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☆ Analysis: Country music is at a crossroads. Two of its most viral songs show why
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-29 | by ( Aj Willingham | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

The struggle for the soul of country music is on full display now as two very different songs have been making headlines. Michael Loccisano/Getty ImagesThese two songs, so differently received yet recorded under the same big country umbrella, are an embodiment of the crossroads where country music currently stands. Like all musical traditions that fuse, evolve and splinter, country music and its legions of fans are engaged in a negotiation for the genre’s main identity. When the Dixie Chicks spoke out against the Iraq War in the early 2000s, their popularity in country music circles never fully recovered.. Small towns, fast cars and American values are as essential to country music as four chords and the truth.

Persons: Jason Aldean, Luke Combs, Tracy Chapman, Chapman, Combs, ”, Tracy, ” Chapman, “, Luke, Bryan Bedder, they’ve, Aldean, Little Richard, Otis Redding, ” Aldean, —, Holly G, Morgan Wallen, Michael Loccisano, foremothers, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, ” Combs, it’s Organizations: CNN, CMT, Billboard, Singer, Amarillo, Black Opry, Washington Post, Texas Democrat, country’s, Dixie, Grand Ole Opry Locations: Copenhagen, underrepresentation, Aldean, Macon , Georgia, Iraq

☆ Fact Check-Luke Bryan did not pull his videos from Country Music Television
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A satirical article which says American singer Luke Bryan pulled his videos from Country Music Television (CMT) and should be boycotted after the channel stopped airing a music video by country singer Jason Aldean is being shared by users who believe it to be fact. The text in one Facebook post (here) reads, “Luke Bryan pulls his videos from CMT over Jason Aldean debacle: “Folks, it’s time for the Bud Light treatment” ... read it below!”Another example can be seen (here). “It’s time for the Bud Light treatment” refers to a backlash and boycotts from some conservative Bud Light consumers after the beer brand’s collaboration with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney (here), (here). Reuters found no evidence online that Bryan did pull his music videos from CMT. Claims that country singer Luke Bryan pulled his music videos from CMT originates from a satirical website.

Persons: Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Jason Aldean’s, CMT’s, “ Luke Bryan, Bud, “, influencer Dylan Mulvaney, The Dunning, ”, Dunning, tomfoolery, Bryan, Read Organizations: Country Music Television, NBC, CMT, Tennessee Courthouse, Bud Light, Kruger Times, Defense, Reuters Locations: ”, African

☆ How Sam Altman's $850 million SPAC could help turn nuclear power into a mainstream energy source
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( Tasmin Lockwood | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

OpenAI's Sam Altman is taking nuclear startup Oklo public through a SPAC expected to close in 2024. The Oklo SPAC deal will mark a watershed moment for the energy source, industry experts told Insider. The public debut of Oklo, a nuclear startup chaired by Sam Altman, could be a watershed moment for the power source, industry experts say. Fission versus fusionThere are two types of nuclear power: fission and fusion. All existing nuclear energy is created via fission, which makes up around 10% of the world's electricity supply, per the International Energy Agency.

Persons: OpenAI's Sam Altman, Altman, Sam Altman, Matthew Honeyben, Douglas Hansen, Luke, we've, " Hansen, Victoria McIvor, SPAC, McIvor Organizations: CMS, CNBC, Planet Capital, International Energy Agency, Energy, Microsoft Locations: Ukraine, France, Germany, SPAC

☆ MLB roundup: Benches clear, Rangers slam Astros
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +12 min

He gave up two runs on eight hits over 6 2/3 innings with no walks and three strikeouts. Javier Assad (1-2) was the winner with 1 2/3 innings out of the bullpen. Baltimore starter Kyle Bradish (6-6) gave up seven hits and five runs with three strikeouts and two walks in 6 2/3 innings. Joe Ryan (9-7) absorbed the loss in allowing four runs on seven hits over 3 2/3 innings. Marsh (0-5) allowed four runs and five hits in 2 2/3 innings, striking out three and walking four.

