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How did Nicollet Island become parkland with private housing on it? | Nicollet Island is perhaps the most unusual park in a city known for its parks. The 48-acre sliver of land in the Mississippi River beside downtown is home to a secluded enclave of historic homes sitting atop public parkland. But thats just one of the oddities of this place, an often-overlooked landmark of early Minneapolis that looks radically different today than it did half a century ago. Paul Kopnick asked the Star Tribune for answers as part of Curious Minnesota, a new community-driven reporting project fueled by great questions from inquisitive readers. Its different than everywhere else in the city. Its parkland with houses on it, said Kopnick, a Bloomington resident who sometimes bikes around Nicollet Island. The only other occupied house in a Minneapolis park is rented by the park superintendent. The short answer: The citys Park and Recreation Board bought most of Nicollet Island about four decades ago, including the land beneath just over 20 historic homes. Long-term land leases ensured the homes were restored and preserved by their owners, after local government agencies had already demolished a dense collection of industrial and commercial buildings on the island. More broadly, the island looks how it does today because local governments several decades ago were flush with cash for demolishing buildings and buying land for parks, while a burgeoning historic preservation movement ensured not everything was leveled. The roughly six-block-long island has often captured the imagination of dreamers and planners over the citys history. People pitched grand plans including a sports stadium worthy of the Olympics, a large exposition center, a Museum of the Mississippi and even a hotel topped by three massive helicopter landing pads. No city has a greater opportunity, said the landmark 1917 Plan of Minneapolis a European-style vision for the city that never materialized citing the islands proximity to downtown and key transportation corridors. The plan called for making the island a park replete with a stadium and an aeroplane field. [Given] its proximity to downtown, it evokes a lot of dreams, said Chris Hage, an island resident who co-wrote Nicollet Island: History and Architecture with his wife Rushika. Explorer Zebulon Pike camped there on his journey up the Mississippi in search of its origin. Henry David Thoreau carefully documented its foliage during a visit near the end of his life. The First Minnesota Regiment enjoyed a farewell party there before heading into the Civil War. The first bridge across the Mississippi River connected downtown with Nicollet Island in 1855. And an attempt to bring water power to Nicollet Island nearly destroyed St. Anthony Falls in 1869. The 1917 Plan of Minneapolis advocated turning Nicollet Island into a giant park. The central portion is splendidly suited for a great stadium, large enough indeed for an aeroplane field. By the mid- to late-1800s, many prominent families called Nicollet Island home. They included those of Charles Loring, Joel Basset and William King a founder of this newspaper. In its heyday, pretty much the whos who of Minneapolis was living here, said Rushika Hage. These were the people who were shaping Minneapolis. Fast-forward to the 1960s and the island was packed with industrial buildings, a strip of commercial storefronts around where the Hennepin Avenue bridge is today, DeLaSalle High School and the historic homes. Hippies had begun to put down roots there, as had the drunks and flophouses displaced by the demolition of downtowns skid row. Murder victims were sometimes dumped on the Island, and there were persistent bread-line suicides off the Hennepin Avenue Bridge that led the public to view the Island as an insidious Hell-hole, read a 1973 essay in Earth Journal, where a stout family could go for an exciting drive on Sundays, providing all doors were kept locked and windows were rolled up. Flush with money for urban renewal, city planners grew intent on leveling most of the buildings after the island was designated an urban renewal area. There was a lot of disagreement about what ought to happen to the island, said John Chaffee, who has lived on the island for more than four decades. There were 10 or a dozen different plans, all with their proponents. But it was generally agreed that it shouldnt be industrial anymore. The commercial buildings along Hennepin Avenue were razed during a road widening in the early 1970s, and the many industrial buildings later came down in phases after that. But residents put up a fight when the wrecking ball began to topple historic homes, and the city backed off after a consultant said the properties many dating to the 19th Century were a rare collection. By 1971, the island was part of the St. Anthony Falls historic district, one of the first in the state. The debate over Nicollet Islands future in the 1970s coincided with a push to buy more parkland for a regional parks system, following the creation of the Metropolitan Council years earlier. After a fight with the citys redevelopment authority, the Park Board ultimately acquired much of the island and people were allowed to stay in the historic homes with 99-year leases as long as they restored them. Chaffee said the Park Boards ownership was meant to ensure the historic homes were preserved and maintained. It was never intended for park use, Chaffee said. The Park Boards ownership is ... intended to allow them to control what goes on here. While most of the island is technically a park, the primary park area surrounds an amphitheater on the south end that was constructed to celebrate the countrys bicentennial in 1976. The Park Board acknowledged in its latest master plan for the area that there is not enough public signage about the history of the island, that there is limited public access to the Nicollet Pavillion a popular event space in one of the only remaining industrial buildings and that trail connections to the island are unclear. At least one person, Devin Hogan, is already planning a 2080 plan for the time when the leases on the homes expire. Hogan, who earned the DFL endorsement in his unsuccessful 2017 bid for Park Board, would like to see the homes moved south to allow for denser development on the islands north end. I see no reason why the urban center of the state cant have urban development on it, Hogan said. And I say that specifically because its surrounded by a ring of parks. Chris Hage said living on Nicollet Island is like being in a small town in the city that developed organically. The area had a serene feel one recent evening as the Hages led a reporter on a tour amid the white picket fences, period architecture, backyard chickens and brick-lined streets. For sure, people would ruin it with ambition, Hage said. Its something you polish. | http://www.startribune.com/how-did-nicollet-island-become-parkland-with-private-housing-on-it/508757581/ |
What happens next with Wynn Resorts Ltd. in Massachusetts? | Greg John, executive director of brand marketing, gives a tour of the main lobby of Encore Boston Harbor in Everett, Mass. Friday, Aug. 24, 2018. The atrium will have natural sunlight to help with the preservation and growth of the four ficus trees. K.M. Cannon Las Vegas Review-Journal @KMCannonPhoto The Central Utility Plant rear podium at Encore Boston Harbor in Everett, Mass. Friday, Aug. 24, 2018. The resort, scheduled to open June 2019, will have 671 rooms including 104 suites. K.M. Cannon Las Vegas Review-Journal @KMCannonPhoto Now that the Massachusetts Gaming Commission has announced its $35 million fine against Wynn Resorts Ltd. a record amount for any gaming jurisdiction in the United States the Las Vegas company can get back to building the $2.6 billion Encore Boston Harbor and we can all relax. Industry watchers still are coming to terms with the commissions punitive measures against the company, which it has the opportunity to refute. Meanwhile, the company is sticking with a June 23 opening date. Most industry watchers felt it was a foregone conclusion that Wynn would be allowed to keep its gaming license in Massachusetts, put in jeopardy after the company failed to respond appropriately to reports that former Chairman and CEO Steve Wynn was sexually harassing female employees for years. Hes denied the allegations. Most anticipated that the company would be assessed a hefty fine. While some Boston media were advocating a $100 million fine, the $35 million assessed and the $500,000 CEO Matt Maddox was hit with individually got plenty of attention because it was a record that surpassed the previous high the $20 million assessed against the company by the Nevada Gaming Commission in February for violating regulations regarding damaging the reputation of the states gaming industry. Massachusetts commissioners felt the amount appropriate to serve as punishment and a deterrent. The question that remained in peoples minds was whether the Massachusetts Gaming Commission would require the removal of Maddox as CEO as a condition for keeping the license. Regulators didnt do that, but they delivered a public dressing down of Maddox that could sting as much as the $500,000 fine. Its also fair to say that Maddox didnt come off very well when he was being grilled by regulators in the April 2-4 adjudicatory hearing in Boston. Based on the tone of the questioning from commissioners and some of the comments they made during the hearing, the worst moment may have been when he was asked to detail the new sexual harassment policies implemented by Wynn Resorts in the past year and he had trouble recalling all of them without notes in his hands. Commissioners were probably expecting him rattle them off quickly because the topic should have been top of mind. No matter. Thats now history and the focus going forward is on opening the new resort and seeing how the company responds to punishment. There could be some commentary on that as early as next week when Wynn Resorts has the spotlight to announce its first-quarter earnings. Massachusetts regulations have no avenue for appeal within their structure so any review would have to occur within the states courts. The company had 30 days from the date of the decision, or around May 29, to pay the fines, a departure from Nevada rules that require payment on the date of adjudication. The date of Encore Boston Harbors opening may also be in question. Wynn Resorts long ago announced a planned June 23 opening. But at the Massachusetts Gaming Commission meeting last week, Executive Director Edward Bedrosian plotted the course for commission meetings leading up to pre-opening and final approval of the potential opening and he emphasized the word potential. Wynn and the commission obviously have to work together to get the building open, which is why its hard to imagine that the kinder and gentler Wynn Resorts the company that has remade its board of directors to nearly half women; that initiated a satchel of new policies, including a progressive family leave program; that donated $1 million to Massachusetts charities in April; that scrapped its despised paid parking plan in Las Vegas last week; that has publicly apologized for many wrongs against women would test regulators patience in Massachusetts. Contact Richard N. Velotta at [email protected] or 702-477-3893. Follow @RickVelotta on Twitter. | https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/business-columns/inside-gaming/what-happens-next-with-wynn-resorts-ltd-in-massachusetts-1655320/ |
Are gas prices killing summer road trips? | For more stories like this, check out The Chronicles weekly Travel newsletter! Sign up here. This time around, it seems personal. On the verge of the vacation season, the oil companies jacked up the price of gas to over $4 in California. Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered an investigation, with an analysis due by May 15. My own analysis details exactly how much it costs, at $4 a gallon compared with $3 a gallon, to drive to the best vacation destinations, near to far: San Joaquin Delta, Point Reyes National Seashore, Big Sur, Mendocino, Yosemite Valley, Truckee, South Lake Tahoe, Richardson Grove, Mount Shasta and the Redwood Empire. According to AAA, the average price of gas in California, for regular, mid, premium and diesel, is $4.08, $4.22, $4.34 and $4.10, respectively. In Texas, where Ive got friends who cant believe anybody in California puts up with this, regular costs $2.62. The lowest in the nation is $2.51 in Alabama. After California, the second-highest is Hawaii, at $3.62, nearly 50 cents cheaper per gallon. A lot of people across the nation are squawking because the average national gas price this week is $2.88, the highest of the year. For those in California, that sounds like a bargain. Over the past 10 years, the average rate of vehicle consumption in America is about 20 mpg. Most newer vehicles do better. Motorcycles, at about 40 mpg for a Harley-Davidson and 50-60 for a BMW, are two to three times as efficient. As the rule of thumb, 20 mpg equals a use of 0.05 gallons per mile. To calculate how many gallons of gas you will use, you then multiply 0.05 times the number of miles you are driving. To get the final answer for the cost of gas for your trip, you then multiply the total gallons of gas times $4. If you want to calculate your exact costs, you can adjust for the mpg of your vehicle, the price you pay at your local station and the distance from your home to your destination. By using an average of 20 mpg and calculating distances from San Francisco, here are the differences for 10 popular trips, one way, at $3 versus $4 a gallon: POPULAR TRIPS RISING COSTS Destination Miles Gallons $3/gal $4/gal San Joaquin Delta (Bethel) 60 3 $9 $12 Point Reyes (Pierce Ranch) 67 3.34 $10.05 $13.40 Big Sur (Highway 1 route) 143 7.15 $21.45 $28.60 Mendocino 164 8.2 $24.60 $32.80 Yosemite Valley 180 9 $27.00 $36.00 Truckee, North Tahoe 186 9.3 $27.90 $37.20 South Lake Tahoe 188 9.4 $28.20 $37.60 Richardson Grove 206 10.5 $30.90 $41.20 Mount Shasta 275 13.75 $41.25 $55 Prairie Creek Redwoods 332 16.6 $49.80 $66.40 Note: Miles calculated from San Francisco The math shows that every price rise of $1 per gallon is equivalent, on average, to spending $7 more per 100 miles. The math also shows that a trip from San Francisco to Bethel Island, the gateway to the San Joaquin Delta, costs only $3 more at $4 per gallon than when gas cost $3 per gallon. On the longer trips, it can add up. The round trip of 664 miles to Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park near Orick in the Redwood Empire, for instance, would cost $132.80 at $4 per gallon compared with $99.60. The difference is $33.20. For some, that could make a difference. For others, who vote at the gas pump, it does not matter at all. That is a personal decision. For most, based on reservations for lodging, campgrounds and outfitter guide services for rafting and fishing, the answer is no. The pleasure is worth the price. Camping reservations show that timing and destination are more important than $4-a-gallon gasoline. An inside look with the two major recreation reservation services, ReserveCalifornia.com and Recreation.gov, shows over and over that bookings are high and Saturday night campgrounds full for months ahead at marquee destinations. The price of gas seems to have no impact for trips at Yosemite Valley, Point Reyes, Monterey Bay and Steep Ravine, where many campgrounds are often booked 100 percent the day reservations become available. At other popular sites, such as Big Basin Redwoods in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Samuel P. Taylor in Marin County, and Del Valle Reservoir south of Livermore, Saturday nights seem to go just as fast. Get off the grid on a weekday, and the world of camping opens up. Its not about cost; its about timing and destination. At Yosemite National Park, the melting of a big snowpack is sending cascades of water over the brink of Yosemite Valley for a spectacular waterfall show. It will peak from mid-May to mid-June, and if you want to see it, its worth the price of the gas to get there. Rangers expect Yosemite Valley to be packed to the point that finding a parking place after 10 a.m. will be like winning the lottery. In the north state, of 16 guides available out of the Redding Fly Shop, an average of nine trips are being booked daily right now, and advance bookings are high. People want to go fishing, said Zack Miller, who works in the outfitters department at the Fly Shop. Weve had more of a problem with last years forest fires and this winters rains. Advance bookings are solid now, and in mid-May through June, they really pick up. The price of gas might be a gouge job, and many hope the governors investigation uncovers a swindle that forces the prices down. But in the meantime, people are paying the piper. In the outdoors, the payoffs are still worth the price. Tom Stienstra is The San Francisco Chronicles outdoor writer. Email: [email protected]. Twitter: @StienstraTom. Facebook: www.facebook.com/tomstienstraoutdoors. | https://www.sfchronicle.com/outdoors/stienstra/article/Are-gas-prices-killing-summer-road-trips-13817215.php |
How is the food at the Michael Mina and Ayesha Curry restaurant International Smoke? | Celeb Chef Michael Mina expands his Miami reach by teaming up with bestselling cookbook author Ayesha Curry to open International Smoke at the Aventura Mall. This adds to Minas other outposts in the city - Bourbon Steak at the JW Turnberry Miami and Stripsteak and Pizza and Burger at the Fontainebleau. Executive Chef Jeffrey Hileman helms the kitchen. The space International Smoke at Aventura Mall Handout A modern-yet-intimate dining room with cozy masculine vibe, located on the ground floor of the new food hall wing at the Aventura Mall (right outside is the famous three-story slide tower). An inviting bar flanks one side of the dining room while an outdoor patio is nicely shielded from the mall traffic by plants and greenery. International Smoke at Aventura Mall. Be prepared to eat Global barbecue. Prices are on par for a Mina establishment with starters ranging $12-21 and mains $19-$59. The Fuego Menu is a $55 per person tasting that covers most of the menu with a barrage of dishes including the Wagyu shaking beef, Jamaican Jerk fried chicken, Sinaloan chicken, and Hawaiian Snapper. Dinner starts with homemade potato chips served in a can alongside a garlic dipping sauce. From there its on to starters like Ayeshas cornbread with Thai red curry butter, a smoke burrata with beets salad and a Thai coconut and crab soup. The Korean short rib is a Flintstones-sized slab of meat served on the bone in a cast iron pot accompanied by kimchi and sticky rice while the smoked St. Louis pork ribs can be had with a choice of three sauces that include St. Louis, a garlicky Mexican style and a Sesame-Gochujang Korean style. Korean short rib is served on the bone in a cast iron pot accompanied by kimchi and sticky rice Handout Sides of rib tips mac and cheese, Brussels sprouts and whipped potatoes round out the table. Vegetarians have plenty going on too, with dishes like the Roasted Cauliflower served with golden raisins, Zaatar and pistachios and Grilled Maitake Mushrooms seasoned in soy ponzu, yuzu-tofu and togarashi and the Barbecue Sweet Potatoes. Barbecued Smoked Sweet Potatoes at International Smoke. Handout Desserts keep the gluttony going with warm chocolate chip cookies served with milk, a chocolate lava cake with vanilla ice cream and a key lime pie via Fireman Dereks bakery. Bottom line Michael Mina tackles barbecue with an upscale-yet-approachable menu at the swanky Aventura Mall. International Smoke 19565 Biscayne Blvd., Aventura; | https://www.miamiherald.com/miami-com/restaurants/article229986789.html |
Who are Houstons superheroes? | Right about now the comic-book movie world is bathing in the afterglow of Avengers: Endgame, the blockbuster that closed out a decadelong portion of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Making nearly $2 billion in the first week assures us that the world at large loves good guys beating bad guys. Superheroes are hot right now. Heck, humanity craves heroes as a rule. From the ancient Greeks and their gods to todays sports stars that command hundreds of millions of dollars a year to play a schoolyard game. Houston history is full of its own superheroes, people who came to Houston as mere mortals only to shuffle off into the next realm leaving the place better than they left it. Were surrounded by them today, too, from charitable athletes and businesspeople to luminaries and first responders. In the days before the opening of Endgame, I asked my peanut gallery on social media to tell me who in Houston they thought were superheroes, and a lot of names kept getting brought up. Note for the nerds: This is meant to be fun and superficial. We all know the only superheroes around Houston are the people who dont block intersections in downtown. Almost universally, Texans star and all-around good human J.J. Watt was mentioned as our version of Captain America. Hes got the patriotism, the power, and the sense of purpose. Then there is Jose Altuve from the Astros. He was the consensus pick for Ant-Man, the character made famous by Paul Rudd in the Marvel movies. Hes small but can pack a big punch. Plus, he has a good sidekick in Carlos Correa. This might make Craig Biggio the Hank Pym to Altuve. Black Widow could be Jennifer Reyna, if only for the personal style. We have yet to see her mow down a group of bad guys in a hallway using only advanced martial arts. For Iron Man, we need a rich guy with plenty of pull and zeal for the new and bold. Various choices include Tilman Fertitta (the Post Oak Hotel is his Stark Tower), John Hennessey (whose Hennessey Performance in Sealy makes incredibly fast cars), and maybe Astros owner Jim Crane. Lets have Marvin Zindler appear magically, like Marvel maestro Stan Lee, in cameos across Houston history. Cheering on the Astros during Game 5 of the 2017 World Series, standing in line at The Breakfast Klub, or high-fiving Levi Goode in a suite at RodeoHouston. Beyonc gets a nod as Captain Marvel, the female heroine seemingly more powerful than everyone else. Another Twitterer said that James Harden could be Black Panther, but to me hes more of a Doctor Strange, able to make points appear like magic. After his recent run-in with a home intruder, rapper Bun B might now be Hawkeye. My pic for Thor is chef Ronnie Killen, able to bring down thunder in the form of steak and brisket. Houston is still waiting on a spunky Spider-Man to be honest. Maybe its Texans QB Deshaun Watson. If we expand the Marvel Universe beyond the Avengers we see on the big screen, the possibilities are endless. We would have to call Simone Biles our hometown Rogue. Owner and CEO of Houston-famous C&D Scrap Metal, Dennis Laviage, is surely our Magneto minus the world-domination proclivities. As for comic-book style villains, Houstonians were all too excited to begin throwing around names. One Twitter buddy remarked that Pastor Joel Osteen would make a good Loki, while another said that the late Oilers owner Bud Adams was our Thanos, snapping his fingers and taking the Oilers to Nashville. Mayor Turner is Thanos, not even a doubt, wrote Twitter user Jimmy Bagley. One snap of his fingers and the firefighters half disappeared. Craig Hlavaty is a Houston-based writer. | https://www.houstonchronicle.com/life/article/Who-are-Houston-s-superheroes-13817320.php |
Was a former TV producer and windsurfing champion wrongly convicted for a murder he says he didn't commit? | Correspondent Erin Moriarty and "48 Hours"' investigate whether the right man is in prison for a 1998 homicide and whether a shooter is still out there -- following the trail of evidence all the way to Europe. "The Case Against Enrico Forti," airs Saturday, May 4 at 10/9 on CBS. Enrico Forti sits in a Florida prison serving out a life sentence for a murder he says he didn't commit. "People have made comparisons between this case and Amanda Knox," Forti's attorney, Joe Tacopina, tells correspondent Erin Moriarty. "You don't decide that this person's guilty and then look for evidence to back it up." "48 Hours" correspondent Erin Moroarty and Enrico Forti CBS News Forti was convicted in 2000 of killing Dale Pike and leaving his body on a quiet Miami beach. Forti was sentenced to life in prison without parole. Tacopina says there's no forensic evidence linking Forti to the murder, "none whatsoever." There was, however, less than a teaspoon of sand that prosecutors said was from the crime scene and linked to Forti. At the time of Pike's death, Forti was negotiating to buy a hotel in Ibiza, Spain, owned by the victim's father, Tony. Dale Pike and his brother, Brad, felt Pikes Hotel, a legendary spot that drew a who's who of celebrity clientele, including George Michael, Freddie Mercury, Julio Iglesias and others, was worth millions more than their father was asking. Dale Pike flew to Miami to discuss the deal. Forti met him at the airport. A revolving door of stars at Pikes Hotel Pike was later shot twice in the back of the head and left on a Miami beach. Forti was immediately a suspect because he was the last known person to see Pike alive. And Forti lied to police about picking Pike up at the airport. "Did you ever in your wildest dreams think you'd end up in a place like this?" Moriarty asks Forti. "Never, never," Forti says. "Did you ever have anything to do with Dale Pike's death?" Moriarty asks. "Absolutely not," Forti says. Forti isn't the first person in prison to maintain his innocence. Although the name Enrico Forti is not well known in America, he has become a cause celebre in Italy and other parts of Europe. "48 Hours" investigates the death of Dale Pike and the path that led Forti to prison through interviews with Dale Pike's brother Brad, Tacopina, Forti, Forti's friends and others. Moriarty also speaks with a juror who does not believe Forti helped or killed Pike even though she helped convict him. Moreover, "48 Hours" also reports on new information that reveals the case against Forti was weak. The "48 Hours" team traveled to Italy and Germany conducting interviews and trying to find the alternate suspect in Pike's murder. Moriarty and Brad Pike visit the area in Miami where Dale Pike was found. It was the first time Pike, who lives in Australia, had visited the beach where his brother was murdered. "If only the rocks could talk," Pike tells Moriarty. | https://www.cbsnews.com/news/enrico-forti-was-a-former-tv-producer-and-windsurfing-champion-wrongly-convicted-for-a-murder-he-says-he-didnt-commit/ |
Will Graham let Mueller testify before Congress? | Sen. Graham drops f-bomb, focuses on Clintons emails in Barr hearing statement Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), in his opening statement at the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the Mueller report with AG William Barr, quoted anti-Trump texts from former FBI agent Peter Strzok and focused on Hillary Clinton's emails. Up Next SHARE COPY LINK Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), in his opening statement at the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the Mueller report with AG William Barr, quoted anti-Trump texts from former FBI agent Peter Strzok and focused on Hillary Clinton's emails. U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham will give White House special counsel Robert Mueller a chance to tell his side of the story but that isnt the same as promising to let Mueller testify before his committee, as Democrats are demanding. The South Carolina Republican sent Mueller a letter Friday inviting him to provide testimony if there was any misrepresentation in Attorney General William Barrs recollection of conversations the two men had regarding characterizations of Muellers report on the two-year investigation into possible misconduct by President Donald Trump. Barr appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee, which Graham chairs, on Wednesday. The Attorney General testified in essence that you told him in a phone call that you did not challenge the accuracy of the Attorney Generals summary of your reports principal conclusions, but rather that you wanted more of the report, particularly the executive summaries concerning obstruction of justice, to be released promptly, Graham wrote to Mueller. In particular, Attorney General Barr testified that you believed media coverage of your investigation was unfair without the public release of those summaries. Please inform the Committee if you would like to provide testimony regarding any misrepresentation by the Attorney General of the substance of that phone call, Graham said. Congressional testimony can be given in a number of ways. The best-known and frequently-used method is to ask an individual to deliver that testimony verbally, under oath and before a specific committee, and then submit to questioning from committee members. These hearings are open to the public, streamed on the committees website and, in the most high-profile cases, carried on live television. But in an interview with McClatchy last month, in the minutes following the release of a redacted version of the Mueller report, Graham made clear he was not interested in holding a hearing with Mueller. A staunch Trump ally who now wants to investigate whether the Obama-era Justice Department tried to influence the 2016 election in Democrat Hillary Clintons favor, Graham reiterated on Wednesday that, as far as he was concerned, the Mueller investigation is over. To this end, a more likely scenario would be that Mueller is asked to provide written testimony to the Judiciary Committee, which is then submitted into the official committee record. This would spare Barr the media spotlight and scrutiny from Democrats who want to hammer Barr with accusations hes been misleading the public. Muellers report states his investigation could not make a determination of collusion between Trump and the Russians to influence the 2016 election, and also that the special counsel could not determine whether Trump obstructed justice to thwart this investigation. Democrats suspect, however, that there is more to this story: specifically, that Barr is trying to put a sunnier spin on Muellers findings, which, Democrats believe actually suggest that Trump went through some lengths to try and contain the investigation, even if he emerged from the inquiry without being charged with a crime. Democrats also want Mueller to testify before Congress to say whether he agrees with Barrs interpretations of the findings and if Barr is lying. During the final minutes of the hours-long Barr hearing on Wednesday, Graham signaled hed be willing to let Mueller address the committee in some form, but only if it were to dispute Barrs recollection of their conversations regarding the report. Im gonna write a letter to Mr. Mueller and Im gonna ask him, is there anything you said about that conversation he disagrees with, Graham told Barr, and if there is, he can come and tell us ... Mr. Mueller will have a chance to make sure that the conversation relayed by Attorney General Barr is accurate, and Im gonna give him a chance to correct anything you said he finds misleading or inaccurate. And that will be it. Rather than be heartened by a possibility that Mueller could come before the committee, Democrats were dismayed. My dear friend from South Carolina, please rethink your position, U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a speech on the Senate floor on Wednesday. Back off this idea that Mueller shouldnt testify or should only testify if he meets certain conditions only set by you, and call special counsel Mueller in to testify. On Friday, Graham made clear his position was final. | https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article229995494.html |
What caused Leonardo da Vinci's hand impairment? | (CNN) A 16th-century drawing of Leonardo da Vinci suggests that the artist sustained traumatic nerve damage to his right hand that impaired his painting skills late in life, according to a new study. Dr. David Lazzeri, a plastic reconstructive surgery specialist at Villa Salaria Clinic in Rome, and Dr. Carlo Rossi, a neurology specialist at Hospital of Pontedera, analyzed a red chalk drawing of Leonardo by Giovanni Ambrogio Figino and compared it with an engraving of Leonardo, as well as a biography. Their study was published Friday in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, coinciding with the 500th anniversary of Leonardo's death. The drawing is an undated rare depiction of Leonardo late in his life that shows his right arm wrapped in clothing, as if it was being used as a kind of bandage. His right hand is stiff and contracted. Leonardo, the defining figure of a Renaissance man, was known for being ambidextrous. Analysis of his drawings, writings and paintings over the years has revealed that he wrote and drew with his left hand but never painted with it. But something happened during the last years of his life. He struggled to hold palettes and paint brushes with his right hand, but he continued to draw and teach with his left hand. He died in 1519 due to an acute cardiovascular event. Read More | https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/03/health/da-vinci-hand-palsy-study/index.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_latest+%28RSS%3A+CNN+-+Most+Recent%29 |
Has life expectancy fallen in Britain? | The claim: Life expectancy in Britain has fallen by six months in the first drop since 1945. Reality Check verdict: Life expectancy in Britain has not fallen by six months, according to the report cited by Labour. But improvements in life expectancy have stalled. Jeremy Corbyn and Theresa May had a disagreement about life expectancy during Wednesday's Prime Minister's Questions. Mr Corbyn said that life expectancy in Britain had fallen by six months, the first time there had been a fall since 1945. Mrs May responded: "It is not the case that people are now expecting to live shorter lives." It is generally agreed that growth in life expectancy has slowed in recent years - and it has fallen for some social groups and in some areas. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) says that overall in the UK life expectancy at birth has stalled - meaning there was no increase between 2015 and 2017 - the first time that has happened since these particular calculations started in 1980. There was also no improvement in life expectancy at the age of 65, which is a key metric for pensions providers. So, on that basis, the prime minister is right to say that people are not expecting to live shorter lives - but it is also the first time in at least 40 years that they have not been expecting to live longer lives. BBC Reality Check asked Labour for the source of Mr Corbyn's claim and was told that it came from this Public Health England report. But the report does not refer to a six-month fall in life expectancy - it is based on the ONS figures, which suggest life expectancies have stalled but not fallen overall. But there is another source that looks as if it may be suggesting a six-month fall in life expectancy. Many institutions such as insurance companies use figures from the Continuous Mortality Investigation produced by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries. The latest version of that came out in March. It found that life expectancies at the age of 65 had been about six months shorter for both men and women in 2018 than they had been in its report in 2017. That appears to support Mr Corbyn's claim that life expectancy had fallen by six months, but the people who produced the report stressed that much of the six-month fall had been due to a change in the way they worked it out, including giving more weight to what has been happening to life expectancy since 2011. It means the 2017 and 2018 figures are not strictly comparable. Get in touch Read more from Reality Check Follow us on Twitter | https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-48123323 |
Can Rockets Chris Paul teach Warriors Stephen Curry one more lesson? | HOUSTON Instead of moving to the Bay Area after his first summer league with the Warriors, Stephen Curry flew to Winston-Salem, N.C. 80 miles northeast of his Charlotte home to train with his longtime role model, Chris Paul. For several weeks, Curry woke up early, joining Paul then the New Orleans Hornets All-Star point guard in a rigorous offseason workout regimen of cone drills, weight lifts and sprints. Nearly a decade later, Curry considers those sessions his introduction to all that goes into becoming the modern-day face of an NBA franchise. It helped me understand the work ethic and perspective of a guy who, at that time, was going into his fourth or fifth year, had established himself and was still trying to get better, Curry said Friday. I got to see that firsthand, and it put me outside my comfort zone for a little bit, for sure. Much has changed. Curry has eclipsed Paul as the best point guard of this generation, and his Warriors are looking to build on their 2-0 series lead Saturday over the Rockets in the Western Conference semifinals. Paul, who turns 34 on Monday, might be running out of time to add a championship to his Hall of Fame rsum. Although he boasts nine All-Star appearances and four All-NBA first-team selections, Paul is still dogged by questions about his prickly personality, on-court leadership and ability to win big games. Last May, he seemed poised to make his first NBA Finals, only for a right hamstring strain to sideline him for Games 6 and 7 of the West finals. With Paul watching from the bench, the Rockets squandered a 3-2 series lead to Curry and the Warriors. Now, thanks to the Rockets aging core and his balky hamstring, Paul faces the prospect of joining Charles Barkley, Karl Malone and Patrick Ewing as NBA greats who never won titles. With the Hornets and Clippers, Paul didnt have the supporting cast or locker-room chemistry to hoist a Larry OBrien trophy. But in Houston, he has formed one of the leagues most potent backcourts with James Harden on a championship-caliber roster. The only problem is that the Rockets window has fallen during the Warriors dynasty. The latest odds from Las Vegas have Golden State as a minus-185 favorite to win its fourth championship in five seasons, with Houston tied for the third-best chances at plus-1,000. Paul, for his part, seems unfazed. Get ready for Game 3. Were going back home. Back home in 2005, Curry was struggling to land Division I scholarship offers at Charlotte Christian School, while Paul was becoming a household name at nearby Wake Forest. Although their playing styles differed Curry a scrawny shooter; Paul a muscular facilitator Curry studied how Paul organized the offense, worked off screens and found open teammates. Now Playing: In the summer of 2008, after Curry decided to return to Davidson for his junior season and work to become a more complete point guard, Paul mentored him on the positions nuances at LeBron James summer camp. Three years later, Curry heard he could be traded for his mentor, as the Warriors were considering sending him to New Orleans for Paul. Instead of getting upset, Curry felt honored. Other teams were recognizing his potential. After Paul led the Clippers to a seven-game, first-round series win over the Warriors in 2014, Curry and Golden State blossomed into NBA heavyweights. Over the next three years, as the Warriors won two titles, the Clippers failed to escape the conference semifinals. When he was traded to Houston in June 2017, Paul saw a chance to finally challenge Golden State. This was a franchise that wanted to beat the Warriors just as badly as he did. In Game 5 of the 2018 West finals, Paul stopped at the top of the arc, stepped back and drilled a deep 3-pointer over Currys outstretched arm. As he ran back on defense, Paul, blank-faced, shimmied. Recognizing that Paul had used Currys signature celebration to taunt him, Curry smiled as he chewed his mouthguard. Later in the game, Paul reached for his hamstring after missing a runner in the lane, limped noticeably during the next two possessions and would check out of the game, his season over. The memory of watching the Warriors go on to win Games 6 and 7 has gnawed at Paul. But even if he cant author a better ending to this series, Pauls legacy wont be tarnished to the numerous NBA players who grew up idolizing him. My view of success is moreso longevity than it is just awards that you accumulate over your time, Warriors forward Kevin Durant said. I think Chris Paul has been in the league for 14 years now, and he still affects the game the same way he did at the beginning of his career. That longevity turns you into a Hall of Famer, a legend in my opinion. Connor Letourneau is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: [email protected] Twitter: Con_Chron | https://www.sfchronicle.com/warriors/article/Can-Rockets-Chris-Paul-teach-Warriors-13818467.php |
Is Wisconsin 'behind the curve' on marijuana laws? | MILWAUKEE Milwaukee Ald. Nik Kovac feels Wisconsin is "way behind the curve" when it comes to marijuana laws. The state is one of 17 in which the possession, sale or cultivation of marijuana in any amount can result in criminal prosecution. "White people are doing as much marijuana as non-white people," Kovac said. "They're just not getting arrested for it." To remedy this, Kovac co-sponsored an ordinance in 2015 that would reduce municipal ticket charges for first-time possession offenses from $250 to $500 to $0-$50. The ordinance passed the Common Council, 10-3 and it is now in effect. ___ The nonprofit news outlet Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service provided this article to The Associated Press through a collaboration with Institute for Nonprofit News. ___ Issues of disparities are the partial focus of Gov. Tony Evers' 2019 budget proposal, which introduced plans to officially decriminalize small possessions of marijuana as well as to create a path to legalized medical marijuana for the state. Wisconsin Policy Forum researcher Betsy Mueller said the current understanding of the law is fragmented, and a change at the state level could clarify the rules. The Wisconsin Policy Forum has released two reports that compared Milwaukee's marijuana policy to national standards and also the arrest trends in Milwaukee. Senior researcher Joe Peterangelo, who worked on the report, said that enforcement was inconsistent and also deprioritized here. Although marijuana-related arrests were decreasing, the report still cited clear racial disparities within those trends. One review of MPD arrest data showed that African-Americans and individuals who live in poorer areas of the city are more likely to be arrested for possessing marijuana. African-Americans were the subject of 72% of the 3,903 arrests that occurred in the city from 2012 to 2015, when the possession of small amounts of marijuana was the only charge, the report noted. Blacks made up 39% of the city's population at the time. Opposition to a policy change remains strong, and many political observers do not believe these initiatives will make headway in the Republican-controlled legislature. Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos released a statement after Evers' budget proposal that said the plan "goes too far." "It makes it easier to get recreational marijuana and provides a pathway to full legalization, which I do not support," Vos said. "I'm open to medical marijuana when it's prescribed by a doctor, but it has to be done in a targeted way without allowing recreational use." Alan Robinson, executive director of NORML Wisconsin, said his cannabis lobbying group promotes "full recreational freedom of the plant." Robinson is a veteran who suffers from anxiety, depression and PTSD. He argues that the medicinal properties of the plant can help ease these symptoms. Not only does he advocate for legalization, but he also thinks that Wisconsin lawmakers are ignoring their responsibilities by not regulating the substance to make sure that people use marijuana responsibly. "It can't kill you, but you can be uncomfortably high. It is my belief that cannabis belongs behind the counter, not on the corner," Robinson said. By regulating marijuana, the potency and purity of the plant can be monitored and also help to deter sales to minors. Kori Ashley, a staff attorney in Legal Action's Road to Opportunity Project, said marijuana convictions pose barriers for those seeking to work with children and other vulnerable populations, and the convictions should be expunged. Criminal and municipal marijuana records can greatly affect people's chances of gaining employment, finding a place to live or even going to school, Ashley added. One of the priorities for Shanyeill McCloud is providing expungement services. She's the founder of Second Chance Staffing, which helps connect those in prison and ex-offenders with employment opportunities. "It's not just a Milwaukee thing, it's not just a black thing, it's everybody from all walks of life," McCloud said. Expungement applies to state charges, not municipal violations, and McCloud is working with Ald. Milele Coggs to introduce an ordinance that could help expunge these local tickets. There's also an age definition for expungement of state charges. People are eligible only if they were younger than 25 years old when they were charged and only if the offense happened in 2009 or later. Kovac said such rules send conflicting messages. On the issue of arresting people for small marijuana possession, he said: "If we agree that it was wrong now to do it, wasn't it wrong 10 years ago to do it?" McCloud said she is working with state representatives and other policymakers to have the expungement age limit eliminated and also to apply retroactive expungement to those who were convicted before 2009. "The only way that I'll be OK with the legalization is if the people that were impacted are a part of that conversation as well," she said, "because if you're not talking about expunging those records and giving people that have been systematically disenfranchised and marginalized from economic opportunity, there's no way I'm for it." "If black people aren't a part of that conversation, I'm not a part of that conversation." The nonprofit news outlet Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service provided this article to The Associated Press through a collaboration with Institute for Nonprofit News. | http://www.startribune.com/is-wisconsin-behind-the-curve-on-marijuana-laws/509470431/ |
What is Ramadan? | To enjoy the CBBC Newsround website at its best you will need to have JavaScript turned on. The Islamic holy month of Ramadan has begun. Read on to find out more about what Muslims do during this month and why it is so important. To enjoy the CBBC Newsround website at its best you will need to have JavaScript turned on. Seven things you need to know about Ramadan During the month of Ramadan, Muslims won't eat or drink between dawn and sunset. This is called fasting. Fasting is important during Ramadan as it allows Muslims to devote themselves to their faith and come closer to Allah, or God. Fasting is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, which form the basis of how Muslims live their lives. The other pillars are faith, prayer, charity and making the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca. To enjoy the CBBC Newsround website at its best you will need to have JavaScript turned on. We asked families to tell us what it means to them Ramadan is also a time for spiritual reflection, prayer, doing good deeds and spending time with family and friends. People will make a special effort to connect with their communities and reach out to people who need help. To enjoy the CBBC Newsround website at its best you will need to have JavaScript turned on. Children tell us about their faith It is common to have a meal (known as the suhoor) just before dawn and another (known as the iftar) directly after sunset. At the end of the fast - when the sun has gone down - families and friends will get together for iftar to break their fast. Many Muslims also go to the mosque to pray. Ramadan falls during this month because this is when the holy book that's followed by Muslims, called the Qur'an, was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, but the date changes each year. Getty Images Iftar being served at a mosque This is because Islam uses the lunar calendar (based on the cycles of the moon), so it isn't a fixed date in the Western/solar calendar. Not everybody fasts during Ramadan. Children, pregnant women, the elderly and those who are ill or who are travelling don't have to fast. There is a special three-day festival to mark the end of Ramadan. This is called Eid al-Fitr - the Festival of the Breaking of the Fast. It begins when the first sight of the new moon is seen in the sky. Getty Images Young Muslim girls show their hands decorated with henna after attending prayers on Eid Al-Fitr Muslims will not only celebrate the end of fasting, but will also thank Allah for the help and strength that he gave them throughout the previous month. Often children are given presents and new clothes. | https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/23286976 |
Is duct cleaning worth it, or it it just hot air? | If you or someone in your family suffers from asthma or allergies, you may be considering getting your homes heating and cooling ducts cleaned. But even if you have no special health concerns, duct cleaning may appeal to you at an intuitive level. Well, actually, no. Companies that perform duct cleaning would love you to believe you need their services. Some might even advertise health benefits or suggest that duct cleaning will lower your power bills by improving your systems efficiency. Some ads even use language like, Studies have shown ...; but no data back up these claims. Even if your ducts are very dirty, cleaning them likely wont provide any measurable benefits. In fact, the little independent research performed on duct cleaning indicates that the process stirs up so much dust that it creates a bigger problem than it solves. Heres how duct cleaners work: Companies connect a powerful vacuum to one or more openings in the ductwork to suck out loose dust and other debris. Because lots of dust can cake on the inside of ducts, firms use a variety of methods a rotary brush or compressed air nozzles, for example to shake it loose. Many duct-cleaning companies also offer services you can get from conventional heating-and-cooling firms such as cleaning heat exchangers and cooling coils. Heres the thing: Dust that settles in your ventilation ducts typically stays there unless disturbed and is usually harmless. The official advisory of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concludes: Duct cleaning has never been shown to actually prevent health problems. Neither do studies conclusively demonstrate that particle [e.g., dust] levels in homes increase because of dirty air ducts. This is because much of the dirt in air ducts adheres to duct surfaces and does not necessarily enter the living space. ... Moreover, there is no evidence that a light amount of household dust or other particulate matter in air ducts poses any risk to your health. The American Lung Association has a similar position. Having your ducts cleaned may actually create a dust problem or make an existing problem worse. In the 1990s the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) tested 33 homes in Montreal before and after duct cleaning, finding no significant improvement in air quality and that duct cleaning alone did not improve airflow or energy efficiency. In some cases, measured particle levels actually increased immediately after a cleaning. If you suspect a mold problem either because of visible growth or a musty smell consistently coming from supply vents cleaning ducts wont do much good if it doesnt eliminate the mold. Mold always begins with a moisture problem, and the ducts themselves are unlikely to be the source of the problem. The most likely culprits are the cooling systems evaporator coils, which your heating and air-conditioning contractor and most duct-cleaning companies can inspect and maintain. Leaky return ducts can also introduce moisture. Regularly change your filter. Frequently changing air filters is the best way to keep dust, allergens, and other particles out of your home. Most should be replaced every two or three months. Another claim made by most duct-cleaning operations and their trade association is that dirty ducts and equipment overburden heating and cooling equipment, which wastes energy. Again, it intuitively makes sense that a cleaner system will run smoother and last longer after all, thats why we and HVAC equipment manufacturers and repair services recommend that you regularly change your filters. But while much of the energy used to power heating and cooling equipment is indeed wasted, that waste is because of inefficient equipment, lousy insulation, leaks around doors and windows, and unsealed ductwork. While theres some benefit to cleaning and maintaining HVAC equipment, that benefit is relatively small, and very little energy waste is attributable to dirty ducts or equipment. The EPA suggests having air ducts cleaned only if there is visible evidence of specific problems: Substantial mold growth (again, though, after identifying the source) Infestation of insects or rodents Substantial deposits of dust or debris (if registers were not sealed during a renovation project, for example) For specific health concerns, such as allergies or asthma, consult your physician first. The doctor may suggest other courses of action than duct cleaning. Bottom line: Your ducts are probably not the problem. Twin Cities Consumers Checkbook magazine and Checkbook.org is a nonprofit organization with a mission to help consumers get the best service and lowest prices. We are supported by consumers and take no money from the service providers we evaluate. You can access all of Checkbooks ratings for free until June 5 at Checkbook.org/StarTribune/Ducts. | http://www.startribune.com/is-duct-cleaning-worth-it-or-it-it-just-hot-air/509362532/ |
When Is the 2019 Preakness Stakes? | After everyone puts away their fancy hats and drinks their last mint juleps, horse racing fans will turn their focus to The Preakness Stakes. The middle jewel of the Triple Crown will be held on Saturday, May 18 at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. The course is one and 3/16 mile, and the race features three-year-old thoroughbreds. This year's winner will take home $900,000. Fans will see a slight change to the grandstand at Pimlico Race Course this year. The course shut down 6,670 seats in the oldest section of its grandstand after engineers decided the historic seating area could no longer bear the weight of that many patrons. The lost seats made up nearly 17.5% of the track's overall seating capacity of nearly 38,000. An additional 82,000 fans are expected to fill standing room and infield areas. The 144th running of the Preakness Stakes will start at 6:48 p.m. ET. | https://www.si.com/horse-racing/2019/05/04/preakness-stakes-2019-date-time-location |
How does Celtic's latest title stack up against the previous seven in their streak? | Fifty league titles in their history, eight top-flight crowns in a row. Saturday's victory over Aberdeen, enough to clinch the Scottish Premiership for Celtic, was a landmark moment for all at the Glasgow club. BBC Scotland took a look at the numbers to try and find out. Taking longer to win the title Since Lennon took charge in late February, there has been a sense that the Glasgow side have not so much sprinted to the finish line, but rather coasted to the campaign's conclusion. And when we compare this season's title race over the entire campaign to the previous seven, there are some suggestions that this may be the case . Celtic's 50th league title was won on matchday 36. That is one game more than last season, it is six later than the club's invincible campaign the year before. In fact, of the eight titles, this is the joint-latest of them all alongside Ronny Deila's success in 2015/16. Scoring more than last term, but fewer in general One area where this season has been better is in terms of the average goals Celtic have scored per Premiership match. The 2.1 of this term is an improvement on last term's 1.9 but is still the second worst return during the club's eight-year stranglehold over the Scottish top division. Part of that is undoubtedly down to the manner in which the goals have dried up over the past two months. For example, ahead of defeating Aberdeen, Celtic had scored just six goals in the seven league games. Again, Rodgers' impressive first season at the club sets the gold standard in this regard, when Celtic averaged 2.8 goals per game. Lennon's own side in 2013/14 came a close second with 2.7 goals, but this campaign has looked rather sub-par by the club's own high standards. But much better defensively One area in which Celtic have looked more impressive this season is in defence. At the point of clinching their league title on Saturday, Celtic were averaging just 0.5 goals conceded per game. Not only is that the most impressive defensive record in the Premiership this season, but it is also the club's third best average over the last eight campaigns. It is worth noting that Celtic's defensive record in the Scottish Premiership has been steadily improving over the last three seasons - to the point where the club are conceding almost half as often as they did in 2015/16. Most fans will point to Rodgers' first season in charge as the most emphatic and, by most metrics, this campaign's win struggles to compare. However, that's not to say this Celtic team have nothing to celebrate. They might have taken a game more to win the title this term, but they have improved upon their offensive and defensive records. Similarly, Celtic have had to contend with a resurgent Rangers, serious injuries and absences from key players, and the unexpected departure of one of the club's most successful managers. And yet they have still managed to win the title with some room to spare. | https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48085394 |
