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☆ When the Pandemic Hit Home
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-12 | by ( Catherine Pearson | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +11 min

The World Health Organization declared Covid-19 a pandemic on March 11, 2020 — but we all have our own memories of when normal life stopped. ASIA EDWARDS, 39, BLOOMFIELD, N.J.Johnna Wallace While driving to work at the beginning of the pandemic, I couldn’t help but wonder: Was this how I was going to die? I am an emergency room nurse. Scott McGlasson My 55-year-old wife was dying from metastatic breast cancer when the pandemic hit. WENDY LAMPARELLI, 57, RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J.Ellen Blossom Our home was hit by a tornado on March 3.

Persons: Sheehan Fisher, Katie MacGregor, KATIE MacGREGOR, WHITING , MAINE Asia Edwards Covid, ASIA EDWARDS, Johnna Wallace, JOHNNA WALLACE, Julie DeJager, Tom Hanks, JULIE DeJAGER, CLEVELAND , OHIO Katherine Schwartz, Covid, it’ll, ”, Wanda, KATHERINE SCHWARTZ, Jean Martirez Barton, —, “, JEAN MARTIREZ BARTON, Lauren Alzos, I’d, LAUREN ALZOS, BROOKLYN Farah Alvin My, Chuck E, cupcakes, ” FARAH ALVIN, Vicky Fleming I’m, VICKY FLEMING, Scott McGlasson, SCOTT McGLASSON, MINNEAPOLIS Aisha McMillan, AISHA McMILLAN, BALTIMORE Melissa Manning, MELISSA MANNING, CITY Sarah Cornwell, SARAH CORNWELL, Christie Poulton, CHRISTIE POULTON, Wendy Lamparelli, WENDY LAMPARELLI, Ellen Blossom, ELLEN BLOSSOM, NASHVILLE Maryann Briggs, Jasmine, MARYANN BRIGGS, Matt Dominianni, MATT DOMINIANNI, Carrie Shanafelt, CARRIE SHANAFELT, BRONX Ali Jordahl, Terri Tilford, I’m immunocompromised, TERRI TILFORD, Tim Prendergast, TIM PRENDERGAST Organizations: World Health Organization, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, The Times, Costco, GREAT, BJ’s Wholesale, Broadway, CITY, NASHVILLE, Bronx ., BRONX, ALI, ATLANTA, TIM Locations: Mason City , Iowa, WHITING , MAINE Asia, BLOOMFIELD, N.J, DURHAM, CONN, CLEVELAND , OHIO, New Mexico, Chicago, Albuquerque, EVANSTON, Manhattan, BROOKLYN, P.P.E, GREAT BARRINGTON, MINNEAPOLIS, BALTIMORE, HILLSBORO, RIDGEFIELD PARK, Covid, BOULDER, COLO, Bronx, Atlanta, PALM SPRINGS, CALIF

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The military said search-and-rescue efforts were continuing for five U.S. Marines after their helicopter went down during stormy weather in the Southern California mountains. Here’s what we know so far:WHAT HAPPENEDA CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter was returning from a training mission in Nevada when it disappeared Tuesday night. About 99 feet (30 meters) long, the Super Stallion can move troops and equipment from ships to shore, ferry supplies and launch amphibious assaults. Nicknamed the “hurricane maker” because of the downwash from its three engines, the Super Stallion has a 50-mile (80.5-kilometer) range. In 2005, a Super Stallion went down in a sandstorm in Iraq, killing 31 people on board.

