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The world's most effective program against AIDS is under threat from the GOP 2023-07-26 - Amid President George W. Bush’s many failures as president, one of his proposals became an incredible success for global health. Since its launch in 2003, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief has saved an estimated 25 million lives and currently provides antiretroviral treatments for 20 million people worldwide. But now the program’s future is in question thanks to baseless claims from anti-abortion groups. It’s worth noting that, at its outset, PEPFAR was also the kind of bipartisan success story that has become increasingly uncommon. Congress first passed the legislation authorizing the program only four months after Bush first proposed it in his State of the Union address. Since then, it’s been reauthorized three times with minimal drama, including a failed attempt in 2008 to lift restrictions on funding going to groups that work with sex workers. The most recent reauthorization in 2018 passed the House via voice vote and the Senate by unanimous consent. At its outset, PEPFAR was also the kind of bipartisan success story that has become increasingly uncommon. This time around, though, the odds of reauthorization have collapsed. Earlier this year, the conservative Heritage Foundation published a report that accused the Biden administration of using PEPFAR funding to “promote its domestic radical social agenda overseas.” (The author of that report lost his job at USAID toward the end of the Trump administration for downplaying the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol.) On the heels of that report, conservative groups sent a letter to GOP lawmakers claiming that PEPFAR funds are “used by nongovernmental organizations that promote abortions and push a radical gender ideology abroad,” according to Devex, a website covering global development. The roughly $5 billion a year in funding that the program receives is “being used as a massive slush fund for abortion and LGBT advocacy,” Family Research Council’s vice president for policy and government affairs, Travis Weber, recently told Christianity Today. Neither the letter nor the Heritage Foundation report actually offer up any proof that this is happening. Instead, they highlight that the International Planned Parenthood Federation receives USAID funding as part of a project to “promote and sustain improved health and agency.” They also interpreted language in a recent PEPFAR strategy document about “sexual health and reproductive rights” as being secret code for abortions. As Christianity Today reported, a newly added footnote in the document clarifies that the “reproductive health” only refers to “HIV prevention, testing, and treatment services,” “education, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections,” cancer screening and treatment, and “gender-based violence prevention and care.” First lady Laura Bush and President George W. Bush at a PEPFAR site in Ethiopia in 2011. PEPFAR Even if that wasn’t the case, U.S. law already prohibits using foreign aid and development funds to pay for or even support the concept of abortion. And of the 25 countries that are receiving direct PEPFAR assistance, abortion is heavily restricted in the vast majority and entirely illegal in four of them. So, the idea is that this money is being used as a backdoor to provide abortions implies that USAID is violating domestic laws in these countries in order to also violate U.S. law overseas. To be fair, failure to reauthorize PEPFAR before the end of the current fiscal year in September won’t abruptly end the program. Parts of the law are permanent, but others, including requirements for how HIV funding is allocated, would sunset. Worse, the program’s total funding pool, rather than being renewed every five years, would be left vulnerable to the whims of the annual appropriations process. An even more myopic Congress could zero out vast swaths of the program at any time. Some Republicans are saying they’d support a reauthorization but under certain conditions, including re-upping the legal framework for only one year instead of five. The problem there is that public health programs work better when able to plan for a longer-term set of investments. And more immediately, there’s a worry that failing to reauthorize PEPFAR as usual would be a sign for other countries that America is backtracking on the global commitment to ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030. “If the U.S pulls back, it gives an excuse to other big donors to pull back, and that’s the last thing we want,” Lawrence Gostin, faculty director of the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law at Georgetown University, told Politico last month. It’s almost impossible to stress how much of a public relations success has PEPFAR been for the GOP. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., who’s leading the charge against PEPFAR, is a recent convert to the cause. As chairman of the House subcommittee with jurisdiction, he’s the one who drafted the 2018 reauthorization that passed without any concerns. Now, though, he says won't give his backing without the program adhering to “the Mexico City Policy,” also known as the “global gag rule.” It’s a rule that was only in place for 4 of the 20 years that PEPFAR has existed, during the Trump administration, and Smith notably made no move to insert such language into the bill five years ago. In effect, it would mean that it doesn’t matter how siloed off the money is, no AIDS prevention funding would be able to go to an organization that also performs or advocates for abortions, potentially scrambling the current distribution system. While the attack on the program is politically aimed at President Joe Biden, it is nothing short of a massive own goal for conservatives. It’s almost impossible to stress how much of a public relations success has PEPFAR been for the GOP. It inevitably comes up during any discussion of Bush’s tenure, a bright spot amid a string of horrors ranging from the invasion of Iraq to the Hurricane Katrina response to the beginnings of the Great Recession. Now the GOP is threatening to undo this rare but remarkable success, if enough Republicans latch onto the unproven claims of Biden throwing around secret abortion money. In effect, they are opening the door to letting actual people die in order to prevent entirely hypothetical abortions. What could be less of a pro-life stance than that?
Looming Trump indictment proves the significance of the Jan. 6 committee 2023-07-26 - For much of 2021 and 2022, as a member of the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack, I spent hours virtually attending testimony, and even more hours in person, from witnesses. I worked alongside dedicated colleagues from both parties and dozens of effective investigators, many of whom were former prosecutors. The committee’s mission was to provide a factual account to the American people about what happened on Jan. 6 and what led up to that attempt to upend our republic. Most of those who testified were members of former President Donald Trump’s team. We uncovered a mountain of evidence that identified him as the center of a wide-ranging, multifaceted criminal effort to keep power despite a free and fair election that he had lost. In 2022, our select committee faced an ever-ticking clock as the 117th congressional session came to a close. At the time, I knew what we were doing was important, but until recently, I didn’t understand the true gravity of our work in terms of holding the former president legally accountable. Until recently, I didn’t understand the true gravity of our work in terms of holding the former president legally accountable. Last month, The Washington Post reported that for more than a year after the Jan. 6 attack, Justice Department prosecutors and the FBI resisted opening a probe into Trump and other instigators of the plot. While federal agents charged hundreds of foot soldiers, Justice officials “continued to have conflicting views” on pursuing the plotters. According to the Post, experts say the select committee’s work embarrassed the Justice Department into investigating Trump. The Post reports that “accounts about the committee’s discoveries fueled public criticism that the Justice Department appeared to be lagging.” If our findings kicked the DOJ into gear, our work on the select committee was even more worthwhile. The select committee may be one of the most significant in American history. It now looks like an indictment looms for the former president regarding his conduct leading up to and on Jan. 6. Trump is running for president again — perhaps in part to avoid prison if he wins. It’s also necessary to consider what his goals are other than avoiding jail. What will he do to our democracy if he actually wins? The former president has actually called to “terminate” the Constitution. He says he intends to destroy the independence of the three branches of government that keep each other in check and take all the power for himself. That’s an existential threat for our country and, frankly, for the world. I’ve learned we need to take Trump's threats and words at face value. In addition to serving on the select committee, I participated in all four modern presidential impeachment proceedings as either a member of Congress or as staff. Ahead of the Senate trial for Trump’s first impeachment, I opined that the case was the worst I had seen, worse even than Richard Nixon's. Trump’s activities since then have shown that judgment was too mild. The multifaceted, wide-ranging scheme to overturn the 2020 presidential election was the gravest threat to the constitutional order in modern history. I’ve learned we need to take Trump's threats and words at face value. On the Jan. 6 select committee, we investigated the law and facts surrounding Trump’s attempt to overthrow the government of the United States from many angles. Our conclusions were not leaps to judgment — but products of long and serious examination of evidence. I lament that this was needed. A DOJ official called it the “Trump Tax” that forces investigative resources into prosecutions of the former president. That’s an apt description and a sad one. It’s a sad time for the country — not because the Justice Department is likely indicting a former president, but because his criminal behavior requires accountability. The looming indictment is the latest step on that journey. I am proud that our select committee did its part.
