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☆ Aromatherapy spray that killed two people in a multistate outbreak also killed pet raccoon
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-16 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Mirna-Alsharif-Byline-Jm.Jpg | Mirna Alsharif | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

A lavender and chamomile-scented aromatherapy spray contaminated with deadly bacteria that killed two people has also killed one of the victim's pet raccoon, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The spray was linked to a multistate outbreak that killed a 5-year-old boy in Georgia and a 53-year-old woman in Kansas. The aromatherapy spray was also the source of the illness of a 53-year-old man in Minnesota and a 4-year-old girl in Texas. According to the CDC, the Texas patient's previously healthy pet raccoon broke a bottle of the spray and walked through the liquid. The bacteria Burkholderia pseudomallei are rarely found in the United States and are generally found in contaminated soil or water in parts of South and Southeast Asia.

☆ Colombia to hike minimum monthly wage by 16%
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BOGOTA, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Colombia's minimum wage will increase by 16% in 2023, President Gustavo Petro said on Thursday, higher than the previous wage hike. The minimum wage will rise to 1.16 million pesos ($242.70) per month, an increase of 160,000 pesos ($33.40). The wage increase comes amid rampant inflation in Latin America's fourth-largest economy. The increase followed agreements between business associations and unions, Petro said, and will benefit some 3.4 million people who receive the minimum wage. "I hope that this increase to the minimum wage restores purchasing power that has been lost in recent months due to inflation, restores growth to the economy's average productivity, and also allows us to boost internal demand in Colombia," Petro said.

☆ Biden signs bill to protect same-sex and interracial marriages
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-13 | by ( Emma Kinery | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

It specifies that states must recognize same-sex marriages across state lines and that same-sex couples have the same federal benefits as any married couple. The Respect for Marriage Act does not codify same-sex marriage, though. She noted the Respect for Marriage Act will be one of the last bills she will sign as she ends her second stretch as speaker. Biden's views, like those of many Americans, shifted to support same-sex marriage over his lifetime. But in 2012 then-Vice President Biden announced his support for same-sex marriage on NBC's Meet the Press, backing the measure even before Obama did.

☆ Meet 41-year old Judge Aileen Cannon, the Trump-nominated Floridian who will pick the special master to weed through the documents seized at Mar-a-Lago
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-13 | by ( Kimberly Leonard | Azmi Haroun | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Judge Aileen Cannon recently reversed a big win that she had handed Trump's defense team. Judge Aileen Cannon gave her confirmation testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee over Zoom on July 29, 2020. There, she prosecuted cases involving narcotics, fraud, firearms, and immigration cases, according to her Senate confirmation document. Cannon during her confirmation hearing thanked Rubio as well as fellow Republican Sen. Rick Scott of Florida for their "continued support." "Judge Cannon is a great judge who I am very proud to have enthusiastically supported," Rubio told Insider through his office when asked about the connection.

☆ Here are Monday's biggest analyst calls: Apple, Netflix, Disney, Microsoft, Robinhood, Gap & more
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-12 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

Stifel names Microsoft a top 2023 pick Stifel said it likes Microsoft's "strong product portfolio" for 2023. Goldman Sachs downgrades Ulta to neutral from buy Goldman said in its downgrade of the stock that it sees difficult comps. Evercore ISI names Netflix a top idea for 2023 Evercore said it sees "robust revenue growth" for Netflix in 2023. " Goldman Sachs upgrades Gap to buy from neutral Goldman said in its upgrade of the stock that it sees accelerated earnings growth. Cowen names Take-Two a top 2023 pick Cowen said the video game maker has a great "long-term track record."

☆ EU at odds over gas price cap as 12 countries criticise latest proposal
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-10 | by ( Kate Abnett | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

EU countries are holding emergency negotiations on Saturday as they attempt to line up a deal to cap gas prices at a Dec. 13 meeting of their energy ministers - but states remain split over the plan. Twelve of the EU's 27 member states have circulated a paper demanding that the price cap be "significantly" lower than the latest compromise being negotiated by countries. EU countries have wrangled for months over whether to cap gas prices, but have so far failed to bridge the gap between their divergent views. Gas prices in Europe have soared this year after Russia slashed gas deliveries following its invasion of Ukraine, pushing up fuel costs and stoking inflation. That is lower than the 275 eur/MWh limit proposed by the |European Commission, but the 12 countries said it was still not low enough.

