Latest news with #RobertMichael
Newsweek
02-06-2025
- Science
- Newsweek
Louisiana Passes Bill to Ban 'Chemtrails'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A bill that would ban "chemtrails" has passed in the Louisiana state House of Representatives, clearing the way for it to go to the state Senate. Republican state Representative Kimberly Landy Coates defended the bill, which passed 58 votes to 32. What are Chemtrails and Are They Real? The existence of chemtrails is a conspiracy theory which claims that the government or another secretive organization is using commercial or military aircraft to release chemicals or metals into the atmosphere, visible in the white lines aircraft leave behind in the sky. People have claimed these are used for a range of things from weather modification to mind control. 19 March 2024, Saxony, Dresden: An airplane leaves contrails in the blue sky. 19 March 2024, Saxony, Dresden: An airplane leaves contrails in the blue sky. Photo by: Robert Michael/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images The scientific consensus, as explained by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is that the white lines observed behind aircraft are contrails — condensation trails — which form when hot exhaust from jets meets cold, humid air at high altitudes. The EPA states these are a natural result of flight and pose no risk to weather patterns. Federal agencies, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), have publicly denied undertaking or planning any weather modification experiments such as those described by chemtrail advocates. Despite this, some lawmakers in different states have advanced legislation about so-called chemtrails and health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. has spoken about them. What To Know Defending the bill, Coates claimed agencies use chemicals to conduct weather modification experiments. The measure also directs the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality to record reported chemtrail sightings and pass complaints on to the Louisiana Air National Guard. Lawmakers removed penalties for violations, opting instead for further investigation and documentation. What People Are Saying Speaking to Newsweek, Mark Shanahan who teaches American politics at the University of Surrey in the U.K: "The norm in mature democracies is that voters elect skilled representatives who act in our best interest, and thus for very many decades potential legislators have striven to prove their intellect, their balance and their ability to weigh evidence. But that changed with Trump's election to a situation where politics is much more about celebrity than credibility and cranks from the margins of political ideas are now lauded front and centre. Whether it's RFK at Health, or MTG in the House, wild and wacky ideas, with no basis in truth, are being raised and argued as if they were true - often with little or no media push-back. The president sets the tone, and so far, Donald Trump has encouraged and enabled the circus of craziness. While US government is more about ratings than effectiveness, this disconnect from reality is set to continue." Kimberly Landry Coates, State Representative (R-Ponchatoula): "This bill is to prevent any chemicals above us in the air, specifically to modify the weather." Florida State Senator Ileana Garcia, who introduced similar legislation in Florida previously told Newsweek: "The bill essentially repeals outdated provisions related to various aspects of the weather modification law, including definitions, licensing requirements, and the processes surrounding the application and issuance of licenses." Robert F Kennedy Jr. on X in August about chemtrails: "We are going to stop this crime." We are going to stop this crime. — Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) August 26, 2024 What Happens Next The bill will now advance to the Louisiana Senate who will either approve it, reject it, or push through amendments.
Local Germany
27-05-2025
- Local Germany
What's open and closed in Germany on Ascension Day?
Ascension Day, known as Christi Himmelfahrt in German, is among the nine public holidays that are observed in all federal states. It's observed on May 29th this year, so those living in Germany should expect most businesses to be closed on Thursday. The day is also known as Father's Day ( Vatertag ) or Men's Day ( Männertag ), and many German men take it upon themselves to spend the day hiking outside with a wagon full of beer in tow. Almost all supermarkets are to be closed for the holiday, as will be offices, government services and schools. Restaurants, cafes and beer gardens on the other hand can often remain open as holiday traffic makes it a good day for business. Here's an overview of what's open and what's closed on May 29th. Grocery stores Almost all supermarkets, as well as most independent shops will be closed closed for Christi Himmelfahrt. However, there are certain supermarkets (typically found in central train stations, airports or petrol stations) that are legally allowed to remain open on Sundays and holidays. So if you know of a grocery store in your local Bahnhof where you like to shop on Sundays it may also be open on May 1st, but do check the store's hours before heading out, as holiday hours may vary. Small kiosks or Spätis -- especially those in big cities -- sometimes also remain open, and can work in a pinch if you need last minute snacks or drinks. Bakeries are also sometimes allowed to open for a few hours on public holidays -- usually in the morning. But holiday hours here depend on the operator, so you're advised to ask ahead before counting on picking