Biden in South Korea/Japan taunts North Korea and China; record gas prices longest ever; baby formula arrives from Europe; WHO says COVID not over; Monkeypox worries; "This is Us" ends Tuesday
Why do people say "like"? banned from Russia; Americans' concerns; Trump angers GOP on PA primary comments ahead of Georgia election; Jif recall; Australia goes liberal; Depp to testify
Good Tuesday morning! I hope you had a great weekend and start to your week.
My take: What is it that makes people watch the Depp/Heard trial? Clearly it is the “soap-opera” mentality. “My life has challenges so I would rather watch someone else’s.” Television has brought us these alternatives on the news and with reality TV for decades. Remember OJ? Americans thrive on a negative and carnival atmosphere. It happens with sports stars, actors, politicians and even regular people when they meet extraordinary and tragic situations. At the same time, NBC is concluding its top series “This is Us”on Tuesday after 6 years which often brought that same emotional in a manner that Americans could more likely relate to one on one. The storylines included personalities who were challenged by issues we all face everyday — money, sibling rivalries, marital troubles and breakups, racial issue, adoption, aging and dementia, addiction and more. The scripts have been beautifully written and more often than not left viewers in tears, not with their mouths open as reality TV news often does. I often hear that TV is not like it once was. That is a nostalgic mentality expressed too often and without integrity. So Tuesday night when we say goodbye to all the generations of Pearsons, remember that good scripts and meaningful accounts of life are more often than not from talented writers than out of the mouths of arrogant, egotistical individuals searching for fame.
Now to your “1 to…”:
Now this I want to know: Saying the word ‘like’ has long been seen as a sign of laziness and stupidity: But its use is actually richly nuanced, goes back to Shakespearean times, and is an indicator of, like, intelligence.
The story no one wants to talk about: CDC seeks answers after 6 kids die from hepatitis outbreak that has spread to 36 states.
Russia bans over 900 Americans, including Biden, from visiting: Russia has banned more than 900 Americans from entering the country, including President Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and US Secretary Anthony Blinken. Russia published its updated list on Saturday, May 21, banning a total of 963 American officials and public figures from entering the country.
G7 mobilizes 19.8 billion dollars in support of Ukraine: G7 finance ministers and central bank governors on Friday announced they have mobilized 19.8 billion US dollars of budget support for Ukraine to ensure payment capacity.
“In 2022, we have mobilized 19.8 billion US dollars of budget support, including 9.5 billion US dollars of recent commitments in the lead up to the Petersberg meeting, to help Ukraine close its financing gap and continue ensuring the delivery of basic services to the Ukrainian people,” a statement following a G7 meeting in Königswinter, Germany, said.
Polish President Duda first to address wartime Kyiv parliament: Andrzej Duda becomes the first foreign leader to address Ukraine’s parliament since the start of Russia’s war.
Ukraine puts destroyed Russian tanks on display in Kyiv: pics.
Russian soldier jailed for life in Ukraine's 1st war crimes trial: A Ukrainian court sentenced a 21-year-old Russian soldier to life in prison Monday for killing a Ukrainian civilian, sealing the first guilty conviction for war crimes since Moscow's invasion three months ago. Sgt. Vadim Shishimarin pleaded guilty to shooting a Ukrainian civilian in the head in a village in the northeastern Sumy region in the early days of the war. He testified that he shot the man after being ordered to do so. He told the court that an officer insisted that the Ukrainian man, who was speaking on his cellphone, could pinpoint their location to the Ukrainian forces.
Starbucks will exit Russia after 15 years, closing 130 licensed cafes: The coffee chain has 130 locations in the country, which account for less than 1% of its annual revenue. Starbucks joins McDonald’s, Exxon Mobil and British American Tobacco in pulling out of the country completely after the Kremlin invaded Ukraine.
Record gas prices for this long 'unprecedented': AAA: AAA national spokesman reveals how long drivers can expect higher prices at the pump.
