Hurricane Lee Continues Moving North as a Category 3 Storm
Video Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories - Duration: 01:31s - Published
Hurricane Lee Continues Moving North as a Category 3 Storm
Hurricane Lee , Continues Moving North , as a Category 3 Storm.
On September 12, Hurricane Lee was moving
north toward Bermuda, where the National
Hurricane Center warned of tropical storm conditions.
.
'The Independent' reports that while Lee is
forecast to weaken in the coming days, it will
continue to generate dangerous conditions.
Despite the weakening that is forecast,
keep in mind that the expanding wind
field of Lee will produce impacts
well away from the storm center, National Hurricane Center, via 'The Independent'.
The hurricane is expected to create dangerous surf
and rip currents in the Lesser Antilles, Puerto Rico,
the Bahamas, Bermuda and the Southeast U.S. coast.
It remains too soon to know
what level of additional impacts
Lee might have along the northeastern
U.S. coast and Atlantic Canada late
this week and this weekend, National Hurricane Center, via 'The Independent'.
'The Independent' reports that Lee is the 12th named
storm of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season.
.
On September 11, Margot became the
fifth named hurricane of the season, with
maximum sustained winds of 85 miles per hour.
The latest hurricane is expected to remain over
open waters and is not expected to make landfall.
McDonald's Posts , Disappointing Q1 Results , Amid Ongoing Boycotts.
'The Independent' reports that McDonald's posted weaker-
than-expected results in the first quarter of 2024, as a result
of a boycott over the company's perceived support for Israel. .
'The Independent' reports that McDonald's posted weaker-
than-expected results in the first quarter of 2024, as a result
of a boycott over the company's perceived support for Israel. .
According to McDonald's, higher sales in the
United States helped the fast-food giant overcome
weakness in markets where the brand is being boycotted.
According to McDonald's, higher sales in the
United States helped the fast-food giant overcome
weakness in markets where the brand is being boycotted.
The company saw same-store sales rise by
1.9% worldwide between January and March,
below the Wall Street forecast of 2.1%.
Increased menu pricing and delivery demand
saw same-store sales in the U.S. increase by 2.5%.
In international markets, sales fell
by 0.2% for the first time since 2020.
Despite this, McDonald's said the company's revenue
increased 5% to reach $6.17 billion, while net income went
up 7% to $1.93 billion, in-line with Wall Street estimates.
'The Independent' reports that Muslim-majority
markets like Indonesia, Malaysia and the Middle East
have been boycotting McDonald's for months.
The boycotts started after a McDonald's franchise in
Israel announced in October that it would provide free
meals for Israeli troops amid the ongoing war in Gaza.
In the months since then, the company has tried to limit
the fallout by taking over all 225 McDonald's in the country
with the purchase of Alyonal Limited, its Israeli franchise.
Our hearts remain with
the communities and families
impacted by the war in the Middle East.
We abhor violence of any kind and
firmly stand against hate speech,
and we will always proudly
open our doors to everyone, McDonald's statement, via 'The Indepndent'.
Our hearts remain with
the communities and families
impacted by the war in the Middle East.
We abhor violence of any kind and
firmly stand against hate speech,
and we will always proudly
open our doors to everyone, McDonald's statement, via 'The Indepndent'
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Negotiations on Global Treaty , to End Plastic Pollution , Reach Critical Phase .
'The Independent' reports that negotiators from around
the world have met to discuss what could become
a global treaty meant to end plastic pollution. .
The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on
Plastic Pollution has begun agreeing on treaty language
at their fourth of five scheduled plastics summits.
The most ambitious and contentious
idea revolves around limiting how much
plastic can be manufactured globally.
As most plastics are made from fossil fuels
and chemicals, oil and gas exporters
have strongly objected to the limitations, along
with plastic-producing countries and companies.
According to Stewart Harris, an industry spokesperson
with the International Council of Chemical Associations,
the treaty also focuses on recycling and reuse. .
We want to see the treaty
completed. We want to work
with the governments on
implementing it. The private
sector has a role to play, Stewart Harris, an industry spokesperson
with the International Council of Chemical
Associations, via 'The Independent'.
'The Independent' reports that the Scientists’
Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty provided
scientific evidence on plastic pollution at
the negotiations.
I heard yesterday that there’s
no data on microplastics,
which is verifiably false:
21,000 publications on micro and
nanoplastics have been published, Bethanie Carney Almroth, an ecotoxicology professor at Sweden's University of Gothenburg who co-leads the coalition, via 'The Independent'.
