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February 1, 2022
https://www.bloombergquint.com/business/superyacht-sales-jumped-77-last-year-as-inventories-shrank
Bloomberg) -- Superyacht sales climbed to record levels last year, sapping supply and boosting prices to heights unlikely to soften despite the tumultuous start to 2022 in financial markets.
A total of 887 superyachts were sold in 2021, a 77% jump from a year earlier and more than double the number in 2019, according to a report from maritime data firm VesselsValue.
Jeff Bezos, who has a net worth of $174.7 billion according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, is awaiting delivery of a 417-foot sailing yacht. It’s currently in the final stages of construction at a ship yard in the Netherlands. Steven Spielberg also has one on order, after listing his old yacht for $158 million. It sold in November for an undisclosed price.
Low interest rates and bumper markets fueled $1 trillion in gains last year for the world’s 500 richest people, according to the Bloomberg index. That wealth creation and heightened demand for solitary recreation due to Covid-19 were among the primary drivers of the spike in sales, VesselsValue said.
Superyacht Sales Jumped 77% Last Year as Inventories Shrank
https://www.bloombergquint.com/business/superyacht-sales-jumped-77-last-year-as-inventories-shrank
Bloomberg) -- Superyacht sales climbed to record levels last year, sapping supply and boosting prices to heights unlikely to soften despite the tumultuous start to 2022 in financial markets.
A total of 887 superyachts were sold in 2021, a 77% jump from a year earlier and more than double the number in 2019, according to a report from maritime data firm VesselsValue.
Jeff Bezos, who has a net worth of $174.7 billion according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, is awaiting delivery of a 417-foot sailing yacht. It’s currently in the final stages of construction at a ship yard in the Netherlands. Steven Spielberg also has one on order, after listing his old yacht for $158 million. It sold in November for an undisclosed price.
Low interest rates and bumper markets fueled $1 trillion in gains last year for the world’s 500 richest people, according to the Bloomberg index. That wealth creation and heightened demand for solitary recreation due to Covid-19 were among the primary drivers of the spike in sales, VesselsValue said.
January 31, 2022
Remember that "smart gun" from a couple of weeks ago whose designers boasted that it would just as
reliable, if not more so, than its competition? Well, it seems there was a second news photographer taking video, and when asked to fire two shots from it the gentleman loads a magazine, puts a round in the chamber and pulls the trigger. "Bang!" He pulls the trigger again.
"Click."
At which point the video cuts off.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1483546131812519945
January 31, 2022
As tensions continue on the border with Russia, Ukrainian electricians, nurses, lawyers and even priests are volunteering for the country’s Territorial Defence Forces, a civilian reserve intended to support the regular army in case of a Russian invasion. FRANCE 24 met some citizen-soldiers at one of their bases in Kharkiv, 40 kilometres from the border.
"Don't aim for the head, aim for the crotch. That way, you're sure to hit your target even if it ducks at the last minute," an Ukrainian instructor tells a small group of recruits dressed in camouflage clothing.
Kalashnikovs in hand, the volunteers have been learning how to move in small groups without entering their comrades line of fire. For these Ukrainian Territorial Defence Forces reservists from Kharkiv, the enemy they're targeting is the tens of thousands of Russian soldiers massed just on the other side of the border.
Many of these volunteers might have answered the calls on billboards to join this Ukrainian army brigade; the signs were posted all around this city of 1.5 million inhabitants in north-eastern Ukraine. Nearly a hundred recruits gathered on Saturday, January 29 in an empty school to take lessons on the basics of army life: handling weapons, orientation, operational movements, theory on explosives… Every Saturday, a team holds training sessions.
(Excerpt)
Ukraine's ordinary citizens train to fight in case of Russian invasion
https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20220131-ukraine-s-ordinary-citizens-train-to-fight-in-case-of-russian-invasionAs tensions continue on the border with Russia, Ukrainian electricians, nurses, lawyers and even priests are volunteering for the country’s Territorial Defence Forces, a civilian reserve intended to support the regular army in case of a Russian invasion. FRANCE 24 met some citizen-soldiers at one of their bases in Kharkiv, 40 kilometres from the border.
