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Trump's time, Democrats' grumbles, Melania's white pantsuit | WASHINGTON (AP) — Scenes from the Capitol on a night of pomp, pageantry and politics for the State of the Union address:
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It wasn't the longest State of the Union address. That designation still goes to former President Bill Clinton.
But an hour and 20 minutes of President Donald Trump talking Tuesday was plenty long enough for House Democrats. Just before Trump finished, their leader, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, made eye contact with Rep. Joe Crowley of New York and pointed toward the back of the House chamber.
Democrats followed their lead and made an unusually quick beeline for the exits.
Earlier, Pelosi had warned House Democrats not to leave the chamber mid-speech.
Trump's first State of the Union address clocked in at about eight minutes shorter than the final such address by Clinton.
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They could all agree to support 12-year-old Preston Sharp and his project to plant flags on the graves of veterans. But it was a different story when President Donald Trump used that good deed to scold athletes, ahead of the Super Bowl, who kneel during the national anthem.
Members of Congress, the Cabinet, the Supreme Court and assorted guests applauded Trump's shout-out to Preston, who noticed that not every grave was decorated with a flag at the California veterans' cemetery where his grandfather was buried. He started collecting donations and, two years later, had decorated 23,000 graves.
"Preston's reverence for those who have served our nation reminds us why we salute our flag, why we put our hands on our hearts for the pledge of allegiance," Trump said during his speech, drawing applause.
But the mood changed when the president added: "... and why we proudly stand for the national anthem."
GOP lawmakers erupted in applause. Democrats were far more muted.
Trump was a leading critic of NFL players, predominantly African-American, during last fall's protests. Vice President Mike Pence abruptly left an Indianapolis Colts game after almost two dozen members of the San Francisco 49ers knelt during "The Star-Spangled Banner."
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Their leader, Nancy Pelosi, warned Democrats to behave during Trump's address and "let the attention be on his slobbering self." The president didn't slobber.
Some Democrats couldn't hold back, especially when Trump mentioned immigration issues.
"Oh, c'mon," Rep. Joe Crowley, D-N.Y., audibly enough to be heard in the gallery overhead, as Trump mentioned open borders, letting in drugs and gangs.
They laughed out loud when Trump cast his immigration proposal as a down-the-middle compromise.
And they groaned when Trump spoke of ending "chain migration."
Pelosi extended her hands to try to quiet her colleagues.
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With all eyes on her, a poised Melania Trump took her seat in the gallery above the packed House moments before her husband delivered his State of the Union speech.
Mrs. Trump, sheathed in an all-white Dior pantsuit, had traveled to the Capitol separately from President Donald Trump after holding White House and Capitol receptions for her guests. A White House aide said the couple was expected to return together to the White House after the speech.
First ladies typically get everyone's attention when they enter the chamber for their husbands' addresses. But Mrs. Trump had not been seen in public with her husband since The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this month that in 2016, Trump's lawyer paid porn star Stormy Daniels $130,000 to keep quiet about an affair she said she had with the future president. Daniels on Tuesday issued a statement denying the affair happened.
After the report, the couple's anniversary passed without public comment. Mrs. Trump abruptly canceled plans to accompany her husband to Davos, Switzerland.
Last year, President and Mrs. Trump traveled to the speech together.
Mrs. Trump did not react as Trump began his speech with an acknowledgement of "the first lady."
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Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Ill., strolled through the Capitol before the speech with a guest who was attracting more attention than he was.
Tall and sporting a ponytail was Jayson Werth, an outfielder who played the last several years for the local Washington Nationals. Werth said he has an organic farm in Davis' district.
Asked if he was a Trump supporter, Werth said he was a moderate.
"I'm just spreading my wings a little bit," he said.
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Associated Press writers Matthew Daly and Alan Fram contributed to this report.
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Follow Kellman on Twitter at www.twitter.com/APLaurieKellman | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-02-03 00:00:00 | Trump's time, Democrats' grumbles, Melania's white pantsuit | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3354697 | |
Softbank adds Fortress Investment to growing tech empire | TOKYO (AP) — The $3.3 billion acquisition by SoftBank Group Corp., the Japanese telecommunications, internet and solar energy giant, of Fortress Investment Group marks tycoon Masayoshi Son's latest step in building a technology investment empire.
Son said the deal, announced by both sides Wednesday, will immediately contribute to his strategy for growth and complement his Softbank Vision Fund plan for investing in leading technologies including artificial intelligence and the "internet of Things," which links devices through the Internet.
"Fortress' excellent track record speaks for itself, and we look forward to benefiting from its leadership, broad-based expertise and world-class investment platform," Son said in a statement.
Tokyo-based Softbank has been aggressive in global acquisitions and has been seeking partners for the billion private fund for technology investments that it says may grow to $100 billion.
Its shares jumped 1.6 percent Wednesday in Tokyo trading.
Those ambitions dovetail with Son's promise to President Donald Trump to invest $50 billion in U.S. startups to create 50,000 jobs.
Softbank also owns the U.S. wireless company Sprint Corp. and Britain's ARM Holdings, which is known as an innovator in the "internet of things," and in technology used in smartphones.
New York-based Fortress, which manages global investments, said its senior professionals will stay to keep up its fund performance.
Fortress co-chairmen Pete Briger and Wes Edens praised Son as "visionary." They said the companies have much in common, and the deal will benefit shareholders.
"We join a company with tremendous scale and resources, and a culture completely aligned with our focus on performance, service and innovation," they said in a joint statement.
SoftBank, the first carrier to offer the iPhone in Japan, also sells the Pepper human-shaped companion robot. The company, founded in 1981, has within its investment empire financial technology and ride-booking services.
Last week, the company reported its October-December profit soared to about 40 times what it was a year ago.
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Follow Yuri Kageyama on Twitter at https://twitter.com/yurikageyama
Her work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/yuri-kageyama | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2017-02-15 17:05:00 | Softbank adds Fortress Investment to growing tech empire | http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3095566 | http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/images/category/580888eb17740.jpg |
Ex-VP Biden elected chair of National Constitution Center | PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Former Vice President Joe Biden has been elected chair of the board of trustees at Philadelphia's National Constitution Center.
The center made the announcement Wednesday that Biden will succeed former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, whose term ended in January.
Jeffrey Rosen, President and CEO of the center, says Biden's "love for the constitution, and passion for teaching all Americans about its enduring principles, have inspired people around the world."
Biden says he's honored to succeed former presidents Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush at the head of such a "national treasure."
Biden will also be splitting his time between programs at the University of Delaware and the University of Pennsylvania as part of his post-White House life. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2017-02-15 22:58:00 | Ex-VP Biden elected chair of National Constitution Center | http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3095835 | http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/images/category/580888eb17740.jpg |
Anthem fires back at Cigna | INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Anthem is countering Cigna a day after its smaller rival sued to terminate a $48 billion buyout agreement.
Anthem on Wednesday sought a restraining order to block that maneuver and force it to comply with the deal, which has already been blocked by a federal judge.
The rapid-fire consolidation in the health care industry appears to be hitting a wall. On Tuesday, Aetna said it was abandoning its $34 billion acquisition of Humana. That was followed by the Cigna lawsuit.
Both deals drew in the Justice Department and separate federal courts ruled the deals could hurt consumers.
Cigna Corp. is seeking a $1.85 billion termination fee from Anthem and more than $13 billion in damages.
Anthem Inc. said Wednesday that Cigna doesn't have a right to terminate the agreement. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2017-02-15 20:06:00 | Anthem fires back at Cigna | http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3095740 | http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/images/category/580888eb17740.jpg |
Prince Harry promotes Invictus Games in Canadian interview | TORONTO (AP) — Prince Harry says his late mother drew a spotlight to causes and issues that didn't get attention. Now he's following in her footsteps as he promotes the Invictus Games for wounded veterans.
The 32-year-old prince said in an excerpt of an interview with Canada's CTV television network that Diana would put everybody before herself. He says she was very good at inviting and taking the cameras to causes and areas where they had never been before. Diana's handshake in the late 1980s with a man with AIDS amid the fears of that era is an example.
The Invictus Games were created by Prince Harry as a way to inspire and motivate wounded soldiers on their path to recovery. The 2017 Games will be held in Toronto this September. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2017-06-15 12:01:00 | Prince Harry promotes Invictus Games in Canadian interview | http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3188342 | http://tnimage.taiwannews.com.tw/photos/shares/AP/20170613/5511addb41fe402e976785d765c9aec0.jpg |
Tanzania to auction 3 tons of hippo teeth, despite criticism | JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Authorities in Tanzania plan an auction of 3.5 tons of hippo teeth next week, drawing criticism from conservation groups who say the sale could encourage increased killing of the vulnerable species for its body parts.
Licensed dealers on Monday can bid for the 12,500 pieces of hippo teeth at the tourism and natural resources ministry in the East African nation's commercial hub of Dar es Salaam, according to Tanzanian wildlife authorities. Buyers will receive documents confirming ownership.
Many hippo populations across Africa face intense pressure from hunting for their ivory and meat, the WWF conservation group said.
"Therefore, even though some countries still have healthy populations, WWF discourages the consumption of hippopotamus ivory and are disappointed to see auctions such as this taking place," said Colman O'Criodain, a WWF expert in wildlife trade.
Another conservation group, Born Free, said it was concerned there could be more demand for hippo ivory as efforts to end the trafficking of elephant ivory intensify.
China, long the world's largest consumer of elephant ivory, announced a ban on its trade that took effect at the beginning of this year.
An international "red list" of endangered species classifies the hippo as vulnerable and estimates there are up to 130,000 hippos in sub-Saharan Africa. Hippo teeth are carved into ornaments for sale in parts of Asia.
A regulated trade in hippo parts is allowed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, or CITES.
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Follow Christopher Torchia on Twitter at www.twitter.com/torchiachris | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-01-26 22:29:00 | Tanzania to auction 3 tons of hippo teeth, despite criticism | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3353743 | |
The Latest: Kristen Bell stays warm before Globes noms | LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on nominations for the 75th annual Golden Globe Awards (all times local):
5 a.m.
Decked in a large cozy sweater, actress Kristen Bell is sipping coffee and staying warm before she takes the stage to announce the nominees for the 75th Golden Globe Awards.
Journalists gathered early Monday at the Beverly Hilton Hotel for the reading of the nominations, which honor acting and other work in film and television.
The hotel is a flurry of activity in these early hours with publicists and members of the press chatting and grabbing a little bite of fruit, bagels and croissants before the nominations announcement begins.
Photographers and camera crews took test shots of the stage where Bell, Alfre Woodard, Garrett Hedlund, and Sharon Stone will read the nominations in 25 categories beginning at 5:15 a.m.
The Golden Globe will be hosted Jan. 7 by Seth Meyers and broadcast by NBC from the Beverly Hilton.
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12 a.m.
Nominations for the 75th annual Golden Globe Awards will be announced Monday morning from Beverly Hills, California.
The nominations will begin at 8:15 a.m. Eastern, with a second batch of nominees announced live on NBC's "Today" show. Among the favorites are Steven Spielberg's "The Post" and Christopher Nolan's "Dunkirk."
In the television categories "The Handmaid's Tale" and "Big Little Lies" could be in for a big morning.
The Golden Globe will be hosted Jan. 7 by Seth Meyers and broadcast by NBC from the Beverly Hilton Hotel. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2017-12-11 00:00:00 | The Latest: Kristen Bell stays warm before Globes noms | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3318033 | |
Egypt sentences 6 alleged Islamists to life over violence | CAIRO (AP) — Egypt's state news agency says a court has sentenced six alleged Muslim Brotherhood members to life in prison over charges including the attempted murder of soldiers and police.
MENA says Tuesday's ruling by the Cairo Criminal Court sentenced four other defendants to 15 years on similar charges, including belonging to a terrorist group, murder and planning attacks against the state. Another two defendants got five years in prison.
The verdict can be appealed.
The Muslim Brotherhood won a series of free elections after Egypt's 2011 uprising, and a senior Brotherhood figure, Mohammed Morsi, was elected president in 2012.
A year later, the military overthrew Morsi amid mass protests against his rule. Authorities have since arrested thousands of Brotherhood members and branded it a terrorist organization. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-01-30 21:59:00 | Egypt sentences 6 alleged Islamists to life over violence | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3354255 | |
Is Viktor Orban the EU's hardline hero or villain? | Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is no fan of refugees and not one to mince words.
In September 2015, he declared: "European politicians, who spark migrants' hopes of finding a better life in Europe, encouraging them to leave everything behind and risk their lives to come here, are irresponsible. If Europe does not return to the path of reason, it will go under."
Orban made this statement at the height of the refugee crisis. He was the first European leader to close his country's border with barbed wire — to prevent new arrivals from getting in. That step solidified Orban's reputation as a hardliner.
Read more: Viktor Orban: Era of 'liberal democracy' is over
Railing against refugees
Few of his compatriots were surprised by their leader's tough stance. Orban, who co-founded and presently leads Hungary's national-conservative Fidesz party, has been serving as the country's prime minister since 2010. He also led Hungary between 1998 and 2002. In the beginning, many considered Orban a liberal. In recent years, however, he has shifted markedly to the right, putting anti-refugee policies at the top of his agenda. He is also no stranger to fearmongering, comparing migration to a Trojan horse that breeds terrorism in Europe. He is eager to preserve Hungary's ethnic homogeneity and explicitly warns against "mixing races."
It's little wonder then that Orban officially opposes EU quotas to relocate refugees throughout the bloc. His position sparked massive protests and court cases, with Brussels even launching an infringement procedure against Budapest. Although earlier this year, Hungarian authorities admitted they had taken in 1,300 refugees in 2017 — which corresponds to Hungary's EU quota.
Popular at home and abroad
Orban's uncompromising approach has earned him a loyal following at home. In Hungary's parliamentary elections on April 8, the Fidesz party scored a major victory. Together with its coalition partner, the Christian Democratic People's Party (KDNP), the governing parties command a two-thirds majority in parliament.
While Orban faces opposition from left-leaning politicians, he can also count on numerous foreign supporters. He has been a regular guest at the Bavarian Christian Social Union's (CSU) annual closed-door summit, and since October 2016, Orban and Horst Seehofer — the CSU party leader and German interior minister — even seem to be on a first-name basis. Indeed, Orban even declared Fidesz and the CSU were "brothers in arms."
Blowing things out of proportion
There is a huge discrepancy between Orban's fierce anti-refugee rhetoric and the reality in EU. Only about 2.3 million refugees live across the bloc's 28 member states, which together have a total population of more than 500,000 million inhabitants. Refugees, therefore, make up just 0.45 percent of the population.
These figures are even lower in Hungary. Currently, only several hundred asylum-seekers are housed in purpose-built transit centers on the Hungarian-Serbian border. According to official reports, some 3,350 individuals applied for asylum in Hungary last year. Most of these individuals hail from Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria. While some 1,000 of them were granted temporary subsidiary protection, only about 100 were granted asylum. They are allowed to remain in the country and live in a refugee shelter and will have access to health care services. After one month, however, they will have to fend for themselves.
In Hungary, there are just six refugees per 10,000 inhabitants. In Germany, for comparison, there are 177 refugees per 10,000 inhabitants.
Despite these limited numbers of refugees, Orban's state visit to Germany will focus on the question of migration. Orban takes issue with German Chancellor Angela Merkel's policy-making, which he made abundantly clear at a press conference in Brussels in 2017: "We're facing a German problem, not a European problem."
DW editors send out a selection of the day's hard news and quality feature journalism. You can sign up to receive it directly here. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-07-05 06:02:00 | One of German Chancellor Angela Merkel's most vocal critics, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is coming to Berlin to talk refugees. His uncompromising asylum policy has made him a favorite of German conservatives. | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3474435 | |
Numbers reveal breadth of investigation into Texas bombings | AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The series of bombings this month in the Texas capital city of Austin has generated a vast response by state and federal law enforcement agencies that are sifting through hundreds of tips to find what Austin Police Chief Brian Manley has described as a serial bomber.
Here's a look at the investigation so far, by the numbers:
— 2, 4: Number of people killed and the number wounded. The first explosion occurred March 2, killing a 39-year-old man. The latest happened Sunday evening, injuring 22- and 23-year-old men.
— 500: The number of leads that have been closed since the bombings began, according to Fred Milanowski, special agent in charge of the Houston division of the ATF.
— $115,000: Amount of reward being offered for a tip leading to a conviction.
— 350: Number of FBI agents currently involved in the investigation, according to FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs. Hundreds of other law enforcement personnel also are involved, including those with Austin police and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
— 240: Approximate number of interviews conducted with witnesses, people calling in tips and others since the first explosion.
— 600: Calls that Austin police have responded to for suspicious packages since the second and third blasts happened March 12. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-03-20 03:09:00 | Numbers reveal breadth of investigation into Texas bombings | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3385761 | |
The Latest: No verdict after morning session by Castile jury | ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Latest in the manslaughter trial of a Minnesota police officer who fatally shot a black motorist during a traffic stop (all times local):
12:30 p.m.
There's no verdict yet in a Minnesota trial for a police officer charged with manslaughter in the fatal shooting of a motorist.
The jury hearing the case has broken for lunch on their third day of deliberations.
Officer Jeronimo (yeh-RON'-ih-moh) Yanez shot driver Philando Castile five times just seconds after Castile told him he was carrying a handgun. Yanez had pulled Castile's car over in a St. Paul suburb last July 6.
Yanez testified last week that Castile was pulling out his gun despite his commands and he feared for his life. Prosecutors question whether Yanez ever actually saw a gun and say he overreacted.
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12:08 a.m.
It's day three of deliberations for a Minnesota jury in the case of a police officer charged with manslaughter in the fatal shooting of a black motorist.
Officer Jeronimo (yeh-RON'-ih-moh) Yanez shot 32-year-old cafeteria worker Philando Castile during a traffic stop in a St. Paul suburb last July 6. Castile had just informed the officer that he was carrying a gun.
Yanez testified that Castile was drawing the gun against his orders. Prosecutors say he overreacted.
The jury surfaced briefly Tuesday with a request for another look at two key videos in the case. One video was captured by the officer's squad car. It shows a wide view of the traffic stop and the shooting. The other video was made by Castile's girlfriend. It starts moments after the shooting. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2017-06-15 01:33:00 | The Latest: No verdict after morning session by Castile jury | http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3188050 | http://tnimage.taiwannews.com.tw/photos/shares/AP/20170611/7ccdf880fa1f4e73a46de185cf1f847d.jpg |
School shooting video game removed online after backlash | BELLEVUE, Wash. (AP) — A Seattle-area company has removed a school shooting video game off of its online platform following widespread backlash.
The "Active Shooter" video game was pulled days before it was to be released on the video-game marketplace Steam.
Valve Corp. as Steam's parent company said Tuesday that it was removing the computer video game because the developer was a "troll with a history of customer abuse."
The game was developed by Revived Games, published by Acid and lead by a person named Ata Berdiyev, who had previously been kicked off of the platform under a different business name.
The game allows players to re-create school shootings by stalking school hallways and racking up kills.
It was condemned by the parents of students killed during a Florida school shooting in February. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-05-30 23:20:00 | School shooting video game removed online after backlash | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3444401 | |
Taliban assail Trump's rejection of talks, vow to fight on | ISLAMABAD (AP) — The Taliban are assailing President Donald Trump's rejection of peace talks, interpreting his assertion that "there's no talking to the Taliban" as a dictate to the Afghan government.
The English-language statement released Tuesday, says: "The true authority of war and peace is not with the Kabul regime, but with the American invaders."
Trump on Monday railed against "atrocities" in Afghanistan, ruling out talks with the Taliban after earlier indicating negotiations could be a way out of America's longest war.
While saying talks remained an option to peace, the Taliban warned Trump's talks veto would most certainly result in more war and bloodshed.
The Taliban took responsibility for a brutal bombing last week that used an ambulance to evade detection, killing more than 100 people. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-01-30 19:58:00 | Taliban assail Trump's rejection of talks, vow to fight on | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3354177 | |
First lady to hold first public event on cyberbullying | WASHINGTON (AP) — Melania Trump is hosting executives from major online and social media companies to discuss cyberbullying and internet safety, more than a year after saying that would be her issue as first lady.
The meeting Tuesday marks her first public event on the topic, a choice some observers have questioned given that her husband often berates people on Twitter.
Amazon, Snap, Facebook, Google and Twitter are among the companies that are expected to attend the meeting. The Internet Association said it will also be represented.
All the major technology companies have strict policies prohibiting harassment and other bullying behavior on their services, but primarily rely on users to report abuses and weed them out. They try to clearly spell out the kinds of remarks and other posts that won't be tolerated in special sections such as one Facebook, the largest online social network, has set up. Instagram, a popular service among kids and young adults for sharing photos and videos, provides links to the U.S. government's anti-bullying site and tips from a cyberbullying research center on one of its help pages.
But the efforts so far have fallen short, leading to rampant abuses that even some of the companies acknowledge have driven away or tormented portions of their audience.
It got so bad on Twitter, which has 68 million U.S. users, that the San Francisco company vowed last fall to crack down on hateful tweets. Among other things, Twitter adopted new policies aimed at protecting women who unknowingly or unwillingly had nude pictures of themselves distributed online — a common bullying tactic.
Yik Yak, another messaging app once popular among high school and college students, shut down last year partly because schools banned it following complaints about bullying and harassment.
Online bullying takes many shapes, but some of the most common tactics include posting embarrassing or salacious photos, making demeaning or cruel remarks under a photo or in a general post about someone, and sharing screenshots of what at least one person thought was a private text.
Harassment is widespread and extends beyond teenagers. A Pew Research Center poll last year found 41 percent of U.S. adults believed they had been harassed online.
The popularity of and volume of content on major social media sites presents a huge challenge in policing what is being shared. Facebook, for instance, has 2.1 billion worldwide users who collectively share billions of posts on their pages daily. More than 300 hours of video is uploaded to Google's YouTube site every minute.
The companies are also constantly struggling to balance the desire to prevent harassment and other abuses and maintain a commitment to freedom of expression.
In some cases, they see harassment and still look the other way. For instance, some of President Trump's more vitriolic tweets have openly mocked and denigrated people, prompting calls for Twitter to shut down his account and ban him from its service. But Twitter has declined, maintaining the news value of the president's tweets eclipse complaints about him being a bully.
There is no federal law that applies to bullying. State laws vary, ranging from requiring public schools to have a bullying policy to requiring anonymous reporting systems, said Sameer Hinduja, co-director of the Cyberbullying Research Center and professor of criminology at Florida Atlantic University. The federal government can best help by giving schools more tools and money to provide programs, Hinduja said.
Mrs. Trump announced in a speech near the end of the 2016 presidential campaign that her priority as first lady would be to fight cyberbullying. A native of Slovenia, she at the time lamented a U.S. culture that she said had grown "too mean and too rough." It was a curious speech for a woman whose husband uses Twitter to dismiss people as losers and taunt them with unflattering nicknames.
The mother of a 12-year-old son, the first lady has made child well-being her focus in the White House, including an unexpected interest in how the opioid crisis is affecting youngsters.
She has visited hospitals and care centers to see the effects first hand, and has embraced parents whose children died from drug overdoses. She accompanied the president to New Hampshire on Monday as he discussed a three-pronged effort to combat drug addiction, including applying the death penalty against those caught trafficking highly addictive substances.
Mrs. Trump recently asked the spouses of U.S. governors to help promote values such as encouragement, kindness, compassion and respect in children. She has also spoken about limiting the amount of time children spend online, and helping them understand the content they are exposed to.
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AP Business Writer Michael Liedtke in San Francisco contributed to this report.
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Follow Darlene Superville on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/dsupervilleap | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-03-20 00:00:00 | First lady to hold first public event on cyberbullying | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3386089 | |
The Latest: Game 2 under way between Vegas and Capitals | LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Latest on Game 2 of the Stanley Cup final between the Washington Capitals and Vegas Golden Knights (all times local):
6:25 p.m.
Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final is under way in Las Vegas.
Imagine Dragons kicked up the pregame festivities a notch, playing its hit "Whatever It Takes," following the Vegas Golden Knights' elaborate show that precedes each game.
The Washington Capitals trail Vegas 1-0 but are used to playing from behind. Washington fell behind in each of the first three rounds and rallied to win.
The Capitals opened the playoffs with two losses to Columbus before roaring back to win four straight. They lost Game 1 in the second round against Pittsburgh before bouncing back with a win in Game 2 and eliminating the two-time defending champion Penguins in Game 6.
Washington won its first two games against Tampa Bay in the Eastern Conference finals, but then lost three straight, forcing the franchise to win two decisive games to advance.
If the Capitals end up winning the Final, they will join the 1991 Pittsburgh Penguins as the only Stanley Cup champions to trail in every series.
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4:20 p.m.
Hours before Vegas hosted Washington in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final, fans filed in the plaza outside T-Mobile Arena on a 98-degree day in the desert.
Some of those gathered were holding the hottest ticket in town. Many planned to simply soak up the atmosphere while watching the game on big screens outside the arena with thousands of new friends.
The Golden Knights' logo was worked into hairdos of fans willing to make the commitment while others opted to have their face painted in black and gold.
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2:15 p.m.
The Strip has hosted countless events over the years, featuring stars on stage and in the ring.
Las Vegas can now add a championship game in a major professional sports league to its list.
And, Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final has a tough act to follow.
The Vegas Golden Knights opened with a 6-4 win over the Washington Capitals, co-starring teams that combined for a Final-record four lead changes.
There also were big hits, some which might have lingering effects Wednesday night.
Washington's Tom Wilson was penalized for blindsiding Vegas' Jonathan Marchessault after he passed the puck in Game 1. Ryan Reaves scored a tying goal Monday night after appearing to get away with cross-checking Capitals defenseman John Carlson.
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More Stanley Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/StanleyCupFinals | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-05-31 00:00:00 | The Latest: Game 2 under way between Vegas and Capitals | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3444624 | |
Perreault scores 2, Jets end skid with 5-1 win over Canucks | WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) — Mathieu Perreault scored two goals and added an assist to help the Winnipeg Jets halt a three-game losing streak with a 5-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Monday night.
The win was the Jets' seventh straight victory at home and they have points in their last 11 games (10-0-1) at Bell MTS Place.
The Canucks have lost three straight in regulation for the first time this season.
Dmitry Kulikov, Josh Morrissey and Nikolaj Ehlers also scored for Winnipeg (18-8-5). Ehlers' 14th of the season was on the power play and gave him goals in three straight games.
Brock Boeser scored his team-leading 16th goal for the Canucks. He also extended his goal-scoring streak to three games.
Connor Hellebuyck made 25 saves for Winnipeg.
Jacob Markstrom stopped 19 shots for Vancouver (14-13-4).
