Author: staff

In an announcement made on Friday, the White House revealed that Dr. Mandy Cohen, a former North Carolina official, has been appointed as the new director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This decision marks a departure from the recent appointments, as Cohen brings valuable experience in leading government agencies. She served as the secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services from 2017 until last year, and prior to that, she held positions in health-related roles at two federal agencies. President Joe Biden expressed confidence in Dr. Cohen, describing her as one of…

When we last witnessed Tyler Rake in “Extraction,” he met his demise, teetering off a bridge in Bangladesh with a fatal bullet wound to his neck. However, Netflix defies death. In “Extraction 2,” Chris Hemsworth reprises his role as the downtrodden yet formidable gun-for-hire, Rake. Netflix deserves gratitude for this impressive resurrection, as this franchise delivers an exhilarating cinematic experience. Arriving two years after the unexpectedly captivating first installment, the sequel finds Rake embroiled in a conflict between two rival drug dealers. He navigates treacherous betrayals, poses questions like “How many hostiles onsite?” and hurls an inexhaustible supply of grenades.…

SeaWorld, the U.S. theme park chain that has faced significant controversy in recent years regarding its treatment of killer whales and other marine mammals, has inaugurated a massive new aquatic life park in the United Arab Emirates, marking its first venture outside of the United States. Partnering with the state-owned developer Miral in a $1.2 billion project, the park boasts the world’s largest aquarium and an impressive cylindrical LED screen. While the facility does not house orcas, which have been the subject of intense scrutiny and criticism, it does feature animals such as dolphins and seals. However, the captivity and…

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The upcoming U.S. Open will be dominated by a formidable presence that will capture the attention of every player on the course, and it’s safe to say they would rather avoid it. The talk of the town at Los Angeles Country Club is the barranca – an ever-present element that will test the mettle of golfers throughout the tournament. Snaking its way through a significant portion of the front nine and extending into the back nine, this natural hazard is characterized by sandy expanses, indigenous foliage, and plants that have a knack for ensnaring golf balls.…

Fox News seemed to express remorse on Wednesday for displaying an onscreen message that referred to President Joe Biden as a “wannabe dictator” and falsely claimed that he had his political opponent arrested. As former President Donald Trump faced charges of unlawfully retaining classified documents, he continued to attract significant attention from the media. PBS questioned the accuracy of one of its own messages regarding Trump, while CNN showcased a change in its prime-time programming following the departure of its former leader. During this particular news segment, the Fox News Channel displayed a chyron at the bottom of the screen.…

The COVID-19 pandemic has witnessed a distressing surge in the homicide rate among older American teenagers, reaching its highest level in nearly a quarter-century. Additionally, the suicide rate among adults in their early twenties has hit a 50-year peak, according to government researchers. A recently released report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention examined the trends in homicide and suicide rates among individuals aged 10 to 24 from 2001 to 2021. Dr. Steven Woolf, a researcher at Virginia Commonwealth University who specializes in analyzing mortality patterns in the United States, emphasized the gravity of these findings. He noted…

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice Mike Randolph delivered an uncommon speech to a federal court on Wednesday, denouncing attempts to involve him in a lawsuit challenging a recently enacted state law. He referred to the situation as a “circus” that lacked any legal precedent in the history of the United States. Randolph was named as a defendant in the lawsuit that contested House Bill 1020. This legislation, signed into law by Republican Governor Tate Reeves in April, has been temporarily halted from implementation by U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate. The law aimed to expand the state’s…

UK COVID-19 Inquiry Questions Potential Avoidance or Reduction of Devastating Consequences London (AP) – The extensive three-year public inquiry into the UK government’s handling of the COVID-19 response commenced on Tuesday, examining whether improved planning could have mitigated the suffering and fatalities. Additionally, the inquiry aims to investigate whether the complexities and prolonged process of exiting the European Union diverted authorities’ attention from adequately preparing for potential threats. Leading the inquiry as counsel, lawyer Hugo Keith highlighted the unprecedented scale of death and illness brought about by the coronavirus pandemic in modern Britain. With COVID-19 listed as the cause of…

In Pixar’s “Elemental,” a vibrant cityscape comes to life, inhabited by four distinct elements: fire, water, earth, and air. However, these elemental communities exist in separate areas, resembling ethnic enclaves with limited interaction. The convergence of fire and water, in particular, can be explosive, as a mere splash can extinguish fire, while a strong flame can evaporate water. This children’s film ventures into uncommon territory, where subway rides carry more peril than in the real world. Directed by Peter Sohn, a seasoned veteran of Pixar and known for “The Good Dinosaur,” “Elemental” stands as the studio’s 27th feature. Yet, in…

NEW YORK (AP) — Despite initial apprehensions and a prolonged duration, last year’s bear market on Wall Street proved to be relatively mild compared to previous occurrences. Following the closing of the S&P 500 on Thursday, which stood more than 20% above its mid-October level, Wall Street can now officially determine the precise duration of its most recent bear market. Traders use the term “bear market” to describe a sustained decline of at least 20% for the S&P 500. In this case, it commenced on January 3, 2022, when the S&P 500 reached a record high, and concluded on October…