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Brooks: The power of American capitalism

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:44:50 GMT

The mighty Mississippi rolls on. If you don’t live near it, you might never think of that wide, powerful river. You may associate it with old Mark Twain stories. But every day, 24/7, it rolls on.American capitalism is kind of like that. You can invent fables about how America is in economic decline. You can rail against “neoliberalism.” But the American economy doesn’t care. It just keeps rolling on.The Economist magazine published a report on American economic performance over the last three decades. Using an avalanche of evidence and data, the main thrust of the article is that far from declining, American capitalism is dominant and accelerating.Back in 1990, for example, America’s gross domestic product per capita was nearly neck and neck with that of Europe and Japan. But by 2022 the U.S. had raced ahead.In 1990, the U.S. economy accounted for 40% of the nominal GDP of the G-7 nations. By 2022 the U.S. accounted for 58%.In 1990, American income per person was 24% higher than the...

13-year-old boy banned from theme park for a year after getting stuck in the claw machine

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:44:50 GMT

By Zoe Sottile | CNNA teenage boy provided a cautionary tale for anyone who has ever wanted to sneak their way into some free prizes.The unnamed 13-year-old climbed into a claw machine, called the “Cosmic XL Bonus Game,” at Carowinds amusement park at around 2 p.m. on April 16 and became stuck, according to an email sent to CNN by Carowinds. The theme park, which straddles the North Carolina-South Carolina border, told CNN that the boy was attempting to steal plush toys from within the machine.The park’s medical team responded and the boy left the machine around 2:11 pm, according to Carowinds. He was treated and released to Carowinds, says the theme park.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Santa Clara’s Great America introduces chaperone policy for teens starting this weekend Crime and Public Safety | Six Flags Discovery Kingdom receive six new cheetah cubs Crime and Public Safety | Disneyland computer crash t...

Want to help the ocean? Avoid the moisturizer with shark in it

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:44:50 GMT

(Agustin Munoz/Moment RF/Getty Images) By Martha Shade | CNNIt all seems so daunting: plastics in the ocean, dying coral reefs, entire species being wiped out — but don’t click away in despair!There really are things everyone can do to help make the ocean cleaner and keep our environment healthier.Here are some easy (or mostly easy) life changes that have a big impact on our environment.Eat fish responsiblyThe Monterey Bay Aquarium’s “Seafood Watch” program highlights the most sustainable seafood.(Monterey Bay Aquarium) Whenever you eat fish, make sure you choose a sustainable variety that isn’t endangered.The Monterey Bay Aquarium’s “Seafood Watch” program has online guides detailing which fish are your best bets. All of these directories, broken up by region, can be downloaded into a printable pocket guide — so if you’re a seafood lover, it’s a handy resource to keep nearby.* With some exceptions** T...

Separate March trials to be set for Bay Area pair accused of deadly pawn shop robbery

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:44:50 GMT

A Solano County Superior Court judge will set separate trial dates for two men accused of a deadly 2016 Vallejo pawn shop robbery that ended with the store owner’s gunshot slaying, the wounding of an employee and the death of the store’s dog.Amonie Azoun Andre Summerise, 28, of Vallejo, and Kashius Brazeal-Nelson, 26, a state prison inmate formerly of Vallejo, appeared Thursday in Department 2 in Vallejo for a trial setting.Hearing the attorneys stipulate that the jury trial for each defendant can be severed, Judge Daniel Healy ordered them to return at 8:30 a.m. March 4 and 8:30 a.m. March 25 in the Justice Building.But, according to official court documents, Healy said he will determine at the next hearing, a trial confirmation scheduled for 8:30 a.m. July 28, which trial will be heard first.Deputy Alternate Public Defender Robert Boyle represents Summerise, and Vallejo-based criminal defense attorney Dustin M. Gordon represents Brazeal-Nelson. Chief Deputy District Attorney Paul ...

Brazil’s Lula kicks off visit to European ally Portugal

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:44:50 GMT

LISBON (AP) — Portugal’s president welcomed President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil on an official visit Saturday, as the Brazilian leader looks to strengthen ties with his country’s natural partner in the European Union. Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa received Lula and Brazilian first lady Rosangela da Silva in an official ceremony at the Jeronimos Monastery in Lisbon. Portugal is home to over 250,000 Brazilians, and some were on hand to cheer the visiting president. The trip is Lula’s first to a European country since he defeated incumbent Jair Bolsonaro and won a third non-consecutive term in October. While in Portugal, the left-wing leader aims to aims to secure about a dozen agreements on trade and migration.Lula annoyed leaders in the EU and the United States last weekend by stating that Ukraine and Russia had both chosen to go to war and that Western military aid was fueling the conflict. He also welcomed Russian Foreign Minister Sergey L...

