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Persons: SoFi, eToro, Jeremy Zafiros, you'll Organizations: SoFi, Robinhood, Coinbase, Pro, USA, eToro USA, Smart, eToro Trading, eToro, Visa, Mastercard Locations: Blockchain.com, USA, New York , Minnesota , Nevada , Puerto Rico , Tennessee, Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa , Northern Marianas, There's, New York , Nevada , Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Virgin Islands, Abra

☆ ‘Next Goal Wins’ Review: Offside
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Jeannette Catsoulis | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Bland photography and perfunctory writing are the very least of my issues with “Next Goal Wins,” a movie-shaped stain on the class of entertainment known as the sports-underdog comedy. Whatever Waititi’s past sins — I’m looking at you, the cringe-inducing “Jojo Rabbit” (2019) — his work has usually been polished and, yes, funny; this degree of carelessness is something new. A horrifyingly miscast Michael Fassbender stars as Thomas Rongen, a pugnacious Dutch-born soccer coach whose sideline rages have earned him professional banishment to American Samoa. Ten years earlier, the island’s soccer team had suffered a 31-0 defeat in its 2001 World Cup qualifying match against Australia, and since then has failed to score a single goal. With just three weeks until the team’s next important game, can Rongen whip its cosmically inept members into shape?

Persons: Bland, ”, Mike Brett, Steve Jamison’s, Taika Waititi, “ Jojo Rabbit ”, —, Michael Fassbender, Thomas Rongen Organizations: New, American Samoa, Australia Locations: New Zealand, Dutch, American

Taika Waititi's “Next Goal Wins” concerns the quest of a historically bad national soccer team, the 2011 American Samoa men's squad, in their struggle to qualify for the FIFA World Cup after an infamous 31-0 drubbing against Australia. “Next Goal Wins," inspired by a 2014 documentary of the same name, is a sports movie that delights in upending the conventions of sports movies. Waititi, himself, doesn’t know much about soccer and professes to know even less after making “Next Goal Wins,” which opens in theaters Friday. AP: Your last “Thor” movie took apart masculinity and superhero convention, and “Next Goal Wins” seems just as disinterested in sports movie traditions. Well, my second film ("Boy") is a sort of deconstructed anti-feelgood family film.

Persons: Taika, Michael Fassbender, Oscar Kightly, Jaiyah, “, ” Waititi, Jojo Rabbit ”, doesn’t, He's, he's, Thor, I’m, You've, it’s, They’re, Adam Sandler, It’s, you’re, you’ve, “ I’m, Jake Coyle Organizations: TORONTO, —, soccer team, Samoa men's, FIFA, Australia, Toronto, Hollywood Locations: Hollywood, Europe, Hawaii

☆ US daylight saving time: When is it and why was it created?
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Josie Kao | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Daylight saving time is the practice of moving clocks forward by one hour during summer months so daylight lasts longer into the evening. WHY WAS DAYLIGHT SAVING CREATED IN THE US AND HOW DID IT START? No, Hawaii and Arizona, with the exception of Navajo Nation, do not observe daylight saving time. While daylight saving time is widespread across the United States, 19 states have passed legislation to permanently use daylight saving time if Congress were to allow it, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. The U.S. is not ending daylight saving any time soon, though there is an effort in the federal government to pass the so-called Sunshine Protection Act, which would make daylight saving time permanent.

Persons: Mike Segar, George Hudson, Frank Pallone, Joe Biden, Josie Kao, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: REUTERS, North, Daylight, European Union, New, Congressional Research Service, Virgin, National Conference of State Legislatures, Protection, U.S . House, Commerce, Science, Transportation, Thomson Locations: Manhattan, New York, U.S, United States, Canada, Cuba, North America, Europe, Egypt, Japan, New Zealand, Germany, Hawaii, Arizona, Navajo, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands , Puerto Rico

Democratic Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks during The World Values Network's Presidential Candidate Series that discusses fighting antisemitism and championing Israel, in New York City, U.S., July 25, 2023. Kennedy's deep-pocketed backers and famous name, combined with a lack of broad enthusiasm for Biden and Trump, could help him take votes from their respective sides. "It could certainly siphon some votes from Trump, but it will certainly hurt Biden much more," said Republican strategist Ford O'Connell, who argued that Trump voters were more enthusiastic than Biden's. HIGH FAVORABILITY, TRUMP DONORKennedy has higher favorability ratings than either Trump or Biden, Reuters/Ipsos polling from September shows, with 51% of respondents having a favorable view of him compared to 45% for Biden and 40% for Trump. At 69, Kennedy might have an appeal to Americans looking for a younger candidate than Biden, 80, and Trump, 77.

