Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., had a tense exchange Wednesday with President Biden’s energy secretary, Jennifer Granholm, whom he accused of coordinating the release of U.S. emergency oil reserves with China. During a hearing before the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, Schmitt noted that the U.S. has failed to replenish its Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) since it encouraged other countries to release their stockpiles in response to Russia’s war against Ukraine in 2022.  “Two things have happened since then. We’ve not replenished our strategic reserves. And China has an enormous stockpile now,” Schmitt said, adding that U.S. reserves were at “historically…

Washington DC    Boeing’s already battered reputation took another hit at two Senate committee hearings Wednesday on Capitol Hill, with witnesses questioning how the company builds airplanes and the safety of those planes. One of the key witnesses was Boeing engineer Sam Salehpour, a whistleblower who said he’s been threatened for bringing safety concerns to his managers over several years, but that he was testifying due to his belief that “they are putting out defective airplanes.” “I have serious concerns about the safety of the 787 and 777 aircraft and I’m willing to take on professional risk to talk about…

Last updated: April 17, 2024 15:23 EDT | 3 min read Bitcoin Price PredictionAs Bitcoin trades at $61,577, down by approximately 2.50% with a $42 billion trading volume over the last 24 hours, market watchers are paying close attention.Riot Platforms and CleanSpark Poised for Growth Amid Bitcoin Halving, Says BernsteinAhead of the upcoming Bitcoin halving, the “miner fear factor” is at an all-time high, driving investor focus towards Riot Platforms (RIOT) and CleanSpark (CLSK). Bernstein, in a recent research note, highlighted these companies as top picks, applauding their exceptional performance and leadership in self-mining hashrate.Despite Bitcoin mining stocks lagging behind…

Workers at Volkswagen’s lone U.S. factory are voting this week on whether to join the United Auto Workers in what is the union’s third attempt at organizing the plant. Voting began Wednesday for the 4,100 hourly employees at Volkswagen’s factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and will extend through Friday. Ticker Security Last Change Change % VWAGY VOLKSWAGEN AG 15 +0.00 +0.00% This is the third time in 10 years the UAW has sought to represent VW Chattanooga workers, and winning a vote to organize the VW plant would be a significant milestone for the union. The UAW has tried and failed for…

Economic activity in the U.S. increased a little in April, while the ability of firms to hire qualified job candidates improved, but companies expressed some difficulty passing along higher costs to consumers.That’s the picture painted by the latest Federal Reserve “beige book” summary of economic conditions released on Wednesday.“Movements in raw materials prices were mixed, but six districts noted moderate increases in energy prices,” the report said. “Contacts in several districts reported sharp increases in insurance rates, for both businesses and homeowners. Another frequent comment was that firms’ ability to pass cost increases on to consumers had weakened considerably in…

Anaheim, California    Disneyland employees who perform as many of the theme park’s beloved characters have filed to have a vote on whether to join the Actors’ Equity Association, which represents live performers all over the country, from actors on Broadway to strippers in Los Angeles. The group had announced a union organizing effort in February, but very often such campaigns fall short of filing to hold a vote. But the union announced Wednesday that it has filed cards signed by more than two-thirds of the 1,700 employees, seeking to have the National Labor Relations Board conduct an election. “The cast members…

Lincoln Center Theater is currently in previews with its production of Anton Chekhov’s UNCLE VANYA, with a new version by Heidi Schreck and directed by Lila Neugebauer.Get a first look at photos below!The production will open on Wednesday, April 24 at the Vivian Beaumont Theater. UNCLE VANYA features Steve Carell, William Jackson Harper, Jonathan Hadary, Jayne Houdyshell, Spencer Donovan Jones, Mia Katigbak, Alfred Molina, Alison Pill, and Anika Noni Rose. The production has sets by Mimi Lien, costumes by Kaye Voyce, lighting by Lap Chi Chu and Elizabeth Harper, and sound by Mikhail Fiksel and Beth Lake. Charles M. Turner III…

BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. — A man was sentenced Wednesday to 47 years to life in prison for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 9-year-old girl who went missing from a state park in upstate New York last year.Craig N. Ross Jr. pleaded guilty in February to taking the girl Sept. 30 from a campground at Moreau Lake State Park, a rural area about 35 miles north of Albany.The child had been riding on a bike path with friends at the campground near her home on a Saturday evening when she went to take one last lap of the path on her own and…

Last updated: April 17, 2024 16:12 EDT | 2 min read Following FTX’s collapse and amidst ongoing legal challenges, FTX Europe’s future hangs in the balance as CySEC extends its license suspension. Following FTX’s collapse, the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) extended the suspension of FTX Europe’s license until September 2024.CySEC Directive Requires FTX Europe to Fulfill Obligations Amidst Legal ChallengesAs per the CySEC directive, the extended suspension prohibits FTX Europe from offering investment services, entering new business transactions, advertising its services, or accepting new clients until September 2024.This directive compels FTX Europe to focus on fulfilling its existing…

President Joe Biden called out the vast and longstanding pay gap between men and women in sports after current WNBA salaries drew widespread criticism on social media this week.On Tuesday, Biden wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that “women in sports continue to push new boundaries and inspire us all.”“But right now we’re seeing that even if you’re the best, women are not paid their fair share,” he wrote. “It’s time that we give our daughters the same opportunities as our sons and ensure women are paid what they deserve.”The president’s message was posted the day after Spotrac, a sports financial…

Ingredients: Caffeine, glycerin, SPF 30Finish: NaturalShades: 5Size: 1 ozBest SPF: Supergoop! CC Screen 100% Mineral CC Cream SPF 50Why We Love It: Supergoop!’s Glow Screen is a favorite at Vogue, so its CC cream can’t be passed up. It’s incredibly lightweight and delivers a natural-looking finish—ideal for days by the pool or hanging out on the beach. Plus, its non-comedogenic formula prevents breakouts on those with sensitive skin.Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, glycerin apple extract, SPF 50Finish: NaturalShades: 15Size: 1.6 ozWhat is a CC cream?“A CC cream stands for color correcting cream, which usually means the formula lies somewhere between a regular…

Us Weekly has affiliate partnerships. We receive compensation when you click on a link and make a purchase. Learn more! As we get closer and closer to summer — AKA the happiest time of year — I’ve been building a mental checklist of all of the things I need to purchase. At the top of that list is sunscreen. Now, I’m the type of person who wears sunscreen all year round (ginger problems), but I always get the urge to stock up once the days begin to get longer. I’m not a loyalist when it comes to a specific SPF.…

An abducted girl’s family stared directly at “the most evil human” in a New York State courtroom and told him he was getting “what he deserves.”Craig Ross Jr., who admitted to kidnapping a 9-year-old girl and holding her captive for two days, was sentenced to 47 years to life in prison on Wednesday as part of his plea deal, where he copped to multiple felonies, including first-degree kidnapping.”When we are in this courtroom today, the lawyers will refer to my daughter as the victim,” the girl’s mom, Trisha Sena, told Fox News Digital in a text. “I understand that this…

How does it feel to break a record day after day?Wesley Williams, a performer for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, knows a thing or two. The “One Wheel Wonder” takes a spin on the tallest rideable unicycle in the world with each show, at a whopping 34.6 feet tall. Williams did not come from a family of entertainers. His interest in performing was ignited by a simple Christmas present and a captivating circus show. CIRCUS PERFORMER FOLLOWS IN PARENTS’ FOOTSTEPS AS HUMAN CANNONBALL, FEELING 7 G’S WITH EACH LAUNCH”When I was 6 years old, I got a unicycle for Christmas. I…

Eli Lilly’s weight loss-related drug Zepbound could potentially be used to reduce the severity of sleep apnea in adults with obesity, according to a recent study.  Results of a phase three clinical trial, published Wednesday, showed that injections of the drug, either 10 mg or 15 mg, “significantly reduced the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) compared to placebo.” Specifically, Lilly noted that tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Zepbound, reduced sleep apnea severity by up to nearly two-thirds in adults that have both obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a sleep-related breathing disorder, and obesity. OSA is caused by a complete or partial collapse of the…