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☆ Trump's legal troubles are threatening to upend the 2024 GOP race, and he's not even charged
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-22 | by ( Kimberly Leonard | Oma Seddiq | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +14 min

Former President Donald Trump faces possible criminal charges as he's running for president. "If it's a circus, there's only one ringmaster and that's Trump," said GOP pollster B.J. Operatives thinking of ways to land punches on Trump say GOP primary candidates could argue that he would lose the general election because of his legal troubles. Political insiders widely concede that a potential indictment — and how Trump responds — could still backfire on GOP challengers and strengthen Trump. While the circumstances surrounding the 2024 primary are uncharted territory, polling shows a cohort of GOP voters has grown weary of Trump and is seeking an alternative.

☆ NHL roundup: Owen Tippett's hat trick lifts Flyers over Sabres
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY SportsMarch 18 - Owen Tippett scored three goals to lift the host Philadelphia Flyers to a dominant 5-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Friday. Joel Farabee and James van Riemsdyk each added one goal for the Flyers, who snapped a four-game losing streak. Victor Olofsson scored two goals for the Sabres, who lost their second straight. Maple Leafs 5, Hurricanes 2Zach Aston-Reese scored two goals as Toronto defeated visiting Carolina. Ryan Strome and Troy Terry each logged a goal and an assist, and Max Comtois and Trevor Zegras added a goal apiece.

☆ ChatGPT launches boom in AI-written e-books on Amazon
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( Greg Bensinger | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

In the edition, Sammy the Squirrel, crudely rendered also using AI, learns from his forest friends about saving money after happening upon a gold coin. While that may not sound like much, it is enough to inspire him to compose other books using the software. There were over 200 e-books in Amazon’s Kindle store as of mid-February listing ChatGPT as an author or co-author, including "How to Write and Create Content Using ChatGPT," "The Power of Homework" and poetry collection "Echoes of the Universe." There is even a new sub-genre on Amazon: Books about using ChatGPT, written entirely by ChatGPT. In the video, White says anyone with the wherewithal and time could create 300 such books a year, all using AI.

☆ NHL Roundup: Canes rout Caps in Stadium Series
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +9 min

Josh Brown and Travis Boyd each had a goal and an assist, and Christian Fischer also scored. Arizona has earned points in eight straight games (4-0-4) for the first time in 11 years. Corey Perry and Vladislav Namestnikov each had a goal and an assist, and Steven Stamkos and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare also scored goals for Tampa Bay. Columbus' Mathieu Olivier collected a goal and two assists, Eric Robinson had one of each and Liam Foudy scored his first career NHL regular-season goal. Joonas Korpisalo turned aside 28 shots for the Blue Jackets, while forward Johnny Gaudreau sat out because of a lower-body injury, ending his streak of playing in 349 straight games.

☆ NHL roundup: Adrian Kempe, Kings pound Penguins
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +10 min

Mika Zibanejad scored his 27th goal, Kaapo Kakko also found the net and Vincent Trocheck and Jimmy Vesey each added two assists. Carolina's Sebastian Aho saw his six-game goal streak end. Blues 6, Coyotes 5 (OT)Ryan O'Reilly scored the winning goal 1:02 into overtime to lift St. Louis past visiting Arizona. Scott Wedgewood made 28 saves in his first appearance since blanking the Los Angeles Kings 4-0 on Jan. 19. Jonatan Berggren scored two goals, Filip Hronek scored a goal, and Ben Chiarot had two assists for the Red Wings.

☆ U.S. composer Burt Bacharach dies at age 94
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-09 | by ( Bill Trott | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Bacharach and David had 30 Top-40 hits in the '60s alone. I'd hear his melodies and I'd hear lyrics. I'd hear rhymes, I'd hear thoughts and I'd hear it almost immediately." Bacharach and David scored the Neil Simon Broadway musical "Promises, Promises," which won them two Tonys and a Grammy. While star performers made his songs hits, Bacharach said he also enjoyed performing himself and making a personal connection with smaller audiences.

