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Can Pharmacies Improve Global Health Delivery By Taking Tests Closer to People? | Getty I live in Canada. I have access to Medicare. I have few complaints, but do wish getting tests done was easier. Every few months, I need to check my blood glucose and lipid levels. While I don't need to make any co-payments, it is a fair bit of effort to go to a health facility, wait in line, and get my blood drawn. And getting my lab results can take days, since they are accessible only to physicians. I would find that very empowering. Last winter, I got my flu shot at my neighborhood pharmacy. Diagnostic access: a last mile challenge in global health delivery Access to testing is a bigger problem in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). While many countries have made progress towards expanding access to essential medicines and vaccines, diagnosis remains a huge challenge. This is demonstrated in the analyses of cascades of care (also called continuum of care) for a variety of diseases, including HIV, tuberculosis, diabetes, and hypertension. In all these conditions, diagnosis is the biggest gap in healthcare delivery. When diseases go undiagnosed, there is little hope of curing or controlling them. "Diagnostics are beyond the reach of a vast number of the world's people. For too long, the crucial role of diagnostics as a foundation of effective and high-quality health care has been neglected." The Lancet Commission on Diagnostics Weak diagnostic capacity is one major reason why outbreaks and pandemics are often detected late. Insufficient access to tests is also a powerful driver of empirical antibiotic use that is widespread. And antibiotic abuse is directly correlated with the emergence of superbugs. Many LMICs invest very little in diagnostics and laboratories. To address this problem, the World Health Organization (WHO) has developed an Essential Diagnostics List, to help countries prioritize and deliver essential tests at various levels of the health system. Efforts are also underway to develop simple, easy-to-use, point-of-care tests that can be used outside of hospitals and laboratories. Even if such tests are made available via public health facilities, there is still an access issue. Health facilities are not close to people, open only for select hours, and might not have attached laboratories. Even when they do, laboratories in LMICs often lack essential tests and/or trained staff. These challenges must be addressed and laboratory networks must be made stronger. In many LMICs, pharmacies and retail drug stores are the first point of contact with the healthcare system. First, there are many more pharmacies in LMICs than public health facilities. They are much closer to people than health facilities. Second, pharmacists are liked and trusted by people, and this is a big advantage with sensitive health issues (e.g. pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections). Third, pharmacies stay open for extended hours (sometimes, 24/7). Fourth, they do not charge fees for consultations (or charge much less than doctors), and wait times are short. Clients only pay for medicines (which can be purchased in small quantities). Lastly, in under-served areas, pharmacists often act as de facto healthcare providers and dispense medications without a doctor's prescription. In some settings, pharmacists also provide vaccines, and thus have already taken on roles that go beyond dispensing medicines. Although pharmacies do sell tests such as pregnancy tests, blood sugar strips and glucometers, blood pressure monitors, and HIV self-tests in some countries, they rarely perform on site testing. This is a missed opportunity. I communicated with Rosalind Miller, a researcher at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. She has conducted extensive research on pharmacies in LMICs. "Pharmacists are an under-utilized resource in global health delivery. There is scope to expand their role from retailers and dispensers to one that includes promotion, prevention and disease management. Pharmacists have been successfully engaged to improve TB case detection in India. Other research has shown that private pharmacies in sub-Saharan Africa can incorporate rapid diagnostic tests for malaria into their practice, albeit at varying rates of uptake and influence on case management," she said. In India, our own research work has shown that pharmacists can be incentivized to provide digital chest x-ray vouchers to clients with tuberculosis symptoms, and increase the number of TB cases detected. In Tanzania, Accredited Drug Dispensing Outlets (ADDOs) have been successfully leveraged for expanding access to malaria rapid tests. Niranjan Konduri, a Principal Technical Advisor at Management Sciences for Health, had other examples to share with me: "Although the sale of HIV self-tests in private/community pharmacies is common, the experience of actual leveraging of pharmacies is variable across countries. For example, in some settings, approved HIV self-test kits are simply sold and in other settings private pharmacies were actively engaged to provide clients a safe space for voluntary testing, counseling and follow-up. Licensed pharmacies in urban settings in Southeast Asia (e.g. Thailand, Philippines) have been engaged diabetes screening. The major strength of engaging private pharmacies for any tests and referral is that "hidden or untapped communities" are reached," he said. Another good reason to engage pharmacies is the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance. Since drug stores in LMICs often dispense antibiotics over-the-counter, empowering them to do simple lab tests (e.g. malaria, influenza, or perhaps a test that could help differentiate between bacterial and non-bacterial causes of acute fever) might help cut down on unnecessary antibiotic use. Challenges to overcome In principle, the idea of engaging pharmacies to expand access to testing is a sound one. But the devil might be in the details. These include the need for modifying or adding regulatory oversight, investment in training and supervision of pharmacy staff in doing tests, incentives to make it worthwhile for pharmacies to take on testing, establishment of referral networks for additional follow-up or confirmatory testing, and deal with any push back from laboratory professionals who might see pharmacies entering the lab space as a potential threat to their business. A systematic review on expanding services of private medicine retail outlets to include malaria diagnostic services concluded that the approach "may hold great promise to improve malaria case management and curb overtreatment with antimalarials." However, the authors caution that "doing so will require careful planning, investment and additional research to develop and sustain effective training, supervision, waste-management, referral and surveillance programs beyond the public sector." Prashant Yadav, a global health supply chain expert at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, argues that "pharmacies/drug shops can be effective agents for testing but for them to have effects at large scale, it has to be in combination with large patient/caregiver awareness/behavior change programs." These challenges are not insurmountable, and scale is also feasible. In the US, a growing number of community pharmacies are offering CLIA-waived tests. According to one estimate, of the nearly 60000 community pharmacies in the US, approximately 18% have CLIA-waived status and can perform any of the approximately 120 CLIA-waived tests that are simple and non-technical. New technologies might also help overcome traditional barriers. Mara Hansen Staples, an expert in global health delivery, says "New diagnostic tools now allow pharmacy staff to provide more accurate advice. For example, there are now rapid diagnostic tests for malaria which are widely used in pharmacies. Simple respiratory rate counters and pulse oximeters might allow pharmacies to identify severe pneumonia. Self-tests for HIV are already sold in pharmacies in South Africa, Belarus, the US, the United Kingdom and elsewhere. Research in Uganda has recently shown that patients are able and willing to collect their own cervical samples to test for HPV, a causative agent of cervical cancer. Samples collected by women at home could be discreetly dropped off at a local pharmacy for processing." Indeed, new technologies (home-based & self-tests, AI, mobile apps, telemedicine, wearables, blockchain) might be key for expanding access to diagnostic testing in global health, and pharmacies are well poised to exploit them. Disclosure: I have no financial or industry conflicts to disclose | https://www.forbes.com/sites/madhukarpai/2019/05/25/can-pharmacies-improve-global-health-delivery-by-taking-tests-closer-to-people/ |
Can Krav Maga Martial Arts Techniques Help Travelers Beat Air And Road Rage? | Krav Maga Worldwide Holiday weekends like Memorial Day bring out the best in people, and occasionally, the worst. Planes and airports are jammed on Memorial Day weekend. Meanwhile the roads are packed with drivers headed to beaches, parks and barbecues. Delays, frustrations, and people cutting in line can lead to road rage and its equally toxic cousin, air rage. Some ideas on how to deal with overly-angry or aggressive people at the airport or on the road comes from an expert in Krav Maga, the Israeli self-defense and fighting system. Even though the translation of krav maga literally means close combat", Ross Cascio, Marketing Manager for Krav Maga Worldwide and an Expert Level Krav Maga instructor, says that when it comes to road rage, discretion is often the better part of valor. He also believes that preventing air or road rage can start before you even step out of your front door. After all, even the calmest travelers can feel provoked to rage by the stresses of travel. Cascio has a number of suggestions to help travelers calm their frustrations. Give yourself time. The most common reason people tend to turn aggressive, whether driving or waiting in airport lines, is that they are running late or in a rush to get to their destination. Give yourself plenty of time to get there, whether youre driving to your destination or leave early to get to the airport. Jam out. Listening to your favorite music, podcasts or audio books will help you relax and avoid being annoyed by the traffic and rude drivers on the road, or the irritating people and long lines at the airport. Just breathe. The reality is that traveling can be stressful and cause even the mellowest traveeler to tense up. Remember to breathe. While you cant control traffic or other (rude) people, you can do your part to fight air rage by keeping your anger in check. Unfortunately, the people you encounter in a stressful travel situation may not be so enlightened. Cascio, who has over 15 years of teaching and training experience, has several suggestions short of close combat. Krav Maga Worldwide Be the bigger person. If a person seems to be getting aggressive do what you can to defuse the situation. For example, if they are tailgating you while driving, move over to the next lane. Or if someone in the TSA or boarding line accuses you of cutting them, and you have the time, just let them go ahead of you. Avoid adding fuel to the fire by yelling back at them or engaging in a stare-down. Admit your mistake. If you did cut someone off or did another driving no-no use an Im sorry gesture like waving your hand to let them know you acknowledge your mistake and apologize. Dont be a tough guy/girl. If a road rage incident does take place and the driver exits their vehicle looking for a fight, immediately lock your doors and call 911. Most states also have a specific number that you can call to report dangerous and aggressive drivers. Make sure to note their license plate number and which direction they are heading in. Learn basic protection skills. Sometimes doing your part and attempting to defuse an aggressive person doesnt work. Its important for your safety that you equip yourself with basic self-defense skills that can stop someone from assaulting you. Most self-defense classes also teach verbal and body language skills, which can be helpful in deterring assailants in such situations. | https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelgoldstein/2019/05/24/can-krav-maga-martial-arts-techniques-help-travelers-beat-air-and-road-rage/ |
Is Detroit Pistons draft possibility Keldon Johnson more than a shooter? | CLOSE Former Kentucky basketball star Keldon Johnson explains why he decided to keep his name in the NBA draft. Jon Hale, Louisville Courier Journal CHICAGO Keldon Johnson brings a solid jump shot to the NBA. But even the Kentucky freshman had to call it luck when he forced overtime with a half-court heave against Seton Hall in December a game the Wildcats eventually lost. Wrong. Johnson said afterward he expected to make the shot. I knew if I got the shot off that I had a pretty good chance to make it, he told reporters. It was a big shot. I mean, it was pretty big. I guess it just hurt because we lost. Seton Hall and Kentucky with an INSANE ending to regulation thanks to Myles Powell and Keldon Johnson. Unreal. pic.twitter.com/HlSHBSiAJj Brian Rauf (@brauf33) December 8, 2018 Johnson, 19, made several big shots for the Wildcats in his one college season. The 6-6, 216-pound swingman shot 38.1% from 3-point range (45-for-118) in averaging 13.5 points for the Wildcats, who reached the Midwest Region final. Johnson one of several two-way wing prospects available for the June 20 draft is in play for the Detroit Pistons, who have the 15th pick of the first round. He met with the Pistons at the NBA draft combine in Chicago in mid-May. Kentucky's Keldon Johnson celebrates during a 2019 NCAA tournament game against Auburn. (Photo: Jay Biggerstaff, USA TODAY Sports) Most mock drafts have Johnson slotted lower than the middle of the first round, but his confidence was present at the Quest Multisport facility during combine media availability. Once I get in a workout and show them my game, I think Ill be fine, Johnson said. I dont have to go extra outside myself. I did a great job this year and once they get me in for a workout, I think my game will speak for itself. [ Sign up for our new Detroit Pistons newsletter. It's free! ] Keldon Johnson: Pros and cons Johnson projects to be a good shooter and it goes beyond his percentage. His shooting form is solid and pro instruction will likely correct minor flaws. Slow-motion look at Keldon Johnsons shooting stroke. He converted over 38% from 3 as a freshman at Kentucky. pic.twitter.com/Ce8k3ENZ9C Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) May 22, 2019 Hes also aggressive and brings a defensive mentality to the game. The Ringers Kevin OConnor writes: Improving 3-point shooter who has good touch on floaters, which helps dampen any concerns about his funky, leaning shooting form. Plays with effort and passion. Hell dive for loose balls, close out hard on the perimeter, and take a charge. But there are knocks. He responded to one. A lot of people say that I really cant create my own shot, Johnson said. Of course, Im going to disagree with it, but hopefully I go into workouts and show NBA teams otherwise, just be myself. He proved he is reading the scouting reports and looking at Twitter. In the following sequence in an NCAA tournament game against Houston, he ignores an open teammate on the right wing to take a contested floater in traffic. It doesnt go well. Quickley is open but he just goes and shoots that. Also a nice 3 in transition by Corey Davis pic.twitter.com/Bt1XXBjfGI Caine (@caine_purnell) May 20, 2019 But Johnson remains enticing for one main reason: the dominance of great two-way wings. Whether its Kawhi Leonard or Klay Thompson or Paul George, teams are attracted to such standouts because it appears to open the door to immediate contention. Keldon Johnson speaks with the media during the NBA draft combine in Chicago, May 16, 2019. (Photo: David Banks, USA TODAY Sports) Johnson or the other wings in this draft isnt likely to help much next season, but could offer hope for the future. Johnson wavered on remaining in the draft, but his course is set. I know where my dream is, Johnson said. I know where I plan to be in the draft and I think as long as everything goes well, and I keep working hard, Ill be fine. Any team that drafts me, it will be a blessing, to be honest. As long as its the right fit for me and my family, it will be great. [ Vince Ellis' NBA mock draft 1.0: Pistons take playmaking wing ] Follow Vince Ellis on Twitter @vincent_ellis56. Read more on the Detroit Pistons and sign up for our Pistons newsletter. | https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2019/05/25/detroit-pistons-nba-draft-keldon-johnson/1226509001/ |
Is Molecular Whiskey the Futuristic Booze We've Been Waiting For? | Tasting whiskey usually means enjoying flavors created from the interaction between spirit and barrel over an extended period of time. However, some companies are rethinking this traditional narrative. Endless West, a San Francisco-based startup, recently launched a spirit made without the use of tried and true techniques, like barrel aging, in a process the company labels note-by-note production. Billed as the worlds first molecular whiskey, Glyph is not just a symbol of what happens when science, alcohol, and ambition meet, but what might attract future generations of drinkers to the products they purchase. At Endless West, note-by-note production is a three-stage process, beginning with mapping the molecules that give fine whiskeys their unique tasting profiles. To do this, their team studies the molecules found in currently available whiskey and spirits, analyzing what characteristics differentiate one whiskey from another. Once specific molecules are identified, the next phase is locating and acquiring them in their purest forms, such as sugar from corn or esters from fruit. Everything is sourced naturally from plants, yeasts, and fruits as opposed to using artificial ingredients. The final step involves using the chosen molecules along with a neutral grain spirit as a base to build the flavor profile of a whiskey. Glyph cocktails by Westlight at The William Vale Hotel in New York. Photograph by Grace Rivera Its important to emphasize that everything we make is our own original recipe. Using our note-by-note production process, we can make Glyph in under 24 hours or overnight, says Endless West CEO and co-founder Alec Lee. The idea of being able to produce a whiskey in 24 hours that could match the flavor profile of a 24-year-old aged whiskey might seem outrageous, but its that question of what if that tends to drive most innovations. The reality is that most spirit and winemaking processes are pretty inefficient, especially when you consider the requirements for aging, says Lee. Were simply making a statement that you can reimagine this traditional product in a new way and certain cost, time, and sustainability advantages happen to come with it. With an increasing demand for companies across industries to practice and preach sustainable production methods, a voice offering an alternative to sacred distilling traditions is intriguing enough to attract investors, industry professionals, and hopefully, consumers. The single most important clarification here is how sustainability isnt the central thesis of our appeal, Lee says. The central thesis is the ability to create an age old product that we know and love using a radically different medium that is inherently more efficient. Mixed Results From the scientific perspective, the premise that the molecules found in aged whiskey can be found throughout nature is valid enough for individuals to conduct experimentation. However, despite years of studying, making, and drinking whiskey, humans still have work to do when it comes to understanding whiskeys DNA. The problem with saying we analyzed whiskey down to the molecular level and reconstructed a new whiskey based on that information is that the complexity of whiskey is even to this day poorly understood, says Dr. Pat Heist, co-founder and chief scientific officer for Wilderness Trail Distillery and Ferm Solutions, Inc. There are likely chemicals in there that you can taste, but that are in levels so minute that they cant be picked up by even the most sophisticated chemical analysis. Glyph whiskey at the William Vale Hotel in New York. Photograph by Grace Rivera As with any new product making its debut in the industry, opinions have varied. I love science and innovation, so Im not as opposed to the existence of products like this as most of my colleagues, but its hardly equal to whiskey. Its a whiskey substitute, says drinks writer Camper English of Alcademics.com. English first tasted Glyph as a judge in a blind tasting at the industry renowned San Francisco World Spirits Competition. That same competition awarded Glyph a silver medal in 2019, which the organization defines as outstanding spirits that show refinement, finesse, and complexity, in its Other Miscellaneous Spirits category. Its not a world that really rewards the new kid on the block, says Fred Minnick, author of Bourbon: The Rise, Fall, and Rebirth of an American Whiskey. Minnick notes that Lost Spirits in California was one company he knew of thats been able to produce rapid-aging rums and whiskies using proprietary technology, but few have found long-term success when it comes to cheating Father Time. An Acquired Taste Like any scientific experiment, there can always be unintended consequences. For some industry experts, there are good reasons as to why lab made whiskey doesnt work for them. Whiskey is an American heritage product that needs to be respected. Nope. Just because you can apply technology to something it doesnt necessarily improve it, says Francine Cohen, founder of trade industry magazine and strategic brand consultancy Insidefandb.com. Though Cohen was not moved by her initial tasting of Glyph, she did indicate she would sample Glyph again if improvements were made from its original formula. While Glyph, like traditionally produced whiskies, may not win over every palate in the industry, challenging the way consumers think about alcohol production demonstrates the widespread appeal making spirits has had from generation to generation. Though the age of a guest self-identifying as a molecular whiskey drinker may never come to fruition, the use of Glyph for cocktails might turn out to be the sturdiest bridge that connects this company to consumers. Glyph cocktail at the William Vale Hotel in New York. Photograph by Grace Rivera Glyph already has an in-house mixologist creating original cocktail recipes, and the product is available in New York and California. I love trying new spirits and cocktails so I would absolutely try it in a cocktail if I saw it on a bar menu. Why not? English admits. If the story of whiskey to this point has been a lesson on the virtues of patience and trusting the process created by professional distillers, the next chapter might focus on customization and what can happen when modern technology and outside-the-box experimentation mix. Though traditional practices will always be revered, the ability to apply new learnings in order to create perspective is something thats always worth discussing and testing outespecially when drinks are involved. More must-read stories from Fortune: Why liquor makers are promoting cocktails over shots Know what to look for to find a great bottle of ros Move over Bourbon, premium rum wants its turn in the spotlight Canned wines are on the rise and perfect for this summer. Here are the ones you should try Listen to our new audio briefing, Fortune 500 Daily Follow Fortune on Flipboard to stay up-to-date on the latest news and analysis. | http://fortune.com/2019/05/25/endless-west-glyph-engineered-whiskey/ |
Which NFL Team Will Go From Worst To First In 2019? | The NFL is famed for its parity. There are few sports leagues worldwide that routinely see teams go from the bottom tier of the competition to championship contenders in the space of twelve months. In the NFL, even the most pessimistic of fans leave room for optimism. Scroll to continue with content Ad Since the NFL aligned to a four team eight division format in 2002, a total of 22 teams have gone from last place in their respective division to first place the following season. Here we take a look at the likely candidates to cause a surprise. Team Division Last W/L First W/L Houston AFC South 2017 4-12 2018 11-5 Chicago NFC North 2017 5-11 2018 12-4 Jacksonville AFC South 2016 3-13 2017 10-6 Philadelphia NFC East 2016 7-9 2017 13-3 Dallas NFC East 2015 4-12 2016 13-3 Washington NFC East 2014 4-12 2015 9-7 Philadelphia NFC East 2012 4-12 2013 10-6 Carolina NFC South 2012 7-9 2013 12-4 Washington NFC East 2011 5-11 2012 10-6 Denver AFC West 2010 4-12 2011 8-8 Kansas City AFC West 2009 4-12 2010 10-6 New Orleans NFC South 2008 8-8 2009 13-3 Miami AFC East 2007 1-15 2008 11-5 Tampa Bay NFC South 2006 4-12 2007 9-7 Philadelphia NFC East 2005 6-10 2006 10-6 New Orleans NFC South 2005 3-13 2006 10-6 Chicago NFC North 2004 5-11 2005 11-5 Tampa Bay NFC South 2004 5-11 2005 11-5 San Diego AFC West 2003 4-12 2004 12-4 Atlanta NFC South 2003 5-11 2004 11-5 Kansas City AFC West 2002 8-8 2003 13-3 Carolina NFC South 2002 7-9 2003 11-5 Heading into the 2019 NFL season, eight teams have the chance to claim an unexpected division title: Story continues Team Division 2018 record 2019 Division odds NY Jets AFC East 4-12 13/2 Cincinatti AFC North 6-10 18/1 Jacksonville AFC South 5-11 15/4 Oakland AFC West 4-12 12/1 NY Giants NFC East 5-11 11/1 Detroit NFC North 6-10 12/1 Tampa Bay NFC South 5-11 17/2 Arizona NFC West 3-13 25/1 In this article we will not so much be considering which teams are more likely to flip the script on their 2018 campaigns, but which teams offer the best value in terms of division title betting. As the odds above suggest, bookmakers do not expect last seasons cellar dwellers to make much of a mark in 2019. In fact, six of last seasons last place finishers are expected to land bottom again this coming season with only the New York Jets (expected to finish a distant second to New England in the AFC East) and the Jacksonville Jaguars (expected to finish third in the AFC South) anticipating anything other than a last place finish. Worst To First Best Bet Jacksonville Jaguars AFC South Odds: 15/4 at bet365 It was just over a year ago that Jacksonville led the New England Patriots by 10 points early in the fourth quarter of an AFC Championship game. That 2017 season saw Jacksonville win ten games before claiming two playoff victories including a divisional round win in Pittsburgh on their way to their title match with the Patriots. After what appeared a breakout season, a season that brought the club its first division crown in twenty seasons, the Jags would win just five games in 2018. Despite their 2018 win loss record, the Jags defence managed to rank fifth in yards conceded per game, down just three places on their 2017 campaign. But while the Jacksonville defense claimed 33 turnovers in 2017 ranking second overall for takeaways, the club claimed just 17 a year later. While the Jags defence was not as opportunistic as a season prior, it was on offence where the Jags struggled most. Despite issues, the Jacksonville offence ranked sixth for yards per game in 2017 and 12th for turnovers conceded. A season later the Jags offence plummeted to 27th for yards per game and sixth worst for turnovers conceded. Why The Jags Can Bounceback in 2019 Nick Foles has been brought in to replace the infuriating Blake Bortles at quarterback. Foles has been considered a low end starter / high end back up quarterback for most of his career but has performed when required and on the biggest stage. But while the Super Bowl 52 MVP is an upgrade on Bortles it remains to be seen whether Foles is the long term solution in Jacksonville. Regardless of the long term outlook, Foles brings experience and leadership to Jacksonville and should provide enough at the position in 2019 to keep the Jags in the division hunt throughout the regular season. The Jags addressed other positional shortcomings through free agency and the draft, signing Chris Conely at wide receiver, Geoff Swaim at tight end and both Cedric Ogbuehi and A.J Cann to sure up the offensive line before taking standout linebacker Josh Allen with the seventh overall selection in the 2019 NFL draft. An upgraded and healthy offensive line will assist running back Leonard Fournette who will look to rebound from a disappointing 2018 campaign. Fournette ran for over a thousand yards in 2017 in 13 games before accumulating just 439 yards in eight games played a season later. Fournette will be hungry for redemption and if the offensive line remains healthy, Fournette and Foles will provide more than a handful for opposing defenses. Indianapolis are rated favourites to win the AFC South with their win total over under at 9.5 wins, while the Jags are listed to finish third at 8 wins. In what will be a tight battle, divisional matchups will likely determine the division crown. While the Colts are expected to regain division supremacy in 2019, a resurgent Jacksonville should stay in the fight well into the season. Given their upside, at odds of 15/4 the Jags are the best bet to bounce from last to first this upcoming season. Other Value Bets To Consider New York Jets AFC East odds 13/2 at bet365 Many a punter has looked foolish betting against the Patriots over the last fifteen seasons. New England may be coming off another successful Super Bowl campaign, but there is genuine optimism in New York heading into 2019. While it may be folly to anticipate decline in New England, this is the season that the balance of power begins to shift away from the Patriots. The Jets are the most likely challenger and at odds of 13/2 provide decent value. Cincinnati Bengals AFC North odds 18/1 at bet365 The AFC North is set to be a division in transition in 2019. While the bookmakers believe it will be a race of three, there is no clear favourite. Given this divisional power vacuum and the fact bookmakers have Cleveland winning the division at just 9.5 wins and Cincinnati finishing bottom at around 6.5 wins, the Bengals are a decent small stakes value bet at odds of 18/1 to win the AFC North. Improve your betting with tips from over 450,000 experts at www.bettingexpert.com 18+ please gamble responsible | https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-team-worst-first-2019-121900062.html?src=rss |
Could the government step in to save stricken British Steel? | The loss of strategic industrial capacity and well-paid jobs suggests every avenue ought to be explored To see the Scunthorpe steelworks in action is to witness British manufacturing prowess at its most visually stunning. Huge slabs of steel, glowing orange with heat, flow seamlessly through the plant, destined to become anything from paperclips to the steel ropes that support the Humber Bridge. Even from a safe distance, the searing 1,000-degree temperature created by this round-the-clock process is uncomfortable to bear. Within a matter of months, though, this industrial wonder may well have gone cold. British Steel, which owns the site, collapsed into insolvency last week less than three years after it appeared to have been saved by private equity group Greybull Capital, which bought it for 1 in 2016. Greybull, which can expect to face some bruising questions from MPs about its patchy record of business rescues, cited Brexit-related factors for the crisis, including a fall-off in orders from overseas. Foreign customers have turned to rival steelmakers amid persisting uncertainty about the tariffs that will apply to the UKs steel exports after Brexit. Orders, said a source close to the company, had simply dried up. The official receiver, the state employee overseeing the companys insolvency, is now in a race against time to find a buyer before the financial burden of running it becomes intolerable. Otherwise, the flames of one of Britains last two blast furnaces are at risk of sputtering out. That prospect, according to local Labour MP Nic Dakin, should be unthinkable to all us all. There are compelling reasons to agree. I am concerned the PMs resignation will mean the government take their focus off of saving the steel industry Nic Dakin MP Blast furnaces such as the one at Scunthorpe make steel from scratch and, once shut down, are more or less impossible to replace. Greener, less energy-intensive electric arc furnaces, of which the UK has four, can make steel by recycling scrap. At present, though, they do not achieve the quality levels that a blast furnace can, at least not without incurring great expense in removing impurities. And the ability to make such high-grade steel domestically is crucial to a nations defence capability. Steel is used in aeroplanes, ships, guns, tanks more or less everything the military uses. If Scunthorpe were to close, the UK would be left with one blast furnace, at Port Talbot in Wales, which does not make the same products. It isnt just in wartime that steelmaking comes into its own. The IPPR thinktank has been relatively conservative in its estimate of how many jobs could go if British Steel goes under: including 5,000 direct employees and the supply chain, it pitches the number at 12,000 compared with some estimates of 25,000. But the IPPRs chief economist, Carys Roberts, says that it is the kind of jobs at risk and their location, as much as the overall number, that should cause alarm. Our estimate is that it would take 2.8bn of wages out of the economy over 10 years, even assuming that those people find new jobs at the rate youd expect, she said. If you concentrate that in particular areas, it has a huge impact on the local economy. What we see with a town like Scunthorpe is that people say it is built around steel, and if you take that out, the town will die. According to the trade body UK Steel, jobs in the industry pay 50% more than the average wage in areas such as south Wales and Yorkshire, where much of the industry is based. Its not so easy to replace these jobs: they are higher skilled and higher paid, said Roberts. The ripple effect of a collapse would also rock the boat for some of British Steels customers. Network Rail buys 97% of the steel used to build and repair the UKs railway tracks from the company, to the tune of about 100,000 tonnes a year. It has contingency plans in place to buy from European suppliers, but steel industry sources have pointed out that this would result in increased costs, likely to be passed on to rail users and taxpayers. Facebook Twitter Pinterest The IPPR thinktank suggests 12,000 jobs could go in the steelworks and the supply chain if the works closes. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Observer Scunthorpes steelworkers also make particular grades of the alloy that are not easily sourced elsewhere. Some are used in the construction industry, others made to order for companies that produce steel fastenings, or the metal springs used in mattresses and furniture. Businesses in those sectors face higher costs even supply shortages if British Steel disappears. Some commentators have sought to blame the EUs state aid rules, which preclude governments from propping up failing businesses. Indeed, the business secretary, Greg Clark, said that pumping 30m into the company, as was requested under its former owner, would have been unlawful under EU rules. Tempting as it might be to blame Brussels, there are holes in that argument. World Trade Organisation rules, which the UK would still have to abide by outside the EU, also place restrictions on state aid, and any free trade agreement signed with the EU post-Brexit would almost certainly have similar constraints attached. EU-friendly observers also point out that the European commission, the EUs executive arm, has defended Europes steelmakers from the threat of China the worlds biggest steelmaker by far flooding the market with subsidised products. Further, it is not a given that a Conservative government with a free-market ethos would be ready to plough taxpayers cash into an underperforming private company. Nor should it necessarily be the case that EU membership crimps state aid: in 2015, France spent 0.65% of its gross domestic product on state aid schemes, while Germany spent 1.2% of GDP. The equivalent proportion of spending in the UK was just 0.35%. And some feel that the UK could be doing more within the existing framework of rules. Just 43% of steel bought by the government comes from the UK. Not all the grades required are made domestically, but UK Steel has said there is headroom for more. The steel industrys other great complaints are on energy costs and business rates. The governments industrial strategy, which includes deals tailored to support specific sectors, has offered very little to lighten the load, according to a recent report by the business select committee. Now fears are growing that the political turmoil in Westminster will make it even harder to find a solution for British Steel. I am concerned the prime ministers resignation will mean the government take their focus off of saving the UK steel industry and British Steels sites in Scunthorpe and Teesside, said Dakin. This cannot be allowed to happen. | https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/may/25/british-steel-stricken-could-government-step-in |
Why Cant Drugstores Quit Cigarettes? | Ever since CVS Health ditched tobacco products in 2014sacrificing $2 billion in sales to bolster its image as a health companyRite Aid and Walgreens have been facing pressure to follow suit. The companies recently raised their minimum tobacco sales age from 18 to 21aiming to reduce minors access to them. But the moves came soon after a lashing in March from the FDA, which found both chains, with a combined fleet of 15,000 stores, to be among 15 major retailers selling cigarettes to minors. Beyond the brickbats and bad PR, declining sales would be a valid reason to exit the category: Cigarette sales fell to 252.7 billion sticks in 2017, from 292.7 billion in 2012, according to Euromonitor International. Cigarettes are a modest and declining business for U.S. drugstore chainstotal sales of about $1.6 billion based on Euromonitor International databut theyre a desperately needed source of foot traffic for Walgreens and Rite Aid. Both chains have seen comparable non-pharmacy sales fall in the past four quarters. But in contrast, sales at CVS were up 0.5%, showing that there can be a healthy retail life after dropping a bad habit cold turkey. For a nuanced look at the health of CVS: click here. This article originally appeared in the June 2019 issue of Fortune. | http://fortune.com/2019/05/25/drugstores-selling-cigarettes/ |
Why did Bucks pull Giannis Antetokounmpo in final minute of Game 5 loss to Raptors? | With 1:12 remaining in Thursdays Eastern Conference finals Game 5, the Milwaukee Bucks pulled their best player form the court while trailing 98-95. Giannis Antetokounmpo appeared to twist his right ankle on the previous possession in the Raptors backcourt when he stepped on Kawhi Leonards foot trying to make a play on the ball after Toronto secured a rebound. Scroll to continue with content Ad Antetokounmpo fell down and trailed getting back on defense, eventually leaving the game when the clock stopped on a foul. Giannis return raises questions He missed the next 37 seconds of game play as the Raptors maintained their three-point edge in their eventual 105-99 win. Giannis Antetokounmpo left Thursday's Game 5 loss at a critical juncture. (AP) Budenholzer explains decision He talked about the decision in the postgame press conference, explaining that Antetokounmpo appeared to be hurt, but felt better after his break from the court. He twisted his ankle in the backcourt, Budenholzer said. He just looked like he was in a lot of pain and maybe couldnt move. We had an offensive possession. Just maybe get somebody out there who could move, make a shot. It kind of wore off the adrenaline wore off, and he was able to go back in. If Budenholzer was convinced that Antetokounmpo couldnt move, the decision to pull him makes sense. But Antetokounmpo looked fine when he returned to the court, showing little sign of injury running up and down the court. The pressure gets high in Game 5, and decisions like this one come quick. More from Yahoo Sports: | https://sports.yahoo.com/why-did-bucks-pull-giannis-antetokounmpo-in-final-minute-of-game-5-loss-035939021.html?src=rss |
Did the Lakers really hire Jason Kidd to recruit Giannis Antetokounmpo? | Plenty of heads turned when the Los Angeles Lakers insisted that their new head coach hire Jason Kidd as an assistant. Although it was part of the reason why the team couldnt come to terms with Tyronn Lue to become their next head coach, their final choice, Frank Vogel, isnt worried. Scroll to continue with content Ad According to Newsdays Steve Popper, that might have a little something to do with Kidds recruiting ability. Although the idea seems very far-fetched, one source told Popper that he thought Kidd was brought to LA to attract his former player Giannis Antetokounmpo in two years, when the Bucks star hits unrestricted free agency. There are plenty of reasons to doubt this bizarre rumor, but theres no doubting the Lakers are thinking through every decision on how it will impact their ability to pair LeBron James with another star. So far theyve tried to land, among others, Anthony Davis, Kawhi Leonard and Jimmy Butler to no avail. This almost seems like a company trying to recruit someone by telling them that their ex could be a co-worker. Kidd inherited Antetokounmpo after he only averaged 6.8 points per game in his rookie season, and the Greek Freak nearly doubled his scoring in the following year. By Year 3 under Kidd, Antetokounmpo became an All-Star when he reached 22.9 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. Story continues Still, his Milwaukee Bucks never finished better than 42-40 or made it out of the first round of the playoffs. It wasnt until Kidd was fired midway through the 2017-18 season and they hired Mike Budenholzer that the Bucks truly hit their stride. Under Budenholzer, the Bucks have flourished with a league-best 60-22 record, and Antetokounmpo has blossomed into the MVP favorite. With more confidence than ever in his three-point shot, Antetokounmpo has become a complete player with career highs across the board: 27.7 points, 12.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game. Kidd may have helped Antetokounmpo take off, but Budenholzer has allowed him to truly fulfill his potential. Jason Kidd coached Giannis Antetokounmpo for parts of four seasons in Milwaukee. The idea of hiring Kidd to land Antetokounmpo is even more wild considering the timeline, as assistants dont always last two years under a head coach. So much could change in the NBA landscape in that time. The Bucks are two wins away from the NBA Finals and will certainly be in contention again next season. Fans and media have long thought that Kevin Durant wouldnt have joined the Golden State Warriors if he beat them in the 2016 Western Conference finals. But even if Antetokounmpo does choose to leave the Bucks for greener pastures and brighter lights, the Lakers may not be the best landing spot for him. The Warriors have long been rumored to have interest in the All-Star forward and have a much more solid foundation. Furthermore, as NBC Sports Dan Feldman pointed out, Antetokounmpo has even explicitly said I could never see myself being out there in LA. Shoot your shot, Lakers. More from Yahoo Sports: | https://sports.yahoo.com/lakers-jason-kidd-giannis-antentokounmpo-155233854.html?src=rss |
Does former Eagles QB Donovan McNabb belong in the Pro Football Hall of Fame? | by Daniel Tran Former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb told TMZ Sports that he belonged in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and he had better numbers than Troy Aikman. While he may not have won any championships, McNabb finished his career with a higher win percentage, more passing yards, higher passer rating and more touchdowns than Aikman. Still, he was never considered the best quarterback of his era and his 1-4 record in the NFC Championship Game does not look good. McNabb does have better numbers than Aikman. Yes, he never won a championship, but that shouldn't erase the kind of production he had. If that were the case, Dan Marino wouldn't be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Here is Dave Zangaro from NBC Sports with more: His numbers are strong. He had 37,276 passing yards, 234 touchdowns, 117 interceptions and a passer rating of 85.6. He made sure to make that his main case with TMZ ... Although they really played in different eras, McNabbs numbers are unquestionably better than those of Aikman, who was inducted into the HOF in 2006. Here are Aikmans career numbers: 32,942 yards, 165 touchdowns, 141 interceptions, passer rating of 81.6. Believe it or not, McNabb also had a higher career winning percentage. Bears repeating: The Eagles were dog shit in the three seasons before Donovan McNabb took over. He lead this franchise to a decade of sustained success, played 164 games, won nine playoff games, and had the Birds within 4 points of the Lombardi Trophy. Kevin Kinkead (@Kevin_Kinkead) May 24, 2019 Donovan McNabb: I should be in Hall of Fame; better than Troy Aikman The former SU great had more passing yards and touchdowns than Aikman. If you think McNabb had a big enough impact or enough success to be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, you are crazy. He played at the right time when the league was becoming more pass-friendly and was going to have higher numbers than Aikman just from more opportunities. McNabbs lack of rings and success in the later stages of the playoffs are a huge stain on his career and while he may have been good, hes not great enough to be in Canton. Here is Zangaro again: Sure, he made it to five NFC Championship games but McNabb was just 1-4 in those games. He made it to one Super Bowl and never won the big game. How do you weigh making it to five championship games vs. a guy like Jim Kelly, who made it to four Super Bowls and never won. McNabb was never an All-Pro. Right or not, that plays into the thinking of many HOF voters. He was never an MVP; he finished second in MVP voting to Marshall Faulk in 2000. Yes, on the surface McNabb has better stats than Aikman. Also, Eli Manning had 15,000 more passing yards and nearly 100 more TDs than Joe Montana. Stats for QBs, especially from different time spans, can be meaningless. Tim Roberts (@21stCenturyTim) May 24, 2019 The Tylt is focused on debates and conversations around news, current events and pop culture. We provide our community with the opportunity to share their opinions and vote on topics that matter most to them. We actively engage the community and present meaningful data on the debates and conversations as they progress. The Tylt is a place where your opinion counts, literally. The Tylt is an Advance Local Media, LLC property. Join us on Twitter @TheTylt, on Instagram @TheTylt or on Facebook, wed love to hear what you have to say. | https://www.cleveland.com/tylt/2019/05/does-former-eagles-qb-donovan-mcnabb-belong-in-the-pro-football-hall-of-fame.html |
What do a Caribbean reef and Ontario wetlands have in common? | OTTAWAAsk Bryan Gilvesy how to fight climate change, and hell tell you about seven acres of native Ontario tall grass. Its a modest patch of land on his cattle ranch outside Tillsonburg, where the resurrected flora is left to inhale carbon dioxidethe most prolific greenhouse gas in our atmosphereand house endangered birds and badgers. The deep roots of the grass also fortify the soil and make it more absorbent, so when the hard rain comes, the ground can hold more water before it floods. But the best thing about the grass, the promise Gilvesy thinks it represents, is this: he gets paid to restore and maintain it. Were trying to get farmers in the mindspace that their farm produces more than just the food and fibre that theyre traditionally used to, said Gilvesy, who is now chief executive officer of ALUS Canada, the organization that started paying him to promote and preserve natural features on his ranch in 2006. They can produce something that is of value to the greater community and to all Canadians, he said. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW With record-breaking floods ravaging communities in three provinces this spring, and annual wildfires already blazing through forests of the West, federal scientists predict the changing climate will wreak more extreme weather across Canada in the coming decades. For many, including cities like Victoria, B.C. that have considered launching lawsuits against heavy emitters to pay for necessary infrastructure upgrades, the challenge of how to adapt to the emerging realities of a warming world is only growing more urgent. In that vein, groups like ALUS in Canada and elsewhere around the world are part of a nascent effort to restore and preserve natural buffers to the damages of more frequent and severe weather. But instead of old fashioned, government-led conservation, these groups including environmental not-for-profits, insurance companies, and some governments are trying something new: they want to uncover hidden incentives for the private sector to pay for the restoration and protection of what they call natural infrastructure or natural capital. ALUSs existing programs are funded by donations from individuals, governments and corporations. The idea is to pay farmers to plant trees and native grasses or to restore wetlands on their properties, in part to build up resilience to increasingly severe floods and rain storms. The organizations payouts have restored about 23,600 acres in six provinces. Payments are based on land value and are about $150 per acre of restored land in Ontario, Gilvesy said. But ALUS is now looking for ways to fund the restoration of these natural features through investments rather than donations. Our organization spends a lot of time trying to unearth the emerging marketplace, said Gilvesy. Were trying to find value for all manner of natural capital. Lara Ellis, ALUSs vice-president of policy and partnerships, said one option being considered is an environmental impact bond, which could be sold to charities, insurance companies and governments to fund the restoration of natural barriers to floods and disasters. Investors would be paid back later with the savings that accumulate over time from the protection that new forests, wetlands, and other natural features afford to infrastructure and private property. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Such a scheme could be used in places like Manitoba, where a major highway regularly floods, and the government doesnt want to always be on the hook to pay for disaster relief, said Ellis. The key is to figure out who has a financial stake in protecting and restoring these natural barriers to disasters. You have to figure out who is going to benefit from the risk reduction, and then model the instrument around that interest, she said. At recent summit of Group of Seven environment ministers in France, Canadas Catherine McKenna championed the Ocean Risk and Action Resilience Alliance, a push to leverage private sector money to protect coastal features like coral reefs and mangrove forests that are natural barriers to rising waters and storm surges. We need to finance the protection of more nature in different ways, especially for developing countries who do not have the money, McKenna told reporters on a conference call from France on May 6. And so, using insurance, insuring coral reefs, mangroves, (creates) the right incentives for countries to invest in more nature, she said. An example of harnessing private money to protect nature can be found off Mexicos Yucatan Peninsula. In 2018, an association of hotels in Cancun partnered with Washington-based environmental firm The Nature Conservancy and the local state government to buy an insurance policy for a 60-kilometre stretch of the Mesoamerican coral reef in the Caribbean Sea. The policy involves payments to a local insurance company, which has a reinsurance policy with the global corporation Swiss Re to protect the reef. When high winds or anything else damages the reef, Swiss Re pays for its rapid repair within 24 or 48 hours, Nikhil de Victoria Lobo, the companys head of public sector solutions in the Americas, told the Star. Weve long understood that natural infrastructure is directly linked to reduce or mitigating the impacts of some natural disasters, he said, describing the reef insurance as a pilot project for Swiss Re. I think the fact that weve done this proves that its executable, he said. By kicking this off, there are more people that will invest in the science and quantifying the benefits. While no similar insurance schemes have been used in Canada, there is interest from policy-makers. Craig Stewart, vice-president of federal affairs with the Insurance Bureau of Canada, said he is slated to present on the topic to the House of Commons environment committee June 3, and will address the Canadian council of environment ministers later in the month. One potential Canadian target for an insurance scheme like the reef off Mexico is the area outside Windsor, Ont., said Stewart. He could envision the municipality partnering with an insurer to create a fund to pay farmers to restore wetlands on their properties, which would reduce the risk of flooding in the city to the south because the wetlands act as natural reservoirs. Like Swiss Re in Mexico, such an arrangement would make sense for an insurance company, because payouts for flood damage would be lower if floods are less severe. That would also lead to lower premiums for people who pay flood insurance in the region, he said. Having natural infrastructure protect you is like having a fire station near your house, Stewart said. Its going to prevent community damage, lower the risks for the community in general, and therefore insurers save, and they can pass those savings on to their customers. For Gilvesy, the insurance schemes are like a canary in the coal mine, in that they are pointing a way to identify whose private interests could be wrangled to fund the restoration and protection of these natural buffers against the rising consequences of climate change. As his organization continues to explore this new field, he said the general direction fits with his ethos as a rancher, someone who for 40 years has tried to be a responsible steward of the land. We dont have enough natural capital on the landscape so, natural infrastructure to help protect us as the climate has these wilder swings, he said. This is a way that it can happen. Alex Ballingall is an Ottawa-based reporter covering national politics. Follow him on Twitter: @aballinga Read more about: | https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/2019/05/25/what-do-a-caribbean-reef-and-ontario-wetlands-have-in-common.html |
Will China pay for the border wall? | Both before and after he was elected president, Donald Trump insisted that the wall he wants to build on the southern border would be paid for by Mexico. That was always a fiction. And now Trump claims that China is paying billions of dollars to the United States as a result of the steep hike in tariffs on Chinese imports that his administration has imposed. This is yet another bit of Trumpian hyperbole that has no connection to reality. In truth, it is American consumers who are paying the higher prices for Chinese-made products. And it is American exporters who are getting slammed by Chinas reciprocal tariffs. Among those getting hit hardest are American farmers who ship their crops to Chinese markets. To give them a little relief, Trump has announced farmers and ranchers will be getting $16 billion in emergency financial aid. Of course not; American taxpayers are picking up the bill, just like they will pay for a wall should it ever get built. See more of David Horseys cartoons at: st.news/davidhorsey View other syndicated cartoonists at: st.news/cartoons | https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/will-china-pay-for-the-border-wall/ |
