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With deal done, Disney withdraws lawsuit, ending last conflict with DeSantis and his appointees None - ORLANDO, Fla. -- Disney asked a federal appellate court to dismiss its lawsuit against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday, a day after his appointees approved a deal with the company on how Walt Disney World will be developed over the next two decades, ending the last piece of conflict between the two sides. The request came as little surprise because the federal lawsuit’s future was contingent on whether a development agreement could be reached between Disney and the DeSantis appointees to the board of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District that governs Disney World, according to a settlement reached in March. The development deal was approved Wednesday night by the DeSantis appointees. Disney was facing a deadline next week to a file a brief with the court if it wanted to move ahead with the lawsuit against DeSantis and his appointees. As part of the 15-year deal, Disney agreed to invest $17 billion into Disney World over the next two decades and the district committed to making infrastructure improvement on the theme park resort's property. The district provides municipal services such as firefighting, planning and mosquito control, among other things, and was controlled by Disney supporters before last year's takeover by the DeSantis appointees. “This new development agreement paves the way for us to invest billions of dollars in Walt Disney World Resort, supporting the growth of this global destination, fueling the Florida economy, and allowing us to deliver even more memorable and extraordinary experiences for our guests,” said Jeff Vahle, president of Walt Disney World Resort. Under the terms of the deal, Disney is approved to build a fifth major theme park at Disney World and two more minor parks, such as water parks, if it desires. The company can also raise the number of hotel rooms on its property from almost 40,000 rooms to more than 53,000 rooms and increase the amount of retail and restaurant space by more than 20%. Disney will retain control of building heights so it can maintain an immersive environment. In exchange, Disney will donate up to 100 acres (40 hectares) of Disney World’s 24,000 acres (9,700 hectares) for the construction of infrastructure projects controlled by the district. The company also will need to award at least half of its construction projects to companies based in Florida and spend at least $10 million on affordable housing for central Florida. A DeSantis spokesman said the governor was pleased that an agreement had been reached. “This agreement is a big win for central Florida and will lead to numerous jobs and improved guest experiences,” said Bryan Griffin, communications director for the governor’s office. The agreement followed a detente in March in which both sides agreed to stop litigating each other in state court and work toward negotiating a new development agreement and a new comprehensive plan no later than next year. The March settlement ended almost two years of litigation sparked by DeSantis’ takeover of the district after the company’s opposition to a 2022 law that bans classroom lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity in early grades. The law was championed by the Republican governor, who used Disney as a punching bag in speeches during his run for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination until he suspended his campaign earlier this year. As punishment for Disney’s opposition to the controversial law, DeSantis took over the governing district through legislation passed by the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature and appointed a new board of supervisors. Disney sued DeSantis and his appointees, claiming the company’s free speech rights were violated for speaking out against the legislation. A federal judge dismissed that lawsuit in January, but Disney appealed. Before control of the district changed hands early last year, the Disney supporters on its board signed agreements with the company shifting control over design and construction at Disney World to the company. The new DeSantis appointees claimed the “eleventh-hour deals” neutered their powers, and the district sued the company in state court in Orlando to have the contracts voided. Disney filed counterclaims that included asking the state court to declare the agreements valid and enforceable. Those state court lawsuits were dismissed as part of the March settlement. ___ Follow Mike Schneider on the social platform X: @MikeSchneiderAP.
This Week: Existing home sales, retail data for May and Kroger's first-quarter results None - The Commerce Department on Tuesday reports retail sales data for May; grocery store giant Kroger reports its first-quarter results on Thursday, and on Friday the National Association of Realtors releases its monthly snapshot of existing U.S. home sales This Week: Existing home sales, retail data for May and Kroger's first-quarter results A look at some of the key business events and economic indicators upcoming this week: RETAIL RECEIPTS The Commerce Department on Tuesday reports retail sales data for May. Analysts expect that retail sales rose 0.3% last month after stagnating in April. Shopping by consumers accounts for nearly 70% of the U.S. economy and retail sales are watched closely as a measure of economic health. Consumer spending has been driving economic growth, despite high inflation. Retail sales, monthly percent change, seasonally adjusted: Dec.: 0.4 Jan.: -1.1 Feb.: 0.7 March: 0.7 April: 0.0 May (est.): 0.3 Source: FactSet KROGER RESULTS Grocery chain Kroger reports its first-quarter sales and profit on Thursday before the bell. Analysts forecast the Cincinnati-based owner of the Ralphs and Food 4 Less chains earned $1.34 per share on revenue of $44.9 billion. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission sued to block its $24.6 billion merger with Idaho-based Albertsons, saying it would lead to higher grocery prices and lower wages for workers. HOUSING UPDATE On Friday, the National Association of Realtors releases its monthly snapshot of existing U.S. home sales. Economists project that sales of previously occupied homes fell in May for the third month in a row. The spring homebuying season is off to a sluggish start this year as home shoppers contend with elevated mortgage rates and rising prices. Existing home sales, in millions, seasonally adjusted annual rate: Dec.: 3.88 Jan.: 4.00 Feb.: 4.38 March: 4.22 April: 4.14 May (est.): 4.08 Source: FactSet
Google to invest another $2.3 billion into Ohio data centers None - Google will invest an additional $2.3 billion to support three data center campuses in central Ohio COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Google will invest an additional $2.3 billion to support three data center campuses in central Ohio, the company announced Tuesday. The tech giant has centers in New Albany and Lancaster and one under construction in Columbus to help power its services such as search, Gmail, maps, cloud and YouTube for users around the world. The latest investment is in addition to the $4.4 billion that Google has spent in central Ohio since 2019. The company has not disclosed how the investments will be made or how they will be divvied up among the data center operations Data centers have proliferated across the U.S. and become a welcome revenue source for local governments. They also require a large amount of electricity and high-voltage transmission lines.
