Latest news with #CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention
3 hours ago
- Politics
At Faith Office luncheon, Trump talks gas prices, transgender athletes and has strong words for his foes
It was the first White House Faith Office summit with business leaders, but that didn't stop President Donald Trump from using expletives and charged language against his foes in a room full of business leaders who contribute to faith-based charitable work. For nearly an hour, Trump rambled about multiple topics his administration has tackled so far, ranging from tariffs to transgender people in sports while veering into tangents about his previous legal battles and first administration. He spent little time, however, getting into the specifics of his newly established Faith Office. Trump touted recent actions he made limiting the participation of transgender women in women's sports, arguing how only two genders are recognized in America. "We've restored the fundamental principle that God created two genders, male and female, that was a tough one. And we're defending parents' rights where the parents' rights have been taken away from them in schools. You look at some of these school boards, it's like they're brutal dictatorships. And we brought it all back." The crowd cheered at Trump's rhetoric; however, transgender advocates have argued how notions like that hurt the transgender community. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines sex as "an individual's biological status as male, female, or something else. Sex is assigned at birth and associated with physical attributes, such as anatomy and chromosomes." In his freewheeling speech, Trump argued he was centering American culture around faith in his freewheeling speech, heavily criticizing Democrats as unfaithful. 'I'll tell you religion took a big hit because of the way they treated all of us," Trump said of Democrats. "And, we now have a confident nation, an optimistic nation, and we have one nation under God. And we'll always keep that term." Trump also directly attacked former President Joe Biden, a devout Catholic, arguing without evidence that Biden wasn't faithful enough and sought to persecute religious leaders. 'I think one of the reasons we won so bad is they really wanted to take God and religion out of your lives, and there was nobody to, you know, look up to. There was just nobody. It was – we were freewheeling and we can't free wheel. No, we have to bring religion back into the country. And we're starting to do that, I think, at a very high level,' Trump said. 'As president, I've ended the radical left war on faith, and we're once again protecting religious freedom instead of destroying it. And God is once again welcomed back into our public square. It's very important,' he added. Trump used profanity while talking about his indictments, calling them "bull----" and other explicit language throughout his speech in front of the faith-based group. His attacks also extended to Republicans, calling Federal Reserve Chair Jermone Powell "a knucklehead. Stupid guy," and attacking the intelligence of politicians like former Sen. Mitt Romney and his former Energy Secretary Rick Perry. Trump lightly talked about his faith when reflecting on the one-year anniversary of the attempted assassination on him in Butler, Pennsylvania. Trump stated that he was saved by God to make the country great. 'It was only one year ago this week that my time on Earth nearly ended. And if you look at that, God was with me. Because that's something in theory, I should not -- I should not be with you,' he said. 'I believe it that my life was saved by God to really make America great again.' On the campaign trail, the president spent time courting faith leaders throughout the country, often refusing to soften his language in those venues as well. Trump has previously even quipped about how Franklin Graham, the president of Samaritan's Purse and a Trump ally, would ask him to temper his cursing. ''Mr. President, it's Franklin Graham, and I just want to tell you, I love what you do, I love what you say. I love your stories. I think they're great, and keep telling them, but they'd be even better if you wouldn't use foul language,'' Trump told a campaign rally in October. 'So I thought about it, and I said, 'I'm going to try.' And I did try, and I'm not sure, I'm not sure I'd make the emphasis quite as good."
