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☆ Why an Alaska island is using peanut butter and black lights to find a rat that might not exist
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-23 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +7 min

This June 2024 photo provided by Aleut Community of St. Paul Island Ecosystem Conservation Office shows a rat trap that was placed under a residential building on St. Paul Island, Alaska, after a resident reported an alleged sighting. Rodents have been removed successfully from hundreds of islands worldwide — including one in Alaska’s Aleutian chain formerly known as “Rat Island,” according to the U.S. Around the developed areas of St. Paul, officials have set out blocks of wax — “chew blocks” — designed to record any telltale incisor bites. Still, it took nearly a year to catch the last known rat on St. Paul, which was believed to have hopped off a barge. The success of what was long called Rat Island, a tract in the Aleutians roughly half the size of Manhattan, shows how effective eradication programs can be.

Persons: stow, upending, we’ve, ”, Lauren Divine, Paul, Divine, —, Paul ., Stacey Buckelew, Buckelew, Donald Lyons, “ It’s, I’ve Organizations: Aleut, St, U.S . Fish, Wildlife Service, U.S . Department, Agriculture, Fish, Alaska Maritime National Wildlife, Hawadax, National Audubon Locations: JUNEAU, Alaska, Bering, Paul, Pribilof, St, Paul Island , Alaska, U.S, Aleutians, Manhattan

$ 5.34 $ 5.34 Estimated Environmental cost + $ 22.02 Say a pound of beef costs $5.34 at your local supermarket. The Hidden Environmental Costs of Food Damage to the natural world isn’t factored into the price of food. The proponents of true cost accounting don’t propose raising food prices across the board, but they say that increased awareness of the hidden environmental cost of food could change behavior. (True cost accounting also typically includes things like labor rights and dietary health, but here we’re focusing on environmental costs.) Large disparities between the retail price of food and its environmental costs are found in the proteins many of us eat every day.

Persons: True Price, ”, Claire van den Broek, “ They’re, Alexander Müller, True, “, Scott Swinton, Roger Cryan, Mario Herrero, chickpeas Organizations: United Nations, Rockefeller Foundation, True, Sustainability, Michigan State University, American Farm Bureau Federation, New, Cornell University, Price, Beef, Oxford University, “, U.S . Department of Agriculture, Mountain, United Nations Food, Agriculture Organization Locations: Dutch, United States, Berlin, New York State, Denmark, Walmart.com, U.S, North America, Europe, Brazil, India, Netherlands, Germany

☆ River otter captured after attacking and dragging child underwater at Washington marina
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-14 | by ( Minyvonne Burke | Minyvonne Burke Is A Senior Breaking News Reporter For Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

A river otter attacked a child at a marina in Bremerton, Washington, pulling the boy underwater and biting him before he was rescued by his mother. The mother told authorities that the river otter pulled her son into the water and dragged him underneath. The river otter continued to pursue the family as they left the dock," the agency said. The otter was captured and taken to the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab for further evaluation and testing for rabies. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services works to "trap and lethally remove" river otters from the marina, the fish and wildlife agency said.

Persons: WDFW, Ken Balazs, child’s, Matt Leffers Organizations: Bremerton Marina, state's Department of Fish, Disease, Lab, U.S . Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services, NBC News Locations: Bremerton , Washington, Kitsap County, Washington, Jupiter , Florida, Montana, California, Serene, Placer County

☆ Boar's Head indefinitely closes Virginia plant tied to deadly listeria outbreak, discontinues liverwurst
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-13 | by ( Antonio Planas | Antonio Planas Is A Breaking News Reporter For Nbc News Digital. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

Boar’s Head announced Friday it has indefinitely shut down a Virginia deli meat plant and discontinuing the liverwurst that is linked to a deadly multi-state listeria outbreak that also sickened dozens. In what it called a “dark moment” in the company’s history, Boar's Head said in a Friday statement it’s indefinitely closing its plant in Jarratt, Virginia, where the liverwurst product connected to the outbreak was made. We will work to assist each of our employees in the transition process.”This year’s liverwurst outbreak killed nine and hospitalized 57. Boar’s Head recalled its Strassburger Brand Liverwurst on July 25 over concerns it contained the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. Some increased measures, according to Boar’s Head, include: Appointing a new chief food safety officer who will report directly to the company’s president; launching a food safety council comprised of independent food safety experts; and creating an enhanced and companywide food safety and QA program, Boar’s Head said.

