Paradise News

Tag: General News

  • Posts Misidentify Suspect in Kansas City Parade Shootings

    Para leer en español, vea esta traducción de Google Translate.

    Quick Take

    Kansas City authorities charged two juvenile suspects with crimes connected to the Feb. 14 shootings at the Kansas City Chiefs’ victory celebration, in which one person was killed and 22 others were injured. Social media posts falsely identified one of the shooting suspects as “Sahil Omar, a 44 year old illegal.” A police spokesperson said that was a “fake claim.”

    Full Story

    The Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory parade and celebration on Feb. 14 ended with a mass shooting outside the city’s Union Station building. One woman, radio DJ Lisa Lopez-Galvan, was killed, and 22 other people — half of them younger than 16 — were injured during the shootings and panic that followed, the Associated Press reported.

    Kansas City, Missouri, police detained two juvenile suspects who were charged on Feb. 16 with gun-related offenses and resisting arrest, authorities told the AP. The shootings appeared to have been sparked by a dispute, police said, and several guns were found at the scene. A third person, also a juvenile, had been detained but was released, police told ABC News.

    None of those detained has been identified by police. But some social media posts have falsely claimed that one of those held by authorities was a 44-year-old “illegal immigrant.”

    Police respond to a shooting at Union Station during the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl LVIII victory parade on Feb. 14 in Kansas City, Missouri. Photo by Jamie Squire via Getty Images.

    “At least one of the Kansas City Chiefs parade shooters identified as Sahil Omar, a 44 year old illegal immigrant. Biden has failed to protect America from invasion and terrorism,” one Instagram post claimed. The post, which shows a photo of a man in a red sweatsuit sitting on a curb between police officers, received more than 1,200 likes.

    But the claim is wrong.

    A Kansas City Police spokesperson told us in a Feb. 16 email that police have seen the post and image on social media and called it “false information/fake claim.”

    “The two people that remain in custody are juveniles, thus not the individual named Omar. There’s no indication that person is involved in the shooting,” the police spokesperson said.

    USA Today reported that the name Sahil Omar had previously been falsely linked in social media posts to a hotel explosion in Fort Worth, Texas, on Jan. 8, and to a shooting at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, in December.

    Sources

    Associated Press. “Things to know about the shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl celebration.” 16 Feb 2024.

    Byik, Andre. “‘Sahil Omar’ not a suspect in Kansas City Chiefs parade shooting.” USA Today. 15 Feb 2024.

    Haworth, Jon and Emily Shapiro. “Kansas City Chiefs parade shooting: Police determining ‘applicable charges’ for juvenile suspects.” ABC News. 16 Feb 2024.

    Ingram, Nick, Scott McFetridge and Jim Salter. “2 juveniles charged in mass shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade.” 16 Feb 2024.

    Kansas City Police spokesperson. Email to FactCheck.org. 16 Feb 2024.



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  • How Jordan Hicks looked in his first bullpen of spring

    SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — For the fourth time in his life, Jordan Hicks arrived at spring training as a starting pitcher. For the first time, he hopes it stays that way.

    “My whole life, this has been my dream,” Hicks said Friday, following his highest-intensity bullpen session of the young camp. “I’m fully embracing this.”

    The 27-year-old right-hander holds the record for the fastest pitch ever recorded in MLB — 105 mph — but the numbers he values most now reside in the box score, not the radar gun. Since signing a four-year, $44 million free-agent contract this offseason, all that matters to Hicks are earned runs and innings pitched.

    If the latter is large and the former reasonably low, Hicks doesn’t mind a drop in velocity. He could shed a couple ticks and still comfortably clock triple digits. It’s a tradeoff he’s willing to make, if it allows him to be an effective member of a starting rotation for the first time in his major-league career.

    “It’s relative pacing for him. So maybe down from 105 to 99 or 100 or something like that,” manager Bob Melvin said. “But I think he’s pretty aware too that he’s got a really good sinker and if he’s going to stay out there for a while, being economical with his pitches is going to be important.”

    Throwing about 40 pitches and going two ups Friday, the next step for Hicks will be to face live hitters once they arrive Monday for the first full-squad workout of camp. He used the entirety of his arsenal — a four-seamer and two versions of a sinker, as well as a split-finger, a slider and a sweeper — reaching 96 mph.

    Hicks has been working at the team’s facility since he signed in January, but this was the first time he threw to Patrick Bailey, who provided a quick and concise scouting report.

