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☆ Jamaica willing to take part in military intervention in Haiti, PM says
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Prime Minister of Jamaica Andrew Holness addresses the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. Headquarters in New York City, U.S., September 22, 2022. REUTERS/David 'Dee' DelgadoKINGSTON, Feb 1 (Reuters) - Jamaica would be willing to take part in an international military deployment to Haiti, Prime Minister Andrew Holness told lawmakers on Tuesday, saying the Caribbean island country could also support its neighbor on electoral reforms. Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry has pleaded for foreign military support. The U.N. envoy to Haiti, Helen La Lime, has called for more urgency, saying the police cannot win without outside support. "Jamaica would be willing to participate in a multinational security assistance deployment to Haiti under the appropriate jurisdictional parameters to support a return to a reasonable level of stability and peace," Holness told lawmakers.

☆ Republicans are mostly ignoring a $9.4 million sexual assault lawsuit against the Trump-aligned head of CPAC
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-30 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

A GOP staffer accused CPAC head Matt Schlapp of sexually assaulting him, filing a $9.4 million lawsuit. A screenshot of the staffer's texts with Matt Schlapp on the morning after the assault on October 20, 2022. "I had a private life before Matt Schlapp, and I want to have that life post-Matt Schlapp," he said. "Those are simply allegations, and I'm not going to comment on them," said Republican Sen. Bill Hagerty of Tennessee. "All matters pertaining to CPAC, I leave to CPAC internally," he said when asked if Matt Schlapp should remain atop the organization.

☆ A Russian graveyard reveals Wagner’s prisoner army
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +18 min

The resting places were adorned with simple wooden crosses and brightly coloured wreaths that bore the insignia of Russia’s Wagner Group - a feared and secretive private army. The news agency matched the names of at least 39 of the dead here and at three other nearby cemeteries to Russian court records, publicly available databases and social media accounts. He said gravediggers told him the bodies had come from the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don, close to Russia’s border with Donetsk region. According to Russian court documents, Kochas and another man burst into the apartment of an acquaintance while drunk in an attempted robbery. But he refused, so he’s a fool.”A Russian graveyard reveals Wagner’s prisoner army By Felix Light and Filipp Lebedev in Tbilisi and Reade Levinson in London Photo editing: Simon Newman Graphics: Fielding Cage Art direction: Eve Watling Edited by Janet McBride

☆ Layoffs are a nail in the coffin for whatever the metaverse is
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-23 | by ( Hasan Chowdhury | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Last week saw both Apple and Microsoft pause on speculative projects involving augmented reality and virtual reality, per reports. Apple has postponed its much-rumored augmented reality glasses because of technical challenges, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported. The metaverse was already a loose concept, a catch-all term for a vague theory that augmented reality and virtual reality is the future of computing, despite little evidence to back this up. Microsoft, reasonably early to the market with its HoloLens headset, has run into issues with one of its biggest customers: the US military. It's possible augmented reality and virtual reality devices do become popular among certain types of consumer, such as enthusiasts or gamers.

☆ Protesting against Congress may get you a $50 fine. Disrupting the Supreme Court is a different story.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-22 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Lawrencehurley_Pic.Jpg | Lawrence Hurley | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

WASHINGTON — When Emily Paterson was arrested for protesting abortion law changes during a Supreme Court hearing in November, she spent the night in jail and now has a criminal conviction on her record. It’s a sore point for Mark Goldstone, a lawyer who regularly represents Washington protesters. Supreme Court protesters are treated “more harshly” in a couple of different ways, he said, referring only to those participating in nonviolent protests and not violent attacks like the Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol. On Capitol grounds, the police “process you and release you,” Goldstone said, while at the Supreme Court, “you are going to spend the night in jail" and likely face prosecution. Participants have long complained that the right to protest outside the court is limited, pointing out the irony of the Supreme Court imposing its own limits on the right to free speech.

☆ NHL roundup: Connor McDavid lifts Oilers over Lightning
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

The Lightning received a goal and an assist from Brayden Point, and Brandon Hagel and Steven Stamkos scored. Victor Hedman posted two assists while Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 28 shots but lost for the first time in five games. Kyle Connor scored for the Jets, who lost for the third time in their past 11 games. Matthew Tkachuk, who leads Florida with 24 goals, scored twice with the man advantage. Colton Sissons and Mattias Ekholm scored for the Predators, whose two-game win streak came to an end.

