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☆ Pentagon drops Covid-19 vaccination mandate for troops
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-11 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon formally dropped its Covid-19 vaccination mandate Tuesday, but a new memo signed by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also gives commanders some discretion in how or whether to deploy troops who are not vaccinated. The Defense Department had already stopped all related personnel actions, such as discharging troops who refused the shot. “The Department will continue to promote and encourage Covid-19 vaccination for all service members,” Austin said in the memo. “Vaccination enhances operational readiness and protects the force.”Austin said that commanders have the authority to maintain unit readiness and a healthy force. Roughly 99% of active-duty troops in the Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps had gotten the vaccine, and 98% of the Army.

☆ Pitch Decks That Advertising Tech Startups Used to Raise Millions
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-10 | by ( Business Insider | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +19 min

Check out these pitch decks that they've used to sell their vision and raise millions from private equity and VC investors. Blocking ad fraudAdtech startup Lunio, announced a $15 million Series A funding round in September 2022. In May 2022, the software-as-a-service startup raised a $30 million Series B round, led by Insight Partners. Marketing in the metaverseAnima, an augmented-reality startup, raised a $3 million funding round from investors in Janury. He raised $50 million in Series D after closing a $34 million Series C last year, bringing its total raised to $100 million.

☆ Bed Bath & Beyond says its days are numbered. The same might be true for its big blue 20% coupons
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-06 | by ( Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN —Bed Bath & Beyond coupon shoppers take note: If you have a stash of its big blue 20% off coupons in your drawer or in your inbox, better use them soon. “If Bed Bath & Beyond files for bankruptcy, the retailer might honor the 20% coupons for a 30-day period. Big Blue became a company iconBed Bath & Beyond introduced its oversized coupon for 20% off a single item three decades ago. Rumors swirled on various social platforms that Big Blue coupons never expire, even though the weekly coupon does feature an expiration date. With stores closed for months, and consumers rethinking their non-essential purchases, Bed Bath & Beyond sales and profit took a hit.

☆ CFB roundup: No. 16 Tulane stuns No. 10 USC in Cotton Bowl
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

16 Tulane scored 16 points in the final 4:07 to notch a dramatic 46-45 victory over No. 10 Southern California to win the Cotton Bowl on Monday at Arlington, Texas. Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams did all he could for USC (11-3), completing 37 of 52 passes for 462 yards and five touchdowns. He completed 8 of 21 passes for 95 yards, one touchdown and one interception and rushed for 47 yards on 10 attempts. Bulldogs quarterback Will Rogers completed 29 of 44 passes for 261 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

The incident reflects what the U.S. calls a concerning trend of unsafe intercept practices by the Chinese military. The U.S. Air Force RC-135 aircraft was in international airspace on Dec. 21 when it was intercepted by a J-11 fighter jet from the Chinese navy, the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said in a statement. The Chinese jet positioned itself about 10 feet from the RC-135’s wing and then drifted within 20 feet of its nose as the American plane maintained its course and speed, leading it to take evasive maneuvers. China claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, where it has territorial disputes with Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines and others. Austin also raised the issue at a meeting in November with Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe.

But the sheer number of nurses working travel jobs, and the difference between what they thought was promised and what they pocketed, has led to a substantial legal pushback by travel nurses around the country on the issue. Courtesy Jordyn BashfordThis summer, Stueve Siegel Hanson, a Kansas City, Missouri, law firm, filed class-action lawsuits against four travel nurse agencies: Aya, Maxim, NuWest and Cross Country. Advertisements touted an hourly rate of $8 to $11, but many nurses wound up making less than $6, according to Pan Travelers, a professional association of travel nurses. But by February, after her first 13-week contract, Covid hospitalizations had waned and the demand for travel nurses had fallen. Mark Humphrey / APTwo travel nurses walk the hallways during their shift at a hospital in Rhode Island.