Persons: Mike Cornette, Joe Biden, Karine Jean, Pierre, “, John Kirby, San Diego County’s, ___ Baldor, John Antczak Organizations: DIEGO, U.S, Marines, Stallion, Civilian, Creech Air Force Base, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California Department of Forestry, Fire Protection, CBS, Cal Fire, WHO, Heavy Helicopter Squadron, Marine Aircraft, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Super Stallion, U.S . Navy, White, National Security, U.S . Forest Service, . Border Patrol, San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, Civil Air Patrol, San Diego, Cleveland National Forest, Super, U.S ., Marine Corps, Associated Press Locations: Southern California, Nevada, Pine Valley, San Diego, Las Vegas, California, New York City, San Diego County, Pine, San, Cleveland, Beirut, Somalia, Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Mogadishu, Miramar, El Centro, Mexico, Washington, Los Angeles

Biden said the U.S. would continue the strikes, even though so far they have not stopped the Houthis from continuing to harass commercial and military vessels. Saree said the attack took place in the Gulf of Aden, the waters just south of Yemen. The Pentagon was not immediately able to confirm the strikes but has cautioned that it anticipates the Houthis will continue their attacks. On Wednesday the U.S. military fired another wave of ship- and submarine-launch missile strikes against 14 Houthi-controlled sites. But the links to the ships targeted in the rebel assaults have grown more tenuous as the attacks continue.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Houthi, Yahya Saree, Saree, John Kirby, “ I’m, “, Sabrina Singh, ” Singh, Jon Gambrell, Jack Jeffrey, C, Sagar Organizations: WASHINGTON, —, Iranian, ”, ” U.S . Central Command, Twitter, Navy, Pentagon, White, Marshall, Chem, Prosperity, U.S, Wednesday, U.S ., National Security, Hamas, Associated Press Locations: — U.S, Yemen, ” U.S, U.S, North Carolina, Houthi Brig, Gulf, Aden, Iran, Israel, Gaza, Palestinian, Jerusalem, London, Washington

The SEALs found cruise and ballistic missile components, including propulsion and guidance devices, as well as warheads, Central Command said. Iran has an anti-ship missile called the Ghadir. The U.S. Navy ultimately sank the ship carrying the weapons after deeming it unsafe, Central Command said. However, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei praised the Houthis' attacks. Since November, the Houthis have repeatedly targeted ships in the Red Sea, saying they were avenging Israel’s offensive in Gaza against Hamas.

Persons: Houthis, Jake Sullivan, Yahya Saree, Zografia, Yemen’s, USS Lewis B, Puller, Fabian Hinz, Hinz, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Elena Becatoros, Tara Copp, Aamer, Baldor Organizations: JERUSALEM, U.S, Greek Shipping, Ministry, U.S . Central Command, U.S . Navy, House, SEAL, USS, U.S . military's, Command, Central Command, International Institute for Strategic Studies, United Nations, Iran's, United, Associated Press Locations: U.S, Yemen, Malta, Red, Suez, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Egypt, Iranian, Gulf of Aden, Gaza, United Nations, Tehran, Gibraltar, Gulf, Aden, Athens, Greece, Washington

JERUSALEM (AP) — Houthi rebels fired a missile, striking a U.S.-owned ship Monday just off the coast of Yemen in the Gulf of Aden, less than a day after they launched an anti-ship cruise missile toward an American destroyer in the Red Sea. The attack on the Gibraltar Eagle, later claimed by the Houthis, further escalates tensions gripping the Red Sea after American-led strikes on the rebels. Since November, the rebels have repeatedly targeted ships in the Red Sea, saying they were avenging Israel’s offensive in Gaza against Hamas. “The most dangerous thing is what the Americans did in the Red Sea, (it) will harm the security of all maritime navigation,” Nasrallah said. However, U.S. sailors have received combat ribbons for their actions in the Red Sea — something handed out only to those who face active hostilities with an enemy force.

Persons: — Houthi, Yahya Saree, “, ”, Aden “, Arleigh Burke, Joe Biden, Hassan Nasrallah, ” Nasrallah, Biden, It's, Samy Magdy, Lolita C, Bassem, Danica Kirka Organizations: JERUSALEM, Eagle, Hamas, United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, Dryad Global, Associated Press, military's Central Command, Command, Eagle Bulk Shipping, New York Stock Exchange, AP, Eagle Bulk, Central Command, U.S . Maritime Administration, Transportation Department Locations: U.S, Yemen, Gulf, Aden, American, Red, Gaza, Suez, Europe, Eagle Gibraltar, Marshall, Stamford , Connecticut, “, America, Sea, Hodeida, Iranian, Israel, East, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Saudi, Cairo, Washington, Bassem Mroue, Beirut, London

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Tommy Tuberville announced on Tuesday that he's ending his blockade of hundreds of military promotions, following heavy criticism from many of his colleagues in the Senate and clearing the way for hundreds to be approved soon. Tuberville’s blockade of military promotions was over a dispute about a Pentagon abortion policy. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said a vote on the nominations could come quickly, possibly even in the afternoon. There were 451 military officers affected by the holds as of Nov. 27. It’s a stance that has left key national security positions unfilled and military families with an uncertain path forward.