Persons: Boar’s, Boar's, it’s, “, Liverwurst Organizations: CDC, U.S . Department of Agriculture, CBS, Agriculture Department, USDA, Gallup Locations: Virginia, Jarratt , Virginia

☆ Boar’s Head to close Virginia plant linked to deadly listeria outbreak
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-13 | by ( Jamie Gumbrecht | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Boar’s Head will close the Virginia plant that produced deli meat products tied to a deadly listeria outbreak, the company said on Friday. The move is part of several changes made after what it called a “dark moment in our company’s history.” Boar’s Head said it will permanently discontinue sales of liverwurst after an investigation found its production process was the root cause of the listeria contamination. It will also appoint a new food safety officer and food safety council made up of independent industry experts. But a USDA Notice of Suspension for the Virginia facility, shared by Boar’s Head, describes “inadequate controls” that allowed equipment and employees to move throughout the facility, potentially spreading bacteria. The agency called it the largest listeria outbreak since one linked to cantaloupe in 2011.

Persons: CNN — Boar’s, ” Boar’s, Boar’s, Dr, Sanjay Gupta, “, what’s Organizations: CNN, Department of Agriculture’s, CNN Health, Centers for Disease Control, listeria, CDC Locations: Virginia, Jarratt , Virginia, Jarratt

It’s a serene sight — except for the one thing Mr. Antezana, a retired oceanographer, cannot ignore. The South American country is the top exporter of farmed salmon to the United States. For more than four decades, Mr. Antezana has watched the industry grow into one of the world’s leading producers of farmed salmon. Last year, farmed salmon was Chile’s second-largest export, generating $6.5 billion in revenue. Most of the farmed salmon eaten in the United States comes from overseas, with almost half from the fjords of Chile.

Persons: Tarsicio, Antezana Organizations: U.S . Department of Agriculture Locations: Quinchao, Chile, Los Lagos, United States

☆ With ‘Cancer Moonshot’ announcement, Biden turns to causes most important to him in final months in office
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-13 | by ( Kayla Tausche | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

On Tuesday, Biden highlighted $150 million in new research awards to eight organizations, including $23 million to Tulane University, the backdrop for the announcement. I know we can, but it’s not just personal — it’s about what’s possible,” Biden said Tuesday. And the White House will also look to ramp up its diplomatic engagement with India, an ally that has become a critical partner to the US in countering China’s aggression in the region. “We want to create a more prosperous and secure Indo-Pacific and the world,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. Implementation awaitsDomestically, the White House remains focused, first and foremost, on getting money out the door and shovels in the ground on Biden’s signature legislative measures.

Persons: Joe Biden’s, Beau Biden’s, Biden, “, it’s, ” Biden, Kamala Harris –, Harris, Moonshot, Beau Biden he’d, ’, you’ll, ”, –, Jeff Zients, Russia’s Vladimir Putin, Xi, Karine Jean, Pierre said, Zients, Natalie Quillian, Tom Vilsack, ” Vilsack, CNN’s Samantha Waldenberg Organizations: CNN, Tulane University, Biden, CBS News, White, US, Infrastructure Investment, Jobs, The Commerce Department, Treasury Department, Agriculture, Department of Agriculture Locations: Pennsylvania, North Carolina, United States, Brazil, India

☆ Avocado goldrush links U.S. companies with Mexico’s deforestation disaster
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-06 | by ( ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +9 min

The U.S. lawsuits filed in DC Superior Court Monday shine a spotlight on the supply chains of some U.S. companies operating in the Mexican avocado industry. Reuters could not independently verify the accounts from the local residents or Climate Rights International’s findings. “They have even gone to destroy avocado orchards,” said Claudia Alejandra Sanchez, an activist for Michoacán’s Purepecha Indigenous people. Reuters reviewed copies of letters shared by Climate Rights International. Most of those companies have publicly pledged to adhere to sustainable supply chains in compliance with local laws.