    “Friggin’ hard,” Bailey said. And it’s only going to climb from there.

    “When the hitter gets in the box, it’s like an instant 2 or 3 mph jump,” Hicks said, “so I want to make sure I’m hitting at least 95-96 before I start ripping off 97, 98, 99.”

    The build-up isn’t foreign to Hicks, who was a starting pitcher throughout high school and his first two years in the St. Louis Cardinals organization, until the team decided to fast-track his path to the majors by converting him into a reliever. It is something new, though, for a pitcher who’s never thrown more than 105 innings in a season (seven years ago, in A-ball).

    Melvin likened the transition to the one he witnessed Seth Lugo make with the Padres last year.

    Lugo didn’t let the thought of going back to the bullpen cross his mind, and he finished the season 8-7 with a 3.56 ERA in 26 starts before joining the Kansas City Royals’ rotation this offseason on a three-year deal.

    Likewise, Hicks has no plans of this being anything but permanent. What that means when Robbie Ray and Alex Cobb assume their spots in the rotation around midseason remains to be seen.

    “The relief (role) is all in the back of my mind,” Hicks said, noting the Giants weren’t the only team to offer him an opportunity to start. “My body feels good. My arms progressing really well. I’m treating it like a normal starter buildup. … I don’t think it’s as much about innings as feeling good at a pitch count and then progressing from there. It’s gonna be a lot of feedback, a lot of talking between training room staff, coaches and me.”

    How Hicks holds up to a full season of starts — or even beyond the fifth inning — is mostly a mystery. He often cites the final two starts he made for the Cardinals’ Single-A affiliate — pitching into the eighth inning both times while maintaining his velocity in the upper 90s — as proof of his potential.

    But, like his career-high in innings, that was seven years ago, in 2017.

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  • Black Talent Faces Barriers As The Struggle For Recognition Continues

    Whoopi Goldberg, John Legend, Jennifer Hudson and Viola Davis remain the only Black entertainers to achieve EGOT status amid the ongoing awarding gap. (Photo courtesy of Wan San Yip/Unsplash)

    By: Alana Matthew

    For the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards, Quinta Brunson won an Emmy for her outstanding performance in a comedy series. This award marked the first Black actress to claim victory in this category since 1981, when Isabel Sanford, renowned for her role in “The Jeffersons,” achieved the same honor.

    While the “Abbott Elementary” star and creator said her win overjoyed her, it sparked a conversation [[among whom]] about why it took 42 years for another Black woman to win in this category. 

    The distinction, EGOT, representing the Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Awards, is a rare accomplishment in the entertainment realm. To date, a total of 19 individuals have attained this feat.

    Naadira Aalim-Johnson, a Howard University junior TV and film major from Queens, New York, theorizes the added stressor of the pay gap prevents Black entertainers from achieving award recognition.

    “If Black actors and actresses were paid properly for their movies and shows, it would allow them the opportunity to take risk[s] that would get them more nominations,” Aalim-Johnson said. “They could take the pay cut to do an indie film or take the time off to write a book.”

    The many categories of the various awards allow for many creative avenues to be awarded beyond the traditional Best Actor and Best Picture categories. Viola Davis completed her EGOT accolade with a 2023 Grammy Award for Best Audiobook, Narration, and Storytelling Recording for her memoir, “Finding Me.”

    McKinsey and Company, a global consulting agency, conducted research in 2021, dissecting the challenges of a lack of diversity in TV and film and the impacts of increasing said diversity.

    “Low percentages of Black talent in above-the-line roles (creator, producer, writer, or director); Black above-the-line talent made up only 6.6 percent of those roles for films and 7.9 percent for scripted series across 2018 and 2019,” reported McKinsey and Company. 

    Similar to the findings in our review of theatrical releases, these above-the-line roles had a profound multiplier effect on representation, the report continued.

    Haniyah Philogene, a Washington, D.C.-based freelance journalist who covers lifestyle, says there needs to be attention to business. 

    Despite their “undeniable” talent, she said Black actors and actresses navigate a landscape where recognition is elusive and opportunities to showcase their skills are limited.

    “You have to remember this is a business,” she said,  “At the end of the day, the more awards you have, the more money you get, and the more ‘value’ you’re perceived to have, even though the awards don’t equate to talent.”