Which Kentucky Derby horses are the best mudders? | So, it's probably gonna rain Saturday. Yeah. As this annoying recent Kentucky Derby trend continues, the forecast isn't leaving much uncertainty about it this time. Saturday is being given a 100% chance of precipitation. While it might not match the day long deluge of a year ago or even be raining at 6:50 p.m. when the race begins, it's almost certain that the horses will be running on a wet track again this year. In handicapping efforts, it's time to plan for that. Obviously, an off track has the potential to change everything about a horse race, including the most famous one in the world. The general thought is rainy conditions tend to help front-running horses rather than back-of-the-pack closers who'd have to deal with heavier mud being kicked in their faces. That's even more so in a 20-horse field running a 1 1/4-mile race. But it can work both ways. A mad scramble for early positioning could mean a faster pace and a possible pace meltdown that allows a determined closer a late opportunity if he's determined and happens to take well to the slop. The thing about 3-year-old horses is they don't have a lot of races in their history, so the few with a proven affinity for wet tracks figure to stand a clear advantage. Omaha Beach, the scratched morning-line favorite, actually looked to be the horse helped most by rain. He was 2-for-2 in sloppy conditions and was well-drawn outside of much of the race's other early speed. But with Omaha Beach out of the race, let's wade through some wet tea leaves for the remaining runners. Justify leads the pack as he approaches the finish line to win the 144th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. War of Will Drawing the No. 1 post seemed a kiss of death for War of Will. But it should be noted that he not only won his only race on a sloppy surface he won it at Churchill Downs. War of Will's maiden victory was a sloppy Maiden Special Weight race at Churchill on Nov. 24. He won it by five lengths. Maximum Security The early speed angle applies here. Maximum Security is unbeaten in four races and has shown the ability to grab an early lead and wire a field, which could be especially useful in the slop. His second career win in January was by 6 1/2 lengths on a messy surface at Gulfstream Park (with an apprentice jockey, no less), so he is 1-for-1 in wet conditions. LONG SHOTS: 5 underdog horses who could win the Derby DERBY: Jockey sounds off after losing mount FIELD: Post positions, odds Improbable Improbable was second by a length to Omaha Beach in a rainy Arkansas Derby last month, producing his best speed figure to date in the process. Game Winner and Vekoma These two horses also should be forwardly placed and though they have never run a race on anything but a fast surface, they share the same sire in Candy Ride (ARG). Each is rated to be bred exceptionally well to handle a wet surface, perhaps more than any other horse in this field. Others worth mentioning Plus Que Parfait ran a career-best speed figure on a sloppy track at Churchill Downs on Nov. 24, finishing second to Signalman in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes. Tacitus broke his maiden Nov. 10 on a track rated "good" at Aqueduct. He is also considered to be bred well for wet conditions, though considering the fact his sire is Tapit, he's bred well, period. Country House closed well in that same Arkansas Derby that saw Omaha Beach as a winner, finishing third. Spinoff's maiden victory was a five-furlong sprint on a good surface last summer at Gulfstream. Master Fencer's maiden victory Dec. 23 was on an off track in Japan. Long Range Toddy The same sloppy Arkansas Derby that saw Omaha Beach and Improbable in the top two spots went poorly for Long Range Toddy, who finished sixth of 11 horses, nearly 15 lengths back of the leaders. It was his slowest speed figure in a while, perhaps a clue that a wet surface is not going to be his friend. By My Standards In two tries on off tracks, By My Standards lost both times. Granted, this was a while ago and he is a horse that improved significantly in his past two races (and should be viewed as such), but in both wet races, he lost ground late. The first of those was on a sloppy surface Nov. 24 at Churchill. Granted, it was By My Standard's debut race (and should be viewed as such), but he finished second in that race by 4 lengths to Jersey Agenda, who was eighth in the Southwest Stakes, fifth in a division of the Rebel Stakes and seventh in the Arkansas Derby (also a muddy race). Gray Magician A long shot in this race anyway, Gray Magician finished poorly on a sloppy surface at Santa Anita on Jan. 31, tiring at 1 mile and finishing fifth after battling for the early lead. Win Win Win He's a deep closer with a serious late kick, but consider that Win Win Win sandwiched wins of 6 1/2 lengths and 7 1/4 lengths around a loss as a heavy favorite in a Dec. 29 race at Laurel Park on a "good" surface. That was his only race to date on an off track. Gentry Estes: 502-582-4205; [email protected]; Twitter: @Gentry_Estes. | https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/horseracing/2019/05/04/kentucky-derby-horses-best-rain-mudders/1097893001/ |
Who are the frontrunners in Panama's election? | Image copyright AFP Image caption Panamanians will vote for a new president, who will be in power for five years On Sunday Panamanians are electing a successor to President Juan Carlos Varela. Voters say their main concern is corruption after allegations of massive bribes paid to Panamanian officials by Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht. We take a closer look at the two leading candidates. Laurentino Cortizo: 'Good government for those who have least' Image copyright AFP Image caption Laurentino Cortizo is leading in the polls Key facts: Nicknamed "Nito" Worked in construction and livestock industries Former lawmaker who presided over Panama's Legislative Assembly from 1994-2004 Former agriculture minister Loves football and American football The 66-year-old candidate for the centre-left Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD) is the front-runner in opinion polls. His party, founded by military ruler Omar Torrijos in 1979, has been out of power since 2009. Mr Costizo has accused Mr Varela of corruption, alleging that his campaign took bribes from Odebrecht, an allegation denied by the outgoing president. Mr Cortizo has vowed to fight corruption by reforming laws that govern how public contracts are awarded. He says that if elected, he will reform the education system so that it becomes "the star that will light up" his government. He has also promised to create a "good government for those who have the least". Rmulo Roux: 'Transparency and an end to corruption' Image copyright Reuters Image caption Romulo Roux used to be an ally of ex-President Ricardo Martinelli Key facts: Worked as a lawyer before joining the government of Ricardo Martinelli in 2009 Served as president of the board of directors of the Panama Canal Authority Was minister of canal affairs from 2009 to 2012 and foreign minister in 2012-2013 Broke with President Martinelli after the ex-leader was arrested Father of seven children Mr Cortizo's main rival for the presidency is Rmulo Roux of the centre-right Democratic Change Party. The 54-year-old business-friendly candidate has promised to boost economic growth and provide Panamanians with better access to basic public services. He says that if elected, he will "eliminate corruption", govern with "transparency" and regain the people's "trust in the agencies of the state". Despite such promises, he is trailing behind Nito Cortizo by about 30 percentage points in pre-election opinion polls. His opponents have used his links to ex-President Ricardo Martinelli, who is in prison on charges of spying on political opponents and journalists, to try and damage Mr Roux. His critics have also questioned his commitment to eradicating corruption pointing to he fact that Mr Roux has come under investigation over bribes officials of the Martinelli government allegedly accepted from Odebrecht. A Panamanian law shielding presidential candidates from prosecutions means the investigation has been suspended. Mr Roux has denied any wrongdoing but the allegations are thought have hurt the candidate. Apart from Mr Cortizo and Mr Roux, the politicians running for the presidency are: | https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-48134351 |
Where can electric scooters be ridden in the UK? | Image copyright Getty Images If you're hoping to ride an electric scooter almost anywhere in the UK, you're out of luck. Electric scooters are like normal, two-wheeled scooters but with small, electric engines to power them. They have been popular in some cities such as San Francisco, where they are having a pilot of a shared scooter scheme, which allows people to hire an electric scooter in the same way as you can hire a bicycle in London. In Paris, there are also electric scooters for hire but fines have just been introduced of 135 euros (116) for riding them on the pavement, and 35 euros for antisocial parking. Mayor Anne Hidalgo tweeted that pavements are for pedestrians only. Image copyright Getty Images Unlike San Francisco and Paris, the Department for Transport says that in the UK at the moment you are not allowed to ride an electric scooter on the road. They are also not allowed on the pavement. In fact, the only place you are allowed to ride them is on private land, with the permission of the landowner. They are classified as Personal Light Electric Vehicles (PLEVs), which means they are treated as motor vehicles and would need to have suitable insurance and number plates, and their riders would need licences and helmets. So, for example, in 2000 a court ruled that a Go-Ped scooter counted as a motor vehicle, and its rider was convicted for not having insurance and not wearing a helmet (and running a red light). That judgment also pointed out that for such a vehicle to be used legally on the roads, it would have to be registered with the Department for Transport as a suitable vehicle, which would not currently be allowed. Another case in 2002 ruled that the rider of a City Bug electric scooter needed insurance. Image copyright AFP The government concluded a consultation earlier this year on the future of mobility, in which several respondents said that the law on electric scooters should be changed, but there has been no sign of movement so far. The rules covering electric scooters also apply to other small, single-person electric vehicles, such as hoverboards with either one or two wheels. But electric bicycles are not treated in the same way - they are counted as being the same as normal bicycles and are allowed on roads and cycle lanes. Normal scooters (without motors) are not allowed on pavements or cycle paths but there are no laws to prevent them being used on roads. Get in touch Read more from Reality Check Follow us on Twitter | https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-48106617 |
Is WeWork really worth nearly $50bn? | Image copyright WeWork Image caption Inside a WeWork office The We Company is a business that defies description, at least according to its co-founder and chief executive Adam Neumann. But for many it's the firm's valuation that is really defying explanation. As it prepares for a stockmarket listing, the parent company of WeWork, provider of trendy shared office space, looks set to be valued at around $47bn (36bn). That puts it in the same bracket as the slate of high-profile technology companies that are also floating their businesses, and have attracted sky-high valuations based on the idea they will reap big rewards from disrupting established markets. Like them WeWork boasts a "millennial-friendly" outlook and aesthetic. The bright, airy and comfortable offices it rents out are built around community so people can choose to work in an office or in a shared space, where they can log-on to wifi, hold meetings and get to know others also using the facilities. A nearby kitchen complete with beer on tap is likely a draw as well. WeWork was established in 2010, just as the financial crisis took the bottom out of the office rental market. WeWork now has 425 locations in 100 cities and boasts 401,000 members - those who use the offices. The We Company has also branched out into residential spaces with WeLive where people can rent fully furnished apartments for a few nights or a number of months. WeGrow, its school for 2-11 year olds, says it is committed to "unleashing every human's superpowers". Mr Neumann told Forbes magazine the firm's valuation has more to do with its size, its "energy and spirituality" than its revenues. While revenues are growing, it hasn't met its most recent targets and it is loss-making. While WeWork, WeLive and WeGrow may have the look and feel of a disruptive tech company with their light, airy designs, colourful squishy sofas and beer taps, analysts like Calum Battersby, at Berenberg argue it is not so very different from rivals IWG, which used to be known as Regus, and Australia's ServCorp which also offer serviced office space. "It is a real estate company, undoubtedly," he says and as such is quite a capital intensive business to run. Tech firms like Uber, the ride sharing and food delivery app, are platform-based businesses, requiring upfront investment. But We needs more capital to keep operating. "Every bit of revenue they earn, they are going to have to invest a lot in getting a lease on the office, doing up the office, segmenting it into smaller sites that you can sell to people and companies just like any traditional office company," says Mr Battersby. Expanding into new areas also requires a lot of money; last year it burned through $2.3bn in cash. The We Company has attracted a roster of high profile investors including Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan to fund its expansion. But it was when Softbank, the Japanese technology conglomerate, got involved with the We Company that the value of the business really shot up. Softbank and We initially struck a $4.4bn deal in 2017 which gave the firm a valuation of $20bn. Rett Wallace, founder and chief executive of Triton Research, says the firm's track record on fundraising has been "astonishing". "If you just look at the nuts and bolts of what they do, it doesn't explain how they have been able to raise so much money," he says. "And the people they have raised the money from are not idiots." Recently though, the flow of money from Softbank has been pared back. In January, the Japanese firm invested $2bn in the company in January, well below the $16bn WeWork was reported to have been seeking. Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Adam Neumann is co-founder and chief executive of the We Company Meanwhile, the firm hasn't hit projected financial targets. Instead of expected revenue of $2.8bn last year sales were $1.8bn. It had hoped for a profit of $941.6m. It made a loss $1.9bn. We has surpassed its target for 260,000 WeWork members. But it wanted 34,000 WeLive members and the residential business was supposed to make up a third of total revenue, neither of which has happened. So far, the furnished apartment business WeLive only has two sites, in New York and Washington DC, though it is planning to open in Seattle in 2020. But Artie Minson, We's president and chief financial officer, is upbeat, recently telling investors it ended 2018 with $6.6bn in cash and is still "in the early stages of disrupting real estate, the largest asset class in the world." While Charles Clinton, co-founder and chief executive of online real estate investing and finance platform EquityMultiple agrees that We is essentially a real estate company, he says its approach has shaken up the serviced office sector. "I think that they have expanded the base that accesses these kind of services very dramatically by marketing to a new audience, much like Apple has been able to do. Sometimes style alone is a form of disruption." The shared residential market is also ripe for disruption, according to Mr Clinton, making WeLive the most promising business under the We umbrella. Although other things the company has done "feel a little bit more scattershot by comparison" he adds. Take Wavegarden, a Spanish firm that generates ideal conditions for surfers - a hobby Mr Neumann reportedly enjoys. The We Company paid $13.8m for a 42% stake in Wavegarden. It wrote down the value of its holding to zero a year later though a We spokeswoman says Wavegarden is now "seeing strong demand". Image copyright Wavegarden Image caption Wavegarden makes conditions ideal for surfing Whether We will be able to continue making leftfield deals such as this once they have public investors to answer to isn't clear. Also likely to raise questions is a practice where Mr Naumann leases buildings which he part owns to WeWork. The Wall Street Journal reported that the firm paid more than $12m in rent to buildings "partially owned by officers" of WeWork between 2016 and 2017. A spokeswoman said these deals have been disclosed to its board and investors, adding: "We have a policy in place that provides review and approval procedures for related party transactions." Mr Clinton says that deals such as these can work "if your private market investors are okay with it". However, he says: "In a public company where you have to be much more responsive to both your investors and the Securities and Exchange Commission, that becomes a lot more tricky." | https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-48127919 |
Who is the favorite to win the NFC North in 2019? | At least according to Las Vegas, the NFC North is wide open in 2019. The Vikings, Packers and Bears all have 2-to-1 odds to win it via VegasInsider.com. But ties are no fun. Chicago was 12-4 a year ago, and this year their over-under win total sits at nine (as does that of the Vikings and Packers). Minnesota won eight games last year. Green Bay won six. Well, not exactly. If you think the Vikings underachieved last year and will improve on last year's 29th-ranked offensive line (per Pro Football Focus), they'd be a good bet. Green Bay still has Aaron Rodgers. If he uses offseason criticism as motivation and he gets some help from his defense, the Packers could be right back in the mix. Vikings writer Ben Goessling: Vegas seems to be treating the Bears like one of those teams that's due for a regression after having everything go right last year, and I suppose if you're going to make that case, you'd look at their turnover numbers. They had 36 takeaways and a plus-12 margin last year, and it's probably difficult to assume they're going to have quite that many takeaways this year, even if (in Brett Favre's voice) the pieces are in place on defense. I do think the division is going to be tighter the Lions' roster is improved, the Vikings hope they've got a better offensive identity, and the Packers still have Aaron Rodgers but I'd still put the Bears at the top of the list, provided the loss of coordinator Vic Fangio doesn't harm their defense too much. Rand: One interesting thing to note is how the schedule could impact what looks on paper like a very close race. The Vikings, for instance, play all three of their division home games in the final four weeks of the season. Non-division schedules are very similar under the current NFL format, but the Bears, Vikings and Packers have two different opponents based on how they finished in 2018. Chicago has to play New Orleans and the Rams; the Vikings get Atlanta and Seattle; and Green Bay gets the 49ers and Panthers. ESPN's Mike Clay projects the Bears as a slight underdog against New Orleans (49% chance to win) and a big one at the Rams (34%). The Vikings are favored in one and underdogs in the other. The Packers are favored in both. Goessling: It could though it's probably a little difficult at this point to know exactly how big of a difference there will be between teams such as Atlanta and Carolina, for example. I certainly think for the Bears, having games against both of the NFC finalists is a more difficult assignment than either the Vikings or the Packers face; the Saints and Rams have built enough equity that it's a little easier to trust them at this point. The most important thing the Vikings have to do is figure out how to win a couple of those division road games early. In the two years they've made the playoffs under Mike Zimmer, they're 6-0 in NFC North road games; they've won just one division game on the road otherwise. Rand: At least we can agree on one thing: The answer to the question of who will win the NFC North next year is not "the Detroit Lions." Final word: Goessling Yes, that's probably true. They've improved, but I wouldn't put them at the top of my list right now. It'd be the Bears for me, with the Vikings and Packers in a race to see who can get on solid footing quickly enough to challenge Chicago. More Rand: startribune.com/RandBall More North Score: startribune.com/NorthScore | http://www.startribune.com/who-is-the-favorite-to-win-the-nfc-north-in-2019/509489032/ |
How did people react to Country Houses 2019 Kentucky Derby win? | Trainer Bill Mott at the moment he found out he won the Kentucky Derby Country House trainer Bill Mott watches the board as the stewards decide on an objection, then finds out his horse Country House won the 145th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Maximum Security was disqualified because of a foul. Up Next SHARE COPY LINK Country House trainer Bill Mott watches the board as the stewards decide on an objection, then finds out his horse Country House won the 145th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Maximum Security was disqualified because of a foul. Kentucky Derby fans took to social media in reaction to Country Houses surprising win after Maximum Security was disqualified. Emotions ran the gamut, from humor to contempt. | https://www.miamiherald.com/latest-news/article230041524.html |
Why are U.S. CEOs skeptical on outlook despite near-record earnings? | NEW YORKEarnings season is winding down and most of the big fears have been put to rest. One nagging concern remains, however: companies have been reluctant to raise forecasts. While S&P 500 constituents are beating estimates at a near-record pace, their executives havent turned more upbeat on the outlook. Over the last three months, for every firm that lifted guidance above expectations, two cut it, the weakest showing in more than three years, according to data from Bank of America. During conference calls, the number of times the word optimism was mentioned fell to a record low. While S&P 500 constituents are beating estimates at a near-record pace, their executives havent turned more upbeat on the outlook. ( Drew Angerer / GETTY IMAGES ) Thats a bad omen, with the S&P 500 up 17 per cent this year, according to Citigroup Inc. strategists, led by Tobias Levkovich. While the direction of guidance doesnt always dictate stock prices, the gap between them is a sign that share prices may have outpaced fundamentals, they wrote in a note earlier this week. The risk is if earnings sentiment winds up being a bit of a headwind given where valuations are and given how strong we had a start to equity markets this year, Marvin Loh, global macro strategist at State Street, said in an interview. Overall, close to 77 per cent of S&P 500 companies that reported have beat on earnings, data compiled by Bloomberg showed. Margin improvements, thanks to expense cuts, have been a major driver of those stronger-than-expected results, according to Bloomberg Intelligence. Article Continued Below As companies continued to deliver positive surprises, the overall decline in first-quarter earnings pegged at 3.6 per cent in March has narrowed to 1.7 per cent. Strategists such as Jonathan Golub at Credit Suisse have said growth may end up in positive territory, avoiding an earnings recession that many had fretted at the start of the year. Forecasts for the coming quarters, however, have turned worse. The expected rate of growth for the second quarter has gone negative, albeit only slightly. Forecasts for the second half have also been revised lower. All may have something to do with the managements cautious stance. Theres no shortage of reasons for the dour outlooks. For one, a lower bar is surely easier to cross than a higher one executives may just be setting themselves up to beat. Besides lingering uncertainty like U.S.-China trade talks and a strong dollar, one big threat is the slow creep of higher wages and expenses eating into the bottom line. If we are correct that unemployment will stay very low, jobs will grow and, therefore, wage pressures may increase, that may crimp companies abilities to continue to keep a tight rein on expenses, which could mean that estimates for this year continue to drift down, said Ellen Hazen, senior vice-president and portfolio manager for F.L. Putnam. Average hourly earnings growth came in below projections in the latest jobs report, which showed hiring picked up in April and unemployment fell to a fresh 49-year low. Earnings guidance has historically been strong in April, but this years proving to be an anomaly, according to Bank of America. Only one sector is posting net positive guidance: tech. A few huge misses have dampened the picture. Shares of Intel Corp., for instance, plummeted as much as 10 per cent after the company cut its full-year revenue outlook, reviving concerns about demand in chips for the second half of the year. And 3M Co. suffered its worst per-share loss since 1987 on weaker-than-expected quarterly results and a forecast cut that got investors agonizing over the state of U.S. manufacturing. Article Continued Below These companies are seen as bellwethers for the larger economy and arent helping to reassure investors already frazzled by monetary policy and the risk of a global slowdown, according to Tony Roth, chief investment officer at Wilmington Trust. Were by no means out of the woods, he said in an interview. | https://www.thestar.com/business/2019/05/05/why-are-us-ceos-skeptical-on-outlook-despite-near-record-earnings.html |
Should we be celebrating or fearing 5G networks? | CHICAGOThe fifth generation of wireless, 5G promises lightning-fast download speeds and could lay the foundation for high-tech advancements like self-driving cars. But like many new technologies, its sparking concern about potential health issues. The first generation of wireless ushered in mobile phones and 2G brought texting. Then 3G laid the groundwork for smartphones, and 4G allowed video streaming and more. Now, 5G is expected to download data 20 times faster than its predecessor, and some experts argue it could be much faster. On a 5G network, a user can download a movie instantly and data will flow between connected objects without delay. The amount of data people use on mobile devices has gone up 40 times since 2010 and is only expected to increase. And 5G networks are wireless companies attempts to satisfy that demand. ( JUNG YEON-JE / AFP/GETTY IMAGES ) And its not just about streaming data faster, its about streaming more of it. On a 5G network, a user can download a movie instantly and data will flow between connected objects without delay. The amount of data people use on mobile devices has gone up 40 times since 2010 and is only expected to increase. And 5G networks are wireless companies attempts to satisfy that demand. What 5G does is tap into millimetre waves at the top of the radio spectrum, which have not previously been used for telecommunication. The higher waves allow for faster transfer of data, but they also dont travel through buildings, trees and rain like previous generations of wireless, which operate on lower wavelengths. That means wireless companies must install more equipment with 5G than they did with previous generations of wireless. That includes new base stations and antennae on parking garages or equipment on light poles that fill gaps for cellular coverage. Article Continued Below The untested nature of 5G, and the extensiveness of its infrastructure, has some worried that the increased exposure could have serious health effects. Wireless safety advocates have called for more studies on the effects of the exposure, and one group is trying to stop the rollout of 5G networks in Chicagos neighbourhoods. Verizon and Sprint turned on their 5G networks in parts of Chicago earlier this year, putting the city among the first in the nation with access to 5G. AT&T plans to turn on parts of its Chicago network later this year, and T-Mobile is aiming for 2020. The U.S. government has safety rules that wireless companies must abide by, which limit human exposure to radio waves, including frequencies used with 5G. Wireless industry association CTIA says typical exposure to 5G infrastructure is comparable to Bluetooth devices and baby monitors, and there is no scientific evidence of adverse health effects. The companies, for their part, say they abide by the wireless network standards set by the Federal Communications Commission. Still, assurances from government agencies and industry operators are not enough for Chicago resident Judy Blake. Additional studies on 5Gs health impacts likely wouldnt soothe her either, she said. People cant choose whether to be exposed to this radiation. I dont need another test. The only test thats going to happen now is peoples lives, said Blake, 67. Though little is known about the long-term health impact of the millimetre waves that 5G operates on, some research has shown short-term exposure could be problematic, said Joel Moskowitz, a public health expert at the University of California at Berkeley. Article Continued Below The eyes and sweat glands are among several body parts studies have shown could be at risk, Moskowitz said. Insects and plant life could also be affected, he added. Additionally, studies on the impact of radiation from radio waves used by previous generations of wireless have raised health concerns, and some 5G networks will operate in part on those lower-frequency waves too. The findings concern Chicago resident Kristin Welch. We absolutely need to study these high-frequency waves before you put (this new equipment) in front of someones home or a school, said Welch, 39. Were putting the cart before the horse here. Cellphone radiation study finds biological changes in animals; human implications are unclear. The mother of three recently co-founded a Facebook group called Stop 5G Chicago, aimed at halting the rollout of the network in residential areas. Welch said she is especially worried about the impact the radiation could have on vulnerable populations, like children and pregnant people. This is not an unreasonable thing to be concerned about, Welch said. We are now in a position where this untested technology is going to be widespread throughout our city. The wireless companies are using different technologies and techniques to achieve the new 5G standards. Sprint, for example, is building out its 5G network mostly on top of its 4G footprint in Chicago. Its installing new radios and other equipment on existing stations. The millimetre waves used in 5G are absorbed by the upper layers of skin, potentially causing the temperature of the skin to rise, said Suresh Borkar, senior lecturer in the department of electrical and computer engineering at the Illinois Institute of Technology. The effects of extended rises in skin temperature becomes a big unknown, he said. Wireless industry association CTIA said in a statement that cellphone users safety is important, and it follows the guidance of experts regarding health effects. Following numerous scientific studies conducted over several decades, the FCC, the FDA, the World Health Organization, the American Cancer Society and numerous other international and U.S. organizations and health experts continue to say that the scientific evidence shows no known health risk to humans due to the RF (radio frequency) energy emitted by antennas and cellphones, the CTIA statement said. This isnt the first time people will come into contact with millimetre waves: theyre also used in airport body scanners, said Lav Varshney, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Still, its the first time the high-frequency waves will be used on such a scale, and concerns surrounding new technologies are common throughout history. When cars first started replacing horse-drawn carriages, people were afraid of what the health impacts of travelling at high speeds would be, Varshney said. There has always been occurrence of this fear. | https://www.thestar.com/business/2019/05/05/should-we-be-celebrating-or-fearing-5g-networks.html |
What is the right way to ask neighbours for help on the internet? | Viral internet content, whether meme or catastrophe, burrows into our minds, because that is its way. But occasionally, rather than being replaced by something meaner or madder, a piece of it will set up home there, put the kettle on, never leave. And then I must work out why. A man in Philadelphia screenshotted and tweeted a post from nextdoor.com, a request from his pregnant neighbours for meals and favours. It included recipe ideas, their food preferences, and the detail that theyd leave a cooler for meals outside the door. The Sun headlined its piece on the Twitter thread, YOU WHAT! ? continuing, Fury as deluded millennial couple expecting baby ask strangers to chip in cooking and cleaning because theyll be tired. A thousand more YOU WHAT! ?s abounded, and a familiar kind of internet fury was unleashed, that heightened outrage, a brief sugar high. This is what fuels the internet, of course, and many friendships, too the mean bliss of mutual hatred, a linking of arms to form a community of righteous anger. And community is the thing that I kept coming back to, when, the following night, the couples cooler turned up in my dream, and the following week, when I found myself contemplating one of their recipe ideas for my tea. Ive written before about my own experience of Nextdoor, the website where neighbours are encouraged to share gardening recommendations and information about lost cats, a place that fosters a synthetic (if often warming) sense of community, in a time when such a thing is rare. Having spent time on this site, the pregnant couples request felt familiar, if only for its mundanity. But it jarred with the world beyond their doorstep for a number of reasons, the most obvious being the scope of the favour they were asking. Theyd exposed themselves as needy theyd asked for help, but... theyd asked wrong. When I first read it, I chuckled, I did. But as I swam deeper into the reactions my sense of unease grew, shifting quickly into a glum sort of hopelessness. I was lucky never to have to ask for help when I had a baby. It arrived in Tupperware, on tube trains, balanced carefully on laps. When I was going into labour, my friend cleaned our windows. When I was a week into a hospital stay and couldnt bear the idea of company, my mum silently delivered meatballs then drove away again, an hour each way. Later, another friend took the baby while I had the most magical haircut of my life, an inch off the ends, spread thickly over an afternoon. The question comes sometimes when sick or in need, What can I do to help? But often the true reply is gritty and dirty and dull, and few are prepared for honesty here. That exchange of love is only possible when youre surrounded by people who know you. And today, few of us are. These poor pregnant sods were vilified for asking for the benefits of a community. It became increasingly clear that reader outrage was based in disbelief that such benefits were a possibility. Which makes sense its difficult to grasp the idea of physically taking part in such openhanded compassion, in part because we get so little respite from individual striving, and in part because the idea of community today is so nebulous and scarred. Its spring now, and I find myself impossibly moved by the sight of community gardens, thorn-strewn and blooming, and so departed from the rest of cities public spaces. Those spaces, now colonised by private money, and growing, it seems, into well-swept metaphors for the state of community today. A state where 2.4 million adult British residents report chronic loneliness. And yet, many are talking all the time, into the internet, where the possibilities of intimate connection are advertised like wartime propaganda. There is little understanding that many of these communities are based in words, not action. Its no wonder that Nextdoor couple got confused like other internet spaces, they seemed to expect that if they clicked in the right place, their order for love would arrive before 9am the following day. The international reach of this Nextdoor post has proven that today were all neighbours. Sometimes social media works in our favour, by aiding real conversations and providing entertainment in the dark, and sometimes it feels as if were pouring our entire selves into a beaker, only for it to turn immediately into steam. But we shouldnt deny the many possibilities for connections here, nor let the policing of favours get in the way of kindness. Real communities are often irritating, grabby of time, and require the dirtying of hands, but they are also nourishing. And they are also home. If were serious about ending loneliness, a neighbour shouldnt have to ask for help we should already have offered. Email Eva at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter@EvaWiseman | https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/may/05/what-is-the-right-way-to-ask-neighbours-for-help-on-the-internet- |
Should NC governor veto a budget without Medicaid expansion? | Readers tell CuriousNC where they want legislative action: on Medicaid expansion, election security, gerrymandering, education funding, gun control and gun rights. Up Next SHARE COPY LINK Readers tell CuriousNC where they want legislative action: on Medicaid expansion, election security, gerrymandering, education funding, gun control and gun rights. Should Gov. It might be the only way to stop Republicans from some hostage taking of their own. Republican leaders have yet to allow a Medicaid expansion bill to gain momentum and get to the floor of the N.C. House or Senate, a frustration for the governor and Democratic lawmakers. One of those lawmakers, Democratic Rep. Darren Jackson of Wake County, said this week that Cooper will veto any budget that arrives at his desk without Medicaid expansion. The governors office is a bit more reticent spokesman Ford Porter told the News & Observer that its too early for Cooper to commit to a veto, but that the governor hopes to see those issues addressed before the House and Senate send a final budget his way. Republicans, however, say the budget process is not the place to change Medicaid policy. Thats an interesting posture given that GOP lawmakers regularly make changes to laws and policy in the budget, including pushing Medicaid reform just four years ago. But we agree. Its a bad idea to sneak policy items into the budget instead of introducing them in separate bills that would be subject to proper debate and a vote. We didnt like it when Democrats did it in Raleigh, and we called on former N.C. Gov. Pat McCrory to stop his partys lawmakers from doing it by refusing to sign a budget that changes state laws or policies. Similarly, Cooper could refuse to sign a budget unless Republican leaders allow a legitimate Medicaid expansion bill to get a vote. Both Democrats and Republicans have introduced versions of such a plan, although the Republican plan has work requirements and premiums that would provide obstacles, not access, to medical coverage. Still, Jackson says well over half the members of the House, at least, support some sort of expansion. They certainly are not alone. More states each year, including those with Republican-led legislatures, have adopted Medicaid expansion some because voters told them to do so in ballot initiatives. To date, 37 states (including the District of Columbia) are giving millions more citizens access to critical health care that Medicaid expansion brings. Republican leaders are doing North Carolinians a disservice by stalling on a plan that citizens overwhelmingly want and that Jackson suggests most lawmakers may support. Theres one way to find out if hes right: craft a bill and hold a vote. If Republicans dont want to vote aye themselves to Medicaid expansion, they should put it on the ballot and let voters decide, as several states have. As for a Cooper ultimatum: Were wary of officials holding one legislative item hostage for the sake of an unrelated item. Tempting as it might be for the governor to threaten a budget veto if Republicans dont move toward Medicaid expansion, he should resist. North Carolina voters can have their say at the ballot box if not specifically on Medicaid expansion, then on the party thats holding it back. | https://www.charlotteobserver.com/opinion/editorials/article229983659.html |
Can Bird build a better scooter before it runs out of cash? | Experimentation is the norm at start-ups, especially young ones. But moves that prioritize balance sheets over growth are more common in firms short on cash or those looking for an exit, either through acquisition or an initial public offering.Birds competitors face the same challenges. Lime Birds biggest competitor with more than $700 million raised continues to pursue an aggressive growth strategy, though it is not permitted to operate in its hometown of San Francisco. Skip, which shares exclusive rights to the San Francisco market with Scoot, pulled in $100 million in debt financing in December. Spin, which Ford bought for close to $100 million in November, is unique in using only in-house chargers and mechanics. | https://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-bird-scooters-money-profit-strategy-20190505-story.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+latimes%2Fbusiness+%28L.A.+Times+-+Business%29 |
Is Melania Trump's Be Best platform making headway one year in? | (CNN) Exactly one year after announcing her long-awaited Be Best platform , Melania Trump is scheduled to return to the Rose Garden on Tuesday to push the campaign forward. Trump unveiled her somewhat grandiose official plan, a three-pillar initiative aimed at issues facing children: well-being, social media, and opioid abuse, after 16 months of serving as first lady. "I feel strongly that as adults, we can and should be best at educating our children about the importance of a healthy and balanced life," said Trump at the announcement, speaking to an audience that included her husband, President Donald Trump , seated in the front row. One year in, Trump intends to push forward with her platform, and it is anticipated the first lady will reveal more plans for Be Best's sophomore year, according to her spokeswoman, Stephanie Grisham. "I don't want to get too far ahead of any announcements she will make at the [anniversary] celebration, but we have expanded two of the three pillars based on information and lessons learned over the past year," Grisham tells CNN. "Her expansion of the opioids pillar will now include speaking to children of all ages, and her expansion of the social media pillar will now focus on online safety as a whole." Trump has put her focus in the opioid sector primarily on Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, a little-discussed but medically challenging side effect of the country's drug crisis, affecting babies born into addiction. Trump has made several learning trips to children's hospitals and care centers directly focused on NAS programs, including a visit last year to Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, and Lily's Place in Huntington, West Virginia, a non-profit facility that focuses on infant recovery and family therapy. As for online safety, much of the American public zeroed in on Be Best when it was first unveiled on the unavoidable link between Trump's championing of online kindness and the President's frequent use of Twitter to name-call, bully, and otherwise impose negativity. By way of including the topic in Be Best, the first lady was essentially implying it's not OK to do what her husband does, and, further, that despite continuing to point out the irony of the topic and the behavior, the first lady intended to forge ahead. "It is not news or surprising to me that critics and the media have chosen to ridicule me for speaking out on this issue, and that's OK," said Trump during a speech in November of last year at the Family Online Safety Institute conference. "I remain committed to tackling this topic because it will provide a better world for our children, and I hope that, like I do, you will consider using their negative words as motivation to do all you can to bring awareness and understanding about responsible online behavior." Clearly, Trump cared very little that there were cries of hypocrisy -- she was delineating between her platform, and her husband's penchant for a Twitter battle. Grisham has told CNN Trump is "well aware" of the peripheral challenges involved with tackling cyberbullying, as the leader of the free world so often uses the platform of Twitter for just that. "I would hope most people in this country are proud that they have a strong and independent first lady who only has the best interests of children at heart," Grisham told CNN last August. "Michelle Obama's 'Let's Move' campaign was effective in part because it complemented her husband's main objective, which was overhauling the health care system," says CNN contributor Kate Andersen Brower, author of First Women: The Grace and Power of America's Modern First Ladies. "It's smart to leverage what the West Wing is doing for an East Wing initiative because that way there's no real competition, it's more about working together in tandem and using the first lady's power, which is very real, to make change," she says. Brower says that while Trump's agenda might not on its surface appear to succinctly dovetail in certain areas with those of the President, the first lady does utilize strategic partnerships with other parts of the Trump administration. "You do see this in terms of Kellyanne Conway and her work on opioid addiction and how she's worked with Melania," says Brower. Trump has also aligned Be Best with the Department of Education, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Office of National Drug Control Policy. Be Best funding comes partly from the first lady's office's allotted budget, with support from other government agencies, says Grisham. Yet the first-name basis the public enjoyed with Obama's "Let's Move," or former first lady Laura Bush's literacy campaign, or even Nancy Reagan's "Just Say No" anti-drug initiative, has remained somewhat elusive for Trump and Be Best. The announcement of the platform was overrun shortly thereafter by headlines about the first lady's health challenges concerning a kidney procedure she had a week later . Similarly, news cycles in general are often filled with stories about the chaos plaguing the West Wing, be it the Russia investigation, staff turnover, or President Trump's own bombastic style. Breaking through to a wider audience for brand recognition, while perhaps not a concern of Melania Trump's, is certainly a challenging endeavor in the current political climate. Like most things she does, however, Melania Trump remains publicly unaffected. Unconcerned with whether or not Be Best would be better served if she did the talk show circuit or made YouTube videos, places in which Michelle Obama found success marketing her initiatives, Trump is committed to rolling out Be Best her own way, at her own pace, clearly unhampered by a need to breakthrough to the media, and not bothered by the President's activities casting too broad a shadow over her efforts. Trump, says Grisham, cares most about hearing directly from children and families affected by issues of health and well-being, or social media mores, or how opioids can destroy a home. "In just this past year, Mrs. Trump has visited several schools, childrens' organizations and hospitals," says Grisham. "She has been to 15 states to promote and highlight some of the successful work being done by so many on behalf of children. She has used every opportunity she's had -- whether it be with foreign visits, speaking opportunities, policy briefings and roundtables -- to speak on the importance of supporting our children so they grow up to be happy and healthy adults who will contribute positively to their communities and the world." There remain those critics who wonder if Be Best is too complex, and too overreaching, especially for a political neophyte first lady whose staff is a scant dozen people, only a handful of whom are focused on policy issues. Obama and Bush both had more than 20 staffers on their East Wing teams, many of those dedicated to pushing and enhancing multiple platform agendas, including Obama's Joining Forces and Let Girls Learn, and Bush's commitment to working with women in Afghanistan. "I think [Be Best] is well-intentioned, and it showcases how well the first lady does when she interacts with children, but I think it's too broad and unfocused," says Brower, who adds it was first lady Lady Bird Johnson who, as a modern first lady, set the bar at selecting one specific topic of interest; for Johnson, that was highway beautification. "If Trump could drill down on one part of it, like opioid addiction and babies born to mothers who are addicted, it would be more successful. Being single-mindedly focused would also serve to help people see her contributions to this administration, which I think get lost amid the turbulence," adds Brower. In a statement, Trump says Tuesday's announcement about the ongoing path of Be Best will "set plans for expanding the initiative in the coming year as we work towards building a greater future for our children." She remains committed to her multi-pronged platform, which while disparate in topic, centers on children. According to a news release about Tuesday's Be Best anniversary event, in addition to the first lady, there will be three special speakers, "each representing one of the three pillars of her initiative, and other guests who embody what Be Best is all about." "I do think Melania is so fiercely independent that it might be difficult to make a change to her approach," says Brower of how year two of Be Best might not look fundamentally different from year one. In terms of promoting a legislative agenda tied to Be Best, Grisham says the first lady and her staff aren't ruling out getting involved in more complex political goals. "As we work with agencies, groups and various stakeholders, our office continuously monitors legislation, private sector initiatives, and the work that our agencies are doing," says Grisham. "As appropriate and if it makes sense in terms of aligning with Be Best, Mrs. Trump will support, sign on to, endorse, those initiatives." Grisham isn't concerned about Trump recalibrating Be Best, something she and the first lady both underscore hasn't been, nor will be, necessary. "Talking to children, parents, teachers, medical professionals, government and foreign officials and the country about the importance of character education, online safety, and the dangers of opioid abuse are all top of mind for Mrs. Trump in all that she does," Grisham says. | https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/05/politics/melania-trump-be-best-one-year-later/index.html |
Why has Trump weakened efforts to fight white supremacists? | This is an urgent question in the wake of the latest synagogue attack last week in Poway, Calif., that left one brave congregant dead as she tried to defend her rabbi and three wounded. A raft of statistics demonstrates the shocking increase in violent extremism by white supremacists over the past three years. That includes near-historic levels of anti-Semitic acts in 2018 and the single deadliest attack against the Jewish community in American history, which killed 11 at Pittsburghs Tree of Life Synagogue six months ago. Yet rather than denounce radical white nationalism, the president deliberately downplays it, or even excuses it. His pro forma denunciation of anti-Semitism hours after the Poway killing came one day after he once again defended the torch-bearing white nationalist marchers in Charlottesville, Va., in August 2017. And rather than organize a counterterrorism strategy, the Trump administration has gutted the very federal programs that were set up to deal with this insidious threat. A number of these programs were run by George Selim, who held senior posts in countering terrorism and confronting domestic extremism under Presidents Bush, Obama, and Trump. He recalled having a budget of more than $21 million under President Obama and 16 employees to develop local strategies to combat and prevent such violence. Now the budget is $3 million and the staff cut by half. Advertising Now a senior vice president for programs of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which closely monitors extremist groups, Selim says the incoming Trump administration was not interested in prioritizing this issue: We certainly saw an emboldening under Trump. At no point in recent memory have we seen a march like Charlottesville with white nationalists from 30 states carrying tiki torches and chanting Jews will not replace us. ' The statistics reveal how much has changed for the worse since Trump. ADLs annual Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents recorded a total of 1,879 attacks against Jews and Jewish institutions across the USA in 2018, the third-highest year on record since ADL started tracking such data in the 1970s. That includes white nationalist banners hung over highway bridges, and flyers distributed on campuses. ADLs audit also identified 59 people who were victims of anti-Semitic assaults in 2018, up from 21 in 2017. That includes the record 11 murders at the Tree of Life synagogue, where the killer shouted All Jews must die. ADL Senior Vice President Eileen Hershenov told a congressional hearing: White supremacists in the United States have experienced a resurgence in the past three years, driven in large part by the rise of the alt-right. There is also a clear corollary to the rise in polarizing and hateful rhetoric on the part of candidates and elected leaders. Another grim statistic: White supremacists, Hershenov noted, were responsible in 2018 for 78 percent of all extremist-related murders. In the Trump era, radical white nationalists have taken full advantage of social media. Racist and anti-Semitic white nationalist rhetoric and manifestos, filled with particular catchphrases and memes, spread across borders via the internet and hate-filled internet chat rooms, such as 8chan or Gab. For example, the Poway shooter cited as his inspiration the manifesto of the New Zealand killer who shot dead 50 Muslims at two mosques in Christchurch. Advertising The language these white nationalists use often conflates fear of replacement whites being replaced by minorities, especially Muslims with claims that international Jewry is facilitating such replacement. Example: the Tree of Life killer claimed, falsely, that American Jewish financier George Soros was funding the migrant caravans on Americas southern border. Thus, this mad murderer justified killing Jews. When President Trump whips up hysteria over migrant caravans on Americas southern border, when he refuses to denounce the torchbearers at Charlottesville, he is viewed by white supremacists as signaling his approval. When Trump hinted last fall that the caravans were funded by George Soros, he only confirmed the conspiracy theories of the alt-right. If Trumps unremitting winks and nods at white nationalists are not meant as approval, he can easily prove it. He need only denounce white supremacists violence publicly. He needs to devise an overarching policy to deal with these issues, says Selim. Trumps actions dont match his strong words about condemning anti-Semitism. There is plenty he can do. The ADL has a list that includes revitalizing agencies working against hate crimes and strengthening laws against perpetrators of online hate. Most important, Id add, is for the president to stop yellow lighting white supremacists who support him and who blame Jews, Muslims, blacks, and immigrants for all their problems. | https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/why-has-trump-weakened-efforts-to-fight-white-supremacists/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_all |