The teams were tied 1-1 after the first period and Winnipeg led 3-1 after two. Markstrom let in a surprising goal 88 seconds into the first, squeezing his pads on Kulikov's point shot, but the puck slid into the net behind him.
Boeser tied it up at 6:53 after Henrik Sedin took the puck around the back of Winnipeg's net and fed a pass to Boeser in the slot.
The Canucks outshot the Jets 10-4 in the opening frame.
Winnipeg carried a late man advantage into the second, but Markstrom made a quick save on Kyle Connor's deflection right in front of him and a glove grab on an Ehlers' shot to help kill the penalty.
Winnipeg got another power play at 2:55 when Sam Gagner was called for holding and Perreault fired in his goal from the slot exactly two minutes later.
The Jets capitalized on their next power play when, 37 seconds after Nic Dowd went off for hooking, Tyler Myers' blast produced a long rebound to Ehlers at the top of the circle that made it 3-1 at 14:09.
The Canucks' shot advantage after two periods was 17-15.
Morrissey scored his fourth goal of the season with a redirection on a 3-on-1 with Adam Lowry and Andrew Copp at 11:38. Christopher Tanev was the lone defender.
Perreault netted an unassisted goal with 44 seconds left. Vancouver was 0 for 2 on the power play and Winnipeg 1 for 3.
Notes: Winnipeg was without defenseman Dustin Byfuglien, who was put on injured reserve with a lower-body injury suffered in last Saturday's 4-3 overtime loss to Tampa Bay. Head coach Paul Maurice said he didn't expect him back on the ice until after Christmas. Rookie Tucker Poolman took his roster spot ... Vancouver was missing top-line forwards Bo Horvat (broken foot) and Sven Baertschi (fractured jaw).
UP NEXT:
Canucks: host Nashville on Wednesday night.
Jets: host Chicago on Thursday. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2017-12-12 00:00:00 | Perreault scores 2, Jets end skid with 5-1 win over Canucks | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3318423 | |
The Latest: Regulator: We weren't told of Wynn settlement | BOSTON (AP) — The Latest on Massachusetts Gaming Commission review of Wynn casino license (all times local):
3:45 p.m.
A Massachusetts Gaming Commission investigator says information about a $7.5 million settlement was kept from Massachusetts officials when they were reviewing the suitability of casino magnate Steve Wynn in 2013 as his company sought a casino license in the state.
Karen Wells made the statement Wednesday as the commission opened its investigation into a report by The Wall Street Journal that a number of women said they were harassed or assaulted by Wynn. One case led to a $7.5 million settlement.
Wynn, whose company is building a $2.4 billion casino outside Boston, has denied the allegations.
Commission Chairman Stephen Crosby said that any decision, including possibly revoking the license, will be based on facts gleaned during the commission's ongoing probe.
Gambling regulators in Nevada said Tuesday they are also investigating Wynn.
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8:53
Massachusetts gambling regulators are holding a special meeting to discuss sexual misconduct allegations against casino magnate Steve Wynn, whose company is building a $2.4 billion casino outside Boston.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission will receive an update on an investigation Wednesday.
Republican Gov. Charlie Baker says if the allegations are true, Wynn would "fail to meet the suitability standard under the state gaming law."
Gambling regulators in Nevada said Tuesday they are also investigating Wynn.
The Wall Street Journal reported Friday that a number of women said they were harassed or assaulted by Wynn, and that one case led to a $7.5 million settlement. Wynn has denied the allegations.
Under the 2011 Massachusetts casino law, a license can be suspended or revoked if a licensee is found "unsuitable to operate a gaming establishment." | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-02-03 00:00:00 | The Latest: Regulator: We weren't told of Wynn settlement | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3354961 | |
BC-US--Copper, US | New York (AP) — Copper futures trading on the NY Merc Wed:
(25,000 lbs., cents per lb.) | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2017-06-15 03:19:00 | BC-US--Copper, US | http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3188095 | http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/images/category/580888eb17740.jpg |
Iceland closes gender gap but violence against women remains | REYKJAVIK, Iceland (AP) — For nine years in a row, the World Economic Forum has ranked Iceland as having the world's smallest gender-equality gap, and for about as long gender studies professor Gyda Margret Petursdottir has been asked how the Nordic island nation became such a paradise for women.
Her reply: "It isn't."
Iceland has a female prime minister and some of the world's strongest laws on workplace equality and equal pay.
It also has one of Europe's highest per-capita levels of reported rapes, according to statistics agency Eurostat, although legal definitions differ from country to country, complicating comparisons.
A 2010 University of Iceland study found that 30 percent of Icelandic women aged 18 to 80 reported having been physically attacked by a man at least once, including 13 percent who reported suffering rape or attempted rape.
Icelanders are experiencing a stark realization: Equal representation does not, by default, eliminate gender-based violence.
Petursdottir said the "myth" that Iceland's record on gender equality makes it a safe haven for women is a distraction from the steps needed to fight systematic abuse.
"Men need to find ways to change their ideas about masculinity," Petursdottir said. "That's the biggest challenge now."
The sexual misconduct allegations against powerful men in Hollywood, politics and beyond, and the "Me Too" campaign launched by women speaking out against abuse, have reached this volcanic island below the Arctic Circle.
Hundreds of women in Icelandic politics, entertainment and academia recently signed a pledge against sexual harassment and urged male colleagues to change their behavior.
More than 40 percent of lawmakers in Iceland's parliament, the Althingi, are women. Last month left-wing leader Katrin Jakobsdottir became prime minister in a coalition government — Iceland's second female leader in the last decade.
Her appointment is another point on the Global Gender Gap index for a country regarded as a champion of gender equality.
The index measures life expectancy, educational opportunities, political representation, equal pay and other factors — but not gender-based violence.
Feminists argue that Iceland's star ranking masks continuing violence, harassment and everyday sexism — and that fixing the problem will need a transformation in the way men — and women — think and behave.
In a series of 137 anonymous accounts from women in politics recently published in local media, one female legislator illustrated everyday sexism with a story of a male opponent who complimented her looks right before she took the podium in an attempt to throw her off-topic.
Andres Ingi Jonsson, a lawmaker for the Left Green Movement, said the example shows how parliament, even more than other workplaces, risks becoming a harmful environment for women, since disarming opponents is a key part of politics.
"The basic tools we use can be influenced by sexually degrading language, and we need to remove that from the toolbox," said Jonsson, who is among a group of male parliamentarians seeking to get men to become actively engaged in promoting gender equality.
The group successfully petitioned the speaker of parliament to host a workshop in February during which Iceland's 63 legislators have been invited to openly discuss sexual harassment in the workplace.
"It won't be an easy day," Jonsson said.
He is optimistic that everyone will attend, even though some will approach the workshop with a more open mind than others.
"We have to be ready to open our hearts a bit," Jonsson said.
Iceland may be far from perfect, but its politicians have taken gender equality seriously.
Icelandic law requires private companies to have at least 40 percent women on their boards and offers men parental leave equal to women. Starting next year, the Equal Pay Law will audit companies to prove that they are paying men and women the same for comparable work.
There are indications of a change in social attitudes and an unwillingness to turn a blind eye toward sexual harassment.
Iceland's capital, Reykjavik, has a vibrant nightlife scene, and dozens of bars and clubs have tried to create a safer atmosphere by putting up posters urging guests to notify staff if they feel harassed.
Activist Helga Lind Mar said the scene has changed noticeably from a few years ago.
"We still have creeps," she said, sitting by Reykjavik's bar- and-restaurant-lined Laugavegur Street, famous for its long party nights. "But they are more afraid to be called out on their behavior."
And educators have started to think about how to raise a generation of non-sexist adults.
At Reykjavik's Borgarholtsskoli high school, teacher Hanna Bjorg Vilhjalmsdottir oversees lively discussions in her Introduction to Gender Studies class.
The aim of the class is to get young adults to notice everyday discrimination, stereotyping and harmful messages, she said.
When Vilhjalmsdottir, a pioneer of the concept, pitched the idea to school administrators 10 years ago "they were extremely skeptical," she said. Now versions of the course are taught in 27 of Iceland's 33 high schools.
Student Tinna Karen Victorsdottir said the course has changed her perception of life more than any other class.
She said she often brings class discussions to her family's dinner table and shares course readings and videos with her parents. Over time, her parents have changed their behavior, too.
"My dad has taken on totally new house chores," she said. "I guess it inspired him to see me this eager." | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2017-12-12 16:49:00 | Iceland closes gender gap but violence against women remains | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3318647 | |
Police look at phone records for clues in jealousy shooting | Police on Monday were focusing on phone records to try to piece together how a group of friends wound up at a Pennsylvania self-serve car wash, where a gunman lying in wait in the early morning hours killed four of them and injured one who managed to hide.
The suspected shooter, 28-year-old Timothy Smith, suffered a gunshot wound to the head in the Sunday shooting at Ed's Car Wash in Melcroft, a rural town about 55 miles (89 kilometers) southeast of Pittsburgh. He's on life support and isn't expected to survive what authorities believe may be a self-inflicted injury.
Smith was a jealous ex-boyfriend of 25-year-old victim Chelsie Cline, according to family members of some of the victims.
Also killed were William Porterfield, 27; Courtney Snyder, 23; and Seth Cline, 21. Another woman was able to hide in the back seat of a truck and only suffered minor injuries from broken glass, police said. Chelsie Cline and Seth Cline were half-siblings.
Four days before the shooting, Chelsie Cline had shared a meme on Facebook reading "After this week, I rlly need to get taken out ... on a date or by a sniper either one is fine w me at this point."
A Facebook friend, Tim Smith, replied: "I could do both."
Timothy Smith was obsessed with Cline after they dated, leaving beer for her on her car and sending her flowers and other presents, said Chelsie Cline's half-sister, Sierra Kolarik, in an interview with the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Kolarik said Smith "came off as the most kind-hearted person" but that his interests were "guns and guns and guns and shooting and beer and rolling cigarettes."
Porterfield and Chelsie Cline spent time together in the days before the shooting after Cline broke off a relationship with Smith, Porterfield's widow, Jenna Porterfield, 24, told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. She said a state police investigator told her Smith was Cline's jealous former boyfriend.
"I was told my husband was cheating on me with (one of the victims), and that she had broken up with her previous boyfriend two days ago, and he went crazy and shot them all," she said.
State police said Smith was the first person to arrive at the car wash and parked his pickup truck on the side of the two-bay car wash. They said he shot Porterfield and Chelsie Cline when they got out of their car and walked to the side of the car wash.
Snyder and Seth Cline arrived in a pickup truck and were both shot and killed in their vehicle, state police said.
A man who lives nearby said he heard about 30 gunshots over a span of several minutes.
Vicki Snyder lives down the road from Smith's family and said her children were in school with the Smith children. Smith's brother was the best man in her son's wedding.
"He seemed like a normal kid," she said of Smith, who was in the same grade as her daughter. "He seemed kind of quiet, but he was the youngest and he was always polite and very nice."
She said Smith lived at home and helped out his older sister who uses a wheelchair after injuring her spine in a car accident a few years ago.
"They are just a typical family that had some tragedy and dealt with it," Snyder said. "They're down-to-earth, nice, regular people." | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-02-03 00:00:00 | Police look at phone records for clues in jealousy shooting | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3354000 | |
Tokyo Olympic marathon starts and finishes at new stadium | TOKYO (AP) — The men's and women's marathon for Tokyo's Olympics in 2020 will start and finish in the new Olympic stadium, which organizers say last happened in the Atlanta Olympics in 1996.
The organizing committee announced the course layout on Thursday. It's a flat route with an uphill finish leading to the new stadium that is still under construction.
Organizers said the original bid had the marathon scheduled to start at 7:30 am to avoid Tokyo's summer heat and humidity. Tokyo spokesman Masa Takaya said a confirmed starting time was expected to be announced in July at a meeting of the International Olympic Committee's executive board. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-05-31 11:31:00 | Tokyo Olympic marathon starts and finishes at new stadium | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3444744 | |
UN official says Rohingya crisis has 'hallmarks of genocide' | SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The U.N. special envoy on human rights in Myanmar says the military's violent operations against Rohingya Muslims bear "the hallmarks of a genocide."
Yanghee Lee told reporters Thursday in Seoul, where she is based, that she couldn't make a definitive declaration about genocide until a credible international tribunal or court had weighed the evidence but "we are seeing signs and it is building up to that."
Responding to a question about an Associated Press report that details a massacre and at least five mass graves in the Myanmar village of Gu Dar Pyin, Lee said that while she didn't have specific details on the village, "you can see it's a pattern" that has emerged in the Rohingya persecution.
Nearly 700,000 Rohingya have fled their villages into Bangladesh since August. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-02-01 15:38:00 | UN official says Rohingya crisis has 'hallmarks of genocide' | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3355219 | |
Not just a drunken revelry: Mardi Gras for kids as well | NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A red wagon decorated as a shrimp boat with nets extending out from either side carried a waving 2-year-old dressed as a shellfish being pulled by his parents who wore white rubber shrimping boots.
The family was among more than 100 revelers marching through the streets of New Orleans on Jan. 20 in the Krewe of Confetti Kids parade — one of the many kid-centered events held during the Carnival season leading up to Fat Tuesday on Feb. 13. Other children dressed as princesses, mermaids, and firefighters while a brass band serenaded the crowd.
"I love Mardi Gras," said 7-year-old Virginia Strong, who wore a 1950's style polka dot dress with a string of pearl beads around her neck. "It's fun to dress up and have fun with your friends."
The weeks-long celebration leading up to Fat Tuesday is often perceived as an adults-only holiday with drunken roguishness and women flashing their breasts for beads. And to be fair, that's certainly a factor in the French Quarter's famed Bourbon Street festivities. But elsewhere, children and families are as much a part of the revelry as anyone — many say they're the heart and soul of the holiday. Children can be seen lining the parade routes, families spend weeks making costumes together and there's even kid-centered parades.
"This is the best quality family time we get all year, because we spend more weekends together costuming and going to parades together, and it's just wonderful," said Ariana Maria Ybarra, a married mother with two young girls.
Ybarra said her family has been spending recent weeks preparing for Chewbacchus, the Star Wars-themed walking parade in the city's Marigny neighborhood slated for Feb. 3: "We're going as a family of Martians."
The largest of the kid parades is Little Rascals, which has floats, marching bands, dancing groups, Mardi Gras Indians in full feathered headdresses, Cajun Indians on horseback, and kids tossing cups, beads, toys, pralines, moon pies and other snacks.
"There's something for everyone, and the great thing about it is that the kids are just kids," said Maureen Spittler, who co-founded the parade in 1983 with her husband, Jack. Launched 35 years ago with about 50 kids and three floats, the parade now has nearly 20 floats and nearly 300 kids. There's even a Little Rascals ball — the only formal ball children are allowed to attend. The more than 200 kids riding in Sunday's parade danced the night away Thursday at a glitzy ball held in their honor.
On Sunday, even a drizzly rain didn't stop thousands of people from lining the parade route in Metairie to see the Little Rascals parade.
"This parade is great because it's all kids," said Angie Eymard, who arrived at the route hours ahead of the parade with cousins and friends donning Mardi Gras colors of purple, green and gold. "It's all kids throwing stuff, and it's nice to see their smiling faces. And I don't have to worry about people getting too rowdy. It's very family-oriented."
Families and kids are a fixture at all the parades rolling along the oak tree-lined St. Charles Ave. Families camp out early, often setting up specially-designed ladders with a seat on top for kids. The seat gives kids a special vantage point to catch beads or other items given out by people on the floats. The ladders are usually artfully painted and equipped with wheels on them to make it easier for the families to roll home at the end of the day. On the weekends, families usually spend the day camped out on the parade route, often with a picnic, watching parade after parade go by.
The New Orleans suburb of Metairie hosts an annual "Family Gras" celebration with live music. This year's celebration is Feb. 2-3.
Parades like Little Rascals are one-day events but preparations happen year-round.
"It is hard, hectic work all year long, and then you see the kids, and you see those smiles, and you see how beautifully they do with their costumes, and it's all worth it," she said.
Joshua Maurice, the Spittlers' 18-year-old great-grandson, has — like his mother before him — ridden in every Little Rascals parade since birth.
He said he takes pride in helping to carry on his family's legacy of community and Carnival fun.
"I play with all the little kids, make them feel like they're a part of something," he said. "So that ... it's something that they're going to want to come back and do every year." | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-02-03 00:00:00 | Not just a drunken revelry: Mardi Gras for kids as well | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3353812 | |
Moldova claims to break up extremist Islamic group | CHISINAU, Moldova (AP) — Moldova's intelligence agency says it has broken up a suspected extremist Islamic group that was spreading propaganda online and whose members had illegal weapons.
The Intelligence and Security Service said Wednesday that agents had searched the homes of a number of Moldovan citizens in the northeastern town of Soroca, and found pistols, semi-automatic rifles and other weapons.
It says members are accused of "propagating radical Islamic ideology," on social media and elsewhere and illegally possessing firearms.
The agency did not provide details about the number of suspects or whether they had been detained.
If found guilty, suspects face up to seven years in prison. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2017-02-15 23:15:00 | Moldova claims to break up extremist Islamic group | http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3095863 | http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/images/category/580888eb17740.jpg |
2 children, 2 adults missing after fire guts Cleveland home | CLEVELAND (AP) — Authorities say two children and two adults are unaccounted for after an overnight house fire in Cleveland.
Firefighters say a woman believed to be the children's mother escaped the fire early Tuesday morning by jumping from the home on the city's east side. She was taken to a hospital, and information about her condition wasn't immediately released.
Investigators say a 4-year-old boy, an 8-year-old girl, their father and another man are missing.
Firefighters say the blaze caused severe damage, hindering their ability to search the charred home.
There was no immediate word on what caused the fire. The state fire marshal's office will help investigate. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-01-30 19:43:00 | 2 children, 2 adults missing after fire guts Cleveland home | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3354178 | |
Lawmakers: EPA security chief improperly runs outside firm | WASHINGTON (AP) — The security chief for the head of the Environmental Protection Agency has been operating an outside consulting firm without proper approval from ethics officials, Democratic lawmakers said Tuesday.
EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt last year tapped EPA special agent Pasquale "Nino" Perrotta to be his security chief and lead his 20-member personal protective detail. Perrota also is the top executive at Sequoia Security Group, a Maryland-based security firm.
Perrotta received clearance in March 2013 for limited non-government consulting work, but was required to get updated approval if his job duties changed. Perrotta received a significant promotion and pay raise last year.
The 2013 approval, which was in effect for a five-year period that expired last month, also barred Perrotta from using his government position to advance his personal interests.
The Associated Press reported in December that EPA paid $3,000 to contractor Edwin Steinmetz Associates last year to search Pruitt's office for secret listening devices. Steinmetz is also listed as a vice president at Perrotta's security firm.
Emails obtained by congressional Democrats showed that Perrotta played a role in the decision to conduct the bug sweep, the contract for which the lawmakers allege he improperly steered to Steinmetz.
Tuesday's letter was signed by Democratic Sens. Tom Carper of Delaware and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, who serve on a committee with oversight of EPA. They ask an agency ethics official to re-examine whether Perrotta's outside employment violated agency rules.
Steinmetz found no listening devices. EPA's Office of Homeland Security later determined the sweep was "very basic and cursory" and "did not employ the equipment, proper certification, or necessary processes" to be approved by the U.S. government for sensitive facilities, according to internal EPA documents.
In an interview with AP on Monday, Steinmetz defended the quality of his work.
The bug sweep was part of a larger push by Pruitt to enhance his personal security that included spending on first-class airfare he claims was justified after unpleasant interactions with other travelers. The Government Accountability Office found earlier this month that a $43,000 privacy booth bought for Pruitt to make private phone calls violated federal purchasing laws.
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Follow Associated Press environmental reporter Michael Biesecker at http://twitter.com/mbieseck | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-04-25 01:12:00 | Lawmakers: EPA security chief improperly runs outside firm | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3413385 | |
Russia critic Bill Browder briefly arrested in Spain | Prominent Russia critic and financier Bill Browder was temporarily detained by Spanish police on Wednesday over a Russian arrest warrant. There was conflicting information over whether the tax evasion warrant was valid.
"Just was arrested by Spanish police in Madrid on a Russian Interpol arrest warrant. Going to the police station right now," Browder wrote in his Twitter account of the incident, delivered almost in real time.
The US-born British hedge fund manager has a tense history with the administration of Russian President Vladimir Putin. At one point his firm, Hermitage Capital Management, was the largest foreign portfolio investor in Russia. However, beginning in 2005, Browder was barred from entering Russia – according to Moscow, because he was a threat to national security, but according to Browder, because he exposed corruption.
Things took a turn for the worse in 2009, when Browder's employee Sergei Magnitsky died in prison after accusing a number of Russian officials of involvement in a tax fraud scheme.
In 2012 Browder successfully lobbied the US Congress to pass the Magnitsky Act, which officially held the Kremlin responsible for Magnitsky's death. In retaliation, Moscow barred US adoptions of Russian children.
Since then, Russian courts have convicted Browder of tax evasion in absentia multiple times.
Browder in Madrid to present Magnitsky evidence
Browder said he was in Spain "to give evidence to senior Spanish anti-Russian mafia prosecutor Jose Grinda about the huge amount of money from the Magnitsky case that flowed to Spain."
Spain is one of 15 countries allegedly used to launder 30 million euros ($35 million) connected to Magnitsky's death. Browder later said he was able to meet with Grinda after his release from Spanish custody.
Spanish authorities said that he was arrested in error and released when they found the Interpol warrant against him to be outdated and therefore invalid, details Browder disputed: "Just to be clear, my arrest this morning in Madrid was the result of a SIXTH Russian arrest warrant using Interpol channels. It was NOT an expired warrant, but a live one. Interpol is incapable of stopping Russian abuse of their systems.
Global criminal justice watchdog Fair Trials also criticized Russia's abuse of the Interpol warrant system, but said that "Interpol should scrutinize alerts before it puts them out through its international networks… Spain should also exercise sense and discretion before arresting people. The result could have been very different if it weren't for Browder's high profile."
es/msh (AP, Reuters) | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-05-31 00:02:00 | Putin nemesis Bill Browder was arrested then released in Madrid over a Russian Interpol warrant. Browder accused Moscow of abusing Interpol's warrant system. | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3444413 | |
Manchester Arena concert attack thief handed prison sentence | LONDON (AP) — A British judge has handed a prison sentence to a homeless man who admitted stealing from victims of the Manchester Arena bombing while pretending to help them.
Chris Parker received worldwide renown after claiming to have helped comfort the injured and the dying after suicide bomber Salman Abedi detonated a bomb at the end of an Ariana Grande concert on May 22, killing 22 people.
Though first praised as a hero, closed-circuit TV footage showed the 33-year-old Parker stealing a purse and mobile phone from victims.
In sentencing Parker to four years and three months, Judge David Hernandez said it was hard to imagine a "more reprehensible set of circumstances."
Hernandez told Parker: "You were not the hero you pretended to be, you were just a common thief." | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-01-30 22:16:00 | Manchester Arena concert attack thief handed prison sentence | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3354258 | |
Lawyer whose work got entangled in Mueller probe leaves firm | WASHINGTON (AP) — A prominent Washington lawyer who authored a report that's a key part of the special counsel's investigation into Paul Manafort has left his law firm.
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom confirmed Tuesday that Greg Craig, a former White House counsel under President Barack Obama, is no longer with the firm. His biography has been removed from the law firm website. The firm didn't immediately comment beyond confirming his departure.
Craig wrote a report funded by the Ukrainian Ministry of Justice about the trial of a former Ukrainian prime minister.
That report is cited in the indictment against Manafort, President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman. Manafort is accused of using offshore accounts to secretly funnel more than $4 million to fund the report.
Craig is not accused of any wrongdoing. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-04-25 02:05:00 | Lawyer whose work got entangled in Mueller probe leaves firm | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3413404 | |
Father of boy with Down syndrome suing Boy Scouts | PAYSON, Utah (AP) — The father of a boy who has Down syndrome is suing the Boys Scouts of America for blocking his son from becoming an Eagle scout and revoking his merit badges.
Logan Blythe has been a scout through the National Parks Council in Utah. His father, Chad, says the 15-year-old has advanced because the council has made accommodations when necessary.
He had planned to create kits for special-needs babies for his Eagle project when the family learned the national organization voided every merit badge he obtained.
The family sued the Boy Scouts and the Utah National Parks Council for "outrageous and reckless conduct."
The organization says it worked with the committee and the Blythe family to offer "alternative merit badges" and a path to becoming an Eagle. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-03-20 00:43:00 | Father of boy with Down syndrome suing Boy Scouts | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3385709 | |
Suicide car bomber detonates outside Somalia restaurant | MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — A suicide bomber detonated an explosives-laden vehicle at the gate of a popular restaurant in Somalia's capital, and gunmen were fighting their way inside, police said Wednesday night.
A hostage situation was under way at the Pizza House restaurant, said Capt. Mohamed Hussein. Many of the restaurant's workers are foreigners, mostly from Ethiopia.
Hussein had no immediate information about any casualties.
The Somalia-based extremist group al-Shabab often targets high-profile areas of Mogadishu, including hotels, military checkpoints and areas near the presidential palace. It has vowed to step up attacks after the recently elected government launched a new military offensive against it.
Al-Shabab last year became the deadliest Islamic extremist group in Africa, with more than 4,200 people killed in 2016, according to the Washington-based Africa Center for Strategic Studies.
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This version corrects the name of the restaurant to Pizza House. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2017-06-15 01:45:00 | Suicide car bomber detonates outside Somalia restaurant | http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3188049 | http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/images/category/580888eb17740.jpg |
Agency: St. Louis paramedic lied about Boston Marathon help | ST. LOUIS (AP) — The St. Louis Fire Department says a paramedic training officer falsely claimed he ran to the aid victims at the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.
Shawn Daniel was honored at a St. Louis Blues hockey game in January. A posting on the Fire Department's Facebook page on Jan. 18 said he was among the emergency workers who hurried to help those injured in the bombing. Daniel was working at the time for a private ambulance company near Boston.
But the Fire Department says in a statement Tuesday that Daniel was never on the scene of the bombing and did not provide medical assistance. The Fire Department apologized.
The statement does not say what discipline Daniel might face. A message left with a department spokesman Wednesday wasn't immediately returned. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2017-02-15 23:10:00 | Agency: St. Louis paramedic lied about Boston Marathon help | http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3095852 | http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/images/category/580888eb17740.jpg |
Koreas begin basketball friendlies in latest peace gesture | SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The rival Koreas began two days of friendly basketball games in Pyongyang in their latest goodwill gesture amid a diplomatic push to resolve the nuclear standoff with North Korea.
