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March 13, 2022
Alabama residents will no longer be required to hold a permit to conceal and carry a handgun in the state after Gov. Kay Ivey (R) on Thursday signed a bill effectuating the change into law.
The bill, which was passed along party lines with major Republican support and Democrat opposition, takes effect in January of next year, according to a press release from the governor's office.
Ivey said she was defending Second Amendment rights in her state.
"Unlike most states who are doing everything in their power to make it harder for law abiding citizens, Alabama is reaffirming our commitment to defending our Second Amendment rights," the governor said in a statement. "I have always stood up for the rights of law abiding gunowners, and I am proud to do that again."
(Excerpt)
Alabama joins Georgia, 20 other states in getting rid of conceal carry permits
https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/597982-alabama-joins-georgia-20-other-states-in-getting-rid-of-conceal-carryAlabama residents will no longer be required to hold a permit to conceal and carry a handgun in the state after Gov. Kay Ivey (R) on Thursday signed a bill effectuating the change into law.
The bill, which was passed along party lines with major Republican support and Democrat opposition, takes effect in January of next year, according to a press release from the governor's office.
Ivey said she was defending Second Amendment rights in her state.
"Unlike most states who are doing everything in their power to make it harder for law abiding citizens, Alabama is reaffirming our commitment to defending our Second Amendment rights," the governor said in a statement. "I have always stood up for the rights of law abiding gunowners, and I am proud to do that again."
(Excerpt)
March 11, 2022
Police are investigating a Saturday night fatal shooting in Fontana, after a home owner says he had to defend himself during an attempted burglary.
The homeowner, whose name has not been released by authorities, called the Fontana Police Department at 10:47 p.m. Saturday.
He told police multiple people were attempting to break into his house at the corner of Cypress Avenue and Baseline, that he believed at least one of them was inside, and that he believed they were armed. The home owner then armed himself with a handgun before the call with Fontana PD disconnected.
When police arrived at the scene, the home owner came out of the house and surrendered himself, saying he had shot someone inside the home.
(Excerpt)
Intruders: One dead, the others fled.
Fontana Homeowner Fatally Shoots Attempted Burglar
https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/fontana-homeowner-fatally-shoots-attempted-burglar/2841959/Police are investigating a Saturday night fatal shooting in Fontana, after a home owner says he had to defend himself during an attempted burglary.
The homeowner, whose name has not been released by authorities, called the Fontana Police Department at 10:47 p.m. Saturday.
He told police multiple people were attempting to break into his house at the corner of Cypress Avenue and Baseline, that he believed at least one of them was inside, and that he believed they were armed. The home owner then armed himself with a handgun before the call with Fontana PD disconnected.
When police arrived at the scene, the home owner came out of the house and surrendered himself, saying he had shot someone inside the home.
(Excerpt)
Intruders: One dead, the others fled.
March 8, 2022
Patreon, a start-up whose website allows people to give money to individuals and groups, said Thursday that it had suspended the fundraising campaign that a nonprofit organization was using to collect donations to distribute body armor, medical kits, and helmets to Ukrainian soldiers.
Come Back Alive is a charitable foundation established in 2014 and based in Kyiv. The organization last received money from its Patreon page in August, its director, Taras Chmut, told CNBC in an interview.
Chmut said it was receiving small amounts for several months. Then Russia invaded Ukraine late Wednesday, and over $300,000 rolled in, including many donations of less than $1,000.
But on Thursday people who attempted to visit the page simply saw the message “This page has been removed.”
(Excerpt)
Patreon suspends donation page for nonprofit giving body armor to Ukrainian army
https://www.cnbc.com/2022/02/24/patreon-suspends-come-back-alive-page-for-ukrainian-army-donations.htmlPatreon, a start-up whose website allows people to give money to individuals and groups, said Thursday that it had suspended the fundraising campaign that a nonprofit organization was using to collect donations to distribute body armor, medical kits, and helmets to Ukrainian soldiers.
Come Back Alive is a charitable foundation established in 2014 and based in Kyiv. The organization last received money from its Patreon page in August, its director, Taras Chmut, told CNBC in an interview.
Chmut said it was receiving small amounts for several months. Then Russia invaded Ukraine late Wednesday, and over $300,000 rolled in, including many donations of less than $1,000.