Are Rockets trying to push Mike DAntoni out the door? | After a slow start to the season, by the end the Houston Rockets had found their groove and were the second best team in the West. That still wasnt good enough to get by the Warriors dynasty. That has led to some soul searching in Houston. And some changes to the assistant coaching staff. First came the news Jeff Bzdelik would not return in his defensive coordinator role. Then on Friday, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle put out a series of Tweets talking about the other coaching changes coming. Scroll to continue with content Ad Assistant coach Roy Rogers won't return to Rockets https://t.co/LfwuW0G5nk Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) May 24, 2019 Other Rockets changes have also come down. Assistant Mitch Vanya and video coordinator John Cho also won't be back, source said. https://t.co/fhbXHf3vVE Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) May 24, 2019 Rockets player development coach Irv Roland said he also will not be back. https://t.co/HjoyToyfBY Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) May 24, 2019 Cho had been with the Rockets for a decade. Roland worked closely with James Harden, among others. This is a near total overhaul of Mike DAntonis staff, which has led to speculation the Rockets are trying to push their coach out the door, reports Marc Stein of the New York Times. Story continues New owner Tilman Fertitta told @Jonathan_Feigen earlier this month he intends to keep Mike D'Antoni as Houston's coach, but the flurry of changes imposed on D'Antoni's staff has some in the coaching community wondering if the Rockets are trying to nudge D'Antoni toward the exit https://t.co/aeTgeUpkHx Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) May 25, 2019 D'Antoni, for his part, has said in numerous interviews that he remains hopeful of securing a multi-year extension from the Rockets after a three-season run in which Houston has been widely regarded as the league's second-best team. MDA has only one season left on his contract Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) May 25, 2019 DAntoni has done an excellent job and adapted his style to coach these Rockets into being contenders. He is part of the reason this franchise is a contender. The Rockets have fallen short the last two seasons not because of DAntoni, but rather because of the Warriors. Golden State is an all-time dynasty level team, they are beating everybody. This feels like the East in recent years when coaches lost jobs and teams were broken up because they could not get past LeBron James teams when the issue was really LeBron is one of the games all-time greats. There could be other dynamics at play in Houston, but the challenge there is not the coach. If Tilman Fertitta is frustrated his team fell short again, he should start by looking in the mirror at the cost-cutting moves his team made this season to get under the tax line. That put a ceiling on this team more than anything DAntoni did. | https://sports.yahoo.com/rockets-trying-push-mike-d-121822173.html?src=rss |
What Are the Best Inexpensive Small SUVs? | Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with advertisers on this site. This member question submitted to Ask Our Experts touches on a common need. We like that it is focused on the goal, rather than strictly how to achieve it. In this case, it would be wise to resist the temptation to buy new and look to a used SUV. Three-year-old vehicles can cost as little as half of what they sold for when new, and they should have plenty of life left. Our reliability survey data and fuel-economy figures can help steer you to a model with low operating costs. Below are five 2016 compact and subcompact SUVs. They are old enough to have depreciated, lowering the cost significantly from when purchased new, while still having much of their life ahead of them. Each has shown above-average reliability in our member surveys and some of the best overall fuel economy in our tests. Editors Note: This article also appeared in the July 2019 issue of Consumer Reports magazine. Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with advertisers on this site. More from Consumer Reports: Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright 2019, Consumer Reports, Inc. | https://news.yahoo.com/best-inexpensive-small-suvs-101733642.html |
Who is 3-year-old horse-racing leader? Maximum Security? War of Will? | This year, more than ever, there is serious discussion about who the best 3-year old is this early in the season because of what happened in the Kentucky Derby. The following is a look at what the the current leaders in the 3-year-old division have accomplished to date. Obviously, the two Triple Crown races that have been run the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness carry by far the most weight. The other Grade I races that have been run The Florida Derby, Santa Anita Derby and Arkansas Derby carry more weight than the other prep races for the Derby. HORSE FLIPS OFF JOCKEY: Bodexpress runs Preakness without jockey PREAKNESS STAKES: War of Will wins wide-open event MAXIMUM SECURITY Officially 4-for-5 in his career 3-for-4 this year with the disqualification from first to 17th in the Kentucky Derby for interference with three horses, including eventual Preakness winner War of Will, coming out of the far turn. He has crossed the wire first in all five of his races. Major accomplishments: Crossed the wire first in the Kentucky Derby before being disqualified to 17th. Won the Florida Derby. Beat Beyer Speed Figure: 102. Got a 101 in both the Florida Derby and Kentucky Derby. WAR OF WILL Is 3-for-5 this year and 4-for-10 for his career 4-for-6 on dirt. Was one of the horses Maximum Security interfered with in the Kentucky Derby. The interference came when he was making a move for the lead. He crossed the finish line eighth in the Derby and was moved up to seventh. Major accomplishments: Won the Preakness after getting the same trip in the entire race he had gotten in the Derby before the interference occurred. Won the Grade II Risen Star and the Grade III LeComte at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans over the winter. Best Beyer Speed Figure: 99 in the Preakness. OMAHA BEACH Is 3-for-4 this year and 3-for-7 for his career. He is 3-for-4 on dirt. Was the morning line favorite for the Kentucky Derby before he had to be withdrawn from the race due to an entrapped epiglottis. Is slated to return to the races in the summer. Major accomplishments: Won the Arkansas Derby. Also won a division of the Grade II Rebel Stakes the major prep for the Arkansas Derby. Best Beyer Speed Figure: 101 in the Arkansas Derby. COUNTRY HOUSE Is officially 2-for-5 this year and 2-for-7 for his career after he was declared the winner of the Kentucky Derby when Maximum Security was disqualified. He crossed the finish line second in the Derby at odds of 65-1. Is currently sidelined due to a cough he sustained after the Derby. Is slated to return in the summer. Major accomplishment: Is the official winner of the Kentucky Derby. Was also third in the Arkansas Derby, fourth in the Louisiana Derby and second in the Risen Star Best Beyer Speed Figure: 99 in the Kentucky Derby. War of Will would get my vote right now because he is the official winner of a Triple Crown race and his volume of work. | https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/horseracing/2019/05/19/preakness-2019-3-year-old-leader-maximum-security-war-of-will/3733435002/ |
Why is the Great Negotiator falling short? | President Donald Trump once thought foreign policy would be easy. We would win if we would just sit down and negotiate but using our best people, he wrote as a private citizen in 2008. We have all the cards. So as president he named himself negotiator-in-chief and tried to cajole North Koreas Kim Jong Un to abandon nuclear weapons. He reimposed tough economic sanctions on Iran, betting he could force the ayatollahs to change their ways. He vowed to force China, Canada, Mexico and the European Union to give up what he called unfair trade practices. He backed an uprising in Venezuela aimed at toppling its leftist president, Nicolas Maduro. He declared victory against the Islamic State group and ordered U.S. troops home from Syria. In his spare time, he asked his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, to arrange peace between Israel and the Palestinians. He has achieved none of those outcomes. Were in an escalating trade war with China, and with both Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping slapping tariffs on imports, consumers and businesses in both countries are likely to get hurt. The nuclear negotiations with North Korea are stalled, and Kim not only is still producing nuclear-weapons material but also has started firing short-range ballistic missiles to show his pique. The sanctions on Iran havent made its government more pliable; Tehran has threatened to resume aspects of its still-halted nuclear program. U.S. troops are still in Syria. And Kushner has yet to unveil his Mideast peace plan. Theres a long list of familiar critiques of Trumps foreign policy. Its disruptive. Its impulsive. Its unpredictable. Its contradictory. It cozies up to dictators like Russias Vladimir Putin and treats allies like Germanys Angela Merkel with contempt. Advertising All true. In most cases, the answer is no. Sure, Trump has kept some of the foreign-policy promises he made in his campaign. He moved the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, abandoned the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran and announced U.S. withdrawal from the 2016 Paris agreement on climate change. But those were easy, accomplished by signing proclamations. More substantively, Trump pursued the war against Islamic State to military success. But he still hasnt found a way to extricate U.S. forces. Now the White House has sent an aircraft carrier and bombers to the region as a show of force to Iran and is said to be reviewing Pentagon contingency plans to send thousands of troops. He has pushed U.S. allies in NATO to increase their military spending, but not enough for his satisfaction. He succeeded in renegotiating NAFTA, the trade deal with Mexico and Canada. But its ratification in the Senate is far from assured. If his tough line on trade with China wrings serious reforms from Beijing, hell deserve bipartisan applause. But hes not there yet. Talks broke down Friday, and while both sides say negotiations will continue, none are scheduled. On the biggest priorities more equitable trade with China, a nuclear disarmament deal with North Korea, an Iran less capable of threatening its neighbors he gets, at best, an incomplete. Advertising Last month, Robert Blackwill, a hawkish former aide to President George W. Bush, wrote a report card on Trumps foreign policy for the Council on Foreign Relations. He gave the president the benefit of the doubt: Trumps foreign policies are better than they seem, he wrote. Blackwills overall grade: D-plus. Im a tough grader, he explained. The problem with Trump is that hes a weak president, Michael Mandelbaum, a foreign policy scholar at Johns Hopkins University and author of The Rise and Fall of Peace on Earth, told me. He doesnt know how to make the government work. He isnt interested in the details of policy. He doesnt have a cohesive team of aides to help him. A second, related answer: Trump has strong opinions, but no coherent strategy. The president provides the hunches and instincts, the State Departments chief of policy planning, Kiron Skinner, said a bit undiplomatically at a conference last month. Its the job of his staff to turn hunches into strategy, she said. Skinner and other Trump acolytes have labored for months to turn the presidents slogan of America first into a more elaborate Trump Doctrine. Its basic tenets, which Trump has outlined in several speeches, boil down to this: Every nation should pursue its own interests. For strong nations like the United States, alliances and multinational organizations just get in the way. Share your opinion by sending a Letter to the Editor. Email [email protected] and please include your full name, address and telephone number for verification only. Letters are limited to 200 words. Thats the third reason Trumps foreign policy isnt working. It spurns the strong multilateral alliances that were a foundation of the U.S. strategy that grew out of World War II and won the Cold War. The world has changed, but allies are as important as ever, Mandelbaum told me. If you really want to get China to change its economic practices, you need to build a strong coalition to put pressure on them. Its not clear that the United States can do it alone. Trumps foreign policy still has a chance to improve. But his penchant for ignoring allies has badly weakened his diplomacy. If he hopes to succeed on the big things, he needs to abandon that part of the Trump Doctrine. | https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/why-is-the-great-negotiator-falling-short/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_all |
Do international students get what they pay for? | Image copyright UoT Canada is competing against countries like the UK and US for the minds - and wallets - of international students. Jobandeep Sandhu is a hard worker. The 22-year-old worked pretty much full time as a truck driver while studying to be a technical engineer, so he could help put himself and his brother through college in Ontario. "My thinking was that working isn't a crime," he said. But now the Indian citizen is facing deportation after he was arrested for working too many hours as an international student. Sandhu's student visa stipulated that he can only work off-campus up to 20 hours a week during the school year. Yet some weeks he was working as much as 40. Sandhu said he did this because his parents could not afford the high cost of international tuition for both himself and his brother, plus the living expenses. When an officer pulled him over during a routine traffic stop and asked to see his trucking log books, Sandhu readily turned them over. "I was working legally, I was paying taxes," he said. "I thought that I don't need to lie." Since then, he has had to hire a lawyer to fight his deportation, which is scheduled for 21 May. Image copyright Submitted photo Image caption Jobandeep Sandhu is being deported after he worked two many hours as a student Sandhu is not alone in struggling to pay the bills. There are currently more than 500,000 international students in Canada, and international tuition rates have risen 32% across the country, compared to 14% for domestic students. Since his arrest, several advocates have spoken about the need to be more accommodating of international students who need to work. "They absolutely need to be able to seek employment," says Adam Brown, chair of the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations and a student at the University of Alberta. The calls for change come at a time when Canada is trying to aggressively compete with other countries around the world to attract international students. For years local and federal governments have been pulling out all the stops to draw in students from around the world. Canada has relaxed rules around off-campus work and made it easier for international students to get a work visa after graduation or apply for permanent residency. The latest federal budget has earmarked $148m (86m) over the next five years, in part "to promote Canadian education institutions as high-calibre places to study". Economics 101 It is all about the bottom line, according to Dani Zaretsky, an international student recruiter. "Globally - it's not just Canada - there's no mistaking it's all about money," says Zaretsky, who co-founded recruitment company Higher Edge and has worked with several Canadian universities and colleges to help boost international student enrolment. "If there are other benefits [like diversity], they're welcome, but it's not the point." On average, international students in Canada can expect to pay four times more tuition than domestic students. Similar formulas apply in other countries. At the University of California in San Diego, where about 20% of students come from outside the US and pay $40,327 a year in tuition, which is about three times the American rate. A similar number of students at the UK's University of Manchester also come from abroad, and pay 18,500 a year in tuition, twice the rate of domestic students. Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Australia has been attracting an increasing share of overseas students At a time when many governments are cutting back on their education spending, international students are a crucial form of revenue for many institutions. Canada is ranked sixth in the world as a destination for international students, according to research conducted by research group Project Atlas. That puts it behind the US, UK, China, Australia and France - and down two spots from the year before. For Bangladeshi student Kazi Mridul, it was the promise of a high-quality technical education, coupled with Canada's reputation as a welcoming, multicultural country. "There's more funding for research, especially in the STEM field [science, technology, engineering and maths]," said Mridul, who is studying engineering at Toronto's York University. Canada also makes it easy for international students to apply for a post-graduate work permit, a policy the UK has discussed adopting, to increase its appeal abroad. But Mridul says the visa process could still be easier. "School accepted me in March, but until August I didn't know if I was coming or not," he says. The Ministry of Global Affairs estimated that in 2014 alone, international students spent $11.4 billion in the Canadian economy. Since then, the number of international students has grown from 330,170 to 572,415 - an almost 75% increase. Meanwhile, average international tuition fees have been raised from $20,593 to $27,159, or by about 32%. Yet it is not clear that international students are getting any more for their dollar than they were before. Zaretsky says services have not kept up. If Canada is really committed to attracting more international students, it should be clear about what it's offering them, he says, and that includes an opportunity to work once they arrive. Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Montreal has been voted the best student city in the world He also thinks schools need to be careful about how much they raise tuition, year-to-year. "Sometimes they'll raise it 10-12% in a fell swoop, and for families that have budgeted carefully that's a rude shock," he says. Ultimately, Mridul does think his Canadian education was worth it. "It's not just the education, it's the whole experience," he says. "It's all the other people that are here. In Bangladesh we have a very homogenous society... here it's the exposure to everything." | https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-48288733 |
Is Russia trying to sway the European elections? | Image copyright Getty Images EU officials say Russia is using disinformation to influence the outcome of this week's European Parliament elections. "Winter isn't the only thing that's coming - so is the risk of interference in our elections," said Sir Julian King, the EU's commissioner for security, in a press conference late last year. Their primary suspect is Russia. EU officials say the Kremlin has for years been using disinformation to sow discord and confusion across Europe, while undermining voters' trust in the European Union and its democracies. Russia flatly denies such accusations, calling them "completely false" and "unsubstantiated". But some commentators believe voters' discontent with the EU - the very thing Moscow is accused of stoking - should not be pinned on foreign actors, but rather on domestic politics. For many people, phrases like "disinformation" and "fake news" only came on to the radar after the 2016 US Presidential elections where, according to US intelligence agencies, Russia covertly acted to influence the result. Moscow has called the allegation "absurd". Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Russia was accused of meddling in the US Presidential election in aid of Donald Trump But officials in Brussels have been taking action against perceived Russian disinformation since at least 2015, when the East Stratcom Task Force was created. It's a unit of 15 people whose mission is to identify and expose any attempts by the Kremlin to mislead and confuse EU citizens. Giles Portman, who heads the task force, told BBC Trending: "The evidence is being compiled for several years now that Russia has been seeking to influence European democratic processes. "Attempts have been made to hack and leak, or to denigrate particular politicians, or to misrepresent certain policies. The best way [for Russia] to strengthen itself is to weaken its opponent." Hear more on this story on the Trending podcast from the BBC World Service: Download now Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron - pictured here at the 2018 World Cup final As an example, he cites the 2017 elections for the German Parliament, where right-wing nationalists were allegedly endorsed by Russia. And during French presidential elections in the same year, Kremlin-funded media outlets were accused of "spreading falsehoods" throughout the electoral campaign. There were also suggestions Russia was involved in a last-minute hack of emails from Emmanuel Macron's campaign. Officials admit that there is currently little evidence of large-scale attempts to spread disinformation directly related to this week's vote. "From what we've seen of the European election campaign so far, it looks at the moment less sensational than some of the attempts we've seen [in the past]," says Giles Portman. "What we can see at the moment is this continuation of a message that Europe is collapsing, that the elites aren't paying attention to ordinary people, and that Europe's values and identities are under threat." Image copyright Getty Images But the elections have featured prominently in media outlets funded by the Kremlin, including broadcaster RT and the Sputnik news agency. "They have been picking up the theme consistently over the past few months," says Olga Robinson, who tracks disinformation for BBC Monitoring. "They do seem to be pushing slightly anti-establishment messages." Some of those messages dovetail with those being put out by anti-EU, populist, and anti-establishment parties that have been gaining ground across Europe in recent years. Polls suggest these parties are likely to increase their number of seats in the European Parliament. "We in no way suggest that we are trying to tell people what to believe, how to vote, or interfere in people's right to hold whatever opinion they may wish to hold," says Portman. "We're just questioning the manipulation of the debate and saying that people's opinions are best based on facts." The European Commission, the EU's executive arm, says disinformation is part of Russia's military strategy and that Moscow spends up to 1.1bn (960m) on pro-Kremlin media - a huge sum compared to the East Stratcom Task Force budget of 3m (2.6m) to be spent by the end of 2020. Image copyright EU The task force runs a database open to the public, where it lists and debunk news articles published by the Russian media that, according to its analysis, contain falsehoods and pro-Kremlin disinformation messages. To date, it has compiled more than 4,500 cases. They also publish a weekly newsletter with some of its findings. Although the task force now focuses solely on Russian media outlets with links to the Kremlin, it came under fire in 2018 for listing articles published by Dutch media outlets as examples of disinformation. At the time, it was accused of trying to stifle media freedom and, faced the prospect of legal action. In response the task force backtracked and removed the three articles from its database. However, the unit is just a small part of the EU's broader "action plan against disinformation", unveiled in December last year. There are also digital awareness campaigns, additional funding for teams of experts in charge of detecting disinformation, and broader commitments that social media giants Google, Facebook, and Twitter have made. Those include making political advertising more transparent and removing fake accounts. Image copyright Getty Images A "Rapid Alert System" has also been created to help European governments respond in real time to new disinformation threats. However, European Commission spokesperson Johannes Bahrke confirmed to the BBC no alert has yet been triggered. In their search for signs of Russian disinformation campaigns, experts have spotted evidence of similar attempts to deceive - emerging not from Kremlin-linked outlets, but from partisan groups based inside the EU. "These groups seem to be pushing highly polarised content," says BBC Monitoring's Olga Robinson. "Some of the messages I have seen over the past few weeks have been built on complete lies." Image copyright Facebook / Via La Maschera 2.0 Image caption Populist groups in Italy have spread disinformation ahead of the European elections She says many of these messages echo pro-Kremlin disinformation. "It doesn't mean that they are in any way connected. It might be that Russia is tapping into this kind of Eurosceptic agenda and they have been doing that for a very long time," she says. In a statement, the Russian Embassy in London described accusations of election interference as "completely false" and "unsubstantiated". Trending also approached Russian news channel RT for comment. In a statement, deputy editor-in-chief, Anna Belkina, said disinformation claims against Russian media outlets "serve to silence and force out legitimate voices from public debate." "It is beyond naive to think that if RT didn't exist, the issues we cover wouldn't exist," she said. "Overlooking dissenting voices is what has long undermined the media-political establishment, not RT." Despite all the media attention that has been given to the subject in recent years, some academic research has actually called into question the reach of disinformation and fake news throughout the continent. There are also those who, though acknowledging that Russian-backed disinformation is real, argue that the EU's response is misguided. "By focusing on [Russian disinformation], the European Commission is shifting the focus from the more pressing underlying political issues and that's dangerous," says Julia Rone, a researcher at Cambridge's Department of Politics and International Studies. "There are people who are legitimately worried about economic inequality, about youth unemployment, and especially about immigration," she says. "There's a lot of mobilisation from the far-right all across Europe and it cannot be attributed simply to foreign agents." If you'd like to find out more about this story, listen to our podcast. Story by Marco Silva. You can follow BBC Trending on Twitter @BBCtrending, and find us on Facebook. All our stories are at bbc.com/trending. | https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-trending-48296557 |
Are hurricanes getting stronger and is the climate crisis to blame? | A hurricane is a large rotating storm that forms over tropical or subtropical waters in the Atlantic. These low pressure weather systems draw upon warm water and atmospheric moisture to fuel their strength and will gather pace if not slowed by patches of dry air, crosswinds or landfall. They are very tall towers of winds that move at the same speed, sometimes 60,000ft tall, says Jim Kossin, a scientist at the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. If they are unmolested by wind shear or run over land they will continue on their merry way. Storms are given names once they have sustained winds of more than 39mph. Hurricanes are gauged by something called the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale, which runs from one to five and measures speed. Once a storm gets to category three it is classed as a major hurricane, with winds of at least 111mph and enough force to damage homes and snap trees. Category five storms, of at least 157mph, can raze dwellings, cause widespread power outages and result in scores of deaths. This strongest class of hurricanes includes Hurricane Katrina, which caused the inundation of New Orleans in 2005, and Hurricane Maria, which flattened much of Puerto Rico in 2017. Both hurricanes and typhoons are tropical cyclones the only difference is the location where they occur. In the Atlantic, the term hurricane is used, while typhoon is used in the Pacific. In the South Pacific and Indian Ocean, the term tropical cyclone is often deployed. Almost all hurricanes develop once the northern hemisphere approaches summer, with the hurricane season running from 1 June to 30 November. The season peaks between August and October. This is because wind shear, which can disrupt hurricanes, dies down during summer, while the temperature of the oceans rise and the amount of moisture in the atmosphere increases. These conditions are ideal for spawning hurricanes. The season isnt strictly defined, however. It can start earlier, says Jennifer Collins, a hurricane expert at the University of South Florida. Its been a punishing past few years for people living in the path of hurricanes in the US and Caribbean. Last year there were an above-average 15 named storms, including Hurricane Florence, which brewed off the west African coast before barrelling into North Carolina, plunging much of the state into darkness and dumping up to 76cm (30 inches) of rain in places, resulting in flooding that killed dozens of people. This was followed by Hurricane Michael, the first storm to make landfall in the US as a category five event since 1992. The 160mph storm obliterated the town of Mexico Beach in Florida, caused more than 70 deaths and racked up an estimated $25bn (19bn) in damage. These disasters came in the wake of the 2017 hurricane season, which caused a record $282bn in damage. Hurricane Harvey unloaded 33tn gallons of water on Texas, the astonishingly strong Hurricane Irma, which reached a top speed of 177mph, ravaged Florida and several thousand people died in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria, another category five storm, tore across the island. The misery in Puerto Rico, in particular, is ongoing, with the US government strongly criticised by local elected officials for a sluggish and insufficient response to the catastrophe. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Shredded trees, derailed train cars and a sunken trailer in Panama City, Florida, in the wake of Hurricane Michael in 2018. While the overall number of hurricanes has remained roughly the same in recent decades, there is evidence they are intensifying more quickly, resulting in a greater number of the most severe category four and five storms. The proportion of tropical storms that rapidly strengthen into powerful hurricanes has tripled over the past 30 years, according to recent research. A swift increase in pace over a 24-hour period makes hurricanes less predictable, despite improving hurricane forecasting systems, and more likely to cause widespread damage. The devastation unleashed by recent hurricanes has led to warnings that premiums may rise as insurers face ballooning claims. A record $135bn was paid out by insurers in North America in 2017, mostly as a result of hurricane damages. We have a new normal, says Ernst Rauch, a senior executive at insurance company Munich Re. A range of factors influence the number of hurricanes smashing into land, from localised weather to periodic climatic events such as El Nio. Prior to 2017, the US had experienced a hurricane drought that had stretched back to Hurricane Wilma in 2005. But there is a growing evidence that the warming of the atmosphere and upper ocean, due to human activity such as burning fossil fuels, is making conditions ripe for fiercer, more destructive hurricanes. The past few years have been highly unusual, such as Irma staying strong for so long, or the hurricane in Mozambique that dumped so much rain, says Kossin. All of these things are linked to a warming atmosphere. If you warm things up, over time you will get stronger storms. The climate emergency is tinkering with hurricanes in a variety of ways. More moisture in the air means more rain, while storms are intensifying more quickly but often stalling once they hit land, resulting in torrential downpours that cause horrendous flooding. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Damage in the Rockaway neighbourhood of Queens, New York, where the boardwalk was washed away during Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Photograph: Spencer Platt/Getty Images Rising sea levels are aiding storm surge whipped up by hurricanes one study found that Hurricane Sandy in 2012 probably wouldnt have inundated lower Manhattan if it occurred a century previously because the sea was a foot lower then. According to the UNs Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the maximum intensity of hurricanes will increase by about 5% this century. The expanding band of warmth around the planets tropical midriff also means a larger area for hurricanes to develop, resulting in fierce storms further north than before, such as Florence. In the Pacific, this change means typhoons focal point is switching from the Philippines towards Japan. Researchers are currently attempting to ascertain if climatic changes will help bend the path of hurricanes enough that more will charge in the direction of the UK in the future. This has implications for places that have historically been unaffected by tropical cyclones, says Collins, who added these newly-hit areas are likely to suffer a significantly higher risk of structural damage than traditional hurricane zones. We are already seeing effects of climate change, says Collins. The forecasting of hurricanes has become a fine art, with scientists able to predict with sharp accuracy the anticipated path and ferocity of hurricanes. In the US, affected states have refined systems for warnings and evacuations and have a hefty federal agency, Fema, to plough billions of dollars into patching up shattered towns and lives. But planning is often haphazard, with flooded houses repeatedly rebuilt in the same locations despite the morphing risks posed by the climate crisis. The concreting of Houstons green spaces removed key sponges for Harveys water, which sloshed into peoples homes. Meanwhile, natural buffers to hurricanes, such as mangroves and coral reefs, are being stripped away around the world as a result of coastal development, pollution and warming waters. There are more people in harms way, too in the south-eastern US, for example, coastal populations grew by more than 50% from 1980 to 2003. Climate change adaptation rules have been scrapped by Donald Trumps administration, making it easier to build critical infrastructure in risky coastal areas. Coastal towns and cities are not currently prepared for the changes already occurring and will continue to occur, says Collins. We know that there are areas that are prone to flooding. We need to not rebuild on these areas, and build on higher ground. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Damage to homes in the town of Jeremie, Haiti, after the arrival of Hurricane Matthew in 2016. Photograph: Logan Abassi/AFP/Getty Images Those who deny scientific findings in favour of magical thinking and other such fallacies will only leave the world a more unstable and dangerous place for future generations to come. The situation is even starker for poorer Caribbean nations that will increasingly rely upon international help to deal with stronger hurricanes and rising sea levels. Hurricane Maria devastated the island of Dominica, leaving just 5% of the countrys buildings intact. Its prime minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, who lost his own roof in the storm, subsequently told the UN that he had come straight from the front line of the war on climate change. We as a country and as a region did not start this war against nature, a visibly shaken Skerrit says. We did not provoke it. Researchers have been poring over ocean temperatures and other data to ascertain whats in store for the 2019 hurricane season, which starts on 1 June. US officials will unveil their best guess on Thursday in Washington. Meteorologists at Colorado State University have predicted there will be a slightly below-average Atlantic season of 13 named storms, five of which will become hurricanes. This prediction rests on the presence of a mild El Nino a natural climatic event that periodically warms the Pacific Ocean, a process that tends to suppress the development of Atlantic hurricanes. There is still plenty of uncertainty in these early predictions. Early forecasts can be a but sketchy, says Kossin. In general, it looks like it will be around average. But we will have to see. Further reading Ninth Ward Jewell Parker Rhodes Eye of the Storm: a Book about Hurricanes Rick Thomas Thirty-Eight: the Hurricane That Transformed New England Stephen Long Typhoon Joseph Conrad | https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/20/are-hurricanes-getting-stronger-and-is-the-climate-crisis-to-blame |
Can New Zealand Finally Breakthrough At The Cricket World Cup? | Getty It was good versus evil. And, of course, evil prevailed. It was easy to paint the narrative of the 2015 World Cup final between the contrasting Trans-Tasman hosts. Australia, well before the ball-tampering debacle, were seen as the sneering loudmouths harsher critics would label them louts - who had absolutely owned the World Cup since breaking through in 1987. Conversely, the humble New Zealand were the darlings of the tournament. More than anyone, the tournament is best remembered for affable captain Brendon McCullum. The brutish batsman dazzled with his trademark pyrotechnics and his aggressive instincts seemed to always make the Black Caps one step ahead in the field. His humility made him a statesman for the sport. Getty It all amounted to naught in the decider played in front of a record cricket crowd of 93,013 at the Melbourne cricket Ground. Australia, who overloaded on the trash talking or sledging, as per the cricket parlance thrashed New Zealand in a one-sided finale to claim their fourth World Cup out of the past five. Even though they captured the hearts of fans worldwide, New Zealand frustratingly couldnt go all the way. It was the closest they have been to touching silverware after five semi-finals finishes. Despite those rich memories from four years ago, New Zealand are not fancied in the upcoming tournament. Most pundits have them a notch below favorites England and India - and even Australia and South Africa. The No.4 ODI team in the world are used to being disrespected and will use that as fuel for another unexpected push to the title. They undeniably will miss McCullum but his successor Kane Williamson is a worthy replacement as New Zealands talisman. The World Cup looms as pivotal for his legacy. He is part of the Big Four batsmen alongside Virat Kohli, Steve Smith and Joe Root but Williamson playing for a much smaller nation, one that is sadly often neglected feels somewhat overshadowed by those star players who headline crickets most powerful countries. If Williamson stars at the World Cup and especially if he leads New Zealand to glory then his legacy lifts significantly. He could do what none of those legendary figures have done and lead his country to a World Cup triumph. The 28-year-old is more understated than McCullum, but a composed Williamson ensures the team is never rattled an invaluable characteristic during the suffocating pressure of knockout matches. Getty There is always the fear that certain teams South Africa and Pakistan spring to mind might implode but New Zealand wont. They certainly wont get down on themselves. The opposition will have to be at their best. Much of that self-confidence has to do with New Zealands continuity. This is a veteran team with most of the core from 2015 still around. The top order is comprised of seasoned batsmen Martin Guptill, Henry Nicolls, Ross Taylor, Colin Munro and Williamson. Williamson, Taylor who is playing in his fourth World Cup - and Guptill have collectively amassed 526 ODI appearances between them. The dynamic Guptill, without McCullum, will be relied upon to get the innings rolling. If he starts off hot, New Zealand are tough to beat with players such as Taylor and Williamson able to bat around him. But if Guptill fails, the Kiwis can often get caught in quicksand and the innings tails off. In a World Cup where huge scores are expected, New Zealand need Guptill - who stunningly scored 237 not out four years ago against the West Indies to be at his destructive best. As they always seem to boast, New Zealand have a slew of highly-rated all-rounders. Colin de Grandhomme, Jimmy Neesham and Mitchell Santner loom as pivotal players for them. Santner, in particular, is a wily left-arm orthodox spinner who also doubles as a handy lower-order batsman. As it increasingly does in limited-overs cricket, spin will play a major role at the World Cup and Santner will have to keep his cool under an expected rampage against batsmen looking to attack the small boundaries. Perhaps Santners greatest attribute is his calmness and he wont get flustered even amid the cauldron. For New Zealand to go deep in the tournament, their vaunted pace attack will need to perform. Trent Boult and Tim Southee dazzled four years ago on home soil, and will hope to replicate that success in UK conditions that should suit their renowned seam movement. Getty They have become such a high quality pairing over the years in an ideal left/right-arm combination. Southee has somewhat struggled in white ball cricket recently ensuring much pressure is on Boult. New Zealand will be desperate for the tandem to simultaneously fire like they so seamlessly meshed four years ago but you can at least count on Boult to be up to scratch when it matters most. Boult doesnt need favorable conditions to be dangerous but a hint of movement often makes him unplayable as he memorably displayed as equal-highest wicket taker in 2015. Much rests on their shoulders with the other quicks highly promising but somewhat unproven on the big stage. New Zealand might not be one of the favorites but discount them at your peril. After all, they have a knack for a giant killing run on the grandest stage in cricket. | https://www.forbes.com/sites/tristanlavalette/2019/05/19/can-new-zealand-finally-breakthrough-at-the-cricket-world-cup/?src=rss |
Can my brother be my tenant even if my mortgage doesn't allow it? | Q I have been approved for a buy-to-let mortgage. It has always been my intention not to live in the property. I live in London and am buying a property in my hometown further north. It now transpires that my brother would be happy to live in the property. I know family members are not allowed to be tenants as part of the terms and conditions of the mortgage. He will pay rent, but at a reduced rate. AM A If you breach the terms and conditions of your buy-to-let mortgage by letting the property to your brother (or any other close relative), your lender would be within its rights to demand full repayment of the loan. If you dont tell your lender that a close family member is going to be your tenant, you would be committing mortgage fraud, which could also result in you being asked to repay the mortgage in full. Even if your lender did allow you to let to your brother, it might also take issue with him not paying a rent that covers 145% of the monthly mortgage payment, which would have been one of the requirement on which your mortgage application was approved. The reason most buy-to-let lenders dont allow you to let to close family members which includes siblings, parents, grandparents, grandchildren and a spouse or civil partner is that if they did, the sale of and advice on the mortgage would have to be regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This involves more work for the lender and a more detailed assessment of affordability as is required with normal FCA-regulated residential mortgages. So most but-to-let lenders offer only standard mortgages that are not regulated. However, if you are determined to let your property to your brother, all is not lost. According to the independent whole-of-market mortgage adviser Niche Advice, while lenders offering regulated or family buy-to-let mortgages are are, they do exist. According to Which?, they include Virgin Money, Melton Mowbray, Furness and Mansfield building societies. Mansfield is unique in expecting rental income to cover the mortgage repayment by only 100%, although its other affordability requirements will have to be met as well. So you may need to look into switching lenders if you dont want to risk being asked to repay your mortgage in full. Incidentally, if a cousin, aunt or uncle or other extended family had wanted to rent your property, you wouldnt have been in breach of your mortgage terms and conditions. | https://www.theguardian.com/money/2019/may/20/can-my-brother-be-my-tenant-even-if-my-mortgage-doesnt-allow-it |
Why should more Canadian seniors get vaccinated for pneumonia? | The question I recently turned 65 and went to my family doctor for a checkup. She said I should get a vaccination to protect me from pneumonia. I consider myself to be a relatively fit senior. The answer Although you may feel and look perfectly fit, your immune system becomes less efficient as you grow older. That means you become increasingly susceptible to infection from Streptococcus pneumoniae, bacteria that normally live in your body. This type of bacteria can exist in the nose and throat without causing any ill effects most of the time. But among susceptible individuals, the germs can invade the lower parts of the lung, resulting in pneumonia and difficulty breathing. The illness often leads to hospitalization and may be deadly. Story continues below advertisement The infection, which causes most bacterial pneumonia cases, is preventable with a vaccination. The Public Health Agency of Canada urges everyone over 65 to get a pneumonia shot and it has set a national target of inoculating 80 per cent of people within this age group. It also recommends that young children get a similar vaccine because their immature immune systems make them vulnerable to catching the lung infection. But the rate of vaccination against pneumonia in older Canadians is only about 42 per cent, compared to over 80 per cent in children, says Dr. Samir Sinha, director of geriatrics at Sinai Health System and the University Health Network in Toronto. Its deeply ingrained in us to think that children need vaccinations. However, vaccines are actually required across the course of our lifetime and we have done a terrible job as a society getting across this message. To make matters worse, we dont take the threat of pneumonia as seriously as we should, adds Sinha, who co-authored a report about pneumonia in older Canadians recently published by the National Institute on Ageing at Ryerson University. And yet its one of the major causes of hospitalizations and accounted for 135,000 visits to Canadian emergency departments last year. Pneumonia ends up killing more than 6,000 Canadians a year and 88 per cent of these deaths are among seniors. Story continues below advertisement Pneumonia can be nasty it makes you feel terrible, says Sinha. Some strains of the bacteria are incredibly invasive. The germs can spread beyond the lungs into the bloodstream and nervous system. In certain cases, it leads to meningitis, an inflammation of the lining around the brain. Pneumonia not only ravages the body it can undermine mental health, too. A lot of elderly pneumonia patients become confused and develop a condition known as delirium which can have long-lasting consequences, says Dr. Jerome Leis, medical director for infection prevention and control at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto. And for those who are hospitalized, they may find themselves at an elevated risk of other complications. For instance, they might lose their mobility, pick up other infections, or an existing health condition may get worse. A common scenario is that pneumonia precipitates another major health problem, notes Leis. The level of physical and cognitive functioning of a senior can change dramatically. They can go from living independently to, within weeks, requiring assistance to live," he explains. Some may be forced to move into a nursing home. Story continues below advertisement Pneumonia can be a life-changing event for many people. It has long been recognized by the medical community that the risk of pneumonia is even higher among people who develop influenza, commonly known as the flu. Influenza can damage the respiratory system and lead to a buildup of mucus in the airways. When this happens, theres a heightened chance that bacteria will move from the nose and upper throat into the lower parts of the lung, where the germs can cause full-blown pneumonia. Thats one reason why older adults are encouraged to get an annual flu shot in addition to the pneumonia vaccine. And while a new flu shot is required every year to deal with the ever-morphing influenza virus, most healthy adults normally need just one pneumonia vaccination. In order to encourage greater uptake of the pneumonia vaccine, all the provinces and territories cover the cost of the shot for seniors and young children. Story continues below advertisement There is a huge underestimation of the seriousness of pneumonia especially for older adults and thats something that absolutely needs to change, says Sinha. So, when your family doctor recommends that you get a pneumonia inoculation, its advice thats worth heeding. Paul Taylor is a patient navigation adviser at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. He is a former health editor of The Globe and Mail. Find him on Twitter @epaultaylor and online at Sunnybrooks Your Health Matters. Live your best. We have a daily Life & Arts newsletter, providing you with our latest stories on health, travel, food and culture. Sign up today. | https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/article-why-should-more-canadian-seniors-get-vaccinated-for-pneumonia/ |
Which states have the highest and lowest property taxes? | CLOSE According to a new study from Owners.com the town of Virginia Beach in Virginia is the number one home buyer market in the country. Buzz60 How much you pay in property taxes often comes down to which side of a county, city or district line youre on. And if youre a homebuyer this spring, its another important factor to consider while you house hunt. Property taxes largely fund public schools but also other local services like roads and police. A portion of your monthly mortgage payment goes to property taxes, so if youre on a tight budget, a higher property tax bill could be onerous. For instance, in Buffalo and Syracuse in New York, the property tax portion of the monthly bill can often be higher than the mortgage part because tax rates are so high there, says Lawrence Yun, the chief economist for the National Association of Realtors. Property tax is a critical piece of information in the home purchase decision and something a buyer should ask about before making the purchase, Yun says. Closings: Children's Place to close up to 45 stores in 2019, but also opening new stores Equifax breach: Mistakes on your credit report could cost you thousands: How to fix them Home For Sale Real Estate Sign in Front of Beautiful New House. (Photo: Feverpitched, Getty Images/iStockphoto) Property taxes are hyperlocal. Some states levy a property tax, but for the most part, these taxes are imposed on the county, city or district levels. That means a house down the street from yours could have a higher or lower tax burden than yours. Why property taxes vary In an extreme historical example, two nearly identical houses in the same subdivision that spanned the town line between Concord and Bow, New Hampshire, had vastly different property tax burdens, according to Joan Youngman, chair of the department of valuation and taxation at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, a think tank on the taxation and use of land. Concords property tax rate was about twice as much as Bows, even though both shared the same high school. Because Bows biggest property taxpayer was a power plant, rather than its few residents. In Concord, the homeowners bore a bigger share of the tax burden. How much owners of commercial, industrial and utility properties pay in taxes can affect your rate. Home values are another reason why one city has a higher property tax than another. Those areas with higher housing values can charge a lower tax rate, but still raise a lot in revenue. Shuttered stores: Fred's closing 104 more stores in summer, see the list Take California and Ohio. In Ohio, the tax property rate is the 12th highest in the country at 1.56%. A median house in Ohio valued at $129,900 brings in $2,032 in property taxes. But in California, the tax rate is much lower at 0.81% the 34th lowest in the U.S. but the median home there (valued at $385,500) raises $3,104 in property taxes. Other tax considerations Property taxes arent the only tax burdens, either, that residents should consider, Youngman says. For instance, Bridgeport, Connecticut, has the highest property tax rate but no local sales or income taxes. Birmingham, Alabama, by contrast, has the 11th lowest property tax, but a host other taxes, she said. If you put those together, Birmingham's tax burden is actually higher than Bridgeports, she said. State property taxes Overall, the effective property tax rate for homeowners is 1.2% in the U.S. On a median home of $178,600, thats an annual tax bill of $2,149. Eighteen states have effective rates that are the same or higher than the U.S. rate, while 32 states and the District of Columbia have lower rates. Using data from the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, USA TODAY ranked property taxes among states by the effective tax rate for homeowners, rather than the median tax paid, which is affected by overall home values. If your state doesnt appear in the lists below, visit the Lincoln Institutes online tool to find out where it stands. Worst states for property taxes New Jersey Tax rate: 2.35% Median home value: $315,900 Median tax paid: $7,410 Illinois Tax rate: 2.3% Median home value: $173,800 Median tax paid: $3,995 New Hampshire Metro area with most car thefts: Manchester Vehicle theft rate: 62.7 per 100,000 residents Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 257 Most stolen car in New Hampshire: Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size) (Photo: Thinkstock) New Hampshire Tax rate: 2.15% Median home value: $237,300 Median tax paid: $5,100 Connecticut Tax rate: 1.97% Median home value: $270,500 Median tax paid: $5,327 Wisconsin Tax rate: 1.96% Median home value: $165,800 Median tax paid: $3,248 Austin, Texas (Photo: Shutterstock.com) Texas Tax rate: 1.9% Median home value: $136,000 Median tax paid: $2,578 Nebraska Tax rate: 1.85% Median home value: $133,200 Median tax paid: $2,467 Michigan Tax rate: 1.78% Median home value: $122,400 Median tax paid: $2,174 <b>Vermont</b><br /> <b> GDP:</b> $29.6 billion<br /> <b> Country w/ similar GDP:</b> Latvia ($30.2 billion)<br /> <b> Vt. population:</b> 623,657 (Latvia: 1.9 million)<br /> <b> Vt. GDP per capita:</b> $47,408 (Latvia: $15,553) (Photo: KavalenkavaVolha / Getty Images) Vermont Tax rate: 1.74% Median home value: $217,500 Median tax paid: $3,795 Rhode Island Tax rate: 1.63% Median home value: $238,000 Median tax paid: $3,884 Best states for property taxes Hawaii Tax rate: 0.27% Median home value: $515,300 Median tax paid: $1,406 Alabama Tax rate: 0.43% Median home value: $125,500 Median tax paid: $543 New Orleans (Photo: Getty Images) Louisiana Tax rate: 0.49% Median home value: $144,100 Median tax paid: $707 Delaware Tax rate: 0.54% Median home value: $231,500 Median tax paid: $1,243 Washington, D.C. Tax rate: 0.56% Median home value: $475,800 Median tax paid: $2,665 40. South Carolina Founding date: May 23, 1788 (8th state to join) First capital city: Charleston First governor: Charles Pinckney South Carolina split from North Carolina in 1712 and then beat its northern neighbor to statehood by approving the Constitution over a year earlier. South Carolina became the eighth state in May 1788. ALSO READ: The Cost of a Wedding in Every State (Photo: Thinkstock) South Carolina Tax rate: 0.57% Median home value: $139,900 Median tax paid: $798 West Virginia Tax rate: 0.58% Median home value: $103,800 Median tax paid: $607 Colorado Tax rate: 0.6% Median home value: $247,800 Median tax paid: $1,489 Wyoming: Rock Springs Avg. pollen index 3.2/12 Most common pollen types: Maple, Juniper, Poplar ALSO READ: The 25 Worst Cities for People With Spring Allergies (Photo: hakkun / Wikimedia Commons) Wyoming Tax rate: 0.61% Median home value: $194,800 Median tax paid: $1,196 Arkansas Tax rate: 0.62% Median home value: $111,400 Median tax paid: $693 CLOSE Youre going to need to bust open that piggy bank if you want to live in one of these pricey metro areas. Buzz60's Sean Dowling has more. Buzz60 Read or Share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/05/20/property-taxes-state-which-has-highest-and-lowest/3697929002/ | https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/05/20/property-taxes-state-which-has-highest-and-lowest/3697929002/ |