Persons: Jeremy Pena, Marcus Semien, Erik Williams, Adolis Garcia, Framber Valdez, Seth Martinez, Garcia's, Martin Maldonado, Houston's Yordan Alvarez, plunked, Nathaniel Lowe, Sam Huff, Andrew Heaney, Alex Bregman, Yainer Diaz, Freddy Peralta, Tyrone Taylor, Peralta, Elvis Peguero, Ben Lively, Taylor, Carlos Rodon, Oswald Peraza, Isiah Kiner, Falefa, Anthony Volpe, Jose Quintana, Nico Hoerner, Ian Happ, Happ, Cody Bellinger, Javier Assad, Adbert Alzolay, Joe Kelly, Louis, Nolan Gorman, Lars Nootbaar, Paul Goldschmidt, Andrew Knizner, Christian Walker, Emmanuel Rivera, Walker, Jake McCarthy, Corbin Carroll, Edmundo Sosa, Realmuto, Jake Cave, Nick Castellanos, Bryce Harper, Seranthony Dominguez, Adley Rutschman, Austin Hays, Kyle Bradish, Dylan Moore, Julio Rodriguez, Bryce Miller, Miller, Andres Munoz, Christian Vazquez, Matt Wallner, Edouard Julien, Vazquez, Trevor Larnach, Kyle Farmer, Joe Ryan, Sandy Alcantara, National League Cy Young, Alcantara, Luis Arraez, Jacob Stallings, Zach Eflin, Austin Slater, J.D, Davis, Oakland's Jace Peterson, Shea Langeliers, Alex Wood, Wilmer Flores, Slater, Michael Conforto, Hogan Harris, Wood, Tyler Rogers, Luke Jackson, Rogers, Jackson, CJ Abrams, Daniel Bard, Matt Koch, Bard, Abrams, Peter Lambert, Andres Machado, Elehuris Montero, Ryan McMahon, Michael Toglia, Whit Merrifield, Yusei Kikuchi, Merrifield, Danny Jansen, Bo Bichette, Tony Gonsolin, Enrique Hernandez, Johan Oviedo, David Bednar, Ji Man Choi, Bryan Reynolds, Carlos Santana, Seth Lugo, Rafael Devers, Casas, Adam Duvall, Justin Turner, Turner, Connor Wong, Brayan Bello, Joe Jacques, Ozzie Albies, Albies, Jose Ramirez, David Fry, Gabriel Arias, Gavin Williams, Nick Sandlin, Williams, Alec Marsh, Marsh, MJ Melendez, Salvador Perez, Freddy Fermin, Michael Massey Organizations: Houston Astros, Texas Rangers, USA, Rangers, American League West, Astros, Houston, Texas, Brewers, Reds, Milwaukee, Cincinnati, National League Central, Yankees, Mets, New, Yankee, Cubs, White Sox, Chicago, Cardinals, Diamondbacks, Phillies, Orioles, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Mariners, Seattle, Marlins, Rays, Miami, Tampa, National League, MLB, Giants, Oakland, Rockies, Washington, Colorado, Nationals, Blue Jays, Dodgers, Toronto, Los Angeles, Pirates, Padres, Pittsburgh, San Diego, Oviedo, Red Sox, Braves, Boston, Atlanta, Royals, Cleveland, Kansas City, Guardians, Thomson Locations: Houston , Texas, USA, Semien, Colorado, New York, Arizona, St, Phoenix, Baltimore, Minnesota, Minneapolis, St . Petersburg, Fla, Tampa, Francisco, Los, Los Angeles

☆ Chien-Shiung Wu, a nuclear physicist who worked on the Manhattan Project, spent her career fighting for gender equality in science
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Yoonji Han | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Chien-Shiung Wu was a Chinese physicist who was instrumental to the Manhattan Project. Chien-Shiung Wu is a physicist who broke through both gender and racial barriers in 1940s America, wowing the science community with her significant contributions to the Manhattan Project. Like many other scientists involved in the project, Wu later distanced herself from the Manhattan Project due to its destructive outcome. Robert W. Kelley/Contributor/Getty ImagesWu's legacyAfter the Manhattan Project, Wu continued to advance the science community's understanding of nuclear physics. Wu was later awarded the first Wolf Prize, considered the second most prestigious award after the Nobel Prize, in 1978.