The suspect in last month's deadly rampage at a Colorado LGBTQ nightclub was charged Tuesday with 305 criminal counts in what could be the most heavily prosecuted murder case in state history, authorities said. The 305 charges filed in court include first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault and bias-motivated crimes, District Attorney Michael Allen told the court. Allen said he couldn't recall a murder trial with so many counts. "But there could be others out there that I’m just not thinking of right now.”Lawyers on both sides asked the judge to schedule Aldrich's preliminary hearing for May. But 4th Judicial District Judge Michael McHenry insisted the hearing can start sooner and ordered both sides to be ready on Feb. 22 for a preliminary hearing he expected to last two days.

☆ Why aluminum plants in the U.S. are far more polluting than some of their counterparts abroad
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Phil Mckenna | Inside Climate News | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +15 min

A plant worker uses a crane to lift a cask of molten aluminum a Century Aluminum Company plant in Hawesville, Ky. in 2017. Of the five remaining facilities, only the Century Aluminum Sebree plant in Robards, which employs 625 workers, and a smaller Alcoa plant in Massena, New York, run at full capacity. Phillip McKenna/NBC NewsSteinsen, of Century Aluminum, said the company has no plans to shut down its Sebree facility in Robards. In 2015, when the U.S. aluminum production was in steep decline, the EPA ended its industry partnership. In 2019, 7,510 metric tons of PFCs were emitted from global aluminum production, according to a study published last year in the Journal of Geophysical Research — Atmospheres.

☆ Aluminum plants in the U.S. are releasing tons of a highly potent greenhouse gas, unlike their counterparts abroad
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Phil Mckenna | Inside Climate News | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

In written testimony submitted to the U.S. International Trade Commission in 2017, Century Aluminum executives said aluminum producers were being "decimated" by "unfair practices of Chinese aluminum producers." "The continued viability of the aluminum industry outside of China, and especially in the United States, is dependent upon a prompt and effective solution to China's overcapacity and overproduction." Steinsen, of Century Aluminum, said the company has no plans to shut down its Sebree facility in Robards. A spokesperson for the agency said, "EPA continues to track facility specific emissions from the aluminum industry through the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program." In 2019, 7,510 metric tons of PFCs were emitted from global aluminum production, according to a study published last year in the Journal of Geophysical Research — Atmospheres.

☆ Oxford Dictionaries names ‘goblin mode’ its word of the year
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-05 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON — Asked to sum up 2022 in a word, the public has chosen a phrase. Oxford Dictionaries said Monday that “goblin mode” has been selected by online vote as its word of the year. “Given the year we’ve just experienced, ‘goblin mode’ resonates with all of us who are feeling a little overwhelmed at this point,” said Oxford Languages President Casper Grathwohl. Despite being relatively unknown offline, goblin mode was the overwhelming favorite, winning 93% of the more than 340,000 votes cast. In 2021 the Oxford word of the year was “vax” and Merriam-Webster’s was “vaccine.”

☆ Gladys Knight, George Clooney, Amy Grant feted at Kennedy Center Honors
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-05 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +6 min

WASHINGTON — A heartfelt Patti LaBelle praised her lifelong friend Gladys Knight. Matt Damon playfully teased his friend George Clooney — a lot — while Sheryl Crow gave thanks and a heartfelt rendition of “Baby Baby” to her fellow singer Amy Grant during Sunday’s Kennedy Center Honors. Every year the Kennedy Center honors a select group of people for their artistic influences on American culture. 2022 Kennedy Center Honorees, front row from left, Amy Grant, Gladys Knight, George Clooney, Tania León, join, back row from left, Adam Clayton, Larry Mullen Jr., The Edge, and Bono for a group photo at the State Department following the Kennedy Center Honors gala dinner, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, in Washington. León said during an interview when the honorees were announced that she wasn’t expecting “anything spectacular” when the Kennedy Center initially reached out to her.

LONDON, Dec 5 (Reuters) - The market for old oil tankers is booming, and it's all down to efforts by Western nations to curb trade in Russian crude. The European Union banned all seaborne Russian crude imports from Dec. 5, with a fuel import ban to follow in February. PRICE SURGEMajor Western oil companies typically stop using tankers when they are about 15 years old, and many would be scrapped. More tankers are now being used for voyages taking weeks, shipping Russian oil from the Baltic and Black Sea to Asia, whereas Russian oil was mainly sold in Europe previously and the voyages only took a few days. Ship broker Braemar also said that some of the vessels involved in shipping Iranian and Venezuelan oil were shifting to transporting Russian oil.