☆ Marjorie Taylor Greene will serve on an important House committee that oversees national security. Here's what to expect.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene is expected to serve on the House Homeland Security Committee. A spokesman for Greene confirmed to Insider that the House GOP Steering Committee voted unanimously on Tuesday to recommend that she serve on the committee. The entire House Republican conference votes to ratify committee recommendations, which they are expected to do. The Homeland Security Committee, set to be chaired by Republican Rep. Mark Greene of Tennessee, deals with national security issues including border security, counterterrorism, election security, and cybersecurity. As Insider reported last week, Mayorkas is a major target by House Republicans.

☆ Putin is fighting an 'internal power struggle' to weaken critics amid Russia's mounting military failures in Ukraine, war experts say
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( John Haltiwanger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Putin is likely moving to silence critics with this move as he fights an internal power struggle, analysts say. Ukrainian intelligence has also suggested that Surovkin is a rival of Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, ISW said. ISW said Gerasimov's appointment was also designed to "support an intended decisive Russian military effort in 2023, likely in the form of resumed Russian offensive operations." After failing to take Kyiv in the early months of the war, Russia turned its attention to Ukraine's east. It's unclear whether the recent change in leadership in Ukraine will drastically alter Russia's narrowing options on the battlefield.

☆ Russia's top general has inherited a poisoned chalice in Ukraine, after his predecessor lasted just 3 months. This could lead to an escalation in the war.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Russia appointed a new general in charge of Ukraine war, replacing predecessor after just 3 months. The ministry described Gerasimov not as a simple replacement, but as occupying a new role with even greater oversight over Russia's war in Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Chief of the Russian General Staff Valery Gerasimov in Moscow, Russia, on December 21, 2020. McGlynn said Gerasimov's appointment "is definitely a commitment to keep fighting. McGlynn said Gerasimov's appointment "leaves him in an impossible situation and one that is only likely to get worse."

It was totally avoidable.”Now, Bolsonaro is in Orlando, where he has supporters among the state's growing number of Brazilian Americans. After Bolsonaro's loss, unfounded claims of election fraud, reminiscent of those in the U.S., began to surface in Brazil. Bannon had said prior to the Brazilian election that Bolsonaro would lose only if “the machines” steal the election. Leading to the presidential elections in Brazil, Trump allies exported many of the former president's campaign strategies to the Latin American country. After Bolsonaro's October loss, tens of thousands of supporters began camping outside military facilities throughout Brazil to protest his loss.

☆ My mom bought a 1976 Volkswagen bus for $2,500 on eBay over a decade ago. Here's how it's skyrocketed in value thanks to a cult following.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-07 | by ( Hannah Towey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

My mom bought a '76 VW bus on eBay for $2,500 a decade ago. "I always wanted a VW bus. The seemingly universal love for Volkswagen vans didn't happen right away — the cars were introduced in the 1950s to transport workers and materials. Now, social-media trends surrounding the hashtag #vanlife have reinvigorated the VW bus and the kind of life it represents. Every now and then, we'll find sticky notes tucked into the windshield wipers from people offering to buy it.

☆ ‘The Contagion of Liberty’ Review: At the Start of the Spread
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | by ( Mark G. Spencer | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

In November 1736, Francis Franklin—Benjamin Franklin’s beloved 4-year-old son—fell ill with smallpox and soon died. Philadelphia at the time was in the midst of an epidemic, and the Franklins’ painful ordeal was one of an estimated 100,000 similar tragedies that played out in 18th-century America. In “The Contagion of Liberty,” Andrew Wehrman weaves together dozens of individual stories and their layered historical contexts to provide a fascinating account of smallpox in America, from colonial times through the early republic. Smallpox was one of the 18th century’s most feared diseases, affecting cities around the world and ravaging early American urban centers in recurring waves. The disease, highly contagious before and after the onset of visible signs of infection, was also deadly.