Persons: Wu, Wolf, Christopher Nolan's, Oppenheimer, Wu's, Madame Curie, Ernest Lawrence, J, Robert Oppenheimer, weren't, Lawrence, Wu —, Emilio Segrè, Marie Curie, Luke Yuan, East Coast . Wu, Brode, Wallace Brode, Enrico Fermi, Robert W, Kelley, —, Y.K, Lee, Bettmann Organizations: Manhattan, Physics, Service, University of Michigan, University of California, Princeton University, Science, Smithsonian Institution, Manhattan Project, Columbia University, Los Alamos, Columbia Locations: Chinese, Wall, Silicon, America, Jiangsu, China, Republic of China, United States, Michigan, Berkeley, Italian, East Coast ., Los, Manhattan

☆ Here's what to expect from the Federal Reserve meeting Wednesday
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Jeff Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 21: Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell testifies before the House Committee on Financial Services June 21, 2023 in Washington, D.C. Powell testified on the Federal Reserve’s Semi-Annual Monetary Policy Report during the hearing. Win Mcnamee | Getty Images News | Getty ImagesDespite an improving inflation picture, the Federal Reserve is expected on Wednesday to approve what would be the 11th interest rate increase since March 2022. That would push the upper boundary of the federal funds rate to its highest level since January 2001. But apparently the folks at the Fed think they need one more at least." Likewise, Steven Blitz, chief U.S. economist at Globaldata.TSLombard, said a "dovish hike and talk of soft landings" at Wednesday's meeting would be a mistake for the Fed.

Persons: Jerome Powell, Powell, Win Mcnamee, they've, Kathy Jones, Charles Schwab, Jones, —, haven't, Luke Tilley, that'll, " Tilley, I'm, Andrew Hollenhorst, Steven Blitz Organizations: Federal, Financial, Getty, Federal Reserve, Investors, Open Market, Dow Jones, Investment Advisors, Citigroup Locations: WASHINGTON, DC, Washington ,, Central, —, Wilmington, U.S

☆ McCarthy, Pressured by the Right, Escalates Talk of Impeaching Biden
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Luke Broadwater | More About Luke Broadwater | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Speaker Kevin McCarthy, under pressure from the hard right to take aggressive steps against the Biden administration, suggested on Tuesday that the House was moving toward opening an impeachment inquiry against President Biden, as Republicans search through bank records hunting for damaging information about the first family. It was a striking escalation by Mr. McCarthy, who had previously resisted calls to impeach Mr. Biden, arguing that he had yet to see anything that would warrant such an extraordinary step. Just last month, Mr. McCarthy and other top Republicans in the House turned back an attempt from the hard right to move to quickly impeach Mr. Biden over his handling of the border, arguing that more investigation was needed before taking such a consequential step. Republicans are deeply divided on an impeachment of Mr. Biden, which lacks the votes to pass the House. More mainstream Republicans — particularly those from politically competitive districts that Mr. Biden won — and those aligned with party leaders have urged caution.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy, Biden, McCarthy, Mr, Hunter, Donald J, Trump, Republicans — Organizations: Republicans, —

On the eve of Hunter Biden’s court appearance to enter into a plea deal for misdemeanor tax crimes that would allow him to avoid prison time, House Republicans and conservative groups sought to intervene in the case, urging a judge to throw out the agreement he reached with prosecutors. The highly unusual legal maneuvering — which experts said was unlikely to succeed — illustrated the lengths that House Republicans and their allied groups have been willing to go to as they have tried to use Mr. Biden’s legal and personal troubles to inflict political damage on his father, President Biden. Representative Jason Smith of Missouri, the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, filed a brief in Federal District Court in Wilmington, Del., where Hunter Biden’s plea deal is to be considered by a judge on Wednesday. The committee has heard testimony from two Internal Revenue Service investigators who claim to be whistle-blowers and have told the panel that the younger Mr. Biden received preferential treatment from the Justice Department. Mr. Smith’s brief asked the judge to consider the testimony in deciding whether to approve the agreement.

