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Mudbound At Burning Man: Thousands Stranded As Rain Hits Festival, Authorities Investigate Fatality

Burning Man

(CTN NEWS) – As a result of heavy rainfall saturating their campsites with ankle-deep mud, thousands of individuals find themselves stranded at the Burning Man festival in the Nevada desert.

Concurrently, authorities have initiated an inquiry into an incident resulting in a fatality at the event.

Festival attendees received instructions to remain in their positions within the Black Rock Desert and exercise caution in their consumption of food, water, and fuel due to a rainstorm inundating the area.

The adverse weather conditions prompted festival officials to cease all entries and departures from the event.

In the remote region of northwest Nevada, an astonishing 2 to 3 months’ worth of rain, equivalent to approximately 0.8 inches, fell within a mere 24-hour span spanning Friday to Saturday mornings.

This torrential downpour transformed the arid desert terrain into a viscous, clay-like mud that festival-goers find exceedingly challenging to traverse on foot or by bicycle.

According to a statement from the Bureau of Land Management as reported by the Reno Gazette Journal, “Additional rainfall is anticipated in the coming days, and conditions are not expected to improve sufficiently to permit vehicle access to the playa.”

The Pershing County Sheriff’s Office has initiated an investigation into a death that occurred during this rain event, although they have refrained from disclosing the individual’s identity or providing specific details surrounding the circumstances of the fatality.

In a late Saturday news release, the sheriff’s office stated, “The family has been informed, and the death is currently under investigation.”

While authorities have not furnished information regarding the potential reopening of roads, it is anticipated that sunshine will return on Monday after further showers on Sunday.

Burning Man Organizers Address Road Conditions and Safety Amid Ongoing Rain

In a statement released on Saturday evening, Burning Man organizers conveyed that they presently lack a precise estimate for when the roads will become dry enough to ensure safe navigation for RVs and vehicles.

They did, however, offer a hopeful perspective, suggesting that Monday, particularly in the late hours of the day, might become feasible if weather conditions align favorably. They even hinted that it could potentially occur sooner.

It’s worth noting, though, that the ongoing rain, compounded by the already saturated playa, is expected to extend the duration required for the playa to regain its dryness.

At the moment, the gate and airport leading into Black Rock City remain closed, with strict restrictions in place prohibiting any vehicular movement in or out of the city, except for emergency vehicles.

Black Rock City, a temporary urban hub erected annually for the festival, is fully equipped with essential emergency, safety, and sanitation infrastructure.

The relentless rain has rendered it nearly impossible for motorized vehicles to traverse the playa, as reported by the Pershing County Sheriff’s Office. Consequently, individuals have been strongly advised to take shelter in place until the ground has sufficiently dried to enable safe driving.

Attempting to drive out of the area at this time poses a significant risk of getting stuck in the mud, a situation that Burning Man organizers explicitly warned against on Saturday.

They emphasized the potential impact on the Exodus process, emphasizing the importance of avoiding vehicles becoming stranded on roads within the camping areas or on the Gate Road leading out of the city.

In closing, organizers issued a plea to those currently within Black Rock City, urging them to remain in their places of shelter and prioritize their safety during this challenging period.

Festival-Goers Navigate Challenging Conditions: Stranded at Burning Man Festival Due to Mud

Amid the challenging conditions caused by the thick mud, some festival-goers embarked on lengthy hikes by foot to reach the main roads, while others chose to remain at their camps in the hopes that the situation would improve.

Hannah Burhorn, a first-time festival attendee, shared her observations with CNN, describing people trudging through the mud either barefoot or with makeshift coverings tied around their feet.

She noted that those who attempted to navigate the mud on bicycles often found themselves stuck, as the mud reached ankle-deep levels. The consistency of the mud was such that it clung to one’s shoes, forming a nearly boot-like encasement, she explained.

Although the precise number of individuals stranded at the festival remains uncertain, it is worth noting that typically, more than 70,000 people attend this weeklong event, which was scheduled to run from August 28 to September 4 this year.

As of Saturday afternoon, there were no reports of injuries, according to Sean Burke, the director of emergency management for Pershing County, as reported by CNN.

