Daily Archives: January 7, 2022

Let’s break down the lawsuit filed against the Giants and Jets over the usage of ‘New York’ – Yahoo Sports

Posted: January 7, 2022 at 5:07 am

Admit it. At one time or another, your favorite NFL team has made you mad enough to want to take it to court. While you cant yet sue a team for losing which is good news for Jacksonville there are multiple other avenues to bring your team to your vision of justice and now, one Giants/Jets fan is attempting exactly that.

Representing an as-yet-unidentified class of New York-based Jets and Giants fans, Abdiell Suero of New York City has filed a class-action lawsuit in U.S. District Court against the NFL, Giants, Jets and MetLife Stadium. His contention: the Giants and Jets, playing in New Jersey, are improperly and illegally benefitting from the use of New York in their team names. (Yahoo Sports has reached out to the attorney for Suero.)

Suero vs. NFL et. al. is a lawsuit with some interesting contentions about the connection between an NFL teams precise geographic location and its inherent value, and some dubious claims about the responsibility of teams to look out for their fans convenience. The suit asks for $6 billion yes, with a b in damages, which means its got about as much chance of success as the Jets do of getting to double-digit wins.

Still, buried deep in the lawsuit, theres a kernel of truth, and an opportunity for teams to better understand the needs of their most loyal if not necessarily most profitable fans. Lets break down some of the key paragraphs within:

23. Many NFL fans who attend Giants or Jets games for the first time are unaware that these teams play out-of-state.

Respectfully, the WELCOME TO NEW JERSEY roadside signs should have tipped them off.

24. Many NFL fans would not attend live games of the Giants or Jets if they were warned in advance that they play in the State of New Jersey.

You can just hear the AAAAOHHHH! from Tony Soprano and the Bada Bing crew at this line.

How do you feel about this lawsuit filed on your behalf, Giants and Jets fans? (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

26. The NFL engages in this practice with other popular franchises, including the Dallas Cowboys (who play in Arlington, TX), the Washington Football Team (who play in Landover, MD), and the San Francisco 49ers (who play in Santa Clara, CA).

Story continues

This is a fair point, though its not really the NFL engaging in the practice, its the teams themselves all of which, it should be noted, are farther away from their geographic namesake than MetLife Stadium is from New York.

34. It is therefore clear that Defendants have intentionally advertised and branded the Giants and Jets falsely, to increase their gross revenue and value of their franchises at the expense and to the detriment of Plaintiff and the class, the State and City of New York, and millions of NFL fans.

The NFL also calls its season-ending championship the Super Bowl when, in fact, many of the games have not been super at all. (Fair is fair: most of the Super Bowls involving the Giants and Jets have indeed been quite good.)

39. Plaintiff and the class of Giants and Jets fans must travel out of state to watch live Giants and Jets games, with roundtrip times taking an average of four hours or more on game day at a very high cost either by way of public transportation or motor vehicle.

Were not going to compare fandoms here, but Steelers fans have determined that its literally cheaper to buy plane tickets and hotel rooms for away games than tickets to Heinz Field. Its all in how badly you want it.

42. Car service after games from MetLife Stadium to New York City whether by Uber, Lyft or Taxi costs $125 or more Many drivers load their cars with multiple couples and groups so they can charge $400 or more per ride after a game.

A New Yorker skirting the rules to fleece someone out of a few bucks? Well, now Ive heard everything!

49. Public transportation from the City and State of New York to MetLife Stadium in New Jersey uses a haphazard system of subways, trains, and buses, together with extensive periods of walking and stairs to transport Plaintiff and the class of NFL Giants and Jets fans from the City and State of New York to East Rutherford, New Jersey, where the New York Giants and Jets play all home games.

This seems more of a New York/New Jersey infrastructure problem than an NFL problem.

51. The inconvenient out-of-state location of MetLife Stadium is further reflected by the fact that the percentage of empty seats at Giants and Jets games makes them among the least attended home games in the NFL over the past decade since MetLife Stadium was constructed.

Yeah, Im going to go way out on a limb here and say the fact that the Giants and Jets are collectively two of the worst teams in the NFL over the last decade has led to those empty seats. If the Giants were the No. 1 seed and the Jets werent constantly sawing off their own feet, you wouldnt be able to find a ticket.

60. Plaintiff and the class of Giants and Jets fans lost their connection with the teams when they relocated to New Jersey and maintain minimal sports identification with the Giants and Jets due to their stadium being located in New Jersey.

The Giants moved to New Jersey in 1976. No one under the age of 50 has meaningful memories of the Giants in New York.

The Jets moved to New Jersey in 1984. No one has meaningful memories of the Jets, period.

