My arthritis is getting worse

Michael Gerson would never write a speech suggesting an opponent’s policies would allow a bad thing to happen. Photo: Eric Draper/The White House/Getty Images Last week, at a press conference in Turkey, a reporter asked President Obama to respond to the charge that “ your reluctance to enter another Middle East war, and your preference of diplomacy over using the military makes the United States weaker and emboldens our enemies. ” Obama began with a specific defense of his policies, and eventually added a general defense of his reluctance to send in large numbers of ground troops. “ But what we do not do, what I do not do is to take actions either because it is going to work politically or it is going to somehow, in the abstract, make America look tough, or make me look tough,” insisted Obama, “And maybe part of the reason is because every few months I go to Walter Reed, and I see a 25-year-old kid who’s paralyzed or has lost his limbs, and some of those are people I’ve … [Read more...] about Former Bush Speechwriter Attacks Obama As Vicious Peacemonger

(CBS Boston) — Some welcome news for shoppers getting squeezed by inflation: promotions on televisions, furniture, clothing, sporting goods, and other big-ticket purchases are ramping up. Target, Walmart, Best Buy, Urban Outfitters, and other top retailers have said in recent weeks that they are sitting on too much inventory for some of their products. As a result, they plan to mark down prices and step up sales on those items to clear the glut. READ MORE: The CDC Has Identified 9 Cases Of Monkeypox in 7 States It marks a major reversal from much of 2021, when discounts on big-ticket items were scarce for consumers. READ MORE: Actor Ray Liotta, 'Goodfellas' Star, Is Dead At 67 Last year, big chains dialed back on promotions because products were in tight supply due to production bottlenecks and slowdowns at key global ports. Stores and brands were able to sell merchandise at full price to consumers who had built up savings while staying home during the pandemic and were … [Read more...] about Stores have too much stuff; Get ready for discounts

The Shadow Heat are well aware of the unique group that preceded them, the secret society of players stashed away by Pat Riley and the team’s developmental staff during the months when all other eyes are on the stars of the NBA playoffs. So before the Heat regulars have taken the court for pregame warmups these past six weeks, and after those players exit shootaround, the Shadow Heat take their turns. It is a little trick that Riley, Andy Elisburg, Adam Simon and the mainstays of the Heat front office have mastered for years, adding players late in a season with an eye toward potential summer-league breakouts. The predecessors include the likes of Duncan Robinson, Kendrick Nunn, Omer Yurtseven, all quietly turning behind-the-scenes work in May and June into summer-league career takeoff points. This time around, prospects such as Mychal Mulder, Javonte Smart and Haywood Highsmith have been tagging along, soon to get their own spotlight in July summer leagues in San Francisco … [Read more...] about Shadow Heat already getting head start for summer and beyond (Will one be the next Yurtseven?)

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Travelers to Cyprus will no longer be required to show either a valid COVID-19 vaccination or a recovery certificate and won’t need to produce a negative recent COVID-19 test of June 1, the Cypriot government said Friday. The government also decided to abolish a requirement to wear face masks in all indoor areas in Cyprus as of June 1 with the exception of hospitals, nursing homes and other indoor medical facilities. Transport Minister Yiannis Karousos said the decision to lift COVID-19 screening requirements at airports signals the tourism-reliant island nation is ready to return to normality. Over 10% of the island’s gross domestic product comes directly from tourism. Authorities are hopeful that a post-pandemic desire for travel will boost arrivals to Cyprus significantly, despite the loss of a significant number of Russian and Ukrainian holidaymakers as a result of the war in Ukraine. Karousos said the estimate of travelers arriving in Cyprus in May … [Read more...] about Cyprus gets rid of required COVID-19 tests for visitors

NEW YORK (AP) — Darren Walker, Ford Foundation president and preeminent connector and advocate for artists and art institutions, joined the exclusive company of global superstars like Stevie Wonder, T.S. Eliot and Meryl Streep, in receiving France's highest cultural honor. Walker was named commander of France’s Order of Arts and Letters for his work as a benefactor of the arts on Tuesday at a Gilded Age mansion in New York owned by the French embassy. “Being in this firmament is absolutely humbling,” Walker told The Associated Press. “I’m simply a servant to the idea of art and justice in the world, because we can’t have justice without art.” Walker became president of the Ford Foundation, one of the largest in the U.S., in 2013. He came in with a vision to shape the organization’s giving to support social justice in part through funding the arts. To symbolize that mission, Walker arranged to sell the foundation’s art collection of works almost exclusively from white male … [Read more...] about Ford Foundation’s Darren Walker gets France’s highest honor

WEST BLOOMFIELD, Mich. (AP) — Vladimir Konstantinov has traded hockey sticks for an Uno deck. Many, in fact. The onetime Soviet and Detroit Red Wings star plays so often that he goes through a pack per week, wearing out cards with the hands that once made him one of the world’s best defensemen. DETROIT, MI – APRIL 09: Former Detroit Red Wing Doug Brown #17 assists teammate Vladimir Konstantinov #16 out for post game ceremonies after the final home game ever played at Joe Louis Arena between the Detroit Red Wings and the New Jersey Devils on April 9, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. The Wings defeated the Devils 4-1. (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images) READ MORE: City Of Dearborn Hosts Emergency Baby Formula Distribution Event During a recent visit to the Konstantinovs’ suburban Detroit condominium, he handily defeated his longtime nurse, Pam Demanuel, and smiled. That’s about as good as it gets for him these days. Since suffering severe brain damage when his … [Read more...] about New Law Puts NHL Great Konstantinov’s 24/7 Care In Jeopardy