Persons: Robert F, Kennedy Jr, Amr Alfiky, Democrat Joe Biden, Republican Donald Trump, Kennedy, Biden, Trump, Donald Trump’s, Matt Bennett, FiveThirtyEight, Ford O'Connell, Trump's, Paul Offit, George W, Bush, Ipsos, Cheryl Hines, Gavin de Becker, Timothy Mellon, Peter Daou, Joe Manchin, Joe Lieberman, Al Gore's, ProPublica, Lieberman, Jeff Mason, Heather Timmons, Lisa Shumaker, Grant McCool Organizations: Democratic, REUTERS, Rights, Democrat, Republican, Republicans, Trump, Independent, Biden, Health Defense, Children's, White House, Reuters, HIGH, TRUMP, RealClearPolitics, Mellon, America, Cornell West, Twitter, U.S, Thomson Locations: Israel, New York City, U.S, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Georgia, Arizona, American Samoa, West Virginia

☆ US backs Pacific undersea internet cable amid China competition
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Joe Brock | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Workers install the 2Africa undersea cable on the beach in Amanzimtoti, South Africa, February 7, 2023. The Central Pacific Cable would connect American Samoa with Guam - two U.S. territories - and extend to up to 12 more Pacific islands, according to a document showing the cable route. Undersea internet cables typically take at least 3-5 years to be developed and installed. Tonga was cut off from global telecommunication networks for a month last year after a volcanic eruption and tsunami severed its only undersea cable. Washington intervened two years ago to block a Chinese company from building another subsea internet cable in the Pacific islands, Reuters reported at the time.

Persons: Rogan Ward, Paul McCann, John Hibbard, APTelecom, Hibbard, McCann, Joe Biden, Biden, Solomon, Joe Brock, Kirsty Needham Organizations: REUTERS, Pacific, Reuters, Central Pacific Cable, Futuna, Federated, World Bank, U.S . Trade, Development Agency, U.S, East Micronesia Cable, Thomson Locations: Amanzimtoti, South Africa, China, SINGAPORE, United States, American Samoa, Guam, U.S, Singapore, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tuvalu, Fiji, Nauru, Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Cook Islands, Wallis, Federated States, Micronesia, Australia, New Zealand, Washington, Tonga, Beijing, Japan, Sydney

☆ Taika Waititi: La La Land meets lineouts – Hollywood A-lister forays into the world of rugby
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Amanda Davies | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Hollywood A-lister Taika Waititi is much more comfortable holding an Academy Award than lifting the Rugby World Cup trophy. “The only World Cup I’ve been to is the very first one in 1987 with my father and that was a very special moment,” he said. They’ve now suffered two losses in a row having lost to reigning champion South Africa in August before the World Cup kicked off. Waititi talks on the field during the Rugby World Cup 2021 New Zealand match against Australia. But the Rugby World Cup has provided some of the biggest upsets in the history of sport, notably when Japan stunned South Africa in 2015.

Persons: lister Taika, “, Amanda Davies, ”, Waititi, Webb Ellis, Alex Livesey, Marvel’s, Thor, Kiwi Waititi, Jerome Kaino, Andrew Mehrtens, Chabal, John Kirwan, They’ve, we’re, ” Waititi, Mike Hewitt, Rita Ora, Te, Matewa –, Phil Walter, “ Jojo Rabbit, I’d Organizations: CNN, Hollywood, Rugby, de Rugby, Zealand, NZR, Webb, Getty, Italy, New Zealand, Blacks, South Africa, rugby, FIFA, Australia, American Samoa soccer team Locations: France, Zealand, New Zealand, Namibia, Italy, Uruguay, Japan, South Africa, Australia, American Samoa

☆ Fact Check-FEMA official was in Hawaii to attend conference ahead of August wildfires
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

A Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administrator mentioned by Joe Biden in a video was in Hawaii ahead of deadly wildfires on Aug. 8 to attend an annual agency conference, a FEMA official told Reuters. “Due to the fires on Maui, participants from FEMA, the Hawaii delegation and many other federal agencies left the meeting early to address statewide response efforts,” Edwards said. Fenton is currently the Regional Administrator for FEMA Region 9, which includes the Hawaiian Islands (here), (here). In the clip of Biden’s Aug. 30 remarks, the president refers to his appointment of Fenton to lead the Maui response and rebuilding efforts. FEMA administrator Bob Fenton’s presence in Hawaii before the 2023 wildfires is not evidence that the disaster was planned.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Bob Fenton “, Jeremy M, Edwards, Fenton, ” Edwards, Lemanu P.S, “, Bob Fenton, ” Fenton, Bob Fenton’s, Read Organizations: Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, Reuters, Social, Facebook, Biden, Partnership, Regional, White, Guam Homeland Security, Civil Defense Locations: Hawaii, Honolulu, Oahu, “, Maui, American Samoa, United States, Guam

