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CNN —Virginia Democratic Rep. Gerry Connolly said two staffers were injured Monday by a man wielding a bat who came into his district office in Fairfax. Connolly told CNN that the assailant who entered his office and attacked two of his aides did so with a metal bat. “He was filled with out of control rage,” Connolly told CNN in a phone interview. Connolly told CNN he was at a ribbon cutting at the time for a food bank when the assailant drove to his office and entered the building. In October, a man attacked Paul Pelosi, the husband of then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, hospitalizing him after hitting Paul Pelosi with a hammer in the couple’s home in San Francisco.

☆ Macy’s opens more strip mall stores as expansion strategy faces pivotal test
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Melissa Repko | In Melissa-Repko | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +11 min

The shops, called Market by Macy's and Bloomie's, are about one-fifth of the size of the retailer's typical Macy's and Bloomingdale's stores. It has not announced the locations of the four Market by Macy's stores, but said the additional Bloomie's store will be in Seattle. By opening the strip-mall shops, the retailer could steal business away from its larger namesake mall stores. Market by Macy's stores have worked best in shopping centers with grocery anchors or stores such as off-mall retailers that draw traffic, Mastronardi said. Melissa Repko | CNBCInside of Market by Macy's, shoppers find a narrower mix of merchandise than in the mall stores.

☆ How Randi Weingarten Landed at the Heart of America’s Political Fights
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( Jonathan Mahler | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

But Weingarten was friendly with McAuliffe from the Clinton days and was supporting his candidacy on Twitter and cable news, and the A.F.T. By the fall of 2021, America’s public schools were fully open, but mask mandates were still being hotly contested. gave more than $1 million to McAuliffe, and Weingarten even knocked on doors for him in Alexandria. The tabloid, which had been gleefully attacking Weingarten for years — dubbing her Whine-garten — trumpeted the story: “Powerful Teachers Union Influenced C.D.C. Senator Susan Collins of Maine grilled the C.D.C.’s director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, at a committee hearing over what she called the C.D.C.’s “secret negotiations” with the teachers’ union.

☆ 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.

REUTERS/Jonathan ErnstApril 5 (Reuters) - Johnny Depp's first live-action film since the widely watched defamation trial against ex-wife Amber Heard was selected as the opening movie for next month's Cannes Film Festival in France, organizers said on Wednesday. The French-language film "Jeanne du Barry" stars director Maïwenn Le Besco, known as Maiwenn, as Jeanne Becu, a woman who rose from poverty to the circles of King Louis XV. Depp plays the king in the movie, which will have its world premiere at Cannes on May 16. The “Pirates of the Caribbean” actor has made few film or TV appearances since his trial concluded in June 2022. Depp also voiced an animated puffin in last month's "Johnny Puff: Secret Mission."

☆ People are so desperate to get an EV that they're putting deposits down on multiple and buying whichever one is built first
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( Nora Naughton | Alexa St. John | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Without dealers, startups are learning new lessons in customer service. "At this point I've pretty much made up my mind," Pao said, "I'm just going to cancel my Rivian order." EV startups learn customer serviceElectric vehicle startups are learning a tough lesson in customer service, Caldwell said, as they try to keep would-be buyers on the hook for years on end. Some of Rivan's order-holders are losing hopeInsider has spoken or corresponded with nearly three dozen current and former Rivian order holders in recent months. Are you a current or former Rivian employee, Rivian vehicle owner, or Rivian order holder?

That caused the Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, to make a rare appearance in skies across the US. The colorful lights were seen as far south as Arizona, much further than what was forecast. They normally occur in the Arctic, but powerful eruptions on the sun caused them to stretch as far south as Phoenix, Arizona before sunrise on Friday, according to images shared by photographers and skywatchers on social media. "Most people when they're seeing that far south... they're seeing it on the horizon," Young said. NWS La CrosseAnchorage, AlaskaAuroras in Anchorage, Alaska, on March 24, 2023.

☆ As markets turn rocky, these global stocks look resilient and are expected to rally
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( Weizhen Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Stocks slid, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average posting its fifth straight day of declines on Monday, while the 2-year Treasury yield tumbled . The screen threw up a mix of health care, consumer, utility and even some financial stocks. Canadian financial services firm Fairfax Financial Holdings and Japanese natural gas provider Tokyo Gas got among the highest expected earnings growth for this year – at more than 150% each. British bank HSBC also made it to the list, with nearly 50% expected earnings growth and 23% average upside. Italian luxury sports car maker Ferrari made the screen, with 21% expected earnings growth and around 20% upside.

