The Chicago Journal

Biden’s Latest COVID-19 Test Result Shows Positive After Consecutive Negative Results

Claire Peterson Claire Peterson on August 1, 2022

President Joe Biden tested positive again for COVID-19, according to his doctor, despite testing consistently negative for days.

What happened

On Saturday morning, Dr. Kevin O’Connor sent a letter explaining that Biden has tested positive, which he says is “a rebound COVID-19 positivity,” which the doctor says is “observed in a small percentage of patients treated with Paxlovid.”

The White House says Biden “has had no recurrence of symptoms and is feeling reasonably well.”

As a result, Joe Biden will not resume treatment.

Prior tests

Since contracting COVID-19, Biden has undergone further testing to monitor his recovery.

Doctor O’Connor said the president had tested negative for four consecutive days – from Tuesday evening to Friday morning.

Biden tested positive on Saturday morning.

“However, given his positive antigen test, he will reinstate strict isolation procedures,” Dr. O’Connor shared.

On Wednesday, Biden ended solitary confinement after testing negative in back-to-back antigen tests and returned in remarks from the White House Rose Garden.

Although there are no symptoms, Dr. O’Connor said, Biden will self-isolate at the White House.

Saturday

“Folks, today I tested positive for COVID again,” wrote Biden on Twitter.

“This happens with a small minority of folks. I’ve got no symptoms but I am going to isolate for the safety of everyone around me.”

“I’m still at work, and will be back on the road soon.”

President Joe Biden has canceled plans to travel to Delaware on Sunday and Michigan on Tuesday to support a recently passed bill aimed at boosting US semiconductor production.

The White House

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre wrote that Biden was asymptomatic and “feels well and works isolated from the Residence to protect others.”

Another White House official said contact tracing efforts were underway on Saturday after Biden tested positive.

Last week, the President resumed White House events after testing negative, but continued to regularly wear a mask.

White House officials said they are working hard to ensure social distancing is maintained at public events at the White House.

First positive testing

President Joe Biden first tested positive on July 21 and experienced mild symptoms of COVID-19, including a runny nose, fatigue, high fever, and cough.

Biden, 79, took a five-day course from Paxlovid, which requires a medical subscription.

Paxlovid is also available through the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Emergency Use Authorization for the treatment of mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19.

It is used for people 12 years of age and older who are at high risk of serious illness.

During the first positive test, the White House said it had 17 close contacts, but none of them tested positive.

First Lady Jill Biden has been in Delaware since the first test result. She hasn’t returned to the White House yet.

However, Jill Biden is expected to join him on his trip to Wilmington on Sunday.

Rebound cases

On May 24, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a health warning warning doctors that symptoms could recur, noting that in some people the infection may simply run its course, whether vaccinated or under therapy. how to treat paxlovid.

The CDC said the majority of rebound cases involve mild illness, but no cases of severe illness have been reported.

President Joe Biden was fully vaccinated and had boosters of him in late 2021.

Infectious disease experts have urged the government to investigate rebound cases more systematically.

They pointed out that the phenomenon needs to be better characterized to understand who is most at risk and whether the standard five-day course of the drug should be extended.

Studies also show that people can pass the infection on to others when rebounding, simply boosting their reputation for understanding them better.

References:

US President Joe Biden tests positive for COVID after ‘rebound’ infection

President Joe Biden tests positive for COVID-19 again

Drive-By Shooting Outside a Church in the Southside of Chicago Left Three Wounded

Claire Peterson Claire Peterson on August 1, 2022

Chicago continues to witness drive-by shootings as another incident occurred on Sunday afternoon, leaving three wounded outside a church.

What happened

At 2:30 pm on Sunday, a gray sedan drove by Universal Community Missionary Baptist Church in the Roseland neighborhood on the southside of Chicago.

It opened fire at a group of funeral attendees.

The group was taking pictures when the shooter drove by.

The incident left three people wounded – a 20-year-old man shot in the abdomen, a 37-year-old man with a wound on the thigh, and a 25-year-old man shot in the back.

The victims

The 20-year-old man suffered the most damage, getting shot in the abdomen, shoulder and legs.

Despite his wounds, he was transported to Roseland Hospital in good condition.

The 37-year-old man suffered wounds on the upper right thigh and was also taken to Roseland Hospital in good condition.