Montana canal pipe splits open, flooding area and threatening local farming industry None - Montana state officials are working to stop flooding caused by the breakage of a century-old pipe used to deliver drinking water to 14,000 residents and carry irrigation water to farmers BABB, Mont. -- Montana state officials were scurrying Tuesday to stop flooding caused by the breakage of a century-old pipe used to deliver drinking water to 14,000 residents and carry irrigation water to farms. No injuries or deaths have been reported since the pipe split open Monday, causing flooding in the rural area east of Glacier National Park near the U.S.-Canadian border. The gushing of water from the 90-inch (229-centimeter) diameter pipe caused some washouts 50 feet (15.24 meters) deep, according to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. The breach in the St. Mary Canal siphon, which serves 120,000 acres (48,562 hectares) of irrigated land, happened one month before a $100 million replacement project was set to begin and during the peak irrigation season when demand for diverted water is at its highest. Local officials with the Milk River Project, the organization set to oversee the replacement project, labeled the breach a “catastrophic failure,” which could result in an economic disaster for north-central Montana. The flooding already has caused property damage and road closures and could cause utility disruptions in the surrounding areas. Although the canal had been shut down before the failure, the hillside and a nearby bar, hotel and arena sustained significant damage, project leaders said. Ryan Newman, the Bureau of Reclamation’s Montana area manager, said emergency response teams are assessing the damage and working to identify what caused the failure. The agency's 2023 study of the upcoming replacement project warned that such a failure would affect farmers through reduced crop production and could place a strain on local businesses and communities. The extent of the economic impact, which has yet to be determined, will depend on how long it takes crews to restore the flow of diversion water to local producers.
McDonald's is ending its test run of AI-powered drive-thrus with IBM None - Ever get your McDonald’s order mixed up at an AI-powered drive-thru NEW YORK -- Ever get your McDonald's order mixed up at an AI-powered drive-thru? The experiment behind the fast food giant's current automated order taker will soon be coming to a close. McDonald's confirmed Monday that it decided to end a global partnership with IBM, which has been testing this artificial intelligence technology at select McDonald's drive-thrus since 2021. That doesn't mean you'll never encounter some sort of chatbot while picking up fries on your car ride home again. While the IBM partnership for McDonald's current automated order taker test is winding down, the Chicago-based company suggested that it wasn't ruling other any other potential AI drive-thru plans down the road — pointing to “an opportunity to explore voice ordering solutions more broadly.” “Our work with IBM has given us the confidence that a voice ordering solution for drive-thru will be part of our restaurants’ future,” McDonald's said in a prepared statement this week — adding that it would continue evaluations to “make an informed decision on a future voice ordering solution by the end of the year.” Numerous fast food chains have begun exploring the implementation of AI across operations over recent years, with many pointing to possibilities of maximizing speed and cutting costs. In the U.S., Wendy’s partnered with Google Cloud to develop “Wendy’s FreshAI" chatbot. White Castle teamed up with SoundHound AI with a goal of bringing voice-powered AI technology to more than 100 restaurants by the end of 2024. And a handful of Panera, Arby's and Popeyes locations have brought OpenCity's “Tori” voice assistant to their order lanes. Beyond America, Popeyes U.K. also launched its first AI-powered drive-thru (dubbed “Al”) last month, after the company said a pilot program reported 97% accuracy. Success for AI-powered drive-thrus has been mixed. McDonald's automated order taker with IBM received scores of complaints in recent years, for example — with many taking to social media to document the chatbot misunderstanding their orders. One 2023 TikTok, for example, appears to show the drive-thru assistant place order after order of McDonald’s chicken nuggets on one car’s tab, despite the customers asking it to stop while laughing. Additional posts show an array of other mishaps — such as it adding strange extras, like ice cream with ketchup and butter, or picking up orders from other nearby cars. Unnamed sources familiar with the technology told CNBC that the technology has had difficulty interpreting different accents and dialects, among other challenges affecting order accuracy. McDonald's declined to comment about the automated order taker's accuracy. In an initial statement, IBM said that “this technology is proven to have some of the most comprehensive capabilities in the industry, fast and accurate in some of the most demanding conditions," but did not immediately respond to a request for further comment about specifics of potential challenges. The Armonk, New York-based tech company also said that it is currently “in discussions and pilots” with several other quick-serve restaurant clients interested in the automated order taker. According to trade publication Restaurant Business and CNBC, which obtained a memo sent to franchisees last week, the automated order technology will be shut off in McDonald's locations testing it “no later than July 26, 2024.” Both IBM and McDonald’s maintained that, while their AI drive-thru partnership was ending, the two would continue their relationship on other projects. McDonalds said that it still plans to use many of IBM’s products across its global system. In December, McDonald's launched a multi-year partnership with Google Cloud. In addition to moving restaurant computations from servers into the cloud, the partnership is also set to apply generative AI “across a number of key business priorities” in restaurants around the world.
