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Today: January 22, 2025
Today: January 22, 2025
The Los Angeles Post

The Los Angeles Post

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Political

Trump will report raising more than $35 million in second quarter, campaign says

Former President Donald Trump ‘s campaign said Wednesday that he raised more than $35 million for his White House bid during the second fundraising quarter, nearly double what he raised during the first three months of the year. The total is the latest indication that Trump is the Republican primary race’s dominant frontrunner and that being indicted twice — once in New York and once in Florida — has only bolstered his standing among his strongest supporters and their willingness to give. The average donation to Trump’s 2024 campaign now stands at $34, evidence, the campaign said,

Trump will report raising more than $35 million in second quarter, campaign says
World

US gives go-ahead for Orsted's New Jersey offshore wind farm to start construction

The federal government gave the go-ahead Wednesday for New Jersey’s first offshore wind farm to begin construction, clearing the way for the first of at least three — and likely many more — such projects in a state trying to become the East Coast leader in wind energy. The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management approved a construction and operations plan for Ocean Wind I, a wind farm to be built by Danish wind energy company Orsted between 13 and 15 miles off the coast of Atlantic City. The wind farm would power 500,000 homes.

US gives go-ahead for Orsted's New Jersey offshore wind farm to start construction
Political

Judge's order limits government contact with social media operators, raises disinformation questions

An order by a federal judge in Louisiana has ignited a high-stakes legal battle over how the government is allowed to interact with social media platforms, raising broad questions about whether — and how — officials can fight what they deem misinformation on health or other matters. U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty, a conservative nominated to the federal bench by former President Donald Trump, chose Independence Day to issue an injunction blocking multiple government agencies and administration officials. In his words, they are forbidden to meet with or contact social media companies for the purpose of

Judge's order limits government contact with social media operators, raises disinformation questions
World

Blinken says a multinational force is needed to help Haiti's National Police restore order

United States State Secretary Antony Blinken said Wednesday that a multinational force is needed to help Haiti’s National Police restore order, echoing recent appeals made by United Nations officials who warn that the country’s insecurity is worsening. Blinken briefly spoke about Haiti and other issues during a one-day trip to Trinidad and Tobago, which hosted a three-day conference held by the 15-member Caribbean trade bloc known as Caricom. Caribbean leaders have been meeting regularly about the situation in Haiti. Caricom Chair and Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit noted that the group supports Haitian-led solutions

Blinken says a multinational force is needed to help Haiti's National Police restore order
World

No more free coffee on your birthday? Companies rein in customer rewards programs — here's why

Reward programs, including birthday freebies and discounts, have long been a way for brands to build loyalty and incentivize spending. But now some companies are becoming a bit more stingy — and customers are taking notice. Last fall, for example, many balked at Dunkin’s decision to stop offering a free drink on their birthday and instead give them triple loyalty points on their purchase. On June 1, Sephora started requiring a $25 minimum purchase for online customers looking to claim a free gift and 250 loyalty points during their birthday month. And Red Robin added a dine-in

No more free coffee on your birthday? Companies rein in customer rewards programs — here's why
Science

Mayor Suarez launches an artificial intelligence chatbot for his presidential campaign

A super PAC supporting Miami Mayor Francis Suarez ‘s run for the Republican presidential nomination has launched an artificial intelligence chatbot to answer questions about him, marking yet another example of how generative AI tools are being used in 2024 presidential campaigns. The bot unveiled Wednesday by SOS America PAC listens to a user’s questions and matches them to video answers, created with an AI-powered avatar made to look and sound like Suarez. “Hi, I’m AI Francis Suarez,” the bot says to introduce itself, its mouth moving in a way that’s not quite human. “You’ve probably

Mayor Suarez launches an artificial intelligence chatbot for his presidential campaign
Arts

Alan Alda kept his boots and dog tags from 'M*A*S*H' for 40 years. Now he'll offer them at auction