Read also: Photographer Sania Khan Shot Dead After Husband Drives from Georgia to Chicago to “Salvage Marriage”

Aftermath

“I heard something go pop, pop, pop,” said a person who lived nearby.

“I said to my husband, ‘They’re shooting out there.’ He ran to the door and I said, ‘You come back here! What’re you running out there for?’ You know what I’m saying.

So it’s getting bad. You just gotta pray to God. It’s just terrible.”

Community activist Andrew Holmes chimed in, saying, “Paying their respects, going in and coming out, when these individuals discharge this weapon.

“On a day when people should be coming together, should be growing and loving, and now there’s a community in confusion and chaos,” said Pastor Donovan Price.

Children were also present at the funeral and were ushered out of the church by police.

“We’ve got to find out who these individuals are, and I’m saying it over and over again,” said Holmes. 

“When these detectives put that paperwork in the state’s attorney’s office, we’re going to have to do more to keep these people inside of there. And it starts at home.”

The funeral

The funeral at Universal Community Missionary Baptist Church was for community figure Mike Nash, best known as “Big Mike.”

Nash was described as a nice guy who worked as an anti-violence activist. Unfortunately, he died of a heart attack.

“Big Mike, everybody knew him, I knew him, and I know he wouldn’t be happy at this type of situation,” said Price.

“Events like this should be a love event, an event where people get together with commonality, and that commonality is a loved one – and to have something like this happen in the middle of it, it’s almost twice as shocking as if it happened at a regular event.”

Read also: Police Department Mourns as Third Police Officer Succumbs to Suicide

His cousin Kareem House was in town from California for the funeral when the family gathered to take a group photo.

As they posed for a picture, shots rang out.

“We’re not even from over here,” he said. “We don’t know what’s going on.”

Kareem House was hit with a minor graze wound in his central abdomen – the wound wasn’t severe enough to require medical attention.

“This to me was a deadly sneak attack, you know, you’re hunting our individuals down for nothing,” said Holmes.

“Whatever beef, whatever rivalry you have, you have just walked away and left it alone. They had to know the funeral was taking place, you had the loved ones with the individual’s pictures on their shirts.”

References:

Confusion and chaos: 3 shot in drive-by shooting outside funeral on far south side, police say

3 funeral attendees shot outside of Chicago church

Three people shot in drive-by outside church during funeral in Chicago’s Roseland neighborhood

Amid “Unacceptably High” Inflation, the White House Stays Adamant That the Country is Not in Recession

Claire Peterson Claire Peterson on August 1, 2022

Despite the number of events happening across the country, people’s foremost concern has been the heavy inflation with gas and food prices soaring.

Although many have voiced their concern over a potential recession, President Joe Biden and several experts maintain that it is unlikely to happen.

The topic came back up again when Jared Bernstein, a member of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, admitted on Sunday that inflation was “unacceptably high.”

Jared Bernstein’s statements on Fox News Sunday

On Sunday, Jared Bernstein appeared on Fox News Sunday to discuss the state of the economy.

While Bernstein acknowledges high inflation, he also pointed out that President Biden does not believe the country will fall into a recession. Shannon Bream, host of Fox News Sunday, noted that Biden had said that by 2021 no serious economist believed the country would enter a period of runaway inflation. Today, inflation in the US was 5.4% at the time of his comment, up from 9.1% this year.

Bream asked how the White House had misinterpreted the situation, to which Bernstein replied:

“Well, that actually was the dominant forecast at the time, and we were very much doing forecasts across the board, including those at the Federal Reserve.”

He added that unforeseen events fueled inflation, citing the war in Ukraine.

Read also: Experts and Analysts Are Pointing to Recession to Combat Inflation

“Ukraine and Russia are both breadbaskets and energy baskets for the world,” he explained. “Those have put considerable upward pressure on prices. For example, for inflation, which is unacceptably high – let’s get that clear right out of the gate. Went up 1.3% in June – again, an unacceptable high increase.”

“Half of that is the increase in energy prices alone,” Bernstein added. “Still too high. But that’s moving in the right direction, giving Americans some much-needed breathing room. They need more, and we’re working on it, but that is a move in the right direction.”