    The article Black Talent Faces Barriers As The Struggle For Recognition Continues originally appeared on Howard University News Service (HUNS). Howard University News Service, established in 2001, trains student journalists to provide hyperlocal and national reporting to serve media deserts and address a severe lack of diverse news coverage. Senior-level journalism students provide multimedia stories under the supervision of professional journalists and professors in the Department of Media, Journalism and Film at Howard University. As a free wire service, HUNS primarily serves the 200 African-American weeklies that are members of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) with coverage of national and local events in and around the Washington area, including Congress and the White House, as well as issues of interest to multicultural audiences.

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  • MUST WATCH: MSM Maverick Lou Dobbs Says Trump Must Win In 2024 To Save America’s Destiny


    Jones joins legendary newsman Lou Dobbs for an exciting discussion on the future of America and more!

    Lou Dobbs interviews Alex Jones for “The Great America Show,” however, Alex manages to turn the tables and ask the legendary broadcaster a few questions himself.

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  • AU Appoints Tinubu Champion For Health Delivery

    Bola-Tinubu-

    President Bola Tinubu has been appointed as the African Union (AU) Champion for Human Resources for Health and Community Health Delivery Partnership.

    The presidential spokesman, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, said that the appointment was made in the light of the Nigerian leader’s ambitious, innovative, and people-focused efforts in the health sector.

    He said that the AU also recognised Tinubu’s commitment to train 120,000 frontline health workers nationwide within 16 months and to double the number of primary health facilities in communities across all local government areas of the federation from 8,800 to over 17,000 over the next three years.

    “(The body identified) his doubling of health personnel enrollment capacity from accredited nursing and midwifery institutions to accommodate the new demand created by new facilities across Nigeria, and his resolve to establish a paid volunteer youth force of social accountability officers to monitor the operational functioning and financial integrity of primary health centres,” he said.

    Ngelale said that the announcement was made in a letter by the Commission of the African Union (Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention— Africa CDC) to Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

    “(It) said President Tinubu was appointed on the recommendation of the Committee of Heads of State and Government of Africa CDC, under the leadership of His Excellency, President Azali Assoumani, President of the Union of Comoros and Chairperson of the African Union.”

    The Presidential spokesman said in his new role, the Commission had invited Tinubu to address the Ministerial Executive Leadership Programme (MELP) under the theme, ‘Impactful leadership in health: a whole government approach’.

    “The programme is billed for Saturday, February 17, 2024, at the Africa CDC Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on the margins of the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of AU Heads of State and Government.”

    Ngelale said that the Tinubu administration was attracting global investments in Nigeria’s health sector for the provision of cutting-edge infrastructure, equipment, and world-class manpower for improved access to quality healthcare by Nigerians.

    AU Appoints Tinubu Champion For Health Delivery is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

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  • Fact Check: If the state expanded Medicaid could Wisconsin hire thousands of more teachers?

    How many teachers could a half a billion dollars pay for using savings from Wisconsin expanding Medicaid? That’s the hypothetical that was raised by state Sen. Chris Larson, D-Milwaukee. 

    On X, Larson said Wisconsin is one of 10 states that have not expanded Medicaid but if it had done so, the state would have saved $530 million in the 2021-23 budget cycle. 

    Then he said: “For that amount, we could have hired 3,287 additional K-12 teachers at the statewide median salary, including benefits.That’s an average of 7.8 more educators PER DISTRICT.”

    That seems like a lot of teachers. 

    Medicaid expansion savings

    We reached out to Larson’s office for evidence to support his claim and staffers sent us a January 2023 memo from the Legislative Fiscal Bureau that showed the state would have saved $530 million in the 2021-23 budget if Medicaid had been expanded in 2014. 

    The Republican-controlled Legislature and previous Gov. Scott Walker, a fellow Republican, have been opposed to expanding Medicaid which would provide the state more federal funding. 

    Medicaid expansion covers the vast majority of the costs of expansion coverage, while generating offsetting savings and, for some states, revenue increases, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a nonpartisan research and policy institute. 

    So, he’s right on that point. But what about the number of teachers? 

    Lason’s office said it used the median district average salary and fringe benefits from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction dashboard for 2022-23.

    We went to the department’s dashboard and found the same numbers as Larson. The median average salary is $56,364 and the median average fringe benefits is $24,244. That makes the average teacher compensation including benefits $80,608.

    From here it’s simple math. You take the $530 million, divided by the total compensation $80,608 and then divide that number by 2 for the two years the budget covers and it equals roughly 3,287 teachers. 

    You divide that by 421, the number of school districts in the state, and you get 7.8, which is the potential number of teachers that could be hired per district using the potential savings. 