62. As Giants and Jets fans, Plaintiff and the class are insulted, ridiculed, harassed, tormented, and bullied by NFL fans around the United States due to the affiliation of the Giants and Jets with the State of New York rather than their true home, New Jersey.

Uh geographic location isnt why Jets and Giants fans are ridiculed. And really, at this point, its not harassment, its intervention. Were worried about you.

Sure, they seem happy, but would they be even happier in New York? (Vincent Carchietta/USA TODAY Sports)

63. Plaintiff and the class have suffered mental and emotional damages including depression, sadness, and anxiety, as well as limited and damaged eustress, self-esteem, escape, entertainment, group affiliation and family needs as a result of Defendants conduct.

If were going to start suing football teams based on the emotional distress they visit upon their fans, hoo boy, thats a Pandoras box that anyone outside of New England would happily throw open. I grew up an Atlanta Falcons fan, and I have two numbers and a dash that I would bring before the court with the expectation of an immediate multimillion-dollar verdict in my favor.

80. The Giants and/or Jets can relocate and build a new stadium next to Citi Field and the National Tennis Center in Queens, or other available property in the five boroughs of New York City, or the adjacent counties of Westchester or Nassau.

Seems simple enough. Im sure theres plenty of stadium-sized property in the five boroughs available for a reasonable price. Sure, youre going to pay $500 for a beer and hot dog to cover the move, but its a New York beer and hot dog!

83. Plaintiff is an American citizen and resident of the City and State of New York and fan of the NFL Giants and Jets.

Both the Giants and Jets? Isnt that illegal?

113. The Giants and Jets logos constitute false advertising as both incorporate the name and abbreviation of New York (NY) while both teams play in the State of New Jersey (NJ).

While were on the subject, the Green Bay Packers do not actually play in Green Bay! To be fair, though, it is very difficult to play football in a body of water with a mean depth of 65 feet, even for Aaron Rodgers.

115. Defendants trade under the New York and NY geographic location, name, and brand, deceiving Plaintiff and the class, together with millions of additional individuals and entities.

The court will also note that the rosters of the so-called Giants and Jets do not actually include any gargantuan god-men or high-tech aircraft, but are comprised entirely of plain old human beings.

117. Defendants website http://www.metlifestadium.com contains false advertising, including the following false statement: MetLife Stadium, home to the New York Jets and New York Football Giants, is the number one stadium in the world ... There are approximately 27 sports stadiums and arenas around the world that are larger than MetLife Stadium. The stadium does not have a dome or retractable roof, so spectators are uncomfortably hot or cold for most games, and the location in East Rutherford, New Jersey is hardly ideal. The transportation system to and from MetLife Stadium does not contain sufficient infrastructure. MetLife Stadium is clearly not the number one stadium in the world.

Also, New York is called the Big Apple, when in fact its not an apple at all! As a matter of fact, all the real apples within New York are normal-sized! Disappointing!

125. NFL fans are tricked into believing that the Giants and Jets play in the State of New York when in fact they play in the State of New Jersey.

This assumes that NFL fans even think about the Giants and Jets at all during the 8,757 or so hours each year that their team is not playing the Giants or Jets.

134. Plaintiff and the class demand $2 billion in compensatory damages and $4 billion in punitive damages

I mean, shoot your shot.

122. Plaintiff and the class demand that the Giants and Jets remove the New York and NY designation from their name and merchandise until they return to the State of New York.

This right here is the point. This is what the plaintiff ought to focus on, but not for the reasons outlined in the complaint.

The Giants and the Jets shouldnt be named after New York not because of their location, but because they dont deserve to be named after New York. Both teams have equal 22-58 records since 2017, worst in the NFL. Thats as bad as it gets! Call them the Jersey Giants and East Rutherford Jets until they earn the New York moniker back!

Now, lets get real. Its easy to clown on a lawsuit like this (fun, too) because of its hyperbolic claims. But the suit is a reflection of the constant fan discontent that lurks around the edges of every NFL team. Getting to a game any game, any team, any city is an expensive and time-consuming prospect, swallowing up hundreds of dollars and a dozen hours every time.

The Plaintiffs of the world just want to watch their beloved team play football. When their team decides to chase more profitable fans, it hurts. Whether the teams building flashier digs in the same general area (San Francisco and, soon, Washington) or pulling up stakes entirely and leaving the whole city behind (St. Louis, Oakland, San Diego), the end result rarely benefits, and always costs, the longtime fan. And when the Giants pull crap like the thanks for your support, heres one medium soda debacle from a few weeks back, it becomes impossible to have any sympathy for them.

Bottom line: if this case ever did make it to trial, the Giants and Jets better hope no season ticket holders are on the jury.