☆ Burt Bacharach, legendary composer of pop songs, dies at 94
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-09 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +10 min

Bacharach was both an innovator and throwback, and his career seemed to run parallel to the rock era. He was an eight-time Grammy winner, a prize-winning Broadway composer for "Promises, Promises" and a three-time Oscar winner. Fellow songwriter Sammy Cahn liked to joke that the smiling, wavy-haired Bacharach was the first composer he ever knew who didn't look like a dentist. Bacharach was essentially a pop composer, but his songs became hits for country artists (Marty Robbins), rhythm and blues performers (Chuck Jackson), soul (Franklin, Luther Vandross) and synth-pop (Naked Eyes). He's everybody's composer ... Burt Bacharach!"

☆ A Minute With: Michelle Williams on playing Steven Spielberg's mother
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( Hanna Rantala | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

LONDON, Jan 25 (Reuters) - Michelle Williams won critical acclaim for her performance in Steven Spielberg's autobiographical coming-of-age drama, "The Fabelmans", and her portrayal of the director's mother secured her a best actress Oscar nomination on Tuesday. Williams and Paul Dano play Sammy's mother Mitzi and father Burt, inspired by Spielberg's parents, the late Leah Adler and Arnold Spielberg. In an interview with Reuters earlier this month, Williams spoke about the role, seeing an emotional Spielberg on set and awards season. Q: What was it like to essentially play Steven Spielberg's mother and take on this high energy role? Q: As a mother and artist, how much did your character Mitzi and Spielberg's mother Leah Adler resonate with you?

☆ Gen Z loves the flip phone
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-15 | by ( Ramishah Maruf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Now, Gen-Z’s latest “vintage” obsession is the flip phone – that mid-1990s era phone that has suddenly become oh so popular with millennials. “I’m team flip phone revolution,” singer Camila Cabello tweeted Thursday, posing with a TCL flip phone, vintage. Maybe I can write the theme song guys 💪💪💪💪 pic.twitter.com/yOJgCdAgNq — camila (@Camila_Cabello) January 13, 2023“I found a little 90s, Matrix-y flip phone,” Cameron said. “At parties people will say, ‘oh my goodness, is that a flip phone?,’” Palazzolo said. And yes, new Nokia flip phones are still available – the Nokia 2760 Flip is sold at Walmart from prepaid brands such as Verizon for $19.99.

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☆ How to play the Fed's moves in 2023
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-23 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailHow to play the Fed's moves in 2023Sammy Chaar, chief economist at Lombard Odier, discusses what the U.S. Federal Reserve might do in 2023 and how investors should be positioned.

☆ FIFA and UEFA did not breach EU laws in blocking European Super League, but proponents aren’t for giving up
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( Sammy Mngqosini | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —The decisions taken by soccer bodies FIFA and UEFA to block the European Super League (ESL) are in line with European Union (EU) competition laws, according to an EU Opinion issued on Thursday. “The FIFA-UEFA rules under which any new competition is subject to prior approval are compatible with EU competition law,” Advocate General Athanasios Rantos at the EU Court of Justice (CJEU) said. The ESL was set up in 2021 by 12 European clubs with the intention to break away from European football governing body UEFA to create their very own competition. FIFA also welcomes the Advocate General’s recognition of FIFA’s exclusive rights to market international competitions organized by FIFA. Fans of Chelsea Football Club protest against the European Super League outside Stamford Bridge on April 20, 2021.

☆ FIFA confirms death of migrant worker at Qatar World Cup training base
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-08 | by ( Sammy Mngqosini | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —FIFA on Thursday confirmed the death of a migrant worker at the resort used by Saudi Arabia during the group stages at the World Cup in Qatar. “We’re in the middle of a World Cup. And we have a successful World Cup. In his interview on Thursday, Al Khater added: “Look, workers’ death has been a big subject during the World Cup. “This theme, this negativity around the World Cup has been something that we’ve been faced with.

☆ New York Yankees and Aaron Judge reportedly agree on nine-year deal worth $360 million
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( Wayne Sterling | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —New York Yankees and slugger Aaron Judge have reportedly agreed on a nine-year deal worth $360 million, sources told ESPN, The Athletic senior writer Ken Rosenthal and MLB Network insider Jon Morosi on Wednesday. The slugger comes off a historic season with the Yankees. Maris hit 61 home runs 61 years ago in 1961, breaking Babe Ruth’s record of 60 set in 1927. Barry Bonds set the major league record with 73 home runs in 2001. Judge finished his stellar 2022 season leading Major League Baseball in home runs (62), RBIs (131) and runs (133) in 157 games.

