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Are Data Breaches Becoming More Common? | originally appeared on Quora: the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world. Answer by Marc Groman, Former Senior Advisor for Privacy in the White House, co-host of Their Own Devices podcast, on Quora: Although we are reading about data breaches more frequently in the news, it may be that data breaches are not actually becoming more common. What has changed are the laws across the US and world that now require companies to report data breaches. Before such laws were in place, companies were under no obligation to notify individuals, the public, or the government when they experienced a data breach. So what has changed is that announcing data breaches has become more common. There are many reasons for this. Unfortunately, many companies still do not invest adequate resources in data security and cyber security. In other cases, they invest money but implement cookie cutter data security programs that dont actually address the most significant risks. Moreover, companies that produce software and hardware routinely put products on the market that have bugs and vulnerabilities sometimes these are known, other times not. I would like to see companies wait to put products on the market until additional testing has ruled out potential vulnerabilities, but there are often reasons to move forward. Thus we often read about updates to software to fix newly discovered bugs. Another reality is that many data breaches are caused by human error or negligence. This includes the failure to properly configure a server or other hardware, the failure to update software on a timely basis, using administrative passwords, and failing to use strong passwords or two-factor authentication. In addition, many compromises are caused by people clicking on links in phishing emails or in pop ups. Some of the largest and most serious data breaches were caused by mistakes and entirely avoidable. I will also note that there is no such thing as perfect security. In addition, data security is everyones responsibility and just one small mistake by one employee can cause huge problems. The threats and risks are constantly evolving and hackers from organized crime or foreign governments are getting more and more sophisticated. This question originally appeared on Quora - the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world. You can follow Quora on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+. More questions: | https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2019/01/14/are-data-breaches-becoming-more-common/ |
Is The U.S. Emissions Increase A Warning About Future U.S. Technology Leadership? | The projected increase in 2018 US emissions has been making headlines around the world. The Rhodium Group projected that US emissions will be up 3.5% in 2018, with a 5.7% increase in emissions from manufacturing. US emissions have been declining largely due to recession and the increasing use of natural gas but demand for electricity, trucking fuel, heating and cooling are all driving emissions growth, following a steady decline since 2007. These latest figures, coming as they do after the US announced plans to withdraw from the international Paris Agreement on climate change and as the federal government plans to strip environmental protections in the energy sector, are a worrying sign that the negative impact of one of the worlds largest economies could scupper the deal. While the agreement targets full decarbonisation of the electricity sector by 2050, and the necessary technology exists and is competitive, there are huge steps to be taken in both manufacturing and industry. The underlying reality however is even more worrying for the US. By backing out of the Paris Agreement, and rolling back regulation on clean air, carbon emissions and enabling drilling on protected lands and increasing fossil fuel use, is the federal government not only abnegating its role as a global leader in climate terms, but moving against technology trends that are fundamentally changing the global economy?. The current trade row with China is said to be an attempt to get the Chinese to open their markets. Yet despite increasing tariffs, the latest news suggest that Chinas trade balance with the US continues to grow. China is also now the global leader in electric vehicles and has a strong position in renewables manufacturing, while installing the worlds largest renewables base. While the fossil fuel industry expects energy transition to a low carbon economy to take many decades, many investors are now recognising the speed of disruptive change coming from renewable technologies, storage, machine learning, sensors and big data. There is a fundamental shift in markets driven by what BNP Paribass Mark Lewis calls the virtuous feedback loop of global policy and technological competitiveness. Investors are increasingly looking to screen their investment portfolios from companies on the wrong side of this trend and it looks like that is where the US is heading. Of course, the US is still one of the best places in the world to do business. Silicon Valley has been at the forefront of technological development for the past few decades and the ingenuity of US business has driven change around the world. Current business leaders want to maintain that leadership position and it seems there is concern that current approaches undercut that position. Many US businesses (fossil fuel and energy lobbyists aside) are not on the side of the current federal government. Companies like Nike, Johnson Controls, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Mars, Nestle and Google have criticised the pull-out from the Paris Agreement. For tech companies as a whole, for large manufacturers, engineers and retailers embracing the digital opportunities of big data, the cost of electricity and energy is playing a huge part in their desire to focus on cost-competitive renewables. US States and cities too are playing a major role in how the US response to climate change impacts and resource scarcity is going to play out. Cities like Washington DC which voted to procure 100% renewable energy by 2032, states like California (the 5th largest economy in the world) remains committed to clean air, water and power. There are growing numbers of projects, financial models and support programmes to encourage action in the mitigation of, and increasingly potential adaptation to, the risk of climate change. This is not an issue that is going to go away, in part because its a huge opportunity as well. If large parts of the US are going to flood, prevention and protection are going to provide investment opportunities. A growing number of asset managers, pension groups and sovereign wealth funds are taking action to ensure that large global companies respond to the threat of climate and technological change. Many are running campaigns to drive the private sector to cut emissions, increase climate risk disclosure and bring their concerns to the mainstream. Many see the moment where Larry Fink of Blackrock sent a letter to CEOs discussing a sustainable investing revolution as a pivotal moment. Operations like the CERES Investor Network on Sustainability and Climate Risk have signed up investors with over $25 trillion in assets