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First U.S. malaria cases diagnosed in decades in Florida and Texas

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First U.S. malaria cases diagnosed in decades in Florida and Texas

Five cases of malaria have been confirmed in Florida and Texas, the first time the potentially fatal mosquito-borne disease has been locally acquired in the United States in 20 years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Monday.

The four Florida cases, along with one in Texas, have been diagnosed over a period of two months, the agency said.

The state of Florida said that its first case was diagnosed on May 26 in Sarasota County, while officials in Texas said on June 23 that a Texas resident who worked outdoors in Cameron County had been diagnosed with the disease.

The CDC said in an alert released Monday that malaria is considered a medical emergency, and that anyone with symptoms should be “urgently evaluated.”

Real Madrid VS. Manchester United

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Real Madrid VS. Manchester United

SpaceX rocket launches Euclid space telescope to map the ‘dark universe’ like never before

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SpaceX rocket launches Euclid space telescope to map the ‘dark universe’ like never before

A SpaceX rocket launched a new space telescope into orbit Saturday (July 1) on a mission to map the “dark universe” like never before.

The European Space Agency observatory, called Euclid, soared to space today aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at 11:11 a.m. EDT (1511 GMT) from Space Launch Complex 40 here at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Spectators here at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex cheered and applauded as the Falcon 9 booster carried Euclid aloft, with the first stage handily touching down just eight minutes later on a drone ship stationed nearby in the Atlantic Ocean.

“We have a mission,” ESA Director-General Josef Aschbacher said during a live webcast just after liftoff. “I’m so excited for this mission now, knowing its on its way to Lagrange point 2 … amazing, I’m very happy and very thrilled.”

The Euclid space observatory, which is designed to seek out invisible dark matter and dark energy, separated from its rocket about 41 minutes after liftoff and is now making the journey to the sun-Earth Lagrange point 2, which is roughly 1 million miles (1.5 million km) away from our planet on the opposite side of the sun. Lagrange points are relatively stable orbits where satellites use a minimum of fuel, and Euclid’s destination is a popular location: NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope also orbits at L2, for example.

Unveiling the ‘dark universe’

Dark matter and dark energy are believed to make up most of the universe, but we can’t see these phenomena in wavelengths of light. Rather, we can track the dark universe through its effects on other objects. (Gravitational lensing is one example, when a massive object bends the light of a distant object behind through the force of gravity, bringing otherwise faraway stars or galaxies into sharp focus.)

Cosmologists — scientists studying the history of space — seek to understand how the dark universe behaves to chart the effects of time on our cosmos. The mergers of galaxies, the expansion of the universe and the movements of individual stars are all subject to the forces of dark energy and dark matter.

Euclid will aim its telescope eye to regions outside of the Milky Way, our own galaxy, to map over a third of the “extragalactic” sky. In its six-year mission, the deep space explorer will map billions of targets like galaxies and stars. Euclid’s two instruments, focusing respectively on visible and infrared (heat-seeking) light wavelengths, will record the information for scientists.

The long survey mission will uncover the movements of these distant objects, along with their chemical makeup. From space, Euclid’s sharp eyes will allow for images at least four times more clear than what telescopes achieve from the ground, given the spacecraft will be far away from Earth’s interfering atmosphere and stray light.

The 1.4 billion Euro ($1.5 billion USD) Euclid has been in the works for nearly two decades. It was forged from two mission concepts proposed in 2007: Dune (Dark Universe Explorer) and Space (Spectroscopic All Sky Cosmic Explorer), which used different but complementing ways of looking at dark energy. Given how well the two missions worked with each other, they were combined into one powerful observatory: Euclid.

The European Space Agency‘s (ESA) science program committee selected Euclid for space in 2011 and formally adopted the program in 2012. The larger Euclid consortium today includes more than 2,000 scientists from Europe, the U.S. (including NASA), Canada and Japan contributing both instruments and analysis. Thales Alenia Space was the satellite’s prime contractor, while Airbus Defence and Space contributed the payload module and 4-foot (1.2-meter) telescope.

