Michael Jordan Pledges $1M For Bahamas Hurricane Relief Efforts

Michael Jordan is pledging $1 million to organizations assisting with Hurricane Dorian relief efforts in the Bahamas. Jordan said in a statement Tuesday on Twitter through his spokeswoman, Estee Portnoy, that he’s “devastated” at the destruction in the Bahamas, adding “my heart goes out to everyone who is suffering and to those who have lost loved ones.

Jordan owns property in and frequently visits the Bahamas; he sayd that the recovery and relief efforts continue he will be tracking the situation closely and working to identify nonprofit agencies where the funds will have the most impact.

Jordan —  owner of the Hornets and six-time NBA champ — added that “the Bahamian people are strong and resilient and I hope that my donation will be of help as they work to recover from this catastrophic storm.”

Jordan pledges $1 million for hurricane relief in Bahamas

Via rssfeeds.usatoday.com
 

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Longtime Detroit Sportscaster Fred McLeod Passes Away At 67

Former longtime Detroit sportscaster and current voice of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Fred McLeod, died unexpectedly Monday evening. He was 67.

The Ohio native worked 22 seasons (1984-2006) as the Detroit Pistons play-by-play announcer — the longest tenure of a TV-only announcer with the same NBA team. He also served as the play-by-play voice of the Detroit Tigers for four seasons, the Detroit Lions for seven seasons and did play-by-play for the Oakland Athletics. He spent the 1979 MLB baseball season in Cleveland as well, as a TV announcer for the Cleveland Indians.

McLeod is survived by wife Beth McLeod, also a former Detroit TV reporter who currently works for Fox 8 in Cleveland; mother Marilyn; sister Lynn, and his three children, Sean, Jenna, Molly, according to the Cavaliers statement.

Fred McLeod, broadcaster who called Cavs’ title, dies at 67

Via www.foxsports.com
 

FDA Says Juul’s Marketing Of Devices May Have Violated Laws

Juul Labs Inc. was warned by U.S. health officials that it may have violated the law by making claims its e-cigarette devices are safe; this coming at the same time a mysterious lung ailment is raising new questions about the health effects of vaping.

The Food and Drug Administration sent Juul a warning letter on Monday that said the agency had determined that the company has marketed its products as less risky than cigarettes without gaining the agency’s approval.  The FDA also sent Juul a letter requesting documents related to the company’s advertising and promotional efforts, given that its vape devices “continue to represent a significant proportion of the overall use” of e-cigarettes by children. Juul halted much of its social-media marketing last year after criticism that its stylish ads on Instagram and other apps targeted younger users.

“Juul has ignored the law, and, very concerningly, has made some of these statements in school to our nation’s youth,” said Acting FDA Commissioner Ned Sharpless.  In response, Ted Kwong, a Juul spokesman, said, “we are reviewing the letters and will fully cooperate,” 

Juul has pitched its sleek, USB-like vaping device as a way for adults to quit smoking — though the FDA said that the company also targeted students.

Juul Warned by FDA Over Claims Its Vaping Devices Are Safe

Via www.bloombergquint.com
 

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President Donald Trump Fires Top National Security Aide John Bolton

On Tuesday, President Donald Trump announced that he had fired his national-security adviser John Bolton. The president tweeted. ““I informed John Bolton last night that his services are no longer needed at the White House. I disagreed strongly with many of his suggestions, as did others in the Administration, and therefore I asked John for his resignation, which was given to me this morning. I thank John very much for his service. I will be naming a new National Security Advisor next week.”

Moments after Trump’s announcement, Bolton himself seemed to directly contradict the president’s account of the departure, writing: “I offered to resign last night and President Trump said, ‘Let’s talk about it tomorrow.’”

Bolton had served as Trump’s top national-security aide since April 9, 2018.

Donald Trump fires top national security aide John Bolton, citing ‘disagreements’

Via www.usatoday.com
 

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Alex Trebek Returns To “Jeopardy” After Cancer Diagnosis

“Jeopardy!” host Alex Trebek kicked off the premiere of Season 36 of the beloved game show. It marked a return to the air for Trebek, 79, who for four months had undergone treatment for Stage 4 pancreatic cancer.