☆ Former BlackRock stock chief Bob Doll shares his top 8 predictions for markets and the economy in 2023 — including 4 trades he thinks will outperform
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-04 | by ( William Edwards | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Crossmark's Bob Doll sees another lackluster year ahead for stocks. 2022 was a rough year for the stock market, with the S&P 500 closing out the year down nearly 20%. "2023 is shaping up to be another challenging year for investors," Doll said in his yearly predictions note on Tuesday. The cumulative effect of tight policy will eventually catch up to the economy this year, and send it into a mild recession, Doll believes. Finally, given the muted returns he sees this year for the broader market, Doll expects active fund managers to beat passive index funds this year.

☆ Chelsea beat Bournemouth to return to winning ways
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Chelsea ended a run of five league matches without a victory and moved up one place in the league standings to eighth. Bournemouth have now lost four of their past five league games and remain in 14th place on 16 points. The quick movement of the ball was characteristic of the home side's approach as they overwhelmed Bournemouth in all departments. Bournemouth goalkeeper Mark Travers made several good saves too -- from Sterling on the stroke of halftime and Mount after the break. It's a step forward for us as a team," said Chelsea manager Graham Potter, who will feel some pressure off his shoulders.

☆ Pelosi backs adding TikTok government device ban to funding bill
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-16 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, Dec 16 (Reuters) - U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi supports adding legislation passed by the Senate this week, which would bar federal government employees from using Chinese-owned TikTok on government-owned devices, to a government funding bill. It was the latest action by U.S. lawmakers to crack down on Chinese companies amid national security fears that Beijing could use them to spy on Americans. Many federal agencies, including the White House and the Defense, Homeland Security and State departments, already ban TikTok from government-owned devices. If the House approves its TikTok provision, the Senate would have to add a similar ban to its version of the spending bill before sending it on to President Joe Biden for his signature. White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre on Thursday declined to say whether Biden would support TikTok legislation.

☆ Morocco change the mood for African football with exploits in Qatar
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DOHA, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Morocco’s exciting run to a first-ever World Cup semi-final will inject a new energy in African football and hold out hope for the continent’s teams when they return in larger numbers in four years’ time. African football had been in a crisis of confidence after the last World Cup in Russia, when none of the five teams made it out of the group phase, but that has now all changed with the performance of Walid Regragui’s team in Qatar. "I think we've given a good image of Morocco and a good image of African football and that was also important for us, because we were representing our country and our continent." It is a trophy Morocco have won only once, in 1976, despite often being among the favourites. Morocco will also expect to be back at the expanded 48-team World Cup in 2026 when Africa has nine places, and a possible further 10th via a playoff.

☆ FIFA to re-think 2026 format as they face spoiling winning recipe
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-14 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Preview, Doha, Qatar - November 18, 2022 The FIFA World Cup logo on the Corniche Promenade is pictured ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 REUTERS/Fabrizio BenschDOHA, Dec 14 (Reuters) - Having just delivered the most exciting group stage ever seen at a World Cup, with a tried and tested format that keeps hundreds of millions of fans enthralled, FIFA now faces the prospect of ripping it all up. The 2026 format has the 48 teams reduced to 32 after the group phase and then the tournament becomes a knockout affair. The 32-team World Cup in Qatar has a total of 64, completed in 29 days, and, for now, the 2026 finals will be 80 games over 32 days. More matches, however, would mean more television rights money and as the World Cup brings in some 90% of FIFA's revenue, its leaders will be tempted. The World Cup in Qatar has earned $7,5-billion in rights and sponsorship revenue, one billion more than for 2018 finals in Russia, FIFA said last month.

☆ France stand firm to overpower gallant Morocco
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-14 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"There's emotion, there's pride, there's going to be a final step, we've been together with the players for a month, it's never easy, there's happiness so far," said coach Didier Deschamps. France found themselves in an absorbing battle as Morocco showed them no deference and made many chances of their own, coming close to an equaliser. The world champions’ defence had to scramble several times, including a late goalline clearance and Morocco struck the post with a spectacular bicycle effort. France swept forward and converted their first chance through Hernandez to put their opponents on the back foot. NO FAIRYTALEWhile there was to be no fairytale continuation of their unprecedented run to the last four, Morocco exited with their heads held high.