What is the Met Gala, and who gets to go? | Deconstructing the party of the year, including how much it costs, who hosts and what you have to wear. Vanessa Friedman of The New York Times reports. Officially, it's the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute benefit, a black-tie extravaganza held the first Monday in May (Tuesday NZ time) to raise money for the Costume Institute (aka, the fashion department). Unofficially, the night's festivities have been called many things, including "the party of the year," "the Oscars of the East Coast" (mostly because of the star quotient and the elaborate red carpet, where guests pose on the grand entrance stairs to the museum) and, somewhat pointedly, "an ATM for the Met," the last by publicist Paul Wilmot. The party signals the opening of the Costume Institute's annual blockbuster show, and it is known for its celebrity and fashion hosts. This year the exhibition is "Camp: Notes on Fashion," a play on the famous Susan Sontag essay "Notes on Camp." Advertisement The hosts are Anna Wintour (the magical manipulative Wizard of Oz for this particular event) and the holy trinity of sartorial kookiness: Alessandro Michele, creative director of Gucci, who once had a show in which models carried lifelike casts of their own heads as well as "dragon puppies"; Harry Styles, the pop star who flouts gender stereotype (and muse of Michele); and Lady Gaga, who needs no explanation. except that Wintour is a famous tennis fan, and hey, she's Serena. A: That's the first definition in Merriam-Webster. Read on down to definition No. 2: "a style or mode of personal or creative expression that is absurdly exaggerated and often fuses elements of high and popular culture." And this can be best seen in ... clothes! That said, camp is an awfully slippery concept to pin down. One person's camp is another person's kitsch is another person's tongue in chic. Sontag herself had 58 different musings on what it could mean, and Andrew Bolton, the curator in charge of the Costume Institute, said that by the time he was finished putting the show together, he thought "everything" was camp. Of course, the gala itself is, in many ways, the apotheosis of camp, because attendees are encouraged to dress in theme. A: Not exactly but almost. It isn't stated that attendees have to dress in the style of the exhibition, but it is encouraged. Just as it isn't stated that, if celebrities are invited to the gala by a brand, they have to wear clothes from that brand, but it's really part of the deal. This encourages said brands to get the best stars, because they can act as an advertisement for a house. It is also why, whenever designers are photographed on the red carpet, their dates are almost always famous people. In 2018, for example, Nicolas Ghesquire brought Emma Stone, Michelle Williams, Alicia Vikander, Justin Theroux and Laura Harrier. It is also why the galas have been seeing increasingly exaggerated, paparazzi-catching looks (and, sometimes, related faux pas). In 2016, the show was "Manus ex Machina," which meant almost the entire Jenner-Kardashian clan was in sparkling Balmain motherboards. In 2017, for the Rei Kawakubo exhibition, Helen Lasichanh, wife of Pharrell Williams, gamely entered into the spirit of the evening in a red Comme des Garons jumpsuit that flattened and haloed the body but had no armholes, meaning the eating thing became a little complicated. Last year, for the celebration of "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination," things got really extreme. Rihanna came as the pope. Katy Perry wore such enormous angel wings that she practically knocked over a fellow guest. And Sarah Jessica Parker had an entire nativity scene on her head. Rihanna at the China: Through The Looking Glass Met Gala in 2015. Photo / Getty Images Q: That does sound insanely camp. A: It is. The Met Gala is always full of artifice, exaggeration, theatricality and to quote Sontag "failed seriousness." We will have to wait and see, but I can tell you this: Many designers I have been speaking to have been struggling with the dress code on the invitation. Which is "studied triviality." A: Probably not. (She doesn't like to repeat herself.) But she could wear a TV dinner dress, straight from Moschino's most recent runway. Viktor & Rolf, in its last couture show, produced a bouquet of titanic tulle confections with meme-friendly messages like "No" and "Go to hell" (at least one of the frocks made it into the exhibition itself) that would be on theme. And there's always Olivier Rousteing's first Balmain couture, in which women got swallowed by giant pearls. The revenge of the oysters! Maybe next year we'll go back to little black dresses again. A: Good luck. Unlike other cultural fundraisers, like the New York City Ballet gala or the Frick Collection Young Fellows Ball, the Met Gala is invitation only, and there is a waiting list. Qualifications for inclusion have to do with buzz and achievement (and beauty), aka, the gospel according to Anna, more than money. Wintour has final say over every invitation and attendee, which means that even if a company buys a table, it cannot choose everyone who sits at its table: It must clear the guest with her and Vogue and pray for approval. Alek Wek, Lili Reinhart, Luka Sabbat, Olivia Munn, Kiersey Clemons, Jasmine Sanders, and Valerie Messika in 2018. A: This year, about 550 Chosen Ones. In the past the guest list has been a secret guarded with all the obsessive secrecy of the Illuminati members roll, but this year for the first time maybe to offset those rumblings about brands sitting it out Vogue released the names on the host committee. It is ... very long. Kimye are on it! So are Hailey and Justin Bieber! Sean Parker! Lots of designers! RuPaul! Cam Newton! I could go on, but that would ruin the surprise. A: Tickets are $35,000 apiece, and tables range from $200,000 to $300,000. The party and exhibition are sponsored, this time by Gucci (and as is usual, by Cond Nast). All the money from ticket sales goes to the Costume Institute, which is necessary because it is the only one of the Met's curatorial departments that has to fund itself, fashion having been an iffy proposition as an art form when the institute was established. A: Wintour, the editor of American Vogue and artistic director of Cond Nast, became chairwoman in 1995. She took over annual leadership in 1999. Since then, she has been instrumental in transforming a local philanthropic event into the ultimate global celebrity/power cocktail: Take a jigger of famous names from fashion, add film, politics and business, and mix. This year some brands appear to be chafing, and rumour has it Dior, Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein are downsizing their presence. Still, the gala remains the gold standard of parties, and that by which other benefits are measured. It's such a heady combo that President Donald Trump proposed to Melania during the event in 2004. (No, they are not expected this year.) It is among the hardest party tickets of the year to get. A: It's another secret. For the last three years, posting on social media has been banned after the red carpet. What I can tell you is this: There is a receiving line inside with the hosts, usually next to some towering floral arrangement by Raul Avila that pretty much takes over what is normally the Great Hall's central information booth. Guests file by, air kiss Wintour and Co., and then tour the exhibition on their way to the cocktail party, so they are theoretically forced to experience some culture. After cocktails, they are called in to dinner, and there is always some form of entertainment. Last year, it was Madonna (which was not a big surprise, given the theme). This year it could be Styles or Gaga, but the betting money is on Cher. I got you, babe. A: It's reality TV at its most glamorous; the All-Star Game of Entrances. | https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=12228138 |
Did Garth Brooks come up short on Night 2 at U.S. Bank Stadium? | On Night 2 at U.S. Bank Stadium, Garth Brooks continued his over-the-top, I-cant-believe-how-much-you-love-me ways. Of all my trips to St. Paul Minneapolis, this one kicks the [crap] out of all of them, he said near the end of the concert. Perhaps. But the folks who saw Friday nights show may think they saw the better performance. On Saturday, a seemingly winded Garth played two hours, covering 22 tunes. On Friday, he offered 29 numbers (if you count Happy Birthday to a crew member) over about 2 hours. The set lists were fairly similar, with a notable addition on Saturday, a solo acoustic guitar reading of Billy Joels Piano Man as the finale. Garth also answered a request from a concertgoers sign and delivered Shes Every Woman. The emotional highlight on Saturday came when Garth spotted a fans handmade poster: 14 Garth concerts. 23 days cancer free. He stopped the show, interviewed the fan and opined: I do not know you. I dont know your past. Whatever your future is, keep that [short cropped] hairstyle. Then he dedicated Standing Outside the Fire to her. That was very spontaneous, as Garth can be. But too often he puts on his Humble Hat and sounds pat. For instance, in mid-show, he declared/teased: I dont know what the future holds. But Im begging you to let me please come back to St. Paul Minneapolis. With more than 140,000 tickets sold this weekend and nearly 204,000 in 2014 for 11 shows, Garth knows that the Twin Cities is his best-selling concert market, as he mentioned in Fridays pre-concert news conference. Opening the concert was Darius Rucker, whom Garth asked to open for him when they encountered each other at a recent party for Loretta Lynn. After playing his country hit "Wagon Wheel" (cowritten by Minnesota's own Bob Dylan), Rucker said that he didn't know if he'd ever share a stage with Garth again and, since he was in Minneapolis, well, he felt compelled to play Prince's "Purple Rain." Rucker did not mention that he will be back in the Twin Cities on Aug. 22 at the Minnesota State Fair with his once and future band, Hootie & the Blowfish. | http://www.startribune.com/did-garth-brooks-come-up-short-on-night-2-at-u-s-bank-stadium/509509112/ |
Can Sri Lanka heal its divisions? | But this is also a war-wounded nation that popularized the use of the suicide bomber vest, a place far more compact than the Balkans yet cleaved by more divisions: ethnic, religious and class. If it is renowned for its beauty, Sri Lanka has become equally defined by its hate. COLOMBO, SRI LANKASri Lanka is an impossibly lovely island, a pendant suspended off the Indian subcontinent that for centuries attracted traders and evangelists in search of spices and souls. This month, Sri Lanka will mark a decade of peace after 26 years of civil war between the Sinhalese-majority state and a Tamil separatist movement. But hopes of celebrating that calm were shattered last month on Easter Sunday when suicide bombers claimed by Daesh targeted Christian churches and luxury hotels, killing at least 250 people and weaving Sri Lanka into a web of global terrorism. We have many clashes of civilizations on a small island, said Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri, a University of Colombo historian of Sri Lankan national identity. Its hard to know how to overcome our divided history. With the governments reluctance to address these schisms, every violent episode breeds fear that the nation will fracture in new and unexpected ways, leading to yet more bloodshed. Well, it was very nice for us to have 10 years of relative freedom and safety, said M.A. Sumanthiran, a prominent legislator and human rights lawyer. Now its back to normal in Sri Lanka. We have a new enemy but the same hate. Since independence in 1948, one Sri Lankan president and one prime minister have been assassinated. Sri Lankan extremists have also killed dozens of local politicians and a former prime minister of India. Sumanthiran was sitting in his study in the capital, Colombo, effectively a hostage in his own home. Downstairs, armed guards were on alert. Months ago, military intelligence had warned that resurgent Tamil separatists wanted his assassination. Last week, they cautioned that Muslim militants also had him in their sights. In the wake of last months bombings, in which repeated warnings were ignored that militants were planning attacks, some Sri Lankans have called for the return of the security state that brought an end to war in 2009. Yet that peace came at the cost of up to 40,000 Tamil lives, according to the United Nations. A few days after the Easter attacks, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the defence chief who led that deadly final push against Tamil separatists, announced that he was running for president in elections set for this year, on a get-tough-again platform. Sumanthiran, a Christian Tamil, is adamant that more soldiers and the return of a feared military intelligence network are the last thing Sri Lanka needs. Rajapaksa, who is considered the front-runner in the race, is being accused of crimes against humanity in a California court. The heavy hand of the security state will breed extremism of all kinds, Sumanthiran said. Our problem is that, fundamentally, minority rights, religious or ethnic, are treated with disrespect and with force by the government. Until we resolve this, Sri Lanka will be stained in blood. Travelling through Sri Lanka is like venturing into a kaleidoscope, each piece shifting and separate. A Buddhist heartland, with verdant hills and saffron-robed monks, gives way to neighbourhoods of mosques and men in prayer caps. Later, along the same road, comes a Hindu village, with its diversity of gods decorating homes. Occasionally, a cross juts out from a Roman Catholic or Protestant church or the windshield of a trishaw driver. The Easter bombings may have been particularly bloody, but the targeting of places of worship in this multi-ethnic, multifaith nation is not new. In 1998, Tamil separatists attacked one of the worlds holiest sites, the temple in central Sri Lanka where a relic believed to be the Buddhas tooth is kept. That temple was also targeted in 1989 by communist extremists. Over the course of the civil war between insurgents from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and the Sinhalese-majority state, the military descended upon Christian churches and Hindu temples where Tamils had sought refuge. The Tamil Tigers responded by massacring dozens of Buddhist monks. In 1990, they infiltrated evening prayers at two mosques, killing more than 100 Muslims who were considered government collaborators. Sri Lanka cannot be divided neatly by race, faith or language. The population is more than 70 per cent Sinhalese; most are Buddhists, a minority is Christian. Around 10 per cent of the country is Tamil, largely Hindu and Christian. Muslims occupy another 10 per cent and are considered a distinct ethnicity even though many speak Tamil. The constitution affords special status to Buddhism, which for many Sinhalese is synonymous with their ethnicity. After the Tamils were defeated, a Buddhist nationalist movement gained favour with the government, and extremist monks turned their attention to new enemies: Muslims and Christians. Since the wars end, dozens of mosques and churches have been attacked by Sinhalese mobs. Last year, at least one Muslim was killed in violence near the city of Kandy, where the Temple of the Tooth Relic is. This year, on Palm Sunday, a week before the Easter bombings, Sinhalese pelted stones at a centre run by the Methodist Church. Sinhalese enjoy numerical superiority in Sri Lanka, but some accuse a growing evangelical Christian movement of stealing souls. They also claim that minority Muslims and Hindus have a plan to overwhelm the island by fecundity. I will be accused of racism, but I know what they want is a Muslim Sri Lanka, said Dilanthe Withanage, a former spokesman for Bodu Bala Sena, the most influential Buddhist nationalist group. By 2040, they will have a majority of the population and they will buy Sinhalese politicians to make the country run by Shariah law. Demographics are unlikely to prove Withanage correct. But the feeling that the Sinhalese are an embattled majority has meant that minorities receive less-than-equal treatment from the government, which in turn fosters resentment. For years, the nations Hindus were governed by the Buddhism ministry. Another ministry governs tourism, wildlife and Christian affairs. Sinhalese people dont consider us real Sri Lankans, so maybe I can understand when Muslims are attracted by Islamic State (Daesh), which welcomes them into a brotherhood, said M.M. Moinudeen, an imam from the eastern city of Batticaloa, the site of one of the Easter bombings. | https://www.thestar.com/news/world/asia/2019/05/05/can-sri-lanka-heal-its-divisions.html |
What Is Divergence in Markets? | When market analysts use the word divergence, it often isnt clear what they mean. Thats a problem because how it is used and in what context has implications for investors. The nub of the matter is that divergence gets used in at least two distinct areas of market analysis. One refers to economic divergences, and the other relates to market metrics. Divergence in economics/policy:Economists look closely at how fast different countries grow. Sometimes they all grow or shrink in tandem. Other times they diverge, with some growing as others stagnate. Currently, U.S. growth is robust while Germany and some other major European economies are weak, leading to differences in economic policies from central banks such as the Federal Reserve, the European Central Bank and Swedens Riksbank. While the ECB and the Riksbank have a dovish tone to their monetary policy, the Fed remains in neutral mode, says one analyst who sees future strength for the U.S. dollar relative to other currencies. Article Continued Below The U.S. economy remains resilient, and at the very least the Fed is steady, says Win Thin, global head of currency strategy at New York-based bank Brown Brothers Harriman. This is part of the divergence theme, whereby the U.S. economy and policy are diverging from those of other major economies, he says. Whether that divergence continues will be important in determining the ultimate strength of the dollar, which in turn could affect other assets such as stocks and bonds. Divergence in market metrics:The term divergence also gets used frequently by stock-market analysts. When so-called technical analysts, or price-chart watchers, look at the market, they often compare two related metrics. A classic example involves looking at how many stocks are participating in a market rally or a rout. If stock indexes rally to new highs, and the majority of individual stocks are doing the same thing, there is so-called breadth to the move, signaling no forthcoming change to the trend. But if the number of individual securities reaching new highs or lows is declining, then you have a divergence, which could mean that the market direction is about to change. It says the price is doing one thing and whatever you are comparing it to isnt doing the same thing, says J.C. Parets, a technical analyst and founder of AllStarCharts. Article Continued Below A classic example of such a divergence occurred in 2008 and 2009. While the S&P 500 hit its low of the cycle in March 2009, the number of stocks hitting their 52-weeks lows had stopped increasing in early October 2008. That divergence allowed smart analysts to stay alert for a potential rebound in stocks, which eventually started in March 2009. Currently, Mr. Parets says there is no divergence in the market. In fact, the portion of stocks hitting new highs is increasing. We are seeing a broadening of market breadth, he says. And thats good news for market bulls. Mr. Constable is a writer in Edinburgh, Scotland. He can be reached at [email protected]. | https://www.thestar.com/wsj/business/2019/05/05/what-is-divergence-in-markets.html |
Will Arya and the Hound Kill the Mountain on Game of Thrones? | Warning: This post contains spoilers for Game of Thrones season 8. After rejecting Gendrys proposal and turning down the chance to become the Lady of Storm End, Arya left Winterfell with the Hound to ride south to Kings Landing. And as everyones favorite traveling duo began their latest road trip, it seemed like Game of Thrones may have been hinting at who Aryas next big kill could be. After the Hound indicated that he was headed to the capital to finally confront his brother, the Mountain, for holding his face in fire as a child, both the Hound and Arya admitted that they had no intention of returning to Winterfell. I dont plan on coming back, the Hound told her. Neither do I, she responded. Fans have long suspected that the Hound and the Mountain would eventually face off in a fight to the death that has been preemptively dubbed Cleganebowl. The Mountain also holds one of the top spots on Aryas kill list for torturing and killing people at Harrenhal while Arya was imprisoned there. In fact, he was one of the three remaining targets that Arya named in addition to Cersei and Walder Frey after admitting to the Waif in season 6 that she had taken the Hound off the list. And considering how much emphasis theyve put on the bond between Arya and the Hound this season, it seems like Thrones may be setting up a possible two vs. one fight in which the Hound sacrifices himself to protect Arya from the Mountain before Arya kills the Mountain. Arya and The Hound sharer a moment in Game fo Thrones season 8 episode 3. Helen Sloan/HBO The Hound asking Arya if she would leave him to die again if he gets hurt seems like further foreshadowing that this could be the direction things are headed. Aryas kill list has also been one of the shows most enduring plot devices, but since she ended up being the one to kill the Night King, it seems unlikely that she will also be the one to kill Cersei. Therefore, the Mountain is a perfect person to bring Aryas story full circle. Write to Megan McCluskey at [email protected]. | http://time.com/5583568/game-of-thrones-arya-the-hound-kill-list/ |
What is the European parliament and do the elections matter? | Europes twice-a-decade parliamentary elections are the second largest democratic contest in the world after Indias (which are incidentally still ongoing). An estimated 374 million people are old enough to vote in European Union elections that will see MEPs elected for a five-year term. First contested in 1979, the vote is now being taken more seriously than ever before. Both pro- and anti-EU politicians see the elections as a springboard to seize control of Europes agenda. French president Emmanuel Macron has said the contest will be decisive at the most perilous moment for Europe since the second world war. Hungarys prime minister Viktor Orbn sees a chance to promote his illiberal democracy. Meanwhile, traditional parties have been rattled by polls showing that the centre-right and centre-left parties will lose their 40-year majority of seats. While anti-EU populists will gain seats, they are likely to fall short of seizing the commanding heights of the parliament. Some EU leaders also reject the polarising Macron v Orbn narrative of a battle for the future of Europe. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Hungarys prime minister, Viktor Orbn, campaigning for European parliamentary elections at the town hall of Subotica on the Hungary-Serbia border. Photograph: Balazs Szecsodi/EPA Whatever the outcome, the European parliament will play a big role in shaping the EUs next five years, as the bloc grapples with environmental degradation, faltering economic growth, indebted banks, migration, the rise of China, an erratic US president, its own internal divisions and democratic backsliding and of course Brexit. Once derided as a talking shop, the European parliament has acquired significant powers in the EU law-making process. The parliaments 751 MEPs make laws along with the 28 governments of the EU. Contrary to popular myth, the European commission the Brussels of tabloid lore does not make EU law, although it does have the right to initiate directives and regulations, a powerful way to set the agenda. The commission proposes, MEPs and the council of ministers (government members from all 28 countries) decide. We can say the European parliament is now at eye level with the council of ministers, says Sophia Russack, a researcher at the Centre for European Policy Studies. The European parliament co-decides laws on the EU single market, farming, fisheries, energy, environment, data protection, migration and dozens of other policy areas. The parliament is excluded from some decisions: EU governments zealously guard their powers on EU tax and foreign policy. The EU has no lawmaking role on many issues that matter most to voters, such as health services, schools and housing. In areas where the parliament has no legislative power, it makes ample use of its platform. MEPs have passed 438 resolutions since 2014, from calls to curb arms sales to Saudi Arabia, to appeals to tackle racism across the continent. The parliament also has considerable clout in supervising the EU institutions in 1999 its actions triggered the downfall of the entire European commission over a corruption scandal involving former French prime minister dith Cresson. Laffaire Cresson was a watershed moment for the EU, showing that MEPs had real power over the EU executive. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Former EU commissioner dith Cresson with her chief of cabinet Dov Zerah in 1999. The so-called laffaire Cresson was a watershed moment for the EU. Individual MEPs gain power and influence as members of a political group large transnational blocs that unite MEPs according to political outlook. The current parliament has eight groups, spanning far-right to radical left. The largest group is the centre-right European Peoples party, currently led by German Christian Democrat, Manfred Weber. The second largest is the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, whose leader is German Social Democrat Udo Bullmann. The parliaments president is Antonio Tajani, an EPP member with a reputation for gaffes. Only 21 MEPs are not attached to any group. Sitting as a non-attached significantly reduces access to public funds and powerful positions, such being in charge of an EU law or a leadership role in the parliament. It played its part in agreeing 1,100 EU laws, such as a ban on single-use plastics, a data-protection regulation with global reach, capping the price of mobile phone calls within the EU, revamping the European border and coastguard. The parliament, however, rejected one big reform greater transparency about how MEPs spend their expenses. MEPs cannot force the agenda when EU member states are divided a fact evident in the long stalemate over EU asylum reform. Its been difficult for the EP when it is in this rather intergovernmental situation, says Sara Hagemann, an associate professor at the London School of Economics. She thinks the 2014-19 parliament made a mark by drawing attention to human rights issues, as well as important policy wins, such as forcing the European commission to be more open about how it runs EU trade negotiations, such as the TTIP talks with former US president Barack Obama. The 2014-19 parliament had more female MEPs than ever before. But there is still someway to go to a gender-equal chamber. The UK was meant to have left the EU well before these elections. With Brexit delayed until 31 October, the UK is legally bound to run elections, unless the government manages an 11th hour deal that would result in the Brexit withdrawal treaty being ratified by 22 May the day before polling day. Nobody is betting on that outcome. If the UK takes part in elections, the parliament will retain its current size of 751 MEPs. If the UK drops out, or leaves the EU during the 2019-24 term, the parliament will be cut to 705 members. Some of the UKs 73 seats have been reallocated to 14 countries, which are underrepresented in the parliament, including France, Italy and Spain. The remainder will be reserved for countries hoping to join the EU. If British MEPs are returned to the European parliament that could be good news for the Socialist group, who will be hit hard by the loss of Labour MEPs. With both the Brexit party and Ukip forecast to win seats, it is also likely to boost the parliaments anti-EU forces. From stakeholder breakfasts over weak coffee and mini croissants, to walking dinners on inclusive digital futures: Brussels is a town of lobbyists. For each MEP there are nearly 10 lobbyists who have a permanent pass to the parliament. The EU estimates that 82,000 people are employed to lobby its institutions. Not all represent private interests: about a quarter work for NGOs or foundations, 40% for companies or trade associations, the rest for trade unions, professional bodies and consultancies. Campaigners have long complained of revolving doors between the parliament and lobbying firms, highlighting the former industry committee MEP who went to work for a big German carmaker, or an agriculture committee MEP ended up working as an agri-business consultant for a firm that lobbies for Monsanto. According to the parliaments code of conduct, ex-MEPs-turned-lobbyists are required to sign up to the EUs transparency register and give up use of parliamentary facilities, such as the car park, libraries and the intranet. Lobbying has increased as the parliament has gained a bigger role. The German CDU MEP Axel Voss, lead legislator on heavily disputed proposals on copyright, recalled getting 60,000 emails in a fortnight, many through automated systems. The parliament has increasingly come into the crosshairs of intense and even misleading corporate lobbying campaigns, says Margarida Silva, a researcher at the Corporate Europe Observatory. Because the French president says so. The official seat is in Strasbourg, the Rhine city that is a symbol of Franco-German postwar reconciliation. Yet MEPs spend less than four days a month at the French seat. Most would prefer the parliament to be permanently in Brussels, the headquarters of the EUs other big institutions. The Single Seat campaign, chaired by Swedish MEP Anna Maria Corazza Bildt, says more than three quarters of MEPs want to abolish the travelling circus. Shuttling backwards and forwards between the two cities is estimated to cost the 180m (156m, $138m) a year and 19,000 tonnes of CO 2 emissions a month. The cause was taken up by the head of Germanys Christian Democratic Union, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, who said the parliament should stay in Brussels. Like previous calls for change, she ran into the same obstacle. The parliaments Strasbourg home is inscribed in the EU treaty and can only be changed by the unanimous agreement of all 28 member states giving France a permanent veto. Strasbourg is the capital of European democracy, it is our pride, said Nathalie Loiseau, leader of Emmanuel Macrons campaign in the European elections. Non, in other words. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, chair of the CDU, want the parliament to stay in Brussels. Not as much as MEPs would like. Enthusiasm has been falling ever since the first elections in 1979. Although the parliament has accumulated real power, turnout has dropped at every single election, hitting a nadir of 42.6% in 2014. Attendance varies significantly across the bloc: in 2014 it was 90% in Belgium (where voting is compulsory), but a mere 13% in Slovakia. Low turnout reflects general public mistrust in politics. Lack of trust in politics and lack of interest were the two biggest reasons cited by people who did not vote in 2014, according to a parliament study. Some political observers have suggested that increased attention to elections and the growing salience of EU issues could create the long-awaited European public sphere. Not everyone is convinced. There is hardly any hope for greater turnout or significant interest from the public, Russack says. She thinks some of the biggest European issues, such as migration and eurozone reform, are sources of division, rather than unifiers that might encourage people to vote. Voting begins on 23 May with elections in the Netherlands and the UK (unless the government manages to ratify the Brexit deal see box). Most countries vote on Sunday 26 May and the results should be clear by the early hours of Monday. After a month of haggling and setting up new groups, the new parliament is due to start work on 2 July. These elections are only part of a bigger EU changeover. By the end of the year, the EU should also have new presidents to lead the European commission and European council, two appointments that will also sway how Europe works over the next five years. Further reading 2019 European parliament elections will change the EUs political dynamics by Stefan Lehne and Heather Grabbe at Carnegie Europe The European parliaments 2014 post-election survey carried out by TNS Opinion The 2019 European election: how anti-Europeans plan to wreck Europe and what can be done to stop it, by Susi Dennison and Pawe Zerka at the European Council on Foreign Relations The European Union: how does it work, edited by Daniel Kenealy, John Peterson and Richard Corbett, published by Oxford University Press | https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/06/what-is-the-european-parliament-and-do-the-elections-matter |
Was Sen. Kyrsten Sinema snookered by AG William Barr? Or was it worse than that? | Opinion: The senator wants to meet with the attorney general she voted to confirm. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz. (Photo: Sen. Kyrsten Sinema) Last week Sen. Kyrsten Sinema said she has asked to meet with Attorney General William Barr. But she didnt say why. Probably because there is no good reason. I asked about that and was told by a spokeswoman for the senator, We dont have anything further other than she requested a meeting with AG Barr. Nothing to say beyond that. Actually, there is. Sinema could say, Barr conned me. Which would be bad. Or she could say, Barr did exactly what I thought he would do. Which is worse. Prior to voting to confirm Barr as attorney general Sinema said, As Arizonas senior senator, I will evaluate every presidential nominee based on whether he or she is professionally qualified, believes in the mission of his or her agency, and can be trusted to faithfully execute and uphold the law as it exists. After meeting with Mr. Barr and thoughtfully considering his nomination, I believe Mr. Barr meets this criteria." Ooops. Then the Mueller report was released and Barr decided he was President Donald Trumps personal defense attorney rather than the chief law enforcement officer of the land. In other words, the peoples attorney. Choosing Trump over us Barr chose Trump over us. Over the Constitution. Like when he ignored or glossed over the 10 instances outlined in the Mueller report in which Trump may have committed obstruction of justice. Like when he ignored Muellers belief that he couldnt indict a sitting president because Department of Justice policy prohibits it. And like generally soft-soaping and mischaracterizing much of what is a very damning report, and then further avoiding his responsibilities by refusing even to appear before a committee of the House to discuss his actions. All this after Sinema voted for Barrs confirmation because she believed he could be trusted to faithfully execute and uphold the law. All the evidence she needs 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. More newsletters Speaking to Barr in private wont change any of that. Sinema has had plenty of time to evaluate his performance. She has his public pronouncements. She has his testimony before the Senate. She has his lame four-page whitewash of the Mueller report. She has all the evidence she needs. Two rotten choices She just doesnt have any good choices. Either she was conned by Barr prior to his confirmation, which is bad. Or hes doing exactly what she expected him to do. Which is worse. Reach Montini at [email protected] Read or Share this story: https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/ej-montini/2019/05/05/kyrsten-sinema-william-barr-donald-trump-mueller-report/1115772001/ | https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/ej-montini/2019/05/05/kyrsten-sinema-william-barr-donald-trump-mueller-report/1115772001/ |
How does the NCAA transfer portal work? | The busiest place for basketball news this offseason has been, without a doubt, the NCAA transfer portal. It seems as though players are entering and exiting the portal on a daily basis, and UNLV has been no exception eight of the Rebels returning scholarship players have put their names in the portal since the end of the season and five are still in the portal. In technical terms, the portal is a website that acts as a centralized database for players who are interested in transferring. The website is not public; coaches and administrators for NCAA schools have access. Once a player enters his name into the portal it becomes viewable by coaches from every other school. If a player wants to explore a transfer, he will provide written notification to his universitys designated administrator. That administrator will then gather the players pertinent information (email address, phone number, etc.) and enter it into the portal website. At UNLV, Eric Nepomuceno, senior associate athletics director for compliance, along with his staff, oversee that process. No. Once a player decides to enter the portal he can bypass his coach and give his written notification directly to the compliance admin. Thats a departure from the old system, in which players would have to request permission from the coach to be released from their scholarships. The coach would also have to grant permission for the players to begin a dialogue with other schools. Yes. Several UNLV players have done this, including Amauri Hardy, Bryce Hamilton, Cheickna Dembele and Nick Blair. In the Rebels case, the players decided to enter the portal after head coach Marvin Menzies was fired in March. After fielding correspondence from other schools and meeting with new coach T.J. Otzelberger, they decided to remove their names from the portal and stay at UNLV. The risk for athletes entering the transfer portal is that their scholarship at their current school is no longer guaranteed. Once a player is officially in the portal his scholarship can be rescinded and offered to another incoming student-athlete. The decision to continue honoring a scholarship is up to the school and can be decided on a case-by-case basis. At most universities, the head coach and/or athletic director would make that call. Nepomuceno said UNLV has not pulled scholarships from any of its players who entered the portal. At UNLV, players in the portal still retain access to core student-athlete amenities such as medical treatment and academic services (tutors, advisors, etc.). Players are encouraged to keep up their studies and maintain their course work during the transfer process. Sport-specific privileges, such as locker-room access, weight-room access and equipment/apparel are not guaranteed, however. The coach and/or athletic director decide whether to continue offering those elective services on a case-by-case basis; Nepomuceno said UNLV has continued to offer those services to its players in the portal. Whether its academics, whether its sports medicine, were not taking that away from them, Nepomuceno said. But should a coach say, I dont want you in the gym, I dont want you to use the locker room, you cant be here when were practicing, thats fair game. No. No. The only deadlines that may arise are normal enrollment periods and other eligibility guidelines that apply to all student-athletes. Players can enter or remove their names from the portal at any time. Once a player enters the portal, his transfer profile can be viewed by coaches from every school. Schools are then allowed to contact the player in order to gauge interest and set up visits. But if a player has an idea of where he wants to go and wishes to narrow his options he can place a Do not contact designation on his profile, which bars schools from contacting him first. The player can then reach out to schools of his choosing. High-school players who have signed a National Letter of Intent but have not yet enrolled at the university are not subject to the transfer portal. If those players wish to de-commit, they must request an NLI release through the school. UNLV signees Ethan Anderson and Josh Pierre-Louis both requested and were granted their release from NLIs after Menzies was fired; athletic director Desiree Reed-Francois made the decision to release them. Though it has been in place for less than a year, the portal has quickly become the new norm. Since its debut in October, the portal has become the central hub for football and basketball players with intentions to transfer. The landscape has changed, and the portal appears to be working for players and coaches alike. I think we should have had a centralized tracking system for a long time, Nepomuceno said. I think what the student-athletes care about is the fact now that they have the right to essentially transfer at will. Under the old rule they were asking a coach, Hey, can I have permission to contact [other schools]? The new rule is, theyre telling a coach, Im leaving, Im transferring. I think what they really do like is the fact that they can now have the control in that situation. 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/06/how-does-the-ncaa-transfer-portal-work/ |
How Useful Would A Genetic Test For Obesity Risk Be? | Enlarge this image toggle caption eyecrave/Vetta/Getty Images eyecrave/Vetta/Getty Images Scientists who recently announced an experimental genetic test that can help predict obesity got immediate pushback from other researchers, who wonder whether it is really useful. The story behind this back-and-forth is, at its core, a question of when it's worth diving deep into DNA databanks when there's no obvious way to put that information into use. The basic facts are not in dispute. Human behavior and our obesity-promoting environment have led to a surge in this condition over the past few decades. Today about 40% of American adults are obese and even more are overweight. But genetics also plays an important role. People inherit genes that make them more or less likely to become seriously overweight. While some diseases (like Huntington's and Tay-Sachs) are caused by a single gene gone awry, that's certainly not the case for common conditions, including obesity. Instead, untold thousands of genes apparently play a role in increasing obesity risk. Many of those gene variants contribute a miniscule risk. Sekar Kathiresan, a cardiologist at Harvard and a geneticist at the Broad Institute, set out to see whether he and his team could find a bunch of these genetic variants and add up their effects. The goal was to identify genetic patterns that put people at the highest risk. This genetic information "could explain why somebody's so big, why they have so much trouble keeping their weight down," Kathiresan says. His team identified more than 2 million DNA variants of potential interest. He figures most of those variants are irrelevant, but his hunch is, hidden somewhere in there are a few thousand changes that each contribute at least a tiny bit to a person's risk of developing obesity. No single gene can do much to move the needle. But he says the composite result, called a polygenic risk score, is still potentially useful. Those with the highest risk scores were more likely to be severely obese (with a body mass index over 40). In fact, 43% of the people with the highest genetic scores were obese. But the score is far from perfect. For instance, 17% of the people with the highest scores had normal body weights. The team, with lead author Amit Khera, published its results in the journal Cell. "The impact of the genetics and this was a huge surprise to us as well starts very early in life, in the preschool years, around the age of 3," Kathiresan says. That finding suggests prevention efforts are more likely to succeed if they also start in childhood. Kathiresan has a more philosophical takeaway from his work as well. "I hope this work will hopefully destigmatize obesity and make it very similar to every other disease, which is a combination of both lifestyle and genetics." A lot of elaborate genetic analysis is behind the study, which involved more than 300,000 individuals. But the broad conclusions aren't new. Scientists already knew genetic risk factors can contribute significantly to obesity. And other studies show that obese children are at high risk for becoming obese adults. Epidemiologist Cecile Janssens, a professor at Emory University, doesn't think much of this strategy of adding up the minuscule risks from millions of genetic variants to come up with a cumulative risk score. "In all fairness, we don't know whether all of these variants really matter," she says. When asked about the value of doing a study like this, she replied, "I have no clue." "It is not really answering a very relevant question from the biological perspective, and not really answering a very relevant question from a clinical perspective," she says. This type of analysis doesn't reveal anything about the individual genes that are contributing to obesity, which means you can't use it to understand the underlying biology. If obesity were a rare disease, a test like this could be useful to identify people at elevated risk. But since it affects 40% of Americans, Janssens says prevention efforts should include everybody. She is among a group of scientists informally rebelling against the gene-centric way of looking at disease. It's frustrating for them to see so much money poured into this kind of genetics work, rather than into efforts to change the environment and the behaviors that contribute to diseases like obesity. Janssens also says that, despite the daunting effort involved in studying 2 million genetic variants, the resulting score still doesn't explain even 10% of the variation the scientists observed in body mass index. (Kathiresan, who couches his conclusions differently, says the score explains about a quarter of the genetic risk.) Scientists doing this kind of work hope that data like these, when presented to individuals, will prompt them to change their behavior. Alas, that's not supported by scientific reviews. "This kind of personalized risk information has little [or] no impact on people's actual behavior," says Theresa Marteau, who directs the Behaviour and Health Research Unit at the University of Cambridge. In fact, researchers have worried that when people learn that they are at high genetic risk for diseases like obesity, people would become fatalistic and stop trying to change their behaviors. Fortunately, Marteau says "in a review, we didn't find any evidence for that." It seems they just ignore the information. Ewan Birney, who heads the European Bioinformatics Institute, has been watching this debate play out over the years. Birney agrees with the critics who say obesity isn't the ideal disease for this kind of analysis. "One needs to do more than just be able to show a strong statistical association," he says. "One really needs to show that you can then use that to do an intervention." Birney also is wary of making too much of this information because it's based primarily on data from the UK Biobank, as well as U.S. samples, in which racial minorities aren't well represented. There are other instances where these polygenic risk scores can be useful, he says. For example, a score that identifies people at high risk for heart disease identifies people who get the most benefit from cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins. (But it's unclear whether it would be beneficial to give statins to people who score high on this test but wouldn't ordinarily be identified as candidates for this medication). Using a different method of analysis, called a genome-wide association study, scientists have identified more than 140 genes that can slightly increase the risk of obesity. Though their individual influence is small, they do provide clues about the biology of the disease. For example, one of the relatively potent variants "actually relates to calorie-seeking behaviors," says Ali Torkamani, who is director of genome informatics at the Scripps Research Translational Institute. Other variants are, unsurprisingly, related to the function of fat cells. It's also possible that a careful probe of the genes rather than the abstract risk score could identify genetic variants that actually reduce a person's risk of obesity. A paper in the same issue of Cell as the one that featured work from Kathiresan's group points in that direction. While genes influence a person's risk of obesity, the epidemic in this country is obviously far more extensive than simply people at high risk. And Torkamani notes that the risk score isn't destiny. "It's just a probability," he says. "And you know, when you flip a coin sometimes it comes up heads and sometimes it comes up tails." You can contact NPR Science Correspondent Richard Harris at [email protected]. | https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/05/06/719558715/how-useful-would-a-genetic-test-for-obesity-risk-be?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=storiesfromnpr |
Is Noise Pollution the Next Big Public-Health Crisis? | I worried about ringing the doorbell. Then I noticed two ragged rectangles of dried, blackened adhesive on the door frame, one just above and one just below the button. I deduced that the button had been taped over at some point but was now safe to use. I pressed as gently as I could, and, when the door opened, I was greeted by a couple in their early sixties and their son. The son has asked me to identify him only as Mark, his middle name. Hes thirty years old, and tall and trim. On the day I visited, he was wearing a maroon plaid shirt, a blue baseball cap, and the kind of sound-deadening earmuffs you might use at a shooting range. Mark and I sat at opposite ends of a long coffee table, in the living room, and his parents sat on the couch. He took off his earmuffs but didnt put them away. I was living in California and working in a noisy restaurant, he said. Somebody would drop a plate or do something loud, and I would have a flash of ear pain. I would just kind of think to myself, Wow, that hurtwhy was nobody else bothered by that? Then everything suddenly got much worse. Quiet sounds seemed loud to him, and loud sounds were unendurable. Discomfort from a single incident could last for days. He quit his job and moved back in with his parents. On his flight home, he leaned all the way forward in his seat and covered his ears with his hands. That was five years ago. Marks condition is called hyperacusis. It can be caused by overexposure to loud sounds, although no one knows why some people are more susceptible than others. There is no known cure. Before the onset of his symptoms, Mark lived a life that was noise-filled but similar to those of millions of his contemporaries: garage band, earbuds, crowded bars, concerts. The pain feels like raw inflammation, he said, and is accompanied by pressure on his ears and his temples, by tension in the back of his head, and, occasionally, by an especially disturbing form of tinnitus: You and I would have a conversation, and then after youd left Id go upstairs and some phrase you had been saying would repeat over and over in my ear, almost like a song when they have the reverb going. He manages his condition better than he did five years ago, but he still lives with his parents and doesnt have a job. The day before my visit, he had winced when his father crumpled a plastic cookie package that he was putting in the recycling bin. By the end of our conversation, which lasted a little more than an hour, he had put his earmuffs back on. Hyperacusis is relatively rare, and Marks case is severe, but hearing damage and other problems caused by excessively loud sound are increasingly common worldwide. Ears evolved in an acoustic environment that was nothing like the one we live in today. Daniel Finka retired California internist, whose own, milder hyperacusis began in a noisy restaurant on New Years Eve, 2007, and who is now an anti-noise activisttold me, Until the industrial revolution, urban dwellers sleep was disturbed mostly by the early calls of roosters from back-yard chicken coops or nearby farms. The first serious sufferers of occupational hearing loss were probably workers who pounded on metal: blacksmiths, church-bell ringers, the people who built the boilers that powered the steam engines that created the modern world. (Audiologists used to refer to a particular high-frequency hearing-loss pattern as a boilermakers notch.) Today, the sound source that people first think of when they think of hearing loss is amplified music, the appeal of which may be biological. In 1999, two scientists at the University of Manchester, in England, conducted an experiment in which they had students listen to songs at dance-club volumes, which are high enough to cause permanent damage if the exposures are long enough. The scientists concluded that the loud music stimulated the parts of the subjects inner ears that govern balance and spatial orientation, thereby creating pleasurable sensations of self-motion: crank up the volume, and you feel as though youre dancing when youre sitting in your seat. Classical musicians and their audiences face risks as well. For the musicians, the threat comes not just from their own instrument (violinists, like right-handed infantrymen, tend to lose hearing on their left side first) but also, often more significant, from the instruments of the musicians who sit behind them. Modern sound-related health threats extend far beyond music, and they affect more than hearing. Studies have shown that people who live or work in loud environments are particularly susceptible to many alarming problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, low birth weight, and all the physical, cognitive, and emotional issues that arise from being too distracted to focus on complex tasks and from never getting enough sleep. And the noise that we produce doesnt harm only us. Scientists have begun to document the effects of human-generated sound on non-humanseffects that can be as devastating as those of more tangible forms of ecological desecration. Les Blomberg, the founder and executive director of the Noise Pollution Clearinghouse, based in Montpelier, Vermont, told me, What were doing to our soundscape is littering it. Its aural litteracoustical litterand, if you could see what you hear, it would look like piles and piles of McDonalds wrappers, just thrown out the window as we go driving down the road. In February, Bruitparif, a nonprofit organization that monitors environmental-noise levels in metropolitan Paris, published a report that combined medical projections from the World Health Organization with noise maps based partly on data from its own network of acoustic sensors. It concluded, among many other things, that an average resident of any of the loudest parts of the le-de-Francewhich includes Paris and its surrounding suburbsloses more than three healthy life-years, in the course of a lifetime, to some combination of ailments caused or exacerbated by the din of cars, trucks, airplanes, and trains. These health effects, according to guidelines published by the W.H.O.s European regional office last year, include tinnitus, sleep disturbance, ischemic heart disease, obesity, diabetes, adverse birth outcomes, and cognitive impairment in children. In Western Europe, the guidelines say, traffic noise results in an annual loss of at least one million healthy years of life. The headquarters of Bruitparif is in a low-rise office complex in Saint-Denis, a suburb just north of the Eighteenth Arrondissement. I visited a couple of weeks after the February report was issued, and met with Fanny Mietlicki, who has been Bruitparifs director since 2005. She had warned me, before my trip, that she spoke very little English. I, on the other hand, speak French almost as well as my father did. He studied it in school, and was stationed in France at the end of the Second World War. Years later, at a restaurant in Paris, while travelling with my mother, he said something to a Frenchman sitting at the next table, and the Frenchman said something back. Neither man could understand the other, and my mother eventually identified the problem: the Frenchman didnt realize that my father was speaking French, and my father didnt realize that the Frenchman was speaking English. Hi, youve reached Karas phone. Mom, youre the only one who calls me, so go ahead and leave a voice mail. Mietlickis English turned out to be better than shed let on. You need to have data in order to know where to implement noise-abatement actions, she told me. Before Bruitparif, politicians were fighting to get money to construct noise barriers, but not necessarily where the most people live. In 2014, Bruitparif was one of the principal creators of the Harmonica index, a way of presenting the severity of sound disturbances with a simple graph. Harmonicas most appealing feature is that it makes no reference to decibels, which even acousticians have trouble explaining. (Part of the difficultybut only partis that decibels are logarithmic. A hundred-decibel sound isnt twice as intense as a fifty-decibel sound; its a hundred thousand times as intense.) Bruitparifs director of technology is Christophe Mietlicki, Fannys husband. He used to develop computer systems for financial institutions, but, in 2009, he decided that his wifes job was more interesting than his, and went to work for her. They are in their forties, have three children, and commute each day from Suresnes, a suburb directly across the Seine from the Bois de Boulogne. At the headquarters, Christophe and I spoke in a sort of reception-and-recreation area on the floor below Fannys office. On one of the walls was a large noise map of Paris and its suburbs, on which roads, train lines, and airline flight paths had been highlighted in angry, glowing red, like inflamed nerves in an ad for a pain reliever. On a wooden table in front of the map was a white bowl that was filled with what appeared from a distance to be individually wrapped pieces of candy but turned out to be earplugs. We stepped into an adjacent room. Here is our acoustic laboratory, Christophe said. He handed me one of Bruitparifs sound-monitoring devices, which he had helped invent. Its called Medusa. It has four microphones, which stick out at various angles, hence the name. The armature that holds the microphones is bolted to a metal box roughly the size of an American loaf of bread. Inside it is a souped-up Raspberry Pia tiny, inexpensive computer, which was originally intended for use in schools and developing countries but is so powerful that it has been adopted, all over the world, for myriad other uses. (You can buy one on Amazon for less than forty bucks.) Embedded in the central microphone stalk are two tiny fish-eye cameras, mounted back to back, which record a three-hundred-and-sixty-degree image each minute. Medusas are the successors of Bruitparifs first-generation sensors, called Sonopodes, which rely on expensive components imported from Japan. Sonopodes are still in use, although they are too big to move around easily. The Japanese system is very good, but each one costs almost thirty thousand euros, and we cant deploy it as much as we expect, Christophe told me. So we built our own system, which is small and low-cost. The idea is the same. Bruitparif has installed fifty Medusas in the metropolitan area, and will add many more this summer. In a nearby room, a young woman was assembling Medusa microphones from components that were spread out on a counter. Most of the parts had been 3-D-printed, and she was doing something to some of them with what looked like a soldering iron. In fact, its very simple, Christophe said. And, as with many things that are very simple, finding the solution was very complex. The orientation of the microphones on a Medusa enables it to pinpoint the origins of the sounds that it monitors; the cameras preserve time-stamped images of the scene. Bruitparif can place a Medusa on a street lined with noisy bars and, later, document precisely which bar, at what time, was playing music, say, eleven decibels louder than the local code allows. I said that documentation like that would be useful in New York, where the police often ignore noise complaints or respond to them days later. The idea of this system is not to depend on the police, Christophe said. That should be the last resort. We prefer a system in which people like you, like me, can put a sensor somewhere and have objective data, and then we can talk with one another and find some solution together. Ah, mais oui. (But the data would probably also stand up in court.) A few weeks later, back in the States, I visited the headquarters of a smaller but similar noise-monitoring project, at N.Y.U.s Center for Urban Science and Progress, on Jay Street, in Brooklyn. That project is called Sounds of New York City (SONYC) and is funded mainly by the National Science Foundation. SONYCs purpose, Mark Cartwright, one of the scientists on the project, told me, is to monitor, analyze, and mitigate noise pollution. Each sensor in its network has just one microphone, which is roughly eight inches long and covered in foam. The microphone is attached to a small, weatherproof aluminum box, which also contains a Raspberry Pi. Sometimes the sensors are mounted with a long strip of plastic spikes, which are meant to deter pigeons from using the devices as latrines, and which, on monitors installed near Washington Square Park, have developed the unanticipated additional function of accumulating tangled masses of the wind-borne hair of N.Y.U. students. The method that SONYC uses to collect data and to document noise-code violations is different from the one used by Bruitparif. The SONYC researchers are developing algorithms that they hope will eventually be able to identify a full range of noise sources by themselvesan example of so-called machine listening. Having a network of sensors deployed around the city enables us to start understanding the patterns of noise and how they develop around things like construction sites, Charlie Mydlarz, another scientist on the project, told me. He said that SONYC also gives the citys Department of Environmental Protection actionable evidence of violations. Mydlarz and his colleagues are still training their algorithm, with help from citizen scientists, who visit a Web page and annotate ten-second audio files, collected by the sensors, with what they think are the sounds likeliest sources: jackhammer, car alarm, chainsaw, engine of uncertain size. He demonstrated the algorithms current iteration by alternately operating a Black & Decker electric drill and the siren of a toy fire truck near a sensor on the table in front of him. The algorithm successfully identified each and measured its decibel level. (It can also identify the fire trucks horn.) I was accompanied to the SONYC lab by Charles Komanoff, an economist who created models that the citys congestion-pricing plan is based on. In the course of the past five decades, hes worked on just about every environmental issue, including noise. In the mid-nineties, I spoke fairly regularly to small but spirited anti-car gatherings, he told me. I would ask for a show of hands: If you could eliminate all motor-vehicle noise or all motor-vehicle air pollutionbut not bothwhich would you choose? As a rule, the majority chose noise. I had asked him to join me mainly because he owns a professional sound-level meter. Komanoff and I travelled to and from Brooklyn by bicycle, and halfway across the Manhattan Bridge we stopped to take sound readings. His meter showed that, at the spot where we were standing, the average ambient-sound level, arising mostly from motor traffic on the bridge, was about seventy decibels, or roughly what youd experience while using a vacuum cleaner at home. Then a train went over the bridge, on tracks twenty or thirty feet from where we were standing, and the reading jumped to ninety-five decibelsmore than a three-hundredfold increase in sound intensity and a five- to sixfold increase in perceived loudnessor roughly what youd hear while using a gasoline-powered lawnmower in your yard. The train sound wasnt physically painful, but almost; even shouted conversation became impossible. In the United States, sound exposure in the workplace has been regulated by the federal government since the nineteen-seventies. But the rules dont cover all industries, and theyre applied inconsistently. The government has acknowledged that, even when compliance is absolute, the limits arent low enough to protect all workers from hearing loss. The regulations of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, for example, allow workers to be exposed to ninety-five decibels for four hours a day, five days a week, for an entire forty-year career. Thats always been crazy, but in the past decade its begun to seem even crazier, because recent research into whats known as hidden hearing losswhich involves a previously undetected permanent reduction in neural responsehas suggested that catastrophic losses could occur at sound levels that are much lower than had been thought, and after much shorter periods of exposure. By the mid-nineties, some scientists had begun to believe that traffic noise must be harmful to creatures other than humans, but they didnt know how to measure its effects in isolation from those of roadway construction, vehicle emissions, highway salting, and all the other direct and indirect ecosystem insults that arise from our dependency on cars and trucks. In 2012, Jesse Barber, a professor at Boise State University, in Idaho, thought of a way. He and a group of researchers built a half-kilometre-long phantom road in a wilderness area where no real road had ever existed. They mounted fifteen pairs of bullhorn-like loudspeakers on the trunks of Douglas-fir trees, and, during bird migration in autumn, played recordings of traffic that Barber had made on Going-to-the-Sun Road, in Glacier National Park. Chris McClure, who worked on the project, told me, We cut up garden hoses to run the wires through, so that mice wouldnt chew on them, and we duct-taped pieces of shower curtains over the loudspeakers, to keep off the rain. The recorded sound wasnt deafening, by any measure; to a New Yorker, in fact, it might have seemed almost soothing. But its effect on migrating birds was both immediate and dramatic. During periods when the speakers were switched on, the number of birds declined, on average, by twenty-eight per cent, and several species fled the area entirely. Some of the biggest impacts were on species that stayed. Heidi Ware Carlisle, who earned her masters degree for work that she did on the project, told me, If you just counted MacGillivrays warblers, for example, you might say, Oh, theyre not bothered by noise. But when we weighed them we found that they were no longer getting fatteras they should have been, because fat fuels their migration. His monogram says it all. A dozen years before the phantom-road experiment, a group of American researchers accidentally performed a similar study underwater. They had been measuring concentrations of stress-related hormone metabolites in the feces of right whales in the Bay of Fundy. (They were assisted by dogs trained to detect the scent of whale turds from the side of a boat.) In mid-September, 2001, the metabolite concentrations fell; when they were measured again the following season, they had gone back up. The scientists had been using hydrophones to monitor underwater sound levels in the bay, and they realized that the drop in stress had coincided exactly with an equally sudden decline in human-generated underwater noise. The cause was the temporary pause in ocean shipping which followed 9/11. I learned about the Bay of Fundy project from Peter Tyack, an American behavioral ecologist, who, for the past seven years, has been a member of the faculty at the University of St. Andrews, in Scotland. He also does research at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, on Cape Cod, where he used to work full timeand thats where we met. We sat in a lab on the second floor of W.H.O.I.s Marine Research Facility, and he explained that sound can harm marine creatures both directly, by physically injuring them, and indirectly, by interfering with their feeding, their mating, and their communication. Were visual creatures, but sea animals dont need to be, he said. Underwater, you can see maybe ten metres, but you can hear things a thousand kilometres away. The loudest human sounds in the oceans are made by seismic air guns, which are used to search for undersea deposits of oil and natural gas. (Theyre so loud that acoustic monitors on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge pick them up from hundreds, and even thousands, of miles away.) In terms of the total sound energy that humans put into the ocean, though, shipping is by far the biggest source, he said. Tyack gave me a tour of the research facility downstairs. We passed a bank of freezers, a room with a CT scanner, and a band saw big enough to carve a small whale into chunks, and then entered a room that was furnished with supersized versions of the kind of stainless-steel tables youd find in the autopsy room of a morgue. Theres a big door over there, so that a truck can back right up, he said. And those gantries up on the ceiling move the animals onto the tables. One of Tyacks ongoing research interests is the impact of sonar on marine mammals. He and his colleagues have developed a sound-and-movement monitorsort of a waterproof iPhonewhich they can affix, with suction cups, to whales backs. They have discovered, among other things, that some species are more sensitive to sonar than anyone had previously suspected. If they hear sonar, theyll stop foraging, leave the area, and not come back for several days, he said. Sometimes frightened whales bolt toward the surface and die of decompression sicknessthe bendsor of an arterial gas embolism. He continued, We are now quite sure that what happens is that the whales are a kilometre deep, and theyre foraging in the dark for food, and the sound of sonar from a naval exercise triggers a panic reaction. Tyack said that its long been known that human-created sound can also interfere with mating calls, thereby reducing the reproductive success of many species, including ones that have already been hunted virtually to nonexistence. Consequent reductions in those species numbers can be invisible even to marine biologists, since the failure to reproduce doesnt result in carcasses on beaches. Even now, our estimates of the population size of marine mammals are plus or minus fifty per cent, he said. So, basically, the population would have to be on its way toward extinction before wed notice. And by then it would be too late. | https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/05/13/is-noise-pollution-the-next-big-public-health-crisis |