How people have been handling the situation

A poll on Sunday found that 93% of US voters are worried about the level of inflation and more than half fear it will get worse within a year.

According to a Fox News poll, there is a 6% increase from May, with 67% expressing extreme concern, while 25% fear inflation will hit 9.1% in June. 52% of voters who took part in the poll predict the situation could get worse by 2023, with the two halves split between “few” and “many”. Meanwhile, just 42% are optimistic the economy is improving.

Read also: While Inflation Remains High, Jerome Powell Believes a Recession is Unlikely

Administration spending package

Bernstein also said Democrats agreed to cut prescription drug costs and health insurance premiums under the Affordable Care Act.

Bream added that Sen. Joe Manchin’s opposition to some of the administration’s big spending programs may have benefited the White House on inflation.

“[What] Democrats are actually aligned on is a plan to lower prescription drug costs,” explained Bernstein. “And I think everyone who hears me say that probably gave some kind of an applause – everyone wants to see that happen.”

“But while Presidents have tried to make it happen for decades, it still hasn’t occurred. Now we pay two to three times for prescription drugs, what Europeans pay for precisely the same drugs. So it’s time to stand up to Big Pharma, come together. Do something on the affordability there.”

Biden’s commitment to climate change

Despite Manchin and others’ views on spending, particularly White House climate initiatives, Bernstein said Biden recognizes the priority of taking action on climate change and building clean energy industries — a necessity. for the continued development of good American jobs.

“If there is no legislative path forward, he will take the executive order and rule change path,”  Bernstein said of Biden’s approach.

The state of the economy

Jared Bernstein also pointed out that the budget deficit will drop 77% to $ 1.7 trillion by 2022.

GDP showed negative numbers in the first quarter of the year, while other numbers suggest it could see similar numbers in the second quarter. Meanwhile, the White House remains steadfast that the United States is not in a recession.

“It has to do with a number of economic variables that are actually doing better now,” Bernstein explained. 

“It is very hard to conclude that we are in a recession when you look at the payroll and the job gains that we’ve seen now, it is tricky to look around the corner here, and I’m not going to predict quarters down the road.”

“But I think right now, you’ve got inflation headwinds big time in this economy – not taking anything from that – but you also have some very strong tailwinds that are boosting consumers.”

References:

White House admits inflation is ‘unacceptably high,’ denies US in recession as Biden pushes climate spending

93% of Americans ‘concerned’ with inflation, most fear economy will get worse: poll

 

Ghana Reports Two Deaths from the Marburg Virus; What Is It and How to Prevent an Outbreak?

Leah Cooper Leah Cooper on August 1, 2022

As the world continues to feel the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, fears of another significant epidemic have been brought up surrounding the Marburg virus.

In Ghana, health authorities have confirmed two cases of the highly contagious Marburg virus (and later dying) after testing positive on July 10.

At the same time, 98 people identified as contact cases are currently in quarantine.

So far, no other cases of Marburg virus have been detected in the country.

What is the Marburg virus?

Marburg virus is a severe hemorrhagic fever associated with the deadly Ebola virus. It was first identified in 1967 when 31 people were infected and later led to seven deaths during the outbreak.

The 1967 outbreak occurred in Germany and what was then Yugoslavia after research was conducted on African green monkeys imported from Uganda.

Although the virus was identified in monkeys, it has also been linked to other animals.

Marburg virus disease is also transmitted by people who have spent long periods in deep caves populated by bats.

The World Health Organization (WHO) explained that the virus “initially results from prolonged exposure to mines or caves inhabited by colonies of Rousettus bats.”

Previous outbreaks

The incident marks the first outbreak in Ghana, but other African countries have also had cases, including:

  • The Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Kenya
  • South Africa
  • Uganda
  • Zimbabwe

In 2005, an epidemic in Angola claimed 300 lives.

Meanwhile, Europe has only recorded one death in the past four decades, while the United States has recorded one after returning from cave expeditions to Uganda.

Read also: One Out of Three People Took to Gardening during the COVID-19 Pandemic, Study Finds

Notable outbreaks

1967, Germany – 29 cases, seven deaths

1998 – 2000, the Democratic Republic of the Congo – 154 cases, 128 deaths

2005, Angola – 374,329 deaths

2012, Uganda – 15 cases, four deaths

2017, Uganda – 3 cases, three deaths

Symptoms of the Marburg virus

Symptoms of the virus appear after an incubation period of two to twenty-one days and show the following symptoms:

  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Muscle cramps
  • Pain

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control also noted that a rash could appear after the symptoms set in, especially on the chest, back, and abdomen.

