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Post by mhbruin on Jul 13, 2023 7:57:23 GMT -8
My grandfather tried to warn them about the Titanic. He screamed and shouted about the iceberg and how the ship was going to sink, but all they did was throw him out of the theater.
Who Could Have Predicted This?
In 2021, non-fungible tokens went mainstream in a big way as celebrities and the general public spent millions buying up and trading the digital collectibles. But today, prices for Bored Ape Yacht Club NFTs, one of the most popular collections, has crashed to a two-year low.
Take one Bored Ape NFT owned by Justin Bieber, for example: It has declined in value by about 95% over the past year and a half.
In January 2022, the Grammy award-winning music artist entered the world of NFTs by allegedly dropping 500 ETH (around $1.3 million at the time) on Bored Ape #3001, an NFT belonging to Yuga Labs' Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) collection.
But as of July 2023, Bieber's Bored Ape is only worth around $59,000, according to Bitcoinist.
And its not just Bieber's NFT that has significantly declined in value.
Basketball star Stephen Curry purchased Bored Ape #7990 for 55 ETH (nearly $180,000 at the time) on Aug. 28, 2021. But as of July 6, the highest bid for the NFT is 30.5 ETH, or about $58,000, according to OpenSea. That's a nearly 68% drop.
Music icon Madonna bought Bored Ape #4988 for 180 ETH (around $466,000 at the time) on March 14, 2022, but the highest bid on the NFT was 28 ETH (a little over $53,000) as of July 6, according to OpenSea.
It's also worth noting that in December, a number of celebrities, including Bieber, Curry and Madonna, were named in a class-action lawsuit filed by investors who purchased Yuga Labs' digital assets, which alleges the celebrity endorsements and promotions of the Bored Ape Yacht Club NFT collection were manufactured, according to the Los Angeles Times.
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Post by mhbruin on Jul 13, 2023 8:18:30 GMT -8
We Are All in Hot Water“I have never been so worried for the future of Florida’s reefs.” This is the reaction of coral scientist Bill Precht to the record hot ocean temperatures surrounding South Florida right now. Precht is a coral reef scientist based in Miami who’s been studying coral reefs for the past 45 years. WFLA’s Chief Meteorologist and Climate Specialist Jeff Berardelli spoke to Precht on Monday. “Based on what I have seen throughout my career – and what I am seeing unfold so far this summer — if greater than 90% of what’s left gets whacked – there will essentially be nothing left,” Precht said, “This is the scary reality. This is not science fiction.” ‘I don’t feel safe living here’: Bats take over St. Pete apartment, renter turns to 8 On Your Side Average coral cover on most Florida Keys reefs has dropped from between 30-50% before 1975, to less than 3% now. Precht says this is due to coral disease, coral bleaching events, hurricanes and cold water impacts during the winter. What’s left has been significantly weakened. “Right now, I’d say the corals in the Florida Keys are as vulnerable as they have ever been to catastrophic levels of bleaching and bleaching-related mortality,” Precht warns. Coral thrives in a fairly narrow range of water temperatures which, Precht says, rarely exceeded 84 degrees a century ago. Now, due to man-made climate heating, regularly rise into the upper 80s. But right now water temperatures are even higher, averaging around 90F, with some pockets as high as 95, or an outlandish 97. Even for a hot place like South Florida in July, this is “off the charts”. This graph below from NOAA Coral Reef Watch shows sea surface temperatures in the Florida Keys since 1985. The black line shows the average regional water temperature for 2023, which right now is around 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees C), far above the average of 84F.    Record Florida ocean temperatures may be ‘death knell’ for coral reefs, expert fears“Welcome to our new reality,” said Todd Crowl, director of Florida International University’s Institute of Environment. “Temperature is one thing we can’t control in the short term.” Waters off the state’s southeastern coast are running about three and a half degrees higher than normal in Fahrenheit, with waters in the Florida Keys up a stunning seven degrees above average. That’s significant historically and hot enough that even people not in the business of monitoring marine temperatures are beginning to notice, with some visitors commenting about unpleasantly warm swims on social media. But the potential impacts are far more wide-reaching — soaring numbers can have dire consequences for state waterways battling algae blooms, coral bleaching and fish kills. It also may add powerful fuel to tropical systems that pass through coastal waters during hurricane season.