☆ These hopeful electric-car buyers have deposits at multiple automakers. They just want a car.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-10 | by ( Nora Naughton | Alexa St. John | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

"At this point I've pretty much made up my mind," Pao said, "I'm just going to cancel my Rivian order." Customers are hedging their bets with orders for vehicles from multiple companies, from startups like Rivian to legacy companies like Ford and Toyota. EV startups learn customer serviceElectric vehicle startups are learning a tough lesson in customer service, Caldwell said, as they try to keep would-be buyers on the hook for years on end. Some of Rivan's order-holders are losing hopeInsider has spoken or corresponded with nearly three dozen current and former Rivian order holders in recent months. Are you a current or former Rivian employee, Rivian vehicle owner, or Rivian order holder?

☆ Why it’s impossible to find an open squat rack at the gym
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-28 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

You’ll have much better luck finding an open elliptical machine than a bench press, squat rack or 30-pound dumbbells. The pandemic led more people to take up weight training, gym owners and industry experts say. Post-pandemic, the surge in the popularity of weight training has helped the gym industry recover. Paul/Fairfax Media/Getty ImagesThe arrival of Nautilus and Universal strength training equipment in the 1970s and 1980s made weightlifting more attractive to a broader range of people. Genesis clubs have added more squat and dumbbell racks to keep up with demand for strength training and downsized cardio areas.

☆ Biden fires Trump-appointed Architect of the Capitol Brett Blanton after alleged misconduct, White House says
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-13 | by ( Nicole Gaudiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

President Joe Biden fired the Architect of the Capitol, the White House said Monday. "After doing our due diligence, Mr. Blanton's appointment as Architect of the Capitol was terminated at the President's direction," the official said in a statement. Blanton's dismissal follows a report from the Inspector General's office accusing Blanton of misusing a government vehicle and impersonating a police officer. In a February 13 letter to Blanton obtained by Punchbowl News, a White House official wrote that Blanton's appointment would be terminated by 5 p.m. at Biden's direction. The Architect of the Capitol is responsible for facilities, maintenance, and operation of the US Capitol, among other things.

☆ Fears grow for untold numbers buried by Turkey earthquake
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-07 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

But there was also widespread despair and growing anger at the slow pace of rescue efforts in some areas. People sitting on the rubble react in the aftermath of an earthquake, in rebel-held town of Jandaris, Syria February 7, 2023. Muhammet Ruzgar, 5, is carried out by rescuers from the site of a damaged building, following an earthquake in Hatay, Turkey, February 7, 2023. Vice President Fuat Oktoy said at least 5,894 people have died from the earthquake in Turkey, with another 34,810 injured. An aerial view shows damaged and collapsed buildings following an earthquake, in Hatay, Turkey February 7, 2023.

☆ Confessions of 20-somethings who live at home and splash out on cars, designer handbags, and nightclubs instead
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-04 | by ( Dan Latu | Kelsey Neubauer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

They're also spending the money they would have spent on rent on pricey goods and travel. Courtesy of Julia MachajProfession: EngineerIf she weren't living with her parents she'd live in: Stamford, Connecticut, where the rent starts at $1,875, according to Rent.com. Courtesy of Jonathan BranchProfession: AccountantIf he wasn't living with his parents he'd live in: Arlington, Virginia, where rent starts at $1,999, according to Rent.com. He's spent money on: $700 Sony camera and $800 lensesJonathan Branch recently turned 30, but spent his twenties living at home in Fairfax, Virginia. Courtesy of Gabby BeckfordProfession: Travel influencerIf she weren't living with her parents she'd live in: Seattle, Washington, where rent starts at $1,560, according to Rent.com.