Persons: — Sen, Tommy Tuberville, he’s “, ”, Chuck Schumer, Tuberville, Joe Biden’s, Pat Ryder, “, Critics, Sen, Dan Sullivan, overreach, ” Tuberville, We've, Lolita C, Baldor Organizations: WASHINGTON, Alabama Republican, Pentagon, Biden, GOP, Associated Locations: Alaska

Linking Ukraine’s military assistance to U.S. border security interjects one of the most divisive domestic political issues — immigration and border crossings — into the middle of an intensifying debate over wartime foreign policy. Failure risks delaying U.S. military aid to Kyiv and Israel, along with humanitarian assistance for Gaza, in the midst of two wars, potentially undermining America's global standing. Rather than approve Biden’s request, which includes $61 billion for Ukraine, Republicans are demanding something in return. Democrats call these essentially nonstarters, and the border security talks are going slowly. Other Republicans, led by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, a Donald Trump ally, have drawn an even deeper line against Ukraine aid.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Joe Biden’s, ”, Luke Coffey, Andriy Yermak, Coffey, Vladimir Putin’s, Mitch McConnell, It’s, “, Sen, Chris Murphy, Conn, Biden, Tom Cotton, McConnell, Sabrina Singh, Democratic Sen, Jack Reed, Mike Garcia of, Garcia, Mike Johnson, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Donald Trump, Lolita C, Baldor, Ellen Knickmeyer, Stephen Groves Organizations: WASHINGTON, Hudson Institute, Republican, Associated Press, NORC, for Public Affairs Research, Biden, Republicans, Democrats, Senate, The Defense Department, Defense Department, Congressional Research Service, World Bank . National, Democratic, Senate Armed Services Committee, Russia, Kyiv, Navy, Rep Locations: Washington, Russia, Ukraine, Israel, Mexico, U.S, Kyiv, Gaza, Ukrainian, United States, Kentucky, Russian, Rhode Island, ”, Mike Garcia of California, Iraq, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia

Their last meeting was at the Group of 20 summit in Indonesia last fall. The U.S. has consistently viewed military relations with China as critical to avoiding any missteps and to maintaining a peaceful Indo-Pacific region. Sullivan also said there were other areas where U.S. and Chinese interests overlap, particularly on the effort to combat fentanyl trafficking. The White House announced Monday that Biden would also meet with Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador later this week. Associated Press Writers Janie Har in San Francisco and Lolita C. Baldor and Didi Tang in Washington contributed to this report.

Persons: Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, The, Biden, Xi, Jake Sullivan, ” Sullivan, “, Sullivan, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, Janet Yellen, ___ Madhani, Janie Har, Lolita C, Baldor, Didi Tang Organizations: WASHINGTON, —, Economic Cooperation, The Biden, Group, Biden, White House, U.S . Navy, Air Force, Disease Control, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S, Democratic, White, Moscone Center, APEC, Finance, San Francisco Police Department, Union Square, Associated Press Locations: Asia, San Francisco, Indonesia, China, U.S, Pacific, Washington, Mexico, Iran, Taiwan, Beijing, Taipei, Taiwan Strait, Tehran, Israel, Union