    Meanwhile, Bob Lang, executive director of the Legislative Fiscal Bureau said, “using the information that (Larson) received from this office and the Department of Public Instruction, his calculations are correct.”

    So, Larson’s math is solid. But there are some wrinkles as to how it is applied.

    First, even if the Legislature had agreed to the Medicaid expansion, there’s no guarantee the money would have gone toward education – though, of course, Larson was creating his own hypothetical comparison.

    DPI spokesperson Chris Bucher noted that Larson was making a “theoretical statement.”

    “Generally, though, school districts receive aid from the state through a relatively complex formula based on enrollment information,” Bucher said in an email. “School districts are also limited in the amount of revenue they can raise by revenue limits. At the end of the day, though, Wisconsin is a local-control state and therefore it is up to individual school districts and school boards to determine budgeting and how much money goes toward hiring personnel and other areas.”

    Our ruling

    Larson said if the state expanded Medicaid, it could save the state $530 million, resulting in more than 3,200 teachers being hired, meaning roughly 7-8 teachers could be added to each school district. 

    Although his math is correct, funding from the state is complex and the school districts decide for themselves on how they want to spend the money. 

    We rate the claim True.

     



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  • Traveling internationally? Order foreign currency before you go – Paradise Post

    By Sally French | NerdWallet

    Upon landing in a foreign country, expect a lot of lines. There’s immigration, passport control and customs inspection. But there’s one line you can — and absolutely should — skip: the airport currency exchange.

    Not only does the airport currency exchange counter’s line cut into precious time abroad, but it’s typically a terrible money move. Airport currency exchange rates are among the worst you’ll find.

    It’s not uncommon to see airport exchanges charging 14% more than the current International Monetary Fund (IMF) exchange rate. NerdWallet even found some premiums exceeding 17%. Some also charge additional fees on top of the poor exchange rate.

    So what do you do if you need cash upon arrival to order a cab or tip the bellhop? Consider ordering foreign currency before you fly.

    Most banks allow you to order foreign currencies, which you can typically pick up at a local branch before your trip. Some banks offer to ship currencies to you, and sometimes they don’t even charge extra for postage if you order a certain amount.

    Plus, the exchange rate can be good. For instance, at Bank of America, the exchange rates we checked in January 2024 average roughly 6% more than the IMF rates — and less than half of what the airport currency exchanges are charging.

    How to order foreign currency from your bank

    While the exact process varies by bank, most major banks make it easy to order online.

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  • The Evolution Of Cybersecurity and How To Protect Yourself

    Finances FYI Presented by JPMorgan Chase

    Technology’s rapid growth has ushered in a new era of convenience, particularly in digital finance services. From online banking to payment apps, these innovations have streamlined financial transactions and made managing money more accessible.

    However, with this digital transformation comes a heightened risk of cyber threats. Cyber attackers have evolved alongside technological progress, significantly threatening personal information and financial security. Here are the crucial strategies to protect your financial information in the 21st Century despite the growing risks associated with digital finance services.

    As technology has evolved, so too have the tactics employed by cyber attackers. Gone are the days when simple firewalls and antivirus software could provide comprehensive protection. Today’s cyber threats are sophisticated, multifaceted, and often targeted. Cybercriminals leverage various techniques, including phishing, ransomware, and social engineering, to exploit vulnerabilities in digital systems and gain unauthorized access to sensitive information.

    As cyberattacks have grown, so have the defenses, including:

    • Multi-factor authentication (MFA) 
    • Regularly Update Software and Systems
    • Network Security (firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, and virtual private networks). 
    • Data Encryption
    • Access Controls for Employees
    • Incident Response Plans and Regular Security Audits and Assessments
    • Backup and Recovery Systems 
    • Physical Security Measures

    Numerous worldwide laws and regulations also aim to protect against cyber attacks and safeguard privacy by establishing legal frameworks for data protection, cybersecurity, and online activities. Some notable examples:

    Photo: adam121 via 123RF

    The surge in popularity of digital finance services has transformed how we manage and access our money. Online banking, mobile payment apps, and digital wallets have become integral to our daily lives, offering unparalleled convenience. However, the same technology that enables this convenience also introduces new vulnerabilities. The interconnected nature of digital financial systems creates a massive attack area for cybercriminals to exploit.

