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☆ Why is RFK Jr.'s voice raspy? He has a neurological disorder called spasmodic dysphonia
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( Lloyd Lee | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Kennedy, 69, previously revealed he was diagnosed in his early 40s with a rare neurological condition called spasmodic dysphonia. What is spasmodic dysphonia? Spasmodic dysphonia is a neurological disorder that causes involuntary spasms in the muscles of the voice box, also known as the larynx, according to John Hopkins Medicine. Spasmodic dysphonia may also be inherited, but a specific gene for the disorder has not yet been identified. Other notable people with spasmodic dysphonia include "Hellboy" actress Selma Blair, CBS News correspondent Jeff Pegues, and journalist Diane Rehm.

Persons: Robert F, Kennedy Jr, spasmodic, John F, Kennedy, favorability, Oprah Winfrey, John Hopkins, Spasmodic, Winfrey, NewsNation, Selma Blair, Jeff Pegues, Diane Rehm Organizations: spasmodic dysphonia, Service, Democratic, John Hopkins Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, National, University of Pennsylvania Health, Penn Medicine, Neuroscience, CBS Locations: Wall, Silicon

☆ People are obsessed with a wild YouTube live stream where testers repeatedly open and close flip smartphones. It's gone on for nearly a week: Samsung's phone still works, but Motorola's is broken.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( Kwan Wei Kevin Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

So he recruited volunteers to open and close the flip smartphones repeatedly on a live stream. People are going wild over an ongoing YouTube live stream where testers repeatedly open and close flip smartphones until they break. There are a couple hundred people watching the live stream no matter what time you tune in." Last year, the YouTuber ran a similar experiment with Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 3. "I definitely wouldn't do this unless they gave me a new z flip," another person said in the chat.

Persons: Klawiter, we're Organizations: Samsung Locations: Polish

In a statement written from the perspective of a sun bear named “Angela,” officials from Hangzhou zoo said people “didn’t understand” the species. In 2013, a city zoo in the central Henan province angered visitors by trying to pass off a Tibetan Mastiff dog as a lion. Visitors at another Chinese zoo, in Sichuan province, were shocked to discover a golden retriever sitting in a cage labeled as an African lion enclosure. World’s smallest bears under threatNative to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia, sun bears are the world’s smallest bear species. Sun bears are listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Persons: “ Angela, I’m Angela Organizations: CNN, Wildlife Fund, Sun Bear Conservation Center, International Union for Conservation of Nature Locations: China, Hangzhou, Weibo, Henan, Sichuan, Southeast Asia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Sabah

☆ Samsung shows off its fifth generation foldable smartphones
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Samantha Murphy Kelly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Samsung is doubling down on its foldable smartphones with a range of new features, but it’s not updating what’s arguably been the single biggest deterrent for customers: the high price tag. At its annual Unpacked event on Wednesday, held in Samsung’s home country of South Korea for the first time, the company announced updates to its tablets, smartwatches and foldable devices. The event focused on the arrival of Samsung’s fifth generation foldable smartphones: the 6.7-inch Z Flip5, which folds into a 3.4- inch device; and the 6.2-inch Galaxy Z Fold, which opens like a book into a 7.6 inch device. Drew Blackard, vice president of mobile product manager at Samsung, said he believes prices will fall and foldable devices will one day become flagship devices. The Samsung Galaxy Fold5.

Persons: What’s, Drew Blackard, ” Organizations: CNN, Samsung, Samsung Samsung, Counterpoint Research, iDC, Samsung Galaxy, Galaxy Locations: South Korea, foldables

☆ A new foldable smartphone is becoming as popular as an Apple iPhone model in China
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Honor released its Magic V2 foldable on July 12, 2023, starting with the China market. BEIJING — On Chinese e-commerce site JD.com's "hot sales" smartphone rankings this week, the Honor Magic V2 foldable vies with Apple iPhone models for the top three spots. Honor, spun off from Huawei, launched its Magic V2 on July 12 with a starting price of 8,999 yuan ($1,245). The Magic V2's 9,999-yuan model ranked second in popularity among JD.com smartphone sales as of Thursday morning, while a 7,799-yuan Apple iPhone 14 Pro ranked first. The iPhone 14 claims about 20-30 hours of video watching on a single battery charge, depending on the bar phone model.