Other additional symptoms include:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Chest pain
  • Sore throat
  • Stomach ache

The World Health Organization also said patients could develop severe hemorrhagic manifestations within seven days while sharing these fatal cases.

Read also: FDA Places Strict Limits on the Use of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine

Once symptoms enter a severe stage, patients experience a high fever and show confusion, irritability, and aggression.

In fatal cases, death can occur 8 to 9 days after the onset of symptoms, usually preceded by severe blood loss and shock.

Death rates have ranged from 24% to 88% in previous outbreaks, depending on virus strain and case management.

It should also be noted that the Marburg virus persists in some recovered people and can be detected in the testicles and eyes.

The virus can persist in the placenta and fetus of infected pregnant women.

How the virus spreads

While Egyptian fruit bats, African green monkeys and pigs transmit the virus, humans can also transmit it through bodily fluids and contact with contaminated bedding.

Even after people recover, their blood or semen can infect others months later.

How to treat the virus

The World Health Organization has announced that although there is no proven cure for the Marburg virus, there is supportive care and treatment for some symptoms.

Supportive care includes oral and intravenous fluid rehydration.

Various treatments such as blood products, immunotherapies and drug therapies are currently being evaluated.

How to prevent infection

GAVI noted that “strict infection control measures are needed” to prevent people from coming into contact to prevent widespread infection.

People are advised not to eat or handle shrubs to avoid the spread of animals.

Raising awareness among communities and health professionals is also critical, as it can lead to better precautions among people.

The World Health Organization also recommends that male survivors practice safe sex and hygiene for 12 months until sperm is negative.

Healthcare professionals should also take extra precautions and wear appropriate gloves and personal protective equipment when caring for patients.

Finally, pig farms are advised to take precautions to prevent sows from becoming infected through contact with fruit bats.

The UN agency has warned that they could potentially become a fortifying host during outbreaks.

References:

Things to know about the dreaded Marburg virus disease

What is the Marburg virus and how can it be avoided?

Metaverse Headsets Showcase Zuckerberg and Meta’s Progress

Edward Anderson Edward Anderson on August 1, 2022

With the recent release of unfinished headset prototypes, it’s clear that Mark Zuckerberg and Meta are making more progress towards developing their Metaverse.

The Metaverse is an ambitious virtual world designed to elevate people’s interaction beyond the current social media platforms.

Read also: Anna Sorokin Reinvents Herself With the Launch of her NFT Collection

When Mark Zuckerberg announced that Facebook would be changing its name to Meta, it sent ripples through the tech world. The company’s goal is nothing short of exploring virtual reality and what lies beyond our screens in this new digital age we live in.

Meta’s Reality Labs division has been busy developing prototypes to achieve their goals.

Meta revealed some of the machines the team has been working on – prototypes that will lead to lightweight, hyper-realistic virtual reality graphics.

The designs, dubbed Butterscotch, Starburst and Holocake 2, are currently in their Quest 2 Display. The prototype headsets have a more slender design than before with finer details that will be seen soon.

With its sleek, goggle-like design and high resolution display, The Mirror Lake was meant to be the perfect headset for adventures in the Metaverse. However, it only remains a concept with no prototype developed.

“These prototypes, they’re custom and bespoke models that we built in our lab, so they’re not products that are ready to ship,” Zuckerberg said.

In a recent event that focused on the designs, Zuckerberg, Reality Labs chief scientist Michael Abrash, and members from Meta Reality Labs presented their works to an audience, which they described as “time machines.”

“I think we’re in the middle right now of a big step forward towards realism,” said the Meta CEO. “I don’t think it’s going to be that long until we can create scenes with basically perfect fidelity.”

“Only instead of looking at them on a screen, you’ll feel like you’re there,” he added.

Mark Zuckerberg expressed his enthusiasm about the headset and Metaverse’s progress, giving an update on their work:

“The issue today is that the vividness of screens that we have now compared to what your eyes see in the physical world is off by an order of magnitude or more.”

