Month: July 2022

I thought I had gotten over the discrimination I faced in Australia’s newsrooms | Karishma Luthria

Post author By mangakiko
Post date July 31, 2022
No Comments on I thought I had gotten over the discrimination I faced in Australia’s newsrooms | Karishma Luthria

When I walked into the Sydney Theater Company’s Wharf 1 theater to see Michelle Law’s production Top Coat, I was expecting to watch an entertaining retelling of how dire the situation in Australia’s news and media is for people of colour. What I was not expecting, but perhaps should have been, was how personally affected I would be by it.

As a young woman of color in the media I have faced discrimination in Australian newsrooms and I thought I was resilient. But Top Coat left me with a lot of questions, mainly personal ones: how am I not healed from the prejudice I experienced in various jobs in Australia’s white, male-dominated media industry?

First, a bit about the show. Top Coat is Law’s STC debut and centers around two characters — Winnie (Kimie Tsukakoshi) and Kate (Amber McMahon). Winnie works at a nail salon that Kate visits between her very demanding schedule of her as a TV executive “girlboss” at a multicultural broadcaster. One evening, just before Winnie is closing shop for the day, Kate comes in asking her for her chipped nail to be fixed – Winnie begrudgingly obliges. The two complain about the barriers they face in work and life and utter the same sentence: “I wish I were in your shoes.” A Freaky Friday situation takes place and they swap bodies. Now Winnie has to go to Kate’s TV job and face her her boss her Barry and her entitled her boyfriend Jeremy (John Batchelor) while Kate has to tirelessly give out manicures and pedicures for hardly any money.

Since seeing the production, I’ve spent a lot of time mulling it over, as well as my own negative experiences in the media, ones that I thought I had gotten over. But seeing similar experiences play out on stage gave them a fresh sense of reality, and more affirmation that I didn’t just make up the prejudice I’d faced in my head.

I came to Australia to study journalism as an international student in 2016. A highly unorthodox career choice for someone like me – an Indian with parents who just wanted me to have a stable career in something like business or law. Even convincing them to let me study journalism was a hard task. There was a lot of arguing and a lot of, “yes, print may be dying but everything is moving online, Pappa!”. So I knew I had to make my time in Australia worth it – worth their investment, and worth my future.

I have worked in multiple newsrooms, first as an intern and freelancer, and eventually a full-time employee – a prized possession for anyone in the media industry, let alone for an international student.

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Each experience prepared me for the prejudice I would face in the next. From others who had connections and networks within the organization getting picked over me, preferred and trained for jobs I was highly qualified to do, to micro-aggressions over my curly hair, my accent, pronouncing my name or even discussing my skin tone.

Coming from a hierarchical Indian society where speaking up against those who are senior to you is disrespectful, I decided not to fight back. So I put my head down and did stories instead. Focusing on giving other people a voice and ignoring my own.

But the bottled-up emotions finally came out upon watching Law’s production.

I have always believed to be lucky in this industry. Lucky to get unpaid internships with broadcasters and news organisations. Lucky to get to certain stages of an interview process when many times I got an immediate rejection because of my visa. Lucky to be able to get a full-time job and be able to experience the stability and security that so many of my Australian citizen classmates at uni got to experience as soon as they graduated. Lucky to get a spot at the table, rather than to be seen as just another international student who has been unable to make it in the arts in Australia.

But at some point, you have to look beyond luck and look at reality – Australian newsrooms and media organizations have a problem with race. They use people of color for our connections to our communities, as Law’s play demonstrated with First Nations character Marcus (Matty Mills). They use us to get certain “sensitive” stories about our communities over the line. They also use us for their often celebrated diversity statistics. We are also often the newsroom’s reserve forces – casuals or part-timers who are called upon when the full-time white reporters and producers are burned out, on holiday in Europe, or taking annual leave.

Let me be clear – I don’t have a problem with my white colleagues. I have a problem with the predominantly white agenda-setters at the top who allow this problem to happen. People who think they are progressive because they hire a token diverse person or they fit certain categories that mean they have faced prejudice in their life. And while I empathize with the barriers they have faced, they will never know what it’s like to be overlooked because of the color of your skin, the texture of your hair, the accent you have and the nationality on your passport.

Australia’s media industry needs a radical racial overhaul. And it starts with executives at the top unlearning decades of prejudice – a message Law sends clearly in Top Coat.

Karishma Luthria is an audio producer at Guardian Australia

Sports

Third quarter blitz as Geelong Cats celebrate Joel Selwood milestone

Post author By mangakiko
Post date July 31, 2022
No Comments on Third quarter blitz as Geelong Cats celebrate Joel Selwood milestone

The result means St Kilda claimed the Bulldogs’ spot in the eighth, but the Saints have the pleasure of playing in Geelong next week with their record at the venue as disspiriting as it is for the Bulldogs.