☆ The Year in Pictures 2022
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-19 | by ( The New York Times | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +57 min

Every year, starting in early fall, photo editors at The New York Times begin sifting through the year’s work in an effort to pick out the most startling, most moving, most memorable pictures. But 2022 undoubtedly belongs to the war in Ukraine, a conflict now settling into a worryingly predictable rhythm. Erin Schaff/The New York Times “When you’re standing on the ground, you can’t visualize the scope of the destruction. Jim Huylebroek for The New York Times Kyiv, Ukraine, Feb. 25. We see the same images over and over, and it’s really hard to make anything different.” Kyiv, Ukraine, Feb 26.

☆ Capitol riot defendant planned to kill FBI agents who investigated him, unsealed filing alleges
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-17 | by ( Zoë Richards | Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Michael-Kosnar-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

Kelley and Carter made their initial appearance in federal court in Knoxville on Friday. A cooperating witness earlier this week presented authorities with a printed document including about 37 names, positions and in some cases phone numbers of law enforcement personnel involved in the criminal investigation, the filing states. The list also identified which officers were present when Kelley was arrested in May, according to the filing. Marina Medvin, who has been representing Kelley in the Jan. 6 charges, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. More than 850 defendants have been arrested on Jan. 6 charges ranging from misdemeanor parading to felony seditious conspiracy.

Since the early days of the invasion, Mr. Putin has conceded, privately, that the war has not gone as planned. “I think he is sincerely willing” to compromise with Russia, Mr. Putin said of Mr. Zelensky in 2019. To join in Mr. Putin’s war, he has recruited prisoners, trashed the Russian military and competed with it for weapons. To join in Mr. Putin’s war, he has recruited prisoners, trashed the Russian military and competed with it for weapons. “I think this war is Putin’s grave.” Yevgeny Nuzhin, 55, a Russian prisoner of war held by Ukraine, in October.

☆ U.S., Chinese Defense Chiefs Meet in Reflection of Easing Tensions
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Raffaele Huang | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

SINGAPORE—Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met his Chinese counterpart for the first time in months, the latest sign of thawing ties between the two countries after a rupture in August following a trip to Taiwan by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Mr. Austin and Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe discussed bilateral ties and security matters on the sidelines of a gathering of defense ministers in the Cambodian city of Siem Reap, the Pentagon said Tuesday.

☆ U.S. and Chinese Defense Chiefs Meet in Reflection of Easing Tensions
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Raffaele Huang | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

☆ NBA roundup: Kyrie Irving returns, helps Nets top Grizzlies
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

Dillon Brooks led all scorers with 31 points but shot 13 of 30 as the Grizzlies saw their seven-game winning streak over Brooklyn halted. John Konchar added 16 while Steven Adams contributed 15 and 10 rebounds as the Grizzlies shot 43.4 percent. Bruce Brown scored 12 points and DeAndre Jordan had 17 rebounds for the short-handed Nuggets. Six Cavs scored at least 11 points with Lamar Stevens posting 11 and Evan Mobley recording a double-double of 15 and 10 rebounds. KJ Martin scored 12 points off the bench.

☆ Tosca Musk, Elon’s sister, has a business venture of her own – and it’s all about romance and female sexuality
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-20 | by ( Faith Karimi Cnn Photographs Austin Steele | Faith Karimi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +15 min

It’s their first public film premiere since the pandemic started. Musk, 48, is the force behind Passionflix, which adapts romance novels into movies and streams them to a devoted niche audience. “Passionflix focuses on adapting romance novels exactly as the fan and the author envision it,” Musk says in a separate CNN interview. From left to right: Tosca Musk, Kimbal Musk, mother Maye Musk and Elon Musk at Maye's 50th birthday party in 1998. One of the founding members, she says she spent the pandemic years curled up on her couch, watching Passionflix movies.

☆ NHL roundup: Trevor Moore's first career hat trick carries Kings
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] Nov 16, 2022; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Zach Hyman (18) and Los Angeles Kings forward Trevor Moore (12) battle for a loos puck during the second period at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY SportsNovember 17 - Trevor Moore scored all three goals for the visiting Los Angeles Kings in a 3-1 win against the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday night. It was the first hat trick of Moore's five-year NHL career and just his third multigoal game. Zach Hyman scored and Stuart Skinner stopped 29 shots for the Oilers, who have lost five of their past seven games. Buffalo goalie Eric Comrie gave up two goals on 24 shots before leaving the game late in the second period with an injury.