Persons: Hunter, —, Biden, Jason Smith of, Smith’s Organizations: House Republicans, Republicans, Court, Revenue Service, Justice Department, Mr Locations: Jason Smith of Missouri, Wilmington, Del

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia was voting on the floor of the House on the morning of June 23 when she saw her name trending on Twitter. Ms. Greene, a high-profile, right-wing Republican who is no stranger to trending online, flicked through her feed and learned from the internet that two hours earlier, her colleagues in the ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus had voted to remove her from the group. Just then, an emissary from the caucus, Representative Ben Cline, Republican of Virginia, approached Ms. Greene. He asked if she would attend a one-on-one meeting with its chairman, Representative Scott Perry, Republican of Pennsylvania, who had been waiting to officially announce her ouster until he had spoken to her in person. Ms. Greene balked.

Persons: Marjorie Taylor Greene, Greene, Ben Cline, Scott Perry, Kevin McCarthy’s, Cline, Ms, Perry Organizations: Republican, Caucus Locations: Georgia, ultraconservative, Virginia, Pennsylvania

☆ Fact Check-Irish Independent did not publish report on ‘asymptomatic global warming’
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The Irish Independent did not publish a headline claiming that Ireland is “suffering from asymptomatic global warming,” despite a fake screenshot circulating online. The Irish Independent logo can be seen at the top left corner, with a headline that reads: “Climate crisis explainer: Why is July so cold while everywhere else on the planet is burning? A spokesperson for the newspaper said to Reuters that no such article was published under this headline by the Irish Independent. A search for the headline via the Irish Independent website did not reveal the report (archive.is/wip/V4yR8), nor did an archived version of the outlet’s homepage saved on July 20 (here). Reuters did not find any such remark made by Prof O’Neill when conducting an online search (archive.is/wip/kzVRv).

Persons: Luke O’Neill, Prof O’Neill, Read Organizations: Independent, Trinity College Dublin, Reuters, Irish Independent Locations: Ireland

☆ Brian Harman powers to 2023 Open Championship victory, clinching first career major
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-23 | by ( Jack Bantock | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +19 min

CNN —Brian Harman won the 151st Open Championship on Sunday, sealing the first major of his career in dominant fashion. When Faldo birdied at the subsequent hole, Hoch's hopes of a first major win similarly went up in the air. David Cannon/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images Lorena Ochoa, US Women's Open (2005) Ochoa secured a top-four finish at the 2005 US Women's Open. Not when you led at the final hole. A par at the final hole would have been enough to put the American into the playoff, but an agonizing missed putt [pictured] epitomized her painful afternoon in San Francisco.

Persons: Brian Harman, Australia’s Jason Day, Austria’s Sepp Straka, Tom Kim, Jon Rahm, Harman, “ I’m, ” Harman, Osullivan, Brooks Koepka, Wyndham Clark, Rahm, Kim, Rory’s, Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo, ” McIlroy, “, ”, Luke Walker, Greg Norman, France’s Jean van de Velde, –, McIlroy, Andrew Redington, Sam Snead, Snead, Lew Worsham, Louis, Arnold Palmer, Palmer, Billy Casper, Casper, Ed Sneed, Sneed, Fuzzy Zoeller, Tom Watson, Watson, Scott Hoch, Hoch, Nick Faldo, skyward, Faldo birdied, Hoch's, Mark Calcavecchia, Calcavecchia, Colin Montgomerie, Germany's Bernhard Langer, Norman, Faldo, David Cannon, Jean Van De Velde, Van De, Van De Velde, Frenchman, Barry Burn, Paul Lawrie, Lorena Ochoa, Ochoa, Birdie Kim, Harry, Phil Mickelson, Mickelson, Lefty, Geoff Ogilvy, Ezra Shaw, Stewart Cink, Warren Little, Dustin Johnson, Johnson, Graeme McDowell, Donald Miralle, Jason Dufner, Dufner, Keegan Bradley, Bradley, Adam Scott, Ernie Els, Scott, Jordan, Buddy, Jordan Spieth, Danny Willett, Spieth, Jim Watson, Lexi Thompson, Yuka Saso, Thompson, Sean M, Mito Pereira, Pereira, Justin Thomas, Will Zalatoris, Christian Petersen, Van de Velde, Stuart Franklin, Ghostbuster Harman, Tommy Fleetwood, Read, Brian Harman shrugs, unflappable Organizations: CNN, 151st, PGA, Reuters, Northern, Royal Liverpool, PGA Championship, North, Louis Post, Bettmann, Augusta, Augusta National, Getty, Ryder, American, Scottish, Team Europe, . Augusta National, Barry Burn . Pictures, South Korean, Chevron, Royal Lytham, Nasa, Mito, Southern Hills Country Club, eventual Locations: Royal Liverpool, South, Georgia, Carnoustie, Augusta, North America, San Francisco, Kiawah, Europe, Jean Van De Velde , British, Scotland, Mexican, British, Turnberry, Atlanta, American, New York, St, Annes, squander, Tulsa, Liverpool, Harman’s