Amar Singh Duggal and his friends successfully departed from the festival after embarking on a roughly 2-mile hike through the muddy terrain, as he recounted to CNN.

Their journey to a main road took approximately 2 hours, where they arranged for transportation to Reno, a city approximately 120 miles away from the festival grounds.

Challenges and Creativity Amidst Adverse Conditions at Burning Man Festival

Amar Singh Duggal expressed the arduousness of their journey, stating, “We made it, but it was pure hell (walking) through the mud.” Each step felt akin to carrying two substantial cinderblocks on their feet.

In the midst of these challenging conditions, festival-goers, who typically devote their time to art creation and community building, are now grappling with the need to ration supplies and contend with connectivity issues.

Connectivity is scarce, and many individuals at the camp are attempting to alter flight plans and arrange for extended stays due to the adverse weather, as relayed by Burhorn through a Wi-Fi camp.

However, despite the inclement weather, creativity persists at the event. Burhorn, who had traveled from San Francisco, mentioned that people are fashioning sculptures from the mud.

Andrew Hyde, another attendee stranded at Burning Man, acknowledged that walking in the muddy conditions is arduous, but he believes it has brought the event back to its foundational ethos.

He explained, “You come out here to be in a harsh climate, and you prepare for that.” Consequently, the community has united, forging friendships with neighbors, and maintaining a communal spirit.

Morale among the attendees appears to be relatively high, with no widespread panic reported. Music has even made a return overnight.

However, concerns loom regarding the potential for further rain-induced delays and uncertainty regarding deteriorating conditions.

Hyde expressed concern, noting, “I think the concern is if we have another rain. People need to go back to their jobs, back to the responsibilities they have back home.”

Burning Man Organizers Take Measures to Assist Attendees Amid Challenging Situation

In response to the challenging situation, organizers have taken measures to assist attendees.

They announced the deployment of mobile cell trailers in various locations, adjustments to the Wi-Fi system to facilitate public access, and the dispatch of buses to nearby Gerlach to transport those who might choose to walk away from the playa to Reno.

Organizers emphasized that this operation is not likely to be concluded within 24 hours.

Furthermore, resources such as four-wheel drive vehicles and all-terrain tires have been allocated to expedite the transportation of medical and other urgent cases to paved roads.

The Pershing County Sheriff’s Office reported that some individuals managed to trek to a main road and were awaiting transportation from festival organizers on Saturday night.

Additionally, resources from across northern Nevada have been mobilized to provide assistance to individuals with medical requirements on the event grounds.

Burning Man organizers underscored the festival’s ethos of community support, asserting, “Burning Man is a community of people who are prepared to support one another.”

They emphasized their readiness for weather events like this, having conducted tabletop drills and prioritizing safety as they navigate the challenges ahead, including the Exodus phase of the event.

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Google’s Search Dominance Is Unwinding, But Still Accounting 48% Search Revenue

Google

Google is so closely associated with its key product that its name is a verb that signifies “search.” However, Google’s dominance in that sector is dwindling.

According to eMarketer, Google will lose control of the US search industry for the first time in decades next year.

Google will remain the dominant search player, accounting for 48% of American search advertising revenue. And, remarkably, Google is still increasing its sales in the field, despite being the dominating player in search since the early days of the George W. Bush administration. However, Amazon is growing at a quicker rate.

google

Google’s Search Dominance Is Unwinding

Amazon will hold over a quarter of US search ad dollars next year, rising to 27% by 2026, while Google will fall even more, according to eMarketer.

The Wall Street Journal was first to report on the forecast.

Lest you think you’ll have to switch to Bing or Yahoo, this isn’t the end of Google or anything really near.

Google is the fourth-most valued public firm in the world. Its market worth is $2.1 trillion, trailing just Apple, Microsoft, and the AI chip darling Nvidia. It also maintains its dominance in other industries, such as display advertisements, where it dominates alongside Facebook’s parent firm Meta, and video ads on YouTube.

To put those “other” firms in context, each is worth more than Delta Air Lines’ total market value. So, yeah, Google is not going anywhere.

Nonetheless, Google faces numerous dangers to its operations, particularly from antitrust regulators.

