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☆ A new study confirms it: The pandemic turned us all into jerks
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-11 | by ( Adam Rogers | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

Graceless under pressureTo see how the pandemic affected us, researchers looked at the so-called Big Five personality traits: agreeableness, conscientiousness, extraversion, neuroticism, and openness. But the new study found a surprising shift during the pandemic — roughly equivalent to what they'd expect from 10 years of life, not two. During the first months of the pandemic, Sutin's team found little personality change. "The only thing that went wrong," says Brent Roberts, a psychologist and expert in personality change at the University of Illinois, "is the goddamn pandemic kept going." For some Americans, the most stressful thing about the pandemic was experts telling them they should help people they don't like.

☆ Covid-19 boosters could prevent about 90,000 US deaths this winter, but only if more people get them, analysis suggests
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-05 | by ( Jacqueline Howard | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Covid-19 vaccinations could save thousands of lives and billions of dollars this winter. A new analysis suggests that if more people in the United States get their booster by the end of the year, about 90,000 Covid-19 deaths could be prevented this fall and winter. But if booster vaccinations continue at their current pace, the nation could see a peak of more than 1,000 Covid-19 deaths per day this winter, according to the study, published Wednesday by The Commonwealth Fund. There are now more than 400 daily Covid-19 deaths, on average, in the United States. Federal health officials have said that Americans may need to get a single updated Covid-19 vaccination every year.

☆ Chief Justice Roberts is in the spotlight as the Supreme Court tackles race cases
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-29 | by ( Lawrence Hurley | Lawrence Hurley Covers The Supreme Court For Nbc News Digital. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +8 min

As chief justice, Roberts was in the majority on both occasions when the court in previous cases weakened the Voting Rights Act, enacted in 1965 to protect minority voters. A 1981 memo written by Roberts about the Voting Rights Act. Then, he unsuccessfully advocated against legislation in Congress that lowered the barriers to bringing race discrimination claims under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. A 1981 memo written by Roberts advocating against legislation in Congress that would lower the barriers for race discrimination claims. “That would be devastating for minority voting rights in this country,” she added.

☆ There's more than one type of work burnout―how to identify which you have
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-29 | by ( Gili Malinsky | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Nearly half, 48% of employees and 53% of managers report that they're burned out at work, according to Microsoft's 2022 Work Trend Index. Here's how to identify which type of burnout you might be experiencing, and how to alleviate it. Disengagement vs. depletionOne type of burnout can occur when you're tired of doing your job, specifically. The other type of burnout is a chronic fatigue in life at large, or depletion of energy. To figure out which type of burnout you're experiencing and what in your job is causing it, Gavin recommends asking yourself four questions ― and do it on paper, she says, not in your head.

☆ Young Black activists are done waiting their turn for political office. They're taking on the 'John Lewis generation' of elder lawmakers who they say are out of touch.
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-29 | by ( Elvina Nawaguna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +30 min

Most members of the Congressional Black Caucus are twice as old as the median Black person living in the US. The Congressional Black Caucus, a powerful voice for Black Americans, is significantly older than those it speaks for. Clay had replaced his father, William Lacy Clay Sr., a civil-rights icon and founding Congressional Black Caucus member who had represented the area since 1969. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty ImagesThe Congressional Black Caucus is reckoning with a leftward shift it's struggled to embrace. A spokesperson for the Congressional Black Caucus did not respond to Insider's request for comment.

Many of the most destructive and potentially deadly impacts of a hurricane — including storm surge, flooding and rainfall — are not accounted for in a storm's category number. "Hurricane Ian is a very large, slow-moving hurricane. "There have been several alternative scales proposed over the years and none have gained enough attention or traction by the National Hurricane Center," Collins said. "It is important to have such evidence before even proposing to the National Hurricane Center that this should be considered as a replacement." Kantha said the National Hurricane Center acts conservatively and carefully with changes, particularly those with legal implications.