☆ Former Republican Aides Shepherd Whistle-Blowers Through Congress
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-23 | by ( Luke Broadwater | More About Luke Broadwater | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

It was not the first time that Empower Oversight had played a key role in facilitating some of the many Republican investigations into Mr. Biden’s family, his administration, and federal law enforcement. presses forward with inquiries aimed at uncovering wrongdoing by the president, the group has become a critical part of the Republican investigative ecosystem, using its knowledge of Capitol Hill to shepherd through Congress witnesses who can put names, faces and crucial details to the allegations being made. whistle-blowers, Empower Oversight also represents two F.B.I. Empower Oversight operates on a much smaller budget and pays salaries to just two employees. Despite the outside help, the efforts of House Republicans have rarely produced clean hits during this Congress, and they have struggled to surface proof of any misconduct by the president despite months of effort.

Persons: Biden’s, Biden, Donald J, Trump, They’ve, Trump’s Organizations: Republican, House Republicans, Heritage Foundation, Conservative Partnership Institute, Republicans, Capitol, Mr

☆ MLB roundup: O's pass Rays for division lead with 10-inning win
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

Felix Bautista (5-1) pitched scoreless ball in the ninth and 10th innings for Baltimore, which won for the 10th time in 12 games. Yandy Diaz hit a two-run double that tied the game 3-3 for the Rays but he struck out three times. Abbott (5-2), the first Cincinnati pitcher to work eight innings this season, retired the final 12 batters he faced. Lorenzen's streak now stands at 23 2/3 scoreless innings dating to June 30. Kopech, who picked up his first win in eight starts, walked four and struck out five in 5 2/3 innings.

Persons: Colton Cowser, Tommy Gilligan, Colton Cowser's, Aaron Hicks, Rutschman, Ryan O'Hearn, Felix Bautista, Adam Frazier's, Hicks, Robert Stephenson, Luke Raley, Bautista, Randy Arozarena, Brandon Lowe, Yandy Diaz, Andrew Abbott, Abbott, Luke Maile, Will Benson, Wilmer Flores, Alex Cobb, Austin Riley, Matt Olson, Kirby Yates, Miguel Castro, Zac Gallen, Orlando Arcia, Gallen, Atlanta's Spencer Strider, George Kirby, Teoscar Hernandez, Mike Ford, Kirby, Pablo Lopez, Christian Yelich, Corbin Burnes, Yelich, Taijuan Walker, Michael Lorenzen, Nick Maton, Akil Baddoo, Zack Greinke, hasn't, Andy Ibanez, Eric Haase, Ibanez, Chris Bassitt, Vladimir Guerrero Jr, Alejandro Kirk, Bassitt, Jordan Romano, Xander Bogaerts, Blake Snell, Elvis Andrus, Michael Kopech, Omar Narvaez, Kopech, Jose Quintana Organizations: Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Dodgers, Oriole, Camden Yards, Tampa Bay Rays, Orioles, American League East, Baltimore, Rays, Reds, Giants, Cincinnati, San Francisco, Braves, Diamondbacks, Atlanta, Mariners, Seattle, Minnesota, Twins, Brewers, Phillies, Philadelphia, National League, Tigers, Royals, Kansas City, Blue Jays, Padres, Toronto, Diego, White Sox, Mets, Chicago, New York . White Sox, Thomson Locations: Baltimore , Maryland, USA, St . Petersburg, Fla, Tampa Bay, Cincinnati, San Francisco, Arizona, Milwaukee, Detroit, San Diego, New York

