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October 20, 2021
Elon Musk, the world’s richest person, with an estimated $241bn fortune, could become the first trillionaire, an investment bank has predicted.
Analysts at Morgan Stanley forecast that Musk, who has made most of his wealth from the electric car company Tesla, could make much more money from his fledgling space exploration business SpaceX.
The analyst Adam Jones said the company, founded in 2002, was “challenging any preconceived notion of what was possible and the timeframe possible, in terms of rockets, launch vehicles and supporting infrastructure”.
He added: “More than one client has told us if Elon Musk were to become the first trillionaire ... it won’t be because of Tesla. Others have said SpaceX may eventually be the most highly valued company in the world – in any industry.”
(excerpt)
SpaceX could make Elon Musk world's first trillionaire, says Morgan Stanley
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/oct/20/spacex-could-make-elon-musk-world-first-trillionaire-says-morgan-stanleyElon Musk, the world’s richest person, with an estimated $241bn fortune, could become the first trillionaire, an investment bank has predicted.
Analysts at Morgan Stanley forecast that Musk, who has made most of his wealth from the electric car company Tesla, could make much more money from his fledgling space exploration business SpaceX.
The analyst Adam Jones said the company, founded in 2002, was “challenging any preconceived notion of what was possible and the timeframe possible, in terms of rockets, launch vehicles and supporting infrastructure”.
He added: “More than one client has told us if Elon Musk were to become the first trillionaire ... it won’t be because of Tesla. Others have said SpaceX may eventually be the most highly valued company in the world – in any industry.”
(excerpt)
October 20, 2021
On Monday, the Orion spacecraft was moved between buildings at Florida's Kennedy Space Center ahead of being lifted on to the powerful Space Launch System (SLS) rocket.
For its upcoming flight, Orion will fly around the Moon without astronauts.
It's part of a US plan to return people to the lunar surface this decade.
This programme is called Artemis - after the sister of Apollo - and could help establish a long-term human presence on Earth's only natural satellite.
Orion: Nasa's Moon ship ready to be attached to rocket
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-58965610On Monday, the Orion spacecraft was moved between buildings at Florida's Kennedy Space Center ahead of being lifted on to the powerful Space Launch System (SLS) rocket.
For its upcoming flight, Orion will fly around the Moon without astronauts.
It's part of a US plan to return people to the lunar surface this decade.
This programme is called Artemis - after the sister of Apollo - and could help establish a long-term human presence on Earth's only natural satellite.
October 19, 2021
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A man charged with raping a woman on a commuter train just outside of Philadelphia harassed her for more than 40 minutes while multiple people held up their phones to seemingly record the assault without intervening, authorities said.
More than two dozen train stops passed as the man harassed, groped and eventually raped the woman, the police chief for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority said at a news conference Monday.
Police do not believe a single witness on the train dialed 911. They are investigating whether some bystanders filmed the assault.
Both the man and woman got on the train at the same stop Wednesday night in North Philadelphia. Officers pulled the man off of the woman at the last stop. They responded within about three minutes of a 911 call from a transportation authority employee, authorities said.
(excerpt)
Forty. Goddamned. Minutes.
Train riders held up phones as woman was raped, police say (update)
https://www.yahoo.com/news/train-riders-held-phones-woman-233116677.htmlPHILADELPHIA (AP) — A man charged with raping a woman on a commuter train just outside of Philadelphia harassed her for more than 40 minutes while multiple people held up their phones to seemingly record the assault without intervening, authorities said.
More than two dozen train stops passed as the man harassed, groped and eventually raped the woman, the police chief for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority said at a news conference Monday.
Police do not believe a single witness on the train dialed 911. They are investigating whether some bystanders filmed the assault.
Both the man and woman got on the train at the same stop Wednesday night in North Philadelphia. Officers pulled the man off of the woman at the last stop. They responded within about three minutes of a 911 call from a transportation authority employee, authorities said.
(excerpt)
Forty. Goddamned. Minutes.
October 19, 2021
Trump criticizes media for treating Powell 'beautifully' in death
Source: The Hill
Former President Donald Trump lambasted the media on Tuesday for what he said was too favorable coverage of former Secretary of State Colin Powell after his death on Monday.