☆ New Alzheimer's drug slows cognitive decline by 27%, clinical trial finds
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-28 | by ( Cheryl Teh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A clinical trial of a new Alzheimer's drug from Eisai and Biogen has shown promising results. The large-scale study saw cognitive decline in patients being slowed by 27% over 18 months. The trial involved 1,795 patients with early-stage Alzheimer's. The companies announced the trial's success in a press release on Tuesday, saying their drug — called lecanemab — was observed to have slowed cognitive decline in Alzheimer's patients by 27% over 18 months. The companies noted that around 21% of the patients who received the lecanemab treatment experienced brain swelling that was visible on PET scans.

☆ Brett Favre told Mississippi governor he would not ‘take No for answer’ over volleyball stadium, court filing shows
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-26 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Dilanianmug.Jpg | Ken Dilanian | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +6 min

Phil Bryant on Sept. 4, 2019 about funding the volleyball center at the University of Southern Mississippi’s main campus in Hattiesburg. “Use of these funds (is) tightly controlled,” Bryant texted Favre on July 28, 2019, according to the filing. Favre also secured $3.2 million for a drug company in which he had invested, according to court records. Favre has also denied wrongdoing through his lawyer, who acknowledged that the ex-Packer has been interviewed by the FBI. He added that Favre behaved honorably and never knew the state grants he was seeking were from the federal welfare program.

☆ How Bryan Lourd became one of the most powerful people in the history of Hollywood
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-25 | by ( Alex Sherman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +18 min

Lourd, 61, isn't a household name, but he wields a stunning amount of influence in Hollywood. Lourd's Hollywood clients aren't just A-listers, they're A+-listers: Brad Pitt. An old-fashioned talent agent who loves discussing old movies and doesn't mind pointing out the flaws in his own clients' work, Lourd has become arguably the most powerful person in Hollywood. "He's one of the most powerful people in the history of Hollywood," said Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos. But Lourd's clients are such bankable stars that it's equally important for Hollywood executives to be friendly with him as it is beneficial for Lourd and CAA.

☆ Former Mississippi Governor Denies Wrongdoing in Welfare Scandal
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-24 | by ( Cameron Mcwhirter | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Former Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant, seen in 2021, denies he acted improperly in a matter involving the funding for a new volleyball facility at a college in the state. Lawyers for former Mississippi Gov. The suit names Mr. Favre and others, but doesn’t name Mr. Bryant. His motion filed Friday is in response to a subpoena that Mr. Bryant is seeking to quash.

During the game, she said, the crowd nearby began chanting “F--- the Mormons.” Over and over. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, BYU’s sponsoring institution, Aubrey wanted the chanting to stop. Latter-day Saints have a fair track record when it comes to cheek-turning. There’s of course a balance to strike in the case of the Oregon chants. And yet, if you can publicly chant “F--- the Mormons” with only minimal social consequences, it’s time for Latter-day Saints to collectively push, as Aubrey sought to do, for greater and more immediate action.

☆ Russia partners like China and India expressing concerns over Ukraine may have forced Putin's hand and driven him to try and end the war quickly, according to Russian politics experts
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-23 | by ( Kelsey Vlamis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Some of Putin's global partners expressed concerns about his war in Ukraine last week. A Russia expert told Insider Putin may have acted out of fear of straining relationships with nations like China and India. Both China and India have been powerful partners of Russia throughout the war, declining to institute sanctions and continuing to purchase the country's energy products. Experts told Insider it would be weeks or months before the mobilized troops are trained, equipped, and deployed. "The evidence of criticism of allies like China or neutral states like India clearly put more pressure on him," English told Insider.