The combat boots and dog tags that Alan Alda wore to portray the wisecracking surgeon Hawkeye on the beloved television series “M(asterisk)A(asterisk)S(asterisk)H” meant so much to him that when the show ended 40 years ago, he kept them. But he’s now ready to let the pieces go, in service of another passion: his center dedicated to helping scientists and doctors communicate better. Heritage Auctions is offering up the worn boots and military identification tags on July 28 in Dallas. Alda, 87, said he wore the boots and dog tags for the 11-season run of the show centering

Alan Alda kept his boots and dog tags from 'M*A*S*H' for 40 years. Now he'll offer them at auction
World

Mental illness played no role in Pittsburgh synagogue massacre, prosecution expert testifies

The man who gunned down 11 people at a Pittsburgh synagogue does not have a psychiatric or neurological disorder, and he was capable of forming the intent to kill, a neurologist testified Wednesday at the killer’s federal death penalty trial. Dr. Ryan Darby, of Vanderbilt University Medical Center, was called by prosecutors to rebut defense experts who previously testified that Robert Bowers is psychotic and has brain abnormalities. Bowers, 50, a truck driver from suburban Baldwin, was convicted last month of killing members of three congregations who had gathered at the Tree of Life synagogue on Oct.

Mental illness played no role in Pittsburgh synagogue massacre, prosecution expert testifies
World

UN records the highest number of 'grave violations' against children in conflicts

Children experienced the highest number of “grave violations” in conflicts verified by the United Nations in 2022, with the conflicts between Israeli and Palestinians and in Congo and Somalia putting the most youngsters in peril, the U.N. children’s agency said Wednesday. UNICEF also expressed particular concern about their plight in Haiti, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Mozambique and Ukraine, where Russia has been put on the U.N. blacklist. “Grave violations” include the recruitment and use of children by combatants, killings and injuries, sexual violence, abductions, and attacks on schools and hospitals. Omar Abdi, UNICEF’s deputy executive director, told the

UN records the highest number of 'grave violations' against children in conflicts
World

Strong demand drives US new vehicle sales higher in the first half of the year

Demand for new SUVs, trucks and cars in the U.S. picked up steam in the second quarter, but the stronger sales kept prices high for consumers. Auto sales rose a healthy 16.8% from April through June to just over 4.1 million, fueled by pent-up demand from nearly two years of short supplies due to factories that were hobbled by the global computer chip shortage. For much of the year, average prices pulled back a bit and automakers raised discounts a little. But in June, those trends began to stall out, said Ivan Drury, director of insights for Edmunds.com. Consumers paid

Strong demand drives US new vehicle sales higher in the first half of the year
World

Norfolk Southern says other companies should share blame in fiery Ohio derailment

Norfolk Southern says the owner of the rail car that caused the fiery Ohio derailment in February failed to properly maintain it in the years before the crash, and the railroad wants to make sure that company and the owners of the other cars involved help pay for the costs. The railroad filed a complaint Friday against all the car owners and shippers connected to the hazardous chemicals that spilled in the Feb. 3 derailment. As part of that, Norfolk Southern said GATX didn’t follow the car manufacturer’s recommendations for taking care of the plastic pellet

Norfolk Southern says other companies should share blame in fiery Ohio derailment
World

Vermont will pay $16.5M to settle lawsuits by foreign investors in fraudulent ski developments

The state of Vermont has agreed to pay $16.5 million to settle all pending and potential lawsuits from foreign investors in development projects at the Jay Peak resort, the ski area that was shaken by a massive fraud case involving its former owner and president, officials said Wednesday. In 2016, the federal Securities and Exchange Commission and the state alleged that former Jay Peak owner Ariel Quiros and former president William Stenger took part in a “massive eight-year fraudulent scheme.” The civil allegations involved misusing more than $200 million of about $400 million raised for various ski area developments from

Vermont will pay $16.5M to settle lawsuits by foreign investors in fraudulent ski developments
Health

Tainted Taps: Potentially Harmful Chemicals in Drinking Water Across Half of US Faucets

Drinking water from nearly half of U.S. faucets likely contains “forever chemicals” that may cause cancer and other health problems, according to a government study released Wednesday. The synthetic compounds known collectively as PFAS are contaminating drinking water to varying extents in large cities and small towns — and in private wells and public systems, the U.S. Geological Survey said. Researchers described the study as the first nationwide effort to test for PFAS in tap water from private sources in addition to regulated ones. It builds on previous scientific findings that the chemicals are widespread,

