💩30👍8👎4
🔥 Miscalculations, errors blamed for massive New Mexico blaze
US Forest Service employees made multiple miscalculations, used inaccurate models and underestimated how dry conditions were in the Southwest, causing a planned burn to reduce the threat of wildfires to explode into the largest blaze in New Mexico’s recorded history.
The agency quietly posted an 80-page review that details the planning missteps and the conditions on the ground as crews ignited the prescribed fire in early April. So far, 31,000 wildfires have burned more than 5,000 square miles (12,950 square kilometers) in the United States.
President Joe Biden recently flew over the fire and stopped briefly in New Mexico to assure residents the federal government would take responsibility for its role in causing the blaze.
Subscribe to @sputniknewsus
US Forest Service employees made multiple miscalculations, used inaccurate models and underestimated how dry conditions were in the Southwest, causing a planned burn to reduce the threat of wildfires to explode into the largest blaze in New Mexico’s recorded history.
The agency quietly posted an 80-page review that details the planning missteps and the conditions on the ground as crews ignited the prescribed fire in early April. So far, 31,000 wildfires have burned more than 5,000 square miles (12,950 square kilometers) in the United States.
President Joe Biden recently flew over the fire and stopped briefly in New Mexico to assure residents the federal government would take responsibility for its role in causing the blaze.
Subscribe to @sputniknewsus
👍16😱10💩9
🚀 NASA fuels moon rocket for 1st time in countdown rehearsal
NASA fueled its huge moon rocket for the first time Monday and went ahead with a critical countdown test despite a fuel line leak. This was NASA’s fourth crack at the all-important dress rehearsal, the last major milestone before the moon rocket’s long-awaited launch debut.
The testing delays have pushed the actual launch — with an empty Orion capsule flying around the moon and back. The second SLS flight, planned for 2024, would send a crew around the moon and back. The third mission — no earlier than 2025 — would have astronauts actually landing on the moon. Astronauts last walked on the moon in 1972 during NASA’s Apollo program.
Subscribe to @sputniknewsus
NASA fueled its huge moon rocket for the first time Monday and went ahead with a critical countdown test despite a fuel line leak. This was NASA’s fourth crack at the all-important dress rehearsal, the last major milestone before the moon rocket’s long-awaited launch debut.
The testing delays have pushed the actual launch — with an empty Orion capsule flying around the moon and back. The second SLS flight, planned for 2024, would send a crew around the moon and back. The third mission — no earlier than 2025 — would have astronauts actually landing on the moon. Astronauts last walked on the moon in 1972 during NASA’s Apollo program.
Subscribe to @sputniknewsus
💩27👍7
💧 Yellowstone Park aims for quick reopening after floods
Most of Yellowstone National Park should reopen within the next two weeks — much faster than originally expected after record floods pounded the region last week and knocked out major roads, federal officials said.
Park officials said Sunday they’ll use $50 million in federal highway money to speed up road and bridge repairs. There’s still no timetable for repairs to routes between the park and areas of Montana where the recovery is expected to stretch for months.
The scope of the damage is still being tallied by Yellowstone officials, but based on other national park disasters, it could take years and carry a steep price tag to rebuild in an environmentally sensitive landscape, with a huge underground plumbing system.
Subscribe to @sputniknewsus
Most of Yellowstone National Park should reopen within the next two weeks — much faster than originally expected after record floods pounded the region last week and knocked out major roads, federal officials said.
Park officials said Sunday they’ll use $50 million in federal highway money to speed up road and bridge repairs. There’s still no timetable for repairs to routes between the park and areas of Montana where the recovery is expected to stretch for months.
The scope of the damage is still being tallied by Yellowstone officials, but based on other national park disasters, it could take years and carry a steep price tag to rebuild in an environmentally sensitive landscape, with a huge underground plumbing system.
Subscribe to @sputniknewsus
💩16👍5
🚫 Facebook* and US sign deal to end discriminatory housing ads
Facebook* will change its algorithms to prevent discriminatory housing advertising and its parent company will subject itself to court oversight to settle a lawsuit brought by the US Department of Justice on Tuesday.
According to the release, it was the Justice Department’s first case challenging algorithmic discrimination under the Fair Housing Act.
Facebook* also will develop a new system over the next half-year to address racial and other disparities caused by its use of personalization algorithms in its delivery system for housing ads, it said. Meta* also must pay a penalty of just over $115,000.
*Meta, Facebook, and Instagram are banned in Russia over extremist activities.
Subscribe to @sputniknewsus
Facebook* will change its algorithms to prevent discriminatory housing advertising and its parent company will subject itself to court oversight to settle a lawsuit brought by the US Department of Justice on Tuesday.