Read also: Capture Films Takes Content Creation to a Whole New Level

Davis Peters of Iowa State University Reveals How Inflation Affects Rural America

Edward Anderson Edward Anderson on August 1, 2022

Inflation has been cruel to everyone and rural America is the next victim as more residents have considered moving to cities to ease financial pressures.

Inflation has hit rural communities hard, according to an analysis by Dave Peters, a professor at Iowa State University.

Peters found that while rural Americans’ incomes increased 2.6%, their spending increased 9.2%.

Rural households

Dave Peters’ report shows that Americans in rural areas are more affected by inflation than the rest of the country.

“Rural households are more vulnerable to inflation,” the report said. In 2020, rural household post-tax incomes stood at $58,012.

About 82% of rural incomes went towards expenses, leaving $10,661 in discretionary income for savings and unanticipated expenses.

However, by 2022 expenses rose by 18.5% overall. Earnings were not able to keep pace with inflation, rising by only 6.1%.

The net effect cut rural discretionary incomes by -49.1% between June 2020 and June 2020, reducing the cushion to only $5,426. Expenses now consume 91% of rural take-home pay.”

Read also: Amid “Unacceptably High” Inflation, the White House Stays Adamant That the Country is Not in Recession

Areas hit

Peters’ report points out that rural communities face the same problems as city dwellers, indicating fuel prices.

“Mainly, fuel prices, particularly among the farmer and agricultural community,” he explained.

“They really are worried about the price of gas and diesel.”

Inflation hit its highest level in four decades last June, affecting all US households.

A major cause of problems, according to Peters, was travel.

“Rural people have to drive long distances for work, for school, for health care, just to get the daily necessities of life like groceries – there is no public transportation,” he elaborated.

Other affected areas

Dave Peters’ analysis also found that rural households are paying $2,500 more per year for gasoline than in 2020.

It also showed rising prices for health insurance, veterinary care and fuel to heat homes and cars.

“Most rural homes have to buy tanks of liquefied petroleum or liquefied propane, or they have to get fuel oil,” he added.

“And those have really risen in costs as well; that’s, I think, something like $1,000 more.”

Read also: Experts and Analysts Are Pointing to Recession to Combat Inflation

Davis Peters’ warnings

Peters warned that if prices stay high for too long, it could trigger a dangerous cycle for some rural Americans.

He says it will start with people dipping into their savings, which is happening now. People will then use their money for necessities before going into debt with their credit cards.

Peters, however, expressed greater concern that rural America would draw lines of credit due to rising real estate values, particularly in the Midwest.

He also warns that such a strategy could backfire.

“That’s particularly dangerous if home prices fall back down and then they’re left with a mortgage that the value of their home doesn’t cover,” says Peters.

A move to cities

As the factors pile up, Peters speculates that some people will be pushed closer to cities.

“There are people that I’ve talked to in Iowa and in Nebraska… that are really trying to do that financial calculation,” he said.

“They would love to work and get city wages, but they can’t commute. It’s too expensive with the gas prices. And really, the thing that’s holding them back is the cost of homes.”

“Some people are contemplating moving closer to a city, moving to the suburbs, or moving to a small community 45 minutes from a city,” he added.

“So yeah, it will probably, if it continues, accelerate rural depopulation in parts of the Midwest and Great Plains.”

References:

Inflation is crushing rural America and may even drive people to the cities

Inflation is hammering rural America, report shows

Scott Groshong, Retired Police Officer, Finally Gets Sentence for Running Over a Man Amid Protests in 2020

Edward Anderson Edward Anderson on August 1, 2022

Scott Groshong, a retired Portland police officer, was found guilty on Monday when he pleaded guilty to assault and official misconduct charges during a June 2020 protest.

The retired police officer had been on duty for nearly three decades when his misconduct led him to retirement.

Why was he convicted?

Scott Groshong, 52, has worked in the Portland Police Department for over 27 years.

Protests erupted across the country in 2020, hitting states like Portland.

In June that year, a downtown protest led to looting on Northwest 9th Avenue and Northwest Davis Street. According to the Oregon report, Groshong answered a phone call at a skate shop before midnight and filmed two men stealing skateboards.

Soon after, another entered the shop and took a helmet.