We asked 2,000 Americans about their biggest concern: In 1935, Gallup first asked Americans what they thought was the most important problem facing the United States. In the midst of the Great Depression, about 3 in 5 Americans mentioned concerns related to the economy. Fast forward nearly 90 years, and countless pollsters regularly ask Americans what’s top of mind for them. But on their own, answers to this question don’t really tell us that much. Issues like “the economy” or “political polarization” are often too broad to define. Moreover, two voters might both say something like “crime” is important to them, but for very different reasons. It’s why understanding how these issues factor into how Americans vote is so challenging.
Military plane carrying 39 tons of baby formula arrives in U.S.: Enough specialty infant formula for more than half a million baby bottles arrived Sunday in Indianapolis, the first of several flights carrying infant formula from Europe expected this weekend to relieve the deepening shortage in the U.S.
The formula, weighing 78,000 pounds, or 39 tons, was being transported by military plane, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters aboard Air Force One as President Biden flew from South Korea to Japan.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack was in Indianapolis to greet the arrival of the first shipment in Indianapolis.
WHO chief: The COVID pandemic is 'most certainly not over': The head of the World Health Organization has warned that the COVID-19 pandemic is “most certainly not over” despite a decline in reported cases since the peak of the omicron wave
Biden says monkeypox cases something to ‘be concerned about’: President Joe Biden said Sunday that recent cases of monkeypox that have been identified in Europe and the United States were something “to be concerned about.”
In his first public comments on the disease, Biden added: “It is a concern in that if it were to spread it would be consequential.”
WHO to hold emergency meeting on Monkeypox on Friday -sources: The World Health Organization is set to hold an emergency meeting to discuss monkeypox on Friday, according to sources close to the U.N. agency.
Monkeypox spread likely "amplified" by sex at 2 raves in Europe, leading WHO adviser says: A leading adviser to the World Health Organization described the unprecedented outbreak of the rare disease monkeypox in developed countries as "a random event" that might be explained by risky sexual behavior at two recent mass events in Europe. In an interview with The Associated Press, Dr. David Heymann, who formerly headed WHO's emergencies department, said the leading theory to explain the spread of the disease was sexual transmission among gay and bisexual men at two raves held in Spain and Belgium. Monkeypox has not previously triggered widespread outbreaks beyond Africa, where it is endemic in animals.
Biden ending South Korea visit with continued emphasis on economic, security cooperation: President Joe Biden on Sunday touted Hyundai’s recently announced decision to build a $5.5 billion electric vehicle plant in Georgia, a move he said shows how the U.S. and South Korea together can shape the direction of the world for the better while also creating more than 8,000 American jobs. “Electric vehicles are good for our climate goals,” Biden said at a public appearance in Seoul with the chairman of Hyundai Motor Group. “But they’re also good for jobs. And they’re good for business.”
Biden says ‘hello’ to North Korea’s Kim amid tensions over weapons tests: President's wry response when asked what message he had for Kim underscored his administration’s low-key approach to the unresolved tensions.
Biden arrives in Japan with no response on outreach to North Korea: President Joe Biden arrived Sunday in Japan for the second leg of an Asia trip underlining US commitment to the region but overshadowed by concern that North Korea will test a nuclear weapon after ignoring Washington's attempt at outreach.
Biden, making his first trip to Asia as president, flew from South Korea into Yokota Air Base outside Tokyo, where he will meet with Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and emperor on Monday, as well as unveiling a US-led multilateral trade initiative.
In Tokyo, Biden says would be willing to use force to defend Taiwan: U.S. President Joe Biden said on Monday he would be willing to use force to defend Taiwan, rallying support on his first trip to Asia since taking office for U.S. opposition to China's growing assertiveness across the region.
Biden's comments appeared to be a departure from existing U.S. policy of so-called strategic ambiguity on its position on the self-governed island that China considers its territory and says is the most sensitive and important issue in its ties with the United States. When asked by a reporter in Tokyo if the United States would defend Taiwan if it were attacked by China, the president answered: "Yes."