The city's homelessness crisis, both an incubator for street crime and a corollary to skyrocketing housing costs, touches almost every facet of life in L.A., even when it's just a backdrop. Bass vowed Sunday to attack it head-on by declaring a citywide state of emergency, an idea that had been circulating through City Hall since at least 2015. Bass is promising a new day and inspiring L.A.'s guardians to forget about the bickering, at least for a moment. "Where there’s will, there’s women," she said. "And where there’s women, there’s forever a way."

☆ The US may have lost in the World Cup, but soccer is more popular than ever in America
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-12 | by ( Harry Enten | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +36 min

The Atlas Lions made history as the first African team to reach a World Cup semifinal. They made history as the first all-female refereeing crew for a men's World Cup match. It was Morocco's first World Cup win since 1998 — and its third-ever at the tournament. Less spoken about is that they also rate better on television than the men do in the World Cup. We’ll just have to wait and see, though with the US, Canada and Mexico hosting the 2026 World Cup, soccer isn’t going away anytime soon.

☆ Injured Morocco midfielder joins squad for World Cup encouragement
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-12 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

DOHA, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Morocco midfielder Amine Harit, originally chosen to play at the World Cup but injured one week before the start of the tournament, arrived in Qatar on Monday to be with the team for their semi-final against France on Wednesday. Harit, 25, was welcomed by team mates, several of whom posted pictures with him on social media. Morocco’s captain Romain Saiss posted a photo on Instagram featuring him and Harit, writing: "Finally among us … May God heal you … This adventure is also yours." Harit suffered a serious cruciate ligament sprain in his left knee playing for Olympique de Marseille against Monaco in Ligue 1 on Nov. 13,days before he was due to depart to the World Cup. "As you can imagine, beyond the physical pain, it's hard to see the World Cup dream fly by a few hours before being able to live it," Harit said on Twitter following his injury.

☆ Morocco rewrite Africa's World Cup history
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-12 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Cameroon upset holders Argentina in the opening match of the 1990 World Cup in Italy and went on to the quarter-finals while Senegal did the same to France when they began the defence of their title in 2002. Of the 160 matches played by African sides at the World Cup, only 37 have been won for a success rate below 25%. Most of Africa was still under colonial rule when the World Cup resumed after the Second World War but as countries gained independence, so CAF membership increased and Africa began to flex some muscle. HANDBALLThat achievement held out the promise that Africa would not take long to produce a World Cup winner, but only Senegal in 2002 and Ghana in 2010 were able to make the last eight. It got even worse in Russia in 2018 when no African teams made it to the last 16, sparking serious reflection about the direction of the game on the continent.

☆ France favourites but Morocco eye another knockout punch
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-12 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The match against former colonial power France will take on an added edge. Morocco's exploits in Qatar have provided an outlet for marginalised migrant communities in France, who have been out on the streets celebrating their wins. After finishing top of a group that also included Croatia, Belgium and Canada, Morocco then knocked off the fancied Spaniards and Portuguese to reach the semis. France are expected to attack, Morocco resist. When you watch Rocky, you want to support Rocky Balboa and I think we are the Rocky of this World Cup.

☆ Morocco's foreign-born contingent deliver in Qatar
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-11 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Moroccans are one of the largest migrant populations in Europe, estimated at some five million, and have close ties with the country. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation has talent scouts dotted around Europe and move quickly when there is a potential clash of loyalties. Dutch-born Hakim Ziyech had talks with both the Moroccans and Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman about which country he would commit his international future to before deciding on Morocco. But there are doubters about the policy, who feel this assiduous courting of overseas-born players retards opportunity for home-born footballers. "Today we have shown that every Moroccan is Moroccan.

☆ Morocco write World Cup history as they reach semi-finals
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-10 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Morocco had already taken the scalps of Belgium and Spain in this tournament but the win over Portugal is of much greater significance. But the supply quickly dried up thereafter as Morocco closed the passing lanes and frustrated the Portuguese attackers. Joao Felix had two more half chances in the first half but Morocco gained in confidence and found a sudden spring in their step, frequently breaking on the counter attack. Bruno Fernandes hit over the top of the crossbar five minutes later as Portugal threw more into attack and Morocco began to sit deeper. Leaving the World Cup always hurts."

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