Persons: Ethan Qi, Qi Organizations: Apple, Huawei, Counterpoint Research Locations: China, BEIJING

Tom Schroeder, the whistleblower accusing Medtronic of a kickback scheme, left, is interviewed by Morgan Brennan, in Kansas City, Missouri. Schroeder said rumors circulated that Medtronic sales representatives were bribing VA staff to purchase an excessive amount of the company's inventory. The veterans hospital purchased more devices than some of the largest veterans medical facilities, according to data the VA's investigation gathered. Medtronic also said that Schroeder has "admitted under oath that he has no firsthand knowledge of any problematic procedure involving Medtronic devices." Douglas Winger, one of the Medtronic sales representatives named as a defendant in Schroeder's lawsuit, won a Medtronic President's Club award in 2016 for his sales.

Persons: Tom Schroeder, Schroeder, Becton Dickinson, Medtronic, Morgan Brennan, Schroder, Boua Xiong, Robert J, texted, Rick Ament, Ament, filet mignon, …, I'm, Brendan Donelon, Donelon, CNBC Donelon, Xiong, Douglas Winger, Winger, Kim Hodgson, Hodgson, Dole, ProPublica, John Laird Organizations: Inc, CNBC, Dole Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Dole VA, Department of Veterans Affairs, United, VA's, Department of Justice, Covidien, Dole, Medtronic, Society for Vascular, Drug Administration, FDA Locations: Kansas, United States, Kansas City , Missouri, Dublin, Ireland, Medtronic's, Wichita ., Dole, Covidien, Medtronic, Dole VA

The fine print suggests you'll be able to apply the credit immediately to the new device you're buying, and you can choose to use it toward other purchases. Save $50 if you preorder the Z Fold 5 or Flip 5You'll only get the $50 credit if you end up pre-ordering any of the upcoming devices, so this act is completely noncommittal. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 have jammed the rumor mill of late with murmurings of key hardware refinements, but we could also get a new Galaxy Watch (the current model is one of the best smartwatches Android users can buy), a new Galaxy Tab, and maybe even some refreshed Galaxy Buds. In addition to the credit, Samsung will offer you trade-in opportunities before checkout. The value of that trade-in will vary based on the specific device you're forfeiting and its condition.

Persons: Samsung's, Folds, you'll Organizations: Samsung, Samsung Credit, Galaxy Watch, Galaxy

☆ Shop REI’s Fourth of July Sale for Big Summer Savings
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-28 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: +5 min

By Buy Side from WSJ StaffQuality gear can make every outdoor activity more enjoyable—and now is your opportunity to pick up that gear while it’s on sale during REI Co-op’s Fourth of July sale. The jacket is great as a single layer for warmer weather rain showers or as a top layer over a fleece in colder weather. Backpacking tentREI members can get the REI Co-op Half Dome SL 2+ Tent for more than $130 off during this sale. Classic lawn chairThis lawn chair may give you happy flashbacks to backyard gatherings and for REI members, it’s 30% off. Lightweight sleeping bagsBoth these sleeping bags are 40% for REI members and feature water-repellent 600-fill-power duck down insulation and recycled nylon shells.

