All posts tagged: issue

In rare move, Catholic leaders issue dueling letters criticizing GOP budget bill

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[ad_1] (RNS) — In an unusual display of public disagreement among U.S. Catholic hierarchy, bishops signed on to two competing letters to lawmakers on Thursday (June 26) regarding the Republican-led federal budget proposal containing a massive funding expansion for immigration enforcement, with each letter exhibiting different levels of criticism of the bill. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the umbrella organization that typically represents U.S. prelates in political matters, took a firm but mixed approach to the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” in a letter. Building off of a separate statement from late May that expressed a combination of praise and concern about the bill, USCCB leaders began their new letter by stating they are “grateful for provisions that promote the dignity of human life and support parental choice in education” in the budget, such as efforts to curtail public funding for abortion providers such as Planned Parenthood. But the letter also included a lengthy critique, urging senators — who are set to vote on the bill as soon as Friday — to “make drastic …

‘It’s typically men who make it an issue’: Readers weigh in on the height obsession in modern dating

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[ad_1] Sign up for the Independent Women email for the latest news, opinion and features Get the Independent Women email for free Get the Independent Women email for free As height filters creep into dating apps and the age-old “tall, dark and handsome” ideal refuses to die, Independent readers have been sharing their painfully honest reflections on how our romantic preferences might be doing us – and each other – a disservice. Our community were quick to weigh in on Helen Coffey’s provocative article, “Women who won’t date men based on height deserve to be single.” Coffey’s argument, that heightism is a socially accepted double standard often upheld by women, struck a nerve with those tired of seeing romantic preferences reduced to feet and inches. Many readers called out the hypocrisy, pointing out that if men filtered women by body type or age so openly, the backlash would be swift. Other commenters viewed the new filter as a sad symbol of how dating apps have commodified connection, encouraging users to shop for partners as if …

Apple Launches 2023 Mac Mini Repair Program Due to Power Issue

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[ad_1] Apple today launched a repair program for Mac mini models with the M2 chip, after it determined that a “very small percentage” of these computers may no longer power on. No other Mac mini models are part of this program. If your Mac mini has exhibited this issue, you can enter its serial number on Apple’s website to see if it is eligible for this program. If it is, Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider will provide service, free of charge. Mac mini models with the M2 chip were first released in 2023, but Apple says that affected units were manufactured between June 16 and November 23 of 2024. The worldwide program covers an eligible Mac mini for up to three years after it was purchased. Apple did not provide a reason for the power issue. Popular Stories 17 Reasons to Wait for the iPhone 17 Apple’s iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models simultaneously, which is why …

Police issue mosh pit warning ahead of Download festival in Leicestershire this weekend | Ents & Arts News

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[ad_1] Police are warning rock fans at this weekend’s Download festival about the potential for accidental calls while in the mosh pit. Leicestershire Police issued an alert ahead of the event at Donington Park, which begins on Friday. Posting on Facebook, the force said, in previous years, they received “a rise of nearly 700 extra 999 calls” caused by energetic dancing at Download. “The tech assumed that people in mosh pits had been in a collision, causing 999 contacts and abandoned 999 calls,” said the post. Police have blamed mobiles and wearable gadgets featuring technology which alerts emergency services when it suspects there has been an accident. Image: Download at Donington Park in 2021. File pic: PA The technology can inadvertently activate when hardcore rock, heavy metal, or punk fans are involved in aggressive styles of dancing – sometimes called “thrashing”, “slam dancing” or “pogoing”. Certain iPhone and Apple Watch models operate a “crash detection” feature – turned on by default – which is designed to identify a severe car crash and connect people to …

Art in America’s “New Talent” Issue Features 20 Artists to Watch

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[ad_1] The outset of the second Trump administration—we were just 12 weeks in when this issue went to press—has been tumultuous and frightening, with DOGE having decimated one federal agency after another. As I write this, the handwringing in the political precincts of such websites as Bluesky has finally turned into something like action, with Democratic New Jersey Senator Cory Booker taking over the Senate floor for a 25-hour filibuster, besting the previous record (set in 1957 by conservative Strom Thurmond). He electrified the chamber—as well as everyone who tuned in online—with a rousing and eloquent anti-Trump diatribe. Related Articles The art world too has been wringing its hands. In early April, the inevitable happened: cuts at the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. So now we ask, what is to be done? Here, in Art in America’s annual “New Talent” issue, the answer—or rather, answers—come from artists. Nico Williams speaks of a powerful metaphor for how humor can be a political force: He elaborately beads everyday objects …

