New year honours

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) – Nine-time NBA All-Star and Los Angeles native Russell Westbrook announced Wednesday he is founding a new charter school in his hometown. The 32-year-old said he is launching the Russell Westbrook Why Not? Academy in South L.A., a middle and high school, grades 6-12. “I plan on making sure that you guys, future kids, come in, have access to all the resources you need to be successful,” Westbrook said in a video posted to his Twitter account. I am excited to announce my @WhyNotFdn is partnering with @LAPromiseFund to launch the Russell Westbrook Why Not? Academy. Creating & supporting educational opportunities for underserved youth has always been my passion & now it is coming to life…this is just the beginning pic.twitter.com/w5ERsDqbSW — Russell Westbrook (@russwest44) February 24, 2021 The academy is being co-launched by Westbrook’s Why Not? Foundation and the education nonprofit group LA Promise Fund. Russell Westbrook of … [Read more...] about NBA Star Russell Westbrook To Open New Charter School In South LA

Blue Origin, a space venture backed by Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos Jeffrey (Jeff) Preston Bezos Hillicon Valley: Krebs is back on Capitol Hill | Cybersecurity as 'preeminent threat' | News on data privacy and voter security The president wants Amazon workers to join a union Washington state's proposed wealth tax would cost Bezos billion a year: report MORE , said Thursday the launch of its New Glenn rocket has been delayed until the fourth quarter of next year. “As major progress is being made on the New Glenn launch vehicle and its Cape Canaveral facilities, the schedule has been refined to match the demand of Blue Origin’s commercial customers,” the company said in a statement . “The current target for New Glenn’s maiden flight is Q4 2022. The Blue Origin team has been in contact with all of our customers to ensure this baseline meets their launch needs.” New Glenn was originally scheduled to launch later this year. ADVERTISEMENT “This … [Read more...] about Bezos-backed rocket launch delayed til next year

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas Alejandro Mayorkas Senate confirms Vilsack as Agriculture secretary Biden to detail 'roadmap' for partnership with Canada in meeting with Trudeau Hillicon Valley: Google lifting ban on political ads | DHS taking steps on cybersecurity | Controversy over TV 'misinformation rumor mills' MORE on Thursday announced new funding and initiatives to prioritize the nation’s cybersecurity, particularly in order to confront what he described as an “epidemic” of ransomware attacks. Mayorkas announced during a virtual speech that current cybersecurity grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency would be increased by $25 million across the nation and that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was evaluating further cyber grants to help the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) assist state and local governments. The grants were a reflection of the DHS's effort to prioritize cybersecurity … [Read more...] about DHS Secretary Mayorkas announces new initiative to fight ‘epidemic’ of cyberattacks

WASHINGTON - The Biden administration’s reversal of policy that foreign aid to Ethiopia will not be linked to its Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) hydropower project signals a decided change in U.S. relations with Ethiopia, analysts say. Former President Donald Trump cut $100 million in aid to Ethiopia in September 2020 saying it would be withheld until the country agreed to a deal following a mediation effort led by U.S. Treasury Department and the World Bank. “We are committed to providing life-saving assistance to those in need, and humanitarian assistance does remain exempt from the pause,” Price said. Price added that the U.S. will try to play a constructive role in ongoing discussions between Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt over Nile River water usage issues. Ethiopian Ambassador to the U.S. Fitsum Arega celebrated the move, saying the GERD has the potential to provide electricity to 60 million people and lift them out of poverty. GERD is fully financed by Ethiopians … [Read more...] about US Restoration of Foreign Aid to Ethiopia Signals New Course

Twenty Black-owned restaurants around Colorado will soon receive grants to incentivize repeat customers during the pandemic with the help of hundreds of $25 gift cards. The Colorado Restaurant Association on Wednesday announced the one-time grant program, which is accepting applications through March 5 . Restaurants with at least one Black owner will be considered, but only 20 businesses will receive the $1,000 grant. They’ll need to use the money to hand out $25 gift cards to 40 customers at each establishment. “It’s a win-win,” said Colorado Restaurant Foundation president Laura Shunk. “Support your favorite Black-owned restaurant or try someplace new, and you’ll get a gift card for a return visit.” Similar programs have launched across Colorado during the pandemic; in Aspen last summer, residents who qualified for a Food Tax Refund also received $25 gift cards to spend at restaurants and retail shops around the city. But the new Ozo Good Relief Worker Fund directs … [Read more...] about Customers at Black-owned restaurants could soon receive $25 gift cards to entice them back, thanks to a new Colorado grant program