Persons: REI, you’re, Gucci, Birkenstock, ”, Helly Hansen, HH Max, Blue Organizations: Staff, REI, Independence, North Face, HH, Navy Locations: Norway

☆ Overstock Sees a Future in Calling Itself Bed Bath & Beyond
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-28 | by ( Jordyn Holman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Soon, Overstock.com will become Bed Bath & Beyond — at least in digital form. Overstock, which last week paid $21.5 million to acquire the bankrupt retailer’s intellectual property, said on Wednesday that it would start operating its website under the Bed Bath & Beyond name. Company executives plan to eventually bring back Bed Bath & Beyond’s popular wedding registry. As Overstock folds the bankrupt retailers’ assets into its own operations, it is considering renaming its business entirely, said Jonathan Johnson, the company’s chief executive. It might settle on Bed Bath & Beyond, he added, but other names are being considered, too.

Persons: Overstock.com, Jonathan Johnson Organizations: Bed, Company Locations: Canada, United States

☆ The conspiracy candidate: What RFK Jr.’s anti-vaccine crusade could look like in the White House
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-26 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Brandy-Zadrozny-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Brandy Zadrozny | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +6 min

It’s a dark notion, one Kennedy believes that he, as president, can save the country from. As Kennedy speaks, his dogs remain at attention. Kennedy shows his command of his dogs, who obediently sit at attention, waiting for a treat. He disappeared from most networks and news organizations years ago — when his anti-vaccine activism became unpalatable to most Americans. But Kennedy doesn’t want to talk about vaccines — at least not from the campaign trail.

Persons: Robert F, Kennedy Jr, Kennedy —, Gordon, Kennedy, ” Kennedy, “, Mark Abramson, NBC News Kennedy, he’s, Kennedy shrugs, misciting, it’s, ”, Cheryl Hines, Jeremy Zogby, Zogby, Joe Biden, It’s, spasmodic dysphonia, haven’t Organizations: ANGELES, Democratic, NBC News, CNN Locations: Mandeville, Kyoto, Japan

☆ Comparing an orca's brain to a human's explains why killer whales are the ocean's ultimate apex predator
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( Emily Swaim | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Orcas also have very wrinkly brains, which enables them to think and process information quickly. Orca and human brains are very similarHuman brains and orca brains have similar regions that make both animals highly sociable, empathetic, and intelligent. Joel W. Rogers/Getty ImagesAn orca's brain is five times larger than a human's, but it has many of the same structures that ours do. In fact, the paralimbic system in orca brains has much more intricate folding and detail than human brains do. Now imagine an orca's brain which is five times larger and has way more wrinkles.

Persons: Orcas, —, They've, Joel W, Lori Marino, Serge Melesan, orcas, Gerard Soury, It's, Marino, South Africa —, Matthew Horwood Organizations: Service, Rogers, The, Sanctuary, Orca Network Locations: South Africa

☆ A Vigilant Steve McQueen, a Misguided Maïwenn and Other Cannes Scenes
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Manohla Dargis | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Presumably Johnny Depp, a heat-seeking target for the armies of paparazzi amassed here, helps explain the movie’s presence. The king is played by a powdered and bewigged Depp, who looks suitably indolent, though perhaps because he’s underused. The king is mainly there to look gaga at Jeanne, which he does a great deal, though it’s a tough call whether Louis lavishes as much attention on Jeanne as Maïwenn does. Among all the close-ups of Jeanne giggling, Maïwenn folds in some palace intrigue and the briefest nod at the terror to come. There’s some comfort that “Jeanne” isn’t contending for the Palme d’Or, which would be an embarrassment, but is being presented out of competition.

Google Pixel Fold Google's Pixel Fold is a premium, foldable phone that looks to justify its $1,800 price tag with versatile functionality and multitasking features. In many respects, Google's Pixel Fold offers a design and functionality similar to its main competitor, Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 4. Google Pixel Fold: Hands-on impressionsThe Pixel Fold's exterior screen looks and feels like a regular phone screen. Antonio Villas-Boas/InsiderThe Pixel Fold is available for pre-order from Google's Store online now for a starting price of $1,799. Google Pixel Fold: Specs

☆ Wayfair’s Way Day Sale: What to Buy, According to Expert Shoppers
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: +7 min

By Buy Side StaffWayfair’s Way Day Sale is happening now, which means tons of furniture, decor, cookware and more home essentials are deeply discounted. All-Season ComforterIf you’re ready to upgrade your comforter, these two are part of the Way Day sale. Right now the light grey color is down to $700, well below the $1,250 price we’ve tracked in the past. And during Way Day the white version is marked down to $124, nearly 40% less than it was during Wayfair’s last big sale. Large, understated mirrorA strategically placed mirror is a great way to make your space feel larger, and this Ivy Bronx model is a great way to do so without drawing attention to the mirror itself thanks to the simple frame.