Women from North and South Korea were mixed into two teams that competed against each other Wednesday at Pyongyang's Ryugyong Jong Ju Yong Gymnasium. A game between the men's mixed teams will be held later in the day.
The South Koreans will play against the North Korean men's and women's teams on Thursday before returning home on Friday.
The games will precede a planned three-day visit to North Korea by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for meetings over the future of the North's nuclear program. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-07-04 15:38:00 | Koreas begin basketball friendlies in latest peace gesture | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3473964 | |
Facebook's 'fixes'- meaningful or just skin deep? | NEW YORK (AP) — Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has made fixing Facebook his personal challenge this year, and the company has already announced several changes to that end.
For example, it's showing users more posts from friends and family instead of businesses and publishers.
But it's far from clear if these tweaks will produce lasting change, or if they're merely cosmetic adjustments designed to generate goodwill while keeping people glued to Facebook.
Critics such as Roger McNamee, a venture capitalist and early Facebook investor, say the recent changes don't address the threats to elections or public health that Facebook needs to address.
Zuckerberg says it will take some time — "months," perhaps — for its changes to make their way to users. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-02-01 05:41:00 | Facebook's 'fixes'- meaningful or just skin deep? | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3354980 | |
Chenault dealt with crises, competition as head of AmEx | NEW YORK (AP) — Kenneth Chenault, wearing no sport coat and no tie, with a large cup of tea in front of him, fits an image of a man ready for retirement.
Chenault is days away from stepping down as the chief executive officer and chairman of American Express, the credit card giant and one of the most iconic brands in the country. He will have run American Express for 17 years, guiding the company through the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, the global financial crisis and numerous challenges to its position as the go-to payment option for the wealthy and well-traveled.
The son of a dentist from Long Island, New York, who grew up as a black man during the height of the Civil Rights Movement, Chenault never expected to be CEO of a major company, let alone work 37 years at the same one.
"I can honestly say I was approached by bigger companies, moments where people would say 'wow, that's a great opportunity.' But this has been my dream job," Chenault said. He sat down with The Associated Press for his last interview before leaving the company.
Who can blame Chenault, 66, for moving on? His successor as CEO and chairman, Steve Squeri, is well on his way to be trained for the job. Any problems that happened under Chenault's watch, like the loss of a lucrative Costco partnership, have been neatly cleaned up. Since Chenault became CEO in 2001, American Express' annual profits have risen from $1.31 billion to an adjusted $5.3 billion, excluding the impact of the new tax law. Sales rose from $17.71 billion to $35.58 billion and the stock has more than doubled and is trading at record highs. That said, AmEx shares did underperform the overall S&P 500 index, but outperformed other banks.
"I hate to see Ken leave. I mean, he's done a terrific job. His record is really hard to match in corporate America," said Warren Buffett, the billionaire investor, in an interview with the AP. Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway is the largest shareholder of American Express, owning 17.5 percent of the company.
Under Chenault, American Express has expanded from its well-to-do and corporate expense account customers into more consumer products. AmEx now markets toward families buying groceries and gasoline an American Express Everyday Card, just as much it markets the Platinum Card toward the jet set who charge six figures a year.
But at the same time, AmEx has faced increased competition while Chenault has been CEO. The company once stood alone in the high-end credit card market. Now there's the Sapphire Reserve Card by JPMorgan Chase, and Prestige by Citigroup, each with its own points program designed by former AmEx executives. That competition forced AmEx to respond with increased benefits on its premium cards to either keep up with or outsmart its rivals. Last year, AmEx raised the annual fee by $100 to $550, but added new benefits like a $200 a year credit on Uber. The company said it ended 2017 with the most Platinum Card users ever, despite the fee increase.
"Ken and his management team have built a terrific business even through a tough competitive environment," said Gordon Smith, who runs the consumer banking division at JPMorgan Chase. He used to run the U.S. cards business at AmEx before going off to compete directly with Chenault.
The biggest threat to Chenault's legacy came not from a competitor, but from a customer: Costco. The warehouse chain and American Express had a business partnership that stretched back to 1999, where Costco would only accept AmEx credit cards. There was also a co-brand credit card program between the two companies.
But that business relationship came to an abrupt halt in 2015, when Costco announced it was changing its credit card payment network to Visa Inc. and that Citigroup would take over the co-brand card. At the time of the announcement, the retailer represented 8 percent of all spending on the American Express payment network and 20 percent of all loans.
"If Chenault had left two years ago, we would be having a different conversation," said Sanjay Sakhrani, an analyst with Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, who covers American Express.
American Express is both a payment processing company as well as a credit card issuer. Unlike Visa, which acts as a middle man between the bank that issues a debit or credit card and the merchant that accepts it, AmEx operates what it calls a "closed loop" business where it does both.
AmEx makes most of its money off its so-called "discount rate." While the rate varies from business to business, and industry to industry, typically AmEx charges the merchant a small percentage of each transaction. The company's average discount rate was 2.41 percent in the fourth quarter last year.
Chenault remained an adamant defender of AmEx's traditional business model, and urged patience from investors. He also argued at the time that the discount rate that Costco wanted for its new contract with AmEx "didn't make economic sense."
To make up for the Costco loss, the company successfully pumped billions into increased marketing to existing Costco card users to get them to switch to new AmEx card before handing over the portfolio to Citigroup. And the company is now trying to grow loans on its own products by allowing customers to carry a balance instead of paying the full amount at the end of the month, as was traditional with AmEx's charge cards.
"When the Costco deal came along, I'll bet 90 percent of the analysts on Wall Street were all questioning 'how can you give up Costco?' But he was perfectly willing to take some sticks and stones for a couple years and he knew he was doing the right thing," Buffett said.
American Express still faces threats to its business. It is still typically the most expensive card for merchants to accept and some merchants have concluded they can do without the access to AmEx's high-spending card members. Its recent choice to expand into lending could put the company more at risk if a deep recession comes again.
Along with increased competition, Chenault faced two other crises under his watch.
Chenault was less than a year into his role as CEO when the September 11th attacks happened. American Express's headquarters, located at 200 Vesey Street in Manhattan, was, and still is, directly across the street from the World Trade Center site. The building was heavily damaged and unusable for months. American Express lost 11 employees in the attack.
With no headquarters, American Express had to improvise and move its operations to New Jersey and office parks around New York, Connecticut and New Jersey for months after the attacks.
The 2008 financial crisis also fundamentally changed AmEx. While AmEx never held any toxic mortgages or complicated financial products, it did have a direct exposure to the U.S. consumer through its credit cards. Losses skyrocketed as people and businesses failed to pay their bills. AmEx received $3.4 billion in funds from the $700 billion bank bailout program in late 2008, which it then repaid less than a year later. The company came under more regulatory oversight, and now has to participate in the Federal Reserve's "stress tests."
"Whether it was the tragedy of 9/11, the financial crisis, or the reordering of our co-brand partnerships (like Costco), we've emerged stronger," Chenault said.
Chenault is a reserved person. He doesn't weigh in on big public issues, do interviews often, or carry that big public persona that colleagues like JPMorgan Chase's Jamie Dimon or Goldman Sachs' Lloyd Blankfein have. He does have one role that he's keenly aware of, however. When Chenault became CEO, he was only the third black CEO of a Fortune 500 company ever. And for several years after his appointment, other black men and women were hired as CEOs, at companies such as McDonald's, Xerox and Merrill Lynch. But that trend has reversed. With Chenault retiring, there will be only three black CEOs at Fortune 500 companies: drug company Pfizer, financial company TIAA and retail chain JCPenney.
"It's embarrassing. There are thousands of people who are just as qualified or more qualified than I am who deserve this opportunity, but haven't been given the opportunity. You need a pipeline of people coming in. You need to create an environment where people are embraced and engaged rather than just tolerated."
Chenault has been well paid for his work at AmEx. He owns 1.26 million shares of American Express, a stake worth more than $120 million, which does not include the options and unvested stock awards he will get when he retires, potentially worth hundreds of millions of dollars. He has used his wealth and position to promote African-American causes as well as education and finding treatments for drug addiction. He is chairman of the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., and helped raise the money needed to complete the building.
In his next chapter, Chenault isn't entirely leaving the corporate world. He will be joining the corporate boards of Facebook and Airbnb, on top of the boards of IBM and Proctor & Gamble that he current sits on.
Chenault said he's excited about joining Facebook, particularly at a time when the social media giant's role in modern culture is under scrutiny. He will be the first black person to join the company's board.
"I think (Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg) recognizes Facebook's importance in developing communities, but also understands the responsibilities that come with that," Chenault said. "I'm excited . about the opportunity to help him achieve that vision."
___
Ken Sweet covers banks and financial issues for The Associated Press. Follow him on Twitter at @kensweet. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-01-29 23:44:00 | Chenault dealt with crises, competition as head of AmEx | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3353880 | |
Media watchdog urges India to protect journalists | NEW DELHI (AP) — A media watch group has expressed serious concern at "an alarming deterioration in the working environment of journalists in India" and demanded that the government ensure the safety of journalists who are feeling threatened.
Reporters Without Borders said in a report Wednesday that that at least three journalists were killed in India in 2017 and that a fourth case is still under investigation. In 2018, the situation appears to have worsened significantly, with four journalists killed in the first six months of the year.
The report said, "The hate speech directed toward journalists has increased massively, causing serious concern for their safety."
There was no immediate reaction from the Indian government.
The group demanded a swift and independent investigation of cases in which journalists have been targeted. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-07-04 20:16:00 | Media watchdog urges India to protect journalists | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3474225 | |
BC-BBA--Top Ten | BC-BBA--Top Ten
BASEBALL'S TOP TEN By The Associated Press AMERICAN LEAGUE G AB R H Pct. Betts Bos 68 260 66 88 .338 Segura Sea 79 329 60 110 .334 Altuve Hou 87 341 55 114 .334 JMartinez Bos 83 318 60 104 .327 Simmons LAA 75 277 42 88 .318 MDuffy TB 70 277 26 87 .314 Rosario Min 81 324 57 101 .312 MMachado Bal 83 322 42 100 .311 Trout LAA 86 297 66 92 .310 Castellanos Det 85 343 47 106 .309 Home Runs
JMartinez, Boston, 26; Trout, Los Angeles, 24; JoRamirez, Cleveland, 24; Judge, New York, 24; Lindor, Cleveland, 23; Cruz, Seattle, 22; Stanton, New York, 21; Betts, Boston, 21; MMachado, Baltimore, 21; 3 tied at 20.
Runs Batted In
JMartinez, Boston, 71; Haniger, Seattle, 62; Lowrie, Oakland, 59; MMachado, Baltimore, 59; Encarnacion, Cleveland, 57; Judge, New York, 57; Gattis, Houston, 56; KDavis, Oakland, 56; JoRamirez, Cleveland, 56; 2 tied at 55.
Pitching
Severino, New York, 13-2; Kluber, Cleveland, 12-4; Snell, Tampa Bay, 11-4; Morton, Houston, 10-2; Porcello, Boston, 10-3; Rodriguez, Boston, 10-3; Happ, Toronto, 10-4; GCole, Houston, 9-2; McCullers, Houston, 9-3; Verlander, Houston, 9-4. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-07-05 05:45:00 | BC-BBA--Top Ten | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3474430 | |
More flight delays, cancellations and complaints on airlines | WASHINGTON (AP) — Canceled and delayed flights are rising on the nation's leading airlines, and so are consumer complaints.
That's according to new figures released Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The rate of canceled flights nearly doubled to 1.6 percent in April compared to the same month in 2016. Delta Air Lines accounted for nearly half the cancellations — it was crippled for days by a one-day storm in Atlanta.
About 78.5 percent of flights arrived within 14 minutes of schedule, down from the 84.5 percent on-time rate in April 2016.
Complaints rose 70 percent, although only a tiny fraction of the millions of travelers lodged a protest.
April was also the month in which a passenger was dragged from a full United Express flight to make room for crew members. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2017-06-15 06:08:00 | More flight delays, cancellations and complaints on airlines | http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3188158 | http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/images/category/580888eb17740.jpg |
Tomato Sauces from The Jersey Tomato Co.™ Launch at All Harris Teeter Neighborhood Food & Pharmacy Stores | ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 24, 2018--The Jersey Tomato Co., maker of premium New Jersey tomato sauces and salsas, today announced that three flavors of its tomato sauces are now available at all 245 Harris Teeter Neighborhood & Pharmacy stores. The three SKUs available at Harris Teeter are Marinara, Tomato Basil and Spicy. The Jersey Tomato Co. can also be found at Kroger and its family of stores nationwide, including Fred Myer and Ralph’s, bringing the Company’s products to thousands of points of distribution nationally.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180424005132/en/
Three tomato sauces from The Jersey Tomato Co., now available at all Harris Teeter stores. (Photo: Business Wire)
“Harris Teeter is an admired grocery partner who recognizes the premium, better-for-you qualities of our products and the world-renowned attributes of the New Jersey tomato,” said Dave Stoff, Founder and CEO of The Jersey Tomato Co. “Thanks to Harris Teeter, shoppers from the District of Columbia to Florida are able to enjoy the naturally lower sodium and farm fresh flavor of sauces from The Jersey Tomato Co. Our sauces can now be found coast to coast, from California to Florida, demonstrating nationwide appreciation for the New Jersey tomato’s extraordinary flavor.”
The Extraordinary New Jersey Tomato
All products from The Jersey Tomato Co., including salsas and pizza sauces, are made with 100% New Jersey tomatoes. The New Jersey tomato has been recognized around the world as the best since 1934. The New Jersey tomato is celebrated like the great Italian San Marzano tomato for their outstanding flavor. All products from The Jersey Tomato Co. are marked with the “Made Jersey Fresh” logo, indicating certification from the New Jersey Department of Agriculture that every tomato was grown and harvested in New Jersey.
Better-For-You Tomato Sauces Made From World-Renown Tomatoes
The New Jersey tomato has distinct attributes such as unmatched sweetness, tartness and epic taste. This premium tomato is the result of the New Jersey soil composition, which has an acidic pH balance, combined with the ideal summer climate, which produces a delicious, better-for-you tomato. Because of the New Jersey tomato’s inherent qualities, the Jersey Tomato Co. sauces have 60% lower sodium than the other leading tomato sauce brands. Bursting with farm fresh flavor, tomato sauces from The Jersey Tomato Co. are lower in calories and fat, naturally lower in sodium and have no added sugar. No added preservatives allow the naturally occurring flavor to shine through – along with antioxidants and vitamins - making these sauces a healthier than most leading tomato sauce brands.
The Jersey Tomato Co. is a portfolio company of KEEN Growth Capital, a venture fund that invests in and develops early-stage food and wellness companies.
About The Jersey Tomato Co.
All Natural. All Jersey. All Good. The Jersey Tomato Co. sauces and salsas are made with 100% premium New Jersey tomatoes and healthy, fresh ingredients. Five delicious flavors of tomato sauce, two salsas and a pizza sauce, are all bursting with farm fresh flavor and naturally lower sodium - 60% lower sodium than other leading brands. Follow The Jersey Tomato Co. in social media and visit JerseyTomatoCo.com for more.
About KEEN Growth Capital
KEEN Growth Capital invests in early stage food-related companies that generate meaningful social impact in addition to above market financial returns. KEEN has particular focus on healthy snacking, functional foods and patented, science backed companies that positively impact consumer health, environmental and community wellness, and long term disease mitigation. Keen’s infusion of intellectual and financial capital delivers enriched outcomes for all stakeholders while creating a healthier world. KEEN is based in Orlando. Ideas welcome everywhere. Visit KEENGrowthCaptial.com for more.
View source version on businesswire.com:https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180424005132/en/
CONTACT: The Jersey Tomato Co. & KEEN Growth Capital
Addison Ames, 917-721-2961
Addison@KEENGrowthCapital.com
KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA FLORIDA NEW JERSEY
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: CONVENIENCE STORE WOMEN OTHER CONSUMER DISCOUNT/VARIETY ONLINE RETAIL RESTAURANT/BAR NATURAL RESOURCES AGRICULTURE ENVIRONMENT RETAIL FOOD/BEVERAGE SPECIALTY SUPERMARKET CONSUMER MEN
SOURCE: KEEN Growth Capital
Copyright Business Wire 2018.
PUB: 04/24/2018 09:00 AM/DISC: 04/24/2018 09:01 AM
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180424005132/en | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-04-24 21:02:00 | Tomato Sauces from The Jersey Tomato Co.™ Launch at All Harris Teeter Neighborhood Food & Pharmacy Stores | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3413727 | |
UN won't play any role in Iraqi Kurds' independence vote | BAGHDAD (AP) — The United Nations says it will not be "engaged in any way or form" in the process surrounding the independence referendum in Iraq's northern semi-autonomous Kurdish region that's planned for September.
The statement by the U.N. special mission to Iraq, or UNAMI, could cast doubts on the credibility of the vote, which has already sparked wide criticism from the central government in Baghdad and several Western nations.
UNAMI's statement was released late on Wednesday.
The president of the Kurdish region, Masoud Barzani, last week said the vote will determine whether the Kurdish region would secede from Iraq.
The vote is to be held in three governorates that make up the Kurdish region and also in areas that are contested by both the Kurds and the central government. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2017-06-15 15:02:00 | UN won't play any role in Iraqi Kurds' independence vote | http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3188513 | http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/images/category/580888eb17740.jpg |
Philippines eyes more airports to unclog Manila hub | MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Philippine officials say the government is considering adding airports to serve the capital Manila and nearby areas, including a sprawling airport city complex that could handle 100 million passengers a year.
Manila's congested international airport once was dubbed the world's worst airport in surveys by travel website The Guide to Sleeping in Airports.
Improvements have allowed it to escape that listing since 2015, but it remains overly congested.
Transport Undersecretary Roberto Lim said a multi-airport system could include the present airport in Manila, an expanded Clark airport northwest of the capital that could handle 8 million passengers per year, another 2,500-hectare (6,177.5 acre) airport in Bulacan, also north of Manila, and possibly yet another airport and seaport in the former U.S. naval station in Cavite province adjacent to Manila. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2017-02-15 18:20:00 | Philippines eyes more airports to unclog Manila hub | http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3095640 | http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/images/category/580888eb17740.jpg |
Expanded Conference Glance | All Times EST EASTERN CONFERENCE GP W L OT Pts GF GA Home Away Div Tampa Bay 49 34 12 3 71 175 125 17-5-1 17-7-2 9-3-1 Boston 47 29 10 8 66 156 116 16-5-4 13-5-4 10-1-2 Washington 49 29 15 5 63 150 138 18-7-1 11-8-4 8-4-3 Toronto 51 28 18 5 61 162 146 13-8-2 15-10-3 6-4-1 Columbus 49 27 19 3 57 131 137 16-8-0 11-11-3 8-5-2 Pittsburgh 51 27 21 3 57 151 153 17-7-1 10-14-2 10-4-0 New Jersey 48 24 16 8 56 144 146 13-8-3 11-8-5 5-6-1 Philadelphia 49 24 17 8 56 141 141 13-9-4 11-8-4 5-2-4 N.Y. Rangers 50 25 20 5 55 153 151 17-8-3 8-12-2 7-6-3 N.Y. Islanders 50 25 20 5 55 172 180 13-7-3 12-13-2 7-7-1 Carolina 49 22 19 8 52 137 154 10-7-4 12-12-4 6-5-3 Detroit 48 19 21 8 46 126 146 10-10-7 9-11-1 6-9-2 Montreal 49 20 23 6 46 129 156 12-10-5 8-13-1 9-6-2 Florida 47 19 22 6 44 132 158 11-8-3 8-14-3 6-4-1 Ottawa 47 15 23 9 39 124 166 9-11-5 6-12-4 5-8-3 Buffalo 49 14 26 9 37 114 163 6-12-3 8-14-6 3-5-2 WESTERN CONFERENCE GP W L OT Pts GF GA Home Away Div Vegas 48 32 12 4 68 164 128 19-3-2 13-9-2 11-1-1 Winnipeg 50 29 13 8 66 164 136 17-3-1 12-10-7 7-5-2 Nashville 47 29 11 7 65 145 123 16-4-3 13-7-4 10-3-2 St. Louis 51 30 18 3 63 148 130 17-10-0 13-8-3 7-4-1 Dallas 50 28 18 4 60 155 134 17-7-1 11-11-3 7-10-0 San Jose 48 26 15 7 59 143 133 14-7-3 12-8-4 12-2-3 Calgary 49 25 16 8 58 137 135 12-11-3 13-5-5 8-5-3 Colorado 48 27 18 3 57 157 139 18-7-1 9-11-2 7-6-1 Los Angeles 49 26 18 5 57 139 121 12-9-3 14-9-2 6-9-3 Minnesota 49 26 18 5 57 144 140 17-4-4 9-14-1 8-8-0 Anaheim 50 24 17 9 57 141 141 14-9-3 10-8-6 8-5-5 Chicago 49 23 19 7 53 146 136 12-10-3 11-9-4 5-7-2 Edmonton 49 22 24 3 47 135 157 11-13-1 11-11-2 10-2-0 Vancouver 49 19 24 6 44 127 159 8-13-3 11-11-3 5-9-1 Arizona 50 12 29 9 33 118 172 6-15-3 6-14-6 1-7-5
NOTE: Two points for a win, one point for overtime loss. Top three teams in each division and two wild cards per conference advance to playoffs.
Sunday's Games
Central All-Stars vs Pacific All-Stars: Pacific 5, Central 2
Metropolitan All-Stars vs Atlantic All-Stars: Atlantic 7, Metropolitan 4
All-Star Game Final: Pacific 5, Atlantic 2
Monday's Games No games scheduled
Tuesday's Games
Minnesota at Columbus, 7 p.m.
San Jose at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m.
Florida at N.Y. Islanders, 7 p.m.
Anaheim at Boston, 7 p.m.
Ottawa at Carolina, 7 p.m.
New Jersey at Buffalo, 7 p.m.
Tampa Bay at Winnipeg, 8 p.m.
Montreal at St. Louis, 8 p.m.
Chicago at Nashville, 8 p.m.
Los Angeles at Dallas, 8:30 p.m.
Vegas at Calgary, 9 p.m.
Colorado at Vancouver, 10 p.m.
Wednesday's Games
N.Y. Islanders at Toronto, 7:30 p.m.
San Jose at Detroit, 8 p.m.
Philadelphia at Washington, 8 p.m.
Thursday's Games
Toronto at N.Y. Rangers, 7 p.m.
Montreal at Carolina, 7 p.m.
St. Louis at Boston, 7 p.m.
Florida at Buffalo, 7 p.m.
Anaheim at Ottawa, 7 p.m.
Philadelphia at New Jersey, 7 p.m.
Vegas at Winnipeg, 8 p.m.
Los Angeles at Nashville, 8:30 p.m.
Tampa Bay at Calgary, 9 p.m.
Dallas at Arizona, 9 p.m.
Colorado at Edmonton, 9 p.m.
Chicago at Vancouver, 10 p.m. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-01-30 14:31:00 | Expanded Conference Glance | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3354091 | |
SeniorWell Hires New Chief Operating Officer | CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 24, 2018--SeniorWell, a mobile healthcare company delivering on-site podiatry, optometry, dentistry, and audiology services to seniors residing in long-term nursing facilities across the Midwest, today announced the hiring of Sherri Peavy, MBA, BSN, RN as Chief Operating Officer.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180424006409/en/
Sherri Peavy Hired as SeniorWell's New Chief Operating Officer (Photo: Business Wire)
As SeniorWell’s new Chief Operating Officer, Peavy will increase operational efficiencies to better serve SeniorWell’s employees and patients. Peavy is a lifelong native of Chicago and has more than 25 years of experience in the healthcare industry. She will bring to SeniorWell an extensive expertise in business development, patient program development, physician relations, professional and technical staffing, clinical operations and strategic planning.
“My goal is to strengthen an already wonderful culture at SeniorWell, by developing strong teams that work efficiently together to deliver the best service to our clients,” said Sherri Peavy, SeniorWell COO. “Hiring top talent, rewarding strong performers, and developing organizational discipline throughout departments are all priorities.”
“We are thrilled to add Sherri Peavy to our growing executive team,” said John Moroney, SeniorWell CEO. “Her breadth of experience working with nationally ranked academic medical centers and interacting regularly with physicians and senior leadership to drive significant operational-focused results and enhancements are few of the many reasons she’s a great fit for this role.”
About SeniorWell
SeniorWell is a mobile healthcare company delivering on-site podiatry, optometry, dentistry, and audiology services to seniors residing in long-term nursing facilities. Through its relationships with nursing facilities across the Midwest, SeniorWell sees a significant amount of patients per year. In addition to providing on-site care, SeniorWell also manufactures and fabricates custom hearing aids, dentures, and eyeglasses in its FDA approved lab for patients in need. For more information about SeniorWell and how it improves quality of life for seniors, visit http://www.SeniorWellGroup.com.
View source version on businesswire.com:https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180424006409/en/
CONTACT: For SeniorWell
Kristen King, 914-393-5472
KristenKing@a-capholdings.com
KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA ILLINOIS
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: SENIORS WOMEN HEALTH DENTAL OPTICAL OTHER HEALTH CONSUMER MEN
SOURCE: SeniorWell
Copyright Business Wire 2018.
PUB: 04/24/2018 02:48 PM/DISC: 04/24/2018 02:48 PM
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180424006409/en | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-04-25 02:48:00 | SeniorWell Hires New Chief Operating Officer | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3413688 | |
Markets Right Now: Solid earnings send US stocks higher | NEW YORK (AP) — The latest on developments in financial markets (all times local):
9:35 a.m.
Stocks are opening broadly higher on Wall Street as a handful of solid company earnings reports put investors in a buying mood.
Verizon, Harley-Davidson and Fifth Third Bancorp all rose sharply in early trading Tuesday after reporting results that came in ahead of analysts' forecasts.
Google parent Alphabet also reported surging earnings, but its stock fell 2.2 percent as the company said spending rose sharply.
Drugmaker Shire rose 3.3 percent after saying it had received another takeover offer from Japanese rival Takeda.
The S&P 500 index rose 9 points, or 0.4 percent, to 2,680.
The Dow Jones industrial average climbed 71 points, or 0.3 percent, to 24,523. The Nasdaq increased 34 points, or 0.5 percent, to 7,162.
Bond prices fell. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 2.99 percent. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-04-24 00:00:00 | Markets Right Now: Solid earnings send US stocks higher | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3413275 | |
AP Explains: What's next after Turkey seizes Syria's Afrin | BEIRUT (AP) — Turkey's seizure of the town of Afrin in northern Syria is a significant military achievement for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that gives him control over a large chunk of Syrian territory but also entrenches his troops as an occupying force in a crowded terrain packed with adversaries.