CNN —England soccer star Raheem Sterling is returning home from the World Cup in Qatar after armed intruders broke into his home while his family were inside, a person with knowledge of the situation told CNN. The incident happened on Saturday evening, the individual told CNN, and Sterling is said to be “shaken” and “concerned” about the well-being of his children after the break-in. “Police were contacted just before 9pm on Saturday December 3rd after the occupants of the property came home and discovered a number of items including jewellery and watches had been stolen,” a spokesperson from Surrey Police told CNN. We’re obviously mindful of him being allowed space and privacy respected so we don’t want to talk in too much detail. The Chelsea forward played in England’s first two games in the group stages of the World Cup and scored in the team’s 6-2 victory against Iran.

CNN —Formula One has canceled next year’s Chinese Grand Prix in light of Covid-19 difficulties, according to a statement released by F1 on Friday. The race was scheduled to take place in Shanghai on April 16, marking F1’s first race in China since 2019. But the country’s strict Covid-19 protocols have left F1 “assessing alternative options” for the fourth race of the 2023 season. The 2023 F1 season is scheduled to get underway in Bahrain on March 5. That kicks off a campaign featuring 24 races, assuming an alternative location is named in place of the Chinese Grand Prix.

☆ Qatar World Cup chief says between 400 and 500 migrant workers have died in projects connected to the tournament
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( Sammy Mngqosini | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —World Cup chief Hassan Al-Thawadi said that between 400 and 500 migrant workers have died as a result of work done on projects connected to the tournament – a greater figure than Qatari officials have cited previously. Al-Thawadi said three had died in incidents directly connected with construction of the stadiums, and 37 deaths were attributed to other reasons. The report did not connect all 6,500 deaths with World Cup infrastructure projects and has not been independently verified by CNN. It also fails to recognize that only 20% of foreign workers in Qatar are employed on construction sites.”According to Amnesty International, migrant workers account for 90% of Qatar’s total workforce. The improvements that have happened aren’t because of the World Cup.

☆ Brussels: Morocco's World Cup win against Belgium triggers riots
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( Sammy Mngqosini | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Belgian police detained dozens of people on Sunday after Morocco’s 2-0 World Cup win over Belgium at the World Cup triggered riots in Brussels. “It was immediately decided to proceed to a police intervention, with the use of a water cannon and tear gas,” the Brussels police said. The office of Brussels mayor Philippe Close told CNN that parents of the young rioters will be held liable for damaged infrastructure in the Belgian capital. The victory against Belgium was Morocco’s first win at a World Cup since 1998 – and just its third ever. Abdelhamid Sabiri scored with a free kick in the second half before Zakaria Aboukhlal sealed the famous win with Morocco’s second goal in stoppage time.

Doha, Qatar CNN —Just two days before the World Cup kicks off in Qatar, soccer’s world governing body FIFA confirmed that no alcohol will be sold at the eight stadiums which will host the tournament’s 64 matches. “Following discussions between host country authorities and FIFA, a decision has been made to focus the sale of alcoholic beverages on the FIFA Fan Festival, other fan destinations and licensed venues, removing sales points of beer from Qatar’s FIFA World Cup 2022 stadium perimeter,” said the FIFA statement. “There is no impact to the sale of Bud Zero which will remain available at all Qatar’s World Cup stadiums,” added the FIFA statement. “The tournament organisers appreciate AB InBev’s understanding and continuous support to our joint commitment to cater for everyone during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022,” continued the FIFA statement. The 2022 Qatar World Cup runs from November 20 until December 18.

CNN —Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo says he keeps his son’s ashes with him at his home and describes his death as the “worst” moment of his life. “[My son’s] ashes are with me, like my Daddy, they are here in the house. It’s – you don’t know if you cry or you don’t know if you smile. Cristiano Ronaldo said losing his son was the "worst" moment of his life. “And to pass through in that moment was probably the most difficult moment that I have in my life.

☆ Miami Beach hotel that hosted JFK, Beatles imploded
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-14 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +1 min

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — A once-luxurious Miami Beach hotel that hosted the Beatles and President John F. Kennedy during its 1960s heyday was imploded Sunday after falling into disrepair and abandonment in recent years. The Beatles performed there in 1964, recording six songs for “The Ed Sullivan Show,” drawing an estimated television audience of 70 million people. The Beatles at the Deauville Hotel where they performed for the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964. Miami Beach officials and the family that owned the hotel sparred over millions of dollars in fines for various code violations. City officials say Ross may still be interested in purchasing the lot if an alternate plan can be worked out.