up fresh bread on Thursday morning.. You may also find the odd exception in the form of a local corner store such a Spätkauf or Kiosk , but generally speaking, you'll be better off assuming that nothing will be open and doing your shopping for Thursday ahead of time. REVEALED: Where to buy groceries on a Sunday in Berlin People sit on banks of the Elbe River in Dresden on Father's Day. Photo: picture alliance/dpa/dpa-Zentralbild | Robert Michael Bars, restaurants and cafés As mentioned above, many hospitality businesses, especially those in tourist areas and big cities, will want to stay open to cater to the holiday crowds. But it is also sometimes the case that business owners or staff would rather have the day off themselves. Put simply, if you're out and about in a bigger city for the holiday, you shouldn't have much trouble finding something to eat or a place to have a drink, but you'll want to check in advance if you have plans to meet friends at a particular place. Advertisement Offices, banks and schools Almost all offices are set to be closed on May 29th, as are banks, post offices and public administration offices. Since the holidays falls on a Thursday this year, some offices (and many workers) may decide to 'bridge' the holiday and remain closed Friday as well. Schools also close and, once again, some schools may decide to give their pupils (and teachers) the Friday off too. READ ALSO: Brückentag, Fenstertag and Zwickeltag - All the German words for getting longer holiday weekends Public transport & emergency services Public transport runs as usual on holidays including Christi Himmelfahrt , but be aware that transport in most cases will be running on a holiday timetable with reduced services. Most doctors' and dentists' practices will be closed for the day, so if you do have a non-urgent medical procedure scheduled for May 29th, you may want to check ahead that the appointment was not made in error. But emergency services will of course function normally, with hospitals remaining open. If you have a non-emergency medical issue on Thursday, you can dial 116 117 or try this website for a directory for local medical offices near you. In an emergency, call 112 for the fire brigade or ambulance or 110 for the police. Most pharmacies will be closed, so it's best to ensure you have enough medication ahead of the holiday. But German regulations require a certain amount of pharmacies to remain open for emergency purposes. If you need one, you can find a list of emergency service pharmacies here . Advertisement Tourist attractions and leisure activities Many museums and other major tourist attractions close for public holidays, but some maintain holiday hours. So check ahead for the holidays hours before heading to a particular attraction on Thursday. Alternatively, if you're visiting Germany at this time, the holiday offers an opportunity to experience contemporary German cultural traditions. On Father's Day, men walk along the north shore of the Maschsee with their wagons full of beers. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Moritz Frankenberg You could do as the Germans do and take a crate of beer to the nearest forest or lake, and not return home until every last drop has been drunk. For both drinkers and non-drinkers alike, the holiday is celebrated by many Germans with a trek or a bike ride into nature with a group of friends. EXPLAINED: Why Germans get wholly wasted on Ascension Day Or you could take it easy and plan your day around any of the special events set to make the holiday. To get started, here are the official city event pages for Berlin , Hamburg , Frankfurt and Munich . Regional differences in shop closures It's worth noting that the extent of shop closures for the holiday varies from region to region. According to a report by Heidelberg 24, all day closures in Baden-Württemberg are standard as openings are severely restricted by state regulations. Advertisement Compared to other regions, the city-states of Berlin or Bremen are more relaxed -- there some Spätis can remain open all day. Touristy places such as the island of Sylt or some parts of Bavaria also use special regulations for the holiday which make allowances for certain hospitality businesses.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ronaldo fit for Portugal squad to face Germany in Nations League
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after the Euro 2024 Group F soccer match between Portugal and Czech at Leipzig Stadium. Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo is fit for the Nations League Final Four, which begins with a semi-final against Germany in Munich on June 4. Robert Michael/dpa Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo is fit for the Nations League Final Four, which begins with a semi-final against Germany in Munich on June 4. The 40-year-old, recently sidelined in Saudi Arabia with a muscle injury, was included in the squad on Tuesday along with Bayern Munich midfielder João Palhinha. Advertisement "The medical information on Cristiano Ronaldo is that he will be fit for the games. There is no problem," coach Roberto Martínez said. The Spaniard has initially named 27 players in his squad, which he will reduce at a later date. The final of Europe's secondary national competition is on June 8 - also in Munich. France take on European champions Spain in the other semi-final in Stuttgart on June 5. New to the Portugal squad is Rodrigo Mora from Porto. The 18-year-old attacker had a strong season in Portugal, scoring 10 goals and providing four assists.
Local Germany
14-05-2025
- Health
- Local Germany
When is it worth buying supplementary dental insurance in Germany?