Adidas is investigating allegations of embezzlement and bribery in China, according to news reports None - Adidas has launched an investigation into allegations of “compliance violations” in China after receiving an anonymous letter earlier this month accusing local executives of embezzling millions of euros Adidas is investigating allegations of embezzlement and bribery in China, according to news reports HONG KONG -- Athletic apparel company Adidas has launched an investigation into allegations of “compliance violations” in China after receiving an anonymous letter earlier this month accusing local executives of embezzling “millions of euros,” according to news reports. Adidas confirmed it had received an anonymous June 7 letter indicating potential “compliance violations” in China, the Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg reported. The shoe and sportwear maker said it was investigating the matter together with external legal counsel, the news outlets reported. Chinese state media outlet Jiemian last week reported that an anonymous group of whistleblowers, who called themselves employees of Adidas China, had sent the letter containing the allegations to the company’s German headquarters. The letter, which was published by Jiemian but also widely circulated on social media, accused senior executives and several staff members of embezzlement and receiving bribes from suppliers in the form of cash and real estate, and of taking kickbacks from celebrities and advertising agencies. One senior executive was also accused of workplace bullying, such as swearing at subordinates, and of nepotism. The whistleblowers said that if Adidas did not address the issues brought up in the letter, the matter would be disclosed to external media and “legal departments.” Adidas' shares fell 1.73% Tuesday. Greater China, which encompasses mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, makes up 15% of Adidas’ sales, according to its 2023 annual report. The German brand is the second-largest sportswear brand in China, behind Nike. Adidas’ Greater China sales grew 8% in 2023, after declines between 2019 and 2022 due to COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns and a backlash in China against Western brands which refuse to use Xinjiang cotton. Activists say cotton produced in Xinjiang often involves forced labor. Adidas regularly engages popular Chinese celebrities to be its brand ambassadors, including singer and actor Jackson Yee, popular Chinese rapper Gali and Dilraba, a popular Chinese singer of Uyghur descent.
Sprint great Michael Johnson launching 'Grand Slam Track' league with $100K first prizes None - Sprinting great Michael Johnson is launching a track league that looks to assemble nearly 100 of the sport’s top performers four times a year to compete for $12.6 million in prize money over the season Sprinting great Michael Johnson is launching a track league that looks to assemble nearly 100 of the sport's top performers four times a year to compete for $12.6 million in prize money over its first season. The league, Grand Slam Track, announced Tuesday that it will launch next April with plans for one event in Los Angeles, the home of the 2028 Olympics, one in another American city and two more overseas. The league also announced it had signed world-record hurdler Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, lending star power to the new operation almost a year before it opens. Johnson, who wore his famous golden spikes at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics while setting the world record at 200 meters to complete the 200-400 sweep, has long echoed critics in the sport who complain they don't see enough marquee head-to-head matchups. That's in part because there's not enough financial incentive to bring the best to the same meets. "It's providing the fans and the athletes what they've been asking for,” Johnson said. “I think there's a real opportunity here. They're frustrated at an all-time level with the sport, at the elite level, the way it's been over the last couple of years where they're not compensated and recognized for their tremendous talent.” Track's yearly schedule is a moving target, highlighted by world championships in odd years and the Olympics every four seasons. In between, the sport is a series of individual meets highlighted by the Diamond League, which conducts around 15 competitions each season and allows athletes to earn points and win a season-long title. As a sign of the sport's struggles to grab a consistent audience in the U.S., NBC, which televises the Olympics, did not renew its contract with the Diamond League; which will be carried by the subscription website FloTrack in the U.S. beginning in 2025. Johnson said television is a priority for his new league, which has been in contact with “all the major broadcasters, with a heavy emphasis for us on the U.S." “I’ve been very pleased with the level of interest and excitement about what we’re building., which sort of validates the idea to some degree,” Johnson said. Grand Slam Track plans to sign 48 athletes, known as “GST Racers,” to contracts, then to use appearance fees to bring another 48 athletes — “GST Challengers” — to each meet. The athletes will be divided into categories — for instance a short-sprint group will run 100 and 200 meters over the course of a weekend — and they will compete for a $100,000 top prize, with cash being awarded down to eighth place. “Michael has done a great job putting this together, and just knowing that the future of track and field can grow exponentially and that athletes will have the opportunity to grow the sport and it’s in a place that’s ready to do that,” McLaughlin-Levrone said. “I’m excited to be a part of that in whatever capacity I can be.” Johnson said organizers chose the “Grand Slam” title to give the