New York Post
10 hours ago
- New York Post
Wildfire destroys historic Grand Canyon lodge, other structures in ‘heartbreaking' destruction
A fast-moving wildfire destroyed a historic lodge and dozens of other structures on the Grand Canyon's North Rim, forcing officials to close access to that area for the season, the park said Sunday. The Grand Canyon Lodge, the only lodging inside the park at the North Rim, was consumed by the flames, park Superintendent Ed Keable told park residents, staff, and others in a meeting Sunday morning. He said the visitor center, the gas station, a wastewater treatment plant, an administrative building, and some employee housing were among the 50 to 80 structures lost. 'Numerous' historic cabins in the area also were destroyed, the park said. 7 A fast-moving wildfire destroyed a historic lodge and dozens of other structures on the Grand Canyon's North Rim, forcing officials to close access to that area, the park said. via REUTERS Two wildfires are burning at or near the North Rim, known as the White Sage Fire and the Dragon Bravo Fire. The latter is the one that impacted the lodge and other structures. Started by lightning on July 4, the Dragon Bravo Fire was initially managed by authorities with a 'confine and contain' strategy to clear fuel sources. They shifted to aggressive suppression a week later as it rapidly grew to 7.8 square miles (20 square kilometers) because of hot temperatures, low humidity, and strong wind gusts, fire officials said. No injuries have been reported. Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs called on the federal government late Sunday to investigate the National Park Service's response to the wildfire. 'They must first take aggressive action to end the wildfire and prevent further damage,' she said in a post on X. 'But Arizonans deserve answers for how this fire was allowed to decimate the Grand Canyon National Park.' 7 The Grand Canyon Lodge, the only lodging inside the park at the North Rim, was consumed by the flames, park Superintendent Ed Keable told park residents and staff, according to reports. via REUTERS Millions of people visit the park annually, with most going to the more popular South Rim. The North Rim is open seasonally. It was evacuated last Thursday because of a wildfire, and will remain closed for the rest of the season, the park said in a statement. Firefighters at the North Rim and hikers in the inner canyon were evacuated over the weekend. The park said along with the fire risk, they could potentially be exposed to chlorine gas after the treatment plant burned. Chlorine gas is heavier than air and can lead to blurred vision, irritation, or respiratory problems if high amounts of it are breathed in, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 7 Two wildfires are burning at or near the North Rim, known as the White Sage Fire and the Dragon Bravo Fire, reports say. Grand Canyon National Park via Getty Images Rafters on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon also were told to bypass Phantom Ranch, which has a set of cabins and dormitories along the river. Historic lodge burned The Grand Canyon Lodge was often the first prominent feature that visitors saw, even before viewing the canyon. A highway ends at the lodge, which was known for its sloped roof, huge ponderosa beams, and massive limestone facade. By walking across the lobby and descending a stairwell, visitors could get their first view of the Grand Canyon shining through windows across the 'Sun Room.' 'It just feels like you're a pioneer when you walk through there (the lodge),' said Tim Allen, a longtime resident of Flagstaff, Arizona, and yearly visitor to the Grand Canyon. 'It really felt like you were in a time gone by.' Allen said the North Rim felt special and more personal because of its remoteness and reduced number of tourists. He often spent time there camping and doing rim-to-rim hikes, trekking all the way to the bottom of the canyon and back out. 'It's heartbreaking,' he said of the destruction caused by the fire. Caren Carney was staying at the lodge with her husband, parents and 12-year-old son when a park ranger knocked on their door Thursday and told them to evacuate. Carney's parents first took her to the North Rim in the early 90s when she was 12, and the family decided to do the same with her son this year now that he was the same age. She was overjoyed to show her husband and son the serene beauty of the North Rim for the first time, and to bring her dad back to one of his favorite places in the world. Carney said she was heartbroken Sunday to hear that such a 'magical place' had burned down. After evacuating, the family from Georgia relocated to the South Rim to continue their vacation and they could see the blaze from across the canyon. 'We told my son while visiting that this is now a family tradition and he should bring his children when they are 12,' Carney said. I hope there will be something as magnificent for them to see in the future, and I'm so glad we got to have one final look at it in the present before it was lost.' Aramark, the company that operated the lodge, said all employees and guests were safely evacuated. 7 The Grand Canyon Lodge was often the first prominent feature that visitors saw, even before viewing the canyon. AP 'As stewards of some our country's most beloved national treasures, we are devastated by the loss,' said spokesperson Debbie Albert. An original lodge burned down from a kitchen fire in 1932, four years after construction was completed, according to the Grand Canyon Historical Society. The redesigned lodge, using the original stonework, opened in 1937. Thomas Sulpizio, president of the historical society, said the lodge contained some valuable archives that he wasn't sure were saved. 7 Fire lines on the White Sage Fire that forced evacuations at the North Rim and in the community of Jacob Lake were holding, officials said. Grand Canyon National Park via Getty Images The lobby also contained a famous 600-pound bronze statue of a donkey named 'Brighty the Burro.' Meanwhile, officials reported progress in battling a second wildfire burning north of the Grand Canyon. Fire lines on the White Sage Fire that forced evacuations at the North Rim and in the community of Jacob Lake were holding, officials said. By Sunday afternoon, the fire had charred 63 square miles (162 square kilometers) of terrain. On the southern edge of the fire, hand crews and bulldozers were working uphill, and the spread of the blaze had been minimal. 7 Smoke from the Dragon Bravo Fire can be seen over the Grand Canyon's North Rim. Grand Canyon National Park via Getty Images But to the east and north, the fire has spread rapidly, with grasses and standing dead trees contributing to the fire's intensity, officials said. The fire was pushing downhill toward the Vermilion Cliffs area, and crews were assessing opportunities to create buffer zones that help slow or halt the fire's progress. Wildfire closes national park in Colorado Elsewhere, one of several wildfires burning in Colorado that closed Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, about 260 miles (420 kilometers) southwest of Denver, has burned 5.6 square miles (14.5 square kilometers) and forced the evacuation of homes near the park. 7 Elsewhere, one of several wildfires burning in Colorado that closed Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, about 260 miles southwest of Denver, has burned 5.6 square miles, according to reports. AP The fire was started by lightning on Thursday on the south rim of the park, a dramatic, deep gorge carved by the Gunnison River. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis issued a disaster declaration on Sunday because of it and other fires burning in western Colorado. His office said they all started the same day by the same storm. Another wildfire burning near the Colorado-Utah border near La Sal, Utah, also started Thursday and has burned around 14 square miles (36.3 square kilometers).