Sir. Flap your arms if you want the team to move to New York. (Vincent Carchietta/USA TODAY Sports)

_____

Jay Busbee is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Follow him on Twitter at @jaybusbee or contact him at jay.busbee@yahoo.com.

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Heat star Kyle Lowry ejected after tossing ball back to official in wild sequence – Yahoo Sports

Posted: at 5:07 am

Kyle Lowry was ejected on Wednesday night after he appeared to just return the ball to the referee. (AP/Jeff Chiu)

Miami Heat star Kyle Lowry was ejected early on Wednesday night after he appeared to just toss the ball back to the official after a foul.

Lowry, just before halftime of Miami's 115-109 win over the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center, went to toss the ball back to referee Matt Kallio after teammate Duncan Robinson was called for a shooting foul.

Kallio, however, apparently thought Lowry was trying to do something else as he quickly ejected Lowry from the contest.

Lowry picked up a technical foul earlier in the period, which is what triggered the automatic ejection upon receiving his second.

Now if Lowry actually threw the ball at an official, thats grounds for an ejection. No question.

But Lowry gently tossed the ball toward the official in a dead-ball situation. And the ball actually hit the referee in his hands, which makes the call that much more questionable.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra clearly didnt agree with the decision, either, as he quickly argued the call and was given a technical foul himself.

Either way, though, the damage was done. Lowry was out of the game.

Lowry finished his night with seven points and nine assists in 16 minutes.

Tyler Herro and Jusuf Nurkic got into a scuffle late on Wednesday night, and both were ejected with just less than one minute left.

Nurkic set a hard screen on Herro well above the 3-point line, which sent Herro to the ground, before cutting down toward the hoop. Herro, clearly upset, ran after Nurkic and shoved him in the back which set them both off. Nurkic tried to throw a punch before the two were separated, and both were eventually ejected from the contest.

Herro finished with 16 points off the bench for the Heat. Nurkic dropped 14 points and had 13 rebounds for the Blazers.

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Beavers Saved From Euthanasia Transform and Replenish Rivers in the Utah Desert – Good News Network

Posted: at 5:06 am

Beavers and their dams can positively impact essentially any environment theyre placed in, even the scorching heat of the Moab Desert in Utah. And thats what a university researcher has achieved.

Looking for solutions to drought and wildfires, a Utah State University student began relocating problem beavers captured in other parts of the state into small, struggling waterways around the Price and San Rafael rivers.

Desert hydrology is delicate and fascinating. With far less rain than temperate ecosystems, many remain dry, or small trickles for large parts of the year before coming alive during short rainy periods. Decades of pollution and agricultural runoff means that many of Utahs small delicate waterways are heavily degraded.

Studies have shown that beaver dams can vastly improve the quality of wetlands and streams leading to better animal life and improved river health. It was for this service that the ecosystem engineer was targeted by Emma Doden as a potential rescuer, even if the idea of beavers in the desert raised a few eyebrows.

Working by the Price and San Rafael rivers that run through some of eastern Utahs driest areas, Doden specializes in passive river restoration, which means there is no help from homo sapiens.

We believed the system could support a lot more beavers, Doden told the BBC, and we wanted to supplement it with translocated beavers.

The translocated beavers would have been euthanized, so the project also gives the animals a second chance after invading urban areas.

RELATED: A Real Moby Dick: Mythic White Sperm Whale Captured on Film Near Jamaica

Beaver dams are gaining popularity as a low-tech, low-cost strategy to build climate resiliency at the landscape scale, says one study investigating beaver dams effectiveness at protecting against wildfires. They slow and store water that can be accessed by riparian vegetation during dry periods, effectively protecting riparian ecosystems from droughts.

Another study found that the ponds which are created on the dammed side of the beaver lodges can store huge amounts of sediment, then distribute it more safely around the river ecosystem.

This is the case, the study found, both in entirely wild areas with no human alterations and those adjacent to intense agricultural regions, meaning that no matter the conditions of sedimentation, beaver dams can help keep waterways clearer.

RELATED: Once Biologically Dead, Londons River Thames Rebounds With Seahorses and Seals

Sediment runoff from intense agriculture can result in heavily degraded waterways, and even degraded ocean ecosystems as the sediment reduces light, chokes coral, and causes toxic algae blooms.

Dodens university has a program for catching problem beavers and relocating them to the desert, where they will build dams to provide these benefits.

The ultimate goal is to get them to build dams, she said. The dams are what are going to increase habitat complexity and restore water.

In the dam-building seasons of 2019, 2020, and 2021, Doden and her team released more than 50 beavers into the area, some of which moved off downstream sometimes as far as 12 miles to build their dams.

