crafted by the film’s composer Alan Silvestri and songwriter and producer Glen Ballard. Some Huey Lewis and the News songs from the movie also have been included, like the theme tune “The Power of Love” and “Back in Time,” as well as Marty McFly’s futuristic rendition of “Johnny B. Goode.”
“We go back to the ‘50s, you get some songs that sound like ’Grease,’ like ‘Bye Bye Birdie.’ And then we have some ‘80s moments in there that are very ’Footloose,’” says Likes. “It feels kind of like the greatest hits of not only rock ‘n’ roll, but of musical theater.”
While both men are fans of the films — and both got to meet the original stars at a gala last week — neither Bart nor Likes want to straightjacket themselves into the way Fox and Lloyd performed their roles.
“I don’t want to impersonate the movie. I want to remind you of the movie,” says Likes, who made his Broadway debut last year as the Cameron Crowe-inspired lead character of the musical “Almost Famous.”
“There’s a lot of things that Roger is doing that are similar, and there’s a lot of things that I’m doing that hopefully are similar to Michael. But we’re really just reminding you of their brilliance. Hopefully, at the same time, you’re able to kind of go along the journey with our Marty and Doc.”
In addition to being a cultural touchstone, “Back to the Future” was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Film Registry and the American Film Institute listed it as the No. 10 best science-fiction film. Bart thinks the movie’s staying power is because it manages to straddle many worlds.
There’s a time travel story and one about getting to know your parents as peers. There’s a love story between Marty’s parents and there’s also a buddy movie — Marty and Doc putting their friendship on the line.
“Between all of these elements, it answers so many of the things that we love about that era of moviemaking and storytelling,” says Bart. “I think that’s one of the reasons why it is has sort of stuck around so long.”
Not to mention the fact that audiences can appreciate the story at different parts of their lives. Kids can enjoy the thrills and special effects; adults can be moved by the notion of meeting their own moms and dads. “Part of its sustaining power is the fact that it can mean one thing at one age and another at another,” says Bart.
Likes also adds another reason: Marty initially only wants to get back to his own time period to reconnect with his girlfriend. But his reasons start to change — save Doc, save his family, save the world.
“As the show goes on, there’s more stacked up reasons as to why he has to get back. And I think that’s a really interesting thing to think about in our own life,” he says. “What would be our reasons to to get back to our current life?”
___
Mark Kennedy can be reached at http://twitter.com/KennedyTwits
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The stars of Broadway’s ‘Back to the Future’ musical happily speed into the past every night
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https://www.informnny.com/entertainment-news/ap-the-stars-of-broadways-back-to-the-future-musical-happily-speed-into-the-past-every-night/
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[
"Peter Smith",
"Michael Rubinkam",
"Associated Press"
] |
2023-08-01 01:07:07+00:00
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2023-07-31 22:11:23
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PITTSBURGH (AP) — A jury is set to deliberate whether to impose the death penalty or a sentence of life in prison without parole on a man who spewed antisemitic hate before fatally shooting 11 worshippers at a synagogue in the heart of Pittsburgh’s Jewish community. The same jurors who convicted 50-year-old Robert Bowers in […]
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.informnny.com%2Fnews%2Fnational-news%2Fap-jury-poised-to-deliberate-death-penalty-or-life-sentence-for-gunman-in-pittsburgh-synagogue-massacre%2F.json
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PITTSBURGH (AP) — A jury is set to deliberate whether to impose the death penalty or a sentence of life in prison without parole on a man who spewed antisemitic hate before fatally shooting 11 worshippers at a synagogue in the heart of Pittsburgh’s Jewish community.
The same jurors who convicted 50-year-old Robert Bowers in June on 63 criminal counts listened to closing arguments Monday in the penalty phase of his federal trial, held nearly five years after the truck driver from suburban Baldwin perpetrated the deadliest attack on Jews in U.S. history.
The extent to which mental illness and Bowers’ difficult childhood played a role in the massacre dominated the lawyers’ arguments for and against capital punishment. The jury is expected to get the case and begin deliberations on Tuesday.
Speaking for the government, U.S. Attorney Eric Olshan said Bowers was clearly motivated by religious hatred when he entered the Tree of Life synagogue on Oct. 27, 2018, and opened fire with an AR-15 rifle, shooting everyone he could find.
The gunman raved incessantly on social media about his hatred of Jewish people — using a slur for Jewish people some 400 times on a platform favored by the far right — and remains proud that he killed Jews, the prosecutor reminded jurors.
“Do not be numb to it. Remember what it means. This defendant targeted people solely because of the faith that they chose,” Olshan said.
He added: “This is a case that calls for the most severe punishment under the law: the death penalty.”
Bowers’ lead defense attorney, Judy Clarke, acknowledged the horror of his crimes but urged jurors to opt for mercy and a life sentence.
Bowers’ attorneys have argued that he has schizophrenia, a serious brain disorder whose symptoms include delusions and hallucinations, and that Bowers attacked the synagogue out of a delusional belief that Jews were helping to bring about a genocide of white people by coming to the aid of refugees and immigrants. On Monday, Clarke recounted Bowers’ history of psychiatric hospitalizations, including an extended stay in a residential juvenile mental health program.
The defense also presented evidence of Bowers’ difficult childhood.
“What has happened cannot be undone. We can’t rewind the clock and make it that this senseless crime never happened. All we can do is make the right decision going forward. We are asking you to make the right decision, and that is life,” Clarke said in her closing argument.
A life sentence would mean that “prison is where Mr. Bowers will die in obscurity, not as a hero and not as a martyr,” she said.
Olshan, the prosecutor, disputed the defense experts’ diagnosis of schizophrenia, asserting that Bowers was not suffering psychosis but had chosen to believe white supremacist rhetoric. And while acknowledging that Bowers was a depressed, neglected child, Olshan downplayed the significance of it, noting that Bowers had held jobs, paid bills, and was an otherwise functioning adult.
“He was not a child, he was a grown man. He was responsible for his actions, not his family and things that happened decades earlier. He was, he is responsible for his actions,” Olshan said.
Clarke retorted that “childhood matters.”
“It defies reality to say he got better, he’s fine, he’s just an evil guy. What it does is reflects a complete misunderstanding of serious mental illness,” she said.
In order to impose death, jurors must find that aggravating circumstances, which make the crime especially heinous, outweigh mitigating factors that could be seen as diminishing his culpability. Those aggravating circumstances could include the vulnerability of Bowers’ elderly and disabled victims and his targeting of Jewish people.
Olshan played a composite of 911 calls made from inside the synagogue, including audio of people being shot and a survivor’s horrified screams.
He said Bowers had taken “11 people, 11 full lives, 11 people who loved their families, 11 people who loved their friends, 11 people who were loved. … How do you measure the impact of all of that loss?”
The prosecutor spoke about 75-year-old Joyce Fienberg’s care for her family and 65-year-old Richard Gottfried’s devotion to his faith. He said Dr. Jerry Rabinowitz, 66, had the ethos of a country doctor: “He loved delivering babies but he never delivered judgment.” David Rosenthal, 54, and Cecil Rosenthal, 59, intellectually disabled brothers, “loved life,” Olshan said. “But maybe more than anything, they loved Tree of Life.”
The other deceased victims were Rose Mallinger, 97; Bernice Simon, 84, and her husband, Sylvan Simon, 86; Dan Stein, 71; Melvin Wax, 87; and Irving Younger, 69.
The attack also wounded seven people, including five responding police officers. Bowers was shot three times before surrendering when he ran out of ammunition.
___
Rubinkam reported from northeastern Pennsylvania.
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Jury poised to deliberate death penalty or life sentence for gunman in Pittsburgh synagogue massacre
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2023-08-01 01:08:52+00:00
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2023-08-01 00:21:02
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SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A brightly flashing “X” sign has been removed from the San Francisco headquarters of the company formerly known as Twitter just days after it was installed. The San Francisco Department of Building Inspection said Monday it received 24 complaints about the unpermitted structure over the weekend. Complaints included concerns about its […]
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.informnny.com%2Fnews%2Ftech-news%2Fap-brightly-flashing-x-sign-removed-from-the-former-twitters-san-francisco-headquarters%2F.json
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SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A brightly flashing “X” sign has been removed from the San Francisco headquarters of the company formerly known as Twitter just days after it was installed.
The San Francisco Department of Building Inspection said Monday it received 24 complaints about the unpermitted structure over the weekend. Complaints included concerns about its structural safety and illumination.
The Elon Musk-owned company, which has been rebranded as X, had removed the Twitter sign and iconic blue bird logo from the building last week. That work was temporarily paused because the company did not have the necessary permits. For a time, the “er” at the end of “Twitter” remained up due to the abrupt halt of the sign takedown.
The city of San Francisco had opened a complaint and launched an investigation into the giant “X” sign, which was installed Friday on top of the downtown building as Musk continues his rebrand of the social media platform.
The chaotic rebrand of Twitter’s building signage is similar to the haphazard way in which the Twitter platform is being turned into X. While the X logo has replaced Twitter on many parts of the site and app, remnants of Twitter remain.
Representatives for X did not immediately respond to a message for comment Monday.
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Brightly flashing ‘X’ sign removed from the San Francisco building that was Twitter’s headquarters
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https://www.informnny.com/news/tech-news/ap-brightly-flashing-x-sign-removed-from-the-former-twitters-san-francisco-headquarters/
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[
"Menelaos Hadjicostis",
"Associated Press"
] |
2023-08-01 01:09:32+00:00
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2023-07-31 09:32:53
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NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — A Cyprus court on Monday sentenced a British man who killed his ailing wife in their retirement home to two years in prison, rejecting a defense request to hand down a suspended sentence after convicting him earlier of manslaughter. State prosecutor Andreas Hadjikyrou said the three-judge bench imposed the prison term […]
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.informnny.com%2Fnews%2Fworld-news%2Fap-cyprus-court-hands-british-man-a-2-year-prison-term-for-killing-his-ailing-wife-to-spare-her-pain%2F.json
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NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — A Cyprus court on Monday sentenced a British man who killed his ailing wife in their retirement home to two years in prison, rejecting a defense request to hand down a suspended sentence after convicting him earlier of manslaughter.