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Post by mhbruin on Jul 13, 2023 8:20:08 GMT -8
Moscow Mitch Defends the Indefensible --- Again
Republican U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is defending Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas after numerous well-documented reports and allegations of corruption and scandal related to the close personal and financial relationship he and his wife, Ginni Thomas, have with a billionaire GOP donor, his wife's alleged attempts to promote overturning of the 2020 presidential election results, and his refusal to recuse himself from matters before the court when he has ties to them.
And on Thursday, McConnell sat down with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt and defended Justice Thomas, by attempting to attack the liberal justices on the Court.
"Many of the liberals on the Court have also accepted gifts," he told Hewitt, apparently without substantiating the claim. Justices can accept some gifts, and some must be disclosed.
McConnell also claimed the allegations of corruption are "just an effort to try to target this new Supreme Court."
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Post by mhbruin on Jul 13, 2023 8:22:54 GMT -8
Don't Hold Your Breath
It is possible to end AIDS by 2030 if countries demonstrate the political will to invest in prevention and treatment and adopt non-discriminatory laws, the United Nations said on Thursday.
In 2022, an estimated 39 million people around the world were living with HIV, according to UNAIDS, the United Nations AIDS program. HIV can progress to AIDS if left untreated.
"We have a solution if we follow the leadership of countries that have forged strong political commitment to put people first and invest in evidence-based HIV prevention and treatment programmes," UNAIDS said in a report published on Thursday.
It said an effective response to HIV also meant adopting non-discriminatory laws and empowering community networks, among other initiatives. People living with HIV or AIDS in many countries face stigma, discrimination and violence.
"Progress has been strongest in the countries and regions that have the most financial investments, such as in eastern and southern Africa, where new HIV infections have been reduced by 57% since 2010," the report said.
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Post by mhbruin on Jul 13, 2023 8:25:50 GMT -8
Close to 100,000 Voter Registrations Were Challenged in Georgia — Almost All by Just Six Right-Wing ActivistsMedia outlets have reported on the high number of challenges and numerous cases of voters feeling harassed, impeded or intimidated by being placed into “challenged” status. But the outsized role of the small group of people making the challenges was less clear. ProPublica was able to determine that a vast majority of the challenges since SB 202 became law — about 89,000 of 100,000 — were submitted by just six right-wing activists, including Schneider. Another 12 people accounted for most of the rest. (ProPublica obtained data for all challenges logged in 30 of the state’s 159 counties, including the 20 most populous.) Of those challenges, roughly 11,100 were successful — at least 2,350 voters were removed from the rolls and at least 8,700 were placed in a “challenged” or equivalent status, which can force people to vote with a provisional ballot that election officials later adjudicate.
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Post by mhbruin on Jul 13, 2023 8:28:09 GMT -8
Another Russian General is Gone
A top Russian general says he has been removed from his post in Ukraine after telling military chiefs the truth about the dire situation on the front line.
Maj Gen Ivan Popov was the commander of the 58th Army, which has been fighting in the southern Zaporizhzhia region.
In a voice message, Maj Gen Popov said he raised questions about high casualty rate and lack of artillery support.
"It was necessary either to keep quiet and be a coward or to say it the way it is," he said.
"I had no right to lie in the name of you, in the name of my fallen comrades in arms, so I outlined all the problems which exist."
The voice message was posted to telegram by Russian MP Andrei Gurulyov, who is a former military commander and frequent commentator on state TV. It is unclear when the message was recorded.
Among the issues Maj Gen Popov said he highlighted to his superiors were the lack of proper counter battery systems to help repel Ukrainian artillery attacks, as well as a lack of military intelligence.
The Good News for the Russian Army is There Are Lots of Opportunities for Promotion
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Post by mhbruin on Jul 13, 2023 8:29:02 GMT -8
Here, There, and Everywhere
A heatwave is sweeping across parts of southern Europe and north-west Africa, with potential record-breaking temperatures in the coming days.
Temperatures are expected to surpass 40C (104F) in parts of Spain, France, Greece, Croatia and Turkey.
In Italy, temperatures could reach as high as 48.8C (119.8F). A red alert warning has been issued for 10 cities, including Rome, Bologna and Florence.
Meanwhile, Back in the USA
At least four of the fiscal 2024 House Appropriations bills released so far propose to rescind some funding included in the IRA, including a big chunk of a $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund established at the EPA.
The rescissions, targeted at the administration’s landmark effort to spend nearly $370 billion to address climate change, have drawn the ire of environmentalists. Republicans have defended them as part of their no-holds-barred campaign to reduce federal spending.