Selwood did not have to do much but reflect on his record as he played his 300th game alongside Hawkins and enjoyed the 254th win in his career and the 96th of his 110 games at GMHBA Stadium. He has now been on the winning team in each of the seven 50-game milestones in his career after losing on debut ironically to the Bulldogs way back in 2007.

The Bulldogs did not kick their first goal in the second half until the 14-minute mark of the final quarter when Ceglar arrived late to spoil Cody Weightman and conceded a 50-meter penalty.

By then the result was decided with the only disappointment for the Cats being that Gary Rohan was subbed off with concussion while the Bulldogs took Bontempelli off the ground for the final six minutes after he limped around in the last quarter.

Selwood has captained Geelong to 160 wins – a new record.

Gelong: 1.2 4.6 12.8 14.10 (94)
Western Bulldogs: 4.3 6.5 6.8 9.12 (66)

goals: Gelong: Rohan 2, Hawkins 2, Stengle 2, Cameron 2, Guthrie 2, Dangerfield, Smith, Close, Miers. Western Bulldogs: Weightman 3, Ugle-Hagan 2, Dunkley 2, Johannisen, English

Best

Gelong: Dangerfield, Cam Guthrie, Smith, Close, Stengle, Stewart, Miers

Western Bulldogs: Richards, Dunkley, Dale, Liberatore, Ugle-Hagan

Gunman at large after 7 hurt in downtown Orlando shooting – WFTV

Post author By mangakiko
Post date July 31, 2022
No Comments on Gunman at large after 7 hurt in downtown Orlando shooting – WFTV

Video: Gunman at large after 7 hurt in downtown Orlando shooting Multiple people were shot overnight in downtown Orlando. (Sabrina Maggiore, WFTV.com/WFTV)

ORLANDO, Fla. — Police are investigating an overnight shooting in downtown Orlando.

The shooting happened around 2 am near the area of Wall Street Plaza and South Orange Avenue.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

Police said that as the bars and restaurants were closing, a large fight took place and a shooting followed.

Photos: Gunman at large after 7 hurt in downtown Orlando shooting

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Gunman at large after 7 hurt in downtown Orlando shooting

Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith said there were seven victims. One person drove themselves to the hospital and six others were transported by EMS.

Read: Coronavirus: President Biden tests positive again for COVID-19

All victims remain in stable condition, according to police.

There is no suspect information at this time.

Read: Renters and landlords talk about growing housing crisis in Orange County

Police ask anyone with information to call Orlando Police Department or contact Crimeline by texting or dialing **8477(TIPS).

Read: DeLand police search for 4th suspect after deadly carjacking near technical college

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

Technology

2022 BMW X3 M40i review

BMW has been expanding its SUV stable of late, thanks to the addition of cars like the iX. However, there’s still a place in the hearts of many drivers for the X3, long hailed as an excellent SUV option for those who want a mix of luxury and sportiness. For 2022, BMW has given the X3 a few modest tweaks, including the addition of a hybrid system to make the ride even smoother.

But BMW isn’t the only manufacturer to expand on its SUV efforts. In the last year or so, we’ve seen a number of electric SUVs and crossovers — and many of them make a seriously compelling case for themselves. Does the 2022 BMW X3 M40i do enough to retain its place as a top competitor in the SUV space? I’ve been driving it for a while now to find out.

2022 BMW X3 M40i

Rating: 4 Stars

The BMW X3 M40i is a stylish and comfortable midsize SUV with a powerful engine and plenty of room.

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pros

Stylish outside
Comfortable inside
powerful engine
good handling

Cons

Interior design is aging a little

2022 BMW X3 M40i exterior design

The exterior look of the BMW X3 M40i will be familiar to those that have seen any other modern BMW — but that’s not a bad thing. It looks sleek and stylish, with slim headlights and a near timeless look. The car has avoided the completely oversized grilles, however, they are still larger than previous generations. As I’ve said before, I don’t mind the huge grilles anymore regardless.

The side-profile of the X3 definitely shows the fact that it’s a mid-size SUV, with a slightly sloped roofline that curves down into the back of the car. There’s a small upper spoiler for style points, and the taillights are sculpted in a way that looks modern and interesting.

The X3 is available in a few different colors, and our review model is the Blue Metallic, which looks great. The wheels on our model are the 20-inch M double-spoke wheels, which I also love.

2022 BMW X3 M40i interior design

The BMW familiarity extends to the inside of the car. Like all other modern BMWs, the X3 boasts a high-quality tan-colored stitched leather throughout, and generally, it looks and feels great.