Ignoring criticism by the United States and Europe of his eight-week military offensive, Turkish forces and allied Syrian militiamen swept into Afrin on Sunday, marching victoriously into the town's center and shooting in the air in celebration.
And it doesn't stop there, Erdogan says.
Emboldened, he vowed on Monday to expand military operations into other Kurdish-held areas in Syria and even into neighboring Iraq — a move that would potentially put his troops in direct confrontation with U.S. troops stationed nearby.
The main Kurdish militia, acknowledging defeat in Afrin, has vowed to turn to guerrilla warfare to confront Turkish troops.
Here's a look at Turkey's seizure of Afrin, and what lies ahead:
___
WHAT DOES ERDOGAN REALLY WANT?
At this point, that question is anyone's guess. Turkey has long backed rebels fighting to oust President Bashar Assad from power, opening its borders to foreign fighters to join the war in Syria.
But the war has greatly empowered Erdogan's No. 1 enemy, the Kurds, whose rag-tag fighters Turkey considers to be "terrorists" and an extension of its own Kurdish insurgency. In the chaos of war, the Kurdish fighters have partnered with the United States to fight the Islamic State group and carved out a huge autonomous region along the border with Turkey, amounting to a quarter of Syria's entire territory.
That has led Ankara to recalibrate its focus toward halting Kurdish expansionism.
Erdogan, who first launched military operations in Syria in 2016, has repeatedly said Turkey will not allow a "terror corridor" along its border and has vowed to push eastward in Syria after Afrin, to prevent the Kurdish militia from linking up territories it controls in eastern and western Syria. Turkey is home to some 3 million Syrian refugees, and Turkey has also said Afrin could be a place where those refugees would return to.
Afrin, a separate Kurkish-run canton cut off from the rest of Kurdish-held territory by a Turkish-held enclave, was an easy target.
But by pushing eastward as he is threatening to do, Erdogan risks overplaying his hand and getting bogged down in a fight bigger than Turkey can handle.
___
WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR THE KURDS?
It's a huge setback. Until a few months ago, Syria's long-marginalized Kurds were described as the biggest winners in Syria's civil war. They bragged of being the main ground force that ousted the Islamic State group out of its strongholds in Syria, including Raqqa, the extremist group's de facto capital.
But the Kurds' dream of self-rule is looking increasingly fragile. They have been historically used and cast aside, and may once again become the losers in the big powers' play over influence in Syria.
The Turkish offensive on Afrin, which began Jan. 20, has put the U.S. in a tough spot, juggling between the interests of the Kurds, its only ally in war-torn Syria, and its relations with Turkey, a key NATO ally. It did not move a finger to help the Kurds fight for Afrin.
The Kurds vowed to defend the enclave until the end, describing it as an existential fight to preserve their territory. They relocated hundreds of fighters from front lines with the Islamic State group to bolster the defense of Afrin.
In the end, they were no match for Turkey's NATO army's overwhelming firepower.
The Kurds lost more than 800 fighters in the 58 days of fighting for Afrin. An estimated 500 civilians were killed, and tens of thousands of Afrin residents streamed out of the town before the Turkish troops entered.
The Kurdish fighters also withdrew, ostensibly, to spare the remaining civilians.
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WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
A lot hinges on whether Erdogan goes ahead with his threat to expand military operations eastward, toward the town of Manbij and other areas east of the Euphrates River controlled by U.S.-backed Syrian Kurdish forces, and where U.S. bases are also housed.
While the U.S. was able to distance itself from the fighting in Afrin, it can't sit by silently if Turkey expands the fight to Manbij. Kurdish guerrilla-type attacks against Turkey and its Syrian allies could also jeopardize the U.S.-led mission to stabilize areas that have been captured from IS.
President Bashar Assad's response is also an open question. His forces are now preoccupied with recapturing eastern Ghouta, near Damascus, and other areas deemed more essential. But he has condemned Turkish "occupation" of parts of northern Syria and vowed to eventually recapture the region.
Another major question is whether the takeover would lead to ethnic cleansing of the Kurdish majority there. Images that emerged Sunday following Afrin's takeover bode ill for the future of the ethnically-mixed region. Afrin residents reported widespread looting and pillaging soon after Turkish troops and allied Syrian fighters marched into the town center Sunday.
Turkey, along with its Syrian allies, already controls large chunks of territory east of Afrin. But its presence there was more accepted than in Afrin because it chased IS militants from those areas.
Some 200,000 people fled Afrin over the past few days, and whether they will be permitted to return remains an open question. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-03-19 00:00:00 | AP Explains: What's next after Turkey seizes Syria's Afrin | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3385743 | |
Ricky Rubio's play points to winning ways in NBA postseason | OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A poised and productive Ricky Rubio has been smiling and laughing, masterfully running Utah's offense in his matchup with Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook.
Meanwhile, the reigning league MVP has been scowling, shoving, fouling, complaining and most of all — losing.
It's fair to say Rubio has been more effective for the Jazz.
The Rubio-Westbrook matchup mirrors what is happening throughout the NBA playoffs: The team that gets the best point guard play usually wins.
Rubio's all-around success has the Jazz on the brink of advancing. Utah has a 3-1 lead on the Thunder and can finish the series Wednesday night in Oklahoma City.
He summed up his play after Game 2, saying "I did my job, looking for my teammates, and looking for my shot too when it was open. I just took what the game gave me and watched film and got better and we played as a team."
Maybe it is just that simple.
Rubio is averaging 18.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8 assists per game against Oklahoma City, all well above his regular season numbers. The 27-year-old is in the first playoff series of his seven-year career, yet he is playing like a seasoned veteran.
Westbrook and the Thunder have tried to throw Rubio off his game, maybe to a fault.
Westbrook has lost his focus at times. He is averaging 21.3 points, 11.8 rebounds and 8.3 assists in the series, but he's shooting just 37 percent from the field and 21 percent from 3-point range.
Rubio went for a triple-double in a Game 3 victory , the first playoff triple-double for the franchise since John Stockton had one in 2001.
Westbrook said he'd shut down Rubio in Game 4.
His efforts backfired — Rubio got more of Westbrook's attention, and the Thunder weren't as effective helping on Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, Utah's two best players. Westbrook was overly aggressive and had four fouls at halftime. The Jazz rolled 113-96 .
Westbrook toned it down after the game.
"It wasn't about me or him," he said. "Let's get past that. We're done with that."
Looking around the playoffs, that's probably a good thing.
How goes a team's point guard, so goes the team.
New Orleans' Rajon Rondo and Philadelphia's Ben Simmons are among the point guards whose play has lifted their teams.
That has been true in the matchup between Toronto's Kyle Lowry and Washington's John Wall. In Toronto's two wins, Lowry averaged 10.5 assists, but 6.5 in two losses. Wall averaged 27.5 points and 14 assists as Washington won two games to even the series.
The 32-year-old Rondo appeared to be overmatched heading into the matchup with Portland's Damian Lillard but showed he is not past his prime.
Rondo averaged 11.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and 13.3 assists to help the New Orleans sweep the Trail Blazers. Lillard averaged just 18.5 points in the series, eight below his regular-season average, and shot just 35 percent from the field.
Philadelphia's Simmons has averaged 19.3 points, 10.8 rebounds and 9.8 assists t help the 76ers take a 3-1 lead in their series against the Miami Heat. In Game 4, he had the first triple-double for a rookie in a playoff game since Magic Johnson in 1980.
Miami's Goran Dragic is playing well, too — he's averaging 19.5 points and shooting 49 percent. But when Simmons has been special, the 76ers have won.
Milwaukee's Eric Bledsoe and Boston's Terry Rozier have gone back and forth on the court and in the media. Rozier dominated the first two games — both Boston wins — averaging 23 points on 47 percent shooting while Bledsoe averaged 10.5 points and shot 36 percent.
Bledsoe won the next two matchups, and so did the Bucks. Bledsoe averaged 13 points on 50 percent shooting while Rozier averaged 9.5 points on 26 percent shooting.
Rubio doesn't have to statistically out-perform Westbrook, who has averaged a triple-double the past two seasons. For Rubio, the key has been not trying to do too much. Just be the team's floor general.
On offense, he takes open shots and finds his teammates. On defense, he can take chances because the 7-foot-1 Gobert can erase most mistakes.
"That is our strength," Rubio said. "Play as a team and get a win."
One more Utah win and Oklahoma City's season is done.
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Follow Cliff Brunt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/CliffBruntAP
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Freelancer John Coon in Salt Lake City, Utah, contributed to this report.
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For more AP NBA coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-04-24 07:00:00 | Ricky Rubio's play points to winning ways in NBA postseason | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3413653 | |
2020 Tokyo Olympic costs keep rising despite efforts to cut | TOKYO (AP) — The price tag for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics keeps going up despite attempts to rein in the spending.
Over the last year, organizers have shifted several venues away from central Tokyo and have looked for existing facilities instead of building new ones.
However, in the last week Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike has explained that the city will need to more than double the billions it is already budgeting to stage the games. The International Olympic Committee and Tokyo organizers contest this, saying the city's added costs are for many projects that would have been done — with or without the Olympics.
In late December, Tokyo Olympic organizers said the games would cost 1.35 trillion yen, which is about $12.4 billion at the present exchange rate of 109 yen to the dollar. But at a news conference last Friday, Koike said the city would spend an added 810 billion yen ($7.5 billion), bringing total games-related spending to 2.16 trillion yen (roughly $20 billion).
Tokyo organizers and the International Olympic Committee have talked openly about the need to cut rising costs, which have plagued recent Olympics and driven away possible bidding cities.
In emails to The Associated Press, the IOC and organizers said the new spending should not be viewed as part of the Olympic costs.
The IOC called the expenses "regular administrative costs" for the city that fall "outside the overall games budget." Local organizers said the same thing.
Koike contradicted their position.
She said the new costs were for "projects directly and indirectly related to the games." She included building barrier-free facilities for Paralympic athletes, training programs for volunteers, and advertising and tourism plans.
She said the budget numbers still needed to be studied, and city's legislature still needed to approve the spending.
"We just presented the rough scale of the costs," she said. "Tokyo will be the one to cover it, so I presented it because I wanted the Tokyo residents to be aware of it."
Asked about further cost-cutting sought by the IOC, Kioke said "it's not a task only for Tokyo, but the effort should be made as a whole."
She also played up the decades-long impact of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, which showed the world a modern, fast-moving and rebuilt country following World War II.
"Think about all that still remains as legacies from the 1964 Tokyo Olympics — the metropolitan expressway and the bullet-train system, for instance," she said.
Tokyo's 2020 Olympics are being funded largely by public money. The 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics were billed as a split between public and private money. The eventual price tag was about $13 billion — and some estimates put it at $20 billion.
Under Koike's plan, the Tokyo city government will now chip in 1.41 trillion yen ($13 billion), and the national government will spend 150 billion yen ($1.4 billion). This represents 72 percent of spending to prepare the Olympics. The remaining part comes from the local organizing committee, which will add 600 billion yen ($5.5 billion) in private money.
Tokyo's winning bid in 2013 was listed at 730 billion yen, about one-third of the list price now.
Bent Flyvberg, in a 2016 study at Oxford University, found the Olympics "have the highest average cost overrun of any type of megaproject. Moreover, cost overrun is found in all games, without exception."
Flyvberg added in his study that "for a city and nation to decide to stage the Olympic Games is to decide to take on one of the most costly and financially most risky type of megaproject that exists, something that many cities and nations have learned to their peril." | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-02-03 00:00:00 | 2020 Tokyo Olympic costs keep rising despite efforts to cut | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3354737 | |
Dead body found in Massachusetts home; resident charged | WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) — A Massachusetts man has been charged with disinterment after a body was found at his home.
Worcester police say they responded to a city home on Monday night and discovered a man's body.
They charged a resident of the home, 32-year-old Xavier Broughton, with disinterment of a human body and misleading a police investigation.
The body has not been positively identified and an autopsy is scheduled to determine the cause of death.
Police did, however, confirm to The Telegram & Gazette that the address where the body was found was the location of a party earlier this month where 27-year-old Justin Ramos was last seen alive.
Broughton was in custody, and it was not clear if he had a lawyer. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-01-30 21:56:00 | Dead body found in Massachusetts home; resident charged | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3354252 | |
The top iPhone and iPad apps on App Store | App Store Official Charts for the week ending April 22, 2018:
Top Paid iPhone Apps:
1. Minecraft, Mojang
2. Heads Up!, Warner Bros.
3. Plague Inc., Ndemic Creations
4. Facetune, Lightricks Ltd.
5. iSchedule, HotSchedules
6. Sky Guide AR, Fifth Star Labs LLC
7. Bloons TD 5, Ninja Kiwi
8. Geometry Dash, RobTop Games AB
9. NBA 2K18, 2K
10. PlantSnap Plant Identification, PlantSnap, Inc.
Top Free iPhone Apps:
1. Rise Up, Serkan Ozyilmaz
2. Fortnite, Epic Games
3. Love Balls, Super Tapx
4. YouTube: Watch, Listen, Stream, Google, Inc.
5. Helix Jump, Voodoo
6. Instagram, Instagram, Inc.
7. Snapchat, Snap, Inc.
8. Messenger, Facebook, Inc.
9. Facebook, Facebook, Inc.
10. PUBG MOBILE, Tencent Mobile International Limited
Top Paid iPad Apps:
1. Minecraft, Mojang
2. Procreate, Savage Interactive Pty Ltd
3. GoodNotes 4, Time Base Technology Limited
4. Geometry Dash, RobTop Games AB
5. Toca Life: After School, Toca Boca AB
6. SpongeBob Moves In, Nickelodeon
7. Notability, Ginger Labs
8. Five Nights at Freddy's, Scott Cawthon
9. LEGO Jurassic World, Warner Bros.
10. Terraria, 505 Games (US), Inc.
Top Free iPad Apps:
1. Love Balls, Super Tapx
2. Fortnite, Epic Games
3. Rise Up, Serkan Ozyilmaz
4. YouTube: Watch, List n, Stream, Google, Inc.
5. Impossible Bottle Flip, tastypill
6. Granny, Dennis Vukanovic
7. Netflix, Netflix, Inc.
8. ROBLOX, Roblox Corporation
9. Helix Jump, Voodoo
10 PUBG MOBILE, Tencent Mobile International Limited
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(copyright) 2018 Apple Inc. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-04-25 03:59:00 | The top iPhone and iPad apps on App Store | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3413449 | |
Splunk Customers Accelerate Business Value Through Artificial Intelligence | SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 24, 2018--Splunk Inc. (NASDAQ: SPLK), first in delivering “aha” moments from machine data, today announced new and expanded artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities across its product portfolio. With the power of AI, Splunk customers can use Splunk solutions to help boost their profitability, performance and security. Splunk also expanded integration capabilities with open source software and cloud-native technologies as part of its ongoing commitment to provide a true, open machine data platform for customers. To learn more and experience Splunk ® Enterprise and Splunk Cloud™, visit the Splunk website.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180424005597/en/
“Organizations frequently consume high amounts of staff time and resources to monitor, analyze and respond to IT operational alerts. Splunk’s new AI enhancements, including the ability to correlate metrics and activity data, enable customers to get answers from their machine data more efficiently,” said Tim Tully, chief technology officer, Splunk. “Our latest wave of innovation is intended to arm customers with the tools needed to translate AI into actionable intelligence. While AI and machine learning often seem like unattainable and expensive pipe dreams, Splunk Cloud and Splunk Enterprise now make it easier and more affordable to monitor, analyze and visualize machine data in real time.”
Splunk Platform Helps Accelerate Customers’ Digital Transformation Through AI and an Expansive and Open Ecosystem
Splunk Cloud and Splunk Enterprise 7.1 deliver AI through machine learning to help customers monitor, search and alert on the critical information organizations need to accelerate their business. These latest releases include an updated metrics engine to power customers’ ability to monitor and alert on numeric data points - from CPU speeds and available hard disk space in a complex IT environment, to temperature readings in Internet of Things (IoT) devices and sensors. The latest versions are also the only enterprise-class data analytics solutions that can ingest petabytes of data per day, as well as search, monitor and alert on that data in real time. With these enhancements, users are better positioned to make sense of their machine data to predict future IT, security and business outcomes.
Splunk Cloud offers customers maximum control and real-time access to their data. This Splunk Cloud release features Dynamic Data: Self-Storage, arming customers with the flexibility to move data from Splunk to their own Amazon S3 storage environment.
“At T-Mobile we’re all about putting customers first, and with Splunk Enterprise we can ensure our customers get the best experience possible when they’re activating a phone, making a call or paying a bill,” said Jonathan Silberlicht, senior director, network service management, T-Mobile. “For example, with the new Splunk Connect for Kafka, we are expanding our real-time analytics capabilities, in turn empowering our front line to make better informed decisions when serving customers. We plan to continue to rely on Splunk Enterprise, Splunk IT Service Intelligence and Splunk Machine Learning to help us scale at Un-carrier speed.”
To expand its open technology ecosystem, Splunk introduced new data integrations with open source software projects and cloud-native technologies including:
Splunk Connect for Kafka integrates the Splunk platform with Apache Kafka, a highly scalable and reliable method for handling real-time streaming data. Splunk Connect for Kubernetes and Splunk Connect for Docker unify the Splunk platform with the leading solutions for automating deployment, scaling and management of containerized applications.
“Splunk Connect for Kafka will improve our investigation of web activity, performance and security use cases,” said John Swanson, security incident response manager, GitHub. “We're now able to ingest large, near-real-time data streams and are consuming terabytes of logs from our Kafka cluster into Splunk Enterprise every day.”
Splunk Machine Learning Toolkit Adds Experiment Management Interface and New Algorithms for Pattern Prediction
Splunk is also announcing a new Experiment Management Interface for its Machine Learning Toolkit (MLTK). This interface makes it easier to view, control, evaluate and monitor the status of machine learning experiments. The latest Splunk MLTK also includes new algorithms for identifying patterns and determining the best predictors for training machine learning models.
“Hyatt uses machine learning in Splunk Enterprise to predict when and where we should act fast or plan differently to best serve our customers,” said Cesar Mendoza, application development manager, strategic systems and innovation, Hyatt. “We used the free Splunk Machine Learning Toolkit to benchmark typical Wi-Fi usage from customers across hotel sites, and used that baseline to spot low traffic. We immediately contacted our wireless service provider to correct connection issues before our customers had to call us. We’re using artificial intelligence through Splunk to more proactively serve our customers in this way every day.”
Splunk IT Service Intelligence (ITSI) Predicts Outages and Service Health and Splunk User Behavior Analytics (UBA) Accelerates Threat Identification via Machine Learning
In the latest release of monitoring and analytics solution Splunk ITSI, customers can leverage AI to help predict imminent outages and how their service health could be impacted by these outages before they occur, reducing the risk of negative impact to end-customer experience and revenue. Splunk ITSI also applies machine learning to help reduce event noise and automatically identify the events that are most business critical, so that customers can resolve those first. Similarly, the Splunk UBA updates include new machine learning models and enhancements to existing models to help customers identify and address time-sensitive security problems and insider threats more quickly.
Prescriptive Solutions Help Customers Solve Unique Challenges
New solutions focused on the IoT and other use cases are helping Splunk customers solve defined challenges. Splunk recently announced the limited availability release of Splunk Industrial Asset Intelligence, which helps manufacturers monitor and analyze industrial IoT data in real time.
Continuing this prescriptive approach, the Splunk Essentials series are free, easy-to-install applications that show users exactly how to use Splunk Enterprise and Splunk Cloud to address mission critical use cases. Splunk Security Essentials covers use cases such as brute force detection, malware and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliance while Splunk Security Essentials for Fraud Detection covers use cases such as healthcare insurance billing and wire transfer fraud. Both applications and forthcoming Splunk Essentials are available for free at https://splunkbase.splunk.com/.
About Splunk Inc.
Splunk Inc. (NASDAQ: SPLK) turns machine data into answers. Organizations use market-leading Splunk solutions with machine learning to solve their toughest IT, Internet of Things and security challenges. Join millions of passionate users and discover your “aha” moment with Splunk today: http://www.splunk.com.
Social Media: Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube | Facebook
Splunk, Splunk>, Listen to Your Data, The Engine for Machine Data, Splunk Cloud, Splunk Light and SPL are trademarks and registered trademarks of Splunk Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective owners. © 2018 Splunk Inc. All rights reserved.
View source version on businesswire.com:https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180424005597/en/
CONTACT: Splunk Inc.
Media Contact
Melanie Duzyj, 415-510-7808
mduzyj@splunk.com
or
Investor Contact
Ken Tinsley, 415-848-8476
ktinsley@splunk.com
KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA CALIFORNIA
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: TECHNOLOGY DATA MANAGEMENT INTERNET SOFTWARE SECURITY
SOURCE: Splunk Inc.
Copyright Business Wire 2018.
PUB: 04/24/2018 08:00 AM/DISC: 04/24/2018 08:01 AM
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180424005597/en | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-04-24 20:01:00 | Splunk Customers Accelerate Business Value Through Artificial Intelligence | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3413655 | |
Family gives student-athletes heart screenings to honor son | SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio family has given 30 student-athletes free heart screenings in honor of their son who died from an undiagnosed heart condition after hockey practice.
Cleveland.com reports the 4Alec Foundation was named after Alec Kornet and hosted screenings for athletes from Brush High School's hockey and basketball teams. Each student underwent an electrocardiogram and an echocardiogram, known as a cardiac echo.
Funding for the screenings was covered by donations from Brush's student government association and mCore, a Columbus company that set up the screenings.
Alec played hockey and basketball at the Lyndhurst school before his death last Feb. 14. His mother, Stephanie Kornet, says the family plans to extend screenings to all student-athletes at the school.
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Information from: cleveland.com, http://www.cleveland.com | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-01-29 01:17:00 | Family gives student-athletes heart screenings to honor son | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3353796 | |
Kansas officer fired for violating policy in deadly shooting | LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas police officer who fatally shot a man in an SUV outside the man's home six months ago has been fired for violating department policy in the shooting, a police chief said Monday.
Leavenworth Police Chief Patrick Kitchens said in an email that Officer Matthew Harrington was terminated Friday for violating the department's use of deadly force policy in the shooting that killed 47-year-old Antonio Garcia Jr. Prosecutors are still reviewing the case.
"It was my conclusion the use of deadly force was unreasonable," Kitchens said.
Police have provided few details about what led up to the shooting, including whether Garcia was armed. It happened after Harrington responded in July to a domestic argument at Garcia's home over possession of an SUV that initially was reported as stolen, according to police. Garcia left before Harrington arrived, then returned and had an "encounter" with Harrington in the driveway, according to a news release from police. Garcia was shot while in the SUV.
Harrington doesn't have a listed phone number. His attorney, Jeff Kratofil, didn't immediately return a phone message from The Associated Press.
Leavenworth County prosecutor Todd Thompson said in a news release that his staff hopes to complete its review soon, noting that his office is awaiting requested information. Thompson's release noted that the criminal investigation is separate from the police inquiry.
"The standard for terminating an employee based on upon professional standards is also a much lower burden than the burden used to charge and/or convict someone of a crime," the release said. "We have an ethical duty to do our best to fully vet a matter before we file charges on anyone."
Gina Mays, who raised Garcia starting when he was a teen, told The Kansas City Star that Garcia "did not deserve to die" and that the family wanted to see body camera footage.
"We're all hoping to see this," Mays said. "I want answers like everyone else. There is a man dead here because of neglect."
Kitchens said police aren't releasing body camera footage because the investigation is ongoing and it's classified as evidence. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-01-30 04:56:00 | Kansas officer fired for violating policy in deadly shooting | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3353940 | |
Shiite cleric who lost citizenship back in Bahrain hospital | DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Supporters say a prominent Shiite cleric who lost his citizenship and remains under house arrest in Bahrain has returned to a local hospital for surgery.
Sheikh Isa Qassim left his home in Diraz on Wednesday.
Sheikh Maytham al-Salman of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights said Sheikh Isa will undergo a hernia surgery. Sheikh Isa was in the hospital in December as well.
The cleric could be deported at any time after authorities stripped his citizenship in June 2016 over accusations that he fueled extremism and laundered money. His supporters deny the allegations.
Bahrain's Sunni rulers are cracking down on all dissent on the Shiite-majority island, imprisoning or forcing politicians and activists into exile.
Bahrain is home to the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-01-31 16:41:00 | Shiite cleric who lost citizenship back in Bahrain hospital | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3354728 | |
US, Qatar reach agreement on subsidy spat with airlines | WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States and Qatar have reached a deal to resolve a years-old quarrel over alleged airline subsidies, as Qatar's government works to defuse tensions with the Trump administration.
A formal announcement could come Tuesday, when Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis meet with a Qatari delegation.
The agreement will see state-owned Qatar Airways agree voluntarily to open up its accounting books, the individuals said. U.S. airlines say the company receives billions of dollars in government payments that leave them at a competitive disadvantage. Qatar will also make a loose commitment that the flag carrier won't launch flights to the United States from Europe or other non-Qatari cities, creating yet more competition for the U.S. airlines.
The individuals briefed on the agreement demanded anonymity because they weren't authorized to discuss it ahead of a formal announcement.
Both sides of the dispute can claim the agreement as a victory — for very different reasons.
The U.S. airline industry can claim the increased transparency will create a powerful disincentive to unfair subsidies, as Qatar will no longer be able to mask such payments through creative accounting. The three major U.S. carriers — Delta Airlines, American Airlines and United Airlines — have spent huge sums over the last three years pressing the Obama administration and Trump administration for tough action. They're eager to show a win.
Yet for Qatar, the agreement averts the more serious step U.S. airlines wanted: re-opening the so-called open-skies treaties that could lead to less favorable conditions for Persian Gulf airlines.
Qatar, denounced by President Donald Trump last year for allegedly funding terrorism, can also show it's cooperating closely and productively with U.S. regulators. That could help the tiny gas-rich kingdom draw a contrast with the United Arab Emirates, whose two airlines are also accused of improper subsidies but have yet to reach an agreement with Washington.
"Everybody gets to claim victory in this," said Helane Becker, an airline analyst for Cowen and Co.
Indeed, even before any announcement, American, the world's biggest airline by passenger traffic, praised the deal as a way to "thoughtfully address" Qatari subsidies. And United CEO Oscar Munoz applauded the agreement while thanking Trump's administration for "effectively representing the interests of the American aviation industry."
Though on the same side of the airline dispute, Qatar and the UAE oppose each other in a bitter, unrelated standoff. Last year, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations blockaded Qatar after accusing it of supporting extremism and fomenting dissent throughout the region. Qatar hopes to change that narrative by enhancing counterterrorism cooperation and allowing greater U.S. visibility into its finances and banking practices.