"Wonderful to see Colin Powell, who made big mistakes on Iraq and famously, so-called weapons of mass destruction, be treated in death so beautifully by the Fake News Media. Hope that happens to me someday," Trump said in a statement.
Trump referred to Powell as "a classic RINO" referring to the acronym "Republican in name only."
"He made plenty of mistakes, but anyway, may he rest in peace!" Trump added.
Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/news/577355-trump-criticizes-media-for-treating-powell-beautifully-in-death
October 13, 2021
Walgreens will close five more of its San Francisco locations due to rampant shoplifting and "organized retail crime," a Walgreens spokesperson told SFGate on Tuesday.
"Organized retail crime continues to be a challenge facing retailers across San Francisco, and we are not immune to that," Walgreens spokesperson Phil Caruso said. "Retail theft across our San Francisco stores has continued to increase in the past few months to five times our chain average."
Walgreens locations in San Francisco have struggled with shoplifting for years, and ten Walgreens locations have been closed in the city since 2019. Community members said one closure left seniors, disabled residents, and low-income residents without a convenient local drugstore to go to, with the next closest location not being accessible to those with disabilities, according to a Change.org petition.
"During this time to help combat this issue, we increased our investments in security measures in stores across the city to 46 times our chain average in an effort to provide a safe environment," Caruso said.
Walgreens plans to close 5 San Francisco stores, citing rampant shoplifting & organized retail crime
https://news.yahoo.com/walgreens-plans-close-5-san-210652851.htmlWalgreens will close five more of its San Francisco locations due to rampant shoplifting and "organized retail crime," a Walgreens spokesperson told SFGate on Tuesday.
"Organized retail crime continues to be a challenge facing retailers across San Francisco, and we are not immune to that," Walgreens spokesperson Phil Caruso said. "Retail theft across our San Francisco stores has continued to increase in the past few months to five times our chain average."
Walgreens locations in San Francisco have struggled with shoplifting for years, and ten Walgreens locations have been closed in the city since 2019. Community members said one closure left seniors, disabled residents, and low-income residents without a convenient local drugstore to go to, with the next closest location not being accessible to those with disabilities, according to a Change.org petition.
"During this time to help combat this issue, we increased our investments in security measures in stores across the city to 46 times our chain average in an effort to provide a safe environment," Caruso said.
October 13, 2021
Former Superman actor Dean Cain has criticized DC Comics’ decision to have the current Superman come out as bisexual.
“They said it’s a bold new direction, I say they’re bandwagoning,” the 55-year-old actor told Fox & Friends on Tuesday. “Robin just came out as bi — who’s really shocked about that one? The new Captain America is gay. My daughter in [The CW series] Supergirl, where I played the father, was gay. So I don’t think it’s bold or brave or some crazy new direction. If they had done this 20 years ago, perhaps that would be bold or brave.
“Brave would be having him fighting for the rights of gay people in Iran where they’ll throw you off a building for the offense of being gay,” Cain continued. “They’re talking about having him fight climate change and the deportation of refugees, and he’s dating a hacktivist — whatever a hactivist is. Why don’t they have him fight the injustices that created the refugees whose deportation he’s protesting? That would be brave, I’d read that. Or fighting for the rights of women to attend school and have the ability to work and live and boys not to be raped by men under the new warm and fuzzy Taliban — that would be brave. There’s real evil in this world today, real corruption and government overreach, plenty of things to fight against. Human trafficking — real and actual slavery going on. … It’d be great to tackle those issues.”
The actor played Clark Kent/Superman on Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman for four seasons starting in 1993.
(excerpt)
For clarity's sake, it should be pointed out that the version of Superman being discussed is 17 year old Jon Kent, the son of Clark Kent and Lois Lane.
Cain can complain all he wants, but it's pointless. Inclusiveness in comics isn't going to go away.
Dean Cain Slams Superman Coming Out as Bisexual: "It Isn't Bold or Brave"
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/dean-cain-superman-bisexual-1235030248/Former Superman actor Dean Cain has criticized DC Comics’ decision to have the current Superman come out as bisexual.
“They said it’s a bold new direction, I say they’re bandwagoning,” the 55-year-old actor told Fox & Friends on Tuesday. “Robin just came out as bi — who’s really shocked about that one? The new Captain America is gay. My daughter in [The CW series] Supergirl, where I played the father, was gay. So I don’t think it’s bold or brave or some crazy new direction. If they had done this 20 years ago, perhaps that would be bold or brave.