Taiwan not included in launch of new Biden Indo-Pacific pact: Inclusion of the self-ruled island of Taiwan, which China claims as its own, would have irked Beijing.
China expresses outrage at Biden’s comments that U.S. would defend Taiwan: Influential Chinese insiders offered fiery threats in response to the apparent break in U.S. policy toward the island nation.
Iran vows revenge after Revolutionary Guards colonel is assassinated: ran's president has promised to take revenge after a colonel in the powerful Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) was shot dead in Tehran on Sunday.
Two gunmen on a motorbike opened fire at Sayad Khodai as he sat in a car outside his home, state media reported. Col Khodai was a member of the elite Quds Force, the IRGC's shadowy overseas operations arm, they said.
President Ebrahim Raisi blamed "the hands of global arrogance" - a reference to the US and its allies.
Active shooter incidents increased more than 50 percent last year, FBI data shows: 103 people were killed and 140 were wounded in 61 active shooter incidents across 30 states last year, the FBI reported.
Judge says CDC can't end the Title 42 rule that allows for quick expulsion of migrants: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot move forward with a plan to discontinue pandemic-related emergency rules that allow U.S. border agents to rapidly expel migrants to Mexico or their home countries on public health grounds, a federal judge in Louisiana ruled Friday.
Judge Robert Summerhays of the U.S. District Court in Lafayette, Louisiana, issued a preliminary injunction blocking the Biden administration from ending the restrictions, known as Title 42, on May 23, when the CDC had planned to stop authorizing the border expulsions.
The outcome of the Pennsylvania GOP Senate primary might not be known before June: Pennsylvania's Republican primary for an open U.S. Senate seat is too close to call and is likely headed for a statewide recount to decide the winner of the contest between heart surgeon-turned-TV celebrity Dr. Mehmet Oz and former hedge fund CEO David McCormick. A recount would mean that the outcome of the race might not be known until June 8, the deadline for counties to report their results to the state.
Trump leaves Pa. GOP fuming over 'cockamamie' primaries: Next up: Georgia.: Unease is growing ahead of the next big contest on the midterm calendar.
Trump properties got almost $2 million from the Secret Service, including stays at Mar-a-Lago, documents show: The Secret Service has spent at least $1.75 million at Trump properties, new documents show. The spending started after Trump became the GOP nominee in 2016. Much of the spending has been at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
Kellyanne Conway slams 'shrewd and calculating' Jared Kushner in memoir: 'There was no subject he considered beyond his expertise'.
Maher’s takedown.
Tapper tested positive at CNN D.C. and taped show anyway
CONFIDER: In this week’s edition of Confider, we report how the CNN star ticked off some staffers when he tested positive but stuck around to record his show earlier this month.
Man killed after being shot in chest aboard Q train at Canal Street, police searching for gunman: A man has died after being shot in the chest while on a subway train in New York City. The 46-year-old man was on board a northbound Q train at Canal street when he was shot in the chest late Sunday morning.
Ransomware attack affects nearly 500,000 CPS students: A ransomware attack last year affected nearly 500,000 Chicago Public School students. The district said over 495,000 student records and over 56,000 staff records were compromised. The breach was a result of a ransomware attack on a vendor for President Joe Biden said Sunday that recent cases of monkeypox that have been identified in Europe and the United States were something “to be concerned about.”
Political crisis over, Rinawie Zoabi returns to Israeli government: Rebel Meretz MK Ghaida Rinawie Zoabi will once again support Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's coalition after a brief political crisis.
Australia has a new left-leaning government: Here's what you need to know.
More than half of Americans live within an hour of extended family: Most Americans value living close to their families – and more than half of them actually do, according to a recent Pew Research Center survey. Overall, 55% of U.S. adults say they live within an hour’s drive of at least some of their extended family members. Roughly equal shares of Americans say they live near all or most of their extended family (28%) or near some extended family (27%). Another 24% of adults say they live within an hour’s drive of only a few family members, while one-in-five say they do not live near any extended family members. Only 1% of Americans say they don’t have extended family at all, according to the survey, which defined extended family as children, parents, grandparents, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles and in-laws who don’t currently live with the respondent.
