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☆ A viral photo of a double-decker airplane seat design has ignited a fierce debate about farting
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-08 | by ( Reena Koh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

A photo of a double-decker airplane seat has gone viral. A photo of a double-decker airplane seat has gone viral on the internet, with people divided on whether they would want to take a seat. Pictures of the Chaise Longue Airplane Seat prototype, designed by Alejandro Núñez Vicente, first made an appearance last year. Núñez Vicente graduated from Brunel University London in 2021 with a degree in Industrial Design and Technology, according to LinkedIn. In response to the backlash, the award-winning airplane seat designer thinks "there's no such thing as bad publicity," per CNN.

Persons: Alejandro Núñez Vicente, Núñez Vicente Organizations: Morning, CNN, Brunel University London, Design, Technology, LinkedIn Locations: Hamburg, Germany

☆ Economy class airplane bunk beds get seal of approval as launch moves closer
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( Francesca Street | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Now the concept’s got the industry seal of approval via a prestigious Crystal Cabin Award, presented at the 2022 Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) in Hamburg, Germany. “Bunk-bed solution for economy class – this is something which you regularly see as a concept,” said Kaestner. “But we rarely see this level of innovation actually becoming a real product that’s flying.”Winning designsThe Skynest concept offers a lie-flat option for economy passengers. Courtesy Air New ZealandThe Crystal Cabin Awards announced its longlist earlier this year, before whittling the categories down to a shortlist. For student nominees, the Crystal Cabin Awards are “a fantastic way to get into the industry,” added Kaestner.

Persons: Skynest, Lukas Kaestner, Skynest isn’t, “ Bunk, ”, Collins, Kaestner, it’s heartening, there’s, they’ll, Alejandro Núñez Vicente, InteliSence Organizations: Germany CNN — Air, CNN Travel, New, Delft University of Technology, Delta, Air, Zealand, Thales Avionics “, Center, Safety, Teledyne, Collins Aerospace, Digital Services, University, Technical University of Delft Locations: Hamburg, Germany, Netherlands

☆ The double-decker airplane seat is back. Here’s what it looks like now
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-06 | by ( Francesca Street | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

It might not sound particularly appealing on paper, but 23-year-old airplane seat designer Alejandro Núñez Vicente believes double-level seating is the future of economy flying. You may have seen a photo of Núñez Vicente’s Chaise Longue Airplane Seat prototype floating around the internet. Núñez Vicente envisages an airplane cabin in which the Chaise Longue is in the center, flanked by two rows of regular airplane seating. He says he designed the Chaise Longue to solve the airplane seat conundrum – not make it worse. The earlier iteration of the Chaise Longue Airplane Seat at AIX 2022.

Persons: Germany CNN —, Alejandro Núñez Vicente, Núñez, ” Núñez Vicente, ”, Núñez Vicente, they’ve, he’s, “, “ It’s, it’s, ” Alejandro Núñez Vicente, ’ ”, Núñez Vicente’s, Francesca Street, CNN Núñez Vicente, Clara Service Soto, van, didn’t, you’re, “ there’s, Service Soto, “ We’re, Vicente, He’s Organizations: Germany CNN, CNN Travel, Aircraft, legroom, 1OFF, CNN, AIX, Clara, Service, “ Locations: Hamburg, Germany, “, Madrid, Spain, Europe

☆ MLB roundup: Andrew Abbott, Reds blank Brewers
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/5] Jun 5, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Andrew Abbott (41) pitches against the Milwaukee Brewers in the first inning at Great American Ball Park. Abbott (1-0) allowed just one hit, walked four and struck out six for the Reds. Pirates 5, Athletics 4Andrew McCutchen's sacrifice fly in the eighth provided the game-winning run as Pittsburgh topped visiting Oakland for its sixth straight win. Alejandro Kirk and Daulton Varsho hit solo home runs for the Blue Jays, who had their four-game winning streak end. Chicago starter Kyle Hendricks (0-2) gave up four runs on six hits with four strikeouts and no walks in six innings.