☆ Mining Deploys Innovative Tech to Find Copper, Other EV Metals
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Yusuf Khan | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +8 min

By adding bio-surfactants along with the other chemicals during the soaking process, more copper floats to the surface and less is wasted. Locus says its bio-surfactants increase copper yields by 7%, and save energy because less rock needs to be crushed. It is also testing its process on iron ore and tailings waste. Photo: douglas magno/Agence France-Presse/Getty ImagesGroups concerned about the environment frequently talk about mining waste or so-called tailings, mining companies less so. “Long term we need to get more suppliers of these metals, rare earths in particular.”Phoenix finds mine sites where the tailings waste is free from radioactive elements such as thorium and uranium.

Persons: Nico Cuevas, Tesla, Cuevas, ”, Fatih Birol, Urbix, “, ” Cuevas, Luke Sharrett, Gabi Knesel, Knesel, douglas magno, Vale, Nicholas Myers, Myers, Yusuf Khan Organizations: SK, South, Sustainable Business, International Energy Agency, Miners, EV, Bloomberg, “ Mining, BHP, Agence France, Getty Locations: Mexican, Arizona, U.S, Mexico, Mesa, South Korean, China, America, Madagascar, Tanzania, Northern Europe, Solon , Ohio, Brazil, Woburn, Mass, New York, yusuf.khan

☆ Opinion | Don’t Let Inflation Bury the Memory of a Government Triumph
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Bryce Covert | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The recession caused by the Covid-19 pandemic was the shortest on record, thanks to rapid, robust and bipartisan congressional action. Americans were made whole by their government, which staved off what otherwise would have been mass financial suffering. But by the time Dr. Shaefer testified, inflation had begun to rise, sucking all the air out of the room. Inflation hawks blamed the pandemic response for driving up consumer demand, which, in their telling, drove up prices, causing pain for many people as the cost of food, rent and other necessities rose. The fracas over inflation risks memory-holing the concrete proof that the federal government is fully capable of keeping Americans afloat when the economy sinks.

Persons: ” H, Luke Shaefer, Shaefer, J.W, Mason, we’ll Organizations: University of Michigan, John Jay College of Criminal

☆ Barack Obama shares his summer playlist including songs by Tupac Shakur and Tina Turner
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Alli Rosenbloom | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Former President Barack Obama is staying cool this summer with a summer playlist of 40-plus songs that showcase his eclectic tastes. There are also some repeat artists on the list that Obama was listening to in the summer of 2021 – including the Rolling Stones, Stevie Wonder, SZA, Michael Kiwanuka and Bob Dylan – who show up here with different songs. Obama’s 2023 summer list includes country singer Luke Combs’s cover of Tracy Chapman’s 1988 classic “Fast Car,” which recently reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart, making Chapman the first Black woman to top that chart in its 33-year existence. Obama traditionally releases these wide-ranging playlists for the summer, holidays and even for some workout motivation.

Persons: Barack Obama, ” Obama, Tina, Ike Turner’s, ”, 2Pac, Dre, Roger Troutman, Obama’s, Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding, Dr, Feelgood, Aretha Franklin, Nicki Minaj’s, Diana ”, Rauw Alejandro, Rosalía, Obama, Stevie Wonder, Michael Kiwanuka, Bob Dylan –, Luke Combs’s, Tracy Chapman’s, Chapman, “, Jorja Smith, Ashley McBryde, Pearl Jam Organizations: CNN, Twitter, Spice, Pearl Locations: California, United States

Last week, for the first time in U.S. history, federal regulators approved the sale of a birth control pill without a prescription. Pam Belluck, a health and science correspondent for The Times, explains why, after decades of brutal battles over contraception, this decision played out so differently.