☆ Anthony 'Rumble' Johnson: American MMA fighter dies at 38 from undisclosed illness
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-14 | by ( Sammy Mngqosini | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —American MMA lightweight fighter Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson has died at the age of 38 from an undisclosed illness, according to Bellator MMA. “It is with great sadness we acknowledge the passing of Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson, Bellator MMA announced on social media on Sunday. After four years away from mixed martial arts, Johnson came out retirement and joined Bellator MMA in 2021. Daniel Cormier, a two-time Olympian and MMA fighter paid tribute to Johnson. “For a guy who struck fear into so many peoples heart Anthony Johnson was a caring person.

☆ World Cup 2022: David Beckham's 'status as a gay icon will be shredded' if he continues as Qatar ambassador says British comedian
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-14 | by ( Zayn Nabbi Sammy Mngqosini | Zayn Nabbi | Sammy Mngqosini | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —David Beckham’s “status as a gay icon will be shredded” if the former England captain and Manchester United star continues in his role as a Qatar World Cup ambassador said British comedian Joe Lycett on Sunday. Beckham, contacted by CNN through his representatives, declined to comment on the criticism around his ambassadorship. “You’re the first Premiership footballer to do shoots with gay magazines like Attitude, to speak openly about your gay fans,” Lycett said. Alexander Tamargo/Getty ImagesHRW has also recently highlighted “arbitrary arrests and ill-treatment” of LGBTQ people in Qatar. “There are just a few days until the World Cup kickoff, but that’s plenty of time for the Qatari government to end ill-treatment of LGBT people,” HRW said in a November press release.

☆ ‘The Fabelmans’ Review: Memories Light Up Spielberg’s Lens
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-11 | by ( Kyle Smith | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +2 min

As recalled in the deeply felt and finely etched memoir-movie “The Fabelmans,” Steven Spielberg grew up in a family where one parent was an artist and the other an engineer. A more ideal background can scarcely be imagined for a film director, who must navigate overlapping creative and technical challenges on every project. His parents even provided young Steven with narrative sustenance: an appropriately cinematic family mystery that took him many years to understand and that has given much texture to his work. Like the best memoirs, “The Fabelmans,” which Mr. Spielberg co-wrote with his longtime collaborator Tony Kushner , drills down into experience with admirable specificity and frankness. Through Sammy’s eyes, we understand, as children do, that when something has always been the same way, it barely attracts attention.

☆ 'The Fabelmans' review: Steven Spielberg spins his own super-director origin story
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-11 | by ( Review Brian Lowry | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —“The Fabelmans” allows Steven Spielberg to turn his coming-of-age memories into what amounts to a super-director origin story, recalling both his complicated family life and early love of movies and filmmaking. It’s a deeply personal chronicle from one of cinema’s greatest talents, yielding a movie that features wonderful moments within a somewhat scattered narrative. The film opens with the young Sammy Fabelman seeing his first movie, “The Greatest Show on Earth,” in 1952. “The Fabelmans” isn’t a blockbuster, but it’s a window into what influenced a director who has given us countless screen memories over his storied career. “The Fabelmans” premieres in select US theaters on November 11 and expands to wide release on November 23.

☆ Cast, creators reveal how Steven Spielberg's life shaped 'The Fabelmans'
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( Danielle Broadway | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Director Steven Spielberg, cast members Michelle Williams, Paul Dano, Mateo Zoryon Francis-DeFord, Gabriel LaBelle, Seth Rogen and Chloe East attend a premiere for the film "The Fabelmans" during the AFI Fest in Los Angeles, California, U.S., November 6, 2022. "The Fabelmans" is co-written and produced by Tony Kushner and stars Gabriel LaBelle, Michelle Williams, Paul Dano, Seth Rogen, Oakes Fegley and others. That said, he felt that not being a part of Spielberg’s family allowed him to use his tools as a writer to ensure the movie was both true to Spielberg’s life as well as many families from various walks of life. The complexity of Sammy's family, which mirrors Spielberg's real life, is a key focus of the movie. "The Fabelmans" is set to arrive in U.S. movie theaters on November 11, following its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September.

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