Persons: Andrew Abbott, Katie Stratman, Abbott, Alexis Diaz, Stuart Fairchild, Tyler Stephenson, Julio Teheran, Joey Wiemer, Nathaniel Lowe, Louis, Marcus Semien, Will Smith, Martin Perez, Genesis Cabrera, Shane McClanahan, Justin Turner's, Yandy Diaz, Wander Franco, Francisco Mejia, Rafael Devers, Christian Arroyo, Trea Turner, Aaron Nola, Nick Castellanos, Bryce Harper, Realmuto, Nick Maton, Joey Wentz, Luis Arraez, Arraez, Bryan De La, Braxton Garrett, MJ Melendez, Nick Pratto slugged, Mike Mayers, Andrew McCutchen's, Sam Moll, Ji Hwan Bae, Austin Hedges, Bae, flyout, Angel Perdomo, Colin Holderman, JP Sears, Corey Julks, Jake Meyers, Yordan Alvarez, Kyle Tucker, Yainer Diaz, Meyers, Alejandro Kirk, Daulton Varsho, Alex Manoah, Blake Snell, Gary Sanchez, Snell, Kyle Hendricks Organizations: Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers, Reds, Milwaukee, Brewers, Rangers, Cardinals, St, Rays, Red Sox, Tampa, Boston, Tampa Bay, Phillies, Tigers, Philadelphia, Detroit, Marlins, Royals, Miami, Kansas City, Pirates, Athletics, Pittsburgh, Oakland, Astros, Blue Jays, Houston, Toronto, Padres, Cubs, Diego, Chicago, Thomson Locations: Cincinnati , Ohio, USA, Texas, Arlington , Texas, Marcus, Miami, Kansas, Toronto

☆ Man City edge closer to treble after FA Cup final win over Man Utd
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-03 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

LONDON, June 3 (Reuters) - Manchester City moved to within one victory of completing a momentous treble as they deservedly beat arch-rivals Manchester United 2-1 in the FA Cup final thanks to Ilkay Gundogan's record-breaking double on Saturday. City captain Gundogan scored the fastest goal in FA Cup final history with a stunning volley after 12 seconds and struck what proved to be the winner seven minutes after halftime. It is the 13th time the English league and FA Cup double has been achieved. The FA Cup is so nice." It eclipsed the previous fastest FA Cup final goal scored by Louis Saha after 25 seconds for Everton against Chelsea in 2009 and City threatened to run riot against a stunned United.

Persons: Ilkay, Gundogan, Nat Lofthouse, Bruno Fernandes, Pep Guardiola's, Alex Ferguson, Guardiola, Stefan Ortega's, Erling Haaland, David de Gea, Louis Saha, Rodri, Jack Grealish, Kevin de Bruyne, Aaron Wan, Paul Tierney, Tierney, Fernandes, Ortega, Raphael Varane volleyed, De Bruyne's, De, Alejandro Garnacho, Erik Ten, Martyn Herman, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Manchester City, Manchester United, FA, City, Bolton Wanderers, United . United, Inter Milan, Premier League, League, Champions League, Wembley, Everton, Chelsea, United, Grealish, Inter, Thomson Locations: Manchester, City, Istanbul

☆ Creaking Djokovic adjusting to new reality at French Open
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Djokovic's run to the Australian Open title in January came despite a problematic left thigh injury and he also missed the Madrid Open in the build-up to Roland Garros with a niggling elbow issue. "We don't have much time to start to name the many injuries I have, and the list is quite long," Djokovic told reporters. Sometimes you need pills," Djokovic said. Reality for me nowadays is that my body is responding differently than it did a few years ago. And on the court you try to do your best, everything possible, so you can finish the match and win."