Persons: Pam Belluck Organizations: The Times

☆ Halliburton was a cash machine in its latest quarter — and we're making a price target change
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Zev Fima | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

On the call, management reiterated that growing free cash flow is a top priority, and they expect over 50% of it to be "returned to shareholders this year." Speaking of cash returns, the company repurchased $248 million worth of shares during the quarter while returning another $144 million to shareholders via dividends. The team also guided for full-year free cash flow generation to be above what analysts were looking for — a material positive for the stock in the back half of the year. While maintaining our 2 rating , we're nudging up our price target to $42 per share from $40), reflecting about 18 times 2024 free cash flow per share estimates or about 11.5 times 2024 earnings estimates. With 2022 free cash flow coming in at $1.43 million, this forecast amounts to about $1.93 million at the midpoint, above Wall Street's $1.84 million expectation.

Persons: we're, Jim Cramer's, Jim Cramer, Jim, Luke Sharett Organizations: Halliburton, HAL, North, Management, Haliburton, Coterra Energy, Natural Resources, CNBC, Halliburton Co, Bloomberg, Getty Locations: Argentina, North America, North American, America, Port Fourchon , Louisiana, U.S

☆ What’s driving sunscreen’s big boom
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Leah Asmelash | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

In 2020, the global value of sun care products was $10.7 billion. Millennial skin care favorites — Paula’s Choice ($34), Glossier ($25), Drunk Elephant ($34) — have all created their own luxury daily sunscreens. “I think there is a more pervasive media representation of (the benefits of) wearing sunscreen, like preventing aging and preventing skin cancer,” Waldman said in a phone interview. In a study published in 2021, scientists found that more children in middle and high school were wearing sunscreen, a trend researchers partially attributed to social media. Meanwhile, young influencers on TikTok parade their multi-step skin care routines, with many featuring products like retinoids and AHAs, celebrated for their role in minimizing signs of aging.

Persons: “ Sunscreens, ”, Luke Maxfield, —, Naomi Osaka, Pharrell, Naana, ” Boakye, “, ” Dr, Abigail Waldman, she’s, ” Waldman, ” Maxfield, Supergoop, they’re, Violette, Maxfield, Waldman, Boakye, you’re Organizations: CNN, Grand View Research, Prestige, Harvard Medical School, dermatologists, ” Research

☆ I.R.S. Whistle-Blowers Allege Political Bias in Hunter Biden Investigation
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Luke Broadwater | More About Luke Broadwater | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Two veteran I.R.S. investigators leveled harsh criticism on Wednesday against the Justice Department over its handling of the tax case against Hunter Biden, accusing the agency of shielding him from felony charges because of politics and preferential treatment. During an hourslong hearing of the House Oversight Committee, the investigators, Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler, detailed how they believed their work investigating Mr. Biden, the president’s son, was stymied and slow-walked by Justice Department officials during both the Trump and Biden presidencies. “There should not be a two-track justice system based on who you are and who you’re connected to,” said Mr. Shapley, a special agent in the I.R.S. “Yet in this case, there was.”Mr. Biden struck a deal with the Justice Department to plead guilty to two misdemeanor tax charges and accept terms that would allow him to avoid prosecution on a separate gun charge, but the investigators said they had recommended felony charges against him.

Persons: I.R.S, Hunter Biden, Gary Shapley, Joseph Ziegler, Mr, Biden, ”, Shapley Organizations: Justice Department, Trump, Biden

☆ We're trimming this consumer staple and changing our rating after a strong run
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( Jeff Marks | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

We are selling 100 shares of Constellation Brands (STZ) at roughly $255.21. Following the trade, Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust will own 330 shares of STZ, decreasing its weighting in the portfolio to 2.96% from 3.83%. In what has been a rough year for consumer staple stocks, Constellation Brands has been one of the few bright spots with a gain of nearly 10% versus a roughly flat return for the sector. Constellation Brands has been a solid trade, rallying about 9% since we added to our position in late May. As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade.