But on Thursday people who attempted to visit the page simply saw the message “This page has been removed.”
(Excerpt)
March 8, 2022
Russia has threatened to close a major gas pipeline to Germany and warned of $300 oil prices if the West goes ahead with a ban on its energy exports.
“It is absolutely clear that a rejection of Russian oil would lead to catastrophic consequences for the global market,” Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said Monday in an address on state television.
“The surge in prices would be unpredictable. It would be $300 per barrel if not more.”
Novak also cited Germany’s decision last month to halt the certification of the highly contentious Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, saying: “We have every right to take a matching decision and impose an embargo on gas pumping through the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline.”
(Excerpt)
Russia warns of $300 oil, threatens to cut off European gas if West bans energy imports
https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/08/russia-warns-of-300-oil-if-ban-goes-ahead-threatens-to-cut-off-european-gas.htmlRussia has threatened to close a major gas pipeline to Germany and warned of $300 oil prices if the West goes ahead with a ban on its energy exports.
“It is absolutely clear that a rejection of Russian oil would lead to catastrophic consequences for the global market,” Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said Monday in an address on state television.
“The surge in prices would be unpredictable. It would be $300 per barrel if not more.”
Novak also cited Germany’s decision last month to halt the certification of the highly contentious Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, saying: “We have every right to take a matching decision and impose an embargo on gas pumping through the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline.”
(Excerpt)
March 7, 2022
Oil buyers racing to replace Russia’ taboo crude are paying record premiums for barrels that can be delivered now rather than later, reflecting worries about adequate near-term fuel supplies and expectations that high prices will reduce consumption and encourage drilling.
Prices for April deliveries of crude have shot up since Russia invaded Ukraine and buyers began shunning the aggressor’s oil exports. The main U.S. price last week topped $110 a barrel for the first time in more than a decade and in off-hours trading late Sunday, they burst above $130 following fresh attacks, mounting civilian casualties and a push by U.S. lawmakers to ban Russian oil imports.
Futures contracts for delivery in subsequent months have risen as well, but not by nearly as much. When U.S. futures for delivery next month ended Wednesday at $110.60 a barrel, contracts for next March settled at $84.53. The $26.07 difference has never been greater in favor of the front month. Prices ended the week a little closer together, yet the sharp rise Sunday night in near-term futures suggests a widening gap in the week ahead.
The pattern is mirrored in international markets, where the 12-month price spread on benchmark Brent crude futures also surpassed $20 a barrel last week for the first time on record and blew out even wider Sunday night when front-month futures also rose above $130.
(Excerpt)
Oil Tops $130 a Barrel as Russian Attacks Escalate
https://www.wsj.com/articles/oil-buyers-paying-record-premiums-for-prompt-deliveries-11646518865Oil buyers racing to replace Russia’ taboo crude are paying record premiums for barrels that can be delivered now rather than later, reflecting worries about adequate near-term fuel supplies and expectations that high prices will reduce consumption and encourage drilling.
Prices for April deliveries of crude have shot up since Russia invaded Ukraine and buyers began shunning the aggressor’s oil exports. The main U.S. price last week topped $110 a barrel for the first time in more than a decade and in off-hours trading late Sunday, they burst above $130 following fresh attacks, mounting civilian casualties and a push by U.S. lawmakers to ban Russian oil imports.
Futures contracts for delivery in subsequent months have risen as well, but not by nearly as much. When U.S. futures for delivery next month ended Wednesday at $110.60 a barrel, contracts for next March settled at $84.53. The $26.07 difference has never been greater in favor of the front month. Prices ended the week a little closer together, yet the sharp rise Sunday night in near-term futures suggests a widening gap in the week ahead.
The pattern is mirrored in international markets, where the 12-month price spread on benchmark Brent crude futures also surpassed $20 a barrel last week for the first time on record and blew out even wider Sunday night when front-month futures also rose above $130.
(Excerpt)
March 7, 2022
Gun buyers have been flocking to Lithuania's stores since the start of the war in Ukraine, with sales increasing up to eight times and applications for gun licences doubling.
Shooting ranges have also reported a large increase in clients seeking to refresh their skills or even those wishing to learn to shoot without an intention to buy a gun.
Sales have shot up for all categories of weapons but the largest demand is for handguns used for self-defence and semi-automatic weapons that could also be used in military situations. Some stores have reported selling as many handguns in a week as during the preceding year.