Paul Gosar promotes antisemitic website (again) with newsletter 2023-07-26 - Barely a week removed from grandstanding in the House of Representatives over purported antisemitism, one Republican politician is — yet again — embroiled in controversy regarding antisemitism. On a 412-9 vote last week, the House passed a resolution saying Congress “rejects all forms of antisemitism and xenophobia”; that Israel “is not a racist or apartheid state”; and that the U.S. is a “staunch partner and supporter” of Israel. In my view, the impetus for this resolution made it utterly ridiculous. The resolution came in response to remarks by Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., about Israel being a “racist state,” a characterization she made while trying to quiet a group holding Palestinian flags at a conference for the progressive Netroots Nation. Characteristic of the way politicians often conflate criticism of Israel — the country — with broad criticism of Jews, Democrats and Republicans alike condemned Jayapal’s statement as antisemitic. The outrage was dubious at best given that Israel’s government “has been cutting away at the fundamental rights of the Palestinians who live within territory controlled by Israel” for years, writer David Rothkopf told Joy on Monday’s episode of “The ReidOut.” Sounds pretty racist to me. And to many human rights activists, too. Nonetheless, Jayapal issued a statement to “clarify” her remarks after facing backlash. And the House overwhelmingly passed its resolution condemning antisemitism and xenophobia. All good, right? Wrong. Rep. Paul Gosar has entered the chat. Who could have guessed that the Arizona Republican, one of America’s most bigoted lawmakers, would expose the House resolution as a sham? I’m going to say everyone. Media Matters reported Monday that Gosar had — yet again — promoted a website known for spreading antisemitism, such as Hitler praise and Holocaust denial. From the media watchdog’s report: Rep. Paul Gosar yesterday used his House.gov newsletter to promote USSA News, a fringe site that has posted content calling the Holocaust ‘the Holohoax’ and telling readers to ‘stand up for Hitler.’ Gosar’s promotion of the antisemitic outlet comes just months after he sent followers to a different site that has also denied the Holocaust and praised Adolf Hitler. Gosar was embroiled in a nearly identical controversy in April after using his weekly House.gov newsletter to provide a link to a different antisemitic website. As the Arizona Mirror noted back then, it wasn’t the first time Gosar had engaged with antisemitism: In 2021, Gosar promoted the work of known white nationalist Vincent James Foxx, who became the unofficial propagandist for a neo-Nazi fight club. Gosar spoke at the same white nationalist conference as Foxx a few years earlier, alongside Holocaust-denier and antisemite Nick Fuentes, the first sitting politician to do so. A month later, Talking Points Memo reported that Gosar has even employed a staffer with close ties to Fuentes. Media Matters found several recent examples of USSA News pieces defending Hitler and denying the Holocaust. In Sunday’s newsletter in which he linked to a USSA News story, Gosar even included a statement he issued announcing his support for last week’s antisemitism resolution — and denouncing Jayapal. “There is zero room in our society for these vile, hateful and bigoted comments in the Halls of Congress,” the newsletter reads. Keep in mind, Gosar also voted to expel Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., from the House Foreign Affairs Committee over purported antisemitism. Consider the upside-down world we’re now experiencing. A woman of color criticizes a demonstrably racist Israeli government, and a there’s a wave of bipartisan backlash. A bigoted white dude repeatedly promotes platforms whose writers celebrate Hitler and deny the Holocaust, but he gets to condemn her for antisemitism. I’d say “Only in America,” but, you know, we’re not the only racist state in the world.
Mitch McConnell freezes at press conference and is escorted away 2023-07-26 - Mitch McConnell freezes at press conference and is escorted away Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell suddenly stopped speaking during a weekly Republican leadership press conference, appearing to freeze, and then went silent and was walked away. Ali Vitali reports on what happened after that.July 26, 2023
Hunter Biden pleads not guilty to federal charges 2023-07-26 - Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty federal charges. Biden had been expected to plead guilty to two tax charges under a deal with the government. The judge did not agree to the plea deal and is seeking additional information.July 26, 2023
Chris Christie says Mark Meadows ‘looks like a federal witness under a cooperation agreement’ 2023-07-26 - GOP presidential candidate and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie joins Andrea Mitchell reacting to former Trump Chief of Staff Mark Meadows refusing to say whether he is testifying before a grand jury about anything January 6th related. “Mark Meadows looks to me like a federal witness under a cooperation agreement,” says Christie, who is also a former federal prosecutor. “And my guess is that's what we're gonna find out he is.” July 26, 2023
Like Bronny James, my son suffered sudden cardiac arrest. It’s more common than you’d think. 2023-07-26 - On Aug. 31, 2016, my husband and I were at our son Jarron’s eighth grade basketball team’s tryouts when we saw him fall facedown on the floor as he was walking away from a drill. When he didn’t move, we looked at each other and thought he was embarrassed or just being silly, but as he continued to remain facedown and still, we joined his coaches in running to his side. I got to him as they were rolling him over, and I saw beads of sweat on his forehead and his eyes rolled back. My husband and I were at our son Jarron’s eighth grade basketball team’s tryouts when we saw him fall facedown on the floor. About 1 in every 300 young people is at risk for sudden cardiac arrest, and approximately 2,000 people under age 25 die from sudden cardiac arrest each year. Because there were people nearby who were able to perform CPR and because there was a nearby automatic external defibrillator that worked, Jarron not only survived, but returned to the basketball court. Now, almost seven years later, he’s training to become a firefighter/EMT so he can help someone in the same way that first responders helped save his life. According to a statement Tuesday from family of LeBron James, a similar thing happened to the superstar basketball player’s 18-year-old son, Bronny James, on Monday: “Yesterday while practicing Bronny James suffered a cardiac arrest. Medical staff was able to treat Bronny and take him to the hospital.” The statement described Bronny James as stable and no longer in the intensive care unit. Jarron was kept on a kind of life support called ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) for about a week. Later came an open-heart surgery that took hours. There are people on social media disrespectfully wondering if James, who has signed on to play basketball at the University of Southern California, collapsed as the result of having gotten a Covid vaccination. Our son, who was five years younger when he suffered a cardiac arrest than James is now, collapsed in 2016, more than three years before the Covid pandemic hit the United States. Doctors said an anomalous aortic origin of the coronary artery was the cause of his sudden cardiac arrest. The goal of that open-heart surgery was to correct the congenital heart defect my husband and I didn’t know Jarron had until he collapsed. There are people on social media disrespectfully wondering if Bronny James collapsed as the result of having gotten a Covid vaccination. My good news for the James family is that our son was released to play basketball with no restrictions. He played junior varsity and varsity and earned a scholarship to play in college. And now he’s training to be a firefighter. Some people say there’s a “debate” about whether student-athletes should have heart screenings, but my family’s experience with sudden cardiac arrest makes me think there should be electrocardiogram heart screenings for all athletes between 11 and 25. Shaquille O’Neal’s son Shareef O’Neal learned of his congenital heart defect and had open-heart surgery when he was 18. It wasn’t the end of Shareef O’Neal’s basketball career, and I pray it won’t be the end of James’. Sadly, though, some parents only learn of their child’s congenital heart disease in an autopsy report after a fatal sudden cardiac arrest. The members of my family have become strong advocates for student-athletes to be heart screened and for training student-athletes on how to use an AED. We live in Texas and have been inspired by the work of the Cody Stephens Foundation. Cody, 17, was about to graduate from high school and play college football when his parents lost him to a sudden cardiac arrest. When my son arrived at the hospital after collapsing, one of the first questions a doctor asked me was if he drank energy drinks. We answered no. We rarely drink anything but water in my house, but I strongly advise parents to not allow their children to have those drinks, because they may hurt young people who excessively down them. I’m thankful we don’t have to speak of our son in past tense, and I know the James family must be feeling the same way. I just as strongly recommend that parents request that their children have a heart screening during their annual medical visits or their annual sports physicals. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think about that day in August 2016. I’m thankful we don’t have to speak of our son in past tense, and I know the James family must be feeling the same way. However, I have personally met many parents, too many parents, who can’t use the present tense when they talk about their young athletes. They had no idea their child had a congenital heart defect, and once they did learn about it, their child was gone.