On Monday, a federal judge in San Francisco ruled that Google must open up its Google Play Store to competitors, dealing a significant blow to the firm in its long-running battle with Fortnite creator Epic Games. Google announced that it would appeal the verdict.

In August, a federal judge ruled that Google has an illegal monopoly on search. That verdict could lead to the dissolution of the company’s search operation. Another antitrust lawsuit filed last month accuses Google of abusing its dominance in the online advertising business.

Meanwhile, European regulators have compelled Google to follow tough new standards, which have resulted in multiple $1 billion-plus fines.

google

Pixa Bay

Google’s Search Dominance Is Unwinding

On top of that, the marketplace is becoming more difficult on its own.

TikTok, the fastest-growing social network, is expanding into the search market. And Amazon has accomplished something few other digital titans have done to date: it has established a habit.

When you want to buy anything, you usually go to Amazon, not Google. Amazon then buys adverts to push companies’ products to the top of your search results, increasing sales and earning Amazon a greater portion of the revenue. According to eMarketer, it is expected to generate $27.8 billion in search revenue in the United States next year, trailing only Google’s $62.9 billion total.

And then there’s AI, the technology that (supposedly) will change everything.

Why search in stilted language for “kendall jenner why bad bunny breakup” or “police moving violation driver rights no stop sign” when you can just ask OpenAI’s ChatGPT, “What’s going on with Kendall Jenner and Bad Bunny?” in “I need help fighting a moving violation involving a stop sign that wasn’t visible.” Google is working on exactly this technology with its Gemini product, but its success is far from guaranteed, especially with Apple collaborating with OpenAI and other businesses rapidly joining the market.

A Google spokeswoman referred to a blog post from last week in which the company unveiled ads in its AI overviews (the AI-generated text that appears at the top of search results). It’s Google’s way of expressing its ability to profit on a changing marketplace while retaining its business, even as its consumers steadily transition to ask-and-answer AI and away from search.

google

Google has long used a single catchphrase to defend itself against opponents who claim it is a monopoly abusing its power: competition is only a click away. Until recently, that seemed comically obtuse. Really? We are going to switch to Bing? Or Duck Duck Go? Give me a break.

But today, it feels more like reality.

Google is in no danger of disappearing. However, every highly dominating company faces some type of reckoning over time. GE, a Dow mainstay for more than a century, was broken up last year and is now a shell of its previous dominance. Sears declared bankruptcy in 2022 and is virtually out of business. US Steel, long the foundation of American manufacturing, is attempting to sell itself to a Japanese corporation.

Could we remember Google in the same way that we remember Yahoo or Ask Jeeves in decades? These next few years could be significant.

SOURCE | CNN

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2024 | Supreme Court Won’t Hear Appeal From Elon Musk’s X Platform Over Warrant In Trump Case

trump

Washington — Trump Media,  The Supreme Court announced Monday that it will not hear an appeal from social media platform X about a search warrant acquired by prosecutors in the election meddling case against former President Donald Trump.

The justices did not explain their rationale, and there were no recorded dissents.

The firm, which was known as Twitter before being purchased by billionaire Elon Musk, claims a nondisclosure order that prevented it from informing Trump about the warrant obtained by special counsel Jack Smith’s team violated its First Amendment rights.

The business also claims Trump should have had an opportunity to exercise executive privilege. If not reined in, the government may employ similar tactics to intercept additional privileged communications, their lawyers contended.

trump

Supreme Court Won’t Hear Appeal From Elon Musk’s X Platform Over Warrant In Trump Case

Two neutral electronic privacy groups also joined in, urging the high court to hear the case on First Amendment grounds.

Prosecutors, however, claim that the corporation never shown that Trump utilized the account for official purposes, therefore executive privilege is not a problem. A lower court also determined that informing Trump could have compromised the current probe.

trump

Trump utilized his Twitter account in the weeks preceding up to his supporters’ attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021, to spread false assertions about the election, which prosecutors claim were intended to create doubt in the democratic process.

The indictment describes how Trump used his Twitter account to encourage his followers to travel to Washington on Jan. 6, pressuring Vice President Mike Pence to reject the certification, and falsely claiming that the Capitol crowd, which battered police officers and destroyed glass, was peaceful.

musk trump

Supreme Court Won’t Hear Appeal From Elon Musk’s X Platform Over Warrant In Trump Case

That case is now moving forward following the Supreme Court’s verdict in July, which granted Trump full immunity from criminal prosecution as a former president.