☆ 'Metaverse' lost the word of the year contest to 'goblin mode'
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-05 | by ( Travis Clark | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

"Goblin mode" is Oxford English Dictionary's word of the year after going viral in February. Regarding "goblin mode," it wrote that it's "a type of behaviour which is unapologetically self-indulgent, lazy, slovenly, or greedy, typically in a way that rejects social norms or expectations." The headline, falsely attributed to Bollywood news site Pinkvilla, incorrectly quoted actress and model Julia Fox as saying that her ex Kanye West "didn't like when I went goblin mode," something she never said. "The term then rose in popularity over the months following as Covid lockdown restrictions eased in many countries and people ventured out of their homes more regularly," Oxford wrote about "goblin mode." But while "metaverse" couldn't top "goblin mode," maybe Zuckerberg can take solace that it gained enough traction to be in the running this year.

☆ Shareholders are asking rail companies to grant paid sick leave for workers because it's a 'prudent investment'
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-05 | by ( Juliana Kaplan | Hannah Towey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Some rail investors are calling for companies to adopt a proposal to give workers paid sick leave. Currently, rail workers technically have no paid sick leave, a key demand in their contract negotiations. Now, some railroad shareholders want reasonable paid sick leave to be included as a benefit. "Getting workers paid sick leave cuts down on disease spread dramatically, leading to fewer absences. Now, additional paid sick leave could be put to a vote, if the shareholders pushing rail companies to consider it get their way.

☆ This company plans to keep a 4-day working week because it makes staff happier – and stops them leaving
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Stephanie Stacey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Employees got more sleep and felt less stressed in a trial of a four-day working week. Prost told Insider that employees were happier, but he still works on Fridays. Prost told Insider that internal metrics showed a rise in employee satisfaction and a 50% increase in average productivity. As a managing partner, Prost has not adopted a four-day working week. He told Insider: "The directors have to pick up the slack on Fridays by answering the phones and meeting with clients."

☆ George Clooney, Gladys Knight among Kennedy Center honorees
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, second from left, and his wife, Evan Ryan, left, join 2022 Kennedy Center Honorees, front row from left, Amy Grant, Gladys Knight, George Clooney, Tania León, and Kennedy Center President Deborah Rutter, back row from left, Kennedy Center Chairman David Rubenstein, along with fellow 2022 Honorees Adam Clayton, Larry Mullen Jr., The Edge, and Bono for a group photo at the State Department following the Kennedy Center Honors gala dinner, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, in Washington. Sometimes the Kennedy Center honors not just individuals but groups; "Sesame Street" once got the nod. Composer and conductor León said during an interview when the honorees were announced that she wasn't expecting "anything spectacular" when the Kennedy Center initially reached out to her. After all, she's worked with the Kennedy Center numerous times over the years going back to 1980, when she was commissioned to compose music for a play. León left Cuba as a refugee in 1967 and eventually settled in New York City.

☆ The senate votes to avert a rail strike — but not give workers paid sick days
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Juliana Kaplan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The Senate voted to impose a tentative agreement and avert an economy-rattling rail strike. Rail workers told Insider that the votes were "despicable" and "shameful." The House had voted to pass both the legislation enacting the tentative agreement and the addition of seven sick days. "I'm proud that the House of Representatives passed legislation to guarantee seven days of paid sick leave for all rail workers. Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, and Lindsey Graham — joined 46 Democrats in voting for the paid sick day provision.

☆ Colorado Springs shooting suspect's mother accused of disorderly conduct hours after Club Q attack
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Marlene Lenthang | Marlene Lenthang Is A Breaking News Reporter For Nbc News Digital. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

The mother of the suspect in the deadly rampage at a Colorado Springs, Colorado, LGBTQ club was issued a summons for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest hours after the attack, police said. Officers showed up at Laura Voepel’s home after authorities say Anderson Lee Aldrich opened fire inside Club Q, killing five people. No lawyer information was listed for Voepel, whose arraignment is set for Jan. 25, 2023, court records show. In addition to the five deaths, 17 people were wounded in the Club Q shooting, according to police. Weeks before turning 16, Aldrich petitioned a Texas court for a name change, court records show.