"Don't aim for the head, aim for the crotch. That way, you're sure to hit your target even if it ducks at the last minute," an Ukrainian instructor tells a small group of recruits dressed in camouflage clothing.
Kalashnikovs in hand, the volunteers have been learning how to move in small groups without entering their comrades line of fire. For these Ukrainian Territorial Defence Forces reservists from Kharkiv, the enemy they're targeting is the tens of thousands of Russian soldiers massed just on the other side of the border.
Many of these volunteers might have answered the calls on billboards to join this Ukrainian army brigade; the signs were posted all around this city of 1.5 million inhabitants in north-eastern Ukraine. Nearly a hundred recruits gathered on Saturday, January 29 in an empty school to take lessons on the basics of army life: handling weapons, orientation, operational movements, theory on explosives… Every Saturday, a team holds training sessions.
(Excerpt)
January 30, 2022
Two suspects, including a 16-year-old alleged shooter, charged in connection with the fatal shooting of an 8-year-old girl in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood were ordered held without bail Thursday.
The pair, who appeared virtually for a bond hearing Thursday, were both charged in connection with the gang-related shooting that left 8-year-old Melissa Ortega dead over the weekend.
Chicago police said the teen, who they allege was the gunman who fired the shots that struck Melissa as she walked with her mother, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, along with two counts of aggravated assault with a firearm.
Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx announced that the teen suspect will be tried as an adult in the case.
www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/no-bail-for-2-charged-in-fatal-shooting-of-8-year-old-melissa-ortega/2740355/
(Excerpt)
The story goes on to note that the 16-year-old had three previous arrests for carjacking and was on parole at the time of the shooting. His attorney argued that one of the people shot had flashed a gang sign at his client, and that he should be the one held accountable instead.
(Chicago) No Bail for 2 Charged in Fatal Shooting of 8-Year-Old Melissa Ortega
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/no-bail-for-2-charged-in-fatal-shooting-of-8-year-old-melissa-ortega/2740355/Two suspects, including a 16-year-old alleged shooter, charged in connection with the fatal shooting of an 8-year-old girl in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood were ordered held without bail Thursday.
The pair, who appeared virtually for a bond hearing Thursday, were both charged in connection with the gang-related shooting that left 8-year-old Melissa Ortega dead over the weekend.
Chicago police said the teen, who they allege was the gunman who fired the shots that struck Melissa as she walked with her mother, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, along with two counts of aggravated assault with a firearm.
Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx announced that the teen suspect will be tried as an adult in the case.
www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/no-bail-for-2-charged-in-fatal-shooting-of-8-year-old-melissa-ortega/2740355/
(Excerpt)
The story goes on to note that the 16-year-old had three previous arrests for carjacking and was on parole at the time of the shooting. His attorney argued that one of the people shot had flashed a gang sign at his client, and that he should be the one held accountable instead.
January 30, 2022
Majority wants Biden to consider 'all possible nominees' for SCOTUS: POLL
Source: ABC News
A new ABC News/Ipsos poll finds that a plurality of Americans view the Supreme Court as motivated by partisanship, while President Joe Biden's campaign trail vow to select a Black woman to fill a high-court vacancy without reviewing all potential candidates evokes a sharply negative reaction from voters.
The ABC News/Ipsos poll, which was conducted by Ipsos in partnership with ABC News using Ipsos' KnowledgePanel, comes days after the most senior member of the Supreme Court, Justice Stephen G. Breyer, announced his retirement at the end of the current term. Breyer's announcement provides Biden the opportunity to change the demographic makeup of the conservative-leaning bench.
During the spring 2020 presidential primaries, days before his set of big wins on Super Tuesday, Biden pledged to nominate the first Black woman to the Supreme Court, if elected. Now, with the chance to do so, just over three-quarters of Americans (76%) want Biden to consider "all possible nominees." Just 23% want him to automatically follow through on his history-making commitment that the White House seems keen on seeing through. At a ceremony honoring the retiring justice, Biden told reporters he is able to honor his promise without compromising on quality.