Groshong drove an unmarked police van into a man who was walking around with a stolen item from a shop.

A resident witnessed the incident.

Read also: Middle Aged Man Shoots Young Adult After Feeling Threatened By What He Calls a Deadly Weapon – a Water Gun

Charges

Scott Groshong was subsequently indicted and reprimanded in Multnomah County Jail on nine counts:

  • One count of third-degree assault (felony)
  • Two counts of failure to perform duties of a driver to an injured person (felony)
  • Six counts of official misconduct (misdemeanors)

“Groshong recklessly drove his vehicle to the man, striking him and causing him a serious physical injury,” the District Attorney’s office said.

The district attorney also said Groshong did not report the incident to his superiors or other authorities.

Aftermath

Groshong retired in August 2020, ending his 27-year career.

The man who was shot and other Portland police officers testified before a Multnomah County grand jury in October 2020, which led to Groshong being indicted on nine counts.

Additionally, the victim was not charged with the alleged theft from the skateboard store.

Groshong’s attorney, Brian Scott Davidson, revealed he worked in the construction industry.

Read also: Police Department Mourns as Third Police Officer Succumbs to Suicide

The sentence

Scott Groshong was convicted of third-degree assault and first-degree misconduct.

The former police officer was sentenced to three years of probation and 80 hours of civilian service.

Groshong Prison credentials will also be revoked.

Additional Notes

Scott Groshong is the first officer convicted in Portland for using inappropriate force during the 2020 protests.

Another officer, Corey Budworth, is currently charged with assault for allegedly hitting a woman in the head with a baton during the August 2020 protests.

The case will be decided soon.

References: 

Retired police officer pleads guilty to assault from June 2020 protest

Police officer charged with 9 counts after allegedly hitting theft suspect with his car

Portland cop pleads guilty to protest misconduct, assault

Middle Aged Man Shoots Young Adult After Feeling Threatened By What He Calls a Deadly Weapon – a Water Gun

Edward Anderson Edward Anderson on August 1, 2022

The rising level of gun violence in 2022 has caused widespread concern among citizens, and New York has once again witnessed yet another murder, this time at the hands of an officer.

Last week, an 18-year-old man was killed by a correctional officer in New York.

The reason for the shooting? A water gun.

The shooting

According to police reports, 18-year-old Raymond Chaluisant shot a car with a toy water gun. Officer Dion Middleton, 45, off duty, shot Chaluisant with his own gun.

Sources say Middleton has shot more than once.

Police say it is unclear who Chaluisant was referring to.

He was shot in the face around 01:30 am while sitting on the passenger side of an Acura.

After the shooting

Raymond Chaluisant was taken to hospital and later pronounced dead. Meanwhile, according to the Attorney General’s Office, Middleton showed up for work hours later and was arrested.

The prosecution is pursuing the case over Middleton’s employment as a law enforcement agent.

Police found a grenade at the scene but determined that Chaluisant was shot almost half a mile away on Morris Avenue and the Cross Bronx Expressway.

The “lethal” weapon

Police found a toy gun shooting water-filled gel beads near the shooting.

Additionally, police sources claimed that Chaluisant fired an “Orbeez” pistol, which looks like a pistol, and fired gel water beads with a spring-loaded air pump.

Read also: Gun Violence is Turning America Into “Killing Fields,” Says President Joe Biden

 On Friday, police tweeted that BB guns are now considered airguns and are illegal in New York.

“Bead blasters shoot gel water bears propelled by a spring-loaded air pump, making them an air rifle. Air rifles are a violation in NYC and are unlawful to possess,” tweeted NYPD News.

“Violators found in possession of these will be issued a criminal summon & the weapon will be confiscated.”

Dion Middleton

Middleton works in training at the NYPD Rodman’s Neck shooting range, where he reportedly went to work after filming.

Police located him through surveillance, investigation and surveillance of his vehicle.

Middleton was arrested on Friday while working at Rodman’s Neck.

Middleton’s case

A New York union attorney said Middleton saw a passenger in the car shake his hand after being stabbed with what he described as “looks like glass.”

“I’m trying to provide context,” attorney Joey Jackson explained over Middleton’s initial court appearance.

“That context would suggest to the court at the time my client discharged a single round, he was doing so under the belief that he was in immediate fear of death of his life.”