league the same feel as, say, tennis or golf, which each have four majors that stand out among a yearlong schedule. Instead of focusing on times, organizers hope the spotlight will shine on the matchups between top athletes. “I think this will kind of normalize seeing people through training cycles and in different parts of their training, but still seeing the best of the best compete to the point where they’re just enjoying the fact that get to race one another and seeing a good race,” McLaughlin-Levrone said. The league has secured more than $30 million in financial commitment. A group called Winners Alliance, described by the league as Johnson's operating partner, was the lead investor. Though Johnson has long been critical of the way track is run on a global level, he said he does not see the league as a disruptor but rather as a vehicle to add to a sport he feels is undervalued. World Athletics, the governing body for track, recently made news with a first-of-its-kind plan to award $50,000 to all of this year's Olympic gold medalists. The federation also will start an Ultimate Championship beginning in 2026 that will bring the year's top performers together and award $150,000 first prizes. Johnson, who has stayed in the sport on a number of levels, including as an analyst for BBC, wants to see track in the spotlight more than once or twice a year. “I'm motivated by the fact that this is the opportune time to do it,” he said. “The world is looking for something like this that we can step into that void.” ___ AP Summer Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games
Blaze at Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk is the third in a little over a month None - A fire has broken out at an office building belonging to Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, the third in a little over a month to hit the drugmaker Blaze at Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk is the third in a little over a month COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- A fire broke out Tuesday at an office building belonging to Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, the third in a little more over a month to hit the drugmaker. There were no reports of injuries and police said the blaze was under control. Flames were seen at the top of a three-story building in Bagsvaerd in suburban Copenhagen. The cause of the fire was being investigated. Danish media said neighbors heard a large explosion in connection with the fire. Firefighters said on the social media platform X that the blasts “presumably” were caused by gas canisters on the roof that exploded. Lars Otto Andersen-Lange, a spokesperson for Novo Nordisk, told the BT tabloid that the fire was in an office building and not at the headquarters. “There is nothing to suggest that there was anything criminal behind the fire today or the previous ones,” Andersen-Lange said. Last month, two fires were reported at a company facility under construction in Kalundborg, about 90 kilometers (55 miles) west of Copenhagen, and at an administration building in Bagsvaerd. No one was injured. Novo Nordisk has several facilities in western Denmark and produces the popular weight-loss drug Wegovy.
Apple kills off its buy now, pay later service barely a year after launch None - Apple is discontinuing its buy now, pay later service known as Apple Pay Later barely a year after its initial launch in the U.S., and will rely on companies who already dominate the industry like Affirm and Klarna NEW YORK -- Apple is discontinuing its buy now, pay later service known as Apple Pay Later barely a year after its initial launch in the U.S., and will rely on companies who already dominate the industry like Affirm and Klarna. It's an acknowledgement from a company known for producing hit products that building a financial services business from scratch as Apple has been doing for several years is difficult and highly competitive. Apple Pay Later launched with fanfare in March 2023 as a way for iPhone customers to split purchases of up to $1,000 into four equal payments with no fees or interest. The service was Apple's answer to the growing popularity of buy now, pay later services globally, and considered a sizeable threat to companies like Klarna, Affirm and others. But Apple Pay Later was only available where Apple Pay was accepted whereas the other buy now, pay later companies had deeply integrated themselves into millions of merchant websites. In an acknowledgement of how popular buy now, pay later services had become, Apple said at its developer's conference this month that it would start allowing banks to offer buy now, pay later plans to their customers through Apple Pay and Apple Wallet. Affirm would be integrated directly into Apple Wallet, and Apple customers would be able to open an Affirm account directly. “With the introduction of this new global installment loan offering, we will no longer offer Apple Pay Later in the U.S.,” Apple said late Monday. “Our focus continues to be on providing our users with access to easy, secure and private payment options with Apple Pay, and this solution will enable us to bring flexible payments to more users, in more places across the globe, in collaboration with Apple Pay enabled banks and lenders.” Apple executives as recently as this month had indicated that the company still had plans for Apple Pay Later despite announcing plans to integrate Affirm directly into Apple Wallet. Apple Pay Later was unique because Apple needed to create its own bank to offer the loans. The Apple Card is issued by Goldman Sachs, which means Goldman ultimately decides who gets approved and what spending limits are for each customer. Apple has discontinued any new Apple Pay Later loans, but customers who have existing Apple Pay Later loans will be able to manage them inside Apple Pay.