State prosecutor Andreas Hadjikyrou said the three-judge bench imposed the prison term as a “deterrent,” although the judges had earlier ruled that David Hunter’s decision to suffocate his wife Janice in December 2021 was made on the spur of the moment because he could no longer stand seeing her weeping in pain.
Hadjikyrou told The Associated Press the court took into account that Hunter, 76, acted “out of love” to save his wife, who was suffering from a blood ailment when he closed her mouth and nose with his hands as she sat in a recliner in their Paphos home.
It also took into consideration Hunter’s advanced age and that he had no previous criminal record.
Justice Abroad, a group that defends Britons facing legal troubles in foreign countries, said in a statement that Hunter could be released by Aug. 18 after already having spent more than 18 months in custody.
“This has been a tragic case and difficult for all of those involved with it, but today’s decision was the right one and allows David and his family to grieve together,” said Michael Polak from Justice Abroad.
Hunter had faced a charge of premeditated murder, but the court found in its July 21 ruling that the prosecution didn’t prove beyond a reasonable doubt that there was premeditation in his actions.
The court had accepted witness testimony that Janice feared her blood ailment would develop into full-blown leukemia and had repeatedly pleaded with her husband to take her life because she didn’t want to share the fate of her sister, who died of the disease.
Hunter attempted to take his own life by consuming a large amount of pills after suffocating his wife, but medical staff saved his life.
The court cited expert testimony that Janice Hunter suffered from myelodysplastic syndrome, a type of blood cancer which “to a large degree” — as much as 45% — could turn into leukemia, although there was no proof that she had indeed developed the disease because no definitive tests were conducted.
But the court said both husband and wife believed that Janice would develop it because of her sister’s fate.
David Hunter’s earlier assurances to Janice that he would help her fulfill her wish to end her life and not suffer anymore didn’t indicate any premeditation, the court said.
Hadjikyrou said defense lawyers had rejected a plea deal in December 2022 for the defendant to plead guilty to manslaughter because they insisted the facts of the case include an agreement Hunter and his wife allegedly made for him to take her life.
The state prosecutor said the court didn’t accept that such an agreement had indeed been made. He said the Cyprus attorney-general has 10 days to decide whether to appeal the sentence.
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Cyprus court hands British man a 2-year prison term for killing his ailing wife to spare her pain
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2023-08-01 01:04:37+00:00
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2023-07-31 16:39:37
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JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s Supreme Court said Monday that a full panel of 15 justices would hear petitions in September against a contentious law that was passed last week by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and which has spurred mass protests. The law was one of a series of proposed changes to Israel’s judiciary put […]
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.informnny.com%2Fnews%2Fap-israels-full-high-court-to-hear-petitions-against-judiciary-law-in-september-that-spurred-protests%2F.json
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JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s Supreme Court said Monday that a full panel of 15 justices would hear petitions in September against a contentious law that was passed last week by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and which has spurred mass protests.
The law was one of a series of proposed changes to Israel’s judiciary put forward by Netanyahu’s government earlier this year that seek to curb the power of the Supreme Court. The judicial overhaul plan has been met with months of sustained mass protest against the legislation and drawn criticism from the White House.
Critics of the overhaul say that the package of laws would concentrate power in the hands of the ruling coalition and erode the system of checks and balances between branches of government. Proponents say the measures are necessary to limit the power of unelected judges who they say are overly activist.
Netanyahu and his allies passed a law last week that removes the high court’s ability to annul government decisions considered “unreasonable.” The “reasonableness standard” was implemented by the Supreme Court earlier this year to thwart the appointment of a Netanyahu ally as interior minister after he had recently pleaded guilty to tax offenses.
The court said the hearing concerning the law striking down the “reasonableness standard” would take place on Sept. 12 with a full bench of 15 justices. The Supreme Court typically hears cases with smaller panels of justices, but appears to have opted for a full complement of judges because of the highly delicate nature of the matter.
The Netanyahu administration’s push to overhaul the judiciary has deeply divided an already highly polarized country and sparked the longest sustained protests in the country’s history.
Netanyahu and his allies took office in December after the country’s fifth election in under four years, most of them referendums on the longtime leader’s fitness to serve while on trial for corruption.
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Israel’s full high court to hear petitions against judiciary law in September that spurred protests
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https://www.informnny.com/news/ap-israels-full-high-court-to-hear-petitions-against-judiciary-law-in-september-that-spurred-protests/
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[
"David Klepper",
"Associated Press"
] |
2023-08-01 01:07:25+00:00
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2023-07-31 22:28:29
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WASHINGTON (AP) — X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, has threatened to sue a group of independent researchers whose research documented an increase in hate speech on the site since it was purchased last year by Elon Musk. An attorney representing the social media site wrote to the Center for Countering Digital […]
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.informnny.com%2Fnews%2Fnational-news%2Fap-musk-threatens-to-sue-researchers-who-documented-the-rise-in-hateful-tweets%2F.json
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WASHINGTON (AP) — X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, has threatened to sue a group of independent researchers whose research documented an increase in hate speech on the site since it was purchased last year by Elon Musk.
An attorney representing the social media site wrote to the Center for Countering Digital Hate on July 20 threatening legal action over the nonprofit’s research into hate speech and content moderation. The letter alleged that CCDH’s research publications seem intended “to harm Twitter’s business by driving advertisers away from the platform with incendiary claims.”
Musk is a self-professed free speech absolutist who has welcomed back white supremacists and election deniers to the platform, which he renamed X earlier this month. But the billionaire has at times proven sensitive about critical speech directed at him or his companies.
The center is a nonprofit with offices in the U.S. and United Kingdom. It regularly publishes reports on hate speech, extremism or harmful behavior on social media platforms like X, TikTok or Facebook.
The organization has published several reports critical of Musk’s leadership, detailing an increase in anti-LGBTQ hate speech as well as climate misinformation since his purchase. The letter from X’s attorney cited one specific report from June that found the platform failed to remove neo-Nazi and anti-LGBTQ content from verified users that violated the platform’s rules.
In the letter, attorney Alex Spiro questioned the expertise of the researchers and accused the center of trying to harm X’s reputation. The letter also suggested, without evidence, that the center received funds from some of X’s competitors, even though the center has also published critical reports about TikTok, Facebook and other large platforms.
“CCDH intends to harm Twitter’s business by driving advertisers away from the platform with incendiary claims,” Spiro wrote, using the platform’s former name.
Imran Ahmed, the center’s founder and CEO, told the AP on Monday that his group has never received a similar response from any tech company, despite a history of studying the relationship between social media, hate speech and extremism. He said that typically, the targets of the center’s criticism have responded by defending their work or promising to address any problems that have been identified.
Ahmed said he worried X’s response to the center’s work could have a chilling effect if it frightens other researchers away from studying the platform. He said he also worried that other industries could take note of the strategy.
“This is an unprecedented escalation by a social media company against independent researchers. Musk has just declared open war,” Ahmed told the Associated Press. “If Musk succeeds in silencing us other researchers will be next in line.”
Messages left with Spiro and X were not immediately returned Monday.
It’s not the first time that Musk has fired back at critics. Last year, he suspended the accounts of several journalists who covered his takeover of Twitter. Another user was suspended for using publicly available flight data to track Musk’s private plane; Musk had initially pledged to keep the user on the platform but later changed his mind, citing his personal safety. He also threatened to sue the user before allowing him back on the platform under certain restrictions.
He initially had promised that he would allow any speech on his platform that wasn’t illegal. “I hope that even my worst critics remain on Twitter, because that is what free speech means,” Musk wrote in a tweet last year.
X’s recent threat of a lawsuit prompted concern from U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., who said the billionaire was trying to use the threat of legal action to punish a nonprofit group trying to hold a powerful social media platform accountable.
“Instead of attacking them, he should be attacking the increasingly disturbing content on Twitter,” Schiff said in a statement.
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Musk threatens to sue researchers who documented the rise in hateful tweets
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https://www.informnny.com/news/national-news/ap-musk-threatens-to-sue-researchers-who-documented-the-rise-in-hateful-tweets/
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[
"John Wawrow",
"Associated Press"
] |
2023-08-01 01:12:45+00:00
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2023-07-31 21:45:18
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PITTSFORD, N.Y. (AP) — Of the thousands of emotions — trepidation among them — running through Damar Hamlin’s head Monday while pulling on his pads for practice for the first time at training camp, the one that ultimately won out was joy. For everything the Buffalo Bills safety has overcome in seven months since going […]
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PITTSFORD, N.Y. (AP) — Of the thousands of emotions — trepidation among them — running through Damar Hamlin’s head Monday while pulling on his pads for practice for the first time at training camp, the one that ultimately won out was joy.
For everything the Buffalo Bills safety has overcome in seven months since going into cardiac arrest during a game and needing to be resuscitated on the field, Hamlin leaned on his faith in God and himself, along with the support from his family and teammates, to take another step toward resuming his playing career.
“This is just a another milestone on the journey — might be one of the biggest ones,” Hamlin said after practice.
“I made the choice to play. But I’m processing a thousand emotions. I’m not afraid to say that it crosses my mind of being a little scared here and there,” he added. “My faith is stronger than any fear. That’s what I want to preach up here. And that’s the message I want to spread on to the world that as long as your faith is stronger than your fear, you can get through anything.”
Though Hamlin was cleared to resume practicing in mid-April, he did so wearing a helmet and shorts with his teammates through their spring sessions and first four days of training camp, as mandated by NFL rules. The magnitude of the Bills’ first day in pads wasn’t lost on Hamlin, given it marked the first time he was in full uniform since collapsing on the field in Cincinnati on Jan. 2 after making what appeared to be a routine tackle of Bengals receiver Tee Higgins.