'Oppenheimer' draws debate over the absence of Japanese bombing victims in the film 2023-07-26 - Blockbuster film “Oppenheimer,” which revolves around physicist Robert Oppenheimer and his development of the atomic bomb, has prompted discussion over the way the movie did not directly portray Japanese victims of the weapon. Viewers are divided, with many criticizing the lack of Japanese representation as the erasure of the hundreds of thousands victims of Oppenheimer's creation. Others, including director Christopher Nolan, argued that the film zeroes in on the scientist’s experience and perspective alone — one that is distinct and separate from the victims’. Experts say that the issue of representation is more nuanced. They emphasized that while no one film has the responsibility to illustrate Japanese victims’ perspective, “Oppenheimer” does little to challenge the long history of glorifying the work of white men, and risks perpetuating the persistent, often reductive, portrayals of Japanese victims in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. “I don’t think we should depend on Hollywood to tell our stories with the nuance and the depth and the care that they really deserve,” Nina Wallace, communications coordinator at Densho, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the stories of those of Japanese descent. “But it is true that these institutions that are in positions of power, positions of influence, put more value on stories of men like Oppenheimer, like Truman, than it does on the Asian and indigenous communities that suffered because of decisions that those men made.” Based on the 2005 biography “American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer,” the film was released Friday and follows the physicist’s ascent into his role as the director of the clandestine weapons lab in Los Alamos, New Mexico, as part of the Manhattan Project, the top-secret U.S. effort to make the first atomic bomb. Oppenheimer’s work led to the deaths of more than 200,000 people by some estimates, as well as a generation of “hibakusha,” or survivors of the blast — many of whom continue to contend with the impacts of the bomb to this day. And the movie has largely been billed as a contemplation over the moral dilemmas facing the scientists. However, Nolan doesn’t show the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, or the devastating aftermath in the cities. While there’s a scene that depicts American leaders discussing where to drop the bomb — with then-Secretary of State Henry Stimson depicted as arguing against Kyoto because of his honeymoon there — victims of the blasts never appear on screen. In another scene, Oppenheimer gives a speech and, while looking into the crowd, visualizes some of the predominantly white audience as the victims of his bomb. Nolan said he did not illustrate the aftermath or the victims because he felt that “to depart from Oppenheimer’s experience would betray the terms of the storytelling.” “He learned about the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on the radio — the same as the rest of the world,” Nolan said in a discussion with MSNBC’s Chuck Todd. “That, to me, was a shock … Everything is his experience, or my interpretation of his experience. Because as I keep reminding everyone, it’s not a documentary. It is an interpretation. That’s my job.” Wallace said it’s not on “Oppenheimer” to show the Japanese perspective, nor should the movie be seen as a factual historical resource. Nolan, a white director, is likely not the appropriate artist to sensitively highlight the experiences of hibakusha, she said. But, experts added that doesn’t mean Nolan’s artistic decisions won’t have an impact on the American public’s view of Japanese civilians during World War II. “Even within the realm of entertainment it’s still demoralizing and making, once again, unreal the experience of Asian people,” Brandon Shimoda, a Japanese American writer and curator of the Hiroshima Library. Shimoda said that while the Japanese civilians and citizens are not included in the film, their absence makes a dangerous statement. “[They] are the specter on the far side of the horizon, and therefore not entirely knowable,” Shimoda said. “What we’re meant to see when we look into the skeletal face of Oppenheimer is the distance between Oppenheimer and actual human beings.” With its large-scale marketing and investment, the movie, which raked in $82.5 million domestically and $98 million internationally in its opening weekend, holds weight due to its massive audience, as well, Wallace said. But with a range of movies that focus on the American perspective, like 2001’s “Pearl Harbor,” there remains a further shifting of the victims’ experiences. Moreover, public education doesn’t help, providing little information or awareness around the continued health issues that victims face, she said. “I understand how showrooms and Hollywood cannot be all-encompassing. … But I think it also points societally to the lack of nonwhite, non-U.S. initiatives or perspectives,” said Stan Shikuma, co-president of the Seattle Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League. “That lack of more of a global perspective allows atrocities to continue to happen because we still dehumanize other people that we don’t know.” Films about other perspectives, Shikuma said, often fall on the independent filmmaking community. But he emphasized that “it’s not a level playing field” and reach continues to be an issue. “Other perspectives can be brought to film, but the funding is so uneven. Right now, millions and hundreds of millions of people will probably see this film,” he said. To truly challenge the audience to contend with the horrors of the bombings, Shimoda said that narratives need to shift toward those who were impacted most. “The experience and perspective of the hibakusha needs to be centered in whatever way possible,” he said. “There are people out there that are telling their stories in real time. The general white American relationship to that is to refuse those stories, and to turn instead to these dramatizations, which largely erase the people whose stories need to be told.”
Biden orders U.S. to share evidence of Russian war crimes with International Criminal Court 2023-07-26 - WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden has ordered the U.S. government to start sharing information about possible Russian war crimes in Ukraine with the International Criminal Court, a U.S. official familiar with the matter told NBC News on Wednesday. The decision, which was made in recent days and first reported by The New York Times, overrides months of resistance by the Pentagon. Biden previously said that Russian President Vladimir Putin has “clearly committed war crimes.” The U.S. is not a member of the ICC, and the Defense Department had previously blocked efforts to share evidence of war crimes. The Pentagon has had concerns that by working with the ICC, the U.S. could open the door to the prosecution of U.S. troops deployed abroad. The ICC, headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands, has investigated allegations of U.S. forces and the CIA committing war crimes in Afghanistan. In a statement Wednesday, a spokesperson for the White House National Security Council said the U.S. supports a "range of international investigations" to hold perpetrators responsible, including through the ICC, Office of the Ukraine Prosecutor General and the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission. "On the ICC specifically, we are not going to discuss the specifics on any cooperation, which is consistent with the Court’s practice of treating requests for cooperation in a confidential manner," the spokesperson said. "More broadly, we will keep working with Ukraine and other countries to expose the war crimes and atrocities that Russian forces and officials are committing for the world to see." The U.S. has deployed international investigators and prosecutors to help Ukraine's Office of the Prosecutor General prepare war crimes cases, the spokesperson said. In September of 2022, Attorney General Merrick Garland and Ukrainian Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin signed a memorandum of understanding for closer collaboration in identifying and prosecuting perpetrators of war crimes in Ukraine. In March, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Putin, a move that Biden called "justified," and said the Russian leader was responsible for illegally transferring children from Ukraine to Russia. Putin’s press secretary Dmitriy Peskov responded to the ICC at the time by saying: “We do not recognize this court, we do not recognize the jurisdiction of this court. This is how we treat this.”
How rates of mass shootings vary by state, mapped 2023-07-26 - More than half of all mass shootings in the U.S. since 1966 have taken place in the last 20 years. From 2014 to 2022, the U.S. saw around 4,000 mass shootings, resulting in around 21,000 deaths or injuries, according to a study published Wednesday in the journal JAMA Network Open. The study analyzed data from the Gun Violence Archive, a research database that tracks gun violence incidents based on reports from media outlets, local or state police departments and other government agencies. It defines a mass shooting as one in which four or more people, not including the shooter, are shot or killed. Louisiana had the highest rate of mass shootings per capita of any state, the study found: around 4.3 shootings for every 100,000 people. The rate in Washington, D.C., was even higher — 10.4 shootings for every 100,000 people — though it is a city, not a state. Hawaii and North Dakota were the only two states that did not see any mass shootings over the nine years studied. Leslie Barnard, the study’s author and a doctoral student at the Colorado School of Public Health, said her research team initially suspected that Colorado would rank higher on the list. “It was right after the Club Q shooting and someone asked, ‘Why is Colorado so much higher in mass shootings than other states?’” Barnard said, referring to the mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Colorado Springs last November that killed five people and injured 17 others. But as it turned out, she added, Colorado’s rate of mass shootings is “right in the middle” nationally. Overall, mass shooting rates were highest in Southeastern states such as Alabama, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee. Barnard’s research found that social-related mass shootings — those that occurred at a bar, club or house party — were the most common category, making up around 27% of mass shootings from 2014 to 2022. Another 16% were crime-related, meaning they involved gangs, drugs, armed robbery, carjacking, murder, suicide or home invasion. Domestic violence, including kidnapping, made up 11%, and around 1% were related to school or work. But Barnard said the domestic violence shooting numbers are likely undercounts because many such incidents aren’t reported to the police. A 2021 study found that 59% of fatal mass shootings from 2014 to 2019 were related to domestic violence. On the whole, mass shootings aren’t easy to define or categorize, said Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, an epidemiology professor at the University of Washington who studies violence prevention. “The border between these categories may be more porous than it may appear,” Rowhani-Rahbar said. “For example, a shooting in a bar or in a club that you may consider social may have some relationship with a domestic violence dispute.” But certain interventions can reduce the prevalence of mass shootings, no matter the category, he said. Rowhani-Rahbar pointed to red flag laws as one example, which allow a state court to order the temporary removal of firearms from a person who poses a danger to themselves or others. In regards to policies associated with more mass shootings, he said, “there is no doubt that looser gun laws have been shown over and over, time and time and time again, to be associated with higher rates of different forms of gun violence.” That may partly explain why mass shootings are concentrated in the Southeast, he said, and why Hawaii — a state with one of the lowest rates of household gun ownership — recorded no mass shootings. As for North Dakota, Rowhani-Rahbar said, “the population there is not very large.” (The state's population is about 780,000, according to the U.S. Census.) Overall, the U.S. saw 14.6 gun deaths — including accidents, murders and suicides — per 100,000 people in 2021, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Among all types of gun violence, Barnard said, mass shootings are still relatively uncommon, so it’s not surprising that some states would see very few. Media coverage of mass shootings “creates this idea that these are very, very common,” she said, but “compared to any other type of shooting event, like suicide, homicide, it is extraordinarily rare.”
Former lawmaker says Trump asked him to overturn the 2020 election but so far he hasn't been contacted by special counsel 2023-07-26 - Former Rep. Mo Brooks is “mildly surprised” that special counsel Jack Smith’s office has not sought a meeting with him to discuss his accusations that former President Donald Trump urged him to help “rescind” the 2020 election and “violate the U.S. Constitution and federal law.” In an interview with NBC News, Brooks, a Republican who represented an Alabama district in Congress, said he would meet with prosecutors if requested. “Yeah, if they asked me to, I’d explain what I know about it. Whether it’s relevant or material, I’m not sure,” he said, continuing: “I was shocked [Trump] was so blatant about it — illegal conduct.” Brooks left Congress earlier this year, after losing a primary contest for the Alabama Senate seat. He had been backed by Trump, who then withdrew his supported and backed now-Sen. Katie Britt. Brooks previously said that Trump had made requests to overturn the 2020 election as late as September 2021 — more than seven months after his exit from the White House. “Donald Trump wanted me to do four things: Advocate rescinding the election, advocate physically removing Joe Biden from the White House, advocate reinstating Donald Trump as president of the United States and advocate a new special election for president of the United States — all of which violate the U.S. Constitution and federal law,” Brooks said. “And after I got done explaining that to him, he withdrew his endorsement and endorsed my opponent. So I’m mildly surprised none of these people have made inquiries about the details of this, but it is what it is.” Brooks first made his allegations in March 2022 after Trump dropped his endorsement. Brooks contends that his rejection of Trump’s “illegal” requests led him to reverse his support. Brooks had previously been a staunch ally to the Republican president. On January 6, 2021, Brooks spoke at the rally near the White House prior to Trump, notably remarking from the stage that it was time for “American patriots” to “start taking down names and kicking ass.” Trump, in August 2022, confirmed parts of Brooks’ accusations in a social media post to his Truth social account, writing in part: “REMEDY: Declare the rightful winner or, and this would be the minimal solution, declare the 2020 Election irreparably compromised and have a new Election, immediately!”