‘Trump is using fear’: Former AG Eric Holder on the power of Trump’s attack on the rule of law None - ‘Trump is using fear’: Former AG Eric Holder on the power of Trump’s attack on the rule of law Eric Holder, former U.S. Attorney General joins Nicolle Wallace on Deadline White House to discuss the harm that Donald Trump, his allies, and conservative media are doing to Americans' faith in the Department of Justice and the power that his claims that it is weaponized against him have on voters. June 19, 2024
How 'Trump amnesia' is shaping the 2024 presidential election None - Are you better off than you were four years ago? Analysts say voters are forgetting what the Trump presidency was actually like. NBC News' Chuck Todd says one of the biggest developments this election year is the lack of fear of former President Trump from voters. Chuck Todd and Vaughn Hillard join Katy Tur to discuss.June 19, 2024
‘It’s enough’: Parents of Israeli-American hostage await ceasefire, hostage release None - Ceasefire negotiations appear stalled in the Middle East – delays that have sowed deep exasperation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu among the families still waiting for the return of their loved ones kidnapped by Hamas eight months ago. Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg-Polin, the parents of hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, join Andrea Mitchell to express their feelings on the latest out of the region.June 19, 2024
Putin’s North Korea visit a ‘wake-up call’ for White House: Asia, Korea expert None - Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inked a pact to defend each other’s countries in the event of military attack during their meeting this week. Janis Mackey Frayer, Peter Baker and Victor Cha join Andrea Mitchell to analyze the anti-Western alliance and its effects on the United States and the war in Ukraine.June 19, 2024
Tropical storm Alberto forms in Gulf of Mexico None - The first tropical storm of the hurricane season is taking aim at Texas and Mexico, threatening the Gulf Coast with severe flooding and high winds. NBC News' Guad Venegas reports from Corpus Christi, Texas, which has already experienced flooding.June 19, 2024
New York requiring paid break time for moms who need to pump breast milk at work, under new law None - New York moms returning to work after giving birth will now get paid break time when they need to pump breast milk at their jobs, under a new law New York requiring paid break time for moms who need to pump breast milk at work, under new law ALBANY, N.Y. -- New York moms returning to work after giving birth will now get paid break time when they need to pump breast milk at their jobs, under a new law that took effect Wednesday. Gov. Kathy Hochul said the law requires employers in the state to provide a half hour of paid break time to workers who need to express breast milk for up to three years after childbirth. “As New York’s first mom Governor, I am fighting every day to give working parents the protections they need to keep their families strong and healthy,” Hochul said in a news release. Employers are required to tell employees about the paid breaks. The law applies to all public and private employers in the state. The break time for pumping breast milk cannot be subtracted from an employee's preexisting meal break or other paid break, according to state rules.
Wedding guests can add the gift of gab when 'signing' an audio guestbook None - There's a new twist on the guestbook at a wedding or other event Wedding guests can add the gift of gab when 'signing' an audio guestbook NEW YORK -- The bridal couple can't come to the phone right now. They're busy getting married. Please leave your well wishes at the beep! Capturing recorded messages on vintage phones is the latest twist to the wedding guestbook. Couples who have embraced them said guests had a ball, returning to the phones again and again as their weddings unfolded. “It felt a little bit more personal. You could hear the inflection in people’s voices and they were genuinely having a good time. You can hear what they're excited about and what they enjoyed about the wedding,” said Nick Gaines, who married last September in Chicago. The market is crowded with companies offering the phones for purchase or rent, from fancy 1920s-era looks to rotaries from the ‘50s and ’60s. One vendor, FêteFone, offers a phone in the shape of pink lips and another shaped like a cheeseburger. Some rental companies provide related services like noise reduction, and mini speakers and vinyl records for playback. Gaines and his wife used LifeOnRecord, a rental service that’s been around since 2006. Its prices range from $99 for a toll-free, call-in number and online portal open for a year, to $299 for a phone on site with a battery pack good for 12 hours. Guests need only pick up the handset, listen to an introductory greeting from the couple and leave a message. The phones play into a broader interest in recent years in all things retro in fashion, decor and housewares. For several years, weddings have been LifeOnRecord's most popular events, though people also use the company for an array of things, from terminally ill patients whose loved ones want to record memories to birthdays, bar mitzvahs and retirements. Alaa El Ghatit, founder of LifeOnRecord, notes that people can talk a lot faster than they can write in a paper book. “The phone is very approachable to people,” he said. Sean Taylor and her husband married last year in Richmond, Virginia. They set up a blue photo booth adorned with