    Increased risks in the digital finance era include:

    1. Phishing Attacks. Cybercriminals often use deceptive emails, messages, or websites to trick people into revealing sensitive information like usernames, passwords, or financial details.
    2. Ransomware. Malicious software that encrypts a user’s files and demands payment for their release has become a prevalent threat. Digital finance services and their users are prime targets for ransomware attacks.
    3. Identity Theft. The wealth of personal information stored in digital finance platforms makes them attractive targets for identity thieves. Once obtained, this information is used for fraudulent activities such as opening unauthorized bank accounts or credit cards.

    Here are some personal information and finance-related safeguards to adopt to keep your data safe and achieve peace of mind:

    1. Strong Authentication. Create complex and unique passwords for your financial accounts. Consider using a reputable password manager to save your credentials securely. Implement multi-factor authentication whenever possible. This requires users to provide multiple forms of identification, adding an extra security.
    2. Regular System Updates. Ensure that all devices and applications, especially those related to digital finance, are regularly updated with the latest security patches. Updates often contain crucial fixes for known vulnerabilities.
    3. Educate Yourself. Read up on the latest cybersecurity threats and tactics. Recognizing phishing attempts and understanding common cyber threats can empower individuals to protect themselves effectively.
    4. Use Secure Networks. Avoid accessing digital finance services on public Wi-Fi networks that may lack the necessary security measures. Instead, use secure, password-protected networks to conduct financial transactions.
    5. Monitor Your Accounts. Regularly review your transactions to detect unauthorized or suspicious activity promptly. Report any discrepancies to your financial institution. Enable account alerts and notifications so your financial providers can notify you of unusual transactions, low balances, or large withdrawals, providing an early warning system for potential issues.
    6. Monitor Your Credit Report. Regularly check your credit reports from major credit bureaus so you can identify any suspicious or unauthorized activities and helps you maintain a healthy credit score.
    7. Be Wary of Unsolicited Communications. Be cautious about emails, phone calls, or messages that request personal or financial information. Legitimate financial institutions will not ask for sensitive information through unsolicited communications. When in doubt, contact the institution directly using verified contact information.

    The evolution of cybersecurity is intricately linked to the growth of digital finance services. While these services offer unprecedented convenience, they also expose users to an increased risk of cyber threats. To navigate this new era safely, individuals must be in self-defense mode by remaining vigilant, adopting robust security practices, and staying informed about the evolving landscape of cyber threats. Users of digital finance services can enjoy the benefits without compromising their financial security by taking proactive steps to safeguard personal information.

    Finances FYI is presented by JPMorgan Chase. JPMorgan Chase is making a $30 billion commitment over the next five years to address some of the largest drivers of the racial wealth divide. 

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  • Skip Breakfast? WSJ Tells Readers How To Survive Bidenomics


    The elite want average people to suffer

    Alex Jones breaks down how the establishment media is running cover for Biden’s failing economic policies.

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  • Lagos CP Orders Probe After 12-Year-Old Student Hit By Police Teargas Canister

    The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Adegoke Fayoade, has ordered investigation into the firing of teargas which injured a 12-year-old student, Amina Alege.

    It was gathered that Alege suffered an eye injury on February 9 from teargas allegedly fired by police officers of Dopemu Division while responding to public disturbance by students of Abibat Mogaji Millenium Secondary School Iloro and Iloro Junior Grammar School Iloro both in Dopemu area of the state.

    The student who is currently in Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, is billed for surgery.

    Fayoade who visited Alege on Friday, assured of a comprehensive investigation, adding that any police officer found culpable will be penalized under the law.

    This was disclosed by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin.

    “The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Adegoke Fayoade, mni has paid a visit to 12-year-old Amina Alege who was allegedly hit by a teargas canister fired by officers of Dopemu Division while responding to public disturbance by students of Abibat Mogaji Millenium Secondary School Iloro and Iloro Junior Grammar School Iloro both in Dopemu on Friday, February 9, 2024.

    “Meanwhile, CP Fayoade has ordered a detailed investigation into the incident, outcome of which will be made available to members of the public.

    “The Lagos State Police Command assures the general public that the investigation will be comprehensive and no attempt whatsoever will be made at a cover-up; while equally assuring that any police officer found culpable in the matter will be dealt with in accordance with the law,” Hundeyin said in a statement.

    Meanwhile, the Lagos State House of Assembly, on Thursday, urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to support and save Alege.

    The House also directed its House Committee on Education (Secondary) to investigate what led to the clash.

    Lagos CP Orders Probe After 12-Year-Old Student Hit By Police Teargas Canister is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

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