Euclid’s work follows on from several ground-based and space-based surveys of the universe. Among them is the Chilean Victor M. Blanco telescope’s Dark Energy Survey that mapped 100 million galaxies; a 2022 study of that team’s work will serve as a pathfinder both for Euclid and for NASA’s Roman Space Telescope.

ESA’s still-active Gaia satellite (also at Lagrange Point 2) is another recent example, having mapped the movements of nearly 2 billion bright stars since 2015. Gaia, however, focuses on the Milky Way and that will make it a complementary mission to Euclid’s deep space focus.

A rocket swap for Euclid

Incidentally, Euclid was not supposed to launch aboard SpaceX at all. As late as February 2022, the mission was manifested upon an Arianespace Soyuz (provided by Russia) for a March 2023 launch in French Guiana. Russia’s unsanctioned invasion of Ukraine forced a stop to most such space collaborations aside from the International Space Station, pushing Euclid’s team to look for another ride to space.

Arianespace has been ESA’s launch partner for decades and as a French vendor, it is the preferred route for European space access. Yet there was no room left on the retiring Ariane 5 rocket line, and the new Ariane 6 was still in a late stage of development, reported SpaceNews, which was at the meeting.

Even U.S. options were few, as United Launch Alliance’s trusty Atlas V and Delta IV Heavy rockets also had full manifests ahead of their retirement. ULA’s new Vulcan Centaur will not fly until this year at least, leaving SpaceX as the only viable short-term option, according to ESA comments last year.

To get to its new site, Euclid made its way from Italy to its Floridian launch site under sail. It took roughly two weeks to voyage across the Atlantic by boat, yet just minutes to cross that same ocean again in the air by rocket.

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket that launched Euclid made its second flight to space with this launch. The mission marked SpaceX’s 44th mission of 2023 and 243rd mission to date. It was the also the 204th successful landing of an orbital class rocket by SpaceX.

Euclid will take about 30 days to commute to its deep-space site. Investigators have not yet released the date for the first science image, but say it will be in a few months.

Elizabeth Howell’s Florida coverage was co-sponsored by Canadian Geographic magazine and Canada’s University of Waterloo, where Euclid’s primary science coordinator (Will Percival) is based. Space.com has independent control of news coverage.

 

The Houston Fire Department Encourages Fourth of July Fireworks Safety

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The Houston Fire Department Encourages Fourth of July Fireworks Safety

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The Houston Fire Department would like to remind citizens of potential risks associated with the personal use of fireworks- including devastating burns, injuries, fires, and even deaths. Instead the HFD encourages everyone to enjoy professional public firework displays such as the City’s signature tribute to patriotism, Shell Freedom Over Texas. For more information about this event visit: www.houstontx.gov/july4

Each July 4th, thousands of people, most often children and teens, are injured while using fireworks. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) an estimated 19,500 fires started by fireworks were reported to local US fire departments each year. Although firework injuries area seen in all age groups, more than one-third of the victims are under the age of 15. The NFPA estimates about 44 percent of injuries are due to burns. For example, sparklers get as hot as 1200 degrees Fahrenheit, account for 25 percent injuries seen at hospitals.

In addition, it’s important to remember it is illegal to discharge fireworks in the City of Houston and parts of the county, with fines ranging from $500 – $2000 for each individual firework. If a minor is caught discharging fireworks, the parent or guardian will receive the fine even if they were unaware of the minor’s possession and/or usage.

Citizens should also remember that discharging fireworks is illegal near certain locations of unincorporated areas of Harris County,  such as near churches, hospitals and asylums, a licensed child care center, or a public or private primary or secondary school or institution of higher education unless the person receives authorization in writing from that organization.

Complaints regarding the illegal use of fireworks should be directed to the HPD Tel-communicator (non-emergency line) at 713-884-3131. If the citizen believes that there may be a fire and/or medical emergency related to the use of fireworks, he/she should dial 9-1-1 and request the HFD.