☆ Bed Bath & Beyond just missed another debt payment. See the full list of stores it will close, including Harmon and Buybuy Baby locations.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-02 | by ( Avery Hartmans | Dominick Reuter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +20 min

In addition to 87 more Bed Bath & Beyond stores, the company now says it will close all of its remaining Harmon health and beauty stores, and five Buybuy Baby stores. San Leandro: 15555 East 14th St., Suite 24015555 East 14th St., Suite 240 Burbank: 201 East Magnolia Blvd. Marina: 117 General Stilwell Drive117 General Stilwell Drive Vallejo: 105 Plaza Drive, Suite 107105 Plaza Drive, Suite 107 * Palm Desert: 72459 Highway 11172459 Highway 111 * Visalia: 3125 South Mooney Blvd. Arterial * Coralville: 2515 Corridor Way Suite 5Kansas:Lawrence: 3106 S. Iowa St., Suite 2153106 S. Iowa St., Suite 215 Manhattan: 425 3rd Place425 3rd Place * Olathe: 15335 W. 119th St.Kentucky:Elizabethtown: 1998 N. Dixie Ave.1998 N. Dixie Ave. New Hartford: 4805 Commercial Drive4805 Commercial Drive Kingston: 1187 Ulster Ave.1187 Ulster Ave. Plattsburgh: 73 Centre Drive, Suite 10073 Centre Drive, Suite 100 Farmingdale: 251 Airport Plaza Blvd.

☆ Analysts love these stocks that are flush with cash — giving one over 75% upside
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-22 | by ( Weizhen Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

"We prefer companies generating cash rather than those that need capital to grow. The higher the free cash flow yield, the better a company's position to meet its debt obligations. A company with a high free cash flow is also able to access cash more quickly in the event of an emergency or opportunity. Using FactSet data, CNBC Pro screened for stocks that boast lots of cash and could be well positioned for a rocky year. U.S.-listed Chesapeake Energy Corporation was the only energy stock to appear on the screen, with its free cash flow yield at nearly 14%.

☆ How China planted an FBI mole who was discovered only after gutting the CIA's vast spy network
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-18 | by ( James Bamford | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +25 min

At the time, four years after the handover from Britain to China, much of Hong Kong remained a world of neon and noise. "Five years ago, everyone looked down on you if you spoke Mandarin," said a Beijing executive living in Hong Kong. As soon as the Hong Kong Arts Festival ended, the Hong Kong International Film Festival began. In February 2006, Alex Ma, China's mole in the FBI, sent David photos he received from his handlers of five suspected human sources. Born in Hong Kong like Alex, Lee grew up in Hawaii and became a naturalized U.S. citizen.

The defamation case brought by actor Johnny Depp against his ex-wife Amber Heard came to an end on Wednesday after a seven-person jury unanimously ruled in favor of Depp. The jury awarded Depp $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages in his defamation suit. Depp also claims she is not the victim of domestic violence but instead the perpetrator. 2022On April 11, the weekslong defamation trial kicks off, with Heard and Depp appearing in court in Fairfax County, Virginia. The jury unanimously finds that Heard defamed Depp, awarding him $5 million in punitive damages and $10 million in compensatory damages.

☆ A Space Force director was investigated for wearing a chartreuse mankini around colleagues and keeping a case of sex toys in the office — and kept his job, report says
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-18 | by ( Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Air Force Times reported Andrew Cox kept his job, despite unprofessional behavior and misconduct. Cox reportedly wore a chartreuse mankini over his clothes in the office and kept sex toys at work. "It was chartreuse green, and he brought it out into the main area," Air Force Times reported one person familiar with the matter said of Cox's revealing bathing suit, popularized by the 2006 film "Borat." "Mr. Cox remains the director of the Space Warfighting Analysis Center," Air Force Times reported Air Force spokesperson Ann Stefanek said Friday. Representatives for the Air Force and Space Force did not immediately respond to Insider's requests for comment.

☆ India bank sale sharpens valuation rivalry
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( Shritama Bose | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial (8316.T), Carlyle (CG.O) and Fairfax Financial (FFH.TO) may each be eyeing some of the 61% stake on offer in $7 billion IDBI Bank (IDBI.NS), per reports by The Economic Times and Mint. These latecomers’ share of outstanding loans fell to 55% in March 2022 from 70% in 2016, per Reserve Bank of India data. CONTEXT NEWSIndia on Dec. 14 extended the deadline to submit preliminary bids for the sale of a controlling stake in IDBI Bank to Jan. 7 from Dec. 16. New Delhi intends to sell 30.48%; Life Insurance Corporation of India, which is almost entirely government-owned, will sell a 30.24% stake. Carlyle, Fairfax Financial and DBS Bank are considering bidding for at least 10% each in IDBI Bank, Mint reported on Nov. 7, citing unnamed sources.