"The person I will nominate will be someone with extraordinary qualifications, character, experience and integrity. And that person will be the first Black woman ever nominated to the United States Supreme Court," Biden said. "It's long overdue in my view. I made that commitment during the campaign for president, and I will keep that commitment."
Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/US/majority-americans-biden-nominees-supreme-court-vacancy-poll/story?id=82553398
January 30, 2022
Tanzania is seeking to attract well-off Americans as it targets the growing game hunting tourism market.
Last week, Tanzania Tourism Minister Damas Dumbaro was in Las Vegas to market the country’s hunting safaris at the 50th Annual Hunting Convention.
Dodoma said the tour was meant to ‘market Tanzania’s hunting blocks before the rich American hunting tourists and other trophy hunting investors around the world’.
Dr Ndumbaro led a delegation of tourism officials to the World Hunting Association meeting, which brought together 870 exhibitors showcasing trophy wildlife parts from several countries.
Tanzania woos US tourists with trophy hunting safaris
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.thecitizen.co.tz/tanzania/news/tanzania-woos-us-tourists-with-trophy-hunting-safaris-3698440%3fview=htmlampTanzania is seeking to attract well-off Americans as it targets the growing game hunting tourism market.
Last week, Tanzania Tourism Minister Damas Dumbaro was in Las Vegas to market the country’s hunting safaris at the 50th Annual Hunting Convention.
Dodoma said the tour was meant to ‘market Tanzania’s hunting blocks before the rich American hunting tourists and other trophy hunting investors around the world’.
Dr Ndumbaro led a delegation of tourism officials to the World Hunting Association meeting, which brought together 870 exhibitors showcasing trophy wildlife parts from several countries.
January 29, 2022
Parents in Bettendorf, Iowa, are suing their child's school over a video shared on social media that shows two white students, one in blackface, depicting a pretend "hate crime," according a lawsuit filed January 18.
The video was first posted to TikTok in January 2020 by students who attend Pleasant Valley High School, the lawsuit said. The parents' child, who is Black, also attends the school.
According to the lawsuit, the video shows one of the white students wearing blackface while the other white student pretends to strike him as background music repeats racial slurs. The student then pretends to shoot the student in blackface "execution-style," the lawsuit said.
KWQC, which obtained the video but declined to air or post it, confirmed it contained that depiction.
(Excerpt)
Parents suing school over video showing white student pretending to execute student in blackface
https://news.yahoo.com/parents-iowa-suing-school-over-064231613.htmlParents in Bettendorf, Iowa, are suing their child's school over a video shared on social media that shows two white students, one in blackface, depicting a pretend "hate crime," according a lawsuit filed January 18.
The video was first posted to TikTok in January 2020 by students who attend Pleasant Valley High School, the lawsuit said. The parents' child, who is Black, also attends the school.
According to the lawsuit, the video shows one of the white students wearing blackface while the other white student pretends to strike him as background music repeats racial slurs. The student then pretends to shoot the student in blackface "execution-style," the lawsuit said.
KWQC, which obtained the video but declined to air or post it, confirmed it contained that depiction.
(Excerpt)
January 29, 2022
The teenager accused of shooting an NYPD officer in the Bronx earlier this month, while already on probation on another gun charge, has been released from custody on bond.
Camrin Williams, 16, is accused of shooting a cop in the leg during a scuffle on Jan. 18; Officer Kaseem Pennan was treated and released within hours. (Though a minor, NBC New York is naming Williams because he is charged as an adult and the case records are public.)
Williams was arrested on weapons charges at just 14 years old and had been placed on probation on a gun charge just last month.
But court records indicate the teen was released Thursday after posting bond.
(Excerpt)
Accused NYC Teenage Cop Shooter Released on Bond
https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/accused-teenage-bronx-cop-shooter-released-on-bond/3520514/The teenager accused of shooting an NYPD officer in the Bronx earlier this month, while already on probation on another gun charge, has been released from custody on bond.
Camrin Williams, 16, is accused of shooting a cop in the leg during a scuffle on Jan. 18; Officer Kaseem Pennan was treated and released within hours. (Though a minor, NBC New York is naming Williams because he is charged as an adult and the case records are public.)