Is a Dallas teacher really making $90k in his third year? | The claim: I met an outstanding teacher who was only in his third year of teaching and already making more than $90,000 a year in salary." Gov. Greg Abbott Abbott made the remark in his February state of the state address, referring to Dallas ISD as a model for his push to raise teacher pay in the Legislature. PolitiFact ruling: Mostly False. While Abbott met a teacher who was earning over $90,000 last year, the educator had more than three years of experience in the classroom. Its possible for newer teachers at Dallas ISD to earn that much in one year, but only through bonuses and stipends paid on top of their base salaries. Discussion: The average salary for a Texas teacher is $54,122, according to the Texas Education Agency, about $6,000 less than the national average. But in the Dallas school district, the second largest district in the state, a teacher who has spent three years in the classroom can earn base pay of up to $74,000. A novice teacher makes a starting salary of $50,000 a year. Texas Take: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox About PolitiFact PolitiFact is a fact-checking project to help you sort out fact from fiction in politics. Truth-O-Meter ratings are determined by a panel of three editors. The burden of proof is on the speaker, and PolitiFact rates statements based on the information known at the time the statement is made. Read More The district adopted a salary model about five years ago that pays teachers based on their effectiveness in the classroom. Educators are judged on several measures, including teaching performance and student growth and feedback, said Suzy Smith, director of performance management for the Dallas school district. Teachers ranked in the top tier known as masters can earn a base salary of $90,000 under the districts Teacher Excellence Initiative. But it takes years to get there. Josue Tamarez Torres, who teaches fourth grade science and math in the Dallas school district, said he believes he was the teacher cited in Abbotts speech. Last school year it was Tamarez Torres third year at Blanton Elementary School, he said, but his eighth year teaching in the Dallas school district. While he did earn more than $90,000 in the last school year, Tamarez Torres base salary was $82,000. On top of that, he earned a $12,000 stipend for teaching at a low-performing school through the districts Accelerating Campus Excellence initiative. He remembers meeting with Abbott last summer to talk about the districts pay structure, but only learned their conversation would be part of Abbotts speech after it was delivered in February from the governors office, he said. Those with less experience have also reported high earnings in the district usually through a combination of salary, stipends and bonuses tied to performance and other factors, such as being bilingual or teaching in schools with low student academic performance. This school year, there are two teachers who had three years of experience when they made the jump to the $74,000 base salary. But neither teaches at a campus where teachers are eligible for the Accelerating Campus Excellence stipend, making it unlikely their total compensation exceeds $90,000, said Dallas school district spokeswoman Robyn Harris. For more on the research and the conclusion, visit Politifact Texas, www.politifact.com/texas/ | https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/politics/texas/article/Is-a-Dallas-teacher-really-making-90k-in-his-13851985.php |
Is Mac DeMarco Growing Up? | Last fall, the singer-songwriter Mac DeMarco crouched backstage at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, in Colorado, chain-smoking Marlboro Reds. Hed taken the red-eye from Los Angeles after attending the funeral of a friend, the rapper Mac Miller, whod overdosed days earlier. I met him on tour in South America, DeMarco said. I didnt really know his music. I dont think he really knew my music, either. But we jelled. He went on, He called me, like, three times a day. It was easy. I dont encounter friendships like that often. He looked around. I cant keep doing shows the way were doing shows, he said. If I keep drinking a bottle of Jameson every day, to get loose, Ill be fucking dead, too. Winter came, then spring. DeMarco emerged with a bunch of new songsslow, sparse, and repetitive, he called them, on a recent day in New York. He was in town to promote his new album, Here Comes the Cowboy, with a performance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. He has lived in L.A. since 2016, but for three years before that he lived in New York. He recorded his second record, Salad Days, in a windowless Bushwick warehouse, shit-rammed with my stuff. He moved to Far Rockaway next, and he had his landlord play trumpet onstage with him in Central Park. And he made a record, Another One; in one of its songs, he invited fans over for coffee and provided his home address. (It never got that weird, he said.) Before the Tonight Show taping, his guitarist wandered the sixth floor of 30 Rockefeller Center without shoes. DeMarco napped in the woodsy-themed Adirondack Room. Very cute, he said, upon waking. It was the day before his twenty-ninth birthday. He had a two-day-old hangover from some rum in Virginia Beach, but he felt it had less to do with quantity and more to do with age. I still party, he said, but I dont drink at home anymore. I got to sleep in a bed last night. He wore a blue sweatshirt that said MASONIC HOME TEAM, rolled-up jeans, stained yellow skate shoes, and a dark-blue baseball cap bearing a yin-yang symbol and the word SWIMMING, the title of Millers final album. He talked about cars. Everyone around me is starting to be, like, Mac, you need to buy a car, because yours is fucked and it has been broken for six months and youre an adult. Im, like, Yeah. Ill get around to it. He has two Volvo 240 station wagons. Theyre cool, but I need a reliable car, he said. Maybe I should buy something thats not as old as I am. But Im cheap. Ive never had a car that was worth more than three grand. I dont like the way new cars look. Theyre weird. DeMarco grew up in Canada. Recently, hes been listening almost exclusively to the Beatles, Japanese video-game soundtracks, and Michael McDonald, the former front man for the Doobie Brothers. He says nice things about me and my band all the time, DeMarco said of McDonald, who is a pal. I took him to my favorite pho restaurant in L.A.kind of a dump, but great. He was, like, Man, bone broth! My wife says its really good for you. DeMarco has thought about what a collaboration with McDonald would be like. Michael is crazy talented, DeMarco said. I dont really know what I can bring to the table. A four-chord progression and some basic lyrics? DeMarco calls his lo-fi, yacht-rocky sound jizz jazz, and he has been known to perform in his tighty-whities. A few years ago, he sold out a show at Radio City Music Hall, across the street from Fallons studio. Shortly before that performance, it dawned on him how vast the stage is. My friend Matt, who I lived with in Far Rockaway, does tapestries, he recalled. I was, like, You want to help me fill this stage? Matt brought in fake human, dog, and dinosaur skeletons; shabby living-room furniture; and a Bunn-O-Matic coffee machine. For a backdrop, he hung banners printed with what DeMarco called chewed-up wrestling dolls. The Tonight Show taping began, and DeMarco did one of the new slow, sparse, repetitive songs, about growing up. Its always about growing up, he said afterward. He was happy to be back in New York. I heard someone say once that Manhattan has a special energy, he said, because its built on deep, subterranean, purple, crystal bedrock. You dont get that pep in other boroughs. | https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/05/27/is-mac-demarco-growing-up |
Should Wyandotte County lift its ban on pit bulls? | Patrick Mahomes and his pit bull Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes on his pit bull Steel Up Next SHARE COPY LINK Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes on his pit bull Steel For nearly 30 years, Wyandotte County has prohibited anyone from owning a pit bull. To the dismay of dog lovers, the ban includes any canine with the appearance and characteristics of a pit bull, such as a square head and bulky body. But after decades of singling out pit bulls, the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas should do the right thing and focus more broadly on dangerous dogs. The Unified Governments standing committee on public safety is expected to vote this week on an ordinance that would repeal the pit bull ban enacted in 1990. If passed in committee, the Unified Governments Board of Commissioners should abandon the breed-specific ban and continue to enforce existing dangerous and vicious dog ordinances that hold owners responsible for their animals behavior. A pit bull is just another pet, said Michelle Rivera, CEO of Spay and Neuter Kansas City. They shouldnt be penalized because of its breed. Unlimited Digital Access: Only $0.99 For Your First Month Get full access to The Kansas City Star content across all your devices. SAVE NOW Across the metro area, municipalities have slowly begun to move away from overreaching breed-specific laws that are costly to enforce and unfair to dog owners. In April, Liberty voters nixed the citys ban. It was the first ballot initiative in the area to rescind a prohibition on pit bulls. Last year, Eudora, Kansas, repealed its 10-year-old ban on pit bull-type dogs, replacing it with a comprehensive breed-neutral dangerous animal ordinance. In 2015, Roeland Park scrapped its decades-long ban. No pit bull attacks have been reported there since the restriction was lifted. Much like Eudora, Wyandotte County already has a law in place that effectively holds owners responsible for dangerous, vicious and nuisance animals. There is little need for a breed-specific ban if that ordinance is enforced. Advocates for repealing the bans correctly argue that pit bull restrictions are outdated and arbitrary. Pit bulls have earned a reputation for aggressiveness, and vicious attacks by the breed are well-documented. But poorly trained pit bulls arent the only dogs that could pose a danger. Since January 2017, a total of 132 dog bites have been reported to the Kansas City, Kansas Police Departments animal services unit. Of those, only 29 were committed by pit bull terriers. A combination of Chihuahuas, Yorkshires, German Shepherds and other breeds were responsible for more than 100 bites. Banning just one breed doesnt make much sense when other dogs are prone to attack. And corralling and housing these banned animals is a pricey endeavor. The cost to house, treat and care for one pit bull terrier for 72 days in Wyandotte Countys animal kennel is about $1,300. The animal services department spends about 24% of its $1 million budget on costs related to breed-specific violations. In essence, we spend $240,000 on one particular animal, said repeal proponent Jane Philbrook, Wyandotte County District 8 Commissioner. We need to concentrate on all dogs. Wyandotte County could reduce the risk of dog bites and prevent serious attacks with better enforcement of its existing breed-neutral ordinance. The Unified Government should update its approach to dangerous canines. And regardless of breed, dog owners should bear responsibility for their pets behavior. | https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/editorials/article230450594.html |
Does Trump Deserve Credit on China? | Annie Lowrey: How Trump thinks tariffs work (and how they actually work) As Reihan Salam has argued, those decisions now look faulty. Or at least premature. The Chinese Communist Party may worry about its ability to preserve its control. But they dont appear to be anywhere near to actually losing that control. One line of argument, advanced by Cortes among others, is that Trump was the first to understand the challenge China poses. That is, no other politician was able to recognize that a China rising without playing by the rules of the American order would present a systemic challenge. Believing this would require accepting that no other politician saw China thieving intellectual property from U.S. companies, forcing technology transfers, prejudicing state-owned companies, or manipulating its currency to mercantile advantage. But the public record proves that other leading political and economic figures understood the risks: Mitt Romney during the 2012 presidential campaign, for example, and President Obamawho set up the 19-nation Trans-Pacific Trade Partnership so that China would only get access to those markets if it played by the new rules. What is striking about the U.S. debate on China is how little debate there actually is over whether China is a malign force in trade, development, foreign, or domestic policies. China policy would likely have hardened under any American leader, because Chinas actions have been so egregious that they are undeniable. A second line of argument is that only Trump could force Chinese compliance to the rules because only he is willing to use the tactics likely to be successful. Variations on the theme include Trump as master negotiator and Trump as either purposeful or inadvertent practitioner of the madman theory of international politics. Peter Navarro, the presidents director of trade and manufacturing policy, put it like this: The reality is, unless the president talks tough on trade and has possible concrete actions to back up that talk, these people wont talk to us. They had no incentive to talk to us, none, because theyre winning and were losing. Peter Beinart: China isnt cheating on trade As Phil Levy pointed out a year ago in Forbes, though, the madman approach is only productive if the leader pivots to making reasonable demands once the counter-party comes to the table. This has been the problem that has plagued Trump trade policyhis erratic behavior has effectively brought lots of countries to the negotiating table, but he has then presented them with equally wild demands that fail to serve U.S. interests. | https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/05/trump-doesnt-deserve-credit-china/589720/?utm_source=feed |
How does new commit David Jenkins impact UNLV basketball? | UNLV Athletics David Jenkins is UNLV-bound, as the coveted transfer from South Dakota State chose the Rebels on Saturday. Its a big deal for the program, as Jenkins can legitimately make an argument for being the nations best shooter. Otzelberger scores a big win Before Jenkins signed with UNLV, T.J. Otzelberger had been having an up-and-down offseason on the recruiting trail. Though he did a good job of convincing key holdovers Amauri Hardy and Mbacke Diong to stay with the Rebels, he was unable to land former South Dakota State commit Caleb Grill. Now, Otzelbergers first incoming class is looking like a smash hit. Jenkins is that good, as he averaged 19.7 points per game last season while knocking down 45.3 percent of his 3-point attempts. And sure, Otzelberger had a head start on Jenkins by virtue of their prior relationship at SDSU, but he still had to hold off challenges from quality programs like Gonzaga and Oregon. That counts as a huge victory for Otzelberger and the Rebels. Target 2020 With Jenkins on board, UNLV appears to have a plan in place to qualify for the NCAA tournament or at least make a strong run at it in 2020-21. Jenkins will have to sit out this upcoming season, but when he is eligible in 2020 he will join Hardy and Diong (both seniors then) as well as guard Bryce Hamilton (junior) to form the core of a team that should compete for the Mountain West title and a spot in the big dance. While it would be nice to have Jenkins on the court this season, the timeline works out for UNLV. When he is ready to play assuming Otzelberger can add another key piece or two in the meantime the Rebels will be ready for postseason play. Fan frenzy UNLV added some solid players before Jenkins came aboard, as Jonah Antonio (a highly rated juco prospect) and Elijah Mitrou-Long (a grad transfer from Texas) should both play big roles this season. But the amount of talent leaving the program in the wake of Marvin Menziess firing had fans worried, and understandably so players like Shakur Juiston and Joel Ntamwbe are not easy to replace. The Jenkins commitment gives those fans a reason to get excited about the talent level on the team going forward. Jenkins gives UNLV a star presence, as he scored 30-plus points four times last year and had 10 games with at least five made 3-pointers. The Jenkins commitment is a big step in making the Rebels an exciting on-court product again. Style fit Though Jenkins wont be eligible to play in games next year, hell be practicing with the team on a daily basis. Otzelberger will no doubt appreciate having an advocate like Jenkins, as he is walking, talking proof that the system works. Jenkins knows how to run the playbook, he knows what Otzelberger expects from the players and he can communicate that to the rest of the locker room from the ground level. That should help ease the transition for the first-year coach. Scholarship situation With Jenkins signed, UNLV now has one open scholarship, though that could change as players continue to enter the transfer portal as Trey Woodbury and Ben Coupet did last week. Among the remaining holdovers, seldom-used Djordjije Sljivancanin and Jay Green could still find themselves testing the transfer market. Jenkins and former Tulane forward Moses Wood are sit-out transfers, so the Rebels will only have 11 active scholarship players at most next season. Adding another sit-out would bring that number to 10 and test the teams depth. Otzelberger may be willing to roll with a short roster for a year if it gets him a quality player, but a grad transfer seems like a safer option. Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala. | https://lasvegassun.com/news/2019/may/20/how-does-new-commit-david-jenkins-impact-unlv-bask/ |
Who is Robert F. Smith, the billionaire behind the Morehouse graduation gift? | CLOSE Billionaire investor and philanthropist Robert F. Smith pledged to pay off the student loan debt of the Morehouse 2019 graduates. Morehouse College Graduates of Morehouse College's class of 2019 received a gift fellow college students wished could come true: zero college debt. During Morehouse's commencement, billionaire Robert F. Smith told graduates he would create a grant to pay off their student loan debts. "You great Morehouse men are bound only by the limits of your own conviction and creativity," Smith said during his address. The Atlanta-Journal Constitution reports the gift to the 400 graduating seniors amounts to about $40 million. Smith had already pledged $1 million to Morehouse in January to create the Robert Frederick Smith Scholars Program, and an additional $500,000 to design an outdoor study area for students. Here's what you need to know about Smith: "My family is going to create a grant to eliminate your student loans!" -Robert F. Smith told the graduating Class of 2019 @RFS_Vista#MorehouseGrad2019pic.twitter.com/etG8JhVA46 Morehouse College (@Morehouse) May 19, 2019 He runs a successful investment firm Smith is the founder, chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners, an investment firm with offices in several cities including San Francisco, New York City and Austin. According to its website, Vista has $46 billion in capital committed to companies specializing in data, software and technology. According to Forbes, Vista is one of the best-performing private equity firms, with annualized returns of 22% since it was founded. Prior to founding Vista, Smith worked in tech investment banking with Goldman Sachs, reads a bio on the firm's website. He is worth $5 billion Smith ranks 355th on Forbes' Billionaires 2019 list. A profile of Smith published by Forbes in 2018 said he was the nation's wealthiest African American. His gift is among several philanthropic efforts Along with his gifts to Morehouse, in 2016, Smith pledged $50 million to his alma mater Cornell University toward the school's college of engineering. Smith is also the only African American to sign the Giving Pledge, an initiative created by billionaires Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett aimed at urging the world's billionaires to donate their wealth toward charitable causes. "I will never forget that my path was paved by my parents, grandparents and generations of African-Americans whose names I will never know," Smith wrote. "Their struggles, their courage, and their progress allowed me to strive and achieve. My story would only be possible in America, and it is incumbent on all of us to pay this inheritance forward." N'dea Yancey-Bragg contributed to this report. Follow Brett Molina on Twitter: @brettmolina23. Read or Share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/05/20/robert-f-smith-who-billionaire-behind-morehouse-graduation-gift/3739290002/ | https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/05/20/robert-f-smith-who-billionaire-behind-morehouse-graduation-gift/3739290002/ |
Will NFL change postseason overtime rule in October? | When seeing the news that the NFL may once again table the proposed alteration of overtime, my first thought was, Well, better luck next year. But then, literally while talking the issue through during Fridays PFTOT, it occurred to me that maybe a change could be made before 2020. The owners meet next week. Theyll next meet after that in October. If, as Chiefs owner Clark Hunt and Cowboys COO (and Competition Committee member) Stephen Jones have separately told PFT, the rule that guarantees a possession to the team that kicks off would likely be adopted for the postseason only, that rule could still be adopted in October. Scroll to continue with content Ad The league typically abhors changing any of its rules during a given season, for competitive reasons. But any change to the postseason rules wont matter until the postseason starts. The approach also would help to circumvent any argument by coaches that the postseason and regular-season overtime rules should be the same a strange obsession given that they already arent the same when it comes to the occurrence of ties in non-playoff games. There are great reasons for changing the rule for the playoffs. There are great reasons for not changing the rule for the regular season. And it may end up being a great idea to defer the final decision until the middle of the regular season. | https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-change-postseason-overtime-rule-211530533.html?src=rss |
Is Iran Testing Trump With Little Attacks in Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and the Persian Gulf? | BAGHDADThe sound of an explosion echoed through the Green Zone on Sunday night around 9:00 p.m., a reminder that this most secure part of the Iraqi capital is not, in fact, all that safe. The projectile appears to have been aimed at the United States embassy and, after the blast, embassy sirens went off, accompanied by repeated warnings blaring on loudspeakers instructing everyone to take immediate cover. Within the hour the missile was reported to have been fired from the Amana bridge in Baghdad, missing its likely intended target and landing in an empty field near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, with no casualties reported. What the Last War With Iran Tells Us About the Next One But for a brief and highly fraught moment alarms were going off in Washington, as well, where the much-publicized threat of Iranian proxy attacks on U.S. interests and personnel, and the American response positioning bombers and aircraft carriers, have conjured the specter of a new Middle Eastern war. One breaking news service breathlessly reported National Security Adviser John Bolton just seen arriving at the White House amid rocket attack possibly aimed at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq. President Trump, meanwhile, tweeted: If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran. Never threaten the United States again! It is not clear if he was responding to the rocket, a Katyusha that might have been fired by any number of players in Iraq, or to threatening rhetoric by some Iranian officials, or both. In any case, non-essential American personnel at the embassy had already been ordered to depart days earlier, many moving to posts in nearby countries to continue their work, and the U.S. embassy was already expecting a possible attack. Our team of researchers for the International Center for the Study of Violent Extremism (ICSVE) landed in Baghdad on May 14, 2019, the day before the U.S. State Department issued the security alert to the non-essentials in Baghdad and Erbil, recommending they depart Iraq by commercial transportation as soon as possible, avoid U.S. facilities within Iraq, monitor local media for updates, review personal security plans, remain aware of surroundings. An earlier security alert on May 12 advised all U.S. citizens of heightened tensions in Iraq and the requirement to remain vigilant. It recommended not traveling to Iraq, avoiding places known as U.S. citizen gathering points, keeping a low profile and, once again, being aware of your surroundings. For those of use who have been visiting Iraq since 2006, this seems at once familiar and strange. In those days none of the 5,000 embassy personnel were ordered home. A former senior diplomat who served in Iraq following the 2003 invasion warned that if the U.S. or Israel had decided to launch air strikes on Iran, emptying the embassy might be a smart move. Iran could strike back at a close and convenient targetthe U.S. Embassy in Baghdadand its ballistic missiles would be much more dangerous and difficult to withstand than mortars or Katyushas. According to a senior official in the Iraqi Counter Terrorism Services (CTS) the rocket Sunday night was launched by the Iranian-backed Kataib Hezbollah. If it came on Iranian orders, the lone, ineffectual projectile may have been intended as a pin-prick provocation testing reactions without triggering full-fledged war. Other recent incidentsa drone attack on a Saudi pipeline; minor explosions on Saudi and other oil tankerscould fall into the same category. Iraq, liberated from the tyranny of Saddam Hussein by the U.S.-led invasion of 2003, has come under increasing Iranian influence ever since, and the Iran-backed militias played a key role fighting the so-called Islamic State after the national army virtually imploded in 2014. They have since become a major element in the Iraqi defense apparatus, even though some 5,000 U.S. military personnel are on the ground training and working with other elements of the Iraqi military. | https://news.yahoo.com/iran-testing-trump-little-attacks-095148860.html |
Why Was the 'Game of Thrones' Finale Blocked In China? | While the Internet squabbles over the merits of the series finale of Game of Thrones, many Chinese citizens are still trying to avoid spoilers after Tencent, which airs HBO programming in the country, delayed airing the episode. Its unclear how long the delay will last and the reasoning behind it was vague at best. Officially, the company said, the delay was due to a media transmission problem. But the state of the global economy and some of the themes of the episode are prompting speculation that other factors may have been at play. **Warning: Major spoilers for Sundays episode follow. ** While some U.S. customers reported technical difficulties with HBO Now and HBO subscriptions purchased through Amazon, those issues resolved themselves quickly before the initial credits ran. So Tencents official reasoning seems thin, unless that transmission was blocked by the state for other reasons. The Iron Throne, as the episode was called, made a strong case for democracy. After Jon Snow kills Daenerys Targaryen, the leaders of the great houses gather to, among other things, determine who will rule Westeros. Samwell Tarly, who has always been the center of decency on the show, suggests that the ruler should be chosen by the people, not appointed or picked by a small group of powerful people. Hes laughed down, but given Chinas anti-democracy stance, that could have been enough to delay the episode, if only to edit out Sams well laid-out case, which underscores the absurdity and outdated nature of dictators. The ongoing trade war between the U.S. and China. Officials have increased both rhetoric and tariffs in the past week and that has begun to spill over into entertainment content. Also on Sunday, a Chinese drama shot in the U.S. with American actors was abruptly cancelled. Chinese production companies with ties to the U.S. are also reportedly facing pressure. CCTV, Chinas state-run movie channel, has also been airing fewer western films and airing more that center around the defeat of American invaders. Regardless of the reason, the delay of the Game of Thrones finale left millions of fans in China upset, with many slamming Tencent on Chinese social media. (Even more awkward, many members of the State Council have admitted to being fans of the show.) Whats as yet unknown is if this resulted in an escalation of piracy for the episode. The season premiere of the show in April was pirated 54 million times, with China being the second-largest hub of those illegal views. More must-read stories from Fortune: 3 ways China is beating Trump at his own trade war Why the next Game of Thrones book isnt coming soon Where Googles ban will hurt Huawei the most Subscribe to the new Fortune 500 Daily audio briefing Follow Fortune on Flipboard to stay up-to-date on the latest news and analysis. | http://fortune.com/2019/05/20/game-of-thrones-china-finale/ |
What next for managerless Swansea City after Graham Potter departure? | Graham Potter's influence was such that a year on from Premier League relegation, Swansea City were starting to look forward with confidence again. But Potter is gone and optimism has been replaced by uncertainty. A manager who was central to restoring hope at the Liberty Stadium has been lured to the Premier League by Brighton and Hove Albion. Swansea fans felt they might get back to the top flight themselves with Potter at the helm. Now they are left wondering what the future holds. For the first time in 18 years, Huw Jenkins will have no part in the search for a new manager. The long-time Swansea chairman departed in February and now his last manager has gone too. Jenkins did not get every decision right, but there were numerous successes among the 13 permanent managers appointed during his tenure. Now it falls to Trevor Birch - who arrived as Jenkins' successor in April - and Swansea's owners to find someone to pick up the baton dropped by Potter. He will not be an easy man to replace. To the outside observer, Swansea's 10th-placed Championship finish in 2018-19 may not look particularly notable given that they were a Premier League club the previous season. Swansea chairman Trevor Birch must find a manager to continue the rehabilitation begun by Graham Potter But Potter's achievements in his solitary Swansea campaign were laudable. An exodus of senior players in the summer of 2018 left him with an imbalanced squad, which was patently lacking in certain departments. There was little money for Potter to play with - he signed just a handful of players during his two transfer windows at the Liberty - so he was forced to turn to youth. The results were spectacular, as a band of players with little or no first-team experience established themselves in Potter's progressive Swansea side. It is for the emergence of youngsters such as Connor Roberts, Joe Rodon, Matt Grimes, Oli McBurnie and Daniel James that Potter's brief Swans reign will be remembered. His other key contribution was to re-establish the eye-catching possession game, which had been Swansea's trademark until they lost their way in their latter Premier League days. Cost-cutting and departures The club must now seek out another manager to continue along that path. There is not an obvious list of candidates. The cost-cutting continues at Swansea, with more players departing this summer. Captain Leroy Fer, Wilfried Bony, Martin Olsson and Luciano Narsingh are definitely leaving, while Wayne Routledge may also have played his last game for the club. It would be a major shock if James, the most exciting of all the Swans' prospects, is still at the club come August given that his contract has just a year to run. Manchester United are interested in the 21-year-old and the suggestion is he will end up at Old Trafford. James may not be the only one who is sold. McBurnie, scorer of 24 goals last season, could follow Potter to Brighton, while Sheffield United are also thought to be interested. There are others, like Grimes, who may attract interest having impressed last term. Swansea's next manager, therefore, is likely to have to cope with the loss of at least some of the players who showed so much promise under Potter. Fresh faces will surely need to be added to the squad if there are significant departures, but what funds will be available for transfer work is questionable. So Swansea must find a manager who wants to play possession football but who accepts players will leave and that there may not be much in the kitty to replace them. Potter ticked those boxes and, to his great credit, produced an exciting team who looked to be going places. Swansea's Wales winger Daniel James seems set to be sold to a Premier League club this summer The fact he is now gone says much about the parlous state of Swansea's finances. It was not a foregone conclusion that Potter would go once Brighton came calling. He was happy at Swansea and, after such a promising first campaign, felt something could be achieved in 2019-20. When Brighton's interest became apparent, Potter asked Swansea's hierarchy about what resources would be available this summer. The answer was enough to convince him he should go, leaving Swansea with a sizeable void to fill. They have been here before, having lost Roberto Martinez and Brendan Rodgers to clubs higher up the food chain in the last decade. But this situation is a first for Swansea under Birch and for Steve Kaplan and Jason Levien, the club's owners since 2016. Potter was key to restoring belief at a club left reeling following Premier League relegation. The choice of who comes next will be critical to that belief being maintained. | https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48328561 |
Is there a problem with salmon farming? | It was once considered a luxury but now a staggering one million salmon meals are eaten in the UK every day. The fish is one of the UK's biggest food exports and said to be worth more than 1bn a year to the economy. In supermarkets, the packaging shows pristine Scottish waters and projects an image of a clean and natural product. But look at the small print and you will see that all Scottish salmon is "farmed". Wild salmon is no longer fished commercially anywhere in the UK. Instead, hundreds of thousands of fish at a time are raised in pens suspended in the open sea lochs around Scotland's west coast and the Northern Isles. The salmon will swim around inside the pens for up to two years before being "harvested" for our dinner plates. Image caption More than 200 fish farms now operate in Scotland From just a couple of sites about 50 years ago, more than 200 fish farms now operate in Scotland, producing more than 150,000 tonnes of salmon a year. Farmed salmon are fed on processed feed and treated with medicines to ward off disease and infestations such as sea lice, which can breed among the fish in the pens. The pens keep the fish enclosed but they allow parasites to get in and let thousands of tonnes of waste into the surrounding water. The amount of salmon produced by Scottish farms dropped last year due to attempts to tackle "biological issues" such as sea lice infestations and disease. The industry says it is proud of its environmental record and is performing well. Julie Hesketh-Laird, the chief executive of the Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation, says: "Sustainable growth is in everybody's interest. "We want consumers, we want the public and anybody with an interest in Scottish salmon to be confident that the salmon farming sector is doing absolutely everything that it can to grow sustainably." The BBC Panorama programme - Salmon Farming Exposed heard of severe sea lice infestations on salmon in one loch, which were being essentially "eaten alive" by the parasites. And there were concerns that the large amounts of pesticides, as well as faeces and food waste coming from the thousands of salmon in the fish farm nets, could be damaging the environment in some of Scotland's lochs. Marine ecologist Dr Sally Campbell says: "I think most people who choose salmon off their supermarket shelves have no idea of the waste that's going into our marine environment as a result of that. And they would be appalled." Every year about 9.5 million fish die in the salmon farms, about 20% of the total. Disease, parasites and even chemicals designed to treat them can all prove fatal. Corin Smith, a wildlife photographer who has been researching salmon farming, says it exists in relatively remote areas so is largely hidden from view. BBC It's more akin to free-range farming than anything else that I think I could compare it to He says: "Open-cage salmon farming is a hyper-intensive method of producing food. There has been overwhelming public consensus that battery chicken farms are essentially unacceptable. Salmon farming's never been through the process of public scrutiny yet." According to Ms Hesketh-Laird, salmon farmers are "absolutely passionate" about the fish that they rear. She says: "The mortality rates in the sector is not as good as we would like them to be. Every farmer wants to see their livestock thrive." Image copyright Jeff J Mitchell In Scotland's rivers, the wild salmon is considered the king of fish. For millennia, it has made an extraordinary journey. It migrates thousands of miles out to sea before returning - upriver - to its exact place of origin. But catches of wild salmon are at their lowest level since records began. Their decline is blamed on climate change but there are concerns too about the potential impact of sea lice as wild salmon swim past fish farms. In the summer of last year biologist Paul Hopper was alerted to concerns about wild salmon in the Blackwater River in Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides. The fish making the journey back to spawn were dead or dying. BBC To have this sort of epidemic in a wild population was really quite unusual They were covered in sea lice - a naturally occurring parasite that can breed in huge numbers on salmon farms. Mr Hopper says: "Most of them were showing a lot of physical damage. "That's what happens with the sea lice, they are attached to the fish's gills and then they spread to the back of the fish's head and sort of down the fish's back." Image copyright Outer Hebrides Fisheries Trust Image caption Wild salmon with lice damage, filmed in the Blackwater River last summer Mr Hopper says wild fish always have "background levels" of lice but what he was seeing was very different. "The worst fish I counted had 747 lice on it, which is really quite exceptional," he says. "To have this sort of epidemic in a wild population was really quite unusual." The dead wild salmon were found close to several fish farms on Loch Roag, run by the Scottish Salmon Company. On 7 August, Marine Scotland, the government agency responsible for assessing the welfare of farmed fish, visited a farm called Vacasay - one of the six sites on Loch Roag. BBC I couldn't believe what I was seeing, I couldn't believe the numbers and the damage Inspection reports seen by the BBC show that after visiting the sites on Loch Roag, Marine Scotland rated them "satisfactory" for parasites - despite seeing signs of lice damage on the fish in the pens. Two weeks later, Corin Smith filmed above the same salmon farm. His footage shows fish with severe injuries caused by sea lice. So he swam out and filmed inside the pens. Mr Smith says: "When I filmed in the farm, what I saw was an incident of severe sea lice infestation, and the fish were being essentially eaten alive by the parasites. Image copyright Corin Smith Image caption Farmed salmon with lice damage, filmed in a fish farm called 'Vacasay' in Loch Roag "I couldn't believe what I was seeing, I couldn't believe the numbers and the damage." Corin Smith shared his footage with news website The Ferret. Within days, Marine Scotland's inspectors returned. This time they found high levels of the parasite and four salmon farms were sent warning letters for failing to control parasites. Image caption Loch Roag near Lewis in the outer Hebrides is the site of six fish farms Graham Black, director of Marine Scotland, told the BBC the site was "fine" when they first visited. He says: "It was still on the high side and we were still telling the business that there was work that needed to be done but it was nothing out of the ordinary." Mr Black says parasite numbers can increase "very quickly" in certain environmental conditions. The Scottish Salmon Company says the problems were "unprecedented and extremely challenging". It says the fish were "treated swiftly" and has since recorded an "improvement in survival rates". Scottish salmon farm facts Image copyright PA In 2017, production of Atlantic salmon increased to 189,707 tonnes. The highest level of production recorded in Scotland. This is believed to have dropped in 2018 to about 150,000 tonnes but official figures are not yet available. Marine salmon production was undertaken by 12 businesses farming 226 active sites, stretching down the west coast of Scotland as well as on Orkney and Shetland. The total number of staff in marine salmon production in 2017 was 1,431. The vast majority of fish were produced in seawater cages. BBC Only the few people who go diving can appreciate how bad the damage is David Ainsley runs a tour company, taking tourists on his boat to experience the beauty of the Argyll coast. He is also a marine biologist and a diver and over the past eight years he has filmed the seabed next to a fish farm in Loch Shuna. He says: "We found large areas of bacterial mat, we found lots of dead things on the seabed. In fact, there's very little left alive. "Only the few people who go diving can appreciate how bad the damage is." Image copyright David Ainsley Image caption Divers hands pulling up bacterial mat near to a fish farm Campaigners claim the feed, faeces and chemicals from salmon farms fall through the nets, killing the marine life underneath. Mr Ainsley filmed footage under Loch Shuna just weeks ago. For him, the cause of the harm is clear. He says: "The problem is that we're changing the ecology of these inshore sea lochs." Mr Ainsley thinks the government is failing to regulate the industry properly. He says: "We've had a history of weak regulation of salmon farming - a history where the sensible distances between farms have been reduced, where farms are allowed to pollute much greater areas. "When the levels of the chemicals in the seabed exceed the allowable standards, nothing is done, a blind eye is turned to it and the industry is just allowed to continue." Marine Scotland's Graham Black said: "We would accept that the regulatory structure is not as good as it might be. It probably needs now to be renewed and refreshed and put in place for a more modern approach." The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa), like Marine Scotland, has been criticised for its regulation of the industry. Currently, 56 farms are rated by Sepa as "very poor", "poor" or "at risk". Yet in the past five years no company has been fined or prosecuted. Reasons for the poor ratings include excessive levels of ammonia being released into the sea and unregulated quantities of fish food and faeces discovered on the sea bed. Sepa says it is getting tougher and they do take action when companies breach weight or chemical levels. Sepa's Terry A'Hearn said: "There's been 44 times in the last five years where we've directed companies to reduce the number of fish they have in their farms. "That can cost them hundreds of thousands of pounds, or potentially millions of pounds. And it's really important, because that leads to a reduction in the waste that actually hits the seabed." Image caption Norwegian companies operate under tighter rules in their own country. Norway is the biggest producer of farmed salmon in the world, with more than one million tonnes produced each year. Norwegian companies own many of Scotland's salmon farms but they operate under tighter rules in their own country. If there is any evidence that salmon farms are damaging the environment, or adversely affecting wild salmon, they can be fined. Dr Torbjorn Forseth leads the scientific committee that advises the government on regulating the salmon industry. He says: "I think the science that we have produced and the documentation that has been produced on the effects has actually helped the farming industry because I think also the farming industry needs regulation to operate properly." BBC The authorities control us in a stronger way than they do in Scotland Arnfinn Torgnes runs the Norwegian Aquaculture Centre in Bronnoysund. He has years of salmon farming experience around the globe, including in Scotland. Mr Torgnes says: "The authorities control us in a stronger way than they do in Scotland. "But I accept and I am agreed that's a good thing for us. "We need to have a Big Brother watching you that we don't do anything that's not good for ourselves and also for the fish." Image caption Norway is looking at new ways to control parasites His facility is testing new ways of controlling parasites and the damage they do - research which is incentivised by the government in Norway. The authorities here have encouraged producers to develop semi-closed and closed farms by offering cheaper licences for new technologies. Mr Torgnes says his nets have a tarpaulin system that goes all the way around, to a depth of 12 metres. That means the contents of the closed pens are isolated from the outside waters. Dr Forseth says: "The winners in this industry will be those that are able to implement new technology that gets rid of the large environmental issues." The salmon farming industry has insisted it is working hard to find solutions to the problem of sea lice, and is making progress in rearing so-called cleaner fish which feed off the lice, avoiding the need for chemicals. Graham Black, from Marine Scotland, said: "There's a lot of innovation in Scotland, probably 60m has been spent in innovation in the industry over the last year or so. "I think it's undoubtedly true that there are some issues that have to be addressed. "The status quo is certainly not something that we're happy with so things have to change. Whether we would simply pick up a regime from another country and try and plonk it on Scotland, that's not likely to work." New rules will be published by the environmental regulator Sepa in the coming weeks. They are expected to draw upon the example of Norway and promise a tougher stance on companies that do not play by the rules. Panorama: Salmon Farming Exposed is on BBC1 at 20:30 on Monday 20 May and on the BBC iplayer. Additional reporting by Liam McDougall and Kevin Anderson. | https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-48266480 |
Who is Morehouse billionaire benefactor Robert F. Smith? | Billionaire Robert F. Smith pledged to pay off student loans for every member of Morehouse College's graduating class. The Ivy League-educated business leader made his fortune investing in software firms and other tech companies. He's well-known for his philanthropy -- and the first African-American to sign Bill and Melinda Gates' Giving Pledge. Members of Morehouse College's class of 2019 received more than their diplomas at the college's commencement ceremony Sunday when honorary degree recipient Robert F. Smith announced he would eliminate the entire class's student debt. "This is my class, 2019," he said. "And my family is making a grant to eliminate their student loans." Morehouse is an all-male, historically black college in Atlanta. The billionaire's gift is estimated to be worth about $40 million, based on the combined debt shouldered by the graduating class's nearly 400 students, making it the single largest individual donation to a historically black college or university. A biz whiz worth an estimated $5 billion The 56-year old Smith, who holds an undergraduate degree from Cornell University and a master of business degree from Columbia University, is the founder of the nearly 20-year-old Austin, Texas-based private equity firm Vista Equity Partners. His P.E. firm, which manages more than $46 billion in assets from pension funds and other big institutional investors, buys major stakes exclusively in software, data and technology companies. It has an exceptional annualized rate of return of 22%, according to Forbes. The magazine also estimates the business whiz is worth about $5 billion. Recognized for his leadership in both business and philanthropy, Smith is the first African-American to sign the Giving Pledge, created by Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett as a promise to commit at least half one's wealth to philanthropic causes. Other ultra-wealthy pledgers include former New York City mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan. Smith began his career in business at Kraft General Foods, where he earned a four U.S. and international patents, and joined Goldman Sachs in 1994 before ultimately founding his own investment firm. His approach to philanthropy has been described as transformative, and his gifts, much like his grant to Morehouse students last weekend, are often unprecedented. Smith in 2017 made a $20 million gift to the National Museum of African America History and Culture, making him the single largest individual donor in the museum's history. Other past gifts include sizable donations to Columbia and Cornell, whose School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering bears his name. Hope Dworaczyk, left, and her husband, the investor and philanthropist Robert F. Smith, at the 2018 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Awards in New York City on Dec. 12, 2018. Smith made news this week when he pledged to pay off some $40 million in student debt for Morehouse College's entire class of 2019 during his commencement address at the historically black college. Andy Kropa/Invision/AP Morehouse graduates interviewed by CBS This Morning said they expect that Smith's gift will have an immeasurable impact on their lives. "Just imagine the weight lifted off your shoulders when you have a clean slate coming out of college," said Dwytt Lewis, a 2019 graduate with a degree in business administration, who owed more than $150,000 in debt. "It's just an overwhelming feeling, in a good way," the formerly homeless student told CBS News correspondent Mark Strassmann. "I'm so motivated to go change the world." This isn't Smith's first gift to Morehouse. Earlier this year, he donated $1.5 million to fund endowed scholarships and build a park where students could study. Smith did not return CBS News' request for comment. He said during his commencement address that he expects recipients to "pay it forward," and hopes other benefactors will follow his lead and do what he did for future graduates. His wife, Hope Dworaczyk, whom he married in 2015, is a former Playboy model more than 20 years his junior. | https://www.cbsnews.com/news/who-is-morehouse-billionaire-robert-f-smith/ |
Are we over-medicalising poverty? | Video Researchers behind a study called 'Poverty, Pathology and Pills', say we are over-medicalising poverty. They have been looking at how depression is treated in impoverished communities in the south west of England. It found that the stresses of life on a low income are too often treated as a purely medical problem, and that social problems like unemployment or cuts to services added to mental stress. The report is a product of the Destress project, a collaboration between Exeter and Plymouth Universities. Dr Felicity Thomas was one of the principal investigators and PM's reporter Chris Vallance went to meet her, and some of the volunteers who took part. | https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/health-48343189/are-we-over-medicalising-poverty |
Can Roe v. Wade Be Overturned? | This week alone, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed a bill into law that, if its implemented in six months time, will serve as a near total ban on abortionexcept in cases where the mothers life is at risk. The bill noticeably excludes exceptions for cases of rape and incest, and a doctor who illegally performs an abortion could face up to 99 years in prison. Meanwhile in Missouri, the state Senate passed a bill that would ban abortions after eight weeks of pregnancy. It similarly only allows exceptions in the case of a medical emergency, and doctors could face five to 15 years in prison for violating the law. Unlike the Alabama law, it still needs to go back through the state House before it can be approved by Gov. Mike Parson. In recent months, a number of other states have passed heartbeat bills, which prohibit abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected, often as early as six weeks into pregnancybefore many women even know theyre pregnant. They are more restrictive than current federal law, as stipulated by Roe v. Wade. The Roe v. Wade Decision After Roe was decided in 1973, the Court divided a womans pregnancy into three trimesters: in the first trimester, the decision to have an abortion would be at the womans discretion; during the second trimester, the state could regulate procedure, but not ban abortion. In the third trimester, when the fetus was considered viable, the state was permitted to regulate or prohibit abortion, allowing for exceptions when the mothers health was at risk. In the years since, states and interest groups have sought to overturn the ruling or further restrict access. One such effort reached the Supreme Court in 1992, a case called Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey. The justices ruled reaffirming Roe v. Wade, but upheld a handful of regulations, including a 24-hour waiting period and a requirement that minors get consent of at least one parent before getting an abortionand this ruling has effectively become todays precedent on abortion. Despite this precedent, states have continued to seek to further regulate abortion at the state level. Mary Ziegler, Florida State University College of Law professor and author of After Roe, explained that states canand dodo things that are technically unconstitutional. Unless someone actually challenges them, then nothing happens, she said. There are many constitutional law cases where a court may even review legislation that the state has passed and decide its not unconstitutional. Its complicated. Abortion on the State Level The Alabama law is unique, as Melissa Murray, NYU Professor of Law, notes that it is intended as a provocation and is therefore purposefully extreme. The Alabama state legislature passed the most restrictive bill with the hope of it being challenged to force the courts to question whether Roe v. Wade is a legitimate precedent. It is widely expected that the bill will be challenged before it goes into effect, at which time the case would go to federal district court. If its litigated, then it could go to the 11th circuit appellate court, and that decision in turn could be appealed by either side, and then make its way to the Supreme Court. Laurence Tribe, professor of law at Harvard University, explains that a law such as that in Alabama is clearly in conflict with Supreme Court precedent. As such, it is likely that it would be struck down by the lower courts, because they are bound by Supreme Court precedent even if they predict that precedent might be overturned by the Court. Even if one or two circuits are outliers and uphold one of the really extreme laws, Tribe added, the Court isnt bound to grant review and probably would avoid doing so at least until after the 2020 election. This is because the Supreme Court is discretionary, meaning it can decide whether or not to hear a caseit requires the support of four justices for a case to be added to the docket. If in this instance the Supreme Court chooses instead not to hear the case, then the opinion of the 11th circuit would become law. Abortion on the Federal Level Experts are largely in agreement that if Roe v. Wade were to be substantially altered or overturned, it would not be through the Alabama case. It is instead more likely that the Court will make incremental changes to the law. Ziegler notes that she thinks theres a pretty good chance that the Supreme Court will eventually change the abortion doctrine so substantially that its no longer recognized in the way it is now. However, she argued that it would be unlikely to uphold the Alabama law as that would entail getting rid of Roe in one shot and the Court wants to not appear to be political. Instead the Court may start by upholding laws that dont go as far, chipping away gradually at Roe and setting the stage for overturning it. Tribe also doubts that laws as extreme as Alabamas would be heard by the Supreme Court, explaining that it is more likely to nibble away at the edges of Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey than to toss a nuclear bomb into the law established by those precedents in 1973 and 1992. Carolyn Shapiro, an associate professor at the Chicago-Kent School of Law is confident that other cases that involve significant restrictions to abortion will make their way to the Supreme Courtthere are already several making their way through the courts. In fact, the Supreme Court is expected to decide in the coming months whether to hear one such case, June Medical Services v. Gee, which challenges a Louisiana law that effectively closes most of the abortion clinics in the state. A case such as this one is highly restrictive, but doesnt purport to restrict abortion, Shapiro explains, making it more likely that it would make its way to the Supreme Court and be upheld. It is making access to abortion more difficult by designwithout the public trigger of saying that theyre overruling Roe v. Wade. Plausible deniability, in other words. Overturning Roe v. Wade While these cases likely wont impact Roe on a federal level, they could still pave the way for states to have more freedom in determining abortion law. The Court could overturn or weaken protections that are enshrined in Roe, which would give states leeway to restrict abortion access at the state level. But Robert Nagel, professor of constitutional law at University of Colorado, believes that the importance of precedent will prevent the Court from going as far as dismantling Roe v. Wade. While he notes that the Supreme Court does have the power to go back and reverse earlier decisions, he thinks that there are a good number of people on the Court who regard it as such an important institution and believe respect for it is so important that they would effectively be inclined to repeat what happened in the Casey case. In that case, several of the justices explained in their ruling that while they believed that Roe itself was wrongly decided, there were institutional and political reasons that it would be inappropriate for them to reverse the decision after so many years had passed. Nagel therefore believes that even if some of the current justices similarly dont agree with Roe, their respect for the institution of the Court and precedent outweigh their interpretations of the law. Chief Justice John Roberts has demonstrated the weight he gives to precedent, as evidenced by a concurring opinion in the 2010 Citizens United decision. In it, he wrote, Fidelity to precedentthe policy of stare decisisis vital to the proper exercise of the judicial function.For these reasons, we have long recognized that departures from precedent are inappropriate in the absence of a special justification. He went on to note that stare decisis is not an inexorable command, but rather a principle of policy, meaning that in the unusual circumstance when fidelity to any particular precedent does more to damage the constitutional ideal than to advance it, we must be more willing to depart from that precedent. So for a womans right to abortion to be no longer protectedand the decision in Roe v. Wade reverseda case such as any of those mentioned above would need to reach the Supreme Court. The Court in turn would need to agree to hear the case and revisit its precedents. A majority of justices would then have to rule that the interpretation of the law as set forth in Roe was mistaken and therefore offer a new interpretation of the Constitution and issue a new opinion. A high-profile, landmark case like Roe v. Wade is so etched in the public consciousness, however, that it would take a lot for the Court to decide to overturn it entirely rather than make incremental changes. For the time being, dont expect abortion to suddenly be outlawed. (It is still legal in all 50 states.) Even in the case of the Alabama bill, an injunction is likely while the case is being adjudicated, meaning that the law will not go into effect until the court has ruled on the matter. It could be years before we see any substantive changes to the law, but remembertheres a difference between outlawing abortion and severely restricting it. More must-read stories from Fortune: Alabamas abortion bill is the strictest in the nation. Heres what that means Trump keeps alluding to extending his presidency. Trump thinks so Abortion is still legal in all 50 states | http://fortune.com/2019/05/20/can-roe-v-wade-be-overturned/ |