Who Owns South Africa? | There is a good paved road that runs into McGregor, a pastoral village at the foot of South Africas Riviersonderend Mountains, but it stops at the edge of town. When the road was cleared and paved, in the nineteen-twenties, the plan was to keep going through the mountains toward Cape Town, but that project, like many other public works that followed, was abandoned before completion. Consequently, McGregor has a sleepy, almost otherworldly feel. Summers are long, winters are mild, and the soil is fertile: fences along the dusty roads crawl with hot-pink Zimbabwe creeper and orange Cape honeysuckle. The sun is so strong that, when clouds go by, the sky turns not gray but almost white. There are a handful of flourishing vineyards in the vicinity, but even small plots teem with growth. On a half acre behind his house, a seventy-year-old retiree named Gawie Snyders grows pumpkins, onions, green beans, lettuces, grapes, stone fruit, and roses. I am a farmer without a farm, Snyders, a voluble man with brown skin and a bald head, declared one afternoon, looking at his garden. I know how to prune apricots, peaches, plumsyou name it. I worked on a contract basis: forty people on a truck and I prune your farm. That is how I make my money. I harvest your farm. He was sitting at a picnic table, surrounded by chickens, a litter of puppies, several neighbors, and two men he employs to help with his crops: they were sorting through plastic buckets of pears harvested from Snyderss half-dozen fruit trees. They are not working hard now, he grumbled, gesturing toward the workers. They are looking at you, because they have never seen a white woman sitting next to me. Its apartheid, my girlapartheid never dies. Apartheid will be with us for a very long time. Once the paved road enters McGregor, it is called Voortrekker, or pioneer, for the Dutch colonists who travelled inland from the Cape by ox wagon. To the north of the road is the white part of town, with stately Georgian houses and cars in every driveway. To the south, where Snyders grows his pears, the houses are mostly thatched cottages, and the residents are what South Africans call colored: the mixed-race descendants of the Dutch, their Malay slaves, and the indigenous people, the Khoi and the San. But, according to a legal claim that Snyders and seventy of his neighbors have launched, all of McGregorand miles of prime farmland surrounding itrightfully belongs to them. They are the progeny of sixty-seven farmers who purchased property in the area from a local reverend after the British wrested control of the Cape Colony from the Dutch. Snyders set on the table a copy of the deed of transferdated 1888, signed by the colonial governor, and noting a payment of a hundred and thirty-seven pounds and ten shillings. Next to it he placed a group photograph of the original farmers, brown men in suitsand one womanseated in four rows. Snyders pointed out the resemblance between one of the men in the picture, William George Page, and Pages great-granddaughter, Elizabeth, who was sitting on a rickety bench next to the pear sorters, shooing away a chicken. I started my research in 1971, Snyders said, riffling through a substantial stack of papers. The old people who lived here used to come to my house and talk about how their land had been robbed from them, and I was always interested in their stories. Then I went out to the archives in Cape Town: I search, search, search, search! The claim, which will be submitted to the courts in June, posits that Snyders and his neighbors were dispossessed of twelve thousand acres during apartheid, when eighty-five per cent of South Africas arable land came under the control of white farmers. We want our land backthat is all, Snyders said. That we can prosper, as in years before. The remnants of Jansens childhood home. After his family was evicted, he said, the mayor flattened the house. Photograph by Pieter Hugo for The New Yorker Inside, Snyders has a picture of Nelson Mandela hanging next to snapshots of his grandchildren, but he is not a fan of the contemporary version of Mandelas party, the African National Congress, which has been in power since South Africas first democratic elections, in 1994. He was disgusted with former President Jacob Zuma, who, after nine singularly unprincipled years in office, stands accused of sixteen counts of corruption, fraud, and racketeering. Snyders was frustrated by load shedding, the daily periods without electricity imposed by South Africas state-owned power utility, whose leaders had been compelled that week to appear before a parliamentary commission investigating corruption. Politicians, theyre just there to steal! Snyders said. We believe in: Grow something! Work with your hands! Not sitting on your ass and talking a lot of crap in Parliament. He was encouraged, though, by a new position taken up under President Cyril Ramaphosa, who came to office in 2018: a proposed amendment to the constitution that would allow for land to be expropriated without compensating its owners, which Snyders hopes will help with their case. By his own admission, Snyders is not a worldly gentleman. He blames the droughts that have been plaguing McGregor partly on global warming, and partly on the influx of gays and lesbians into the village. Thats why its not raining anymore, as a punishment, he explained. But his understanding of land reform in South Africa is not so different from that of another impressionable septuagenarian, the President of the United States. Last August, Trump tweeted his concern about the South Africa land and farm seizures and expropriations and the large scale killing of farmers. Trump was responding to a report hed seen on Fox News, in which Tucker Carlson warned, inaccurately, that Ramaphosa had already begun seizing land from his own citizens without compensation because they are the wrong skin color. In truth, the matter is far from settled: the proposal has been fiercely debated in Parliament, on social media, and at dinner tables across the country since it was first announced, after the A.N.C.s 2017 convention. The Pan South African Language Board, which tracks the incidence of words on social media, named expropriation without compensation the term of the year in 2018. The issue has been a significant factor in campaigns for South Africas elections, on May 8th: the opposition party, the Democratic Alliance, argues that, if the amendment is passed, it will further erode the nations already faltering economy and give undue power to a tainted government. To Snyders, its very simple. All the white people in McGregor know: they are on other peoples land. It belongs to us. Gesturing toward his garden, he said, This is a small piece of land. If we are successful with our land claim, I must buy Mr. Ramaphosa a case of whiskey! Elizabeth Page pointed out that Ramaphosa doesnt drink. Snyders shrugged. If this thing happens, it will be a turnover just like this, he said, snapping his fingers. I will come to your door, and I will say, Look here, my Lady Girlie, you are on my property. Before it was called McGregor, the village where Snyders lives was named Lady Grey; there is an art gallery by that name on Voortrekker Street. Lady Grey was the wife of Sir George Grey, a governor of the Cape Colony in the eighteen-fifties. As the colonists opened mines and built farms, Grey saw in the black population a source of disposable workers. He vowed that they would be marched into the colony under their European superintendents, unarmed and provided only with implements of labor, and marched out of the colony in the same manner when employment ceases. In 1894, Prime Minister Cecil John Rhodes named a bill for Grey, which restricted Africans to segregated regions of the Cape and limited the amount of land they could hold. Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, who is a judge and the author of The Land Is Ours, a history of dispossession and resistance by black lawyers, told me that the law forced the Xhosa, the cattle herders who made up most of the colonys black populace, to give up their traditional livelihood. The wealth of Africans at the time was measured in cattle, and the reduction of hectares you could keep reduced the number of cattle you could graze, he said. They had to be pushed off their land and deprived of cattle to make them dependent on the new economy imposed on themthe wage economy. The Glen Grey Act was the first piece of legislation to enshrine in law the residential separation of the races. It was also the basis for the notorious Natives Land Act of 1913, which in its final form allocated a mere thirteen per cent of all arable land to the black majority. This land was held in native reserves, under the authority of African chiefs. There were no individual property rights on the reserves, so no land could be soldwhich meant that black people could make no money from their assets. In 1948, the Afrikaner National Party came to power and began instituting ever more elaborate systems of racial categorization, determining who could live where and with whom: nonwhite South Africans were pushed to the peripheries of cities and towns, and were divided, based on their tribal background, into ten rural regions, called Bantustans. This policy enabled the government to declare that there was no black majority in South Africa, only a collection of disparate ethnic groups. More than three and a half million people were removed from their homes in rural areas. Their land was expropriated without compensation and sold at low prices to white farmers. Under apartheid, eighty-five per cent of South African land was reserved for whites, who made up some seventeen per cent of the population. (As of 2011, when the last census was taken, the country was seventy-nine per cent black, nine per cent white, and nine per cent colored.) David Jansen, a neighbor of Gabriel Snyderss, was born the year before apartheid began, and he spent his childhood raising cattle with his parents outside town. He now lives above a shop, and pays a white man on the other side of Voortrekker Street to keep his three cows in the yard at night; every day he grazes them in the bush on the edge of town. One afternoon, he took me into the mountains, where he was brought up, in a small brick house that his mother had inherited from her parents. He grew up playing outside, where there was nothing but open land for the familys cattle to graze. When Jansen was in his early teens, his parents died, and he moved into town with his older brother to attend school. Around that time, the brothers started noticing fencing going up around their parents land. The mayor told them that they had no right to their property, and that their house would be dismantled. They could continue to graze livestock there only if they paid rent. They asked us for moneybut we didnt have money, you must understand, Jansen said. The mayor flattened the house to the ground. He pointed out a pile of bricks grown over with fynbos plantsthe remnants of his homeand showed me the tree that marks the graves of his parents and his grandparents. It was all behind a wire fence, which he was afraid to pass. The A.N.C. was concerned with land from the beginning; the Party was formed largely in reaction to the Glen Grey Act and the laws that followed. When the A.N.C. took power, in 1994, it saw land reform as the central and driving force of a program of rural development meant to redress centuries of injustice. There would be a land-claims court to adjudicate restitution for anyone who had been dispossessed of property; in order to avoid conflict, a willing seller, willing buyer policy would be instituted, in which landowners were asked to voluntarily sell their land to the government so that it could be restored to those with legitimate claims. A system of tenure reform would secure formal property rights for people who had lived for decades in places that they could not legally own. And, finally, the A.N.C. pledged to redistribute thirty per cent of the countrys farmland within five years. Twenty-five years later, it has managed roughly eight per cent. White South Africans own seventy-two per cent of the land held by individuals in the country. Ngcukaitobi told me, Land represents, in the most graphic way, racial inequality in South Africastill. The ownership of land as entrenched in 1913 has not changed. The failure of land reform is one of the reasons that South Africa is among the most unequal societies on earth. Unemployment is at thirty-seven per cent. Only thirteen per cent of South Africans earn more than six thousand dollars a year. The education system is in shambles: nearly eighty per cent of nine- and ten-year-olds fail simple tests of reading comprehension. To add to the woes of South Africans, some seventeen billion dollars disappeared from state coffers under Jacob Zuma, and is still being pursued by the courts. All of this helps explain the rise of a politician named Julius MalemaJuju to his supporters. Malema, the former head of the African National Congress Youth League, was first a protg of Zumas and then an antagonist, railing against Zumas self-seeking greed and calling him a thief. After being expelled from the A.N.C., Malema founded his own political party, the Economic Freedom Fightersa radical, left, and anti-capitalist and anti-imperialist movement. The E.F.F.s position is that all South African landas well as all banks and mineral rightsshould be nationalized to rectify economic inequality. Malemas campaign billboards advertise him as a son of the soil, but he drives a Mercedes-Benz and wears a seventeen-thousand-dollar Breitling watch. In 2009, fending off accusations of corruption, he told the South African journalist Debora Patta that he identified with the underprivileged. I am the poor, he said. If you are going to define richness on the basis of material clothes and cars, then thats something else. Targeting South Africas vast underclass for votes, the E.F.F. criticizes the A.N.C., but it demonizes South African whites. Even under the so-called democracy, you are subjects, you are servants of white people, Malema said, at a rally in 2016. I am here to disturb the white mans peace. The white man has been too comfortable for too long. Malema concluded, We are not calling for the slaughtering of white people, at least for now. . . . But, white minority, be warned: we will take our landit doesnt matter how. The E.F.F. is currently the third-largest party in Parliament, with six per cent of the vote. Malemas provocations fuel zealots eager to frame what is happening in South Africa as part of an international white genocide. A mini-genre of documentary has emerged in which a crusading blonde from a foreign land comes to South Africa to investigate the move toward expropriation without compensation, and relates it to the ghastly phenomenon of plaasmoordea term that translates literally as farm murders but encompasses all forms of violence inflicted on farmers during home invasions. In Plaasmoorde: The Killing Fields, the British right-wing gadfly Katie Hopkins asserts, Whites are being systematically cleansed from the land by black gangs. Black gangs are supported by the language and actions of mainstream politicians. As evidence, she cites Malemas rhetoric, but also the A.N.C.s push for a constitutional amendment. I look around at these persecuted whites living in gated communities, Hopkins concludes, mournfully, and I wonder if apartheid ever really went away. It seems the only thing that has shifted is who has the power. The young alt-right Canadian Lauren Southern tells a similar story in her documentary Farmlands, asking whether there is a white genocide going on right now in South Africa, where the governments anti-white rhetoric is now being realized in legislation to take white land. Ernst Roets, the deputy head of the Afrikaner civil-rights organization AfriForum, appears in Hopkinss film, and is a favorite of the right-wing international media; he has discussed expropriation on Tucker Carlsons show. When I visited him at his headquarters, in an office plaza outside Pretoria, he was wearing glasses and a blue shirt with the AfriForum logo stitched along the pocket, which gave him the look of an I.T. specialist. Afrikaners are the villains of South Africa, because of our history, he said. They are the remnants of a ruling classthe descendants of the employees of the Dutch East India Company, who arrived in the late seventeenth century, and now constitute about sixty per cent of South Africas four and a half million white citizens. The National Party, which instituted apartheid, was established specifically to secure their interests. In those days, their languageAfrikaans, a creole sometimes referred to as Low Dutchwas imposed on nonwhites. The 1976 Soweto Uprisingin which some twenty thousand students marched, and several hundred were killed by the policewas held to protest the mandatory use of Afrikaans in schools. Now Afrikaans both unites and divides the country; it is the basis of a white-identity movement, but it is also the first language of three-quarters of colored South Africans. Moenier Adams, a musician from the Cape Flats, the sprawling region outside Cape Town where hundreds of thousands of black and colored South Africans were forcibly resettled under apartheid, has a song that describes the language he grew up speaking as a history book without a cover, of a white guy looking for a brown-skinned lover. Traditionally, there has been friction between whites of English descent and Afrikaners. I think that tension has lessened as a result of current government policies, Roets said. White English and white Afrikaans people are sort of pushed together into one bigger group with common concerns. They are united, he thinks, by a shared sense of siege. Political leaders . . . actively and continuously vilify white farmers in particular and even go as far as romanticizing violence against them, Roets writes, in his book Kill the Boera phrase, meaning kill the farmer, that is also the refrain of a song Julius Malema and his supporters sometimes sing at rallies. AfriForums Web site declares that its mission is to insure that Afrikanerswho have no other homeare able to lead a meaningful and sustainable existence, in peace with other communities, but the organization is increasingly broadening its messaging to advocate for minority rights. Roets recently co-produced Disrupted Land, a documentary, in English, which argues that white colonists arrived in the Cape at the same time as Bantu-speaking black groups, giving them equal claim to the land. (Robert Edgar, a professor emeritus of African history at Howard University, told me that mainstream historians reject this idea. That one has been around since the nineteenth centurythe myth of the empty land, he said. Bantu-speaking groups would have been well established in that area several centuries before the Dutch showed up.) In the past decade, AfriForums membership has shot up from nine thousand to more than two hundred thousand. Roets does not deny that apartheid was a moral catastrophe. Everyone agrees it was a horrible system, he said. Im sure its less than one per cent within the white community that thinks otherwise. But he believes that the goal of land reform should be to reward people with provable legal claims, not to alleviate the lingering damage of South Africas racial history. Its wrong to say that dispossession happened to all black people or that it was committed by all white people across the entire surface of South Africa, he told me. Of course, then people say, Oh, so youre pro-apartheid. No! We are free-market people. On his bookshelf, Roets had a bust of Ronald Reagan. We want the state to be small and out of the way. Apartheid was a big-government system. Roets dismisses the term white genocide. Farming is an occupationyou cant have a genocide against an occupation, he said. But, he argues, there is a large-scale killing of farmers. AfriForum has verified fifty-four murders of farmers in 2018. The police count sixty-two, of whom forty-six were white. These killings constitute only two-tenths of one per cent of the homicides in South Africa. But to Roets and his constituents they represent part of a politically motivated strategy to push white people off a continent that they have inhabited for hundreds of years. In the vast majority of farm attacks the attackers have stated that they were primarily motivated by the intention to rob, he writes. But he asserts that they are also influenced by hate speech, land reform, labor disputes, racism. He has pleaded his case before the United Nations, and to politicians in Australia, the United States, and Germany, hoping that they will press the A.N.C. to address farm murders and to abandon plans for expropriation without compensation. In Farmlands, Lauren Southern warns of a coming race waran ever more realistic bloody future in South Africa. She interviews Jeanine Ihlenfeldt, a third-generation white farmer in the Eastern Cape, whose father, Schalk Featherstone, was shot to death by a black former employee in 2015. The camera follows Ihlenfeldt as she weeps in her fathers living room, the site of his murder. Southern suggests that the attack was a straightforward act of politically motivated racial hatred. She neglects to mention that the murderer was previously convicted of stealing a pickup truck from Featherstone and spent time in jail for the crime. It was just retribution: You put me in jail for stealing your bakkie, Im going to kill you, Ihlenfeldt told me. The perpetrator was on tikSouth African methat the time of the killing; he had stabbed his girlfriend to death a few days earlier. (He is currently serving a life sentence.) Gawie Snyders with a portrait of his grandparents. He and seventy neighbors are working to claim their entire town. Photograph by Pieter Hugo for The New Yorker I felt exploited, Ihlenfeldt said of Southerns film, when we met in February. Ihlenfeldt, a fifty-four-year-old mother of two with short white hair, told me that she was interviewed under false pretenses. Hence, I was in my farm boots and my shorts, to go and show them the effect of the drought on the farm, and Lauren sat down and said, Tell me about your dad. Completely caught me off guard. We met in the town of Graaff-Reinet, near the farm where Ihlenfeldt grew up, and to which she had returned after her fathers murder. Ihlenfeldt and her husband, Pete, do not think her fathers killing was politically motivated, but they are convinced that there is no future for themor for white people in generalin South Africa. My son spent four years at university, but because hes white he doesnt get the job, Ihlenfeldt said. Our kids are saying now, I want to get out of this country, because of entitlement. Ihlenfeldt was referring to Black Economic Empowerment legislation, which rewards companies that hire black employees and penalizes those that dont. The only way is to leave, she said. Middle-income people, the tax base, theyre leaving every day. South Africa is still a place in which it is highly advantageous to be white. The average white person there earns five times as much as the average black person. (In McGregor, people of color cross to the white side of Voortrekker Street every day, to tend gardens, clean houses, build fences. White people are rarely seen on the colored side.) Yet many whites feel that their status is threatened. In the past two decades, according to estimates, some four hundred thousand more whites have left the country than have moved in. The Ihlenfeldts may follow. After seeing Southerns film, a German legislator contacted them with an offer. Hes part of this committee thats been tasked to look into farm attacks and get farmers to Germany, Pete said. If we arrive tomorrow with the clothes on our back, politicians there will give us asylum. Theyll give us a safe house for six weeks. Theyll feed us. Theyll clothe us. Theyll try to find us jobs. Peter Dutton, Australias minister of Home Affairs, has expressed the intention to do something similar; in March, 2018, he announced that, owing to the horrific circumstances faced by white South Africans, his department would give special attention to any of them seeking to immigrate to a civilized country like ours. (The statement was condemned by Human Rights Watch, and an Australian senator said, The bloke is an out-and-out racist.) Pete Ihlenfeldt hopes to see foreign intervention in South Africa. I think they should back us, to stop the farm murders, he said. How? Jeanine asked sharply. There are some twenty thousand homicides a year in South Africa. Its not a genocide, she said, shaking her head. You must understand: Afrikaans culture is completely different from English. They are far rightthats why they love that word, genocide. Pete was unconvinced. When you see the brutality of what theyre doing to the farmersraping a woman and burning her with an iron and shooting her kneecapsthese are brutal attacks on white people. Its always color against color. Plaasmoorde has terrified whites for decades. In 1999, J. M. Coetzee published Disgrace, perhaps the most celebrated novel by a white South African, which centers on an attack committed not far from the Ihlenfeldts farm. Neither of the Ihlenfeldts believed that there was a link between the attacks and the proposed amendment. Its two completely separate issues, Jeanine said. This land story is about the election. Pete interjected, Theyre doing this to get votes. Whats the word? Jeanine replied, dryly, Bribing. The A.N.C. has never lost a national election, but it is slipping. In the last nationwide municipal elections, support for the Party fell to its lowest level since 1994, as it lost control of three important metropolitan areasJohannesburg, Nelson Mandela Bay, and the City of Tshwane. The D.A. won twenty-six per cent of the national vote by promising centrist policies and technocratic good government. At the same time, the E.F.F., Malemas group, threatened from the left. The A.N.C. had an operating theory that the rural areas were going to keep them in powerthat they need to cozy up to the chiefs while hammering away at the white farmers, Ruth Hall, a political scientist at the University of the Western Cape, told me. But now, in the urban areas, its losing votes to the E.F.F. hand over fist. To compete, it has embraced expropriation without compensation. Ramaphosa, who previously served as Zumas Deputy President, has mixed incentives. Before entering the government, he was an anti-apartheid leader and a trade unionist, strongly allied with Mandela; he is also a businessman who built a fortune of half a billion dollars, much of it during his time with the A.N.C. Ramaphosa declined to be interviewed for this article, as did the current Deputy President, David Mabuza, who chairs the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Land Reform. A person who has discussed the issue with Ramaphosa told me, Cyril doesnt believe in expropriation without compensation. He got stuck with it. Its a nightmare! In South Africa, voters elect a party to lead Parliament, which then determines which of its members will become the President. The most recent A.N.C. convention, in 2017, was chaotic: it was unclear until the last minute whether Ramaphosa or his opponent, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zumaone of Jacob Zumas ex-wiveswould head the Party. Ramaphosa got in by a whisker, and then the Zuma camp said, By the way, we have a resolution about land expropriation without compensation, Hall said. It ended up at midnight with fisticuffs, and the conference was at risk of collapsing on this issue. Ramaphosas election would have been null and void. So he got in, but he was given the poison chalice. Ramaphosa appointed Hall and nine other scholars and business leaders to serve on an advisory panel on land reform; they are rushing to prepare a report on the future of the issue. The irony of this whole debate is that the property clause explicitly made provision for expropriation, Hall said. In the South African constitution, codified in 1996, Section Twenty-five holds that the government can expropriate private property for a public purpose or in the public interest if it provides compensation that is just and equitable. For a quarter of a century, the A.N.C. has theoretically been empowered to claim any property it saw fit, and to set compensation at zero. But the courts have persistently interpreted just and equitable to mean market-basedwith the exception of a single ruling, made by Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, who is a judge in the Land Claims Court. That case involved a speculator who bought a plot, in 1999, knowing that there was a claim against it, made by a tenant farmer whose family had been working the land since 1946 without title. (After the Natives Land Act allocated the majority of farmland to whites, it was common for black farmworkers to labor without pay in exchange for being allowed to remain in their homes.) In 2016, when the tenant won his suit for the land, the speculator asked for compensation, amounting to more than ten times what hed paid for the property. Ngcukaitobi ruled against him, arguing that the tenant had already paid for the land with his work. My point was that we need a shift in standards, not based in the fundamentalism of the market, Ngcukaitobi told me. It is mandated under the constitutionour job is to work out what justice and equity demand. We have to take into account history. We are not dealing with the price of a box of chocolates. The ruling was overturned on appeal, but Ngcukaitobis logic was rooted in the constitution as it standswhich, he says, makes the proposed amendment unnecessary. Vuyo Mahlati, the chair of Ramaphosas advisory panel, and the president of the African Farmers Association of South Africa, a union with three hundred thousand members, thinks that the Land Claims Court cannot solve the problem alone. The judges are saying to us, The courts are already overburdened on land reform, she said. And if you are a poor community, or a farmer without resources, you cannot rely on your caseon your rightsbeing fought for. Ngcukaitobi disputed this. On land, we are underworked, he said. We have very few cases of land restitution. The majority of the cases have to do with eviction! The court, which Ngcukaitobi said was devised to manage the transfer of land from white hands to black hands, was instead being used mostly to evict black squatters and tenants. He agreed that part of the problem was that white farmers had more money to hire lawyers, but he also blamed the incompetence of the government commission charged with finding and validating land claims. It is dysfunctional, hobbled by administrative inefficiency, and quite frankly by corruption, he said. That is the problemthe collapse of institutions. But, instead of accepting their own fault, they have blamed the constitution. Charles Back, a third-generation farmer, was beaten by thieves and left for dead. Afterward, he posted a message on social media, saying, I want it to be known that this attack was not politically divisive in any way. Photograph by Pieter Hugo for The New Yorker Proponents of expropriation without compensation say that it can help break deadlocks when the government needs to purchase land in order to return it to someone with a proven claim. Under the willing seller, willing buyer model, landowners have an incentive to drive up prices indefinitely, Hall said: We have whats called a landowner veto. The state just carries on more and more above market price to induce people, and I think its impractical for the state and the taxpayer to be held over a barrel. The bill under consideration is more targeted than most people realize, she added. Expropriation without compensation is obviously a populist kind of terminology that people have grasped on to. But the bill says that, when the state expropriates, it can provide no compensation only under these five circumstances: purely speculatively held land; land that has been abandoned; publicly owned land; land that has been donated; farms with labor tenants. Its quite limited. But speculatively held land is still someones property. It will be difficult to secure foreign investmentwhich the South African government is actively solicitingif the world is afraid to buy property that can become valueless at the whim of a government with a long history of corruption. Mosiuoa (Terror) Lekota, who was imprisoned with Nelson Mandela for resisting apartheid and was present when the constitution was drafted, told me, When we got to Section Twenty-five, we enunciated step by step what we needed to do to solve problems, and the first point we made is that no one may be deprived of their property. That is important to protect all of usnot just whites! Lekota, a former chairman of the A.N.C., left the Party in 2008 and formed his own, the Congress of the People. We cannot support anyone who wants to promote racial differences or cultural hostilities: we are constitutionalists. South Africa cannot become a great nation that can take its place among nations of the world unless we merge and bind together into one. The governments current examination of land reform is not limited to the question of expropriation; it is also attempting to reckon with climate change, drought, and urbanization. It is not just about farms, Mahlati said. Its about cities, where eighty-three per cent of the urban populationmainly blackresides on two per cent of the land. She framed expropriation without compensation not only as a moral issue but also as a financial necessity. The government currently has a backlog of 1.4 billion dollars worth of approved claims waiting to be paid out. These are all legitimate cases that have been verified, provenbut the government has to buy that land, Mahlati said. And the problem now is that the budget of the state is becoming less and less. Hall told me, We have to deal with the structural inequality in this country. I think that this is all an opportunity to get things right. We have a property system that works for only about forty per cent of our population. Most of our people are living in informal settlements, in back-yard shacks. Theyre living as farmworkers on privately held land that they dont own. Theyre living in communal areas with forms of traditional government, without any kind of secured property right. We have a new generation coming of age, and young people are saying, We dont accept being locked out of the cities, kicked off the farms, and pushed into ghettos. Something is going to have to give. In February, 2018, Parliament held public hearings on land reform. Mahlati recalled, One guy, a farmer, who went to the hearings, he said, My cattle have no grazing area. I am on this small piece of land; its overcrowded. And around me theres land owned by white farmers. Some of it is not even usedthe guy goes overseas most of the time, while Im sitting here. Ive had enough. Charles Back is a sixty-two-year-old third-generation white farmer. He owns six farms in South Africa; Fairview, in Paarl, where he grew up, is the best known. Fairview wines are sold at most upscale liquor stores in South Africa, and at many in the United States; its cheeses are distributed in little wrapped wedges on South African Airlines flights. Back lives at Fairview, in a Cape Dutch house built on a hilltop in 1693. One night last year, he was asleep in bed when six black assailants broke in. He awoke when one of them hit him in the head with a crowbar. I fought back physically as much as I could, until I couldnt fight back anymore, Back, who was a paratrooper in the South African special forces in his youth, said, standing in front of his house, with a view of his farm spreading toward the mountains. While three of the men were busy removing flat-screen televisions from wallsThats quite a business, but they brought tools, Back saidthe others beat him and left him for dead, rolled up in a carpet. My eye has been completely reconstructed, he told me. It was buggeredmy retina detached, the socket smashed. I had to get seventy-four staples in my head. He smiled. Its funny, you go in and out of consciousness while its happeningsort of a wobbly thing. Its actually kind of a euphoric state. And then I remember them tying me up. While I was lying there, one guy came back to me and he lifted my hair and I just put on an Oscar-worthy performance: I died. I consciously acted that scene. Then he passed out. When he came to, he managed to wiggle out of the rug. He could hear that the men were still in the house. Its quite difficult to stand up when you are tied up. So I rolled under the bed, he said, and laughed. And then hop, hop, hopI hopped down the passage. He opened the door quietly, hoping not to be noticed. Then I hopped up the hill. As Back told the story, he walked me up the steep incline he followed that night toward his driveway. I saw there was chaos, pandemonium in the house: they didnt know what had happened to me. He pointed at a ditch that had been dug when his staff was doing work on a pipe. And then I fell into this bloody hole! I actually lay here and I laughed. Later, he watched footage of that night captured by security cameras, and saw that when his assailants went looking for him they walked right past the ditch. I didnt see them, they didnt see me. Eventually, he was able to untie himself. When hed gathered some strength, he pulled himself out, sprinted to his car, and drove to the home of an employee, who rushed him to the hospital. While they were stitching me up, I was thinking, Im not going to allow this thing to go to waste. You dont get beaten up and left for dead and not do something with it. The biggest problem with South Africa is polarization: when you are a white person and you are attacked by a black person, people exploit the opportunity. I thought, Im not going to allow that. He decided to post something on social media. I wanted to say, Its common criminality. Its not about politics. Its not racially motivated. Its not about land. Its just opportunistic people attacking a soft target. Thats it. His attackers, who are now in prison, were Namibians, former employees of a security company that Back once used to guard his farm. He went to work the next morning still wearing his bloody shirt, with gauze wrapped around his head and his eye swollen shut. Back said that he had a running joke with the millennials on his staff: I always tell them, You sneeze and you say you need to work from home. So, first thing, I went to the office where all the social media and marketing take place to show them, This is what dedication looks like. Then he asked for help with his post. It read, in part, I want it to be known that this attack was not politically divisive in any way, but that these were just three common gangsters motivated by their own self-interests. I believe in the values that this country was built on, and continue to hope for harmony and peace. The post was viewed by 1.6 million people. Thousands of messages! he said. Not one negative comment. He was unaware that the photograph the millennials postedof Back bruised, bandaged, and bloodiedwas lifted and used in Katie Hopkinss documentary. If you dont stop squabbling, Im turning this car around and going right back to the bank. Charles Back employs six hundred people and owns some thirty-five hundred acres of farmland across South Africa. He is committed to the land-restitution process, though he is unconvinced by recent suggestions that it ought to encompass claims dating before the 1913 Natives Land Act. You have to draw a line somewhere, he said. Thats like me going back to Lithuania and saying, I want my grandfathers land back. His grandfather, who was Jewish, left a shtetl in 1902 to escape the pogroms sweeping the Russian Empire. There are certain things in history that cant be undone. Back has been engaged in his own version of land reform for decades. I tried to make homeowners of my staff, he told me. It was easy at my farm in Malmesbury. It was adjacent to a townshipthe exurban residential areas designated for black people during apartheid. I bought plots and gave the title deeds to people. Whoever worked for me got a house. Things havent gone as smoothly in Paarl. Across the road from the Fairview complex, Back bought a thirty-seven-acre parcel of landFair Valley, he calls itand gave it to his workers as a collective. Twenty years later, were still struggling to get the land divided, he said. Its held up by government red tape. A man named Awie Adolf, who has worked for Back for thirty-seven years, took me to see Fair Valley, where eight houses and a melon patch sit on the edge of a large tract of land bordered by towering gum trees. There are thirty-four families in the Fairview Farmworkers Cooperative who are waiting for houses, but unless they subdivide the property they arent permitted to build any more. Adolf described their attempts to engage the municipal government: You come to that person, he sends you to that one, he sends you to that onethere is no one person who can say, This is how you do this thing. Thats why we struggle so long. It is very frustrating. I want my own home. I dont want to depend on Charles every time. I have four children. I want to know they can have my house when Im gone. I cant fight out of my grave. He did not think expropriation without compensation would solve anything. The old government steals the land from us. These people now also want to steal. They will take the land and do the same as the old government: steal and steal. | https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/05/13/who-owns-south-africa |
How Helpful Would A Genetic Test For Obesity Risk Be? | Enlarge this image toggle caption eyecrave/Vetta/Getty Images eyecrave/Vetta/Getty Images Scientists who recently announced an experimental genetic test that can help predict obesity got immediate pushback from other researchers, who wonder whether it is really useful. The story behind this back-and-forth is, at its core, a question of when it's worth diving deep into DNA databanks when there's no obvious way to put that information into use. The basic facts are not in dispute. Human behavior and our obesity-promoting environment have led to a surge in this condition over the past few decades. Today about 40% of American adults are obese and even more are overweight. But genetics also plays an important role. People inherit genes that make them more or less likely to become seriously overweight. While some diseases (like Huntington's and Tay-Sachs) are caused by a single gene gone awry, that's certainly not the case for common conditions, including obesity. Instead, thousands of genes apparently play a role in increasing obesity risk. Many of those gene variants contribute a minuscule risk. Sekar Kathiresan, a cardiologist at Harvard and a geneticist at the Broad Institute, set out to see whether he and his team could find a bunch of these genetic variants and add up their effects. The goal was to identify genetic patterns that put people at the highest risk. This genetic information "could explain why somebody's so big, why they have so much trouble keeping their weight down," Kathiresan says. His team identified more than 2 million DNA variants of potential interest. He figures most of those variants are irrelevant, but his hunch is, hidden somewhere in there are a few thousand changes that each contribute at least a tiny bit to a person's risk of developing obesity. No single gene can do much to move the needle. But he says the composite result, called a polygenic risk score, is still potentially useful. Those with the highest risk scores were more likely to be severely obese (with a body mass index over 40). In fact, 43% of the people with the highest genetic scores were obese. But the score is far from perfect. For instance, 17% of the people with the highest scores had normal body weights. The team, with lead author Amit Khera, published its results in the journal Cell. "The impact of the genetics and this was a huge surprise to us as well starts very early in life, in the preschool years, around the age of 3," Kathiresan says. That finding suggests prevention efforts are more likely to succeed if they also start in childhood. Kathiresan has a more philosophical takeaway from his work as well. "I hope this work will hopefully destigmatize obesity and make it very similar to every other disease, which is a combination of both lifestyle and genetics." A lot of elaborate genetic analysis is behind the study, which involved more than 300,000 individuals. But the broad conclusions aren't new. Scientists already knew genetic risk factors can contribute significantly to obesity. And other studies show that obese children are at high risk for becoming obese adults. Epidemiologist Cecile Janssens, a professor at Emory University, doesn't think much of this strategy of adding up the tiny risks from millions of genetic variants to come up with a cumulative risk score. "In all fairness, we don't know whether all of these variants really matter," she says. When asked about the value of doing a study like this, she says, "I have no clue." "It is not really answering a very relevant question from the biological perspective, and not really answering a very relevant question from a clinical perspective," she says. This type of analysis doesn't reveal anything about the individual genes that are contributing to obesity, which means you can't use it to understand the underlying biology. If obesity were a rare disease, a test like this could be useful to identify people at elevated risk. But since it affects 40% of Americans, Janssens says prevention efforts should include everybody. She is among a group of scientists informally rebelling against the gene-centric way of looking at disease. It's frustrating for them to see so much money poured into this kind of genetics work, rather than into efforts to change the environment and the behaviors that contribute to diseases like obesity. Janssens also says that, despite the daunting effort involved in studying 2 million genetic variants, the resulting score still doesn't explain even 10% of the variation the scientists observed in body mass index. (Kathiresan, who couches his conclusions differently, says the score explains about a quarter of the genetic risk.) Scientists doing this kind of work hope that data like these, when presented to individuals, will prompt them to change their behavior. Alas, that's not supported by scientific reviews. "This kind of personalized risk information has little [or] no impact on people's actual behavior," says Theresa Marteau, who directs the Behaviour and Health Research Unit at the University of Cambridge. In fact, researchers have worried that when people learn that they are at high genetic risk for diseases like obesity, people would become fatalistic and stop trying to change their behaviors. Fortunately, Marteau says "in a review, we didn't find any evidence for that." It seems they just ignore the information. Ewan Birney, who heads the European Bioinformatics Institute, has been watching this debate play out over the years. Birney agrees with the critics who say obesity isn't the ideal disease for this kind of analysis. "One needs to do more than just be able to show a strong statistical association," he says. "One really needs to show that you can then use that to do an intervention." Birney also is wary of making too much of this information because it's based primarily on data from the UK Biobank, as well as U.S. samples, in which racial minorities aren't well represented. There are other instances where these polygenic risk scores can be useful, he says. For example, a score that identifies people at high risk for heart disease identifies people who get the most benefit from cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins. (But it's unclear whether it would be beneficial to give statins to people who score high on this test but wouldn't ordinarily be identified as candidates for this medication). Using a different method of analysis, called a genome-wide association study, scientists have identified more than 140 genes that can slightly increase the risk of obesity. Though their individual influence is small, they do provide clues about the biology of the disease. For example, one of the relatively potent variants "actually relates to calorie-seeking behaviors," says Ali Torkamani, who is director of genome informatics at the Scripps Research Translational Institute. Other variants are, unsurprisingly, related to the function of fat cells. It's also possible that a careful probe of the genes rather than the abstract risk score could identify genetic variants that actually reduce a person's risk of obesity. A paper in the same issue of Cell as the one that featured work from Kathiresan's group points in that direction. While genes influence a person's risk of obesity, the epidemic in this country is obviously far more extensive than simply people at high risk. And Torkamani notes that the risk score isn't destiny. "It's just a probability," he says. "And you know, when you flip a coin sometimes it comes up heads and sometimes it comes up tails." You can contact NPR Science Correspondent Richard Harris at [email protected]. | https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/05/06/719558715/how-useful-would-a-genetic-test-for-obesity-risk-be?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=news |