16-Year Old Pilot Lands in Kenya, Wants to Be the Youngest Person to Fly the Globe Solo: 16-year-old Mack Rutherford is unlike any teenager you’ve met. While his peers spend thousands of hours trying to be TikTok Famous, he is out in the sky trying to set his own standards. The teenager, who has British and Belgian nationality, is on a mission to become the youngest person to fly around the globe solo. On Wednesday, he landed his small plane in Kenya’s capital Nairobi, CNN, reported.
The Coolest Hotel in Every State (and DC): We'd like to book a room, please!
Apple’s AR/VR headset gets one step closer to a reality: Apple’s rumored first step into AR and VR has been hush-hush, but a new report indicates that the mixed-reality headset may be getting closer to its grand unveiling. As reported by Bloomberg, Apple’s board got a sneak peek at the company’s upcoming mixed-reality headset at a quarterly meeting. This meeting was attended by “eight independent directors” and CEO Tim Cook.
Elon Musk moving Twitter to Miami would be the ‘icing on the cake,' says Miami mayor: Miami is "fundamentally pro-free market," says Mayor Francis Suarez.
Arby's is selling a fast-food staple it's never offered before: Typically there's nothing groundbreaking about a fast-food chain selling a hamburger. But Arby's has never sold one — until now. Better known for its roast beef, the chain is adding a hamburger to its menu for the first time in its nearly 60-year history. Arby's announced Monday it's adding the "Wagyu Steakhouse Burger," which costs $5.99, as a limited-time offering beginning Monday through July 31.
More Subprime Borrowers Are Missing Loan Payments: Borrowers with limited or troubled credit histories are defaulting on credit cards, car loans and personal loans.
Some Jif peanut butter products are being recalled for possible salmonella contamination: A salmonella outbreak linked to Jif’s creamy, crunchy, natural and reduced fat peanut butters has left 14 ill across 12 states.
‘I needed something to do’: How working in retirement is being embraced by older adults and companies: The tight labor market and Zoom are helping baby boomers work the way they want.
'Dr.' Taylor Swift Shared Her 'Cringe' Life Hack With Grads In Her NYU Commencement Speech: "I'm here is because I have a song called '22'."
Station Crew Opens Boeing Starliner Hatch, Enters Spacecraft: Astronauts living aboard the International Space Station opened the hatch for the first time to Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft at 12:04 p.m. EDT Saturday, May 21, on its uncrewed Orbital Flight Test-2.
Elephants in Mourning Spotted on YouTube by Scientists: It is difficult to catch Asian elephants responding to deaths of herd members in the wild, but online videos helped researchers observe the behavior.
The world’s tallest dog is 7 feet tall on his hind legs: ‘He thinks he’s a lap dog’: Zeus, a 2-year-old Great Dane, enjoys drinking out of the sink and stealing snacks off the counter.
A 1955 Mercedes just nabbed $143 million at auction, making it the most expensive car ever sold: An ultra-rare Mercedes-Benz race car sold for $143 million earlier this month, making it the most expensive car ever sold.
The 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe smashed the previous record for the most expensive car sold at auction by more than $95 million.
The sale took place May 5 in a secretive and highly unusual auction at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany.
Eritrean cyclist Biniam Girmay suffers freak eye injury while celebrating historic victory: Biniam Girmay finished the celebration of his historic win in an Italian hospital.
See first photos of the This Is Us series finale and Rebecca's funeral: The last-ever episode of NBC's hit time-hopping family drama will take you "full circle" — and even to the toy store. The finale is tonight (Tuesday).