One of the best things about this particular BMW, however, is how spacious it is on the inside. The higher roof helps ensure plenty of headroom in both the front and the back, and the oversized windows give plenty of visibility no matter the height of the driver.

The space extends to the trunk too. I happened to be reviewing this car when my parents and brother flew into town, and I was easily able to fit three large suitcases in the trunk. The trunk boasts 28.7 cu-ft of space with the rear seats up, and an impressive 62.6 cu-ft of space with them down.

At the front there’s a good selection of physical buttons for climate controls, and the car, in general, has three climate zones, so the rear passengers can have their own controls. There are also USB-C ports dotted throughout the car, which is handy.

2022 BMW X3 M40i infotainment

The BMW X3 M40i features BMW’s iDrive 7 infotainment system, which I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with. The design of it is fine, though it still looks a little dated and cluttered. It’s centered around a customizable home screen, followed by a few screens of “apps” that you can dive into. Again, it works fine, and it’s better than some others. It’s also relatively responsive, which is always helpful.

Of course, you don’t have to use iDrive 7 much if you don’t want to. The car comes with Android Auto and CarPlay through a wireless connection. Unlike some other BMWs, I never really experienced any connectivity issues with CarPlay Wireless, but maybe I just got lucky.

2022 BMW X3 M40i Performance

The 2022 BMW X3 M40i comes equipped with a 3.0-liter i6 engine, but perhaps even more interesting is that BMW has also included a mild-hybrid 48-volt starter-generator. The result is that the car gets 382-hp, and 369 lb-ft of torque. It can get from 0-60 in 4.2 seconds. Yeah, it’s pretty quick.

Fast acceleration is only part of the picture though. The car is responsive and smooth. It handles easily around corners, with little lean despite its taller stature. It’s really a joy to drive, regardless of the drive mode that you’re in.

2022 BMW X3 M40i driver assist

As you would expect, the BMW X3 M40i comes with a few driver-assist features that can help make it easier to drive and park. You’ll get basics, like a backup camera and blind-spot monitoring. You’ll also get the 360-degree camera view, which has fast become one of my favorite features on modern cars.

BMW in general is lagging a little behind some of the competition when it comes to autonomous driving tech, but depending on the options you get, you’ll still get adaptive cruise control, which can be helpful in stop-and-go traffic. And, you’ll get a lane assistant.

conclusions

The BMW X3 M40i is a luxurious SUV that’s easy to handle and quick off the mark. It’s not cheap, but if what you’re looking for is luxury and spaciousness, then the BMW X3 M40i is an excellent option.

The competition

The BMW X3 M40i is a great option, but it’s not without competition. Most notably, the car goes up against the likes of the Genesis GV70, which is perhaps a slightly better option thanks to its stunning design and excellent performance. That said, you really can’t go wrong with the X3 M40i.

Should I buy the 2022 BMW X3 M40i?

And it is. If you’re not into the Genesis GV70, the BMW X3 M40i is an excellent option.

Entertainment

Sailing down the Stuart Highway, Guts Touring revives the Blackfella/Whitefella spirit

Post author By mangakiko
Post date July 31, 2022
No Comments on Sailing down the Stuart Highway, Guts Touring revives the Blackfella/Whitefella spirit

It’s a scene from an Aussie fever dream.

Deep in the outback, you’ve just played one of the great pub shows on a cross-country tour.

And then you realize you’ve stuffed the logistics.

An image from a past 'Up the Guts' tour. — Guts first toured in 2016 and travels about 7,000 kilometers across the country.(Supplied: Guts Touring)

Now you’re driving through the night to make it to your next gig, an eye-watering 700 kilometers away, and ‘Tracy’, the bus you bought from a retirement home, is chugging fuel at what seems like an unsustainable rate.

It’s all part of the fun on a Guts tour, which first dissected the country from south to north along the Stuart Highway in 2016, drawing inspiration from Midnight Oil and Warumpi Band’s legendary 1986 Blackfella/Whitefella tour.

Midnight Oil and the Warumpi Band performing on the South Alligator River at Kakadu during the Blackfella/Whitefella Tour. — Midnight Oil and the Warumpi Band performing on the South Alligator River at Kakadu during the Blackfella/Whitefella tour.(ABC)

Guts will be back on the road for the first time since 2017 next month, playing 36 shows from the tropics to Tasmania with 19 bands, and putting on 20 music workshops in towns and communities across the outback.

The tour begins it’s 7,000km journey in the town of Jabiru, on Kakadu’s edge, on August 15 and includes artists like Bad//Dreems, Black Rock Band, Children Collide and Birdz.

