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Jay-Z answers that $500K question

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:15 GMT

Would you rather have lunch with Jay-Z or get $500,000?That question had sparked a conversation on X, formerly Twitter, in 2021, with the Brooklyn native's streaming service TIDAL weighing in. "Take the $500K," TIDAL posted to X. Two years later, Hov is weighing in himself. He may have 99 problems, but answering this question didn't seem to be one of them. Jay-Z arrives at a special screening of "The Harder They Fall" on Oct. 13, 2021, at the Shrine in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)In a sit-down interview with CBS Mornings' Gayle King, the mogul advised fans to take the cash."You got to take the money," the rapper said. Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson responds to Paris wax figure When King said that fans may see a lunch with the entrepreneur as an opportunity to learn valuable lessons, he didn't change his mind. "Because you got all that in the music for $10.99. That’s a bad deal. I wouldn’t tell you to cut a bad deal," he said in his free advice. "Take the...

Disneyland announces opening date for new Pixar-themed hotel

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:15 GMT

Pixar Place Hotel, the first fully Pixar-themed hotel in the United States, will officially open at Disneyland on Jan. 30, 2024, officials announced Monday. Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel is currently being reimagined into the new hotel.Officials also shared renderings of what the new guest rooms will look like and what menu items guests can expect from the Great Maple restaurant.Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel is being transformed into Pixar Place Hotel at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim and this artist rendering shows a reimagined guest room filled with whimsical nods to Pixar Animation Studios, like lighting reminiscent of the Pixar Lamp and pillows inspired by the Pixar Ball. When the property officially transforms into Pixar Place Hotel on Jan. 30, 2024, it will weave the artistry of Pixar into a comfortable, contemporary setting. (Artist Concept/Disneyland Resort)Modern American eatery Great Maple will open a flagship restaurant on the first floor of the hotel. Great Maple specializes...

Is this foldable phone better than Samsung and Google?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:15 GMT

As the smartphone market stagnates, all eyes are on foldable phones to bring sales numbers up again."Giving consumers choice and differentiation is something that a lot of people are looking for," said Anshel Sag, Principal Analyst with Moor Insights & Strategy.I went to New York City for the launch of the new OnePlus Open smartphone. OnePlus brought me and a large group of tech folks here to learn more about the new phone and test it out.The OnePlus Open is lighter than you would expect, with an outside screen that better mimics what you're used to. It's 6.3 inches, and not as thin as Samsung's Fold 5 and not as squat as Google's Pixel Fold.Shot on OnePlus OpenOpen it up and you get an even bigger 7.8 inch screen on the inside.It's this combination that has tech reviewers praising the phone for less compromises than the competition.Shot on OnePlus Open"The front screen is the main point it has the same aspect ratio of any other phone you have… so there’s no compromise on the fr...

Sydney Arthur Dead following Multi-Vehicle Collision on State Highway 249 [Grimes County, TX]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:15 GMT

Crash Involving Three Vehicles in Grimes County Road 304 Claimed the Life of 22-Year-Old WomanGRIMES COUNTY, TX (October 23, 2023) – Thursday morning, Sydney Arthur died following a multi-vehicle collision on State Highway 249.The major crash happened around 9:50 a.m. on September 28th, on State Highway 249, near Grimes County Road 304.According to the authorities, a 2021 Ford F250 heading north drove onto the wrong side of the road and then hit a 2000 model International 18-wheeler, which headed south. F250 then suddenly diverted and collided with a 2020 model BMW X5.The driver of the BMW, identified as 22-year-old Sydney Arthur, died on the spot. Meanwhile, the driver of the Ford sustained minor injuries and was rushed to Tomball Regional Hospital by private vehicle. The 18-wheeler driver remained unharmed.Furthermore, the route had to be shut down for an extended amount of time from TX 105 to CR 304 while police investigated.An active investigation was underway until Friday morni...

Terry Champeaux II Killed in Motorcycle Accident on Highway 90 [Beaumont, TX]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:15 GMT

Fatal Collision on College Street Claimed the Life of 22-Year-Old MotorcyclistBEAUMONT, TX (October 23, 2023) – A motorcycle accident at Highway 90 on Friday afternoon killed Terry Champeaux II.The incident happened around 12:41 p.m. on September 29th, on College Street near Reynolds Road.According to the BPD, a westbound motor-rider lost control and crashed. The rider was identified as 22-year-old Terry Champeaux II of West Orange. Police determined that he failed to wear a helmet, and no other cars were engaged. Champeaux II passed away before an ambulance could take him to a Houston Hospital.In addition, up until about 3:30 p.m., traffic had to be diverted as the accident underwent investigation.Meantime, the exact details of the cause and circumstances leading up to the crash are under investigation. Authorities will release additional information once it becomes available.No words can mend the broken hearts and sorrow felt during this delicate moment. Deepest condolences and sy...