☆ More people with Down syndrome are living longer, but medical systems aren’t keeping up
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-18 | by ( Tony Leys | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

Marilyn researched online and learned the University of Kansas Health System has a special medical clinic for adults with Down syndrome. The clinic Marilyn found is in Kansas City, Kansas, 80 miles northwest of the family’s cattle farm in central Missouri. A directory published by the Global Down Syndrome Foundation lists just 15 medical programs nationwide that are housed outside of children’s hospitals and that accept Down syndrome patients who are 30 or older. But she has felt treated like a child by other health care providers, who have spoken to her parents instead of to her during appointments. Advocates and clinicians say it’s crucial for health care providers to communicate as much as possible with patients who have disabilities.

☆ 12 Best Gifts for a First-Time Dad
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-11 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: +7 min

Here are 12 of the best first Father’s Day gift ideas. For the stylish dadFew things are more adorable than teeny baby shoes—especially when they’re paired up with a practically identical pair of kicks for Dad to wear as well. For the sentimental dadGo ahead, pull on the heartstrings—a sentimental gift makes perfect sense, especially for an occasion like Father’s Day. The cap comes in 14 color combinations and can even be personalized with a different word or phrase of your choice. “It’ll make a great prop or photo opp, and you can’t have too many cute new parent pictures!” she says.

Persons: Sarah Grossbart, Rachel Simon You, ”, Paul Zahn, they’re, Adidas Stan Smith, Lindsay Roberts Schey, “ it’s, Alison Deyette, Josh McBride, Nick Guy, Steve Greenberg, it’s, Kimberly Wolf, Roberts Schey, Beau, —, Elisabeth Jones, Hennessy, GiftMeChic, Hannah Redmond, “, Comfort, Deyette, ” Wolf Organizations: Polaroid, Adidas Locations: Los Angeles, New York City, Houston, Kiehl’s

☆ What's in the leaked Pentagon documents that could hurt Ukraine and has US officials panicking
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-11 | by ( John Haltiwanger | Sonam Sheth | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Dozens of secret Pentagon documents were leaked online in recent weeks. Many of the documents appear to be intelligence briefing materials on a wide range of subjects, dating back to around early March. When were the documents leaked and who leaked them? But Bellingcat reported that some of the materials date back to January and may have been leaked online earlier. Leaked documents claim that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sought to attack Russian troop deployments inside Russia with drones.

☆ Egypt's pound is among the worst performing currencies in 2023. And it's expected to plummet further
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-05 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

A photo of one hundred Egyptian pound, one hundred U.S. dollars against the pyramids of Giza in Egypt on January 17, 2023. Fadel Dawod | Getty ImagesThe Egyptian pound has plunged almost 20% against the greenback since the start of the year — with some analysts predicting that the currency may still have room to plummet further. Egypt's pound currently ranks as the sixth worst performing currency since Jan. 1, extending a decline that saw it lose more than half its value during 2022. Egypt's embattled economyHowever, the economic woes plaguing the Middle East's most populous country means its pound still has a way to plummet, according to the experts. He expects Egypt's inflation to peak at around 36% in the third quarter, if there are no more devaluations.

☆ Pizzerias Race to Recruit Drivers
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( Heather Haddon | Photographs Sophie Park For The Wall Street Journal | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Domino’s has also invested in new pizza boxes to help reduce the amount of time drivers are asked to spend folding boxes, and the company is working to provide more flexible shifts. Mr. McCabe folds pizza boxes in between deliveries while working a shift at Vivaldi's Pizzeria.