LOOK: Mind-blowing: 3 Genetic Groups of Grizzly Bears Align With 3 Indigenous Language Tribes in Same Zip Codes

Bill Thomas Hamilton wrote about trappingin Utah in My Sixty Years on the Plains, and how the rivers were plentiful with beaver, such that it would take 8 months to trap out an area.

Currently, little research exists, Doden says, on dam-building and river restoration in desert environments. But if research in other biomes is any indication, the project should be a resounding success, as millions of beavers used to lodge on Utahs rivers.

SHARE The Fascinating Eco-Restoration Story on Your Dam Social Media,,,

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The Archdiocese of Chicago to Participate in Local Respect Life Events throughout January – archchicago.org

Posted: at 5:06 am

Cardinal Blase J. Cupich will be a guest speaker at the March for Life Chicago Rally on Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022 at 1 p.m.

Chicago, (Jan. 6, 2022) The Archdiocese of Chicago will participate in local events in January commemorating the March for Life, an annual pro-life gathering in Washington, D.C., occurring on the anniversary of the 1973 Roe v. Wade court decision legalizing abortion. The Archdiocese of Chicagos Respect Life Ministry is a sponsor of March for Life Chicago.

When a child is born, our lives are enriched and our human family benefits from this great gift of life and the contributions and talents we dream and pray a child will bring to our world, said Cardinal Cupich. Then, quoting the papal nuncio, Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Cardinal Cupich continued, The Church must be unapologetically pro-life. We cannot abandon our defense of innocent human life or the vulnerable person. Yet, (we also need) to understand better why people seek to end pregnancies; what are the root causes of choices against life and what are the factors that make those choices so complicated for some; and, to begin to form a consensus with concrete strategies to build the culture of life and the civilization of love.

Pilgrims from the Archdiocese of Chicago will join Catholics from dioceses across the country at the National March for Life Pilgrimage from Thursday, Jan. 20 Sunday, Jan. 23 at the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

The archdioceses Respect Life Ministry promotes the dignity and protection of human life through programs, education, pastoral care and advocacy. Programs focus on many topics, including protection of the unborn, euthanasia and assisted suicide. For more information about Respect Life events, please visit https://pvm.archchicago.org/human-dignity-solidarity/respect-life-chastity-education/events.

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Kathleen Gallagher to Retire as NYSCC Pro-Life Activities Director – The Tablet Catholic Newspaper

Posted: at 5:06 am

Served as a giant of the pro-life movement for nearly 40 years

PROSPECT HEIGHTS After serving as the director of pro-life activities for the New York State Catholic Conference (NYSCC) for almost four decades, Kathleen M. Gallagher is retiring at the end of January.

No one in New York State, or across the country, has done more to advocate on behalf of all human life from conception until natural death than Kathy Gallagher, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York and president of the NYSCC, said in a statement.

He thanked Gallagher for her service in the organization that represents the states bishops in areas of government and public policy and called her a giant of the pro-life movement who fought for the most vulnerable.

In that time, she has not only represented the New York State bishops, but has been a national leader in the pro-life movement, advocating against abortion, capital punishment, and euthanasia, and in favor of supports for pregnant women in need and people near the end of life, Cardinal Dolan added.

Even in Gallaghers retirement, Cardinal Dolan said she will still serve as a consultant to the NYSCC: God knows we need her voice.

A Long Island native, Gallagher graduated from the New York Institute of Technology and joined the NYSCC in 1984 after a brief stint working in the New York Legislature. At that time, she served as the organizations pro-life lobbyist and spokesperson. Her initiatives helped spearhead pro-life advocacy groups including New Yorkers for Life and the New York Alliance Against Assisted Suicide.

She has received the Diocesan Pro-Vita Award from the dioceses of Brooklyn, Rockville Centre, and Buffalo, and the Bishop Broderick Award from the Diocese of Albany.

I am grateful to Cardinal Dolan and the bishops for allowing me to represent them for so long, Gallagher said, and blessed beyond measure to have received a salary to advocate for moral principles in which I deeply believe.

In addition to being an outspoken advocate for pro-life policies regarding abortion, the death penalty, and assisted suicide, Gallaghers efforts have resulted in several state-approved programs including the Prenatal Care Assistance Program that serves low-income mothers and their children; the continuation of the state-funded abortion alternatives; and the Health Care Proxy Law that allowed competent adults to appoint agents who can help decide health care options in the event they become unable to decide for themselves.

Pro-life work is not an easy vocation, but Kathy never lost faith, said NYSCC Executive Director Dennis Poust. She has continued to put all of her passion into her work to implement policies that protect human life in the law and to convert hearts toward a culture of Life.