“It’s a superblessed space. To be able to do what I love again,” Hamlin said. “Just trying to keep everything as normal as possible.”
The normality of football struck him about an hour into practice when Hamlin took the field for the first time during a team red-zone running drill in which tackling was still not allowed.
On his second play, Hamlin showed no hesitation when bursting toward Damien Harris and wrapping him up with both arms.
Hamlin’s biggest contact came on the final play of practice, when he avoided a block to work his way into the backfield and help a teammate stop tight end Quintin Morris for what would have been a loss.
“That first little moment of contact, that was just letting me know. I felt alive, man. I felt like I’m here,” Hamlin said with a wide grin. “So it felt good. It was just that moment of: ‘All right, let’s settle in and let’s just take one play at a time. Let’s just keep going.’”
The 25-year-old from the Pittsburgh area is entering his third NFL season. Selected by Buffalo in the sixth round of the 2021 draft out of Pitt, he opened last season as a backup before starting 13 games after Micah Hyde sustained a season-ending neck injury.
This year, Hamlin is competing with offseason free agent addition Taylor Rapp for a backup role behind Hyde and Jordan Poyer. As for Hamlin’s next hurdle, it’ll come Aug. 12, when the Bills open their preseason schedule at home against Indianapolis.
Rapp, who spent his first four NFL seasons with the Los Angeles Rams, might be new to Buffalo but is impressed with how Hamlin has handled himself.
“How far he’s come and what he’s able to come back from late last season and just seeing how he goes about himself and attacks the rehab at the facility is nothing short of inspiring,” Rapp said.
A day earlier, coach Sean McDermott said he was walking a fine line by treating Hamlin much like any other player while keeping in mind what he’s gone through.
“I think awareness is important, right? You’ve got X amount of guys out here and then you have Damar in there as well and trying to make it as a normal as possible,” McDermott said. “We’re going to support him through this, and to this point he’s done a phenomenal job.”
Before practice, Hamlin played catch with his younger brother, Damir. During the stretching period, the team’s head trainer, Nate Breske, went over to shake Hamlin’s hand. Following his news conference, Hamlin wandered over to a large group of fans to sign autographs.
Hamlin’s influence is evident on the training camp grounds, where fans can receive CPR training at an American Heart Association tent. With his Chasing M’s Foundation, Hamlin made stops in Buffalo, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati to promote CPR training and hand out free automated external defibrillators to sports organizations.
And he received a stunning reminder of what had happened to him just before training camp began when NBA star LeBron James’ son, Bronny, went into cardiac arrest during a basketball workout at Southern California last week. He has since been released from the hospital.
“It put everything back in perspective for me,” said Hamlin, who reached out to the James family after they supported him during his recovery. “I wanted to let him know I’ll be there for whatever he needs in his journey as far as his recovery and getting back to his sport, if that’s what he chooses to do.”
Hamlin made his choice and is sticking with football for as long and far as it takes him.
“Some of these emotions will never leave. Whenever everybody’s not paying attention to me no more, I’ll still be processing these emotions myself,” he said.
“I kind of look at it like a challenge,” Hamlin added. “Not too many people get this level of overcoming something and being able to stand for so many good things. … It’s a blessed space, and it’s a bunch of opportunity in there as well, if you choose to look at it that way.”
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
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Damar Hamlin puts aside fear and practices in pads for the first time since cardiac arrest
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https://www.informnny.com/sports/ap-damar-hamlin-puts-aside-fear-and-practices-in-pads-for-the-first-time-since-cardiac-arrest/
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[
"Jonathan Landrum Jr.",
"Associated Press"
] |
2023-08-01 01:03:56+00:00
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2023-07-31 16:11:09
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LOS ANGELES (AP) — If you believe Janelle Monae ’s hyper-sexual expression is a front, think again. These days, Monae is unapologetically living her truth in a bold manner while trying to avoid negativity. The star, once known for sporting custom-made suits, has shed that attire (at least for now) to nearly bare all, like […]
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.informnny.com%2Fentertainment-news%2Fap-qa-janelle-monae-talks-about-freedom-how-new-album-defines-her-and-getting-ready-to-tour-again%2F.json
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LOS ANGELES (AP) — If you believe Janelle Monae ’s hyper-sexual expression is a front, think again.
These days, Monae is unapologetically living her truth in a bold manner while trying to avoid negativity. The star, once known for sporting custom-made suits, has shed that attire (at least for now) to nearly bare all, like on the cover of her latest studio album, “The Age of Pleasure,” where she’s seen swimming topless in a pool. It’s her first release since 2018’s “Dirty Computer,” which was nominated for album of the year at the Grammys.
In recent months, Monae hasn’t been afraid of risque looks and nudity. She revealed herself during an event celebrating the release of her single “Lipstick Lover” and again onstage at an Essence Music Festival set — which drew some social media criticism including from singer India Arie and rapper Uncle Luke. She also attended the 2023 Met Gala in a barely-there outfit.
For Monae, this is her time to be free.
Monae spoke recently with The Associated Press about her supportive mother, side-stepping criticism and teasing her upcoming North American tour, which kicks off Aug. 30 in Seattle. Other tour stops include New York and Nashville and she’ll wrap in Los Angeles in mid-October.
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AP: Since you haven’t toured since 2019, was your recent Essence Festival performance a tune up for your upcoming tour?
MONAE: Yeah, we’re testing out the songs. You‘re getting them in your body. Right now, we don’t have a lot of muscle memory with the new songs. We haven’t toured them. I know if you come into the show, you’ll love the songs. But hearing them live is a different experience, especially when you’re putting them with songs from previous work. We’re basically just putting a show together based on what we feel is good. Sometimes you just don’t know until you get on stage.
AP: What do you want people to take away from your show?
MONAE: Tap into your free (expletive) energy. That’s rooted in self-love — not arrogance. Tap into that space and then take care of each other. That’s what I hope. With the shows that I do, and when I look out, it’s an experience. It’s like our own church. You want to take care of each other.
Even if your freedom doesn’t look like that person’s freedom, you understand that we’re fighting against something much bigger than us. We’re systemically fighting against something much bigger than us, so we got to band together, we got to stick together. We have to make sure that we’re showing up for each other. If we have privilege in certain areas, making sure that we’re lending a hand, lending a voice, amplifying a message.
AP: How has it been to walk in your truth while facing criticism about your racy performances from people like Arie and Uncle Luke?
MONAE: That has absolutely nothing to do with me. I love everybody. I’m in the age of pleasure.
AP: When did you feel comfortable with living life the way you want without caring about others’ opinions?
MONAE: It’s not like I don’t care what people think. I care what some people think. I don’t care what everybody thinks. That’s the same when it comes to music. When you make a new song, I can’t go soliciting everybody’s opinions about the song. By the time I get back to the second pass of it, it’s all over the place. Everybody’s going to have an opinion. For me, it’s like, whose voice do I trust? Who do I know that loves me, cares about me, whose taste do I like, who actually is evolved enough to even understand what it is that I’m doing? Who understands nuance?
You shouldn’t care what anybody has to say. You just care what the right people have to say and everything else is muted.
AP: Who are those right people for you?
MONAE: Family. Close friends.
AP: In your journey, your mother has been a huge supporter. Whenever you have fallen under certain criticisms, how has she helped you navigate the critics?
MONAE: My mom is like ride or die. I have to tell her like “Mom, you don’t need to defend me. You don’t need to defend my life or my decisions.” For her, I’m her baby. Like any mama bear, you might get punched in the eye if you say something. You might. But I’ve calmed her down over the years. For the most part, we mostly respond to love. It’s a lot of people that love where I am and who I am and what I’m doing, and they feel really empowered and inspired by it, and that makes my mom proud, and it makes me happy.
AP: How do you avoid the naysayers?
MONAE: I’m too busy living life to be distracted. The positive things are always amazing too, but I also don’t go fishing for that. One of the things about being in the age of pleasure is being present and making sure that I’m dipping in on social media, saying what I need to say, showing love, saying “thank you,” putting up my art and leaving, going to go create more things and make more memories and more experiences.
I’m in the middle of putting together a tour for North America. We haven’t been on tour since 2019. For me, I have a lot of things that keep me busy. I’m practicing guitar. I’m having the best sex of my life. I’m happy. Even in the middle of all that’s going on in this world, I’m finding time to steal joy and to center joy and to stay surrounded by the people that bring me joy and that I can bring joy too.
AP: How did “Age of Pleasure” define where you are in life?
MONAE: I wanted to create a soundtrack to our lifestyle. I think this album like all my albums reflect exactly where I am at that time. Each album will let you know where I was in my evolution process, what things I had to unlearn, what things I learned. I love that. I love that you can always look at an artist working, sort of see what they were on at that time.
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Q&A: Janelle Monae talks about freedom, how new album defines her and getting ready to tour again
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https://www.informnny.com/entertainment-news/ap-qa-janelle-monae-talks-about-freedom-how-new-album-defines-her-and-getting-ready-to-tour-again/
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[
"Sam Mednick",
"Associated Press"
] |
2023-08-01 01:04:58+00:00
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2023-08-01 00:03:37
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NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — Neighboring nations are levying economic sanctions over a coup last week that toppled one of the West’s last democratic partners against West African extremists, and families in one of the world’s poorest nations could pay the price. In the capital of Niger, many people live in makeshift shelters tied together with […]
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NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — Neighboring nations are levying economic sanctions over a coup last week that toppled one of the West’s last democratic partners against West African extremists, and families in one of the world’s poorest nations could pay the price.
In the capital of Niger, many people live in makeshift shelters tied together with slats of wood, sheets and plastic tarps because they can’t pay rent. They scramble daily to make enough money to feed their children.