☆ Your boarding pass and weight, please: Why airlines are asking passengers to step on the scales
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( Monica Pitrelli | Marylou Costa | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Starting Monday, passengers flying on Korean Air may be asked to step on a scale before boarding their flight. Is it reasonable to weigh passengers? "Fuel is 20 times more than the passenger weight," he said. Where airlines weigh passengersAir New Zealand weighed passengers in June for reasons, it said, related to safety and fuel efficiency. Commercial airline seating is based on average passenger weight from the 1950s to 1970s, Hilderman said.

Persons: —, Vance Hilderman, Shem Malmquist, Hilderman, we're, Jose Silva, Finnair, Nick Gausling, Gausling, Tigress Osborn, Jodi Jacobson Organizations: Korean, Korean Air, CNBC, Gimpo, Incheon Airport, Bombardier, Embraer, Aviation, Istock, Florida Tech's College of Aeronautics, Transport & Health, RMIT University's School of Engineering, U.S . Federal Aviation Administration, New Zealand, Hawaiian Air, Samoa Air, Reuters, Flyers, European Union Aviation Safety Agency, International Civil Aviation Organization, Romy Group, National Association Locations: Honolulu, American Samoa, United States, Europe

11 bank accounts paying 5.50% APY or moreOur list includes certificates of deposit and one high-yield savings account. The Betterment Cash Reserve Account account notably offers the best high-yield savings account rate right now. Forbright Bank 1 Year CD - 5.50% APYForbright Bank is an additional financial institution offering 5.50% APY on a 1-year CD. Limelight Bank 1 Year CD - 5.50% APYAnother online bank paying 5.50% APY on a 1-year CD is Limelight Bank, an online division of CCBank. Rising Bank 1 Year CD - 5.50% APYRising Bank, an online-only subsidiary of Midwest BankCentre, has a 1-year CD paying 5.50% APY.

Persons: you'll, Sallie Mae, Raisin Organizations: Connexus, Connexus Credit Union, Connexus Association, Connexus Credit, Dow Credit, Dow Credit Union, Midland Area Community Foundation, Dow, Virgin Islands, Sallie, Sallie Mae Bank, Federal, Federal Credit Union, Signature Federal Credit Union, American Consumer Council, Western Alliance Bank, Cash, Forbright, Limelight, Limelight Bank, CCBank, Popular, Rising, Bank, Products Locations: Florida , Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Virgin, Midwest

☆ Where are the safest places to travel in 2023? It depends on how you define 'safe'
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-18 | by ( Monica Pitrelli | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Sharjah, United Arab Emirates Dubai, United Arab Emirates Doha, Qatar Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Singapore, SingaporeParis topped market research company Euromonitor International's "Top 100 City Destinations" for 2022, but the United Arab Emirates' Sharjah, shown here, ranked highest in terms of health and safety. Its Travel Risk Map 2023 shows that much of North America and Western Europe — as well as places like Turkey, Israel, Japan, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates — have "low" medical risks. Medical risks by country. This map does not reflect the Covid-19 outbreak currently occurring in China, said Dr. Irene Lai, medical director at International SOS. Safest places: security risksInternational SOS's Travel Risk Map also assesses security risks, which include crime as well as political violence such as terrorism and war, social unrest and susceptibility to natural disasters, according to the company.

☆ Passengers will miss New Year's Eve after a flight made an emergency landing on a remote Pacific island
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-31 | by ( Jyoti Mann | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

United Airlines passengers will miss celebrating New Year's Eve due to a time zone quirk. Their flight made an emergency landing, leaving them stranded in American Samoa for 21 hours. One newlywed passenger tweeted that she is starting her honeymoon "stranded" in Pago Pago because United couldn't get them a plane "for over 21 hours." Leonie Butta, whose son and two granddaughters were on the flight, told the newspaper she'd been tracking the flight online and praised United's decision to divert to Pago Pago. A passenger's father tweeted that his daughter showered at the airport hangar, got an island tour and was "drinking beers on deserted beach."