☆ Factbox: Who are 12 U.S. Senate Republicans who voted to protect same-sex marriage?
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Moira Warburton | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Here is what they said about supporting the Respect for Marriage Act, which some social conservatives object to:SUSAN COLLINS, MAINECollins is one of the most moderate Senate Republicans. LISA MURKOWSKI, ALASKAMurkowski, a moderate Senate Republican, was the third Republican senator in 2013 to come out in support of same-sex marriage. DAN SULLIVAN, ALASKASullivan said he disagreed with the 2015 Supreme Court decision that established the national right to same-sex marriage. CYNTHIA LUMMIS, WYOMINGAlthough she also believes in "traditional" marriage, Lummis said she believed the separation of church and state was more important than individual religious opinions. She told Politico that although she believes "in traditional marriage," her stance evolved with growing popular support for same-sex marriage.

☆ The House passes an agreement that would stop a rail strike — and give workers 7 days of sick leave
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Juliana Kaplan | Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The House took the first step towards averting a rail strike, passing legislation to impose an agreement. But members also voted to pass a measure that would give workers 7 paid sick days. Paid sick leave, or lack thereof, has emerged as one of the biggest issues among rail workers. But both the tentative agreement and the paid sick leave resolution still need to pass the Senate. If the agreement passed without paid sick leave, "it's going to make life hard for railroad workers," Grooters said.

☆ Amazon's Cyber Monday sales continue: 40+ deals you can still shop
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( Mili Godio | Mili Godio Is An Associate Reporter For Select On Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +15 min

SKIP AHEAD Home and kitchen deals | Tech deals | TV deals | Beauty and wellness deals | Pet deals | Best Amazon Cyber Monday sales | Do you need a Prime membership to shop Amazon’s Cyber Monday deals? The best Amazon Cyber Monday 2022 dealsBelow, we rounded up some of the best deals from Amazon’s ongoing Cyber Monday savings event based on our previous coverage and Select reader interest. 4.5-star average rating from 33,540 reviews on AmazonAccording to Kasa, this smart light switch is designed to fit into a standard junction box. Best Amazon Cyber Monday 2022 sales to shopHere are some of the best ongoing sales to shop during Amazon’s extended Cyber Monday sale that we think you’ll want to know about. Do you need a Prime membership to shop Amazon’s Cyber Monday deals?

The number of people injured in a shooting attack at an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado, has been increased by four, police said Monday. The number of those killed and shot — five dead and 17 shot and injured — in the Nov. 19 shooting at Club Q remained unchanged in the latest update. But police said the number of identified victims who were injured but who were not shot has increased from one to five. More people were at Club Q when the gunman, identified as Anderson Lee Aldrich, 22, opened fire minutes before midnight, police said in a statement. Autopsies have been conducted, and the El Paso County Coroner’s Office will determine the cause and manner of death, the statement said.

☆ BOJ's next move will unwind loose policy, 92% of economists say
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( Kantaro Komiya | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Twenty-four of 26 economists in the Nov 15-25 poll said the BOJ's next action, if any, would be "unwinding its ultra-easy monetary policy". Widely known as the policy accord, it requires the central bank to achieve its 2% inflation target "at the earliest date possible." Among those who wanted a revision, seven called for more flexibly judging achievement of the inflation target. One BOJ watcher calling for change wanted a lower inflation target, and another said the BOJ's mandate should be enlarged to include targeting employment or wage rises. On Monday, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida rejected the idea of adding wage growth as a new monetary policy goal.

☆ Senate passes landmark bill protecting same-sex marriage nationwide. It's expected to pass the House and be signed into law by Biden
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( Eliza Relman | Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The Senate on Tuesday passed a landmark bill that would recognize same-sex marriage nationwide. Twelve Republicans voted with Democrats for the legislation. The bill will head to the House, which is expected to pass it. Twelve Republicans voted with all Democrats for the legislation, which also protects interracial marriage. Large majorities of the American public support same-sex marriage rights.

☆ BOJ's next move will unwind loose policy, 92% of economists say: Reuters Poll
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( Kantaro Komiya | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Twenty-four of 26 economists in the Nov 15-25 poll said the BOJ's next action, if any, would be "unwinding its ultra-easy monetary policy". Widely known as the policy accord, it requires the central bank to achieve its 2% inflation target "at the earliest date possible." Among those who wanted a revision, seven called for more flexibly judging achievement of the inflation target. One BOJ watcher calling for change wanted a lower inflation target, and another said the BOJ's mandate should be enlarged to include targeting employment or wage rises. Two economists in the poll said the accord should simply be abolished.

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