“Independence Day is a great day for our country. We appreciate the gift and sacrifices made by so many. Let’s promise to be good citizens of our country and help America grow into a better nation each day. We encourage everyone to have a great day, enjoy the festivities and to do so RESPONSIBLY. Have a safe and happy 4th of July!” Sam Peña, Fire Chief.

For additional safety tips, including “Summer Safety” visit www.houstonfire.org

Flight delays, cancellations continue during July Fourth weekend

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According to airline tracker FlightAware, nearly 24,000 flights in the U.S. were delayed from Friday through Sunday. Additionally, about 1,400 flights were canceled during the weekend.

According to FlightAware, Monday is starting out with relatively few anticipated cancellations and delays. The website listed 521 cancellations for Monday as of early morning.

The worst of the cancellations on Sunday came in the New York City region, with over half of flights leaving LaGuardia and Newark Liberty being delayed or canceled. The New York region had some strong thunderstorms in the early evening Sunday.

The disruptions to air travel come as the Transportation Security Administration projects the July Fourth weekend being the busiest for air travel since 2019. TSA expected to screen over 2.8 million passengers on Friday. From June 28 through July 5, TSA expected to process 17.7 million travelers.

United Airlines’ performance appeared to improve after 45% of flights on the airline were postponed on Friday. By Sunday, that figure was down to 32%.

During a spate of delays on his airline, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby flew on a private jet from New Jersey to Denver. In a statement, Kirby said the move was “the wrong decision” and “insensitive to our customers who were waiting to get home.” He promised to “better demonstrate my respect for the dedication of our team members and the loyalty of our customers.”

United Airlines said passengers on flights heading to or leaving the Northeast could be eligible for travel waivers.

Source: www.10news.com

US Actors’ Union Agrees Contract Extension Until 12 July

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US Actors’ Union Agrees Contract Extension Until 12 July

On 30 June SAG-AFTRA, the US actors’ union, and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) agreed a contract extension until 12 July so that negotiations on a new deal can continue. The current contract was due to expire at 11.59pm Pacific Time, risking a strike if a deal or extension was not agreed.

SAG-AFTRA members voted overwhelmingly to authorise a strike on 5 June with 97.91% in favour. This gave them additional leverage going into negotiations with the AMPTP, on top of the leverage from the WGA strike which entered its third month on 2 July.

Since then over a thousand SAG-AFTRA members have signed a “prepared to strike” letter to union leaders re-emphasising their willingness to strike. The letter has been signed by a number of A-List actors including Charlize Theron, Pedro Pascal, and Jamie Lee Curtis. This came shortly after a YouTube video on 23 June from SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher and National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland saying that they are “going to achieve a seminal deal.”

Key issues in the negotiation of a new contract are the use of AI in film and TV productions, “out of control” self-tape demands, and increased compensation. One particular sticking point, according to Variety, is demands for higher residuals from streaming services. Currently streaming residuals are done on a predetermined formula which decreases as a film or TV show ages, resulting in much lower residuals than from traditional network TV. Both SAG-AFTRA and the WGA want to move to a viewership-based residuals model with bonuses for the most-watched shows.

There would be huge ramifications for Hollywood if actors do go on strike after 12 July including delays to every film and TV production not already shut down by the WGA strike. There would also be delays to major awards shows like the Emmys with a decision by the end of July on whether the show’s September date is feasible. It would also be a huge boost to the WGA strike and show solidarity between the different Hollywood unions.

Source: www.indiependent.co.uk

Teen sentenced to 10 years after convicted in crash that killed 3 while working valet in W. Houston

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Teen sentenced to 10 years after convicted in crash that killed 3 while working valet in W. Houston

A young valet driver who hit and killed three people while running from police could spend the next decade in prison.