☆ I've been an actor on Disney Channel and cast shows for Netflix. Now I'm an executive producer — here's how I networked my way through Hollywood.
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( Katherine Stinson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Dru Davis is an executive producer for "Monica," which aired at the 2022 Venice Film Festival. He got his start acting on kids shows and networked with casting directors to change roles. I was born and raised in Santa Monica, and my parents inspired me with their work on the executive and creative sides of Hollywood. From there, I went on to cast talent on shows like "The 100" on The CW, "UnREAL" on Lifetime, and "Altered Carbon" on Netflix. I established myself as a reliable executive producer on multiple projects, including "The Trial of the Chicago 7."

☆ Housing affordability is so bad that it's the only thing liberal and conservative voters can agree on
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-11 | by ( Alcynna Lloyd | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

On Tuesday, millions of voters nationwide casted ballots in favor of affordable housing measures. "It's especially heartening to see many ballot measures that support affordable housing pass this year with a clear majority of votes." Austinites aren't the only voters desperate for affordable housing. Kansas City voters gave the green light to a $50 million affordable housing bond that will create 2,000 units in the city. This year, lawmakers brought forward proposed affordable housing bonds via Measure U in Oakland, Measure L in Berkeley and Measure ULA in Los Angeles.

☆ Austin, Texas locals have been priced out by wealthy out-of-state tech workers. Now the government is stepping in.
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-10 | by ( Alcynna Lloyd | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A new $350 million housing bond is intended to help Austinites struggling with the high cost of living. The tax-supported housing bond, named Proposition A — which will cost the typical homeowner an additional $45 a year in property taxes — is the city's largest housing bond to date. According to Austin eligibility guidelines, families earning 80% or less of the area median income are considered low-income. However, in 2023 most of the fund has nearly dried up — at a time in which the city's cost of living has risen to astronomical levels. "This is the third housing bond that this city has passed in the last eight years, 10 years," Adler told KXAN News.

Rep. Henry Cuellar defeats Republican Cassy Garcia in Texas' 28th Congressional District. The 28th District is located along Texas' border with Mexico. AustinCorpus Christi MayorLongtime Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar defeated Republican Cassy Garcia in Texas' 28th Congressional District. 2022 General EmbedsTexas' 28th Congressional District candidatesCuellar is a member of the House Appropriations Committee and is one of the most conservative members of the House Democratic caucus. Voting history for Texas' 28th Congressional DistrictTexas' 28th Congressional District encompasses a section of the U.S.-Mexico border and stretches to the easternmost outer regions of San Antonio, the state's second-most populous city behind Houston.

☆ Live Results: Rep. Henry Cuellar, an anti-abortion Democrat, faces off against Republican Cassy Garcia in Texas' 28th Congressional District election
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( Madison Hall | Jessica Xing | Nov | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Rep. Henry Cuellar is running against Republican Cassy Garcia in Texas' 28th Congressional District. The 28th District is located along Texas' border with Mexico. AustinCorpus Christi MayorLongtime Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar faces off against Republican Cassy Garcia in Texas' 28th Congressional District. 2022 General EmbedsTexas' 28th Congressional District candidatesCuellar is a member of the House Appropriations Committee and is one of the most conservative members of the House Democratic caucus. Voting history for Texas' 28th Congressional DistrictTexas' 28th Congressional District encompasses a section of the U.S.-Mexico border and stretches to the easternmost outer regions of San Antonio, the state's second-most populous city behind Houston.