Ecuador's chief negotiator, Walter Schuldt stressed that
countries present at the negotiation share a common
vision of moving forward in the treaty process.
Because at the end of the day,
we’re talking about the survival
of the future of life, not only
of human life but all sorts
of life on this planet, Walter Schuldt, Ecuador's chief
negotiator, via 'The Independent'
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
French director MaĂŻwenn is walking back her claim Johnny Depp "scared" her crew on the set of "Jeanne du Barry" ... saying she was misunderstood. MaĂŻwenn hit.. TMZ.com
Google Fires More Staffers , Following Protests Over , $1.2 Billion Israel Deal.
Google Fires More Staffers , Following Protests Over , $1.2 Billion Israel Deal.
'The Independent' reports that Google has fired at least
20 more workers following protests over the company
supplying Israel with technology amid the Gaza war.
'The Independent' reports that Google has fired at least
20 more workers following protests over the company
supplying Israel with technology amid the Gaza war.
A group representing the fired
workers said the total number of staff
terminated for protesting is now over 50. .
Internal turmoil at the tech giant revolves around
'Project Nimbus,' a 2021 contract for both Google and
Amazon to provide the Israeli government with technology. .
Internal turmoil at the tech giant revolves around
'Project Nimbus,' a 2021 contract for both Google and
Amazon to provide the Israeli government with technology. .
The $1.2 billion contract includes
cloud computing and artificial
intelligence services. .
The $1.2 billion contract includes
cloud computing and artificial
intelligence services. .
Last week, workers held sit-in
protests at Google's offices in both
New York and Sunnyvale, California.
The protests were organized by the group
No Tech For Apartheid, who said that 30 workers
were fired following the initial sit-in. .
According to Jane Chung, a spokeswoman for
No Tech For Apartheid, Google has now fired
"over 20" more workers, “including non-participating
bystanders during last week’s protests.”.
Google’s aims are clear:
the corporation is attempting
to quash dissent, silence
its workers, and reassert
its power over them, Jane Chung, a spokeswoman for No Tech For Apartheid, via 'The Independent'.
In its attempts to do so,
Google has decided to
unceremoniously, and
without due process,
upend the livelihoods of
over 50 of its own workers, Jane Chung, a spokeswoman for No Tech For Apartheid, via 'The Independent'.
In its attempts to do so,
Google has decided to
unceremoniously, and
without due process,
upend the livelihoods of
over 50 of its own workers, Jane Chung, a spokeswoman for No Tech For Apartheid, via 'The Independent'.
Google has disputed the group's claims,
stressing that the company carefully found that, “every single one of those whose employment
was terminated was personally and definitively
involved in disruptive activity inside our buildings.”
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Upcoming , Lyrid Meteor Shower , May Be Hard to See.
'The Independent' reports that skywatchers
looking to catch the Lyrid meteor shower
may be foiled by the moon. .
This year's peak activity occurs
on April 21 and 22, with up to
20 meteors expected per hour. .
Potential viewing should
last through April 29. .
However, the American Meteor Society
warns that strong moonlight
may interfere with viewing. .
Every year, multiple meteor showers
occur and don't require special
equipment to see them. .
For the most part, meteor showers originate
from debris left behind by comets, like the Lyrids,
which come from the comet Thatcher. .
As these space rocks enter the Earth's atmosphere,
air resistance makes them extremely hot,
which causes the air around them to glow.
This glow leaves a fiery trail behind
the meteor, which can be observed
from the ground as a "shooting star.".
Look to the northeast and just
keep staring at the same spot
in the sky. It's always impressive
when you see these things, Don Pollacco, University of Warwick
astronomer, via 'The Independent'.
The Lyrids are best viewed from the Northern Hemisphere,
while the upcoming Eta Aquarids meteor shower
can best be seen from the Southern Hemisphere.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Haiti's Transitional Council , Looks to Rebuild Following , 'Collapse' of Institutions.
NBC reports that Haiti's transition council formally
took power on April 25. It seeks to restore order
after suffering the effects of years of gang violence.
Former Prime Minister Ariel Henry's finance minister,
Michel Patrick Boisvert, will serve as Haiti's interim prime
minister until a new head of government can be appointed. .
Today is an important day
in the life of our dear republic,
this day in effect opens
a view to a solution, Michel Patrick Boisvert, interim prime minister, via NBC .
Non-voting council member Regine Abraham
said the council would focus on security,
constitutional reform and elections. .
Abraham said that the group must also rebuild the
nation's judiciary system and fix the economy. .