The 7 Best Rollerblades of 2023 2023-07-26 - Cargo pants, slip dresses, scrunchies — 90s trends are having a big resurgence. But it’s not just fashion that is throwing it back a few decades. More and more people are slipping on Rollerblades (also known as inline skates) to exercise, to get from place to place or to just have some fun. Whereas roller skates have two sets of side by side wheels, inline skates have wheels that are in a line. This requires a bit more balance but also allows you to go faster, says Teshia Robinson, owner and general manager of RollATL. But don’t let that scare you away if you are a beginner, Robinson says people of all ages and abilities can pick up inline skating. Your skill level should factor into the type of inline skate you buy. Other factors that can influence your inline skate choice include where you’ll be skating and the type of support you’ll need. To help you shop for inline skates, we consulted skating experts on what to look for, plus got some general skating tips. Our top picks How we picked top-rated inline skates When shopping for inline skates, experts said these are the three things to pay close attention to: The boot: Choose between a soft or hard boot — both of which have pros and cons. “Hard shell skate boots are quite a bit more supportive which typically makes them easier to balance in,” says Robinson. Alex Shulgan, a professional skater and co-owner of In Move Skates, says that hard boots are better for beginners. “Soft shell boots don’t provide as much support, but they are more lightweight and breathable, which some people prefer,” says Robinson. Choose between a soft or hard boot — both of which have pros and cons. “Hard shell skate boots are quite a bit more supportive which typically makes them easier to balance in,” says Robinson. Alex Shulgan, a professional skater and co-owner of In Move Skates, says that hard boots are better for beginners. “Soft shell boots don’t provide as much support, but they are more lightweight and breathable, which some people prefer,” says Robinson. The size and number of wheels: Most inline skates either come with three wheels per skate or four. Three wheeled options allow you to go faster, while four wheeled options feel more stable and are better for beginners, says Shulgan. The size of your wheels also matters. “A larger wheel (110mm-125mm) will be faster and smoother over cracks in the pavement. However, since they’re faster and larger, they’re a bit harder to control,” says Robinson. “Smaller wheels — such as 80mm, 84mm or 90mm — are closer to the ground and easier for control and balance.” We focused on four wheeled options with smaller wheels, but did include an option with three wheels for advanced skaters. Most inline skates either come with three wheels per skate or four. Three wheeled options allow you to go faster, while four wheeled options feel more stable and are better for beginners, says Shulgan. The size of your wheels also matters. “A larger wheel (110mm-125mm) will be faster and smoother over cracks in the pavement. However, since they’re faster and larger, they’re a bit harder to control,” says Robinson. “Smaller wheels — such as 80mm, 84mm or 90mm — are closer to the ground and easier for control and balance.” We focused on four wheeled options with smaller wheels, but did include an option with three wheels for advanced skaters. The frame material: Inline skates have frames that are made of plastic or aluminum. “Plastic frames tend to be lightweight and less expensive, but they are typically less durable,” says Robinson. “Aluminum frames on the other hand offer great durability without adding a significant amount of weight or cost.” Top-rated inline skates Using guidance from inline skating experts, we sourced highly rated options for men and women, as well as some unisex styles from top brands like Rollerblade, K2 and more. 4.7-star average from 4,993 reviews on Amazon This option from Rollerblade has a soft boot and high cuff, which gives you ankle support and prevents them from pronating as you skate, according to the brand. These skates have four 80mm wheels, which Robinson notes means they are closer to the ground and easier to balance on for beginners. They also have lace closures and two buckled straps to keep your foot secure as you move, says Rollerblade. Boot type: Soft | Wheel size: 80mm | Frame material: Plastic 4.2-star average from 409 reviews on Amazon The soft boots of these skates are made with extra padding for ankle support and are constructed with moisture-wicking material to prevent sweaty feet, according to the brand. The frame is constructed of aluminum, which Robinson says tends to be more durable than plastic, though it is also slightly heavier. The 82mm wheels also keep you close to the ground, which helps you balance. Boot type: Soft | Wheel size: 82mm | Frame material: Aluminum 4.6-star average from 446 reviews on Amazon This soft boot style has what K2 calls a Speed Lacing System, which allows you to tighten and lock the laces in place with a single tug. These skates also have extra padding around the ankle for stability. K2 says that the composite plastic frames absorb vibrations from the road to provide a smoother ride. Boot type: Soft | Wheel size: 80mm | Frame material: Plastic 4.6-star average from 4,998 reviews on Amazon With a push of a button, you can shorten or lengthen these skates to fit women’s shoe sizes six through nine. These skates have a hard shell with a removable, washable liner and a triple buckle closure. At 76mm, these wheels are the smallest of all the skates we feature and the brand says the small wheel size makes them a good option for beginners who are still learning to balance on skates. Boot type: Hard | Wheel size: 76mm | Frame material: Plastic 4.2-star average from 3,808 reviews on Amazon These hard shell boots come with holes in the toe and heel area for ventilation and a removable lining that you can take out to clean. These boots have a lace-up closure and two buckles, which the brand says keep your feet securely in place, making you feel less wobbly as you skate. The frame of these skates is aluminum, which tends to be heavier and may not be ideal for long skating sessions, says Robinson. Boot type: Hard | Wheel size: 80mm | Frame material: Aluminum 4.4-star average from 471 reviews on Amazon These skates are better for advanced skaters, according to Shulgan. Larger wheels, like these, can be a bit harder to balance on, but they can also handle cracks in pavement and uneven roads if you are skating outdoors, adds Robinson. These skates don’t have breaks on the back. Instead, you’ll have to drag your wheels perpendicular to the road to stop. “This can help you stop faster than a heel break, but it will also wear your wheels out faster,” says Robinson. Boot type: Soft | Wheel size: 110mm | Frame material: Aluminum 4.6-star average from 259 reviews on Amazon These skates are made for a style of skating called slalom, which involves good maneuverability and performing tricks around a line of equally spaced cones. However, the brand notes that the hard shell and aluminum frame makes them a durable option for any outdoor skating. These skates do not have a heel break, so you will have to drag the wheels to stop when wearing them. Boot type: Hard | Wheel size: 80mm | Frame material: Aluminum Staying safe while inline skating Just as important as finding the right inline skates for your needs is arming yourself with information that will help you stay safe when you skate. The experts we talked to say these are the top safety tips beginner skaters should know: Wear protective gear: If you are new to inline skating, you will likely fall at some point. As a beginner skater, wearing protective gear can help keep you safe and prevent injuries, says Shulgan, who says that “a helmet is a must-have.” If you have a bike helmet, you may be tempted to just use that. While that is better than no helmet at all, a roller helmet like this one from Triple Eight, which is rounder in shape, will better serve you. It’s not uncommon to fall backwards when you skate and a skating helmet is designed to protect the back of your skull. In addition to a roller helmet, knee pads and wrist guards can cushion you if you fall forward, says Shulgan. If you are new to inline skating, you will likely fall at some point. As a beginner skater, wearing protective gear can help keep you safe and prevent injuries, says Shulgan, who says that “a helmet is a must-have.” If you have a bike helmet, you may be tempted to just use that. While that is better than no helmet at all, a roller helmet like this one from Triple Eight, which is rounder in shape, will better serve you. It’s not uncommon to fall backwards when you skate and a skating helmet is designed to protect the back of your skull. In addition to a roller helmet, knee pads and wrist guards can cushion you if you fall forward, says Shulgan. Learn how to brake: “Any inline wheel size can gain momentum quickly, even on moderate downhills,” says Robinson. “So you should practice braking.” How you brake will depend on your skates. Many skates have a rubber piece near the heel that serves as a brake — some pairs have these on both skates, others on just one skate. If your skates have a built-in brake, you simply need to lean your heel back to slow to a stop. If you purchase skates without a heel brake, you’ll need to learn what is called a “T-stop.” “This is when you break by dragging the wheels of one skate behind you so they’re perpendicular to the ground,” says Robinson. “Any inline wheel size can gain momentum quickly, even on moderate downhills,” says Robinson. “So you should practice braking.” How you brake will depend on your skates. Many skates have a rubber piece near the heel that serves as a brake — some pairs have these on both skates, others on just one skate. If your skates have a built-in brake, you simply need to lean your heel back to slow to a stop. If you purchase skates without a heel brake, you’ll need to learn what is called a “T-stop.” “This is when you break by dragging the wheels of one skate behind you so they’re perpendicular to the ground,” says Robinson. Practice: When it comes to being a beginner skater, practice may not make perfect but it will go a long way. You really should spend a good deal of time practicing breaking, turning and skating on a smooth, flat surface before attempting more difficult terrain, says Robinson, who notes that It’s also a good idea to skate in low traffic areas as you are starting out to avoid accidental collisions. Meet our experts At Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest. Teshia Robinson is the owner and general manager of RollATL. is the owner and general manager of RollATL. Alex Shulgan is a professional skater and co-owner of In Move Skates Why trust Select? Bethany Heitman is a contributor at NBC Select and a journalist who regularly covers topics like beauty, home and lifestyle. For this story, she interviewed two experts to gather their guidance on what to look for when shopping for inline skates. Catch up on Select’s in-depth coverage of personal finance, tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.