Tesla says DOJ Is probing personal benefits violations, advertised vehicle range

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:15 GMT

By Sean O’Kane | BloombergTesla Inc. says it has received requests for information and subpoenas from the US Department of Justice related to potential personal benefits violations, the advertised range of its vehicles and personnel decisions.The company disclosed in a filing Monday that it received the requests in the third quarter.The Wall Street Journal in September reported that federal prosecutors are investigating perks provided to Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk going back as far back as 2017, including a project described as a glass house for Musk. Earlier this year, Reuters reported that Tesla had created a special “diversions team” to avoid dealing with complaints from customers about their vehicle ranges.The filing warned of “the possibility of a material adverse impact on our business” should the government pursue an enforcement action. So far, to Tesla’s knowledge, any on going investigation hasn’t concluded any wrongdoing.Related ArticlesBusiness | Why Tes...

Israel ramps up Gaza strikes as US pushes for invasion delay

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:15 GMT

By Najib Jobain, Samy Magdy and Joseph Krauss | Associated PressRAFAH, Gaza Strip — Israel ramped up its airstrikes Monday in Gaza, where the death toll was rising rapidly, and the United States advised Israel to delay an expected ground invasion to allow more time to negotiate the release of hostages taken by Hamas militants.A third small aid convoy from Egypt entered Gaza, where the population of 2.3 million has been running out of food, water and medicine under Israel’s two-week seal. With Israel still barring entry of fuel, the U.N. said its distribution of aid would grind to a halt within days when it can no longer fuel its trucks. Gaza hospitals are struggling to keep generators running to power life-saving medical equipment and incubators for premature babies.Heavy airstrikes demolished buildings across Gaza, including in areas where Palestinians were told to seek refuge, killing hundreds and sending new waves of wounded into already packed hospitals, according to Pales...

Facing sex abuse claims, the Catholic Church and the Boy Scouts filed for bankruptcy. One man vows both will pay.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:15 GMT

Jean Marbella | Baltimore SunAs a divorced mother in the 1970s, Carole Hines was happy to drive her son to camping trips with the Boy Scouts or host parties in their home for his men and boys’ choir. Both the troop and the choir were affiliated with the Catholic school he attended in Highlandtown, which she herself had gone to as a child.“I thought, ‘He has male role models,’” Hines recalled. “I was so oblivious.”These days, the Boy Scouts and the Catholic Church no longer command such unquestioned trust. Both are in the throes of a reckoning over decades of child sex abuse committed by troop leaders, clergy, teachers and others affiliated with them, and the institutions’ role in enabling and covering it up.The Boy Scouts filed for bankruptcy in 2020, resulting in a record $2.46 billion fund from which they will compensate about 82,000 men who say they were sexually abused as children.The Archdiocese of Baltimore filed for bankruptcy Sept. 29, just before a new Maryland law lifted a...

US renews Philippines defense vow after South China Sea incidents

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:15 GMT

By Jim Gomez and Simina Mistreanu | Associated PressMANILA, Philippines — The United States renewed a warning Monday that it would defend the Philippines in case of an armed attack under a 1951 treaty, after Chinese ships blocked and collided with two Filipino vessels off a contested shoal in the South China Sea.Philippine diplomats summoned a Chinese Embassy official in Manila on Monday for a strongly worded protest following Sunday’s collisions off Second Thomas Shoal. No injuries were reported but the encounters damaged a Philippine coast guard ship and a wooden-hulled supply boat operated by navy personnel, officials said.President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called an emergency meeting with the defense secretary and other top military and security officials to discuss the latest hostilities in the disputed waters. The Philippines and other neighbors of China have resisted Beijing’s sweeping territorial claims over virtually the entire South China Sea, and some, like Manila...

Single-family house in Oakland sells for $1.6 million

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:15 GMT

6115 North Rockridge Boulevard – Google Street ViewThe historic property located in the 6100 block of North Rockridge Boulevard in Oakland was sold on Sept. 15, 2023 for $1,575,000, or $1,151 per square foot. The house, built in 1924, has an interior space of 1,368 square feet. This single-story home has three bedrooms and one bath. In addition, the house features a garage.Additional houses that have recently changed hands close by include:In January 2023, a 1,952-square-foot home on Ocean View Drive in Oakland sold for $1,975,000, a price per square foot of $1,012. The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.A 2,150-square-foot home on the 5800 block of Margarido Drive in Oakland sold in May 2023, for $1,931,500, a price per square foot of $898. The home has 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.On Margarido Drive, Oakland, in April 2023, a 3,551-square-foot home was sold for $2,400,000, a price per square foot of $676. The home has 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms.