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☆ Final farewell: From Sidney Poitier to Pope Emeritus Benedict a look back at the influential figures who died in 2022
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-01 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +55 min

Other world leaders who died in 2022 include former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, who died in August. The final days of 2022 saw the loss of some exceptionally notable figures, including Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. Here is a roll call of some influential figures who died in 2022 (cause of death cited for younger people, if available):___JANUARY___Dan Reeves, 77. A Cuban-born artist whose radiant color palette and geometric paintings were overlooked for decades before the art world took notice. A prolific character actor best known for playing villains and tough guys in “The Manchurian Candidate,” “Ocean’s Eleven” and other films.

☆ Black creators say they ‘have to be perfect’ to get promotional products from brands. They want that to change.
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-27 | by ( Daysia Tolentino | Daysia Tolentino Is A Culture | Trends Reporter For Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +12 min

Black creators, like Bumba, have been vocal about how the lack of gifting to creators of color demonstrates the inequity in influencer marketing. Black creators say they still feel they have to work twice as hard as their white counterparts. Nimay Ndolo, a Black comedy creator with 1.9 million TikTok followers, said Black creators are often excluded from such opportunities, which limits their success. Black creators have to be “extraordinary” to get what white influencers appear to get with ease, Ndolo said. “I want to see, like, these creators that I’ve been watching — these Black creators, these queer creators, these Hispanic creators, these Asian creators — get more opportunities," she said.

☆ ‘The Myth of American Inequality’ Review: Believe Your Eyes, Not the Statistics
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-27 | by ( Charles W. Calomiris | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

According to Mark Twain, “It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble. It’s what you know that ain’t so.” “The Myth of American Inequality,” by Phil Gramm, Robert Ekelund and John Early, quotes that wisdom, then offers 250 pages of analysis proving it. Has the average standard of living grown substantially since the 1960s? Has inequality shrunk over that period? Did post-1960 redistributive policies reduce the percentage of families living in poverty?

☆ Rapper-actor Common revels in his Broadway stage debut
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-21 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

Rapper and actor Common has made his Broadway debut in the play “Between Riverside and Crazy” and what he sees from the stage is something he never imagined: a multi-cultural audience hanging on to every word. Common plays his ex-con son struggling to do right by his father. “This is a really, truly wonderful Broadway season and it reflects all of Broadway and it reflects all of America with respect to New York City. And because New York City reflects America and the world,” Henderson said. Despite some early closures on Broadway this season — including “KPOP,” “Ain’t No Mo” and “Almost Famous” — Common sees progress when it comes to the shows that have come to Broadway since the pandemic, including his own.

☆ 'Ain't No Mo'' earns more time on Broadway but raises questions about gatekeeping
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-20 | by ( Uwa Ede-Osifo | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

Broadway play “Ain’t No Mo’” has been extended to Dec. 23 after its cast and fans mobilized online support to prevent the show from closing just two weeks after its debut at the Belasco Theatre. The traditional decision-makers around Broadway’s financing and marketing “don’t know what to do with your type of audience,” Cooper said. “Our stories are not niche.”Cooper said “Ain’t No Mo’” was not given a fair shot to establish an audience. “I’m trying to make a Broadway theater look like an HBCU homecoming,” he said. When plays such as “Ain’t No Mo’” struggle to fill seats, Shade, of Broadway Black, said the blame is cast onto Black people for not attending.

☆ The Markets Don’t Believe the Fed
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( James Mackintosh | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The Federal Reserve has a credibility problem. It wants markets to believe that it will keep raising rates, that they will peak above 5% and that it will then hold them there until at least the end of next year. Fed officials can argue that two out of three ain’t bad, as Meat Loaf sang. But the failure to convince Wall Street is undermining the Fed’s tight-money policy. The 30-year mortgage rate has pulled back from a peak above 7.1% to below 6.5% in less than two months, and financial conditions overall are as loose as they were at the start of June, according to a Chicago Fed measure.

☆ Brock Purdy: From 'Mr. Irrelevant' to beating the NFL's GOAT
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

And this bull is now a steer, so he’s irrelevant. Justin Casterline/Getty ImagesWhen Purdy was selected by the 49ers – and that famous red and white jersey was brought out with “Mr. Irrelevant” celebrations began in 1976, when former 49ers receiver Paul Salata founded “Irrelevant Week” in Newport Beach, California. Purdy celebrates at midfield after the Iowa State Cyclones defeated the Oklahoma State Cowboys 24-21 at Jack Trice Stadium on October 23, 2021 in Ames, Iowa. “I’ve tried to keep myself from being surprised about Brock Purdy years ago because nothing surprises me anymore with him.”

☆ What Guns Did to My Childhood
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-14 | by ( Mitchell S. Jackson | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +10 min

Isn’t a part of childhood feeling insecure and divining ways to resolve those feelings or else abide them? From Mitchell S. JacksonThe presence of gangs — mind you, a predictable symptom of poverty and neglect — led to the prevalence of guns that shaped much of the normal childhood maturing around me as a kid. It surprises me little to none that Black boys are the likeliest to die by guns. These guns alter their lives in significant ways, not in the least by nullifying the childhood grace of feeling the greatest distance from death. Amen, I’ve never had to sit him down for a stern talk on guns or the violence and grieving they reap.

☆ NFL Week 14 preview: Playoff seedings on the line as season enters business end
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-11 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Whether it be draft position or playoff seedings, each game means something to each team as Week 14 of the NFL season kicks off in earnest on Sunday. And, as a result, the Jets’ season has metamorphosed from shoots of optimism to playoff hopes. Sunday will see Tom Brady face off against seventh-round rookie Brock Purdy as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers travel west to face the San Francisco 49ers. Despite playing his first meaningful action and with his team’s season possibly on the line, Purdy never looked fazed, leading the 49ers to an important victory. Australia: NFL Game Pass, ESPN, 7PlusBrazil: NFL Game Pass, ESPNCanada: CTV, TSN, RDS, NFL Game Pass on DAZNGermany: NFL Game Pass, ProSieben MAXX, DAZNMexico: NFL Game Pass, TUDN, ESPN, Fox Sports, Sky SportsUK: NFL Game Pass, Sky Sports, ITV, Channel 5US: NFL Game Pass, CBS Sports, Fox Sports, ESPN, Amazon Prime

☆ As TikToks about Antarctic tourism go viral, some worry about the environmental costs
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-10 | by ( Morgan Sung | Morgan Sung Is A Trends Reporter For Nbc News Digital. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

The Drake Passage is the body of water between the southernmost tip of Chile and Antarctica's northern peninsula. Travel company Oceanwide Expeditions describes the Drake Passage as a "lively little waterway" and the "gateway to the Antarctic." Many TikTok users expressed fascination with the Antarctic travel content, but were also perplexed with the sudden influx of videos about visiting the largely barren continent. In wake of the influx of travel content about Antarctica, some on TikTok have raised concerns over the environmental impact of Antarctic tourism. In a post responding to Ramos' video about the Drake Passage, TikTok creator jijis.m0m showed screenshots of articles about pollution in Antarctica.

☆ Maxwell Frost: Gen Z congressman-elect says he was denied DC apartment over bad credit
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Sonnet Swire | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The congressman-elect set to become the first member of Generation Z to serve in Congress said Thursday his rental application for an apartment in Washington, DC, was denied because of his “really bad” credit. “Just applied to an apartment in DC where I told the guy that my credit was really bad. This ain’t meant for people who don’t already have money,” Maxwell Frost said in a tweet. Frost is not the only incoming member of Congress to have struggled to find housing in DC. Frost pointed out that once his congressional salary kicks in, he’ll be fine, adding that “we have to do better” for others.

But Wray said the FBI continues to be concerned about Chinese government “talent programs” that sometimes pay American professors through secret relationships. “At the same time, you also stated, as you’ve just done, that this effort isn’t about the Chinese people or Chinese Americans. But of course, Chinese Americans are part of the U.S. society that you believe needs to be mobilized against China. He also returned to talking about Chinese government operations that have targeted Chinese Americans. “We view Chinese Americans here as being with us.

☆ Rap industry leaders say hip-hop should not be the ‘scapegoat’ for the growing violence
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( Candice Williams | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +14 min

The hip-hop community calls for change, but there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight to the violence. So I think hip-hop is the scapegoat for a lot of things.”Greg Yuna and Lenny Santiago. Some of those murders are now being explored in a new WE tv’s docuseries “Hip Hop Homicides,” which looks at the shooting deaths of rap artists including Pop Smoke, XXXTentacion and King Von. In some cases, money exacerbates some of these things.”Although Lathan believes there should be more accountability in hip-hop from those who create the violence, rap artists can’t always be blamed for the violence that surrounds them or happens to them. Caz said that in those days hip-hop music was used as a form of escape.

☆ Wilko Johnson, 'Game of Thrones' actor and Dr. Feelgood guitarist, dies at 75
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-23 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

LONDON — Wilko Johnson, the guitarist with British blues-rock band Dr. Feelgood who had an unexpected career renaissance after being diagnosed with terminal cancer, has died. Born John Wilkinson in 1947, Johnson was raised on Canvey Island, a marshy, industrial oil town in England’s River Thames estuary. He studied Anglo-Saxon literature at Newcastle University and worked as a schoolteacher before forming Dr. Feelgood with other local friends. Johnson later said that if the band had been able to follow its managers’ instructions to behave, “I’m pretty sure we’d be multimillionaires. He released another album, “Blow Your Mind,” in 2018, and played gigs with his Wilko Johnson Band until last month.

[1/5] Taylor Swift's "Red (Taylor's Version)" receives the Favorite Pop Album award during 2022 American Music Awards, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California, U.S., November 20, 2022. REUTERS/Mario AnzuoniLOS ANGELES, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Pop superstar Taylor Swift won the most prestigious honor on Sunday at the American Music Awards when she was named artist of the year at the world's largest fan-voted ceremony. "I cannot express how unbelievable it is to me that I still do this and that you still care," she said on stage at the awards show in Los Angeles. Earlier, Swift's re-recording of her 2012 record "Red" took the trophy for favorite pop album. Reporting by Danielle Broadway in Los Angeles; Additional reporting by Lisa Richwine; Editing by Stephen Coates, Robert Birsel and Gerry DoyleOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Adele says she nervous leading up to Las Vegas debut
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( Chloe Melas | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —After initially postponing her concert residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Adele is ready to take the stage in Las Vegas. The Grammy winner took to Instagram to share that she’s “incredibly nervous” ahead of her Friday debut. I’m highly emotional, incredibly nervous but can’t sit still because I’m so excited. I can’t wait to see you out there x,” she wrote in the caption. And I can’t give you what I have right now, and I’m gutted.”Her shows will now run from November 18 to March 23.

New York CNN Business —A Connecticut judge on Thursday ordered right-wing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones to pay an additional $473 million in punitive damages over the lies he told about the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. Under Connecticut law, a judge determines the amount of punitive damages to award. The decision in Connecticut came after a separate jury in Texas determined that Jones and his company should award two Sandy Hook parents who sued in that state nearly $50 million. While Jones initially lied about the 2012 shooting, he later acknowledged that the massacre had occurred as he faced multiple lawsuits. But he failed to comply with court orders during the discovery process of the lawsuits in Connecticut and Texas, leading the families in each state to win default judgments against him.

“To that end, we’ve made the decision to suspend our relationship with Kyrie Irving effective immediately and will no longer launch the Kyrie 8. Reporters asked Irving earlier Thursday – before he posted his apology – if he holds antisemitic beliefs or if he was sorry. When asked Friday if there was any consideration of releasing Irving, Nets general manager Sean Marks replied, “No. Asked if he had any antisemitic beliefs, Irving responded: “I respect all walks of life. “Kyrie Irving made a reckless decision to post a link to a film containing deeply offensive antisemitic material,” Silver said in a statement before Irving apologized.

☆ Sam Shields: Super Bowl champion regrets playing in NFL; says his head is 'all mushed together' with concussions
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-03 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —Former Green Bay Packers cornerback Sam Shields has said he regrets playing in the NFL, pointing to the effects concussions and head injuries had on his career and his later life. The spotters “serve as another set of eyes, watching for possible injuries at every NFL game,” according to NFL Football Operations. Concussions and their prevention have become an important issue in recent years due to their connection to brain disease later in life. The neurodegenerative brain disease can be found in individuals who have been exposed to repeated head trauma. The researchers hypothesized about a relationship between head trauma and ALS because of a similar link detected between football and the neurodegenerative disease CTE.

☆ JSU head coach Deion Sanders to prohibit players from leaving hotel after Takeoff shot and killed
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Matt Foster | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Jackson State University head football coach Deion Sanders has told his players they can’t leave their hotel in Houston, Texas, this upcoming weekend in the wake of rapper Takeoff’s fatal shooting in the city. “Sooner or later we gotta start changing our addresses guys,” Sanders said. Now you guys are Jackson State royalty. You’re 8-0 now. You’re gonna have to disconnect, sooner or later you’re gonna have to.”

CNN —Houston officials vowed to deliver justice in the killing of rapper Takeoff, with the chief of police calling the 28-year-old Atlantan a “peaceful” man and urging any witnesses to the shooting to come forward. There were roughly 40 people at the event, many of whom left “possibly out of fear,” Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said. “This great city, with our great citizens, with our police department – we will find who’s responsible for it. Finner was clear, however, that investigators do not believe Takeoff was “involved in anything criminal at the time,” he said. Rap star was on an upward trajectoryThe news of Takeoff’s death was a blow to the hip-hop community, still reeling from the fatal shooting of rapper PnB Rock in September.

CNN —Takeoff, who was one third of the platinum-selling rap group Migos, was shot and killed early Tuesday in Houston, Texas, a source close to the group confirmed to CNN. According to authorities, police were informed that a private party had been held at the venue prior to the shooting. Born in Lawrenceville, Georgia, Takeoff began performing with his uncle and fellow rapper Quavo, along with Offset, as Migos in 2008. “I really wanna thank the Migos, not for being in the show, but for making ‘Bad and Boujee,’” Glover said at the time. It’s time to give me my flowers, you know what I mean?, Takeoff said.

☆ Musk suggests charging $8 a month for Twitter verification after criticism for $19.99 plan
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-01 | by ( Jennifer Korn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN Business —After facing criticism for his plan to charge Twitter users $19.99 a month to get or keep a verified account, Elon Musk has a counteroffer: maybe $8? Under Musk, Twitter is working to update its existing subscription product known as “Twitter Blue,” which currently costs $4.99 a month, to include the verification feature, CNN previously reported. The news quickly prompted outrage and disbelief among some longtime Twitter users, including author Stephen King, who has nearly seven million followers on the platform. Musk acquired Twitter for $44 billion, an amount that he admitted is “obviously overpaying” for the company. On Sunday, Musk tweeted: “The whole verification process is being revamped right now.”Even before the deal was completed, Musk suggested the possibility of tying verification to a paid subscription service.

☆ Biden, 'outraged' by oil company profits, to hit issue again in White House remarks
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, Oct 31 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden, who has expressed outrage at oil companies making record profits while Americans pay high fuel prices, will make a statement on the issue at the White House on Monday, the White House said. Biden will speak at 4:30 p.m. (2030 GMT) in response "to reports over recent days of major oil companies making record-setting profits even as they refuse to help lower prices at the pump for the American people," the White House said in a statement. During a Democratic fundraiser in Philadelphia, he suggested additional actions were coming, but White House officials have declined to provide details. Biden said six of the largest oil companies made $70 billion in profit during the last quarter, with some doubling their earnings. The price of gasoline and overall high inflation are a political stumbling block for Democratic congressional candidates in the upcoming midterm elections.

☆ New RSV vaccines may soon put an end to rough seasons
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-31 | by ( Brenda Goodman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +15 min

The monoclonal antibody, Synagis, is given monthly during RSV season to protect preemies and other high-risk babies. In the failed RSV vaccine trial, the chemical the researchers used to deactivate the virus denatured its proteins – essentially flattening them. Four companies have RSV vaccines for adults in the final phases of human trials: Pfizer and GSK are testing vaccines for pregnant women as well as seniors. Janssen, Pfizer and GSK each appear effective at preventing infections in adults for the first RSV season after the vaccine. The vaccines for pregnant women are meant to get newborns through their first RSV season.

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