Johnny Depp To Be Called As Witness For Amber Heard Defense In $50M Trial:
SNL’ starts generational shift with Kate McKinnon, Aidy Bryant, Pete Davidson & Kyle Mooney sendoff in season finale.It looks like there’s going to be a sequel to Johnny Depp’s testimony in the former Piractes of the Caribbean’s star’s $50 milion defamation trial against Amber Heard. Over two weeks after last appearing on the stand in the Virginia-set trial, Depp will be called by the defense as a witness on Monday, we’ve learned. The fired Fantastic Beasts star will be the third witness on May 23. Depp will follow an anatomy expert and an IPV expert in what is the last week of the April 11-starting trial.
Platinum jubilee concert line-up announced: Queen, Elton John and Alicia Keys to perform. The Platinum Party at the Palace concert will take place at Buckingham Palace on June 4: The international line-up for the event on June 4 also features Alicia Keys, Andrea Bocelli, Sir Elton John, Duran Duran, Sir Rod Stewart, Diana Ross, Hans Zimmer, Mabel and Eurovision singer Sam Ryder.
John Legend wants to transform the criminal justice system, one DA at a time: John Legend is an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony award-winning entertainer, who recently kicked off a Las Vegas residency and just released a new single. But he's also a well-known activist and advocate for criminal justice reform and voting rights who has supported a number of Democratic candidates over the years. He's also throwing his support behind a number of progressive prosecutors who are running on a promise to reform a criminal justice system that they say is outdated and that disproportionately punishes and over incarcerates people of color.
Conan O’Brien Sells Podcast Business to SiriusXM for $150M: Under the deal, podcasts like 'Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend' and 'Parks and Recollection' will move to the satellite radio firm. O'Brien will also produce a comedy channel for the company.
John Aylward, ‘West Wing’ and ‘ER’ actor, dead at 75: John Aylward, a character actor who appeared in shows including “The West Wing” and “ER,” passed away Monday evening at his home in Seattle. He was 75. Aylward’s wife, Mary Fields, confirmed the actor’s death in a statement to his longtime agent, Mitchell K. Stubbs, Deadline reported. “I was shocked. He was a wonderful actor and a phenomenal human being,” Stubbs told the outlet of the tragic news. “He was a dream client, a friend and a dream person.”
Listen to a rare recording of Shirley Jackson reading “The Lottery”: In the 74 years since its publication, Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” has become not only her most famous work, but also one of the most famous short stories in the history of the genre. When the chilling tale of ritual murder first appeared in a June 1948 issue of The New Yorker, however, it was more infamous than famous. Subscriptions were canceled and so much hate mail poured in that Jackson was forced to spring for a bigger post office box.
Josh Donaldson fined, suspended over 'Jackie' Robinson comment aimed at Tim Anderson: After the game, Anderson told reporters that Donaldson repeatedly called him "Jackie" in reference to Jackie Robinson, a practice that White Sox manager Tony La Russa derided as "racist." Donaldson admitted to calling Anderson "Jackie" and having done so repeatedly since 2019. He denied any racist intent, telling reporters on Saturday that he was "just joking around" based on Anderson comparing himself to Robinson in a 2019 interview.
Early voting wins 147th running of Preakness Stakes: Maybe extra rest isn't such a bad thing for a racehorse after all: In the Preakness Stakes that was run without the Kentucky Derby winner because Rich Strike's owner felt he needed more time off after his 80-1 upset, Early Voting validated a gutsy decision to skip the Derby and aim for the second leg of the Triple Crown.
16 hockey slang terms you should know: Of all the championship trophies awarded by professional sports leagues in North America, hockey’s Stanley Cup is the oldest. It’s been around since 1892, when the Governor General of Canada, Lord Stanley of Preston, commissioned “a challenge cup which should be held from year to year by the champion hockey team.” The cup has remained the same (sort of), but the words we use to describe the game have not. “The special words of hockey are full of color and interest,” Lewis Poteet, author of Hockey Talk, once wrote. “They are a guide to the grace, the violence, the exhilaration, the history of the game.” Below are 16 such “special words” to guide you through the playoff season.
Beauty breakdown: Sun care & SPF — All the product recs, tips & expert advice you need.
Have a great Tuesday!