When does Tidal Cove water park open in Aventura? | Tidal Cove Waterpark has seven slides and a VIP pool for adults. Now theres a new reason to stay in Aventura even if you dont want to go to the mall. The new Tidal Cove Waterpark is now open at Aventuras JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa. As water parks go, Tidal Cove is a big one. Theres a 60-foot tower with seven water slides, the biggest of which is the Constrictor, a 558 foot slide for riders on rafts. Theres also a 4,000-square-foot kiddie pool with an aquatic play structure. Guests can also check out the first-ever FlowRider Triple surf simulation pool in the country, which is made up of three surfing areas. The FlowRider concept combines elements of bodyboarding, skateboarding, skimboarding, snowboarding and wakeboarding, and if you dont know how to do it, lessons are available. Unlimited Digital Access: Only $0.99 For Your First Month Get full access to Miami Herald content across all your devices. SAVE NOW One of the water slides at Tidal Cove Waterpark in Aventura. No worries. Hit up the VIP pool area for adults and get away from the little monsters. The new features supplement those already in place at the resort, which include a zero entry pool and the Lazy River, which winds an eighth of a mile through tropical foliage on the property. Good news for locals, too. You dont have to be an overnight guest to hang out at Tidal Cove. Day guests can buy a Resort Day Membership for access to the water park as well as the spa, pool and slides, Corsair Kitchen & Bar, Surf House Bar & Grill, Freestyle, Starbucks and Bourbon Steak. Theres also complimentary shuttle service. Ricardo Mejia Tidal Cove Waterpark | https://www.miamiherald.com/miami-com/hotels-motels/article230614879.html |
Will lawmakers use Navajo kids as voucher pawns? | Well, considering the fact that theyve already used disable kids as pawns to expand the voucher program .and used military kids as pawns and used foster kids as pawns and kindergartners Id say, yes. Can't take 'no' for an answer And remember, these same lawmakers, along with Gov. Doug Ducey, the Koch brothers to whom he answers, and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos American Federation for Children, tried to completely erode the public school system by expanding vouchers to ALL Arizona school children. Until volunteers with Save Our Schools fought back and voters turned down the scheme by a 2-1 vote. But make no mistake. The Republicans who control the Legislature and their powerful friends have no intention of following the will of the vast majority of Arizona voters. They are continuing their assault on public schools. Now, they say that some children from the Navajo Nation may be dumped from the states empowerment scholarship program (ESA) for attending out-of-state schools and they want the Legislature to pass a law protecting those children. Dawn Penich-Thacker, spokeswoman for Save Our Schools, told The Arizona Republic, "It appears they (American Federation for Children) actively recruited Native American families into unknowingly breaking the law (by using ESA at an out-of-state school) and now that the state has discovered the problem, instead of AFC admitting their role and helping the families use existing, legal solutions, theyre doubling down on exploiting them in order to try and rewrite the law." She added, This is a typical maneuver out of the school-choice playbook: incremental expansion. First special needs, then tribal, and so on year after year until Arizona taxpayers are left with crumbling public schools, a massive teacher shortage and rock-bottom student spending, all so that our tax dollars can subsidize out-of-state private and religious schools." NEWSLETTERS Get the Opinions Newsletter newsletter delivered to your inbox We're sorry, but something went wrong Our best and latest in commentary in daily digest form. Please try again soon, or contact Customer Service at 1-800-332-6733. Delivery: Mon-Fri Invalid email address Thank you! You're almost signed up for Opinions Newsletter Keep an eye out for an email to confirm your newsletter registration. You betcha Reach Montini at [email protected] Read or Share this story: https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/ej-montini/2019/05/20/empowerment-scholarship-accounts-vouchers-navajo-save-our-schools/3744119002/ | https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/ej-montini/2019/05/20/empowerment-scholarship-accounts-vouchers-navajo-save-our-schools/3744119002/ |
What is the new restaurant inside the Mr. C hotel Coconut Grove like? | Location Miami, Florida, USA Coconut Grove is now home to an outpost of the Cipriani empire, with their swanky rooftop Bellini Restaurant and Bar housed inside the even-swankier Mr. C Coconut Grove Hotel. The Space Designed by Miamis Arquitectonica, the top floor restaurant feels like the dining room of a glitzy cruise liner with floor-to-ceiling windows that frame spectacular water views. Theres a gleaming wooden bar, chairs clad in baby blue fabric and grand crystal chandeliers. The white-jacketed waiters add to the throwback vibe with plenty of tableside service. Unlimited Digital Access: Only $0.99 For Your First Month Get full access to Miami Herald content across all your devices. SAVE NOW The bar at Bellini in Mr. C hotel. James McDonald An outdoor patio features more seating on a wrap-around balcony with blue and white directors chairs for more nautical vibes. The dishes Italian classics. The menu here is practically identical to other Cipriani outposts with a few seasonal and local ingredients thrown in like heirloom tomatoes and fresh catch. Prices are slightly more forgiving than the flagship restaurant with starters $14-$24 and mains $22-$48. The restaurant is famous for a few dishes so its best to start off with a round of Bellinis, the house drink (prosecco with peach puree) along with the crisp breadsticks and rolls that are offered. Among their noteworthy dishes: a baked polenta with stracchino cheese and mushrooms, a platter of fritto misto featuring plump shrimp, lobster and calamari and the Mr. C club sandwich. Other starters include a shrimp and avocado butter lettuce salad and fried mozzarella with marinara sauce. Pastas include a risotto of the day and polpettine with a creamy tomato sauce. Polpettine with tomato sauce at Bellini Restaurant and Bar in Mr. C hotel in Coconut Grove. Handout Mains include branzino with crushed tomatoes, olives, and parsnip puree, veal Milanese and New Zealand lamp chops. Desserts keep the decadence going with rich scoops of gelato, a tiramesu and a lemon pie. Bottom line Now folks south of downtown can bask in the legendary restaurants classic comforts and air of exclusivity. Bellini Restaurant and Bar 2988 McFarlane Rd., Coconut Grove, inside Mr. C Coconut Grove Hotel | https://www.miamiherald.com/miami-com/restaurants/article230619289.html |
Why is my local Vicky Bakery now called Cao Bakery? | Handout Customers at several South Florida Vicky Bakery stores recently noticed something different when they stopped in to their usual spots. On the menu were more than the baked goods for which Vicky is famous, the different flavors of pastelitos, pastries, cakes and sweets (and, of course, croquetas). This menu was larger. There was breakfast with steak and eggs. There was a sandwich section with names like the Medio Dia sandwich, the Sloppy Jos, plus a frita and a pan con bistec steak sandwich. Unlimited Digital Access: Only $0.99 For Your First Month Get full access to Miami Herald content across all your devices. SAVE NOW Snack size croquetas preparadas (croquetas with ham, cheese, pickles and mustard) at the new Cao Bakery & Cafe Tamz Photography Oh, and one more thing: It wasnt a Vickys anymore. The name on marquee read Cao Bakery & Cafe, as it does at seven of what once were Vicky Bakery stores. Long time Miami residents and Vicky fans will recognize the name as the last name of the Vicky Bakery founder, Antonio Cao. But this is a new generation of bakers. Tony Cao, the founders grandson, bought out his seven Vicky Bakery stores with a partner, split off and has started his own bakeries, carrying the family name. We wanted a next generation bakery, said Tony Cao, whose grandfather started baking in Cuba before immigrating to Miami. I grew up Cuban-American, but I also got Americanized. Tony Cao started in his grandfathers bakeries alongside his father, Pedro Cao, one of the founders four children. Tony learned the business from baking bread the traditional way to Vickys famous guava pastelitos and croquetas at the original store in west Hialeah. (Antonio Cao purchased that shop in 1972 already named Vicky after the original owners daughter.) The bolitas de rabo encendido are made from long-braised ox tail at Cao Bakery & Cafe. Handout Tony Cao convinced a lifelong childhood friend, Carlos De Varona, that Vickys was prime for expansion. Together they opened seven stores in a licensing agreement with his family, including a location on Coral Way and the Palmetto Expressway in 2015 that became the top selling store in its first year. We want to give them credit because without them, we wouldnt be here, De Varona said. But Tony wanted to go further. He wanted to bring his childhood, born and raised in Miami, into Vickys, fusing Cuban cuisine and American traditions a move Cao said the original Vickys wasnt willing to yet to make. So after some tough conversations with his father, Tony Cao gave up his stake in the family company, bought out his stores and struck out with a tweaked concept: Cao Bakery & Cafe. Im a bit sad hes not going to be part of Vickys, but Ill always support him, Pedro Cao said. I couldnt be prouder of him. Hell be extremely successful. Tony Caos (left) grandfather, Antonio Cao, founded Vicky Bakery in 1972 and created one of Miamis best-loved bakeries. Now Tony Cao has expanded the Latin bakery model by splitting off and rebranding several stores Cao Bakery & Cafe with his childhood friend and partner, Carlos De Varona. Carl Juste [email protected] The new menu reflects those Cuban-American influences. Bacon maduros are wrapped sweet plantains. Arroz con pollo is bundled in croqueta-like fritters. A Sloppy Jos is stuffed with picadillo beef. And a Medio Dia sandwich is a Media Noche-like ham and cheese pressed between guava pastelitos. Tony Cao said Cao Bakery stores are using high quality ingredients, including meats from Sunshine Provisions for their fritas. The recipe for the pastelitos and breads come from what hes learned at his familys side. They will soon open a separate baking commissary in Allapattah for their stores. I dont want to fix whats not broken, Tony Cao said. I just want to take it up a level. Stores are more like Starbucks cafs with modern wood touches and wifi. Playlists strum out contemporary music and the restaurants have a fast casual feel, what Tony Cao calls a bit nicer ambiente. De Varona said in their first six months as Cao Bakery, more than a quarter of their sales come from sandwiches alone. And their store in North Miami Beach, he said, cleared more than $200,000 in its first 30 days. Cuban is hot right now. Its trending, De Varona said. Its like a Panera concept with a South Florida feel. And theyre not stopping there. Cao and De Varona said they plan to expand into Central Florida and the Southeast. They have leases signed to open seven more stores in the next nine months, including three in Broward. A location in Fort Lauderdale opens June 3. For those newcomers who stumble over the name its pronounced cow Cao says just think of it as an acronym for Cuban American Originals. My purpose is this build my familys legacy even more, Tony Cao said. I wouldnt want to be doing anything else. Cao Bakery & Cafe Address: Multiple locations including 7830 Coral Way, Miami More info: CaoBakeryCafe.com | https://www.miamiherald.com/miami-com/restaurants/article230535274.html |
Are collection staff behind the huge number of damaged street trash bins? | One of the ongoing mysteries of life in the Big Smoke is why so many bins for street trash and recycling are missing side panels and falling apart. A reader has shed some light on the puzzle, providing a possible explanation for damage thats endemic to what seems like every other bin on city streets. Its a startling and cynical theory, but given the extensive state of disrepair along with dodgy reasons for the problem offered by the city it seems to us that it may at least be possible. And it has us wondering if anyone else has observed the same thing. After two recent columns about bins, including one about increased city inspections of them, we got a note from Richard Reist, outlining what he saw outside Sunnybrook Hospital on Bayview Ave. in October 2016. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW He was among several people standing watch over a friend in palliative care. Hed take the bus to the hospital and got on and off at a stop near Bayview and Armistice Dr. Hed also wander out to Bayview for a cigarette, to break up the monotony. I thought about writing to you when I first noticed that a lot of the damage being done to Torontos street trash bins, in particular the panels, is being done by the garbage collectors emptying them, said Reist. I frequently caught the bus back home (I was on the night shift, other friends covered the days) at the same time the bins along Bayview were emptied. I never actually saw the bins being emptied before and had assumed senseless vandalism was behind the damage done to them. Theyre supposed to use some sort of key to open the bin door to empty the cans inside. I never once saw any collector use one. Instead they all just grabbed the panel and yanked it open then slammed it shut again. On one occasion the collector kicked it shut. On another day the collector ripped the panel right off the bin, looked around, saw me standing only about 10 (feet) away, then just tossed it beside the bin and then yanked the metal frame open to empty the bin. That bin never got repaired, at least not during my time visiting my friend at Sunnybrook. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW | https://www.thestar.com/yourtoronto/the_fixer/2019/05/20/are-collection-staff-behind-the-huge-number-of-damaged-street-trash-bins.html |
Can Kenya's China-built railway line revive its economy? | Nairobi, Kenya (CNN) In 1903, British colonial administrator Sir Charles Norton Edgecumbe Eliot made a bold statement: "It is not uncommon for a country to create a railway, but it is uncommon for a railway to create a country." The country was Kenya. The railway became known as the Lunatic Express. Now 116 years later, another railway line has been built almost parallel to those same tracks in a bid to transform this part of Africa, but this time by a different world power: China. Whether this railway will earn as colorful a moniker as that of the British endeavor remains to be seen. At the close of the 19th century, Britain decided to build a railway line from the port of Mombasa on the Indian Ocean to its protectorate of Uganda, in a bid to lay claim to the land in between amid rumblings that the German and French empires were coming for it. It was a herculean feat of engineering that bound a tapestry of disparate tribes into a nation. Kenya was born, but the human and financial toll was enormous. For a start, the railway cost almost 650 million ($840 million), sparking outrage at home. Everything from the carriages to the silverware was shipped from Britain -- with little hope of the line ever being profitable. An old train from the Lunatic Express on display at the Nairobi Railway Museum; a picture of a dead elephant on the old line; a lion tries to enter a carriage. About 32,000 workers were brought from India to build 12,000 bridges and lay 4.8 million steel keys along the rails for the Uganda Railway, as it was officially called. The local tribes resisted it. And the wildlife was predatory. Lions dined on railway workers, pulling men from their tents at night. In total, about 2,500 men died from the back-breaking labor and hostile conditions. In 2014, the Kenyan government decided the aging line needed replacing and agreed to pay the state-owned China Road and Bridge Company (CRBC) about $3.6 billion to build, finance and, initially, operate a Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) between the capital of Nairobi and Mombasa, in a bid to fire-up the East African country's developing economy. It was a huge gamble. Like its predecessor, the new railway line has been plagued by controversy, as well as accusations that it has resulted in huge debt to China it will take Kenya years to climb out of. The Chinese-built railway line stretches from Mombasa to Nairobi. Pictured is an unopened section of line near Naivasha. The Madaraka Express A voice over a speaker politely advises passengers to look out the window as the Chinese-built Madaraka Express slices through some of Kenya's most dramatic landscapes at 120 kilometers per hour (75 miles per hour). To the left, the Tsavo East National Park presents the sort of flat, yellow plains that giraffes are silhouetted against on postcards of Africa, while on the right the Tsavo West National Park yawns open, Mount Kilimanjaro visible in the distance. A dazzle of zebras idles by the tracks. Elephants are often spotted here, the guide says over the speaker. It's a curious experience. This train line was not meant to be a safari. "The Madaraka Express has caught us unaware," says Philip Jamuhuri Mainga, managing director of the state-owned Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC), referring to the name given to the passenger service. The train was an immediate sell-out, and a second daily service was provided, along with the tourist-friendly safari announcements. "Even that second train is fully booked," he says. Elevated on huge concrete pillars, the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) can withstand Kenya's fast rains and huge elephants and is lined by wire fencing to ward off terrorists as much as the big game. Viaducts have been crafted so that families of large animals, such as giraffes, can pass under. KRC claims the Madaraka Express has never once been late and has moved 2.7 million passengers since it opened in May 2017, 70% of whom are local tourists. Economy tickets cost 1,000 Kenyan shillings ($10) and at 4.5-hours, the ride halves road journey times and is four times faster than the Lunatic Express. The exterior of Nairobi Train Station on the outskirts of the city. Passengers show their tickets inside the modern terminal. The Madaraka Express is spotless, with charging outlets in first class and toilets that are cleaned every 30 minutes. A Chinese flag is displayed in each carriage, reminding passengers of exactly who provided this efficient new service. Indeed, the giant, gleaming glass terminal in Nairobi looks identical to many in China, a country that has built an extensive high-speed rail network over the past decade. Elizabeth Nduta, 34, a Nairobi resident who used the train for the first time in April, says it is cheaper than flying and safer than the bus. She had never taken the Lunatic Express. "My friends didn't talk highly of it," she says. "It was always late, slow and had bad toilets." City to port When the first section of the service launched in May 2017, nearly 18 months ahead of schedule, the Standard Gauge Railway was primarily designed for cargo trains shifting freight from the port of Mombasa to Nairobi. Its main selling point to the Kenyan public was that it would haul 22 million tons of freight a year, slashing cargo transport times from two days to eight hours (the cargo train is slower than the passenger line). Currently, one single-lane road snakes from the capital to Mombasa port. Prone to sudden sandstorms, heavy rains and lethal accidents, it remains an unreliable and unsafe way to cross the country. A sandstorm emerges on the road from Voi to Mombasa; the landscape after the storm. At the port in Mombasa, cargo crates with "CHINA SHIPPING" are stacked on the edge of the Indian Ocean, ready to load onto the train. In the days of the Lunatic Express, which was retired in 2018, the railway handled 4% of the port's traffic -- that figure has risen to 40% on the new line, says Thomas Ojijo, operations expert at KRC. The new railway runs almost to the ships' berthing stations, significantly reducing loading times, Ojijo adds -- an efficiency boost officials hope will increase the port's capacity. The line could handle far more traffic. Currently running nine cargo trains a day, it's capable of serving up to 26, according to KRC. In the coming years, the government plans to build industrial parks and "dry ports" along the line to handle regional cargo. Tom Ojijo, operations expert at Kenya Railways Corporation, at Mombasa port. While all that sounds positive, in recent years the train has become controversial for the debt it has saddled the Kenyan government with. In December 2018, reports emerged in the Kenyan press that a Mombasa port was at risk of being seized by Beijing over unpaid debts. Kenya had borrowed $9.8 billion from Beijing as of 2017, according to the Johns Hopkins China Africa Research Initiative, or around 21% of its total external debt. The Kenyan government and China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied the reports, but as concern around African debt to China grows it made people nervous. In 2018, Kenya's total public debt accounted for 63.2% of its gross domestic product, according to an estimate in October by the International Monetary Fund , which raised the country's debt risk to moderate. Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Geng Shuang says: "'If you want to get rich, you need to build roads first. The lack of infrastructure is a 'bottleneck that restrains Africa's independent and sustainable development. "The construction of SGR ... is significant to the long-term social and economic development to Kenya and surrounding countries." It's a sentiment that Mainga echoes. "We need to depart from the past and start moving in a new direction," says Mainga, addressing such concerns at the KRC's headquarters in Nairobi. "Kenya is a developing country, and we will never move until we have a transformative infrastructure. That's what will give us an edge. So yes, we are invested. But we are seeing a lot of returns." Social problems Not everyone, however, is counting their profits from the SGR network. In 2015, Benjamin Mutuma got what he thought was going to be his big break. The 35-year-old Kenyan's new construction company had won contracts from CRBC to build drainage for three stations along the Madaraka Express, under a government plan to support young business people. At first, he was excited. In Kenya, landing a government tender can change a person's life. But Mutuma, whose name CNN has changed to protect him from government reprisals, soon ran into problems. The Chinese managers overseeing the work would supply building materials for Mutuma's team, but at the end of the month, he claims, they would say too much had been used and dock his wages. "Every time we were billing, we were fighting," he says. Challenging the Chinese managers was impossible. "Every three months, you had a new person supervising your team. When these guys landed in Nairobi, they knew no English. Zero. So you would have to communicate via sign language." Kenyan workers complete work to a station on the Standard Gauge Railway line. It was simpler, he says, to take the docked wages. But by the end of the project Mutuma claims his company had lost so much money it folded. "I had to start again from scratch," he says. "So many young people went into this business and went bankrupt." CNN has reached out to CRBC in China for comment on this matter, but it has not replied. The KRC says that the SGR now only has about 500 Chinese employees left in the country, with 80% of the workforce being Kenyan. Mutuma agrees that on a construction site of 2,000 local workers, there might just be one Chinese manager present. But he questions why Chinese supervisors were flown in to oversee the construction work, saying it created a bad environment. Kenyan newspaper The Standard claimed in 2018 that Chinese workers on the line had built a "kingdom in which they run roughshod over Kenyan workers." Chinese staff are visible at all stations along the railway line in Kenya. The Chinese railway company currently operates the line, and Chinese migrants often fill top jobs. Indeed, Chinese managers can be seen at every station along the line, and KRC admits most of the train drivers are still from China. But the Kenyan government claims that is changing and that Chinese workers are transferring their skills to Kenyans. By year seven, the line will be staffed 100% by Kenyans, says KRC managing director Mainga. But the idea that Chinese migrants have taken jobs from locals is powerful in Kenya, feeding bubbling racial tensions. In 2015 , a Chinese restaurateur reportedly banned African patrons after 5 p.m., while in 2018 a Chinese boss was deported from Kenya after being caught on video calling an employee a " monkey ." A standoff between a Chinese manager and Kenyan staff along the railway line. Part of the problem, says Mutuma, was the segregation of the Chinese from the locals. Multiple railway workers report that CRBC employees are not permitted to leave their company living quarters in the evenings or at weekends without manager approval. Jasper Liu, a communications manager for CRBC in Kenya, says those precautions are for safety reasons. "Once a week there are four to five cases of robberies of the Chinese in Nairobi alone," he says, "so we advise they don't go out, but if they do, tell a manager where they're going." "When DusitD2 happened our families back home were terrified," he adds, referring to the terror attack at a hotel complex in the Kenyan capital in which at least 21 died earlier this year . "In China, we don't have guns." A town called Voi For centuries, Voi was a small station visited by Arab traders and explorers delving into Kenya's interior from the coast. But it really grew when the Lunatic Express passed through its green Taita Hills in the late 19th century. The Lunatic Express train tracks and signage still stand in Voi. Today, the small picturesque tourist spot, popular as a base for safaris in the Tsavo parks, is transforming into a business hub, thanks to the Chinese-built railway. On a hill on the town's edge, sits a huge glass terminal -- like a spaceship in the lush Kenyan wilderness. The population of Taita-Taveta county, which Voi is in, has grown significantly over the past five years, according to Adnan Mwakulomba, a lecturer at the University of Nairobi's Department of Architecture and Building Science, who grew up there. Many who came to build the railway have stayed, he says. Streams of tourists now pour in via the new tracks twice a day. Before, Mwakulomba says those tourists would take vans from Nairobi straight to their foreign-owned luxury hotels, meaning their arrival would be of little benefit the local economy. Now, locals are ferrying them from the station to their resorts, and offering car services for their entire stay. Passengers arriving in Voi. Voi's train station viewed from the outskirts of town. New roads, hotels and even 10-story buildings indicate the pace at which Voi is growing, and the money that has been injected into the town. Mwakulomba says the government paid villagers 4 million Kenyan shillings (nearly $40,000) for every acre of land they needed for the project. People with houses or businesses on their plots got more. "These are guys who come from $1 a day and were being given $40,000," says Mwakulomba. "It was mind-blowing -- money they'd never seen before in their lives." Some blew their loot on drinking and gambling, Mwakulomba says. Some who had made their livelihood servicing the trucking business lost out, as cargo switched to the railway tracks. But others seized the opportunity. Mustafa Jamal (right) at the headquarters of his trucking business. Trucks in the yard of Mustafa Jamal's company. Perhaps no one did this better than Mustafa Jamal. At 30 years old, he is already rich by Kenyan standards. Before the SGR arrived in Kenya, Jamal made his livelihood from a single truck. Then in 2015, he won a contract to supply CRBC with river sand. He made 600,000 Kenyan shillings every month (about $6,000) in a country where the average monthly wage was 6,498 shillings (about $64) in 2013, the latest figures available. "So, I bought more trucks and that created jobs for other people," he says. Today, Jamal has 20 trucks, SUVs and lorries, employs about 60 staff and has become a landlord. Behind his trucking lot lies a housing complex that was built by the Chinese railway company for its workers. When the job was done, the firm simply left the buildings to the town. The old living quarters of the Chinese staff are now a school and private flats. Jamal bought half of the block from the town, which he now rents out to locals. The other half has been turned into a village school. "If you ask me, when the Chinese were here the local people benefited a lot," says Jamal. "Before the SGR they had local mud houses. But now they have good cement homes. Voi town has grown." The future Just north of Nairobi, two Chinese train drivers are taking a one-carriage trolley along a pristine track heading for the big blue skies of Kenya's Rift Valley. As it zooms through Maasai Mara heartland, more spaceship-like train stations dot the landscape. But there is not a passenger in sight. The Ngong Tunnel is the second-longest in Africa. This test train is traveling the next stage of Kenya's high-speed line, which will connect to the capital to Naivasha, the jumping off point for Hell's Gate National Park, which inspired the animated landscape in the 1994 Disney animated movie "The Lion King." The Madaraka Express was initially envisaged as part of an East African Railway Master Plan that would connect Kenya to Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, South Sudan and, eventually, go all the way through to the Democratic Republic of Congo. "Railway systems are most viable in long distances," says Mainga, the KRC managing director. But most of the lines remain a proposal. Domestic squabbling, growing concerns about rising African debt and bad regional political relations have seen the Kenyan line stall at Nairobi. Liu, the communications manager for CRBC in Kenya, says the new section has been 90% complete now for months. But the government is still wrangling with a community on the outskirts of Nairobi who -- despite the compensation being offered -- don't want to be relocated, meaning the completed section to Naivasha cannot be joined with the rest of the operational line. Who knows how long it will take to resolve, Liu says. "In China we don't have this problem," he adds. Everyone understands that will make them money." The open, arid landscape the new line passes through is beautiful, stretching otherwise untouched for miles. The new homes built for Maasari Mara who were relocated in order to make way for the Nairobi to Naivasha section of the trainline, which has yet to open. The train should improve tourist access to the hot springs town of Mai Mahiu, as well as Mount Suswa, a popular hiking spot where land had been earmarked for Uganda to build a dry dock for the cargo hoped to be coming its way. Whether the train will reach Uganda, however, remains to be seen. Last month, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta had been expected to return from China's Belt and Road forum in Beijing with nearly $3.7 billion in new loans to build the third phase of SGR line to Kisumu, a port city on Lake Victoria in the north of Kenya, approaching the border with Uganda. He didn't. Kenya subsequently denied the issue had even been on the agenda. Instead, in what could be seen as a concession, Beijing granted Kenyatta a $400 million loan to revamp the nearly 120-year-old British-built meter gauge railway to the Ugandan border. How trains on the modern standard-gauge tracks will connect with the old railway line -- which operates on a different type of track -- remains unclear. What is clear is, however, is that no one wants to see a return to the madness of the Lunatic Express. | https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/20/china/china-kenya-sgr-rail-africa-intl/index.html |
What Is The Real Aim Of U.S. Pressure On Iran? | NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to Douglas Ollivant, ex-Iraq director at the National Security Council, about tensions between the U.S. and Iran, and the continuing stakes for Trump and his foreign policy. The question has become more urgent as the U.S. confirms an aircraft carrier has conducted exercises in the Arabian Sea. The U.S. has cited Iranian threats against U.S. interests, though it has not shared its intelligence, and some U.S. allies have cast doubt on it. The rising tensions follow the Trump administration's withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal a year ago and an escalation of sanctions. Iran recently said it would stop complying with parts of that deal. We're joined in our studios by Douglas Ollivant, who was on the National Security Council staff during both the George W. Bush and Obama administrations. Good morning, sir. DOUGLAS OLLIVANT: Morning. OLLIVANT: I don't think it's entirely clear what our strategy is. Look, the Iranians are not a - they're not a nice regime. We know that. That's a known known. They consistently demonstrate behavior that we would prefer they not. They sponsor small-level terrorist groups that continually harass our ships in the Gulf. They're not a friend of the United States. INSKEEP: Larger terrorist groups as well. OLLIVANT: Larger terrorist groups. INSKEEP: Which is, like, Hamas, and so forth. Yeah. OLLIVANT: Exactly. So we know that. That's unclear. INSKEEP: The U.S. says it wants an Iranian government that behaves itself, which is a way of phrasing it that sidesteps or is silent on the question of whether the U.S. wants regime change. OLLIVANT: Well, we're certainly not putting enough force on them to change the regime. That's - the phrase that I hear from the administration is regime behavior change, not regime change. Although, how you get that with the current cast of characters is not entirely clear. INSKEEP: Well, we've spoken to Iranian officials in recent days, and one of them is Majid Takht-Ravanchi. He is the Iranian ambassador to the United Nations. And here's part of what he told David Greene. (SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED BROADCAST) MAJID TAKHT-RAVANCHI: We are not interested in the escalation of tensions in our region because if something goes wrong, everybody will lose, including Iran, including the U.S., including all the countries in the region. OLLIVANT: No. This is a region that does not have a lot of stability to start with. You know, stability is in short supply in the Middle East. We can all concede that. So adding more instability, you know, raising the level of tension helps no one. And the Iranians have kind of helped us see this in their way. They've pointed out that they can strike at the Saudi oil infrastructure. And that while certainly the outcome of a military confrontation between the United States and Iran is not in doubt - the United States is still the supreme military power and could wipe their army off the map in a couple days - the Iranians would have the ability to totally disrupt the region, disrupt the flow of oil. And there would be huge shocks in oil markets were there to be any major military confrontation or even minor military confrontation in the region. INSKEEP: Sure. And it seems widely understood that a U.S. old-style invasion of Iran would be even more difficult than the invasion of Iraq turned out to be. OLLIVANT: Iran is three times as large, has three times as many people and about twice the landmass that Iraq did when we invaded in 2003. INSKEEP: But let's look at the dilemma from the Trump White House's perspective here. The president did not like the Iran nuclear deal. The president seems to have agreed with those in the Obama administration who acknowledged that Iran did a lot of things the U.S. dislikes well beyond the nuclear deal, and there was the question about a deal with it. Now the Trump administration's main approach is to try to cut Iranian oil exports to zero and take other efforts to crash their economy. OLLIVANT: Changing the behavior of a regime is really, really hard absent just invading it. We see this with Cuba. We see this with North Korea. We see this with Venezuela. It's extremely difficult to get a regime to change its behavior, so I'm sympathetic to the Trump administration's desire to have them change their behavior. And I think they're observing that the Iranians think they can run out the clock on the sanctions, the increased oil sanctions that've been placed on them, until spring of 2021, then banking on a... INSKEEP: A new president. OLLIVANT: ...A new president. That's certainly their strategy - ride this out for another 18 months. So they're trying to ratchet up the pressure. I'm sympathetic to what the administration is trying to do, but I don't see where we go from here. INSKEEP: Douglas Ollivant is a former director for Iraq at the National Security Council, now a managing partner at Mantid International, which is a consultancy company that works with U.S. companies in Iraq. Thanks for coming by. OLLIVANT: My pleasure, Steve. Copyright 2019 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information. NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by Verb8tm, Inc., an NPR contractor, and produced using a proprietary transcription process developed with NPR. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPRs programming is the audio record. | https://www.npr.org/2019/05/20/724941848/what-is-the-real-aim-of-the-u-s-pressure-on-iran?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=analysis |
Is Abortion A Winning Issue For Republicans In 2020? | NPR's Noel King talks to Republican strategist Scott Jennings and Democratic consultant Maria Cardona about whether the issue of abortion could prove to be critical in the 2020 presidential election. NOEL KING, HOST: Abortion is shaping up to be a key issue in the 2020 election. Several states have put or are putting strict measures into place. Last week, Alabama signed into law one of the most restrictive abortion bans in the country, and Missouri lawmakers passed a near-total ban that will now go to the governor. Over the weekend, President Trump tweeted that he is, quote, "strongly pro-life." But he did list a few exceptions, including rape and incest. The Alabama law forbids abortion, even in those cases. 2020 Democratic candidates have been quick to speak out against Alabama's measure. Here's Democratic presidential candidate Senator Kirsten Gillibrand on the campaign trail in Georgia. (SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING) KIRSTEN GILLIBRAND: Any Democrat who expects to win the presidency must answer definitively where they stand on this issue. KING: All right. Joining me now is Republican strategist Scott Jennings and Democratic consultant Maria Cardona. Good morning to you both. MARIA CARDONA: Good morning, Noel. SCOTT JENNINGS: Good morning. KING: Scott, let me start with you. I want to read a bit more from the president's tweet because it was very interesting. He goes on to address people on the right, saying, quote, "we must stick together and win for life in 2020. If we are foolish and don't stay united as one, all of our hard-fought gains for life can and will rapidly disappear." JENNINGS: I believe it is an issue that Republicans can and will win on. I think what the president was doing was reaffirming the long-standing, mainstream position of the Republican Party. And that is to be the pro-life party, but to be reasonable and to accept the exceptions of rape and incest. I think on the Democratic side, what Republicans see is that when state legislatures or state actors, such as Governor Northam in Virginia, or in New York, with Governor Cuomo, when they've gone to the fringe extreme, their national party has adopted that. What President Trump was doing was stepping in to make sure people understand that Republicans are the same pro-life - reasonable pro-life party they've always been. KING: Well, yeah. He suggested that the Alabama measure goes too far. But this is a Republican-led legislature. They disagree about this. JENNINGS: Right. What it means for the Republican Party is that the president sets our agenda. And so you saw there him reaffirming the Republican Party's longstanding position on abortion to have the exceptions. I think the core difference here is when Democrat state actors have gone too far, their presidential candidates have accepted that fringe extreme position. And Republicans actually have a leader that is rejecting that fringe extreme position. I think that's going to be a key issue in the '20 election. KING: Maria, let me turn this over to you. CARDONA: Oh, I definitely think that all the candidates will express, very definitively, their support for a woman's right to choose. That's not a hard-left position. That is actually mainstream American position. The majority of the American people agree with Roe v. Wade and believe that it should be maintained as settled Supreme Court law as it is today. The problem with what my good friend Scott is saying is that all of the bills - most of the bills that are being introduced in state legislatures today are to the extreme right because they don't allow for a lot of these exceptions. They say that by six weeks then that is a living being that a woman cannot do anything about, if even her life is in danger. The problem with that is that so many women don't even know they're pregnant by six weeks. CARDONA: Exactly. And so what the Republican Party is doing is that they are going against what the mainstream of America is - against even what mainstream - a lot of Republican women believe that a woman should have a right to choose, which is why this issue, I believe, is going to be a losing one for Republicans because Democrats are now going to be able to paint them all with these heartbeat bills, with these extreme right-wing bills that don't even allow for an exception of rape or incest. And even though President Trump says that he doesn't side with those - like you said, Noel - these are Republican legislatures that are passing these bills in many states, and the Democratic Party's going to be able to lay all of these bills at the foot of Republicans. And that's exactly what they're going to be doing. KING: Last question for you both. Maria, let me start with you. CARDONA: Sure. Well, again, I think that depends on Republicans. I think that, clearly, Democrats are going to continue to fight for a woman's right to choose because that is about families, and that is about families and American women's well-being. KING: Scott Jennings, let me quickly turn this over to you. JENNINGS: Very important. I think President Trump's leadership on this is going to set the tone for the Republican Party. I think after feeling like they were left in the wilderness for eight years, pro-life voters feel like they finally have a president that is allowing them to be full participants in our national politics. They are excited about what the party is doing. They are excited to vote. And I think President Trump's going to have those voters again when he's on the ballot next November. KING: Democratic consultant Maria Cardona, Republican strategist Scott Jennings. Thank you both so much. CARDONA: Thank you, Noel. JENNINGS: Thank you. Copyright 2019 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information. NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by Verb8tm, Inc., an NPR contractor, and produced using a proprietary transcription process developed with NPR. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPRs programming is the audio record. | https://www.npr.org/2019/05/20/724921439/is-abortion-a-winning-issue-for-republicans-in-2020?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=analysis |
Is Andrew Yang for Real? | Nancy Scola is a senior technology reporter for POLITICO Pro. DES MOINES, Iowa Andrew Yang bounces from leg to leg on the stage at Franklin Junior High School, cloaked in his campaign-trail uniform of blue jacket and navy MATH cap, warning the crowd about the threat that robots pose to the American heartland. If you have some vague sense that youve heard of Yang but thats about it, youre not alone. While the entrepreneur turned novice politicians name recognition hovers around 50 percent, he hasnt broken 1 percent in most polls after a year and a half of running for president in a crowded pack of Democrats. But on a cold Sunday night in April, there are 300 or so Iowans here feeling Andrew Yang and his message of whats gone wrong. Story Continued Below How many of you notice stores closing around where you live? he asks, raising his own hand. Scores of others shoot up in the crowd. And why are those stores closing? Amazon! shouts someone. Amazon, thats right, Yang says. Minutes later he calls out, How much did Amazon pay in taxes last year? Zero! the crowd shoots back, as if it had practiced the response. Zero, Yang echoes. He curls his fingers into a circle and then points into the seats. Youre looking around and seeing stores closed, and youre going to get back zero, he says. When they automated your call center jobs, zero. When they automate the truck driving jobs, zero. Viewed from a great distance, Yangs candidacy has a lot in common with the two political comets that streaked across the 2016 presidential campaign: Donald Trump on the right and Bernie Sanders on the left. Yang runs essentially the same playbook: embracing economic grievance, hammering the tech giants and other darlings of the new economy, selling his case directly to the working American. Since he launched his campaign in November 2017, he has been retailing a vision of America in which educated, entitled elites have rigged the system and hoovered money away from middle America and toward the coasts, giving little in return. With no prior political experience or prominent backers, Yang is nonetheless gaining a peculiar traction, including some true believers who want him to be president and others who are mostly just intrigued. Andrew Yang greets supporters at a fish fry in Hopkins, South Carolina, on Saturday, May 18. | Scott Goldsmith for Politico Magazine Unlike Trump and Sanders, however, Yang, 44, comes precisely from the same corporate, tech-soaked world he is trying to attack. Educated at Phillips Exeter Academy, he made his money prepping students to get into MBA programs and, in recent years, has spent months at a time living in Silicon Valley. He was once a successful startup CEO and head of a group that trains budding entrepreneurs, but in the wake of the 2016 presidential election Yang soured on an industry that wreaths itself in promises of prosperity and transformation; he rejects the conventional policy wisdompopular on the left and the rightthat out-of-work Americans should retrain for jobs in tech. And in a Democratic Party reveling in its diversity, the Taiwanese-American candidate says he worries most about how displaced white men will react to their declining fortunesa stance that has, strangely, won him some fans from the alt-right. Yang has a very specific solution for those who feel displaced: Use the money from taxing companies like Amazon to give every American adult a guaranteed monthly $1,000 check. The idea, known by economists as the universal basic income, or UBI, has been rebranded by Yang as the freedom dividend. (Who can be against the freedom dividend? Yang has joked. What kind of an asshole do you have to be?) Hardly anyone expects Yang to come close to winning the primary. But he has met the requirements to appear in next months kickoff Democratic debate in Miami, where he could share the stage with the likes of Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. In that throng of nearly two dozen Democratic contenders, Yang has carved out a unique role: He is offering what may be the single most specific diagnosis of the problem at the heart of the American economy, and has proposed a solution that no other candidate has fully embraced. In the 2020 campaign, Yang is the self-appointed explainer-in-chief for an age rattled by technology. Yang speaks to the fish fry crowd through a megaphone. | Scott Goldsmith for Politico Magazine He can talk in vivid detail about specific, scary, looming problems, such as the 3.5 million trucking jobs that stand to be automated by companies like Tesla. (Yang predicts riots from truckers who could soon be out of work.) As automation comes for American jobs en masse, Washington politicians are, he says, failing to offer concrete solutions that match the scale of this disruption. There has been local experimentation in the U.S. with the kind of cash transfer Yang is proposing, but the idea hasnt broken through on a national level. The zeal of some of Yangs fans comes in part from the unconventional strategy he has adopted for getting himself in front of them for the first time: podcasts. His appearances on various programs over the past year have helped fuel online donations that, while totaling less than those collected by other candidates, were enough to make Yang one of the first candidates to qualify for the Democrats late June debate. Nicholas Der, a 27-year-old financial coach who showed up at the Iowa rally, said he had heard of Yang only a week earlier, on the podcast of former Fear Factor host Joe Roganand is now ready to make him president. Two minutes in, I was like, I love this dude, Der said. He is the truth. *** If you track online polls, youll find that Yang does surprisingly well. His campaign manager, Zach Graumann, rejects the idea that the campaign is astroturfing to boost Yangs performance. The Yang Gang just finds them, because theres millions of them, Graumann says, using the unofficial, now ubiquitous name for the candidates supporters. Part of it is the bumper-sticker simplicity of his pitch; part of it is that hes a performer with a funny streak. At an April rally at the Lincoln Memorial, Yang matched crowd yells of Andrew Yang! with Chant my name! In Des Moines, he got laughs when he joked that the signs lining the school hallways made it look like he was running to be president of Franklin Junior High. Hes a marketer, too. MATH, he says, stands for Make America Think Harder, but Graumann admits the campaign came up with the acronym retroactively, when the $30 hats started flying off the shelves. Yang has said he decided to call his central plan the freedom dividend because it tested better than universal basic income. Yang appears at a town hall at Rehoboth Baptist Church in Columbia, South Carolina, on Saturday, May 18. | Scott Goldsmith for Politico Magazine More than that, Yang has sought to position himself as the clear-thinking candidate willing to tackle the ages biggest problems. He can talk at great length about universal basic income, but his website lists more than a hundred other detailed policy proposals, from reviving Congress Office of Technology Assessment to a rural-urban American exchange program. When he is talking with someone about how to solve a problem, he frequently mimics twisting a dial on imaginary machinery. He comes across as a problem solver: When, over lunch in Iowa, I complained that I couldnt hear from my left ear because of airplane congestion, Yang had staff retrieve from his car a red rubber ear bulb. (I was desperate; it mostly worked.) Podcasts have been key to Yangs election strategy, unlike just about any other candidates. Yang himself isnt a much of a fan: I prefer to read, I suppose. And the campaign assumed in the early going that he would be a Rachel Maddow darling. But he couldnt talk his way onto cable news, so he tried a different route, with stops on programs such as Freakonomics and neuroscientist Sam Harris Making Sense. In some ways, it was a perfect marriage. Podcastings popularity is exploding: When Barack Obama first ran for president, 13 percent of Americans said they had listened to a podcast. Now its 44 percent. It helps that most people carry around mobile phones all day, but audio experts point to how well listeners respond to the intimacy of the medium. To those who think of Rogan as the handyman on the 1990s TV sitcom NewsRadio, it can be startling to learn that his 10-year-old show, The Joe Rogan Experience, is routinely the No. 1 podcast in Apples iTunes store, beating about a half-million other programs. Rogan, who arguably leans libertarian, has nonetheless said he strongly supports government programs for people born with a terrible hand. Yang signs a book for two young supporters, one of whom had brought a small donation in an envelope, at the Columbia town hall. | Scott Goldsmith for Politico Magazine In February, Yang flew to Rogans Los Angeles studio and, for an hour and 52 minutes, unspooled his plan for remaking the American economy. The YouTube video of the interview has been viewed 2.95 million times. Theres no bigger media outlet in the world than Joe Rogan, Graumann says. Tim Chwirka, 33, told me he considers himself a Republican, but he turned out to see Yang at Franklin Junior High after hearing the candidate on Rogans show. Not yet. *** Yang grew up in Westchester County in New York and earned a degree from Columbia Law School. But he was so worried that the dull routine of his corporate law firm job would leave him a desiccated version of himself that he quit after five months. He started or joined a few companies that flopped, eventually becoming the CEO of an education prep company called Manhattan GMAT. Its acquisition by Graham Holdings Co.-owned Kaplan Inc. in 2009 left him flush enough to try out a long-held belief: Young people need to be steered away from profitable but soul-crushing corporate jobs. In 2011, he started Venture for America, a nonprofit aimed at persuading young people to avoid Wall Street jobs and the like in favor of starting companies in other parts of the country. The work took him to Birmingham, Alabama, Baltimore, St. Louis and other cities, with trainees starting everything from a social platform for landlords to a chickpea-pasta company. He spent months raising funds in Silicon Valley each year and wrote a book called Smart People Should Build Things. In 2015, the Obama administration named him a global ambassador for entrepreneurship. But meanwhile, Yang was beginning to think he had it all wrong. Fixing America by encouraging people to launch software startups in Detroit, he came to believe, was adding water to a bathtub with a gaping hole in it. After contemplating a number of concepts, he landed on giving Americans cash, no strings attached. Its not a new notion: Advocates have ranged from Milton Friedman to Martin Luther King Jr. But the concept of universal basic income is having a revival among figures like Sam Altman, the president of tech incubator Y Combinator; Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes; and former labor leader Andy Stern. A VICE journalist removes a mic from Yang outside the town hall in Columbia. | Scott Goldsmith for Politico Magazine Yang says he decided to run for president after a lunch with Stern at a Manhattan Chinese food spot in 2017. Stern told him no one was running for president on a platform of universal basic income. Yang would do it. The country, he believed, was hurtling toward a crisis that was at once economic, social and political. Silicon Valley was quickly getting close to producing artificial intelligence indistinguishable from humans; soon, AI would replace jobs once thought out of robots reach. Already, the tech-triggered economic upheaval had produced what to Yang was the countrys cry for help. I look at the numbers, Yang says. The reason why Donald Trump is our president today is that we automated away 4 million manufacturing jobs in Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Missouri. The only logical solution is to start distributing the economic value much more quickly and broadly, unless you genuinely do want a disintegrating population and trucking riots and the rest of it, Yang said over pork ribs at Big Als BBQ in Des Moines. That idea is that cash would let citizens bridge employment gaps, start businesses or move, he says, adding that it would also free them from having to make irrational decisions under financial stress, such as voting for a narcissist reality TV star. And to pay for it, a President Yang would slap onto Silicon Valley companies and other corporate giants a 10 percent value-added tax, with the rest made up from cuts to federal programs, increased tax revenue from job growth and consumer spending, and reductions in social costs such as incarceration. (Critics of value-added taxes argue that theyre a drain on economic activity.) Everyone has to have the option of getting a check, Yang says. Were going to extract billions of dollars from Jeff, he says, referring to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, whose estimated $150 billion net worth makes him the worlds richest person. So, then if we send him a thousand bucks a month just to remind him hes an American, its fine. *** After his day of campaigning, Yang returns to his hotel room in Columbia to talk with his family and watch basketball. | Scott Goldsmith for Politico Magazine Yang pitches his basic-income proposal as the antidote to the diminishing status of white American men, who he fears could turn violent as their jobs go to robots. That focus has gotten him traction in online forums like Reddit, where techs economic effects are a hugely popular topic and white male users dominate. And some portion of that population wades into the territory of the so-called alt-right, which pines for the return to white American dominance. In March, in response to offensive memes backing his candidacy, Yang disavowed any supporters who promote hatred, bigotry, racism, white nationalism, anti-Semitism and the alt-right in all its many forms. Full stop. Yang tells me hes befuddled by the support hes gotten in those quarters. Some of the crossover appeal between Yang and more moderate forces on the right is easier to understand against the backdrop of so-called coal-miner-to-coder programs that have grown popular in recent years. Mainstream Democrats and Republicans alike have advocated for retraining hard-up Americans for jobs in the tech industry. Yang isnt one of them: It irritates the heck out of me, he says of the idea that the solution to the economic displacement of millions of Americans is teaching them to build iPhone apps. That puts him in league with those who see learn to code advocacy as symbolic of how removed Washington is from the realities of American life. Yang is poised to face off against his fellow Democrats on these issues in the summer. In February, the Democratic National Committee said one route to participating in the first presidential debate was to gather 65,000 donations from people in at least 20 states. Yang acted fast, parlaying his podcast tour into asking people to kick in a buck or two to boost his contributor count. As soon as the criteria were announced, we looked at it and said, OK, were going get to through that number-of-individual-donors threshold as fast as possible, Yang says. It worked, with Yang pulling in $1.8 million in the years first fundraising quarter, more than three-quarters of it from small-dollar donors. Not only has Yang qualified for the debate by crossing the grassroot donor threshold, hes managed to qualify via the DNCs polling criteria, too. (The DNC will cap the debates at the top 20 candidates, however, meaning some candidates could be left out.) Yang says hes not at all nervous about bringing his case for redistributing the tech industrys wealth to the debate stage. Most of the Democratic candidates have been vague on universal basic income or outright dismissive; Democratic front-runner Biden has warned it would strip people of their dignity. Yang has already calculated how much time hell have to make his case at the debate, given the bevy of contenders: 10 to 12 minutes, five of them to explain the basics of universal basic income. Silicon Valley is likely to come up, too, and could be a point of contention for Yang. Yang balks at Senator Warrens proposal to break up big tech firmsIf you were to break up Amazon into four mini Amazons, that would not magically revive the main street economybut stresses that he is a Warren fan. He has been mixing with other White House wannabes on the campaign trail, including South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, whom he calls a very good, smart, earnest man and who Yang thinks has potential as a vice presidential pick. Yeah, sure, he says, before switching into a characteristic Yangian specificity. Sure. He is, he says with a laugh, a reasonable person. This article tagged under: Technology Democratic Primary | https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/05/20/andrew-yang-2020-226931 |