The killer was charged with murder, manslaughter and possession of criminal weapons.

Read also: Drive-By Shooting Outside a Church in the Southside of Chicago Left Three Wounded

Prosecutors said Dion Middleton told investigators he hadn’t seen anyone hold a gun or heard gunfire.

“He also stated that was not injured and was not hurt and he was not shot,” said Justin Siebel of the state attorney general’s office.

“The defendant then continued walking on his regular course and did not at any point stop and call the police or inform anybody.”

The Chaluisant family

Jiraida Esquilin, 29, Chaluisant’s older sister, said her brother was involved in a shootout with neighborhood friends on a hot summer night.

“I can’t believe a corrections officer killed my brother,” said Esquilin. “Everything nowadays is a rage thing.”

“They were just having fun. It’s a nerf gun that shoots water,” she added. “The whole neighborhood was having a water gun fight. It was 90 degrees.”

Jiraida Esquilin said her family is still mourning her father, who died five months ago.

She also said that her mother could not identify her mortally wounded son and that he was shot in the chin at close range.

“My brother was well-known and well-loved by everyone in that neighborhood,” Esquilin said.

“He was just hanging out and having a good time.”

Although the family doesn’t know who Chaluisant was with, she had previously told her mother that he was going to McDonald’s.

Raymond Chaluisant’s body was found half a mile from the crime scene. He was unconscious in the passenger seat of a silver Acura when the police arrived.

Police did not release the name of the driver, a 22-year-old acquaintance of Chaluisant’s Yonkers.

“I can’t believe they just drove him and left him there,” Esquilin said of the Acura driver.

Chaluisant’s family was surprised to see Middleton return to work after the young man was shot.

“He did not deserve this, especially from a whole correction officer that was off duty,” said Esquilin.

“And then for him to go to work, as if nothing happened – it’s mind blowing. He basically had no remorse because you’re going into work the next day knowing you shot an 18-year-old little boy.”

References:

Off-duty NYC correction cop charged in killing of 18-year-old with toy water gun

Bronx teen playing with toy water gun fatally shot by correction officer: NYPD

Off-duty correction officer charged in fatal shooting of Bronx 18-year-old who was wielding water gun says he was in ‘immediate fear of death of his life,’ headed to work after incident

Apple Joins the Tech Giant Trend of Slowing Down Hiring Process

Edward Anderson Edward Anderson on August 1, 2022

No one is immune to the heavy inflation affecting the country, and Apple is no exception to the rule. But, with an unsteady second quarter, the tech giant is forced to slow its hiring process.

The tech giant is not alone. Many other companies are making similar decisions.

However, Apple assured employees that the hiring freeze would not be a company-wide policy.

Apple’s statement

The company’s new recruitment policy will impact different industries based on sales, supply chain issues and consumer demand.

Although not all Apple teams are affected, the company plans to produce a wider product line next year.

Additionally, the tech giant will assess the situation of industries “on a case-by-case basis” rather than fill vacancies.

Hiring decisions by other companies

Google and Microsoft recently announced that they are changing their plans.

While Google will implement the same plan as Apple, Microsoft will lay off a small percentage of its workforce.

Microsoft Chairman Brad Smith said US companies are entering a new era of hiring as fewer people enter the workforce, suggesting many companies are offering higher wages to attract more workers.

Read also: Victory for Towson, Maryland’s Apple Store Lays Foundations for Other Stores Across the United States

Shipping

Apple’s flagship iPhone remains the key to sales. However, regional uncertainty and economic hardships reduced global telephone shipments by 9% year-on-year in the second quarter, research firm Canalys reported.

The company noted that Apple accounted for 17% of global phone shipments in the second quarter, up 14% sequentially.

The iPhone 13 remains one of the most sought-after phones, while the competitor Samsung has the largest market share with a market share of 21%.

Canalys pointed out that Samsung’s strong shipments are mainly due to its low-end A-series phones, a remarkably affordable range compared to the iPhone 13 series.

Read also: iPhone Users to Receive Two New Major Security Boost from Apple

Earnings report

The company will announce the results next week, on July 28th.

Earlier in April, Luca Maestri, Apple’s chief financial officer, warned that the company would face several challenges in the second quarter, most notably inventory shortages that could push total sales to $8 billion.