Tainted Taps: Potentially Harmful Chemicals in Drinking Water Across Half of US Faucets
World

Toxic gas leak in South Africa kills 16 people, including three children, police say

At least 16 people, including three children, died when toxic gas leaked from a cyclinder near Johannesburg, South African police said Wednesday. Emergency services said that as many as 24 people might be dead. It wasn’t immediately clear why there was a discrepancy in the death toll. Search and rescue teams were still working through the area trying to ascertain the extent of the casualties. The incident happened in an informal settlement in the city of Boksburg on the eastern outskirts of Johannesburg, the South African Police Services said. Emergency services spokesman William Ntladi said the deaths

Toxic gas leak in South Africa kills 16 people, including three children, police say
World

Meta takes aim at Twitter with the launch of rival app Threads

Meta unveiled an app to rival Twitter on Thursday, appearing to target users looking for an alternative to the social media platform owned — and frequently changed — by Elon Musk. Called Threads, the new offering is billed as a text-based version of Meta’s photo-sharing app Instagram that the company says provides “a new, separate space for real-time updates and public conversations.” The app is live in Apple and Google Android app stores in more than 100 countries including the U.S., Britain, Australia, Canada and Japan. Users will get a Twitter-like microblogging experience, according to screenshots provided

Meta takes aim at Twitter with the launch of rival app Threads
Arts

Toby Keith's shows at his Oklahoma music venue mark return to stage after revealing cancer diagnosis

Country music star Toby Keith was back on stage over the Fourth of July weekend with his first shows since revealing last summer that he had been fighting stomach cancer. Hundreds attended the native Oklahoman’s pop-up concerts Friday and Saturday night in Norman, where he lives, The Oklahoman reports. He performed at Hollywood Corners, a 1920s roadhouse and service station that he bought and converted into a deli, bar and music venue. Norman resident Joanna Hall, who attended Friday’s show, told the newspaper that Keith put on a great performance and was “very thankful for everybody

Toby Keith's shows at his Oklahoma music venue mark return to stage after revealing cancer diagnosis
Political

In Trump case, Justice Dept. unseals previously blacked-out portions from search warrant application

The Justice Department on Wednesday disclosed some of the previously blacked-out portions of a warrant application it submitted last year to gain authorization to search former President Donald Trump’s Florida property for classified documents. Key portions of the document had already been made public, but media organizations including The Associated Press had pressed for further unsealing in light of a 38-count indictment last month charging Trump and his valet, Walt Nauta, with concealing classified records at Mar-a-Lago from investigators. The magistrate judge, Bruce Reinhart, declined to order the Justice Department to unseal the search warrant affidavit in

In Trump case, Justice Dept. unseals previously blacked-out portions from search warrant application
World

White Sox All-Star Luis Robert Jr. says he will participate in baseball's Home Run Derby

Chicago White Sox All-Star Luis Robert Jr. plans to participate in baseball’s Home Run Derby in Seattle on Monday. Robert made the announcement Wednesday on Instagram, with a highlight video and a caption saying “The Panther is ready for the Home Run Derby! #homerunderby2023.” “I’m pretty sure I’m going to feel very happy during those two days,” Robert said. “It’s going to be very special for me.” Robert will now be participating in another showcase event after being selected to his first All-Star team. He was second in the American League behind Shohei Ohtani with 25 homers,

White Sox All-Star Luis Robert Jr. says he will participate in baseball's Home Run Derby
World

Mike Trout has surgery on his broken left wrist; timetable for return unknown

All-Star center fielder Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels had surgery on his fractured left wrist Wednesday, two days after he was injured fouling off a pitch. “I just talked to Mike; he just got out of surgery. He feels great,” manager Phil Nevin said before the Angels finished a series against the San Diego Padres. “The surgery went well. We spoke to the doctor a minute ago, but it sounds like everything went great.” Also Wednesday, two-way All-Star Shohei Ohtani was in the lineup as the designated hitter a day after coming out the