‘Play some Chisel’

The idea for a tour that snatches up and drops mostly southern bands into some of Australia’s most remote locations, the tour’s creator Jack Parsons says, was a nod to a time when things were a little different in the Australian music scene.

“We wanted to tour regionally and with a real sense of adventure and go to some places off the beaten track, like bands used to tour, and that famed pub rock era of Australian music where it was really a plug-in-and-play ethos,” he said.

“And it didn’t matter if there were 10 people or 100 people or 1,000 people, you toured.”

So on a Guts tour, Parsons says, bands will gig wherever they are like their life depends on it

“There’s been some tough shows,” he recalls. “Coober Pedy springs to mind, you know, sort of eight people in the crowd, one of which was yelling out to these Melbourne bands to play some Chisel.”

But in the bush, open-air desert shows can give way to special moments for bands and the host communities, which have little access to touring artists.

“The kids have a beaut time and the response is always fantastic,” Parsons says.

Kids dance at an outdoor gig during the evening. — “It’s a good opportunity [for kids] to refresh their mind,” Black Rock Band’s Richie Guymala says.(Supplied: Guts Touring)

“I do remember one showing, when we did pay in Barunga the kids were going absolutely bananas and they were sort of all over the stage and playing the drums.

Kids sing into microphones at a night-time gig. — The Guts tour in the Northern Territory community of Barunga.(Supplied: Guts Touring)

“The walls were down and it was pandemonium.

“There have been some very memorable shows, and we’re so lucky this year to have grown to a point where we can ask these great bands to be a part of it.”

An image from the past 'Up the Guts' tour. — “We’re really blessed … these communities welcome us with open arms,” Parsons says.(Supplied: Guts Touring)

Shows, workshops and swags

Getting kids in communities excited when the bands are rocking out is one thing, but much of the tour’s energy is directed towards workshops, where band members share technical expertise and some music industry 101 with kids.

Kids stand around a box in a classroom. — A workshop in Barunga.(Supplied: Guts Touring)

The Northern Territory leg of the tour includes gigs and workshops in 10 remote communities.

“The workshops are a beautiful thing,” Parsons says.

“We get kids who have never played drums before and we put them on a drum kit, we show them a basic beat, and they can play and get the feeling of being in a band.”

Richie Guymala, the lead vocalist of the Black Rock Band out of west Arnhem Land, says the workshops uplift spirits in communities, where there are already a lot of great young bands.

“There are a lot of issues around communities in the Northern Territory, but stuff like this, it helps,” he says.

Richie Guymala from the Arnhem Land-based Black Rock Band with arms crossed sitting in a pub. — “The [bands] come up from down south and they get to see a bit of Black Rock’s family, where we are connected from,” Richie Guymala says. (ABC News: Leigh Brammel)

“It’s a good opportunity [for kids] to refresh their mind and to say, you can do this for yourself — whatever it is… you can follow your dreams.”

The touring bands, Parsons says, are grateful for it too.

“We’re really blessed that the people we speak to in these communities welcome us with open arms, and we’re putting on shows and workshops, and we’re being looked after with accommodation and places to roll out the swags,” he says.

“It all comes back to that Oils and Warumpi Band tour, being able to take great music and great artists to these wonderful places that have great music in them.”

A sound engineer stands at a sound box at an outdoor gig in the evening. — This year’s shows kick off in Jabiru, where the Kakadu and Arnhem highways intersect.(Supplied: Guts Touring)

‘There’s good music out there’

Guymala and Black Rock Band will play through the whole Northern Territory leg of the tour, finishing at Kalkarindji Freedom Day Festival where they will share the stage with artists like Paul Kelly and Ripple Effect Band.

“I’m looking forward to getting back on the road again, sharing our music again with the community, and also just to run into other countrymen,” Guymala says.

“It’s also good because the [bands] come up from down south and they get to see a bit of Black Rock’s family, where we are connected from.”

A group of kids watch on as a man hits objects with drum sticks. — Communities get behind bands and look after them when they roll into town, Parsons says.(Supplied: Guts Touring)

Guymala says he’d love to welcome touring bands more often.

“I think it should happen more. I think it will be a good way to promote smaller bands from smaller communities,” he says.

“We’ve got that many bands in Arnhem Land, and there’s good music out there, and I think tours like this will open up opportunities for other bands that want to get their music heard.”

Coco Eke smiles at the camera in a pub. — Coco Eke says it can be tough for bands in community to get out and tour.(ABC News: Leigh Brammel)

Coco Eke, a board member of Music NT, says the rarity of regional tours through these parts of the country is what makes Guts exciting.