"I already have small calibre rifles at home but have never used them. But now, the disturbances are completely unimaginable. I am very scared for my children," one buyer says.
(Excerpt)
Gun sales soar in Lithuania amid war in Ukraine
https://www.euronews.com/2022/03/06/gun-sales-soar-in-lithuania-amid-war-in-ukraine''Gun buyers have been flocking to Lithuania's stores since the start of the war in Ukraine, with sales increasing up to eight times and applications for gun licences doubling.
Shooting ranges have also reported a large increase in clients seeking to refresh their skills or even those wishing to learn to shoot without an intention to buy a gun.
Sales have shot up for all categories of weapons but the largest demand is for handguns used for self-defence and semi-automatic weapons that could also be used in military situations. Some stores have reported selling as many handguns in a week as during the preceding year.
"I already have small calibre rifles at home but have never used them. But now, the disturbances are completely unimaginable. I am very scared for my children," one buyer says.
(Excerpt)
March 7, 2022
ORLANDO, Fla. -- A judge on Thursday sentenced a Florida man to death for fatally shooting an Orlando police officer while he was on the run for killing his pregnant ex-girlfriend.
Jurors in November found Markeith Loyd, 46, guilty in the January 2017 death of Lt. Debra Clayton, and unanimously recommended a death sentence during a hearing in December. Circuit Judge Leticia Marques announced her decision during a brief hearing Thursday morning.
Loyd is already serving a life sentence for killing Sade Dixon, his former girlfriend, a month before Clayton was killed.
Loyd was on the run for killing Dixon when a shopper at a Walmart spotted him Jan. 9, 2017. Prosecutors said the shopper notified Clayton, who was also at the store, and she attempted to stop him. Clayton, 42, was killed during a shootout with Loyd outside the store.
(Excerpt)
Good.
Florida man sentenced to death for killing police officer
https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/florida-man-sentenced-death-killing-police-officer-83231784ORLANDO, Fla. -- A judge on Thursday sentenced a Florida man to death for fatally shooting an Orlando police officer while he was on the run for killing his pregnant ex-girlfriend.
Jurors in November found Markeith Loyd, 46, guilty in the January 2017 death of Lt. Debra Clayton, and unanimously recommended a death sentence during a hearing in December. Circuit Judge Leticia Marques announced her decision during a brief hearing Thursday morning.
Loyd is already serving a life sentence for killing Sade Dixon, his former girlfriend, a month before Clayton was killed.
Loyd was on the run for killing Dixon when a shopper at a Walmart spotted him Jan. 9, 2017. Prosecutors said the shopper notified Clayton, who was also at the store, and she attempted to stop him. Clayton, 42, was killed during a shootout with Loyd outside the store.
(Excerpt)
Good.
March 6, 2022
ORLANDO, Fla. — The first B-21 Raider bomber has entered the ground test phase, paving the way for its expected rollout this year and subsequent first flight.
Northrop Grumman now has six of the stealthy, next-generation aircraft in various stages of production, Darlene Costello, principal deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, technology and logistics, said in a Friday roundtable with reporters at the Air Force Association’s Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando, Florida.
Tom Jones, Northrop’s Aeronautics Systems president, also confirmed in a statement that the first Raider is now undergoing ground tests.
Costello said that with the start of testing on that B-21, “we are on track for first flight [and] we’re holding to our schedule.” She would not go into further detail on plans for the B-21.
(Excerpt)
First B-21 bomber enters ground testing, 'on track for first flight'
https://www.yahoo.com/news/first-b-21-bomber-enters-192137084.htmlORLANDO, Fla. — The first B-21 Raider bomber has entered the ground test phase, paving the way for its expected rollout this year and subsequent first flight.
Northrop Grumman now has six of the stealthy, next-generation aircraft in various stages of production, Darlene Costello, principal deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, technology and logistics, said in a Friday roundtable with reporters at the Air Force Association’s Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando, Florida.
Tom Jones, Northrop’s Aeronautics Systems president, also confirmed in a statement that the first Raider is now undergoing ground tests.
Costello said that with the start of testing on that B-21, “we are on track for first flight [and] we’re holding to our schedule.” She would not go into further detail on plans for the B-21.