Who could the Cincinnati Reds select with their 1st-round pick in the 2019 MLB Draft? | CLOSE Yasiel Puig exited Sunday's game in the eighth inning after suffering a sprained right shoulder. Bobby Nightengale, Cincinnati Enquirer For the fourth consecutive year, the Reds will have a Top-10 pick in the MLB Draft. Its another chance to add an elite talent to their farm system. The Reds will have the seventh overall pick when the 2019 MLB Draft begins on June 3. Their last three picks in the first round, Nick Senzel, Hunter Greene and Jonathan India, were all considered among the top 50 or 75 minor league prospects entering the season by most publications. Senzel made his Major League debut earlier this month, starting the last 16 games in center field. Greene is out for the season after he underwent Tommy John surgery and India owns a .368 on-base percentage at High-A Daytona. Heres a look at some of the top prospects in the upcoming draft: Oregon State's Adley Rutschman (Photo: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports) Adley Rutschman, C, Oregon State Considered the favorite to be the No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft, hes an excellent defensive catcher. There have been some concerns about his shoulder, but it certainly hasnt affected his play. The switch-hitter is batting .427 with 16 homers and 55 RBI in 52 games. Hes known for his ability to drive the ball to all fields. Bobby Witt Jr., SS, Colleyville Heritage HS (Texas) Witt projects as a potential five-tool shortstop. Hes expected to be one of the top three picks in the draft. Hes batting .519 with 14 homers and 44 RBI for one of the top-ranked prep teams in the country. His dad, Bobby Witt, pitched for 16 seasons in the big leagues. Blessed Trinity Catholic's C.J. Abrams (Photo: ORLANDO RAMIREZ, USA TODAY Sports) C.J. Abrams, SS, Blessed Trinity Catholic HS (Georgia) Abrams is considered one of the fastest prospects in the draft. Hes hitting .410 for his high school team with 17 doubles and 27 RBI in 40 games, stealing 33 bases. He could project as a center fielder if teams want to take advantage of his speed. Vanderbilt's JJ Bleday (Photo: George Walker IV, The Tennessean-USA TODAY NETWORK) JJ Bleday, OF, Vanderbilt Named the SEC Player of the Year, Bleday stands out with his power. Hes crushed 25 homers and drove in 64 runs in 55 games. Hes posted a .461 on-base percentage with 45 walks and 45 strikeouts. India, the Reds 2018 first-round pick, was last years SEC Player of the Year. Nick Lodolo, LHP, TCU Lodolo may be the top pitcher in the 2019 draft class. The 6-foot-6, 185-pound lefty has yielded a 2.18 ERA across 14 starts, striking out 113 batters in 91 innings with 19 walks. Lodolo, who throws a mid-90s fastball and an impressive slider, was picked 41st in the 2016 MLB Draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates, the highest unsigned pick that year. Riley Greene, OF, Hagerty HS (Florida) An advanced prep hitter with quick bat speed, the left-handed hitting Greene is expected to be a Top-10 pick in the draft. ESPN.com writes, the hope is that his hit and power tools both end up above average to plus, so that he profiles as at least a regular in a corner outfield spot. Andrew Vaughn, 1B, California The 6-foot Vaughn received the Golden Spikes Award last year, which is given to the top amateur player in the country. The right-handed first baseman has continued to hit well, batting .385 with 13 doubles, 15 homers and 49 RBI in 48 games this season, quieting any concerns that hes undersized for his position. Kentucky's Zack Thompson (Photo: Michael Reaves/Special to The Courier Journal, Michael Reaves/Special to The Courier Journal) Zack Thompson, LHP, Kentucky Hes dealt with some arm injuries, but the 6-foot-3, 225-pound lefty pitched well against SEC competition. He owns a 6-1 record and 2.40 ERA while holding opposing hitters to a .184 batting average. He struck out 130 in 90 innings. He was an 11th-round pick in the 2016 Draft. Hunter Bishop, OF, Arizona State Listed at 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds, Bishop hits for power and hes fast. Hes hit 22 homers and 14 doubles in 51 games, recording a .482 on-base percentage with 42 walks. Hes stolen 11 bases in 18 attempts. His older brother, Braden, is in Triple-A in the Mariners organization. Shea Langeliers, C, Baylor He missed a few weeks with a broken hamate bone in his left hand. Hes very good defensively with a strong arm. Hes hitting .311 this season with six homers, eight doubles and 28 RBI in 38 games. Hes stolen four bases in six attempts. Jackson Rutledge, RHP, San Jacinto JC (Texas) Rutledge, listed at 6-foot-8, 250 pounds, had his draft stock jump up this spring with a fastball capable of reaching the upper-90s. Hes 10-1 with a 0.88 ERA in 13 starts, striking out 134 across 82 innings. | https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/mlb/reds/2019/05/20/which-players-could-cincinnati-reds-pick-2019-mlb-draft/3742644002/ |
Are barcodes the way to protect dementia patients? | Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption How Japan is keeping people with dementia safe Each year in Japan thousands of elderly people with dementia go missing, hundreds are never found alive again. Japan has the world's oldest population but also some of the most advanced technology and they're using it to help keep people with dementia safe. People like Mrs Itou who lives in the city of Matsudo. The first time she went missing her son who cares for her went driving around looking for her in the places she normally goes. That was no easy task as Mrs Itou loves to walk and can cover a hundred kilometres a month. That time his mother came home, but since then she's gone missing four more times as her dementia has worsened. 'Constant vigil' The stress of caring for someone with dementia is well known to Nobel prize-winning scientist Randy Schekman whose wife had Parkinson's disease and dementia before she died. "You have to keep a constant vigil," he tells me at a meeting in Japan of Nobel laureates and other eminent people to discuss the future of ageing. Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption The Nobel prize-winner tackling Parkinson's disease "As my wife's dementia progressed I couldn't let her go to the restroom when we went out together. She would go in go into a stall, lock the door and then not be able to unlock the door - she was trapped inside a women's restroom." Prof Schekman describes the projections of the rising number of people with dementia as a crisis akin to climate change because of the stress it will place on those caring for them and the economic consequences as people leave work to care for loved ones. He is at the start of a 10-year project to tackle the basic science behind Parkinson's disease which will gather teams of scientists from around the world. The project's reported multi-billion dollar budget is being provided by Google co-founder Sergey Brin. Dementia tech Meanwhile in Japan, people like Mrs Itou are using new practical solutions to deal with memory loss and the need for a constant vigil. Image caption The QR codes pattern are attached to badges and can be ready by a smartphone The local government provides people with dementia and their carers, with badges they can wear. They display a QR code - a square image similar to a barcode - which can be read by anyone with a smart-phone. The badges have helped Mrs Itou get home the last two times she went missing. One of the inventors of the badges, Haruo Hidaka had the idea after watching the grandmother who raised him suffer with dementia. He believed in the idea so much that his team developed a prototype that he personally went to sell in 630 towns and cities across Japan. The idea was a success and the company he worked for has been bought by the Japanese pharmaceutical company Toho Holdings. Image caption Haruo Hidaka is one of the inventors of the QR codes which are being used to help keep people with dementia from getting lost Talking to me at the company's Tokyo headquarters, Mr Hidaka says as well as his grandmother the idea was also sparked by the case of someone who died in their home and whose death went unnoticed for weeks. Tackling lonely deaths This is a common problem in Japan and it's another problem that the city of Matsudo and many others are tackling. It's a rainy Friday afternoon and a group of 10 Matsudo residents are putting on orange vests and preparing to head out around the city. The volunteers are just some of thousands across Japan who have been through a programme of dementia awareness. Image caption Neighbourhood dementia awareness teams in Matsudo go door-to-door in the city checking that people are safe Today they're going door to door with flyers for a pop-up cafe. While posting the adverts they're also keeping an eye out for houses where there are telltale signs of problems, like mail piling up. That could be the sign of someone inside in trouble or perhaps even dead. "One shouldn't be pointing fingers, but I think you can tell straight away," says Manami Yoshii. "By putting flyers into the postbox, we are able to check whether their postboxes are overflowing. And through that we would be able to tell if something might have happened to the resident." The pop-up cafes they are advertising are a place where older people can come and get lunch and a chat. Cafe connections While developments like QR codes are useful, they're not the full solution, according to Akiko Saito who runs one of Matsudo's dementia cafes. "These days our relationships with our immediate neighbours are fading," she says as about 20 local pensioners dig in to a typical multi-dish Japanese lunch. Image caption Akiko Saito runs one of Matsudo's dementia cafes, she believes that we can't just on technological solutions for helping an older population "We are connected through things like social networking sites, but in case there is a disaster or if something happens, I think it's going to be more and more important in future to have a space where you can build relationships between people so that neighbours would be able to help each other out." With our life expectancy rising in most countries, the number of people with dementia is expected to increase dramatically in the coming decades. The solutions they have found in super-ageing Japan are already being copied in other countries and are likely to spread even further. Additional reporting by Tamasin Ford and Erica Symonds This content was created as a co-production between Nobel Media AB and the BBC | https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-48227747 |
Did the Left Misread the 2020 Democratic Primary? | Bill Scher is a contributing editor to Politico Magazine, and co-host of the Bloggingheads.tv show The DMZ. For a huge swath of political observers, from pundits to Democratic activists, it was obvious that Joe Biden was going to flop. Before the former vice president entered the race, he was written off as a relic. He was too old (a problem for a party pulsating with millennials and Generation Z). He was too undisciplined (a flaw exposed during his short-lived presidential campaigns in 1988 and 2008.) And he was too wedded to a bygone era of bipartisanshipa centrist out of step with rising progressive stars like Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez. Biden is opposing where the center of energy is in the Democratic Party, Justice Democrats communications director Waleed Shahid said. Story Continued Below I think theres going to be a lot less air in the room than it looks like for Biden. The reality is that Bidens time is passed, predicted Democracy for America chairman Charles Chamberlain. Were in a new moment. This is not Joe Bidens moment, Progressive Change Campaign Committee co-founder Adam Green said. But it was Joe Bidens moment, and it sure still seems to be Joe Bidens moment. He has dominated the polls since he entered the race last month. Before Biden announced, he was at a measly 29 percent in the Real Clear Politics average of national polls, only 6 percentage points ahead of progressive favorite Bernie Sanders, who not all that long ago looked like a genuine co-front-runner. Since then, Biden has surged to 40 percent, kicking Sanders down to the mid-teens. In the past week, Biden has posted intimidating double-digit leads in polls from the early-contest states of Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina. His dominance of the Democratic Partys moderate wing has helped stall the rise of Mayor Pete Buttigieg while also squeezing the ability of candidates like Elizabeth Warren and Kamala Harris from positioning themselves as more viable progressive alternatives to Sanders. Its not just Bidens rising poll numbers that suggest that the activist left is out of step with most Democrats; its the ideological makeup of the entire Democratic Party. Fifty-six percent of Democrats self-identify as moderate and 9 percent even embrace conservative, according to an April poll from the Judy Ford Wason Center for Public Policy at Christopher Newport University. While leftist activists pine for the end of the legislative filibuster to grease the skids for partisan legislation, a December GW Politics poll found that 66 percent of Democrats said they prefer elected officials who make compromises with people they disagree with over those who stick to their positions." Only 36 percent of Republicans said the same. Its too early to declare this the year of anything, whether progressive change or centrist Bidenmania. But Bidens commanding lead has left the partys resurgent left with a question: What to do if it never stops being Bidens moment. Despite circulation of Biden's 1970s opposition to school busing and Anita Hill's rejection of his apology for his handling of the Clarence Thomas hearings, his appeal crosses nearly every demographic group, with the mild exception of voters under 35; he still leads with young voters, just not by as much as with other groups. And Bidens lead is at least in part because of his relative moderation and not in spite of it. Even voters who disagree with him seem to be drawn to his centrism. Polls from CNN and Monmouth University found that Democratic primary voters put the ability to defeat Trump ahead of ideological purity when picking a presidential nominee. Its true that a recent poll from ABC and the Washington Post seemed to show the opposite result, with 47 percent of Democrats saying they preferred a candidate whose positions on the issues come closest to yours and only 39 percent said they favored one most likely to defeat Trump. But the cross tabulation showed that it was largely moderate and conservative Democrats who wanted an ideologically like-minded candidate, while liberal Democrats tilted toward the more electable candidate. Democrats in both ideological camps, it seems, are nervous about a nominee too far to the left. Beyond the polling data, there were other indicators that the Democratic base wasnt quite ready for the revolution. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi keeps throwing brushback pitches at Ocasio-Cortez and her allies without suffering any significant loss in popularity among Democrats. Despite all the attention around single-payer health care, there are fewer House Democrats co-sponsoring such legislation in this Congress than in the last Congress, even though there are more House Democrats, suggesting that many elected Democrats arent feeling pressure from their base to check the democratic-socialist box. In theory, political tacticians confronted with this kind of data would recalibrate, reassessing their strategies for how to get the Democratic moderate majority to overcome its bout of Biden fever. Yet, when I contacted a number of the leading progressive activists who had previously dismissed Bidens prospects, they saw no need for Plan Bs (at least, among those who were willing to respond.) Bidens initial strength was always expected, they said. They maintain that the progressive nature of the Democratic electorate will soon make itself known, to his detriment. poster="http://v.politico.com/images/1155968404/201905/2180/1155968404_6036739086001_6036739927001-vs.jpg?pubId=1155968404" true Theres a lot of nostalgia for the Obama-Biden administration, said Chamberlain, whose progressive outfit, Democracy for America, grew out of Howard Deans insurgent 2004 presidential bid. The problem is Obamas coattails only last so long for Joe Biden. And as people start to investigate his track record, and continue to see how Joe Biden campaigns,which weve seen before, isnt very good then I suspect we're going to see the wheels come off the cart. Green, of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, which has endorsed Warren, argued that its too early to conclude that Bidens history of not-so-progressive positions wont be his downfall. Theres this issue of penetrating with actual voters, Green said. He is looking forward to seeing Warren confront Biden about the 2005 bankruptcy reform bill, which Biden supported and Warren has long believed was friendly to credit card companies. Given how many millions of people are suffering with debt at the hands of banks and credit card companies, Green said, lets see him try to defend that, as well as his support for the North American Free Trade Agreement, point/counterpoint in front of millions of people. Chamberlain expects Biden will be hammered on race issues during the debates: I think you should expect that Bernie Sanders is going to hold him accountable for his racist rhetoric during the push for the crime bill. Hes going to hold him accountable for opposing school desegregation, which is something Bernie was arrested trying to stop. Green disputed the importance of the number of Democrats who identify as moderates and conservatives. Ideological labels are overblown, he told me, citing his group's polling of Iowa and New Hampshire Democrats: While people might not use the word liberal or progressive as a kind of self-label, 80 percent of primary voters want Elizabeth Warrens wealth tax, and 70-something percent want the 'Green New Deal.' A very high percentage support 'Medicare for All.' . When the issue debate actually is litigated, even self-professed moderates will instinctively support the Elizabeth Warrens of the world who advocate ideas like universal child care that benefit their family. Green said his groups think-tank arm, the Progressive Change Institute, plans to conduct some very deep-dive polling testing the back-and-forth arguments on Medicare for All and the Green New Deal to prepare supporters for the toughest attacks and arm them with the best rebuttals. Yet anxiety about the Trump administration seems to be making Democrats more cautious and less radical. Progressives have misread the mood, Wason Center political scientist Rachel Bitecofer told me. The current mood of the Democratic electorate is terrified. When people are terrified, they seek safety and become risk-averse. Bitecofer warned progressives not to view the relative success of Sanders 2016 primary campaign as a harbinger for 2020. Turnout in 2016 for the Democratic primary was low because Democrats were unmotivated and uninterested after eight fat and happy years not having their sensibilities attacked during the Obama years, she said. Many simply assumed Obama would be replaced by eight years of Hillary. As such, the 2016 electorate was slightly more ideological than I expect the 2020 electorate to be. I am expecting extremely high turnout in this primary. That increase will come primarily from moderates and liberals, not from the progressive base. Bitecofer defines progressive as further to the left than liberal. Five months ago, when Al Gores former running mate, Joe Lieberman, said he didnt believe Rep. Ocasio-Cortez would be the future of the Democratic Party, she memorably shot back, New party, who dis? After the Biden surge, progressives should be less sure that they own the party. So far, they are not ready to concede. They believe that Trump has given Democrats a hunger to dream big on policy and to exploit Americas polarization, not temper it. Its indisputable that such a faction exists among Democratic primary voters. But if the left is wrong about its breadth, it will take more than a good clapback tweet for them to figure out what to do next. | https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/05/14/joe-biden-2020-226872 |
What if Trump Has Driven Democrats Sane? | Rich Lowry is editor of National Review and a contributing editor with Politico Magazine. The Joe Biden polling surge has raised the frightful specter of Democratic rationality. Story Continued Below Bidens early strength suggests it may be the latter, that the reaction to Trump is so intense that it has crossed some sort of event horizon from fevered fantasy of his leaving office early via resignation or impeachment to a cold-eyed, win-at-any-cost practicality. If this is true, one of the exogenous factors that could appreciably increase Trumps odds of reelection a zany Democratic nomination contest leading to a nominee much too far left for the American electorate may not materialize. The commonsense play for Democrats has always been to nominate a nonsocialist with appeal to Obama-to-Trump voters in former blue wall states if not necessarily Biden, then someone with a similar relatively moderate profile. If hardly dispositive, Bidens robust numbers at least suggest that this play is more likely than it seemed in the very early going, when candidates were stumbling over one another apologizing for sundry alleged offenses in the Woke Olympics. If thats not going to be the true dynamic of the race, Im as surprised as anyone, having written often about the leftward lurch of the party. Whats extraordinary, though, is that almost every Democratic candidate might have been misreading it as well and chasing the wrong rabbit down the track. Bernie Sanders dominated the intellectual and policy debates in the wake of his surprising run against Hillary Clinton in 2016, driving other 2020 presidential candidates to embrace his signature proposals. And Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is a genuine political star. Between them, socialism has gotten more traction in the U.S. than at anytime in the past 50 years. Its only because the center of gravity of the party has clearly moved left that Biden, always a standard liberal, now sounds like a centrist when he calls himself an Obama-Biden Democrat. But, as Harry Enten of CNN, among others, has been insisting for some time, the average Democrat is older, more moderate or conservative, and less likely to have a college degree than youd guess from following Twitter or cable TV. These voters were underserved by the rest of the field, and Biden is taking dead aim at them with the simple message that he can beat Trump. Electability is usually a wan, uninspiring rationale for establishment campaigns that flame out in the primaries, but Trump may have transformed into something more urgent and exciting for Democrats in 2020. In this scenario, fear and loathing of Trump doesnt drive Democrats into a politically risky dead end such as impeachment although thats still possible but a sensible appraisal of how to beat him at the ballot box, even at the cost of ideological purity. In a recent CNN poll, about half of Democrats said its extremely important that a candidate have a good chance of beating Trump, much more than any other candidate quality. Journalists on the trail have reported hearing the same thing from Democratic voters. Of course, if we learned anything from 2016, its that pundits know much less about electability than we think. Bidens paper strength may dissipate. History shows that Democrats have had better electoral luck when they fall in love with a youthful candidate promising a fresh start. Think Bill Clinton, not Walter Mondale; Barack Obama, not Hillary Clinton. Bidens long record has plenty for Trump to shoot at, and after he gets beaten over the head and shoulders over his past positions on busing and crime, he may have some of the same trouble Hillary Clinton had turning out the Democratic base. Bidens electability will have to be proved not just in general election polling matchups with Trump, but day-by-day campaigning during the primaries with much more incoming than hes experienced to date. All that said, Bidens level of support out of the gate has already changed the narrative of the race. It may be that hes understood how Trump is shaping the 2020 landscape better than his more with-it Democratic competitors. | https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/05/15/trump-joe-biden-2020-226917 |
Why do Arrowhead and Kaufman stadiums need taxpayer dollars? | Letters to the Editor Letters: Readers discuss if Arrowhead and Kauffman stadiums need taxpayer dollars Fair share The Stars Sunday editorial proposed that Kansas residents chip in for the Truman Sports Complex. (20A, Is it time for Kansas to chip in for the Truman Sports Complex?) That may be a reasonable idea as soon as Missouri residents who work in Johnson County start to pay an earning tax to the county. Another option would be to raise ticket and parking prices. Johnson County residents already pay a large share of that anyway. Lee Larson Unlimited Digital Access: Only $0.99 For Your First Month Get full access to The Kansas City Star content across all your devices. SAVE NOW Prairie Village Pay your way I have to laugh every time I read about something ridiculous like this: If its not an already-thriving hotelier or builder asking for tax abatements for luxury hotels downtown, then its the Truman Sports Complex asking taxpayers to foot its maintenance bills. If the teams can afford to pay hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of dollars a year to all their players, surely they can find the money to pay for their own upkeep. That seems an infinitely more viable and fair way of collecting the maintenance money, rather than pitting state against state. Carry your own weight and stop asking the areas population to do it for you, Chiefs and Royals. It stinks of greed and laziness. You could at least pretend to do better. Adam Rodenberger Lenexa | https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article230626079.html |
Could Giants super utility man Pablo Sandoval be an All-Star? | Pablo Sandoval, the man of countless roles, was the one at Donovan Solanos locker consoling him after the infielder was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Monday. The same Sandoval who hit pinch homers both Saturday and Sunday. Who pitched a scoreless inning this season - in a game in which he homered and stole a base. With Solano off the roster, manager Bruce Bochy was asked whos the backup shortstop. Bochy mentioned Evan Longoria as well as Joe Panik. And, of course, Pablo could, added Bochy, who might not have been kidding. Sandoval is also the teams emergency catcher. I dont think hes going to play center field, Bochy said. You could check that one off. Nor right field. With that said, hed go anywhere, and hed have no problem. Apparently, that would rule out Sandoval playing at all nine positions in one game. He could, Bochy said. Its probably premature to consider candidates for the July 9 All-Star Game in Cleveland, but Sandoval has been the Giants best hitter, carrying a .301 average into Monday night, by far tops on the team, though with just 86 plate appearances. Every team must have at least one All-Star representative. I think so, Bochy said. Its a long shot because its hard to get those numbers to where some players are. Youre seeing setup guys get attention (on All-Star rosters), other guys in the bullpen who are throwing up big numbers. Its not always closers getting all the love now as far as guys we vote for on the All-Star team. Its part of the game changes, so thats a possibility, sure. The thing he gives you is the ability to play about anywhere. Sandoval, the first Giant since Armando Rios in 1998 to hit pinch homers in consecutive games, had a .675 slugging percentage through Sunday, the fourth higest in the majors among players with at least 83 at-bats. Of his 25 hits, 17 went for extra bases, including 10 doubles and seven homers, tying Brandon Belt for the team lead. Briefly: Solano came off the roster to make room for Mondays starting pitcher, Andrew Suarez, which left the Giants with 14 pitchers and a three-man bench. The Giants likely will call up another infielder Tuesday. ... The Giants acquired reliever Matt Seelinger, 24, to complete the trade that sent catcher Erik Kratz to the Rays. Seelinger, who has a 3.21 ERA in 62 career minor-league appearances, will report to Class A Augusta. John Shea is The San Francisco Chronicles national baseball writer. Email: [email protected] Twitter: @JohnSheaHey | https://www.sfchronicle.com/giants/article/Is-Giants-super-utility-man-Pablo-Sandoval-an-13865196.php |
Who is Robert F. Smith, the billionaire paying off Morehouse College students loans? | Robert F. Smiths gift of paying off the student loans of Morehouse Colleges 2019 graduating class stunned the schools students and faculty, but it was just the latest act of philanthropy by the quiet billionaire tech investment executive who is concerned that economic opportunities for Black people have narrowed. Smith made the surprise announcement Sunday while giving the commencement address at the college in Atlanta, and his gift is estimated at $20 million (U.S.) to $40 million. Smith, 56, is the nations richest Black person ahead of Oprah Winfrey with a net worth of $5 billion, according to Forbes. He amassed his wealth as chief executive of Vista Equity Partners, a private equity firm in Austin, Texas, that he founded in 2000. Vista Equity buys, grows and sells companies in the software and other technology fields. It manages $46 billion in investments with a portfolio of more than 50 companies that employ more than 60,000 people, according to the firms website. Smith seldom gives interviews and operated in relative obscurity until a few years ago. His profile began growing in step with his philanthropy, much of which is aimed at supporting the Black community, and with more public appearances. Vista Equity said Smith was not available to comment for this story. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Read more: Graduation speaker pledges to pay class of 2019 student debt Speaking at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, Calif., this month, Smith warned that educational and economic opportunities for Black people had narrowed since the time he and other Denver children were bused to recently desegregated schools in the area. There is only one of those folks that were on that bus that actually got incarcerated, he said. We have doctors. We have lawyers. We have politicians. We have investors all because we had the opportunity to get into a great public school. That dynamic lived in my neighbourhood. It doesnt live in that neighbourhood today as much as it did then. The economic opportunity that was afforded me, I think, has changed. It has shrunk. Smith said Black communities are as segregated today as in the 1950s, subjecting them to economic underdevelopment that doesnt allow them to fully participate in the economy. He called for companies to invest in the problem, including by offering internships to underprivileged students who may not even be aware of the job opportunities created by the tech revolution. Morehouse is an all-male historically Black college. Months before saying hed wipe out the student loans of this years graduating class, Smith announced a $1.5 million gift to the school. He also has donated $20 million to the Smithsonians National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, and he and his foundation have given $50 million to Cornell University, his alma mater. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW | https://www.thestar.com/news/world/us/2019/05/20/who-is-robert-f-smith-the-billionaire-paying-off-morehouse-college-students-loans.html |
Who Actually Wants War Criminals Pardoned? | It has been nearly a year since a Pentagon spokesperson held a televised, on-record press conference with reporters, if you dont count Gerard Butler and Gene Simmons. Even the Department of Defense has trouble defending the indefensible. There is no natural constituency demanding the exoneration of a motley series of heavily armed white men who killed or desecrated the bodies of foreigners overseas in the name of the United States. What these cases have in common is that they have become hobby-horses for a sclerotic part of the conservative media-industrial complex. Eddie Gallaghers wife and brother have become fixtures on Fox and Friends, insisting the chief is a modern-day war hero caught in a frame-up. The hunger in right-wing swamps for pro-Gallagher content has ballooned, and has led to some troubling practices worth exploring through his upcoming court martialsuch as why prosecutors in his case attempted to track press leaks by sending journalists emails laced with a tracking and monitoring code. Rather than letting a court establish facts and responsibility, Gallaghers supporters have spoken directly to Trump through his favorite show, seeking to short-circuit the justice system. I know [the president] is being fed false information, the accuseds attorney Tyler Merritt told Fox News viewers last month. He was accompanied by Gallaghers wife; they both wore matching t-shirts supporting Gallagher, provided by the veteran-owned shirt business Nine Line Apparel and available for sale for $26.99, plus shipping. In seeking a presidential pardon, they are supported by Republican Representative Duncan Hunter of California, a Marine veteran who himself is facing federal trial for personal misuse of a quarter of a million dollars in campaign funds. At least Hunter is consistent: Back in 2012, he also insisted that those Marines who urinated on Afghan corpses were sons of America who should not face criminal consequences for their actions. That case quickly became a cause clbre for arch-rightists looking to distance themselves from more staid conservative circles. Id drop trou and do it too, said a then-obscure radio host from St. Louis who had never served in uniform. Thats me though. I want a million cool points for these guys. Come on people, this is a war. What do you think this is? The radio host was Dana Loesch, now the paid spokeswoman for the National Rifle Association. When called on her comments, she argued that the Left is attacking me so they can avoid calling this Obamas Abu Ghraib. She was supported by the likes of Islamophobic blogger Pamela Geller, who could barely contain her glee at the desecration. I love these Marines, she wrote. Perhaps this is the infidel interpretation of the Islamic ritual of washing and preparing the body for burial. This, in a nutshell, is the war crimes lobby as it now exists, a metastasizing network of amateurish, enraged gawkers, gorging themselves on Fox News emissions, and who feel empowered to speak for the troops, the war, and the whole darn population of real United States citizens. To the people in middle America, who respect the troops and the tough calls they make, theyre going to love this. These are the good guys, said Fox and Friends cohost, professional Republican veteran, and onetime Trump cabinet hopeful Pete Hegseth on Sunday. These are the war fighters. If the small community of American men who unjustlyand against the consciences of most of their uniformed comradeskill, maim, or violate brown people can successfully evade judgment thanks to the caprices of a feeble commander-in-chief; if these are decreed to be the good guys without rigorous investigation; goodness will have lost all meaning. Perhaps the cruelty of it is the point. | https://newrepublic.com/article/153948/actually-wants-war-criminals-pardoned |
Who is Robert Smith, the man paying off Morehouse graduates loans? | Robert Smith was giving the commencement address to the graduating class of Morehouse College on Sunday when he made a surprise announcement: He would be paying off the student loans of the roughly 400 graduates. It was just the latest substantial gesture from Smith, the richest black man in America, who until just a few years ago was practically unknown. Heres what you need to know about him: Smith has amassed a fortune that Forbes estimates to be worth $5 billion by founding Vista Equity Partners, a private equity firm that focuses on buying and selling software firms. Vista has about $46 billion in assets under management, according to Forbes. The company is privately held and does not publicly report its results, but it is believed to be one of the best-performing firms in the country, with annualized returns of more than 20% since its founding. Vista has unconventional hiring practices. Rather than seek out people with Ivy League degrees or recruit top talent from Silicon Valley, Smith looks for skilled engineers and managers from other professions who might thrive inside his companies. As part of its hiring efforts, Vista uses a personality test first developed by IBM that gauges technical and social skills, as well as a candidates interest in the arts and humanities. Smith grew up in a mostly black, middle-class neighborhood in Denver. Both of his parents had doctorates in education, and he was ambitious from an early age. He applied for an internship at Bell Labs in high school, but was told he was too young. Smith called every Monday for five months and finally got the position. Advertising He went to college at Cornell, studying chemical engineering, then took a job at Kraft General Foods. He got a masters degree in business administration from Columbia, then worked at Goldman Sachs in San Francisco, advising companies including Apple, Hewlett-Packard and Microsoft. Smith has a passion for music. In 2016, he was named chairman of the board of Carnegie Hall, the nations most prestigious concert stage. He bought and restored a storied resort, Lincoln Hills, outside Denver, where black jazz musicians like Duke Ellington once played. And he has founded programs to support music education and minority entrepreneurship in Austin, Texas, where he lives, and Chicago, where Vista has an office. Smith has a flamboyant side as well. He favors three-piece suits, owns one of Elton Johns old pianos and hired John Legend and Seal and a youth orchestra to perform at his wedding on the Amalfi Coast in Italy. He named two of his sons, Hendrix and Legend, after Jimi Hendrix and Legend. He is married to Hope Dworaczyk, an actress and former Playboy model. Though he shunned the spotlight for many years, he has recently embraced a more public role, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, and making major charitable contributions. Cornell renamed its School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering after Smith, and he has made major gifts to the National Museum of African-American History and Culture and other cultural institutions. In January, Smith donated $1.5 million to Morehouse to fund student scholarships and a new park on campus. | https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/who-is-robert-smith-the-man-paying-off-morehouse-graduates-loans/ |
Will Seattle areas rain clear in time for Memorial Day weekend? | This is one of those weeks, weather-wise in Seattle, where it looks like anything could happen. After an unexpectedly sunny and dry Sunday, Monday is predicted to bring increasing showers throughout the Puget Sound during the day that could persist through Tuesday, according to Samantha Borth, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Seattle. On Wednesday, we could begin to dry out and get increasingly warm through much of the rest of the week. Some weather forecasting models indicate that there could be light showers on Friday and Saturday, Borth said, but theres also a prediction that the temperature on Sunday could climb into the high 70s, she said. Its the main forecasting challenge, right now. Some models look like were trending drier and others show there could be a low that comes down on Friday. So really, well have to wait and see what we get for the long Memorial Day weekend, she said. | https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/weather/seattle-area-forecast-wet-start-to-the-week-but-maybe-a-dry-memorial-day-weekend/ |
Who gets to decide about war with Iran? | The president replied, I hope not. So should we all. But to hope is to relinquish agency and power over the course of events, implying that others have as much or more control than we do. The Trump administrations approach to Iran feels dangerously confrontational, as well as improvisational and haphazard. Clearly, many of the administrations actions are belligerent: the abrogation of the Iran nuclear deal, the designation of the Revolutionary Guards Corps as a terrorist organization, the termination of waivers for countries that trade with Iran and the movement of an aircraft carrier into the region. But none of this means that war is inevitable. Despite these aggressive actions, the president appears to be hesitating. He says, as he often does, Well see what happens. But this is a disconcerting relinquishment of power to others. Easily. An attack on an American vessel or American troops would make war nearly inevitable. The mullahs, however, may be fanatical, but theyre not irrational, and such an attack would not serve their interests as well as do negotiations with the Europeans. A war could easily be sparked, as well, by an attack from one of the 30 or so Shia militias in the area that have varying degrees of affiliation with Iran. Advertising Or more likely, perhaps, a simple miscalculation could start the war. In short, peace hangs by a thinner thread than usual in the Middle East, and the Trump administration is granting other factions significant control over what happens next. I depend on the insights of experts academics, diplomats and journalists such as Vali Nasr, Sandra Mackey and Kenneth Pollack to help explain why we should not fight Iran. Apart from Israel, politics in the Middle East is driven by two balancing factions: One is Persian and Shiite (Iran); the other is Arab and Sunni (Saudi Arabia). We probably should not take sides, at all, but to the extent that we have, we have chosen the wrong side. Iran could be a natural ally; Saudi Arabia has a lot to answer for. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia dates only to 1932, and its always been a family-run monarchy. Iranians, on the other hand, trace their origins back two millennia, to the great Persian empires of Cyrus and Xerxes. Iranians pride in their history cannot be discounted in negotiations or in the contemplation of war. Further, Iran has democratic tendencies unheard of in Saudi Arabia. Inclinations toward democracy date to the Iranian revolution of 1906, which replaced a dynasty with a constitution and parliament. Unfortunately Iranian democracy was thwarted by the oil-hungry West, first by the British in 1921 and then by the United States in 1953. Advertising For most of the 20th century Iran was ruled by a tyrannical shah supported by the U.S. as a bulwark against communism. His autocratic, corrupt, repressive regime made the 1979 revolution almost inevitable. But despite the oppressive theocracy imposed by the mullahs, Iran has a young population that is inclined toward moderation, openness and modernity. Yes, Iranians are involved in disruptive activities in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and elsewhere, but they are playing hardball on their home field in a game that we hardly understand. Irans history implies that it will respond better to respectful diplomacy than to threats and intimidation. Yet here we are, on the brink of war, and others are fully capable of tipping us into the abyss. In fact, however, neither Trump nor the mullahs nor the Shia militias should be able to control whether we go to war. That power resides in Article I of the Constitution, which reserves for congress the responsibility To Declare War. Democrats and Republicans must insist on this prerogative. | https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/who-gets-to-decide-about-war-with-iran/ |
How can we get our children playing outside again? | British children spend half the time their parents did playing in the street. But some campaigners are fighting back against a culture that is keeping kids from exercising their right to play It is easy to get nostalgic when someone mentions playing outside: hazy memories of summers spent kicking a ball in the street, calling for your friend across the road to join you, the illicit thrill of knock-and-run. But nostalgia may soon be all we have: its an incontrovertible fact that British children occupy an ever-shrinking slice of public space, and their time playing out in our streets has been slashed. A 2016 Sustrans study showed that children are playing outside for an average of just over four hours a week half that of their parents generation. And most of this play happens in parks, with adults hovering nearby. The sight of a child using his or her own street as a playground is increasingly rare, thanks in part to neighbours annoyed at noise, but also because of fears over traffic and knife crime. But not everyone is happy to allow our streets to become game-free zones. We spoke to the adults fighting for childrens right to play. The campaigner Sarina Da Silva, 39, London Da Silva and her neighbours made headlines when they helped to bring down the wall that was segregating play spaces on their estate in south London. The developers of the Lilian Baylis Old School complex in Lambeth, south London, had originally kept children in the social-housing flats out of the larger grassed play area that was available to families in the privately owned homes. Things have changed, she says. I looked down from my balcony yesterday and saw some kids playing chase, she says. It was lovely to see. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Sarina Da Silva and her daughter Sienna. Photograph: Sarah Lee/The Guardian Da Silva fought so hard for the children to be able to use the playgrounds because she doesnt want them playing anywhere else. I fear them getting home from school traffic, crime, everything. This is a far cry from Da Silvas own childhood games. I grew up not far from here. I remember playing out until the age of nine. My parents would shout out of the window when it was time to come home. Rounders was a big favourite, she recalls. There were drainpipes, and we would slide down all the way from the fourth floor. I cant even imagine letting my children do that. Da Silva believes this era of independent play is already lost. Boys play football but apart from that, no. The idea of my 12-year-old daughter playing rounders She laughs. She wouldnt think to do it. If they havent done it from a young age, they havent had that experience. On the estate, there are still rows about children playing, with many neighbours saying that they find it disruptive and noisy. Da Silva says it puts her off sending her children outside on their own. They [the neighbours] moan so much if there is any noise. We smashed windows! That was accepted then. It was paid for, but it was seen as part of letting kids play outside. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Jack Sloan We see children coming in with fewer and fewer skills. Photograph: Linda Nylind/The Guardian The educator Jack Sloan, 38, London When Sloan became headteacher at Hanover primary school a traditional Victorian redbrick school in Islington, north London, his most pressing issue was how to teach children to play again. There was a political climate that separated play from learning, and it felt wrong. The children couldnt be themselves. We were seeing behavioural issues, fighting, they werent able to play cooperatively. Pupils at the school come from areas that include multimillion-pound Georgian terraces and large housing estates. With fewer children playing out, Sloan says the effect has been visible. Islington is one of the least green local authorities, and the gang activity locally is frightening for parents. Many of the children who come here dont play outside at all. Political pressure has ousted play from childrens lives, at a huge cost. That cost will be seen when they are older We see children coming in with fewer and fewer skills developed through play. Role play, being able to imagine a scenario; knowing how to fall out and get on again. And the biggest loss is gross motor skills children are weaker. Out in the yard backing on to the canal, children can play with large pieces of wood, tyres and other simple things. The reception class has been stripped back, with almost all the toys taken away. Instead, children can move freely around, choosing what to do for most of the day, from carpentry to building cars out of junk. In a year-one classroom, two boys are down on the floor surrounded by Lego and deep in concentration. He points at them. You know, those were the boys who struggled to focus on their work. Now they come in and play with the Lego for an hour or so. Not only are they working cooperatively, but, later in the morning, they are ready to do some reading and writing. It works much better. Sloan sees the restoration of play as a serious mission, in the face of the ever-growing formalisation of early-years education. Political pressure has ousted play from childrens lives, at a huge cost. That cost will be seen when they are older, when they need to think creatively. We expect our children to write creatively, but with less experience than ever of real life. This is not a compromise for us; its a duty because our children need it. The street-play facilitator Alison Stenning, 46, Newcastle Stenning, professor of social and economic geography at Newcastle University, is passionate about children being able to play on their own doorsteps. Since 2015 she has been closing local streets for play through the UK-wide Playing Out programme. With council permission, a street is closed to traffic on regular days so that children and families can play freely outside. Its about kids knowing their neighbours, knowing they could knock on anyones door if they were in trouble One of the goals of Playing Out is to challenge the growing view that children seen out without adults are a threat, Stenning says. It is becoming so rare it that feels invasive. In almost all cases, within a few weeks of streets closing, those fears have died away. The tolerance grows. We can see the benefits in the older children who have grown up with it. Now I see groups of 10-, 11-, 12-year-olds playing on the streets regularly on their own, she says, even when the street hasnt been closed. Its a lovely moment when the barrier comes down and all the kids just run out. A few weeks ago, we did a football match; about 20 people got involved and it went on for hours. Its about kids knowing their neighbours, knowing they could knock on anyones door if they were in trouble. I grew up in Hertfordshire and as a small child I played out a lot. There was an alleyway that you couldnt see from the house, and I remember the noise it made when we all ran down it. I was out there as young as four without an adult watching. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Kevin Sherriff Kids on the street are seen as a threat to adults. Photograph: Fabio De Paola/The Guardian The playworker Kevin Sherriff, 52, Leicester Sherriff beams with pride at Highfields adventure playground, which he runs, as he points out logs piled up to make a den so small only a child can crawl in, and the ropes strung between the trees. I planted those trees 30 years ago and now inner-city kids can play in dappled sunlight. The senior playworker sees his playground as a pocket of resistance against an anti-child culture. The kids just come straight here after school no adults allowed. He laughs. Adults are like elephants: they get in the way. Kids on the street are seen as a threat to adults, rather than being our children, the children of the whole community Over the course of 30 years working here, he has seen the changes in childrens freedom to use the outside world as a playground. Traditionally, we had kids who would turn up alone from quite young, and now the majority of kids get dropped off and picked up, he says. Parental anxiety has increased and being able to get in touch with them by phone actually makes it worse. We have also lost a lot of kids to video games they are just stuck in their rooms now. The loss of children from the street is a vicious circle, he believes, creating a fear of young people. There is almost an issue now that if you see kids on their own, its neglect. Kids on the street are seen as a threat to adults, rather than being our children, the children of the whole community. Sherriff wants the children, more than anything, to have choices. In their lives, particularly at school, children are very controlled. They have got to go here, go there, do this, do that. They dont get any spontaneity. He wants adults to tap into their own memories so that they can remember what children need. We work with a lot of schools, and the teachers all say the kids are so much happier here in an outdoor environment. It surprises me how surprised they are about it. We all know we enjoyed playing out when we were young. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Michael Rosen When you ask students for opinions, quite often they are unwilling or unsure how to express a view of their own. Photograph: Murdo MacLeod/The Guardian The author Michael Rosen, 73, London Rosen has been encouraging children to be playful for a long time, through his poems and books as well as the many hours he spends visiting schools and libraries. Voices in power have sidelined play, he says, and he is on a mission to remind people why it matters and how easy it is to start bringing it back. This autumn, he has a book out, Michael Rosens Little Book of Play, as part of his campaign to remind adults that children need, desperately, to play. School is more and more devoted to pure instruction, and less and less time is given to play, he says. We must have some free play: play as investigation; play as an activity that takes place without knowing what the outcome will be. Parents are becoming more nervous about children playing outside or taking risks and this is leading to more time spent in organised clubs. What we have lost is the roaming that children used to do. The loss of space for children to be playful is, he says, having a noticeable impact, despite the huge body of evidence and the bucket-loads of theory explaining why children benefit from play and why they need it in their lives. I think you invalidate the child, you create a particular sort of conformity. I am hearing from universities and sixth forms that, when you ask students for opinions, quite often they are unwilling or unsure how to express a view of their own. Play is an attitude to the world and your place in it. When I sit on a bus, I like to listen to different ways parents speak to children. They are teaching children that the world is out there and you can investigate it. Some voices I hear are just telling children: there is the world, learn about it. A child who learns that the world is theirs to explore, he argues, is more likely to grow into a confident adult. Do you have the right to investigate the world, to play with it or do you feel that you are receiving the world and are dominated by it? Follow Guardian Cities on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to join the discussion, catch up on our best stories or sign up for our weekly newsletter | https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/may/21/how-can-we-get-our-children-playing-outside-again |