National Observer
11 hours ago
- National Observer
Wildfire destroys historic Grand Canyon lodge and other structures
A fast-moving wildfire destroyed a historic lodge and dozens of other structures on the Grand Canyon's North Rim, forcing officials to close access to that area for the season, the park said Sunday. The Grand Canyon Lodge, the only lodging inside the park at the North Rim, was consumed by the flames, park Superintendent Ed Keable told park residents, staff and others in a meeting Sunday morning. He said the visitor center, the gas station, a waste water treatment plant, an administrative building and some employee housing were among the 50 to 80 structures lost. 'Numerous' historic cabins in the area also were destroyed, the park said. Two wildfires are burning at or near the North Rim, known as the White Sage Fire and the Dragon Bravo Fire. The latter is the one that impacted the lodge and other structures. Started by lightning on July 4, the Dragon Bravo Fire was initially managed by authorities with a 'confine and contain' strategy to clear fuel sources. They shifted to aggressive suppression a week later as it rapidly grew to 7.8 square miles (20 square kilometers) because of hot temperatures, low humidity and strong wind gusts, fire officials said. No injuries have been reported. Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs called on the federal government late Sunday to investigate the National Park Service's response to the wildfire. Wildfire destroys a historic Grand Canyon lodge and other structures. 'They must first take aggressive action to end the wildfire and prevent further damage,' she said in a post on X. 'But Arizonans deserve answers for how this fire was allowed to decimate the Grand Canyon National Park.' Millions of people visit the park annually, with most going to the more popular South Rim. The North Rim is open seasonally. It was evacuated last Thursday because of wildfire, and will remain closed for the rest of the season, the park said in a statement. Firefighters at the North Rim and hikers in the inner canyon were evacuated over the weekend. The park said along with the fire risk, they could potentially be exposed to chlorine gas after the treatment plant burned. Chlorine gas is heavier than air and can lead to blurred vision, irritation or respiratory problems if high amounts of it are breathed in, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rafters on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon also were told to bypass Phantom Ranch, which has a set of cabins and dormitories along the river. Historic lodge burned The Grand Canyon Lodge was often the first prominent feature that visitors see, even before viewing the canyon. A highway ends at the lodge, which was known for its sloped roof, huge ponderosa beams and massive limestone facade. By walking across the lobby and descending a stairwell, visitors could get their first view of the Grand Canyon shining through windows across the 'Sun Room.' 'It just feels like you're a pioneer when you walk through there (the lodge),' said Tim Allen, a longtime resident of Flagstaff, Arizona, and yearly visitor to the Grand Canyon. 'It really felt like you were in a time gone by.' Allen said the North Rim felt special and more personal because of its remoteness and reduced number of tourists. He often spent time there camping and doing rim-to-rim hikes, trekking all the way to the bottom of the canyon and back out. 'It's heartbreaking,' he said of the destruction caused by the fire. Caren Carney was staying at the lodge with her husband, parents and 12-year-old son when a park ranger knocked on their door Thursday and told them to evacuate. Carney's parents first took her to the North Rim in the early 90s when she was 12, and the family decided to do the same with her son this year now that he was the same age. She was overjoyed to show her husband and son the serene beauty of the North Rim for the first time, and to bring her dad back to one of his favorite places in the world. Carney said she was heartbroken Sunday to hear that such a 'magical place' had burned down. After evacuating, the family from Georgia relocated to the South Rim to continue their vacation and they could see the blaze from across the canyon. 'We told my son while visiting that this is now a family tradition and he should bring his children when they are 12," Carney said. I hope there will be something as magnificent for them to see in the future, and I'm so glad we got to have one final look at it in the present before it was lost.' Aramark, the company that operated the lodge, said all employees and guests were safely evacuated. "As stewards of some our country's most beloved national treasures, we are devastated by the loss," said spokesperson Debbie Albert. An original lodge burned down from a kitchen fire in 1932, four years after construction was completed, according to the Grand Canyon Historical Society. The redesigned lodge using the original stonework opened in 1937. Thomas Sulpizio, president of the historical society, said the lodge contained some valuable archives that he wasn't sure were saved. The lobby also contained a famous 600-pound bronze statue of a donkey named 'Brighty the Burro." Meanwhile, officials reported progress in battling a second wildfire burning north of the Grand Canyon. Fire lines on the White Sage Fire that forced evacuations at the North Rim and in the community of Jacob Lake were holding, officials said. By Sunday afternoon the fire had charred 63 square miles (162 square kilometers) of terrain. On the southern edge of the fire, hand crews and bulldozers were working uphill, and the spread of the blaze had been minimal. But to the east and north, the fire has spread rapidly, with grasses and standing dead trees contributing to the fire's intensity, officials said. The fire was pushing downhill toward the Vermilion Cliffs area, and crews were assessing opportunities to create buffer zones that help slow or halt the fire's progress. Wildfire closes national park in Colorado Elsewhere, one of several wildfires burning in Colorado that closed Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, about 260 miles (420 kilometers) southwest of Denver, has burned 5.6 square miles (14.5 square kilometers) and forced the evacuation of homes near the park. The fire was started by lightning on Thursday on the south rim of the park, a dramatic, deep gorge carved by the Gunnison River. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis issued a disaster declaration on Sunday because of it and other fires burning in western Colorado. His office said they were all started the same day by the same storm. Another wildfire burning near the Colorado-Utah border near La Sal, Utah, also started Thursday and has burned around 14 square miles (36.3 square kilometers).