Persons: Del, Richman, Mexico Ken Salazar, avocados, ”, Claudia Alejandra Sanchez, Michoacán’s, Guardian Forestal, ’ avocados, ” Daniel Wilkinson, Climate Rights International’s, Alejandro Mendez, Savas Melchor Gómez, deforest, Alfredo Ramírez, ” Ramirez Organizations: Reuters, U.S, Organic Consumers Association, Inc, Produce Inc, West Pak, DC, Rights, Climate Rights International, Richman Law, U.S . Department of Agriculture, Climate Rights, Residents, Foods, Costco, Guardian, Pak, Trade, “ Locations: Madero, Mexico’s, United States, Minnesota, U.S, West, Irvington, N.Y, Mexico, Washington, Michoacán, Jalisco

☆ Harris’ economic stance in spotlight as jobs data stirs concerns
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-02 | by ( Kayla Tausche | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

The data also points a spotlight on the economic platform of Vice President Kamala Harris, who is poised to accept the Democratic presidential nomination this month amid signs of a slowing economy. But her economic views are less defined, maintaining broad references to strengthening the middle class, even as her record investigating Wall Street and her farther-left 2019 primary campaign platform have executives and investors on edge. According to those close to Harris, advisers and administration officials, Harris’ economic views were described as “pragmatic,” “centrist,” and even “pro-business,” with a goal of leveraging private-sector friendships for better outcomes at the ground level. Personnel as policyHarris has two staffers who manage economic and domestic policy issues, and she was briefed by staff on the most recent jobs data. “He is as close to Harris and the second gentleman as almost anyone in the administration,” said an official close to Harris.

Persons: Harris, Kamala Harris, ”, Mike Pyle, Don Graves, David Turk, Wally Adeyemo, Janet Yellen, Pyle, Brian Deese, Rohini Kosoglu –, Brian Nelson, Nelson’s, Nelson, “ That’s, Jason Furman, Barack Obama, Rohit Chopra, Massachusetts Sen, Elizabeth Warren, Biden, Vermont Sen, Bernie Sanders, –, “, she’s, Tom Vilsack, Vilsack, Ray McGuire, Lazard, Blair Effron, Jamie Dimon, “ She’s, Lina Khan, Harris “, Lina Organizations: CNN, Biden, Federal Reserve, Democratic, National Security Council, National Economic Council, ”, Commerce, Energy, Consumer Financial, Bureau, Vermont, Democratic Party, White, Commerce Department, Department of Agriculture, Wall Street, Centerview Partners, JPMorgan Chase, Naval Observatory, Meta, Target, Citigroup, eBay, Federal Trade Commission Locations: Massachusetts, Columbus , Ohio, Syracuse , New York, Georgia, Central America, Columbia, California

☆ Your coffee’s getting pricier – and climate change could keep it that way
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-01 | by ( Erika Tulfo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Roasters and coffee experts are also signaling that prices could remain higher for longer, as factors like climate change reduce the coffee global supply. Climate change drives prices up“Coffee is more sensitive to changes in temperature than many other crops,” said Michael Hoffmann, professor emeritus at Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. “Climate change is getting worse. According to Delany, coffee prices are typically between 100 to 140 cents, but have stayed consistently above that range for the past three years. “There’s a drum beat in the background that is climate change, and that is causing problems,” he said.