Salou Hassan and his family live in a two-room hut on the side of the road, along with some 140 people. The family sleeps on wooden slats close to the floor, with no electricity or running water, and they bathe in public showers.
“The most difficult part is finding food for my children,“ Hassan, whose sons are 5 and 6 years old, said Monday.
Hassan, 30, sells water door to door, earning about $6 a day when things go well. His wheelbarrow’s been broken and he doesn’t have the nearly $70 he needs to fix it. His wife sweeps stalls at the central market, making less than half what Hassan does.
Hassan has hardly been aware that the country’s president was overthrown.
“I’m looking for money for food for my family,” he said.
Meanwhile, Niger’s neighbors are threatening armed intervention against the junta run by the head of the presidential guard, although analysts say there is only a slim chance of the regional body successfully sending troops.
Both the United States and France have sent forces and hundreds of millions of dollars of military and humanitarian aid in recent years to Niger, which was a French colony until 1960. The country was seen as the last major partner standing against extremism in a Francophone region where anti-French sentiment had opened the way for the Russian private military group Wagner.
After neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso ousted the French military, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Niger in March to strengthen ties and announce $150 million in direct assistance, calling the country “a model of democracy.”
Since the coup that ousted Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum, however, people have been toting Russian flags and praising that country in pro-junta demonstrations.
The West African regional body known as ECOWAS announced travel and economic sanctions against Niger on Sunday over the coup, and said it would use force if the coup leaders don’t reinstate Bazoum within one week.
Since the 1990s, the 15-nation bloc has tried to protect democracies against the threat of coups, with mixed success.
Niger relies heavily on foreign aid and sanctions could further impoverish its more than 25 million people. ECOWAS suspended all commercial and financial transactions between its member states and Niger, as well as freezing Nigerien assets held in regional central banks.
The sanctions could be disastrous and Niger needs to find a solution to avoid them, the country’s Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou told French media outlet Radio France Internationale on Sunday.
“When people say there’s an embargo, land borders are closed, air borders are closed, it’s extremely difficult for people … Niger is a country that relies heavily on the international community,” he said.
Four nations are run by military governments in West and Central Africa, where there have been nine successful or attempted coups since 2020.
In the 1990s, ECOWAS intervened in Liberia during its civil war, one of the bloodiest conflicts in Africa and one that left many wary of intervening in internal conflicts. In 2017, ECOWAS intervened in Gambia to prevent the new president’s predecessor, Yahya Jammeh, from disrupting the handover of power. Around 7,000 troops from Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal entered the country, according to the Global Observatory, which provides analysis on peace and security issues. The intervention was largely seen as accomplishing its mission.
If the regional bloc uses force, it could trigger violence not only between Niger and ECOWAS forces but also between civilians supporting the coup and those against it, Niger analysts say.
While unlikely, “the consequences on civilians of such an approach if putschists chose confrontation would be catastrophic,” said Rida Lyammouri, senior fellow at the Policy Center for the New South, a Morocco-based think tank.
Lyammouri does not see a “military intervention happening because of the violence that could trigger,” he said.
Blinken on Sunday commended the resolve of the ECOWAS leadership to “defend constitutional order in Niger” after the sanctions announcement, and joined the bloc in calling for the immediate release of Bazoum and his family.
The military junta, which seized power on Wednesday when members of the presidential guard surrounded Bazoum’s house and detained him, is already cracking down on the government and civil liberties.
On Sunday evening it arrested four government officials, including the minister of petroleum and son of a former president; the minister of education; the minister of mines; and the president of the ruling party. The arrests were recounted to The Associated Press by a person close to the president, who was not authorized to speak about the situation, and a Nigerien analyst who did not want to be named for fear of reprisal.
Also Sunday, junta spokesman Col. Maj. Amadou Abdramane banned the use of social media to put out messages he describe as harmful to state security. He also claimed without evidence that Bazoum’s government had authorized the French to carry out strikes to free Bazoum.
Observers believe Bazoum is being held at his house in the capital, Niamey. The first photos of him since the coup appeared Sunday evening, sitting on a couch smiling beside Chad’s President Mahamat Deby, who had flown in to mediate between the government and the junta.
In anticipation of the ECOWAS decision Sunday, thousands of pro-junta supporters took to the streets in Niamey, denouncing France, waving Russian flags along with signs reading “Down with France” and supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin and telling the international community to stay away. There has been no clear explanation of the Russian symbols, but the country seems to have become a symbol of anti-Western feelings for demonstrators. Protesters also burned down a door and smashed windows of the French Embassy, before the Nigerien army dispersed them.
France said Monday that President Emmanuel Macron is closely monitoring the situation in Niger and has discussed the crisis with regional leaders and European and international partners.
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Niger will face sanctions as democracy falls apart, adding to woes for more than 25 million people
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[
"Felipe Dana",
"Associated Press"
] |
2023-08-01 01:10:37+00:00
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2023-07-31 20:36:31
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KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian ballistic missiles slammed into an apartment complex and a university building in President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s hometown Monday, killing six people and wounding 75 others as the blasts trapped residents beneath rubble, Ukrainian officials said. One of the two missiles that hit the central city of Kryvyi Rih destroyed part of […]
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Emergency services work at a scene after a missile hit an apartment building in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, Monday, July 31, 2023. (AP Photo/Libkos)
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian ballistic missiles slammed into an apartment complex and a university building in President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s hometown Monday, killing six people and wounding 75 others as the blasts trapped residents beneath rubble, Ukrainian officials said.
One of the two missiles that hit the central city of Kryvyi Rih destroyed part of an apartment building between the fourth and ninth floors, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said. Video showed black smoke billowing from corner units and burned out or damaged cars on a tree-lined street.
The dead included a 10-year-old girl and her mother, according to Zelenskyy. More than 350 people were involved in the rescue operation, he said in a Telegram post.
The morning attack also destroyed part of a four-story university building.
The strike on Zelenskyy’s hometown, which has been hit in the past, happened a day after the Ukrainian president seemed to warn of more attacks inside Russia.
“Gradually, the war is returning to the territory of Russia — to its symbolic centers and military bases, and this is an inevitable, natural and absolutely fair process,” Zelenskyy said Sunday in his nightly video address.
It was not clear whether the missile strikes were in retaliation for his comments.
Meanwhile, a Ukrainian artillery strike on the partially occupied Donetsk province killed two people and wounded six others in the regional capital, according to Denis Pushilin, the Moscow-installed leader of the illegally annexed province.
A bus was also hit as Ukrainian forces shelled the city of Donetsk multiple times Monday, Pushilin said.
Elsewhere, in the Russian-held part of the Zaporizhzhia region, three people were killed and 15 were wounded in Ukrainian shelling that hit a store in the village of Basan, according to the Russia-backed acting regional governor, Yevgeny Balitsky.
Neither side’s claims could be independently verified.
The ongoing Ukrainian counteroffensive, deploying weaponry supplied by Western allies and aimed at driving Russian forces out of occupied areas, intensified last week. At the same time, Ukraine has sought to take the war deep into Russia, reportedly using drones to hit targets as far away as Moscow.
Ukrainian drone attacks on Russia and Moscow-annexed territory, especially Crimea, have become more frequent. The latest strike, on Sunday, damaged two office buildings a few miles (kilometers) from the Kremlin. Ukrainian officials did not acknowledge the attack.
Russia tightened security in the aftermath of that attack, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday, describing the assault as an “act of desperation.”
“The Kyiv regime is in a very, very difficult situation,” Peskov said, “as the counteroffensive is not working out as planned.”
“It’s obvious that the multibillion-dollar resources that have been transferred by NATO countries to the Kyiv regime are actually being spent inefficiently,” Peskov said.
“This raises big questions in Western capitals and great discomfort among taxpayers in Western countries.”
Analysts say Russian President Vladimir Putin is wagering that Western support for Kyiv will wane as the war drags on and costs mount.
Another Ukrainian drone targeted a district police department early Monday in Russia’s Bryansk region, which borders Ukraine, but there were no casualties, the local governor said.
Bombarding populated areas with missiles, artillery and drones has been a hallmark of Moscow’s military strategy throughout the war, and that approach has continued during the Ukrainian counteroffensive that started in June.
Russian officials insist they take aim only at legitimate military targets, but Ukraine and its supporters say mass civilian deaths during previous attacks are evidence of war crimes.
“In recent days, the enemy has been stubbornly attacking cities, city centers, shelling civilian objects and housing,” Zelenskyy said. “But this terror will not frighten us or break us.”
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Monday that his forces have increased the intensity of attacks on Ukrainian military facilities.
It was not immediately clear which military facilities he was referring to, as Russia’s recent missile strikes have hit civilian infrastructure.
In the southern city of Odesa, Russian strikes in recent weeks targeted port infrastructure and grain silos, after Moscow broke off an export agreement for Ukrainian grain. The Ukrainian foreign ministry estimated Monday that about 180,000 metric tons of grain have been destroyed by Russia in the past nine days.
Russian shelling Monday also killed four civilians and wounded 17 in the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson. A 70-year-old woman was killed by shelling in her home in a Kharkiv province village near Izyum, authorities said.
In eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk province, one person was reported killed and seven people were wounded after Russia shelled 12 cities and villages, according to Gov. Pavlo Kyrylenko.
In other developments Monday, China introduced restrictions on the export of long-range civilian drones. Authorities cited the war in Ukraine and concern that drones could be converted for military purposes.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s government is friendly with Moscow, but says it’s neutral in the war. It has been stung by reports that both sides might be using Chinese-made drones for reconnaissance and possibly attacks.
Meanwhile, Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin said Monday that his Wagner Group is not currently recruiting fighters.
In an audio message published on a Telegram channel associated with the Wagner chief, Prigozhin said the company had suspended recruitment as there is currently “no shortage of personnel.”
Prigozhin previously agreed with Western estimates that he lost more than 20,000 men in the long battle for the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut.