Trevor Bauer makes second minor-league start in Japan

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:44:50 GMT

HIRATSUKA, Japan (AP) — Trevor Bauer started Saturday in his second minor-league game in Japan and said he needs to increase his pitch count before he can debut for Yokohama’s DeNA BayStars.The former Cy Young winner, unsigned by any major league club after claims of domestic violence, joined Yokohama last month on a one-year deal.Bauer said he doesn’t know when he’ll start for Yokohama, and if he does know he isn’t saying.Neither is the team, which won its last league title 25 years ago and is counting on Bauer to deliver.“It’s just about building pitch count right now, making sure that I can pitch a whole game if need be,” Bauer said after throwing 77 pitches in five innings in a minor-league game southwest of Tokyo.He gave up one earned run on two hits. Bauer had two strikeouts and left in the sixth after walking the first batter and giving up an infield hit to the next.Bauer said his fastball “wasn’t quite as good” as it was in his minor-league debu...

¿Qué viene después de la decisión de la Corte Suprema de suspender las restricciones a las píldoras abortivas?

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:44:50 GMT

(CNN) — La comunidad del derecho al aborto y sus aliados en la administración de Biden obtuvieron una sorprendente victoria de la Corte Suprema conservadora con una orden este viernes por la noche, que detuvo la entrada en vigor de las restricciones a los medicamentos utilizados para el aborto.La breve orden sin firmar de la Corte Suprema se produjo en una disputa de emergencia sobre fallos de tribunales inferiores que habrían restringido el acceso al medicamento mifepristona. A pedido del Departamento de Justicia y de un fabricante de mifepristona, el tribunal superior suspendió los fallos del tribunal inferior mientras se desarrolla el proceso de apelación.Solo los jueces Clarence Thomas y Samuel Alito expresaron públicamente su desacuerdo con la medida de la Corte Suprema.Esto es lo que debe saber sobre la medida de la Corte Suprema de EE.UU.¿Qué hizo la Corte Suprema este viernes?La Corte Suprema otorgó una victoria a los defensores de los medicamentos abortivos al detener...

Stormy Saturday in DC region; possibility of high winds, hail, tornadoes

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:44:50 GMT

Heavy downpours and thunderstorms are expected to blow through the D.C. region on Saturday afternoon.The highest risk of severe weather is from late Saturday morning until early evening.Thunderstorms with damaging winds ranging 15-25 mph and some gusts up to 65 mph will likely come after lunchtime.There’s also a possibility of hail and brief tornadoes, according to the National Weather Service.A strong cold front approaching the area will increase the risk for showers & thunderstorms, some of which may become severe. The main threat will be damaging winds. However, the stronger storms may pose the risk of large hail & even a few brief tornadoes. #MDwx #VAwx #DCwx #WVwx pic.twitter.com/RjXOpF93VM— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) April 22, 2023Meanwhile, the D.C. area continues to be in a moderate drought.Highs will top out in the middle to upper 70s and temperatures are forecast to drop into the 50s Saturday night.NWS warned boaters that conditions on the water...

En el Día de la Tierra, 5 consejos para reducir la huella de carbono de tu alimentación (sin tener que dejar los asados)

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:44:50 GMT

(CNN Español) — Sí, eres consciente de que la carne de res es el alimento más dañino para el clima. Pero no, no está en tus planes abandonar los asados o parrilladas con la familia y los amigos. Eso no significa que no estés dispuesto a tomar otras medidas para reducir la huella de carbono de tu alimentación. ¿Pero cuáles? Te damos 5 consejos.Primero, algunos datos: el 26% de las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero proviene de los alimentos, según la FAO, entre otras organizaciones. Y tan solo la ganadería es responsable del 14,5% de las emisiones. La carne de res es el alimento que más gases de este tipo produce, según un informe del Consejo de Defensa de los Recursos Naturales. En segundo lugar, y si tomamos en cuenta el CO2 que se emite por kg. consumido, le sigue otro rumiante: el cordero.1 de 10 | La carne es ampliamente reconocida como el alimento más dañino para el clima. Un nuevo estudio sobre comida y contaminación por calentamiento global en...

New wave of GOP candidates poised to join 2024 campaign

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:44:50 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — The opening phase of the Republican presidential primary has largely centered on the escalating collision between former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.But a new wave of GOP White House hopefuls will begin entering the 2024 race as soon as this coming week after a monthslong lull. They include former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who will formally launch his campaign Wednesday.Former Vice President Mike Pence has said he will finalize his plans in “weeks, not months.” He has kept a busy schedule of early state visits and policy speeches as aides have discussed details of an announcement including dates as early as May, but more likely in June. South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, who has formed a presidential exploratory committee, is expected to join the race in a similar time frame.Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has been meeting with former aides and he returned to New Hampshire this past...