Why did Trump threaten to raise China tariffs and what now? | Stock markets around the world have sold off sharply after Donald Trump threatened to raise the stakes in the simmering US-China trade war. Here are the answers to key questions about the rumbling dispute between the worlds two largest economies. In two tweets posted on Sunday afternoon the president accused China of trying to renegotiate the trade deal being hammered out between Washington and Beijing after months of talks. Trump threatened to ratchet up existing import tariffs of 10% on $200bn (153bn) of Chinese goods sold in the US that have been in place for almost a year to 25%. He also warned that 25% tariffs could be slapped on a further $325bn of goods in future covering roughly all Chinese imports. Tariffs have been imposed by Washington on some Chinese goods sold in the US for about a year, as part of the ongoing dispute over trade. They come on top of broader tariffs used by Trump that have hit China and other trading partners such as the EU, Canada and Mexico, on goods including steel and aluminium. The Trump administration imposed 25% tariffs on $50bn of Chinese technology goods in June 2018, covering aerospace goods, automobiles, communications tech and robotics, in a bid to hinder Beijings Made in China 2025 initiative to boost its manufacturing and technology base. The White House then imposed tariffs of 10% on $200bn of goods in September, on a wider range of products including food ingredients, construction materials, bike parts and burglar alarms. These are the tariffs that could be increased to 25%. China has retaliated with $110bn-worth of tariffs on US goods, including agricultural produce such as soya beans, as well as cars, luggage, electronics, housewares and food. Trump has threatened to raise the tariffs before, but agreed a truce late last year with Chinas president, Xi Jinping, to allow officials more time to negotiate a solution to the trade dispute. Stock markets had been lulled into a false sense of security. Hopes for a trade deal and the US Federal Reserve backing away from raising interest rate have powered financial markets to the highest levels for six months making them more vulnerable to bad news. Although there was always a risk the trade talks would break down in acrimony, the rapid shift from the White House comes after several weeks of both sides suggesting that the talks had been going well. Renewed tariffs and retaliatory measures would likely serve as a drag on global trade, damage corporate earnings and hinder economic growth with potential for a further decline in US equities by 10%-15% as a consequence, according to the Swiss bank UBS. The roots of the dispute extend to Trumps America first project to protect the US position as the worlds leading economy, while encouraging businesses to hire more workers in America and to manufacture their products there. Trump complains of a large trade deficit with China, which he views as a symbol of Americas decline as a manufacturing powerhouse. According to US Census Bureau data, Chinese imports to the US totalled $539.5bn last year, while $120.3bn was sold the other way leaving a trade deficit of $419.2bn. The president has accused Beijing of unfair trade policies, including allowing the theft of US companies intellectual property. The threat of import tariffs on Chinese goods is being used as leverage in talks where Trump is seeking changes to Beijings trade policy. While Trumps tweets could suggest trade talks have hit a brick wall, analysts said the threat likely represents a shift in negotiating strategy. The president is well-known for ramping up the rhetoric in trade negotiations, and has previously said he can only secure new trade deals by threatening or imposing tariffs on trading partners. Analysts expect that the tensions could linger as the US gears up for elections next year. The threat could extract additional concessions, although that is highly risky. Contrary to Trumps claims that tariffs have boosted the US economy, analysts said they had hit growth over recent months and that an escalation could inflict greater damage. | https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/may/06/trump-china-tariffs-trade-talks-tweets |
Why do female prisoners in Missouri have to pay for tampons? | Woman says she was raped by Missouri prison workers. The state wants to send her back Karen Backues Keil is still suing the guard and the mental health counselor she says raped and sexually assaulted her at Chillicothe Correctional Center. Now the Missouri Attorney Generals Office is trying to send her back there. Up Next SHARE COPY LINK Karen Backues Keil is still suing the guard and the mental health counselor she says raped and sexually assaulted her at Chillicothe Correctional Center. Now the Missouri Attorney Generals Office is trying to send her back there. The cost to obtain basic feminine hygiene products inside Missouri correctional facilities can cause serious mental and physical health problems for poor, incarcerated women. Missouri prisons distribute bare-bones, nonabsorbent sanitary pads to inmates, while offering for sale tampons, pads with wings and panty liners at the institutions commissaries. There, most name-brand tampons and maxi pads cost close to $6 for a box containing 18 to 20 pieces. Thats a steep price to pay. Prisoners earn barely $8 per month while incarcerated. More women are behind bars on the county or municipal level than there are in the states two prisons for female offenders. Most cant afford bail while awaiting trial, let alone the cost of sanitary products. And it goes without saying that not every woman behind bars has been found guilty. Missouri lawmakers are considering three measures that would require correctional facilities to provide industry-standard tampons and pads at no cost to inmates. Missouri House bills 920 and 303 and House Committee Bill 2 are at various stages in the legislature with less than three weeks left in the spring session. Federal correctional facilities already provide female offenders with a variety of free tampons and pads. At least 10 states have passed legislation addressing the issue. Missouri should be next. Any law that is approved must mandate state prisons, county and municipal jails, and juvenile detention centers provide free pads or tampons to female inmates. Sure, family and friends can put money in an inmates account to cover the costs. But its a no-brainer that the Department of Corrections provide needy inmates with basic needs. There shouldnt even be legislation, said Topeka K. Sam, an advocate for menstrual equity. This is something that should be given to every woman and girl throughout the country. Unfortunately, when women are in prison, pads and tampons are actually used to encourage good behavior. And thats a human rights issue. According to Liza Weiss, founder and executive director of the social justice nonprofit Missouri Appleseed, the free pads issued in Missouri prisons are flimsy and unsafe. When jails and prisons provide women products that dont work, they make their own and place their health at risk, Weiss said. In 2018, Missouri Appleseed, at the behest of the corrections department, developed and distributed surveys on feminine hygiene to 90 incarcerated women, 20 prison nurses, 20 correctional case managers and other top department officials. The survey found about 88% of incarcerated women use Department of Corrections-issued pads. About half who use the free, substandard pads reported needing to change the pads about every 30 minutes on heavy flow days. Another startling discovery: About 80% of respondents reported using homemade tampons made in the prison. And close to 23% of them suffered at least one vaginal infection over a six-month span while incarcerated. Sanitary pads and tampons are not a luxury. Imagine inmates being charged for toilet paper. Without access to basic needs, one is truly deprived of their dignity, said Jennifer Weiss-Wolf, co-founder of Period Equity and author of Periods Gone Public. Missouri Appleseed recommends that the Missouri Department of Corrections follow the lead of the federal government and states such as Louisiana by adopting policies that provide incarcerated women with free, quality-tested tampons. The nonprofit also suggested the state change menstrual pad vendors to one that sells quality-tested, absorbent pads to resolve the current antiquated practice. Jessica McClellan, an advocate for sexual assault and rape survivors, created the #NoFemaleWithout period products movement. She correctly highlights an obvious, essential fact: Inmates are still human regardless of the reason for their incarceration. Providing these items of dignity is no different than providing toilet tissue to all humans in the penal system, McClellan said. Women and girls incarcerated in prisons, county and municipal jails or juvenile detention centers across the state should have access to quality feminine hygiene products. And cash-strapped inmates should not have the added burden of paying for them. | https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/editorials/article229827494.html |
How will Warriors' Stephen Curry respond to miserable performance in Game 3? | CLOSE SportsPulse: We have ourselves a series now. USA TODAY Sports' Martin Rogers breaks down the Rockets' win over the Warriors in Game 3 and what it means for the series. USA TODAY HOUSTON Stephen Curry has a simple formula for forgetting one of the worst nights of his career and ensuring it doesnt repeat itself when the Golden State Warriors face the Houston Rockets in Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Monday. Got to sleep, Curry said, following his dismal shooting performance Saturday evening. And turn the page. Curry has not been Curry-esque in any way during this postseason -- averaging 22.6 points per game -- but his lowest point came at Toyota Center as the Rockets pulled to within 2-1 in the series. His 7-of-23 mark from the field was bad enough, but Curry also missed a swath of simple layups and muffed an uncontested dunk deep in overtime that provided viral internet fodder and instant material for comedians of all talent levels. WARFARE: Rockets' goal for the remainder of series Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry reacts after a play during OT of Game 3 against the Rockets. (Photo: Troy Taormina, USA TODAY Sports) Golden State is keeping quiet about the dislocated finger Curry suffered in Game 2 and to what extent it is impacting his play. Head coach Steve Kerr insisted there is little doubt his star guard will respond strongly to adversity. He usually has a good game, Kerr said, when asked how Curry reacts to his own subpar performances. He is just really competitive and he gets locked in and a little bit angry. He comes out with a lot of focus and a lot of fight so thats what we are expecting. Kevin Durants extraordinary form, averaging 41 points game over the past five postseason outings and 46 on Saturday, has been critical. Im out there playing, Curry added. I got to produce. Game 4 is going to be another opportunity for everybody to produce and play well. The difference between winning and losing a playoff game is very thin. If a couple more shots (went) my way the (last) game could have been different. Curry has been a huge part of the Warriors modern dynasty since the current version of the team first won a title in 2015. The present slump he is in is unfamiliar to those who have also been part of the journey. We've known each other for so long now ... we just chat, Kerr said. We just chat in passing. There's nothing planned, but my job as a coach is to help the players succeed, give them a little idea what they can do to maybe make an impact in one area or another. So those conversations happen all the time. A positive takeaway for the Warriors was that despite the fact that Curry was off and the team was outplayed by Houston for virtually the entire game, the Warriors still managed to take things to overtime. Draymond Green insisted that Curry has been through difficult times shooting in the past and that the rest of the squad trusted him to be able to work through it. I think Steph has a good balance of beating himself up and just moving on with life, Green told reporters. That's important. It's part of the reason he's the shooter that he is. As a competitor, I know he's pissed with himself and I think that will bode well for us. Probably it's going to lead to some aggressiveness, and we like when he's aggressive so I think he'll be fine. | https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/columnist/martin-rogers/2019/05/06/nba-playoffs-2019-stephen-curry-warriors-rockets/1115887001/ |
What Number of Kids Makes Parents Happiest? | The prompt I gave to Caplan, of course, has no single correct response. There are multiple, sometimes conflicting, ways of evaluating the question of how many kids is best for one family: from the perspective of parents, of children, and of society. These various lines of inquiry warrant a tour of whats known, and what isnt, about how the size of a family shapes the lives of its members. * * * A handful of studies have tried to pinpoint a number of children that maximizes parents happiness. One study from the mid-2000s indicated that a second child or a third didnt make parents happier. If you want to maximize your subjective well-being, you should stop at one child, the studys author told Psychology Today. A more recent study, from Europe, found that two was the magic number; having more children didnt bring parents more joy. In the United States, nearly half of adults consider two to be the ideal number of children, according to Gallup polls, with three as the next most popular option, preferred by 26 percent. Two is the favorite across Europe, too. Ashley Larsen Gibby, a Ph.D. student in sociology and demography at Penn State, notes that these numbers come with some disclaimers. While a lot of [the] evidence points to two children being optimal, I would be hesitant to make that claim or generalize it past Western populations, she wrote to me in an email. Having the normative number of children is likely met with more support both socially and institutionally. Therefore, perhaps two is optimal in places where two is considered the norm. However, if the norm changed, I think the answer to your question would change as well. The two-child ideal is a major departure from half a century ago: In 1957, only 20 percent of Americans said the ideal family meant two or fewer children, while 71 percent said it meant three or more. The economy seems to have played some role in this shift. Steven Mintz, a historian at the University of Texas at Austin and the author of Hucks Raft: A History of American Childhood, says that the ideal during the Baby Boom was in the neighborhood of three, four, or five children. That number plummeted as the cost of rearing children rose and as more women entered the workforce and felt a growing sense of frustration about being reduced to childbearing machines, he said. The costs of raising children are not just financial. As a parent who prizes his own mental and physical health, says Robert Crosnoe, a sociology professor who is also at the University of Texas at Austin, I had to stop at two, because this new style of intensive parenting that people feel they have to follow these days really wears one out. (He added: I am glad, however, that my parents did not think this way, as I am the third of three.) Read: The way American parents think about chores is bizarre | https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2019/05/optimal-best-number-of-children/588529/ |
Are There More Dragons on Game of Thrones? | Warning: This story contains spoilers for Game of Thrones. Daenerys is having a bad year on Game of Thrones. After the Night King turned Viserion into an ice dragon in season 7, she lost another one of her dragons, Rhaegal, when Euron shot a big crossbow at him in the fourth episode of season 8. Plus, the Iron Throne is still out of reach, and the Last of the Starks, illuminated how Rhaegals demise will be a larger problem for the Mother of Dragons. In the short term, Daenerys loss will have a major impact on the show. Shes furious at Cersei for killing one of her beloved children, as well as Missendei, one of her closest advisors. In the next episode, she will likely try to follow the advice Missendei gave before she died Dracarys and burn down the Red Keep. The show has long been haunted by an image of a shadow of a single dragons over King Landing. This news means it will probably be fulfilled. Now we know why theres only one dragon in that shot, rather than two or three. The Brief Newsletter Sign up to receive the top stories you need to know right now. View Sample Sign Up Now The loss of Rhaegal also means that Jon no longer has a dragon to ride. If Daenerys can wait for Jon to arrive with more troops before attacking Kings Landing which seems extremely unlikely then Jon will have to fight on foot. If Daenerys has already killed Cersei by the time hes arrived and fully transformed into the Mad Queen, he will have to face an angry Dragon Queen without a dragon of his own. This potential breakdown could mean the end of dragons in the world of Thrones. Even if Drogon survives the fight against Cersei, he wont live forever. Thats probably good news for HBOs budget and the showrunners. Many fans have argued that the writers are uncomfortable with the magic on the show and have been disposing all mystical elements of the plot as they approach the endgame from the White Walkers to soothsayers to dragons to poor Ghost the direwolf, who didnt even get a goodbye pet from Jon on Sunday nights episode. Dragon-loving fans are clinging onto a tiny chance that other dragons or dragon eggs could still exist on the show. The possibilities are slim but present. Here are all the ways that Daenerys or Jon could acquire more dragons. Drogon could be pregnant In George R.R. Martins books, dragons are described as being gender fluid. So even though Drogon, Rhaegal and Viseryion were all named after men, they may be biologically capable of gestating and laying eggs. So in theory, one or several of those dragons could have lain eggs long ago. Its curious that Daenerys never pursued breeding her dragons on the show, especially after she lost Viserion to the Night King. But now she has one dragon left and little hope of creating more unless Drogon is somehow already pregnant. Drogon could have already lain eggs Whats more likely is that Drogon already laid eggs earlier in the show. Daenerys favorite dragon disappeared for a good chunk of time while Dany was in Essos. Its possible that the creature took a jaunt over to Valyria and headed to a remote location to lay eggs. That would certainly make for a big surprise at the end of the season. There could be more eggs hidden in the Shadowlands Illyrio Mopatis, the man who arranged Danys marriage to Drogo, gifted Daenerys her petrified dragon eggs in the very first episode of season 1. He told her that the eggs came from the Shadowlands beyond Asshai and implied that they were the last of their kind. But theres a small chance there are more dragon eggs hidden somewhere in the Shadowlands. There could be eggs under Winterfell In Martins books, its strongly suggested that there could be dragon eggs in the Winterfell crypts. (Some have suggested that dragon eggs are hidden in Lyannas tomb.) One character claims the Targaryen dragon Vermax laid eggs in the crypts. If thats true, the eggs have not hatched. If they survived the rising of the wights in the crypts during the Battle of Winterfell, they are probably frozen and would have to enter a fire to be revived, like Daenerys first eggs. Write to Eliana Dockterman at [email protected]. | http://time.com/5583767/game-of-thrones-more-dragons/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+time%2Ftopstories+%28TIME%3A+Top+Stories%29 |
Who's behind the Clay County pharmacies in the federal opioid lawsuit? | CLOSE Suspicious activities in pharmacies cause concern in Clay County, Clay County Sheriff Brandon Boone says. Larry McCormack, [email protected] In a federal lawsuit outlining explosive allegations against two Clay County pharmacies making its way through the court system, four individuals are named as defendants in the case, including the pharmacies' majority owner and three pharmacists who allegedly filled scores of suspect prescriptions. Dale Hollow Pharmacy and Xpress Pharmacy, located three doors from each other in the 1,500-person town of Celina, Tennessee, have been investigated on multiple occasions in the past by the Drug Enforcement Administration leading up to the lawsuit's filing in February. Here's a look at the people named in the lawsuit. Buy Photo The small town of Celina saw an influx of people from other counties and states to have their prescriptions filled at two pharmacies in the town until the DEA stepped in. Photo taken Tuesday, April 30, 2019, in Celina, Tennessee. (Photo: Larry McCormack / The Tennessean) Thomas Weir Weir owns 51 percent of both Dale Hollow and Xpress pharmacies and is Dale Hollow's CEO, according to the lawsuit. Last June during a DEA investigation of Dale Hollow, Weir allegedly told agents that doctors, not pharmacists, should be investigated, and that he couldn't tell a board-certified doctor "no," according to a written statement by DEA Diversion Investigator Samantha Rogers. Buy Photo Dale Hollow Pharmacy has effectively closed since a federal lawsuit was filed in February. A subsequent court order prohibited the pharmacy from dispensing any controlled substances indefinitely. Photo taken Tuesday, April 30, 2019, in Celina, Tennessee. (Photo: Larry McCormack / The Tennessean) Weir, who doesn't have a pharmacy license, told agents he didn't believe the opioid epidemic exists, calling it "media hype," Rogers' statement says. Weir also has ties to Elliott Fiber, a company based in Livingston, Tennessee, that installs fiber for telephone companies. The company's principal office is Weir's home address, and he was listed as the registered agent until December. Weir's attorney declined to comment. John Polston The pharmacist in charge at Dale Hollow Pharmacy, Polston's license was placed on probation in 2015 after investigators found he dispensed controlled substances to a family member who didn't have a valid prescription. Buy Photo John Polston walks out of the federal courthouse in Nashville on April 18 after a court appearance. Polston is the pharmacist in charge at Dale Hollow Pharmacy. (Photo: Elaina Sauber / The Tennessean) During his probation, Polston admitted to DEA agents that Weir sometimes asked him to fill prescriptions for controlled substances "one or two days earlier than the refill date," according to Rogers' statement. In April, Polston was indicted on nearly two dozen violations of the Controlled Substances Act. Polston declined to comment for this story. Michael Griffith The pharmacist in charge at Xpress Pharmacy, Griffith's license was placed on probation for five years in 2012 by the Tennessee Board of Pharmacy after he stole hydrocodone while working at a another pharmacy, according to the lawsuit. Griffith's attorney didn't respond to a request for comment. Larry Larkin Larkin, who worked on a part-time basis at both pharmacies, was open about his employment there when reached for comment. He disputed the lawsuit's allegations that he irresponsibly filled prescriptions, and said he regularly checked the state prescription database and refused to fill suspicious orders. On one occasion, Larkin said he refused to fill a prescription because it had been altered. Someone had attempted to scribble over a note on the prescription from another pharmacist that said it was too early to fill it, Larkin said. When Weir pressured him to fill it anyway, Larkin said he stood his ground. Larkin's pharmacy license was placed on probation in the 1990s for unauthorized filling of prescriptions. His license was later revoked in 2004 after he tested positive for cocaine, then left a rehab facility against medical advice. NEWSLETTERS Get the Daily Briefing newsletter delivered to your inbox We're sorry, but something went wrong Start your day with the morning's top news Please try again soon, or contact Customer Service at 1-800-342-8237. Delivery: Daily Invalid email address Thank you! You're almost signed up for Daily Briefing Keep an eye out for an email to confirm your newsletter registration. More newsletters His license was reinstated in 2006 with a five-year probation period. Reach Elaina Sauber at esauber@tennessean,com, 615-571-1172 or follow @ElainaSauber on Twitter. Your state. Your stories. Support more reporting like this. Click here to become a digital subscriber. Read or Share this story: https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2019/05/06/clay-county-tennessee-pill-mill-pharmacy-lawsuit-whos-who-dea/3576444002/ | https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2019/05/06/clay-county-tennessee-pill-mill-pharmacy-lawsuit-whos-who-dea/3576444002/ |
When will Meghan Markle, Prince Harry release the first photo of royal baby? | Prince Harry and Meghan Markle broke from royal tradition when they opted to keep the birth of their son private. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex welcomed a baby boy on Monday. The couple's decision was a big change from how Prince William and Kate Middleton handled the births of their three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. After each delivery, Middleton, 37, posed and waved with their newborn outside of the infamous Lindo Wing at St. Mary's Hospital in Paddington, London. But Meghan and Harry announced in an April 11 statement that they "have taken a personal decision to keep the plans around the arrival of their baby private" and will share photos of their newborn only after" they have had an opportunity to celebrate privately as a new family." One of the many likely reasons behind their decision is Harry's disdain for the often-intrusive coverage of the royals by the British press. This caused him and Meghan to tone down expectations for what information will be released about the new baby. But the beaming new dad gave royal watchers a new hint as to when they can expect the first glimpse at the bouncing bundle of joy. MEGHAN MARKLE'S MOTHER, DORIA RAGLAND, OVERJOYED AT BIRTH OF DUCHESS' ROYAL BABY WITH PRINCE HARRY Speaking to reporters outside of Windsor Castle on Monday, Harry said a first-look will come soon. "I think we'll be seeing you guys in probably two days time as planned as a family to be able to share it with you guys and so [you] can see the baby smiling," he shared. Harry also stated they are still working on coming up with a name for their son who is seventh-in-line to the throne. MEGHAN MARKLE, PRINCE HARRY ANNOUNCE BIRTH OF BABY BOY Meghan and Harry have previously indicated it will be several days before they show the baby to the world, and there has been speculation that they will do so first using their new Instagram account. They announced the baby's birth on Instagram first. The Associated Press contributed to this report. | https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/meghan-markle-prince-harry-baby-boy-photos |
Where Did the South African Left Go Wrong? | During an election, its not unusual for a politician to travel on public transport and engage in small talk with commuters while reporters tag along. But when South African President Cyril Ramaphosa tried it in March, it didnt quite go to plan. Before his trip even started, the morning train in Tshwane was held up for two hours. Then, between stations, the train got stuck, delaying the journey another hour. All the while, Ramaphosa smiled, telling reporters, Levels of frustration are quite high, but the people are surprisingly patient. That comment is a much more accurate description of the publics relationship with Ramaphosas African National Congress (ANC) than it is with the countrys transit system. Under other political circumstances, the ruling ANC party would be in trouble as it heads into the May 8 presidential election. Last year, the economy grew by only 0.8 percent and at one point dipped into recession for the first time since 2009. Unemployment slightly improved last year but remains stubbornly high at 27.5 percent. The previous ANC president, Jacob Zuma, resigned amid corruption allegations and factional battles. The ANC, the anti-Apartheid liberation movement turned political party, has ruled South Africa for the past 25 years. But these days it is more tolerated than loved. While the ANC has maintained its leftist rhetoric, it has left unchanged much of the economy it inherited from the Apartheid era and has allowed public services to falter. Poor and young people are especially fed up. Yet the left has never mounted a serious electoral challenge. Since the end of Apartheid in 1994, the ANC has dominated South African politics, and is expected to win again this month. Related Article Why South Africans Are Talking About Land Expropriation Jon Allsop The Unions Divided South Africas left is expansive and includes worker-led and community organizations, political parties, NGOs, and intellectuals. But the largest and most powerful leftist organizations are the trade unions, in particular the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), which has historically allied with the ANC. But amid factional battles and an economy that has shed jobs in manufacturing and miningsectors that were at the heart of labor actions in the pastthe unions have lost much of their political clout. The South African left has never been weaker, Steven Friedman, a professor of politics at University of Johannesburg, said about the countrys post-Apartheid period. If youre on the left and you want to change the economic structures in a democratic society, you have two weapons: You can actually speak for fairly large numbers of people or you can win the battle of ideas. On both of those cases, the left is performing worse than it ever has. It was not always this way. In South Africa, modern black trade-union activism began to form in the 1970s, and by the 1980s unions like COSATU were an integral part of the anti-Apartheid movement, helping to organize strikes and protests at a time when the ANC itself was banned and its leaders in exile. Its influence continued when the ANC took power after the countrys first democratic elections in 1994. The new government gave members of COSATU high-ranking positions, and the union helped shape policy. Worker protections were adopted, and the government rolled out its first socio-economic strategy to tackle the legacy of Apartheid: the Reconstruction and Development Program, which laid out a plan for supplying housing, water, electricity, and other services to the poor. But though they were part of the political alliance that led South Africa, COSATU competed to be heard over a cacophony of other interests including nationalists, technocrats, and business interests. While policies such as protection for labor, social grants, and public housing were implemented, the ANC also cut spending and reduced the number of public-service jobs over COSATU protests. This was the state of affairs in 2007 when COSATU supported Zuma over incumbent Thabo Mbeki in a battle for leadership of the ANC. Zuma promised the unions more say in the crafting of economic policies for South Africas poor and working class such as loosening exchange controls to encourage manufacturing exports. But the Zuma presidency was marked by corruption and state capture, most notoriously by the Guptas, a business family accused of corrupt dealings with state-owned companiesincluding the one responsible for the train Ramaphosa found himself stuck on. During his first term, Zuma continued many of the Mbeki-era economic policies. COSATU continued to support him, believing that he would move to the left. Instead, Zuma found himself mired in corruption allegations, and stories about the Guptas influence over his government dominated the media. During this time, COSATU was riven by infighting, especially over whether or not to continue supporting Zuma and the ANC. In November 2014, COSATU expelled its largest union, the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA), for its refusal to back Zuma. NUMSA took with it 350,000 of its own members as well as several smaller unions. The fight over Zuma split South Africas black trade-union movement in two. [The Zuma years] destroyed it. It fundamentally destroyed it, said Adam Habib, a professor political geography at the University of Witwatersrand. COSATU officials had been given government positions under previous ANC governments, but during the Zuma years, critics said the practice hit new levels and impeded the independence of the labor movement. Habib explained that the ANC demanded loyalty, and by using its patronage networks it split these organizations and by splitting them, it weakened them. Related Articles With His South Africa Tweet, Trump Became a Megaphone for a White-Supremacist Talking Point Carol Schaeffer The US Turns a Blind Eye to Ugandas Assault on Democracy Helen C. Epstein Inside the Secretive US Air Campaign In Somalia Amanda Sperber Complicating matters is the changing composition of COSATU. After the departure of NUMSA and its allied unions, the union has continued to lose members, especially in the private sector. Increasingly, the largest unions in COSATU represent public workers like public servants, teachers, and nurses, leaving the organization increasingly dominated by educated, professional workers. A lot of those members are people in white-collar jobs, Friedman said. If you look at the socio-economic structure of COSATU, it doesnt really represent the really low-paid people, the really precarious workers who are obviously a huge part of the work force. COSATU is now not the only trade federation in South African politics. Since its expulsion, NUMSA has organized its allied unions into a new trade federation, and last year it launched a political party: the Socialist Revolutionary Workers Party (SRWP). Vashna Jagarnath, a historian and researcher who was recently elected to a leadership position in the party, said the SRWP has been organizing workers with the end goal of creating a socialist state. As she spoke, her phone buzzed constantly with activists asking about logistical tasks for the organization. Jagarnath acknowledged that the party would probably have a low impact on the current elections, and said that some in NUMSA, including herself, were ambivalent about electoral politics: Do you participate in elections when you know that the system isnt going to deliver any of the radical needs your workers need and change society? The radical labor party isnt going to win this month, but Jagarnath said that campaigning is being used to build the party for the long term. Every day were building structures, Jagarnath said. Jagarnath said that SRWP wasnt seeking to win influence through parliament but instead wanted to create bold, new plans for South Africa. In language that evoked the anti-Apartheid movement, she said they intend to make South Africas systems ungovernable. [In the future], we can render the state that is not delivering to us ungovernable. We must be able to have alternatives. We must be able to have an alternative state. The Young and the Poor Fight Back Twenty-five years ago, the ANC worked to upend white rule, create a black middle class, and desegregate white institutions. The party rolled out social programs like social grants, free housing, and anti-retroviral drugs to treat HIV/AIDS. But political leaders struggled to confront endemic poverty and unemployment. Last year, a World Bank study found that South Africa was the most economically unequal country in the world. And given the legacy of Apartheid, the poor here are almost exclusively black. The unemployment rate for black South Africans is over 30 percent; for white South Africans, its only 8 percent. The ANC said it was doing social democracy in the years 1996 to 2007, and it did parts of social democracy but not other parts, and it grew inequality, Habib explained. He argued that while the party pursued some social services, it failed to tackle structural changes to the economy, including redistribution of wealth. Across South Africa in recent years, poor communities have protested the lack of jobs, land, and services. Organizations of working-class people like the Landless Peoples Movement (LPM) and the shack dwellers movement known as Abahlali baseMjondolo (AbM) have campaigned for the universal right to water, housing, and electricity. These groups have also faced state repression. In 2004, according to an Amnesty International report, police tortured or maltreated four members of LPM. In 2009, 40 attackers stormed an AbM youth meeting, leaving two dead and several shacks destroyed. AbM blamed the ANC and the local police. And as recently as last year, AbM said several members had been forced into hiding due to threats on their lives, including by local ANC politicians. Mike Brand and Claude Gatebuke These organizations were not the only ones dissatisfied with the ANC. In 2015 and 2016, university students, unhappy with year-on-year fee increases brought campuses to a halt with protests organizing under the name #FeesMustFall. Fees Must Fall was diverse, and its requests varied between universities, but at its core was a demand for free education. The student protests ended in 2015 when Zuma agreed to not raise the cost of attending university. But the rallies started up again the next year, with increasing calls to decolonize universities of their European legacies. These protests ended with violent clashes and a crackdown on students by police and private security hired by universities. Writer and activist Brian Kamanzi, who participated in the student demonstrations, said that while that energy has dissipated, many of the students have now joined other left organizations. The youth movement, he said, is beginning to feed into and reinvigorate the broader left. Many of the students who participated in strikes across the country come from communities that are directly affected by the issues of working people, Kamanzi said, explaining that many of the student leaders are joining groups fighting to expand water, housing, and electricity. The battle for the future is absolutely on and what is coming out of Fees Must Fall is the lesson that young people need to work more with community organizations and with workers if they want to achieve their objectives, Kamanzi told me. The lefts youth are learning and starting to join and build coalitions, but Kamanzi said, Its a long road. | https://www.thenation.com/article/south-africa-anc-left-election/ |
Why is unemployment for blacks 86% higher than US average? | The unemployment rate for black Americans was 6.7% in April, which is 86% above the national rate. The reason for the disparity is not a simple one. (Photo: YinYang / Getty Images) The Bureau of Labor Statistics "Employment Situation" data for April appeared to contain nothing but good news. Unemployment dropped to the lowest level since December 1969, as it fell to 3.6%. Jobs added in the month totaled 263,000. Notably, however, the jobs situation for black Americans remains substantially worse than that of almost any other group. The unemployment rate for black Americans was 6.7% in April. That puts it 86% above the national rate for all adults. Other comparisons are worse. The rate for black Americans was 116% higher than for Whites in April and 204% higher than for Asians. Of the major categories the BLS measures, only one group has a worse rate, which was teenagers at 13%. The Census put the black population at 13.4% of Americans as of July 2017. There has not been a meaningful change in the black unemployment rate in the last year, although it has moved up and down slightly as has the overall national number for all Americans in the civilian workforce. Approximately 18% of Americans enlisted in the military are black. Among commissioned officers, the figure is closer to 9%. : Businesses pledge to give formerly incarcerated a chance Retirement savings: Here's how much workers across every generation have saved There are a number of theories about the large delta between black Americans and other groups when it comes to employment trends. The reasons are not simple, and there is no single dominant one. Among them is that black unemployment in large urban populations is often much higher than the national average for black Americans. This tends to push the national average up because of the large portion of Americans who live in big cities. For example, over 80% of the population of Detroit is black, and the unemployment rate there is still well above the national average. Another fundamental cause is the number of black Americans in prisons. The imprisonment rate among black Americans was 1,609 per 100,000 people in 2016, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics arm of the U.S. Department of Justice. The figure was 274 per 100,000 for white Americans. As prisoners move back into the general population, it is much harder for them to get jobs than other people. Employers often are wary of hiring people with criminal records. Another likely reason is ongoing segregation, which tends to keep black Americans from the best public schools and better housing. Camille M. Busette, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, told 24/7 Wall St. in an interview for its worst cities for black Americans feature: People are not walking around, working together, going to school together, taking the same metro together, et cetera. So there isnt a lot of familiarity. By the measure of recession figures, current black unemployment rates are high. In the 2002 recession, the national unemployment rate was barely above 6% at its worst. The same was true during the 1972 recession. The chasm between the black unemployment rate and that of most other groups in the population has been wide since the Bureau of Labor Statistics started to keep figures. And the trend shows no sign of changing. There is no set of circumstances under which it is imaginable that the unemployment rate among black Americans will ever fall to the level of the national average. 24/7 Wall Street is a USA TODAY content partner offering financial news and commentary. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY. More women at work: A growing share of women age 25-54 are working or looking for jobs. Here's why Historic unemployment: Economy added 263,000 jobs in April, unemployment falls to 3.6%, new 50-year low Read or Share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/05/06/black-unemployment-86-higher-than-us-average/39447773/ | https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/05/06/black-unemployment-86-higher-than-us-average/39447773/ |
Why does Justin Trudeau succumb to corporate pressure? | This article was originally published on The Conversation, an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts. Disclosure information is available on the original site. Author: Charis Kamphuis, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Law, Thompson Rivers University The SNC-Lavalin saga offered a glimpse into the extraordinary influence of one powerful company on Canadian politicians at the highest level. At one point, SNC-Lavalin Group chair Kevin Lynch simply picked up the phone and called Michael Wernick, then the Privy Council clerk and most powerful public servant in Canada. To ask what could be done to avoid criminal prosecution of the company. On the heels of this controversy, the Liberals have once again yielded to industry pressure and seriously weakened their commitment to corporate accountability for Canadian companies operating abroad. The latest win for corporate Canada is in an executive order issued by the Prime Ministers Office that creates the first-ever Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise. Initially, it will apply only to the Canadian garment and resource extraction sectors. The name of the new position, and the government fanfare about it, belie the fact that the Liberals have stripped the new ombudsperson of the investigatory powers that theyve been promising for years. Canadian resource companies operating in developing countries have had serious and well-documented human rights and environmental impacts. United Nations organizations and civil society groups have extensively studied the issue, documenting grave violations accompanied by systemic impunity for Canadian perpetrators. For decades, the Canadian government has examined appropriate policy responses, including by embarking upon an international fact-finding mission, and in discussions with parliamentary committees and at national round-tables. But just last month, Mexicos ambassador to Canada put Canadian companies on notice that they must improve their conduct. There is broad agreement among stakeholders that global resource extraction must be law-abiding and sustainable. On the 2015 election trail, the Liberals repeatedly promised voters that they would act to improve the record of Canadian companies operating abroad. They promised to do away with former prime minister Stephen Harpers discredited Corporate Social Responsibility Counsellor and create an ombudsperson capable of investigating human rights complaints. Since then, six UN bodies have urged Canada to ensure that the promised ombudsperson is independent from government and has the tools to fully investigate, make findings and order remedies. In January 2018, Francois-Philippe Champagne, then minister of international trade, announced his intention to create the ombudsperson office. But after more than 15 months of industry lobbying, the Liberals apparent change of heart about the clout and independence of the ombudsperson became clear when Champagnes successor, Jim Carr, finally announced the details and named Sheri Meyerhoffer to the post. On key issues, the ombudsperson position as created by the prime ministers executive order falls far short of Liberal promises and international standards. First, the prime minister has declined to use the Public Inquiries Act to guarantee that the new ombudsperson will be independent from government. Instead, Meyerhoffer will be a public servant and special advisor to the minister. This means that the new ombudsperson does not have the job security necessary to withstand the inevitable political pressure that difficult cases attract. The SNC-Lavalin affair revealed just how much pressure the government was willing to apply to the attorney general of Canada on behalf of a well-connected company that has received billions in government loans. The new ombudsperson also lacks the fundamental power to fully investigate and order remedies on the basis of findings of abuses. Thats because the prime ministers executive order also fails to give the ombudsperson the power to compel documents. In other words, Meyerhoffer cannot obtain evidence that is in a companys control unless it is willing to hand it over. While she can review a complaint and recommend compensation, she cannot enforce remedies for victims or impose a sanction for violations. The ombudspersons merger power is limited to recommending that government withdraw economic and political support for companies that refuse to participate in the process in good faith. The UN and civil society groups have repeatedly told Canada that this approach which is, incidentally, exactly the same as Harpers is entirely ineffective. Targeting human rights organizations Most shocking, companies are allowed to use the ombudsperson to file complaints for unfounded human rights abuse allegations. And theres nothing in place to prevent companies from seeking compensation from human rights organizations or individuals on this basis. This is outrageous. Not only is there is no evidence that Canadian companies need such remedies, it is widely observed that powerful companies will abuse existing defamation laws in an effort to intimidate their critics by taking them to court. This problem is so well-established that a number of Canadian provinces have enacted legislation to address it. It truly boggles the mind that the Liberals think its a good idea to provide companies with new tools for recourse against their critics, potentially using the ombudsperson process to force human rights victims to spend time and resources defending themselves. The executive order creating the ombudsperson is already in place, but Carr and Meyerhoffer say they plan to take more time to decide if they will ultimately make the new position independent and capable of effective investigations. With a federal election just a few months away, the Trudeau Liberals are quickly running out of opportunities to keep their promises and show Canadians that they will do the right thing when it comes to corporate accountability. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Disclosure information is available on the original site. Read the original article: https://theconversation.com/why-does-justin-trudeau-succumb-to-corpo https://theconversat | https://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/why-does-justin-trudeau-succumb-to-corporate-pressure |
Who will be godparents to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's royal baby? | Prince Harry and Meghan Markle welcomed their son Monday. Here is the latest about who the potential godparents might be. Jessica Mulroney is widely regarded as Meghans BFF and even flew Down Under to join her and Harry on their tour of Australia and New Zealand. The 38-year-old Canadian stylist's three kids were page boys and a flower girl at the Royal wedding in May. And the Duchess of Sussex reportedly made her the first to know her baby news, spilling the beans on a trip to Toronto in August, according to US Weekly. Also in the running is rumored royal matchmaker and American designer Misha Nonoo. The 31-year-old was born in Bahrain, raised in London and educated in Paris - but currently lives in the States, which is where she and Meg are thought to have met. Her auction house boss ex-husband Alexander Gilkes, 39, is one of Harry's best mates and Eton school pals and could also be a contender for the godfather. The couple was guests at Kate Middleton and Wills' wedding, while Eugenie, Beatrice and James Middleton all attended their Venice ceremony in 2012. Other possible godparents from Meghans pals are TV producer and author Lindsay Jill Roth and entertainment lawyer Benita Litt. Tennis star Serena Williams has also been tipped as godparents to the new baby. Her and Meghan have been friends since meeting at a Super Bowl party in 2010 and the Duchess has cheered her pal on at Wimbledon every year since. When it comes to Harrys pals, among the favorites is Jake Warren, the son of the Queen's racing manager John Warren. He and Harry have been lifelong friends and both went to both Ludgrove Prep School and Eton College together. Jake is married to Zoe Warren and their daughter Zalie was also a flower girl at the Royal wedding. Tom "Skippy" Inskip has been Harry's partner in crime since his Eton school days and is known for his wild partying past. He was by Harry's side for several scandals in his younger years, including the Las Vegas pool debacle and when he was pictured throwing snowballs from a hotel balcony. He was by Harry's side for several scandals in his younger years, including the Las Vegas pool debacle. George and Amal Clooney have also emerged as possible godparents. This article originally appeared on The Sun. | https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/meghan-markle-prince-harry-royal-baby-godparents |
Is it time for the Cincinnati Reds to call free-agent closer Craig Kimbrel? | During the Reds' struggles to find a leadoff man a couple of years ago, a smart-aleck writer answered a Tweet with this: It's not like you call 1-800-LEADOFF. Snarky, but true. Given the struggles of closer Raisel Iglesias, I could trot out the 1-800-CLOSERS line. Still snarky, but not true. One of the best closers in recent history, Craig Kimbrel, is available. Kimbrel remains a free agent. Kimbrel went 5-1 with a 2.74 ERA and 42 saves last year for the Boston Red Sox. He struck out 96 and walked 31 in 62 1/3 innings. Craig Kimbrel saved 42 games last season for the world champion Boston Red Sox. (Photo: USA TODAY Sports) His agent, David Meter, would not comment when reached Monday. Coincidentally, Meter is Derek Dietrich's agent. More: Doc's Morning Line: Don't look for David Bell's head on the Cincinnati Reds' blown leads Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported April 13 that Kimbrel was seeking a deal in the range of the three-year, $52 million package Wade Davis got from Colorado and the three-year, $39 million deal Zack Britton got from the New York Yankees. Given that was nearly a month ago, you'd think Kimbrel may be willing to accept less and for a shorter term. Kimbrel's 31 and the Reds have a lot of payroll flexibility in for 2020. The Reds manager David Bell gave Iglesias a vote of confidence after he gave up the two-run home run in Sunday's loss to San Francisco. Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Raisel Iglesias (26) reacts after giving up a go-ahead, two-run home with to San Francisco Giants pinch hitter Brandon Crawford (35) in the ninth inning during an MLB baseball game, Sunday, May 5, 2019, at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati. (Photo: Kareem Elgazzar) "We want to throw our best guy in that situation," Bell said. "Iggy has been doing this for a long time. He pitches in the spots he does for a reason. He's been a closer, and he pitches in those important situations. He'll continue to do that." Bell also said Schebler would work things out with the big league club the day before Schebler was sent down; i.e., managers don't announce pending moves in advance. Iglesias is 1-5 with a 4.86 ERA. He's allowed 17 hits, including four home runs, in 16 2/3 innings. I don't know if the Reds will go after Kimbrel, who has two losses in the last two seasons, but I suspect that they're looking at alternatives. | https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/mlb/reds/2019/05/06/cincinnati-reds-have-closing-option-craig-kimbrel-free-agent/1118345001/ |
Whats Really Behind Greeces Demand for World War Two Reparations? | The danger here is that the reparations discussion are a distraction from the actual tension that needs addressing. Tsiprass claims about the current Greek situation arent entirely true: Greece is still a long way from settling the bailout loans it received during the past nine years, and the countrys economic performance continues to be monitored by its lenders. Greece remains a broken country experiencing a painfully slow recovery and continuing high unemployment, with no clear path to the prosperity it enjoyed during the first decade of the twenty-first century. And its present condition has a lot more to do with the influence contemporary Germany has had within the EU than with the Axis occupation of Greece in the 1940s. Germany, as the EUs primary financial power, was indeed behind the bailout formula imposed on Greece between 2010 and 2015. The formula involved budget cuts, unrealistic fast-track reforms, and further borrowing, rather than the more lenient, debt-relief focused approach the IMF was favoring by 2015. Germany has long been known as Europes reluctant hegemon, for its reluctance to be too assertive in diplomacy given its history of militarism, The New York Times observed that year. But the unique circumstances of the Greek crisishave helped make it a country that is both a little less reluctant and a little more of a hegemon. Germany enjoys a generally favorable reputation in northern Europe, going by opinion polls. But Greeks far dimmer view of the country43 percent of the population having a very negative view of Germany according to 2017 numbersreflects a broader trend. Southern European countries have repeatedly expressed concern about Germanys disproportionate decision-making power within the EU. Italy and Spain, but also France, were against the strict austerity-driven politics of Berlin when it came to dealing with the Euro-crisis, and were overridden. Germanys influence over the EU has not only been explicit in its handling of Greeces debt-crisis, but extends to another major challenge for Europe in recent years: the so-called migrant crisis. Angela Merkels 2015 policy of openness toward migrants had an impact not only on her own partys declining popularity in Germany, driving the rise of the far-right AFD party but, as some have argued, has also been instrumental in the rise of right-wing, anti-immigrant populist parties across Europe. EU migration policies tended to affect Southern European and specifically Mediterranean port countries like Greece the most, and continue to do so, despite Brussels declaring that the crisis is over. Around 15,000 refugees are still stranded on Greek islands, and the country has proven unable to cope, resulting in squalid and dangerous conditions in the camps. There is a certain kind of perverse comfort in returning to the past, even one filled with horrors, rather than addressing the present. But a renewed debate over Germanys Nazi crimes and debts to Greece only distracts both countries, and the union they are both a part of, from focusing on the more recent causes of popular discontent. Greece could stand to more closely scrutinize the Syriza partys government tenure, which has included worrying attempts to control justice and the media, as well as the undoing of higher education reforms, bringing back an era of party-political influence over universities. Listing Nazi executions disguises Greeces, but also other countries, anxieties about German influence today, making a much-needed, more productive conversation almost impossible. Without this more open debate about EU power structures, nationalist resentment is all too likely to fester and express itself as right-wing backlash or further Brexit-like debacles. Germany has done a lot to come to terms with its Nazi past. What Europe needs to do now is to hold it accountable for the way it exercises power in Europe in the present. | https://newrepublic.com/article/153814/whats-really-behind-greeces-demand-world-war-two-reparations |
What Happens to Hurricane Victims When Congress Cant Function? | So shortly after Hurricane Michael, Panama City officials asked Congress to appropriate some money for debris cleanup and general recovery. Seven months later, Congress has yet to oblige. Lawmakers arent picking on Panama City, specifically; they have yet to pass a bill funding disaster relief for anywhere affected by the hurricane, which caused 49 deaths and more than $5.5 billion in damagenot Florida, not Georgia, not the Carolinas. Congress also hasnt allocated disaster relief funding for the historic floods in the Midwest. Victims of the deadly 2018 wildfires in California are still waiting, too. Democrats want a disaster relief package to include more funding for Puerto Ricos recovery from the 2017 hurricane season. Republicans dont, and President Donald Trump has said he wont sign a bill that includes anyaside from $600 million in food stamp money. Such disagreements are common, but its taking an uncommonly long time to sort out. Ordinarily, the parties fight for only a little while before finally allocating funding. But these are not ordinary times, the New York Times reported last month. And it is not clear how or when the impasse can be broken. This drawn-out fight has dire implications for the millions of people still suffering from these disasters. Panama City has slowly morphed from a war zone to a ghost town. The city has cleaned up 80 percent of the debris so far, but theres not nearly enough money to fund rebuildingmuch less to fund more resilient structures that can withstand future hurricanes like Michael, which are becoming more likely by the year as the world continues to warm. A lot of people have left, McQueen said. The Post Office tells us that 14,278 people have filed for a change of address. Its understandable why; about 30 percent of the citys population were renters, McQueen said, and they dont have a guarantee when theyll be able to go back to their homes, schools, or jobs. Many of the people who worked in the tourism industry, as well as residents with young children, were renters. Thus, Brudnicki said, 25 percent of our elementary school kids are gone. Congress inaction is an immediate problem for Panama City, but its troubling for anyone who might be affected by extreme weather in the future. Because of climate change, the annual operating budget for disaster relief from FEMA is increasingly inadequate to handle all the disasters that hit the U.S. So communities increasingly rely on Congress for helpto allocate emergency supplemental funding. | https://newrepublic.com/article/153809/happens-hurricane-victims-congress-cant-function |