Tesla whistleblower says Musk wanted to deport her team for raising brake issue

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[ad_1] Former Tesla engineer Christina Balan, who was fired in 2014, said in an interview that her entire team was threatened with deportation for taking her side when she brought up a brake safety issue directly to Elon Musk. She’s now succeeded in throwing out Tesla’s arbitration case against her, and hopes to meet Tesla directly in open court in a case that could influence corporate policy nationwide. Christina Balan is a Romanian-born engineer who formerly worked for Tesla on the Model S. Her contributions were significant enough that her initials appeared on the Model S’ battery pack. But in 2014, she brought up what she considered a safety issue directly with Elon Musk. She thought that the Model S’ floor mats could cause a brake safety issue, similar to a situation that Toyota had recently gone through (though that also led to a media firestorm that blew the issue out of proportion). She said that Tesla had chosen suppliers based on friendships, not quality. And she brought it up directly to Musk because… he …

The Download: Introducing the Relationships issue

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[ad_1] Relationships are the stories of people and systems working together. Sometimes by choice. Sometimes for practicality. Sometimes by force. Too often, for purely transactional reasons. That’s why we’re exploring relationships in this issue. Relationships connect us to one another, but also to the machines, platforms, technologies, and systems that mediate modern life. They’re behind the partnerships that make breakthroughs possible, the networks that help ideas spread, and the bonds that build trust—or at least access. In this issue, you’ll find stories about the relationships we forge with each other, with our past, with our children, and with technology itself. Here’s just a taste of what you can expect: + People are forming relationships with AI chatbots. Some of these are purely professional, others more complicated. This kind of relationship may be novel now, but it’s something we will all take for granted in just a few years.  + Adventures in the genetic time machine. Ancient DNA is telling us more and more about humans and environments long past. Could it also help rescue the …

Councils issue almost half a million fines

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[ad_1] The number of penalty notices handed for unauthorised absences rose 22% in the year before reforms to the process came in The number of penalty notices handed for unauthorised absences rose 22% in the year before reforms to the process came in The number of absence fines issued to parents soared to almost half a million last year, a rise of 22 per cent. Department for Education data shows councils issued 487,344 penalty notices for unauthorised absences issued in 2023-24, up from 398,800 in 2022-23. Local authorities issue the fines on behalf of schools. The data covers the last academic year before fines were hiked from £60 to £80 in September 2024. As usual, the vast majority (91 per cent) of the fines are for unauthorised family holiday absence. The number of fines had risen gradually since current records began in 2009. That increase became more pronounced when the law changed in 2013 to state that term time leave should only be granted in exceptional circumstances. The rise became even sharper after 2015, when …

Pennon unveils £490m rights issue plan for infrastructure investment

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[ad_1] Water firm Pennon, which owns Bristol Water and South West Water, announced on Wednesday (January 29) a planned rights issue to bring in around £490 million (m). The FTSE 250 company said the funds raised would enable it, as part of a comprehensive financing package, to deliver £3.2 billion of investment in infrastructure required through to March, 2030. The company, which said it was accepting regulator Ofwat’s PR24 Final Determinations in December 2024 in respect of the K8 period (that is 2025 to 2030) said the investment will be across a “range of transformational projects”. These are focused on areas like tackling the use of storm overflows, bolstering water resources through a new reservoir in the South West, and expanding its programme of nature recovery, the Exeter-based firm said in a stock market statement. It comes as the firm is set to raise customers’ bills and increase dividend payments. The rights issue will see the company issue nearly 186 million shares at 264p each on the basis of 13 new shares for every 20. …

Tackling the urgent issue of antibiotic-resistant bacteria

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[ad_1] Nathan Stasko, Chief Executive Officer of Vast Therapeutics, states that patients deserve new treatment options like ALX1 in the fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Chronic lung diseases lead to a harmful cycle of inflammation and infection. This can result in trouble breathing, frequent hospital stays, and, sadly, even death. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria have evolved defences against some of the medical field’s best drugs and have set up base camp in the lungs of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), non-CF bronchiectasis (NCFB), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). At Vast Therapeutics (‘Vast’), our mission is to develop innovative therapies that address the root causes of these debilitating conditions, offering hope for a brighter future. Vast is led by a strong team of experienced scientists and clinicians who are passionate about developing life-changing treatments. Our team brings over 120 years of drug development experience, including leadership roles in 20 FDA-approved new drug applications (NDAs). With our proprietary nitric oxide technology and a commitment to patient-centric care, we believe we are well-positioned to address the significant unmet medical need …