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Bob Raissman: Aaron Rodgers is obsessed with managing the message … ‘I’ll speak for myself’

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 19:35:39 GMT

As an organization, the Jets have their share of media circuses going back to the summer of 1969 and Joe (Willie) Namath’s tearful press conference “retirement” over the Bachelors III controversy.There was also craziness over the coming of Bret Favre, Tim Tebow, Rex Ryan and others. Now, if a deal can be reached between the Jets and the Packers, Aaron Rodgers will not only become Gang Green’s next quarterback but its microphone potentate too.Rodgers doesn’t need any of the Jets PR consultants or in-house spin doctors. In his own mind, he is the de facto boss of his own media shop. After 18 years with Green Bay, Rodgers has become a master of controlling his own content. It could be about football, darkness retreats, immunization or the effect of ayahuasca. There is enough evidence to say he is obsessed with managing the message.Rodgers figured out how to put a variety of media platforms to work for him. The way he orchestrated the timing of his Wednesda...

Deputy suspected of DUI arrested following lockdown at Naval Base Coronado

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 19:35:39 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Naval Base Coronado went into lockdown Friday night after a driver attempted to plow through the facility’s main gate, a military spokesperson confirmed to FOX 5.Around 10:30 p.m., an individual trying to access the main gate on North Island became aggressive and tried to drive through the entry way, said Naval Base Coronado Public Affairs Officer Kevin Dixon. Bodycam video shows shooting involving deputy in East County On Saturday morning, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department confirmed a deputy had been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence in connection to the incident. Officials say the deputy attempted to breach the gate without clearance, leading military guards to shoot at the car. No injuries were reported.The suspect has been identified as Sgt. Michael Cruz, who was off duty at the time of the incident, SDSO said. He was booked into San Diego Central Jail on a charge of driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol or v...

SDSU advances to Sweet 16 after beating Furman in NCAA Tournament

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 19:35:39 GMT

Orlando, Fla. -- The San Diego State University Men’s Basketball team has advanced to the Sweet 16 after defeating Furman University 75-52 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.This is breaking story. Please check back soon for updates.

Italy’s Democratic head blasts limit on LGBTQ parent rights

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 19:35:39 GMT

ROME (AP) — The head of Italy’s opposition Democratic Party blasted a bureaucratic crackdown on LGBTQ families as ideological, cruel and discriminatory and vowed Saturday to push through legislation to better recognize and protect their rights.Elly Schlein, who in 2020 revealed she was in a relationship with another woman, joined thousands of people at a demonstration in Milan to protest a move by the far-right-led Italian government to restrict the rights of parents in same-sex relationships. The Interior Ministry this week forced Milan to limit parental rights to the biological parent when same-sex couples register their children with the city.Such registrations are required for parents to get their relationship to a child recognized for purposes such as authorizing medical treatment or participation in school outings. The national government’s prefecture for Milan cited a loophole in limiting that authority to a biological parent. LGBTQ rights activists blasted the move as eviden...

Pope promotes ‘humanitarian corridors’ for asylum-seekers

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 19:35:39 GMT

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis met Saturday with thousands of refugees and charity groups hosting them in Italy as he sought to promote legal migration routes to Europe as an alternative to smuggling operations that he said have turned the Mediterranean Sea into a “cemetery.”Francis said “humanitarian corridors,” which have operated in Italy since 2016, saved lives and helped newly arrived asylum-seekers get acclimated while church groups provided housing, education and work opportunities.“Humanitarian corridors not only aim to bring refugees to Italy and other European countries, rescuing them from situations of uncertainty, danger and endless waiting; they also work toward integration,” he said.The Sant’Egidio Catholic charity, the Federation of Evangelical Churches and the Waldensian Church spearheaded the ecumenical humanitarian transfer initiative in Italy, which has brought more than 6,000 people to Europe, Francis was told.Under the program, aid workers identify asylum cand...