Would the Bulls really wish Lonzo Ball upon themselves? | The Chicago Bulls are looking for a point guard to complete their rebuild, but without a shot at Ja Morant, the top PG prospect in the draft, they may have to get creative. According to the Chicago Tribunes K.C. Johnson, the Bulls are intrigued by Lonzo Ball. Scroll to continue with content Ad Its easy to see why any team would be interested in the Los Angeles Lakers second-year guard on talent alone, but of course Ball comes with more baggage than about any player in the league. Lonzos father, LaVar, is the leagues most outspoken father and foremost gadfly. When the Lakers were trying to trade for Anthony Davis during the regular season, LaVar vowed to not let his son play in New Orleans and tried to steer Lonzo to the Phoenix Suns. If the Bulls got involved in serious trade talks, its hard to imagine LaVar not inserting himself again. Ever since LeBron James announced his intention of playing for the Lakers, Ball has been the center of the rumor mill. James generally hasnt had the patience to wait on younger players to develop when his teams can trade for All-Stars now. From Kawhi Leonard to Davis, the Lakers have been involved in many a trade rumor over the past year. However, its hard to imagine the team trading their former No. 2 overall pick without an established star, and the Bulls dont have any to speak of. Story continues One way for the Bulls to land Ball would be to help facilitate a three-team deal with the Lakers that would likely involve Davis or Washingtons Bradley Beal. New Orleans wasnt intrigued by the Lakers package of young players, but maybe they would change their tune if the Bulls included an early draft pick or young prospect. The Bulls are reportedly interest in Lakers point guard Lonzo Ball. Any Bulls trade would likely include the No. 7 pick in the draft, which the Bulls settled for last week after finishing with the leagues fourth-worst record. Whoever owns the pick could target another young point guard like Vanderbilts Darius Garland or North Carolinas Coby White or look at a bevy of forwards. Chicago also has a few intriguing forwards, but recent lottery picks Lauri Markkanen and Wendell Carter Jr. are too important to trade in a risky trade like this. Ball remains very unproven; his points, assists and rebounds per game all fell in his sophomore season, and he has missed at least 30 games in both campaigns. Still, he would be a good fit in Chicago. As Johnson mentioned in his Tribune story, Balls pass-first mentality and defensive prowess fit well with the rest of the team. Balls 6-foot-6 size would pair well next to 6-5 leading scorer Zach LaVine, and Ball wouldnt need to carry much of an offensive load. LaVine, Markkanen and Otto Porter Jr. combined to average 59.9 points per game, and the former UCLA star would likely bring more out of them than incumbent starter Kris Dunn has to date. More from Yahoo Sports: | https://sports.yahoo.com/bulls-interested-in-lonzo-ball-003502882.html?src=rss |
What is Steve Bullocks 2020 position on Citizens United? | The battle for 2020: Possible Democratic presidential candidates Following the results of the 2018 midterm elections, we take a look at the Democrats who could run for president in the 2020 election. Up Next SHARE COPY LINK Following the results of the 2018 midterm elections, we take a look at the Democrats who could run for president in the 2020 election. Democratic presidential candidate Steve Bullock on Monday said he would unilaterally shake up the countrys campaign finance system if elected, promising a set of immediate executive actions to increase transparency and reduce the influence of wealthy donors. None of Bullocks proposed actions would require approval from a divided Congress, though the Montana governor said he would be open to working with lawmakers on sweeping legislation similar to the kind he signed into law in his home state. Taken together, they amount to some of the most aggressive proposals yet from a Democratic White House hopeful to take on big-money outside groups. You can take meaningful action immediately as both an executive and working with Congress to make sure people know that elections are about them, not the special interests or the outside spending, Bullock said in an interview with McClatchy. Bullock said he would issue an order on his administrations first day to require companies with federal contracts to disclose all political spending, even if the contributions are made to a nonprofit group not legally required to reveal its donors before the end of the campaign. The proposed executive order mirrors action taken by Bullock in Montana last year. Unlimited Digital Access: Only $0.99 For Your First Month Get full access to Miami Herald content across all your devices. SAVE NOW Im not going to tell you you cant spend in our elections, but you do have to disclose every single dollar that youre spending to influence those elections, either spending or contributing, Bullock said. The governor also said he would re-institute an Internal Revenue Agency rule the Trump administration revoked last year that requires some nonprofit groups to disclose its donors. And he said he would use the Department of Justice to scour the country looking for cases that, if successful in court, could reduce the breadth of the Citizens United decision. He described such an effort as a counter-weight to efforts by some conservative lawyers who strategically and successfully pushed to further de-regulate campaign finance laws in the aftermath of the Citizens United ruling. Why the heck couldnt you ask your solicitor general to do the same thing, and say, You know what, lets find the cases out there that are substantially chipping away at the Citizens United decision, he said. And theres no reason you couldnt do that. Bullock made clear he wouldnt use the IRS to aggressively pursue nonprofit groups suspected of being primarily focused on political activity, a controversy during President Obamas administration that conservatives said unfairly targeted them. The IRS shouldnt be picking either winners or losers or choosing who to scrutinize, Bullock said. The promises are part of Bullocks emphasis on campaign finance reform in the early stages of his 2020 White House bid, which he officially launched last week. He hopes appeals to Democratic voters who want sweeping changes to the nations political system. Many of Bullocks rivals, most notably Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth, have also campaigned aggressively on driving big money out of politics. But the governor said he hopes voters are more impressed that he actually did so while in office. Its something that unlike ... others, I actually have a record meaningfully impacting not just Montana, but beyond, Bullock said. Bullock made changes to campaign finance law a priority both as Montanas attorney general and governor, signing legislation in 2015 that required all outside groups to disclose their donors if they wanted to run advertisements in the state in the run-up to an election. Like most of his Democratic opponents, Bullock said he would not endorse a super PAC supporting him the primary or the general election. Asked if he would welcome the assistance of a group like Priorities USA, a Democratic super PAC that is planning tens of millions of dollars against President Trump this election cycle, he demurred. Ill cross that bridge once I get there, only because I live in the confines of being a lawyer, he said. Ive seen at time in Montana candidates very upset about the independent expenditure. You cant even tell them what to do, because at that point its coordinating. | https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article230630874.html |
What makes an investment responsible? | Open this photo in gallery RI is getting deeper and wider as 84 per cent of institutional investors incorporate ESG factors into their selection process. Petmal/istock Responsible investing (RI) is exploding in popularity. And for portfolio managers and financial advisors who offer RI to their clients, or are looking to do so, its more important than ever to be able to explain what measures and parameters are used to determine what makes an investment responsible. [RI] can be highly subjective, says Robert Mark, portfolio manager at Raymond James Ltd. in Toronto. For example, some may see nuclear power as responsible if we want to be serious about a low-carbon world; others see [nuclear] as worse than fossil fuels. Are pipelines the safest possible way to transport hydrocarbons or looming environmental catastrophes? A good RI fund manager tries to make decisions as objective as possible, adds Paul Shelestowsky, senior wealth advisor with Meridian Credit Union in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. For example, in beef farming, the dialogue with the investor might cover issues such as supply-chain management, labour rights for farm workers, animal welfare and waste management. In energy, an RI fund manager might recognize that while society still depends on fossil fuels, the fund can work with energy firms that support environmental innovation and exclude the ones that dont. This might not fit every individuals personal ethics definition, but it objectively addresses and works to improve the sustainability and accountability of the companies in which a fund invests. Story continues below advertisement Although theres no one-size-fits-all definition of what makes an investment responsible, assets in Canada managed using one or more RI strategies increased by 41.6 per cent to $2.1-trillion at the end of 2017 from $1.5-trillion at the end of 2015, according to the Responsible Investment Associations most recent Canadian RI Trends Report. In fact, RI assets under management (AUM) in Canada made up more than half (50.6 per cent) of total Canadian AUM as of year-end 2017, up from 37.8 per cent two years earlier, the report says. Meanwhile global RI AUM rose by 25 per cent to US$22.9-trillion between 2014 and 2016. The growing demand for RI both in Canada and around the world is being driven by millennials and members of Generation Z, who want their investments to reflect their personal values. Research conducted by Environics Research Group Ltd. on behalf of Mackenzie Investments late last year found that 31 per cent of millennial investors either usually or always consider environmental, social or governance (ESG) factors when investing, which was more than double the percentage of baby boomers in that study. Women are also comparatively keen RI investors, Mr. Shelestowsky says. Case in point: A study by the Center for Talent Innovation, a U.S. not-for-profit research organization, entitled Harnessing the Power of the Purse: Female Investors and Global Opportunities for Growth, found that 90 per cent of women globally say making a positive impact on society is important in their investment decisions. Determining what belongs in an RI portfolio is more precise now than previously, says Lindsay Patrick, managing director and head of sustainable finance at RBC Capital Markets in Toronto. There are four key pillars. The first one, RI, is not even the highest component now, Ms. Patrick explains. The term RI refers broadly to products that align generally with an investors basic values being a good corporate citizen, for example. But while responsible is still often used as an umbrella term, investors look more carefully now at the other pillars, Ms. Patrick says. Story continues below advertisement They look at ESG and then then next pillar is often thematic investors will look at particular technologies, such as clean energy or companies that promote gender diversity," she says. "The fourth pillar is impact investing: funds or companies that deliver a positive social return along with the financial return. RI portfolio managers typically follow six Principles for Responsible Investing developed by more than 50 global financial institution chief executives with the United Nations and launched in 2006. RI is getting deeper and wider, though. RBC Global Asset Management published a survey this past October, which found that 84 per cent of institutional investors incorporate ESG factors into their selection process and this is now moving beyond strictly equities. The survey found that 60 per cent of institutional investors incorporate ESG factors into their fixed-income portfolios, 43 per cent in real estate, 36 per cent in infrastructure and 34 per cent in alternative assets. Asset managers are also looking beyond negative screening eliminating companies engaged in activities such as tobacco or firearms to positive screening. The latter focuses on ways to engage companies to improve their ESG-related practices. Furthermore, RI- or ESG-focused investment funds now benefit from experts who specialize in evaluating and screening potential investments, says Barry McInerney, president and chief executive officer at Mackenzie Investments. Story continues below advertisement Its important for advisors to understand the offering, and to know the managers experience and approach, he says. It takes time for managers to build up that expertise. | https://www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/globe-advisor/advisor-stocks/article-what-makes-an-investment-responsible/ |
What concerts are in the Sacramento area on Memorial Day? | Australias buttery throwback soul act the Teskey Brothers will play The Strawberry Festival this weekend. Strawberry Music Festival Various genres Thursday, May 23 to Sunday, May 26 Nevada County Fairgrounds (Grass Valley) Unlimited Digital Access: Only $0.99 For Your First Month Get full access to The Sacramento Bee content across all your devices. SAVE NOW While always tasty, this years Strawberry Music Festival lineup stacks up as the most robust since the springtime iteration of the event migrated to Grass Valley from Yosemite in 2014. The lineup is loaded with with Peter Rowans Free Mexican Airforce (which also plays the Palms in Winters on May 24), Richard Thompson Electric Trio, Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives and the Wood Brothers as your headliners. Cant-miss acts include an insatiable one-two punch of Australias buttery throwback soul act the Teskey Brothers and L.A. juke joint jazz/funk ensemble Dustbowl Revival playing back-to-back Friday, the indelible California Honeydrops on Saturday and soul-searing blues and folk artist Ron Artis II on Sunday. www.strawberrymusic.com. Operation Restore Maximum Freedom XIX Rock/indie/various genres Noon Saturday, May 25 Sudwerk Brewing Co. (Davis) Garage punk and surf-rock trio SadGirl and flash-chilled indie pop outfit the Licks (check out their Lavender Kiss for a bluesy early summer breeze) are your headliners for the 19th installment of this annual all-ages shindig, hosted by UC Davis unflappable radio station KDVS. The 20-band bill also includes Rudy de Anda, the Grinns, OC Hurricanes, Death Lens, Franky Flowers, Mayya & The Revolutionary Hell Yeah!, Earl Grey, Jesus and the Dinosaurs and several others. $17. fundraiser.kdvs.org. Torchfest Blues/rock/various genres Friday, May 24 to Sunday, May 26 Torch Club The Torch Club keeps its annual Memorial Day weekend hootenanny going with 17 total acts spread out over three days, beginning Friday with the likes of local mainstay Loose Engines, Ryan Thompson & The Delicate Hounds and 50-Watt Heavy. The rousing Grateful Bluegrass Boys, Birds of Fortune and Lee Vandeveer Band get after it Saturday, and Smokey The Groove, Americana soul collective the Highway Poets, Twilight Drifters, blues/rock titans Drop Dead Red, Ice Age Jazztet and Merle Jagger rounding out Sunday. $15 per day. www.torchclub.net. Looking ahead: High Sierra Music Festival. July 4-7 at Plumas County Fairgrounds (Quincy) Dispatch, Umphreys McGee, Greensky Bluegrass, Jim James, Galactic, Dawes, St. Paul & the Broken Bones and a cavalcade of veteran and emerging talent gather for what is arguably Northern Californias most beloved and intimate festival (you wouldnt want to pick that argument with this reporter). www.highsierramusic.com. | https://www.sacbee.com/entertainment/music-news-reviews/article230617269.html |
What are the European elections? | Getty Images On Thursday 23 May, adults in the UK - and across Europe - will be heading to the polls to vote in the European elections. This election is for adults living in European Union (EU) countries to vote for who they wish to represent them in the European Parliament. The politicians here are called MEPs - that is, Members of the European Parliament. Taking part in these elections is a big talking point for many people in the UK, because the UK shouldn't really have been taking part at all. That's because it was due to leave the EU on 29 March 2019. (You can find out more about why that didn't happen by clicking here.) Given the UK hasn't left the group of countries that vote in the European elections, UK voters are now taking part too - something which the government didn't want to happen. The European Parliament decides on new laws for EU countries. It also helps to decide how much money the EU should spend and checks that all the other parts of the EU are working fairly. Its official base is Strasbourg (France), but it carries out a lot of its work in Brussels (Belgium) and sometimes Luxembourg. A bit like Parliament in the UK, the European Parliament is made up of politicians - the MEPs - who have been voted for by EU residents. (In the UK Parliament, they are simply called members of Parliament - or MPs.) There are 751 MEPs in total, split across 28 different countries. Roughly speaking, the larger a country's population, the more MEPs it gets in the European Parliament. The UK has 73 MEPs in total. Of those, 43 are seeking re-election this time around and there are 548 other new candidates. Voting for MEPs in European elections takes place every five years. To enjoy the CBBC Newsround website at its best you will need to have JavaScript turned on. It is thought that there are around 400 million eligible voters for the European elections, making them some of the biggest in the world! But last time, just one in ten voters actually took part, so lots of people have been working hard to try to encourage more people to take part later this week. Voting in the UK will take place on Thursday 23 May from 7am to 10pm. Other EU countries will be voting until 10pm on Sunday 26 May though, so the British results will not be announced until then. The new MEPs will take up their seats in Strasbourg in France on 2 July - although for the UK winners, it will all depend on whether or not the UK is still a member of the EU at that point. We'll have to wait and see. One of the first jobs for the new MEPs will to be vote for a new president of the European Commission to replace Jean-Claude Juncker and also to have their say on the final Brexit deal. There are some key differences between a general election and the European elections: They involve different parliaments In the European elections, generally adults will vote for a party, not a person - in a general election, you vote for a person, not the party The UK is broken down into 12 constituencies for voting in the European elections - much fewer (and much bigger) than the constituencies in a general election In each region, political parties have a list of potential MEPs - How much of the vote a party wins in a region determines how many of their MEPs from that region's list will get to take up a seat in Strasbourg Smaller parties tend to do better in European elections than they do in the general election. The voting system in Northern Ireland is slightly different to the rest of the UK, as voters are able to rank those on the ballot paper in order of preference. The elections are important as it is the UK's chance to decide who represents them in the European parliament. Some voters are not happy that they are voting in the European elections in the first place, as the UK was due to have left the EU by now (adults voted to do this in June 2016) and therefore UK voters shouldn't really have been taking part in them this year. Some see this election as an important opportunity to understand whether the UK public still wants to leave the EU. There are those that believe another referendum should take place to find out if UK voters really do still want to leave, but the government is opposed to this happening. | https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/48332833 |
What would a UK Labour Party government nationalize, and how? | LONDON (Reuters) - Britains opposition Labour Party wants to nationalize energy and water infrastructure if it can oust Prime Minister Theresa Mays ruling Conservatives from power, reversing decades of pro-privatization public policy. Britain's opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn speaks at the launch of Labour's European election campaign in Kent, Britain, May 9, 2019. REUTERS/Toby Melville Despite a national election not being due until 2022, the prospect of nationalization is worrying investors. Analysts have valued the regulated asset values of water and energy networks potentially facing nationalization at around 125 billion pounds ($159 billion). The likelihood of Mays center-right Conservative minority government lasting until 2022 has been reduced because arguments over Brexit have split the party, paralyzing policymaking and causing its poll ratings to slide. When Labour elected the pro-nationalization left-winger Jeremy Corbyn as leader in 2015, many wrote off his chances of ever becoming prime minister, describing his manifesto as a throwback to Britains socialist experiences of the 1970s. But, despite also suffering electoral damage over its Brexit policy, a Labour government is now considered a real possibility. Labour campaigned in the 2017 election on a manifesto to bring rail companies, energy supply networks, water systems and mail delivery into public ownership. It has since produced more detailed policy on what it would do with National Grid, the private company which operates gas and electricity transmission networks in Britain, along with other assets. It has also set out plans for the water industry which is controlled by regional companies, some of which are publicly listed. The nationalization program would be led by a Public Ownership Unit within the finance ministry, which would establish the timetable for each industry. Labour has said it will compensate shareholders using bonds. It describes that exchange as cost neutral to the public purse because it trades a liability (the bond) for a profitable asset (the companies). It has not specified the nature of these bonds. The key issue for shareholders in the affected firms is the price at which a Labour government would compensate shareholders. In policy documents, Labour says: The UK legal framework is clear that the level of compensation should be decided by Parliament. It cites court rulings relating to the nationalization of Northern Rock bank in 2008 to support this statement. Labour has not set out details of the process parliament would use to set the price of the bonds-for-equity exchange. In the case of Northern Rock, a failed mortgage lender hit by the global financial crisis, parliament appointed an independent valuer. In that case, because the bank was in administration and receiving government support the valuer decided it had no value, and shareholders were not compensated. The renationalization of aircraft and shipbuilding industries in the 1970s was based on the average share price of the relevant firms over a six-month period preceding the election of the Labour government that implemented the policy. Subsequent shareholder legal challenges to both methods were unsuccessful. Labours policy document goes on to say that parliament could seek deductions from the determined price based upon: - pension fund deficits - asset stripping since privatization - stranded assets - the state of repair of assets - state subsidies given to the energy companies since privatization Labour said existing debts would be carried into public ownership and honored in full, and that they would be refinanced over a period of time to benefit from the reduced debt costs associated with government borrowing. | https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-politics-labour-nationalisati/what-would-a-uk-labour-party-government-nationalize-and-how-idUSKCN1SR0ZA?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Reuters%2FworldNews+%28Reuters+World+News%29 |
Is Joe Biden His Own Worst Enemy? | Amitai Etzioni Politics, Americas Rather than acted prepared, Joe Biden is often fumbling like some newcomer who decided on the spur of the moment to join the race. Former Vice President Joe Biden, the current Democratic presidential front runner, has had plenty of opportunities to prepare himself for the last campaign of his political life. He has already been involved in four presidential elections. Biden ran twice for president himself, in 1988 and 2008, and twice as the vice presidential nominee alongside President Barack Obama, in 2008 and 2012. Biden had months to ready himself to respond to questions about his past, and Donald Trumps taunts sure to come his way, once he officially announced his candidacy. He had ample time to assemble a war room, recruiting the likes of David Axelrod and David Gergen to respond effectively within a news cycle to whatever comes his way. Instead, he is often fumbling like some newcomer who decided on the spur of the moment to join the race. When Trump stated that compared to Joe Biden I just feel like a young man. Im so young. I cant believe it...Im a young vibrant man. Biden responded: If he looks young and vibrant compared to me, I should probably go home. It is a surprisingly lame response compared to, say, reminding Trump that these days ones health status includes his mental health . . . Such a response would have led Trump to tell the world that his doctors told him he is the sanest president since sanity was invented and kept the news cycle on the question of whether Trump is fit to serve. Moreover, the expression go home, i.e. quitting, two days into the campaign, even if though it was raised in an ironic form, is surprising, to say the least. Read full article | https://news.yahoo.com/joe-biden-own-worst-enemy-184200788.html |
What are the health problems facing wrestler Ric Flair? | Wrestling legend Ric Flair is the champion of cheating death Wrestling legend Ric Flair survived a recent hospital scare, just another example of how the Nature Boy continues to cheat death. Up Next SHARE COPY LINK Wrestling legend Ric Flair survived a recent hospital scare, just another example of how the Nature Boy continues to cheat death. Wrestling icon Ric Flair has canceled his Friday appearance at an event being staged in his honor, as the mystery grows over his health, according to multiple media outlets. Flair was to be the guest of honor at a roast scheduled as part of the Starrcast II in Las Vegas, but canceled on Monday, according to Wrestling Observer and TMZ. However, Starrcast II has not released an official statement on the event being canceled and it was still listed as part of the schedule on Tuesday. Its unclear what type of procedure hes undergoing, but were told hes been dealing with heart issues as of late, reported Pro Wresting Sheet. Flairs wife, Wendy Barlow, posted on Instagram over the weekend that there were complications after the 70-year-old wrestling icon was admitted to an Atlanta hospital Thursday. Unlimited Digital Access: Only $0.99 For Your First Month Get full access to Miami Herald content across all your devices. SAVE NOW Rics surgery has been postponed until Monday to address some complications that needed to be taken care of first, Barlow wrote. Thanks for all the well wishes. Newsweek reported Monday that the surgery happened as scheduled and was a success. The procedure was due to an unexpected health emergency and was not planned as was suggested by Flairs son-in-law, Conrad Thompson, Newsweek said. Barlow told TMZ and People magazine that Flair was taken to a hospital for surgery due to ongoing health complications. At one point on Thursday, there was even an unfounded rumor on social media that Flair had died in the hospital. Rapper Offset, who released a popular music video with Flair, was among the people who heard the rumor and he posted May 17 on Twitter that he had called Flair in the hospital to confirm his friend was, in fact, still alive. Ric Flair is not dead, Offset said in a tweet. Just talked to my man. God is with him. He has not passed away. ... Dont wish death on my friend. He had a long life and he done it all some bad, the majority good. Offsets tweet got 109,000 likes and 21,576 retweets. | https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article230613954.html |
What are the rules on donating to UK political parties? | Under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (PPERA), the law governing donations to political parties, any contribution of more than 500 must come from a UK-based individual or company. Donations of 500 or less are, somewhat confusingly, not considered donations at all. This means political parties are not required to keep records of donors names and addresses if they are only making payments of 500 or less. However, it is an offence to attempt to evade the controls on donations, for instance by donating more than 500 by making multiple small payments. No, except if the amount is 500 or less, because that would not technically be considered a donation. Nigel Farages new political vehicle, the Brexit party, is almost entirely reliant upon small contributions, facilitated by the online payments platform PayPal. The partys website says it can only accept donations totalling more than 500 from someone on the UK electoral register. Anyone making a donation of more than 500 is asked to tick a box allowing PayPal to give their name and address to the Brexit party. The Brexit party has been clear it would record and report anyone making a donation of more than 500, as required by law. However if PayPal are not routinely giving small donors addresses to the party, it is not entirely clear whether it would be able to tell if someone was attempting to evade the 500 threshold. There are also concerns that the partys reliance upon small cash contributions could mean it is being funded by foreign money, albeit perfectly legally. The Brexit party has angrily rejected claims that it could be breaking or circumventing the law. Farage has said the party does not accept foreign currency and that the party has been in contact with the Electoral Commission to ensure its donation system meets legal requirements. Ive got a team of four accountants working on this. Im not stupid, Farage said. In response to concerns raised by Gordon Brown, officers from the Electoral Commission visited the Brexit partys offices on Tuesday to examine its donations system. On Monday, an Electoral Commission spokesperson said: As part of our active oversight and regulation of these rules, we are attending the Brexit partys office tomorrow to conduct a review of the systems it has in place to receive funds, including donations over 500 that have to be from the UK only. There are worries that the UKs pre-internet electoral law is unfit for purpose and vulnerable to manipulation by foreign actors. Last year, the Electoral Commission recommended that methods used by businesses for risk assessment and customer due diligence should be used to prevent foreign money from influencing elections. In February a parliamentary committee called for the government to urgently modernise electoral law, in particular the absence of rules governing online political advertising. | https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/21/what-are-the-rules-on-donating-to-uk-political-parties |
What are the EU rules about state aid? | Image copyright AFP Trade unions have been calling for the government to help British Steel, which has asked for emergency financial support. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has previously said that Brexit could be an opportunity to pump more cash into British industry. He said that European Union (EU) rules restricted so-called "state aid", so Brexit could make it easier for the British government to support the British steel industry. And leaving the EU may not mean an end to rules. Other state-aid restrictions would be likely to apply to post-Brexit Britain, such as World Trade Organization rules and the terms of any future trade deal with the EU. State aid is financial assistance given by the government to companies or other organisations that has the potential to distort market competition. The aid can be in the form of direct cash grants or indirect aid - such as preferential borrowing rates or tax credits. Under EU rules, member-state governments are allowed to provide state aid only with approval from the European Commission. For example, in 2015 the UK government submitted plans to provide a subsidy to Drax power station to convert one of its units from coal to biomass fuel. Following an investigation, the commission ruled in favour of the scheme. There are exceptions to the rules. For example, governments can provide aid for broadband infrastructure without prior approval. And aid worth less than 200,000 euros (175,000) over three years is exempt. The EU Commission says too much steel is produced in Europe. As a result, it has been inclined to take a fairly tough line on state aid in this sector. In 2016 for example, the commission ordered Belgium to recover 211m euros in illegal state aid it had given to its steel industry. That does not mean all state aid is impossible, but the government would have to make a case that assistance was within the rules, or fell under one of the exemptions. One possibility would be to argue that the steel industry was essential for national security, but it is far from clear the commission would accept that. If the UK left the EU single market, it would no longer formally be bound by the EU's state-aid rules. However, the EU is concerned the UK could use Brexit as an opportunity to undermine the single market, by giving its companies an unfair advantage. The political declaration on the future relationship between the UK and the EU says it must "ensure open and fair competition" and that should include provisions to cover state aid - but Theresa May has repeatedly failed to get this through Parliament. In her Florence speech, in 2017, she said the UK and EU agree "trying to beat other countries' industries by unfairly subsidising one's own is a serious mistake". Aside from what is agreed with the EU, after Brexit, Britain will still belong to the World Trade Organization, which also has state-aid rules: members can impose tariffs - taxes on imports - on countries that excessively subsidise domestic industry. The EU measures how much money countries spend on state aid, as a proportion of their economy. The UK ranks very low down, spending just 0.38% of its gross domestic product - the total value of all good and services produced. This is far lower than Germany (1.31%), France (0.76%) and Poland (1.59%). Therefore, it seems likely that EU single market rules are not the only thing limiting state aid. Another option for British Steel might be the government deciding it wants to own the company and nationalising it - but that is also tricky under EU rules. A government can own a company under state-aid rules - but it is not allowed to keep it going if it would otherwise fail. So if a government could convince the European Commission that buying the business would be a sensible move that any investor would make for a profit, it would not be classified as state aid. That might be a difficult argument to make with British Steel. Get in touch Read more from Reality Check Follow us on Twitter | https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-41392469 |
Why did 55,000 people object to Loch Lomond development plans? | Image copyright Lomond Banks Image caption Developers have promised upgrades to public footpaths and green spaces in the area but locals fear they will lose access to popular routes Proposals for a tourist resort on Loch Lomond have been complained about more than 55,000 times. Plans for the 30m resort near Balloch are believed to have attracted the largest number of objections for a Scottish planning application. The online petition against the Lomond Banks development has been passed to planners. BBC Scotland's local government correspondent Jamie McIvor answers some questions about the proposals. The plan is for a 30m tourist development on land close to the village of Balloch at the south of the loch. It includes a 60-bedroom apart-hotel, 32-bedroom budget hotel, craft brewery, leisure centre and restaurants. The development has been drawn up by theme-park operator Flamingo Land Limited but it is not branded as Flamingo Land. Developers are adamant it is not a theme park. Nor, contrary to some local suggestions, is there any proposal to build rollercoasters. It would be built on land close to both the village and the existing Lomond Shores tourist development. If it goes ahead, it could be open by 2024 and developers claim it could create almost 200 jobs. Final plans were submitted to the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Parks Authority last month. The developers modified previous plans in light of requests by the authority for changes and further information. The decision on whether to allow the development lies with the authority - not the local council. Fundamentally, the issue here is about what may or may not be considered appropriate in a national park or in one of the most beautiful areas of Scotland. The national parks authority has to balance a number of different factors here - for instance preserving the beauty of Loch Lomond, sustainable tourism and providing jobs for local people. Inevitably, given the love many have for Loch Lomond, many will have an opinion on the issue who do not live locally. The extent to which this may affect the vista of the loch may be a concern to some. Critics would be concerned by any development which could affect the beauty of the area or which, they believe, may be unsympathetic to its character. Supporters argue that it would be close to existing commercial developments by Balloch and not be visible at all from much of the loch side. Obviously, the authority will be aware of the number of signatories but the sheer number alone would not be a factor. Sometimes planning applications can attract opposition from people who are not directly affected - for instance some local authorities are aware of what appear to be "serial complaints" from those opposed to the principle of new wind farms but who do not appear to have any link with the area or the specific project. A distinction can also be drawn between the numbers signing an online petition and any individuals or groups which submit a formal objection to a proposal. In the case of a national park though, it is harder to argue that someone who does not live locally does not, at the very least, have a right to express an opinion. National parks are meant to be assets for the whole country - not just local residents. Some would also argue a commercial development on this land represents the "privatisation of public space". Indeed this row seems to touch on these fundamental issues. Leading opponents include the Scottish Green MSP Ross Greer and the writer and champion of the outdoors Cameron McNeish. Supporters - at least of the principle - include the local community council and the charity the Friends of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs. Scottish Enterprise also supports the scheme. Some believe that some of the objectors may be under the impression that the proposal is for a theme park - rather than for facilities which, it is argued, might broaden the area's appeal to visitors or mean that existing requirements can be better met. The local economy around Balloch is heavily dependent on tourism - both from holidaymakers passing through the area and day-trippers. The local authority, West Dunbartonshire Council, has a right to express a view on the project but will not take the decision on whether to grant it planning permission because it is within the national park's boundaries. A spokeswoman said: "We will be making a formal response as a consultee. This will be considered by councillors in June and will thereafter be submitted to the National Park Authority as the council's response to the application." No date has been set. | https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-48352491 |
Were images of Arizona Diamondbacks' potential new stadium leaked by architectural firm? | An architectural firm might have accidentally offered a sneak peek at what the new home of the Arizona Diamondbacks could look like if the team leaves Chase Field. Late last week, MEIS architects briefly posted photos on their website that appear to depict a new stadium for Arizona's MLB franchise. AZ Snake Pit, a site affiliated with SB Nation that covers the Diamondbacks, captured the images before they were taken off the MEIS architects website. The Diamondbacks were the listed clients accompanying the renderings and it had a project date of 2019, according to AZ Snake Pit. MEIS architects did not immediately respond to requests from The Republic regarding the existence of the stadium project or whether or not they had been commissioned by the Diamondbacks to create the renderings. The Diamondbacks downplayed the discovery of the drawings. "As we continue to do our due diligence, we interviewed a number of architecture firms to understand possibilities both for renovation of Chase Field and a potential new stadium, if and when the time is needed," team officials said in a statement. "We have never seen this design and we continue to consider all options to ensure the best long-term home for the D-backs and our fans." The proposed venue would have about 38,000 seats, 40 luxury suites, 4,000 club/premium seats and a retractable roof, according to AZ Snake Pit. The renderings also show the stadium surrounded by red rocks with skyscrapers in the distance. "Having the bowl nestled into the rocky terrain gives the ballpark a sense of belonging, helps save on structural costs and allows for fan seating to be located against the cliff, providing spectators with unparalleled views of the surrounding landscape," MEIS architects said on its website, according to AZ Snake Pit. MEIS architects did not list a location for the new Diamondbacks stadium. The drawings showed the retractable roof could shade public gathering spaces around the stadium by sliding along ground-level tracks encircling the plaza. "Both radial and linear retractable roof options were studied," the architects wrote, "with the roof serving a dual role of providing comfort from Arizona's extreme outside temperatures, and when opened, shading the adjacent 365-day, mixed-use climate-controlled plazas." D-backs deal with Maricopa County Maricopa County struck a deal in May of last year with the Arizona Diamondbacks over Chase Field that allowed the team to immediately begin looking for another home if it dropped a lawsuit arguing the county should pay $187 million in repairs. If the team found a location in Maricopa County, the team could leave Chase Field without penalty in 2022, five years earlier than the team's current contract. If the new stadium was built on tribal land, the team would pay the same taxes as currently charged at Chase Field. The Diamondbacks have completed few repairs at Chase Field despite arguing many were needed. Before taking control, the team said nearly $8 million in repairs were necessary during the 2018-2019 off-season. But the Diamondbacks only completed about $150,000 in repairs through December since taking over last May, records showed. Team officials said they were spending slowly to conserve money for future repairs. The Diamondbacks have not publicly reported repairs from January through March, although a new estimate is due to the county. The Arizona Republic's Catherine Reagor contributed to this story. | https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/diamondbacks/2019/05/21/diamondbacks-stadium-images-leaked-architectural-firm/3751037002/ |
Did Team Trump direct Michael Cohen to lie to Congress? | Close video Cohen transcript puts spotlight on Trump Tower Moscow deception Rep. Adam Schiff talks with Rachel Maddow about themes in the transcript of Michael Cohens testimony that warrant further investigation by Congress, from the cover-up of Trump Tower Moscow business to the role of Trump lawyers in shaping false share tweet email save Embed The first sign of trouble came a week ago, when the New York Times reported that the House Intelligence Committee is investigating whether lawyers tied to President Trump and his family helped obstruct the panels inquiry into Russian election interference by shaping false testimony. Its the kind of sentence that was worth reading twice. Especially in the wake of the Mueller report, weve grown accustomed to thinking about Donald Trumps alleged obstruction efforts and the instances in which his actions met the threshold for criminal wrongdoing. But last weeks reporting represented a twist: Trump World lawyers themselves may have crossed legal lines. Late yesterday, the allegations came into sharper focus. President Donald Trumps former lawyer Michael Cohen told lawmakers behind closed doors that Jay Sekulow, one of the presidents attorneys, encouraged him to give untrue information to lawmakers about the Trump Tower project in Moscow, according to transcripts released Monday. Cohen testified to the House Intelligence Committee earlier this year that Sekulow told him to say in 2017 that discussions about the project had ended in January 2016, when, in fact, they had continued for months after that, the transcripts show. Under the circumstances, even if we took Cohens version of events at face value, its at least possible that Sekulow a controversial figure in his own right didnt know the information was false. Whats more, as Rachel noted on the show last night, the newly released transcripts showed Cohen also testifying that he was told by Ivanka Trumps lawyer that he should lie specifically about her involvement in the Trump Tower Moscow project. And in case that werent quite enough, as House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) noted during an interview on the show, Cohen also said he spoke to Sekulow about a possible presidential pardon, both before and after his congressional testimony testimony in which Cohen, we now know, lied to lawmakers with the intention of protecting Trump. Remember, all of this is new. Cohens public testimony jolted the political world, but were now getting a look at what the presidents former fixer said during his behind-closed-doors testimony. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) recently took stock of Trumps scandals and declared, Case closed. Perhaps that wasnt a good idea. | http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/did-team-trump-direct-michael-cohen-lie-congress |
What is a state visit? | Getty Images In 2015, President Xi Jinping of China had a state visit, including a visit to Buckingham Palace A state visit is a formal visit to the UK by an important foreign leader - including monarchs, presidents or prime ministers. It is normally at the invitation of the Queen, who acts on advice from the government and who is the UK's head of state. They are grand occasions, which aim to strengthen relationships between countries. The Queen acts as the official host during the trip and she usually welcomes one or two heads of state a year. She has hosted over 100 state visits since becoming monarch in 1952. Guests usually stay at Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle, and there is usually a special state banquet in honour of the visitor. A visit to - and speeches at - the Houses of Parliament can also form part of the schedule. Reuters US President Donald Trump is making a state visit to the UK in June 2019 US President Donald Trump is making a state visit to the UK in June 2019. Mr Trump previously met the Queen at Windsor Castle when he came to the UK in July 2018 on a working visit. You can find out everything you need to know about his UK trip by clicking here. | https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/48353490 |