Persons: Jim Cramer's, Bud, Bud Light, Jim Cramer, Jim, Luke Sharrett Organizations: Constellation Brands, Modelo, Constellation's Modelo, Bud, CNBC, Workers, LLC, Bloomberg, Getty Locations: California, Corona, Pacifico, United States, Louisville , Kentucky

☆ The iconic Hermés Birkin handbag that costs north of $10,000 was conceived on an airplane sickness bag
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( Sawdah Bhaimiya | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Jane Birkin, the inspiration behind the iconic Birkin bag, died inside her Paris home on Sunday. The Birkin handbag was conceived by Birkin herself, who was found dead at her home in Paris on Sunday. Birkin told Leitch that Hermés paid her an annual royalty of £30,000 in 2011, which currently works out as $39,000. Years later, the Birkin handbag has taken on a life of its own and is now seen as a status symbol. Some of its pricer models, including the crocodile and diamond-encrusted Birkin bags, can cost as much as $200,000 according to Sotheby's.

Persons: Jane Birkin, Birkin, Luke Leitch, Jean, Louis Dumas –, Leitch, Dumas, Hermés, Bijou Birkin – Organizations: Service, Air France Locations: Wall, Silicon, Paris, London, 2o18

☆ They climbed mountains to escape Nazis. Now their great grandchildren are making the same journey
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-16 | by ( Oliver Briscoe | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —Over the ridge of the mountain, across the border was the promised land, the neutral territory Spain – an escape, a second chance, a future. During World War II, a perilous route through the Pyrenees mountains provided a means for hundreds of thousands of resistance fighters, civilians, Jews, allied soldiers and escaped prisoners of war to evade Nazi pursuers. Sitting down with them, Tim reflected on how this human drama played out against the backdrop of America’s role in bringing an end to World War II. Born July 9, 1923, he made his escape over the Pyrenees in July of 1944. Although Franco was sympathetic to Germany, Spain remained neutral during World War II, largely because of its dependence on US imports.

Persons: ”, Paul Williams, Richard Christenson, Ruth, Marie Janiszewski, Oliver Briscoe Formally, Luke Janiszewski, “, ’, Kathryn, Marie, Luke, Jake, “ I’d, Tim, Christenson, Oliver Briscoe, Paul Broué, Broué, Guy Seris, ” Seris, Franco’s, Franco, Frank McNichol, Joseph McNichol, ” McNichol, ” Joseph McNichol, Joseph McNichol McNichol Organizations: CNN, SS, Freedom Trail Association, Joseph McNichol US Air Force, Floridian Locations: Spain, Nazi, France, Europe, France’s Ariege, Baltimore, England, French, Seix, Germany, Spanish, Isaba

☆ 2 big takeaways from the Supreme Court ruling on Biden's student loan forgiveness plan
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-16 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Supreme Court justices listen to arguments. U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John G. Roberts poses during a group portrait at the Supreme Court in Washington, U.S., October 7, 2022. They pointed out that the lender's revenue was actually expected to rise because of some student loan servicers recently leaving the space and it picking up extra accounts. "I was surprised the court found Missouri had standing," said higher education expert Mark Kantrowitz. That law was passed in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and grants the president broad power to revise student loan programs during national emergencies.

Persons: Bill Hennessey, Joe Biden's, John Roberts, Roberts, John G, Evelyn Hockstein, servicers, Mark Kantrowitz, Luke Herrine, Antonin Scalia, Herrine, Elena Kagan, Kagan Organizations: Biden, Finance, GOP, Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority, Supreme, Reuters, University of Alabama, Liberal, U.S . Department of Education Locations: — Arkansas, Iowa , Kansas , Missouri , Nebraska, South Carolina, . Nebraska, Missouri, Washington , U.S, delinquencies

A new political platform focused on cooperative governance by the bipartisan group No Labels has something for everyone to embrace — and just as much for both sides to reject. For example, the government must stop “releasing” undocumented migrants into the country, it maintains. But the government must also broaden legal immigration channels and offer a path to citizenship to those brought to the country as children. Or this one: The constitutional right to bear arms is inviolable but must be tempered with universal background checks and age restrictions on the purchase of military-style semiautomatic rifles. Then there is this: A woman must have a right to control her reproductive health, but that right has to be balanced with society’s obligation to safeguard human life

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