Prigozhin last month led a short-lived mutiny against Moscow, demanding a leadership change in the Russian military. In an attempt to control him, Russian authorities insisted that Wagner fighters can only return to Ukraine if they join Russia’s regular army.
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Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
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Russian missiles kill at least 6 in Zelenskyy’s hometown in central Ukraine
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[
"Janie Har",
"Associated Press"
] |
2023-08-01 01:08:58+00:00
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2023-08-01 00:48:32
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SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Attorneys for Nima Momeni, the tech consultant charged in the death of Cash App founder Bob Lee, said Monday that the two men had a cordial relationship and the defendant had no reason to kill him. The comments from Momeni’s lawyers came during a preliminary hearing, where the prosecution presents its […]
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.informnny.com%2Fnews%2Ftech-news%2Fap-san-francisco-prosecutors-to-lay-out-murder-case-against-consultant-in-death-of-cash-apps-bob-lee%2F.json
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SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Attorneys for Nima Momeni, the tech consultant charged in the death of Cash App founder Bob Lee, said Monday that the two men had a cordial relationship and the defendant had no reason to kill him.
The comments from Momeni’s lawyers came during a preliminary hearing, where the prosecution presents its evidence and a judge decides if there is enough to move ahead to trial. The hearing will continue Tuesday, when Momeni’s defense is expected to lay out more of their arguments.
Prosecutors have said that Momeni, 38, planned the April 4 attack that left Lee dying on a desolate San Francisco street. They said he drove Lee to a secluded spot and stabbed him three times after a dispute related to Momeni’s sister, Khazar.
But Tony Brass, one of four defense attorneys present Monday, said it was not Lee but another man whom Momeni suspected of acting inappropriately with his younger sister.
“What you see is cordial, a cordial relationship between Nima Momeni and Bob Lee,” Brass said to reporters after the hearing. “They’re in a car together. Those are not two men who have murderous rage between them.”
A friend of Lee told homicide investigators they had been hanging out and drinking with Momeni’s sister the day before the stabbing, prosecutors said previously in court documents. The friend said Momeni later questioned Lee about whether his sister was doing drugs or otherwise engaging in inappropriate behavior, and Lee said she had not.
But Saam Zangeneh, one of Momeni’s lawyers, said he asked those questions of Lee in regards to the man whose apartment they had been drinking at.
Zangeneh said in court he needed to dispute the idea of an “honor killing” committed to protect a sister.
Prosecutors have not spelled out a motive, but previously offered a timeline in a case that has drawn outsize media attention, partly due to Lee’s status in the tech world. Lee created Cash App, a mobile payment service, and was the chief product officer of the cryptocurrency MobileCoin.
Momeni, who has been in jail since his arrest April 13, has pleaded not guilty. He faces 26 years to life if convicted. His arrest came more than a week after Lee, 43, was found bleeding in the early morning hours of April 4. He later died at a hospital.
On Monday, Assistant District Attorney Omid Talai formally introduced evidence for his case, including photos of a knife that prosecutors say Momeni used to stab Lee, a trail of blood left by Lee as he staggered for help, and video footage showing the two men leave Momeni’s sister’s condo building before the stabbing.
Talai said at a May hearing that the weapon was part of a unique kitchen set belonging to Momeni’s sister and that analysis showed Momeni’s DNA on the weapon’s handle and Lee’s DNA on the bloody blade. Police recovered a knife with a 4-inch (10-centimeter) blade at the scene.
Zangeneh questioned why the rubber handle of the knife was tested for only DNA and not fingerprints. SFPD crime scene investigator Rosalyn Check said that it is difficult to get prints off rubber.
“When you want to see if someone’s touching something, you do fingerprint analysis, right?” he said to reporters. “And they weren’t done on the handle, which is the most important, relevant portion of who, if any, was handling that item.”
Surveillance video of Lee’s final night shows him entering the posh Millennium Tower downtown, where Momeni’s sister lives with her husband, a prominent San Francisco plastic surgeon.
Video footage then shows Lee and Momeni leaving the building together shortly after 2 a.m. and driving off in Momeni’s car. Lee was found shortly after 2:30 a.m. in the Rincon Hill neighborhood of San Francisco, which has tech offices and condominiums but little activity in the early morning hours.
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Lawyers for tech consultant Nima Momeni say he was not angry with slain Cash App founder Bob Lee
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https://www.informnny.com/news/tech-news/ap-san-francisco-prosecutors-to-lay-out-murder-case-against-consultant-in-death-of-cash-apps-bob-lee/
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[
"Jennifer Blair",
"Bestreviews Staff"
] |
2023-08-01 01:11:30+00:00
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2023-07-31 15:31:32
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The Roomba j7+ and s9+ are iRobot's two premium models, offering advanced features to make cleaning a snap, so choosing between the two robots isn’t easy.
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.informnny.com%2Freviews%2Fbr%2Fhome-br%2Fvacuums-br%2Froomba-j7-vs-s9-which-is-best-for-you%2F.json
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Comparing the iRobot Roomba j7+ and s9+ models
Roomba is probably the first name that comes to mind when you think about robot vacuums — and for good reason. iRobot’s line of vacuums, around for more than 20 years, has certainly paved the way with innovative, intelligent designs. The Roomba j7+ and Roomba s9+ are the brand’s two most premium models, offering plenty of advanced features to make cleaning a snap, so choosing between the two robots isn’t easy.
In the BestReviews Testing Lab, we found that, while they are roughly the same size, have similar mapping abilities and both feature a convenient self-emptying base, the j7+ and s9+ differ in a few key areas. The j7+ offers superior obstacle avoidance, while the s9+ features significantly stronger suction power and more thorough corner and edge cleaning.
Ultimately, the j7+ is the best choice for pet owners who want a vacuum with above-average suction power that can avoid obstacles around the house, including pet waste. But if you want the most powerful robot vacuum to take care of nearly all the vacuuming in your home, look no further than the s9+.
Roomba j7+ vs. Roomba s9+ specs
The specs for the j7+ and s9+ are similar. However, some key difference between the two can affect their performance on hardwood and carpeting and in corners.
Roomba j7+ specs
Testing team checks the effectiveness of the Roomba j7+ as it navigates around furniture.
Product specifications
Battery life: 97 minutes | Dimensions: 13.3” L x 13.3” W x 3.4” H | Dustbin capacity: 0.4 L | Weight: 7.49 lb | Mapping: Yes | Self-emptying: Yes | Voice commands: Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri | Scheduling: Yes
The j7+ is a full inch wider than the s9+ and other Roomba models, but its profile is a tiny bit lower, which may allow it to fit beneath more furniture. With a battery that lasted nearly 100 minutes in our testing, it falls right in the middle of the pack with other robot vacuums. And while its dustbin is 100 milliliters smaller than the s9+’s, it is self-emptying, which means you don’t have to worry about it stopping in the middle of cleaning. If its bin is full, the j7+ automatically returns to its base to empty itself.
Like the s9+ and other advanced robot vacuums, the j7+ uses smart mapping and camera-based navigation to learn your home. It can identify specific rooms and zones, so you can send the robot to clean a certain area. It can even learn objects in your home and clean around furniture. It also supports Keep-Out Zones if there are areas in your home where you don’t want the robot to clean.
Released two years after the s9+, which came out in 2019, the j7+ is compatible with home assistants like Alexa and Siri, so you can use voice commands to control its cleaning. That makes it easy to clean messes as they happen because you can ask the j7+ to clean under your kitchen table when the kids get crumbs on the floor or vacuum the living room where your pets have been playing. Additionally, you can schedule regular vacuuming with the iRobot Home app. You can choose the day and time the j7+ vacuums and customize its cleaning preferences to ensure your floors are as pristine as possible.
Roomba s9+ specs
The testing team determines the battery life of the Roomba s9+.
Product specifications
Battery life: 107 minutes | Dimensions: 12.25” L x 12.25” W x 3.5” H | Dustbin capacity: 0.5 L | Weight: 8.15 lb | Mapping: Yes | Self-emptying: Yes | Voice commands: Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri | Scheduling: Yes
What stands out immediately about the s9+ is its unique D-shape design, which allows it to reach into corners far better than the average circular robot vacuum. Among the heavier options at 8.15 pounds, it has a medium-sized dustbin, but it’s self-emptying like the j7+, so it won’t stop in the middle of cleaning when it’s full. It also has a fairly long battery life, running for over 100 minutes on a single charge during our testing. If you want to empty the bin manually, it releases from the robot’s top and comes out easily. The bin itself opens from the bottom, too, so all of the debris inside falls out without any shaking.
Like the j7+, the s9+ creates smart maps of your home to learn rooms, zones and objects. That allows you to vacuum specific rooms or around certain furniture. For example, you can send the robot out to clean in front of the kitchen counter. It also allows you to create Keep-Out Zones to prevent the s9+ from cleaning in a certain area, such as where you keep your pet’s bowls.
You can use voice commands to control the s9+ via a home assistant, such as Alexa or Google Assistant. For more regular cleaning, you can use the iRobot Home app to create a cleaning schedule. Each scheduled cleaning session lets you select a day and time, as well as cleaning preferences, like the number of passes and suction power.
Suction comparison
The Roomba j7+ and s9+ are both advanced models, offering strong suction. However, the s9+ stands out for its superior power. While the j7+ has 10 times the suction power as the Roomba 600 series, the s9+ provides 40 times the suction for truly impressive performance on all types of flooring.
This top-notch suction power comes at a price, though — the s9+ is noticeably noisier than other robot vacuums, including the j7+. The j7+ tops out at about 64 decibels, while the s9+ can hit more than 74 decibels at maximum power.
Carpet comparison
Both the Roomba j7+ and s9+ performed well on carpeting. In fact, they were two of the top-performing models among those we tested. However, the s9+ did have the edge, offering suction power that came as close to a standard vacuum cleaner as any of the Roombas we tested.