Persons: CNN —, Tomas Edelmann, ”, Hamburgo, Miranda, Ryan Delany, there’s, Michael Hoffmann, “, Brazil sneezes, Delany, Arabica, ” Neil Rosser, Lavazza, Miranda Edelmann, Giuseppe Lavazza, Nestle, Sharon Zackfia, William Blair, Rosser, ” Delany, you’re Organizations: CNN, Coffee, International Coffee Organization, United Nations, Coffee Trading Academy, Cornell University’s College of Agriculture, Life Sciences, US Department of Agriculture, Commodities, Financial Times, Nestle Locations: Chiapas, Mexico, Brazil, Arabica, Vietnam, Ukraine, Red

☆ USDA farmer discrimination relief payments begin as some Black farmers ask courts to include heirs in program
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-01 | by ( Chandelis Duster | Janie Boschma | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

The Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association, which says it has over 20,000 members, lost at a federal district court. Much needed payments for farmers of colorMore than 23,000 people will receive payments between $10,000 and $500,000, according to the USDA. “It’s good that the payments are going out to needy Black farmers and families. Exclusive USDA data obtained by CNN through a follow-up Freedom of Information Act request shows that rejection rates for Black farmers continued to climb, peaking in 2022. Loan rejection rates fell to 43% for Black farmers in 2023, but remained much higher than those for other racial groups.

Persons: CNN —, Biden, Joe Biden, ” Biden, It’s, …, ”, Thomas Burrell, we’ve, –, John Boyd , Jr, “, ” Boyd, Trump, CNN’s Devan Cole, Betsy Klein, Tierney Sneed Organizations: CNN, of, Black Farmers, Agriculturalists Association, Appeals, Department of Agriculture, American, Chevron, USDA, National Black Farmers Association Locations: Farmers, Chevron

☆ Why orange juice is so expensive
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-31 | by ( Andrea Miller | In Dreajmiller | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

U.S. orange production has plummeted as the industry faces volatile threats from extreme weather events, an incurable disease and economic pressures. At the same time, orange juice futures have hit record highs. Florida has seen a dramatic orange production decline in recent years. Invaio is one of the companies researching and developing treatments for citrus greening. The volatility of these threats may cut into citrus harvest expectations, which leads experts to believe that higher prices for orange juice are likely to remain, at least in the short term.

Persons: Daniel Munch, Amy O'Shea, We've, O'Shea, Invaio's Trecise Organizations: United States Department of Agriculture, American Farm Bureau Federation, CNBC, Invaio Sciences, Florida Department of Agriculture, Community Services Locations: United States, Florida, Invaio

☆ Boar's Head recall expands to include 7 million pounds of deli meat over listeria concerns
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-31 | by ( Marlene Lenthang | Aria Bendix | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

A recall of Boar's Head products has expanded to include a whopping 7 million additional pounds of deli and poultry items in a deadly multistate outbreak of listeria infections. As of Tuesday, 34 people have gotten sick across 13 states in the outbreak — including 33 hospitalizations and two deaths. Last week, the deli meat company had recalled more than 207,000 pounds of deli meat, including liverwurst and ham products, because they may contain the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. Boar's Head has now expanded that recall, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced in a press release Tuesday. Boar's Head said in a statement on its website that it had initiated the recall after a liverwurst sample collected by the Maryland Department of Health had tested positive for listeria.

Persons: Boar's Organizations: U.S . Department of Agriculture's, Inspection, Brand, Maryland Department of Health, The Maryland Department of Health, Baltimore City Health Department, Centers for Disease Control, Mayo Clinic, CDC Locations: Montebello , California, Illinois, New Jersey, Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Panama, Virginia, U.S

☆ Boar’s Head Recalls 7 Million More Pounds of Meat Amid Listeria Outbreak
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-30 | by ( Orlando Mayorquín | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Boar’s Head recalled seven million additional pounds of deli meat on Tuesday, expanding a recall of more than 200,000 pounds after its product was linked on Monday to a listeria outbreak that has left two people dead and sickened nearly three dozen. The expanded recall includes all meats and poultry processed at a Boar’s Head facility in Jarratt, Va. “Based on this new information, we took steps to ensure we are doing everything possible to protect public health,” Boar’s Head said in a statement on its website on Tuesday. The company added that it had suspended operations involving ready-to-eat meats at the Jarratt facility until further notice. That recall amounted to 207, 528 pounds of meat comprising 10 different products sliced at deli counters and sold in retail stores.