Williams was arrested on weapons charges at just 14 years old and had been placed on probation on a gun charge just last month.
But court records indicate the teen was released Thursday after posting bond.
(Excerpt)
January 28, 2022
ATMORE, Ala. -- Alabama executed an inmate by lethal injection for a 1996 murder on Thursday after a divided U.S. Supreme Court sided with the state and rejected defense claims the man had an intellectual disability that cost him a chance to choose a less “torturous,” yet untried, execution method.
Matthew Reeves, 43, was put to death at Holman Prison after the court lifted a lower court order that had prevented corrections workers from executing the prisoner. He was pronounced dead at 9:24 p.m. CST, state Attorney General Steve Marshall said in a statement.
Reeves was convicted of killing Willie Johnson Jr., a driver who gave him a ride in 1996. Evidence showed Reeves went to a party afterward and celebrated the killing.
The inmate had no last words. After craning his neck to look around a few times, Reeves grimaced and looked at his left arm toward an intravenous line. With his eyes closed and mouth slightly agape, Reeves' abdomen moved repeatedly before he grew still.
(excerpt)
Man executed for 1996 killing after Supreme Court clears way
https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/man-executed-1996-killing-supreme-court-clears-82526618ATMORE, Ala. -- Alabama executed an inmate by lethal injection for a 1996 murder on Thursday after a divided U.S. Supreme Court sided with the state and rejected defense claims the man had an intellectual disability that cost him a chance to choose a less “torturous,” yet untried, execution method.
Matthew Reeves, 43, was put to death at Holman Prison after the court lifted a lower court order that had prevented corrections workers from executing the prisoner. He was pronounced dead at 9:24 p.m. CST, state Attorney General Steve Marshall said in a statement.
Reeves was convicted of killing Willie Johnson Jr., a driver who gave him a ride in 1996. Evidence showed Reeves went to a party afterward and celebrated the killing.
The inmate had no last words. After craning his neck to look around a few times, Reeves grimaced and looked at his left arm toward an intravenous line. With his eyes closed and mouth slightly agape, Reeves' abdomen moved repeatedly before he grew still.
(excerpt)
January 28, 2022
MADISON, Wis. -- A Wisconsin judge was set to hear arguments Friday on whether prosecutors should return to Kyle Rittenhouse the assault-style rifle he used to shoot three people during a street protest.
Rittenhouse shot the men during the protest in Kenosha in 2020. He killed Anthony Huber and Joseph Rosenbaum and wounded Gaige Grosskreutz in the arm. Rittenhouse argued he fired in self-defense after each of the men attacked him. A jury last year acquitted him of multiple charges, including homicide.
Rittenhouse's attorney, Mark Richards, filed a motion Jan. 19 asking prosecutors to return Rittenhouse's rifle, his ammunition, his face mask and other clothing he was wearing the night of the shooting to him. Richards and David Hancock, a spokesman for Rittenhouse, said last week that Rittenhouse wants to destroy the rifle and throw the rest of the items away so nothing can be used as a political symbol or trophy celebrating the shootings.
Judge to hear Rittenhouse request for gun used in shootings
https://www.google.com/amp/s/abcnews.go.com/amp/US/wireStory/kyle-rittenhouse-heads-court-gun-shootings-82525628MADISON, Wis. -- A Wisconsin judge was set to hear arguments Friday on whether prosecutors should return to Kyle Rittenhouse the assault-style rifle he used to shoot three people during a street protest.
Rittenhouse shot the men during the protest in Kenosha in 2020. He killed Anthony Huber and Joseph Rosenbaum and wounded Gaige Grosskreutz in the arm. Rittenhouse argued he fired in self-defense after each of the men attacked him. A jury last year acquitted him of multiple charges, including homicide.
Rittenhouse's attorney, Mark Richards, filed a motion Jan. 19 asking prosecutors to return Rittenhouse's rifle, his ammunition, his face mask and other clothing he was wearing the night of the shooting to him. Richards and David Hancock, a spokesman for Rittenhouse, said last week that Rittenhouse wants to destroy the rifle and throw the rest of the items away so nothing can be used as a political symbol or trophy celebrating the shootings.
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