On medium-pile carpet, the s9+ removed coarse kosher salt, cereal and kitty litter without leaving noticeable debris behind. When it missed a few particles of salt and kitty litter, it captured the remaining debris on its second pass. It pulled pet hair from the carpet without a single strand left behind, too. On low-pile area rugs and runners, we also found that it picked up all the debris in its path on these surfaces without any particles left behind.
During testing, the j7+ successfully handled most debris on medium-pile carpeting, but it wasn’t as impressive as the s9+. It missed several particles of kosher salt and crushed a piece of cereal into the carpet. However, it removed nearly all the remaining cereal crumbs when it did a second pass. It captured nearly all the kitty litter we placed in its path except a single piece and cleaned 100% of the pet hair in a single pass. Like the s9+, the j7+ handled debris on low-pile area rugs and runners with even greater success, so we didn’t observe any debris when it was done cleaning.
Hardwood comparison
The Roomba j7+ and s9+ offered even better suction on hardwood during testing. However, they both occasionally encountered the same problem that many robot vacuums do on hard flooring: Because the surface is usually smooth and slick, it’s easy for the robot to blow some particles of larger debris out of its path. Both the j7+ and s9+ did this in some cases, but the s9+ did it less frequently because of its superior suction power.
Both models cleaned pet hair from hardwood without any issues. The s9+ removed all the coarse kosher salt we placed in its path except for a granule or two, while the j7+ left behind just a few particles. Both successfully captured cereal on hardwood, though they did blow a couple of pieces out of their path. The s9+ picked up these pieces from the edge of the room, while the j7+ didn’t. We also found that both had success removing kitty litter from hardwood, but it took more than one pass to capture all of the particles.
Navigation comparison
The j7+ and s9+ both use a camera to aid their navigation. However, the j7+ has a front-facing camera, while the s9+ has a top-mounted camera. The j7+’s navigation sensor is also located at the front of the robot. Why does this matter? The placement of the cameras and sensors plays a significant role in how well they can navigate a space.
In particular, the front-facing camera and sensor mean the j7+ has obstacle avoidance, allowing it to move around objects without running over or bumping into them. In fact, iRobot is so confident in the j7’s ability to avoid obstacles that it’s backed by P.O.O.P., or the Pet Owner Official Promise, which affirms that you can count on the j7+ to avoid pet accidents and waste, or iRobot will replace your robot for free.
During our testing, the j7+ did an excellent job avoiding items in its path. We placed a handbag, a shoe and a stuffed pet toy in its way, and in all three cases, the robot seemed to sense the object and swerve around it.
On the other hand, the s9+ wasn’t as adept at avoiding items. It ran right over a book we placed in its path and bumped into a stuffed pet toy before moving around it. When we set a shoe in its path, it first tried to travel over it but then stopped and backed up to move around it.
When we stood in front of each robot, their reactions were also different. The j7+ pivoted away before touching us, while the s9+ lightly tapped our foot before moving away.
The advanced obstacle avoidance not only makes the j7+ an ideal model for a home with pets but also an excellent fit for a cluttered home. If you have children who leave toys scattered around, it can clean around the items without getting stuck. You might have less luck with the s9+.
Features comparison
Both the j7+ and s9+ have rubber brush rolls designed to loosen dirt and deal with hair more successfully than traditional bristle brushes. These rubber brushes are flexible, making them less likely to get tangled with hair. However, the s9+ features slightly wider brushes, which allow it to clean more efficiently than the j7+. During our testing, we were impressed by how quickly it worked — it cleaned 240 square feet in just 37 minutes. On the other hand, the j7+ needed 55 minutes to clean 260 square feet.
While the j7+ features the classic round shape that most robot vacuums have, the s9+ has a D-shaped frame — and this makes a big difference. Our testing found that the s9+’s flat edge allowed it to clean more thoroughly along walls. We placed kosher salt in corners with carpeting and hardwood, and it removed nearly all of the particles in a single pass on both surfaces. On the other hand, when we tested the j7+ in a carpeted corner, it only removed about three-quarters of the salt, leaving a noticeable line behind. It removed most of the salt on hardwood but blew several pieces away from the corner without picking them up.
Both the j7+ and s9+ come with a Clean Base that allows for self-emptying. However, the bases aren’t the same size. While they are roughly the same width, the s9+’s base is 19 inches tall, just over 3 inches taller than the j7+’s 15.8-inch tall base. We didn’t have trouble finding a spot for the s9+ in our testing area, but the j7+ can likely squeeze into more locations. Both bases can hold up to 60 days’ worth of dirt, and the j7+ even has a space in the top to hold an extra dirt-disposal bag.
If you don’t necessarily need a self-emptying robot, you can opt for non-emptying models of j7+ and s9+ that cost considerably less. The j7 and s9 are the same vacuums as the Plus models but don’t come with a Clean Base.
Cleaning and maintenance
The j7+ and s9+ require similar cleaning and maintenance to keep them running at peak performance. Even though the models are self-emptying, it’s a good idea to manually empty the dustbin once every week or so to remove any debris that the Clean Base didn’t remove. You can also rinse the bin with warm water, but let it dry thoroughly before returning it to the robot.
You also need to empty the Clean Base when you get a notification from the iRobot app that its bag is full. The bags are disposable, so you can toss a full one in the trash and replace it.
The area that requires the most care for these models is the brush roll since hair and other debris can accumulate around them. You can easily pop out the brushes by pressing the tab on the robot’s underside. When we cleaned these vacuums during testing, we found we could remove hair and other debris with just our fingers. You can also wipe the brush rollers down with a clean, dry cloth if you notice visible dirt.
The high-efficiency filter, edge-sweeping brush and brush rollers for the j7+ and s9+ also require periodic replacement. It’s simple to check their status in the iRobot app under the Product Health tab. There, you can see how many hours until the components require replacement.
Price
The Roomba j7+ regularly costs $799.99. It’s available on Amazon. The Roomba s9+ typically retails for $999.99. You can also find it on Amazon.
How we tested
To see just how well the Roomba j7+ and s9+ perform in real-world conditions, we not only sent them out to do regular cleaning but also put them through specific tests.
First, we measured stats like battery life, charging time, how long they could clean until their dustbins were full and how long they took to clean a given area. Next, we placed different types of debris, including kosher salt, kitty litter, cereal and pet hair, on both carpeting and hardwood and evaluated how well they handled the mess. We also tested how well each model cleaned in corners and around furniture.
Finally, we examined how well the iRobot app works with each model for scheduling, mapping and Keep-Out Zones and used voice commands to see how responsive both were.
Bottom line
It’s hard to go wrong with either the Roomba j7+ or the s9+ because they’re both advanced models that work well on carpeting and hard floors and offer many convenient features. But if you want the most powerful model that can eliminate the need for a standard vacuum, the s9+ gets the edge. It can handle all types of debris, including pet hair, on both carpeting and hard flooring, and its unique D-shape allows it to get into corners without leaving a mess behind.
However, if you have pets, you’ll prefer the j7+. It handles pet hair well, even on carpeting, and also avoids obstacles, so it won’t run into your pet’s waste and track it all over the house. The obstacle avoidance feature also makes it a good fit for cluttered homes.
Want to shop the best products at the best prices? Check out Daily Deals from BestReviews.
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Jennifer Blair writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
Copyright 2023 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved.
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Roomba j7+ vs. s9+: Which is best for you?
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https://www.informnny.com/reviews/br/home-br/vacuums-br/roomba-j7-vs-s9-which-is-best-for-you/
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[
"Adriana Gomez Licon",
"Alanna Durkin Richer",
"Associated Press"
] |
2023-08-01 01:08:05+00:00
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2023-07-31 21:27:32
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MIAMI (AP) — The property manager of Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate made his first court appearance on Monday facing charges in the classified documents case against the former president, but he did not enter a plea because he has not found a Florida-based attorney to represent him. Carlos De Oliveira is accused of scheming with […]
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.informnny.com%2Fnews%2Fpolitics%2Fap-mar-a-lago-worker-charged-in-trumps-classified-documents-case-to-make-first-court-appearance%2F.json
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MIAMI (AP) — The property manager of Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate made his first court appearance on Monday facing charges in the classified documents case against the former president, but he did not enter a plea because he has not found a Florida-based attorney to represent him.
Carlos De Oliveira is accused of scheming with Trump to try to delete security footage sought by investigators probing the former president’s hoarding of classified documents at his Palm Beach club. De Oliveira was added last week to the indictment with Trump and the ex-president’s valet, Walt Nauta, and faces charges including conspiracy to obstruct justice and lying to investigators.
De Oliveira, wearing a blue suit and tie, answered questions from a magistrate judge during a brief hearing in Miami federal court. He was ordered to turn over his passport and sign an agreement to pay $100,000 if he doesn’t return to court. He was represented by Washington, D.C.-based attorney John Irving, but under court rules he needs local counsel to proceed with his arraignment, which was scheduled for Aug. 10 in Fort Pierce.
Irving told reporters after the hearing that he looks forward to seeing what potential evidence the Justice Department has. He declined to comment about whether De Oliveira has been asked to testify against Trump.
De Oliveira’s court appearance comes as Trump braces for possible charges stemming from investigations into his efforts to cling to power after he lost the 2020 election to Joe Biden.
Trump, the early front-runner in the 2024 Republican presidential primary, has been informed he’s a target of special counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 election, and Trump’s lawyers met with Smith’s team last week. A Georgia prosecutor is also expected to seek a grand jury indictment in the coming weeks in her investigation into efforts by Trump and his allies to subvert his election loss there.
Trump, who pleaded not guilty in June in the documents case, has denied any wrongdoing. He posted on his Truth Social platform last week that the Mar-a-Lago security tapes were voluntarily handed over to investigators and that he was told the tapes were not “deleted in any way, shape or form.”