Labor Department says number of children it it found working illegally is up 44% since October 2023-07-26 - “Once we release that child into the hands of a vetted sponsor we lose that custodial responsibility,” Becerra told the committee. “If Congress wants to give us more responsibility to watch over these kids even after they have been assigned to a sponsor, please go right ahead.” More than 260,000 unaccompanied migrant children have passed through ORR and been released to communities in 2021 and 2022, according to HHS figures. In response to criticism, HHS announced a new accountability team in June for “assessing and addressing potential child exploitation risks” with the unaccompanied children program. Labor Department touts enforcement Also on Wednesday, senior Labor Department officials told reporters their efforts to crack down on child labor had yielded some success. They said investigators found more than 4,400 children employed in violation of child labor laws since October, a 44% increase over Oct. 1, 2021 to July 20, 2022. A senior Labor official said that the department attributes the bump in enforcement to the agency’s recent emphasis on enforcing child labor laws. Labor officials also cited an 87% increase in company fines to $6.6 million during the same time frame, although critics say the $15,138 maximum fines for hiring children are so low that they do not deter employers from hiring underage workers in a tight labor market. But Labor officials acknowledge there is “plenty more work to do.” Some violations continue to elude department investigators. Just last week a 16-year-old Guatemalan died while cleaning equipment at a Mississippi poultry plant. The accident at the Mar-Jac Poultry plant in Hattiesburg was the second equipment death at the plant in two years. Labor Department officials say they are investigating possible child labor violations at Mar-Jac as well as an ongoing death investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The company says it is cooperating. Duvan Tomas Perez, 16, from Guatemala, died while cleaning equipment at a Mississippi poultry plant. via Facebook The company blamed the hiring of the teen on a staffing company and said the “individual’s age and identity were misrepresented on the paperwork.” Recently the department employed a rarely used provision that halts the shipment of any goods made with child labor in a case involving a Minnesota meat snacks company where Labor investigators found two teenagers had been hired. The “hot goods” provision has so far not been employed against Mar-Jac Poultry. Senior Labor officials characterized their ongoing investigation of Mar-Jac as “very active.”
Union Pacific hires CEO hedge fund recommended as 2Q profit fell 15% on weaker demand 2023-07-26 - FILE - A Union Pacific train travels through Union, Neb., July 31, 2018. Union Pacific announced Wednesday, July 26, 2023, it has hired its former chief operating officer Jim Vena as the new CEO. The Soroban Capital Partners hedge fund that holds a $1.6 billion stake in Union Pacific had been urging the railroad to hire Vena because of his expertise in streamlining operations. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik, File) FILE - A Union Pacific train travels through Union, Neb., July 31, 2018. Union Pacific announced Wednesday, July 26, 2023, it has hired its former chief operating officer Jim Vena as the new CEO. The Soroban Capital Partners hedge fund that holds a $1.6 billion stake in Union Pacific had been urging the railroad to hire Vena because of his expertise in streamlining operations. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik, File) FILE - A Union Pacific train travels through Union, Neb., July 31, 2018. Union Pacific announced Wednesday, July 26, 2023, it has hired its former chief operating officer Jim Vena as the new CEO. The Soroban Capital Partners hedge fund that holds a $1.6 billion stake in Union Pacific had been urging the railroad to hire Vena because of his expertise in streamlining operations. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik, File) FILE - A Union Pacific train travels through Union, Neb., July 31, 2018. Union Pacific announced Wednesday, July 26, 2023, it has hired its former chief operating officer Jim Vena as the new CEO. The Soroban Capital Partners hedge fund that holds a $1.6 billion stake in Union Pacific had been urging the railroad to hire Vena because of his expertise in streamlining operations. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik, File) OMAHA, Neb. -- Union Pacific on Wednesday hired the CEO recommended earlier this year by a hedge fund pressuring the railroad to improve, as the company cut its outlook after reporting disappointing results driven by weakening consumer demand and higher labor costs. The Omaha, Nebraska-based railroad said its former chief operating officer Jim Vena will take over as CEO next month. The Soroban Capital Partners hedge fund that holds a $1.6 billion stake in Union Pacific had been urging the railroad to hire Vena because of his expertise in streamlining operations. The hedge fund said that UP lagged behind its peers during Lance Fritz' 8-year tenure in all key measures. Soroban declined to comment on the hire Wednesday, but investors resoundingly endorsed it by sending Union Pacific's stock soaring more than 9% to $235.63 in afternoon trading. “I am excited about returning to Union Pacific and look forward to the journey to be the safest, most reliable and most efficient railroad in the industry,” Vena said in a statement. “Working closely with the entire team, my focus from day one will be to ensure the company delivers industry-leading customer and operating excellence, cultivates and empowers our employees, and cares for the communities in which we operate." Fritz acknowledged that the railroad didn't deliver “consistent and reliable” service during his tenure, and “that needs to be remedied.” He said proving to Union Pacific customers they can count on good service will help the railroad attract new business and improve profits in the future. At times, UP has struggled to handle everything companies wanted to ship after cutting too deep during the pandemic. Regulators had to twice order the railroad to deliver emergency shipments to livestock producer Foster Farms to ensure that company wouldn’t run out of feed for the millions of chickens it raises. The rail industry has also been under pressure to improve safety ever since the fiery Norfolk Southern derailment in February prompted evacuations and sent a towering plume of black smoke over the town of East Palestine, Ohio. Lawmakers and regulators are considering imposing new rules on railroads. Vena was brought in to Union Pacific in 2019 after more than 40 years at Canadian National to help the railroad change to a new operating model that relies on fewer, longer trains and significantly fewer employees and locomotives to move freight, but Vena left after less than two years on the job. “He knows us and he’s laser-focused on running the safest, best-service railroad in the industry,” Fritz said. “And that’s going to be that’s going to be really valuable to us.” But rail unions have criticized UP and the other major freight railroads' reliance on that precision scheduled railroading model that has become the industry standard. They say the deep workforce cuts that have accompanied that model have made railroads riskier because employees are spread too thin and under pressure to rush safety inspections and maintenance. Plus, the changes made it less desirable to work for the railroads with train crews on call 24-7 and increasing demands on all rail workers. Union Pacific has made progress this year in addressing workers' quality of life concerns by agreeing to provide paid sick time to all its workers and improve scheduling for engineers so they can reliably know ahead of time what days they will have off. The president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, Eddie Hall, was operating UP trains during Vena's previous stint with the railroad, and he said he hopes the new CEO is willing to temper his approach now. “We would like to see continued progress, including necessary changes to the precision scheduled railroading operating model,” Hall said. "Few people alive know more about PSR than Vena. He should be fully aware of its failings. If not, rest assured, we will make him aware.” UP didn't follow the lead of CSX that went outside the rail industry to hire its new CEO last year and instead went with someone with deep experience running a railroad. Edward Jones analyst Jeff Windau said “the key is his knowledge of precision scheduled railroading and, you know, his ability to help improve productivity and efficiency overall for the railroad.” Union Pacific also promoted board member Mike McCarthy to chairman and named its chief human resources officer Beth Whited president Wednesday and added two new independent directors who both have experience has CEOs of other companies. In addition to the hiring news, Union Pacific said its second-quarter profit declined 14.5% to $1.5.7 billion, or $2.57 per share, as it hauled 2% less freight and dealt with rising costs, including higher wages promised to workers in last year's bitter contract fight and the cost of adding sick time and $67 million of bonuses for conductors as part of one recent agreement. That's down from $1.835 billion, or $2.93 per share, a year ago. That fell short of the $2.74 per share that the analysts surveyed by FactSet Research were generally expecting. The railroad's 5% decline in revenue to $5.96 billion also disappointed. Analysts had been expecting $6.09 billion. Union Pacific said the weakening consumer demand and higher costs will now make it hard to meet its previous goal of seeing the number of shipments it hauls grow more than industrial production. The railroad said its volume will likely will likely fall short of the current forecast for industrial production to grow by 0.1% this year. Union Pacific is one of the nation’s largest railroads with a network of 32,400 miles (52,000 kilometers) of track in 23 Western states.