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P2E game Nyan Heroes aims to save 1 billion protected cats – The bharat express news

Posted: at 5:06 am

Cat-Themed NFT Play-to-Earn (P2E) Game Nyan Heroes Aims to Save 1 Billion Cats from Euthanasia in Animal Shelters Across the United States

Nyan Heroes is an upcoming NFT battle royal shooter style game built on the Solana blockchain that will allow players to compete against each other using NFTs depicting animated cats which are used to pilot mechanical robot NFTs in the game.

The US-based project has been in development since October and the game is slated for release in Q4 2022. Its first NFT drop is currently available for hodling and trading in markets such as Fractal.

According to data from Solana Art, Nyan Heroes is the fourth NFT project on Solana in terms of seven-day volume and market cap, at $ 279,000 and $ 18.2 million, respectively.

In an interview with TBEN, Nyan Heroes co-founder and Australian Wendy Huang described the companys charitable vision for the future, as well as an overview of the game to come.

Huang has been involved in crypto since 2016 and has also built a successful career as a creator of content ranging from vlogs to DIY videos, pranks and music and has amassed nearly 14 million subscribers on YouTube.

Huang said that she and her co-founder Max Fu, love for cats was a key factor behind linking animal-focused charity work to Nyan Heroes. She said they had an ambitious goal of saving 1 billion cats from euthanasia in animal shelters via charitable donations generated by a portion of the projects NFT sales.

Nyan Heroes revealed his first efforts in this area on December 24, when he announced a donation of $ 250,000 from the proceeds of his first NFT drop to the non-profit Best Friends Society. It was one of the proudest moments I have had on this project, she said.

The Best Friends Society provides a no-kill sanctuary for orphaned animals and also prevents the deaths of cats and dogs at shelters across the United States through its charitable work. The group estimates that its no kill movement has helped reduce the number of cat and dog deaths in animal shelters from 17 million per year to around 347,000.

Huang revealed that the game project will launch a DAO that will give its members the right to vote on the future allocation of Nyan Heroes donations.

Were going to create a young DAO hero. And part of those DAO responsibilities will be deciding where to donate funds, to which animal shelter, and to what causes in that particular area. she said.

Related: A game to win organizes a Christmas charity campaign for the Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Huang pointed out that a major sticking point for P2E blockchain games is sustainability over a long period of time. She said that many P2E games depend on a continuous flow of new users to stay profitable and suffer as players continually cash in and withdraw value from the game.

We dont know how many players will enter the economy. So we have to realize that building a game is not just about the game, but also the economic system and the sustainability of everything, she said.

Huang said that Nyan Heroes sustainability model relies on several factors, such as the introduction of a stablecoin into the game to reduce the volatility of its assets, rewards for wagering on NFTs, and a triple A gaming experience. similar to Fortnite which has historically attracted gamers who want to spend money on the game:

The way we approach it is to deliver a better game where users will actually want to play the game and inject value into the system to balance the players who enter the ecosystem for value.

We keep the in-game token stable so that the value of your in-game items doesnt get stuck and burn. And we think thats what players need to want to stick with a game. You dont want your in-game items to be worth $ 1,000 one day and then $ 10 the next, she added.

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Horse-rescuer ‘loses everything’ in suspected arson attack at stables – News Shopper

Posted: at 5:06 am

A horse-rescuer who built up her yard in Swanley from scratch has lost everything in a suspected arson attack at her stables.

The incident at rescuer Debbie Sinclairs yard in Church Road happened between 3pm on Wednesday, December 22 and 8am on Thursday, December 23.

Debbie rescues ex racehorses with injuriesand racers who cant find homes by providing them with a safe, loving home until their last days.

She said she is "absolutely devastated" at what has happened to her and her horses - whose alternative is "normally euthanasia".

Debbie told the News Shopper: "I am absolutely devastated that this has happened to me and more importantly my horses.

"All have raced and served the industry well.

"I take them on when they have nowhere or nobody to take them.

"The alternative for these brave noble animals is normally euthanasia.

"I ensure that they have a home for life with me and fund their wellbeing entirely alone."

According to Debbies friend Kristina Valentine, who has set up a GoFundMe page to help her out, Debbie and the horses have lost everything - including feed, hay, rugs, headcollars, tack buckets, medication and their homes.

Debbie Sinclair at the burnt barn

Kristina said Debbie deserves all the help we can give her right now as she faces a winter without her stables following the suspected attack.

Describing Debbie as a "kind, sweet woman", Kristina set upthe fundraising page as her friend hasgone above and beyond to save, rehabilitate and care for these horses, no matter their physical or behavioural issues.

Kristina also explained that Debbie spends out of her own pocket to pay for all their care, medical treatment and to keep them happy and healthy.