LONDON, March 21 (Reuters) - The London Metal Exchange (LME) has discovered that some of its registered nickel is missing. Bags of stones shouldn't pass any inspection, whether at original load-in or during the annual audit of registered stock required by the LME's warehousing agreement. But it folds into the bigger issues around the exchange's governance and regulatory capacity after the blow-out of the nickel contract this time last year. BROKEN NICKELThe latest scandal will also intensify the question of whether the LME nickel contract is fulfilling the function of efficient price discovery forum. The nickel market was already looking for different pricing solutions before the March 8, 2022 suspension of LME nickel trading.

Investors reeled in their expectations for global central bank rate hikes, and bank stocks tumbled once again. Reuters GraphicsIn the money markets, a closely watched indicator of credit risk in the U.S. banking system edged up on Monday, as did other indicators of credit risk in the euro zone. The gap between two-year euro swap rates and two-year German bond yields , widened by around 20 basis points to 83 basis points, to the highest since Nov. 11. Reuters GraphicsIn Germany, two-year bond yields dropped more than 50 basis points, much more than a drop of 37 basis points on swap rates. Back in late 2008, when failed investment bank Lehman Brothers collapsed, this swap rate went as negative as 300 bps.

☆ Tesla recalls almost 3,500 Model Y cars for loose bolts
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-04 | by ( Ramishah Maruf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Tesla is recalling 3,470 2022-2023 Model Y cars due to bolts in the second-row seat back frames not being secured properly. On Model Y vehicles, the second-row driver- and passenger-side seat back frames are secured with four bolts per seat back. Tesla found five warranty claims regarding the bolts since last December, but is not aware of any injuries or deaths due to it. Tesla will inspect the bolts and tighten them if necessary for free of charge, and owner notification letters will be mailed. Tesla will attempt to fix the feature, which costs $15,000, through an over-the-air software update, the notice added.

☆ Huawei spin-off Honor takes aim at Samsung in foldables; shrugs off U.S. sanction concerns
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-03 | by ( Arjun Kharpal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The Honor Magic Vs is on display at Honor's stand at Mobile World Congres in Barcelona. The near $1,700 device is Honor's attempt to challenge Samsung in the foldable smartphone market. Honor takes aim at Apple and SamsungHonor launched its Magic Vs foldable phone outside of China this week, with a price tag of nearly $1,700. Honor had a large poster for the Magic Vs with the tagline: "Unfold your magic." "Our ambition and target is develop the best foldable phone, so be the number one technology for foldable phones.

☆ For toothed whales, sound production is all in the nose
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-02 | by ( Will Dunham | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Researchers on Thursday offered a comprehensive explanation for sound production by toothed whales - loud clicks for echolocation, and softer burst pulses and whistles for communication. The researchers used sound-recording tags on sperm whales, false killer whales and bottlenosed dolphins to study sound production in the wild. The sounds made by toothed whales differ from the haunting "singing" by filter-feeding baleen whales. "Toothed whales don't sing like baleen whales," Madsen said. During the course of evolution, toothed whales have lost their vocal folds, but evolved an entirely new set of sound sources in the nose."

☆ Chinese smartphone giant Oppo launches foldable flip phone as it bets on high-end market
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( Arjun Kharpal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The Oppo Find N2 Flip is a foldable smartphone that has a screen on the outside too. Oppo is looking to boost its position in the premium smartphone market with the £849 ($1024) device. Oppo launched a foldable flip phone for international markets, as the Chinese smartphone maker looks to boost its business outside of China. The Find N2 Flip marks Oppo's push to make a dent in the premium segment of the smartphone market and in the nascent foldable phone category. The Find N2 Flip, which was launched on Wednesday, folds in the middle like a traditional flip phone and boasts two screens.

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