☆ Putin's call-up won't make a dent in Ukraine for months and is already sowing panic at home with protests and people racing to get out of the country
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-22 | by ( Erin Snodgrass | Kelsey Vlamis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Putin on Wednesday announced a partial military mobilization order seven months into the Ukraine war. Ukraine, on the other hand, ordered full military mobilization just days after the war began and is just now reaping the benefits. It could take more than a month for reservists to deployOne of the major obstacles to Russia's mobilization aspirations is the country's depleted military infrastructure. Photo by Contributor/Getty ImagesResistance from the Russian public is growingIt's not just military experts who have their doubts about Russia's mobilization. Russians across the country took to the streets following Putin's speech, sparking protests and chants of "no to war."

☆ Putin has been called a 'master procrastinator' but experts say he wanted to avoid mobilizing troops 'at all costs' due to how unpopular it would be in Russia
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-22 | by ( Kelsey Vlamis | Erin Snodgrass | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Experts said Putin wanted to avoid the move, but also wanted to bolster his military. The move could weaken support for Putin's regime as Russians are exposed to the reality of the war. The Russian president has found his forces short on manpower while Ukraine, on the other hand, ordered a full military mobilization within days of the invasion in February. "He's a master procrastinator," Michael Kofman, a military analyst of Russia studies at the Center for Naval Analyses told Puck's Julie Ioffe this week. Experts told Insider it could take weeks or months for Russia's partial mobilization to bear fruit, as the reservists need to be trained, equipped, and deployed.

☆ Putin's nuclear threats indicate the president is increasingly aware of how limited his military options are in Ukraine, Russia expert speculates
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-22 | by ( Erin Snodgrass | Kelsey Vlamis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Vladimir Putin on Wednesday escalated his war in Ukraine with a direct threat of nuclear warfare. Putin is increasingly "aware of how limited his actual military options are," one expert said. During his televised speech, the president also baselessly accused the West of threatening to use nuclear weapons and responded with an acknowledgment of Russia's own nuclear arsenal. "It is clear that he is growing more and more aware of how limited his actual military options are in this war." A Russian nuclear missile rolls along Red Square during the military parade marking the 75th anniversary of Nazi defeat, on June 24, 2020 in Moscow, Russia.

☆ Former University of Southern California dean pleads guilty in political bribery case
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-20 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

LOS ANGELES — A former dean at the University of Southern California pleaded guilty Monday in a bribery case involving a powerful Los Angeles politician who promised to help steer a multi-million contract to the school if his son got a scholarship and a teaching job. Flynn and Ridley-Thomas, who is now on the Los Angeles City Council, were charged in the public corruption case last year. He pleaded not guilty last October, only hours after his colleagues suspended him and the city controller cut off his pay. Mark Ridley-Thomas at the re-opening of Leimert Park, in Los Angeles, Calif., on June 19, 2021. Flynn, who could have faced up to 10 years in federal prison, pleaded guilty to one count of bribery.

☆ Flint residents reported high rates of depression, PTSD years after water crisis
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-20 | by ( Carma Hassan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —In a new study, researchers say that the experiences of residents of Flint, Michigan, show that environmental disasters like the water crisis can have long-term consequences for mental health. Flint residents reported changes to the water’s color, smell and taste soon after the city turned to the Flint River as a water source in April 2014. Researchers found that 1 in 5 Flint residents met the criteria for presumptive major depression, 1 in 4 for presumptive post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and more than 1 in 10 for both disorders. Eight years after the water crisis began in Flint – even with new pipes and a different water source – some city residents recently told CNN they still don’t trust the water. In a statement, the Mississippi Department of Mental Health said community mental health centers can provide therapy, peer support and intensive outpatient programs for people in need of psychiatric care and substance abuse treatment.

☆ U. of Oregon apologizes for 'despicable chants' at football game
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-18 | by ( Julianne Mcshane | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

Oregon's interim vice president for student life, Kris Winter, said in a statement Saturday night that "the university apologizes for the despicable chants made by some University of Oregon fans at today’s football game with Brigham Young University." The Oregon Ducks won the game Saturday at their Autzen Stadium 41-20. "The offensive chant from our student section directed towards BYU during the football game last night does not align with our Trojan values," USC's athletic department tweeted at the time. BYU won that game, played at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, 35-31. It is unclear whether the chants from University of Oregon fans could be heard on the television broadcast of Saturday's game, according to the Deseret News.