Can Charlotte Hornets salary cap be fixed with a trade? | Hornets general manager on Kemba Walkers free-agency General manager Mitch Kupchak on Kemba Walker saying the chance to win more will factor heavily in his free agency decision. Up Next SHARE COPY LINK General manager Mitch Kupchak on Kemba Walker saying the chance to win more will factor heavily in his free agency decision. Charlotte Hornets fans would love a trade that would let this team out of salary-cap jail. Trades have historically been what the Hornets front office does best, but dont expect a miracle. They already are responsible for $94 million in guaranteed contracts for next season, and thats before they try to re-sign unrestricted free agents Kemba Walker and Jeremy Lamb. That topic the possibility of a transformational trade came up multiple times in your Hornets questions this week: Q. A. I would detach from the expectation that signing other teams free agents will be a major part of fixing the Hornets roster any time soon. You are correct that the Hornets would likely need to attach a first-round pick to a trade to discard a problematic contract, but likely that would be to acquire another veteran, not to get under the 2019-20 salary cap. Its not a realistic goal to think the Hornets can get below the projected salary cap of about $109 million for next season unless Walker and Lamb both sign elsewhere, and then youre in rebuild mode. Signing free agents this coming summer will almost certainly have to come via exceptions while the Hornets are over the cap. Q. A. The name that always floats around is power forward Kevin Love, but that would entail taking on a monstrous contract from the Cleveland Cavaliers approximately $120 million over the next four seasons for a player who has already played 11 NBA seasons. I cant imagine why the Hornets would acquire Loves contract unless it guaranteed Walker staying, and even then, it would be a tough call. The other thing that comes to mind with this question is Monks trade value. I dont know how to gauge with any precision. He is now two years removed from being the 11th overall pick in the 2017 draft. He is still more potential than production. He ended the season on the fringe of the rotation and needs to get stronger and heavier over the summer. Monk is still a good athlete with scoring skills and playing on an affordable rookie-scale contract. But his value as a commodity right now is limited. Q. I would imagine all those expiring contracts are packaged (in trade) for a player. A. The Hornets have three players on sizable salaries entering the last season on their contracts: Bismack Biyombo ($17 million next season), Marvin Williams ($15 million) and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist ($13 million). As you implied, a player going into his final season tends to have trade value because it limits the acquiring teams liability. However, I wouldnt say its likely the Hornets will find a deal that combines two or more of those salaries to balance off a big salary on another team. Possible, but not likely. Of those three, Id guess Williams is the most tradeable. Between his defense and his 3-point shooting, hed be an asset to a contender. Also, hes said repeatedly hes not hung up on the idea of whether he starts or plays off the bench at this stage of his career Q. A. Its possible, but Id warn you that trading one high pick for multiple lower picks is typically more successful in the NFL than the NBA. Thats partially about the difference in the two sports football with 22 starters, basketball with five. Sure, you need depth in basketball, but quality tends to trump quantity in the NBA draft. Also, the Hornets problem is more a lack of a dynamic complement to Walker than a lack of depth. The second unit played pretty well last season. Q. A. I think its highly unlikely Walker would eliminate re-signing with the Hornets from his options before free agency even begins on July 1. The draft is June 20. In all likelihood, general manager Mitch Kupchak will make those draft picks (one in the first round and two in the second round) without knowing Walkers intentions. Its possible he wont have formed intentions by then. I do think it makes sense to draft a point guard. I thought keeping Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, rather than trading his draft rights to the Los Angeles Clippers, made sense last June. If somehow North Carolinas Coby White lasts to when the Hornets select, hed be a good investment. Q. A. I think Graham had a fine rookie season, particularly for a guy drafted in the second round. He needs to be a better shooter, but hes shown he has the skills and judgment to be an NBA point guard. Whether he ends up a starter or a backup is an open question, but if Walker leaves and the Hornets go into rebuild mode, it only makes sense to invest minutes in Grahams development, as coach James Borrego already did over last seasons final dozen games. I would take it for granted that if Walker leaves, it would likely mean Tony Parker isnt back, either. The Hornets would certainly bring in one or more veteran point guards. But that doesnt preclude developing Graham. Q. A. I recently asked that question of a front-office executive (not with the Hornets) and an agent. In separate conversations, each one projected Lamb could make $12 million per season or more on the open market. The past two seasons have been really good for shooting guard Lamb heading into this unrestricted free agency. Hes a proven scorer who has hit big shots to decide games. Hes effective either as a starter or off the bench. You can plug all that into multiple situations and project success. | https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nba/charlotte-hornets/article230040194.html |
Could hundreds of laid-off GM factory workers land in North Texas? | Since announcing it would indefinitely idle four factories in the U.S. and one in Canada, General Motors has been attempting to rehire the thousands of affected employees in various regions around the country - one of which could be Arlington. By the end of April, GM had transferred around 1,305 of the nearly 2,800 at risk positions to other plants around the country, company spokesman Dan Flores told The Detroit Free Press. The majority of affected employees have already been relocated to Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee, Indiana and New York. Some 500 hourly workers now remain without jobs, awaiting transfers. Another 900 are still working at the Detroit Hamtramck and Warren Transmission plants. | https://www.dallasnews.com/business/autos/2019/05/06/could-hundreds-oflaid-gm-factory-workers-land-north-texas |
What the hell was that? | A passenger in a car that passed what moments later became the scene of a fatal accident on the Awanui Straight in the early hours of November 24, 2017, gave crucial evidence in the trial of 31-year-old Awanui man Tae Murray on charges of aggravated careless driving causing death and injury. In his reserved decision, released last week, Judge Swaran Singh noted Alia Robson's statement, "What the ... hell was that on the road?" She went on to state that Pat Peita, who died instantly when he was struck by the vehicle driven by Murray, had been walking in the middle of the road. She had considered offering him a lift, but given the manner in which he was walking thought he was drunk. Murray, who denied both charges, was acquitted after a judge-alone trial that began in the Kaitaia District Court and was concluded in Kaikohe. Advertisement Judge Singh found that Murray's driving had not been careless, and that he had not breached the "relevant regulations." The aggravated element of the charges originally alleged that Murray had exceeded the speed limit, but was later amended to driving on the wrong side of the road. Judge Singh said the car in which Mr Peita, his partner and John Mark (who was injured) were travelling north had run out of fuel 280m south of the Quarry Rd intersection. Mr Mark parked it on the shoulder of the northbound lane and all three began walking towards Awanui. Mr Mark had been unable to say where on the road they were walking, but expert witness Senior Constable Jeff Cramp believed they had been about half a metre inside the southbound lane fog line, albeit conceding that the scene had been contaminated by other traffic before he arrived. The defence claimed that the point of impact was on or near the centre line or no passing line. The defendant's sister, Mabel Murray, who was his passenger, said Murray had pulled out to pass a car that was weaving in front of them at a speed she estimated at 60-70km/h. Her brother had given the car a wide berth, but was still within his lane as he passed it. Tracey Collins, driver of the 'weaving' car, said she had slowed when she saw Mr Mark's car on the side of the road in case someone was walking along the highway. She then saw a group of people "quite into the right of the lane." She claimed that Murray had not had his lights on, although later she said she did not see the people on the road until his headlights shone on them. Murray told the court that Ms Collins' car was weaving between the fog line and the centre line in the northbound lane. He assumed the driver was drunk. He indicated, observing that the other car had "literally pulled itself off the road," checked there was no oncoming traffic and began overtaking, his driver's side wheels just crossing the centre line. "All in a split second was a dark figure right there in the middle of the road," he said. Judge Singh found that Mr Peita had been walking close to the centre line, and that Murray would have had enough room to pass Ms Collins' car without entering the southbound lane or the Quarry Rd right-turning lane. "[The] prosecution submits that the defendant should have taken greater care after seeing a car parked on the road, and should have anticipated that people may (be) walking on the road," he added. "I find that it would be unreasonable to expect the defendant to take added precaution to deal with pedestrians walking in the middle of the road on a dark night and in dark cloths ... " He found the evidence of the defendant and Ms Murray credible and reliable, and that of Ms Collins neither credible nor reliable. | https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northland-age/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503402&objectid=12228469 |
When is Floridas back-to-school tax free weekend 2019? | Miami Herald file photo If youre shopping for back-to-school supplies this year, mark your calendar for the first weekend of August. Thats about when a tax holiday approved by state lawmakers will apply to clothes, backpacks and various school supplies, meaning such items will be exempt from sales taxes when purchased. The tax-exempt period runs from Aug. 2 to midnight Aug. 6 and is part of a $121 million package that legislators approved in May. Heres whats included in the exemption: Clothing, shoes, wallets, or bags, including handbags and backpacks (but not briefcases or suitcases) that are $60 or less School supplies sold for $15 or less, including pens, pencils, erasers, crayons, notebooks, paper, tape, scissors and calculators Personal computers or personal computer-related accessories sold for $1,000 or less, including electronic book readers, laptops, desktops, handhelds, tablets, or tower computers (but excluding cellphones) Lawmakers also approved a weeklong hurricane sales tax holiday from late May to early June. That sales tax exemption includes batteries, generators and other disaster preparedness supplies. | https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/education/article230080254.html |
When is Floridas 2019 hurricane sales tax free holiday? | Make sure you have all hurricane supplies you need The National Weather Service recommends to have these things handy during a hurricane. Up Next SHARE COPY LINK The National Weather Service recommends to have these things handy during a hurricane. Hurricane season in Florida, generally defined as the six months from June 1 through Nov. 30, might easily be considered the most turbulent time of the year. When lawmakers approved a $121 million tax breaks package at the end of the legislative season, they also approved a tax holiday that overlaps with the start of the stormy season, in which several hurricane preparedness supplies wont be subject to a sales tax. For those who need to stock up on disaster supplies like a generator, batteries or tarps, the 2019 tax holiday extends from May 31 to midnight June 6. The weeklong exemption on sales taxes on hurricane supplies includes: Portable self-powered light sources, like flashlights, selling for $20 or less Portable self-powered radios, including two-way radios or weather-band radios, selling for $50 or less Tarps, other waterproof sheets, ground anchors or ties, also for $50 or less Gas or diesel fuel tanks that are sold for $25 or less AA, AAA, C, D, 6-volt or 9-volt batteries sold for $30 or less (car and boat batteries are excluded) Non-electric coolers up to $30 Portable generators sold for $750 or less Reusable ice sold for $10 or less Lawmakers also approved a back-to-school sales tax holiday in early August that exempts purchases of clothes, shoes, computers and various school supplies from sales taxes as well. | https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article230080219.html |
Which Bachelor and Bachelorette Couples Are Still Together? | ABC/Rick Rowell Status: Split A little more than three years after they got engaged on The Bachelorette, Kaitlyn and Shawn have split up. In a statement to People, they said that they had decided to go their separate ways. "This difficult decision comes after thoughtful, respectful consideration. Even though we are parting as a couple, we're very much committed to remaining friends. We have both evolved as people, which is taking us in different directions, but with the hope that we will continue to support each other in new ways. Due to the nature of how we met, our relationship has always been very public, and we have enjoyed sharing it with all of you, but we ask that you respect our decision and our privacy at this time." Shawn recently opened a gym in in Nashville, and Kaitlyn has been finding success with her podcast, Off the Vine. Now, whenever anyone could get around to checking on Doodle the dog, we'd love to know how he's doing. | https://www.eonline.com/uk/news/1038887/which-bachelor-and-bachelorette-couples-are-still-together |
Why is the white hot Chinese tech sector cooling down? | Image caption Food for thought: tech entrepreneur Lin Liu believes "winter is coming" for tech firms China's once scorching tech sector is cooling off. "Winter is coming," laughs Lin Liu, a 29-year-old Shanghai tech worker. Electric vehicles, industrial robots, and microchip production all slowed recently. Big firms like Alibaba, Tencent, and search engine Baidu have slashed jobs. Overall, one in five Chinese tech companies plans to cut recruitment, says jobs site Liepin.com. "And I think this slowing down will continue," says Ms Liu, who's run a tech start-up and the Slush start-up conferences in Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Nanjing. Image copyright Getty Images Image caption China's rate of economic growth is slowing as markets become saturated The US-China trade war is partly why - both nations imposed tariffs on each other's goods in 2018. But China's economy, which has enjoyed double-digit growth in six of the last 15 years, will slow to 6.3% growth in 2019, predicts the International Monetary Fund. This is still double the world's average, but China's slowest growth since 1990. And China's start-up scene, boasting a third of the world's "unicorns" - start-ups worth more than $1bn (769m) - is plotting a "strategic restructuring" as the economy and tech sector cool, Ms Liu says. "What drove things completely insane was too much money," argues William Bao Bean, managing director of Chinaccelerator, a Shanghai-based start-up accelerator. Image copyright William Bao Bean Image caption Chinaccelerator's William Bao Bean says too much money was sloshing around the tech sector There was a "real push for economic growth from the government" and big funding from state coffers, he says. This has levelled off. "Before, you could get $3m with two people knocking and a smile. Now you can get $3m with two people knocking and a smile and six weeks of meetings," he says. Dockless bike sharing rivals Mobike and Ofo were pedalling off with investors' money last year in a bitter duel for market share. That sector's now hit the brakes. "You definitely have a lot more people walking around those bikes than riding those bikes," says Gregory Prudhommeaux, who has worked with Shanghai start-ups since moving from France in 2005. Image copyright Reuters Image caption Mobike's bicycle-sharing scheme lost hundreds of millions of dollars last year Ofo owes one billion yuan ($148m; 114m) in unpaid debts. In December, a Beijing court placed it and chief executive Dai Wei on a blacklist after Ofo defaulted on suppliers' payments. And Mobike lost 4.6 billion yuan in 2018 and won't make a profit until 2021, says China Tonghai Securities, a Hong Kong broker. It quietly doubled its Beijing fees last month, with one yuan now buying you a 15-minute ride instead of half an hour. China's 6,200 online peer-to-peer lending platforms, like Weida and Yirendai, were a thriving bubble two years ago. But 80% have closed or hit major difficulties since, says the Yingcan Group, a Shanghai consultancy. Amid a government crackdown, this number might dip below 300 by the year's end. Image copyright Gregory Prudhommeaux Image caption China start-up adviser Gregory Prudhommeaux says tech firms are reining in their spending Belt tightening has been one result, as companies shed "the coffee machine in the office and the subsidised taxi ride home after 9pm", says Michael Norris, a Shanghai-based Australian who researches China's tech scene. "The bar and restaurant scene is slowing down, people are eating out less on expenses," agrees Mr Prudhommeaux. Tech companies are also pushing employees harder, resulting in rising complaints about the common "996" working week - 9am to 9 pm, six days a week. For companies, "the feeling at the top end of town is that the easy growth is gone," says Mr Norris. One reason is that China's market is more saturated. While only 56% of the population is on the internet, Tencent, Shenzhen's internet giant that last year became Asia's first $500bn-plus company, says this percentage includes most of the people who buy online. More Technology of Business "When you account for those who are too young or old to own a smartphone, and people who have a little bit of money, we're basically at saturation," Mr Norris says. So it's pricier to get customers. This means start-ups are having to link up with China's online giants. "The cost of user acquisition is really high; start-ups cannot afford it any more," complains Ms Liu. It could cost 300 yuan to acquire a new user, but that user may only ever spend 200 yuan, she says. In the last year or so, "over half the unicorns" aligned with either Tencent or Alibaba, making "a bifurcation of the market into clans", says Mr Bean. For start-ups wanting to train artificial intelligence models on big amounts of data, linking with Tencent, Alibaba, or Baidu creates huge advantages. Image copyright Unimaker Image caption Unimaker founder Yang Yang says start-ups needs the access to tech giants' huge data stores China has "a huge amount of data already", says Shenzhen resident Yang Yang, founder of Unimaker, a 3D printing start-up. And big data helps Chinese start-ups localise and improve to beat overseas companies trying for a foothold. This is how Meituan-Dianping, a Beijing group-buying site, beat off rivals Groupon, Didi Chuxing, Uber, and iQiyi, says Mr Yang. Also, start-ups are selling more to businesses instead of consumers. One or two years ago, "you'd see virtual reality start-ups targeting customers, like in the gaming industry", says Ms Liu. "Now they're targeting businesses, like real estate and medical companies." But there are advantages to China's tech bubble deflating. For investors, things are "actually much better in a downturn than a hot period, so good companies have a chance to shine," says Mr Bean. When everybody can get money, "it makes it difficult for the best to stand out", he says. And increasing protests at the "996" working week give start-ups a chance to offer something different. If you "don't want to be following 996 at big companies, maybe come work for my company," says Mr Prudhommeaux. The slowdown may also force companies to focus more, believes Mr Norris. Chinese tech and internet firms are "rather infamous" for rambling across very different lines of business, he says. Meituan, for example, is an online food platform that also acquired a bike share scheme, and then a low budget hotel chain. But these non-core businesses drag down the companies' margins, argues Mr Norris. "There's going to be a refocus on good, competent strategy - the art of choosing what not to do," he predicts. So China's sunny gold rush days may be ending, but the coming winter may deliver a cold blast of efficiency that many tech firms need. Follow Technology of Business editor Matthew Wall on Twitter and Facebook | https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-48146915 |
Has Wales embraced the Welsh Assembly 20 years on? | Showing a class of AS level politics students some of the landmark moments of Welsh devolution is a sobering experience. In the Welsh Assembly, which enters its 20th year this week, politicians voted to make Wales the first place in the UK to charge for carrier bags. It was an important moment of leadership, years before concern over plastic pollution was the subject of prime time television. Later there was the reform of the organ donation system: presumed consent, a measure designed to save lives all over the UK. As the students, from Cardiff and Vale College, have grown up, the Welsh Assembly has grown with them. It has gone from being an assembly with no ability to make laws without the permission of the UK Parliament, to a Parliament itself in all but name. It can make laws, agree taxes (including income tax) and scrutinise the Welsh Government's running of every day services like health, schools and housing. But one of the students we spoke to, Bill, said he did not think the assembly had "much influence compared to Westminster". Rhyddian said: "Because Parliament still has some jurisdiction over Wales, people just don't understand the difference between them. "They probably just see it as less important." Another said the difference between Parliament and the assembly is not understood, while one student said his friends understand the assembly "but just don't care". They would not be alone in their reluctance to engage. Image caption Alun Michael led the government in the assembly when it opened in 1999 - much has changed since those early days Although there was a referendum in 2011 to give the assembly more powers, and successive opinion polls suggest it's become a settled feature of Welsh life, turnout in an assembly election has never been higher than 46%. And surveys indicate that many people don't realise that it is the Welsh Government, scrutinised by the assembly, not the government in London, which controls most of the day-to-day services we all use. It's a far cry from Scotland where turnout at Scottish Parliament elections is usually more than 50%. My colleague Brian Taylor, BBC Scotland's Political Editor, says much of the reason for that is historical. "Scotland was a sovereign state, a sovereign nation for many centuries," Mr Taylor said. There are other reasons too. Wales has a weaker media which hinders robust scrutiny and the communication of information about Welsh politics. One party, Welsh Labour, has dominated the political landscape and governed continuously for the last 20 years. Opposition parties have failed to persuade voters to trust them with the reins of government. Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Wales was the first part of the UK to charge for plastic bags Yet one of the big arguments in favour of devolution is that it brings decision making closer to the people whose lives are affected by those decisions. There's the feeling among many voters across Wales that the assembly is too Cardiff-centric - in other words not close enough. So if most voters aren't connecting with the Welsh Assembly, that's a problem. Sometimes, the roles of the assembly and the Welsh Government get confused as well. The government makes decisions and proposes policies, while the assembly's role is to scrutinise that and decide whether to support them. Image caption Laura McAllister, professor of public policy at Cardiff University, said the assembly had a "chequered past" Many would argue the assembly has spent much of its life ill equipped to carry out that role properly. Prof Laura McAllister says it has only recently come of age. "If you look at the history of the last 20 years we know it had a pretty chequered past, with a ridiculous model of devolution at the outset," the Cardiff University academic said. "Only now is it fit for purpose." Criticisms about the failure to address the poverty that plagues so much of Wales and the underlying problems of an under-performing economy are really about the performance of the Welsh Government, not the Welsh Assembly itself. Successive Welsh Governments would point out they have never had control over welfare or big economic levers. But some would argue there has been a reluctance to wrestle with difficult issues. Big projects have been proposed, encountered controversy and been left to drift, like local government reorganisation or the M4 relief road. The latter is a proposal older than the assembly itself. We are told there'll be a decision on that in June. In the meantime the assembly is using this anniversary to reach out. In July it is planning a citizens' assembly where people can discuss some of the big issues facing Wales in the years ahead. It's already running a youth parliament and there are proposals to reduce the voting age to 16. Engage them early, engage them for life - that's the hope anyway. | https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-48147104 |
What is in that fracking fluid anyhow? | Jason Kenneys quixotic battles will harm Alberta, Online, Walkom, May 6 Thomas Walkom is correct about Albertas tarsands. Shale oil and gas is cleaner than bitumen and is easier to extract. You drill a horizontal well, pump millions of litres of poisonous liquid into the well to fracture the rock and then up from the ground comes a bubblin crude. This takes one to three months. The industry doesnt much care about what damage the poison they pump into the ground will cause or whether or not fracturing the rock will cause earthquakes. I am assuming it is poison because they got Congress to pass a law getting their poison formula classified as a trade secret. So now we dont know what is in Coca-Cola, Kentucky Fried Chicken or fracking fluid. Michael Yaffe, Toronto | https://www.thestar.com/opinion/letters_to_the_editors/2019/05/06/what-is-in-that-fracking-fluid-anyhow.html |
Can Mason return to Ohio's Division I state baseball semifinals after receiving top seed in draw? | CLOSE Scott Springer looks at some of Greater Cincinnati's prep baseball postseason favorites Scott Springer, [email protected] The Southwest District baseball draw meeting was held Sunday and Greater Cincinnati teams now know their opening round opponents as the postseason begins next week. Last season, just two area teams made it all the way to Huntington Park in Columbus for the state semifinals: Mason in Division I and Madeira in Division III. Both lost in the semifinals. Cincinnati's last baseball state champ was Moeller in 2015 when they blanked Westerville Central 16-0 in the state final. This year's state tournament runs June 7-9 in a new location at Canal Park in Akron. The road starts next week. Here are some of the scenarios division by division. Lakota East is the No. 3 seed with a first-round bye and would get the winner of St. Xavier/Northwest. Should the St. X Bombers prevail, that would make an interesting match-up Thursday, May 16. The Bombers don't have a winning record, but the schedule is loaded. Lakota East has gotten solid hitting from Devon Milburn and Sean Church and pitching from Nathan Habertheir and Grayson Hamilton, so the Thunderhawks would be a sectional favorite out of the Greater Miami Conference. Kings out of the Eastern Cincinnati Conference is a No. 5 seed and would have to defeat ECC foe Milford to get to the sectional final. They could match-up with the No. 6 seed Elder who is missing top pitcher Kyle Klingbenbeck due to injury, but still has rocket-arm Kory Klingenbeck at catcher. Tyler Gambill and Hunter Jessee are Kings hitters to watch for. Current Greater Catholic League-South leader Moeller looks to have an easy path to the sectional final with Jack Pacetti, Evan Strickland and Andrew Deyhle pacing the pitching. The Crusaders would have to get by either Anderson or West Clermont of the ECC or Colerain of the GMC. Moeller is the No. 2 seed. Buy Photo Moeller's Ryan Galanie looks at a pitch as Moeller defeated Ryle in 10 innings, 5-2, April 5, 2019 at Ryle HS, Union KY. (Photo: James Weber/The Enquirer) The top seed in Division I is Mason but as their sectional works out, they would likely have to defeat Lakota West to move to district action. The Comets have some of the area's best hitters in JP Sponseller and Cole Harting and Evan Kemp leads the GMC in wins and strikeouts. Mason has defeated Lakota West this season 5-3 and 6-1. Buy Photo Senior JP Sponseller surveys the landscape for Mason (Photo: The Enquirer/Scott Springer) CLOSE Mason baseball represents 45040 Scott Springer, [email protected] Finally, La Salle has freshman sensation Devin Taylor as a GCL-South triple crown threat, but the Lancers would have to face Badin from the GCL-Coed who had lost just twice as of Sunday. Favorites to advance: Lakota East, Kings, Moeller, Mason, Badin Summit Country Day has had another stellar season with sluggers Wil Eads and Brady Ray leading the way. The Silver Knights could run into a decent game right away though as Indian Hill has been in the top third of the Cincinnati Hills League standings. Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy is the top seed in Division II and they do own a 12-6 win over Division I Moeller. Lucas Rotello and freshman Caden Crawford are bats to look out for on the Eagles. The last time CHCA did win at least part of a Miami Valley Conference title was 2003. A sectional crown might not be a shoo-in though as the likely opponent would be Ross who came into the draw with only two losses. Buy Photo Freshman Caden Crawford is a top performer for the CHCA Eagles baseball team. (Photo: The Enquirer/Scott Springer) Elsewhere, Wyoming and Taylor appear to be set up for a CHL showdown for the right to move on to district action. Elijah Dennis has paced the Cowboys while the Yellowjackets feature top-notch pitching in Jacob Hughes and CJ Riga. Taylor is the No. 4 seed and Wyoming No. 5. Favorites: Summit Country Day, CHCA, Taylor Cincinnati Country Day takes the top seed in Division III and would likely have to get by No. 7 seed Williamsburg to move to district action. Payton Ebbing has led the Indians offensively, with Jackson Campbell leading on the mound. No. 3 seed Roger Bacon and No. 4 seed Bethel-Tate appear destined to play for another sectional championship, The Spartans have been topped by Chris Hoffman at the plate and Ryan Hallau on the hill, while Bethel-Tate's John Day is a two-way standout for the Tigers. No. 2 seed Clermont Northeastern would have to get by a tournament-tested No. 5 seed Madeira with Dylan Thatcher and Matt Megois leading the way. Megois was a mainstay on last year's state semifinal team. CNE has been undefeated in the Southern Buckeye Conference with Nick Ferguson's pitching and hitting leading the way. Favorites: CCD, Roger Bacon, Madeira Cincinnati Christian is the clear No. 1 here with Mitchell Smith leading the league in pitching and hitting among those with an eligible amount of at-bats. No. 2 seed Seven Hills should also have a pretty clear path with top hurler Andrew Brown. No. 3 seed Miami Valley Christian Academy (also of the MVC with Cincinnati Chrisitan and Seven Hills) would have to get by the Stingers to move to district action. MVCA's top hurler is Evan Griswold, with Gavin Bangert leading the sticks. However, Deer Park of the CHL could stand in the way of MVCA in round two. Favorites: Cincinnati Christian, Seven Hills | https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/high-school/ohio-high-school/2019/05/06/southwest-district-baseball-tournament-greater-cincinnati-teams/1114720001/ |
Who is going to win the Premier League? | Getty Images It's been one of the tightest Premier League title races of all time. With one game left to play, Manchester City are just one point ahead of Liverpool in the table. If Liverpool win their final game and Manchester City fail to win, it will be the first time they've ever won the Premier League. Here's all the different scenarios you need to look out for on the final day. Manchester City win Getty Images If Manchester City beat Brighton Hove Albion on Sunday they'll win the Premier League. City have won 13 Premier League games in a row and they're currently going for a domestic treble. That means they could win three major trophies this season - the Premier League, the League Cup and the FA Cup. Their opponents, Brighton, have narrowly escaped relegation this season. Liverpool win and Manchester City fail to win Getty Images If Liverpool win their final game against Wolves, and Manchester City slip up, then they will win the league. It'll be the first time they've won a domestic league title in 30 years. Unlike City, they'll have home advantage and they've been unbeaten at home all season. In fact, the only time they've lost a game this season was against City back in January. Both sides draw Getty Images If both sides draw then Manchester City will win the title by just a point. That'll mean Liverpool miss out on the Premier League despite only losing one game all season. Getty Images Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock pictured after his side was relegated to the Championship Away from the title race there isn't much to watch out for. The relegation places have already been decided. Huddersfield, Fulham and Cardiff will be moving down into the Championship. The Champions League places are also all but decided. Chelsea have already secured their place in top-four and Tottenham look like they'll take the other spot. Arsenal are three points behind Spurs but they have a much worse goal difference so it's unlikely they'll be able to catch their arch rivals. | https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/48174531 |
Where is transgender man who was pregnant, had a baby now? | #TeamPregnantDad stars Liam, Duane and Cypress live life together in Charlotte, N.C. The morning after Cypress was released from the hospital, I waited until about 11:15 before texting Liam to see how the familys first night at home went. I imagined a scene like in the movies: a restless night with two brand-new, exhausted parents taking turns leaving their bed to feed the baby or change a diaper. But I got a text back around noon. In typical Liam humor it said, I dont know who sleeps more: Duane or Cypress lol. Cypress had slept five hours through the night and woke them up briefly at 5 a.m., before going back down for a two-hour nap. Lucky to have such a good non-fussy baby, Liam wrote. Liam and Duane picked Cypress pediatrician, Dr. Laura Levin, in Concord, N.C., for a special reason. Diedra Laird In those first few weeks after the hospital, Cypress went to the pediatrician and received a positive health report. Dr. Laura Levin, with Atrium Health Levine Childrens Piedmont Pediatrics, told Liam and Duane their baby made good progress despite being born almost two months early. Levins office, in Concord, is more than 25 miles away and Liam and Duane drive past nearly a dozen other pediatric doctors to get there. They chose Levins practice for a reason: Four years ago, Levin announced to her employees, patients and the public that she was transitioning male-to-female. Liam picked Levin not only because she is transgender but also because her practice is accustomed to serving trans families, including both trans parents and youth patients who are transitioning. Her staff has been trained, Levin says, in how to be open and affirming toward LGTBQ populations. To have a pediatrician for Cypress who knew first hand trans-sensitivity and not even have to educate her. That one little thing is a big weight lifted off our shoulders, Liam says. SHARE COPY LINK Liam Johns and husband Duane Danielson challenge one of societys most-ingrained assumptions: that only women give birth. The Charlotte Observer followed their year-long journey of Liams pregnancy to fatherhood. When Levins office started taking on an increased number of gay, lesbian and transgender patient families, and especially after transitioning herself, some employees quit, Levin says. But most are supportive. We have a fairly large LGBTQ population coming through my office, she said. And you cant always tell someones gender identity based on how theyre presenting (or appearance). Employee training at Levins office includes avoiding the use of words like sir or girl in favor of gender-neutral words like parent or child. Cypress is her first patient to be raised gender-neutral, where Liam and Duane, as parents, arent disclosing their childs birth sex to anyone. While pediatric research on gender-neutral child-rearing is limited, Levin says shes found most children do not form their own gender identity until around 4. In her office, its OK for parents to write N/A for gender, as Liam and Duane did. NICU trauma At home, Liam and Duane quickly fell into the rhythms of fatherhood. Most days, Duane tends to the baby for about two hours before he goes to work and Liam stays home with Cypress. If Liam needs to pick up a shift at work, his mother, Rosalyn, helps care for the baby. After about a month of having Cypress home, the birth experience seemed like a blur in his memory, Liam said. He waited around 11 weeks after birth before he restarted testosterone injections. Im excited to get back to feeling normal within myself and within my body, Liam said. Just get back to feeling like myself. Cypress first month in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit helped break a NICU record for newborn admissions at Levin Childrens Hospital. Diedra Laird But,Cypress two-month stay in the neonatal unit at Levine Childrens Hospital stuck with Liam. Its kind of surreal, he said in October. Last night when I went to pick them up, I was thinking there was still wires attached. Research has shown both people who give birth and non-birthing parents often experience post-traumatic stress disorder during and after their child is in the NICU. Anxiety, nightmares and constant worrying about their childs health after a prolonged hospital stay are some of the most-common symptoms. Levine Childrens Hospital NICU tries to mitigate these difficulties for families as much as possible, through support programs, special gatherings and meetings with social workers on staff, says Dr. David Fisher, medical director of neonatology at Levine. When babies come to us in the ICU, theyre sick. Life-threatening illness effectively, Fisher said. Most of those babies more than 1,000 newborns each year are admitted with breathing issues, infections or genetic conditions. In the month Cypress was born, the hospital broke its own record for the highest number of babies admitted: 115 infants in the NICU in July 2018. By the time Cypress came home, doctors believed the infant was essentially eating, sleeping and otherwise experiencing as good as health as would be the case for a baby the same age. Its a relief, Liam says. He still worries others will jump to the conclusion that his pregnancy complications or Cypress premature birth were caused because he is transgender. When really, me being trans had nothing to do with it, he said. Liam and Duane have a large freezer at home to store donated breastmilk for Cypress. Diedra Laird He was also nervous to register on breast milk-sharing sites as he and Duane looked for a donor and hoped theyd be able to avoid using formula. Once, they drove as far as Virginia to pick up several hundred ounces of donated breast milk to feed Cypress. Other times, they met with women in Charlotte who produce more milk than needed to nurse their own babies. Each time, Liam was happily surprised the donors were unfazed hes trans and gave birth. And he and Duane say theyre grateful to the many people who donated milk to Cypress. Still, they expect some reaction will be negative once their story is shared publicly. Us For Valentines Day, Liam and Duane hung a Be who you are wreath on their front door, showing two parents and a baby. Anna Douglas Trans people, Liam says, continue to face discrimination and marginalization in society even amid incremental legal and political wins for LGBTQ people. Its that reality that led Liam to begin trans equality activism more than three years ago, when North Carolina lawmakers passed HB2, a law that restricted access to public restrooms for transgender people who had transitioned but had not changed the sex listed on their birth certificate. Back then, Liam was featured in a Charlotte Observer article alongside a portrait of him standing arms-crossed, defiant in front of a row of restroom stalls. Im 100 percent human and deserve 100 percent equality, Liam said in 2016. When our communitys lives are under attack, we stand up and fight back. HB2 was later partially repealed. In many ways, Liam says, the fight today is harder than ever. But lately, hes spending less time attending protests and more time changing diapers. The short-term plan is for Liam to stay home with Cypress while Duanes started a new nursing job, working second shift. And Liam wants to renew his paramedic training so he can work full-time again. They dream of a future for Cypress where transgender families are treated equally and hospitals and the rest of the world are ready to receive them. I remember Liam telling me that the first day we met. As we sat down in February 2018, in a coffee shop in Charlottes Plaza Midwood neighborhood, he said he wanted to share his story for one main reason: so other trans men would have more information about what its like to give birth. There arent a lot of stories about trans and queer families and their experiences about growing their families or reproductive issues, he says. We couldnt find anything that we could connect with to help us with information and give us hope that we could have a family We knew we couldnt be the only ones out there doing this, so we decided to share our story so people could have something to identify with. Liam on his family: Just because theres no maternal figure here, it doesnt mean this baby will lack in love and affection. Diedra Laird For much of Liams life, pronouns and whether people were using the right ones could make him feel wholly understood, or downright alone. Now, at home with Duane and Cypress, Liams family has a brand new pronoun to go by: Us. | https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/special-reports/article229085039.html |
Why was I ticketed for a plastic covering over a licence plate? | Open this photo in gallery Fred Lum/The Globe and Mail My wifes licence plates were starting to deteriorate several years back, so I put covers on them. Last week, I was driving it and I got pulled over. The police officer told me my licence plate was obstructed and gave me a ticket without asking questions. I cannot find anything in the law saying you cant have covers. The plates are still very visible. The only obstruction I can think of is from the cheap quality of the plates. Enzo, Toronto The law is clear, sort of licence plate covers arent illegal, but you could still get a ticket if you have one. As with all laws, it is up to law enforcement officers to exercise their judgment and apply the HTA, Courtney Anderson, Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) spokeswoman, said in an e-mail. So, if a police officer decides that your numbers cant be seen by other vehicles, for any reason, you could get an $85 ticket, Anderson said. This could occur where a licence-plate cover obstructs the licence plate by reflecting headlights, or where a licence plate or plate cover is dirty, damaged, or discoloured and the licence plate is not clearly visible, Anderson said. So the law covers plate covers and peeling plates, even though theyre not specifically mentioned in the law. The law also bans any device that prevents an automated speed enforcement system, a red-light camera or an electronic-toll system from seeing your licence-plate number. Legal to buy We asked the MTO if it advises people not to use plate covers. Story continues below advertisement The sale of licence-plate covers is not illegal, Anderson said. The ministry is aware that many retailers sell these items, however, the ministry does not endorse or promote the sale, purchase, or use of clear or tinted licence-plate covers. We asked how many people were charged for this and hadnt received a response by our deadline. The laws are similar in other provinces. In British Columbia, for instance, having an illegible plate is a $230 ticket under section 3.03 of the Motor Vehicle Act. As for peeling plates, its up to you to go to ServiceOntario and get them replaced, said Harry Malhi, spokesman for the Ontario Ministry of Government and Consumer Services, in an e-mail. Replacing a plate costs $59. Generally, theyre only replaced for free for five years, although there are exceptions for plates bought after June of 2008. Last year, 145,000 licence plates were returned, Malhi said. Plates have also peeled in Nova Scotia, B.C., Illinois, New York and the British Virgin Islands, the government says. Story continues below advertisement Its not entirely clear. The manufacturer and material suppliers of both the reflective laminate sheeting and strip aluminum have conducted independent investigations, and two third-party investigations were conducted by external consultants, Malhi said. While reports did not identify a root cause, they determined that environmental factors may be affecting the plates. Ontario is coming out with new plates next year with laminate that will be stronger, brighter and longer lasting than any other licence-plate technology, Malhi said. If you already have plates and want to get whats promised to be a super-plate, it will cost $59. If Ontarians choose to voluntarily get the new plate, they will have to pay, Malhi said. Send it to [email protected]. Canadas a big place, so let us know where you are so we can find the answer for your city and province. Story continues below advertisement Stay on top of all our Drive stories. We have a Drive newsletter covering car reviews, innovative new cars and the ups and downs of everyday driving. Sign up for the weekly Drive newsletter, delivered to your inbox for free. Follow us on Instagram, @globedrive. | https://www.theglobeandmail.com/drive/mobility/article-why-was-i-ticketed-for-a-plastic-covering-over-a-licence-plate/ |
Did Katie Holmes and Jamie Foxx finally confirm dating rumors at the Met Gala? | CLOSE Celine Dion, Billy Porter, Lena Waithe and more celebrities take over the Met Gala red carpet and explore the theme, "Notes on Fashion." Josmar Taveras, USA TODAY Katie Holmes and Jamie Foxx have dodged dating rumors for years, but new photos of the two together at the Met Gala have fans wondering if they're official. The two didn't enter the event together Holmes was accompanied on the red carpet by designer Zac Posen but posed together inside. Holmes, 40, wore a custom purple gown from Posen. Foxx, 51, kept things mostly simple with a black suit and tie, but rocked purple shoes that perfectly matched Holmes's look. USA TODAY has reached out to representatives for Holmes and Foxx for comment. Fans on Twitter voiced excitement over the idea of the two publicly announcing their relationship. TBH, I'd like to be inside the #MetGala with Jamie Foxx and Katie Holmes. pic.twitter.com/xU6l22y4Ku Emily Longeretta (@emilylongeretta) May 7, 2019 "Katie Holmes and Jamie Foxx. I dig it," one fan tweeted. Katie Holmes and Jamie foxx. I dig it. steph (@itsstephniyo) May 7, 2019 "THEY MADE AN APPEARANCE AT THE MET GALA, WUT?!" another user wrote. Some argued the matching shoes were enough evidence. Jamie Foxx matching his shoes to Katie Holmes. A couple! #METGalapic.twitter.com/ZOgG1X6aTT E (@whatimreadings) May 7, 2019 Katie Holmes and Jamie Foxx posed separately outside the Met Gala, but some fans think shots of the two together inside confirm their relationship. (Photo: Angela Weiss/AFP/Getty Images, Dia Dipasupil/FilmMagic) Holmes and Foxx were first linked as a couple in 2013, shortly after Holmes's divorce from Cruise in 2012. Reports emerged in People and Us Weekly in 2015 about the pair's rumored relationship after Holmes and daughter Suri Cruise moved to L.A. and supposedly started spending time at Foxx's home. Then, Foxx's friend and former Real Housewives of Atlanta star Claudia Jordan said that the actor was "very happy" with Holmes in a podcast interview last year. Jordan backpedaled her statement shortly after, telling Entertainment Tonight that she's "never seen them together, he's never told me he's dating her." Contributing: Maeve McDermott More: Rosario Dawson and Sen. Cory Booker are officially dating More: Gwyneth Paltrow gets cozy with ex Chris Martin's girlfriend Dakota Johnson over dinner Read or Share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2019/05/07/met-gala-katie-holmes-and-jamie-foxx-finally-confirm-dating-rumors/1126541001/ | https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2019/05/07/met-gala-katie-holmes-and-jamie-foxx-finally-confirm-dating-rumors/1126541001/ |
Why Is Trump Hiding His Tax Returns? | The longer the fight over the return continuesespecially if Trump loses in the lower courts, but appeals and appeals againthe more likely it is that Americans will assume the worst. Trump already suffers from a wide and deep public opinion disbelief in his integrity. In September 2018, Gallup asked respondents to rateTrumps ethics compared to other presidents. Sixty-eight percent regarded him as less ethical than Ronald Reagan; 58 percent as less ethical than Barack Obama; and 52 percent as less ethical than Bill Clinton. Trump even suffers in comparison to Richard Nixon: Forty-three percent rate Trump as less ethical than Nixon, while only 37 percent rate him higher. Quinnipiac produced even more troubling results in March 2019. Sixty-five percent told pollsters they regard Trump as dishonest, the worst honesty number yet recorded by any survey. Sixty-four percent of Americans believe Trump committed crimes before becoming president. Its often assumed that Trump has a solid 40 percent base. But thats not true on ethics matters. Ethics surveys reveal a split between strong supporters and softer supporters. When Pew asked in January 2019 whether Trump was separating his business interests from his official duties, only 28 percent expressed strong confidence he was doing so. Another 13 percent described themselves as somewhat confident. While 66 percent of conservative Republicans expressed strong confidence in Trumps integrity, only 39 percent of self-described moderate Republicans did so. Its unrealistic to imagine a split within the GOP over these issues, but its easy to imagine continued melting away of Trumps support on questions of ethics. Nearly two-thirds of Americans now agree Trump should release his tax returns, again according to Pew. Polls will not bend Trump on an issue as seemingly existential to him as keeping his tax returns concealed. But the issue of the tax returns may bend Trumps polls. Over the next weeks, Trump will be fighting multiple financial-disclosure fights. He has intervened to stop Deutsche Bank from complying with a congressional subpoena of his bank records. He threatens to fight to prevent Robert Mueller from testifying about Trumps Russia connections. Hes already lost the first round of the emoluments-clause lawsuit filed by the state of Maryland and the District of Columbia. As Trump fights to conceal his financial records, loses, appeals, and loses again, it becomes progressively more plausible to Republicans that those records conceal damaging revelations about serious wrongdoing. Trump is ultimately fighting to prove hes not a crook. He can postpone delivering the records that would prove the matter one way or another. But as he fights to postpone the inevitable, he risks persuading voters that they do not need a subpoena to read his guilt. | https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/05/whats-hiding-trumps-tax-returns/588862/?utm_source=feed |
How do I get rid of tennis elbow? | Kevin Anderson of South Africa hits a forehand to Roger Federer of Switzerland at the Miami Open tennis tournament at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens in March. Two-time Grand Slam runner-up Anderson is skipping the clay-court swing this season because of a lingering right elbow injury. Tennis elbow can come from overuse. AP Q. I have had severe pain on the outside of my right elbow for a month. I work out regularly, and about three months ago returned to playing tennis. At first, my elbow hurt while I was hitting a backhand shot. Soon after, my elbow bothered me while working out. Now, it even hurts just lifting a quart of milk or shaking hands. Resting it and taking ibuprofen have not helped. I would love some advice on what to do with my elbow since I cannot work out or play tennis without pain. A: The muscles that let you straighten out your wrist and fingers begin as a tendon that originates on the outside part of the elbow. Repetitive stresses can result in an overuse injury known as tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis. You do not have to be a tennis player to develop this condition as any kind of overuse weight training, push-ups, computer work or even lifting briefcases can result in these symptoms. Initial treatment usually involves anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy. A cortisone injection may relieve the symptoms but a proper exercise program is necessary to try and prevent recurrent symptoms. If these treatment options fail, then PRP injections using plasma from your own blood or a high energy shock wave therapy called Orthotripsy can be performed with a good chance of a successful cure. I recommend you see an orthopedic surgeon to confirm your diagnosis and get you moving on the road to recovery. Dr. Harlan Selesnick is team physician of the Miami Heat and director of Miami Sports Medicine Fellowship, Doctors Hospital. Send your questions to [email protected]. | https://www.miamiherald.com/living/health-fitness/jock-doc/article230102114.html |
Should Mississauga leave Peel Region? | The provincial government is reviewing the regional government system in Ontario. Mississaugas mayor, Bonnie Crombie, argues yes, now is the perfect time to right a historical wrong and allow Canadas sixth largest city to be independent of Peel Region. The mayor of neighbouring Brampton, Patrick Brown, argues no, the costs involved in dissolution of the region are unfair to his taxpayers. The Absolute Towers, also known as the Marilyn Monroe buildings, add distinction to the Mississagua skyline. Today, Mississauga residents are over-contributing $85 million per year to subsidize Brampton and Caledon money that should stay in Mississauga to be spent on our priorities, Mississauga mayor Bonnie Crombie writes. ( Marcus Oleniuk / Toronto Star File ) After 45 years, its time for Mississauga to leave the Region of Peel and become an independent city. The regional government model in Peel is broken beyond repair, and its time for change. Now. Regional government is holding Mississauga back from achieving its true potential as a world-class city. As an independent city, Mississauga would finally have full control over its future and all decision making. It would be able to deliver services more efficiently and effectively, by reducing waste, by eliminating the duplication that exists between two levels of government (theres no need for two planning or engineering departments doing the same work). And, it would see Mississauga taxpayers finally treated fairly and with respect for the first time in decades. Separation would result in better government. Article Continued Below Today, Mississauga residents are over-contributing $85 million per year to subsidize Brampton and Caledon money that should stay in Mississauga to be spent on our priorities. This situation is not new. In 2004, when Mayor Hazel McCallion sought separation, the number was $32 million. Every year, Mississaugas taxpayers are forced to pay more and more to the Region. Enough is enough. Mississauga has consistently provided over 60 per cent of the regions funding, and at times as high as 77 per cent. Yet, despite providing the lions share of the funding and having more than 50 per cent of the population, Mississauga doesnt get an equitable, fair say at the decision-making table. With five regional councillors for 70,000 people (thats the size of one Ward in Mississauga! ), one vote from Caledon is worth four times that of Mississauga or Brampton. This is not fair or democratic. Its not surprising that Brampton and Caledon, and the Region of Peel are advocating for the status quo and for Mississauga to remain part of the region, they only stand to continue to benefit. Every study shows Mississauga would be better off by becoming independent, experiencing significant financial gains. The facts dont lie. The answer is simple: Mississauga has paid its fair share, and much more, for close to 50 years, and if we leave the Region of Peel, Brampton and Caledon will finally have to stand on their own two feet and be honest with their taxpayers. They will need to find a way to continue to deliver the services their residents have come to rely on without using Mississaugas tax dollars. Theyve been along for the ride for far too long. THE BIG DEBATE: For more opposing view columns from Toronto Star contributors, click here. Mississauga is the third largest city in Ontario and sixth largest in Canada. Home to almost 800,000 people and more than 91,000 businesses, Mississauga is a global destination, which some have described as a modern economic miracle. Our local economy is strong and we are outpacing Ontarios in terms of job growth. We have a distinct identity from other cities and a strong sense of civic pride. So, our ask is as fair as it is simple: treat Mississauga like other independent, single-tier cities in Ontario like Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, Thunder Bay, Guelph, London, Windsor, and even Dryden. Yes, Dryden, Ont., with a population of 7,750 people, has more powers than the City of Mississauga. Article Continued Below Its frustrating that Mississauga has to ask Brampton and Caledon for permission at the region to act on our priorities things like planning, development, and building affordable housing. Imagine if Toronto had to ask another city for permission to build housing or to proceed with developing land. It would be absurd, yet this is the daily reality for Mississauga. As mayor, its my job to do whats in the best interests of my city and the taxpayers of Mississauga. We have done our homework, developed a strong business case and engaged our residents, the majority of whom are in support. Ultimately, the final decision rests with the province. I know Premier Ford is listening and that hes open to the idea of Mississauga becoming an independent city. Premier Ford, were here, were ready, and were waiting. Bonnie Crombie is the mayor of Mississagua. Last fall when I ran to be mayor of Brampton, I campaigned on a platform of a municipal tax freeze. We needed to become more tax competitive with our neighbours. Brampton is the only large municipality across Canada to deliver a property tax freeze this year for its residents. Mississauga is now threatening our residents by implementing skyrocketing tax hikes by advocating a divorce from the Region of Peel. I will not stand for this. My residents have had enough of property tax hikes. Since 1974, when the Region of Peel was created, council members have worked in co-operation to provide regional services (police, paramedics, public health, waste management, water, Transhelp, social housing, roads, social services, and long-term care). The region was created by Bill Davis, arguably the most successful premier in our provinces history. This former Progressive Conservative premier had wisdom in this creation as it put taxpayers first. The region was recognized in January with the Excellence Canada Platinum Award for outstanding achievements in system management and public service delivery. In January, the Government of Ontario announced a review of the eight regional municipalities in the province. The purpose of the review is to help ensure that these municipalities are working effectively and efficiently and can continue to provide the vital services that communities depend on. Share your thoughts: I believe there are more pressing issues at Queens Park than regional governance review for our provincial politicians to spend their time on. For starters, I am more concerned about the lack of hospital beds in our city, the cuts to education, the lack of resources for children with autism, the need for funding to combat guns and gangs and the need for infrastructure funding to move people, goods and services. These are important priorities for Brampton. Although this is a process initiated by the province, we needed to engage residents on their views on whether we split, merge or stay with the Region of Peel. We have hosted a telephone town hall with over 5,000 residents participating, we are soliciting feedback on our website and we hosted a town-hall meeting at city hall, which was streamed on Facebook. During our telephone town hall, 66 per cent of residents supported the status quo. I want to assure taxpayers I am committed to improving the quality and reducing the cost and overlap of municipal services. I am open to any efficiencies that will eliminate duplication. There is only one taxpayer. Our citys recommendation to Premier Doug Ford will be based on evidence and factual data. To justify its position to separate, the City of Mississauga was using outdated data from a report completed in 2003. A lot has changed in the past 16 years. Bramptons population has nearly doubled while Mississaugas growth has slowed dramatically. We cost-shared the costs of its previous development; it would not be equitable if Mississauga did not do the same for Brampton. I need to be convinced that separation will not lead to massive tax hikes for our residents. Earlier this year, Deloitte, the Region of Peels auditor, was asked to undertake a financial analysis of service delivery models to identify the impacts associated with: Amalgamation of the local municipalities with the region. Dissolution of the region (establishing three independent municipalities in Peel). Deloittes findings will cause sticker shock for all taxpayers in Peel Region. Amalgamation will require additional tax levies of $676 million that will need to be raised when compared to the status quo over the next 10 years. Dissolution will ultimately require additional tax levies of $1.081 billion that will need to be raised when compared to the status quo over the next 10 years. The Ford government says it wants to reduce the tax burden for Ontario families. The Deloitte report clearly shows that pooling resources for policing, water treatment and other regional services saves residents tax dollars. The report says in a crystal clear manner that taxes will skyrocket in Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon if we dont share the costs of these services. As it stands, the dissolution of Peel Region will be costly for taxpayers. I hope the Ford government looks out for the little guy and does not give us an unnecessary tax increase. Patrick Brown is the mayor of Brampton. Read more about: | https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/thebigdebate/2019/05/07/should-mississauga-leave-peel-region.html |
Is Woods an unworthy recipient of a great honour? | Several of the Little Thing because my mind is basically mush and its a bit easier this way. - For some reason, one of the screens where I was sitting yesterday afternoon had on the ceremony where Tiger Woods was presented with the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom and I was kind of drawn to it. And really, truly, fully dismayed by it. Look, I dont have any skin in the game and its not my country and I cant remember the last Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient I gave a rats patoot about but for some reason this one caught my eye. Article Continued Below Look, I have no dispute about what Tiger Woods is as athlete. He is one of the greatest to ever play his sport. To recover from multiple back surgeries and rehabs and knee surgeries and win as he did in Augusta is one of the truly amazing stories of this year. Kudos to him for perseverance, for not letting the comfortable life he could live stop him from being a competitor, for pushing himself back to near the top. Absolutely wonderful. No question. I suppose so, at least at the start, theres no doubt about that. That goes to behaviour and contribution and impact outside of a sport, it goes to high moral character and comporting oneself with dignity and grace all the time. I just dont get this one, I dont. It struck me as more political or more hey, I want to take care of my friend than anything. I know, in the grand scheme of things it means squat and will have no discernible impact on your lives or mine. But I think in a very small way it diminishes what should be a grand, grand honour for others. - Saw a scrawl thing the TV that said Babcocks coming back and why did I immediately think, oh, no, Masais going to Washington-LA-New York. - Article Continued Below We need to come to a consensus. Im in the camp of the former but wonder. We had this. And this. And this. And given the shenanigans of the last week or so, when every game was so different from the one that proceeded it, anyone who tells you they know whats going to happen tonight is talking out of their hat. Even more than any time in the regular season, each game is a completely new animal from the one just before. It had to do with teams changing plans and styles and some schemes, its because a different guy might play well or play horribly one night to the next and the desperation level truly does change things. So who knows what well get tonight but if its even three quarters as intense and tough and tight as Sunday, you should be fine with it. The only news out of yesterday and even thats a stretch, calling it news is that Pascal Siakam was NOT on the injury report so theres no reason to think he wont play tonight. How much of an impact he has, how well he plays, is a complete mystery. And with no Raptors shootaround this morning, the next time were going to hear officially from anyone is when Nick does his pre-game stuff about 6:15 p.m. That leaves all day for me to manufacture some kind of early story while also doing laundry, packing and sundry other chores that slipped by the boards during the last trip. - All right, I can see this being another week where I have a Saturday morning of load management rather than early morning of work so if you want to get in on the fun of the weekly mailbag, lets start loading up the questions today. As you can tell from last weeks efforts, its full of information real and imagined and all youve got to do is click on [email protected] and ask away. Youll love being a part of it! - This is gonna get short shrift and its too bad but Im told one of the top Canadian basketball careers has come to an end. The great Shona Thorburn, two-tome Olympian, long-time European, promising young broadcaster and a lovely woman, has decided to cap off the playing career and move into the coaching ranks. Shes a buddy and it was my pleasure to cover Canadian teams she played on from about 2011 or so until after the Rio Olympics and I am sure shell make a smooth transition to the coaching ranks. Shes got a gig with Basket Landes in the French league one of the top leagues in the world and I hear shell have a couple of equally great Canadians in Miranda Ayim and Katherine Plouffe on the team next year. So I think I gotta cheer for Basket Landes and Im torn between the Townsville Fire and the Canberra Capitals in Australia. - | https://www.thestar.com/sports/doug_smiths_sports_blog/2019/05/07/is-woods-an-unworthy-recipient-of-a-great-honour-.html |
Why are new gas pump stickers drawing criticism in Florida? | How to avoid becoming debit card fraud victim Sgt. Aaron Clem of the Kennewick (Wash.) Police Department offers tips on minimizing the risk of becoming a victim of debit card fraud when making purchases in a store or at the gas pumps. Up Next SHARE COPY LINK Sgt. Aaron Clem of the Kennewick (Wash.) Police Department offers tips on minimizing the risk of becoming a victim of debit card fraud when making purchases in a store or at the gas pumps. Some gas pumps in Florida are looking a little different. The seals signifying that gas pumps have been inspected by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services are in the process of being replaced by new stickers with a colorful blue and green design and the face of Agriculture Commissioner Nicole Nikki Fried. The sticker includes a phone number to report fraud and the web address for a consumer portal, and it replaces the traditional seal from administrations past none of which had the face of the commissioner. While the new sticker has drawn the ire of some critics on social media, Frieds staff insists that having her face on the sticker is not free campaign advertising but an innovative approach to raise awareness of gas pump fraud. They said the new decal design is a way to highlight the problem and bring attention to the issue using bright colors, a photo, larger text and Spanish-language information. The new, colorful sticker includes a number to report fraud and the web address to a consumer portal, and replaces the traditional seal from administrations past none of which had the face of the commissioner. Samantha J. Gross [email protected] The decal was designed by the marketing department, and went through several levels of staff approvals before ultimately being approved by Fried, according to department spokesman Max Flugrath. Gas pump skimmers are an exponentially growing problem in Florida, with each device having the potential to cost consumers $1 million, he said. If some choose to attack innovative approaches that raise awareness of the issue, that sounds like petty politics instead of advancing solutions to protect Florida taxpayers. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services oversees 464,000 gas pumps, checking for credit card skimmers, safety and accuracy. Fried has taken a special interest in protecting customers against credit card fraud at skimmers and made it a point earlier this year to highlight legislation that aimed at creating a task force to address it. The bills both died before the legislative session ended. Former state Rep. Matt Caldwell, who ran against Fried for agriculture commissioner, said he doesnt approve of the way public dollars are being spent to promote her face instead of using the traditional seal. During his campaign, Caldwell said that he wouldnt use public dollars for his campaign and urged Fried to do the same. He added that when he served in the House, he never used the allotted state funds to send newsletters to constituents, because it was essentially just campaigning on the public taxpayers dollar. Elected office is public service, he said. To use taxpayer money in any capacity is inappropriate. That should be a separate part of the political process. I certainly always try to be very conscious about using public money for self-promotion. Leon County GOP chair Evan Power, who tweeted about the sticker, said he thinks the sticker goes beyond the scope of Frieds job as agriculture commissioner. This looked like a campaign ad, he said. Thats what made it stand out on a gas sticker. Power likened Fried to former Secretary of State and one-time pick for Lieutenant Governor Sandy Mortham, who came under similar fire in the late 1990s when she became embroiled in an ethical scandal about her spending and travel costs ahead of her election. According to a 1998 article in the Tampa Tribune, she left the ticket alongside Jeb Bush when questions were raised about her use of money meant for a celebration of state historic museums, which the Secretary of State oversees. Mortham, who was part of the cabinet then, was accused of using the money instead for parties for her staff, a video about her home county, and promotional giveaways like key rings and pens. Its not unprecedented for elected officials to use their public roles to increase recognition. Before Hurricane Irma, for example, when Gov. Rick Scott lifted tolls on Floridas Turnpike the message boards on the road said, Tolls suspended by order of governor. I just dont like the outward politicization of using an official action to promote somebody, Power said. His tweet drew replies in agreement, as well as a few who said it didnt really matter. The stickers placed on gas pumps under Commissioner Adam Putnam had the department seal and a QR code that customers could scan to file a complaint. Four years ago the link was changed to point at the departments website, freshfromflorida.com. The QR code was meant to serve as a tool for easy digital updating, so stickers with expired inspection dates wouldnt have to be replaced. The Fried stickers have neither QR codes nor an inspection date. Flugrath said the reason for a lack of QR code is that the departments marking team found that most consumers dont use the codes unless they deal with a rebate of some sort. For the function of filing a complaint, he said, it was not widely used. The inspection date was taken off the seal under the last administration and was not replaced this year, he said. Former agriculture commissioner Adam Putnam declined to comment, and his predecessor, Charlie Bronson, could not be reached. | https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article230107424.html |
Why are people talking about beauty pageants? | Instagram From left to right: Kaliegh Garris, Cheslie Kryst and Nia Franklin For the first time ever, all three winners of America's biggest beauty pageants are black women. In the past, pageants have been criticised for not reflecting a diverse range of women. Miss America, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA have all been described as "trailblazing" women by a top American politician. Senator Kamala Harris, who is hoping to become US President in 2020, said: "What a tremendous moment for these young, successful women making their own path, on their own terms." Nia Franklin, who is 25, became Miss America in September. She is an opera singer from New York who also works with for a charity helping people discover music, dance and art. Kaliegh Garris is Miss Teen USA and was crowned last week. The 18-year-old from Connecticut who was celebrated for embracing her natural curly hair, hopes to become a nurse in the future. Cheslie Kryst, who is 28 from North Carolina, was named Miss USA last week. In her acceptance speech she said: "Mine is the first generation to have that forward-looking mindset that has inclusivity, diversity, strength and empowered women." Cheslie Kryst/Instagram As well as working as a lawyer, she works for free helping people in prison who have been given unfair sentences. She will now represent the US in the Miss Universe pageant. The Miss America beauty pageant has been around for almost 100 years. Miss USA began in 1950 and Miss Teen USA in 1983. Contestants are often young women with a passion for helping others. They also have to show they have a talent, for example singing, dancing or martial arts. Pageants have been criticised in the past for judging women on how they look. Some people believe they hold up unrealistic beauty standards and are sexist. The Miss America Organization announced in June 2018 that this year's competition would not include the swimwear section. It said that it will no longer judge women on their "outward physical appearance." Gretchen Carlson, the group's head, explained. "Miss America will represent a new generation of female leaders focused on scholarship, social impact, talent and empowerment." Until the 1940s, Miss America stopped women not of "the white race" from participating, and even after they changed the rules, a black woman did not participate in the competition until 1970. Getty Images Vanessa Williams was crowned the first African American Miss America in 1984 In 1968, black women held the first Miss Black America pageant to protest against racist standards. The first black winner of Miss America was Vanessa Williams in 1983. | https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/48188070 |
Why is the success of the Trump tax cut so surprising? | Opinion: If more resources are left at work in the private-sector economy, the private-sector economy will produce more. In this Dec. 22, 2017, file photo President Donald Trump signs into law a $1.5 trillion tax overhaul package in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. (Photo: Evan Vucci/AP) The biggest surprise about the performance of the American economy after the Trump tax cut is the number of people who are surprised. The main feature of the policy change was a sharp reduction in the income tax on corporate profits. The immediate effect was to increase the after-tax revenue of American businesses. That has the direct effect of increasing the value of owning a share of a successful business. For publicly traded companies, that means a rising stock market. How all of this helps the economy There are then reverberating effects. There are basically three things companies can do with their increased after-tax earnings: invest more in the company, distribute more to owners or increase compensation to workers. All of these knock-on effects are economically beneficial. Different companies have mixed the dispersal of the extra money differently, depending on their business strategies and competitive environment. Even the use of the money derided by the left as an economic waste stock buybacks and increased dividends have knock-on economic benefits. Shareholders redeeming stock or receiving larger dividends dont put the money into a mattress. The money is redeployed in ways thought more productive. So, we get an economy in which overall economic growth is greater. It's not the only reason to set policy, but ... CLOSE President Donald Trump gathered workers from around the U.S. to help show the benefits that are being seen from the tax cut plan recently passed. (April 12) AP The labor market is very robust. Unemployment is low. Wages are up. Employment and wage growth are particularly strong among those without a college education. This isnt a rising tide thats leaving some boats behind. And productivity has ticked up after being stagnant for a very long time. Investment capital seeks to maximize the use of labor skills. This isnt a sugar high, purely a Keynesian boost driven by the accompanying deficit spending by the federal government. The increase in after-tax return on investment is ongoing. It applies to the next dollar invested as much as the previous dollar. The knock-on economic benefits of the next dollar invested are as potent as the previous dollar. The after-tax return on corporate profits isnt the only important influence on economic performance. Nor is the performance of the private-sector economy the only consideration in establishing tax policy. The current beneficial effects of the Trump tax cut arent the end of the debate. But it shouldnt be so surprising that if more money is left in the private economy, the private economy will produce more. 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. More newsletters Reach Robb at [email protected]. Read or Share this story: https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/robertrobb/2019/05/07/trump-tax-reform-successful-why-so-surprising/1121186001/ | https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/robertrobb/2019/05/07/trump-tax-reform-successful-why-so-surprising/1121186001/ |
Should the Miami Heat consider trading its first-round pick? | 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. The Miami Herald Heat mailbag is here to answer your questions. If you werent able to ask one this time, send your questions for future mailbags via Twitter (@Anthony_Chiang). You can also email me at [email protected]. Anthony Chiang: I mean, anything is possible. The NBA doesnt allow teams to be without consecutive future first-round picks, but the Heat is eligible to trade its first-round pick in this years draft because it also currently holds its 2020 first-round selection. The Heat is finally in a good position when it comes to the draft, as it owns seven of its next eight first-round selections. The only one Miami doesnt hold during this eight-year stretch is its 2021 first-round pick, which is now owed to the Clippers, through Phoenix and Philadelphia, from the 2015 Goran Dragic trade. That pick is unprotected. If including this years first-round pick in a deal nets the Heat a star, then Im sure it will be on the table. Not sure about that one. By just remaining patient for one more year, the Heat will have enough cap space for a max player next offseason. Also, adding another player on a rookie-scale deal gives the Heat another chance at a value contract with the team looking to keep as much cap room free as possible during the next few years to be active participants in free agency and the trade market. (Side note: The Heat is not allowed to trade its 2020 first-round pick because its 2021 first-round selection was already dealt. As previous mentioned, the NBA doesnt allow teams to be without consecutive future first-round picks.) Anthony: If by benefit you mean open enough cap space to make a team-changing addition to its roster, it would take Dragic and Whiteside both opting out of their contracts this summer. Thats still considered unlikely. Even in this scenario where they both become free agents, the Heat would need to make additional moves to open up enough space to sign a max player. The bottom line is opening max-level space will be a challenge this offseason, which is why the 2020 and 2021 offseasons are still the most realistic for the Heat to make significant changes. 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/article230111174.html |
What Happened to Harper Lee after "To Kill a Mockingbird"? | IDEAS The New Yorker, The New York Times, and The New Republic, among other publications. Cep is the author of Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud and the Last Trial of Harper Lee . After graduating from Harvard with a degree in English, she earned an M.Phil in theology at Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. Her work has appeared inandamong other publications. It was easy enough to forget about Harper Lee in those days. To Kill a Mockingbird had come out eighteen years before in 1960, and in all that time Lee had published almost nothing else. Three short essays for two glossy magazines, two tiny profiles that were favors for her friend Truman Capote, one satirical recipe for crackling bread in a novelty cookbook: in nearly two decades, that was the only writing she had put into the world. No second novel had followed the first, and she hadnt given an interview in fourteen years. The last time she had so much as agreed to be quoted in print was another favor for Capote. In 1976, he had asked Lee to sit with him during an interview for People, which was running a profile of him. She had said a total of twelve words on the record, seven of which were, We are bound by a common anguish. To Kill a Mockingbird had made Lee extravagantly wealthy, but you wouldnt have known it to look around her life. When she was in New York, she lived in a small, rent-controlled apartment on the Upper East Side; when she went back to Alabama, she stayed with one of her sisters in a modest brick ranch house in their hometown of Monroeville. No matter where she was, she avoided the press, her fans, and anything that seemed too literary; she tried to live her life as if she had never published one of the most popular novels in American history. In 1962, the year the film adaptation of her book came outthe one that earned Gregory Peck an Oscar and further fixed her portrait of a small southern town in the nations collective memoryLee told a reporter for The Mobile Register that she wanted to disappear, and she basically had. . To anyone who knew her, that had been obvious for some time. Lee wasnt just struggling with a second novel; she was struggling with everything. For a while, her sister Alice had told an unlikely story about how a manuscript had been stolen from Lees Manhattan apartment while she was away, but soon even Alice stopped saying much about her sisters writing, and eventually everyone but the press stopped asking. The Brief Newsletter Sign up to receive the top stories you need to know right now. View Sample Sign Up Now For Harper Lee, a time of turning inward had turned into a time of losing and being lost. By setting her novel during the Great Depression, she had published a book that seemed two decades older than it was; now its author seemed just as anachronistic. Most of New York had forgotten that she even lived there, or was still living at all. Friends in her building remembered, though, and when someone banged loudly on their door late at night, they knew it was her, because she had done so before, drunk and despairing. Those friends included George Malko, a writer who had learned about the news business from his mentor Studs Terkel, and his wife, a graphic designer named Elizabeth. They had met Lee when they moved into the same building, and like so many they were alternately charmed by her remark- able wit and saddened by the private sorrows that stymied her talents. She was drinking at that time, George Malko said years later. It is not for me to wonder about her demons, but we knew they were there and they were brutal. Morning martinis werent unheard of for her, but one night she came asking the Malkos for vodka. When George lied and said they didnt have any, Lee pleaded her case: I just threw three hundred pages of a manuscript down the incinerator. That impulsiveness, part of her temperament in the best of times, could take over when she had too much to drink, as friends could attest after fielding angry telephone calls in the middle of the night. Truman Capote, afflicted by the same demons and more, once confided to a reporter that his friend would drink and then tell somebody offthats what it amounted to. She was really a somebody. People were really quite frightened of her. By then, Capote and Lee were no longer in close touch, but one day in 1976 he called her out of the blue. People magazine was profiling him, not for the anniversary of In Cold Blood, but for his new projecta tell-all of sorts, only what Capote was telling was other peoples secrets. He had signed the contract for the book ten years before and renegotiated it over and over again, but like his friend he hadnt been able to finish it. He was calling it Answered Prayers, a phrase Lee wouldve recognized because hed borrowed it from Saint Teresa of vila: More tears are shed over answered prayers than unanswered ones. It took a few telephone calls, but finally Lee agreed to sit with Capote for the interview and meet the photographer Harry Benson near Capotes apartment at the UN Plaza. The old tree-house friends walked around Second Avenue, talking in what Benson remembers was an almost private language, sweet and loving, like siblings. A lot had transpired between the two of them by then, including no small share of envy and anger and disapproval, but there was no mention of any of it that day: gray-haired now and moving more slowly, the pair walked around New York together as if it were the old, familiar courthouse square. Lee had turned fifty that year, and Capote fifty-two, but they could summon their childhood as if it were yesterday. A kindergarten teacher had whacked Capotes hand with a ruler for reading too well, Lee remembered to the reporter, a small episode but one that said plenty about the lives of brilliant misfits in their small southern town. It was in that interview that Lee said of them, evocatively and enigmatically, We are bound by a common anguish. Anguish, shared and otherwise, had constrained and darkened Lees life for over fifteen years. By May 1977, with the exception of the author, everyone who had helped bring To Kill a Mockingbird into the world was gone. If Lee had worked on serious writing projects since then, they had been stolen from her apartment or burned to nothingness or simply hadnt amounted to much on the page. But Lee wasnt done. Maybe it was the unexpected sweetness of her reunion with Capote, resurrecting the childhood joy of starting to write and wanting to do so forever, or the artistic rivalry between them, stirring in her the desire to do better what they had done before in Kansas. Or maybe it was just a strange story she happened to hear that July. Not long after seeing her friend Capote, Nelle had received an invitation from another Alabama friend, Ned McDavid, to attend a party at his restaurant on the Upper West Side, the Library, where the books were for decoration and the drinks were all that circulated. She showed up, uncharacteristically, and downed gin and tonics with some three hundred other folks from down home, most of them in town to nominate Jimmy Carter for the presidency. It was the 1976 Democratic National Convention, and McDavid was hosting a party on the night before the official events began; friends since their Crimson Tide days, hed convinced Lee to put in an appearance. Governor George Wallace was a no-show, but every twenty minutes or so the restaurants speakers blasted a recording from 1924, when an earlier governor, Plain Bill Brandon, nominated another of Alabamas own for the presidency: Allabhammah casts 20-foah votes for Oscuh Dubyee Undahwood. Almost as often, a delegate from Alexander City would tell anyone with ears, Kennedy broke the religion barrier and Carter is doing the same thing to the anti-Southern barrier. It was lawyer Tom Radneys first convention since the nightmare of Chicago, and it was where he first crossed paths with Nelle Harper Lee. The next year, when violence was breaking out in New York under the cover of the worst blackout in the citys history, he wrote her a summary of the strange life and shocking death of the Reverend Willie Maxwell. Whatever Lee thought of Radney himself, she heard in his case of a lifetime the kernel of a true-crime book and headed home to Alabama to write it. Excerpted from FURIOUS HOURS by Casey Cep. Copyright 2019 by Casey N. Cep. Excerpted by permission of Alfred A. Knopf, a division of Penguin Random House LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher. Contact us at [email protected]. | http://time.com/5584939/harper-lee-after-to-kill-a-mockingbird/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+time%2Ftopstories+%28TIME%3A+Top+Stories%29 |
Does compression gym gear actually benefit the wearer? | Image caption Twenty-five cyclists took part in the tests at the University of Birmingham I'm very definitely a "MAMIL" - a middle-aged man in lycra - who spends not as much time as he'd like in the gym. But as I'm getting older I'm more and more interested in anything that might help improve my workout and even aid recovery. You may well have tried compression wear - stretchy garments that look at least five sizes too small. Once you've squeezed into the leggings or shirt you can feel a very real tightness around your muscles. From bog-standard gym goers like me to elite sportspeople, everyone is pouring themselves into the tight grip of compression wear and it's a multibillion pound business. Cyclists Now for the first time, the University of Birmingham has carried out a study to show that compression wear can indeed benefit the wearer. It's a smallish study of 25 cyclists, but it did show a very real effect in both boosting performance and recovery when compared to wearing standard gym clothes alone. Image caption These compression leggings are designed to squeeze the muscles and also provide joint support For the cyclists, the impact was on average equivalent to knocking 30 seconds off a 60-minute road race. All of which was good news for Oscar Ryndziewicz, because it was his idea to carry out the research and it was an experiment using clothing created by his new Birmingham-based start-up company. Well to be honest we don't really know. There are some theories; perhaps the tightness of the material helps with blood flow and provides the same kind of effect as a lengthy sport massage. Right now one of Oscar's colleagues is in America looking to carry out further research to find out more. The good news for MAMILs like me is the team at the university think it's likely the effect will be more pronounced for ordinary people when compared to the effect in top athletes. So I guess I'll be squeezing myself into more tight lycra and seeing if it makes a difference in my performance. | https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-48190868 |
Were lives lost at the cost of carry-ons in Aeroflot plane crash that killed 41? | CLOSE At least 41 people were killed in the fiery wreck involving a Sukhoi Superjet. USA TODAY Weve all heard its illegal to shout fire in a crowded theater. Its a quandary that airlines and regulators can no longer ignore. The tragic Aeroflot Flight 1492 accident in Moscow earlier this week claimed 41 lives. But even more tragic is that multiple media reports indicate some of those lives may have been saved if those evacuating hadnt stopped to retrieve carry-on baggage, as photos from the crash scene illustrate. In recent decades commercial aviation technology has greatly improved safety in almost every aspect avoiding accidents, surviving accidents, containing post-accident smoke and fires, and safely evacuating all onboard. But technology has its limits, and this particular problem is because of human factors that could possibly endanger lives over the need to rescue a laptop, carry-on or suitcase. A Russian Aeroflot jet landed in Moscow engulfed in flames and billowing smoke Sunday, a deadly incident captured in a dramatic video and photos. (Photo: AP) Not a new problem For years these incidents have occurred with alarming frequency on airlines all over the world. And other factors have hindered quicker evacuations: checked baggage fees have caused more carry-ons to clog cabins, tighter airline seats, record-high passenger load factors and the distraction of ubiquitous electronic devices. But human behavior has become the greatest obstacle of all. Unfortunately, this is not a new issue. I first wrote about this issue in 2016 detailing images of fleeing passengers dragging baggage after crashes in Shanghai, San Francisco, Las Vegas, New York and Dubai and again in 2018 noting an astounding 95.7% of occupants have survived accidents on scheduled airlines in recent decades. But I warned that eventually those retrieving personal items during an emergency evacuation could kill someone. The Association of Flight Attendants admonished against taking carry-ons in an emergency landing as the group paid tribute on Monday to Aeroflots Maxim Moiseyev, a flight attendant who died in the line of duty while saving lives. Reports from people on the plane indicate the evacuation may have been slowed by passengers grabbing their bags. Videos show passengers taking their carry-on bags with them as they exited the plane," the AFA said in a statement. "We will never know if more lives could have been saved if the bags were left behind. A woman places flowers at the sign of the last flight of the Sukhoi SSJ100 aircraft of Aeroflot Airlines. (Photo: Pavel Golovkin, AP) How to evacuate in an emergency There are best practices for evacuating an airplane that can save lives including your own. Follow all instructions from crew members. from crew members. Stay buckled up until instructed to evacuate. until instructed to evacuate. Keep your row clear of any objects. of any objects. Be aware of your surroundings. This means counting the rows to your nearest exit(s), since smoke or darkness may later obscure your view. This means counting the rows to your nearest exit(s), since smoke or darkness may later obscure your view. Listen to the safety briefing and check the seat-back safety card no matter how frequently you fly because there can be major differences among aircraft cabins. and check the seat-back safety card no matter how frequently you fly because there can be major differences among aircraft cabins. Keep your shoes on. Also, avoid flip-flops that can fall off, as well as sharp heels that catch on evacuation slides. Also, avoid flip-flops that can fall off, as well as sharp heels that catch on evacuation slides. If holding an infant, jump onto an evacuation slide rather than sitting and sliding. A detailed 2001 study from the International Civil Aviation Organization in 2001 found that tactic led to faster evacuation. Seeking solutions for the carry-on problem The Aeroflot tragedy may bring a new focus to this issue and generate new solutions. It will be up to investigators in Russia to determine how many of the 41 lives lost Sunday may have been saved had everyone onboard followed evacuation instructions. The Federal Aviation Administration states it clearly: In the unlikely event that you need to evacuate, leave your bags and personal items behind. Your luggage is not worth your life. In the U.S., airline crew members are trained to evacuate commercial aircraft within 90 seconds, and every one of those 90 seconds is quite precious indeed. Yet time and again in recent years weve seen serious accidents in which everyone got off safely, perhaps most notably when all 155 onboard US Airways Flight 1549 were evacuated in the Hudson River in 2009 a miraculous landing and rescue that sparked the 2016 film "Sully" starring Tom Hanks. Nearly 20 years ago the National Transportation Safety Board published a comprehensive safety study on emergency evacuations and recommended the FAA develop ways to address the carry-on luggage problem. Potential solutions have included enhancing warnings on safety briefing cards and oral briefings from cabin staff. Others have suggested automatic locking devices on overhead bins, though experts warn of the unintended consequences of locking up safety equipment or isolating fires inside bins. And there are some who recommend punitive or even criminal action against those who needlessly block egress during life-threatening evacuations. Its time for the aviation community airlines and government agencies alike to address this issue head-on and develop real solutions. No electronic device, no passport, no medication, no wallet full of cash is worth the price of a human life. Its a message that obviously must be repeated again and again. The scene of the Sukhoi SSJ100 aircraft of Aeroflot Airlines after an emergency landing is viewed on a big screen at a control room in Sheremetyevo airport, outside Moscow, Russia, Monday, May 6, 2019. (Photo: Pavel Golovkin, AP) Read or Share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/columnist/mcgee/2019/05/07/aeroflot-crash-were-lives-lost-cost-carry-ons/1128409001/ | https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/columnist/mcgee/2019/05/07/aeroflot-crash-were-lives-lost-cost-carry-ons/1128409001/ |
What do those directly affected think of Labor's childcare policy? | The parent: childcare should be an option for all families Both my children attended childcare from when they were just a year old. There is this weird stigma that comes with sending a child that young to daycare that I think comes from the fact that not everybody can afford it. My wife works fulltime as a primary teacher and, while my freelancing work is flexible, its also impossible to do without having at least a couple of days to myself each week. Shorten promises cheaper childcare as Morrison pledges refugee intake freeze Read more On one hand, childcare is necessary for me to be able to work. After a few years of sending our children to childcare, however, Ive learned that its much more important for my kids to be there in the first place. Socialising with other children, learning with other adults and working on skills that they wont necessarily work on at home. During those last three months of the last financial year, my wife and I questioned if it was worth it, given that any money I was making while our kids were at childcare was being spent on childcare, and decided the positives far outweighed the (entirely financially driven) negatives. I think childcare should be an option for all families, regardless of income. My son started primary school this year and the transition to big school was easy after his years at childcare. It just felt like an upgrade for him. Making childcare free for lower-income families will improve the lives of many more parents and children, while hopefully removing the stigma that some families feel when they send their children to childcare. I also hope that more families in childcare leads to more resources given towards childcare, with the public perception of childcare staff changing so that theyre viewed with the same importance as school teachers, as the staff our children have spent time with in their years at childcare have been so beneficial to their growth. Andrew Levins lives in Parramatta, Sydney, with his wife and two children Andrew Levins on being a stay-at-home dad: 'It's about these really sweet moments in their life' Read more The educator: helping to shape the next generation When I watched the announcement of Labors policy of funding professional pay, I felt hope. Hope that soon my wage might reflect that I am a diploma educated professional, pushing to make a positive impact on children at such an integral time in their lives. Hope that the world might view me as an educator, rather than a glorified babysitter. Hope that people will be able to consider early childhood education a worthy career choice, because it is recognised and valued. We are right on the cusp of changing history. We are saying goodbye to childcare and hello to early childhood education. We are saying: We hear you, we see you, we appreciate you to people that put their heart and soul into a thankless job. Early childhood educators are helping to shape the next generation. We comfort, support and love the children in our care. We also educate them on expressing their emotions, we encourage them to investigate, hypothesise and experiment, and we appreciate all of the things that make them unique, autonomous, incredible people. We support parents when they just need to be heard and reassured, and we continuously increase our knowledge to ensure we are able to adequately deliver the highest level of care. Every single day we fight to ensure that the children in our care feel valued, important, and appreciated. Surely, its not too much to ask that educators are made to feel the same. Carmen Ulrick has been an educator in Canberra for the past two years after taking time off to have her three sons The childcare owner: increasing subsidies will help relieve some stress As a manager, one of the biggest challenges is attracting and retaining quality staff. Each week when I pay my educators I know that the amount that hits their bank account is nowhere near what they should be earning. I know what sacrifices they make to work in a profession that they are so passionate about. I know the difference they make to young childrens lives. Labors early childhood policy announcement is a welcomed relief after seemingly a long drought on decent, fair and sensible government policy. Having been in the sector for 19 years I have seen many changes some good, some not so good and the past six years have been tough. Tough on families, tough on educators and tough on managers, all at the expense of quality outcomes for children. This is where the focus needs to be, on quality outcomes for ALL children, but it hasnt been. I speak to families daily about their struggles of living week to week, weighing up if returning to work is worthwhile. Increasing subsidies will help relieve some stress and will increase accessibility for some of children who need it the most. We still have a more work to do though. Labors policy is a big step in the right direction towards building world class early childhood education. Tamika Hicks is owner and manager of an early childhood centre The educator: investment in the wellbeing of our communities Across my three decades working in early education, I have seen the huge strides to be made when vulnerable families can access quality early learning. How this leads to improved developmental outcomes and building skills for a brighter future. Being successful in our centres builds that confidence. Shorten pledges billions for seniors dental bills, childcare and educators wage rise Read more There are many reasons a family or children can be vulnerable, even in a seemingly thriving community like ours. The benefits of a policy that removes the financial barriers to accessing early childhood education and care means more families can access consistent, caring, skilled interactions and support for their children. Building trusting, collaborative partnerships with professional educators builds parent capacity and a sense of belonging for a child and family foundations leading to resilience and wellbeing. Its a good investment in the health and wellbeing of our communities in the future. Committing to increasing investment in the early years will provide the opportunity for vulnerable families to build a village to be part of during their parenting journey. This village of early learning and families is invaluable for social contact, support, developing skills, extending social networks and providing entry into new activities and community events. Angie Conley is an early childhood educator from Cygnet, Tasmania and has worked in the ECEC sector for 35 years Goodstart Early learning has released an online estimator to help families compare the childcare subsidy policies of Labor and the Coalition. | https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/08/what-do-parents-educators-and-childcare-owners-think-of-labors-childcare-policy |
Can US, China salvage their talks and end trade war? | WASHINGTON (AP) Heightened trade tensions between the United States and China are spooking financial markets and putting a chill on prospects for the global economy. Chinese officials are heading to Washington to try to salvage negotiations aimed at breaking an impasse between the world's two biggest economies over Beijing's aggressive push to challenge American technological dominance. The 11th round of talks is set to start Thursday in Washington. But their arrival is unlikely to stop the United States from going ahead with plans to raise import taxes on $200 billion in Chinese goods at 12:01 a.m. Friday, Eastern time, in a dramatic escalation of a yearlong trade war. The dispute is upsetting investors. The Dow Jones industrial average was down more than 500 points Tuesday afternoon after slipping modestly on Monday. For weeks, the Trump administration had suggested that talks were making steady progress, and financial markets seemed to have priced in a peaceful resolution to the trade dispute. But on Sunday, President Donald Trump unexpectedly expressed frustration at the pace of talks and vowed to raise tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese products from 10% to 25%. The higher duties would cover thousands of Chinese imports, ranging from baseball gloves to burglar alarms. "The Trade Deal with China continues, but too slowly, as they attempt to renegotiate. No!" Trump tweeted. A day later, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and the top U.S. trade negotiator, Robert Lighthizer, said that China was reneging on commitments it made in earlier rounds of negotiations. U.S. officials say they got an inkling of China's second thoughts in talks last week in Beijing, but that the backsliding became even more apparent in exchanges over the weekend. They wouldn't identify the specific issues involved. The United States accuses China of resorting to predatory tactics in a drive to give Chinese companies an edge in advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics and electric vehicles. These, the U.S. contends, include hacking into U.S. companies' computers to steal trade secrets, forcing foreign companies to hand over sensitive technology in exchange for access to Chinese markets and unfairly subsidizing Chinese tech firms. Trump has also complained repeatedly about America's massive trade deficit with China a record $379 billion last year which he blames on weak and naive negotiating by previous U.S. administrations. Last July, Trump began gradually slapping tariffs on Chinese imports. The United States now is imposing 10% taxes on $200 billion in Chinese products and 25% on another $50 billion. Beijing has counterpunched by targeting $110 billion worth of American imports, focusing on farm products such as soybeans in a deliberate effort to inflict pain on Trump supporters in the U.S. heartland. Yes. Last week, Myron Brilliant, head of international affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, who has been briefed on the negotiations, told reporters that "94.5%" of the issues had been resolved and that talks had reached the "end game." China was expected to beef up protection for trade secrets and offer foreign firms wider access to the Chinese market. But stumbling blocks remained even before Trump accused China of backsliding on what it had already agreed to. U.S. officials are insisting that any deal be strictly enforced so that China lives up to its promises something they say Beijing has repeatedly failed to do in the past. Also unclear is what would happen to the U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports. China wants them lifted; the U.S. wants to keep tariffs as leverage to pressure the Chinese to comply with any agreement. Both countries have an incentive to reach a deal. China's economy is decelerating; the International Monetary Fund expects Chinese economic growth to slip from 6.6% last year to 6.3% in 2019 and 6.1% in 2020. The trade war with the United States has hurt Chinese exporters and eroded business and consumer confidence. The trade tensions have also rattled financial markets, jeopardizing a U.S. stock market rally that Trump sees as a vote of confidence in his economic policies. And China's retaliatory tariffs are inflicting pain on farmers, a key part of Trump's political base. Still, business groups and congressional Democrats are insisting that Trump, having taken U.S.-China relations to the brink, hold out for a deal that requires the Chinese to genuinely change their behavior, reform their economy and open up to foreign companies. Chinese President Xi Jinping runs a one-party state and doesn't have to answer directly to voters. But he, too, faces pressure not to cave in to American demands. "They have their internal politics, too," said Michael Pillsbury, director of the Hudson Institute's Center on Chinese Strategy and an adviser to the Trump White House. Forecasters at the IMF and World Bank have already downgraded the outlook for the global economy. The U.S.-China standoff is reducing global trade and creating uncertainty for companies deciding where to buy supplies, build plants and make investments. Friday's scheduled increase in tariffs could intensify the economic pain. Steven Cochrane, chief Asia-Pacific economist at Moody's Analytics, said that fallout from Friday's planned tariff increase could reduce U.S. economic growth 2.9% last year by 1.8 percentage points. And it could shave Chinese growth to around 5%. "If Trump's threat becomes reality," Cochrane said, "it will be a game changer for the global economy." ___ Follow Paul Wiseman on Twitter at https://twitter.com/PaulWisemanAP | https://www.sfchronicle.com/news/world/article/Can-US-China-salvage-their-talks-and-end-trade-13826109.php |
Why Dont White Athletes Understand Whats Wrong With Trump? | Black and Hispanic players and coaches are expected to justify their reasons for not going to Trumps White House. Read: The presidents pursuit of white power As my colleague Yoni Appelbaum wrote last June, the history of sports teams visiting the White House began in 1865, when Union soldiers played baseball on White House grounds to pay homage to a game they loved and send a unifying message to a country torn apart by the Civil War. But President Andrew Johnson wasnt really on board with a message of togetherness. Around that time, the Cincinnati Enquirer quoted Johnson as telling the governor of Missouri, This is a country for white men, and by G-d, so long as I am president, it shall be a government for white men. That divisive proclamation 154 years ago turns out to be a self-fulfilling prophecy. Johnson wanted a government where certain people felt excluded. Under Trump, Johnsons wish came true. Trump hasnt made his views as overt as Johnson did, but the current presidents actions, policies, and treatment of marginalized citizens reveal a lot about his underlying attitudes. As such, Trump turned the tradition of championship teams visiting the White House into an uncomfortable experience for athletes of colorwho are often asked to cast aside their identities for the comfort of their white teammates, owners, coaches, and fans. Plenty of commentators have argued that these White House visits should be apolitical and devoid of drama. But under Trumps administration, that simply isnt possible. Recently, Trump hosted the NCAA champion Baylor womens basketball team at the White House, making the Bears the first womens championship team Trump has held a private ceremony for since he became president. That Baylor coach Kim Mulkey had publicly campaigned for an invitation to the White House helped bring about the visit. Trump has shown he can be petulant about extending invites to championship teams if his overture wont be warmly received. After the Golden State Warriors won the NBA championship in 2017, Trump rescinded his invitation to them on Twitter because several of their players had been critical of the president, and many of them made it known they had no interest in attending a White House reception. Read: Nothing unites a team like getting disinvited to the White House When photos of Baylors visit circulated on social media, the Internet had its fun making note of how some of the players didnt look thrilled to be there. As of now, no one outside the team knows if Mulkey ever considered how some of her players might feel about being in the presence of someone who has insulted not just people of color but also womenand women athletes in particular. | https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/05/red-sox-divided-racial-lines-white-house-visit/588856/?utm_source=feed |
What's next for The Tennessean's vacated offices? | CLOSE The Tennessean's longtime pressmen reflect on their jobs as the presses print for the last time on Sunday, March 3, 2019. The paper will be printed at sister papers both in Knoxville and Louisville. Ayrika L Whitney, The Tennessean The Tennesseean moved from its home of 82 years this week into new Midtown offices at 1801 West End Avenue. Now, the multimedia news organization's former 1937-era complex at 1100 Broadway is being prepared for demolition. Raleigh, North Carolina-based Highwoods Properties bought the 10-acre Gulch-adjacent property in February 2018 for $50 million. The company plans to erect new upscale offices wrapped in retail shops at the site. But final design plans havent been decided. "Were pursuing prospective tenants for the property," said Highwoods Senior Vice President Brian Reames. "Were really excited to be getting in a position to pursue the many opportunities in the urban core." Buy Photo Aerial of The Tennessean building at 1100 Broadway in downtown Nashville. (Photo: Larry McCormack/The Tennessean) Demolition will take place in phases. The buildings, which still house printing press equipment, must first be gutted. Then they will be knocked down in pieces beginning in mid-summer. "Its going to be a more structured type of a demolition than an implosion event," Reames said. "Until we were able to do demolition, that site had not really been viable. Its going to be something to watch." Developer Jim Caden bought The Tennessean's former newsprint storage warehouse last summer. It has addresses at 1100 McGavock Street and 1111 Broadway, but future plans have not been announced. The former Tennessean site is in a prime redevelopment area surrounded by ambitious new projects. Next door, a Whole Foods Market topped with about 300 apartments is nearing completion at 1200 Broadway. Behind the building, a developer is seeking permission to build a 20-story hotel at a vacant lot at 1101 Grundy Street. Across from that, Highwoods is also developing Asurions new $285 million headquarters buildings on a former Tennessean parking lot. The $1 billion Nashville Yards development where Amazon is building office towers for a 5,000-person operations hub is underway nearby. A Grand Hyatt hotel and Anschutz Entertainment Group entertainment district with a concert venue, club and movie theater are included in those plans. Capitol View mixed-use urban district recently finished construction at Charlotte and 11th avenues. It includes offices for HCA and WeWork, apartments, and a number of retail shops and restaurants. Other major Gulch developments in the works include the W Hotel and three office towers at the corner of 12th and Demonbreun streets. Read or Share this story: https://www.tennessean.com/story/money/2019/05/07/the-tennessean-office-broadway-gulch-midtown-west-end-avenue/1129314001/ | https://www.tennessean.com/story/money/2019/05/07/the-tennessean-office-broadway-gulch-midtown-west-end-avenue/1129314001/ |