Prosecutors have not alleged that security footage was actually deleted or kept from investigators.
Nauta has also pleaded not guilty. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon had previously scheduled the trial of Trump and Nauta to begin in May, and it’s unclear whether the addition of De Oliveira to the case may impact the case’s timeline.
The latest indictment, unsealed on Thursday, alleges that Trump tried to have security footage deleted after investigators visited in June 2022 to collect classified documents the former president took with him after he left the White House.
Trump was already facing dozens of felony counts — including willful retention of national defense information — stemming from allegations that he mishandled government secrets that as commander-in-chief he was entrusted to protect. Experts have said the new allegations bolster the special counsel’s case and deepen the former president’s legal jeopardy.
Video from Mar-a-Lago would ultimately become vital to the government’s case because, prosecutors said, it shows Nauta moving boxes in and out of a storage room — an act alleged to have been done at Trump’s direction and in effort to hide records not only only from investigators but also from Trump’s own lawyers.
Days after the Justice Department sent a subpoena for video footage at Mar-a-Lago to the Trump Organization in June 2022, prosecutors say, De Oliveira asked an information technology staffer how long the server retained footage and told the employee “the boss” wanted it deleted. When the employee said he didn’t believe he was able to do that, De Oliveira insisted the “boss” wanted it done, asking, “What are we going to do?”
Shortly after the FBI searched Mar-a-Lago and found classified records in the storage room and Trump’s office, prosecutors say, Nauta called a Trump employee and said words to the effect of “someone just wants to make sure Carlos is good.” The indictment says the employee responded that De Oliveira was loyal and wouldn’t do anything to affect his relationship with Trump. That day, the indictment alleges, Trump called De Oliveira directly to say that he would get De Oliveira an attorney.
Prosecutors allege that De Oliveira later lied in interviews with investigators, falsely claiming that he hadn’t even seen boxes moved into Mar-a-Lago after Trump left the White House.
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Richer reported from Boston. Associated Press journalist Daniel Kozin in Miami contributed.
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Mar-a-Lago manager De Oliveira makes his first court appearance in Trump’s classified documents case
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https://www.informnny.com/news/politics/ap-mar-a-lago-worker-charged-in-trumps-classified-documents-case-to-make-first-court-appearance/
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[
"Christina Marfice",
"Bestreviews Staff"
] |
2023-08-01 01:11:43+00:00
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2023-07-31 16:51:16
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Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale is underway, and there are lots of deals on Le Creuset cookware! Snag these amazing deals before they're gone!
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Whether you’re a fan of Food Network or someone who loves to spend time in the kitchen, you know Le Creuset. The French-made cookware brand is known for many things, coming in a wide range of colors. It’s got thick, heavy, enamel-coated cast iron and a lifetime warranty that has turned Le Creuset pieces into heirlooms.
There’s only one thing that’s stopping most of us from having a whole kitchen full of this stuff: the price tag. But now for the good news. We’re in the final week of Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale, so you still have a few more days to snag up to 45% off select Le Creuset pieces. And yes, that includes some of the iconic Dutch ovens.
Super-high quality … and prices to match (usually)
While the lifetime warranty means that a Le Creuset piece may very well be the last piece in its size and shape you ever need to buy, the prices also reflect that. A single Dutch oven will typically run you several hundred dollars.
However, people love them so much that the quality is worth the price. Celebrity chefs even belove Le Creuset pieces. Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa herself, once advised a fan who asked for a Le Creuset recommendation, “I use the Le Creuset #26 Dutch oven more often than everything else. It’s great for soups, stews and braising.” As further proof that you can’t beat the classics, Julia Child was also known to love her Le Creuset cookware.
5 Le Creuset deals you won’t want to miss at Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale
Le Creuset 4.5-Quart Oval Dutch Oven
Let’s start with a classic. This medium-sized Dutch oven is perfect for a family and can handle most main dishes and sides easily. It’s designed to go from the stovetop to the oven, and its oval shape makes it adaptable for larger cuts of meat, like leg of lamb. You can find it at Nordstrom in seven classic colors.
Sold by Nordstrom
Le Creuset Signature 2.75-Quart Enamel Dutch Oven
This smaller Dutch oven is great for singles, couples or those who need a second vessel for their sides and casseroles. It’s also great for baking and comes in eight colors to suit your kitchen’s aesthetic.
Sold by Nordstrom
Le Creuset 9-Inch Enamel Cast Iron Skillet
This versatile skillet can sear, saute and fry — and it can go from the stove to an oven up to 500 degrees. It comes pre-seasoned and is dishwasher-safe, making it a perfect choice for busy families who need a versatile staple to add to their kitchen.
Sold by Nordstrom
Le Creuset Signature 1.75-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Saucepan
This smaller pot is perfect for poaching eggs and fruit, making sauces and more. Its rounded base and curved interior make it easy to stir whatever’s inside and ensure nothing sticks — making cleanup a breeze.
Sold by Nordstrom
Le Creuset Heritage Rectangle Baking Dishes, Set of Three
For the baker in your family, this set of rectangle dishes — in 7.5, 10 and 12.5 inches — can accommodate any casserole, quiche or baked good. They can be used safely under the broiler or in the microwave, and you can even put them in the freezer.
Sold by Nordstrom
Want to shop the best products at the best prices? Check out Daily Deals from BestReviews.
Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals.
Christina Marfice writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
Copyright 2023 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved.
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Nordstrom is practically giving Le Creuset cookware away during its Anniversary Sale
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https://www.informnny.com/reviews/br/kitchen-br/cookware-br/nordstrom-is-practically-giving-le-creuset-cookware-away-during-its-anniversary-sale/
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[
"Anwarullah Khan",
"Riaz Khan",
"Associated Press"
] |
2023-08-01 01:04:45+00:00
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2023-07-31 23:43:14
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KHAR, Pakistan (AP) — An Afghan branch of the Islamic State group on Monday claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing in Pakistan that killed at least 54 people at a pro-Taliban party’s election rally, in one of the region’s worst attacks in recent years. Islamic State in Khorasan Province made the claim in a statement […]
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KHAR, Pakistan (AP) — An Afghan branch of the Islamic State group on Monday claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing in Pakistan that killed at least 54 people at a pro-Taliban party’s election rally, in one of the region’s worst attacks in recent years.
Islamic State in Khorasan Province made the claim in a statement posted on its Amaq website. It said the attacker detonated an explosive vest, and that the bombing Sunday in the northwestern town of Bajur was part of the group’s continuing war against forms of democracy it deems to be against Islam.
Hours earlier, hundreds of mourners in Bajur carried caskets draped in colorful cloths to burial sites following the previous day’s attack at the election rally for the Jamiat Ulema Islam party. Officials said the bombing killed 54 people, including at least five children, and wounded nearly 200.
The attack appeared to reflect divisions between Islamist groups, which have a strong presence in the district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province that borders Afghanistan. The Jamiat Ulema Islam party has ties to the Afghan and Pakistani Taliban.
At least 1,000 people were crowded into a tent near a market for the rally ahead of fall elections, according to police.
“People were chanting God is Great as the leaders arrived,” said Khan Mohammad, a local resident who said he was standing outside the tent, “and that was when I heard the deafening sound of the bomb.”
Mohammad said he heard people crying for help, and minutes later ambulances arrived and began taking the wounded away.
Police had suggested in their initial investigation that Islamic State in Khorasan Province was a suspect. The group is based in neighboring Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province and is a rival of the Afghan Taliban and al-Qaida.
Pakistan security analyst Mahmood Shah also previously had said that breakaway factions of the Pakistani Taliban could be possible suspects, though the group distanced itself from the attack.
The Pakistani military spent years fighting the Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, in Bajur before declaring the district clear of militants in 2016. But the Jamiat Ulema Islam party, headed by hard-line cleric and politician Fazlur Rehman, has remained a potent political force.
On Monday, police recorded statements from some of the wounded at a hospital in Khar, the district’s principal town.
Female relatives and children wailed and beat their chests at family homes Monday as the dead were taken for funerals, following local customs. Hundreds of men followed the caskets to mosques and open areas for special funeral prayers and then into the hills for burial.
As condolences continued to pour in from across the country, dozens of people who had lesser injuries were discharged from hospital, while the critically wounded were taken to the provincial capital of Peshawar by army helicopters. The death toll continued to rise as some critically wounded people died in hospital, physician Gul Naseeb said.
Gul Akbar, the father of an 11-year-old boy who was wounded in the attack, told The Associated Press that his entire family was in a state of shock after hearing about the bombing Sunday. He said he first went to the scene of the attack, and later found his son Taslim Khan being treated in a hospital in Khar.
“What would I have done if he had also been martyred? Five children died in this barbaric attack, and we want to know what our children did wrong,” he said.
Rehman’s party is preparing to contest elections, which are expected in October or November. Abdul Rasheed, one of the party’s senior leaders, said the bombing was aimed at weakening the party but that “such attacks cannot deter our resolve.”
Rehman’s party is part of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s coalition government, which came to power in April 2022 by ousting former Prime Minister Imran Khan through a no-confidence vote in the legislature.
Sharif called Rehman to express his condolences and assure the cleric that those who orchestrated the attack would be punished. Khan condemned the bombing Sunday, as did the U.S. and Russian embassies in Islamabad.
The Pakistani Taliban also distanced themselves from the bombing, saying that it was intended to set Islamists against each other. Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman for the Afghan Taliban, wrote in a tweet that “such crimes cannot be justified in any way.”
The bombing came hours before Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng arrived in Islamabad, where he signed new agreements to boost trade and economic ties to mark a decade of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a sprawling package under which China has invested $10 billion in Pakistan over 10 years, according to Sharif.
“We will not tolerate any obstacles in the way of friendship with China,” Sharif said, as he stood next to He.
But the government canceled a cultural event that had been arranged in honor of He, according to Sharif, while the nation mourns.