Ahmedal Modawi pled guilty to murdering Fnan Meashos, Eric Orduna, and Nick Rodriguez back in 2021. The victims also worked as valet drivers outside the popular bar, Prospect Park the night they were killed.

Harris County prosecutors wanted Modawi to spend the next 35 years in prison, but Judge Chris Morton ultimately decided on a 10-year sentence on Friday in court. When that decision came down, our partners at The Houston Chronicle reported there was a gasp in the courtroom.

Some of the victim’s relatives said it was time to forgive while, others said they couldn’t yet.

“We want justice for them. For all three. For all three. This should not have happened.”

Amid their mourning back in the fall of 2021, relatives of the victims told Eyewitness News they wanted accountability for the actions that led to a horrific scene outside of Prospect Park in west Houston.

Three men valeting cars were walking down Fairdale when Ahmedal Modawi crashed into them during a chase with Houston police. They were trying to pull the 17-year-old valet over for doing donuts in someone else’s car.

In court documents considered during sentencing, Modawi’s defense attorney wrote, “For the complainants’ families, lengthy incarceration won’t give them answers to the questions of why, nor will it give them solace knowing a dangerous, career criminal is locked away. For society, likewise, there is no punitive goal achieved by lengthy incarceration. Ahmed is not a violent man with an extensive criminal history. Society is not made more secure with an excessive prison sentence.”

The attorney for Fnan Measho and Eric Orduna provided a statement that says in part, “We appreciate the DA’s office in prosecuting this individual, but there was more than one party responsible for their deaths. We want everyone held accountable.”

There is a pending civil case against other entities, including Prospect Park and Premium Parking Service. Modawi was too young to legally work as a valet in Houston when the crash happened.

“Nobody protected Eric, and I’m very upset with that. We don’t deserve this. Eric didn’t deserve this at all,” a relative said.

Since then, there have been two years of pain for them, leading to a 10-year punishment and the possibility of more accountability they’ve asked for.

Source: abc13.com

The Do’s and Don’ts of Fourth of July 2023

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The Do’s and Don’ts of Fourth of July 2023

For many, the Fourth of July is a fun day full of festivities to show patriotic pride for the United States. However, it can be a rather hectic day for local law enforcement and fire protection personnel, responding to illegal fireworks reports and people firing guns into the air.

Shooting fireworks off in Houston and most other cities nearby is not legal. But, in most unincorporated areas across local counties, residents may be allowed to do so, said Justin Jurek, Fort Bend County Fire Marshal.

“We encourage everyone who wants to pop their fireworks to check the area where they are; if you’re in a neighborhood outside of city limits, your homeowners association may have rules and regulations to say you can’t use them,” he said.

In the areas where they are legal, state laws still require people firing them to be away from nearby churches, daycares and schools.

Jurek said fireworks should be lit on a flat surface, not close to any homes, buildings, vehicles, dry vegetation or flammable materials and a water source – like a hose or bucket – should always be nearby.

All used fireworks should be soaked for around eight to 12 hours before being placed in a garbage container. This reduces the risk of a fire starting from one that might still be smoldering.

“We saw an increase in vehicle fires last year during New Year’s because people put recently discarded fireworks in the back of their trucks,” Jurek said.

Tracee Evans, public information officer with the Spring Fire Department, said firefighters have responded to garage fires because people were improperly throwing fireworks in their trash cans.

“We’ve had many fires because people are disposing of fireworks wrong, or they are shooting them down the street where they get caught on neighbors’ roofs, fences, bushes or trees,” she said. “If a firework strikes something that can light on fire, chances are it will do that.”

Brandi Dumas, communications manager at the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office, said people who are not cautious risk burning their fingers, hands and faces.

She said one thing a person should remember when firing fireworks is to never look or lean over one that they might think is a dud, as this can lead to it blowing up in their face.

Parents should supervise their children, and be aware if certain kinds of fireworks are given to their kids.

“We should be very cautious about sparklers. They burn six times hotter than boiling water,” Dumas said. “That is something we want everyone to consider.”