Persons: Boar’s, ” Boar’s Organizations: U.S . Department of Agriculture Locations: Jarratt, Va, Maryland

☆ Halting the Bird Flu Outbreak in Cows May Require Thinking Beyond Milk
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-24 | by ( Emily Anthes | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

As the bird flu outbreak in dairy cows has ballooned, officials have provided repeated reassurances: The virus typically causes mild illness in cows, they have said, and because it spreads primarily through milk, it can be curbed by taking extra precautions when moving cows and equipment. Some farms have reported a significant spike in cow deaths, according to the paper, which investigated outbreaks on nine farms in four states. The virus, known as H5N1, was also present in more than 20 percent of nasal swabs collected from cows. And it spread widely to other species, infecting cats, raccoons and wild birds, which may have transported the virus to new locations. It has also jumped into poultry farms and infected at least 10 farmworkers exposed to infected cows or poultry.

Persons: There’s, ”, Diego Diel Organizations: Cornell University, Department of Agriculture Locations: Nature

☆ Explosion and fire at Jose Cuervo tequila factory kill five, Mexican officials say
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-24 | by ( Jose Manuel Alvarez | Duarte Mendonca | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —At least five workers have died in an explosion and fire at a tequila factory in Mexico, local authorities said. Two others were injured in the disaster, at a Casa Cuervo distillery in the town of Tequila, Jalisco state. Casa Cuervo is the world’s largest producer of the Mexican spirit, according to its website, encompassing the Jose Cuervo and Tequila 1800 brands, among others. In a statement, Casa Cuervo said it was assisting authorities with their investigation and would reinforce security controls at its facilities. An area is damaged following an explosion at a Jose Cuervo tequila plant, in Tequila, Jalisco state, Mexico on July 23, 2024.

Persons: Casa Cuervo, Jose Cuervo, Alfonso Magallanes Organizations: CNN, Tequila, JAL Civil Protection, US Department of Agriculture Locations: Mexico, Casa Cuervo, Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico’s, United States

Determining your budgetYou can figure out how much house you can afford to buy using our free mortgage calculator. While you may already have an idea of what you think you can afford, you'll need to find out how the bank sees you. It will include a list of all of your finalized closing costs and how much cash you'll need to close. The final walkthroughBefore closing, you'll also get a chance to view the home one more time. How to buy a house FAQsHow much down payment do I need to buy a house?

Persons: You'll, George Chedid, Dana Bull, They're, Bull, you've, Don't, it's, They'll, you'll, they've, Chedid Organizations: Compass, Federal Housing Administration, US Department of Veterans Affairs, US Department of Agriculture, you'll, Homeowners Insurance Allstate, Insurance Locations: Kendall Park , New Jersey, Chevron, Boston

To show proof of disability income, you'll need to provide some verification that you're currently receiving benefits and that they aren't set to expire within the next three years. Benefits of home loans for disabled individualsMany loan programs allow you to use disability income to qualify. Disabled individuals can use FHA loans, VA loans, USDA loans, and special programs from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Yes, disability income is considered as part of your total income, which can help qualify for various home loan options. What are the benefits of FHA loans for disabled individuals?

Persons: Fannie Mae HomeReady, Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, you'll, Brian Quigley, Quigley, you've Organizations: Federal Housing Administration, US Department of Agriculture, Social Security Disability Insurance, Social Security Administration, SSI, SSA, Department of Veterans Affairs, Beacon Lending, USDA, Social Security, Chevron Locations: Chevron

Here are the best mortgage lenders for first-time homebuyers and the affordable loans they offer, as chosen by Business Insider editors in 2024. If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards customer, you can get discountsCheck mark icon A check mark. Offers many unique types of mortgagesCheck mark icon A check mark. Low Cost Mortgages come with only $295 in closing costsCheck mark icon A check mark. Mortgage credit certificatesSome HFAs also offer mortgage credit certificates to first-time homebuyers.