“It’s really difficult to tour regionally and especially remotely coming in, and for bands wanting to tour outside of their communities, it’s expensive,” she said.

“The roads are tough and it’s hot and to get a band from one community to Darwin takes tens of thousands of dollars sometimes.

“So this is a really exciting tour to see the bands and the rest of the crew that will be in the bus go through to the communities to really lift the spirits and bring music back.”

Tags bad//dreems, black rock band, Darwin, guts touring, northern territory, nt, up the guts

Sports

Horror cycling crash in Men’s 15km Scratch, Matt Walls, Matt Bostock, news

Post author By mangakiko
Post date July 31, 2022
No Comments on Horror cycling crash in Men’s 15km Scratch, Matt Walls, Matt Bostock, news

English cyclist Matt Walls was involved in a horror crash at the Commonwealth Games on Sunday when he was catapulted over the barriers and into the crowds at the Lee Valley VeloPark.

The Olympic omnium champion, competing in the men’s 15km scratch qualifiers at the London venue, received treatment for more than 40 minutes before being taken away by ambulance.

Spectators were also hurt after Walls and his bike came over the top of the barriers on the high banking of a corner.

Two other riders — the Isle of Man’s Matt Bostock and Canada’s Derek Gee — were also taken to hospital, while two spectators were treated for minor injuries at the velodrome.

A statement from Team England said: “Following medical treatment in hospital, Matt Walls has been discharged with stitches in his forehead, scrapes and bruises but thankfully no major injuries.”

The Isle of Man team said Bostock had a CT scan from which the initial prognosis was positive.

General view of a crash in the Men's 15km Scratch Race Qualifying Round. — General view of a crash in the Men’s 15km Scratch Race Qualifying Round.Source: Supplied

Witnesses said that because of the gradient of the banking, spectators in the front row had been unsighted for the crash.

One man received treatment for cuts to his arm while a young girl also received medical attention.

Walls had been trying to avoid riders who had failed. The stricken pair of New Zealand’s George Jackson and Australia’s Josh Duffy slid up the banking, forcing Walls up on to the barrier and then over it.

Gee also surfed the top of the barrier but managed to avoid following Walls into the stands but he fell heavily.

A Birmingham 2022 spokesman said in a statement that three cyclists and two spectators had been treated by the on-site medical team.

“The three cyclists have been taken to hospital. The two spectators did not require hospital treatment,” the statement added.

Canadian Mathias Guillemette was disqualified from the race for causing the initial crash and the rest of the morning session was cancelled.

British five-time Olympic gold medalist Laura Kenny, who is competing for England at the Commonwealths, called for bigger barriers or screens to be fitted in velodromes to improve safety.

Kenny, speaking a day after England’s Joe Truman was knocked unconscious in a crash, fears the sport is growing more dangerous.

“I think the crashes are getting worse and it’s because the speeds are getting higher, the positions (on the bike) are getting more extreme,” she said.

“Some of the pursuit positions people are getting in, you see people crashing into the back of people.

“At some point the UCI (cycling’s governing body) are going to have to put a cap on these positions. Maybe there should be screens because Matt should not have been able to go over the top and into the crowd — that’s pretty damn dangerous.” Australia dominated the afternoon session, with Georgia Baker taking gold in the women’s 25km points race and Kristina Clonan winning the women’s 500m time trial in a time of 33.234sec.

Australia’s Matthew Richardson won the men’s sprint, denying Trinidad and Tobago’s Nicholas Paul a second gold of the Games.

New Zealand’s Corbin Strong won the men’s 15km scratch to leave the Kiwis on six cycling golds, one behind Australia.

Most of the events at the Commonwealths are being held in Birmingham but the track cycling is taking place in London.

Tags Australia, Australia and New Zealand, British Broadcasting Corporation, Commonwealth Games, Derek Gee, Europe, horror cycling crash, John Walton, Joshua Duffy, London, Matt Bostock, Northern Europe, Oceania, qualifying heat, scratch racing, sickening track, story COMMONWEALTH Cycling, United Kingdom

Kentucky residents brace for more flooding; death toll rises to 26

Post author By mangakiko
Post date July 31, 2022
No Comments on Kentucky residents brace for more flooding; death toll rises to 26

BUCKHORN, Ky. – Devastated communities across eastern Kentucky began digging out in earnest Sunday as the state’s death toll rose and another round of storms threatened to expand the historic flooding.

Dozens of people remained unaccounted for, and some areas remained inaccessible to search and rescue teams. Spotty cellphone service added to the chaos.

“In more tough news for the commonwealth this morning, our death toll has risen to 26 lost – and that number will increase,” Gov. Andy Beshear said Sunday on social media. “There is widespread damage with many displaced families and more rain expected.”