flowers to offer guests some privacy while leaving messages. She first heard of the phones on TikTok and used a rental service called After the Tone. “My husband is really into collecting records so we had them press the messages into vinyl,” she said. “I encouraged people to leave messages throughout the night. After a few drinks, the messages toward the end of the night are definitely a little more chaotic, but in a fun way.” Taylor also offered guests the chance to put pen to paper in a traditional guestbook. Andy White, founder of The Telephone Guestbook, offers phone rentals in the U.S. and England. He was providing photo services for events when he hit on the idea of audio guestbooks. “I would say 95% of our business is now weddings,” he said. “Our business has grown significantly over the past two years.” White provides cards with prompts in case guests have an attack of the shys or are otherwise stumped on what to talk about. The cards suggest things like funny tales, relationship stories, marriage advice and cherished memories. “People love to talk. It’s easy to pick up a phone,” White said. Some couples listen to their messages on their anniversaries or other special occasions. East Coast wedding planner Danielle Rothweiler, whose clients spend a minimum of $100,000 on their nuptials, has been swamped with requests for audio guestbooks over the last two years. Most of her bridal couples don't bother putting out a paper book as well. “Guests coming to weddings want to see things that are different. No one is asking, where is the traditional guestbook?" said Rothweiler, who is based in Verona, New Jersey. LifeOnRecord also offers QR codes for scanning if people want to use their own phones “You're able to tell stories and that’s what our guests liked about it,” said Abbigail Bliss, who got married in December 2022 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and used one of LifeOnRecord’s phones. White, Rothweiler and others suggest doing what Taylor did and setting up the phone in a nook or booth slightly off the beaten track so people don't feel rushed and have a bit of privacy. Add-on kitsch like audio guestbooks aren't for everybody. Several high-end wedding planners said they're not getting a lot of requests. “The audio guestbook trend is still fairly new, but we are seeing the activity pop up at more and more weddings,” said Hannah Nowack, senior editor at The Knot, an online wedding vendor marketplace. “Over the years, we’ve seen couples leaning into personalization with their guest books,” she said. “In the past, guest book alternatives ranging from Polaroid guest books to vinyl records for signing have popped up at celebrations in lieu of traditional guest books. Audio guestbooks are the latest.” —- You can find Leanne Italie at http://twitter.com/litalie.
'Verzuz' will return after Swizz Beatz, Timbaland lock in new distribution partnership with X None - Swizz Beatz and Timbaland are bringing the “Verzuz” series back with a new major platform for viewers to watch musicians face off in a song-against-song battle 'Verzuz' will return after Swizz Beatz, Timbaland lock in new distribution partnership with X LOS ANGELES -- LOS ANGELES (AP) — Swizz Beatz and Timbaland are bringing the “Verzuz” series back with a new major platform for viewers to watch musicians face off in a song-against-song battle. The legendary producers announced Wednesday that Verzuz cemented an exclusive partnership for independent distribution with the social media site X. Swizz Beatz said he's looking forward to the new chapter for Verzuz, which became popular during the coronavirus pandemic. “Not only are we excited to have Verzuz on X, we’re excited to help X build the biggest entertainment company in the world,” he said in statement before he thanked several X executives including owner Elon Musk for believing in their vision. “We can't wait to get back to work.” Both companies agreed on a “mutually beneficial alliance” where Swizz Beatz and Timbaland maintain full ownership and creative control, while X receives exclusive distribution rights. Timbaland said he’s thrilled to expand their viewership through X, which has more than 300 millions monthly active users. Viewers will be able to watch “Verzuz” for free. “Our goal has always been to bring Verzuz to the world which we can now do bigger than ever,” he said. “Verzuz” came to life in 2020 after a friendly competition between Swizz Beatz and Timbaland on social media started off to entertain homebound fans during the pandemic. But their platform eventually evolved into a place where some of music’s biggest stars competed against each other in the same fashion. The series had grown from a novel event to bridging music's past and present. It began on Instagram Live to having in-person battles in front of an audience. Some of the most epic battles have included John Legend vs. Alicia Keys, Erykah Badu vs. Jill Scott, Gladys Knight vs. Patti LaBelle, Gucci Mane vs. Jeezy, Brandy vs. Monica and Snoop Dogg vs. DMX. An April battle between Babyface vs. Teddy Riley ended abruptly due to audio issues but was completed another night. The series was acquired by Triller in 2021, but Swizz Beatz and Timbaland sued the social video platform company for breach of contract. The producers settled with Triller in 2022. “Our platform stands at the forefront of innovation, and Verzuz defines the essence of an innovative content experience,” said X CEO Linda Yaccarino. “As we continue to work with the most exciting voices to bring premium content to X, there is no better fit than this series.”