Persons: It's, Chase, Grant, You'll, Carrington, Carrington doesn't, forbearance, HELOC, homebuyers, Truist, doesn't, Flagstar, they're, homeownership, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac's, you'll, Anthony Park, Molly Grace, Julie Aragon, There's, Lauryn Williams, —, there's, PenFed, USAA, Wells, Wells Fargo, Ally Organizations: Homebuyers Bank of America Mortgage, Mortgage, Chase, Federal Credit Union Mortgage, New, U.S, Bank Mortgage, Federal Savings, Loan, Truist, Flagstar Bank, Business, Bank of America, of America, FHA, Bank, Bank of, Bank of America's, Miami . Bank of America, USDA, Guild Mortgage, Veterans, Navy, Credit, Federal, Navy Federal, Navy Federal Credit Union, Department of Defense, Student Loan, . Bank, US Bank, U.S . Bank, Carrington Mortgage, Carrington Mortgage Services, Consumer Financial Protection, DC, Private Mortgage Insurance, PMI, Down Payments, Quicken, Rocket Mortgage, Rocket, CrossCountry Mortgage, CrossCountry, Loans, Flagstar Bank Mortgage, Federal Housing Finance Agency, Federal Housing Administration, US Department of Housing, Urban, US Department of Veterans Affairs, US Department of Agriculture, Best, Chevron, CFP, Pentagon Federal Credit Union, BBB, Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation, Veterans United, Movement Mortgage, NBKC, PNC Bank, Better Business Bureau Locations: VA, HELOC, Washington, DC, Charlotte, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, Delaware, Vermont, Delaware , Vermont, Wyoming, J.D, New York, ., U.S, Massachusetts, North Dakota, Ohio, Florida, California , Colorado , Connecticut, Georgia , Illinois , Indiana , Kentucky, Maryland , Massachusetts , Missouri , New Hampshire , New Jersey , New York, North Carolina , Ohio , Oregon , Pennsylvania, South Carolina , Tennessee, Virginia, Tennessee, Arizona , Alaska, Hawaii, Arizona , California, Florida , Indiana , Michigan , New Jersey , New York , Ohio, Wisconsin, Flagstar, Arizona , California , Connecticut , Idaho , Michigan, Nevada , Ohio, New Mexico, Chevron, Wells Fargo

☆ As cartels take a stake in ‘green gold,’ US and Mexico rethink how avocados reach American kitchens
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-13 | by ( David Shortell | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —When two US avocado inspectors were assaulted and detained at a police roadblock in the Mexican state of Michoacán last month, it sparked a costly international crisis. ‘Green gold’Avocados, the creamy fruit with the industry nickname “green gold,” are big business. Nearly three-quarters of Mexican avocados come from Michoacán, a state along the country’s Pacific coast with a volcanic belt running through it that makes its soil ideal for farming. The office of the Michoacán state prosecutor told CNN last month that they’ve opened an investigation into the incident. In 2022, exports of Mexican avocados were similarly halted for several days after one of the US inspectors working in Michoacán received a threatening phone call.

Persons: Weeks, “, Ario de, Cristopher Rogel, ” Romain Le Cour, Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla, Mexico Ken Salazar, they’ve, ”, Le Cour, Michoacán, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Victor Villalobos, Ken Melban, Brian, Melban, Brad Adams, ” Adams Organizations: CNN, US, US Department of Agriculture, Global, Transnational, Local, USDA, Plant Health, Service, Agriculture, ”, US State Department, AP, Climate Rights, US Forest Service Locations: Mexican, Michoacán, Mexico, Ario, Ario de Rosales, avocados, California, Michoacan

But he urged the jury to refocus of what he called a “clear pattern of corruption.”“The timeline tells you what happened,” he said. Afterward, Mr. Monteleoni said that the businessman, Wael Hana, and another wealthy associate began paying Ms. Menendez a generous salary. Mr. Monteleoni said that was not believable, and he presented text messages and Google search history that he said showed Mr. Menendez knew exactly what his wife was receiving. Mr. Monteleoni was expected to complete his closing argument on Tuesday morning. Mr. Menendez fumed as he left the courthouse on Monday.