Mike Trout has surgery on his broken left wrist; timetable for return unknown
World

Jenson Brooksby tells the AP he accepted a provisional ban for allegedly missing 3 doping tests

American tennis player Jenson Brooksby accepted a provisional suspension from the International Tennis Integrity Agency on Wednesday after being accused of missing three doping tests in a 12-month period, he told The Associated Press. “Taking the provisional suspension is the best decision that we have to make right now,” Brooksby, a 22-year-old from Sacramento, California, said in a telephone interview. “I’ve never failed a drug test. I’ve never taken any bad substances.” He plans to go to arbitration. Under antidoping rules, athletes can be penalized without failing a test if they have three “whereabout failures” within a year’s span. Brooksby

Jenson Brooksby tells the AP he accepted a provisional ban for allegedly missing 3 doping tests
World

Nevada secures $285M opioid settlement with Walgreens, bringing total settlements to $1 billion

The state of Nevada has reached a $285 million settlement with Walgreens regarding the pharmacy chain’s role in the opioid epidemic, the state’s top lawyer announced Wednesday. The last in a series of multiyear settlements with pharmaceutical companies, retailers and others, it pushes Nevada’s total anticipated payments stemming from opioid claims to $1.1 billion, state Attorney General Aaron Ford’s office said in a news release. Nevada is among numerous states that have reached settlements now totaling more than $50 billion nationwide. “When I first took office as attorney general, I made it clear that seeking justice

Nevada secures $285M opioid settlement with Walgreens, bringing total settlements to $1 billion
World

Cincinnati Reds rookie Elly De La Cruz homers after umpires had him remove knob piece from bat

Cincinnati Reds rookie Elly De La Cruz pointed at the knob of his bat after hitting a 455-foot homer at Washington on Wednesday night in a reference to the removal of a covering earlier in the game. Before De La Cruz led off the second inning, umpires had the slugger remove a white or clear object from the end of his bat. It looked as if it was an empty covering designed to hold a sensor that takes measurements at the plate. Nationals manager Dave Martinez talked to plate umpire Quinn Wolcott about the knob piece before

Cincinnati Reds rookie Elly De La Cruz homers after umpires had him remove knob piece from bat
World

Father of the bride, teen who tried to save friend among 5 killed in Philadelphia shooting

A father who was preparing to walk his eldest daughter down the aisle. An aspiring actor who appeared as an extra in the “Creed” movie franchise. A teenager who tried to help a wounded friend. These are the stories of those killed in the all-too-familiar thrum of another mass shooting. Five people in a working-class neighborhood of Philadelphia were gunned down Monday in what became the deadliest among a rash of U.S. shootings that occurred around the July Fourth holiday. A gunman in a ski mask and body armor appeared to fire on people at random while

Father of the bride, teen who tried to save friend among 5 killed in Philadelphia shooting
World

Cameraman at Yankee Stadium injured by wild throw from Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson

A cameraman was injured Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium when he was hit in the head by a wild throw from Baltimore Orioles rookie shortstop Gunnar Henderson. Positioned right next to the New York Yankees’ dugout on the first-base side, Pete Stendel of YES Network was struck by a hurried throw from Henderson, who fired high to first as he tried to complete a double play in the fifth inning. The game was delayed about 17 minutes as the Yankees’ athletic training staff and medical personnel tended to Stendel in the camera well. Baltimore players came

Cameraman at Yankee Stadium injured by wild throw from Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson
Political

US releases video of Russian fighter jets harrassing American drones over Syria

Russian fighter jets flew dangerously close to several U.S. drone aircraft over Syria on Wednesday, setting off flares and forcing the MQ-9 Reapers to take evasive maneuvers, the Air Force said. U.S. Air Forces Central released a video of the encounter, showing a Russian SU-35 fighter closing in on a Reaper, and later showed a number of the so-called parachute flares moving into the drone’s flight path. The flares are attached to parachutes. Lt. Gen. Alex Grynkewich, commander of 9th Air Force in the Middle East, said three of the U.S. drones were operating over Syria after

US releases video of Russian fighter jets harrassing American drones over Syria

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