In an eight-paragraph document laying out "understandings" between Qatar and the U.S., the Gulf nation will commit within one year to releasing audited financial statements for Qatar Airlines "in accordance with internationally-recognized accounting standards," according to a text of the agreement obtained by The Associated Press. Within two years, Qatar Airways is to disclose any transactions with other state-owned entities, such as caterers or other companies that support airline operations, closing what the U.S. airlines have claimed is a backdoor used by Gulf nations to hide illicit subsidies.
A side-letter to the agreement will state that Qatar's civilian aviation authority is unaware of any plans by Qatar Airlines to start so-called "Fifth Freedoms" flights — routes from third countries to the United States. Under the scenario U.S. airlines fear, Qatar Airways could offer flights from its Doha hub to, say, Paris or London, stop to pick up more passengers, then fly on to New York.
The side-letter only says there are no current plans to operate such service. That's short of a binding guarantee. There's also no commitment Qatar Airways won't expand its offering of Qatar-U.S. flights.
"This appears to be the administration essentially throwing a meatless bone to the three U.S. carriers to put an end to their rants against the Gulf carriers," said John Byerly, who was the chief open skies negotiator in the Obama administration and has also consulted for Emirates Airline and UPS.
The two UAE airlines — Dubai-based Emirates and Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways — aren't a party to the U.S.-Qatar agreement. Emirates Airline currently offers "Fifth Freedom" flights in which passengers can fly from New York-area airports to Milan, Italy or Athens without ever setting foot in the UAE.
All three Gulf airlines have long denied receiving unfair government subsidies. A Qatari government spokesman declined to comment on the agreement. There was no immediate reaction from either Emirates or Etihad.
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AP Airlines Writer David Koenig in Dallas and AP writer Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed to this report.
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Reach Josh Lederman on Twitter at http://twitter.com/joshledermanAP | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-01-30 21:22:00 | US, Qatar reach agreement on subsidy spat with airlines | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3354219 | |
Columbia Sportswear Company Announces Appointment of Snow Burns as Mountain Hardwear Brand Head of Marketing | RICHMOND, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 23, 2018--Columbia Sportswear Company (Nasdaq: COLM) today announced the appointment of Snow Burns to serve as Global Vice President of Marketing for the Mountain Hardwear brand, effective April 16, 2018.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180423005270/en/
Snow Burns, Global Vice President of Marketing for Mountain Hardwear (Photo: Business Wire)
In her new role, Burns will be based at Mountain Hardwear’s headquarters in Richmond, California, where she will develop and drive all aspects of the brand’s integrated marketing strategy. Bringing over 10 years of experience in Silicon Valley, Burns will engage a global community of climbers on the brand’s commitment to thoughtfully designed technical equipment, outerwear and sportswear for use by climbers and other people going to the mountains. Burns’ extensive global digital marketing experience will help Mountain Hardwear redefine how an outdoor brand communicates and connects with its audience in this new digital age.
Mountain Hardwear President Joe Vernachio, to whom Burns will report, commented, “We are excited to have Snow bring her expertise to our brand and industry. We feel there is a more modern way of communicating that outdoor brands fail to tap into. We think Snow brings just the right mix of ‘Silicon Valley know-how’ with a personal passion for the outdoors.”
Burns has over 10 years of experience leading marketing efforts for startups, not-for-profits and global enterprises. Prior to joining Mountain Hardwear, she led the strategy, social media and analytics teams at John McNeil Studio, crafting analytics-based brand strategies and global campaigns across a tech and e-commerce client base with a special focus on digital, social and experiential. Prior to John McNeil Studio, she was head of global social content strategy at CA Technologies.
About Mountain Hardwear
Founded on the principles of innovation and irreverence, our purpose is to build essential equipment for climbers and the outdoor industry that enables people to push as far, as high and as wide as their aspirations carry them. Our expedition tents have summited more of the world’s top peaks than any other brand, and every product we make is designed and built with technical precision from this foundation. At Mountain Hardwear, Everything is Equipment. Mountain Hardwear, Inc., founded in 1993 and based in Richmond, CA, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Columbia Sportswear Company and distributes its products through specialty outdoor, running, and sporting goods retailers in the United States and 58 countries worldwide. To learn more, visit www.mountainhardwear.com.
About Columbia Sportswear Company
Columbia Sportswear Company has assembled a portfolio of brands for active lives, making it a leader in the global active lifestyle apparel, footwear, accessories, and equipment industry. Founded in 1938 in Portland, Oregon, the company’s brands are today sold in approximately 90 countries. In addition to the Columbia® brand, Columbia Sportswear Company also owns the Mountain Hardwear®, SOREL® and prAna® brands. To learn more, please visit the company’s websites at www.columbia.com, www.mountainhardwear.com, www.sorel.com and www.prana.com.
View source version on businesswire.com:https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180423005270/en/
CONTACT: Mountain Hardwear
Marketing
Lina Adams, 503-451-9727
ladams@mountainhardwear.com
KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA CALIFORNIA
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: OUTDOORS RETAIL FASHION SPECIALTY SPORTS
SOURCE: Columbia Sportswear Company
Copyright Business Wire 2018.
PUB: 04/23/2018 12:00 PM/DISC: 04/23/2018 12:01 PM
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180423005270/en | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-04-24 00:01:00 | Columbia Sportswear Company Announces Appointment of Snow Burns as Mountain Hardwear Brand Head of Marketing | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3413556 | |
AP FACT CHECK: No Trump order to deport welfare immigrants | WASHINGTON (AP) — A widely circulated report that President Donald Trump has signed an executive order calling for the deportation of immigrants who accept government welfare is false.
Trump has signed executive orders focusing on immigration, including a travel-and-immigration ban that has been put on hold by a federal court in Washington state, but none focused on deporting immigrants who receive welfare.
In recent weeks, drafts of possible executive orders have been leaked and one such draft did address immigrants who become a so-called "public charge" by accepting certain government benefits. The draft order was obtained by The Associated Press.
The draft order did call for such immigrants to face deportation, but it hasn't been signed by the president. And even if it were to be signed, it wouldn't change much. There's already a law that says immigrants who become dependent on certain government benefits can be kicked out of the country, though it's rarely, if ever, enforced. Immigrants in the United States illegally are also barred from receiving welfare and other public benefits.
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This story is part of an ongoing Associated Press effort to fact-check claims in suspected false news stories. Find all AP Fact Checks here: http://apne.ws/2kbx8bd | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2017-02-15 16:58:00 | AP FACT CHECK: No Trump order to deport welfare immigrants | http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3095546 | http://tnimage.taiwannews.com.tw/photos/shares/AP/20170215/8f25c6146957438ab87a7e93856eac87.jpg |
'Alternative facts' remark tops 2017 list of notable quotes | NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) — The use of the term "alternative facts" by Kellyanne Conway, an adviser to President Donald Trump, tops a Yale Law School librarian's list of the most notable quotes of 2017.
The statement Conway made when asked why Trump's then-Press Secretary Sean Spicer mischaracterized the size of inauguration crowds is one of many Trump-related quotations on the list, assembled by Fred Shapiro, an associate director at the library.
"I actually had to limit the amount of Trump-related quotations on the list so as not to have the list overwhelmed by him," Shapiro said.
The yearly list is an update to "The Yale Book of Quotations," which was first published in 2006. Shapiro chooses quotes that are famous or revealing of the spirit of the times, and not necessarily eloquent or admirable.
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THE LIST
1. "Sean Spicer, our press secretary, gave alternative facts." — Kellyanne Conway, interview on NBC "Meet the Press," Jan. 22.
2. "Alternative facts are not facts, they're falsehoods." — Chuck Todd, interview of Kellyanne Conway on "Meet the Press," Jan. 22.
3. "I just fired the head of the FBI. He was crazy, a real nut job. I faced great pressure because of Russia. That's taken off." — Trump, as reported by The New York Times, explaining the firing of James Comey to visiting Russian officials, May 10.
4. "With respect to any women who have made allegations on the record, Mr. Weinstein believes that all of these relationships were consensual." — Sallie Hofmeister, spokeswoman for Harvey Weinstein, Oct. 10.
5. "Make our planet great again." — Emmanuel Macron, statement on the withdrawal of the United States from the Paris climate agreement, June 1.
6. "We can't have the inmates running the prison." — Robert McNair, owner of the Houston Texans football team, describing players protesting the national anthem, as quoted in ESPN The Magazine, Oct. 27.
7. "Yes." — Elizabeth Warren, responding to Jake Tapper's question on whether the 2016 Democratic primaries were rigged in favor of Hillary Clinton, in an interview on CNN's "The Lead," Nov. 2.
8. "And the Academy Award ... for Best Picture ... La La Land." — Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway, mistakenly reading the wrong winner for Best Picture in an envelope mix-up, Academy Awards ceremony, Feb. 27.
9. "It's a shame the White House has become an adult day care center." — Bob Corker, Republican senator from Tennessee, in a tweet, Oct. 8.
10. "There is too much money in the world." — Lawrence Luhring, art dealer, reacting to the sale of a painting possibly by Leonardo da Vinci for over $450 million, as quoted in The New York Times, Nov. 16. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2017-12-12 13:15:00 | 'Alternative facts' remark tops 2017 list of notable quotes | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3318491 | |
Tick tock of terror: New details in Hawaii missile timeline | HONOLULU (AP) — The missile alert mistakenly sent on Jan. 13 by Hawaii officials came just a few minutes after a shift change at state Emergency Operations Center in Diamond Head Crater.
Here's a timeline of what happened:
8:05 a.m. — The midnight shift supervisor started a no-notice ballistic missile defense drill at shift change. In a phone call, the supervisor pretended to be U.S. Pacific Command to initiate the drill. The supervisor said ahead of and after the drill, "Exercise, exercise, exercise." However, it also contained the language, "This is not a drill." The day shift warning officers received the message on a speaker phone. The FCC says while the other officers understood this to be a drill, the person at the alert origination terminal "claimed to believe, in a written statement" that this was a real emergency and not a drill. The officer responds, as trained, by sending a live incoming missile alert.
8:07 a.m. — The state emergency agency employee selects the template for a live alert from a drop-down menu, and clicks 'yes' in response to a prompt that reads, 'Are you sure that you want to send this Alert?'
8:08 a.m. — The head of the Emergency Management Agency, state adjutant general Maj. Gen. Joe Logan, speaks to the warning center and is notified of false alert.
8:09 a.m. — Logan calls and informs Gov. David Ige. Agency notifies counties there's no missile threat.
8:10 a.m. — Logan confirms with U.S. Pacific Command that there was no missile launch. Honolulu police are notified of the false alarm.
8:12 a.m. — The state issues a cancellation that prevents the message from being sent to phones that hadn't previously received it, such as those out of cellphone coverage range or had been turned off.
8:13 a.m. — Officials begin outreach, but phone lines become congested.
8:19 a.m. — If there had been a real missile, this is about when it would have hit the islands. It is estimated that a missile would take about 20 minutes to reach Hawaii from North Korea. Officials say it would take about five minutes for the military to analyze the launch trajectory and notify the state, leaving only 12 to 15 minutes of warning time before impact.
8:20 a.m. — Officials post to Facebook, Twitter accounts that there is no missile threat.
8:24 a.m. — Gov. David Ige retweets the cancellation notice.
8:27 a.m. — Officials determine that a Civil Emergency Message is the best way to correct this message, which the Federal Emergency Management Agency confirms three minutes later.
8:30 a.m. — Federal Emergency Management Agency officials say they received a call from Hawaii seeking guidance on sending correction of alert. State officials say the call was about a minute long. Ige posts cancellation notice on his Facebook page.
8:31 a.m. — An emergency management supervisor logs into alert system to start crafting false alert correction.
8:45 a.m. — Cancellation of warning sent to cellphones: "There is no missile threat or danger to the State of Hawaii. Repeat. False Alarm." The state said it issued the cancellation after getting authorization from FEMA. However, FEMA said its approval was not required.
Source: Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, FCC. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-02-03 00:00:00 | Tick tock of terror: New details in Hawaii missile timeline | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3354720 | |
Kenya awaits opposition leader's 'swearing in' | NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Streets are quiet in the central business district of Kenya's capital ahead of the opposition's plan to "swear in" its leader, Raila Odinga, as an alternative president despite the attorney general's warning that such an act challenging the official president will amount to treason.
The U.S. has advised Odinga against the so-called inauguration Tuesday, as East Africa's economic hub tries to move beyond months of deadly election turmoil. Police have vowed to block opposition supporters from attending the event.
Heavy police deployment was withdrawn Tuesday without explanation at the Uhuru Park where the opposition had said the event would take place. A heavy police presence remains in city slums, which are opposition strongholds. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-01-30 16:02:00 | Kenya awaits opposition leader's 'swearing in' | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3354124 | |
Today in History | Today in History
Today is Thursday, June 15, the 166th day of 2017. There are 199 days left in the year.
Today's Highlight in History:
On June 15, 1775, the Second Continental Congress voted unanimously to appoint George Washington head of the Continental Army.
On this date:
In 1215, England's King John put his seal to Magna Carta ("the Great Charter") at Runnymede.
In 1520, Pope Leo X issued a papal bull in which he threatened to excommunicate Martin Luther if he did not recant his religious beliefs, a threat that was carried out the following January.
In 1836, Arkansas became the 25th state.
In 1849, James Polk, the 11th president of the United States, died in Nashville, Tennessee.
In 1904, more than 1,000 people died when fire erupted aboard the steamboat General Slocum in New York's East River.
In 1934, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed an act making the National Guard part of the U.S. Army in the event of war or national emergency.
In 1944, American forces began their successful invasion of Saipan (sy-PAN') during World War II. B-29 Superfortresses carried out their first raids on Japan.
In 1955, the United States and Britain signed a cooperation agreement concerning atomic information for "mutual defence purposes."
In 1967, the war film "The Dirty Dozen" was released by MGM.
In 1977, Spain held its first free elections in four decades; the Union of the Democratic Center won the highest number of seats in the Congress of Deputies.
In 1985, the Shiite Muslim hijackers of a TWA Boeing 727 beat and shot one of their hostages, U.S. Navy diver Robert Stethem (STEE'-them), 23, throwing him out of the plane to die on the tarmac at Beirut airport.
In 1992, during a visit to an elementary school in Trenton, New Jersey, Vice President Dan Quayle, relying on a faulty flash card, erroneously instructed sixth-grader William Figueroa to write "potato" as "potatoe" on a blackboard during a spelling quiz.
Ten years ago: During his ethics trial, a tearful Mike Nifong announced he would resign as district attorney of Durham County, North Carolina, after admitting that he'd made improper statements about three Duke University lacrosse players who were once charged with raping a stripper. (The players were later declared innocent by state prosecutors.) Retired "Price Is Right" host Bob Barker won his 19th Daytime Emmy. In Tulsa, Oklahoma, a crane lifted out a water-damaged 1957 Plymouth Belvedere that had been buried in an underground concrete vault half a century earlier to celebrate 50 years of statehood.
Five years ago: President Barack Obama eased enforcement of immigration laws as he announced a new policy, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA. Republican Mitt Romney launched the next phase of his presidential campaign, kicking off a six-state, small-town bus tour and telling middle-class Americans that President Obama hadn't given them "a fair shot." An armored car heist at the University of Alberta in Canada left three armed guards dead; fellow guard Travis Baumgartner later pleaded guilty to murder charges and was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 40 years. Daredevil Nik Wallenda became the first person to walk a tightrope across Niagara Falls. (The feat was broadcast live by ABC-TV, which required Wallenda to wear a safety tether.)
One year ago: The interim police chief in Oakland, California, Ben Fairow, was abruptly removed after six days on the job by Mayor Libby Schaaf, who said she had lost confidence in Fairow's ability to lead the department amid a widening sex scandal in which a number of officers allegedly had sex with a teenage prostitute. A public funeral was held in Detroit for hockey legend Gordie Howe, who had died five days earlier at age 88.
Today's Birthdays: Rhythm-and-blues singer Ruby Nash Garnett (Ruby and the Romantics) is 83. Rock singer-actor Johnny Hallyday is 74. Funk musician Leo Nocentelli (The Meters) is 71. Actor Simon Callow is 68. Singer Russell Hitchcock (Air Supply) is 68. Rock singer Steve Walsh is 66. Comedian-actor Jim Belushi is 63. Country singer Terri Gibbs is 63. Actress Julie Hagerty is 62. Actress Polly Draper is 62. Rock musician Brad Gillis (Night Ranger) is 60. Baseball Hall of Famer Wade Boggs is 59. Actress Eileen Davidson is 58. Bluegrass musician Terry Smith is 57. Actress Helen Hunt is 54. Rock musician Scott Rockenfield (Queensryche) is 54. Actress Courteney Cox is 53. Country musician Tony Ardoin is 53. Country musician Michael Britt (Lonestar) is 51. Contemporary Christian musician Rob Mitchell is 51. Rock musician Jimmy McD is 49. Actor-rapper Ice Cube is 48. Actress Leah Remini is 47. Actor Jake Busey is 46. Bluegrass singer-musician Jamie Johnson is 45. Rock musician T-Bone Willy (Save Ferris) is 45. Actor Neil Patrick Harris is 44. Actor Greg Vaughan is 44. Actress Elizabeth Reaser is 42. Rock singer Dryden Mitchell (Alien Ant Farm) is 41. Rock musician Billy Martin (Good Charlotte) is 36. Rock musician Wayne Sermon (Imagine Dragons) is 33. Actor Denzel Whitaker is 27. Olympic gold medal gymnast Madison Kocian is 20. Actress Sterling Jerins is 13.
Thought for Today: "To know is nothing at all; to imagine is everything." — Anatole France, French author (1844-1924). | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2017-06-15 12:00:00 | Today in History | http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3180684 | http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/images/category/580888eb17740.jpg |
Reynolds keeping donations from firm that did pro-Saudi work | DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa's governor is keeping campaign donations tied to a firm that profited from a controversial lobbying blitz funded by Saudi Arabia.
Gov. Kim Reynolds in November returned a $100 contribution from executive branch appointees Kim and Connie Schmett, saying she disagreed with their side work as foreign agents. The couple collected $100,000 opposing a law allowing victims of the 2001 terrorist attacks to sue Saudi Arabia.
But her campaign kept several larger donations linked to the LS2Group, a Des Moines-based firm that received $76,500 from the same Saudi-funded work.
LS2Group executive Chuck Larson Jr. hosted a Reynolds fundraiser last summer. He and other LS2 employees gave thousands to Reynolds, and LS2Group's political arm gave $250.
Reynolds' campaign spokesman notes LS2Group is a private business while the Schmetts are state officials.
Connie Schmett was fined $250 last week by an ethics board for disclosure violations. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-01-31 22:18:00 | Reynolds keeping donations from firm that did pro-Saudi work | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3354824 | |
Study: Most drivers, not just young, are taking risks | DETROIT (AP) — Young drivers aren't alone in behaving badly on U.S. roads, a trend that could be contributing to a spike in highway deaths.
Well over half of drivers in every age group have texted behind the wheel, run a red light or driven faster than the speed limit in the last 30 days, according to a new study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.
Younger drivers are the worst offenders. Eighty-eight percent of drivers ages 19 to 24 admitted to at least one of those behaviors. But even mature drivers skirted the rules more often researchers expected. For instance, 10 percent of drivers between 60 and 74 have texted or sent email from behind the wheel, while 37 percent of drivers over 75 said they'd driven through a light that had just turned red.
"It was a surprise that there were relatively high rates of these behaviors among the drivers we think of as safer," said Lindsay Arnold, a research associate with the AAA Foundation.
Arnold said the responses were similar to those in past years, indicating a troubling trend. In 2015, U.S. traffic deaths rose 7 percent to 35,092, the largest single-year increase in five decades. They're expected to rise again in 2016 when that data is finalized.
"It points to the need to improve driver behavior if we're going to reverse this alarming trend," Arnold said.
Teen driver education campaigns have had some success, foundation spokeswoman Tamra Johnson said. Now the organization is considering the best ways to reach drivers of other ages.
The study found broad agreement on some issues. Eighty-seven percent of drivers said they have never driven when they thought they were close to the legal alcohol limit. Ninety-five percent said they had never driven within an hour of using marijuana. Eighty-eight percent of drivers say it's unacceptable to drive without a seat belt, and 82 percent support laws requiring motorcycle riders to wear helmets.
But drivers' behavior sometimes contradicted their own instincts. More than three-quarters of drivers say it's unacceptable to text or email while driving, but 31 percent had done so in the last month and 8 percent do so often. Ninety-six percent of drivers say drowsy driving is a serious safety threat, but 29 percent had recently driven when they were so tired they had trouble keeping their eyes open.
The study questioned 2,511 licensed drivers aged 16 and over. Among its findings:
— The youngest drivers — those ages 16 to 18 — were less likely to engage in speeding, running red lights or texting while driving than drivers in their 20s through 50s.
— Eighty-three percent of drivers — and 86.5 percent of drivers 75 or older — said they were more careful than other drivers on the road.
— Just over half of drivers feel seriously threatened by drivers talking on cell phones, but 68 percent made a call while driving in the last 30 days.
— Drivers ages 40-59 were the most likely to use a hands-free phone in the car. Drivers ages 16-18 and 75 or older were the most likely to hold their phones and talk while driving.
— Twenty-three percent of drivers — and 36 percent of those ages 19 to 24 — think it's acceptable to drive 15 mph over the speed limit on a freeway. Forty-six percent of drivers say they have driven that fast on a freeway in the last 30 days.
— Sixty percent of drivers say people who drive after using illegal drugs are a serious threat, but just 34 percent say the same about people who drive after using prescription drugs. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2017-02-15 13:03:00 | Study: Most drivers, not just young, are taking risks | http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3095358 | http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/images/category/580888eb17740.jpg |
Europe's sunny weather makes for a sorry summer in Reykjavik | REYKJAVIK, Iceland (AP) — Pop singer Helgi Bjornsson, who is well-known in his native Iceland for a 1980s hit titled "I Do Like the Rain," recently appeared on national television while a deadpan reporter challenged him to defend the song's premise.
The people of Reykjavik do not like the rain anymore. This summer has been so gray and wet in the capital of Iceland that meteorologists have to look as far back as 1914 to find records for a worse May and June.
In other parts of Europe, especially Britain and Scandinavia, a heat wave is expected to continue well into July.
The stark contrast is no coincidence. High pressure over western Europe alters the jet stream and pushes clouds and rain over the continent's northern posts, causing foul weather in this North Atlantic island nation.
"It's the other side of the heat wave token," Iceland meteorologist Trausti Jonsson said. "The people of Reykjavik are paying for the sunshine in England and southern Scandinavia."
During June, the month of midnight sun and camping holidays in Iceland, sunshine touched Reykjavik for a total of 70 hours. The temperature reached 13.2 degrees Celsius (56 F) on the warmest day, two degrees shy of Reykjavik's average for the month.
In May, it rained every single day.
Summer's delayed arrival has spurred a weather forecast obsession and constant disappointment in the world's northernmost capital city.
A forecast calling for 11 hours of clear sky on Thursday brought giddy excitement, with many posting on social media how they planned to spend the sunniest day in two weeks.
But then the forecast changed. The sun now is expected to give way to clouds by noon, according to the Icelandic Met Office.
Some here have given up hope. One travel agent told local media that bookings for last-minute beach holidays are coming in "without any marketing on our behalf." Tanning salons are making a comeback, while ice cream vendors, house painters and the staffs of outdoor swimming pools struggle with low demand for their services.
"You need about two days of sun for outdoor wood to completely dry," house painter Mar Gudmundsson lamented. "I don't think we have had that."
Summer is Iceland's main tourist season and many travelers sleep in tents during their stays.
The Laugardalur campsite in Reykjavik is seeing slightly fewer guests than in previous years. But manager Oddvar Arnason observed that "most people don't change their means of accommodation after arrival and simply adjust."
Alex Moreno, a 17-year-old camper from Granada in Spain, said he found the brisk climate more pleasant than the boiling weather at home.
"Just put on a jacket and it's fine here," he said.
Things have been worse. In June 1914, when the slaying of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria plunged the globe into World War I, Europe was under a hot spell and Reykjavik, in return, got biblical rainfall.
Historian Gudjon Fridriksson said Reykjavik at the time was a town of about 15,000 people with an undeveloped sewage system and mostly dirt roads.
"Getting from place to place meant crossing mud and a lot of puddles," he said.
As for the remainder of 2018's alleged summer, Fridriksson has an it-can-only-get-better attitude, a widespread expression of resilience and hope in this weather-beaten capital.
"Besides," the prolific historical writer said, "this is the perfect weather to finish my next book." | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-07-04 00:00:00 | Europe's sunny weather makes for a sorry summer in Reykjavik | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3473938 | |
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Third Annual Make March Matter™ Campaign Raises $2 Million | LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 24, 2018--The third annual Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Make March Matter fundraising campaign raised $2 million dollars, the hospital announced Tuesday. The campaign doubled its $1 million fundraising goal thanks to partnerships with 95 businesses in Los Angeles and the Coachella Valley who rallied community participation to give in support of critical, lifesaving care for children in Los Angeles.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180424005632/en/
Actors Patrick J. Adams and Troian Bellisario supported the Make March Matter campaign by volunteering at Children's Hospital Los Angeles on March 15, 2018. (Photo: Business Wire)
“Every year I am astounded by the level of compassion and generosity exhibited by the businesses and corporate partners and their followers in the community who support the Make March Matter campaign and help us fulfill our mission of creating hope and building healthier futures for our patients and their families,” says Children’s Hospital Los Angeles President and CEO Paul S. Viviano.
“There was something for everyone with this year’s campaign, which featured 40 events in 31 days and a variety of fundraising activities and opportunities from shopping to dining to exercising -- all in support of CHLA,” says Dawn Wilcox, vice president of Corporate Partnerships at CHLA.
Make March Matter was created by CHLA in 2016 as a way to identify a time of year devoted specifically to children’s hospitals and children’s health. The month of March was selected as it signifies the start of spring. And with the new season comes a feeling of hope, new beginnings, and life. This year Children’s National Health System in Washington, DC joined the movement by launching their own inaugural Make March Matter campaign.
Numerous promotions and events highlighted this year’s campaign including shopping events and promotions at Intermix and Theory, Calleen Cordero, Trina Turk and may more; CHLA-themed fitness classes at Cycle House, Orangetheory and Body by Simone; and Drybar donated 100 percent of proceeds for blowouts at their Culver City location. Teen fashion designer Grace Rose hosted a fashion show at The Americana at Brand and donated a portion of sales from her Rosie G clothing line, and the Los Angeles Kings and the Los Angeles Galaxy hosted special CHLA-themed games at Staples Center and the StubHub Center, respectively. For the third consecutive year, Panda Express earned top campaign contributor honors by raising $390,000.