Far-right leader Bardella backpedals on taking France out of NATO strategic military command None - The far-right leader angling to become France’s prime minister after the country’s upcoming parliamentary election has backtracked on the party’s previous promise to pull out of NATO’s strategic military command VILLEPINTE, France -- The far-right leader angling to become prime minister after France’s upcoming parliamentary election backtracked Wednesday on his party’s previous promise to pull out of NATO’s strategic military command. National Rally President Jordan Bardella said at the Eurosatory arms show outside Paris in Villepinte that he “doesn’t plan to question the commitments France has made on the international stage” if voters give his party a majority that enables him to lead a new government, in what would be an awkward power-sharing arrangement with President Emmanuel Macron. Referring to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Bardella said that "France mustn’t leave NATO’s military command while we are at war, because it would considerably weaken France’s responsibility on the European scene and, obviously, its credibility with regard to its allies.” The comments pulled back from a campaign promise made by his party in its manifesto for the 2022 French presidential election. “The priority will be to leave the integrated NATO command,” the 2022 manifesto read, a move that would have taken French military staff out of the NATO body that plans operations, and weakened France’s role and influence within NATO. The latest about-face comes as the National Rally is toning down previously announced positions in an attempt to win voters outside of its traditional base before the June 30 and July 7 two-round parliamentary election — the party’s first real chance of forming a government. In spite of his comments regarding NATO, Bardella maintained that he's firmly against sending troops to Ukraine. “I am opposed, unlike the president of the republic, to sending troops and sending French soldiers to Ukraine, because I believe that first of all, a majority of French people is opposed to this decision,” he said. Macron said in March that sending Western troops into Ukraine shouldn’t be ruled out. Bardella said that he supported sending continued French supplies of weaponry, ammunition and other military equipment and support to Ukraine “to enable Ukraine to protect itself," but that he was also wary of the risk of any direct escalation with Russia, noting that it is nuclear-armed like France. “My position has not changed. It is … to hold the front and at the same time to avoid any risk of escalation with Russia, because Russia is a nuclear power,” he said. Bardella’s euroskeptic anti-immigration National Rally party, and particularly its former presidential candidate Marine Le Pen, are known for close ties to Russia. Le Pen has expressed reservations about supplying Ukraine with additional arms. Earlier this month, Macron dissolved the lower house of France’s parliament in a surprise announcement, sending voters back to the polls, after his party was handed a humbling defeat by the far right in the European Parliament election. With his centrist block squeezed on both sides by the far-right National Rally and a newly formed coalition of parties on the left that have banded together against the far right’s surge, Macron and his legislative candidates are furiously trying to steer voters back to the middle ground of French politics and away from what he describes as the extremes. On Tuesday, Macron took aim at a campaign pledge by the left-wing New Popular Front coalition to make it easier for people to change gender in their paperwork. It is proposing that mayors and their deputies be empowered to handle such requests, which are currently managed by French courts. Macron described the proposal as “completely ludicrous,” in a seeming appeal to conservative voters. His comment dismayed campaigners for LGBTQ+ people. Campaign group SOS Homophobie posted on social media, “So the strategy is clear: exploit minorities in the race for power.” In France, legislative elections decide the makeup of the parliament, not the occupant of the presidential Elysee Palace. Macron has a presidential mandate until 2027 and says he won't step down before the end of his term, although he might have to share power with a far-right-led government. ___ Morton reported from London. Associated Press writers Catherine Gaschka and John Leicester in Paris contributed to this report.
EU criticizes France for excessive debt, putting pressure on Macron during election campaign None - The European Union’s executive arm is criticizing France for running up excessive debt, a stinging rebuke at the height of the election campaign where President Emmanuel Macron is fighting off challenges of the extreme right and the left BRUSSELS -- The European Union's executive arm on Wednesday criticized France for running up excessive debt, a stinging rebuke at the height of an election campaign where President Emmanuel Macron is facing a strong challenge from the extreme right and the left. The EU Commission recommended to seven nations, including France, that they start a so-called “excessive deficit procedure,” the first step in a long process before any member state can be hemmed in and moved to take corrective action. “Deficit criteria is not fulfilled in seven of our member states," said EU Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis, pointing the finger at Belgium, Italy, Hungary, Malta, Slovakia and Poland, in addition to France. For decades, the EU has set out targets for member states to keep their annual deficit within 3% of Gross Domestic Product and overall debt within 60% of output. Those targets have been disregarded when it was convenient, sometimes even by countries like Germany and France, the biggest economies in the bloc. This time, however, Dombrovskis said that a decision “needs to be done based on, say, facts and whether the country respects the treaty, reference values for a deficit and debt and not based on the size of the country.” The French annual deficit stood at 5.5% last year. Over the past years, exceptional circumstances like the COVID-19 crisis and the war in Ukraine allowed for leniency, but that has now come to an end. Still, Wednesday's announcement touched a nerve in France, after Macron called snap