TEL AVIV (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned Israel on Friday that it risks destroying an eventual possibility for peace unless it acts swiftly to improve humanitarian conditions in Gaza for Palestinian civilians as it intensifies its war against Hamas. At the same time, he said he was also shaken by images of dead and wounded Palestinian children in Gaza. Blinken also said it was imperative for Israel, regional countries, the U.S. and others to begin considering what the future of Gaza will look like if and when Hamas is destroyed. He said the idea of Hamas remaining responsible for the governance Gaza, thereby posing a continued threat to Israel, was “unacceptable." “Within those parameters we will continue to have discussions in the region and our partners about what should follow once Hamas is defeated," Blinken said.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Israel, Blinken, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Blinken's, Israel's, ”, Hassan Nasrallah, “, Nasrallah, __ Tucker, Lolita C Organizations: —, Hamas, Biden, American, U.S, Reuters, Associated Press Locations: TEL AVIV, Gaza, Israel, Tel Aviv, America, Iran, Lebanon, U.S, “, Washington

But hours later, after repeated announcements and a search, authorities moved off — and it was still unclear whether Card had ever been at the location, state police said. Richard Goddard, who lives on the road where the search took place, knows the Card family. The evening shootings killed 18 people and wounded 13 others, with three people still hospitalized in critical condition, authorities said. Schools in Lewiston were to remain closed Friday, while those in Portland would decide in the morning whether to open. Ten more will likely be issued once the names of the rest of the dead are confirmed, said Maine State Police Col. William Ross.

Persons: —, Robert Card, Card, Richard Goddard, Goddard, “, haven’t, Stevens, ” Stevens, Janet Mills, Dave Letarte, Letarte, ” Letarte, didn’t, William Ross ., Patrick Poulin, ” Poulin, ”, Ryan Smith, Smith, Diana Florence, Patrick Whittle, Robert Bukaty, Darlene Superville, Lolita Baldor, Michael Casey, Kathy McCormack, Rhonda Shafner, Jeffrey Collins Organizations: FBI, Authorities, Canada Border Services Agency, . Schools, Bates College, Maine Gov, U.S, Associated Press, Police, Central Maine Medical, Coast Guard, University of North, The Associated Press, USA, Northeastern University, ___ Associated Press, Washington , D.C Locations: LEWISTON , Maine, Maine, Bowdoin, —, Lewiston, Portland, U.S, Schemengees, Kennebec, Lisbon, Androscoggin, University of North Carolina, Chapel, United States, Portland , Maine, Lewiston , Maine, Washington ,, Boston, Concord , New Hampshire, New York, Columbia , South Carolina

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Saturday for protection for civilians in both the Gaza Strip and Israel as the Israeli military ordered half of the Palestinian territory's population to evacuate in advance of an expected ground assault. Both stressed the importance of minimizing the harm to civilians as Israel prepared for an anticipated incursion against Hamas a week after the militant group's unprecedented attack in Israel. "None of us want to see suffering by civilians on any side, whether it’s in Israel, whether it’s in Gaza, whether it’s anywhere else." Prince Faisal said Saudi Arabia is committed to the protection of civilians. After his meeting in Abu Dhabi, Blinken plans to return to Saudi Arabia and then to travel on Sunday to Egypt.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Blinken, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Israel, ” Blinken, “, Prince Faisal, ”, ” Faisal, ___ Baldor Organizations: —, Gaza, United Arab Emirates, Organization of Islamic Cooperation Locations: RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Saudi, Riyadh, it’s, Gaza, U.S, Egypt, Qatar, Palestinian, Jeddah, Abu Dhabi, Jordan, Bahrain

☆ Watch: U.S. ‘Ready to Deploy Additional Assets’ to Israel, Says Austin
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the U.S. was ready to send “additional assets” as he met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top officials in Tel Aviv on Friday. The U.S. is sending munitions and weaponry into Israel following an attack by the Hamas militant group. Photo: Lolita Baldor/Associated Press

Persons: Lloyd Austin, Benjamin Netanyahu, Lolita Baldor Organizations: Israeli, Associated Locations: U.S, Tel Aviv, Israel

But as the ramifications of Alabama Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s freeze have grown, more of them are speaking out. Political Cartoons View All 1163 ImagesBut now even the Pentagon’s soon-to-be highest military leader is speaking out. It's not the first time general officer promotions have been frozen by a single senator. Six months into Tuberville's hold, 315 military officers are now affected, and the impact cuts deeper in some services. In the small and still growing U.S. Space Force, at least eight general officers’ nominations are on hold — but that’s one third of all of its 25 senior officers.