“Our associates and our customers are passionate about helping Children’s Hospital Los Angeles continue to offer groundbreaking medical treatment to the precious patients they treat,” says Peggy Cherng, Panda Express co-chair and co-chief executive officer. “I’m thrilled that their efforts raised $390,000 for the Make March Matter campaign.”
Celebrities who gave CHLA hands-on support throughout March include Patrick J. Adams, Victoria Arlen, Troian Bellisario, Jacey Duprie, Yael Grobglas , the KOST 103.5 Ellen K Morning Show team, Elliot Knight, Brooke Lyons, Lea Michele, Italia Ricci, Louise Roe, Becca Tobin and Patrick Schwarzenegger.
“We are so grateful for the enthusiasm and commitment from the businesses and the community extended to CHLA,” Wilcox says. “Thanks to their support, we can continue to provide expert medical care to the pediatric patients we treat.”
Make March Matter
Make March Matter is an annual fundraising campaign that builds awareness and support for children’s health in Los Angeles. The campaign supports Children’s Hospital Los Angeles—a nonprofit pediatric academic medical center dedicated to offering more than 350 specialty programs and services to help the health of children. The goal of the campaign is to raise money in support of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles to ensure that all of its pediatric patients receive the critical lifesaving care they need.
About Children's Hospital Los Angeles
Founded in 1901, Children's Hospital Los Angeles is ranked the top children’s hospital in California and sixth in the nation for clinical excellence with its selection to the prestigious U.S. News & World Report Honor Roll. Clinical care is led by physicians who are faculty members of the Keck School of Medicine of USC through an affiliation dating from 1932. CHLA is home to The Saban Research Institute, one of the largest and most productive pediatric research facilities in the United States. For more information, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram, and visit our child health blog ( CHLA.org/blog ) and our research blog ( ResearCHLABlog.org ).
View source version on businesswire.com:https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180424005632/en/
CONTACT: Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
Monica Rizzo, (323) 361-5745
mrizzo@chla.usc.edu
KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA CALIFORNIA
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: OTHER CONSUMER ENTERTAINMENT HEALTH CELEBRITY HOSPITALS OTHER HEALTH PHILANTHROPY CONSUMER FUND RAISING
SOURCE: Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
Copyright Business Wire 2018.
PUB: 04/24/2018 07:00 AM/DISC: 04/24/2018 07:01 AM
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180424005632/en | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-04-24 19:01:00 | Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Third Annual Make March Matter™ Campaign Raises $2 Million | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3413649 | |
US declares Laos casino operators a criminal network | WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States is declaring the Zhao Wei network that operates a casino in Laos to be a transnational criminal organization.
The Treasury Department imposed sanctions Tuesday on four individuals and three companies across Laos, Thailand and Hong Kong, freezing any U.S. assets and prohibiting Americans from dealing with them.
Treasury officials say the Kings Romans Casino is a hub for trafficking in drugs, people and wildlife. The department says the network stores and distributes heroin and methamphetamine, and smuggles endangered animals, including Asiatic black bears, pangolins, tigers, rhinos and elephants. The casino is reportedly a draw for gamblers from nearby China and sells food and other products derived from exotic animals.
The sanctioned individuals include Chinese national Zhao Wei, co-owner of the three companies linked to the casino. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-01-31 03:05:00 | US declares Laos casino operators a criminal network | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3354401 | |
'Infinity War' caps a decade of success for Marvel Studios | LOS ANGELES (AP) — Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige talks about his job like a fan who's just lucky to be there.
To hear his genuine enthusiasm about the movies, the actors, the audience and the stories almost belies the fact that he is essentially the architect of and driving force behind Hollywood's most valuable brand that has in just over 10 years netted over $14.8 billion in worldwide grosses (according to comScore) and become the envy of every studio executive in town.
He's a mogul with a fanboy's verve who has helped to change the very fabric of the entertainment industry.
Ten years ago, many moviegoers didn't know who Iron Man was, and those who did thought of him as a minor comic book character. On Thursday, Marvel Studios' 19th film, "Avengers: Infinity War," an epic mashup of characters once considered to be part of the "superhero B-list," from Iron Man to Star Lord, opens in theaters worldwide. It is cruising for a record-breaking debut that could surpass "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" as the biggest opening ever.
The scope of the Marvel effect is somewhat difficult to pin down, especially with a force as formidable as The Walt Disney Co. behind it. (Disney acquired Marvel Entertainment for $4 billion in 2009.)
It's revitalized careers (Robert Downey Jr.), minted movie stars (Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans and Chris Pratt, to name a few), and become an outpost for Oscar-winners too (like Robert Redford, Gwyneth Paltrow, Anthony Hopkins, Natalie Portman, Jeff Bridges, Michael Douglas and Cate Blanchett).
And beyond that, every few months the studio seems to be breaking new ground, whether it's as small as a change in tone, like "Thor: Ragnarok," or as big as producing a downright cultural phenomenon, such as "Black Panther," now the third highest-grossing domestic film of all time.
"We dream big at Marvel Studios. We have very lofty aspirations at Marvel Studios. For those dreams to be surpassed is saying something," Feige, 44, said of "Black Panther's" success.
And it shows no sign of slowing down, or running out of story. They have 70 years of comic book source material to draw on, after all.
"There are still things that are key elements to a lot of our characters in their comic incarnations that we haven't even done yet for characters who have had three or four movies," Feige said. "It is an amazing wealth of creative material to pull from."
Feige is amused when reporters try to predict Marvel's next move, or make big conclusions based on what's just happened. Under Feige, Marvel is not looking in the rear-view mirror.
When "Thor: Ragnarok" came out, he remembers reading articles declaring that, "Marvel is committing to a surrealist, silly tone" and just laughed.
"I thought, 'We have 'Black Panther' coming out in three months! They don't even know what's coming,'" Feige said. "We're always thinking ahead. Just when people think they can pin us down, we go somewhere else and that's going to happen again after 'Infinity War' in the build-up to the next Avengers film. And we had meetings earlier today about 2024 and 2025."
Misunderstanding Feige's vision is almost a tradition at this point, going back to Comic-Con in 2006 where he revealed his plans for the first few films —Iron Man, Ant-Man and The Incredible Hulk — and all anyone wrote about is how Marvel Studios didn't have the rights to Spider-Man (Sony does), the X-Men or the Fantastic Four (those reside at 20th Century Fox).
Now, few would argue that Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Black Panther, the Guardians of the Galaxy and even Doctor Strange and Ant-Man aren't veritable A-listers on their own, and even more powerful together, making up what is perhaps Marvel's greatest innovation — the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This idea of an interconnected, ever-expanding "universe" of characters and films is something that many have since tried to copy to varying degrees of success. It seems audiences don't begrudge Marvel for creating the concept, but are somewhat more skeptical of those trying to capitalize on it.
"(Marvel's) approach doesn't seem nearly as cynical as when you see another studio trying to do it with, say, Ghostbusters or DC," said Wall Street Journal reporter Ben Fritz, who delves into Marvel's history in the book "The Big Picture: The Fight for the Future of Movies." ''People are like, 'Oh I know what you're doing, you're trying to copy Marvel.' But Marvel did it first and Marvel has still done it best."
"Sequel fatigue" doesn't even seem to apply to Marvel films anymore.
"I think you can look at Marvel as a grand narrative experiment," said 'Infinity War' co-director Joe Russo. "Never before in films have we seen this many franchises combined over this many years into one giant mosaic. Two-hour, two-dimensional storytelling has dominated American culture for 100 years and now we're consuming content with such extreme speed that we need new forms of storytelling. I think what Marvel is doing is a new form of storytelling."
"Infinity War" co-screenwriter Stephen McFeely, who also co-wrote the three Captain America films, said Feige should get the film academy's Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award for his impact on the industry.
"He's clearly changed the way Hollywood works, or at least the top box office end of it," McFeely said. "It's in part because Kevin has a really good mind for story — he's ambitious — but he's not so ambitious that he's not going to do the right thing for the movie in front of his face."
While navel-gazing isn't Feige's favorite activity, the 10-year anniversary of "Iron Man" hitting theaters has provided an excuse to reflect a bit. He still remembers the early days, when they had everything to prove and felt grateful for the chance to produce films on their own. While the grand plans and concurrent filmmaking have gotten more complex over the years and "the days have gotten longer," Feige said the fundamental processes for how they make films goes back to the beginning.
"It was in the cutting rooms of 'Iron Man 1' that in a lot of ways the Marvel Studios process was born — of just keep trying things and keep turning things over and don't rest on your laurels and just because something is working doesn't mean it can't work better," Feige said.
Audiences won't have to wait too long for another Avengers, either. The fourth Avengers film, also directed by Joe and Anthony Russo and written by McFeely and Christopher Markus is just around the corner, set for a May 2019 release. It's a continuation of the story that begins in "Infinity War," where a still-fractured Avengers face Thanos (Josh Brolin). Little is being revealed beyond that. The film premiered Monday night in Los Angeles and is said to be full of surprises.
"We make movies we believe in. We make movies that we think will be entertaining to ourselves and think about ourselves as the first audience members for any movie we make. Any idea that comes up in a room: Would we be entertained by this? Would we be moved by this? Would we be surprised by this?" Feige said.
"It goes back to the movies I loved growing up. I always loved sequels. I never found myself being cynical or dismissive of sequels. If they were bad, I was disappointed. But I always loved the promise of seeing the further storylines or further adventures of characters I'd grown to love. That's all we're doing."
___
Follow AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ldbahr | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-04-25 01:56:00 | 'Infinity War' caps a decade of success for Marvel Studios | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3413397 | |
Hutton continues to roll, Blues shut down Canadiens 3-1 | ST. LOUIS (AP) — Carter Hutton made 33 saves and Ivan Barbashev broke a scoreless tie in the second period to help the St. Louis Blues beat the Montreal Canadiens 3-1 on Tuesday night.
St. Louis, which beat Montreal for the fifth successive time, has won five of six overall. The struggling Canadiens have lost 11 of 15.
Patrik Berglund pushed the lead to 2-0 with a power-play goal early in the third. Alexander Steen added an empty-netter with 2:17 left.
Charles Hudon ended Hutton's shutout bid by scoring a 6-on-4 goal with 1:07 remaining.
Hutton has started the Blues' last six games and appears to have supplanted Jake Allen as their No. 1 netminder. A 32-year-old journeyman, Hutton improved to 13-4-1. He has stopped 94 of his past 96 shots and is 8-1-1 in his last 10 starts.
Barbashev, who spent 21 games in the minors this season, whipped a wrist shot past goalie Carey Price from the top of the faceoff circle at 4:38 of the second.
Berglund scored his seventh of the season on the rebound of a shot by Tage Thompson. The Blues had come up empty on their previous 34 power-play attempts against the Canadiens dating back to Jan. 20, 2010.
Montreal is 2-4-2 in its last eight games and remains 10 points out of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
NOTES: Montreal C Phillip Danault missed his seventh consecutive game with a concussion. ... The Blues have earned at least one point in eight of their last 10 games against Montreal. ... Canadiens D Joe Morrow returned to the lineup in place of Jordie Benn. Morrow had been a healthy scratch in the previous seven games. ... The Canadiens recorded the first nine shots of the game.
UP NEXT
Canadiens: Play at Carolina on Thursday.
Blues: Play at Boston on Thursday.
___
More AP hockey: https://apnews.com/tag/NHLhockey | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-01-31 11:57:00 | Hutton continues to roll, Blues shut down Canadiens 3-1 | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3354645 | |
AmericanTours International Honored as Leading Visit USA Travel Company with Top Britain, Germany and China Tour Operators | LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 30, 2018--AmericanTours International (ATI) was honored by the U.S. Travel Association (USTA) and Brand USA as one of America’s highest-volume tour operators at the Chairman’s Circle Honors Awards ceremony during the association’s 50th annual IPW in Denver, Colorado. This elite awards event —co-hosted by Brand USA— honored international travel buyers for outstanding efforts to bring the world to America.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180530006439/en/
L-R Chris Thompson CEO of Brand USA, Nick Hentschel COO of ATI, Noel Irwin Hentschel CEO of ATI and Roger Dow President USTA (Photo: Business Wire)
“IPW’s goal is to bring the world to America, and this year’s Chairman’s Circle honorees do all that they can to make that vision a reality,” said USTA President and CEO Roger Dow. “The honorees do tremendous work to ensure that travelers all around the world know that the U.S. is a great place to visit and they have my deepest gratitude for their contributions to the U.S. travel industry.”
Presented with the award by Roger Dow, ATI Chair/CEO Noel Irwin Hentschel stated, “It is an honor to be recognized by USTA and Brand USA for ATI’s passionate work in showcasing America to the world. ATI appreciates our partnerships with all the international tour operators, hotel companies and great destinations like Las Vegas, Grand Canyon and Yellowstone National Parks. We roll out the red carpet welcoming travelers to visit all 50 states with ATI-every visitor to the USA is a VIP.”
Hentschel was recently appointed to the board of directors of Brand USA by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. Brand USA is the destination marketing organization for the United States and a public-private partnership created by the Travel Promotion Act to increase incremental international visitation to fuel the nation’s economy and enhance the image of the USA worldwide.
ATI revolutionizes the inbound travel industry setting standards for quality of service, product innovation, and technological expertise. ATI creates and operates unique motorcoach tours, creative incentives, customized special interest group experiences and DriveAmerica fly-drive itineraries in multiple languages. ATI packages wholesale hotel and attraction inventory from 30,000 suppliers across all 50 states in over 70 international markets.
ATI is America's largest privately held, American-owned, full-service Visit USA destination management and marketing organization. Headquartered in California and Florida with offices in New York and Hawaii, ATI serves nearly one million visitors generating an estimated $3 billion into the U.S. economy annually.
View source version on businesswire.com:https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180530006439/en/
CONTACT: AmericanTours International
Rebecca Rueseler
310-590-4118
Rebecca_rueseler@americantours.com
KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA CALIFORNIA
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: TRAVEL DESTINATIONS VACATION COMMUNICATIONS ADVERTISING MARKETING
SOURCE: AmericanTours International
Copyright Business Wire 2018.
PUB: 05/30/2018 04:27 PM/DISC: 05/30/2018 04:27 PM
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180530006439/en | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-05-31 04:27:00 | AmericanTours International Honored as Leading Visit USA Travel Company with Top Britain, Germany and China Tour Operators | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3444538 | |
CAA to form legal defense fund for harassment victims | LOS ANGELES (AP) — The powerful Hollywood talent agency CAA is canceling its annual Golden Globe Awards party and planning to form a legal defense fund to assist workplace harassment victims across all industries.
A person with knowledge of the plans who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly said Monday that the funds normally used for the Globes party, which would celebrate nominated clients like Meryl Streep, Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman and Tom Hanks, will be instead be redirected to establish the fund.
The agency has also committed itself to establishing gender parity in its leadership by the year 2020, following the lead of ICM Partners.
The Hollywood Reporter first reported the news.
The Golden Globes will be handed out Jan. 7 and will be followed by several after-parties. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2017-12-12 10:00:00 | CAA to form legal defense fund for harassment victims | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3318309 | |
The Latest: Branch fell from 100-year-old tree, killing 2 | ROCK ISLAND, Ill. (AP) — The Latest on a tree branch that fell on spectators, killing two, at a western Illinois fireworks display (all times local):
1:45 p.m.
A western Illinois sheriff says the branch that fell on spectators during a fireworks display, killing two, measured more than 8-feet (2.5 meters) around at its base and was about 45 feet (14 meters) long.
Rock Island County Sheriff Gerald Bustos said Wednesday the branch fell from an oak tree that's believed to be about 100 years old. It fell about 25 feet (8 meters) during a Tuesday night event outside the courthouse in Rock Island.
Bustos said autopsies will be conducted later Wednesday on 61-year-old Daniel Mendoza Sr. of Rock Island and 72-year-old Lawrence Anderson of Moline.
Six other people were treated for injuries, including a 21-year-old pregnant woman from East Moline who was near term. Bustos said the woman was taken to a local hospital where she gave birth. He says mother and baby are in good health.
___
12:40 p.m.
Authorities say two people have died after a tree branch fell on spectators during a fireworks display in western Illinois.
The Rock Island County Sheriff's Office says the branch fell from a large oak tree outside the county courthouse in Rock Island around 9:40 p.m. Tuesday.
Dozens were sitting near the tree watching the fireworks when the branch fell about 25 feet (8 meters) and crushed some of the spectators. Some of those who weren't hurt tried to lift the branch to free the people trapped beneath.
Authorities said 61-year-old Daniel Mendoza Sr. of Rock Island was pronounced dead at the scene. Seventy-two-year-old Lawrence Anderson of Moline died at a hospital.
Authorities have not provided the causes of death.
Five other people were injured. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-07-05 02:47:00 | The Latest: Branch fell from 100-year-old tree, killing 2 | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3474386 | |
In Egypt election, el-Sissi imposes stability over democracy | CAIRO (AP) — The sole candidate running against Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi has had two showcase campaign rallies in downtown Cairo.
The first was a disaster. No one showed up except a few campaign workers.
The second was a slight improvement: 30 people attended. They held banners and chanted slogans, though the chants weren't exactly resounding victory cries for their candidate, an almost unknown politician named Moussa Mustafa Moussa.
They shouted: "Whether Moussa wins or el-Sissi wins, either is our president!"
There's no question the general-turned-president el-Sissi will win a second four-year term. But the March 26-28 election will likely be remembered as the event that signaled Egypt's break with what pretense it had left of democratic rule, seven years after a popular uprising toppled autocrat Hosni Mubarak in the name of democracy. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-03-20 14:15:00 | In Egypt election, el-Sissi imposes stability over democracy | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3386147 | |
Global Forecast-Celsius | Global Forecast as of 12:00 GMT Tuesday, January 30, 2018
_____
City/Town, Country;Tuesday's Weather Condition;Tuesday's High Temp (C);Tuesday's Low Temp (C);Wednesday's Weather Condition;Wednesday's High Temp (C);Wednesday's Low Temp (C);Wednesday's Wind Direction;Wednesday's Wind Speed (KPH);Wednesday's Humidity (%);Wednesday's Chance of Precip. (%);Wednesday's UV Index
Abidjan, Ivory Coast;Partly sunny;32;25;A shower in the a.m.;31;25;SW;11;79%;66%;9
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates;More sun than clouds;21;17;Partly sunny, breezy;21;16;NW;29;53%;2%;5
Aleppo, Syria;Plenty of sunshine;13;3;Partly sunny;14;3;W;7;71%;7%;3
Algiers, Algeria;Plenty of sun;16;8;More clouds than sun;17;11;SE;9;63%;4%;2
Amsterdam, Netherlands;Mainly cloudy;7;3;Cloudy, rain ending;8;3;WSW;35;87%;82%;0
Anchorage, United States;Sunny, but cold;-7;-15;Cold with sunshine;-8;-17;N;15;62%;8%;1
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan;Not as cold;5;-5;Mostly sunny, chilly;7;-3;ESE;8;31%;3%;3
Astana, Kazakhstan;Plenty of sunshine;-13;-25;Mostly cloudy;-11;-24;S;12;75%;0%;2
Asuncion, Paraguay;A shower in the a.m.;32;24;A couple of t-storms;32;24;ESE;10;72%;70%;6
Athens, Greece;Mostly sunny;18;7;Partly sunny, nice;17;8;SSW;8;65%;2%;3
Auckland, New Zealand;Turning sunny, humid;25;20;A thick cloud cover;26;21;NE;24;60%;26%;5
Baghdad, Iraq;Plenty of sun;17;3;Plenty of sun;17;4;N;7;44%;1%;4
Banda Aceh, Indonesia;Occasional rain;33;24;A downpour;31;23;E;7;75%;74%;7
Bangalore, India;Sunny and nice;29;14;Sunny and pleasant;29;13;ESE;11;37%;0%;8
Bangkok, Thailand;Partly sunny, humid;34;24;A few showers;32;23;S;8;71%;83%;5
Barcelona, Spain;Sunshine;15;6;Partly sunny;15;7;W;19;68%;5%;3
Beijing, China;Plenty of sunshine;5;-7;Plenty of sunshine;3;-8;SW;12;18%;0%;3
Belgrade, Serbia;Partly sunny, mild;13;0;Partly sunny, mild;12;1;SE;10;67%;4%;2
Berlin, Germany;Clouds and sunshine;6;2;A little rain;9;2;W;20;74%;86%;0
Bogota, Colombia;Mostly cloudy;20;7;Clouds and sun;20;7;SE;10;67%;34%;10
Brasilia, Brazil;Showers and t-storms;27;20;Cloudy, a t-storm;26;19;NW;16;71%;82%;5
Bratislava, Slovakia;Cooler;8;0;Becoming cloudy;7;2;SSE;11;80%;38%;2
Brussels, Belgium;Mostly cloudy;8;5;Cloudy, rain ending;9;2;WSW;24;72%;81%;0
Bucharest, Romania;Partly sunny, mild;12;-2;Sun and some clouds;8;-3;E;5;70%;0%;2
Budapest, Hungary;Partly sunny, mild;10;-1;Clouds and sun;8;3;S;7;69%;34%;2
Buenos Aires, Argentina;Sunny and pleasant;31;23;Partly sunny;31;23;ESE;11;57%;3%;11
Bujumbura, Burundi;Variable clouds;28;19;Mostly cloudy;32;19;WSW;6;40%;44%;9
Busan, South Korea;Mostly sunny, chilly;5;-4;Increasing clouds;6;-3;NNW;9;53%;29%;3
Cairo, Egypt;Sunny;20;9;Partly sunny;20;10;NNE;10;51%;2%;4
Cape Town, South Africa;Cooler;25;17;Mostly sunny;24;15;SE;34;53%;0%;11
Caracas, Venezuela;Partly sunny;26;19;A shower in places;27;19;ENE;6;58%;65%;7
Chennai, India;Nice with sunshine;30;19;Sunny and nice;31;18;ENE;11;58%;0%;7
Chicago, United States;Periods of sun;0;-2;Milder;7;-3;W;23;56%;19%;1
Colombo, Sri Lanka;A t-storm in spots;32;24;A t-storm or two;30;23;NE;14;80%;93%;3
Copenhagen, Denmark;Clouds and sun;5;2;Periods of rain;5;1;WSW;22;75%;86%;0
Dakar, Senegal;Mostly sunny, breezy;21;16;Breezy with some sun;21;16;N;28;69%;0%;7
Dallas, United States;Mostly sunny;16;7;Partly sunny, breezy;21;11;SSW;26;48%;0%;4
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania;Turning sunny;33;24;Sun and some clouds;32;24;NE;18;71%;22%;10
Delhi, India;Partly sunny;26;12;Hazy sunshine;24;12;W;20;56%;0%;4
Denver, United States;Mostly cloudy, mild;17;2;Partly sunny;12;-3;ENE;13;36%;48%;3
Dhaka, Bangladesh;Partly sunny, nice;24;13;Hazy sun;27;14;ENE;7;59%;2%;5
Dili, East Timor;A bit of rain;32;24;Cloudy with showers;29;24;WSW;12;78%;77%;4
Dublin, Ireland;Overcast;8;2;Spotty showers;6;2;W;38;77%;82%;1
Dushanbe, Tajikistan;Not as cold;3;-4;Not as cool;11;-2;SW;7;22%;50%;3
Gibraltar, Gibraltar;Spotty showers;16;14;Breezy with rain;16;13;SE;40;82%;88%;2
Hanoi, Vietnam;Cloudy and cool;13;8;Cloudy and cool;12;10;N;16;64%;29%;1
Harare, Zimbabwe;A shower or t-storm;25;17;Cloudy, a t-storm;26;18;E;10;69%;66%;8
Havana, Cuba;Partly sunny, cooler;21;18;Periods of sun;23;17;E;21;56%;1%;2
Helsinki, Finland;Cloudy, snow showers;-2;-7;Clouds and sun;-3;-5;SE;8;83%;71%;1
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam;A shower in the p.m.;33;23;Clouds and sunshine;32;22;SW;8;77%;37%;8
Hong Kong, China;Cloudy;14;8;A morning shower;12;7;NNE;20;81%;60%;1
Honolulu, United States;Periods of sun;28;22;Rain at times;27;22;SW;18;68%;86%;2
Hyderabad, India;Sunny and pleasant;31;14;Mostly sunny, nice;31;15;ENE;10;27%;0%;6
Islamabad, Pakistan;Decreasing clouds;21;7;Mostly cloudy;22;9;N;6;58%;30%;2
Istanbul, Turkey;Plenty of sun;13;5;Sunshine;11;4;ENE;11;78%;1%;3
Jakarta, Indonesia;A t-storm or two;31;24;Spotty showers;31;24;W;17;75%;84%;8
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia;Decreasing clouds;28;19;Sunny and pleasant;28;20;NNE;10;46%;2%;5
Johannesburg, South Africa;A shower or t-storm;24;14;A t-storm in spots;26;15;ENE;11;61%;72%;13
Kabul, Afghanistan;Mostly sunny;8;-4;A couple of showers;4;-5;NNW;10;51%;80%;1
Karachi, Pakistan;More sun than clouds;30;15;Hazy sunshine;29;16;W;10;51%;0%;5
Kathmandu, Nepal;Mostly sunny;16;5;Sun and some clouds;19;6;S;7;68%;30%;5
Khartoum, Sudan;Sunny and pleasant;29;13;Sunny and beautiful;29;14;N;22;22%;0%;7
Kiev, Ukraine;Showers of rain/snow;7;-1;Rain and snow shower;3;-2;WSW;21;56%;51%;1
Kingston, Jamaica;A p.m. shower or two;31;24;A shower;31;23;NNE;8;64%;75%;6
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo;Partly sunny;33;23;A morning t-storm;32;23;SSW;9;69%;66%;6
Kolkata, India;Sunny and pleasant;27;12;Hazy sunshine;28;13;WNW;10;48%;0%;5
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia;A stray p.m. t-storm;33;23;A t-storm in spots;33;22;NE;5;78%;69%;10
La Paz, Bolivia;Cloudy;14;6;A t-storm in spots;14;6;ENE;10;74%;81%;6
Lagos, Nigeria;Partly sunny;33;24;Partly sunny;33;24;SW;9;73%;26%;8
Lima, Peru;Partial sunshine;25;20;Clouds and sun;24;20;S;13;74%;18%;12
Lisbon, Portugal;Partly sunny;17;8;Periods of sun;16;8;NE;13;67%;7%;3
London, United Kingdom;Partly sunny;8;5;A morning shower;8;3;WSW;27;70%;74%;2
Los Angeles, United States;Partly sunny;29;13;Mostly sunny, warm;26;12;NE;7;33%;2%;4
Luanda, Angola;Clouds and sun;30;25;Mostly cloudy;31;25;SSW;10;72%;39%;6
