The Census is changing its categories on race and ethnicity. Here's what that means for Latinos

==========

The U.S. Census Bureau is changing its categories on race and ethnicity for the first time in 27 years. The new format will have a single question asking, 'What is your race and/or your ethnicity?' The options will now include 'Hispanic or Latino' and 'Middle Eastern or North African.' Previously, people who identified as Middle Eastern or North African were expected to mark the 'White' option. The changes aim to provide more detailed data about Latinos in terms of their origin. However, some concerns have been raised about the impact on counting the Afro Latino community. The updates will not appear on the Census until the next survey in 2030.

#Census #Race #Ethnicity #Latinos

https://www.yahoo.com/news/census-changing-categories-race-ethnicity-212314342.html

Key takeaways about the condition of US bridges and their role in the economy

==========

The collapse of a Baltimore bridge highlighted the importance of bridges in the US. Thousands of bridges in the US are in poor condition, with four-fifths having problems with their substructures or superstructures. Iowa has the greatest number of poor bridges, followed by Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Missouri. Bridge collapses due to ship or barge collisions are rare but have occurred in the past. Bad bridges can eventually collapse due to lack of maintenance and repair. When bridges close or collapse, there are financial consequences. Federal funding of $40 billion has been directed to bridge repairs, but it is still a fraction of the estimated $319 billion needed nationwide.

#UsBridges #Infrastructure #Economy #BridgeCollapses #BridgeRepairs

https://www.yahoo.com/news/key-takeaways-condition-us-bridges-041036323.html

As cranes arrive at Baltimore bridge collapse site, governor describes daunting task of cleaning up

==========

A crane that can lift 1,000 tons, described as one of the largest on the Eastern Seaboard, appeared near the site of a bridge collapse in Baltimore as crews prepared Friday to begin clearing wreckage that has stymied the search for four workers missing and presumed dead and blocked ships from entering or leaving the city's vital port. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore called the Francis Scott Key Bridge's collapse following a freighter collision an “economic catastrophe" and described the challenges ahead for recovering the workers' bodies and clearing tons of debris to reopen the Port of Baltimore. Equipment on hand will include seven floating cranes, nine barges, eight salvage vessels and five Coast Guard boats, Moore said. Water conditions have prevented divers from entering the river, Moore said. The Coast Guard is focused on removing what's left of the bridge and the ship that struck it in order to clear the port's shipping lanes, Rear Adm. Shannon Gilreath said. Maryland's Department of Transportation is already focused on building a new bridge and is “considering innovative design, engineering and building methods so that we can quickly deliver this project," Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld said. President Joe Biden's administration has approved $60 million in immediate aid, and Biden has said the federal government will pay the full cost of rebuilding the bridge. The crash caused the bridge to break and fall into the water within seconds. The loss of a road that carried 30,000 vehicles a day and the port disruption will affect not only thousands of dockworkers and commuters, but also U.S. consumers, who are likely to feel the impact of shipping delays.

#BridgeCollapse #RecoveryEfforts #PortDisruption #Baltimore #Maryland

https://www.yahoo.com/news/cranes-arriving-start-removing-wreckage-040819466.html

Before NASA’s Dragonfly Rotorcraft Soars On Titan, Model Is Tested On Earth

==========

NASA's Dragonfly rotorcraft lander is being tested on Earth before its flight on Saturn's moon Titan. A half-scale Dragonfly lander model is being tested at NASA Langley. The Dragonfly rotorcraft is designed to explore Titan's surface and atmosphere. It will be launched in 2026 and is expected to arrive at Titan in 2034. The Dragonfly mission aims to study Titan's organic chemistry and potential for habitability. The rotorcraft will fly to multiple locations on Titan's surface to gather data. The tests on Earth will help engineers refine the design and ensure the rotorcraft's ability to fly in Titan's environment.

#Nasa #Dragonfly #Rotorcraft #Titan #SpaceExploration

https://www.yahoo.com/news/nasa-dragonfly-rotorcraft-soars-titan-000000736.html

Powell says Fed wants to see 'more good inflation readings' before it can cut rates

==========

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell reiterated that the Fed expects to cut interest rates this year, but it won't be ready to do so until it sees 'more good inflation readings' and is more confident that annual price increases are falling toward its 2% target. The Fed responded to previous inflation by raising its benchmark rate 11 times to a 23-year high of around 5.4%. The resulting higher borrowing costs helped bring inflation down, but year-over-year price increases still remain above the Fed's 2% target. Powell stated that the economy's strength means the Fed isn't under pressure to cut rates and can wait to see how the inflation numbers come in.