Some Chinese nationals have also been targeted by militants in northwestern Pakistan and elsewhere.
Rehman, who has long supported Afghanistan’s Taliban government, survived at least two known bomb attacks in 2011 and 2014, when bombings damaged his car at rallies.
Sunday’s bombing was one of the worst in northwestern Pakistan in the last decade. In 2014, 147 people, mostly schoolchildren, were killed in a Taliban attack on an army-run school in Peshawar.
In January, 74 people were killed in a bombing at a mosque in Peshawar. And in February, more than 100 people, mostly policemen, died in a bombing at a mosque inside a high-security compound housing Peshawar police headquarters.
___
Associated Press writer Munir Ahmed contributed to this story from Islamabad.
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IS claims responsibility for the bombing that killed 54 at a pro-Taliban election rally in Pakistan
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https://www.informnny.com/news/ap-pakistan-holds-funerals-as-government-vows-to-hunt-down-those-behind-the-weekends-suicide-bombing/
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[
"Jack Dura",
"Associated Press"
] |
2023-08-01 01:05:45+00:00
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2023-07-31 23:40:34
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BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Two pipeline operators have agreed to pay a $12.5 million civil penalty related to crude oil spills in Montana and North Dakota. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Monday announced the settlement in a 2022 federal court lawsuit. Belle Fourche Pipeline Company and Bridger Pipeline LLC will pay the $12.5 million […]
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.informnny.com%2Fnews%2Fbusiness%2Fap-pipeline-operators-to-pay-12-5m-after-spills-in-montana-north-dakota%2F.json
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BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Two pipeline operators have agreed to pay a $12.5 million civil penalty related to crude oil spills in Montana and North Dakota.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Monday announced the settlement in a 2022 federal court lawsuit. Belle Fourche Pipeline Company and Bridger Pipeline LLC will pay the $12.5 million to resolve the claims made under the Clean Water Act and Pipeline Safety Laws, the EPA said. The affiliated companies own and operate oil pipelines in Montana, North Dakota and Wyoming.
In 2015, Bridger’s Poplar Pipeline broke and spilled more than 50,000 gallons (about 190,000 liters) of crude into the Yellowstone River near Glendive, Montana. Bridger has completed cleanup of the site, and in 2021 settled a lawsuit with federal and Montana authorities for $2 million. Montana’s Department of Environmental Quality previously fined Bridger $1 million in the case.
In 2016, Belle Fourche’s Bicentennial Pipeline in Billings County, North Dakota, broke due to a landslide and spilled over 600,000 gallons (about 2.3 million liters) of oil, impacting an unnamed tributary, Ash Coulee Creek and the Little Missouri River. Belle Fourche’s cleanup is ongoing with oversight from North Dakota’s Department of Environmental Quality, according to the EPA.
The agreement announced Monday does not resolve all issues with the Ash Coulee spill and reserves the government’s right to bring future legal claims.
The $12.5 million civil penalty includes a nearly $4.6 million portion for North Dakota’s Department of Environmental Quality. Belle Fourche also will pay the state’s past response costs, totaling over $98,000, according to court documents filed Monday.
“Oil pipeline spills can cause enormous and long-lasting damage to the environment,” Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator Larry Starfield of the EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance said in a statement. “This settlement holds Belle Fourche and Bridger Pipeline accountable for their significant oil spills and requires them to take meaningful measures to prevent future spills from their oil pipelines.”
The operators also are required to implement specified compliance measures, in addition to the civil penalty.
Belle Fourche and Bridger are owned by Wyoming-based True Companies.
Bridger spokesman Bill Salvin said the operators have completed all remediation actions “to date” required by North Dakota’s Department of Environmental Quality and “will work closely” with the department if further action is required. Future soil testing remains, Salvin said.
He said the operators have made upgrades to their pipeline network to enhance safety, including a new control center at their Casper, Wyoming, headquarters and a new leak detection system powered by artificial intelligence.
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www.informnny.com
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Pipeline operators to pay $12.5M after crude oil spills in Montana, North Dakota
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https://www.informnny.com/news/business/ap-pipeline-operators-to-pay-12-5m-after-spills-in-montana-north-dakota/
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[
"Holly Ramer",
"Associated Press"
] |
2023-08-01 01:07:50+00:00
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2023-07-31 21:18:54
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ROCHESTER, N.H. (AP) — In a new policy plan unveiled Monday, Republican presidential hopeful Ron DeSantis took aim at China with a “Declaration of Economic Independence” that also targets taxes, regulations and “elites” he blames for the nation’s decline. Speaking in a New Hampshire warehouse, the Florida governor promised to diversify and expand the economy […]
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.informnny.com%2Fnews%2Fpolitics%2Fap-desantis-unveils-new-economic-policy-that-targets-china-taxes-and-regulations%2F.json
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ROCHESTER, N.H. (AP) — In a new policy plan unveiled Monday, Republican presidential hopeful Ron DeSantis took aim at China with a “Declaration of Economic Independence” that also targets taxes, regulations and “elites” he blames for the nation’s decline.
Speaking in a New Hampshire warehouse, the Florida governor promised to diversify and expand the economy by fighting for the middle class.
“Revitalizing economic freedom and opportunity will require building an economy where the concerns of average citizens are elevated over those deemed too big to fail,” he said at Prep Partners Group, which coordinates warehousing, distribution and other logistics for other companies.
“We are a nation with an economy, not the other way around,” DeSantis said. “We are citizens of a republic. We are not cogs in a global economic empire.”
DeSantis said his top priority would be wresting economic control from China by ending the nation’s preferential trade status, banning imports of goods made from stolen intellectual property and preventing companies from sharing critical technologies with China. Current polices, he said, have created an “abusive relationship” between the two countries.
“The elites sold us a bill of goods when it came to China. They were wrong, and we need to get it right,” he said.
The 10-point economic plan is the third major policy proposal put forth by DeSantis, who remains a distant second to former President Donald Trump in most polls and is fighting for momentum in the midst of a campaign reset. He recently shed more than one-third of his staff as federal filings showed his campaign was burning through cash at an unsustainable rate.
But on Monday, his focus was on reckless federal government spending. His plan describes him as a “new sheriff in town” who will veto wasteful spending and mandate work requirements for welfare programs. He also claimed he could achieve 3% annual economic growth by keeping taxes low, eliminating bureaucracy and incentivizing investment.
On the education front, DeSantis said he will stop incentivizing “useless degrees” by making universities responsible for the loans their students accrue.
“It’s wrong to say that a truck driver should have to pay off the debt of somebody who got a degree in gender studies,” he said.
After the speech, in what was billed as a news conference, DeSantis sidestepped a question about Trump’s mounting legal fees. That’s even as the DeSantis campaign has been attacking Trump for devoting much of his political fundraising to his legal entanglements.
“We’re here to talk about restoring this economy. We’re here to talk about uplifting the middle class,” DeSantis said. “To me, if you ask voters, are they more interested in hearing about that or the process stories about politics? I think that they want to hear about the country’s future so that’s what we’re going to talk about.”
A spokesperson for the Democratic National Committee said DeSantis should be talking about the economic woes he created in Florida including the rising costs of housing, property insurance and health care.
“It remains a mystery why DeSantis would try to reboot his dumpster fire of a campaign by promising to bring his failures as governor nationwide,” Ammar Moussa said.
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DeSantis unveils new economic policy that targets China, taxes and regulations
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https://www.informnny.com/news/politics/ap-desantis-unveils-new-economic-policy-that-targets-china-taxes-and-regulations/
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[
"Kanis Leung",
"Associated Press"
] |
2023-08-01 01:09:40+00:00
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2023-07-31 18:06:22
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HONG KONG (AP) — The discovery of a whale carcass in Hong Kong waters Monday sparked an outpouring of grief on social media, with many comments blaming the mammal’s death on sightseers. Many residents speculated that the dead mammal was the same whale that had been attracting groups of sightseers since it was first spotted […]
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.informnny.com%2Fnews%2Fworld-news%2Fap-discovery-of-whale-carcass-in-hong-kong-sparks-anger-over-the-potential-damage-done-by-sightseers%2F.json
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The carcass of a Bryde’s whale is seen in the waters of Hong Kong, Monday, July 31, 2023. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte)
HONG KONG (AP) — The discovery of a whale carcass in Hong Kong waters Monday sparked an outpouring of grief on social media, with many comments blaming the mammal’s death on sightseers.
Many residents speculated that the dead mammal was the same whale that had been attracting groups of sightseers since it was first spotted in the city’s waters in mid-July.
Compass Chan, scientific officer of Ocean Park Conservation Foundation Hong Kong, didn’t confirm whether it was the same whale. But he said an initial check of the dead whale found a new wound on its back, in addition to two old wounds.
“It’s a pity,” Chan said at a media briefing. “I think it’s a good opportunity for everyone to think seriously about how we should get along with other species in nature.”
The whale’s cause of death would have to be confirmed by a necropsy, he said.
The carcass was in found in the waters in Sai Kung — a district known for its hiking trails, beaches and islands. Many residents blamed the death on sightseers who have flocked to those waters since a whale was spotted there about two weeks ago. Some posted a Canto-pop song whose title translates as “Whale Eater.”
The foundation had released a statement last week saying that crowds of people had been seen approaching the animal, which was believed to be a Bryde’s whale of about seven meters (23 feet) long. The foundation said at the time that the whale had propeller wounds and that nearby human activity could cause it stress and have life-threatening consequences.
The government said Monday night that the necropsy might take several days and that its results could help shape future policy for how to deal with whales in Hong Kong waters.
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www.informnny.com
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Discovery of a whale carcass in Hong Kong sparks anger over the possible damage done by sightseers
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https://www.informnny.com/news/world-news/ap-discovery-of-whale-carcass-in-hong-kong-sparks-anger-over-the-potential-damage-done-by-sightseers/
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