☆ The CIA is looking for Russians who are 'disgusted' with the Ukraine war to recruit as spies
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-23 | by ( Sophia Ankel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The CIA's deputy director of operations said last week the agency is looking for Russian recruits. Marlowe added the CIA is looking for Russians who are "disgusted" with the war in Ukraine. "He squandered every single bit of that," Marlowe said, before adding: "We're looking around the world for Russians who are as disgusted with [Putin's actions] as we are. Marlowe was speaking alongside CIA Deputy Director for Analysis Linda Weissgold in his first in-person public appearance since taking over as the CIA's espionage chief last year, according to the Journal. CIA Director William Burns appointed Marlowe as the agency's deputy director of operations in June 2021, The Wall Street Journal reported.

☆ Maersk settles case with 'Midshipman X,' whose allegation of rape at sea roiled the shipping industry
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Maersk settled a lawsuit with ex-merchant navy cadet who said she was raped aboard one of its ships. Hope Hicks, formerly known as "Midshipman X," prompted a major reckoning with her allegation. Neither the shipping giant nor the cadet, Hope Hicks, disclosed further details of the settlement in a joint statement on Friday. In June, Hicks went public and filed her lawsuit against Maersk alongside another USMMA cadet who was identified only as "Midshipman Y." Maersk declined to provide Insider with an update on its case with Midshipman Y as of Friday.

☆ Maersk settles case with 'Midshipman X,' who alleged she was raped as a merchant navy cadet aboard one of its ships
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Maersk settled a lawsuit with ex-merchant navy cadet who said she was raped aboard one of its ships. Neither the shipping giant nor the cadet, Hope Hicks, disclosed further details of the settlement in a joint statement on Friday. Writing only as "Midshipman X," Hicks not only alleged her own rape but also that she knew of several other female cadets at USMMA who had been raped. In June, Hicks went public and filed her lawsuit against Maersk alongside another USMMA cadet who was identified only as "Midshipman Y." Maersk declined to provide Insider with an update on its case with Midshipman Y as of Friday.

☆ Fairfax mulls India's Bangalore airport IPO at $3.7 Billion value- Bloomberg News
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Nov 17 (Reuters) - The Indian arm of Canadian investment company Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd (FFH.TO) is weighing an initial public offering for India's Bangalore International Airport that could value the asset at about 300 billion Indian rupees ($3.7 billion), Bloomberg News reported on Thursday, citing sources. Fairfax India (FIHu.TO) holds a majority stake in the owner of Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport. It is working with an adviser on the potential listing that could take place as soon as next year, the report added. Reporting by Shivani Tanna in Bengaluru; Editing by Dhanya Ann ThoppilOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ National feminist organizations break their silence on Amber Heard in an open letter of support
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-16 | by ( Kat Tenbarge | Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Kahlan-Rosenblatt.Jpg | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +6 min

It was written by a group of people who identify as domestic violence survivors and supporters of Heard. Many who did speak out in support of Heard, including the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, were met with ferocious backlash from Depp’s supporters online. Others who signed the letter echoed their concerns that reaction to the trial on social media was harmful to everyday victims of domestic violence. Since the trial, there has been more public support for Heard on social media, the spokesperson for the group behind the letter said. She and other anonymous Heard supporters had been “working to combat disinformation for months” when they joined for the open letter initiative.

SummarySummary CompaniesCompanies Law firms Frost Brown Todd and AlvaradoSmith to merge effective Jan. 1Combined firm will have more than 575 lawyers in 17 offices(Reuters) - Frost Brown Todd is set to combine with California law firm AlvaradoSmith as the Cincinnati-founded firm continues to branch out to new regions. The combination will give Frost Brown Todd 23 additional attorneys and three California offices in Los Angeles, Orange County and San Francisco. Frost Brown Todd, founded in 1919 as Frost & Jacobs before merging in 2000 with Louisville-founded Brown, Todd and Heyburn in 2000, has roots in the middle of America, with offices in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and other states. The AlvaradoSmith attorneys are joining the larger firm under the name Frost Brown Todd AlvaradoSmith in California through 2023, before reverting to the Frost Brown Todd name the next year. Law firm mergers dropped as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold in 2020, and activity stayed at lower levels throughout 2021.

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