Persons: Roland Garros, Serbia's Novak Djokovic, Spain's Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Novak Djokovic, Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Rafa Nadal, Djokovic, Hubert Hurkacz, Juan Pablo Varillas, I've, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Ken Ferris Organizations: Spain's Alejandro Davidovich Fokina REUTERS, Serbian, Madrid, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, PARIS

☆ Sabalenka powers into French Open fourth round, Khachanov survives
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PARIS, June 2 (Reuters) - Aryna Sabalenka swatted aside Kamilla Rakhimova to remind her rivals of her French Open title credentials while Russian 11th seed Karen Khachanov also moved into the fourth round by stopping wildcard Thanasi Kokkinakis on Friday. Sabalenka, the big-serving world number two, beat Russian Rakhimova 6-2 6-2 on a sunbathed Court Philippe Chatrier to set up a clash with American Sloane Stephens or Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan in her quest for a second Grand Slam title. "So I have to do it with my legs, with the brain, and try to squeeze the maximum I can." Last year's semi-finalist Kasatkina will need to show her best form again in the next round where she can potentially meet former world number three Elina Svitolina. Novak Djokovic, who is seeking a 23rd Grand Slam title, is in action against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina while world number one Carlos Alcaraz will play Denis Shapovalov in the evening session.

Persons: Karen Khachanov, Kokkinakis, Sabalenka, Philippe Chatrier, Sloane Stephens, Yulia Putintseva, Khachanov, Jessica Pegula, Elise Mertens, Mertens, Daria Kasatkina, Peyton Stearns, Kasatkina, Elina Svitolina, Anna Blinkova, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Anastasia Potapova, Novak Djokovic, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Carlos Alcaraz, Denis Shapovalov, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Kokkinakis, Thomson Locations: Kazakhstan, Paris

☆ Women’s Champions League final: Pain of defeat ‘motivating’ Barcelona ahead of clash with Wolfsburg
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —The pain of defeat from last season’s Women’s Champions League final has lingered at Barcelona. Even faced with a resurgent Lyon, Barcelona was expected to come out on top. Ingrid Engen has now lost two Champions League finals, one with Wolfsburg and one with Barcelona. Barcelona won the first Women's Champions League title in the club's history in 2021. Playing in a Champions League final will be a great moment in our careers.

Persons: Ingrid Engen, Lyon, Alejandro Rios, don’t, ” Engen, “ It’s, ”, Barça, Lucy Bronze, Clive Brunskill, FIFA’s, Jonatan Giráldez, “, Engen, you’ve, Lena Oberdorf, I’ve, Oberdorf, –, Tommy Stroot, ” Stroot, David Lidstrom Organizations: CNN, League, Champions League, Lyon, Wolfsburg, Engen, Barcelona, CNN Sport, Bayern Munich –, Chelsea, Women's Champions League, Barcelona ’, Norway, Young, Ballon, “, UEFA Locations: Barcelona, Turin, Lyon, Eindhoven, Netherlands, Wolfsburg

“Clean, clean, clean,” he told CNN in April, referencing the push for a clean debt ceiling resolution. He then later forced President Joe Biden to negotiate a debt limit suspension with spending cuts. “I think the Republican House caucus is willing to go to default,” said Rep. Ted Lieu, a California Democrat. A fired-up Buck, who opposed the debt limit deal, told reporters that he has received calls from constituents about removing McCarthy from the speakership. Now he says he would let us look at the document,” McCarthy told reporters.

Persons: Chuck Schumer, ”, Kevin McCarthy, McCarthy, Joe Biden, Biden, “, ebullient McCarthy, underestimating, ” McCarthy, Schumer, we’ve, ” Schumer, Ted Lieu, Ken Buck, McCarthy “, Buck, McCarthy’s speakership, Chip Roy, Dan Bishop, Scott Perry, speakership –, he’s, Ralph Norman, what’s, “ We’ve, you’ve, Wray, James Comer, Comer, Alejandro Mayorkas, Marjorie Taylor Greene Organizations: CNN, GOP, House Republicans, White, Republican, California Democrat, Republicans, Texas Republican, North Carolina Republican, Caucus, Pennsylvania Republican, South Carolina Republican, FBI, Homeland Security, Rep, Georgia Republican Locations: California, Colorado, Pennsylvania