Excessive runoff from showers and thunderstorms Sunday and Monday could result in additional flooding of rivers, creeks and streams across much of central and eastern Kentucky, the National Weather Service warned. Rainfall rates of up to 2 inches an hour could spark flash flooding, especially in areas that see repeated rounds of thunderstorms.

Hard-hit counties including Floyd, Knott and Perry are among the areas under alert. Power, water, shelter and cell service are major issues in some communities, Beshear said. The flooding overwhelmed some neighborhoods where people didn’t have much to begin with, he said, and a heat wave forecast this week will further deepen the suffering.

The flooding has caused hundreds of millions of dollars of damage and displaced hundreds of people, he said.

“We want to make sure that we wrap our arms around our Eastern Kentucky brothers and sisters and make sure that they are ok,” Beshear said. “We will be there for you today, tomorrow, next week, next year. We are not going anywhere. We are going to help you rebuild.”

Beshear asked that people donate cleaning supplies or water or donate directly to the state flood relief fund, where 100% of donations go to Kentuckians affected.

►Bigger pictures: Climate change exposes growing gap between weather we’ve planned for – and what’s coming

►In Eastern Kentucky: Flooding brings up memories of previous disasters

►Where is the flooding? See photos, drone videos of the devastation

Almost a foot of rain; more is coming

The hardest hit areas of eastern Kentucky received almost a foot of rain late last week. The North Fork of the Kentucky River reached 20.9 feet in Whitesburg, more than 6 feet over the previous record, and crested at a record 43.5 feet in Jackson, National Weather Service meteorologist Brandon Bonds said.

The rains of Sunday and Monday won’t be the end of it, the weather service warned. Thunderstorms are also possible on Tuesday, as well as Thursday through Saturday.

The dozen shelters opened for flood victims across the state drew 388 occupants Sunday, FEMA said. About 70 trailers – purchased by the state for use during deadly tornadoes that ripped through Western Kentucky in December – are being deployed as temporary shelters.

“Yesterday our first travel trailers arrived and we are working fast to establish additional shelter options,” Beshear said.

The state also plans to work with area hotels to pay room costs for displaced residents – and to cover funeral expenses for people killed in the floods.

Searchers go door to door

More than 1,200 rescues have taken place. Still, multiple state police posts have been getting calls from people unable to contact family and friends. The National Guard has been called out and is helping first responders going door to door to find as many people as possible, he said. But the heavy rains are making it difficult, and some people cannot be reached, he said.

Damage to critical infrastructure is also providing challenges to rescuers. Scores of bridges are out and roads washed away, making it hard to access some communities to deliver desperately needed water and other necessities he said.

“The next couple days are going to be hard,” Beshear said. “We’ve got rain, and maybe even a lot of rain that is going to hit the same areas.”

Dig-out begins in small towns

In southeastern Kentucky, some small mountain towns that were initially difficult to reach because of roads blocked by fallen trees or high water were beginning to dig out Sunday. In Buckhorn, a Perry County hamlet of about 130 people, a branch of the Middle Fork of the Kentucky River carried away cars and destroyed some homes during Wednesday and Thursday’s historic floods.

One of its critical community gathering points was also decimated: the Buckhorn School, which dates to the early 1900s and whose more than 300 students are drawn from across the mountainous region.

Torrents of water and debris that rose from Squabble Creek, which runs alongside the school, smashed walls, broke windows and tore the parking lot asphalt into pieces just two weeks before the school year was to begin.

Damaged schools provided more than education

Like other schools in the region, the county K-12 public school serves as an important hub of resources for students whose families live on low incomes, said special education teacher Kristie Combs, 46.

“It’s more than just a school, it’s a community,” said Combs, who surveyed the damage for the first time Saturday after water receded from a road leading to her home in a town 20 miles away.

In a nearby neighborhood along the creek, where generators hummed on Saturday, Teresa Engle, 33, said her two kids, Haley, 8, and EJ, 6, would likely attend in another school or county.

For now, Engle said she was just happy to be alive. In the early hours of Thursday, she said her family de ella was trapped by the roaring waters that reached the door but left it intact. Others were less fortunate.

“We could just see cars and houses going by,” she said. “I’ve never been so terrified.”

On Saturday, her daughter gave away a stuffed animal and a pair of boots to a neighbor’s child whose home had been destroyed.

Teachers try to help flooded communities

Buckhorn School teachers and students were handing food, water and supplies to families in need.

“Some kids had homes washed away,” said high school teacher Jalen Cooper, 27, explaining that some were staying in hotels and others packing in relatives who have generators.