Debbie and horse Max

Debbie said: I needthe help of the local community.

"I have just been donated two very expensive rugs from Premier Equine who are a leading brand.

"I want to thank them for their kindness.

"I have been touched and am deeply grateful for the kindness people have shown.

"It has really restored my faith in human kindness after this wicked cruel act left my horses without shelter food or warmth at the most cruel time of year weather wise.

"How anyone could do this is beyond comprehension."

The GoFundMe page has a fundraising target of 5,000.

Postie and Local

Anyone with information about the suspected attack should call the Kent Police appeal line on 01622 604100, quoting crime reference 46/263756/21.

The full appeal from Kristina said: "Hi there, I am starting this fundraiser for my friend Debbie.

"Debbie is kind, sweet woman who rescues ex racehorses with injuries or racers who cannot find homes for various reasons.

"She provides them a safe, loving home until their last days and is there for them every step of the way.

"Debbie has built her yard up from scratch to keep her horses safe, and cares for them like no other, her horses are mostly unridden, retired horses no one else wanted and she spends out of her own pocket to pay for all their care, medical treatment and to keep them healthy and happy.

"Anyone who has thoroughbreds knows this is no easy task and winter is upon us. These horses have lost their stables and Debbie has lost everything.

"Their feed, hay, rugs, headcollars, tack, buckets, medication, and their homes.

"She is now facing a winter without stables and trying to get money together to rebuild her yard so her horses can stay safe.

"Please help in any way you can. Debbie has gone above and beyond to save, rehabilitate and care for these horses, no matter their physical or behavioural issues.

"She deserves all the help we can give her right now.

"One of Debbie's mares is 22 and needs constant arthritis medication from the toll of racing."

A spokesperson for Kent Police said: Officers are investigating a report of suspected arson at stables in Church Road, Swanley.

The incident happened between 3pm on Wednesday 22 December and 8am on Thursday 23 December 2021.

Investigators are urging anyone with information to call the appeal line on 01622 604100, quoting crime reference 46/263756/21.

You can also call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or complete the online form on their website.

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Peer ‘makes new bid for assisted suicide legalisation’ through health and care bill – Disability News Service

Posted: at 5:06 am

The crossbench peer leading parliamentary efforts to end the ban on assisted suicide appears to be trying to use the governments health and care bill to make a parallel bid to introduce legalisation.

Baroness Meachers assisted dying bill is awaiting its committee stage in the House of Lords, following a debate that appeared to show peers split on the issue of legalisation.

Disabled people opposed to her bill have described it as dangerous and incoherent and have called on parliament to focus on ensuring disabled people have a right to live independently, before even considering legalisation of assisted suicide, while warning that the bill adds to the distorted view that many have of disabled peoples lives.

But Baroness Meacher has now lodged an amendment to the governments health and care bill in what appears to be a second, separate attempt to secure legalisation.

Her amendment states that regulations in the health and care bill on patient choice must also apply to those with a diagnosis of terminal illness, or to another relevant person if the terminally-ill person lacks capacity for such a conversation.

The amendment also states that NHS and other relevant bodies must have regard to the needs and preferences recorded in such conversations when making decisions on whether to provide them with services.

Baroness Meacher had told fellow peers in a debate on the health and care bill on 7 December (pictured): Crucial to high-quality palliative care is the patients right to choose at the very end of life, and the bill needs to play its part in this area we cannot afford not to.

Soon afterwards, she lodged her proposed amendment to the bill.

Some commentators have suggested that this amendment would allow the legalisation of assisted suicide, even if her assisted dying bill fails to become law.

Baroness Meacher, a former social worker, is chair of the campaigning organisation Dignity in Dying, formerly known as the Voluntary Euthanasia Society, which is leading the campaign for legalisation.

When Disability News Service (DNS) asked her to clarify her intentions this week, she failed to rule out the possibility that her amendment would have the effect of legalising assisted suicide, if it became law.

When DNS asked if it was her intention that her amendment to the health and care bill would allow the introduction of legalised assisted suicide, she replied by email: It is a fundamental human right to ensure people dont suffer torture or degrading treatment.

Patient choice is vital in all contexts but particularly at the end of life.

DNS asked on Tuesday for further clarification of whether she intended that her amendment would secure legalisation, but she had not responded by noon today (Thursday).

A note from the editor:

Please consider making a voluntary financial contribution to support the work of DNS and allow it to continue producing independent, carefully-researched news stories that focus on the lives and rights of disabled people and their user-led organisations.

Please do not contribute if you cannot afford to do so, and please note that DNS is not a charity. It is run and owned by disabled journalist John Pring and has been from its launch in April 2009.