Germany's public health insurance system is pretty good. Sure, some will complain about looming price increases , or long wait times to see specialists, but generally speaking when you need treatment you're covered. However, that's not always the case when it comes to seeing the dentist ( der Zahnarzt ). Statutory health insurance will cover some basic dental care, like the occasional check-up or basic cavity fillings. But other procedures like having teeth pulled and replaced, or even just having your teeth professionally cleaned will cost you – and those costs are not cheap. For that reason, many Germans pay for supplementary dental insurance, which can really pay off in some cases, depending on how much dental care you need. So when is adding dental insurance ( Zahnzusatzversicherung ) worth it, and when is it better to just pay your dentist out of pocket? What's already covered? Let's start with the fact that the dental care you are afforded with simple statutory health insurance in Germany is still pretty decent. Generally, you'll be covered for a regular dental check-up or to receive a basic cavity filling. Put simply, your most basic dental needs are generally covered and for many more complex procedures your health insurance company ( Krankenkasse ) will contribute at least some of the cost. Advertisement That said, the catch here is that for many dental procedures you can be left with a hefty bill even after your health insurance coverage has been applied – and not only in extreme cases. For example, while public health insurance will cover the most basic cavity fillings, your dentist will likely recommend using a more expensive filling material that lasts longer. If you opt for the better care, you'll be left paying the difference, which can amount to hundreds of euros. A sign for a dentist's practice in Dresden, Saxony. Photo: picture alliance/dpa/dpa-Zentralbild | Robert Michael Even a professional cleaning at your dentist often needs to be paid out of pocket, and can cost around €80 to €150. However, some insurers will cover one professional cleaning per year, while others will contribute a portion of the costs. To avoid paying extra costs, around 19 million people in Germany pay for supplementary dental health insurance – putting it among the most popular private insurance policies in the country. EXPLAINED: How dental care works in Germany It's worth noting that in most cases supplementary insurance does not cover cosmetic treatments, limiting care to what's considered medically necessary. However, some insurance plans may offer a budget for basic cosmetic services like bleaching. Advertisement Costs with or without added dental coverage Added private dental insurance really pays off if you need teeth pulled and replaced, or for dentures. A recent report by Tagesschau puts the cost of a tooth implant at around €2,000 (with just under €1,000 for the implant and around €1,000 for the crown on top). Dentures can be similarly expensive, and in many cases basic statutory insurance would contribute to this care up to a fixed amount. As a quick example, if the cost of dentures is €2,000 and your public health insurance covers a fixed subsidy of up to €500 when dentures are needed, then you'd be left paying €1,500 out of pocket. But with supplementary dental insurance that covers 90 to 100 percent of the co-payment, your own costs would be reduced to €150 or even down to zero, depending on the rate of coverage. Supplementary dental insurance, however, is not cheap: It commonly runs between €20 and €40 per month, with the price going up as you get older. At that rate the price of the added insurance comes to around €240 to €480 per year. So whether or not the extra coverage is worth it for you depends on how much dental care you're likely to need. READ ALSO: What to know about the roll out of Germany's electronic patient file Waiting times and maximum limits Be aware that if your dentist has already recommended a pricey procedure, it's probably too late to have that covered if you buy supplementary insurance now. Insurers will not cover treatments that are foreseeable before a contract is made. Advertisement Also, supplementary dental insurance often comes with an initial waiting period (up to a few months) and in some cases also a maximum payout limit during the initial years of coverage. It's not uncommon for coverage to be capped at around €1,000 in the first year and €2,000 in the second year, for instance. What to watch out for when buying supplementary insurance If you do plan to go ahead and take out supplementary dental insurance, double check on the aforementioned waiting times and initial spending caps. You'll also want to look at the proportion of costs that are covered for expensive procedures like dentures or tooth replacements. Of course high coverage rates often come with higher premiums, so ultimately you'll want to weigh the costs of your foreseeable care needs against the monthly contribution you'll owe.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
If You Invested $10K In AbbVie Stock 10 Years Ago, How Much Would You Have Now?
Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV), a biopharmaceutical company, engages in the research and development, manufacture, commercialization, and sale of medicines and therapies worldwide. If You Bought AbbVie Stock 10 Years Ago The company's stock traded at approximately $64.32 per share 10 years ago. If you had invested $10,000, you could have bought roughly 155 shares. Currently, shares trade at $193.34, meaning your investment's value could have grown to $30,059 from stock price appreciation alone. However, AbbVie also paid dividends during these 10 years. Don't Miss: AbbVie's dividend yield is currently 3.39%. Over the last 10 years, it has paid about $45.67 in dividends per share, which means you could have made $7,100 from dividends alone. Summing up $30,059 and $7,100, we end up with the final value of your investment, which is $37,159. This is how much you could have made if you had invested $10,000 in AbbVie stock 10 years ago. This means a total return of 271.59%. In comparison, S&P 500 total return for the same period is 221.50%. What Could The Next 10 Years Bring? AbbVie has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a price target of $200.03 based on the ratings of 34 analysts. The price target implies more than a 3% potential upside from the current stock price. Trending: Maximize saving for your retirement and cut down on taxes: Schedule your free call with a financial advisor to start your financial journey – no cost, no obligation. On April 25, the company announced its Q1 2025 earnings, posting adjusted EPS of $2.46, up 6.5% year-over-year, and beating the consensus of $2.38, as reported by Benzinga. The pharmaceutical giant reported sales of $13.34 billion, coming in above the consensus of $12.92 billion. 'AbbVie's first-quarter results were well ahead of our expectations and reflect an excellent start to the year,' said CEO Robert Michael. 'The fundamentals of our business are strong, and we continue to bolster our outlook with pipeline advancements and strategic investments. Based on the progress we are making, AbbVie is well positioned for the long term.' The company raised its full-year 2025 adjusted EPS from the range of $11.99 to $12.19 to $12.09 to $12.29, compared to the consensus of $12.17.
