Bear survives after falling from tree near downtown Salt Lake City
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A black bear fell about 20 feet from a tree in Salt Lake City. Wildlife officials administered a tranquilizer to the bear but were unable to prevent it from landing. The bear survived and was quickly released back into the mountains. Officials tried to place buckets under the tree to stop the bear from falling, but they were too late. Workers placed the bear in a tube cage and administered a fast-acting drug to counteract the effects of the tranquilizer. Black bears emerge from hibernation in mid-March. But despite their proximity to the mountains, they are rarely spotted in the city.
Big and colorful, the Jorogumo spider is not fodder for nightmares.
The orb-weaver spider, an invasive, colorful, orb-weaving arachnid that has been rampant in the United States for the past few years, is once again catching people’s attention — and their fears. But spider experts say the jury is still out on what impact the spider will have, when it will spread to different parts of the country, and whether the creature is worth buying a can of Raid for. Instead, they worry that invasive species will become harder to control as a result of global trade and climate change, and that less conspicuous species will do more damage to crops and forests.
Nvidia’s market capitalization tops $3 trillion: How it rose to AI fame, by the numbers
Nvidia’s shares have more than doubled this year after more than tripling in 2023, and it is now the third-largest company in the S&P 500. The stock rose again on Wednesday, giving it a market capitalization of more than $3 trillion. The chipmaker saw its revenue more than triple in the most recent quarter as demand for semiconductors soared. Nvidia also plans to implement a stock split that will give investors nine additional shares for each one they already own. The move is aimed at making the shares more affordable.
CDC says Salmonella outbreak may be linked to recalled cucumbers
Cucumbers contaminated with Salmonella may have sickened and hospitalized dozens of people in at least 25 states. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday that at least 162 people have become sick and 54 have been hospitalized. Fresh Start Produce in Delray Beach, Florida, recalled whole cucumbers last week after tests showed the bacteria was present in the cucumbers. Further testing is underway to determine if this strain of Salmonella is causing the current outbreaks. Salmonella can cause serious illness in young children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems.
The governor scrapped a plan to impose a $15 transit and congestion fee on most drivers entering Manhattan.
NEW YORK (AP) — New York Gov. Kathy Hockle has dropped plans to impose a steep toll on entry into central Manhattan. Just weeks before the nation’s first “congestion toll” scheme was to take effect, she said the plan has “too many unintended consequences at this point.” The Democrat said a “$15 toll would squeeze the people who make this city go.” Wednesday’s announcement is a jolt to a program that’s been years in the planning. The toll was meant to raise billions of dollars for New York’s struggling subways and commuter rails and to reduce pollution on the city’s roads.
Boeing launches NASA astronauts for the first time after years of delays
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Boeing has launched astronauts for the first time after years of delays. Two NASA test pilots blasted off Wednesday aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule from Cape Canaveral, Florida, bound for the International Space Station for a week-long stay. It was their third launch attempt and followed two rocket-related delays. An uncrewed test flight of Starliner in 2019 failed to reach the space station, forcing Boeing to try again. The company has since had to solve a series of problems with the capsule. SpaceX has been launching astronauts since 2020, but NASA is seeking a backup taxi service.
Disney plans to invest up to $17 billion in Florida theme parks now that battle with Governor DeSantis’ appointees is over
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Months after Disney and Gov. Ron DeSantis’ appointees agreed to end their court battle, the two sides are expected to approve an agreement that would allow the company to invest up to $17 billion in its Florida resorts, paving the way for a fifth major theme park there. The five DeSantis-appointed regulators who oversee the Disney World area on Wednesday gave their initial approval to the development agreement the two sides agreed to negotiate after a March settlement ended litigation in state court. The agreement will be in effect for the next 15 years. A final vote is expected next week.
Big Mac battle: McDonald’s loses EU trademark battle to Irish rival Supermac’s
LONDON (AP) — The European Union’s top court has ruled that McDonald’s has lost its Big Mac trademark across the 27-nation bloc, ruling in favor of Irish fast-food rival Supermac’s in a long-running legal battle. In its ruling on Wednesday, the EU General Court said the U.S. fast-food giant failed to prove that it had genuinely used the Big Mac name on its chicken sandwiches, chicken products or restaurants for five years. According to the company’s website, the Big Mac is a burger made with two beef patties, cheese, lettuce, onions, pickles and Big Mac sauce. The ruling is not about the name of the burger. The dispute erupted after Galway-based Supermac’s applied to register its name in the EU as it eyed expansion plans in Europe.
Walmart is offering new perks to its employees, from new bonus plans to opportunities for skilled jobs.
NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart is offering new benefits to its hourly workers, including a new bonus plan and the opportunity to move into skilled jobs within the company. The benefits program, announced Wednesday, comes as the nation’s largest private employer faces declining worker turnover. But Walmart, like other companies, still faces a competitive labor market and increasing demand from workers. The new bonus plan the retailer is offering to eligible part-time and full-time store workers is based on store performance. The maximum bonus amount is also tied to years of experience. The training program will begin with 100 workers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Japan’s birth rate hits record low, marriage numbers also declining
TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s birth rate in 2023 hit a record low for the eighth consecutive year, according to government data. Government officials described the situation as serious and urged authorities to take all measures to reverse the trend. The data, released by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare on Wednesday, highlights Japan’s long-standing challenge of a rapidly aging and shrinking population, with serious implications for its economy and national security, especially amid China’s growing presence in the region. The latest statistics showed the fertility rate — the average number of children a woman has in her lifetime — was 1.2.
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