Whats Behind the U.S. Legal Immigration Slowdown? | On May 13 at the White House, a few days before releasing his immigration reform proposal, President Donald Trump hosted Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. The nationalist leader is known, among other things, for consolidating the press under his influence and taking a hard line against refugees and other immigrants. I know hes a tough man, but hes a respected man, Trump said of Orban, when asked about democratic backsliding in Hungary. And hes done the right thing, according to many people, on immigration. Meanwhile, Hungary is in a precarious economic and demographic position, having gone too long with a dwindling birth rate coupled with low immigration. Faced with projections showing a shrinking, aging population, Hungaryalong with a handful of other nations facing similar issues, such as Japan and Spainis resorting to drastic measures to reverse course before there arent enough young people to care for retirees, much less launch the next Fortune 500 company. The birth rate in the United States is also on the decline, but the U.S. immigration rate is comparatively high, buoying the supply of workers as the native population skews older. Under Trump, however, net migration to the United States is tumbling, down 12% from fiscal year 2017 to fiscal year 2018, according to new Census Bureau data. Three days after Orbans D.C. visit, Trump stood in the Rose Garden to announce his sweeping immigration reform proposal, centered on a new merit-based visa program and tightened border security. While the plan will likely have to wait until the president has more support in Congress, the Trump administration is already wielding executive authority to mold the immigration system to its preferred model. Through incremental changes and executive discretion, the administration may be able to substantially reshape who is allowed into the country and who gets removed. While much of the attention this year has been on illegal activity at the border, the White House has moved in calculated, but often overlooked, ways to constrict the pipeline of legal immigration. Through dozens of precise steps, the system has shifted into low gear, and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is now sitting on a record-breaking backlog of applications. Members of Congress have called for an inquiry, but the pace at which paperwork is shuffled doesnt draw as many eyeballs or Capitol Hill hearings as migrant caravans and overflowing border shelters. Its a bunch of different policies and decisions that have added up to a significant shift, said Sarah Pierce, an analyst at the Migration Policy Institute. I think one reason the slowdown in legal immigration hasnt gotten as much attention is because its not just one big newsworthy change, but rather a bunch of clever, smaller changes that have added up to a large impact. The directives and policy changes have touched nearly every aspect of the immigration system, from family-sponsored entry to work visas and asylum processingall without the need for Congressional approval. The cumulative impact has dragged down the pace of lawful immigration and decreased refugee admissions to the lowest numbers in decades. The Trump Model In early 2018, USCIS changed its long standing mission statement. America is no longer called a nation of immigrants in the updated text, and a new line emphasizes the agencys commitment to protecting Americans, securing the homeland, and honoring our values. Two years into the Trump presidency, applicants are sitting for more interviews and submitting more paperwork, while the denial rate steadily rises. From student visas and work authorizations to travel visas and petitions for foreign workers, vetting is up and admissions are down. Data released by USCIS in April shows the rejection rate was 80% higher in the final three months of 2018 than the same period in 2016, the last quarter of the Obama administration. Theyve increased vetting, increased the number of interviews required, all without providing a similar increase in personnel, said Pierce, who has studied the various administrative moves on immigration in a detailed MPI report. Previously, if an application to USCIS was missing information, the officer was obligated to notify the immigrant before rejection. Now, in a move from the Kafka guide to bureaucracy, USCIS has been newly authorized to outright deny incomplete applications, even while requirements are in constant flux. At the same time, a record number of people are waiting on responses. The previous high for delayed applications was 1.7 million in fiscal year 2004, as the entire immigration and homeland security apparatus was redone in the wake of 9/11. Now, USCIS reports the backlog reached 2.3 million cases in September 2017 and continues to grow despite just a 4% increase in applications. The wait time for some visa categories has nearly doubled. More than 80 Democratic members of Congress signed on to a letter about the crisis, requesting the Government Accountability Office investigate the backlog, singling out the crawling pace of USCIS decisions. The agency pointed the finger at increased vetting and the shifting of resources toward the influx of asylum seekers at the southern border, among other issues. As entry grows congested, the exit has been thrown wide open. While the Obama administration narrowed priorities for deportation and encouraged case-by-case consideration, under Trump, the Justice Department has broadened the scope of enforcement and offered less discretion to prosecutors and judges. Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions whittled away at court mechanisms for delaying decisions or canceling proceedings, now judges often have no option but to order deportation. Right away Trump got rid of the priorities Obama placed on immigration enforcement, which were concentrating on individuals with serious criminal violations, recent crossings and recent removal orders, Pierce said. Trump has never hid his suspicions of the asylum and refugee system, and immediately slashed the U.S. annual cap on refugee placements after taking office. In Obamas last year in office, the country admitted roughly 85,000 refugees. Two years later in 2018, the United States admitted just 22,000. Trump has set the refugee admission ceiling at the lowest level, and were not even meeting that very low ceiling, Pierce said. That can largely be accounted for because of the increased vetting. While refugees apply for relocation from afar, asylum is requested when a migrant has already reached the destination country. Any person on U.S. soil has the right to ask for asylum, but the metering systema numbered waiting line at clogged border crossingshas kept some potential asylees from entering the country. Additionally, the administration has raised the bar for getting past the first step in the process, the credible fear interview. Even the largest temporary employment visa program in the country, the employer-sponsored H-1B visa with 179,000 recipients, has also been a frequent target of Trump administration tweaks. The denial rate has doubled and the administration is restricting work permits for the spouses of visa recipients. The H-1B visa has been battered under this administration, Pierce said. And it has been very consistent with what Trump laid out on the campaign trail, when he featured IT workers who had been laid off and replaced with H-1B workers. Long-term Economic Effects During his State of the Union address in February, Trump strayed from his prepared remarks, declaring: Legal immigrants enrich our nation and strengthen our society in countless ways. I want people to come into our country in the largest numbers ever, but they have to come in legally. Evidence continues to show that immigration is a net positive for the economy, both in the near term and a century down the road. And, as the administration has belied those State of the Union sentiments by constricting immigration from dozens of angles, the U.S. fertility rate has hit a record low, with the total number of births in 2018 the fewest in three decades. A new study released by Oxford Press in March analyzed economic effects county by county for the Age of Mass Migration, 1850-1920, when the largest wave of immigration to the United States was a catalyst for the greatest economic expansion in the nations history. The counties with the greatest immigrant influx then, the study found, have higher income, less poverty, less unemployment, higher rates of urbanization, and greater educational attainment now. Much like today, the immigrants coming at the turn of the 20th century were a mix of cultures (although mostly European) and a blend of high- and low-skill laborers. Also similar to 2019, the Age of Mass Migration was a time of political and social backlash against the new arrivals. Slowing down immigration at a time of reduced fertility does seem short-sighted, Sandra Sequeira, the studys lead author and an associate professor at the London School of Economics, said in an email. As long as current immigrants are successfully integrated and cities adapt to handle the growth, my sense is that we would still expect sizable positive economic effects from todays immigration in 25 years time, Sequeira added. One concern she suggested: Social and economic upward mobility has declined since the early 1900s, perhaps limiting opportunities for both native-born and low-skilled immigrants to share in the rewards of an expanding economy. In the first half of 2019, demand for workers of all types is on the rise. Job openings outpace the number of people searching for work, and sectors like retail and hospitality are struggling to fill openings. Migration is keeping American communities with previously plummeting populations afloat. A new study from Ball State University found a quarter of the population growth in Indiana between 2000 and 2015 was from immigration, and the influx particularly helped stabilize shrinking rural areas. Overall, we find that immigration, regardless of authorization status, is an important source of fiscal, economic, and demographic health for Indianas future, coauthors Emily Wornell and Michael Hicks conclude. In the Northeast, some cities that were growing and prospering thanks to previous refugee arrivals, are now trying to recruit those already in the U.S. to relocate. The International Institute of Buffalo, which aids in refugee resettlement, is preparing to launch a Welcome Buffalo campaign on Facebook and WhatsApp, showcasing the areas resources and open-arms attitude. Still, drastic reductions in admissions and accompanying federal support have led to the closure of 50 refugee resettlement offices, 15% of the U.S. network. Meanwhile, Trumps broader immigration vision reflects the past two years of executive policy transformationfocusing on financially stable, educated immigrants as opportunities for low-skilled workers and underrepresented nationalities are restricted. Priority will also be given to higher-wage workers, ensuring we never undercut American labor, he said during the Rose Garden presentation. To protect benefits for American citizens, immigrants must be financially self-sufficient to promote integration, assimilation, and national unity, future immigrants will be required to learn English and to pass a civics exam prior to admission. Back in Hungary, Orban says accepting more migration to counter the shrinking population is tantamount to surrender, instead favoring generous tax breaks for childbirth. At the end of 2018, in response to a population collapse and meager birth rate, Japan reversed course on centuries of tradition. For the first time in its history, the notoriously anti-immigration nation introduced a visa for unskilled labor. Human Trafficking is an epidemic in the U.S. Its also big business | http://fortune.com/2019/05/21/donald-trump-immigration-backlog/ |
Whats Next for the NFL and Marijuana? | The NFLs organizational structure, internal politics and general heft make it difficult for the league to quickly react to pressing issues related to their overall functionality. So while Mondays announcementthat the NFL and NFL Players Association have agreed to study marijuana as a vehicle for pain management and will require that every team appoint a pain management specialist and behavioral heath team clinician, its likely that this will be the start of another long slog. Despite the prevailing thought that just about anything is healthier than ingesting large amounts of opioids to deal with pain stemming from football injuries, the NFL probably doesnt want to come out and openly embrace marijuana. This was, after all, the same organization that panicked when called out by the nations most prominent Twitter user for allowing its players to exercise their first amendment rights. That led to policies, frantically cancelled policies, new committees and, finally, a crash landing somewhere near where the NFL should have been all along: Supporting its workforce and giving them the chance to better their communities. Maybe the NFL will eventuallyquietlyland on a policy similar to that of the NHL, where marijuana is tested for and logged, but more as a way to ensure that players who are abusing drugs get the help that they need (and arent held up as a pariah for a decision they may have made off the field to simply help them relax, manage pain or focus). A good primer on the NHLs drug testing policy can be found here. In the meantime, the hope is that the new staffers specializing in behavioral health and pain management, who will both be on board by the start of the season, will be blended into the decision-making processes. According to the NFLPA/NFL statement on Monday, there seems to be some medical summits on tap for this summer. Like anything in the NFL, you cannot really view the news as a sudden revolution that will take hold immediately, but instead like the way any change happens at a major corporation. Its going to take time, and it will likely be more subtle than expected. Five years from now, we may not be celebrating a landmark that changed the way American professional sports thinks about drugs and pain, but we may not be thinking about it at all, without the same windfall of players losing significant chunks of their career to a draconian testing process. Sign up for The MMQBs Morning Huddle. HOT READS NOW ON THE MMQB: How the Colts are winning this offseason 40 turning points on the Browns road to contention Its time for a Rooney Rule protest at the Jets GM spot. ... The cycle of lunacy that plagues the NFL ... The Carolina QB controversy that is, or isnt. PRESS COVERAGE 1. Ben Roethlisberger doesnt think so when it comes to Antonio Brown. 2. Antonio Brown thinks its too late now to say sorry. 3. After stashing Reuben Foster following his arrest for domestic violence and battery (which subsequently led to his release from the San Francisco 49ers), Washington hoped they had found a reclamation project. Instead, Foster tore his ACL on Monday and may never play a down for the club. 4. The Buccaneers release Gerald McCoy on Monday afternoon, widening the hole on their defensive line opened when Jason Pierre-Paul suffered a neck injury in a car accident at the beginning of May. 5. What power struggle? says a shifty-eyed coach who recently won a power struggle that led to the general manager being fired. 6. The state of the Bills offensive line ahead of training camp. THE KICKER Eli Manning is Daniel Jones. Daniel Jones is Eli Manning. Email us at [email protected]. | https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/05/21/nfl-nflpa-pain-management-marijuana |
Is Renee Zellweger's Netflix thriller the best trash TV show of 2019? | Its tricky to explain Renee Zellwegers new Netflix show What/If to somebody who hasnt seen it, because its an exercise in diametrically opposed contradictions. Its a sexy thriller, even though its about as sexy as slow-transit constipation. Its unique selling point is that it follows the consequences of actions, even though that also describes every single story ever told by anyone in the entire history of humankind. Its a television series, even though its title is punctuated like a sub-tier early noughties boyband. First trailer for Judy Garland biopic starring Rene Zellweger released Read more And most importantly, I cant stop watching it, even though I hate it. What I can say with confidence is that What/If is trash. The pilot episode was directed by the man who directed Sharon Stones 1993 boobathon Sliver, who appears to have been preserved in amber ever since the moment that film wrapped. The characters, the dialogue, the sets and costumes and music are all firmly in mid-90s, low-budget erotic thriller territory, and theres barely a concession to modernity to be found anywhere. Its confusing, too; the second scene takes place a year after the first scene, but the third scene takes place three days before the second scene. Whats more, almost all of the episodes establishing shots take place during a thunderstorm for some genuinely unfathomable reason. One of the lead characters runs a struggling molecular sequencing company, despite being so aggressively stupid that its a wonder she ever figured out cutlery. The profession is an afterthought clearly, nobody from the writer down cares a jot about the nuts and bolts of molecular sequencing but it adds a vaguely futuristic sheen to the series, giving it shades of a Hallmark Channel Black Mirror reboot. Taken on the surface, What/If looks like a grand error; like another Cloverfield Paradox sold off to Netflix in a fire sale because its studio couldnt believe what a clunker it was. But thats the weird thing about What/If. I think and I might be wrong, because this is pure conjecture that its trashiness might actually be sort of deliberate. The best case for this argument lies with Zellwegers character, a sexually voracious billionaire puppetmaster taken to wandering around her sprawling apartment late at night pontificating about the nature of destiny versus free will into a 2010-model dictaphone. Read that sentence back. No sensible person, with the possible exception of EL James, would ever create a character this preposterous on purpose, surely. And I havent even mentioned her primary hobby yet. Its doing archery in her kitchen. Of course it is. And Zellweger relishes every second of it. Its a huge, camp, scenery-licking wink of a performance that channels every broad rich bitch trope you care to imagine. Shes the sort of person who writes AT ANY COST in block capitals on a piece of paper before we smash-cut to a day when her new book At Any Cost has become an epoch-defining bestseller. Shes the sort of person who keeps her keys in an enormous plexiglass cube in the middle of the room. Shes the sort of person who, when her butler sniffs that one of kitchen arrows has hit the target left of centre, smirks: Three words no one has ever used to describe me. Facebook Twitter Pinterest What/If might be the best worst show, but then again it also might be the worst worst show. Photograph: Erik Voake/Netflix In What/If, Zellwegers character meets a barman and invites him home. He declines, and so she escalates her offer. For one night with him, she offers to pay his wife (the molecular sequencer) $80m to rescue her ailing molecular sequencing business. Its a plot, as the sequencer states in a rare moment of self-awareness, thats been ripped out of a bad 90s movie. But it doesnt end there, because it starts to look as if Zellweger chose the barman deliberately in order to ignite a bizarre Rube Goldberg sequence of events. The whole plot is so gaudy that it has to be tongue in cheek. But the thing is, Zellweger is the exception here. The rest of the characters, and all the subplots, are tedious and witless and played absolutely straight. Had What/If been The Renee Zellweger Show, it would have been fantastic. As it stands, shes the only thing saving the series from terminal mediocrity. So, yes, What/If is tricky to explain. It isnt the best show youll ever see. It isnt even the worst best show. It might be the best worst show, but then again it also might be the worst worst show. Honestly, Im stumped. | https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/may/21/renee-zellweger-netflix-what-if-tv |
Are Veggie Chips or Straws Healthier Than Potato Chips? | If youre trying to sneak more vegetables into youror your kidsdiet, swapping regular potato chips for veggie chips or sticks may seem like a healthy substitution. But nutrition experts say some of these ostensibly good-for-you snacks are just junk food in disguise. Those veggie sticks are super popular at my six-year-olds kindergarten, but theyre really no better than potato chips, says Liz Weinandy, a staff dietitian at the Ohio State University Medical Center. They have very small amounts of spinach or tomato paste, but theyre still a deep-fried food, and theyre not going to contribute to your daily vegetable intake in a way that supports overall health. Some brands of veggie snacks are actually made primarily from ground-up potato. Often veggie chips and straws contain potato starch [or] potato flour as their primary ingredients, and you may see powdered spinach, for example, towards the end of the ingredient listmeaning many of these veggie chips are really quite similar to potato chips, says Caroline Meehan, a registered dietitian and nutritionist at the University of Maryland Medical Center. Veggie chips benefit from what researchers call the health halo effect, because, at a glance, they may seem nutritious because of the way theyre packaged or promoted. But that aura of health is an illusion, Weinandy says. The Brief Newsletter Sign up to receive the top stories you need to know right now. View Sample Sign Up Now One example: the packagings of some veggie straw products depict photos of whole vegetables and trumpet the straws lack of preservatives and artificial flavors. While cutting these additives is a good thing, many traditional potato chips and other unhealthy snack foods can make similar claims. And all these visual and textual cues, coupled with the word veggie, can hoodwink consumers into thinking veggie chips and straws are healthy. But theyre not, Weinandy says. We know that deep fat frying can promote low-grade inflammation, she explains. Research has also linked consuming acrylamidean organic compound that forms when potatoes and some other starchy foods are friedto an elevated risk for heart disease and mortality. (Some baked veggie snacks may not be fried in oil, but those are uncommon.) But while veggie chips and straws arent healthy, those made with actual vegetables (and not potato starch) may still be an upgrade over old-school chips. Brands like Terra produce varieties of chip made with parsnips, sweet potatoes, and other non-white-potato vegetables. I still would not make the argument that this is a healthy food, says Dana Hunnes, a dietitian and adjunct assistant professor at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. The real healthfulness would come from eating the actual vegetable or root in a more natural form, such as boiling, sauting, or baking. But for someone whos going to eat fried chips one way or the other, skipping regular potato chips in favor of products like the Terra chips could provide a bit more fiber and a little less sodium, she says. Look for vegetable chips that have the vegetable product as the first or second ingredient on the list, Meehan advises. She also recommends shopping for a snack that has fewer than 200 mgs of sodium per serving and at least a few grams of fiber. Weinandy understands that some people dont like vegetables, or that trying to get kids to eat vegetables can be a chore. For these folks, she recommends blending leafy greens into smoothies or adding chopped vegetables to pancake batter or casseroles. These are creative, tasty ways to inject more of these healthy foods into your diet, she says. Veggie chips are not the answer. They may have a little more nutrition, she says, but the negatives still outweigh the positives. Contact us at [email protected]. | http://time.com/5590711/veggie-chips-straws-vs-potato-chips/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+time%2Ftopstories+%28TIME%3A+Top+Stories%29 |
Who are the new faces called up by Wales boss Ryan Giggs? | Nathan Broadhead was Everton's under-23 player of the season in 2018-19 Ryan Giggs has freshened up his Wales squad by giving seven new faces the chance to impress at their Portuguese training camp. Wales head out for a six day stint in the Algarve on Wednesday ahead of their Euro 2020 qualifiers against Croatia and Hungary next month. BBC Sport Wales takes a closer look. Nathan Broadhead Bangor-born Broadhead has played for Wales at various youth levels including the under-21s. The 21-year-old forward was recently named player of the season in Everton's PL2 winning under-23 side. Broadhead has been on Everton's books since he was 10, with his one first-team appearance to date coming in the Europa League in 2017. Owen Evans Goalkeeper Evans is a Wales under-21 international who hails from Newport. Evans was at Hereford United as youngster before switching to Wigan Athletic five years ago. He has made one League Cup appearance for the Latics and has gained further first team experience during loan spells at Rhyl, North Ferriby and Barnet. Dylan Levitt The 18-year-old midfielder has been summoned by Giggs having been drafted into first team training at Manchester United at the back end of last season. Levitt began 2018-19 in United's under-18 side but broke into the under-23s in the new year. A creative, versatile midfield player, North Walian Levitt is well thought of at Old Trafford. Kieffer Moore was named in the League One team of the season for 2018-19 Kieffer Moore Moore scored 19 goals for Barnsley in 2018-29 as the Tykes secured automatic promotion to the Championship. A 6ft 5in powerhouse, Moore was born in Torquay but qualifies for Wales through a grandfather from Llanrug in Gwynedd. He started out in non-league football before a spell in Norway, then joined Forest Green Rovers. He signed for Ipswich in 2017 but turned heads while on loan at Rotherham later that season, with his form securing the move to Barnsley 17 months ago. Terry Taylor Taylor, who will be 18 later this month, is the captain of Wolves' under-18 side. He was born in Scotland - and has represented them at youth level - but qualifies for Wales through his mother. Taylor, who skippered Wales at under-15 level, joined Wolves from Aberdeen in the summer of 2017. Louis Thompson played eight times for Norwich last season Louis Thompson Norwich City midfielder Thompson is called up despite the fact that he has not featured for the Canaries since October having endured an injury-hit season. The 24-year-old - who has played for Wales at under-21 level - came through the ranks at Swindon Town, where he established himself in the first team before moving to Carrow Road. He has since returned to Swindon for three loan spells and managed 16 appearances for Norwich. Ben Williams Defender Williams is another player who was part of Barnsley's League One promotion-winning side. The 20-year-old left-back signed a new contract at Oakwell in March having broken through in 2018-19, making the first 15 senior appearances of his career. Williams was at Blackburn Rovers before joining Barnsley in 2017 following a successful trial. | https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48355131 |
Are We Reaching the End of Spacewalks? | From Popular Mechanics Its June 3, 1965 and astronaut Ed White, in orbit over Hawaii, emerges from a space capsule to become the first American to conduct a extravehicular activity, or EVA. Connected with a single tether providing power and communication lines, he maneuvers using an oxygen gun for propulsion, takes in the view, and poses for pictures. I feel like a million dollars, White says . These days EVAs are not done for the photos, they are part of the maintenance and operation of the International Space Station. They are planned to the minute, and astronauts seldom have time for a selfie (or joyriding with jet-guns). Photo credit: Science & Society Picture Library - Getty Images More We've been so fortunate that we haven't had a major accident, but statistically, doing an EVA is just as dangerous as launching and reentry, says Garrett Reisman, former NASA astronaut with a nearly 7-hour spacewalk on his resume now a professor at USC . EVAs are hard, dangerous, and time consuming. It makes sense that todays space engineers would want alternatives as they design the next generation of space exploration hardware, but there is a reluctance to leave orbital spacesuits behind. It comes back down to design decisions that you make when you are in the very early stages of designing your space station, Reisman says. If you're going to do that, do you put those things on the inside or the outside? The easiest way to limit the number of spacewalks is to put things that need maintenance inside a space station. But future space stations will be smaller than the sprawling ISS and that strategy may not be possible. For example, NASAs Lunar Gateway plans are much smaller than the ISS-around 2,000 cubic feet of habitable volume compared to the relatively roomy 13,696 cubic feet. Instead, the Gateway has a sharp focus on automation; the station will only be crewed part of the time but the designers are pledging it will operate on its own-fulltime. That might give exterior-mounted robotic arms the advantage over the gloved hands of a spacewalker. But NASA appears to be planning for some orbital spacewalks, with requirements that the lunar space stations short-range communications and airlock can accommodate astronaut EVAs . Bill Pratt, Lockheed Martins NextSTEP Habitat Program Manager, says that their proposed Gateway design includes a separate EVA module so you dont have to depressurize the entire Gateway any time you do a spacewalk . But it also seems like the real heavy lifting will be done by machines. Weve designed our proposed Gateway elements so that robotic components, such as the Canadarm and autonomous docking systems, can handle the in-space assembly and operations without requiring EVAs, Pratt says. Photo credit: Handout - Getty Images More | https://news.yahoo.com/reaching-end-spacewalks-143900894.html |
Who pays Trump's tariffs, China or U.S. customers and companies? | (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump says China pays the tariffs he has imposed on $250 billion of Chinese exports to the United States. Shipping containers are seen at a port in Shanghai, China July 10, 2018. REUTERS/Aly Song But that is not how tariffs work. Chinas government and companies in China do not pay tariffs directly. Tariffs are a tax on imports. They are paid by U.S.-registered firms to U.S. customs for the goods they import into the United States. Importers often pass the costs of tariffs on to customers - manufacturers and consumers in the United States - by raising their prices. U.S. business executives and economists say U.S. consumers foot much of the bill through rising prices. White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow has acknowledged that both sides will suffer on this, contradicting the president. The tariff bill is set to rise further. Trump this month directed U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to launch the process of imposing tariffs on the remaining $300 billion of goods from China. That includes products ranging from cellphones to baby pacifiers. That would mean almost all imports from China would be subject to a 25 percent import tax. U.S. COMPANIES SEE RISING CONSUMER PRICES A growing number of U.S. companies has warned about the negative impact of the tariffs on U.S. consumers. Nike Inc and 172 other footwear companies have urged Trump to remove footwear from a list of imports facing a proposed extra 25% tariff, warning the move could cost consumers an additional $7 billion a year. Walmart Inc, the worlds largest retailer, and department store chain Macys Inc have warned that prices for shoppers will rise due to higher tariffs on goods from China. WHAT THE TARIFF MAN SAYS Trump, who has called himself the Tariff Man, has often repeated that China pays for U.S. tariffs on its goods. We have billions of dollars coming into our Treasury billions from China. We never had 10 cents coming into our Treasury; now we have billions coming in, he said on Jan. 24. On May 5, he tweeted: For 10 months, China has been paying Tariffs to the USA. As well as imposing tariffs on Chinese goods, Trump has also imposed a tax on global steel and aluminum imports and shipments of washing machines and solar panels. HOW TARIFFS REALLY WORK U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) collects the tax on imports. The agency typically requires importers to pay duties within 10 days of their shipments clearing customs. Through May 1, Washington has assessed $23.7 billion in tariffs since early 2018, according to data from the CBP. Total tariff revenue - including levies that pre-dated Trump - shot up by 89% in the first half of the current fiscal year starting Oct. 1, to a total of $34.7 billion, according to U.S. Treasury data. Every item imported into the United States legally has a customs code. Importers are expected to check the tariffs and other taxes and duties due on the goods they bring in, calculate what they owe, and pay it. U.S. Customs reviews payments and sends importers a fresh bill if it detects underpayment. Importers also have to post payment guarantees, or import bonds, with customs. The costs of these bonds have risen with tariffs, an additional burden on U.S.-based firms importing goods from China. Chinese suppliers do shoulder some of the cost of U.S. tariffs in indirect ways. Exporters sometimes, for instance, are forced to offer U.S. importers a discount to help defray the costs of higher U.S. duties. Chinese companies might also lose business if U.S. importers find another tariff-free source of the same goods outside China. And outside of tariffs, the Trump administrations decision to add Chinas Huawei, the worlds largest telecoms equipment maker, to a trade blacklist, has hit that company hard. But U.S.-based importers are managing the higher tax burden in a number of ways that hurt U.S. companies and customers more than China. Such strategies include accepting lower profit margins; cutting costs - including wages and jobs for U.S. workers; deferring any potential wage hikes, as well as passing on tariff costs through higher prices for U.S. consumers or companies. Most importers use a mix of such tactics to spread the higher costs among suppliers and consumers or buyers. HIGHER PRICES FOR TRACTORS, WASHING MACHINES Higher duties on imports of metals and Chinese products, for example, increased Caterpillars production costs by more than $100 million last year. In response, the heavy-duty equipment maker increased prices for its products. Tractor manufacturer Deere & Co estimates a $100 million increase in its raw materials costs this year because of Trumps tariffs on Chinese imports. Deere has cut costs and increased prices to protect its profits. A Congressional Research Service report in February found that the tariffs boosted washing machine prices by as much as 12%, compared to January 2018, before tariffs took effect. Steel and aluminum tariffs increased the price of steel products by nearly 9% last year, pushing up costs for steel users by $5.6 billion, according to a study by the Peterson Institute for International Economics. U.S. companies and consumers paid $3 billion a month in additional taxes because of tariffs on Chinese goods and on aluminum and steel from around the globe, according to a study by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Princeton University, and Columbia University. Companies shouldered an additional $1.4 billion in costs related to lost efficiency in 2018, the study found. China has retaliated against U.S. tariffs by imposing its own tariffs on imports from the United States. Most importers in China are Chinese. So in the same way the U.S. government collects import taxes on Chinese goods from U.S. importers, the Chinese government takes in taxes on U.S. goods from Chinese importers. As with tariffs in the United States, Chinese firms can seek to pass on the costs to U.S. exporters. Some U.S. interests have lost business, such as U.S. soy farmers. Chinese buyers have cut billions of dollars of soybean purchases from the United States because Chinas tariffs have made U.S. supplies more expensive than beans from competitors such as Brazil. | https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trade-china-tariffs-explainer/who-pays-trumps-tariffs-china-or-u-s-customers-and-companies-idUSKCN1SR1UI |
Should Democrats be appearing on Fox News? | by Cait Bladt Elizabeth Warren has turned heads yet again by declaring her intention to stay off Fox News airwaves. The conservative news outlet has been hosting Democratic candidate town halls for several months, featuring high-profile candidates like Bernie Sanders and Amy Klobuchar. In a Twitter thread, Warren called the network a hate-for-profit racket and said it was using Democratic candidates to secure funding. Some candidates retorted that Fox is an important avenue to reach voters who dont usually swing Democratic. Warren stated while she loved a town hall, she had turned down Foxs invitation. Fox News is a hate-for-profit racket that gives a megaphone to racists and conspiracistsits designed to turn us against each other, risking life and death consequences, to provide cover for the corruption thats rotting our government and hollowing out our middle class...Hate-for-profit works only if theres profit, so Fox News balances a mix of bigotry, racism, and outright lies with enough legit journalism to make the claim to advertisers that its a reputable news outlet. Its all about dragging in ad moneybig ad money. I love town halls. Ive done more than 70 since January, and Im glad to have a television audience be a part of them. Fox News has invited me to do a town hall, but Im turning them downheres why... Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) May 14, 2019 As GQ explains, by inviting Democratic candidates on its airwaves, Fox is giving itself the veneer of bipartisanship and impartiality, something that makes it look more appetizing to advertisers. [Warren's] argument was that her participation in a town halland the participation of others like herallows Fox News to assure would-be advertisers that their products will appear on a legitimate news outlet, and not on a platform that doubles as one of the most destructive forces in modern politics. (After all, if it weren't legitimate, would an honest-to-goodness presidential candidate grace it with its presence?) Given that Fox News is "struggling" as wary sponsors "pull out of their hate-filled space," she says, she would be doing Americans a disservice by lending it her credibility. Bernie Sanders, who appeared on Fox News several weeks prior to Warrens statement, disagreed with her thought process. In an interview with Trevor Noah on the Daily Show, Sanders said he felt it was important to reach out to Trump voters to make his message heard. I know many of you voted for Donald Trump, but he lied to you...I think it's important to talk to Trump supporters and explain to them to what degree he has betrayed the working class of this country. Other, lesser-known candidates felt Warren was rejecting precious airtime. John Delaney, a former Congressman running for president, felt Warren was turning down a powerful opportunity to talk to voters. If you're not using your town hall, I will. Democratic candidates have to campaign everywhere and talk to all voters. https://t.co/jH5ZwYRtEg John Delaney (@JohnDelaney) May 14, 2019 The Tylt is focused on debates and conversations around news, current events and pop culture. We provide our community with the opportunity to share their opinions and vote on topics that matter most to them. We actively engage the community and present meaningful data on the debates and conversations as they progress. The Tylt is a place where your opinion counts, literally. The Tylt is an Advance Local Media, LLC property. Join us on Twitter @TheTylt, on Instagram @TheTylt or on Facebook, wed love to hear what you have to say. | https://www.oregonlive.com/tylt/2019/05/should-democrats-be-appearing-on-fox-news.html |
Should Heat take chance on draft prospect Sekou Doumbouya? | Spoelstra: This season without question would be the growth of our young players Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra talks to the media during the season-ending press conference at the AmericanAirlines Arena on Friday April 12, 2019 in Miami. Up Next SHARE COPY LINK Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra talks to the media during the season-ending press conference at the AmericanAirlines Arena on Friday April 12, 2019 in Miami. When trying to predict who the Heat will select with the No. 13 pick in next months NBA Draft, one could look at potential fit. Or one could just look at Miamis draft history as an indicator of the type of player its attracted to. The international prospect has not been one the Heat usually takes a chance on at least, not in the first round. The last time Miami came out of the first round of the draft with an international player was in 1996 when it traded for the draft rights of Estonian prospect Martin Muursepp, who was taken with the 25th overall pick. Muursepp ended up playing just 10 games with the Heat before he was traded to the Mavericks in the middle of his rookie season as part of the deal that brought Jamal Mashburn to Miami. The Heat hasnt taken a chance on an international player in the first round since. Unlimited Digital Access: Only $0.99 For Your First Month Get full access to Miami Herald content across all your devices. Forward Sekou Doumbouya, an 18-year-old who is originally from Conakry, Guinea, and wasnt at last weeks NBA Combine, is projected by most to be the first international player taken as a late lottery pick in the June 20 draft. Doumbouya, a 6-9 forward, is averaging 7.8 points on 48.3 percent shooting from the field and 34.3 percent shooting on threes to go with 3.3 rebounds in 19 minutes per game during 27 games this season while playing professionally for Limoges CSP in France. Doumbouyas best performance came recently. While hes known as a prospect who comes with an offensive game thats still very much a work in progress, Doumbouya finished Saturdays win against Levallois with 34 points on 13-of-18 shooting from the field and 5-of-7 shooting on threes to go with nine rebounds. The latest ESPN mock draft has the Wizards drafting Doumbouya with the No. 9 pick, which would take him off the board before its the Heats turn to select at No. 13. Doumbouya rebounded from a slow start and has been very productive in Pro A France since returning from a hand injury, ESPN wrote. He has outstanding physical tools for a modern-day NBA forward, particularly defensively, where he shows significant potential, and he has a projectable skill level offensively. The Athletics latest mock draft has Doumbouya going to the Timberwolves at No. 11, again before the Heats spot. Doumbouya has been much better over the last month and a half, The Athletic wrote. In his last eight games, Doumbouya has seen his points per minute increase, his three-point shooting volume and efficiency has increased, and generally he just looks much more comfortable with the speed of the game. Im encouraged that Doumbouya has figured things out quickly, but still question how ready for the NBA he is simply due to his inexperience at high levels to this stage. Theres a real chance that he might need an extra year of seasoning, or else the team that picks him may be wasting one or two valuable seasons of his entry-level contract. But NBAdraft.nets latest mock draft has the Heat drafting Doumbouya with the No. 13 pick. Blessed with a great body and NBA athleticism, he is by far a better athlete than a basketball player at this stage of his development, Doumbouyas scouting report on NBAdraft.net reads. His upside is undeniable, especially on the defensive end of the floor ... If he finds a way to put everything together on offense, he could become a great player. Bottom line This is one of those classic high-risk, high-reward prospects. The upside is obviously there, but theres also uncertainty about the type of player Doumbouya will turn into. Hes still growing into his body and his offensive game is still raw. Doumbouya is a streaky shooter and has some trouble creating offense off the dribble. But his length and athleticism have scouts fawning over his potential as a defender. Doumbouya is quick enough to switch on to guards and has the length to be an above-average rim protector one day. If he can ever develop a consistent shot and improve his handle, he can be a very good NBA player. Regarding Doumbouya, ESPN college basketball and NBA Draft analyst Fran Fraschilla told the Miami Herald that hes a really interesting prospect. NBA athleticism, nice skill package, improving his shooting from the perimeter. Lot to like about the long-term potential. Hes going to be one of the youngest players taken in first round [barely 18] if not the youngest. Hes absolutely in Miamis wheelhouse in terms of athleticism and long-term potential. They have to do due diligence away from the court. Any team that drafts Doumbouya will need to have patience because he is far from a finished product. For the Heat, that means using the No. 13 pick on a player who might not be able to contribute consistently in his first NBA season. But for a Heat team that will likely have to wait until 2020 or 2021 to make significant changes because of salary-cap reasons, it could be in the position to play the long game if it truly believes Doumbouya has the potential of a top-five pick. There could be value there for Miami at No. 13. Sports Pass for $30 per year Get unlimited access to all Miami Herald sports stories and videos for $30 Subscribe now #READLOCAL | https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nba/miami-heat/article230636579.html |
Is It Cheaper To Buy A 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback From Britain? | This immaculate 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback is estimated to sell at British auction for $95K. Even with shipping costs, that's cheaper than the examples available stateside! Its hard not to whisper Steve McQueens name when presented with a 1967 Ford Mustang 390 GT Fastback. Immortalized by Lieutenant Frank Bullitt during one of cinemas greatest car chases, the ultimate pony car commands high levels of respect and financial value when available on the open market. Even basket case examples sell for more than modern showroom counterparts. More Ford Mustangs! The American classifieds may provide evidence of eye-watering sums being traded for healthy Fastback specimens, but its not always the case in Great Britain. Check out this 390 GT, claimed to be the best one ever seen by auction house H&H. This Mustang has been estimated to sell below the 75k mark ($95k). Thats almost $50k less than similar Mustangs fetch on American soil. This seems like somewhat of a bargain considering the 3800 man hours involved with undertaking the Mustangs nut-and-bolt restoration. Apparently, 25k was invested in the paint alone. Quite frankly, the stallion must be seen to be believed. It's better than new. 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback More According to the accompanying Marti report, this matching numbers Ford was crafted in the company's Metuchen plant on July 13, 1967, where it was sprayed in Burnt Amber and equipped with the standard Black bucket seats. The Fords big block, S code 390ci engine was mated to a four-speed manual transmission driving through a 3.25:1 limited slip diff. Original factory specification additionally included the highly sought after GT Equipment Group performance package and F70-14 white sidewall tires. Not to mention an AM radio for listening to Lalo Schifrins slick beats. 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback More The original supplying dealer was Berry Motors of Paramus, New Jersey, and the car remained in the U.S until it was exported to Britain during 2014. After five years with the present owner, the Ford is now being made available with excellent bodywork, unblemished paint, immaculate interior trim, and concours running gear. The V8 engine performs as though its brand new. So, its ultimately cheaper than some Stateside models and in truly remarkable condition. In a word, yes. 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback More | https://news.yahoo.com/cheaper-buy-1967-ford-mustang-200332087.html |
Is it in the national interest? | Critics are worried the test subject to Government ideology may scare off foreign investors, writes Fran O'Sullivan. A proposed new "national interest" test for screening major investments by foreign companies puts considerable power in the hands of politicians to decide which deals pass muster. The national interest test is outlined in a Treasury discussion document considering proposed changes to the Overseas Investment Act. The Coalition Government says it needs the power to stop purchases that might harm public health and safety, and that the test will be applied sparingly. Advertisement It will look at whether proposed investments could threaten national security, impinge on iwi or water rights, or put the control of essential infrastructure such as power lines or airports in the hands of a foreign owner rather than a New Zealand Government. Critics are worried that a test which will be subject to the particular ideological stances of successive Governments may scare off foreign investors. The test is part of the second phase of the Government's Overseas Investment Act reforms. It follows changes made in late 2018, which banned purchases of residential property by overseas persons and simplified forestry investments. Associate Finance Minister David Parker says the second round of reforms is focused on reducing the Act's complexity, to better support high-quality overseas investment, and aimed at cutting red tape and giving decision-makers the ability to consider the broader impact on New Zealand of potential investments. "We're looking at where we draw the line as to what constitutes a New Zealand owned or controlled company, and what information the Government should request from investors to ensure they are of good character," he says. "The options also look at how decision-makers could consider the broader effects of an investment, including whether to introduce a national interest test and whether there should be greater ability to consider national security, water, and Mori cultural values when assessing the impact of an investment." Public feedback on the Treasury paper outlining the changes closes later this week. Feedback through the Capital Markets 2029 Review process suggests the proposed treatment of listed companies under the OIA is unworkable and a "significant disincentive to listing". Listed companies are unable to reliably and readily determine their overseas ownership as the share register changes daily and shareholders are not required to identify themselves as overseas persons, a consultation paper released by the Capital Markets 2029 steering group says. "Moreover, the blunt 25 per cent threshold for becoming an overseas person sees listed issuers with disparate (and in many cases de minimis) overseas shareholdings that do not act together, requiring it to comply with the OIA. "In addition, if an 'overseas person' acquires shares in an NZX listed company with an interest in sensitive land and causes the listed company to trip the 25 per cent threshold, the overseas person who acquired the shares requires OIA consent." Infrastructure like Auckland Airport are likely to come under a new national interest test. Photo / Jason Oxenham MinterEllisonRuddWatts corporate partner Cathy Quinn adds that the definition of overseas person currently captures many New Zealand listed companies who in reality are not controlled by foreigners. "New Zealand listed issuers can be tipped over to become an overseas person by a relatively small acquisition of shares by a foreigner," Quinn told the recent China Business Summit. "It is not actually easy for foreigners to be aware that their acquisition will push an NZX entity over to become an overseas person. "Capturing these entities just adds compliance costs and adds no value." The "good character test" required under the OIA is an issue. Currently the law requires applicants who buy New Zealand assets on sensitive land are controlled by persons with particular characteristics including business experience and acumen, financial commitment, good character and immigration eligibility. "This test opposes compliance costs and very frequently it requires information from people who practically have no control whatsoever over the New Zealand assets," says Quinn. "One might also query the Overseas Investment Office's ability to judge a person's business acumen and experience," she adds. "There is a suggestion that the test be expanded to allow assessment of a corporation's character such as a parent company, tax arrangements, their labour and environmental practices." Quinn cautions that New Zealand could end up with a regime that is "worse than we currently have". "My sense was, for every suggestion to simplify things in the paper, there were options which might actually make things worse. "It's a bit like, from my perspective, giving with one hand and taking back with two." DIRECTORS Directors can expect to attract more scrutiny from shareholders, stakeholders and regulators in the year ahead. That's the view of Chapman Tripp in its latest edition of New Zealand Corporate Governance Trends and Insights. The legal firm says directors would increasingly come under the spotlight, particularly in the aftermath of the Hayne inquiry into the Australian banking sector. Partner Geof Shirtcliffe said the "shareholder primacy model"may also be under serious challenge. Shirtcliffe quoted Financial Markets Authority (FMA) chief executive Rob Everett who has suggested the "Milton Friedman model" where the responsibilities of a listed company board were primarily aimed at the returns to shareholders was broken. The Hayne Royal Commission noted that directors have a duty to pursue the long-term interests of the business, as distinct from the short-term gain. In addition, Shirtcliffe said there could also be increased liability risks for directors as litigation funders become more active in the NZ market, raising the importance for directors of good director and officer insurance cover and of boards being able to rely on manageable information flows. Chapman Tripp partner Roger Wallis said several of the firm's clients expect to see a widening of the expectations both on and of directors. "But, as of now, the strict legal obligation is still relatively narrow to act "in what they believe is the best interests of the company"which "will often, but not necessarily, be what is in the best interests of existing shareholders," he said. Other themes expected to occupy boardrooms include: a strong focus on culture as the ripple effects from the Hayne Inquiry and FMA/Reserve Bank reviews are "sluiced" through the system. closer scrutiny on directors from shareholders, stakeholders and regulators more comprehensive disclosure requirements increased liability risks, and development of a distinctive iwi strand in wider governance culture. | https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12233109&ref=rss |
What Killed Jamie Oliver's Restaurant Chain? | Following a couple years of serious financial difficulties, the restaurant empire of British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver may have reached the end of its roadthe latest victim of an ongoing, partly Brexit-related shakeout in the U.K.s casual dining sector. The Jamie Oliver Restaurant Group said Tuesday that it had gone into administration, with KPMGs insolvency team taking over. Most of its locations are closing immediately, taking more than 1,000 jobs with them. The 11-year-old business had reportedly been trying to find a buyer in recent months, but had no luck. Im devastated that our much-loved U.K. restaurants have gone into administration, said Oliver. I am deeply saddened by this outcome and would like to thank all of the people who have put their hearts and souls into this business over the years. Im devastated that our much-loved UK restaurants have gone into administration. I am deeply saddened by this outcome and would like to thank all of the people who have put their hearts and souls into this business over the years. Jamie Oliver Jamie Oliver (@jamieoliver) May 21, 2019 All in all, 25 restaurants are closing, including 23 Jamies Italian restaurants across the U.K., plus the Barbecoa steakhouse and flagship Fifteen restaurant in London. The groups international franchise business will continue, as will three restaurants at Gatwick Airport near London, in the short term at least. The group had recently undertaken a process to secure additional investment into the business and, since the beginning of this year, Jamie Oliver has made available additional funds of 4 million [$5.1 million] to support the fundraising. However, with no suitable investment forthcoming and in light of the very difficult current trading environment, the directors resolved to appoint administrators, KPMG said in a statement quoted by the BBC. Tough scene The Jamie Oliver Restaurant Groups troubles are well-documented. When the company shuttered half a dozen Jamies Italian restaurants in early 2017, it said it had been hit by the Brexit vote and the resulting depreciation of the British poundimporting ingredients became more expensive. The company almost went bankrupt, and was only saved by a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) with its creditors. Oliver had to inject 12.7 million of his own money into the business, and HSBC threw it another lifeline in the form of a 37 million loan. Hoda Kotb, Jamie Oliver and Kathie Lee Gifford appear on NBC News' More Jamies Italian is hardly the only mid-market restaurant chain to suffer in the last 18 months. The Italian chain Strada shuttered a third of its restaurants at the start of 2018, and Prezzo and Carlucciosyes, Italian food againhad to undergo restructuring. The Byron burger chain had to shutter two-fifths of its restaurants last year as part of its own restructuring agreement with creditors. Gourmet Burger Kitchen also had to undergo restructuring. According to Deloitte partner Sarah Humphreys, who specializes in the casual dining industry, high-profile restaurant-chain CVAs may hit the headlines, but quite a few brands are still succeeding and, among the 40 biggest chains, there has only been a very small net decline in the year. However, Humphreys said, it has been commonly noted in the last two years that there was a restaurant oversupply, in particular [in] Italian chains and the burger sector. | https://news.yahoo.com/killed-jamie-oliver-apos-restaurant-163715127.html |
Is Trump DOA in the Rust Belt? | Thats a particularly interesting assessment given the role that outside consultants and money has played in Wisconsins transformation into a Republican laboratory. There is tremendous frustration with the influence of out-of-state organizations and out-of-state money, Lisa Graves, the executive director of the Madison-based Center for Media and Democracy, told Kaufman in a 2012 New York Times article about the state. The Kochs, in particular, have taken interest in the states Republican Partyparticularly its assault on organized laborand have poured millions of dollars into the state in recent years, aiding the conservative revolution. Unfortunately, after going for broke to re-elect Scott Walker in 2018, the party is now brokeone maxed-out credit card cost the party $600 a month in interest payments alone. But the most interesting part of the report is what it doesnt say. The Wisconsin GOP autopsy recalls another post-mortem, the one the Republican Party conducted after its 2012 defeat. That document, released in 2013, blasted the party for its failure to make inroads with young people and minorities, particularly Hispanics: Public perception of the Party is at record lows. Young voters are increasingly rolling their eyes at what the Party represents, and many minorities wrongly think that Republicans do not like them or want them in the country. When someone rolls their eyes at us, they are not likely to open their ears to us If Hispanic Americans perceive that a GOP nominee or candidate does not want them in the United States (i.e. self-deportation), they will not pay attention to our next sentence. It does not matter what we say about education, jobs or the economy; if Hispanics think we do not want them here, they will close their ears to our policies. Other minority communities, including Asian and Pacific Islander Americans, also view the Party as unwelcoming. There is nothing so direct, or so cutting, in the Wisconsin GOPs assessment. That seems intentional. The 2013 autopsy has been used as a cudgel by critics of the partys turn toward Trump, racism, and xenophobia. Republican elites, having done the math, endorsed immigration reform; Donald Trump won the presidency, and became the leader of the party, demanding to build a wall. In Wisconsin, Republicans are midwestern nice about their failures. They struggle to connect with black voters, but are one of the very few state parties that continue to fund full time organizers focused in the Hispanic and African American communities and set up meetings and roundtables with leaders in those communities. (Later in the report, they reveal they have two full-time organizers working in minority communities.) They struggle to connect with young voters and must do more to support College Republicans, who find themselves outnumbered and too often unsupported, but hopefully note that College campuses have an obligation to allow diverse points of view to be heard, and that includes the center right perspective. While Republicans are losing with women, its also true that Democrats are losing with men. On gender, at least, embarrassment creeps into the report: On our side, one cannot look at the number of women hired as Party staff or included in high level campaign messaging and strategy sessions and make a straight-faced argument that weve done enough to include a group that represents approximately 52% of the vote. The overall theme, however, is that all of these problems can be solved by better organization, no shift in ideology or policy positions required. Its a point hammered home by the strange, snowflake-like conclusion: the ultimate goal is to help make it safe to outwardly support the President, and use our recognized superiority in data to implement a strategy that re-elects our President and benefits our local and legislative candidates. | https://newrepublic.com/article/153963/republicans-trump-lose-wisconsin |
