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Spicy food challenges have a long history. Have they become too extreme?

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:55 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — A tortilla chip maker’s decision to pull its extremely spicy product sold as a “One Chip Challenge” from store shelves following the death of a Massachusetts teen has renewed attention on the popularity — and risks — of similar dares marketed by brands and spread widely online.Spicy food challenges have been around for years. From local chile pepper eating contests to restaurant walls of fame for those who finished extra hot dishes, people around the world have been daring each other to eat especially fiery foods, with some experts pointing to the internal rush of competition and risk-taking.But extremely spicy products created and marketed solely for the challenges — and possible internet fame — is a more recent phenomenon, and teens are particularly exposed to them because of social media, associate professor of psychology at Florida International University Elisa Trucco says.There’s a “glamorization of these challenges on social media,” Trucco said. “Y...

Grand Canyon hiker dies after trying to walk from rim to rim in a single day

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:55 GMT

GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Ariz. (AP) — A 55-year-old Virginia man died in the Grand Canyon while trying to hike from the South Rim to the North Rim in a single day, a distance of 21 miles (33.8 kilometers), authorities said Monday.Grand Canyon National Park officials identified the hiker who died Saturday as Ranjith Varma of Manassas. The location where he passed away is toward the end of the South Rim to North Rim trek, which can take 12 to 15 hours to complete.At around 2 p.m. Saturday, the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center reported receiving an emergency call of a hiker in distress on the North Kaibab Trail, about one mile south of Cottonwood Campground. Varma became unresponsive, and bystanders and rangers both unsuccessfully tried to resuscitate him, park officials said.It wasn’t immediately clear if his death was heat related. An investigation was being conducted by the Park Service and the Coconino County Medical Examiner.The high temperature on Saturday was 87 de...

Israel accuses Iran of building airport in southern Lebanon to launch attacks against Israelis

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:55 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel accused Iran on Monday of building an airport in southern Lebanon to be used as a launchpad for attacks against Israelis across the border, signaling a possible escalation in tensions between the regional foes.Speaking at a high-profile security conference hosted by Reichman University near Tel Aviv, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant claimed Iran has been building a runway that slices through forested mountains just 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Israel’s northern border. Gallant displayed satellite photographs that he said showed the site, where the Iranian national flag and the flag of Lebanon’s militant Hezbollah group could be seen. Gallant alleged that Iran “is planning to act against the citizens of Israel,” using the runway as a base. Iran’s mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A spokesperson for Hezbollah declined to comment on Israeli accusations. The defense minister did not specify w...

Houston Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr. charged with assaulting girlfriend at Manhattan hotel

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:55 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Houston Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr. was arrested Monday and charged with assault and strangulation after allegedly attacking his girlfriend at a New York City hotel.Porter, 23, is accused of hitting the woman several times and putting his hands around her neck, police said. The woman, 26, was taken to a hospital with a cut to the right side of her face. The incident happened around 6:45 a.m. at the Millennium Hilton near the United Nations in Manhattan, police said.Porter remained in police custody as of Monday afternoon. It wasn’t immediately known if he had a lawyer who could speak on his behalf. A message seeking comment was left for his agent.In a statement, the Rockets said: “We are in the process of gathering information surrounding the matter involving Kevin Porter Jr. We have no further comment at this time.”Porter, a 2019 first-round draft pick, has played four seasons in the NBA. Last year, as he averaged 19.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists per gam...

The international Red Cross cuts budget, staffing levels as humanitarian aid dries up

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:55 GMT

GENEVA (AP) — The part of the international Red Cross that deals with conflict and prisoners of war announced Monday it will trim its projected budget by about one-eighth next year and cut nearly 20% of staff at its headquarters.The International Committee of the Red Cross, which among other things has focused on detainees on both sides of Russia’s war in Ukraine, says it will reduce its initial 2024 budget forecast to 2.1 billion Swiss francs (about $2.4 billion). That’s down about 13% compared to its already revised budget for this year.The ICRC is a sister outfit of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, which unites national chapters and focuses on disaster relief, health emergencies and other humanitarian aid activities focusing on vulnerable people.Funding for humanitarian aid has dried up considerably.Director-General Robert Mardini said ICRC would need to prioritize its activities and said the United States — its biggest donor — was...