Are Trumps tariffs bolstering the U.S. economy? | President Donald Trump threatened over the weekend to re-escalate his trade war with China by raising tariffs on nearly all Chinese imports. He implied the move would not hurt the U.S. economy and said that the tariffs he has already imposed are partially responsible for our great economic results in the United States. Almost no evidence supports his claims. Trumps advisers expanded the argument Monday, saying that the 3.2% economic growth recorded in the first quarter of this year including a positive contribution from exports is proof that the presidents hard-line trade policies are helping the economy. Theres no question that some of the trade policies helped in the GDP number, said Steven Mnuchin, the Treasury secretary. Technically speaking, the secretary is right: Net exports added to growth in the first quarter, according to the preliminary number the Commerce Department released last month. But that is not an indication that tariffs are helping the economy overall. The fact that Trump and his team appear to believe otherwise could be a smart negotiating tactic with China it could give credence to the idea that they are prepared to escalate the trade war further if their demands are not met. But claiming to have a stronger economic hand could also undermine Trumps position and set up the economy and financial markets for an unpleasant surprise if his bluff is called. Advertising Heres why: Trade hurt economic growth in 2018. The formula for calculating the size of the U.S. economy, gross domestic product, is deceptively simple. It combines a number of economic metrics, including consumer spending, business investment and government spending. And it also factors in the difference between the value of what the United States exports and what it imports. For more than 40 years, that difference has been negative as America bought more foreign goods and services than it sold. Imports exceeded exports, which means, technically speaking, Americas GDP was lower because of trade. This is an accounting relationship, called the trade balance, and it does not tell the full story of economic activity. If consumers are paying a lot to import an amazing new widget from abroad, which U.S. manufacturers cannot or will not produce, they are getting a benefit from that, even though the increase in imports hurts the growth number. There are multiple factors for why the size of the trade balance fluctuates, including the relative strength of trading partners economies and currencies and how much money people spend or save in different countries. It is counterintuitive, but the trade balance can still help economic growth, year to year, even if it is reducing the overall size of the economy. The deficit just needs to be smaller than it was the year before less of a drag, if you will. A shrinking trade deficit added to GDP growth as recently as 2013. (It also added during the recession years of 2008 and 2009, another sign of caution for celebrating changes in the trade balance.) Trump hates the trade deficit, and he has repeatedly said his tariffs will reduce it. In 2018, they did not. The deficit hit a nominal record. It subtracted two-tenths of a percentage point from GDP growth, the Commerce Department calculated. The boost from trade in the first quarter looks like a blip. Advertising Mnuchin is right that trade made a positive contribution to growth in the first quarter of this year. Preliminary numbers show net exports added a full percentage point to growth. But Trump would be wise to view that number as more of a fluke than a trend, for several reasons. For starters, it is preliminary. The Census Bureau has not yet reported trade statistics for March; the most detailed numbers out so far are through February. Growth numbers are notoriously volatile and subject to revision. More important, the trade balance seems to have been helped by special circumstances, many of them related to Trumps trade war. Last year, as retaliation for Trumps tariffs, China stopped buying soybeans from American farmers. That resulted in a big hit to U.S. soybean exports. But as the two countries resumed trade talks, the Chinese restarted some soybean purchases as a good faith measure. You can see that restart in the first-quarter data. Exports of food, feed and beverages, which include soybeans, jumped 45%, after falling by nearly 50% in the fourth quarter of 2018. That category by itself accounted for nearly two-thirds of the growth in exported goods. There is a similar pattern when it comes to imports. They surged in the middle of last year, in part because U.S. retailers, manufacturers and consumers were stocking up on Chinese products that might be subject to tariffs, before the tax went into effect. In the first quarter, once the tariffs were in place, they dramatically slowed their buying pace. Economic forecasters expect both imports and exports to snap back to more typical trends going forward. The Atlanta Feds GDP Nowcast sees net exports turning essentially neutral in the second quarter. Tariff revenues arent stimulating economic activity. This seems like a no-brainer, but it might need to be said: When the government collects money from tariffs, that money does not immediately translate into economic stimulus. There is no policy that, say, directly pipes cash into a highway fund from customs, or to taxpayers from a refund check. We are not just snatching money from China and blowing it on tank tops for everyone at American Apparel. Most economists argue the opposite that tariffs reduce economic activity by raising prices for consumers. That reduction thus far from the China tariffs is most likely small, but it is, in those calculations, almost certainly a reduction, and not a boost. Despite Trumps proclamations, China is not paying the cost of the tariffs. Businesses and consumers mostly Americans are, like the owner and customers of your friendly neighborhood lighting showroom. Also, tariffs have not had a huge effect on prices yet, but not because China is bearing them, but because, thus far, the additional taxes Trump has imposed on Chinese imports have not been large enough to budge the inflation rate more than a 10th of a percentage point. The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco estimates that Trumps initial wave of China tariffs raised consumer prices by 0.1 percentage point and that a second wave would quadruple that effect. That means if Trump follows through and raises tariff rates, the pain could be much more noticeable to shoppers. | https://www.seattletimes.com/business/are-trumps-tariffs-bolstering-the-u-s-economy/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_business |
Is Melania Trump's Be Best campaign doomed by her husbands presidency? | Just for once, Donald Trump entered the White House rose garden without fanfare, did not say a word and seemed content to play second fiddle. On Tuesday it was the turn of his wife, Melania Trump, to take centre stage as she marked one year of her Be Best childrens initiative. Speakers showered her with praise but sceptics question how the campaign measures up to those of past first ladies and whether it is doomed to be overshadowed by her incorrigible husband. Read more Prediction: Most news orgs will cover Melanias BeBest thing as if it is really a thing, and as if it has actually accomplished anything, and without mentioning that the biggest bully sits in the White House, tweeted journalist and philanthropist Soledad OBrien. Even the first anniversary had to compete for attention with another event that took place on the same date a year ago: Trumps zero tolerance family separation policy, which led to thousands of migrant children being separated from their parents at the US-Mexico border. Be Best the grammatical integrity of the phrase has been challenged is focused on well-being, online safety and opioid abuse, aiming to educate children and parents and promote relevant programmes and services. Wearing a dark sleeveless dress in brilliant sunshine, Trump said her office has spent the past year listening to children, parents, medical professionals, teachers, leaders in technology and social media and others. She has visited schools and hospitals, hosted or taken part in 18 roundtables and policy briefings and met more than 30 foreign diplomats, heads of state or spouses. The first lady noted that she has travelled to 15 US states and nine countries including her first solo trip where she visited Ghana, Malawi, Kenya and Egypt. While in Africa, I felt it was important that people throughout the continent and world understand that the United States cares, she said. The presidents lack of interest in African nations, which he once reportedly referred to as shithole countries, has been widely noted. Trump announced that the United States Agency for International Development (USAid) has appointed a Be Best ambassador, Julie Cram, and called on all partner agencies to appoint similar representatives. There were also speeches from Dr Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health, Toni Townes-Whitley, president of the US Public Sector of Microsoft, and Eric Bolling, a conservative TV anchor whose son, Eric, died from an accidental opioid overdose in 2017. In a heartfelt speech, Bolling praised Lady Ms effort to raise awareness of the opioid epidemic by speaking at events around the country. Youve helped lift the stigma, which will lift countless lives going forward, he said. When the history books are written, there should be a special chapter reserved for our first lady. He added: Many first ladies have focused on making American life better and they have, but you, First Lady Melania Trump, have gone one step further and saved lives The most important and accomplished first lady in American history. Full stop. Trump recognised members of the Farming High School robotics team from Minnesota, which designed a motorised wheelchair for five-year-old Rocco Zachow, who suffers from limited mobility. Members of the team presented the new chair to Rocco at the White House. The first lady said she would be making another international trip in the autumn but did not say where. She promised: I will continue speaking with and learning from leaders in the technology industry in order to raise awareness around the importance of safe and positive online behaviours. I will continue to work with those who are fighting the epidemic and stigma of drug addiction. And I will continue to travel and speak to children directly about some of the challenges they face every day. Trump has expanded the focus on drug abuse to include all children, not just babies and young mothers, while the social media pillar will be broadened beyond bullying to include online safety in general a move unlikely to win over critics who point to her husbands conduct on Twitter. Kurt Bardella, a political columnist and former congressional aide, said: Traditionally, the efforts of first ladies are not dramatically contradicted by their husbands own rhetoric. Its disingenuous for the first lady to try to be a leader in anti-bullying when thats what her husband perpetuates every single day with a litany of insults and name calling on Twitter. Its a huge contradiction. He added: Its almost just for show. At the very best her efforts are undermined every day by her husband. She has remained lamentable when it comes to holding her account for his toxic rhetoric. Observers suggest Be Best has some way to go before it matches the impact of Nancy Reagans Just Say No anti-drug campaign, Laura Bushs literacy initiative or Michelle Obamas Lets Move! Trumps staff remains relatively small. Kate Andersen Brower, author of First Women: The Grace and Power of Americas Modern First Ladies, told CNN: I think [Be Best] is well-intentioned, and it showcases how well the first lady does when she interacts with children, but I think its too broad and unfocused. If Trump could drill down on one part of it, like opioid addiction and babies born to mothers who are addicted, it would be more successful. Being single-mindedly focused would also serve to help people see her contributions to this administration, which I think get lost amid the turbulence. | https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/may/07/melania-trump-be-best-campaign-donald-trump |
What's going on with Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson? | Patrick Peterson came to work and live in Arizona eight years ago, and during that time its been rare to see him without a smile. A cynic would attribute a large portion Petersons happiness to the $75 million or so the Cardinals have paid the cornerback. But the truth is, Peterson is a happy person by nature, almost nauseatingly so to those who arent. That apparently, however, has changed, given a couple of episodes over the last six months or so. And the question, Whats up with Pat P? lingers. It started with his trade request midway through last season, which caught first-year (and only-year) coach Steve Wilks unaware. It was an odd maneuver by Peterson, who as a captain and second-highest paid player on the team, had a duty to bail water, not abandon a sinking ship. After a few days and a meeting with team President Michael Bidwill, Peterson recanted. I have always given my all to the Cardinals organization, my teammates and fans, he wrote in a statement delivered on Twitter. Stay in the know. Subscribe to azcentral.com today. The request was chalked up to an elite player frustrated with losing. Peterson doubled down by apologizing to fans at the 16th hole during the pro-am at the Waste Management Phoenix Open in January. If not dead, whatever issue Peterson had with the organization seemed dormant. Until a couple weeks ago when Peterson posted cryptic messages on Instagram. I see where we stand. My boys told me to watch out for snakes in the grass. To the latter, former teammate Darnell Dockett, no stranger to making a trade demand and somewhat of a reptile expert, responded: No surprise to me. I seen it all.all that s--- be fake. Petersons response: Preach. Its about the last weve heard from Peterson, who did not return messages left during the last week. A source close to him told me someone in team management said something to Peterson that irritated him. The source declined to say more. So were left to guess at what Peterson was upset about this time. Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) walks on the sidelines dung a break against the San Francisco 49ers during NFL action against the San Francisco 49ers on Oct. 28 at State Farm Stadium. He has two years remaining and is scheduled to make $11 million this season and $12 million next. Maybe Peterson, 28, wants an extension and the Cardinals put him off. Petersons attendance hasnt been perfect, and he played in a charity golf tournament during a voluntary minicamp last month. Maybe someone in management noted to Peterson that a team leader usually shows up to such things, and that ticked him off. If thats the case, Peterson had a right to be upset, because hes not required to be there. And since hes made the Pro Bowl the last seven years as a cornerback, Peterson likely knows well whats required to prepare for a season. Overall, however, the two episodes over the last six months are signs that Petersons relationship with the Cardinals is not as healthy as it once was. Get crucial breaking sports news alerts to your inbox. Please try again soon, or contact Customer Service at 1-800-332-6733. Delivery: Varies Invalid email address Thank you! You're almost signed up for Sports Breaking News Keep an eye out for an email to confirm your newsletter registration. More newsletters The reason for it might be nothing more than the shell that protects Petersons feelings is thin and brittle. While upbeat most of the time, Peterson is immensely prideful, and like many elite athletes, takes affront at the slightest of slights. A year ago, for instance, Peterson was unhappy that he wasn't named an All-Pro for a third time at cornerback. He missed the broader perspective: Being selected an All-Pro is hard. Former Cardinals cornerback Aeneas Williams did it only three times. Hes in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Receiver Larry Fitzgerald has done it only once. He will be in the hall of fame five years after he retires. Through the two dust-ups over the last six months, the Cardinals have been adamant they are not going to trade Peterson. That makes sense, at least for now, because the Cardinals are better with Peterson than without, provided Peterson is behind the plan for improving upon last years 3-13 record. Cardinals quarterback Patrick Peterson apologizes on the 16th tee box at the Waste Management Phoenix Open to fans after asking to be traded during the season. (Photo: Rob Schumacher/The Republic) The Cardinals arent going to trade Peterson just to make him happy, so he will be on the roster in 2019. As for 2020, thats far from certain. Peterson will be entering the final year of a five-year extension he signed in 2014. The Cardinals did the right thing back then, re-signing Peterson who had two years left on his rookie deal. A year from now, the right thing to do might be to trade Peterson while he has great value. And the move would also would free $12.6 million of salary-cap space. So much depends upon what happens this season. Its just another reason to suggest that while the Cardinals might not be good in 2019, they will at least be interesting. Reach Kent Somers at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @kentsomers. Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today. Hear Somers every Monday between 4 and 4:30 p.m. on The Drive with Jody Oehler on Fox Sports 910 AM. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nfl/cardinals/2019/05/07/arizona-cardinals-patrick-peterson-isnt-happy-and-we-dont-know-why/1131641001/ |
Can Starbucks cup on 'Game of Thrones' translate to billions in free advertising? | CLOSE In the latest episode of Game of Thrones, one thing that has popped up on everyones newsfeed is a small detail from one of the first scenes where everyone is celebrating in the great hall of Winterfell. Buzz60s Nick Cardona has that story. Buzz60, Buzz60 The white paper Starbucks cup that launched a thousand tweets has already been recycled from Sunday's "Game of Thrones" episode but not before giving Starbucks a billion-dollar shot of free advertising. In an interview with CNBC, Stacy Jones, CEO of marketing company Hollywood Branded, put the estimated value of all the buzz at $2.3 billion. Jones cited PR subscriptions service Critical Mention, which has tallied 10,627 mentions of Starbucks and "Game of Thrones" online and on TV and radio around the world. This is a once in a lifetime collision of opportunity for Starbucks, Jones told CNBC. But really this is just the tip of the iceberg because what isnt being monitored or estimated is the word of mouth and social media on top of this. On Tuesday, HBO confirmed to USA TODAY that it had it digitally removed the decidedly non-medieval, coffee cup from the feast scene in Episode 4, "The Last of the Starks." They're selling out. News from Winterfell. The latte that appeared in the episode was a mistake. #Daenerys had ordered an herbal tea. pic.twitter.com/ypowxGgQRl Game of Thrones (@GameOfThrones) May 6, 2019 Starbucks officials reached Tuesday said they didn't have any additional comment to share beyond the coffee giant's Monday tweet: "TBH we're surprised she didn't order a Dragon Drink," using the abbreviation for "to be honest." HBO's tweet Monday said the "latte that appeared in the episode was a mistake. Daenerys had ordered an herbal tea." Some experts didn't put a dollar figure on the product placement but estimated it could be millions. "Its a tempest in a tea cup or coffee cup," said Bob Killian, CEO of the eponymous Chicago-based branding firm. "There's no such thing as bad publicity, but I dont think this will have much impact, (except) Dunkin' Donuts probably is not happy." Syracuse University professor Les Rose said it was likely a series of mistakes and someone could get fired over it. "This is manna from heaven for so many film and production geeks," Rose said. Contributing: Jayme Deerwester and Zlati Meyer Follow USA TODAY reporter Kelly Tyko on Twitter: @KellyTyko Read or Share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/food/2019/05/07/game-thrones-starbucks-cup-worth-billions-free-advertising/1133477001/ | https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/food/2019/05/07/game-thrones-starbucks-cup-worth-billions-free-advertising/1133477001/ |
Why would KC offer incentives for a downtown luxury hotel? | A look at five hotels opening this year in downtown Kansas City Kansas City's first downtown convention hotel since the 1980s is two years away, but the corridor from the River Market to the Country Club Plaza is seeing a resurgence with five hotels opening this year and another 10-plus planned to open by 2020. Up Next SHARE COPY LINK Kansas City's first downtown convention hotel since the 1980s is two years away, but the corridor from the River Market to the Country Club Plaza is seeing a resurgence with five hotels opening this year and another 10-plus planned to open by 2020. A public hearing is scheduled for Wednesday on a controversial plan to provide public incentives for a proposed luxury hotel downtown near the new convention hotel and the Kauffman Performing Arts Center. The Tax Increment Financing Commission will hold the hearing and then make a recommendation to the City Council. We cant endorse public incentives for this project. The TIF commission should, at the very least, postpone consideration of the hotel project until the new mayor and council take office. There is absolutely no need to rush this project through in the current economic and political environment. The proposal is formally known as the Performing Arts Center Campus plan. Dont be confused: It has nothing to do with the dance conservatory once considered for the area. Instead, the project calls for a 13-story luxury hotel with 143 rooms, a restaurant, a bar and a fitness center near 17th and Wyandotte streets. The project would cost $63.5 million. Of that, developers want $18.9 million in TIF and Super TIF public incentives, in which taxes generated by the hotel would be used to pay some of the construction costs. Developers Whitney Kerr Sr. and Eric Holtze made an aggressive argument for the project Tuesday. They defended public support for a five-star luxury hotel downtown. This isnt just another hotel, Holtze told The Star Editorial Board. This is the primo hotel. This is the one that will attract a brand-new audience. The Mercedes audience. Kansas City should not be in the business of providing incentives for luxury hotel construction. There is clear evidence that the market is now saturated with hotel rooms, making additional hotel development risky and unnecessary. For that reason alone, the TIF commission should reject the project. Its true that downtown Kansas City lacks a luxury hotel. We dont oppose this project on its merits: If developers want to build their hotel, and theyre convinced it will make money, they should finance it privately. If this project falls through, a new mayor and council may want to pursue private backing for a five-star hotel. But Kansas City should not be in the business of approving tax incentives so visiting bigwigs can sleep in a $250 room just a stones throw away from the performing arts center. There are other problems with the plan. Tax incentives were designed to give developers a financial break for building in depressed, blighted neighborhoods. The site for the new hotel is an empty lot, now owned by the Kauffman Foundation. Even the TIF commissions staff concluded that the land is not yet a blighted area. With downtown Kansas City on the upswing and hotel rooms rapidly multiplying, the developers cant make a convincing case that this is a distressed block in need of public support. Holtze and Kerr are making the classic argument for such incentives: If approved, local governments will get more revenue than theyre collecting now from an empty lot. Another hotel will provide some jobs. Kansas City needs to compete with Nashville and Denver, they said. But Kansas City doesnt need a trickle-down luxury hotel to compete with other cities, or grow jobs, or bring in more revenue. It needs neighborhoods that are safe, with healthy and well-educated families. The new mayor and City Council must work on those goals, relentlessly not on another hotel. Incentives should go to neighborhoods and people. The private sector can pay for luxury hotels. | https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/editorials/article230116409.html |
Will Sharks Pavelski return for a huge Game 7? | Questions abound. San Jose and Colorado will decide their best-of-seven, second-round series Wednesday night at SAP Center after the teams have traded wins through the first six games. The Sharks hope to advance to their fifth West final and second in four seasons. We're obviously happy we're at home for a lot of reason, not just having last change, Sharks coach Peter DeBoer said. But both teams have won on the road, too, so there's only a certain amount of benefit to that. The team opted to stay overnight in Denver following Monday's 4-3 loss in overtime. Rest and re-hydration was a priority before boarding a flight to the South Bay on Tuesday's off-day. DeBoer said the routine for Game 7 is no different than preparing for Game 2. Video is reviewed of what went right, what went wrong and where areas needed to be cleaned up from Game 6. A night in their own beds and an optional morning skate will precede the 6 p.m. start. Instead of a fear or nervousness there's an excitement for it, DeBoer said in anticipation of Game 7. We do have guys who have participated in them in the past. I don't know. I'd like to think it does. I do know this. Our guys have a comfort level in big games and I think there's an excitement level about the opportunity. When you're kids you never play Game 5. You're playing Game 7 and overtime, said Burns, who has four goals and eight points in the series. This is fun. It's a great challenge for our group. Fans can anticipate a return to the lineup for Pavelski, who has been rehabilitating a head injury sustained in the third period of Game 7 against Vegas on April 23. After spending a couple seconds unconscious due to striking the back of his head on the ice, Pavelski experienced concussion symptoms before progressing to the point of skating again for the better part of the last week. He's day-to-day, and he's getting better every day, DeBoer said. We're going to make decisions on game days whether he's available or not. A potential return for Pavelski would be a shot in the arm to San Jose's power play, which is just 2-for-17, and the fact they're missing a 38-goal scorer from the regular season. Pavelski helps on right-circle faceoffs and plays in all situations. DeBoer & Co. could use any edge where they can find it. You have two very evenly-matched teams and the desperation level from night-to-night has been the difference, DeBoer said. The team that wins has taken a little bit of a breath. The team that lost the previous game digs in with a heightened desperation level the next game and that small margin has probably been the difference just about every game. You get to Game 7 and I don't think either of us will be taking a breath because we all know what's at stake. A look at the history book reveals this marks the first time since 1994 the Sharks have played consecutive seven-game series. It also marks just the second time they've played as many as four elimination games in one postseason. San Jose was 3-0 in 2008 before losing Game 6 of the second round at Dallas in a fourth overtime period - the longest game in Sharks' history. San Jose is 5-2 at home in these playoffs, 7-4 all-time in Game 7 and 4-1 in deciding games at home that includes last month's 5-4 overtime win against Vegas in the first round. All that said, it comes down to the players executing for one night. Everyone's excited for Game 7, but we have to get the job done, Sharks forward Tomas Hertl said. For that we need all 20 guys, not just one line or 10 guys. We need everybody because in the playoffs you can't depend on just one guy. We need to dig down. Ross McKeon covers the San Jose Sharks for The San Francisco Chronicle. Twitter: @rossmckeon | https://www.sfchronicle.com/sharks/article/Will-Sharks-Pavelski-return-for-a-huge-Game-7-13827047.php |
Will Uber drivers profit from tech company's big IPO? | With Uber's high-profile IPO looming, eligible drivers stand to get a piece of the stock offering. 5.4 million shares, or about 3 percent of the total offering, will be reserved for U.S. drivers. Still, relations between the ride-hailing company and its drivers are contentious, and a strike is planned for May 8. The top executives, board members and early investors in Uber Technologies stand to reap billions of dollars off of their stakes in the ride-hail company when it goes public later this week. Ousted founder and former CEO Travis Kalanick, who still owns 8.6 percent of Uber, is expected to make nearly $9 billion on his stake, while early investor Jeff Bezos of Amazon.com -- the world's richest man -- stands to make $400 million off of his investment. Eligible Uber drivers -- the lifeblood of the company -- won't see anywhere near the same kinds of returns, although some of them will have the option to buy Uber shares when they start trading between an expected $44 and $50 apiece this week. Here is how the IPO math works for drivers: About one-quarter, or 1.1 million, of Uber's 3.9 million drivers around the world who have completed at least 2,500 trips before April 7, including at least one in 2019, and are in good standing with the company, will be eligible for a one-time "driver appreciation reward." The bonuses, based on a driver's number of completed rides, range from $100 for drivers who have completed 2,500 trips to $40,000 for drivers who have completed 40,000 trips. Uber loses an average of 58 cents per ride U.S.-based drivers will have the option to use those bonuses to purchase up to $10,000 worth of stock in the company, an Uber spokesperson told CBS MoneyWatch. The ride-sharing company has set aside 5.4 million shares -- or 3 percent -- of its common stock for drivers. Any shares not purchased by drivers will be offered to the public, Uber said in an SEC filing last month. Uber has long had a contentious relationship with its drivers, who are classified as independent contractors rather than employees. Some drivers plan to strike during Wednesday morning's rush hour to protest what they say are long hours and low pay. Uber, Lyft, and other ride-hail service drivers who are members of the New York Taxi Workers Alliance argue that Uber executives and insiders are getting rich off of drivers' hard work while they struggle to make ends meet. "When you compare early investors and executives and what they stand to make, that obviously contrasts significantly with the drivers, even though they are the hearts and lungs of the Uber economy," observed Wedbush stock analyst Daniel Ives. Average hourly wages of $9.21 after drivers' costs Uber drivers earn money on a dual per mile and per minute formula, while Uber collects service and booking fees that vary by geography each time a trip is taken. One study from the left-learning Economic Policy Institute estimates that Uber drivers earn the equivalent of $9.21 in hourly wages after taking into account Uber's fees plus drivers' vehicle and other expenses. Other studies estimate they earn more. Gridwise, a software company that helps drivers maximize their earnings across ride-hail apps, estimates Uber drivers earn $18.65 hourly before expenses. In Chicago, for example, where a driver's average reported earnings per hour are $18.82, the average profit per hour is $15.03, according to Gridwise. Among drivers' demands are that Uber keep a smaller percentage of each fare. Its ride-sharing "take rate" in 2018 was 21 percent, varying from 12 percent to 24 percent, depending on the geographic region, according to the company's SEC filing, and it's expected to rise to 22.3 percent later in 2019, according to Wedbush's Ives. And Uber still loses money: In the decade since its inception, it has yet to turn a profit -- and might not ever make money. In 2018, the company lost more than $3 billion, the equivalent, on average, of losing 58 cents per ride last year. Uber prepares for $100 billion IPO "Wall Street investors are telling Uber and Lyft to cut down on driver income, stop incentives, and go faster to driverless cars," New York Taxi Workers Alliance Executive Director Bhairavi Desai said in a press release. "Uber and Lyft wrote in their S-1 filings that they think they pay drivers too much already. With the IPO, Uber's corporate owners are set to make billions, all while drivers are left in poverty and go bankrupt." Uber says drivers' status as independent contractors affords them flexibility they otherwise wouldn't have -- a perk whose value is not lost on drivers. The flip side is that they must provide their own vehicles, and are responsible for associated costs including gas, car insurance and miscellaneous expenses. The company also acknowledges in its IPO filing that its "business would be adversely affected if drivers were classified as employees instead of independent contractors." The disappointing Lyft experience While Uber drivers will have an opportunity -- at IPO time -- to own a part of the company they work for, there's no guarantee that it will be a good investment. Uber competitor Lyft, which debuted on the Nasdaq in March, has seen its shares drop more than 30 percent since its IPO. "The same thing was done for the Lyft IPO and there wasn't much of a benefit [for drivers] because the stock was trading below IPO price," said Kathleen Smith, principal and manager of IPO ETFs at Renaissance Capital, a provider of institutional research and IPO exchange-traded funds. "It's a creative move by Uber and Lyft -- and we've seen it before -- but sometimes it doesn't work as planned and if employees don't get what they expect. If things don't go well, they could be unhappy," she said. Smith also expects many drivers to keep their cash reward and not exchange it for stock. "To me, the profile of an Uber driver isn't someone who is taking shares and holding them, the profile we see is someone taking the cash and spending it on expenses," she said. Uber CEO on lessons from Arizona self-driving car accident Either way, Uber must find some common ground with its drivers if it hopes to scale the company to meet the estimated $80 billion in market value that some on Wall Street are giving it. Uber would do well to reward its drivers who could ditch the platform altogether for rivals like Lyft or Juno, if working conditions become too unfavorable. "There is some benefit to employee loyalty, but when given a bonus like this it might work the opposite way, if the stock goes down, it may cause grousing among drivers," Smith said. It's clear the IPO will produce some big winners, and the share program is an effort by Uber to ingratiate itself to drivers. "[The stock options] speak to the balancing act that Uber is going to have over the coming years," Ives said. "Drivers are the fuel in the engine and they have to be careful with [company] take rates and profitability on rides because there is a certain line in the sand where drivers could leave or go work for another competitor. Uber needs to, from a PR perspective, handle this such that drivers feel like they are a part of this company, and them getting shares in the IPO speaks to that." | https://www.cbsnews.com/news/uber-ipo-will-uber-drivers-profit-from-tech-companys-initial-public-offering/ |
Are Boehner and Cantor Freezing Out the Tea Party? | [Guest post by James Downie] A Tea Party wave just swept the country on Election Night, but as the Republican congressional leadership assembles its transition team, it looks poised to freeze the movement out: Transition Chairman Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) made the announcement hours before the group is set to meet to review the rules of the House and the GOP conference before assuming the majority next Congress. The members include: Reps. Rob Bishop (Utah), John Campbell (Calif.), Shelley Moore Capito (W.Va.), Jason Chaffetz (Utah), Tom Cole (Okla.), Rules Committee ranking member David Dreier (Calif.), Mike Conaway (Texas), Bob Goodlatte (Va.), Doc Hastings (Wash.), Jeb Hensarling (Texas), Jim Jordan (Ohio), Buck McKeon (Calif.), Candice Miller (Mich.), Mike Rogers (Mich.), Paul Ryan (Wis.), campaign committee Chairman Pete Sessions (Texas) and Patrick Tiberi (Ohio). Four incoming members also will serve on the transition team: Cory Gardner (Colo.), Adam Kinzinger (Ill.), Martha Roby (Ala.) and Tim Scott (S.C.). According to the AP, two of the four incoming members (Kinzinger and Scott) are Tea Party favorites, but they were most likely chosen for their previous legislative experience, which many of their fellow representatives-elect lack. Of the 18 current House members on the transition team, only two Rob Bishop and Pete Sessions are part of the Tea Party caucus. And Sessions is already more closely associated with the old guard, having served as NRCC chair. Well-known Tea Partiers such as Michele Bachmann, Steve King, and Joe Wilson have been left out, and the transition team includes Jeb Hensarling, whom Eric Cantor and others are backing against Bachmann. Finally, transition chairman Greg Walden (who called the team "a nice cross-section of our Republican conference") is himself relatively moderate; he even refused to say he would include a Tea Party member in the leadership when interviewed on MSNBC. | https://newrepublic.com/article/78997/moderate-gop-transition |
Did Obamacare Doom the Infrastructure Bank? | On Monday, the Treasury Department and the Council of Economic Advisors released a study that clearly and persuasively lays out the economic rationale for increasing our nations investment in infrastructure. Included in this document is a concise summary of the case for a national infrastructure bank that could attract private capital, create a merit-based selection process for projects, and finance the kinds of infrastructure investmentsmulti-modal and multi-jurisdictionalthat get short shrift in the congressional appropriations process. This is a good idea. It was a good idea when Barack Obama proposed it during his presidential campaign. It was a good idea when it made a cameo appearance in President Obamas 2010 budget proposal released in February of 2009. And then it all but disappeared for eighteen months until the president resurrected it on Labor Day this year. That was a bad idea. Known facts about internal White House conversations only deepen the mystery. Chief of staff Rahm Emanuel has long championed the bank, and NEC director Larry Summers has endorsed both the economic merits and timeliness of increased, well-targeted infrastructure investment. | https://newrepublic.com/article/78303/how-obamacare-killed-the-infrastructure-bank |
Will Republicans Win The House? | Sanford Gordon of NYU has an interesting paper that forecasts the House results based on district-by-district ratings by Charlie Cook and Stu Rothenberg. The forecasters categorize every House seat as "solid" for one party, "likely," "leaning," and "toss-up." Gordon compares those forecasts with recent elections to translate each category into a percentage chance -- i.e., "lean" means a 93% chance of victory -- then plugs in the current district-by-district ratings. He comes up with a somewhat surprising result: Republicans are expected to gain just 28 to 25 House seats, not even enough to control the majority, and considerably below what most of us expect. Now, Gordon does continue with a very strong caveat: it is possible that the forecasters deliberately make conservative calls. They underestimated the scale of the recent Democratic waves, and it's possible the same sense of caution is causing them to underestimate the coming Republican wave. And the curious thing, pointed out by Gordon, is that both Cook and Rothenberg predict higher aggregate gains for the GOP than their district-by-district ratings would suggest. So either their district ratings are hedged, or their aggregate prediction is hedged. But the interesting takeaway is that if the Cook and Rothenberg district-by-district ratings are correct, Republicans will probably fall short of winning the House. Again, it's not clear if those ratings are themselves hedged. | https://newrepublic.com/article/78096/will-republicans-win-the-house |
Did Palin Hurt McCain? | The Weekly Standard's Matthew Continetti, author of "The Persecution of Sarah Palin," takes to the Washington Post to expose the "myth" that Sarah Palin cost John McCain the election: She didn't. CNN's 2008 national exit poll, for example, asked voters whether Palin was a factor when they stepped into the voting booth. Those who said yes broke for McCain 56 percent to 43 percent. Before Palin's selection, remember, McCain suffered from an enthusiasm gap. Republicans were reluctant to vote for the senator from Arizona because of his reputation as a maverick who'd countered his party on taxes, immigration, drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and "cap and trade" climate legislation. But Palin's conservative record in Alaska and antiabortion advocacy changed the Republican mood. With her by his side, McCain's fundraising and support from conservatives improved. It wasn't enough to beat Barack Obama -- but McCain probably would have lost the presidency by a greater margin if he had, say, selected independent Sen. Joe Lieberman as his running mate, further alienating the GOP base. Yes, it's possible that Palin's conservatism and uneven performance on the campaign trail shifted some voters to Obama's column. But even if Obama picked up some anti-Palin votes, he surely didn't need them: The economy was in recession, Wall Street was in meltdown, and the incumbent Republican president was incredibly unpopular. Of course, in the end, it's impossible to know how McCain would have performed if he hadn't selected Palin -- politics does not allow for control experiments. Note that Continetti begins by flatly asserting that Palin didn't cost McCain the election, proceeds to imply that she helped him, than finally winds up with the conclusion that her effect was unknowable. Well, you can't prove anything. But political scientists have tried to measure it and found that she had an extraordinarily large, and negative, impact. Political scientists Richard Johnston and Emily Thorson wrote a paper concluding: Judgment on her was incontestably important. The correspondence between dynamics in her ratings and dynamics in McCain vote intentions is astonishingly exact. Her marginal impact in vote-intention estimation models dwarfs that for any Vice-Presidential we are aware of, certainly for her predecessors in 2000 and 2004. And the range traversed by her favorability ratings is truly impressive. We are unaware of any theory that opens the door to serious impact from the bottom half of the ticket. GWU's John Sides broke down the data: | https://newrepublic.com/article/78407/did-palin-hurt-mccain |
Are Supply-Siders Writing News Stories For Politico? | Politico reports that conservatives are burning Indiana governor Mitch Daniels at the stake for suggesting the possibility of replacing an income tax with a Value-Added Tax. (Conservatives actually tend to like the idea, but fear the result would be to add a VAT on top of the income tax.) Anyway, Politico's story includes this odd bit of conservative talking points: Many of the countries in Europe that implemented value-added taxes, including Greece, stagnated. A VAT has never permanently replaced the income tax anywhere in the world, and no country has ever been able to get rid of a VAT once it has gone into effect. That isn't a GOP source talking, it's the author. It's an almost hilariously propagandistic formulation. First of all, every European country has a Value-Added Tax. Well, every country, including the U.S., has periods of stagnation from time to time. But it's hardly the case that all of Europe has stagnated. VAT countries include Thatcher-era Britain, Ireland, and other places cited by conservatives as dynamic market economies. Second, you have to love the gratuitous mention of Greece, as if it's a cautionary tale of what happens when you impose a VAT. Greece, of course, has replaced France as the conservative bogeyman and symbol of what could happen under liberalism. But, again, every European country has a VAT. And Greece's problem isn't the VAT, it's the imbalance between expenditures and revenues. Abolishing Greece's VAT wouldn't exactly help that. | https://newrepublic.com/article/78471/are-supply-siders-writing-news-stories-politico |
Where Is Captain Kirk? | Seth Masket gives me a great opportunity to both plug a recent column he wrote with Steve Greene on the electoral effects of the health care bill, and to talk about one of my favorite topics, representation. After all, they cast a vote based on what they believed was right even though they knew it might cost them their jobs. Or Gov. Jonathan Bernstein has written extensively on this subject, arguing that politicians should worry more about being good representatives than doing whats right. And we should be particularly wary of politicians who are trying to do whats right, if for no other reason than the definition of right is rather vague. This also goes to the more complicated question of whom exactly representatives are supposed to be representing. Thats right -- I think that pols should try to be good representatives. That doesnt necessarily mean, however, simply polling the district and doing whatever the pollster says. Theorists of representation say that we should think of it as a relationship, in which politicians make promises to their constituents -- not just promises of how theyll vote on specific issues of public policy, but promises about who they will represent, how they will represent those people, how they will act. One might even say, who they will be. So to Seth, I would say that theres no supposed to be in the equation, no should about how that relationship should be structured. So a pol who runs for office saying that shes going to be the candidate of the Republicans, or the Tea Partiers, or the Polish-Americans, should be exactly that in office. A pol who says shes going to represent the entire district, well, thats a different candidate, a different representation relationship, and a different elected official with different obligations if she wins. None of those are inherently better or correct representation -- what counts for good representation isnt which promises you make, but whether you carry them out once in office. That you explain what youre doing to your constituents in terms of those promises, implicit and explicit. The same thing is true about the question of whether elected officials should do what the people want or do whats right (which, as Seth mentions, really means doing what the politician thinks is right, which may not be the same thing). Some pols run for office as servants of the people, who will do whatever the people tell them to do. Others run by promising to possess specific skills, traits, or qualities that they will use in office. They say, in effect, Vote for me because I know whats best (of course, not in those words). Neither of these promises is better or worse; neither promises more or less representation. They are, just, different. Someone in the first group should do exactly what the people want because thats what he said he would do. Someone in the second group, however, would be a poor representative if, after promising that he would bring special expertise or judgment to his job, then abandon that for the wisdom of the crowd. | https://newrepublic.com/article/78342/where-captain-kirk |
Why Don't Palestinians Adopt Nonviolence? | You can make the case that even if the current Israeli government were much more reasonable than it in fact is that there still wouldnt be a peace deal thanks to bad behavior on the Palestinian side. But its actually not puzzling at all why Netanyahu doesnt form a different coalition and agree to a settlement freezeNetanyahu favors settlement building. This is the whole trajectory of his political career, from leading the charge against the Oslo Agreement to rump Likud in a rebellion against Ariel Sharon to forming a coalition with Avigdor Lieberman. The guys not a fool. He knows what hes doing. That seems perfectly sensible to me. At the same time, you can apply similar logic to the endless entreaties by Western liberals that Palestinians adopt non-violent protest tactics in order to win a two-state peace agreement. Here's the latest, from former colleague Bob Wright: If Palestinians want to strike fear into the hearts of Israelis they should (a) give up on violence as a tool of persuasion; (b) give up on the current round of negotiations; and (c) start holding demonstrations in which they ask for only one thing: the right to vote. A truly peaceful movement with such elemental aspirations think of Martin Luther King or Gandhi would gain immediate international support. In Europe and the United States, leftists would agitate in growing numbers for economic and political pressure on Israel. I agree that it would be fantastic if Palestinians adopted such tactics. But to do so, they actually have to want a two-state solution. And the evidence for that proposition is weaker than the evidence that Netanyahu is willing to make sacrifices for peace. A 2009 poll I've cited before shows that 71% of Palestinians deem it essential that their state comprise all of Israel and the occupied territories. (Only 17% of Israelis deem it essentially that their state control all that land.) And this isn't a crazy or inherently hateful view. From the Palestinian perspective, Israel is a colonial state that was suddenly dropped on their head as a result of European crimes. Most Palestinians seem to think, like Helen Thomas said, that the fair solution is for the Jews to go back to Europe. I obviously don't see things that way, but I understand why Palestinians do. And from this perspective, Palestinian political tactics are not an endless series of blunders but a perfectly rational strategy of alternating guerrilla or terrorist attacks on Israel with ceaseless political pressure designed to make Israelis, like the Crusaders, unwilling to pay the price of defending their state over however many decades or centuries it takes. The current West Bank leadership is blessedly moderate -- and Israelis are fools not to try to cut a deal with it -- but there are real questions about how the leadership could survive striking such a bargain. | https://newrepublic.com/article/78082/why-dont-palestinians-adopt-nonviolence |
Is the Mortgage-Interest Deduction Really A Middle-Class Tax Break? | The impact is more substantial farther up the earnings ladder. In the 90th through 95th percentiles, for example, 74 percent of people would see their taxes rise, costing them an additional $2,643 per year on average, about 1.75 percent of their after-tax income. Its true that repealing the deduction would (in relative terms) have only a small impact on the top 1 percent of earners, but thats largely because, as AaronW noted in the comments thread, for the truly wealthy, mortgage debt is a much smaller proportion of their income than for middle income earners. From the numbers above, its clear that the benefit derived from the deduction is almost perfectly increasing with income. Low- and middle-earners are less likely to itemize their returns, which makes them unlikely to benefit from the mortgage-interest deduction. And because they make less money, they pay taxes in a lower bracketmeaning that every dollar in deductions reduces their tax bill by less than it would for someone in a higher bracket. Calling the mortgage-interest deduction a middle-class tax break essentially requires us to define someone in the 80th or 90th percentile of earnings as middle class. But theyre not; when you make more than 80 percent of the country, youre rich, even if you dont want to admit it. But even if we believe the federal government should be incentivizing homeownership (which Im not sure I do), the mortgage-interest deduction is one of the worst possible ways to do it. As Jonathan Cohn noted last week, it provides a bigger benefit to people who buy more expensive homes. And if a person making $40,000 a year and a person who makes $100,000 a year buy homes with the same price, the high-earner gets a bigger tax break. It doesnt, and in fact, there is a wide body of research suggesting that the mortgage-interest deduction does nothing to increase homeownership rates. There are better options, many of which are detailed in the Tax Policy Center report I linked earlier. We could, for example, replace the deduction with a tax credit for a certain fraction of interest paid. This approach would equalize the benefits high- and low-earners receive, but it would still incentivize purchasing larger homes. Another proposal is to just create a flat, refundable homeowners credit, which would make homeownership more affordable while treating poor and rich alike and without pushing people to buy huge houses. The mortgage-interest deduction is inequitable, ineffective and inexpensive. Theres no (policy-based) reason to keep it when superior alternatives exist. | https://newrepublic.com/article/79206/the-mortgage-interest-deduction-really-middle-class-tax-break |
Were House Dems Smart To Vote Against The Party? | Brendan Nyhan finds that vulnerable House Democrats who voted against the main Democratic agenda items did better, controlling for circumstances, than those who voted for it: [C]onsider Eric McGhee's post on The Monkey Cage. Consistent with my finding that Democrats from competitive districts who supported health care reform appeared to perform worse on Election Day, he finds that House Democrats who supported health care reform, TARP, the stimulus bill, and/or cap-and-trade performed worse than those who did not controlling for the partisanship of their district. This finding directly contradicts the simplistic claims above about the effects of health care, cap-and-trade, and the Blue Dog agenda. I replicated this estimate* and it appears to be robust. To illustrate the finding, here is a plot of the estimated marginal effect of an additional vote for one of the four controversial bills. I restrict my analysis to Democrats in potentially competitive seats (i.e. where President Obama received less than 60% of the vote in 2008): The y-axis represents the estimated effect of an additional vote for a controversial bill on the predicted Democratic vote. The plot shows that this effect becomes increasingly negative as the district becomes less favorable to Democrats (lower Obama vote in 2008). I think this is good evidence that vulnerable Democrats were better off breaking with their party on key votes. But I think Nyhan is wrong to conclude that "the Democrats' aggressive legislative agenda may have provoked a backlash that was at least partly responsible for GOP overperformance in the House. "A party in power needs to have an agenda of some kind. If you don't do anything major, then voters just get angry that you're not doing anything while the economy plummets. (See Bush, George Herbert Walker.) Now, what the agenda is obviously matters. But it's also the case that voters often pay scant attention to the details of these bills. But they do get a general sense of what the big battles are and who's on what side. If you're a vulnerable Democrat, you need to signal opposition to the national party. Otherwise you're just a big government liberal just like the ones who hate guns and like gay marriage. Some Democrats failed to demonstrate their independence from the national party by dissenting on major partisan issues, but that doesn't mean the issues themselves were the problem. | https://newrepublic.com/article/78948/were-house-dems-smart-vote-against-the-party |
Who Doesn't Want Health Insurance? | The individual mandate continues to be health care reform's most controversial element, both in the courts and on the campaign trail. And many of the mandate's critics see this as a matter of principle. Requiring people to carry health insurance, they say, compromises individual freedom. I don't agree with that argument, but I understand it. What I don't understand is why the requirement scares people without such strong libertarian instincts. The vast majority of Americans have health insurance right now. What they want is a promise that the insurance will always be there, even if they lose their jobs, see their incomes fall, or develop serious medical conditions. And the same goes for many, quite probably most, people who don't have insurance. They, too, would like to have the financial protection against illness. They would like to know they can get medical care and not just the urgent kind. But they can't get health benefits right now because they don't have enough money or because they have pre-existing conditions. There are obviously some people who don't have health insurance and, furthermore, don't want to have health insurance. They'd rather take their chances and pay out of pocket. But I think that's an awfully small group of people and, quite honestly, I don't think they have the right to make that choice--unless they feel like relinquishing their right, under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA), to stabilizing or life-saving care in case of an emergency. This is the essence of the constitutional case for the mandate. | https://newrepublic.com/article/78522/individual-mandate-penalty-why-oppose |
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