Madrid, Spain;Mostly sunny;14;0;Partly sunny;15;2;NE;6;56%;9%;3
Male, Maldives;A t-storm in spots;30;25;A.M. showers, cloudy;29;27;NE;23;77%;100%;4
Manaus, Brazil;A t-storm in spots;31;24;Cloudy, a t-storm;30;23;ENE;11;77%;85%;6
Manila, Philippines;Partly sunny;30;23;A shower in places;31;23;E;8;67%;55%;3
Melbourne, Australia;A little rain;20;13;A shower in the a.m.;18;11;SSE;22;56%;55%;3
Mexico City, Mexico;Partly sunny;16;5;Partly sunny, nice;21;7;SSE;7;38%;11%;5
Miami, United States;Not as warm;22;16;Partly sunny;22;18;ENE;21;52%;31%;3
Minsk, Belarus;Snow, rain mixing in;3;-3;Mostly cloudy;0;-3;S;15;68%;74%;1
Mogadishu, Somalia;Mostly sunny;30;24;Clouds and sun;30;24;ENE;22;61%;26%;9
Montevideo, Uruguay;Sunny and pleasant;30;20;Partly sunny, nice;29;19;ENE;12;61%;2%;11
Montreal, Canada;Mostly cloudy;-8;-14;Afternoon snow;-6;-6;S;5;64%;92%;2
Moscow, Russia;Snow showers;1;-3;A little a.m. snow;-1;-12;NW;15;76%;64%;0
Mumbai, India;Partly sunny;35;18;Hazy sunshine;33;17;NNE;8;41%;0%;6
Nairobi, Kenya;Turning cloudy;30;14;A t-storm in spots;29;14;NE;20;42%;42%;12
New York, United States;A bit of p.m. snow;4;-5;Mostly sunny, cold;1;-1;SSW;13;36%;15%;3
Nicosia, Cyprus;Mostly sunny;17;5;Partly sunny;17;6;S;8;69%;9%;3
Novosibirsk, Russia;Clearing;-15;-23;Mostly sunny;-16;-23;SE;10;87%;1%;1
Osaka-shi, Japan;Chilly with some sun;6;-4;Clouding up, chilly;7;0;NE;8;58%;28%;3
Oslo, Norway;Partly sunny;0;-5;Periods of snow;1;-2;SE;14;82%;88%;0
Ottawa, Canada;Mostly cloudy;-8;-17;Heavy snow;-6;-7;SSE;15;71%;92%;2
Pago Pago, American Samoa;Cloudy with a shower;30;27;Mostly cloudy;30;26;NW;18;76%;68%;6
Panama City, Panama;Partly sunny;33;24;Spotty showers;33;25;NNW;18;68%;78%;8
Paramaribo, Suriname;Sun and some clouds;31;23;A shower in spots;30;24;ENE;13;74%;57%;8
Paris, France;Spotty showers;10;8;Breezy with rain;10;3;W;25;73%;82%;0
Perth, Australia;Sunny and breezy;29;17;Sunny and pleasant;29;20;ESE;18;37%;0%;11
Phnom Penh, Cambodia;A shower or two;33;23;A shower in the p.m.;31;23;SW;7;71%;66%;7
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea;Clearing;32;24;Brief p.m. showers;30;22;NNW;28;66%;91%;3
Port-au-prince, Haiti;Partly sunny;33;20;Mostly sunny;33;21;ENE;8;45%;28%;6
Prague, Czech Republic;Partly sunny;7;0;A little rain;9;3;SW;18;65%;85%;1
Pyongyang, North Korea;Sunny, not as cold;1;-13;Plenty of sunshine;-1;-18;W;8;38%;0%;3
Quito, Ecuador;Showers around;22;12;A t-storm in spots;22;12;NW;13;52%;66%;8
Rabat, Morocco;Partly sunny;20;8;A passing shower;15;7;S;6;78%;58%;2
Recife, Brazil;Rain, a thunderstorm;31;26;Spotty showers;31;26;E;16;67%;67%;12
Reykjavik, Iceland;Mostly cloudy;1;-3;Partly sunny;0;-5;NNE;14;56%;4%;1
Riga, Latvia;A little snow;1;-2;Mostly cloudy;1;-1;SSE;7;91%;72%;0
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil;Rain, a thunderstorm;26;23;A little a.m. rain;29;22;WNW;14;64%;75%;10
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia;Decreasing clouds;17;6;Plenty of sunshine;18;7;ENE;8;25%;0%;5
Rome, Italy;Partial sunshine;15;5;A shower;13;8;S;8;73%;80%;2
Saint Petersburg, Russia;A little snow;-6;-10;Clouds and sun;-6;-13;ESE;12;76%;23%;1
San Francisco, United States;Partly sunny;17;8;Partly sunny;16;9;NW;10;78%;1%;3
San Jose, Costa Rica;Partly sunny;26;19;Clouds and sun, nice;26;19;ENE;20;63%;3%;9
San Juan, Puerto Rico;Partly sunny;28;22;Partly sunny, nice;27;22;E;16;60%;7%;6
San Salvador, El Salvador;Periods of sun;25;18;Partly sunny, nice;25;17;N;19;67%;17%;8
Sana'a, Yemen;Mostly sunny, nice;23;5;Mostly sunny, nice;22;5;ESE;8;43%;5%;8
Santiago, Chile;Sunny and pleasant;31;15;Plenty of sunshine;33;16;SW;11;34%;0%;11
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic;Partly sunny;27;21;Mostly sunny;27;20;NNE;11;71%;32%;6
Sao Paulo, Brazil;Mostly sunny;18;4;Mostly sunny;18;2;ENE;7;64%;4%;3
Seattle, United States;Spotty showers;9;4;A touch of rain;8;5;S;12;76%;80%;1
Seoul, South Korea;A bit of p.m. snow;-1;-5;Mostly cloudy;1;-8;N;9;41%;0%;1
Shanghai, China;Mostly cloudy;4;-1;Cloudy and chilly;3;-2;NNW;11;62%;5%;1
Singapore, Singapore;A t-storm in spots;33;25;A shower;32;25;N;18;76%;69%;10
Sofia, Bulgaria;Mostly sunny, mild;12;-5;Partly sunny, mild;10;-4;S;7;70%;0%;3
St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda;Mostly sunny, nice;27;22;Mostly sunny;27;21;NE;13;57%;25%;6
Stockholm, Sweden;Clouds and sun;0;-4;Snow and rain;3;1;SE;15;91%;90%;0
Sydney, Australia;Mostly sunny, nice;29;18;Cooler;21;18;S;33;68%;81%;6
Taipei City, Taiwan;Rain and drizzle;14;13;Rain and drizzle;16;11;NNE;18;79%;92%;1
Tallinn, Estonia;A little snow;0;-3;Clouds and sun;-1;-3;SE;9;54%;71%;1
Tashkent, Uzbekistan;Mostly sunny, cold;1;-6;Not as cold;6;-4;SE;6;47%;8%;3
Tbilisi, Georgia;Decreasing clouds;9;-2;A p.m. shower or two;7;0;NW;11;73%;83%;3
Tehran, Iran;Turning cloudy, cold;3;-4;Sunny, but chilly;6;-2;NNE;11;28%;0%;4
Tel Aviv, Israel;Partly sunny;18;9;Sunshine;18;8;NE;8;67%;2%;4
Tirana, Albania;Partly sunny;16;2;Partly sunny;15;3;SE;5;60%;9%;3
Tokyo, Japan;Mainly cloudy;6;-2;Mostly sunny, chilly;8;1;N;9;57%;27%;3
Toronto, Canada;Mostly sunny;-5;-10;Cloudy, not as cold;2;0;SW;29;67%;59%;1
Tripoli, Libya;Mostly sunny;19;9;Plenty of sunshine;18;9;ESE;4;61%;0%;4
Tunis, Tunisia;Mostly sunny;18;6;Mostly sunny, nice;18;8;SSW;5;69%;0%;3
Ulan Bator, Mongolia;Sunny and cold;-16;-30;Increasing clouds;-17;-31;N;8;75%;44%;2
Vancouver, Canada;Spotty showers;7;1;An afternoon shower;6;2;ENE;7;65%;72%;1
Vienna, Austria;Mostly cloudy, mild;10;0;Turning cloudy, mild;10;2;SSE;8;76%;31%;2
Vientiane, Laos;Not as warm;25;17;Mostly cloudy;24;13;E;10;57%;17%;2
Vilnius, Lithuania;Snow and rain;2;-3;Mostly cloudy;2;0;S;11;65%;67%;1
Warsaw, Poland;Rain and snow shower;6;0;Cloudy;5;2;SSW;16;82%;75%;1
Wellington, New Zealand;Windy, not as warm;24;19;Clouds and sun;24;20;NNW;35;71%;4%;9
Yangon, Myanmar;Plenty of sunshine;34;14;Sunny and nice;31;13;SW;7;48%;0%;6
Yerevan, Armenia;Sun and some clouds;4;-7;Mostly sunny;5;-1;SE;4;48%;53%;3
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Copyright 2018 AccuWeather
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Keywords: Forecast, Global, Celsius | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-01-30 20:00:00 | Global Forecast-Celsius | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3354172 | |
Sanders 'sickened,' shooter possibly linked to '16 campaign | WASHINGTON (AP) — The man who shot a congressman and four other people Wednesday had apparently volunteered for Bernie Sanders' 2016 presidential campaign, the Vermont senator said Wednesday before assailing violence as "unacceptable in our society."
"I am sickened by this despicable act," said Sanders, an independent.
Sanders, 75, unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination against Hillary Clinton. He ran a passionate, anti-establishment campaign that won support from many younger, liberal voters and gave Clinton a closer race than many expected, but he eventually backed her candidacy.
The senator spoke hours after a man identified as James T. Hodgkinson of Belleville, Illinois, opened fire on Republican lawmakers, aides and others practicing baseball in suburban Alexandria, Virginia. Officers shot Hodgkinson, who later died.
Sanders issued a two-paragraph statement on the shooting and read it nearly verbatim on the Senate floor. He ignored a reporter's attempt to ask him questions, walking briskly out of the Capitol after a vote.
"Violence of any kind is unacceptable in our society, and I condemn this action in the strongest possible terms," Sanders said. "Real change can only come about through nonviolent action, and anything else runs against our most deeply held American values."
Robert Becker, director of Sanders' Iowa campaign, said staff workers could not recall Hodgkinson. Hodgkinson was said to have been among 1,000 volunteers around Davenport, but Becker said, "Nobody has a recollection of this guy coming in." | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2017-06-15 04:03:00 | Sanders 'sickened,' shooter possibly linked to '16 campaign | http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3188119 | http://tnimage.taiwannews.com.tw/photos/shares/AP/20170615/8d5c059316e445a2b21f9cf20721e3ea.jpg |
Jets sign LB Brandon Copeland, re-sign DL Xavier Cooper | NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Jets have signed former Lions linebacker Brandon Copeland and re-signed defensive lineman Xavier Cooper.
Copeland missed last season after tearing a pectoral muscle during the preseason. He had 30 tackles and one forced fumble in 32 games the previous two seasons with the Lions. The 26-year-old Copeland will be a backup on defense and be a key part of the Jets' special teams unit.
He signed with Baltimore as an undrafted free agent out of Penn in 2013 and spent time later that season on Tennessee's practice squad. After signing with Orlando of the Arena Football League in 2015, Copeland impressed Detroit after participating in the NFL Veterans Combine.
Cooper was not tendered as a restricted free agent, but was brought back after he had 16 tackles and one sack in eight games. His play increased when Muhammad Wilkerson was benched at the end of the season.
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For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP_NFL | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-03-20 09:35:00 | Jets sign LB Brandon Copeland, re-sign DL Xavier Cooper | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3385906 | |
Review: A star is born in Oscar-nominee 'A Fantastic Woman' | The lead character of Sebastian Lelio's film "A Fantastic Woman " is named Marina. She is a nightclub singer and a waitress. She has a boyfriend, Orlando, who is much older than her, but that matters little. They are clearly smitten with one another and in that post-honeymoon phase of the relationship where things are still passionate, but also calm and comforting. They're planning a trip together. She's moving in. Life is moving along nicely it seems.
Marina is also a transgender woman, portrayed by a transgender actress, Daniela Vega. If you've heard of "A Fantastic Woman," which recently picked up a best foreign language film nomination for Chile, you've likely heard this fact. It might even be the only thing you know about it.
What's astonishing about the actual experience of watching "A Fantastic Woman" is how small of "a thing" it really is, and in that way perhaps one of the truest expressions of modern transgender life that we've ever seen in a fictional film. Marina is just Marina. She has a delicate beauty, and a cool choppy Alexa Chung-like haircut and style. On stage, she's performs with a sultry confidence. Off stage, she's quieter and almost reserved, but very present, especially around Orlando (Francisco Reyes).
But one night, Orlando dies suddenly and Marina's tranquility is thrown into a tailspin — not just from the death of her love, but from all the unnecessary and often ridiculous complications, some bureaucratic, some purely emotional, that emerge and seem to stem from the fact that she is transgender.
At the hospital where Orlando dies, the fact that her legal name is still her birth name and not Marina becomes an issue with a cop (who an uncomfortable doctor calls when she leaves the scene after he's pronounced dead). A social worker, too, becomes obsessed with checking on Marina, which she continues to explain is just a matter of procedure and to ensure that she was not abused or a sex worker, but which feels nothing but invasive and inappropriate from Marina's perspective. Orlando's family, too, is unconscionably cruel to her — save for his brother, Gabo (Luis Gnecco), who seems to be the only person in the film empathetic to the fact that Marina is just a human who has lost a loved one.
Every day is filled with the ever-present threat that someone is going to be uncomfortable with her. Marina is gracious and accommodating almost to a fault, both to the insidiously subtle kinds of judgment and the more outward violence and hatred. Orlando's ex-wife tells her in no uncertain terms that she is not welcome at the funeral or wake. His grief stricken son is disgusted by her and makes no attempt to hide. And all Marina wants to do is grieve in her own way.
Lelio's film occasionally delves into some magical realism as Marina struggles to maintain her composure amid such callous inhumanity from so many people, which is a beautiful if jarring disruption in a film that's otherwise so committed to reality.
It's Vega's extraordinary performance, full of grace and depth, that keeps "A Fantastic Woman" in check from becoming something either too campy or too sanctimonious. It's one that has the power to make an audience really understand and internalize why it is an act of bravery to simply live life as herself, and perhaps even change some minds in the process.
"A Fantastic Woman," a Sony Pictures Classics release, is rated R by the Motion Picture Association of America for "language, sexual content, nudity and a disturbing assault." Running time: 104 minutes. Three stars out of four.
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MPAA Definition of R: Restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
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Follow AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ldbahr | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-02-03 00:00:00 | Review: A star is born in Oscar-nominee 'A Fantastic Woman' | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3354542 | |
Neal Analytics Expands Executive Pool; Names John Frankovich as Chief Customer Officer | BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 23, 2018--Neal Analytics, a leading provider of Modern Data and Intelligence solutions, today announced the appointment of veteran technology executive John Frankovich to the newly created role of Chief Customer Officer as the company looks to scale operations and expand customer success programs during this time of high growth.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180423006121/en/
John Frankovich, Neal Analytics' Chief Customer Officer. (Photo: Business Wire)
Frankovich has built a reputation as an industry thought leader and has built and led numerous national and international businesses and subsidiaries. John comes to Neal Analytics after spending more than 5 years as Global Vice President at Comcast NBCU where he led their global Digital Streaming Video consulting business. Previously he served as CEO of multiple advanced technology companies including Vortex Consulting Partners and the Ramp Technology Group. Before that, he was a Senior Vice President at the big 6 management consulting firm Capgemini. Frankovich holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and a Master's of Science in Software Engineering. He will report directly to Dylan Dias, CEO and Managing Partner of Neal Analytics.
"The essence of Neal Analytics success is simple: We have an unwavering commitment to delivering outstanding Analytics results for our clients by leveraging our industry-leading skills in Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, and Cloud Technologies," said Dylan Dias. "We are delighted to have John join the team. His deep business experience and proven effectiveness in driving client-centered operations re-enforces our ability to scale the business while providing game-changing results to our clients."
Frankovich added, "Neal Analytics’ ability to seamlessly combine their award-winning Deep Analytics Products and Services with their world class team of Data Scientists, Business Experts, and Technology leaders sets them apart in the market.” John continued “Business leaders today are seeking truly robust, integrated and value-based partners. I'm very excited to join this highly regarded team and leverage my experience to help us seize current opportunities and continue to build Neal’s loyal client base."
As CCO and member of the Executive Leadership Team, Frankovich will be responsible for leading the day-to-day management of the firm’s domestic and international Professional Services Division, Customer onboarding & training, Customer Success, and the Customer Engagement Lifecycle. His overall goal is to help all customers get the highest possible value from their solutions and products.
About Neal Analytics
Established in 2011, Neal Analytics is a global Digital Solutions Provider that specializes in fulfilling the “promise of Digital” by transforming corporate data into valuable assets and a competitive advantage. Neal has unique reach among Fortune-50 clients and the ability to make a difference when solving the toughest business problems. With pragmatic approaches to technologies ranging from Data warehousing, Dashboards, Big Data, Cloud, IoT, Advanced Analytics, Deep Learning, AI, and beyond, Neal Analytics has the skills and experience to deliver game-changing results.
Neal Analytics is the proud recipient of Microsoft's Global Partner of the Year for Business Analytics (2017).
View source version on businesswire.com:https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180423006121/en/
CONTACT: Neal Analytics
Kevin Wang, Marketing Manager
(206) 286-9200
KevinW@nealanalytics.com
KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA WASHINGTON
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: TECHNOLOGY DATA MANAGEMENT NETWORKS OTHER TECHNOLOGY PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONSULTING
SOURCE: Neal Analytics
Copyright Business Wire 2018.
PUB: 04/23/2018 12:53 PM/DISC: 04/23/2018 12:53 PM
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180423006121/en | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-04-24 00:53:00 | Neal Analytics Expands Executive Pool; Names John Frankovich as Chief Customer Officer | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3413527 | |
Israel survey finds deep divisions, displeasure with leaders | JERUSALEM (AP) — It's no secret that Israel is a deeply polarized nation, with its prime minister facing a slew of corruption allegations, the peace process at a standstill and the government moving to stifle critics.
But a new survey released on Tuesday shows just how divided the country has become. Seventy-two percent of left-wing voters fear Israel's democracy is in danger, an even higher figure than the 65 percent of Arab citizens who feel that way.
The annual Israeli Democracy Index interviewed 1,024 people in May and had a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points. The margin increased to 3.4 points for Jewish respondents and 7.9 points for the smaller Arab sample size.
The survey found that 68 percent of all respondents felt that parliament members don't perform their duties properly. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2017-12-12 16:31:00 | Israel survey finds deep divisions, displeasure with leaders | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3318630 | |
Two winning tickets split NT$1.17 billion Taiwan Power Lottery jackpot | TAIPEI (Taiwan News) -- Two lucky winners now share the Power Lottery's (威力彩) whopping NT$1.17 billion jackpot, with the lucky tickets purchased in Taichung and Tainan, announced the Taiwan Lottery on Monday.
The winning number for the Power Lottery (威力彩) are 38, 16, 15, 03, 23, 10 in the first section, while the winning number in the second section is 03.
The winning ticket in Tainan was purchased at the Sanyou (三友) lottery store in the city's Rende District, while the winning ticket in Taichung was purchased at the Tianjiangcai (天降財) lottery store in the city's East District. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2017-12-12 09:46:00 | Check your numbers to see if you are one of two lucky winners of the NT$1.17 Power Lottery jackpot.There are two winning tickets for the NT$1.17 billion Taiwan Power Lottery jackpot, one issued in Taichung and the other in Tainan. | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3318299 | |
West Indies 106-5 at lunch on day 4, 2nd test vs NZ | HAMILTON, New Zealand (AP) — Trent Boult claimed his 200th test wicket as New Zealand closed in on a match and series win over the West Indies on the fourth day of the second test.
The West Indies, needing 444 runs to win the test and level the two-test series, were 106-5 at lunch on Tuesday, still 338 runs behind. Roston Chase was 32 not out, Raymon Reifer was unbeaten on 9 and Sunil Ambris retired hurt. New Zealand won the first test by an innings and 67 runs.
Boult dismissed West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite (20) in the sixth over of the morning to become the fifth New Zealander after Richard Hadlee (433), Daniel Vettori (361), Chris Martin (233) and Chris Cairns (218) to take 200 wickets in test cricket.
Boult took 4-73 in the first innings, scored 37 not out at No. 11 as New Zealand made 373 batting first, took two catches as the West Indies were dismissed for 221 in their first innings and had 2-38 at lunch.
Brathwaite, leading the West Indies in this test in place of the suspended Jason Holder, top-scored in the first innings with 66. His seemed the critical wicket Tuesday and Boult claimed it early after the West Indies resumed at 30-2.
Brathwaite had moved to 20 when he cut a ball from Boult directly to Kane Williamson, who took an easy catch at gully.
Neil Wagner, who used leg theory to take 7-39 in the first innings of the first test, setting up New Zealand's series-opening win in Wellington, hit Hope on the forearm with a short delivery early in the day. Hope had reached 23 but was unsettled after being struck and fell at 68-4 when he hooked another short ball from Wagner to Colin de Grandhomme at backward square.
Wagner also struck Ambris (5), who retired hurt with a wrist injury and was taken to hospital for tests. The incident continued an eventful start to Ambris's test career; he has been out hit wicket twice in his first three innings, including to the first ball he faced in tests.
Wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich, who went to the crease in place of Ambris, lasted two balls and hadn't scored when he parried a short ball from Wagner to Henry Nicholls at short leg.
Chase batted soundly for his 32 from 52 balls and Reifer, on test debut, again showed his stickability. He made an unbeaten 23 in the first innings. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2017-12-12 08:19:00 | West Indies 106-5 at lunch on day 4, 2nd test vs NZ | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3318265 | |
Ovechkin helps Capitals beat Golden Knights 3-2, even series | LAS VEGAS (AP) — Alex Ovechkin scored and blocked a shot in the second period and Braden Holtby made spectacular saves, lifting the Washington Capitals to a series-tying 3-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final on Wednesday night.
Lars Eller had a goal and two assists as the Capitals secured the first win in the Final in franchise history. Washington was swept by Detroit in the 1998 Final.
Brooks Orpik scored Washington's third goal midway through the second period, ending a 220-game drought.
James Neal gave the Golden Knights a 1-0 lead 7:58 into the game and Shea Theodore pulled them within a goal late in the second.
Game 3 is Saturday night in Washington.
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More Stanley Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/StanleyCupFinals | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-05-31 21:00:00 | Ovechkin helps Capitals beat Golden Knights 3-2, even series | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3444738 | |
Curry, Durant committed to keeping Golden State on top | OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Stephen Curry will likely go from being the NBA's biggest bargain to signing the richest contract in the league at more than $200 million. And he looks forward to the nice payday.
Yet the two-time reigning MVP and new NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant said Wednesday they would seriously consider less money to keep the core of the champion Golden State Warriors intact.
Two days after capturing the franchise's second title in three years against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Warriors prepared to part ways for what will be a busy offseason for general manager Bob Myers and the front office.
Durant hinted he would opt out of a deal that pays him the maximum he can get in order to help Golden State's chances of re-signing Andre Iguodala or Shaun Livingston.
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More AP NBA: http://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2017-06-15 06:31:00 | Curry, Durant committed to keeping Golden State on top | http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3188164 | http://tnimage.taiwannews.com.tw/photos/shares/AP/20170615/987a32241d1f4182af7b0eb4dabbbc33.jpg |
Dangerous winds persist as wildfires roar in California | LOS ANGELES (AP) — The winds aren't changing for Southern California's wildfires yet.
The fifth largest blaze in state history was threatening thousands of homes as it churned through coastal mountains amid persistently dangerous weather conditions.
Red Flag warnings for fire danger due to Santa Ana winds and a critical lack of moisture were extended instead of expiring Monday afternoon as was initially forecast.
The National Weather Service tweeted, "It doesn't get much drier than this," signaling that the dangerous fire conditions just aren't going away.
The wildfire has destroyed 683 homes and burned over 360 square miles of dry brush and timber. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2017-12-12 16:02:00 | Dangerous winds persist as wildfires roar in California | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3318606 | |
Bond set for Polish-born doctor jailed for 1992 misdemeanors | KALAMAZOO, Mich. (AP) — An immigration judge in Detroit has set bond at $10,000 for a Polish-born Michigan doctor arrested last week by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials because of two misdemeanor convictions about 25 years ago.
WWMT-TV reports Lukasz Niec was able to post bond and is expected to be released Thursday from the Calhoun County Jail.
ICE officials said Niec was arrested Jan. 16 for "administrative immigration violations" and that the 43-year-old can be deported for those 1992 convictions — malicious destruction of property and receiving stolen goods. They date back to when he was in high school.
Niec came to the U.S. legally as a young child.
Relatives say he pleaded guilty through a state program designed to help young offenders and was told it wouldn't be used in a deportation.
WOOD-TV reports Niec's next hearing is Feb. 22. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-02-01 08:38:00 | Bond set for Polish-born doctor jailed for 1992 misdemeanors | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3355074 | |
Many people of color not won over by Trump call for unity | President Donald Trump's call for American unity in his first State of the Union address struck an us-versus-them tone for many minorities, raising questions as to what extent Americans are put off by a leader who continually draws criticism as bigoted and xenophobic.
For many people of color, Trump's address before Congress on Tuesday night hardly reflected a shift in his ideology or his bruising style of governance. It was not lost on them that the president simply softened what he's been saying all along, particularly when it comes to immigration, and sought to add a veneer of tolerance by using the stories of people of color to illustrate his points.
"After more than a year of toxic policies and attacks on marginalized communities, the time for hoping Trump might change is long over," said Color of Change Executive Director Rashad Robinson. "Behaving like an adult for one speech doesn't change those facts."
In taking credit for a drop in black unemployment, Trump showcased a black welder's journey from unemployment to a meaningful career. At one point, he reiterated his disgust for NFL players' national anthem protests against systemic racism by praising a 12-year-old white boy's act of patriotism. And he conflated immigration with urban gun violence by highlighting two Long Island families who were victimized by gang members who were in the country illegally.