#FederalReserve #InterestRates #Inflation

https://www.yahoo.com/news/powell-says-fed-wants-see-170646958.html

Queen Creek police discuss use of AI to analyze body camera footage

==========

The Queen Creek Police Department started using artificial intelligence to analyze body camera footage about six months ago, making them the first department in Arizona to do so.

#Ai #BodyCameraFootage #QueenCreekPoliceDepartment #Arizona

https://www.yahoo.com/news/queen-creek-police-discuss-ai-012034754.html

Yellen says China's rapid buildout of its green energy industry 'distorts global prices'

==========

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen criticizes China's increased production in solar energy, electric vehicles, and lithium-ion batteries, calling it unfair competition that distorts global prices and hurts American firms and workers. Yellen plans to address this issue during her second trip to China as Treasury secretary. China dominates the global electric car sales market with around 60% of sales in 2023. Yellen's remarks were delivered at a solar cell manufacturing facility in Georgia that closed in 2017 due to cheap imports from China. China has filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization against the US over discriminatory requirements for electric vehicle subsidies. The European Union has also launched an investigation into Chinese subsidies for electric vehicles. Yellen's concerns about China's green energy industry are shared by government counterparts and the business community globally. Yellen's remarks contrast with Chinese leader Xi Jinping's call for closer trade ties with the US.

#JanetYellen #China #GreenEnergy #SolarEnergy #ElectricVehicles #LithiumionBatteries #GlobalPrices #AmericanFirms #Workers #WorldTradeOrganization #UsSubsidies #EuropeanUnion #XiJinping #TradeTies

https://www.yahoo.com/news/yellen-says-chinas-rapid-buildout-142137045.html

US Rep Moolenaar, Michigan Republican, to head of US select committee on China

==========

U.S. Representative John Moolenaar, a Michigan Republican, has been appointed as the next chair of the House select committee on China, replacing Representative Mike Gallagher. The bipartisan committee focuses on strategic competition with China's Communist Party (CCP) and makes recommendations to address economic and national security threats posed by China. Moolenaar's appointment is seen as a positive signal for continued bipartisan cooperation on China issues. He is closely aligned with Gallagher's vision of the committee, with a particular focus on economic competition with China and support for U.S. manufacturing. Moolenaar has joined other lawmakers in urging the U.S. government to increase tariffs on Chinese vehicles.

#UsRepMoolenaar #MichiganRepublican #HouseSelectCommitteeOnChina #China #BipartisanCooperation #EconomicCompetition #NationalSecurity #Tariffs

https://www.yahoo.com/news/us-rep-moolenaar-michigan-republican-170339127.html

Federal Reserve expected to cut rates, lift Biden's prospects

==========

The U.S. Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates, potentially boosting President Biden's prospects in the upcoming election. Rate cuts could help shape attitudes about high inflation and housing costs, which have been a drag on Biden's reelection efforts. The cuts may invite criticism from Republican challenger Trump, who has accused the Fed of tipping the political scales toward Biden. Americans rank the economy as a top election-year issue, and rate cuts could build confidence in the economy and influence voter perceptions. The Fed is projected to cut rates at two of the four meetings before the election, potentially leading to lower mortgage rates and cheaper financing terms. However, some experts are skeptical that the rate cuts will have a significant political impact. Biden has received poor ratings for his handling of the economy, and rising costs have negatively affected Americans' attitudes. The Fed's rate hikes in 2022 and 2023 brought inflation under control without causing a recession, and rate cuts would be seen as a triumph for the central bank. Biden has mentioned the Fed's decisions in his campaign speeches, but the White House clarified that he was offering his view of the economy, not making recommendations to the independent Fed. Republicans have used the Fed's rate hikes to criticize Biden's management of the economy, while Trump has blamed Biden for inflation and accused the Fed of political bias. The Fed's actions will likely face criticism from both sides, regardless of the outcome.

#FederalReserve #InterestRates #Biden #Election #Inflation #HousingCosts

https://www.yahoo.com/news/federal-expected-cut-rates-lift-101221165.html