Steve Nedved
Author's posts
Dec 05
Gene-editing Chinese scientist reportedly missing
VCG/VCG via Getty Images(BEIJING) — Chinese scientist He Jiankui has not been seen in public since a high-profile presentation last week at an international conference in Hong Kong in which he claimed to have produced the world’s first gene-edited babies, igniting speculation that he’s been detained. The Hong Kong newspaper Apple Daily reported He allegedly …
Dec 05
Trump administration recommends postal rate increases
Jorge Villalba/iStock(WASHINGTON) — A new Trump administration report on the financial challenges facing the U.S. Postal Service could lead to cost increases for online retail giants like Amazon. Released during the holiday shopping season, the Treasury Department suggested that the Postal Service needs more flexibility in setting rates and that, “packages have not been priced …
Dec 05
US reopens permanent diplomatic facility in Somalia after nearly 28 years
pawel.gaul/iStock(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. reopened a permanent diplomatic facility in Somalia on Sunday, nearly 28 years after shuttering its embassy in Mogadishu as the country collapsed into civil war. The State Department heralded the announcement as a historic event that reflects Somalia’s progress in recent years. It comes amid a challenging security environment, as the …
Dec 05
Meghan Markle to experience first Christmas as member of royal family
Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images(LONDON) — Britain’s royal family has Christmas traditions that date back centuries, but this year the family will have something new to celebrate: Meghan Markle’s first official Christmas as a member of the royal family. Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, was in 2017 the first fiancé to be invited by Queen Elizabeth to …
Dec 05
Parade of Lights
The weather outside was far from frightful and Mitchell’s annual Parade of Lights was delightful. “Everything went really well,” said Mitchell Main Street and Beyond executive director Jared Indahl. “The weather was really perfect, we had everybody show up.” Indahl says Christmas at the Corn Palace was also a hit. “We saw tons of kids …
Dec 04
20-year-old designated driver killed in head-on collision by allegedly impaired driver, police say
iStock/kali9(NEW YORK) — A 20-year-old New Jersey college student acting as a designated driver over the weekend was killed in a head-on collision by an allegedly impaired driver, according to police. Michael Sot of Clark, New Jersey, was pronounced dead Tuesday afternoon, Casey DeBlasio, public information officer for the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, confirmed to …
Dec 04
Afghan troop losses ‘not sustainable,’ says nominee to command US troops in Middle East
Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call(NEW YORK) — The nominee to command all U.S. troops in the Middle East told senators that the war in Afghanistan is at a stalemate and that the Afghan government cannot sustain the high number of losses to its troops. Marine Lt. Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, who made the remarks during testimony before …
Dec 04
Soybeans, corn up, still waiting for trade deal details
Soybeans were modestly higher on commercial and technical buying, recovering after some overnight losses. The trade continues to expect at least some increase in demand for U.S. agricultural goods, including soybeans, from China in the near future. It’s early, talks are ongoing, and there are several hurdles to clear before the true resumption of business …
Dec 04
Lobbyist: No farm bill surprises expected
A congressional lobbyist thinks farmers will be happy with the new farm bill. Like everyone else, Andrew Walmsley, director of congressional affairs for American Farm Bureau, is waiting to see final details of the bill. But Walmsley doesn’t expect many surprises. “Hopefully enough tweaking and refinements around the edges that we’ve improved a lot of …
Dec 04
Hog futures pressured by demand uncertainty
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, cattle futures rallied on hopes that trade talks will eventually lead to an increase in buying activity. Strong demand for higher quality beef was also supportive. December live cattle closed $.90 higher at $117.77 and February live cattle closed $1.47 higher at $121.65. January feeder cattle closed $.10 lower at …
