Author: staff

Enjoyed “Everything Everywhere All at Once?” Can’t get enough of “The Flash” and “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” this month? Then this curated collection is perfect for you. We’ve gathered a diverse assortment of fiction encompassing alternate universes and multiverses, spanning across movies, TV shows, comics, and books. Whether you’re intrigued by the concept of “What if?”, this compilation serves as an excellent starting point. MOVIES: “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946): This timeless Christmas classic follows the journey of George Bailey, a devoted family man whose frustrations grow as opportunities slip away. On Christmas Eve, an angel-in-training transports him to a…

FOREST, Miss. (AP) — The first person ever diagnosed with autism, a Mississippi man widely known as “Case 1,” has passed away. Donald G. Triplett, who gained recognition through various mediums like the book “In a Different Key,” a PBS documentary, a BBC news magazine segment, and numerous medical journal articles, peacefully left us. To the Bank of Forest staff in a small city located approximately 40 miles (64 kilometers) east of Jackson, he was simply known as “Don,” according to WLBT-TV. Lesa Davis, the senior vice president of the bank, confirmed Triplett’s passing on Thursday. He was 89 years…

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s high court refused on Friday to restore a law that would have severely restricted abortion, thereby preserving the legality of the procedure in the state. The decision serves as a setback for Republican Governor Kim Reynolds and ensures that Iowa remains distinct from other conservative states with stringent abortion regulations. In a rare 3-3 ruling, the Iowa Supreme Court upheld a district court’s 2019 decision that had halted the implementation of the law. This recent ruling comes approximately a year after both the state court and the U.S. Supreme Court declared that women do…

A vast majority of unionized UPS workers in New York voted on Friday to authorize a strike, potentially leading to a work stoppage if an agreement between the package delivery company and Teamsters cannot be reached before their contract expires next month. The Teamsters announced that 97% of the unionized workers supported the authorization, which was sought to strengthen their bargaining power during negotiations with UPS. However, it is important to note that a positive vote does not guarantee an immediate strike. Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien emphasized that if the corporation fails to honor the contract that their hardworking…

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — The European Central Bank’s move to raise interest rates for the eighth consecutive time and its commitment to persist until high inflation is controlled has been commended by the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund. Kristalina Georgieva, in her statement on Friday, expressed the IMF’s approval of the ECB’s decision to increase rates by a quarter-percentage point and its President Christine Lagarde’s assurance that there are no plans to halt the process. The ECB aims to bring down inflation from 6.1% to its target of 2%. Georgieva emphasized the need for continued monetary policy tightening…

According to the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, Amazon has reinstated a union organizer who was previously fired. This action came after the organizer, Jennifer Bates, lodged a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board. Bates, who had testified before a Senate committee about income inequality, was terminated while recovering from work-related injuries at an Amazon facility in Bessemer, Alabama. The union claimed that Amazon had refused to make necessary workplace adjustments for Bates, who had been vocal about workplace safety concerns within the company. In a prepared statement released by the union, Bates expressed her belief that this…

ATLANTA (AP) — The commercial launch of a new reactor at a nuclear power plant in Georgia has encountered another setback, pushing its operation by at least an additional month. Georgia Power Co. announced on Friday that Unit 3 at Plant Vogtle, situated southeast of Augusta, is facing an issue with its hydrogen system, which is responsible for cooling the main electrical generator. The company now projects that the reactor will commence reliable electricity transmission to the grid in July, missing the most recent deadline set for June. It’s important to note that the generator is not integrated into the…

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A massive gathering of Vegas Golden Knights supporters, numbering in the tens of thousands or possibly more, is anticipated in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip this Saturday. The occasion is a grand celebration and rally commemorating the team’s historic achievement of winning their inaugural NHL championship, the Stanley Cup. Las Vegas law enforcement authorities have made necessary arrangements in preparation for the event, expecting a crowd of up to 100,000 individuals to converge along Las Vegas Boulevard. This jubilant gathering is being likened to the annual New Year’s Eve fireworks spectacles that have attracted…

TOKYO (AP) — On Friday, Japan’s parliament made a significant change by raising the age of sexual consent from 13 to 16, marking the first adjustment in over a century. This modification, one of the lowest age limits globally, was implemented in response to increasing demands for the protection of children and women. The alteration of the sexual consent age was part of a broader overhaul of legislation concerning sex crimes. Additionally, Parliament passed a new law aimed at raising awareness about LGBTQ+ issues. However, activists criticized this law for failing to ensure equal rights for sexual minorities. Japan has…

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — The general manager of a television news station in western Michigan has issued an apology after a memo was sent to the staff, instructing them to reduce coverage of LGBTQ+ events during Pride Month due to concerns about potential division. According to the Detroit Free Press, which obtained a copy of the memo, it requested that the WOOD-TV staff assess the newsworthiness of Pride events. The memo acknowledged the conservative nature of West Michigan and expressed the need to recognize that certain stories related to LGBTQ+ issues could be controversial and polarizing within the community.…