David Shadburn, senior government affairs advocate at the League of Conservation Voters, said in an interview that Republicans “are very aggrieved certainly at how successful the administration has been so far.”
“Apparently they are doing the bidding of their polluter donors, being very clear that the Inflation Reduction Act is a big target of theirs, because they don’t want to see the clean energy transition that we need to combat the climate crisis,” Shadburn said.
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Post by mhbruin on Jul 13, 2023 8:34:06 GMT -8
The Hotel Industry Isn't Out of the Woods Yet, But ...
Taylor Swift's Eras Tour is boosting the U.S. economy.
Ticket sales for Swift's concerts have been so explosive, one Federal Reserve office said, the pop superstar is helping fuel the national tourism industry.
The central bank on Wednesday released its Beige Book, in which Philadelphia Federal Reserve officials reported hotel bookings had skyrocketed, thanks to Swift's show dates.
"Despite the slowing recovery in tourism in the region overall, one contact highlighted that May was the strongest month for hotel revenue in Philadelphia since the onset of the pandemic, in large part due to an influx of guests for the Taylor Swift concerts in the city," the officials wrote.
Eight times a year, the Beige Book compiles summaries of how the economy is doing in different parts of the United States. The document is published before the Federal Reserve committee meeting in which monetary policies, like interest rate decisions, are discussed.
This is not the first time a government agency has credited Swift with boosting local business. Earlier this month, Cincinnati officials credited Swift and the Eras Tour with helping downtown hotels gross $1.3 million, and surrounding Hamilton County hotels earn about $2.6 million.
"Taylor Swift is a force to be reckoned with," Julie Calvert, president and CEO of the tourism group Visit Cincy, said in a statement. "The economic impact Swift creates is staggering, as fans travel from far and wide to attend her concerts, filling hotels, restaurants, and local attractions. Swift’s influence on tourism is a testament to her ability to captivate audiences and drive economic growth."
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Post by mhbruin on Jul 13, 2023 8:36:35 GMT -8
Here's to the Land You've Torn Out the Heart of. Mississippi Find Yourself a New Country to be Part of.
H.B. 1020 gives the white Mississippi Supreme Court chief justice, Michael K. Randolph, the power to appoint unelected judges to serve in majority-Black Hinds County, where the capital City of Jackson is located. Under the law, the chief justice would appoint four new judges to serve in the Hinds County Circuit Court until 2026 and one permanent municipal judge to serve in the Capitol Complex Improvement District. Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch, who is also white, would appoint special two prosecutors in the new CCID court.
Legislative leaders said during debate over H.B. 1020 that their goal was to make Jackson safer and fight crime. Opponents of the law have long argued that the appointments will take power away from mostly-Black locally elected circuit court judges and diminish Black voters’ power in Hinds County. Hinds County is 70% Black, and Jackson is 80% Black.
With its complaint, the Justice Department seeks to intervene in an NAACP-led federal court case in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi in Jackson; Judge Henry T. Wingate is presiding over the case. The Mississippi Supreme Court heard arguments in a separate state-level case over H.B. 1020 last week, but the justices have yet to render a decision.
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Post by mhbruin on Jul 13, 2023 8:40:35 GMT -8
Rupert Mordor Seeks a New Savior
Billionaire media baron Rupert Murdoch reportedly wants to see one Republican in particular take on former President Donald Trump, the front-runner in the 2024 GOP primary for president.
On Wednesday, The New York Times reported Murdoch “has privately told people” he wants to see Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) enter the race.
Youngkin earlier this year ruled himself out of a run, with commentators suggesting he was readying himself for the 2028 election. However, in May there was renewed speculation that he may throw his hat into the ring one election cycle earlier.
Murdoch’s reported pick came as his media organizations — including Fox News — soured on his initial choice to take on Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), amid the governor’s faltering campaign.
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Post by mhbruin on Jul 13, 2023 8:41:32 GMT -8
How Many QOP States Will Ban the Sale to Minors?
The US Food and Drug Administration on Thursday approved the birth control pill Opill to be available over-the-counter — the first nonprescription birth control pill in the United States.
“Today’s approval marks the first time a nonprescription daily oral contraceptive will be an available option for millions of people in the United States,” Dr. Patrizia Cavazzoni, the director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said in a statement. “When used as directed, daily oral contraception is safe and is expected to be more effective than currently available nonprescription contraceptive methods in preventing unintended pregnancy.”
Opill is a “mini-pill” that uses only the hormone progestin.