Those firing fireworks should not be drinking, as they may have delayed reaction times during an emergency because they’re under the influence, Evans said.

Deputy Thomas Gilliland, public information officer at the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, said rideshares such as Uber and Lyft are available and suggested designating a driver ahead of going out to avoid drunk driving.

Gilliland said the Fourth of July and Memorial Day Weekend are two weekends with the highest number of people picked up for drinking while intoxicated.

Law enforcement officers are also patrolling to look out for “celebratory gunfire” or people shooting up mindlessly into the air, “It is the deadliest type of thing that you can do because that projectile has to come down somewhere. It can go into someone’s home or strike and kill them,” he said.

The public should call 911 in emergencies, such as hearing this gunfire. For non-emergency firework complaints or reports, contact Harris County law enforcement through the non-emergency number: 713-221-6000.

Public firework displays handled by licensed technicians or pyrotechnics and shows that incorporate “digital fireworks” or drone displays are always safe alternatives to celebrate:

Houston

Freedom Over Texas

General Admission $10

Children 5 & under free w/ paid adult

When: Tuesday, July 4, 4 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Where: Eleanor Tinsley Park

18-3600 Allen Pkwy, Houston TX 77019

Fort Bend

Missouri City Independence Festival

Free Entry for all

When: Tuesday, July 4, 4 p.m. – 9: 15 p.m.

Where: Houston Community College-Southwest College

1600 Texas Parkway, Missouri City 77489

The Woodlands

South County Fourth of July Parade

When: Tuesday, July 4, starting at 9 a.m.

Where: Town Green Park

2099 Lake Robbins Dr,

The Woodlands, TX 77380

Sugarland

Red, White and Boom

Free entry for all

When: Tuesday, July 4, doors at 4 p.m., event from 5 p.m.- 9p.m.

Where: The Crown Festival Park

18355 Southwest Freeway, 77479

College Station

4th of July Fireworks & Drones Drive-In Show at RELLIS

Free entry for all

This is a drive-in event

When: Tuesday, July 4, parking areas open at 6:30 p.m., show begins at 9 p.m.

Where: Texas A&M-RELLIS campus

3100 TX-47, Bryan, Texas.

Source: www.houstonpress.com

Valdez, Alvarez Selected for MLB All Star Game

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Valdez, Alvarez Selected for MLB All Star Game

A pair of Astros were picked to play in the 2023 MLB All Star game on July 11. Yordan Alvarez, who is currently rehabbing from an oblique strain, and Framber Valdez, who skipped Sunday’s start with a sore ankle, were both picked to be part of the midsummer classic.

Alvarez has already said he will travel to Seattle for the game, but will not participate due to his injury. The Astros recently reported he is up to about 60 percent and should start a minor league rehab stint shortly after All-Star weekend. Valdez’s availability for the game is unclear, but he has said he should be able to start for the Astros this week. That would seem to make him OK to play in the game next week.

This is the second straight selection for both players. Valdez wound up as the winning pitcher in the 2022 game.

Dusty Baker, as the World Series championship manager, will act as the manager for the AL squad in Seattle.

A number of injured players could be back for the Astros soon after the break including Jose Urquidy, Alvarez and possibly even Michael Brantley. The season has been somewhat of a disappointment thus far with a ton of injuries. But, the team remains just four games back of the division-leading Texas Rangers with another game in Arlington on Monday to round out a four-game set.

Even with all the injuries, particularly to a depleted pitching staff, the team leads baseball in ERA (3.58) and has several rookies or young players playing significant roles, a rarity for a team coming off a World Series title.

Source: www.houstonpress.com

Rockets Overhaul Roster in Flurry of Deals

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Rockets Overhaul Roster in Flurry of Deals

After not re-upping Stephen Silas in the offseason and hiring new coach Ime Udoka, it was clear that the Rockets were going to make some significant changes to a roster that had been at the bottom of the league for three straight years. It wasn’t enough to select high draft picks that yielded rotation players like Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun and Jabari Smith, Jr. To make the move to “phase two” as they refer to it over at Toyota Center, they needed veteran help.