☆ Sabalenka, Djokovic hoping to steer clear of controversy
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( Aadi Nair | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Another match featuring political overtones is the clash between Ukraine's Elina Svitolina and Russia's Anna Blinkova. Asked about the message following his straight sets win over Marton Fucsovics on Wednesday, Djokovic told reporters: "It's something that I stand for. Greek fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, who reached the final in 2021, will play Diego Schwartzman. British 14th seed Cameron Norrie is in action against 17th seed Lorenzo Musetti, who now leads Italy's charge for a first French Open men's winner since Adriano Panatta in 1976 after Jannik Sinner's elimination on Thursday. Reporting by Aadi Nair in Nashik, India; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Roland Garros, Iryna Shymanovich, Benoit Tessier, Sabalenka, Novak Djokovic, Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk, Ukraine's Elina Svitolina, Anna Blinkova, Svitolina, Djokovic, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Aleksandar Kovacevic, Marton Fucsovics, Davidovich Fokina, Monte, Monte Carlo Masters, Carlos Alcaraz, Denis Shapovalov, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Diego Schwartzman, Cameron Norrie, Lorenzo Musetti, Adriano Panatta, Jannik, Aadi Nair, Ken Ferris Organizations: Belarus, Iryna Shymanovich REUTERS, Strasbourg, NATO, Marton, Monte Carlo, U.S, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, Belarus, Ukraine, Belarusian, Kosovo, Serbia, Belgrade, Zvecan, Spanish, Barcelona, British, Nashik, India

☆ Novak Djokovic stands by Kosovo comments at the French Open
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic has stood by his decision to send a political message about Kosovo at the French Open. After his first-round victory on Monday, Djokovic wrote “Kosovo is the [heart symbol] of Serbia. So that’s all.”He added that he had not spoken to French Open tournament director Amélie Mauresmo about the incident. Djokovic is no stranger to controversy at grand slam tournaments. “A drama-free grand slam, I don’t think it can happen for me,” he said on Wednesday.

Persons: Novak Djokovic, Djokovic, Serbia ”, ” Djokovic, Hungary’s Márton, Amélie Mauresmo, ”, Srdjan, didn’t, “, Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Rafael Nadal Organizations: CNN, “, NATO, Serbian, Olympic, KOC, International Olympic Committee, Tennis Federation, ITF, IOC, Olympic Games, Covid Locations: Serbian, Kosovo, “ Kosovo, Serbia, Zvecan, Melbourne

☆ No drama as Djokovic sails into French Open third round
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - May 31, 2023 Serbia's Novak Djokovic in action during his second round match against Hungary's Marton Fucsovics REUTERS/Kai PfaffenbachPARIS, May 31 (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic briefly struggled before bulldozing past Hungarian journeyman Marton Fucsovics 7-6(2) 6-0 6-3 on Wednesday to reach the French Open third round. I hope you had fun tonight especially in the first set - me, a bit less," Djokovic said on court. Djokovic raced into a 3-0 lead before his opponent found his rhythm to set up three break points at 4-2. Djokovic broke his opponent's serve in the opening game of the second set and he did not look back, cruising to victory despite being broken twice more. "Drama-free Grand Slam, I don't think it can happen for me.

Persons: Roland Garros, Serbia's Novak Djokovic, Hungary's Marton Fucsovics, Kai Pfaffenbach PARIS, Novak Djokovic, Marton Fucsovics, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Djokovic, Philippe Chatrier, Fucsovics, Julien Pretot, Toby Davis, Ed Osmond Organizations: Hungary's Marton Fucsovics REUTERS, Musketeers, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, Kosovo, Serbia, Spanish, Serbian, Ukraine

☆ MLB roundup: Cubs clamp down on Rays again
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +11 min

Mariners right-hander Logan Gilbert (3-3) lasted just four innings, giving up seven runs -- five earned -- on seven hits with one walk and four strikeouts. Senga (5-3) struck out nine in a career-high seven innings. Texas starter Martin Perez gave up six runs and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings. Detroit's Alex Faedo (1-3) was charged with six runs on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings. Milwaukee right-hander Adrian Houser (1-1) allowed seven runs (six earned) and a career-high 11 hits in 4 1/3 innings.