“Brave would be having him fighting for the rights of gay people in Iran where they’ll throw you off a building for the offense of being gay,” Cain continued. “They’re talking about having him fight climate change and the deportation of refugees, and he’s dating a hacktivist — whatever a hactivist is. Why don’t they have him fight the injustices that created the refugees whose deportation he’s protesting? That would be brave, I’d read that. Or fighting for the rights of women to attend school and have the ability to work and live and boys not to be raped by men under the new warm and fuzzy Taliban — that would be brave. There’s real evil in this world today, real corruption and government overreach, plenty of things to fight against. Human trafficking — real and actual slavery going on. … It’d be great to tackle those issues.”
The actor played Clark Kent/Superman on Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman for four seasons starting in 1993.
(excerpt)
For clarity's sake, it should be pointed out that the version of Superman being discussed is 17 year old Jon Kent, the son of Clark Kent and Lois Lane.
Cain can complain all he wants, but it's pointless. Inclusiveness in comics isn't going to go away.
October 12, 2021
Cops are close to cracking a $4 million jewelry robbery ring that targets patrons at ritzy Manhattan nightclubs and restaurants, NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said Tuesday.
“We’re working with all five district attorneys and multiple federal agencies on a task force on this,” Shea said on Fox 5?s “Good Morning New York.”
“You can absolutely expect more arrests as we get closer to bringing this to a conclusion,” Shea said.
A 19-year-old member of one gang believed behind the robberies — known as OED, or “Own Every Dollar” — was busted early Monday following a confrontation with police outside Pergola, a Chelsea hotspot on W. 28th St. near Sixth Ave. in which cops fired at least three shots at an escaping BMW.
(excerpt)
NYPD closing in on $4 million jewelry robbery crew targeting ritzy Manhattan clubs, restaurants
https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/ny-nypd-closing-in-on-jewelry-robbery-crew-20211012-5zjqudgprrbx3caq6dh5btj24a-story.htmlCops are close to cracking a $4 million jewelry robbery ring that targets patrons at ritzy Manhattan nightclubs and restaurants, NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said Tuesday.
“We’re working with all five district attorneys and multiple federal agencies on a task force on this,” Shea said on Fox 5?s “Good Morning New York.”
“You can absolutely expect more arrests as we get closer to bringing this to a conclusion,” Shea said.
A 19-year-old member of one gang believed behind the robberies — known as OED, or “Own Every Dollar” — was busted early Monday following a confrontation with police outside Pergola, a Chelsea hotspot on W. 28th St. near Sixth Ave. in which cops fired at least three shots at an escaping BMW.
(excerpt)
October 11, 2021
An unprecedented sale of Chicago gangster Al Capone’s belongings, which remained in the possession of his family for almost 75 years after his death, garnered more than $3 million Friday night.
“A Century of Notoriety: The Estate of Al Capone” was held at a private club in Sacramento, California, near where Capone’s three surviving granddaughters live and had almost 1,000 registered bidders — including 150 who were able to attend in person, according to Witherell’s, the auction house that hosted the event. Reporters and photographers were not allowed to observe the nearly four-hour-long event.
Own Al Capone: The Chicago gangster’s favorite gun, diamond jewelry, bear-shaped humidor, family photos and more to be sold by his granddaughters at auction.
The highest-priced item, “Scarface’s” favorite Colt .45-caliber semi-automatic pistol, sold for $860,000 — more than $700,000 above the highest estimate. Its buyer is unknown at this time, but whoever purchased the gun will pay $1,040,600, which includes the 21% buyer’s premium.
Auction for Chicago Outfit boss Al Capone's goods brings in at least $3 million
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-al-capone-auction-results-20211011-ojk5hl7wszgfdhhluibcxgw6mm-story.htmlAn unprecedented sale of Chicago gangster Al Capone’s belongings, which remained in the possession of his family for almost 75 years after his death, garnered more than $3 million Friday night.
“A Century of Notoriety: The Estate of Al Capone” was held at a private club in Sacramento, California, near where Capone’s three surviving granddaughters live and had almost 1,000 registered bidders — including 150 who were able to attend in person, according to Witherell’s, the auction house that hosted the event. Reporters and photographers were not allowed to observe the nearly four-hour-long event.