The result was a rhetorical throwback to mean-spirited race baiting of the past, said Brookings Institute research fellow Andre Perry.
"You replace 'immigrant' with 'black person,' and you're talking 1950s rhetoric," Perry said. "If you're a person of color, it wasn't a dog whistle — it was a direct attack. It wasn't that long ago that blacks and women were not full citizens, but we were members of society denied rights under the law."
While some praised Trump for staying on message and striking a more presidential tone, others pointed out that his tone contradicted his actions.
"President Trump can pause his Twitter habits long enough to deliver a prepared speech to a national TV audience, but isn't doing anything real to bring us together or improve the lives of everyday Americans," Democratic Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey said in a statement.
Reps. John Lewis of Georgia, Maxine Waters of California and Al Green of Texas — all Democrats who have criticized Trump— decided to skip the speech entirely.
"I'm part of those who decided that we would protest outside as a matter of principle to say to the president, 'We disapprove of what you're doing,'" Green said Tuesday night.
Others wore black to show their displeasure, and several wore sashes or ties made of African Kente cloth, a nod to the president's reference to African nations as "shithole countries." Some wore buttons bearing the name of Recy Taylor, a black Alabama woman gang raped by white men during the Jim Crow era; she died in late December at age 97.
"There was nothing to clap for, nothing to be happy about, nothing to smile about and nothing to be applauding about," said Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, a New Jersey Democrat who ordered the Recy Taylor buttons. "He takes credit for things he has no right to take credit for. He really did not speak to how racist he's been or xenophobic he's been or sexist he's been, so he really didn't speak to the things that I expected him to or would want him to have addressed."
As Trump touted the low black unemployment rate, several black members of Congress sat stone-faced amid cheers from their Republican colleagues.
The speech, historically a list of priorities for presidents, was also about what Trump didn't say. There was scant reference to hurricane-devastated Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, no mention of the racial violence that erupted last summer in Charlottesville, Virginia, nor of the evolving #MeToo movement against sexual harassment.
The president has denied that he is a racist. However, soon after his inauguration, he signed an executive order banning people from several Muslim countries from coming to America, prompting protests nationwide. To kickoff Black History Month last February, he clumsily referenced 19th-century abolitionist Frederick Douglass as if he were still alive. He defended white supremacists after they rallied in Charlottesville, blaming "both sides" for deadly violence there. And he has repeatedly labeled immigrants as criminal and targeted so-called sanctuary cities who refuse to aid federal law enforcement.
Such actions, Perry said, can't be covered by "platitudes of American togetherness that mask rabid, structural racism and really doesn't include black people, Latinos, immigrants and others."
"It's outrageous that people aren't seeing the hypocrisy," Perry added.
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Associated Press video journalist Noreen Nasir contributed to this report. Errin Haines Whack is The Associated Press' national writer on race and ethnicity. Follow her work on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/emarvelous | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-02-01 13:26:00 | Many people of color not won over by Trump call for unity | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3355181 | |
National Hockey League | All Times EST EASTERN CONFERENCE GP W L OT Pts GF GA Tampa Bay 50 34 13 3 71 176 128 Boston 48 29 11 8 66 157 119 Washington 50 30 15 5 65 155 141 Toronto 52 29 18 5 63 167 146 Pittsburgh 52 28 21 3 59 156 155 New Jersey 49 25 16 8 58 147 147 Columbus 50 27 19 4 58 133 140 Philadelphia 50 24 18 8 56 144 146 N.Y. Rangers 50 25 20 5 55 153 151 N.Y. Islanders 52 25 22 5 55 173 189 Carolina 50 23 19 8 54 139 155 Florida 48 20 22 6 46 136 159 Detroit 48 19 21 8 46 126 146 Montreal 50 20 24 6 46 130 159 Ottawa 48 15 24 9 39 125 168 Buffalo 50 14 27 9 37 115 166 WESTERN CONFERENCE GP W L OT Pts GF GA Vegas 49 33 12 4 70 168 130 Winnipeg 51 30 13 8 68 167 137 Nashville 48 29 12 7 65 146 125 St. Louis 52 31 18 3 65 151 131 Dallas 51 28 19 4 60 155 137 San Jose 49 26 16 7 59 145 138 Minnesota 50 27 18 5 59 147 142 Los Angeles 50 27 18 5 59 142 121 Anaheim 51 25 17 9 59 144 142 Colorado 49 27 18 4 58 160 143 Calgary 50 25 17 8 58 139 139 Chicago 50 24 19 7 55 148 137 Edmonton 49 22 24 3 47 135 157 Vancouver 50 20 24 6 46 131 162 Arizona 50 12 29 9 33 118 172
NOTE: Two points for a win, one point for overtime loss. Top three teams in each division and two wild cards per conference advance to playoffs.
Tuesday's Games
Minnesota 3, Columbus 2, SO
Pittsburgh 5, San Jose 2
Florida 4, N.Y. Islanders 1
Anaheim 3, Boston 1
Carolina 2, Ottawa 1
New Jersey 3, Buffalo 1
Winnipeg 3, Tampa Bay 1
St. Louis 3, Montreal 1
Chicago 2, Nashville 1
Los Angeles 3, Dallas 0
Vegas 4, Calgary 2
Vancouver 4, Colorado 3, OT
Wednesday's Games
Toronto 5, N.Y. Islanders 0
Washington 5, Philadelphia 3
San Jose at Detroit, 8 p.m.
Thursday's Games
Toronto at N.Y. Rangers, 7 p.m.
Montreal at Carolina, 7 p.m.
St. Louis at Boston, 7 p.m.
Florida at Buffalo, 7 p.m.
Anaheim at Ottawa, 7 p.m.
Philadelphia at New Jersey, 7 p.m.
Vegas at Winnipeg, 8 p.m.
Los Angeles at Nashville, 8:30 p.m.
Tampa Bay at Calgary, 9 p.m.
Dallas at Arizona, 9 p.m.
Colorado at Edmonton, 9 p.m.
Chicago at Vancouver, 10 p.m.
Friday's Games
Washington at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m.
Detroit at Carolina, 7 p.m.
San Jose at Columbus, 7 p.m.
Vegas at Minnesota, 8 p.m.
Saturday's Games
Ottawa at Philadelphia, 1 p.m.
Anaheim at Montreal, 1 p.m.
Detroit at Florida, 7 p.m.
Pittsburgh at New Jersey, 7 p.m.
St. Louis at Buffalo, 7 p.m.
Columbus at N.Y. Islanders, 7 p.m.
Colorado at Winnipeg, 7 p.m.
Toronto at Boston, 7 p.m.
N.Y. Rangers at Nashville, 8 p.m.
Minnesota at Dallas, 8 p.m.
Tampa Bay at Vancouver, 10 p.m.
Chicago at Calgary, 10 p.m.
Arizona at Los Angeles, 10:30 p.m. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-02-01 11:50:00 | National Hockey League | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3355139 | |
Australians commemorate 103rd anniversary of Turkish battle | Thousands of Australians have gathered at pre-dawn services around the country to commemorate the moment when Australian and New Zealand Army Corps troops waded ashore at the Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey 103 years ago in their first major battle of World War I.
Because extremists have targeted annual ANZAC Day April 25 ceremonies in the past, concrete barriers were placed around the service in downtown Sydney to protect those who gathered at Martin Place against vehicle attacks.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, his French counterpart Edouard Philippe and the heir to the British throne, Prince Charles, will mark ANZAC Day in France with a service that also commemorates the 100th anniversary of Australian troops taking the town of Villers-Bretonneux from the Germans.
Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton represents the Australian government at a service at ANZAC Cove at Gallipoli where the Australian and New Zealand troops landed under British command in an ill-fated attempt to take the Ottoman Empire out of the war. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-04-25 06:26:00 | Australians commemorate 103rd anniversary of Turkish battle | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3413709 | |
El Salvador: Constitutional ban on same-sex marriage blocked | SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP) — El Salvador's Supreme Court is putting the brakes on a constitutional change that would bar same-sex marriage.
The ruling blocks lawmakers from ratifying the measure, which also would constitutionally recognize matrimony as being between a man and a woman "born that way" and prohibit same-sex couples from adopting children.
The Legislative Assembly approved the measure in April 2015. For it to be ratified, it would need 56 of the 84 lawmakers in the current assembly to vote in favor.
The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday there were procedural missteps as it was fast-tracked through the assembly and voted on "urgently" with just days left in the session.
The court said that was improper for a constitutional change and there was no opportunity for the public to be informed and weigh in. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-02-01 10:18:00 | El Salvador: Constitutional ban on same-sex marriage blocked | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3355093 | |
Seth Meyers' 'Closer Look' segments are 'Late Night' staple | NEW YORK (AP) — From "covfefe" to Sean Spicer's press briefings, the Trump administration has provided a steady stream of material for late-night shows.
NBC's "Late Night with Seth Meyers" now devotes up to 12 minutes of airtime three to four days a week with a segment called "A Closer Look."
During these segments, Meyers and his writers take an element of news and do a deep dive. On Monday it was President Donald Trump's efforts to discredit former FBI Director James Comey while also trying to bolster his own reputation. He asked Cabinet members to give him compliments in an on-air round table.
"Is there anything creepier than Trump making his staff go around the room and praise him? Even Kim Jong Il is like, 'Dude, have some self-respect,'" joked Meyers in "A Closer Look" segment.
Meyers says his interest in current events and politics stems from his childhood.
"My parents are very much into reading newspapers, watching the news every night," he says. "I grew up in New Hampshire, so presidential politics were on our front door every four years for six months."
"Late Night" head writer Alex Baze says people are paying attention to politics.
"You can do your best work when the audience has a lot of information," he said. "When you have to explain the whole story and then make a joke, it really loses steam along the way."
Sal Gentile, designated writer for "A Closer Look," says it's "a lot of rapid-fire joke writing."
"First you're processing news and on top of that you've got to write jokes," he says. "It requires speed and discipline."
The "Closer Look" segment appears three or four times a week, and "Late Night" producer and showrunner Mike Shoemaker says it's "the thing that excites us."
"If you asked me a few years ago, 'Do you think you'll have 12-minute segments that will even go on YouTube much less get a million views by the next day,' I'd be very surprised. ... People accept it at every length and sometimes even the longer ones do better," he says. "We learned to let the segment run and figure out the rest."
Meyers says there are no rules about "A Closer Look."
"I think one of the great advantages we have over real journalists who wonderfully have higher standards than we do is, when you're dealing with an administration that often doesn't have a lot of respect for integrity, comedy shows like ours are kind of better suited to call them out," he said.
He says the main goal of the segments is to entertain, but it's cathartic for him as well. "It's the best feeling to have a day where there are things in the news that are frustrating to you and stressful, but if you can go out and tell jokes, it is the best feeling. I'm very lucky. I feel very fortunate to tell jokes now more than ever."
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Online:
http://www.nbc.com/late-night-with-seth-meyers | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2017-06-15 03:01:00 | Seth Meyers' 'Closer Look' segments are 'Late Night' staple | http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3188087 | http://tnimage.taiwannews.com.tw/photos/shares/AP/20170615/838e3418ff094dc492e9b7e44d8f0f68.jpg |
Publisher of Argentina's Clarin paper Herrera de Noble dies | BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Argentina's Clarin newspaper says that its longtime publisher Ernestina Herrera de Noble has died at age 92.
Herrera de Noble led Argentina's widest-circulation newspaper for nearly 50 years and helped build one of Latin America's largest media conglomerates.
Grupo Clarin says died Wednesday and that her health had been deteriorating over the past three weeks. No other details have been provided.
The media group owns dozens of cable systems, radio stations and TV channels in addition to its flagship daily newspaper.
Clarin and former President Cristina Fernandez became bitter opponents during her 2007-2015 administration. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2017-06-15 03:15:00 | Publisher of Argentina's Clarin paper Herrera de Noble dies | http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3188090 | http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/images/category/580888eb17740.jpg |
Spain PM urges Catalonia to opt for "clean candidate" | MADRID (AP) — Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy is urging the Catalan parliament not to press ahead with the candidacy of fugitive leader Carles Puigdemont for regional president and instead to opt for a lawmaker free of legal proceedings.
Speaking Tuesday on Spanish National Television hours before the parliament is scheduled to hold an investiture vote for Puigdemont, Rajoy said the parliament speaker will face legal consequences if he disobeys a Constitutional Court order saying Puigdemont can only be voted on if he is physically present and has previously obtained court permission.
Puigdemont faces arrest if he returns to Spain.
Rajoy said the "most sensible" thing for the parliament speaker would be to propose a "clean candidate" who is willing to obey the law and work for the return of normality in Catalonia. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-02-03 00:00:00 | Spain PM urges Catalonia to opt for "clean candidate" | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3354123 | |
Reports: Gouri, Israeli poet of founding generation, dies | JERUSALEM (AP) — Haim Gouri, a leading Israeli poet of the state's founding generation, died Wednesday, according to media reports. He was 94.
President Reuven Rivlin in a statement mourned his passing as "the national poet of our time" and a "life teacher."
Gouri was born in Tel Aviv and fought in the Palmach, the elite force of the pre-state militia later serving in Israel's army, reports said.
He was a prolific and influential poet with songs about the birth of modern Israel that became deeply rooted in the country's ethos.
He was not shy in airing his political views and was critical of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. Five years ago he told parliament that despite "knowing almost every stone in this land" he now "has difficulty recognizing it."
Gouri was the recipient of several prestigious awards for his work, including the Israel Prize, the country's top honor. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-01-31 16:24:00 | Reports: Gouri, Israeli poet of founding generation, dies | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3354714 | |
Lawsuit: Teen prisoner raped by inmate, infected with HIV | BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — A teenage inmate who was incarcerated with adults was raped by a prisoner who infected the teenager with HIV, according to a federal lawsuit that accuses the Louisiana jail of negligence.
The lawsuit, filed Monday, also accuses East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff Sid Gautreaux and two deputies of violating the teen's constitutional rights and disregarding a federal law that should have kept the teen segregated from the general population inmates. It seeks unspecified monetary damages from the sheriff, the jail's warden and another deputy.
The teen was 17 years old, met the criteria for a "high risk sexual victim" under the Prison Rape Elimination Act and should have remained segregated, the suit said. Instead, it said, the teen was transferred from the juvenile wing and attacked last February by a man awaiting trial on rape and robbery charges.
"This sexual predator, armed with a deadly disease, was at high risk not only of raping other inmates, but infecting them with HIV. He should have been put in isolation to protect the other inmates," the suit said.
But a sheriff's office spokeswoman, Casey Rayborn Hicks, disputes that the teen should have been classified as a high-risk sexual victim and said he was placed in general population only after he turned 18. Hicks said investigators believe the rape occurred in May 2017, roughly three months after his 18th birthday.
"Unfortunately, those that file lawsuits against the Sheriff's Office can make claims that have no merit and must be disputed in court," Hicks said in an email Tuesday. "In addition, when such inmates make claims in reference to their medical status, due to legal restrictions, the Sheriff's Office cannot publicly refute these claims even when they have no merit."
The suit says the teen, who was awaiting trial in a burglary case, was 5-foot-10 (1.7 meters), weighed 125 pounds (56 kilograms) and is "mildly mentally handicapped" from fetal alcohol syndrome. His age, size and "mental makeup" left him at high risk of being sexually assaulted in jail, according to the suit.
Hicks, however, said the jail has no record of the teen reporting or exhibiting "problems in terms of mental capacity." Medical records show the inmate weighed 150 pounds (68 kilograms) upon his arrival at the jail, 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms) heavier than the threshold for classifying an inmate as high risk under the Prison Rape Elimination Act, she added.
Warden Dennis Grimes served the teen up to his assailant "like a sacrificial lamb" by authorizing his transfer from the juvenile wing to a locked two-man cell in the general population, the suit said.
"The results were predictable and catastrophic," the suit said.
In 2016, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards signed a law that raised the state's adult prosecution age from 17 to 18. But the change hasn't taken effect yet because the law will be phased in over several years.
The teen's attorney, Joseph Long, said the Baton Rouge jail typically keeps 17-year-old prisoners housed in the juvenile wing. He said he doesn't know why his client was transferred to general population before his 18th birthday.
"Who authorized it and why?" he said. "We're going to find out."
The suit said the inmate threatened to kill the teen if he reported the rape. Deputies separated them and took the teen to the infirmary only after he smuggled a note out of his cell to report the rape, it said.
The teen tested positive for HIV in December, according to the suit. Jail officials allowed the teen's assailant to "roam freely in general population" even though they knew or should have known that the man was HIV positive, it said.
Hicks said the jail randomly tests inmates for HIV, but only if they consent.
"An inmate does not have to take an HIV test if they do not want to," she said.
Hicks said 224 inmates received HIV treatment last year.
"We cannot logistically segregate them nor can they be housed out of parish," she added. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-01-31 07:06:00 | Lawsuit: Teen prisoner raped by inmate, infected with HIV | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3354512 | |
Judge: Not enough evidence to charge ex-US Olympian in PR | SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — A judge in Puerto Rico has found there is not enough evidence to charge a former U.S. Olympic volleyball player from Louisiana in the 2016 death of her young daughter.
Police had accused Kim Willoughby of murder and child abuse in the case. It was not immediately clear if Willoughby had an attorney.
Police had said in 2016 that Willoughby told them her 3-year-old daughter slipped in the shower and died after hitting her head.
On Friday, police presented charges but a judge ruled there was not enough evidence to charge her.
Willoughby had played in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and won a silver medal. She later played with a team in Puerto Rico. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-01-27 08:19:00 | Judge: Not enough evidence to charge ex-US Olympian in PR | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3353783 | |
Game on: Tragedy won't stop congressional baseball game | WASHINGTON (AP) — The game will go on.
The annual Congressional Baseball Game, which dates to 1909 and is a summertime tradition on Capitol Hill, will be played on Thursday despite Wednesday's shooting at the GOP squad's practice in Alexandria, Virginia.
It's an annual event in which aging former Little Leaguers don their spikes and dust off their gloves in a game played for bragging rights and to benefit several charities.
House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., assured lawmakers assembled at a members' briefing that the game will go on, prompting a standing ovation.
Once a relatively cozy affair, played at a minor league ballpark in Maryland, the game has gone big time in recent years and has been played at Nationals Park, just a few blocks from the Capitol. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2017-06-15 00:00:00 | Game on: Tragedy won't stop congressional baseball game | http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3188082 | http://tnimage.taiwannews.com.tw/photos/shares/AP/20170615/a20f01fb2090478a941d386fe795b86a.jpg |
New leader of Olympic boxing body linked to organized crime | GENEVA (AP) — A boxing official described as "one of Uzbekistan's leading criminals" by United States authorities has been named interim president of the Olympic sport's governing body.
The International Boxing Federation (AIBA) said its vice president Gafur Rakhimov was promoted on Saturday after the "unexpected resignation" of interim leader Franco Falcinelli.
"Rakhimov has been described as having moved from extortion and car theft to becoming one of Uzbekistan's leading criminals and an important person involved in the heroin trade," the U.S. Treasury Department said last month when it announced freezing any assets he held under American jurisdiction.
Still, the long-serving AIBA vice president is set to lead the Switzerland-based organization for the next nine months until a scheduled election in Moscow.
AIBA was "obligated to follow the statutes" requiring the senior vice president to fill any vacancy, executive committee member Pat Fiacco told The Associated Press. He spoke by telephone from Dubai where national boxing federations held a special congress.
"There is nothing negative that the executive committee can say," Fiacco said, adding that Rakhimov has "contributed positively" to AIBA.
Rakhimov was linked last month to "Thieves-in-Law" by the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control, which said the group "originated in Stalinist prison camps."
"The Thieves-in-Law has grown into a vast criminal organization which has spread throughout the former Soviet Union, Europe, and the United States, engaging in a variety of crimes, such as money laundering, extortion, bribery, and robbery," the federal office said.
Rakhimov allegedly has supported the criminal group by "providing warning of law enforcement issues, arranging meetings, and addressing other problems."
A federal document said Rakhimov is resident in Dubai, where AIBA members met on Saturday. The meeting was called to deal with fallout and financial problems from the previous presidency of C.K. Wu, a Taiwanese member of the IOC who left office last year.
"We must work closely with national federations and with the International Olympic Committee to restore confidence in AIBA's financial management and in its integrity," Rakhimov said in a statement on AIBA's website.
Rakhimov was key to renegotiating a $10 million loan from the troubled governing body's main creditor, Benkons, a company from Azerbaijan.
"He did that on his own," Fiacco said of the new president's work. He was "not aware of any travel issues at this stage" that would prevent Rakhimov working at AIBA headquarters in the Olympic capital Lausanne.
In the AIBA statement, outgoing interim president Falcinelli praised his successor. "I am confident that he will provide the leadership to restore AIBA to greatness."
The IOC, which was represented in Dubai by its sports director Kit McConnell, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-01-28 00:46:00 | New leader of Olympic boxing body linked to organized crime | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3353773 | |
Facebook says it's banned 'misleading' financial ads | NEW YORK (AP) — Facebook says it is banning ads for financial products often associated with deceptive practices, including those involving cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin.
The new policy says ads can't promote such services, which also include those involving initial coin offerings. Those offerings are a means of raising capital by selling digital currency that can then be traded. The digital coins or tokens represent an interest in a company.
Facebook says examples of fraudulent ads include phrases like "use your retirement funds to buy Bitcoin!" | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-01-31 05:25:00 | Facebook says it's banned 'misleading' financial ads | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3354466 | |
Avalara Names Danny Fields EVP Engineering and CTO | SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 30, 2018--Avalara, Inc., a leading provider of cloud-based tax compliance automation for businesses of all sizes, today announced that tech industry veteran Danny Fields has joined the company as EVP Engineering and Chief Technology Officer. His responsibilities include shaping and leading the delivery and execution of Avalara’s technology vision, and overseeing the company’s global engineering teams.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180530005484/en/
Danny Fields, Avalara's new EVP Engineering and CTO (Photo: Business Wire)
Mr. Fields brings 28 years of engineering and executive management experience to Avalara. He has led teams in locations throughout the world, building complex enterprise cloud and on-premise solutions. He comes to Avalara from MobileIron, a global leader in mobile device management and enterprise mobility services, where he served as SVP of Engineering and Chief Software Development Officer.
Prior to MobileIron, Fields worked at Oracle where he was a Group Vice President responsible for building the Oracle Service Cloud, which powers thousands of customer service centers around the world and is used by hundreds of thousands of support agents. He joined Oracle as part of its $1.8B acquisition of RightNow Technologies. Fields was Vice President of Engineering, building the RightNow Service Cloud.
“Danny brings a highly sought-after combination of time-tested engineering skills and leadership to Avalara,” said Scott McFarlane. “Our customers require reliability and efficiency in our products. They expect us to deliver innovation within our products to keep pace with the accelerating complexity of tax. Danny will lead our distributed technology teams to achieve and exceed our promises for customers.”
About Avalara
Avalara helps businesses of all sizes achieve compliance with transaction taxes, including sales and use, VAT, excise, communications, and other tax types. The company delivers comprehensive, automated, cloud-based solutions designed to be fast, accurate, and easy to use. The Avalara Compliance Cloud® platform helps customers manage complicated and burdensome tax compliance obligations imposed by state, local, and other taxing authorities throughout the world.
Avalara offers more than 600 pre-built integrations into leading accounting, ERP, ecommerce and other business applications, making the integration of tax and compliance solutions easy for customers. Each year, the company processes billions of indirect tax transactions for customers and users, files more than a million tax returns, and manages millions of tax exemption certificates and other compliance documents.
A privately held company, Avalara’s venture capital investors include Sageview Capital, Battery Ventures, Warburg Pincus, Technology Crossover Ventures, Arthur Ventures, and other institutional and individual investors. Headquartered in Seattle, Avalara has offices across the U.S. and overseas in the U.K., Belgium, Brazil, and India. More information at www.avalara.com
View source version on businesswire.com:https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180530005484/en/
CONTACT: Hotwire for Avalara
Christine Penwell, 415-820-4160
avalaraUS@hotwireglobal.com
KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA WASHINGTON
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: TECHNOLOGY DATA MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FINANCE
SOURCE: Avalara, Inc.
Copyright Business Wire 2018.
PUB: 05/30/2018 11:00 AM/DISC: 05/30/2018 11:01 AM
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180530005484/en | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-05-30 23:01:00 | Avalara Names Danny Fields EVP Engineering and CTO | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3444397 | |
Chinese firm told to suspend $20 bln Malaysia rail project | KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — A Chinese company building a key rail link in Malaysia says it has been told to suspend work pending negotiations. It urged the new government elected two months ago to honor the contract.
The suspension Wednesday came a day after the government called for a sharp reduction in cost for the 688 kilometer (430 miles) East Coast Rail Link.
Officials say the project's actual cost is 81 billion ringgit ($20 billion), nearly 50 percent more than estimated by the previous government.
China Communication said Wednesday the suspension could add to costs, losses and damages. It called for a "win-win situation" in negotiations and urged the government to "honor and respect" the deal.
The project is part of China's regional "Belt and Road" infrastructure initiative. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-07-04 20:21:00 | Chinese firm told to suspend $20 bln Malaysia rail project | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3474229 | |
Report: Nigeria's military kills dozens in communal violence | DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Amnesty International says Nigeria's military has killed at least 35 people this year as it tries to calm growing violence between farmers and herdsmen.
The human rights group in a new report Tuesday says the communal violence over land has killed at least 168 people and displaced thousands across five states in Nigeria. The report says the military's response isn't curbing the fighting and further threatens the communities it is trying to protect.
Amnesty's Nigeria director Osai Ojigho is calling on the government to change its response to the deadly clashes to avoid worsening the crisis. He also calls for investigations to bring those responsible for the killings to justice.
Amnesty is blaming the unlawful killings and the military's excessive use of force on soldiers being deployed too frequently. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-01-30 19:59:00 | Report: Nigeria's military kills dozens in communal violence | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3354163 | |
EU's Tusk favors Western Balkans integration into the bloc | TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Donald Tusk, one of the European Union's top officials, says the road to European Union membership for Albania and Macedonia will be tough.
The president of the European Council started Tuesday a weeklong tour of the Western Balkans countries, urging more work in the rule of law and the fight against organized crime and corruption.
The 28 EU member states must agree unanimously for any country to become a member. Accession to the bloc has been a powerful driver of political and democratic reform in post-communist countries.
Last week, the EU's executive Commission said enough progress has been made for accession talks to begin.
EU and Balkans leaders will meet in Bulgaria on May 17 in a summit. | www.taiwannews.com.tw | 2018-04-24 21:09:00 | EU's Tusk favors Western Balkans integration into the bloc | https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3413250 |