Persons: Kyle Hendricks, Matt Marton, Mike Tauchman's tiebreaking, Hendricks, Julian Merryweather, Mark Leiter, Adbert Alzolay, Austin Riley, Seth Brown, Raisel Iglesias, Brown, Ramon Laureano, JJ Bleday, Jonah Bride, Riley, Kevin Pillar, Aaron Judge, Judge, Anthony Volpe, Greg Allen, Nestor Cortes, Logan Gilbert, Alex Bregman, Chas McCormick, Brandon Bielak, pouncing, Joe Ryan, Christian Vazquez, Anthony Santander, Gunnar Henderson, Henderson, Kyle Gibson, Josh Naylor, Josh Bell, Kodai Senga, Francisco Lindor, Eduardo Escobar, Kody Clemens, Josh Harrison, Andrew Vaughn, Romy Gonzalez, Jake Burger, Luis Robert Jr, Lucas Giolito, Tyler Anderson, Taylor Ward, Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Tony Gonsolin, Jason Heyward, J.D, Martinez, Freeman, Keibert Ruiz, Jake Irvin, Jonah Heim, Grant Anderson, Josh Jung, Adolis Garcia, Miguel Cabrera, Riley Greene, Martin Perez, Detroit's Alex Faedo, Xander Bogaerts, Bogaerts, Dylan Floro, Juan Soto, Matt Carpenter, Bryan De La Cruz, Sandy Alcantara, National League Cy Young, Whit Merrifield, Alejandro Kirk, Vladimir Guerrero Jr, Yusei Kikuchi, Adrian Houser, William Contreras, Miles Mikolas, Louis, Giovanny Gallegos, Nolan Arenado, Nolan Gorman, Zack Greinke, Carlos Hernandez, Jose Barrero, Ben Lively, Joely Rodriguez, Will Benson, Raimel Tapia, Rafael Devers, Justin Turner, Masataka Yoshida, Turner, Alexis Diaz, Casas, Zac Gallen, Arizona's, Ketel Marte, Corbin Carroll, Evan Longoria, Marte, Kyle Freeland, Freeland, Nolan Jones, Johan Oviedo, Rodolfo Castro, San Francisco, Connor Joe, Oviedo, Joe, John Brebbia, Michael Conforto's, Mike Yastrzemski, Davis Organizations: Chicago Cubs, Tampa Bay Rays, Wrigley, New York Mets, Cubs, MLB, Rays, Chicago, Athletics, Braves, Oakland, Atlanta, Mariners, Seattle, American League, Yankees, New, Astros, Houston, Orioles, Baltimore, Cleveland, Santander, Guardians, Mets, Phillies, White Sox, Angels, Los, Dodgers, Nationals, Los Angeles, Washington, Rangers, Tigers, Texas, Detroit, Padres, Marlins, Diego, Miami, National League, Blue Jays, Brewers, Toronto, Milwaukee, Cardinals, Royals, Kansas City, Reds, Red Sox, Cincinnati, Boston, Diamondbacks, Rockies, Colorado, Gallen, Pirates, Giants, Pittsburgh, San, Thomson Locations: Chicago , Illinois, USA, Atlanta, New York, Minnesota, York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles . Chicago, Washington, Detroit, Texas, San Diego ., Diego, Phoenix

☆ MLB roundup: Rays win shootout, take series from Dodgers
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +12 min

Rays starter Josh Fleming allowed 10 runs (eight earned) on 12 hits, including five home runs, in six innings. Dylan Covey (0-1) retired only two batters in his first start since 2019 and was tagged for seven runs (five earned) on six hits. Darvish (3-4) allowed a season-high seven runs and seven hits in 2 2/3 innings. Gerrit Cole (6-0) allowed a homer to Jake Cronenworth two batters into the game and a two-run homer to Rougned Odor in the seventh. Alex Cobb (4-2) gave up a season-high seven runs on seven hits in four innings.