Why are post boxes being painted blue? | Image caption A post box in Southampton city centre was painted blue People have been left stumped as post boxes have been painted blue in various towns and cities across England. The paint jobs, spotted in the centres of Southampton, Leeds, Nottingham and Taunton, sparked speculation among locals. But after some noticed the locations were all due to host matches in the forthcoming Cricket World Cup, it wasn't long until the secret was out. An International Cricket Council spokesman (ICC) confirmed the link. Painters in Southampton left behind a conclusive clue, in the shape of an unbranded notice taped to the side, stating: "This box has been painted blue to celebrate the 2019 World Cup." The box was spotted in Above Bar, in the city centre. Image caption A sign on the side of the Southampton post box gave the game away Another box appeared in Angel Row in the centre of Nottingham. An ICC spokesman stepped up to the wicket to confirm: "This is a joint activation between the Cricket World Cup 2019 and Royal Mail which will be officially launched next week." Post boxes were painted gold in the home locations of gold medal winners in the 2012 London Olympics. Blue post boxes are not an entirely new phenomena - they were introduced for air mail letters in the 1930s. Examples remain at Castlefield, Manchester and outside Windsor Castle. Royal Mail declined to comment on the blue boxes. | https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-48356512 |
Do starter homes still make financial sense? | Readers of this newsletter have used the Ask Rob feature to send exactly 2,006 questions my way over the past few years. Thanks, and apologies for not being able to answer every one in the newsletter. I pick questions that can be answered in a concise way and are of broad interest to readers. Heres a question that came in not too long ago and will be of interest to everyone in the market to buy a house, or who already owns: Does it make financial sense to buy a starter house? Heres the full question... Hi! (love your newsletter btw). My partner and I are in our mid to late 20s and are thinking about buying a house in the next three to five years. We are good savers, with only one of us currently in debt (tuition costs that he plans to pay off in one to two years). Story continues below advertisement An average three-bedroom house in the city we live in ranges from $360-$550,000. We dont want to be house-poor, so our goal is to save up 20 per cent for a down payment and have a mortgage payment of around $2,000 a month. That being said, there is some debate as to whether we buy a cheaper starter house first ($350-$400,000) we will stay in for two to three years, or save longer to buy a bigger house ($400-$550,000) we will stay in for 10-plus years. I dislike the idea of starter homes, although I understand the logic behind them. People want to get into the house market and are willing to buy small homes so they can start building equity and move up to something bigger. I see two problems with starter homes, the first being that theres a presumption that house prices will rise a lot and enable the buyer to sell at a nice profit in a few years. That is by no means guaranteed, though. In a weak or stagnant housing market, you could find your home is worth the same or less than you paid a few years earlier. Or, maybe your house has gone up in value. Possibly not. A lot depends on what city you live in and how healthy its housing market is when you bought and when you sell. Starter homes are a gamble. The alternatives: Save longer to buy a home with room to accommodate your life now and in a few years, or figure out a way to make that starter home work for the longer term. Ten years would the ideal minimum stay in a home. Thats a good amount of time for building equity and working through any temporary dips in home prices. If you are not sure how much house you can afford and still have a life check out our Real Life Ratio housing affordability calculator. The last thing you want is for your mortgage payments to leave you house poor. If so, you can sign up for Carrick on Money here. Story continues below advertisement Robs personal finance reading list Seven small but handy things parents really need An investing guy turns to parenting in assembling this real life list of essential parenting tools. A good cordless vacuum and comfortable sweat pants are on the list. Advisers and their invisible woman clients This article urges investment advisers to stop ignoring the wives of their male clients, a situation that happens often. Im including it here as a reminder for women to demand more of advisers who act like their husband is the client, not the couple. Almost 80 per cent of women change their adviser after the death of their husband. Lots of ideas for $30 to $279. The latest on bereavement fares A recent edition of the newsletter included a link to an article on cheap flights than mentioned bereavement fares. Here are some further details from Air Canada and WestJet. Air Canada: Will provide reduced bereavement fares, subject to availability. There is no set discount. WestJet: Bereavement fares are available at a 30 per cent off discount off base fares for WestJet's Econo, EconoFlex and Premium. Todays financial tool Story continues below advertisement The Cranial Cash Clash is a series of online quizzes designed to help build your understanding of investing, debt, scams and more. What Ive been writing about Asphyxiation by pension: Why one millennial feels smothered by retirement saving How a hot trend in electronic banking is making life easier for seniors Balanced fund smackdown: Old-guard mutual funds versus upstart ETFs (for Globe Unlimited subscribers) More Carrick and money coverage For more money stories, follow me on Instagram and Twitter, and join the discussion on my Facebook page. Millennial readers, join our Gen Y Money Facebook group. Send us an e-mail to let us know what you think of my newsletter. Click here to sign up. | https://www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/personal-finance/household-finances/article-do-starter-homes-still-make-financial-sense/ |
Who's On NPR? | The editorial uncertainty stems from confusion over which content is produced by NPR, which comes from other producers and how to contact those who have power over editorial decision-making. The majority of emails this office receives comes from listeners tuning in to NPR programming on traditional radio platforms. To clarify how listeners and readers can give editorial feedback, we put together an explanation of who does what in NPR's corner of the public media world. NPR is a national news organization that produces its own content, which airs on a network of local member stations. It also acquires programs that it distributes to those stations. Those stations often refer to themselves as "NPR" overall, even though some of their content the amount varies from station to station has no connection to NPR; in addition to their own local news and talk content, they acquire programs from other producers (more on that later). Of the people listening to NPR-produced content, the bulk of these listeners still tune in by setting the dial to those local stations. The relationship between member stations and NPR is critical to the operation of the public media organization. It started in 1970 when approximately 90 public radio stations came together to form NPR, Inc. National programming like All Things Considered in 1971, NPR's first Spanish-language newsmagazine Enfoque Nacional in 1979 (now discontinued) and debuting later that year, Morning Edition, became available for member stations to air locally. The midday Here & Now debuted at WBUR in 1997, and in 2013 it became a co-production with NPR. The top-of-the-hour several-minute newscasts are another key offering from the NPR newsroom. The partnership has been successful: As of fall of 2018, NPR's broadcast radio programming, including the weekend comedy shows like Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me, reached 50 million people each month, according to Nielsen. But NPR produces nowhere near 24 hours of content each day. To fill the gaps, it distributes some major public radio programs produced by its member stations, including Fresh Air with Terry Gross (WHYY), On Point (WBUR) and 1A (WAMU). Not every station carries every show, however, because stations are independent broadcast entities, licensed by the Federal Communications Commission to program for their individual communities. NPR is not the only source of programming on those radio waves, either; other radio organizations produce public radio content. Minnesota-based American Public Media (APM) is the second-largest producer of public radio programs in the U.S. APM produces Marketplace and other original content, and it also distributes content from the BBC and The New York Times. Public Radio International (PRI) and Public Radio Exchange (PRX) merged last year (but confusingly enough, maintained their independent identities). The joint PRI/PRX venture is another public radio organization that both produces original content and distributes a mix of programming. PRI's The World, and WNYC-produced The Takeaway and On the Media are among their programs. When listeners email us with concerns about APM and PRI/PRX/WNYC shows, we direct them to contact those producers directly. The digital complication NPR launched NPR.org in 1994. Since then, it has added other digital platforms steadily, including the NPR News app (which shares digital text and audio stories), smart speakers (which offer up some programming directly from the NPR newsroom, such as the hourly newscasts, and also streams of member stations) and NPR One, an app that provides a steady flow of audio stories. Digitally, NPR's website and podcast content reached 57 million users per month in 2018. (This data does not include audience numbers from either of the NPR apps or smart speakers.) toggle caption Juliette Rocheleau/NPR The increase in the number of digital platforms for sharing NPR content has not made it any easier for listeners and readers trying to figure out what is NPR content and what is not. Just as happens at member stations, NPR content, a station's own reporting and non-NPR produced programs flow together seamlessly on the NPR One app. In addition, the app includes content from producers outside the public radio sphere, such as podcast networks Wondery and Gimlet Media. And if you search for a particular topic at NPR.org, you'll get segments from On Point, 1A and Fresh Air (again, all distributed by NPR but not editorially controlled by NPR). If you do a cursory Google search for programs like PRI's The World and The Takeaway, you'll be led to NPR pages for these shows. The cross promotion of non-NPR shows on NPR web pages could be seen as a public service to offer as much information in one central place as possible. But it's no wonder listeners are confused. Having listeners assume that all public radio they consume is NPR programming is great from a marketing perspective. But from an editorial perspective, it becomes a bit murkier; it's easy to conflate even opinion shows with NPR programming. NPR has a clear ethics code that applies to programs it produces. Content that is distributed by NPR but not produced in-house (known as "acquired content") is also expected to follow NPR policies. A 2015 update to the NPR code of ethics includes independent producers and journalists associated with acquired programming under the NPR umbrella. But other producers have their own editorial standards that vary. These blurred boundary lines contribute to a lack of transparency; some listeners and readers understand the difference and others don't. As public trust in the media hovers only slightly above the all-time low achieved in 2016, research shows the importance of "improving accuracy, enhancing transparency and reducing bias." Finding a way to clarify the editorial decision-makers behind the programming would allow for better feedback. Justin Lucas, director of audience relations and engagement, said he and his team are working to help with that. "The landscape of public radio is a whole complex system and I don't think it's going to become less complex anytime in the near future," said Lucas. "I also don't think it's homework that we should expect our audience to do before they contact us. The burden shouldn't be on them there." In an effort to meet audience members where they are, Lucas said, "If you go to our contact form right now and say you want to contact Marketplace, a pop-up will show up and tell you how to contact Marketplace, even though it's not our show." He added, "We know that folks don't understand everything that NPR does and what the differences are between NPR, their local NPR station and other public radio organizations that they might also hear on their station, and that's fine. As long as they come in through the contact form we will figure out where their message was intended to go and we will get it there." Lucas' description of the "whole complex system" only getting more complex is accurate. NPR has expanded well past the narrow purpose it was founded for almost 50 years ago. This month, NPR debuted its first true crime podcast (structured as a single story told week by week) about an unsolved murder during the Civil Rights era, and a new video series exploring how technology will shape the future (neither being traditional radio ventures). With these innovations come confusion for some. Discerning what is produced and distributed by NPR versus what is not will help listeners understand the guiding editorial principles used for reporting (you can find NPR's standards here). Just email us. Special thanks to Lori Kaplan, Steve Mulder and the Audience Insights and Research team. | https://www.npr.org/sections/publiceditor/2019/05/21/725355993/whos-on-npr?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=storiesfromnpr |
Will there be charges in wrong-way crash that killed a Mason family? | Buy Photo This photo of Tim, Tessa and Karen Thompson was at services for the family this week at St. Susanna Church in Mason. (Photo: Sonia Chopra for The Enquirer) There are still no charges in the wrong-way crash that resulted in the deaths of a Mason family. Recently released toxicology results show that Abby Michaels, 21, of Xenia was legally intoxicated March 17 when the car she was driving, a Kia Forte, smashed into the Thompson family's Toyota Camry. According to Moraine Police, Michaels' blood alcohol was 0.099. The legal limit in Ohio is 0.08. SUBSCRIBE NOW for unlimited access to Cincinnati.com Tim Thompson, 51, Karen Thompson, 50, and their 10-year-old daughter, Tessa, all died in the crash on Interstate-75 between Dryden Road and South Dixie Avenue. Michaels' car was traveling the wrong way on I-75, police said following the crash. The investigation into the fatal crash is winding down, according to police. All information gathered, to date, has been forwarded to the Montgomery County Prosecutors Office for a formal determination of criminal charges. The prosecutors office is in the process of reviewing the case materials, according to prosecutors office spokesman Greg Flannagan. Once that review is complete, the office will determine the next steps, he said. Subscribe now to take advantage of Memorial Day specials More: Mason family killed in wrong-way crash mourned at service More: Police identify driver in wrong-way crash that killed Mason family More: Mom killed in wrong-way crash was a Cincinnati Public Schools teacher Read or Share this story: https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2019/05/21/prosecutors-office-reviewing-crash-killed-mason-family/3740106002/ | https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2019/05/21/prosecutors-office-reviewing-crash-killed-mason-family/3740106002/ |
Can I enjoy my vacation if Ive left my cellphone at home? | Open this photo in gallery Illustration by Jiayin Lu First Person is a daily personal piece submitted by readers. See our guidelines at tgam.ca/essayguide. Standing at the Montreal train station, ready to board, I experienced a brief moment of absolute panic. I turned my bags inside out, frantically searching for that little magic square. But I knew in my heart of hearts that, tragically, Id left it in a different purse, one that was hanging in my bedroom closet. This sure knowledge seeped in. I was about to spend a long weekend in Toronto off the grid. No. Connection. Four. Days. Even the most insouciant and unplugged would feel a frisson of alarm: no text, no phone, no Google, no camera, no Instagram, no maps, no Uber, no e-mail. And thats just the beginning. Depending on your apps, this list can be much, much longer. Just you and your thoughts, plus an old-fashioned book if youre lucky. Id be a foreigner in the midst of a buzzing metropolis whose main currency is data. Story continues below advertisement As problems go, there are certainly far worse fates. This was but a small dent in my weekend visit with my sister, surely not worth the rising tide of anxiety. Lets face it: The loss of a wallet remains much more problematic. But just by a hair. Determined to make the best of my lot, I decided this was an opportunity to record a snapshot of what this unplugged reality looks like in 2019; the highs, the lows, the boredom, the inspiration and the surprising truth. Day 1: After my initial paralysis, I get a hold of myself and make my way to the train counter to request a paper ticket. The agent almost gives me a hug, shes so sympathetic. The ticket she hands me is cardboard and has a funky vintage feel. Its surprisingly cheery. I stand in line and give myself a mental pep talk. This could be my chance to organize a few stray projects by putting pen to paper. Its all going to be okay, I promise myself. Just get yourself there in one piece, then hijack your sisters phone. Sounds like a solid plan. On the six-hour train ride, I look out the window, read my book (for which I am ridiculously grateful), and reflect that this void could maybe, just maybe, be a gift. I congratulate myself on rebounding quickly. Things are looking up. Day 2: This no-phone thing is a breeze! I spent the previous evening gossiping with friends and making plans for the weekend. Id notified my family that I was unreachable for a few days. The freedom from constantly checking in is pretty fantastic, if Im perfectly honest. As I set out to make my way across the city for some shopping, I decide the subway is the best bet to get across town. Im so confident with the new, cellphone-crutch-free me that I leave my book at home. Big mistake. Absolutely everyone is plugged in. No eye contact, no smiles, no diversion for a solid 40 minutes. Its longer than you think. Story continues below advertisement All I can do is survey those around me and wonder what would happen if we all set our devices down for a few moments. I guess well never know. Day 3: The first blush of off-grid success is turning a little sour. Im tired of being left out. Its all pretty rosy when Im with others, but a solo morning walk to the coffee shop proves that, once more, Im literally alone on this analog adventure. I watch all the others scanning their screens and miss my phone with a physical ache. This is killing me. I ponder what my family is up to. Im used to checking in with my kids and husband at least daily, and three full days in this is seeming very long. Of course, I know if theres any real problem I can be reached. But still. Day 4: On the train ride home, I think about my adventure. Despite my technological pause (or maybe because of it), my weekend has been a smashing success, with trips to a dance production, dinner with friends and lots of quality time with my sister. The ghost limb that was my phone has receded and at moments, Ive even managed to forget it completely. Ive missed it, yes, but I realize that its absence is eminently survivable. At times its downright enjoyable. My initial panic seems like a distant memory and although there have been some frustrations with living outside the lines of our modern reality (and not a small amount of self-imposed drama), its laughably small potatoes now that its almost over. I sit next to a sweet man who has just celebrated his 80th birthday with his four children and 12 grandchildren. He shows me pictures of the whole production, all twinkling eyes and boyish grin. It startles me to realize that even though Ive had no internet for days, in reality, theres been no shortage of human connection. Story continues below advertisement I read my book. I nap. I look out the window. I think big thoughts. Unencumbered by constant interruptions and pings and notifications, my internal landscape is uncluttered in a way Id almost forgotten. It occurs to me that maybe I should leave my phone in my other purse a little longer. Right after I check my e-mail. Heather Martin lives in Montreal. | https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/first-person/article-can-i-enjoy-my-vacation-if-ive-left-my-cellphone-at-home/ |
Should season 8 of Game of Thrones be rewritten? | by Keydra Manns The final season of Game of Thrones has fans divided. A die-hard fan created a petition calling for a rewrite of the entire eighth season. Folks are in uproar over the series for many reasons, but they flipped out after one of the shows beloved characters, Daenerys Targaryen, became a cold-blooded killer. As a result, other fans say the petition is silly and the show is going just fine. The Change.org petition has garnered over 26,000 signatures (at time of publication). Fans are arguing that GOT writers dropped the ball on the final season and should rewrite it entirely. According to the petitions organizer, Dylan D., this season is more than a disappointment: David Benioff and D.B. Weiss have proven themselves to be woefully incompetent writers when they have no source material (i.e. the books) to fall back on.This series deserves a final season that makes sense. Kit harrington was NOT kidding when he said season 8 will be disappointing! Breaks my heart seeing what could've possibly been a Masterpiece getting butchered by incompetent writers #GameofThrones pic.twitter.com/AOPLA0WNTV Vikram Vj (@VikramVjFan) May 8, 2019 On the other side of the coin, many GOT fans say petitioners are just bitter. They are responding to the petition saying just because the show isnt going in the direction some fans want, doesnt mean the writing is poor. I don't see why people are so against it, game of thrones has always been brutal and I think this story line fits perfectly with the characters and their deaths! Honor Olivia Neal (@Honor_Neal) May 15, 2019 People are just pissed what they wanted to happen didnt. Get over it. The season has been just fine TheGamingWard (@thegamingwardlp) May 15, 2019 The Tylt is focused on debates and conversations around news, current events and pop culture. We provide our community with the opportunity to share their opinions and vote on topics that matter most to them. We actively engage the community and present meaningful data on the debates and conversations as they progress. The Tylt is a place where your opinion counts, literally. The Tylt is an Advance Local Media, LLC property. Join us on Twitter @TheTylt, on Instagram @TheTylt or on Facebook, wed love to hear what you have to say. | https://www.cleveland.com/tylt/2019/05/should-season-8-of-game-of-thrones-be-rewritten.html |
Will plan for more oversight of homelessness department boost transparency or add bureaucracy? | San Francisco voters may be able to decide if the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing should have an extra layer of oversight as it wrangles with one of the citys most pressing issues. Supervisor Matt Haney wants to create a commission to oversee the department as it works to get more people off the streets and into stable housing. The department currently reports directly to the mayor, and the commission would add another layer of bureaucracy when it comes to approving major contracts, setting policy goals or creating new shelter beds. Appointing a new commission requires a ballot measure, which Haney unveiled at Tuesdays Board of Supervisors meeting. The legislation needs six votes from the board to make it to the November ballot. Then it would need 50% of the vote in November. Mayor Ed Lee created the Department of Homelessness in 2016 to consolidate a number of city agencies that deal with homeless issues in San Francisco. Homelessness is our most urgent crisis as a city, and yet the department that oversees our response has less oversight, less accountability and less transparency over its director, budget and policies than nearly any other city department, Haney said. The proposal follows a grim city report last week that showed San Franciscos homeless population swelled by 17% since 2017 despite the fact that the city has created hundreds of new shelter beds and spends more than $300 annually on the homelessness crisis. The commission, however, could conflict with Mayor London Breeds hard-charging push to ramp up homelessness services. In addition to the shelter beds, she is working to add hundreds of units of permanent supportive housing this year. For example, the commission would need to approve contracts over $200,000. That could hobble an ordinance sponsored by the mayor and recently approved by the board meant to shave time off opening new homeless shelters. The commission would have also had a vote on the mayors recently approved Navigation Center on the Embarcadero. Despite weeks of impassioned public debate on the Navigation Center, it was approved within two months of being proposed. Requiring a commission vote could have added more time to that process. But Haney argues that extra vote could have added more transparency to the process and removed the need for other community meetings. While a number of boards and committees currently exist to oversee parts of the department, the commission would have a larger purview. Haney said he wouldnt eliminate the existing committees, but instead wants them to work with the commission on certain issues. While the commission would provide the overarching oversight, he said he would be open to reorganizing the the structure and responsibilities of those committees if the commission is created. The Local Homeless Coordinating Board makes recommendations to the department and oversees its strategy but it can only advise the department, rather than govern it. Del Seymour, co-chair of the Local Homeless Coordinating Board, said he worries how the commission could possibly add another level of bureaucracy to the system but supports the extra power the commission would have. In some cases it could slow it down, but in other cases it could make it easier, he said. But They really need a dedicated oversight body that can actually cover some governance we lack. The city also has the Shelter Monitoring Committee, which is tasked with documenting the conditions of shelters and resource centers. The Proposition C advisory committee was supposed to oversee the millions of dollars collected from the November ballot measure that taxes big businesses to raise money for homeless services. But that committee isnt active because the money is held up by legal challenges. Jeff Kositsky, head of the homelessness department, deferred to the mayors office for comment. The mayors office said it is unclear how the commission will interact with the existing committees and board oversight, and how it will make the city more efficient in delivering funding and solutions. The mayor has been focused on cutting bureaucracy to deliver shelter and services for our homeless residents because people need help now, said her spokesman, Jeff Cretan. There are a lot of good ideas on how to help those living on our streets, but adding on more bureaucracy isnt one of them. Under Haneys proposal which is co-sponsored by Supervisors Hillary Ronen, Shamann Walton and Aaron Peskin the homelessness commission would consist of seven seats appointed by the board, mayor and one from the San Francisco Unified School District Board of Education. The board would have to approve the appointments from the Board of Education and mayor. The seats would go to people who have directly experienced homelessness, have provided homelessness services and at least one person with a background in financial management and accountability. No members can have any financial interests in the department, like contracts. Haney said the commission would help the department function in a more efficient and transparent way. There is concern that much of what is happening in the department happens behind closed doors, and that much of the public is in the dark about our strategies and goals when it comes to homelessness, Haney said. We have to take stronger steps to make sure that real oversight is in place. Trisha Thadani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: [email protected] Twitter: @TrishaThadani | https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/Will-plan-for-more-oversight-of-homelessness-13867771.php |
What would it take to get Peyton Manning to run the Jets? | Rumor has it that the Jets would like to hire Peyton Manning to run the teams football operations. Its unclear whether Manning would be interested. Possibly, theres something that could make him interested. An offer he couldnt refuse. We spent some time spitballing about that on Mondays PFT Live. My seat-of-the-pants, it-aint-my-money-so-I-can-be-generous-with-it dart-in-the-dark was $20 million per year plus two percent of the franchises equity. At an estimated value of $2.9 billion, Mannings share of the team would be worth another $29 million, and that number would undoubtedly keep growing and growing. Yes. Hes destined to thrive at whatever he eventually chooses to do, and if/when he begins to run a team he will throw everything he has into it. Which means that it will be critical for him to be ready to make the leap when he does it. And he may not be ready for that. $20 million per year plus two percent of the equity could make him get ready. Or it could make him realize that, whenever he decides to run a team, thats the kind of package that will be available to him. While it may seem like a lot of money, a great executive or coach continues to have a much greater potential impact on an NFL team than a great player. With $20 million per year now middle of the pack for quarterbacks, $20 million per year for Manning would be a bargain, if he ends up being as good for a football franchise as many presume he will be. | https://sports.yahoo.com/peyton-manning-run-jets-152645277.html?src=rss |
Could One of America's Allies Take Down the F-35 Program? | Turkey, thats what. Turkey, thats what. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan recently warned that the multinational F-35 program, of which Turkey is a member, would fail if Turkey were excluded. Turkey is facing sanctions, including being dropped from the F-35 program if it goes ahead with purchasing Russias S-400 anti-aircraft missile system, which has raised Washingtons fears that F-35 secrets might be leaked to Russia. The U.S. has stopped shipping equipment to Turkey for that nations planned purchase of 100 F-35s, while the first two aircraft officially delivered to Turkey are still in the United States. For its part, Ankara is adamant that it has a right to purchase both American stealth fighters and Russian anti-aircraft missiles, despite the fact that the S-400 is one of the most likely Russian weapons to be used against the F-35. We were surely not going to remain silent against our right to self-defense being disregarded and attempts to hit us where it hurts, Erdogan said at a Turkish defense trade show. This is the kind of process that is behind the S-400 agreement we reached with Russia. Nowadays, we are being subject to a similar injustice - or rather an imposition - on the F-35s ... Let me be frank: An F-35 project from which Turkey is excluded is bound to collapse completely. Read full article | https://news.yahoo.com/could-one-americas-allies-down-080100473.html |
What is actually happening with Britney Spears? | Despite an online campaign by fans to "Free Britney," there remain more questions than answers about the pop star's well-being. Here's what we know. In recent weeks, Britney Spears has burst back into the spotlight, as her private turmoil has led to several court hearings, spawned viral hashtags and fuelled frantic fan speculation about her well-being. The renewed preoccupation follows her abrupt announcement that her planned Britney: Domination performance residency in Las Vegas was being put on hold indefinitely, new concerns about her mental health and questions about the role her ill father, and conservator, can continue to play in managing her financial and personal life. At the age of 16, with the release of the song and subsequent album Baby One More Time, Spears became an international sensation and would go on to become one of the best-selling artists of all time. But her career shifted dramatically amid reports of drug and alcohol abuse and a rash of erratic behavior in 2007 and 2008. Advertisement Those events led to multiple psychiatric evaluations and, eventually, a court-ordered conservatorship, which is designed for people who are unable to take care of themselves. (Spears' father, Jamie Spears, acts as his daughter's conservator, meaning that he is in charge of her finances, as well as her physical and mental health.) Now it appears that Britney Spears, after 11 years, has asked the judge to consider ending the conservatorship. Much of this celebrity saga is happening behind closed doors, and Spears' family, managers, lawyers and publicists have declined to discuss her status. But here is what we know. This phrase originated in 2009, when a Spears fan site, BreatheHeavy.com, started a campaign to "Free Britney" from the constraints of her new conservatorship setup. The website's owner, Jordan Miller, said at one point that he received an irate call from Jamie Spears, who threatened to have the website taken down. Fast forward 10 years: In that time, Britney Spears has released three major-label albums, appeared frequently on television (including a stint as a judge on singing competition The X Factor) and performed live several times a week as a star attraction in Las Vegas. Through all that, Spears lived under the constraints of a complex legal arrangement in which her father and a lawyer acted as her guardians. Britney Spears fans gathered outside a Los Angeles courthouse on the day of a status hearing for the pop icon's conservatorship case. Photo / Andrew Cullen, The New York Times In April, the call to "Free Britney" was revived after a fan podcast dedicated to playfully analysing Spears' Instagram, called Britney's Gram, released audio of a voicemail message from someone described as an anonymous paralegal who claimed to have been involved in the conservatorship. The voicemail raised concerns about Spears' well-being and personal autonomy. The hosts of the podcast speculated about why Spears' Instagram, usually a free-spirited diary of her life with her two sons, had been mysteriously inactive for months. The cryptic account spurred some Spears fans to object to the continued restrictions on the pop star's life, given what, until recently, appeared to be a period of stability and success after earlier meltdowns. In October, Spears' team announced that she would start a new Las Vegas residency called Britney: Domination in Las Vegas, moving from Planet Hollywood to the new Park MGM's Park Theater. But in January, Spears, 37, said that the residency would be put on hold and she would begin an "indefinite work hiatus," citing the declining health of her father, who had recently suffered a ruptured colon. Last month, TMZ reported that Spears had checked into a mental health facility, leading to an uptick in fan speculation about the reason for her stalled residency. That fervent speculation only intensified after the release of the Britney's Gram episode. Spears responded to the online speculation in an April 23 Instagram post. "I am trying to take a moment for myself, but everything that's happening is just making it harder for me," the post said. "Don't believe everything you read and hear." Last month, the conservatorship case had a status hearing in Los Angeles probate court. Spears' mother recently involved herself in the case, requesting that a lawyer appear on her behalf at a hearing May 10, according to court documents. CNN, citing two anonymous sources close to the singer, reported that at the hearing Spears asked the judge to consider ending the conservatorship. As the hearing proceeded, fans representing the #FreeBritney campaign marched outside the courtroom with protest signs that seconded that request. A court-approved conservatorship, known in other states as a guardianship, is typically used to protect the elderly, the mentally disabled or the extremely ill. This arrangement means that Spears cannot make personal or financial decisions without the oversight of her father. The details of Spears' conservatorship have not been made public, nor has her mental condition or diagnosis. But based on the arrangement, Spears' financial and personal lives, including her health, have long been overseen by two people appointed as her conservators her father, and, until recently, a lawyer, Andrew M. Wallet. They are required to submit accountings of her finances to the court, down to the minor expenses she makes at places like Mrs. Fields, Sonic and Six Flags Magic Mountain (she has two young sons, remember). The idea is to safeguard her fortune that she has earned but does not control. The lawyer, Wallet, resigned as a co-conservator last year, and no one has been appointed to replace him. That leaves Jamie Spears, whose health had been a recent concern, as the sole conservator. In addition, the court appointed another lawyer, Samuel D. Ingham III, who reviews the actions of the conservatorship as an independent advocate for Britney Spears to ensure there is no exploitation of her money or other abuses of power. At the May 10 court hearing, Judge Brenda Penny ordered an expert evaluation of the case, likely in response to Spears' reported request that it end. Some have speculated that the evaluation Penny ordered will include a psychological assessment of Spears, but court documents do not specify the nature of the evaluation. The next status hearing is scheduled for September. Spears' longtime manager, Larry Rudolph, told Billboard this week that the Las Vegas residency is officially cancelled and that he is not sure "if or when she will ever want to work again," clarifying an earlier statement to TMZ saying that her performing career might be over. Rudolph told TMZ that the residency was canceled because Spears' medication "stopped working" and she was distraught over her father's illness. | https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=12233204 |
Why are milkshakes being thrown at right-wing politicians Like Nigel Farage? | Until recently, an egg tended to be the object of choice for protesters hoping to splatter a politician's clothing with a sticky mess and cause embarrassment without any serious injury. Now, in several protests against rightist politicians in Britain, activists have found a new foodstuff to use as ammunition: milkshakes. Today, a man was charged with assault and criminal damage after he threw a milkshake at Nigel Farage, one of Britain's most prominent and divisive Brexit leaders, in the latest in a string of similar episodes. Farage, a member of the European Parliament who heads the newly founded Brexit Party, had been campaigning Tuesday in Newcastle, a city in northeastern England, when he was targeted. Advertisement As Farage walked away from the small crowd he was addressing, Paul Crowther, 32, lifted the lid from his milkshake and doused Farage with the creamy drink. The politician's navy suit, purple tie and light-blue Brexit Party badge were left dripping in banana and salted caramel milkshake, which Crowther told reporters he had bought at Five Guys, a nearby fast-food outlet. "A complete failure," Farage could be heard saying in video of the episode, as members of his security team led him away and others seized Crowther. "Could have spotted that a mile off." Farage seems to have been berating his security detail for not anticipating the action, particularly considering the current climate of "milkshaking," as the practice has come to be known. Crowther was charged with common assault and criminal damage, Northumbria Police said in a statement today. Paul Crowther speaks to police after Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage was hit with a milkshake. Photo / AP This month, Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, known as Tommy Robinson, a British far-right activist and former leader of the extremist English Defense League who is also running for the European Parliament, was hit by two milkshakes in one day at the start of the recent spate. Danyaal Mahmud, who first doused Robinson, told the newspaper The Observer that he had taken the action after becoming offended by what Robinson had been saying to him. He said he had used a milkshake simply because it had been in his hand at the time. The moment was captured on video and quickly spread on social media. A day later, in a different city in northern England, Robinson was again splattered with a milkshake. Carl Benjamin, a member of the right-wing UK Independence Party who is under investigation about a comment he made on Twitter regarding raping a female Labour lawmaker, was later targeted. He has been hit with four separate milkshake attacks so far. Other attacks on the far-right have been encouraged on social media with the hashtag #SplashTheFash. The practice has prompted an angry backlash from some rightists. "Just to be clear, anyone that comes at me with a milkshake will need the straw to eat their meals for the next few months," Mark Meechan, another UKIP candidate, wrote on Twitter this month. The attacks have also caught the eye of police. In preparation for a weekend rally for Farage in Edinburgh, officers have asked McDonald's to briefly stop selling milkshakes Saturday, a spokeswoman for the fast-food chain said. Nigel Farage splattered with milkshake on UK campaign trail / AP Kevin Featherstone, a professor of European politics at the London School of Economics, said in an email that the strong visual impact was important. "The recipient looks ridiculous, and it debunks the politician's aura," he said. "The attacker is saying, 'You don't represent me, with your darker side of politics.' " Benjamin Franks, a senior lecturer of social and political philosophy at the university of Glasgow, said in an email that, while he doubted that the original dousing had been planned, the practice had quickly taken off. "I think it latterly caught the imagination of anti-fascist protesters because, as there is an abundance of fast food outlets in UK cities, it is easily available and at least at first could be carried without raising suspicion," he said. Milk has been adopted by some white supremacists as a symbol of their movement, but Franks said that the protesters' actions had effectively turned that notion on its head. "It turns a symbol used by the alt-right milk to symbolise 'whiteness' and to mock ethnic groups with a greater predisposition to lactose intolerance, into an image of dramatic opposition," Franks said. Unlike some of the other politicians targeted, Farage, who has spent 20 years as a member of the European Parliament, is one of the most recognisable faces in the campaign for Britain to leave the European Union. The Brexit Party is currently leading the polls in Britain for the elections to the European Parliament. After he was doused, Farage blamed "radicalised" Britons who disagreed with Brexit for making normal campaigning impossible. And many have argued that attacking a candidate with food created an atmosphere of aggression and was an inadequate response to the polarising politics of Farage. Brendan Cox, husband of Jo Cox a member of the British Parliament who was killed in a 2016 attack said that, while he disagreed with Farage's politics and his "willingness to pander to hatred," throwing milkshakes was not the answer. "I don't think throwing stuff at politicians you disagree with is a good idea," he wrote on Twitter, adding that it normalised violence and intimidation. | https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=12233180 |
Will Giants ever have their own Ronald Acua Jr.? Ever? | In the field, at the plate and on the bases, its a blast watching Braves outfielder Ronald Acua Jr. His energy and self-assurance stand out, not to mention his power bat and blazing speed. Entering Tuesday, the Giants had used 10 outfielders this season, a result of the Farhan Zaidi audition process, and Steven Duggar, 25, is the most promising because of his defense, speed and grit. Hes trying to find his way at the plate, and thats a work in progress. Heliot Ramos, 19, is the teams best outfield prospect and got off to a nice start with five homers and a .422 on-base percentage in 19 games at Class A San Jose, but a knee injury has detoured his season. Monday night, Acua crushed the first pitch of the Giants-Braves series over the left-field wall. He homered twice, doubled and walked. So I asked on Twitter, How far back must we go to find a young Giants outfielder who wowed em like this guy? The most popular choice was Bobby Bonds. Bobby Bonds was the Giants last homegrown outfielder to win a Gold Glove. I was thinking Chili Davis from the early 80s. Davis is the last homegrown outfielder to represent the Giants as an All-Star, and thats mind-boggling. Theres also Jack Clark, who showed up a few years before Davis. Either way, it has been a long, long time. Zaidis first draft is in two weeks, and it would be no surprise if he selects an outfielder with the 10th overall pick. Riley Greene of Florida is the best high school outfielder, and the top college outfielders are San Carlos native and Serra alum Hunter Bishop of Arizona State, Vanderbilts J.J. Bleday and Missouris Kameron Misner. Meantime, lets enjoy the brilliance of Acua. John Shea is The San Francisco Chronicles national baseball writer. Email: [email protected] Twitter: @JohnSheaHey | https://www.sfchronicle.com/giants/shea/article/Will-Giants-ever-have-their-own-Ronald-Acu-a-13868011.php |
What went wrong at Jamie's Italian? | Image copyright PA "If Jamie can replicate this early Oxford form," wrote the Guardian's restaurant critic Matthew Norman in 2008, "he will soon be driving a prize herd of recession-proof cash cows across the land." Norman was reviewing the first branch of what would become a country-wide franchise, designed, in Jamie Oliver's own words, "with the intention of positively disrupting mid-market dining in the high street in the UK, with great value and much higher quality ingredients, best in class animal welfare standards and an amazing team". Fast forward a decade, and this was the Sunday Times' Marina O'Loughlin's verdict on the "tagliatelle with truffles" at the Jamie's in Westfield Stratford. "Appalling, a honking, salty swamp of a sauce, brown and dusty with nutmeg. Tiny chunks, not shavings, of tasteless black truffle lurk around, like mouse poos in soup." A mere eight months after that damning review, the celebrity chef's eponymous chain, along with brands Barbecoa and Fifteen, has gone into administration, putting 1,000 jobs in peril. In an email to staff on Tuesday morning, Mr Oliver blamed "the well-publicised struggles of the casual dining sector and decline of the UK high street, along with soaring business rates," for the company's collapse. Administrators KPMG echoed this rationale, citing a tough trading environment. Shock dismissals True, the woes of so-called casual dining sector are well documented. Image copyright PA Image caption Former employees at Fifteen say Oliver deserves more credit Once seen as competitors to Jamie's, Italian chain Strada is down to just three branches, while Carluccio's has been forced to close approximately a third of its restaurants, after losing tens of millions of pounds. Burger brand Byron, French cuisine chain Cafe Rouge, and pizza outlets Zizzi and Prezzo aren't faring much better. But staff at Jamie's were still hopeful that a turnaround was on the horizon. "We knew it wasn't doing as well as we'd want it to be," says Lucy, who worked at the Glasgow branch for more than three years. Staff, she says, were led to believe that a refit was around the corner, and that taps offering Brewdog beer would soon be installed. Instead, they got a simple email. "My partner was meant to be on shift this morning," says Lucy, who asked for her real name not to be used. "He was told at the last minute not to come in as the locks were being changed. "We were then invited to join a conference call and told we had all been made redundant, effective immediately." Image copyright Jamie's Italian Image caption Staff at the Glasgow branch of Jamie's were overburdened, say former employees Lucy and her partner, who worked at Jamie's for five years, say they feel there was a lack of transparency at the firm. "I wish they hadn't said to us that it was fine, when it obviously wasn't," she says. Multiple problems But the 27-year-old is in no doubt as to what led to the chain's demise. "Firstly, the restaurants are far too big," she explains. Due to pared-down staffing numbers, on busy evenings she would be waiting on as many as 11 tables at once, while managers and chefs also felt overburdened. Then there was the tie-ins with voucher schemes, such as Groupon, which attracted fickle bargain hunters, and "didn't inspire loyalty or regular customers". Tourists and those who happened to be passing by became the key clientele, says Lucy, with "very few people coming in because of excitement of being at a Jamie's Italian". Despite the team's hard work, those who took the time to check local ratings on their smartphones generally stayed away too. "Unfortunately, because of the fact that it is quite expensive, we would not be on the top on TripAdvisor," says Lucy. "The market for chain restaurants is dying - there are loads of places you can go in Glasgow that are cheaper." Image copyright Jamie's Italian Image caption Food critics were less than complimentary about some of Jamie's dishes Many analysts agree, arguing that the private equity firms which started taking a keen interest in group restaurants over the last few years drove rapid expansion to increase profits, to the detriment of the dining experience. Data firm CGA estimates that the number of group restaurants in the UK increased by almost 30% to 5,785 in the five years to March 2019. Bad reviews and concerns over the quality of ingredients have also increased at many restaurant chains, including Jamie's. The firm was caught up in a meat recall by supplier Russell Hume, which the Food Standards Agency found was "unable to demonstrate compliance with food hygiene rules". But Jonathan Woodhouse, a former manager at Fifteen in London, thinks the man at the helm is not at fault. While he concedes that the group "grew too big and tried to do too much," Mr Oliver, he says, "gets a bad rep for everything". The Italian branches, he adds, were "effectively franchises" and run very differently to the TV chef's early restaurants. Mr Woodhouse says working at Fifteen was "one of the best jobs" he'd ever had, and that Oliver was trying to do "something special" there, with his groundbreaking apprenticeship programme. "It's heartbreaking to hear it may go under," he adds. | https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-48355861 |
What's Robert Mueller afraid of? | (CNN) The news Tuesday that special counsel Robert Mueller's team isn't sure whether he should testify in front of Congress about his nearly two-year long investigation into Russia interference in the 2016 election is a very big deal. Here's why: There's no one in the country, other than Mueller (and maybe former White House counsel Don McGahn), who can shine a light on some of the trickiest questions involving Donald Trump raised by the probe -- most notably whether or not Trump committed acts of obstruction of justice. Because, politics. Writes CNN's team: "The special counsel's team has expressed the notion that Mueller does not want to appear political after staying behind the scenes for two years and not speaking as he conducted his investigation into President Donald Trump." HA HA HA. Dude, that whole "apolitical" ship sailed the second Mueller was named as special counsel by then-Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. Read More | https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/21/politics/robert-mueller-congressional-testimony/index.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_topstories+%28RSS%3A+CNN+-+Top+Stories%29 |
What if NZ movies and TV actually included all New Zealanders? | To build social cohesion, our screens need to show the same diversity of faces we see on the street Migration plays an important role in shaping Aotearoa New Zealand society. New Zealand's biggest city, Auckland, is now "more diverse than London", and one in four New Zealanders have come from elsewhere. The large number of arrivals from across the Pacific region has given Auckland the largest Pacific Islander population of any city in the world. Almost one-quarter of Auckland's population is now classified as Asian. This itself is a catch-all term for a wide range of peoples and cultures covering half of humanity. But while diversity in New Zealand is greater than ever, there is a gap between the society we see around us and what is reflected on screen. Read more: Three ways Screen Australia can actually improve diversity in the industry Advertisement On New Zealand screens In 2011, when I started my research, there were a few films made by and about migrant ethnic peoples in New Zealand. There was Leon Narbey's beautifully shot Illustrious Energy (1988) about Chinese miners in the South Island, and Sima Urale and Shuchi Kothari's Apron Strings (2008), a double story about an Indian and a Pkeh (of European descent) family in South Auckland. There were also several short films with scarce publicity, and I came across television programmes such as Asia Downunder (1994-2011) and An Immigrant Nation Footprints of the Dragon (1994). In recent years, there have been more screen productions by New Zealanders of migrant ethnic descent that attempt to represent a wider range of social and cultural experiences among the contemporary population. But overall it is evident that New Zealand's national cinema and television has so far included Pkeh and Mori films and, to a lesser degree, Pasifika films. This includes movies of international acclaim, such as Whale Rider, The Piano and Taika Waititi's The Hunt for the Wilderpeople, but we do not see faces, images, voices and stories of all diverse communities on New Zealand screens. Representation of diverse communities on screens means recognising a wider range of social and cultural experiences in contemporary society. It also means acknowledging that New Zealand audiences are more diverse than ever. Screens and media are the platforms that can increase the visibility of migrant ethnic communities in New Zealand society. Following the Christchurch mosque attacks, New Zealanders engaged with the Muslim community, regardless of their own ethnicity, faith, gender, and all other identity markers. We have observed a sudden shift in coverage of migrant ethnic peoples in New Zealand media. This reminds us of the ways in which screen and media play a significant role in creating a sense of inclusion and construction of identities for migrant ethnic groups in New Zealand. For young and old New Zealanders, seeing the faces they see around them reflected on screen builds a sense of social and cultural connectedness, a sense of belonging to a land they (may) want to call home. Read more: The problem with Apu: why we need better portrayals of people of colour on television Making communities visible In 2017, I curated and directed the (In)Visibile New Zealand Film Festival, mainly in collaboration with the Hamilton Film Society in the Waikato region. It was a first of its kind and aimed to explore and showcase New Zealand's diverse onscreen landscape. The discussions after films pointed at the lack of socio-cultural and ethnic exposure and awareness among New Zealand audiences. The common theme that emerged from audience responses was the feeling of confrontation. For a long time, New Zealanders' imaginations, beliefs and assumptions have remained largely unchallenged. The Christchurch attacks have stirred the awareness of many New Zealanders. Among them are migrant ethnic groups in New Zealand who might prefer to be more visible. It is possible to create a sense of solidarity and inclusion, but only if we do not let absence, (convenient) unawareness and assumptions cloud our horizons. The way forward is to create more exposure and carve out more spaces for images and stories of peoples from all backgrounds who live in New Zealand. This will help develop new perceptions as well as cultural consciousness for the generations to come. We have heard many times that creating social cohesion is the answer to the challenges that arise from diversity. To create social cohesion, we need to create the space where our stories are told, where our voices are heard, where we create new memories and histories together. The migrants' children in this land will tell stories that will reflect their lives in contemporary diverse New Zealand life. As more people from different backgrounds commit to a future in New Zealand, some feel the need to reflect publicly on their experience of inclusion or exclusion. The desire to shape their related experiences and perspectives into various films will help make New Zealand screens more inclusive. Not having a representative presence on New Zealand screens means peoples from different origins have not yet claimed their public space. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. | https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=12233261 |
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