Persons: Alabama Republican Sen, Tommy Tuberville’s, they’ve, “ We’re, Mark Kelly, Kelly, he’s, Christopher Grady, Mark Milley, C.Q . Brown, can’t, Brown, ” Grady, Grady, there’s, Donald Trump’s, Biden, ”, Mark Harkins, ” Tuberville, Lloyd Austin, Tuberville, Larry Korb, It's, Democratic Sen, Tammy Duckworth, Trump, Alexander Vindman, Duckworth, Vindman, Chance Saltzman, we’re, Charles Flynn, Flynn, Kori Schake, “ It’s, ” Schake, Lisa Franchetti, Franchetti, —, hadn’t, ” Kelly, ” ___ Lita C, Baldor Organizations: WASHINGTON, —, Alabama Republican, ” Air Force, Air Combat Command, Uniformed, Chiefs, Air Force, Joint Chiefs, Air and Space Forces Association, Government Affairs Institute, Georgetown University, Biden, Pentagon, Defense Department, Center for American Progress, Democratic, . Space Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, Army, American Enterprise Institute, Senate Armed Services Committee, Embassy Locations: Alabama, Maryland, ”, Dobbs, Washington

The DOJ announced Thursday that 2 US Navy sailors were arrested this week. The DOJ accused Navy service member Wenhen Zhao, 26, of giving military info to China for $14,866. The two sailors were charged with similar crimes, but they were charged in separate cases, and it wasn't clear Thursday if the two were connected or if they were courted or paid by the same Chinese intelligence officer. The Justice Department charged Wei under a rarely used Espionage Act statute that makes it a crime to gather or deliver information to aid a foreign government. Zhao, the second officer charged, is accused of sharing information, including operational plans for a U.S. military exercise in the Indo-Pacific Region.

Persons: Jinchao Wei, Wenhen Zhao, Wei, Zhao, ____ Baldor, Eric Tucker Organizations: DOJ, US, Service, DIEGO, US Navy, Naval, The Justice Department, Justice Department, Helicopter, Ospreys, Prosecutors, Associated Press Locations: USS Essex, China, Wall, Silicon, San Diego, Essex, Pacific, Washington

☆ Amazon's Whole Foods to triple shelf space for vertical farmer Bowery
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Ophelia Anwah | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Bowery, a vertical farming company that grows crops indoors, is getting more shelf space at Amazon 's Whole Foods, with a deal to triple the stores stocking its salad kits. Currently, Bowery's salad kits and a selection of greens are carried at 50 Whole Foods Market stores in the Northeast. The deal comes amid challenges for both vertical farming and Amazon's efforts to expand its grocery footprint. The vertical farming industry, meanwhile, has been under pressure, like many formerly high-flying, heavily VC-funded startup niches. According to PitchBook, through the first quarter of 2023, vertical farming deals declined by 91% year-over-year.

Persons: Matt Williams, Zesty Caesar, Balsamic Vinaigrette, romaine, Andy Jassy, Jassy Organizations: Foods, Bowery, CNBC, Walmart, Albertsons, Westside, FreshDirect, Amazon Locations: Northeast, Westside Market, Brooklyn, East Coast, Florida, Virginia, Tennessee , North Carolina, Charlotte, Atlanta, Jacksonville, Miami

CHICAGO, Nov 16 (Reuters) - Cooks may have to put away their oversized platters for serving turkey this Thanksgiving. If a farm has an outbreak, producers must disinfect their barns after culling turkeys and wait about six months before restocking. The National Turkey Federation acknowledged that cooks in some geographic areas could see limited supplies of big turkeys. On the U.S. East Coast, Baldor sees a shortage of the bigger sizes as large Thanksgiving celebrations make a comeback, Lindgren said. Shoppers are resuming traditional purchases of turkeys around 18 pounds, after downsizing their birds for smaller gatherings over the last two years, he said.

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