Saudi Arabia is spending billions to become a global gaming hub. Some fans don't want to play 2023-07-26 - An Emirati man passes by a Batman character during the Dubai Esports and Games Festival in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, June 24, 2023. Saudi Arabia, the new home of some of soccer’s biggest stars and a co-owner of professional golf, is proving to be no less ambitious when it comes to another global pastime, the $180 billion-a-year video game industry. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili) An Emirati man passes by a Batman character during the Dubai Esports and Games Festival in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, June 24, 2023. Saudi Arabia, the new home of some of soccer’s biggest stars and a co-owner of professional golf, is proving to be no less ambitious when it comes to another global pastime, the $180 billion-a-year video game industry. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili) An Emirati man passes by a Batman character during the Dubai Esports and Games Festival in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, June 24, 2023. Saudi Arabia, the new home of some of soccer’s biggest stars and a co-owner of professional golf, is proving to be no less ambitious when it comes to another global pastime, the $180 billion-a-year video game industry. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili) An Emirati man passes by a Batman character during the Dubai Esports and Games Festival in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, June 24, 2023. Saudi Arabia, the new home of some of soccer’s biggest stars and a co-owner of professional golf, is proving to be no less ambitious when it comes to another global pastime, the $180 billion-a-year video game industry. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili) Saudi Arabia aims to become the “ultimate global hub” of the $180 billion-a-year video game industry DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Saudi Arabia, the new home of some of soccer’s biggest stars and a co-owner of professional golf, is proving to be no less ambitious when it comes to another global pastime – the $180 billion-a-year video game industry. Last September, the Saudi sovereign wealth fund earmarked nearly $40 billion for a new conglomerate aimed at transforming the kingdom into the “ultimate global hub” for games and esports by 2030. In February, the Saudi fund became the biggest outside investor in Nintendo, and just this month the kingdom hosted a major gaming tournament with a record $45 million prize pool. That’s made Saudi Arabia an increasingly important player in the industry and contributed to its breakneck transformation from an insular kingdom best known for oil and ultraconservative Islam into an emerging sports and entertainment powerhouse. The move into gaming has sparked the same kind of backlash seen in soccer and golf, where critics accuse the Saudis of “sportswashing” human rights abuses, including the 2018 killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi dissident. With gaming, a kingdom that sentences people to decades in prison over a few tweets is joining a worldwide community dominated by the young and very online. “It’s the Romans and the Colosseum all over again, and you have countries at the top layer using sports as a theater to display their wealth and their power,” said Joost van Dreunen, a professor at New York University who has written a book about the business of video games. “You have to ask the question: Who is the architect behind this, and what are the intentions of these architects?” he said. Saudi Arabia’s 37-year-old Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, reportedly an avid gamer himself, sees the foray into gaming as part of Vision 2030, his ambitious plan to overhaul the kingdom’s economy, reduce its reliance on oil and provide jobs and entertainment for its youthful population. “We are harnessing the untapped potential across the esports and games sector to diversify our economy,” he said last September, when he announced the establishment of the Savvy Games Group. Owned by Saudi Arabia’s $700 billion Public Investment Fund and led by CEO Brian Ward, an industry veteran, Savvy aims to invest $39 billion in the gaming industry. It hopes to establish 250 local companies and create 39,000 jobs in the next seven years. Earlier this month, it completed the $4.9 billion purchase of Scopely, the creator of “Monopoly Go,” “Star Trek Fleet Command” and “Marvel Strike Force.” Gaming is a massive and fast-growing industry. Market research firm Newzoo says an estimated 3.2 billion people play games on PCs, consoles, mobile devices or cloud gaming services, with the industry generating $184.4 billion in revenues in 2022. Gaming brings in more money than the combined earnings of the global box office, music streaming and album sales, and the top five wealthiest sports leagues, according to a 2021 report by the Boston Consulting Group. The kingdom is also breaking into the world of esports, competitions pitting the world’s top players against one another in games ranging from battle royales and first-person shooters to “FIFA” soccer and “Madden NFL.” To the uninitiated, the prospect of watching other people play video games may seem unappealing, but it’s a huge business with millions of fans, celebrity players and corporate sponsors. A 2021 esports tournament in Singapore drew 5.4 million concurrent viewers. “When you invest in esports you are getting prime advertising opportunities, and of course, you are promoting the brand of your country as a cool, forward-thinking, interesting place to go on holiday,” said Christopher Davidson, a Gulf expert at the European Center for International Affairs, a Brussels-based think tank. “(Esports) is far younger and more global than any other sport,” he added. “English soccer is popular everywhere in the West, but not really in an average-sized Chinese city. But these esports are.” Last summer, Saudi Arabia hosted Gamers8, a weekslong tournament with a $15 million prize pool. The event returned this month with a prize pool three times as large. Saudi Arabia’s wealthy Gulf neighbors are also looking to get in on the action. Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, hosted a five-day esports festival last month. The Qatar Investment Authority recently purchased a minority stake in Monument Sports & Entertainment, which owns the Washington Wizards and Capitals, as well as esport holdings. The growing involvement of autocratic Gulf states has sparked debate within the gaming community. Riot Games, the developer of the popular “League of Legends,” a multiplayer battle game, and Danish tournament organizer Blast Premier both canceled partnerships with Saudi Arabia in 2020 following an outcry from fans. Blast went on to hold its world finals in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, where it faced similar criticism. Team Liquid, an esports organization that represents 60 champion players across 14 games, announced in December that it would donate half its winnings from recent competitions in Saudi Arabia and the UAE to an organization that helps LGBTQ+ individuals escape violence and persecution. Homosexuality is considered taboo in most of the Middle East and is criminalized in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, though prosecutions are rare. Both countries also outlaw any form of LGBTQ+ advocacy. The Team Liquid statement acknowledged the financial and ethical trade-offs of accepting sponsorship from such countries. “These events present real opportunities for our players, many of whom may have short careers with few guarantees,” it said. “An outright boycott might not only end careers, it could end our involvement in some esports entirely.” Stanis Elsborg, a senior analyst at Play the Game, an international initiative that aims to promote ethics in sports, and who has written extensively on the intersection of esports and the Gulf's ambitions, says it’s a dilemma that is likely to recur. “Money talks,” he said. “I think the esports scene will be following the same trajectory as we have seen in other sports, forming significant partnerships with state-owned companies from autocratic states.”