☆ Magnitude 6.7 quake strikes off Hihifo, Tonga
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Dec 4 (Reuters) - An earthquake of magnitude 6.7 struck in the sea about 108 km (67 miles) southwest of Hihifo, Tonga, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said. A tsunami advisory was issued for American Samoa and the earthquake could soon impact nearby coasts, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) said. The quake was at a depth of 36 km, the USGS said. Reporting by Akriti Sharma in Bengaluru; Editing by Lisa Shumaker and Cynthia OstermanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

The class members are Google Play Store individual consumers in 12 states, including Ohio, Michigan and Georgia, in addition to American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The plaintiffs' lawyers in the newly certified class action are jointly working with those state enforcers. Google has defended its Play Store business practices, denying the claims in the case before Donato and others. In arguing against class-action certification, attorneys for Google said the plaintiffs failed to show how they were harmed, an argument that Donato rejected. The class attorneys allege among other things that Google prohibited app developers from steering customers to competitors and used "misleading warnings to deter customers from downloading apps outside the Google Play Store."

In the early 2010s, Mr. Mellow set out for still more distant shores, traveling to many famous surf breaks in the South Pacific. Mr. Abdul-Rashed and Mr. Danian traveled to Hawaii to connect with Mr. Mellow, their spiritual guide and Pacific expedition leader. Mr. Mellow posted an ad on Facebook and Craigslist offering $10,000 for passage to the South Pacific. Mr. Schmidt was in sync with the young seekers when it came to fear of Big Brother and vaccines, but dreading port officials brandishing nasal swabs struck even Mr. Schmidt as a little unhinged. When asked if he was at all responsible for what had happened to Mr. Danian and Mr. Abdul-Rashed, Mr. Mellow looked genuinely confused.

☆ Tsunami warnings issued after 7.3 magnitude earthquake strikes Tonga region
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Nov 11 (Reuters) - The government of Tonga issued a tsunami warning on Friday after an earthquake of magnitude 7.3 struck in the sea around 207 km (128 miles) from the capital, and warned residents to move inland to higher ground. A tsunami advisory was also issued for American Samoa, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC). Hazardous tsunami waves from the earthquake are possible within 300 km of the epicentre along the coasts of Niue and Tonga, it said. Tonga's meteorological service warned residents to move inland. "An urgent tsunami advisory is now in force for all of Tonga due to a strong earthquake being felt in the Kingdom tonight.

☆ U.S. Congress split on making daylight-saving time permanent
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-03 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Legislative aides told Reuters they do not expect Congress to reach agreement before the end of the year. Daylight-saving time has been in place in nearly all of the United States since the 1960s. Pallone previously said he backs ending the clock-switching but has not decided whether to support daylight or standard time as the permanent choice. On Sunday, Mexico rolled back its clocks one last time after the passage of a law last week to abolish daylight-saving time. The White House declined to say earlier this year if Biden supports making daylight-saving time permanent.

An advisory committee to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention voted Thursday in favor of adding the Covid vaccine to the recommended immunization schedule for children and adults. The decision to officially add Covid vaccination to the schedule now goes to the CDC. The recommended immunization schedule is not a vaccine mandate. For example, the CDC added the HPV vaccine to the recommended schedule in 2006. The CDC's recommended vaccination schedule also provides guidance to insurance providers, which tend to cover vaccines on the list.

☆ Supreme Court declines to consider overturning racist 'Insular Cases'
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-17 | by ( Lawrence Hurley | Lawrence Hurley Covers The Supreme Court For Nbc News Digital. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

They say that the Justice Department, in defending the law, and an appeals court, in upholding it, relied upon the so-called “Insular Cases,” a series of long-criticized early 20th century Supreme Court rulings. The Supreme Court’s decision not to hear the case means the lower court ruling remains in place. “The subordinate, inferior non-citizen National status relegates American Samoans to second-class participation in the Republic," the challengers’ lawyers say in court papers. American Samoa is the only territory to which Congress has not extended birthright citizenship. Of the current nine justices, two of them — liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor and conservative Justice Neil Gorsuch — have expressed concern about the Insular Cases remaining on the books.

☆ Senate OKs enhanced benefits for vets exposed to burn pits
▼ + stars: | 2022-06-16 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

WASHINGTON — The Senate on Thursday approved a sweeping expansion of health care and disability benefits for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans in response to concerns about their exposure to toxic burn pits. The House in March approved similar legislation that would have cost more than $320 billion over 10 years. And, it would extend Agent Orange presumptions to veterans who served in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Guam and American Samoa. But lawmakers said that stories from constituents tell a different and more definitive tale, and they are reluctant to wait for an irrefutable link between veterans’ maladies and their exposure to toxic burn pits. The Senate version trimmed some of the costs early on by phasing in certain benefit enhancements.

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