Judge won’t toss lawsuit over ivermectin in Arkansas jail

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 19:35:39 GMT

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) — A federal judge has refused to dismiss a lawsuit that says detainees at an Arkansas jail were given the drug ivermectin to fight COVID-19 without their knowledge.The lawsuit contends detainees at the Washington County Jail in Fayetteville were given ivermectin as early as November 2020 but were unaware until July 2021. Ivermectin is approved by the Food and Drug Administration to address parasitic infestations such as intestinal worms and head lice and some skin conditions, such as rosacea. It is not, and was not at the time, approved to treat COVID-19.U.S. District Judge Timothy L. Brooks ruled Thursday that the lawsuit could move forward, saying Dr. Robert Karas used detainees for an experiment, The Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported.Plaintiffs in the case include Edrick Floreal-Wooten, Jeremiah Little, Julio Gonzales, Thomas Fritch and Dayman Blackburn. The case was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union last year against Karas, Karas Corr...

US warns about fake, dangerous pills being sold in Mexico

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 19:35:39 GMT

MEXICO CITY (AP) — The U.S. State Department has issued a travel warning about dangerous counterfeit pills being sold at pharmacies in Mexico that often contain fentanyl. The travel alert posted Friday says Americans should “exercise caution when purchasing medication in Mexico.” Small pharmacies in tourist areas and border regions sometimes sell medications advertised as OxyContin, Percocet, Xanax and others without a prescription. The State Department warned that such pills are often counterfeit and “may contain deadly doses of fentanyl.” “Counterfeit pills are readily advertised on social media and can be purchased at small, non-chain pharmacies in Mexico along the border and in tourist areas,” it said.A study led by researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles found that 68% of the 40 Mexican pharmacies visited in four northern Mexico cities sold Oxycodone, Xanax or Adderall, and that 27% of those pharmacies were selling fake pills. UCLA said the study, published in ...

Ottawa to allow temporary Syrian, Turkish residents to stay longer after earthquake

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 19:35:39 GMT

TORONTO — The federal government says it will make it easier for temporary residents in Canada from Turkey and Syria to extend their stay in the country after a powerful earthquake struck their countries last month.More than 50,000 people have been killed and millions displaced after the 7.8-magnitude quake and several powerful aftershocks hit the region on Feb. 6.Immigration Minister Sean Fraser says the government will allow people from Turkey and Syria who have a temporary status to visit family, study or work in Canada to apply for an extension to their status and will wave the application fees for them.Fraser says his department has been prioritizing processing temporary and permanent resident applications from people affected by the earthquake.The government says, as of March 10, about 600 Syrian and 6,400 Turkish residents in Canada had temporary status that is set to expire within the next six months.Last month, the federal government said it is to send another $20 million i...

Should remote workers take 'hush trips'?

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 19:35:39 GMT

(NerdWallet) - Emily Smith was working two jobs — at a hotel and at a retail store — when she realized she was in dire need of a break. Smith, based in Vancouver, British Columbia, says her employers didn’t usually approve of her vacation days, so she invented a fake family emergency, claiming she’d need to work from home. Instead, she went to Las Vegas.“I took meetings poolside, and I timed my flights to happen outside working hours,” she says. “All my work was completed in a timely manner so neither of my bosses ever asked.”That was back in 2012, when most jobs demanded an in-person presence. About 10 years later, more people are working remotely (or poolside like Smith). According to U.S. Census Bureau data released in 2022, more than 27.6 million people worked primarily from home in 2021. That’s triple the number of people working from home in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.Even with the rise of remote work, some workers are hesitant or don’t feel the need to tell their empl...

Vikings agree to terms with depth offensive lineman Oli Udoh

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 19:35:39 GMT

In an effort to further bolster their depth up front, the Vikings agreed to terms with depth offensive lineman Oli Udoh on Saturday afternoon, the latest move designed to ensure continuity in the trenches.Already this offseason, the Vikings have re-signed starting center Garrett Bradbury and backup center Austin Schlottmann, re-upped with fellow depth offensive lineman Blake Brandel, and re-worked a deal with veteran offensive lineman Chris Reed.As for Udoh, he has developed into a useful piece on the offensive line. Originally drafted in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft as a project player, the 6-foot-6, 320-pound Udoh has played in 41 games in his career with 17 starts under his belt.Not only did Udoh fill in admirably last season after starting right tackle Brian O’Neill broke his right ankle, he has proven capable of playing both on the interior and exterior of the line in a pinch. His presence should help if O’Neill needs more time than expected to recover.Rela...