Rob Manfred's term as baseball commissioner extended until 2029 by MLB owners 2023-07-26 - Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred makes comments before the unveiling of the 2024 All-Star game logo, Thursday, July 20, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. The MLB All-Star Game has grown into a truly Texas-sized event since the last time the Rangers hosted the midsummer classic. The countdown is on for 2024 game on July 16, and all of the activities around the game. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred makes comments before the unveiling of the 2024 All-Star game logo, Thursday, July 20, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. The MLB All-Star Game has grown into a truly Texas-sized event since the last time the Rangers hosted the midsummer classic. The countdown is on for 2024 game on July 16, and all of the activities around the game. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred makes comments before the unveiling of the 2024 All-Star game logo, Thursday, July 20, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. The MLB All-Star Game has grown into a truly Texas-sized event since the last time the Rangers hosted the midsummer classic. The countdown is on for 2024 game on July 16, and all of the activities around the game. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred makes comments before the unveiling of the 2024 All-Star game logo, Thursday, July 20, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. The MLB All-Star Game has grown into a truly Texas-sized event since the last time the Rangers hosted the midsummer classic. The countdown is on for 2024 game on July 16, and all of the activities around the game. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) NEW YORK -- Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred's term was extended until 2029 on Wednesday by major league owners. The decision to give Manfred a third term in charge of the sport was made during a vote at an in-person meeting in Washington, D.C. The extension keeps Manfred in place until Jan. 25, 2029. Manfred, 64, succeeded Bud Selig in January 2015 and was given a five-year term. Owners voted in November 2018 to offer Manfred a new deal through the 2024 season. Manfred has overseen a period of on-field change for the sport, including instituting a pitch clock and limits on defensive shifts this season. Game times have dropped by about a half-hour and offense by left-handed batters has increased. He presided over the deal with players that led to pandemic-shortened 60-game schedule in 2020, the institution of automatic runners at second base in extra-inning games that began that year and a 99-day lockout last year that ended with a five-year labor contract that runs through the 2026 season. The collective bargaining agreement also expanded use of the designated hitter to the National League. “It is an honor to serve the best game in the world and to continue the pursuit of strengthening our sport on and off the field,” Manfred said in a statement. “This season our players are displaying the most vibrant version of our game, and sports fans are responding in a manner that is great for Major League Baseball’s future. Together, all of us in the game will work toward presenting our sport at its finest and broadening its reach and impact for our loyal fans.” Manfred has been criticized by some for granting players immunity in the Houston Astros' cheating scandal — the team and management were penalized — and for allowing the Oakland Athletics to pursue a move to Las Vegas. His relationship with players has frequently been icy, and he said after last year's lockout that he wanted to do better in that regard. “At a critical moment in the history of our game, Commissioner Manfred has listened to our fans and worked closely with our players to improve America’s pastime," Seattle Mariners chairman John Stanton said in a statement. "Under his leadership, we have been responsive to the fans’ desire for more action and better pace, continued the game’s spirit of innovation, expanded MLB’s role in youth baseball and softball, and beyond. The significant momentum that MLB has built reflects his ongoing initiatives that are advancing the game.” A graduate of the Cornell School of Industrial and Labor Relations and Harvard Law School, Manfred became involved in baseball in 1987, when he was an associate at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius and the firm was retained as MLB labor counsel. He became MLB’s executive vice president for labor relations and human resources in 1998, received an expanded role of EVP of economics and league affairs in 2012 and a year later was promoted to chief operating officer. Manfred defeated Boston Red Sox Chairman Tom Werner in August 2014 in the first contested vote for a new commissioner in 46 years. A third candidate, MLB Executive Vice President of Business Tim Brosnan, withdrew just before balloting. ___ AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
A freighter carrying nearly 3,000 cars catches fire in the North Sea and a crew member is killed 2023-07-26 - A boat hoses down the smoke from a fire which broke out on a freight ship in the North Sea, about 27 kilometers (17 miles) north of the Dutch island of Ameland, Wednesday, July 26, 2023. A fire on the freight ship Fremantle Highway, carrying nearly 3,000 cars, was burning out of control Wednesday in the North Sea, and the Dutch coast guard said it was working to save the vessel from sinking close to an important habitat for migratory birds. (Kustwacht Nederland/Coast Guard Netherlands via AP) A boat hoses down the smoke from a fire which broke out on a freight ship in the North Sea, about 27 kilometers (17 miles) north of the Dutch island of Ameland, Wednesday, July 26, 2023. A fire on the freight ship Fremantle Highway, carrying nearly 3,000 cars, was burning out of control Wednesday in the North Sea, and the Dutch coast guard said it was working to save the vessel from sinking close to an important habitat for migratory birds. (Kustwacht Nederland/Coast Guard Netherlands via AP) A boat hoses down the smoke from a fire which broke out on a freight ship in the North Sea, about 27 kilometers (17 miles) north of the Dutch island of Ameland, Wednesday, July 26, 2023. A fire on the freight ship Fremantle Highway, carrying nearly 3,000 cars, was burning out of control Wednesday in the North Sea, and the Dutch coast guard said it was working to save the vessel from sinking close to an important habitat for migratory birds. (Kustwacht Nederland/Coast Guard Netherlands via AP) A boat hoses down the smoke from a fire which broke out on a freight ship in the North Sea, about 27 kilometers (17 miles) north of the Dutch island of Ameland, Wednesday, July 26, 2023. A fire on the freight ship Fremantle Highway, carrying nearly 3,000 cars, was burning out of control Wednesday in the North Sea, and the Dutch coast guard said it was working to save the vessel from sinking close to an important habitat for migratory birds. (Kustwacht Nederland/Coast Guard Netherlands via AP) A fire on a freight ship carrying nearly 3,000 cars is burning out of control in the North Sea THE HAGUE, Netherlands -- A fire on a freight ship carrying nearly 3,000 cars was burning out of control Wednesday in the North Sea, killing one crew member and injuring others, the Dutch coast guard said. The agency said it was working to save the vessel from sinking close to an important habitat for migratory birds. Boats and helicopters were used to get the 23 crew members off the ship after they tried unsuccessfully to put out the blaze, the coast guard said in a statement. The cause of the blaze wasn’t immediately known, and it wasn’t clear how the crew member died. The Fremantle Highway was sailing from the German port of Bremerhaven to Singapore when it caught fire about 27 kilometers (17 miles) north of the Dutch island of Ameland. As the blaze continued throughout the day, a salvage company sent an expert to assess the possibility of fastening a cable to the ship that could be used to tow it, the coast guard said. Some of the crew members jumped off the ship's deck into the sea and were picked up by a lifeboat, the lifeboat's captain told Dutch broadcaster NOS. Some of the crew suffered broken bones, burns and breathing problems and were taken to hospitals in the northern Netherlands, emergency services said. “Currently, there are a lot of vessels on scene to monitor the situation and to see how to get the fire under control," coast guard spokesperson Lea Versteeg said by phone. "But it’s all depending on weather and the damage to the vessel. So we’re currently working out to see how we can make sure that ... the least bad situation is going to happen,” Versteeg said. Asked if it was possible the ship would sink, she said, “It's a scenario we're taking into account and we're preparing for all scenarios.” By early afternoon, two ships were alongside the freighter, hosing down its sides in an attempt to cool them, the coast guard said, but firefighters were still unable to extinguish the flames and smoke was billowing out of the hold. Images published in the afternoon by the coast guard showed gray smoke pouring out of the stricken ship. Its location is close to a chain of Dutch and German islands popular with tourists in the shallow Wadden Sea, a World Heritage-listed area described by UNESCO as “the largest unbroken system of intertidal sand and mud flats in the world” and “one of the most important areas for migratory birds in the world.” Versteeg said the vessel was carrying 2,857 cars, including 25 electric cars, making fighting the flames more difficult. "It’s not easy to keep that kind of fire under control and even in such a vessel it’s not easy,” Versteeg said. The ship's Japanese owner, Shoei Kisen Kaisha Ltd, said it was working in cooperation with the local authorities of the Netherlands, a salvage company and a ship management company. “We will keep on endeavoring to extinguish the fire and recover the situation as soon as possible,” the company said in a statement on its website. “There is no information on oil pollution due to this incident as of now.” The company expressed “sincere condolence” for the death of the crew member. The Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management said that permission had been given to salvage the ship “as soon as that is possible.” The ministry said that the busy North Sea shipping lanes remained accessible for other vessels. A coast guard ship used to contain oil spills also was on its way to the scene as a precaution. One towing ship managed to establish a connection with the freighter to hold it in place. “We hope that the fire will be under control or will die out and that we can get the vessel in a safe location," Versteeg said. "But it’s all uncertain what’s going to happen now.” The coast guard said in a statement that salvage companies and water authorities were “looking at the best ways to limit the damage as much as possible.” Authorities in nearby Germany were also on alert, German news agency dpa reported. They initially sent a tug, the Nordic, to the scene that helped cool the sides of the burning ship before later replacing it with another vessel. ___ Kirsten Grieshaber and Geir Moulson contributed to this report from Berlin.