Over the weekend, they took steps in that direction via a bevy of activity after the official opening of NBA free agency. The resulting deals and signings left them with four new players and the dealing of four of their own to other teams. Let’s break it down.

THE ADDITIONS

Fred VanVleet (3 years, $30 million — third year team is a team option)

This is the marquis signing of the offseason. The 29-year-old point guard is one of the best defensive points in the NBA and is coming off a year where he averaged 7.2 assists and ]two turnovers per game to go with almost 20 points and two steals. He is one of the league’s best in deflections and has a solid shooting stroke from beyond the arc. He immediately becomes the guy Udoka can make his floor general and someone the team can lean on to lead the offense. He’s also an instant defensive upgrade in the backcourt.

Dillon Brooks (4 years, $80 million – sign and trade with Memphis)

Brooks most recent claim to fame is poking at LeBron James during the playoffs in a foolish f-around-and-find-out moment, but the brash young wing is also one of the league’s best perimeter defenders — he was second team all-defense last season. The fact that he inked a four-year deal means the Rockets consider him a part of their long-term plans despite his fiery attitude and sometimes poor decision making on the floor. No doubt GM Rafael Stone and Udoka believe they can channel Brooks into an elite defender and get him back to a player that shoots 37-plus percent from distance.

Jock Landale (4 years, $32 million – only the first year is guaranteed)

While Brooks and VanVleet were high on the Rockets wish list, their desired big man target, Brook Lopez, re-signed with Milwaukee. Still needing depth in the frontcourt, the team opted for Phoenix back up big Landale, who played well for the Suns in last year’s postseason. The Aussie center will provide backup support to Sengun and Smith.

Jeff Green (1 year, $6 million)

The Rockets said they wanted veteran leadership and there might be no one more veteran in the league than Green, heading into his sixteenth NBA season. He’s one of the more well respected players around the NBA and played part of a season in Houston during the 2019-20 season. Green will provide frontcourt depth and certainly a steadying voice in the locker room.

THE SUBTRACTIONS

KJ Martin (traded to the Clippers for two second round picks)

For all his athleticism and slow but steady improvements, Martin was a bit of a round peg trying to be fit into a square hole. He’s too small for the frontcourt, but doesn’t really play the kind of defense or shoot well enough to be a strictly perimeter player. Ultimately, he got caught up in a numbers game with so many other young guys on the roster. This had been coming for a while. It’s a shame the Rockets couldn’t have done it sooner when they might have gotten more in return. In the end, this was about clearing space for other players, both financially and on the floor.

Usman Garuba (traded to Atlanta)

From day one, when Garuba had to arrive late to camp due to his obligations with the Spanish team and promptly got injured, it just felt he could never quite get his footing in Houston. The undersized big man has all the tools to be a very good defensive player in the NBA, and has been working hard on improving his long distance shooting. Hopefully, he can help Atlanta and get his career on track.

TyTy Washington (traded to Atlanta)

Washington could never break into the Rockets rotation with their odd and sometimes frustrating commitment to Daishen Nix, who never managed to be the player the team hoped he would be. With the drafting of Amen Thompson at pick four in this year’s draft, the writing was on the wall for Washington, who could thrive in the right environment.

Josh Christopher (traded to Memphis)

When Christopher was taken with the Rockets final pick in the historic (for the Rockets) 2021, he was the only one to have played college ball. His history as a friend of Jalen Green and his relentless love of running the floor seemed like a great fit for the young squad. By the end of his rookie season, he was a fixture in the lineup, scoring 30 against the T’Wolves in April of 2022. But, his second year saw him slip out of the rotation, appearing in 64 games and averaging just over 12 minutes per. His skills are there, but his inconsistency seemed to be his downfall. He’ll try to bounce back with the Grizzlies.

Source: www.houstonpress.com

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