We are seeing the total
collapse of our institutions
and failure of a government, Regine Abraham, non-voting council member, via NBC News.
We are seeing the total
collapse of our institutions
and failure of a government, Regine Abraham, non-voting council member, via NBC News.
Facing this unprecedented crisis,
the entire population has recognized
the urgent need of a firm hand
to take us out of this spiral
of despair and destruction, Regine Abraham, non-voting council member, via NBC News.
Facing this unprecedented crisis,
the entire population has recognized
the urgent need of a firm hand
to take us out of this spiral
of despair and destruction, Regine Abraham, non-voting council member, via NBC News.
NBC reports that armed gangs have been tightening their
grip on the capital and toppling Henry for years, largely
equipped with weapons trafficked from the United States.
NBC reports that armed gangs have been tightening their
grip on the capital and toppling Henry for years, largely
equipped with weapons trafficked from the United States.
Last month, Henry announced that he would
step down once the council was in place. .
In late February, the now-former
prime minister fled to Puerto Rico as
gangs threatened to overtake the capital. .
In late February, the now-former
prime minister fled to Puerto Rico as
gangs threatened to overtake the capital.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Homes Linked to Diddy , Are Raided by Federal Officials.
HSI New York "executed law enforcement actions
as part of an ongoing investigation with assistance
from HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami and our local law enforcement partners" on March 25, authorities said.
Sean "Diddy" Combs does not own the home in Los Angeles, but the mansion has ties with his company, Bad Boys Film Production.
The Miami residence, however, was bought
by Combs in 2021, NPR reports. .
Phones belonging to Combs
were seized by Homeland Security
officials in Miami prior to the 54-year-old
attempting to board a flight to the Bahamas.
The motive for the raids has not been made clear, .
but they follow a lawsuit alleging that Diddy leads an enterprise that could be considered a "widespread and dangerous criminal sex trafficking organization.".
I drive by a lot, and I see that — a lot of girls, maybe five or six girls outside, some leaving, some not, some going in. I never thought anything of it. But now, it’s crazy, Ryan Mendelsohn, 20, who used to live
in and still frequents the area, via NBC News.
The rapper and producer has also been accused
of the "solicitation and distribution of illegal narcotics and firearms," NBC News reports. .
That suit follows other claims of sexual misconduct, assault, sex trafficking and rape, most notably put forth by Combs' ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura. .
Producer Rodney "Lil Rod" Jones has also
sued Diddy for alleged sexual assault.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Coral Reefs Are Heading Toward , the Worst Global Mass Bleaching on Record.
According to U.S. government scientists, coral reefs are approaching a fourth global mass bleaching event caused by global heating.
According to U.S. government scientists, coral reefs are approaching a fourth global mass bleaching event caused by global heating.
The occurrence is expected "to be the most extensive on record," 'The Guardian' reports. .
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Coral Reef Watch.
about 54% of ocean waters that contain coral reefs have endured enough heat stress to cause bleaching.
The Great Barrier Reef, the largest coral reef
system on the plant, also experienced
"its most widespread heat stress event" ever
this year, 'The Guardian' reports. .
Currently, the record for the most widespread bleaching event took place between 2014 to 2017 with 56% of the ocean's coral reefs subjected to heat stress levels severe enough to cause bleaching.
Dr. Derek Manzello, the Coral Reef Watch director, said that the current bleaching
event is set to surpass that record soon...
... “because the percentage of reef areas experiencing bleaching-level heat stress has been increasing by roughly 1% per week.”.
The bottom line is that as coral
reefs experience more frequent
and severe bleaching events,
the time they have to recover
is becoming shorter and shorter. , Dr. Derek Manzello, the Coral Reef Watch director, via 'The Guardian'.
Current climate models suggest
that every reef on planet Earth will
experience severe, annual bleaching
sometime between 2040 and 2050, Dr. Derek Manzello, the Coral Reef Watch director, via 'The Guardian'.
Coral reefs "provide habitat to a quarter of
all marine species" but are regarded as one
of the most susceptible ecosystems to
global warming, 'The Guardian' reports. .
Coral reefs "provide habitat to a quarter of
all marine species" but are regarded as one
of the most susceptible ecosystems to
global warming, 'The Guardian' reports.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Atlantic storm Lee made landfall at near-hurricane strength on Saturday (local time) in Nova Scotia, Canada, after bringing destructive winds, rough surf and torrential rains to a large swath of New..
Hurricane Lee is on a path toward New England and Eastern Canada, posing a substantial threat of heavy rain, strong winds, and life-threatening storm surges over the weekend. It's expected to weaken..