‘Dumb Money’ goes all in on the GameStop stock frenzy – and may come out a winner

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:55 GMT

TORONTO (AP) — Think of movies about the financial system and your mind is almost sure to go to Gordon Gekko and “Wall Street” or Leonardo DiCaprio’s gyrating Jordan Belfort in “The Wolf of Wall Street.”When Hollywood takes on Wall Street, it usually heads straight to the C-suite.The protagonist of “Dumb Money,” though, is an amateur investor who trades out of his basement in Brockton, Massachusetts, with a bandana tied around his head and a Belgian beer in his hand.This is Keith Gill (played in the film by Paul Dano), also known as Roaring Kitty. In 2021, Gill’s enthusiastic endorsement of GameStop stocked helped fuel a viral trading frenzy that rocked Wall Street and humbled the hedge funds that has shorted the brick-and-mortar video game company.Now, Sony Pictures is betting that a David vs. Goliath story that played out on Reddit message boards can be a big-screen attraction, too. Like any investment, it carries some degree of risk.“Dumb Money,” made for about $30 million, is ch...

Police veteran hailed for reform efforts in Washington, California nominated to be New Orleans chief

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:55 GMT

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said Monday that she has chosen Anne Kirkpatrick, a former chief of police in Spokane, Washington, and Oakland, California, to head the New Orleans Police Department, a nomination subject to the approval of the City Council.Kirkpatrick, if approved, would be the permanent replacement for Shaun Ferguson, who retired from the job last year. The post has been held on an interim basis by Michelle Woodfork, a longtime veteran of the New Orleans department, who had also applied for the job. “With over 35 years of experience in law enforcement, coupled with 20 years of leading police departments of even larger municipalities, Kirkpatrick has proven that she is more than capable and has what it takes to now lead the world-class NOPD,” Cantrell said in a news release. Kirkpatrick’s job history includes six years as chief of police in Spokane. She was tapped to help with police reform efforts in Chicago under then-Mayor Rahm Emm...

Sudan’s military chief visits Eritrea to discuss Sudan conflict with the president

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:55 GMT

CAIRO (AP) — Sudan’s military chief traveled to Eritrea on Monday for a meeting with President Isaias Afwerki, the general’s latest international trip since fighting broke out between his army and a rival paramilitary force in mid-April, state media said.Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan has been looking for international support since tensions with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, commanded by Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, burst into open fighting that has reduced Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, and its neighboring cities of Omdurman and Bahri, to urban battlefields. Sudan’s state-run SUNA news agency said the talks between Burhan and Isaias would focus on bilateral relations and the conflict in Sudan. No further details were given.For years, relations between Eritrea and Sudan have been fraught. Sudan is host to some 126,000 Eritrean refugees, many of whom have fled political persecution in one of the world’s most repressive countries, according to the U.N. refugee agency....

A Hall of Fame weekend for 2 Cubs legends at Wrigley Field

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:55 GMT

CHICAGO — Two players who created a host of memories as Cubs got the chance to return to Wrigley Field for a major honor this weekend.In the process, Shawon Dunston and Mark Grace joined some elite company in franchise history.(Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)Both players were inducted into the Cubs Hall of Fame as members of the Class of 2023, taking part in a few events around Wrigley Field as the current team hosted the Diamondbacks. They are the latest inductees into the Hall of Fame after it was created in 2021 with 56 inductees. The initial group included members of the franchise who were inducted into the original Cubs Hall of Fame from 1982-1986, members of the team's Walk of Fame, along with Baseball Hall of Fame members. This is the second class of inductees for this new Cubs Hall of Fame, with Pat Hughes, Jose Cardenal, and Buck O'Neil being a part of the Class of 2022.(Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)As part of the weekend, Dunston and Grace each had a day to m...

McDonald’s to phase out self-serve drink fountains

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:55 GMT

(KTLA) — Soon, you won't be able to make your own drink concoction at McDonald's — the fast food giant says self-serve fountain drink stations at restaurants nationwide will soon be a thing of the past.McDonald's is phasing out soda machines in dining rooms across the U.S., the company told Nexstar's KTLA in a statement. The news, first reported by The State Journal-Register, comes as fewer customers visit the dining room, opting instead for take-out or digital orders.“McDonald’s will be transitioning away from self-serve beverage stations in dining rooms across the U.S. by 2032. This change is intended to create a consistent experience for both customers and crew across all ordering points, whether that’s McDelivery, the app, kiosk, drive-thru or in-restaurant,” McDonald’s said in a statement to KTLA. Wendy’s to debut first ever pumpkin spice flavored Frosty, new cold brew At some McDonald’s locations, self-serve soda fountains have already been removed, while others are planning...