According to the release, it was the Justice Department’s first case challenging algorithmic discrimination under the Fair Housing Act.
Facebook* also will develop a new system over the next half-year to address racial and other disparities caused by its use of personalization algorithms in its delivery system for housing ads, it said. Meta* also must pay a penalty of just over $115,000.
*Meta, Facebook, and Instagram are banned in Russia over extremist activities.
Subscribe to @sputniknewsus
💩8😱6
🏊♂️ US pools close, go without lifeguards amid labor shortage
A national lifeguard shortage exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted communities such as Indianapolis to cut back on pools and hours. In other spots around the United States, swimming areas are going without attendants.
The American Lifeguard Association estimates the shortage impacts one-third of US pools. Bernard J. Fisher II, director of health and safety at the association, expects that figure to grow to half of all pools by August, when many teenage lifeguards return to school.
When a local pool is not open, young people may go swimming in places without lifeguards, Fisher said. That can result in more drownings, which disproportionately affect people of color. In the US, Black people under 29 are 1.5 times more likely to drown compared with white Americans of the same age, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Subscribe to @sputniknewsus
A national lifeguard shortage exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted communities such as Indianapolis to cut back on pools and hours. In other spots around the United States, swimming areas are going without attendants.
The American Lifeguard Association estimates the shortage impacts one-third of US pools. Bernard J. Fisher II, director of health and safety at the association, expects that figure to grow to half of all pools by August, when many teenage lifeguards return to school.
When a local pool is not open, young people may go swimming in places without lifeguards, Fisher said. That can result in more drownings, which disproportionately affect people of color. In the US, Black people under 29 are 1.5 times more likely to drown compared with white Americans of the same age, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Subscribe to @sputniknewsus
👍14😱4💩1
💰 Bill Cosby sexually assaulted teen in 1975, civil jury rules; must pay her $500K
A California jury has found that Bill Cosby sexually assaulted Judy Huth at the Playboy Mansion in 1975 when she was a teenager. Huth, now 64, was awarded $500,000 after four bizarre days of deliberations. Although Cosby's been accused of sexual misconduct by 60 women, this was the first civil case to reach trial.
Cosby's lawyers called Huth's story "a complete and utter fabrication" and questioned why she stayed at the mansion for hours after the alleged assault. They also took a shot at her credibility as Huth initially got the year of the attack wrong.
It's almost one year to the day since the man formerly hailed as 'America's Dad' was freed from prison when his sexual assault conviction was overturned.
Subscribe to @sputniknewsus
A California jury has found that Bill Cosby sexually assaulted Judy Huth at the Playboy Mansion in 1975 when she was a teenager. Huth, now 64, was awarded $500,000 after four bizarre days of deliberations. Although Cosby's been accused of sexual misconduct by 60 women, this was the first civil case to reach trial.
Cosby's lawyers called Huth's story "a complete and utter fabrication" and questioned why she stayed at the mansion for hours after the alleged assault. They also took a shot at her credibility as Huth initially got the year of the attack wrong.
It's almost one year to the day since the man formerly hailed as 'America's Dad' was freed from prison when his sexual assault conviction was overturned.
Subscribe to @sputniknewsus
💩16👍2😱1
🏛 Top Senate Negotiators Reach Deal on Gun Control Bill as NRA Asserts Measure Will Be Abused
Top negotiators in the US Senate said they reached a deal on a bipartisan gun control bill that will tighten background checks and provide funding to address mental health issues, among other provisions.
After the deal was struck, the Senate was set to remove a procedural hurdle to advance the measure, with at least 63 senators voting in favor of beginning debate.
The bill has received some opposition from several lawmakers including one of the biggest US gun lobbyists, the National Rifle Association. The gun lobby group said the bill does very little to address gun violence while opening the door to unnecessary burdens on Americans' rights to own firearms.
Subscribe to @sputniknewsus
Top negotiators in the US Senate said they reached a deal on a bipartisan gun control bill that will tighten background checks and provide funding to address mental health issues, among other provisions.
After the deal was struck, the Senate was set to remove a procedural hurdle to advance the measure, with at least 63 senators voting in favor of beginning debate.
The bill has received some opposition from several lawmakers including one of the biggest US gun lobbyists, the National Rifle Association. The gun lobby group said the bill does very little to address gun violence while opening the door to unnecessary burdens on Americans' rights to own firearms.
Subscribe to @sputniknewsus
💩10👍7
🗣 The Obamas head to Audible
Amazon’s Audible and the Obamas’ production company Higher Ground announced a multi-year first-look deal on Tuesday, ending the speculation of where the former first couple would take their podcasts after their deal with Spotify ends in several months.