The warrant arrived at Twitter amid quick changes implemented by Musk, who bought the company in 2022 and has since cut off most of its workforce, including those dedicated to combating disinformation and hate speech.

He also welcomed back a vast list of previously banned users, including Trump, and endorsed him for the 2024 presidential election.

SOURCE | AP

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The Supreme Court Turns Down Biden’s Government Appeal in a Texas Emergency Abortion Matter.

Supreme Court

(VOR News) – A ruling that prohibits emergency abortions that contravene the Supreme Court law in the state of Texas, which has one of the most stringent abortion restrictions in the country, has been upheld by the Supreme Court of the United States. The United States Supreme Court upheld this decision.

The justices did not provide any specifics regarding the underlying reasons for their decision to uphold an order from a lower court that declared hospitals cannot be legally obligated to administer abortions if doing so would violate the law in the state of Texas.

Institutions are not required to perform abortions, as stipulated in the decree. The common populace did not investigate any opposing viewpoints. The decision was made just weeks before a presidential election that brought abortion to the forefront of the political agenda.

This decision follows the 2022 Supreme Court ruling that ended abortion nationwide.

In response to a request from the administration of Vice President Joe Biden to overturn the lower court’s decision, the justices expressed their disapproval.

The government contends that hospitals are obligated to perform abortions in compliance with federal legislation when the health or life of an expectant patient is in an exceedingly precarious condition.

This is the case in regions where the procedure is prohibited. The difficulty hospitals in Texas and other states are experiencing in determining whether or not routine care could be in violation of stringent state laws that prohibit abortion has resulted in an increase in the number of complaints concerning pregnant women who are experiencing medical distress being turned away from emergency rooms.

The administration cited the Supreme Court’s ruling in a case that bore a striking resemblance to the one that was presented to it in Idaho at the beginning of the year. The justices took a limited decision in that case to allow the continuation of emergency abortions without interruption while a lawsuit was still being heard.

In contrast, Texas has been a vocal proponent of the injunction’s continued enforcement. Texas has argued that its circumstances are distinct from those of Idaho, as the state does have an exemption for situations that pose a significant hazard to the health of an expectant patient.

According to the state, the discrepancy is the result of this exemption. The state of Idaho had a provision that safeguarded a woman’s life when the issue was first broached; however, it did not include protection for her health.

Certified medical practitioners are not obligated to wait until a woman’s life is in imminent peril before they are legally permitted to perform an abortion, as determined by the state supreme court.

The state of Texas highlighted this to the Supreme Court.

Nevertheless, medical professionals have criticized the Texas statute as being perilously ambiguous, and a medical board has declined to provide a list of all the disorders that are eligible for an exception. Furthermore, the statute has been criticized for its hazardous ambiguity.

For an extended period, termination of pregnancies has been a standard procedure in medical treatment for individuals who have been experiencing significant issues. It is implemented in this manner to prevent catastrophic outcomes, such as sepsis, organ failure, and other severe scenarios.

Nevertheless, medical professionals and hospitals in Texas and other states with strict abortion laws have noted that it is uncertain whether or not these terminations could be in violation of abortion prohibitions that include the possibility of a prison sentence. This is the case in regions where abortion prohibitions are exceedingly restrictive.

Following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, which resulted in restrictions on the rights of women to have abortions in several Republican-ruled states, the Texas case was revisited in 2022.

As per the orders that were disclosed by the administration of Vice President Joe Biden, hospitals are still required to provide abortions in cases that are classified as dire emergency.

As stipulated in a piece of health care legislation, the majority of hospitals are obligated to provide medical assistance to patients who are experiencing medical distress. This is in accordance with the law.

The state of Texas maintained that hospitals should not be obligated to provide abortions throughout the litigation, as doing so would violate the state’s constitutional prohibition on abortions. In its January judgment, the 5th United States Circuit Court of Appeals concurred with the state and acknowledged that the administration had exceeded its authority.

SOURCE: AP

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