“I truly hope you folks have enjoyed revisiting some of our special tournaments throughout this past summer,” Trebek said as he opened the show. “But today, Jeopardy! begins its 36th season on the air and I’m happy to report, I’m still here.” Trebek has completed his chemotherapy treatments and returned to taping “Jeopardy!” a few weeks ago.

Alex Trebek makes return to ‘Jeopardy’ after pancreatic cancer treatment

Via www.yahoo.com
 

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Jennifer Lopez “In Talks” To Headline Super Bowl 2020 Halftime Show

Jennifer Lopez is in talks to headline the halftime show at Super Bowl LIV, according to multiple sources.

“Yeah, [I’ve] thought about the Super Bowl and it’s in Miami. It’s a big deal, but we’ll see,” Lopez teased to Entertainment Tonight in July. “They make their own decisions over there [at the NFL].” Jay-Z, who partnered with the football league in August and will consult on the halftime show, said about the rumors: “sometimes it may happen and it may wind up that the person is from the city that they perform. But you don’t want to get in that space ‘cause then who performs in Tampa [in 2021]?”

2019 has been a big year for Lopez: she turned 50, and got engaged to Alex Rodriguez, 44, in March.  Additionally, her It’s My Party tour traveled the world this summer and she is now getting Oscar buzz for her role in Hustlers.

Jennifer Lopez Reportedly in Talks to Headline Super Bowl 2020

Via thesource.com
 

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President Trump Says Taliban Talks Called Off; Afghans Prepare For Potential Violence

On Monday, President Donald Trump said that talks with the Taliban to bring peace to Afghanistan after 18 years of conflict are “dead.”

Trump’s statement regarding the months of negotiations between Taliban leaders and U.S. officials were first brought up by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who on Sunday said that talks were done “for now.”

“They’re dead,” Trump told reporters on the South Lawn of the White House on Monday. “As far as I’m concerned, they’re dead.”  The President abruptly canceled once secret talks between the Taliban and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani that he said were to take place at Camp David this weekend. 

Afghans brace for fresh violence after US-Taliban talks halt

Via abcnews.go.com
 

Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com

President Trump Says Taliban Talks Are Called Off; Afghans Prepare For Potential Violencep

On Monday, President Donald Trump said that talks with the Taliban to bring peace to Afghanistan after 18 years of conflict are “dead.”

Trump’s statement regarding the months of negotiations between Taliban leaders and U.S. officials were first brought up by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who on Sunday said that talks were done “for now.”

“They’re dead,” Trump told reporters on the South Lawn of the White House on Monday. “As far as I’m concerned, they’re dead.”  The President abruptly canceled once secret talks between the Taliban and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani that he said were to take place at Camp David this weekend. 

Afghans brace for fresh violence after US-Taliban talks halt

Via abcnews.go.com
 

Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com

Google Faces Antitrust Probe By 50 States

50 attorneys general are joining an investigation into Google over possible antitrust violations. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, the initiative’s leader, announced on Monday the bipartisan investigation into Google’s practices. The bipartisan probe includes attorneys general from 48 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. California and Alabama are not involved in the probe, Paxton said at a press conference.

At the press conference Monday announcing the probe, attorneys general emphasized Google’s dominance in the ad market and use of consumer data.

“When there is no longer a free market or competition, this increases prices, even when something is marketed as free, and harms consumers,” said Florida state attorney general Ashley Moody, a Republican. “Is something really free if we are increasingly giving over our privacy information? Is something really free if online ad prices go up based on one company’s control.”

‘A very bad day for Google’ as 50 states, territories join antitrust probe

Via www.politico.com
 

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Kansas City Chiefs’ Tyreek Hill Injures Clavicle, Out Indefinitely

Wide receiver Tyreek Hill was injured against the Jaguars with a shoulder injury, the Kansas City Chiefs announced.

The injury was severe enough to require a trip to the local hospital, where he was treated by the trauma department. Hill suffered a sternal clavicular joint injury — where the collarbone comes into the sternum — and is being treated to reduce dislocation. The Chiefs are expected to announce a status update but “is expected to miss a few weeks” with the injury. However, he won’t need surgery.

Hill was injured on his second catch when he was tackled by Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Hill had two catches for 16 yards before leaving the field.

Kansas City defeated Jacksonville, 40-26, in its regular-season opener.

Tyreek Hill injury update: Chiefs reportedly considering options for receiver (shoulder)

Via www.sportingnews.com
 

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