Own Al Capone: The Chicago gangster’s favorite gun, diamond jewelry, bear-shaped humidor, family photos and more to be sold by his granddaughters at auction.
The highest-priced item, “Scarface’s” favorite Colt .45-caliber semi-automatic pistol, sold for $860,000 — more than $700,000 above the highest estimate. Its buyer is unknown at this time, but whoever purchased the gun will pay $1,040,600, which includes the 21% buyer’s premium.
October 11, 2021
Oct 10 (Reuters) - Jeff Bezos' space company Blue Origin said on Sunday it had pushed this week's launch target of its New Shepard vehicle to Wednesday, delaying "Star Trek" actor William Shatner's sojourn to the edge of space by a day.
"Due to forecasted winds on Tuesday, October 12, Blue Origin's mission operations team has made the decision to delay the launch of NS-18 and is now targeting Wednesday, October 13," the company said in a statement.
Best known as Captain Kirk in the original "Star Trek" television series, Shatner will be part of a four-person crew aboard the suborbital NS-18 mission.
The 90-year-old actor is flying as a guest of Blue Origin, but the company has said that it has also sold nearly $100 million in tickets to paying customers.
(excerpt)
Looking pretty good for 90!
Winds delay Blue Origin's space launch with Shatner
https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/science/winds-delay-blue-origins-space-launch-with-shatner-2021-10-10/Oct 10 (Reuters) - Jeff Bezos' space company Blue Origin said on Sunday it had pushed this week's launch target of its New Shepard vehicle to Wednesday, delaying "Star Trek" actor William Shatner's sojourn to the edge of space by a day.
"Due to forecasted winds on Tuesday, October 12, Blue Origin's mission operations team has made the decision to delay the launch of NS-18 and is now targeting Wednesday, October 13," the company said in a statement.
Best known as Captain Kirk in the original "Star Trek" television series, Shatner will be part of a four-person crew aboard the suborbital NS-18 mission.
The 90-year-old actor is flying as a guest of Blue Origin, but the company has said that it has also sold nearly $100 million in tickets to paying customers.
(excerpt)
Looking pretty good for 90!
October 10, 2021
In response to the rising number of untraceable “ghost guns” on the streets of Washington, the D.C. Council last year passed a law banning the weapons. The guns are homemade, with a barrel, trigger and slide attached to a polymer frame — with no serial number, so police cannot track them when they are discovered after a crime.
But a new lawsuit argues that the city’s law is overly broad and outlaws all polymer-based guns, including the top-selling handguns made by Glock — which are issued to most D.C. police officers. (The law makes an exception for military and law enforcement users.)
The city has a poor track record in its attempts to restrict guns in the city, with its prohibition on gun ownership overturned by the landmark Supreme Court decision in District of Columbia v. Heller. Now a plaintiff in that suit, Dick A. Heller of Southeast Washington, is back with a challenge to the new ghost-gun law, as well as the District’s long ban on manufacturing weapons.
D.C. elected officials have long “adhered to a cynical policy of ‘self-government for me, but no self-defense for thee,’ ” wrote George L. Lyon Jr., Heller’s lawyer.
(Excerrpt)
D.C.'s ghost-gun law faces legal challenge from Dick Heller, successful gun rights activist
https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2021/10/09/dc-ghost-gun-law/In response to the rising number of untraceable “ghost guns” on the streets of Washington, the D.C. Council last year passed a law banning the weapons. The guns are homemade, with a barrel, trigger and slide attached to a polymer frame — with no serial number, so police cannot track them when they are discovered after a crime.
But a new lawsuit argues that the city’s law is overly broad and outlaws all polymer-based guns, including the top-selling handguns made by Glock — which are issued to most D.C. police officers. (The law makes an exception for military and law enforcement users.)
The city has a poor track record in its attempts to restrict guns in the city, with its prohibition on gun ownership overturned by the landmark Supreme Court decision in District of Columbia v. Heller. Now a plaintiff in that suit, Dick A. Heller of Southeast Washington, is back with a challenge to the new ghost-gun law, as well as the District’s long ban on manufacturing weapons.
D.C. elected officials have long “adhered to a cynical policy of ‘self-government for me, but no self-defense for thee,’ ” wrote George L. Lyon Jr., Heller’s lawyer.
(Excerrpt)
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