☆ Spying in Mexico Strikes a New Victim: the President’s Ally
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-22 | by ( Natalie Kitroeff | Ronen Bergman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

He is a longtime friend of the president, a close political ally for decades who is now the government’s top human rights official. And he has been spied on, repeatedly. Mexico has long been shaken by spying scandals. The attacks on Mr. Encinas, which have not been reported previously, seriously undercut President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s pledge to end what he has called the “illegal” spying of the past. They’re also a clear sign of how freewheeling the surveillance in Mexico has become, when no one, not even the president’s allies, appears to be off limits.

☆ Guatemala's presidential frontrunner thrown off ballot, promises appeal
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-20 | by ( Sofia Menchu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

He accused the court of kicking him off the ballot because he refused to be an "ally of corruption." In a recent poll, Pineda led all candidates with 23% support, emerging as the favorite to replace Giammattei. Critics accuse Giammattei of unprecedented repression of judges, prosecutors, journalists and activists, many of whom have fled the country. Pineda had been a CAMBIO party presidential candidate before switching to PC earlier this year, due to clashes with the Baldizon family. Other presidential hopefuls, leftist Thelma Cabrera and conservative Roberto Arzu, were previously forced out of the race.

☆ Check out the 13-slide pitch deck Mitiga, a startup using AI to predict climate risks, used to raise $14 million
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( Tasmin Lockwood | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A startup using AI to predict climate risks has just raised 13 million euros (around $14 million). A startup using AI to predict climate risk to protect people and assets has just raised 13 million euros (around $14 million) in a round backed by Microsoft. A bevy of voluntary initiatives exist encouraging businesses to report climate risk, while some businesses in Europe must report physical risks associated with climate change. Existing solutions use historical data to predict risk, Mitiga cofounder and CEO Dr. Alejandro Martí told Insider. Mitiga also presents customers with an overall climate risk score and a breakdown of how risks relate to one another.

☆ Some of the Books That Hernan Diaz Owns Surprise Even Him
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

Scott, Deborah Eisenberg, Paul Yoon, Ottessa Moshfegh, Michael Ondaatje, Louise Erdrich, Colson Whitehead, Sigrid Nunez, Jean Strouse, Lorrie Moore. The novel contains four different books, written by different fictional authors in disparate genres and styles. “Trust” closes with a personal diary that is also a sort of a prose poem and a love letter to modernism. While writing this, I read and revisited authors as different as Jean Rhys, Ludwig Wittgenstein, Virginia Woolf, Sylvia Townsend Warner, Dawn Powell, Theodor Adorno and Gertrude Stein. Wodehouse section of my library and can report that I’ve read 29 of his books.

☆ After Biden Predicted Chaos at the Border, a Quieter Than Expected Weekend
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( Michael D. Shear | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Two days before officials lifted the Title 42 pandemic restrictions at the southern border, President Biden gave a blunt assessment of his administration’s ability to manage the surge of migrants they expected to arrive last week. “It’s going to be chaotic for a while,” Mr. Biden predicted grimly. When the time came, what Republicans had insisted would be a career-ending moment for Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas did not fully turn into the chaos Mr. Biden and others had anticipated. But that was followed by a marked slowdown in migration across the 2,000-mile border with Mexico. “America can manage this moment and we know how to do it in a manner that is both orderly and just, reflecting our values, interests and the rule of law,” said Vanessa Cárdenas, the executive director of America’s Voice, a liberal pro-immigration group in Washington.

☆ Biden administration defends immigrant labor while sending 1,500 troops to the border
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( Ethan Dodd | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

President Biden is sending 1,500 troops to the southern border. Yet, his secretary of Homeland Security says employers "are desperate for workers." The COVID-era rule expired May 11, so the Biden administration is now sending troops to tamp down on border crossings. Despite taking such measures to police the border, Biden's Department of Homeland Security argued on the day that Title 42 ended that immigrant labor is needed to address America's labor shortage. As a result, native workers who dropped out of high school and typically earn $25,000 annually saw their earnings drop by between $800 and $1,500 each year, he estimated.