Persons: Robert Menendez, ” Prosecutors, Nadine Menendez, Paul Monteleoni, ”, “, Menendez, Nadine, Mr, Monteleoni, Wael Hana, Menendez fumed Organizations: ”, Robert Menendez of New, Senate Foreign Relations, Department of Agriculture, Senate Foreign Locations: Robert Menendez of, Robert Menendez of New Jersey, Manhattan, New Jersey

☆ It may look like pink Jello but scientists hope this new invention could revolutionize meat
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-09 | by ( Lex Harvey | Laura Paddison | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Researchers in South Korea say they’ve developed a new way to make lab-grown meat taste like the real deal. It may look like a transparent, bubble gum pink-colored disc, but scientists hope it could revolutionize the meat on people’s plates. Because the cultured meat is not yet edible, the researchers used an electronic nose, to test the aromas of the cultured meat, and see how they compare to conventional meat. Ron DeSantis banned the sale of lab-grown meat in the state in what he said was an effort to protect farmers and ranchers. In May, Huber’s Butchery in Singapore became the first retail store to sell cultured meat, a shredded chicken by Good Meat made with just 3% cultivated meat.

Persons: they’ve, Milae Lee, Lee, Maillard, ” Lee, ”, Jennifer Jacquet, Ron DeSantis, ” DeSantis, Huber’s Organizations: CNN, Hong, Yonsei University, Nature Communications, Department of Chemical, Biomolecular, Seoul’s Yonsei University, Yonsei University Livestock, UN, University of Miami, Florida Gov, US Department of Agriculture Locations: South Korea, Florida, “, Singapore

☆ John Deere to lay off roughly 600 employees from three US factories
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-07 | by ( Eva Rothenberg | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —John Deere announced it will lay off about 600 employees across three US factories as the Illinois-based company shifts production to a newly planned facility in Ramos, Mexico. In total, the three factories have roughly 4,175 production and maintenance employees. The Illinois factory primarily produces harvesting equipment such as combines, while the two Iowa factories manufacture construction and forestry equipment. “We do expect incremental demand decline in the back half of 2024,” Josh Beal, the company’s director of investor relations, said in the May earnings call. At the same time, manufacturing jobs across the country have plateaued at 13 million employees after recovering from a sharp pandemic-related downswing in 2020, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Persons: John Deere, Deere, “, Josh Beal Organizations: New, New York CNN, CNN, Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Labor Statistics Locations: New York, Illinois, Ramos, Mexico, Iowa, Dubuque, Davenport, East Moline , Illinois, United States, South America, Europe, North America

☆ Summer heat: how to keep your food safe, stay hydrated and more
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-04 | by ( Katia Hetter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

California is likely to be especially hard hit, with highs passing 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43 degrees Celsius) in many areas. For instance, chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit, and ground beef should be cooked to at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit. That applies to cooked meat like hamburgers as well as perishable salads like potato salad and cole slaw. Not only can raw milk harbor bacteria, but it is also possible that raw milk can transmit the bird flu. It wasn’t advisable for people to drink raw milk or consume products made from raw milk prior to the bird flu outbreak, and it certainly is not advisable now.

Persons: Leana Wen, Wen, cole slaw, We’ve Organizations: CNN, George Washington University, CNN CNN, US Centers for Disease Control, US Department of Agriculture Locations: Southwest . California

☆ How Reliant Is the U.S. on Avocados From Mexico?
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-03 | by ( Danielle Kaye | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Americans have a growing appetite for avocados, and a single state in Mexico supplies nearly all of the fruit eaten in the United States. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently suspended inspections of avocados and mangoes set to be shipped from Mexico, citing security issues for agency workers stationed in Michoacán, a state in western Mexico where criminal groups have sought to infiltrate the thriving avocado industry. The U.S. ambassador to Mexico said in late June that inspections would “gradually” resume, and visited Michoacán last week to meet with state and federal authorities. Here’s what to know about the avocado trade between the United States and Mexico. The average American consumes more than eight pounds of avocados per year, roughly triple the amount in the early 2000s, according to the U.S.D.A.

Organizations: U.S . Department of Agriculture Locations: Mexico, United States, Michoacán, U.S

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