(Excerpt)
March 4, 2022
The CDC has relaxed its masks recommendations, but masks are still required on airplanes and in airports until at least March 18. What happens after that?
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) eased its mask guidance late last week, noting that more than 70 percent of the U.S. population no longer needs to wear masks indoors since, at press time, they were in counties where there was a low or medium risk of COVID-19 exposure, transmission, and hospitalization.
“We want to give people a break from things like mask wearing when our levels are low and then have the ability to reach for them again, should things get worse in the future,” CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said during a February 25 media briefing addressing the changes.
She explained that under the new framework, the CDC will evaluate factors that include the severity of disease, hospitalizations, and hospital capacity (not just COVID case numbers) to determine whether the level of COVID-19 and severe disease are low, medium, or high in any given community. Only when counties are at the high level does the CDC recommend that everyone wear a mask in indoor public spaces, regardless of vaccination status. The agency has released an interactive map that details the level of each county at any given time.
(excerpt)
How Long Will Masks Be Required on Airplanes?
https://www.afar.com/magazine/airline-mask-mandateThe CDC has relaxed its masks recommendations, but masks are still required on airplanes and in airports until at least March 18. What happens after that?
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) eased its mask guidance late last week, noting that more than 70 percent of the U.S. population no longer needs to wear masks indoors since, at press time, they were in counties where there was a low or medium risk of COVID-19 exposure, transmission, and hospitalization.
“We want to give people a break from things like mask wearing when our levels are low and then have the ability to reach for them again, should things get worse in the future,” CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said during a February 25 media briefing addressing the changes.
She explained that under the new framework, the CDC will evaluate factors that include the severity of disease, hospitalizations, and hospital capacity (not just COVID case numbers) to determine whether the level of COVID-19 and severe disease are low, medium, or high in any given community. Only when counties are at the high level does the CDC recommend that everyone wear a mask in indoor public spaces, regardless of vaccination status. The agency has released an interactive map that details the level of each county at any given time.
(excerpt)
March 4, 2022
A new report says airfares rose 33% in mid-February as oil prices surged, yet travel demand continues to be strong as pandemic travel restrictions diminish.
Fare data compiled by Cowen COWN analyst Helane Becker said published fares gained 33% week over week and 42% year over year in the week ending Feb. 21.
Becker tracks 278 domestic routes across four fare products for American, Delta and United. She said the mid-February increase was driven primarily by increases in United minimum business fares, which skew towards business travelers because the fares are refundable, purchases are made within three days and they include no minimum stay.
Oil prices rose Tuesday as the crisis in Ukraine continued. May Brent crude futures hit an intraday high of $104.65. Before the Ukraine invasion, the last time oil prices traded at $100 was 2014. Prices have climbed steeply since 2020, when they averaged about $39 a barrel.
(Excerpt)
Bear in mind that the article only discusses prices as of a couple of weeks ago or so. One can only imagine what will happen if oil keeps going up as it has been lately. I’m really glad I’ve already locked in the prices for my upcoming trips in the next couple of months.
High Oil Prices Push Some Airline Ticket Prices Up 33%, But Travel Demand Remains
https://www.forbes.com/sites/tedreed/2022/03/01/air-fares-rose-33-in-mid-february-but-travel-demand-remains-strong/amp/A new report says airfares rose 33% in mid-February as oil prices surged, yet travel demand continues to be strong as pandemic travel restrictions diminish.
Fare data compiled by Cowen COWN analyst Helane Becker said published fares gained 33% week over week and 42% year over year in the week ending Feb. 21.
Becker tracks 278 domestic routes across four fare products for American, Delta and United. She said the mid-February increase was driven primarily by increases in United minimum business fares, which skew towards business travelers because the fares are refundable, purchases are made within three days and they include no minimum stay.
Oil prices rose Tuesday as the crisis in Ukraine continued. May Brent crude futures hit an intraday high of $104.65. Before the Ukraine invasion, the last time oil prices traded at $100 was 2014. Prices have climbed steeply since 2020, when they averaged about $39 a barrel.
(Excerpt)
Bear in mind that the article only discusses prices as of a couple of weeks ago or so. One can only imagine what will happen if oil keeps going up as it has been lately. I’m really glad I’ve already locked in the prices for my upcoming trips in the next couple of months.
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