“It’s going to take a long time, a lot of effort and a lot of grit,” he said. “But we know how to push through.”

Knott County’s ‘Rainbow Lane’ almost swept away

Knott County had the highest death toll at 14, according to the local coroner, and four young siblings were among the dead. Residents along Troublesome Creek in the quiet community of Fisty call a short stretch of Kentucky Route 550 “Rainbow Lane.” Each house is painted a different color, but the houses have been reduced to mangled heaps of cinder blocks and destroyed possessions. Some residents retreated to the fire department building at a higher elevation as the raging creek caused unprecedented destruction.

“It never got like this before,” Bert Combs, 58, said as he stood shirtless, peering at the creek and what was left of Rainbow Lane. The rain, he said, “just kept coming.”

Rebuild must consider climate change

The state must “build back stronger” to compensate for the more intense storms driven by the changing climate, Beshear said. Roads, bridges, culverts, water and wastewater systems and flood walls must be designed to withstand greater intensity, he said.

An infrastructure bill drawing bipartisan support is a good start, Beshear said.

“The infrastructure is so expensive,” he told NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “If we truly want to be more resilient, it is going to take a major federal investment, as well as here in the state. We’re ready to do our part.”

White House rushing aid to Kentucky

The Biden administration has added individual assistance to his Major Disaster Declaration to help the people of eastern Kentucky who “have lost everything,” noting recovery will be long-term.

“I’m taking more action to help the families being displaced and lives lost,” President Joe Biden said in a statement.

FEMA said the individual assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Contributing: Lucas Aulbach, Louisville Courier Journal; Associated Press

Bacon reported from Arlington, Virginia.

Technology

Sony’s New Patent Reveals Light Gun For PlayStation VR2

Post author By mangakiko
Post date July 31, 2022
No Comments on Sony’s New Patent Reveals Light Gun For PlayStation VR2

After the announcement of Playstation VR2, the hype surrounding it has been crazy, and fans can’t wait to get their hands on it. According to what we have heard so far, Sony appears to be doing pretty well with the PlayStation VR2 due to the abundance of features being unveiled. Compared to the PlayStation VR, features like Eye tracking make a difference.

Every day, more information comes out, which heightens the excitement surrounding the PlayStation VR2. Previously, a patent from Sony indicated that PlayStation VR2 controllers would support straps. A new patent from Sony, published on July 28, suggests that Sony may be developing a light gun for the PlayStation VR2.

the PlayStation VR Aim Gun, a comparable peripheral, was also created for the PlayStation VR and performed admirably. We can only anticipate even greater success with something similar for the new Virtual Reality setup.

This might be a significant game-changer for the PlayStation VR2 because using an accessory that simulates a gun instead of feeling immersed in the game while wearing the virtual reality headset could be the icing on the cake.

If all goes as planned, the PlayStation VR2 is scheduled to debut in 2023 and could significantly alter the Virtual Reality market.

The PlayStation VR2’s outcome is unknown, but we hope everything goes as planned for the best. This is all the information we currently have, but we’ll keep an eye out for more details on the PSVR2.

On that note, what do you think about Sony developing a light gun for the PlayStation VR2? Will you be buying the PlayStation VR2? Let us know in the comments section.

Read Next: PlayStation 5 Supply Shortages Finally Getting Better According To CFO

Entertainment

Chris Pratt Breaks Silence on MCU’s New Adam Warlock Actor

Post author By mangakiko
Post date July 31, 2022
No Comments on Chris Pratt Breaks Silence on MCU’s New Adam Warlock Actor

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is scheduled to hit theaters on May 5, 2023. The threequel will serve as the second movie of Phase 5 behind Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantimania and director James Gunn has even teased that the film will be an emotional one as it is “the last time people will see this team of Guardians.”

While it may mark the end for some characters, it will also be the beginning for others. Most notably, it has been confirmed that guards 3 will introduce Adam Warlock into the MCU, a character that actor Will Poulter will portray.

The movie recently wrapped up filming, officially putting an end to the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy. While not much is known about what will take place in the film, fans who attended San Diego Comic-Con were given an exclusive look at some footage that reportedly included the first look at Poulter’s character. Following the convention, Poulter was able to share some details of what it is like getting into the character of Adam Warlock, and then his fellow star, Chris Pratt, could n’t stop praising him.

Will Poulter and Chris Pratt on Adam Warlock

Guardians of the Galaxy 3 Will Poulter — Marvel

In an interview with fandango following San Diego Comic-Con, Star-Lord actor Chris Pratt was eager to praise his co-star, Will Poulter, for his work on Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 as Adam Warlock.