However, the steady demand for the iPhone 13 shows significant revenue despite the warnings.

Calays analyst Toby Zhu said phone promotions and special offers would ease the supply pressure.

However, he warned that consumers are suffering from inflation, making it unlikely that they will earn the same income as last year to buy the new phones. Zhu also warned of ongoing collapses in the supply chain.

“While component supplies and cost pressures are easing, a few concerns remain within logistics and production,” said Zhu.

“Such as some emerging markets’ tightening import laws and customs procedures delaying shipments.”

Meanwhile, Chinese phone makers have been enduring the pressure of issues like Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo, which have dropped to double digits and captured 14%, 10% and 9% global market shares, respectively.

Other Apple news

Apple recently launched a new initiative to strengthen security and fight mercenary spyware and other digital threats.

Block Mode is a tool that allows users to protect themselves from threats, especially those that hold key positions in their respective fields.

For example, the tool would allow them to block most messages, disable various web technologies, limit functionality, and block Apple services such as invitations and service requests.

References:

Inflation takes a bit out of Apple’s hiring plans

Smartphone shipments fell 9% in Q2, but Apple iPhone remains in high demand despite inflation pressure

Diane Hendricks: the Richest Self-Made Woman in America

Leah Cooper Leah Cooper on August 1, 2022

Diane Hendricks is among the most exceptional women in America with her rags to riches story, something that usually only comes from stories.

In early June, Diane Hendricks continued her five-year streak of success, topping the Forbes list of America’s richest self-made women as president of ABC Supply, a building materials company she founded with her late husband in 1982.

Here we look at how she built such a successful career.

Growing up

While others grew up on the legacy of their political, business, or celebrity parents, Hendricks’ success depended on his work ethic and will to survive.

Growing up on a Wisconsin dairy farm, she developed a work ethic that ultimately paid off as she and her late husband built their business empire in 1982. As a child, Diane Hendricks was exposed to her parents’ 24-hour farm labor, which instilled a sense of discipline in her.

At 17, she became pregnant and completed her final year at home. Four years later, Hendricks filed for divorce from her high school sweetheart.

While most single parents work multiple jobs to make ends meet, Hendricks has focused on thriving in a single career by taking on various odd office jobs. Eventually, she pursued a real estate license. 

“Motherhood got in the way real quick and I grew up real fast,” she revealed. “It didn’t stop me from wanting to reach my dream. In fact, I think I became more focused on what I wanted to achieve.”

Diane Hendricks shed some light on her dream, sharing that she hopes to move into the city and go to work in an office in a suit.

Marriage and ABC Supply

Life took her in a different direction when she met roofer Ken Hendricks in the 1970s, and the two were eventually married.

They combined their talents to start ABC Supply as a couple in Beloit, Wisconsin. Diane and Ken’s partnership proved fruitful when the company opened 100 locations in 1994, but its success only increased when it achieved annual sales of $ 1 billion four years later.

Managing the business

Ken Hendricks passed away in 2007, and Diane Hendricks took over ABC Supply, operating the company to this day.

Under her leadership, the company expanded to over 840 locations and became the 23rd largest privately held company in the United States.

ABC Supply’s website also revealed that it acquired the businesses of 18 other companies in half a decade, which turned out to be an industrial giant with its dominance of the market.

Controversy

Despite being successful in her endeavors, Hendricks suffered some controversy. The first came in 2016 when she topped the Forbes list.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel accused her of not paying a penny in income tax between 2012 and 2014. However, it was also reported that she no longer owed any state taxes in 2010.

However, ABC Supply’s tax director, Scott Bianchi, clarified that the company changed its tax classification from C-Corp to S-Corp during those years.

Wisconsin states that businesses could apply for a federal S-Corps and C-Corps at the state level, which allows ABC Supply to elect out-of-state tax option status, including checks that the Hendricks company issued only if all federal taxes were paid. 

Today

Diane Hendricks continues to operate from Beloit, with a population of less than 37,000.

Forbes reports that she has spent millions on local projects, rebuilding abandoned properties and bringing new businesses to the state.

Five years ago, Hendricks also founded a local career center that runs workshops and teaches students skills like coding and building. His goal with the program was to teach teenagers “the value of hard work.”