WASHINGTON — The White House sharply rebutted Russia’s accusations Sunday that Ukraine is preparing to use a dirty bomb on its own territory and then blame Moscow. In a statement, a spokesperson for the National Security Council called Russia’s allegations of a possible false flag operation by Ukraine “transparently false” and accused Moscow of making the claim to lay the groundwork for its own escalation of the war. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoygu has made the claim of Ukraine’s possibly using a dirty bomb in phone calls with several Western defense ministers, including U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. “Secretary Austin rejected any pretext for Russian escalation and reaffirmed the value of continued communication amid Russia’s unlawful and unjustified war against Ukraine,” the Defense Department's press secretary, Air Force Brig. “We reject reports of Minister Shoygu’s transparently false allegations that Ukraine is preparing to use a dirty bomb on its own territory,” Watson said in a statement.

☆ NFL roundup: Panthers surprise Bucs, Packers lose third straight
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +10 min

Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY SportsOctober 24 - PJ Walker threw two touchdown passes and the Carolina Panthers shut down Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a 21-3 victory Sunday afternoon at Charlotte, N.C. Foreman gained 118 yards on 15 carries and Hubbard picked up 63 yards on nine carries with a touchdown. Commanders 23, Packers 21Taylor Heinicke overcame a rough start, but threw two touchdown passes as Washington rallied to hand Green Bay its third straight loss, in Landover, Md. Travis Etienne went for 114 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries for Jacksonville (2-5), which has lost four straight. With 18 seconds left, Pickett (32-of-44 passing, 257 yards, one touchdown, three interceptions) threw a game-sealing interception in the end zone.

☆ These 15 people are shaping the office of the future, designing meeting pods, hologram calls, and buildings that actually make workers healthier
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( Robert Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +27 min

These 15 power players are just a handful of the people designing workplaces to balance productivity, interaction, and employee well-being through indoor-air-quality monitoring systems, building amenities, holographic meeting spaces, and more. AftershipCities like Austin, Texas; Nashville, Tennessee; and Raleigh, North Carolina, began offering business-relocation incentives during the pandemic to boost their workforces and help increase occupancy in office buildings. Room's office suite includes a phone booth, a meeting room, an open meeting room, and a focus room. Room also makes a soundproof meeting room that fits two people, a more open meeting booth, and a focus room designed for quiet concentration. "The future of office work needs to be guided by a new, genuine form of flexibility in which the work, not the workers themselves, become even more malleable," Petersen writes.

☆ Diwali is having a mainstream moment in the US
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-23 | by ( Harmeet Kaur | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

South Asian Americans who celebrate Diwali can now pick up fireworks from Costco, greeting cards from Hallmark and party decorations from Target. Malai, a Brooklyn-based ice cream business inspired by South Asian flavors and ingredients, started selling its Diwali Celebration Box in 2019. “Sometimes I wonder if that just comes hand in hand with visibility.”Bavishi is encouraged by the recent abundance of Diwali products, both from small businesses and mainstream retailers. Does it matter whether the person or company behind a Diwali product is South Asian or not? I don’t know yet what the answer is,” Satpathy-Singh says, referring to mainstream retailers selling Diwali products.

☆ Ghost kitchen startup Reef is facing new trailer shutdowns and violations. Insiders have long said it skirts health and safety regulations.
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-28 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Austin health inspectors suspended four Reef food trailers after a recent inspection. And this month, Philadelphia inspectors cited a Reef kitchen trailer for having the wrong retail operating license, food-safety inspection records show. The company has previously said its engineless mobile kitchen vessels are difficult to inspect under existing permitting frameworks. "In every city where Reef operates, Reef seeks the appropriate permits," a Reef representative said in an email to Insider. The violation occurs when a kitchen trailer has not been authorized through the inspection process to sell and prepare food.

☆ Bipartisan Group in Congress Urges Pentagon to Send Ukraine Advanced Drones
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-22 | by ( Gordon Lubold | Nancy A. Youssef | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

WASHINGTON—A bipartisan group of 17 members of Congress are urging Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to provide advanced drones to Ukraine, saying the technology could be key to giving Kyiv a battlefield advantage. In a letter dated Wednesday and reviewed by The Wall Street Journal, the group told Mr. Austin that it was time to complete a security review of advanced drones requested by Ukraine “to better hold the territory they fought so hard to reclaim.”

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