☆ Alcaraz stunned by Hungarian qualifier Marozsan in Rome
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Alcaraz raced to a 4-1 lead but Marozsan hit back in superb style to reel off six points and hand the world number two only his second defeat on clay in 22 matches this season. "It's not easy to say something," Marozsan said immediately after the biggest win of his career. World number three Daniil Medvedev earned a hard-fought 3-6 6-1 6-3 win over Spain's Bernabe Zapata Miralles to reach the last 16 in Rome for the first time. In the women's draw, Elena Rybakina saw off Marketa Vondrousova 6-3 6-3 to reach her first claycourt WTA 1000 quarter-final, where she will face either top-ranked Iga Swiatek, the twice defending champion, or Croatia's Donna Vekic. Tsitsipas had taken the first set 6-3 against Sonego while Zverev leads 6-4 3-3 against Wolf.

Two dozen National Guard troops quickly set about stretching coils of barbed wire across the cement base of the bridge where the migrants had been. Under the order known as Title 42, U.S. authorities could quickly turn back migrants without giving them a chance to seek asylum. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Sunday said the number of migrants crossing the border fell by half since the end of Title 42. A Dominican couple under the bridge told Reuters they had just reached Ciudad Juarez and had not heard of it. Reporting by Daina Beth Solomon and Jose Luis Gonzalez in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico Editing by Stephen Eisenhammer and Matthew LewisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Mexican border crossings are down 50% since Title 42 expiration, homeland security chief says
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON, May 14 (Reuters) - U.S. border patrol agents have seen a 50% drop in the number of migrants crossing the border since the pandemic-era immigration policy known as Title 42 expired at midnight on Thursday, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said on CNN's "State of the Union" program on Sunday. "Over the past two days, the United States Border Patrol has experienced a 50% drop in the number of encounters versus what we were experiencing earlier in the week before Title 42 ended at midnight on Thursday," Mayorkas said. But we have been planning for this transition for months and months." Mayorkas said that U.S. Border Patrol agents had about 6,300 encounters with border-crossers on Friday and another 4,200 on Saturday, compared with more than 10,000 shortly before Title 42's expiration. Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch in WashingtonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Dominant Barcelona beat Espanyol to win 27th LaLiga title
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-14 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BARCELONA, May 14 (Reuters) - Barcelona claimed their 27th LaLiga title on Sunday after two first-half goals from Robert Lewandowski spurred them to a 4-2 thrashing of city rivals Espanyol. Barca moved to 85 points from 34 matches and extended their lead to an unassailable 14 points over second-placed Real Madrid. Alejandro Balde, who put it on a plate for Lewandowski's opener, scored Barca's second with a tap-in from a Pedri cross in the 20th minute. Lewandowski extended Barca's lead five minutes before the break with another close-range finish from a Raphinha cross. Defender Jules Kounde headed in Barca's fourth in the 53rd minute, before Javi Puado and Joselu scored consolation goals for Espanyol.

☆ Title 42 Is Gone, but Not the Conditions Driving Migrants to the U.S.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-14 | by ( Miriam Jordan | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Relative quiet has prevailed along the southern U.S. border since Friday, despite widespread fears that ending a pandemic-era policy to immediately expel most migrants, even asylum seekers, would set off a stampede from Mexico. A surge in migrants did in fact happen, in the run-up to the expiration of the pandemic-era expulsion policy, known as Title 42. Uncertain of the impact of new deterrent measures, migrants braved turbulent rivers, cut through concertina wire and scaled the steel border wall to reach the United States and turn themselves in to U.S. Border Patrol agents. Alejandro Mayorkas, Homeland Security secretary, said on Sunday that agents apprehended only 6,300 migrants on Friday and 4,200 on Saturday. Most migrants now must prove that they were first denied asylum in a country they passed through en route to the United States.

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