UK billionaire whose family trust owns Tottenham soccer club pleads not guilty to insider trading 2023-07-26 - Tavistock founder Joe Lewis, second from left, is surrounded by photographers as he leaves Manhattan federal court, Wednesday, July 26, 2023, in New York. Lewis pleaded not guilty in New York to insider trading charges alleging that he fed corporate secrets to romantic partners, personal assistants, friends and his pilots, earning them millions of dollars illegally. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) Tavistock founder Joe Lewis, second from left, is surrounded by photographers as he leaves Manhattan federal court, Wednesday, July 26, 2023, in New York. Lewis pleaded not guilty in New York to insider trading charges alleging that he fed corporate secrets to romantic partners, personal assistants, friends and his pilots, earning them millions of dollars illegally. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) Tavistock founder Joe Lewis, second from left, is surrounded by photographers as he leaves Manhattan federal court, Wednesday, July 26, 2023, in New York. Lewis pleaded not guilty in New York to insider trading charges alleging that he fed corporate secrets to romantic partners, personal assistants, friends and his pilots, earning them millions of dollars illegally. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) Tavistock founder Joe Lewis, second from left, is surrounded by photographers as he leaves Manhattan federal court, Wednesday, July 26, 2023, in New York. Lewis pleaded not guilty in New York to insider trading charges alleging that he fed corporate secrets to romantic partners, personal assistants, friends and his pilots, earning them millions of dollars illegally. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) British billionaire Joe Lewis, whose family trust owns the Tottenham Hotspur soccer team, has pleaded not guilty to insider trading and conspiracy charges and been released on a $300 million personal recognizance bond NEW YORK -- Joe Lewis, the British billionaire whose family trust owns the Tottenham Hotspur soccer club, pleaded not guilty in New York on Wednesday to insider trading charges alleging that he fed corporate secrets to romantic partners, personal assistants, friends and his pilots, earning them millions of dollars illegally. Lewis was released on $300 million bail, using a yacht and private plane as collateral, after he entered the plea in Manhattan federal court. Two of his pilots, Patrick O’Connor and Bryan ‘Marty’ Waugh, also pleaded not guilty to related charges and were each released on $250,000 bail. All three must remain in the United States. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams, who announced the charges Tuesday night in a video, said Lewis was accused of “orchestrating a brazen insider trading scheme” that utilized his access to corporate boardrooms to feed inside tips to friends and lovers. “Those folks then traded on that inside information — and made millions of dollars in the stock market — because, thanks to Lewis, those bets were a sure thing,” Williams said. "That’s classic corporate corruption. It’s cheating. And it’s against the law — laws that apply to everyone, no matter who you are.” David M. Zornow, an attorney for Lewis, said his client had come to the U.S. “to answer these ill-conceived charges” and would fight them vigorously. “The government has made an egregious error in judgment in charging Mr. Lewis, an 86-year-old man of impeccable integrity and prodigious accomplishment,” Zornow said in a statement Tuesday. Wearing a gray three-piece suit, Lewis said, “Not guilty, your honor," when asked for his plea. He and his lawyers declined to comment as they left court. Lawyers for the pilots did not immediately reply to messages seeking comment. Lewis was charged with 16 counts of securities fraud and three counts of conspiracy. O'Connor, 66, of Preston Hollow, New York, and Waugh, 64, of Lynchburg, Virginia, each face seven counts of securities fraud and a conspiracy count. Lewis has a fortune that Forbes estimates at $6.1 billion, with assets in real estate, biotechnology, energy and agriculture. He bought an interest in Tottenham Hotspur, one of England's most storied soccer clubs, in 2001. Under his ownership, the Premier League club built a state-of-the-art stadium at an estimated cost of more than $1 billion. Today, a trust benefiting members of Mr. Lewis’ family is the majority owner of ENIC, the holding company that owns the team. Lewis himself is not a beneficiary of that trust and relinquished operational control of the club last October, according to corporate filings. Lewis’ Tavistock Group has stakes in more than 200 companies around the world, according to its website, and his art collection boasts works by Picasso, Matisse, Degas and more. His business connections include Tiger Woods, Ernie Els and Justin Timberlake, with whom he built a Bahamian oceanside resort that opened in 2010. According to the indictment, Lewis’ investments in various companies gave him control of board seats, where he placed associates who let him know what they learned behind the scenes. Prosecutors say Lewis improperly doled out that confidential information between 2019 and 2021 to his chosen recipients and urged them to profit off of it. At one point, according to the indictment, he even loaned his two private pilots $500,000 apiece to buy stock in a cancer drug company that he knew had gotten — but not yet publicly disclosed — encouraging results from a clinical trial. According to court papers, O’Connor texted a friend in connection with that loan to buy the stock, telling the friend the “Boss is helping us out and told us to get ASAP,” and assured the friend that “All conversations on app is encrypted so all good. No one can ever see.” Lewis also gave the tip to his girlfriend, his personal assistant, a poker buddy and a friend with whom he had a romance, the indictment said. After the company announced the clinical trial data, the stock gained nearly 17% in a day, and Lewis’ friends and employees all eventually sold at a profit. The pilots repaid the loans at Lewis’ request, according to the indictment. Another time, according to the filing, Lewis gleaned some closed-door information about a muscular dystrophy drug company in which he was a major investor. The information allegedly included a planned financial move and some clinical trial news. Lewis’ biotech hedge fund signed a confidentiality agreement that prohibited disclosing the information or trading on it. But according to the indictment, he told his girlfriend to buy the company’s stock, then told the pilots the same as they flew the couple to Massachusetts from Seoul, where the two had been staying. ___ AP Soccer writer James Robson contributed from Sydney and Sports Writer Ken Maguire contributed from London. AP writer Larry Neumeister contributed from New York. ___ Find more AP soccer coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Visa profits rise as global customers increasingly use credit and debit cards instead of cash 2023-07-26 - Visa says its adjusted third-quarter profits rose by close to double digits, as the global payments company continues to benefit from broad shift of consumer behavior from cash to using credit and debit cards NEW YORK -- Visa Inc. said its adjusted third-quarter profits rose by nearly double digits, as the global payments company continues to benefit from the broad shift by consumers to using credit and debit cards instead of cash. The company said Tuesday that it earned a profit of $4.2 billion, or $2 a share, in its fiscal third quarter compared with a profit of $3.4 billion, or $1.60 a share, in the same period a year earlier. Last year's results included a $456 million legal expense. Excluding that one-time cost, Visa's adjusted profits rose 7% from a year earlier. Visa said its payments volume rose 9% from a year earlier, while the number of processed transactions on Visa's network increased 10% from a year earlier. Visa gets a fee from merchants and businesses who use its payment network to process transactions, so Visa's profits rise and fall with the global economy as well as customers choosing to use a Visa debit or credit card over its competition or cash. Roughly $3.799 trillion was processed on Visa's network last quarter, with the biggest growth coming from Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Latin America. In the U.S., which accounts for roughly half of Visa's global payments volume, the number of payments rose 4.9%.
Gap taps Mattel executive as its next president and CEO. The appointment caps a yearlong search 2023-07-26 - FILE - Richard Dickson, president and chief operating officer of Mattel Inc., stands for a photo on Mattel's showroom floor at Toy Fair, in New York, Feb. 18, 2017. Gap Inc. said Wednesday, July 26, 2023, that it has tapped Dickson, who re-energized Barbie and Hot Wheels, to be its next president and CEO. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson, File) FILE - Richard Dickson, president and chief operating officer of Mattel Inc., stands for a photo on Mattel's showroom floor at Toy Fair, in New York, Feb. 18, 2017. Gap Inc. said Wednesday, July 26, 2023, that it has tapped Dickson, who re-energized Barbie and Hot Wheels, to be its next president and CEO. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson, File) FILE - Richard Dickson, president and chief operating officer of Mattel Inc., stands for a photo on Mattel's showroom floor at Toy Fair, in New York, Feb. 18, 2017. Gap Inc. said Wednesday, July 26, 2023, that it has tapped Dickson, who re-energized Barbie and Hot Wheels, to be its next president and CEO. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson, File) FILE - Richard Dickson, president and chief operating officer of Mattel Inc., stands for a photo on Mattel's showroom floor at Toy Fair, in New York, Feb. 18, 2017. Gap Inc. said Wednesday, July 26, 2023, that it has tapped Dickson, who re-energized Barbie and Hot Wheels, to be its next president and CEO. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson, File) Gap Inc. has tapped a top Mattel executive who re-energized Barbie and Hot Wheels to be its next president and CEO NEW YORK -- Gap has tapped a top Mattel executive who re-energized Barbie and Hot Wheels to be its next president and CEO. The San Francisco-based chain, which operates stores under its namesake as well as Old Navy, Banana Republic and Athleta, said Wednesday that Richard Dickson will join Gap Inc. on Aug. 22 from his most recent role as president and chief operating officer of toy giant Mattel. In a separate announcement, Mattel, based in El Segundo, California, said that Dickson will depart Aug. 3. Gap's CEO spot had been vacant since Sonia Syngal left last July. Dickson has been a board member of Gap since November. The move comes as Gap, once an iconic purveyor of khakis and other casual wear in its heyday in the 1990s, has been struggling with a sales slump for years despite numerous initiatives to fix the business through a revolving door of executives. The pandemic and surging supply chain costs exacerbated financial conditions at The Gap, in addition to other disruptions. In April, Gap announced it was laying off 1,800 corporate workers, roughly three times the number of headquarters jobs it cut last fall, as the struggling chain cuts costs in a bid to become more nimble. Gap’s Chairman Bobbie Martin, who served as interim CEO, noted that Dickson is “destined for this role at this moment” after a deliberate and thoughtful search. “His experience as a proven transformational brand builder and belief in the power of inclusivity, make him a perfect fit for Gap Inc.," he said in a statement. Martin will remain chairman of the board to ensure a smooth transition, Gap said. Under Dickson's leadership, Mattel developed and launched a brand-building approach that has been critical in growing Mattel’s power brands, particularly with the Barbie franchise. Barbie dolls have regained popularity as the company diversified the lineup with more skin tones and versions with prosthetic legs, wheelchairs and hearing aids. The “Barbie” movie which opened last week set an opening weekend record for the year. Prior to Mattel, Dickson was president and CEO of branded businesses for The Jones Group, where he led global design and development, including marketing and merchandising, wholesale, retail, and e-commerce, and acquired and developed new brands. Dickson also co-founded Gloss.com, the first online retailer dedicated to high-end cosmetics, and served as an executive at Bloomingdale’s. To fill the void left by Dickson, Mattel said that it has promoted Lisa McKnight to executive vice president and chief brand officer, overseeing all of Mattel’s toy categories and global brands, as well as design and development. Josh Silverman has been promoted to executive vice president and chief franchise officer. His role has expanded to include leadership of digital gaming and licensed entertainment, in addition to global consumer products, publishing, promotions, and location-based entertainment, as well as franchise management, the toy company said. Both executives will assume Dickson’s responsibilities and report to Ynon Kreiz, chairman and CEO of Mattel. Mattel is expected to report second-quarter earnings later Wednesday. Gap's shares rose more than 8%, or 74 cents, to $9.97, while Mattel's shares hovered at $21.24, virtually flat, in early afternoon trading. ____ Follow Anne D’Innocenzio: http://twitter.com/ADInnocenzio