Speaking for the first time about Poulter’s performance as Adam, Pratt made sure to mention that he is “so proud of him,” and even complimented Poulter’s “charisma” and dedication to the role. Pratt even went so far as to compare his own experience of him to Poulter’s, mentioning the “transformation” and “discipline” that they both put into their respective characters:

“That guy has got such charisma. I’m so proud of him. He did a great job. He’s an awesome Adam Warlock. He looks incredible. He, as an actor, Will, completely so dedicated, worked his ass off. He reminded me sort of like when I got cast as Star-Lord. This sort of transformation that was expected, the discipline around it, the eagerness to do it, and his willingness to go… And look at him. He just did such a great job.”

The actor went on to talk about his relationship with Poulter, saying he “feel(s) like a big brother.” Pratt is confident that fans “are going to love his character,” and reiterated that Poulter is “just so good:”

“I feel like a big brother or something. I’m so proud of my little brother, watching him… I’m just watching him on set and I’m like, ‘Dude, I know what you’re going through and you’re killing it.’ And then the part of me in the back of my mind is like, ‘This is going to be so great for the movie.’ “So he’s just so good. He’s so good. He’s so funny, so natural, and he’s a physical specimen. So he’s, yeah, we’re so good. People are going to love his character from him.”

Poulter shared his own thoughts about getting into character for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. I have talked about the “preparations” that he had to go through and that he was able to control “his mental health:”

“A lot of the work was done for me in terms of how James (Gunn) crafted this character on the page and with the suit and whatnot. And, yeah, we discussed that, the character’s kind of physicality and that was an element of the preparations which I enjoyed and I was also able to kind of do while also sort of maintaining my mental health and not putting that at risk, which was really important.”

High Praises for Will Poulter

It would be difficult to find an interview where an actor praised their co-star more than Chris Pratt did Will Poulter. He clearly has gotten to know him extremely well over the course of filming and it seems the two have formed a strong relationship with one another. It is always a good sign when two actors get along with each other and have some sort of bond because it often translates to their on-screen performances. If actors have chemistry with one another behind the scenes, they will likely be the same way when they are in character.

Since the film is not out yet, it is obviously impossible to know whether Star-Lord and Adam Warlock will be a treat to see together or not, and that is a completely subjective matter, but it is clear that this movie has brought the actors together. However, unfortunately for Pratt, since it seems he has grown to really love working with Poulter, director James Gunn has teased that this will be the last ride for this specific Guardians group.

Seeing as how Pratt has appeared in seven total MCU projects, his time with the franchise may actually be coming to an end, at least for now. The actor did recently talk about how the Multiverse could be a way for his character to come back if he were to be killed in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3so if he truly does wish to work with Poulter some more, he may get the chance to at some point down the line.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 will be released in theaters on May 5, 2023.

Tags Star-Lord actor Chris Pratt recently praised Will Poulter, the actor who plays Adam Warlock in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.

Sports

Arsenal vs. Seville – Football Match Report – July 30, 2022

Post author By mangakiko
Post date July 31, 2022
No Comments on Arsenal vs. Seville – Football Match Report – July 30, 2022

Gabriel Jesus continued his white-hot preseason form as he scored a hat trick in Arsenal’s 6-0 victory over Sevilla in the Emirates Cup on Saturday.

The Emirates Stadium rippled with applause in the ninth minute in tribute of Jose Antonio Reyes. Reyes, a former player of both Arsenal and Sevilla died in 2019.

Just a minute after the moving tribute, Arsenal fans were again on their feet as Bukayo Saka opened the scoring, sending Bono the wrong way from the penalty spot.

Summer signing Jesus swiftly followed with two goals in two minutes — first sweeping home a loose ball in the box after Bono’s fumble, and later pouncing on Gabriel Martinelli’s deep cross after a perfectly-timed run in behind Sevilla’s backline.

Saka scored his second and Arsenal’s fourth 19 minutes in, when he latched on Bono’s poor clearance and fired home, between the 31-year-old goalkeeper’s legs.

And Jesus, who now has seven goals in his five preseason outings, continued the scoring 13 minutes from time — he bundled home Arsenal’s fifth after Martinelli’s corner wasn’t dealt with.

Substitute Eddie Nketiah rounded off the onslaught a minute before the game’s conclusion, after being teed up by the newly announced captain Martin Odegaard.

After his first game as fixed captain of the club, Odegaard said: “Of course I was happy, proud and grateful for the trust and for him wanting me to be the captain. That’s a big achievement for me and it’s nice to be part of such a good team, so I’m going to enjoy that.”

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said: “He represents the values of this football club, of his teammates, of the staff. He’s respected by everyone inside the club. I’m proud to announce him as captain.”

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