Thank you for anything you can do to support the work of DNS

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Tennessee lawmaker Jeremy Faison says he ‘acted the fool’ after apparent attempt to pants a HS basketball ref – Yahoo Sports

Posted: at 5:06 am

Tennessee State Rep. Jeremy Faison (R) apologized on Tuesday, declaring that he "acted the fool" en route to being ejected from a high school basketball game.

The 45-year-old lawmaker attended a game on Tuesday between Providence Academy and Lakewood Christian Academy in Johnson City, Tennessee. Providence Academy livestreamed video of the game, which showed Faison arguing with a referee while walking on the court. He pointed at the official's face, then appeared to try to pull down the referee's pants unsuccessfully.

Video of the game has been removed from the school's Facebook feed, but was captured elsewhere on social media.

Faison was ejected from the gym.

After the game, he issued his apology on social media, while declaring: "I acted the fool tonight. I'm hoping to make it right."

"For years I thought how wrong it is when a parent loses their temper at a sporting event," Faison wrote. "Its not Christian and its not mature and its embarrassing to the child have always been my thoughts.

"Unfortunately, I acted the fool tonight and lost my temper on a ref. I was wanting him to fight me. Totally lost my junk and got booted from the from the gym. Ive never really lost my temper for all to see, but I did tonight and it was completely stupid of me. Emotions getting in the way of rational thoughts are never good. I hope to be able to find the ref and ask for his forgiveness. I was bad wrong."

Rep. Jeremy Faison, center, apologized for an incident at a high school basketball game. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, file)

The Tennessean reports that the incident prompted the referee to ask for police. According to the report, police ultimately weren't called. The reason why isn't clear. The official filed a report with the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association, which the Tennessean reports is standard procedure.

According to the TSSAA report acquired by the Tennesseean, Faison walked from the stands to the court after a scuffle on the court prompted the referee to whistle both teams for technical fouls. The referee told Faison to leave the gym, and he initially refused, per the report.

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"You can't tell me to leave the floor, this was your fault," Faison reportedly told the referee in response.

The referee declared that Faison then tried to pull his pants "down and off." Faison then left the gym "without further incident," per the report.

Faison hasn't publicly addressed the incident beyond his social media post. He's the Chairman of Tennessee's House Republican Caucus.

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Tennessee lawmaker Jeremy Faison says he 'acted the fool' after apparent attempt to pants a HS basketball ref - Yahoo Sports

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Jan. 6 anniversary: U.S. to mark 1 year since deadly Capitol riot with solemn remembrances – Yahoo News

Posted: at 5:05 am

The United States on Thursday will mark the one-year anniversary of Jan. 6, 2021, when a violent mob of supporters of then-President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol building as Congress was certifying Joe Bidens victory in the 2020 election an attack that left multiple people dead, scores of police officers injured and a democracy shaken to its core.

The same Capitol building will be the backdrop for a series of solemn events commemorating the deadly insurrection. In the morning, President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will deliver remarks from the Capitols Statuary Hall. At noon, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will make a statement and hold a moment of silence on the floor of the House chamber. Members of Congress, who were forced to evacuate the Capitol that day, will give testimonials in the afternoon. In the early evening, lawmakers will gather outside on the steps of the Capitol for a bicameral prayer vigil.

These events are intended as an observance of reflection, remembrance and recommitment, in a spirit of unity, patriotism and prayerfulness, Pelosi said in a statement released by her office.

Yet they come at a time when Americans are deeply divided over politics, the pandemic and, well, just about everything.

Trump supporters storm the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. (Evelyn Hockstein/For The Washington Post via Getty Images)

According to a Yahoo News/YouGov poll released this week, three-quarters of Trump voters (75 percent) falsely believe the 2020 election was rigged and stolen from him. (Just 9 percent think Biden won fair and square down from 13 percent in January 2021.)

But perhaps more troubling is what Biden and Trump voters do agree on: According to the poll, 88 percent of the former and 89 percent of the latter say they are worried about the future of U.S. democracy. And a full 6 in 10 (60 percent) of the 1,537 U.S. adults Yahoo and YouGov polled believe an attack like the one that happened a year ago could happen again.

That fear is driven mostly by the false accusations of fraud being peddled by Trump. According to the survey, 75 percent of Trump voters believe his fabrication that there was enough fraud to influence the outcome of the 2020 election.

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The former president had planned to mark the anniversary with a press conference at Mar-a-Lago, where he was expected to assail the bipartisan select committee that Pelosi formed to investigate the siege. But Trump canceled the event, saying he would discuss topics related to the probe at a rally in Arizona later this month.