☆ 'Atlanta,' 'P-Valley' and other shows giving Black South its due
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-18 | by ( Leah Asmelash | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

And artists like Beyoncé and Megan Thee Stallion have incorporated Southern Black aesthetics into their fashion and music videos. “We’re now seeing some of the vividness and vibrancy that has always been a part of the South,” Durham said. But in these shows, the South and its characters refuse the bumpkin stereotypes and embrace all the aspects of the South. “There are whole ways in which we are having to reimagine Blackness in the South,” Durham said. “We’re actually invited to see what the experiences are of the people who produce the culture,” Durham said.

Witnessing Arab women flourish on the small screen, showcasing their talents and breaking through the presumption that they are oppressed is widely significant. That is not to say Arab women live in a utopia in the Middle East. The implication is that these Arab women have no depth to their character other than their attire. Just as common are images of Arab women living as concubines in harems waiting to please men. But the achievements of the past week should help to break down the stereotypes surrounding Arab women and inspire them to dream big.

Many residents were especially incensed that their countries were helping pay for the royal tour. The same goes for Canada, where the support for having a foreigner as head of state has also been eroding. The sun was already setting on the British Empire when Elizabeth took the throne in 1953. With Charles now king, that trend is likely to continue, said Prior. “I don’t think that these conversations taking place across the world are conversations that the new king would have a great deal of control over,” Prior said.

EY’s leaders last week approved separating the professional-services firm’s consulting and auditing businesses. The consulting firm, which doesn’t have an official name yet, has to make sure its branding doesn’t confuse prospective or existing clients, she said. EY trailed Deloitte and PwC in both its total revenue, $39.96 billion, and consulting revenue in the 2021 fiscal year. EY’s planned split has drawn comparisons to when Andersen Consulting separated from defunct accounting firm Arthur Andersen in 2001 and subsequently rebranded as Accenture. Companies could be inclined to stick with their existing consulting firm, rather than try out a new one, if they are uncertain about their outlook, Mr. Tellis said.

The welfare funds in question were part of the $86 million Mississippi is given each year by the federal government to lift families out of poverty. The state auditor uncovered $77 million in misspent welfare funds in February 2020. The text messages, which were part of a filing by New's attorney, do not establish that Favre knew the public funds discussed were welfare money. The newly released text messages indicate Bryant, a Republican, was much more involved in the project as governor than previously known. She would pay Favre $1.1 million in state funds directly and he would do a few radio ads.

☆ Remote work is killing Florida as a retirement paradise
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-11 | by ( Gadel Valle | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +14 min

Housing prices, combined with the rise of remote work, threaten to end the middle-class dream of spending your final days in Florida. "It does put the retirement industry at risk because it's going to become more and more difficult" to retire in Florida, he told me. The political influence of Florida retirees is so significant that national publications send reporters to The Villages before elections to check its political pulse. The dream of a Florida retirement is dying as housing prices make it too expensive for most. And for people who are retiring now, the Florida retirement dream is starting to look a lot less sunny.

☆ 'Doomsday' glacier — which could raise sea levels by several feet if melted — is 'holding on by its fingernails' says new study
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-06 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A body of ice known as the "Doomsday Glacier" could melt faster than predicted, a new study says. The Thwaites Glacier protects the West Antarctic ice sheet, and researchers watch it closely. The melting of the Thwaites Glacier — which is around the size of Florida — could raise sea levels by up to two feet. A 3D-rendered view of the multibeam bathymetry (seafloor shape) colored by depth, collected by Rán across a seabed ridge, just in front of Thwaites Ice Shelf. Rán, a Kongsberg HUGIN autonomous underwater vehicle, amongst sea ice in front of Thwaites Glacier, after a 20-hour mission mapping the seafloor.

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