Its manufacturer, Perrigo, called the FDA action a “milestone” and a “giant leap for women’s empowerment ” in a statement.
“Today’s approval is a groundbreaking expansion for women’s health in the U.S., and a significant milestone towards addressing a key unmet need for contraceptive access,” said Frederique Welgryn, Perrigo global vice president for women’s health.
Opill is expected to be available over-the-counter in stores by the end of March 2024.
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Post by mhbruin on Jul 13, 2023 8:43:08 GMT -8
Just Because Someone is a Rapist, That Doesn't Make Them a Liar.
Colleges rely on honor system when checking sexual assault background of student athletes
At many of the nation’s top sports colleges, vetting athletes for past sexual misconduct and violent acts under a new NCAA policy boils down to one step: asking them.
The policy was the national college sports organization’s answer to a series of scandals in which coaches recruited athletes with histories of violence against women, some of whom were later accused of reoffending. Starting with the 2022-23 school year, the rule was intended to keep campuses safer.
But if an athlete answers “no” to a list of questions about criminal convictions and school disciplinary action, officials at many multi-sport powerhouses – the University of Alabama, Louisiana State University, Ohio State University and more – generally take their word for it.
“They absolutely don’t want to know,” said Brenda Tracy, a gang-rape survivor whose nonprofit, Set The Expectation, works to reduce sexual violence in sports by educating athletes and coaches. “It’s ‘Don’t ask, don’t tell.’”
Adopted three years ago by the NCAA’s highest governing body, the policy requires all 1,100 member schools to take “reasonable steps” to confirm whether new and continuing athletes have records of serious misconduct, including sexual assault, dating violence and assault causing serious bodily harm. Athletes must annually disclose any criminal convictions and school disciplinary actions, and schools must have written procedures for obtaining information from athletes’ previous schools.
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Post by mhbruin on Jul 13, 2023 8:45:23 GMT -8
How About a Nice LA Punch?
L.A. deputy punches mother holding baby during arrest in incident sheriff called 'unacceptable'
A Los Angeles County sheriff’s office deputy punched a mother who was holding a 3-week-old infant during an arrest last year, in a case that has been referred to prosecutors, the sheriff said.
The woman was punched twice in the face on July 14, 2022, after she and other women with children were being arrested on alleged child endangerment after a traffic stop, Sheriff Robert Luna said.
“I found the punching of the woman in these circumstances completely unacceptable,” Luna said at a news conference.
The deputy was not identified. The incident occurred before Luna was sheriff. He was elected in November, defeating then-sheriff Alex Villanueva. Luna was sworn in as sheriff in December.
The woman was punched after deputies pulled over a vehicle because it was driving without headlights just before midnight on July 13, 2022, in Palmdale, Luna said.
Deputies smelled alcohol and made the “discretionary decision” to arrest three women passengers who had three babies in their arms but not in car seats, as well as the driver, on felony child endangerment, Luna said.
Body camera video released Wednesday shows one of the women telling deputies “you’re not taking my baby,” and there is a struggle.
At least one deputy says the child is being hurt, the mother says to let go and that “you’re breaking his ... leg,” and a deputy appears to punch her twice in the face, the video shows.
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Post by mhbruin on Jul 13, 2023 8:49:41 GMT -8
If You Spend $20 Every Week on Powerball Tickets, ....
The Powerball jackpot soared to an estimated $875 million after no winning ticket was sold for the latest drawing.
The new jackpot for Saturday's drawing is the third highest in the history of the game. Ticket buyers have a chance at either $875 million paid out in yearly increments or a $441.9 million one-time lump sum before taxes.
You Will Win the Jackpot, On Average, Once Every 280,000 Years.
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Post by mhbruin on Jul 13, 2023 8:57:07 GMT -8
Charing the Most to Those Who Can Least Afford It.
Americans without health insurance pay an average of $98 for Eli Lilly’s generic insulin despite the company’s May 1 pledge to cut its list price to $25 per vial, according to a survey of more than 300 U.S. pharmacies by U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren’s office released on Thursday.
Warren’s survey of chain and independent pharmacies across all 50 states, carried out between June 9 and 28, found a third of drug stores charged $164 or more to uninsured patients for Lilly’s Insulin Lispro. The highest-priced pharmacy wanted $330.
Americans with insurance typically pay a fraction of the list prices for prescription drugs, but uninsured people sometimes have to pay the full prices, forcing some to ration or skip taking their medicine.
Lilly Stock is Up Over 400% in the Last Five Years.
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