Then-President Donald Trump speaks at a rally near the White House on Jan. 6, 2021. (Eric Lee/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Five people died in connection with the Jan. 6 attack, including Trump supporter Ashli Babbitt, who was shot and killed by police as she tried to break into the House chamber, and a Capitol Police officer who died from a stroke one day after being pepper-sprayed during the riot. More than 140 other police officers were injured defending the Capitol; four have since taken their own lives.

According to the FBI, more than 725 people have been criminally charged in connection with the riot, which occurred after a rally during which Trump repeated false election fraud claims and told supporters they needed to fight like hell.

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In recent interviews, Trump has taken his Sharpie to that reality, calling his rally speech calming, the attack on the Capitol a protest and Bidens election as the real insurrection.

It was a protest, Trump told Fox News host Laura Ingraham last month. The insurrection took place on Nov. 3, which was Election Day. This was a protest, and a lot of innocent people are being hurt. A lot of innocent people are being injured.

The former presidents repeated attempts to whitewash one of the darkest days in American history appear to be working, at least among his faithful. According to the Yahoo News/YouGov poll, more than twice as many Trump voters now say the events of Jan. 6 were justified (23 percent) as said the same immediately after the siege itself (11 percent).

Trump also told Ingraham he has nothing to hide from the Jan. 6 committee, even as his lawyers have appealed to the Supreme Court in an attempt to block the panel from obtaining a vast swath of White House documents relating to its investigation. (Federal judges have rejected Trumps claims of executive privilege.)

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The select committee has issued more than 100 subpoenas to people, businesses or entities, including for the phone records of former Trump officials and his associates. It has heard from nearly 300 witnesses and obtained over 30,000 pages of records to date.

This week, the committee said it would like to speak with former Vice President Mike Pence who resisted Trumps public pressure to upend Congresss certification of the election and Fox News host Sean Hannity, one of Trumps closest media allies, about his communications with the former president and ex-White House chief of staff Mark Meadows.

After the riot, Vice President Mike Pence and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi preside over a joint session of Congress to certify the 2020 electoral vote. (Erin Schaff /Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

And it is planning a series of public hearings some potentially during primetime to determine whether the Jan. 6 attack was planned.

Appearing on CNNs State of the Union on Sunday, Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., the chairman of the committee, would not say whether the panel has uncovered evidence that the president and his allies were involved in planning the insurrection.

Let me say that what we have been able to ascertain is that we came perilously close to losing our democracy, he said.

Trump supporters at a rally in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (John Minchillo/AP)

Trump supporters gather around a noose near the Capitol. (Shay Horse/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Capitol Police officers scuffle with demonstrators after they breach security fencing outside the Capitol. (Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Protesters clash with Capitol Police. (Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Trump supporters take over the steps of the Capitol. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

Trump supporters try to break through a police barrier at the Capitol. (John Minchillo/AP)

A mob of Trump supporters storm the Capitol building. (Leah Millis/Reuters)

Rioters trying to enter the Capitol building clash with police. (Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Trump supporters trying to storm the Capitol clash with security forces. (Brent Stirton/Getty Images)

Rioters use a ladder to try to force their way into the Capitol building. (Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Riot police push back a crowd of Trump supporters. (Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images)

Police clash with Trump supporters who breached security and entered the Capitol building. (Mostafa Bassim/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Members evacuate the House chamber as rioters disrupt a joint session of Congress. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

Jacob Chansley, center, and others confront Capitol Police outside the Senate chamber. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Capitol Police officers aim their guns as the mob tries to break into the House chamber. Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, in blue shirt, talks to one of the rioters. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo., comforts Rep. Susan Wild, D-Pa., while taking cover as protesters disrupt the joint session of Congress. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

Lawmakers evacuate the floor as rioters try to break into the House chamber. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

People shelter in the House gallery as rioters try to break into the House chamber. (Andrew Harnik/AP)

Reps. Lucille Roybal-Allard, D-Calif., and Ann Kuster, D-N.H., center, take cover in the House chamber. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

Kevin Seefried carries a Confederate flag on the second floor of the Capitol. (Mike Theiler/Reuters)

Eric Gavelek Munchel and his mother, Lisa Marie Eisenhart, in the Senate chamber. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Christine Priola shows her phone to a fellow protester in the Senate chamber. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

A Trump supporter poses with a statue of President Gerald Ford in the Capitol Rotunda. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)

Chansley yells inside the Senate chamber. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Adam Johnson carries the lectern of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi through the Capitol. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Richard Barnett inside the office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)

Capitol Police hold rioters at gunpoint near the House chamber. (Andrew Harnik/AP)

An explosion caused by a police munition is seen while Trump supporters gather in front of the Capitol. (Leah Millis/Reuters)

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Jan. 6 anniversary: U.S. to mark 1 year since deadly Capitol riot with solemn remembrances - Yahoo News

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