elections in the wake of his defeat to the hard right of Marine Le Pen in the EU parliamentary polls on June 9. Le Pen's National Rally and a new united left front are polling ahead of Macron's party in the elections, and both challengers have put forward plans where deficit spending to get out of the economic rut is essential. In the election campaign, Macron’s camp could use the wrist-slap as a warning that the extremes will drive France to ruin, while the opposition could claim that Macron had overspent and still impoverished the French, leaving them no choice but to spend more still. Despite the rebuke over excessive debt, EU Economy Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni stressed France was also moving in the right direction to address certain “imbalances,” sending a “message of reassurance" to the EU institutions. The International Monetary Fund forecasts that the French economy will grow at a relatively sluggish 0.8% of GDP in 2024, before rising to 1.3% in 2025. And unlike the measures imposed on Greece during its dramatic fiscal crisis a decade ago, he said that excessive austerity was not an answer for the future. "Much less does not mean back to austerity, because this would be a terrible mistake,” he said. He also disputed a claim that it was austerity itself drove voters to veer to the extreme right, pointing out that lenient budget conditions had been in force for the past years and still allowed the hard right to come out as victors in many member states. “Look to what happened in the recent elections. If the theory is ‘less expenditure, stronger extremes,’ well, we are not coming from a period of less expenditure,” Gentiloni said. ___ John Leicester contributed from Paris
Ship attacked by Yemen's Houthi rebels in fatal assault sinks in Red Sea None - A bulk carrier has sunk in the Red Sea, days after an attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels who are believed to have killed one mariner on board DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- A bulk carrier sank days after an attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels, who are believed to have killed one mariner on board, authorities said early Wednesday. It was the second ship sunk in the rebels' campaign targeting Red Sea shipping. The sinking of the Tutor marks what appears to be a new escalation by the Iranian-backed Houthis in their campaign of attacks on ships in the vital maritime corridor over the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip. The attack comes despite a monthslong U.S.-led campaign in the region that has seen the Navy face its most-intense maritime fighting since World War II, with near-daily attacks targeting commercial vessels and warship. The Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned-and-operated Tutor sank in the Red Sea, the British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said in a warning to sailors in the region. “Military authorities report maritime debris and oil sighted in the last reported location,” the UKMTO said. “The vessel is believed to have sunk.” The Houthis, quoting foreign reports in media outlets they control, acknowledged the sinking. The U.S. military did not acknowledge the sinking, nor did it respond to requests for comment. The Tutor came under attack about a week ago by a bomb-carrying Houthi drone boat in the Red Sea. John Kirby, a White House national security spokesman, said on Monday that the attack killed “a crew member who hailed from the Philippines.” The Philippines has yet to acknowledge the death, but the man who had been aboard the Tutor has been missing for over a week in the Red Sea, which faces intense summertime heat. The use of a boat loaded with explosives raised the specter of the attack in 2000 on the USS Cole, a suicide assault by al-Qaida when the warship was at port in the Yemeni city of Aden, killing 17 on board. The Cole is now part of a U.S. Navy operation in the Red Sea led by the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower to try and halt the Houthi attacks, though the rebels continue their assaults. The Houthis have launched more than 60 attacks targeting specific vessels and fired off other missiles and drones in their campaign that has killed a total of four sailors. They've seized one vessel and sunk two since November. A U.S.-led airstrike campaign has targeted the Houthis since January, with a series of strikes May 30, killing at least 16 people and wounding 42 others, the rebels say. In March, the Belize-flagged Rubymar carrying fertilizer cargo sank in the Red Sea after taking on water for days following a rebel attack. The Houthis have maintained that their attacks target ships linked to Israel, the United States or Britain. However, many of the ships they've attacked have little or no connection to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. “It is deplorable that innocent seafarers are being attacked while simply performing their jobs, vital jobs which keep the world warm, fed, and clothed,” the shipping industry said in a joint statement Wednesday. “This is an unacceptable situation, and these attacks must stop now,” it said. The war in Gaza has killed more than 37,000 Palestinians there, while hundreds of others have been killed in Israeli operations in the West Bank. It began after Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing about 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostage. A recent report by the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency said that container shipping through the Red Sea has declined by 90% since December because of the attacks. As much as 15% of the world's maritime traffic flows through that corridor. Meanwhile, the Houthis said on Wednesday that U.S.-led airstrikes targeted Raymah, a province in Yemen under rebel control. The Houthi-controlled SABA news agency described a local radio station's building as being “totally destroyed” in the strikes. About a week earlier, the Houthis said similar strikes killed two people and wounded nine others, without saying if those hurt were fighters or civilians. Later in the day, SABA also reported U.S.-led strikes targeting the port city of Hodeida. The U.S. military's Central Command said in an earlier statement that it destroyed eight Houthi drones in Yemen, while also destroying a Houthi drone in flight over the Gulf of Aden over the last day.