Axios
15 hours ago
- Health
- Axios
A new summer COVID wave may be on its way
Cases of COVID-19 are on the rise or likely rising across half of the U.S. including much of the south as well as the West Coast, according to a weekly update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Why it matters: The data suggests another summer of illness could be in the offing as people get more people lose protection from vaccination, natural immunity wanes and the virus keeps mutating. A CDC report posted last week shows COVID circulation in the U.S. has had two consistent annual peaks — in late summer and winter — since 2020. What they're saying: COVID-19 cases are growing in 25 states, including Florida, Texas, California and Ohio, per the CDC. They're likely growing in more than a dozen others. COVID-19 activity detected through wastewater surveillance and emergency department visits for COVID-19 remain low across the country, while influenza and RSV visits are "very low." What to watch: The most dominant COVID variant circulating in the U.S. is NB.1.8.1, nicknamed "nimbus", per the CDC.
RTHK
20 hours ago
- RTHK
Forest fire destroys historic Grand Canyon lodge
Forest fire destroys historic Grand Canyon lodge The Dragon Bravo Fire looms large for firefighters in Grand Canyon, Arizona. Photo: Reuters A fast-moving wildfire destroyed a historic lodge and dozens of other structures on the Grand Canyon's North Rim, forcing officials to close access to that area for the season, the park said. The Grand Canyon Lodge, the only lodging inside the park at the North Rim, was consumed by the flames, park Superintendent Ed Keable told park residents, staff and others in a meeting early on Sunday. He said the visitor center, the gas station, a waste water treatment plant, an administrative building and some employee housing were among the 50 to 80 structures lost. 'Numerous' historic cabins in the area also were destroyed, the park said. Two wildfires are burning at or near the North Rim, known as the White Sage Fire and the Dragon Bravo Fire. The latter is the one that impacted the lodge and other structures. Started by lightning on July 4, the Dragon Bravo Fire was initially managed by authorities with a 'confine and contain' strategy to clear fuel sources. They shifted to aggressive suppression a week later as it rapidly grew to 20 square kilometers because of hot temperatures, low humidity and strong wind gusts, fire officials said. No injuries have been reported. Arizona governor Katie Hobbs called on the federal government late on Sunday to investigate the National Park Service's response to the wildfire. 'They must first take aggressive action to end the wildfire and prevent further damage,' she said in a post on X. 'But Arizonans deserve answers for how this fire was allowed to decimate the Grand Canyon National Park.' Millions of people visit the park annually, with most going to the more popular South Rim. The North Rim is open seasonally. It was evacuated last Thursday because of wildfire, and will remain closed for the rest of the season. Firefighters at the North Rim and hikers in the inner canyon were evacuated over the weekend. The park said along with the fire risk, they could potentially be exposed to chlorine gas after the treatment plant burned. Chlorine gas is heavier than air and can lead to blurred vision, irritation or respiratory problems if high amounts of it are breathed in, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rafters on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon also were told to bypass Phantom Ranch, which has a set of cabins and dormitories along the river. The Grand Canyon Lodge was often the first prominent feature that visitors see, even before viewing the canyon. A highway ends at the lodge, which was known for its sloped roof, huge ponderosa beams and massive limestone facade. By walking across the lobby and descending a stairwell, visitors could get their first view of the Grand Canyon shining through windows across the 'Sun Room'. (AP)
