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Peace through strength, Taiwan president says on China battle anniversary

By Reuters, Posted by TOE KINMEN, Taiwan — Peace can only be secured through strength and not even an inch of territory can be sacrificed, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said on ⁠Sunday, visiting a sensitive frontline island to mark a key battle with Chinese forces almost seven decades ago. Taiwan has controlled the Kinmen and Matsu islands, which lie just off the Chinese coast, since the Republic of China government fled to Taipei in 1949 after losing a civil war with Mao Zedong’s communists. No peace ⁠treaty or armistice has ever been signed. In heavy rain, ​Lai ⁠laid a wreath and bowed at a memorial park for the 68th anniversary of the 1958 clash with Chinese forces, known as the start of the second Taiwan ⁠Strait crisis — the last time Taiwanese and Chinese forces battled on a large scale. Addressing veterans later, ​Lai ⁠expressed gratitude to those who “stood united and ‌fought a bloody battle to repel Communist totalitarian aggression”. “Our resolve to unite ...

Flippin Flavors: Chicago restaurant a labor of love for husband, wife

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Flippin Flavors co-owners Brian and Linda Flippin are photographed at their restaurant on West 95th Street in Beverly. Pat Nabong/Sun-Times One of the signs on the counter of the laid-back Beverly neighborhood spot Flippin Flavors reads, “We are not a fast-food restaurant. Your food is made fresh every order. Please be patient.”  The words immediately let everyone know that no item is thrown into a microwave and callously prepared. Each sandwich and salad is prepared with love — and that’s not a cliche at this eatery. Brian Flippin (whose friends call him “Flip”) and his wife, Linda, immediately greet all customers with smiles.. A recent conversation with the couple quickly became a journey through family life, business beginnings (and expansions) and much more. Linda Flippin, who owns/runs Flippin Flavors with her husband, Brian, cooks steak for a sandwich at their restaurant. Pat Nabong/Sun-Times Brian also turned the attention to his late father’s ...

GOP Launches the Age of AI-Generated Attack Ads

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“What if the weakest president we’ve ever had were re-elected?” the video poses right off the bat. Apparently we’d see a lot more cliche AI-generated art. Republicans have waged a full-on attack against President Joe Biden—who just announced his re-election campaign for 2024 today—with a scrapbook video of… Read more... from Gizmodo https://ift.tt/mj5XBe7

Nickel for your thoughts? 5¢ coin costs over 10¢ to mint

Never before in US history have coins been less valuable. In 1857, officials did away with the half-cent coin, which was then worth about $0.14 in today's money. from New York Post https://ift.tt/nmZeud8

Javier and Daniel Gutierrez react to New York City FC’s improved play

Javier and Daniel Gutierrez, hosts of ’NYCFC The City Boys Show’, discuss the Pigeons’ hot streak being buoyed by Talles Magno and Santiago Rodriguez and the club’s upcoming four-game road trip. from New York Post https://ift.tt/WIsf9nm

St. Louis protest targets use of ankle monitors, passport confiscation for asylum seekers

When Guatemalan-native Adelaida crossed the Mexican-American border at McAllen, Texas, to seek asylum, immigration officials told her very little before they attached a GPS monitor to her ankle. “I was scared because never in my life had I seen an ankle monitor,” said Adelaida, who asked that her last name be withheld out of fear of retribution for speaking out. “They told me that when I arrived at the immigration office in St. Louis they would take it off. But that’s not what happened.”  She wore the monitor for a year and two months before her attorney made the case for its removal. The monitor made it difficult for the single mother of two children to get jobs at restaurants and hotels, so she ended up turning to construction work. She was also required to turn in her passport, which meant she had no form of identification, and had to be available one full day a week for a home visit. Both made it difficult to keep a job, culminating when the ankle monitor caught on a p...

Don Lemon out at CNN

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Don Lemon attends the 15th annual CNN Heroes All-Star Tribute at the American Museum of Natural History on Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in New York. According to the longtime CNN host, he was fired from the cable news network on Monday. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP NEW YORK — Longtime CNN host Don Lemon is out at the cable news network a little over two months after apologizing to viewers for on-air comments about Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley, CNN announced Monday. “CNN and Don have parted ways,” CNN chair Chris Licht said in a memo to staff that was also posted on the network’s communications Twitter account. “Don will forever be a part of the CNN family, and we thank him for his contributions over the past 17 years. We wish him well and will be cheering him on in his future endeavors.” CNN did not provide a public explanation for Lemon’s departure. But on the “CNN This Morning” co-host’s own Twitter account, Lemon contended the news came as a surprise to him and...

Richard Lewis reveals Parkinson’s disease diagnosis

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Actor Richard Lewis attends the STARZ’ “Blunt Talk” series premiere on Aug. 10, 2015, in Los Angeles. The 75-year-old comedian on Monday revealed he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Michael Kovac/Getty Images NEW YORK — Comedian Richard Lewis is retiring from stand-up following four surgeries and a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. The 75-year-old “Curb Your Enthusiasm” star, who is known for wearing all-black and exploring his neuroses onstage, posted a video Monday to Twitter explaining his various health issues. “For the last three-and-a-half years, I’ve had sort of a rocky time,” he said, adding that he has suffered with back pain, and he had shoulder and hip replacement surgeries. pic.twitter.com/ngqm6TmC3x — Richard Lewis (@TheRichardLewis) April 24, 2023 He also got a brain scan because he was shuffling his feet when he walked. Doctors diagnosed him with Parkinson’s. “Luckily, I got it late in life, and they say you progress very slowly if a...