It’s a big get for Audible, which is better known for audiobooks than podcasts even as it ramps up the development deals. It is also a curious choice for the Obamas, who were reported to be frustrated by the limitations that came with making shows like The Michelle Obama Podcast and Renegades: Born in the USA for Spotify that had months-long exclusivity windows.
The split was apparently mutual, as Spotify did not make an offer to extend their contract. Audible premium programming cost a $7.95 per month subnoscription.
Subscribe to @sputniknewsus
Amazon’s Audible and the Obamas’ production company Higher Ground announced a multi-year first-look deal on Tuesday, ending the speculation of where the former first couple would take their podcasts after their deal with Spotify ends in several months.
It’s a big get for Audible, which is better known for audiobooks than podcasts even as it ramps up the development deals. It is also a curious choice for the Obamas, who were reported to be frustrated by the limitations that came with making shows like The Michelle Obama Podcast and Renegades: Born in the USA for Spotify that had months-long exclusivity windows.
The split was apparently mutual, as Spotify did not make an offer to extend their contract. Audible premium programming cost a $7.95 per month subnoscription.
Subscribe to @sputniknewsus
👎15💩15👍4
🚨Results Are In: Who Are The Winners of Primary Tuesday?
Washington, DC:
Mayor Muriel Bowser has clinched the 2022 primary election in the nation’s capital, putting the official on the path to running for her third term in the mayoral post.
Alabama:
Contender Katie Britt managed to secure the GOP Senate nomination for the Heart of Dixie, booting US Rep. Mo Brooks in the runoff race. Having received former US President Donald Trump’s endorsement, she is on pace to become the youngest woman in the congressional chamber.
She will now face Democrat Will Boyd in the November midterm election.
Georgia:
Unlike Alabama, Trump’s endorsement did not provide much of an assist as Marine veteran Rich McCormick and trucking company owner Mike Collins bested both of 45’s contenders.
Elsewhere, State Rep. Bee Nguyen is the Democratic nominee for the Peach State’s secretary, putting her on pace to face GOP incumbent Brad Raffensperger.
Virginia:
Republicans scored another victory in the Old Dominion State with Yesli Vega’s win. Although Trump did steer out of the state, Vega’s bid was boosted by backing from Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Virginia’s own Rep. Bob Good.
Jen Kiggans also went on to defeat three challengers to win the state’s nomination in the coastal 2nd District, setting up a showdown with US Rep. Elaine Luria.
Washington, DC:
Mayor Muriel Bowser has clinched the 2022 primary election in the nation’s capital, putting the official on the path to running for her third term in the mayoral post.
Alabama:
Contender Katie Britt managed to secure the GOP Senate nomination for the Heart of Dixie, booting US Rep. Mo Brooks in the runoff race. Having received former US President Donald Trump’s endorsement, she is on pace to become the youngest woman in the congressional chamber.
She will now face Democrat Will Boyd in the November midterm election.
Georgia:
Unlike Alabama, Trump’s endorsement did not provide much of an assist as Marine veteran Rich McCormick and trucking company owner Mike Collins bested both of 45’s contenders.
Elsewhere, State Rep. Bee Nguyen is the Democratic nominee for the Peach State’s secretary, putting her on pace to face GOP incumbent Brad Raffensperger.
Virginia:
Republicans scored another victory in the Old Dominion State with Yesli Vega’s win. Although Trump did steer out of the state, Vega’s bid was boosted by backing from Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Virginia’s own Rep. Bob Good.
Jen Kiggans also went on to defeat three challengers to win the state’s nomination in the coastal 2nd District, setting up a showdown with US Rep. Elaine Luria.
👍13💩7
Forwarded from Sputnik
🇷🇺🇺🇸Russian diplomats in the United States led by Ambassador Anatoly Antonov lit candles to commemorate the 81st anniversary of the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union, the greatest tragedy in the country’s history.The candle-lighting ceremony in front of the Embassy started at 4.00 am Moscow time - exactly 81 years after Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union by attacking Brest, Kiev and other Soviet cities with the largest force in the history of warfare.
👍83❤9
This media is not supported in your browser
VIEW IN TELEGRAM
🥴 Tucker Carlson on the Navy releasing a training video about pronouns:
🗯 "Why not just make it really clear, get right to the point: 'We surrender.'"
Subscribe to @sputniknewsus
🗯 "Why not just make it really clear, get right to the point: 'We surrender.'"
Subscribe to @sputniknewsus
💩27👍12❤2😱1