under management. In December 2018, the Global Investor Statement to Governments on Climate Change, with $32 trillion of assets under management, repeated their support of the Paris Agreement. These trends in technological change are going to have even more wide-spread repercussions if the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)s latest report proves prescient. It warns that the geopolitical and socio-economic consequences of a new energy age may be as profound as those which accompanied the shift from biomass to fossil fuels two hundred years ago. As the use of traditional fossil fuels decline, this could be accompanied by major shifts in geopolitical power. As countries develop renewables and increasingly integrate their electricity grids with neighbouring countries, new interdependencies and trade patterns will emerge. While no-one can predict exactly what this might mean, it is yet another strong signal that looking backwards is a dangerous choice. Director General Adnan Z Amin said,Unless you have a response strategy to the changes you see around you, you are going to be in trouble. The report Commission's Chair Olafur Grimsson, the former President of Iceland added, The renewables revolution enhances the global leadership of China, reduces the influence of fossil fuel exporters and brings energy independence to countries around the world. A fascinating geopolitical future is in store for countries in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas. The transformation of energy brings big power shifts. In the end, markets drive change in response to policy frameworks and economic competitiveness. The market is forcing companies to address the risks of energy transition or risk failing completely - and if the US government chooses to ignore this trend, it could find itself on the wrong side of history. | https://www.forbes.com/sites/feliciajackson/2019/01/14/is-the-us-emissions-increase-a-warning-about-future-us-technology-leadership/ |
Is Fusion Power Within Our Grasp? | Two recent developments in the world of fusion power are giving scientists and policymakers newfound optimism for the elusive holy grail of energy technologies. The first is a discovery by the Department of Energys (DOE) Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) which uses radio frequency (RF) technology to greatly reduce so-called plasma disruption the leading challenge to achieving a sustained, net energy gain fusion reaction. This is a key element in making fusion a feasible source of electricity. The second is a report by a panel of distinguished scientists from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine to the DOE which concluded that a $200 million annual investment in the technology for the next several decades could lead to a commercially viable reactor before 2050. This timeline includes demonstrating energy-gain fusion (a reaction which produces more energy than it takes in) by the mid-2020s and a concept reactor by the 2030s. As Ive written about before, nuclear fusion is a technology that is easy to get excited about. The power emitted from sustained thermonuclear fusion is safe, carbon-free, and abundant. The primary fuel hydrogen isotopes can be found in regular sea water, and just a few grams are enough to kick-start a reaction. General Atomics, a manufacturer of the powerful magnets necessary for fusion plasma containment, estimates that a working reactor would only need 11 pounds of hydrogen to generate the energy equivalent of 18,750 tons of coal, 56,000 barrels of oil or 755 acres of solar panels an amazing feat of science and technology. The implications are near limitless. Aside from the obvious benefits for combatting climate change, ending energy scarcity, and growing the global economy, fusion could also have applications for space travel and U.S. national security (provided we develop the technology first). Its no wonder, then, that a number of private entities are aggressively pursuing the technology. Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) announced last year its plan to develop a prototype compact fusion reactor (CFR) within the next decade. If it works, the truck-sized device would be capable of providing enough electricity to meet the demand of a small city of 100,000 people. Lockheed is joined by TAE Technologies, The Massachusetts Institute of Technology Plasma Fusion Center (MIT PSFC), and Canadian-backed General Fusion Inc., in a group of contenders promising to bring fusion commercialization before 2030. Even Amazons (NYSE:AMZN) Jeff Bezos and Microsofts (NYSE:MSFT) Bill Gates have thrown their hats into the fusion power ring. But dont get too excited this tricky technology has eluded scientists for more than 50 years. The Fusion process is the same one that powers our sun (you can think of a star as one gigantic fusion reactor): hydrogen atoms forced together under immense heat and pressure break their atomic bonds, fusing into a new heavier element, helium. Some mass is lost in the process, however, and great amounts of energy are released as a result. This is what Einstein's famous formula E=mc describes: the tiny bit of lost mass (m), multiplied by the square of the speed of light (c), results in a very large figure (E), which is the amount of energy created by a fusion reaction. The catch is that these reactions generate very hot and very unstable globs of plasma (in excess of 500 million degrees Fahrenheit) which require tremendous amounts of energy to maintain. To date, the longest recorded sustained plasma operation is just over one minute long. Scientists believe that magnetic fields offer the best method for containing the super-heated plasma, a key principle of the Soviet-designed Tokamak reactors which most of todays leading prototypes are modeled after. The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project under construction in Cadarache, France is the most celebrated Tokamak-style reactor in existence. The multi-billion dollar, 35-nation effort including the United States, Russia, China, India, the European Union, Japan and South Korea and is now on pace for a 2050 commercial debut after a number of cost overruns and delays. The United States has already contributed $1.13 billion to ITER since 2016, roughly 9 percent of ITERs total costs. For the international project to meet its current timeline, the National Academy of scientists estimates that the U.S. will need to contribute at least another $2.2 billion over the next decade (certainly not chump change, but a small price to pay for a revolutionary energy breakthrough). The 19 scientists who urged the DOE to continue their pursuit of fusion technology are primarily advocating for increased U.S. involvement in ITER, noting that it still represents humanitys best shot at making fusion a reality. According to Professor Nat Fisch, associate director for academic affairs at PPPL, the new radio frequency discovery should make it much easier to stabilize ITER plasmas a huge step toward fusion viability. However, post-World War Two tech developments from hydraulic fraction to Apple (NYSE:AAPL) smartphones to TESLA (NYSE:TSLA) electric cars suggest that it is the private sector, profit-driven companies and entrepreneurs, that are most effective in the commercialization of basic science. While fusion technology certainly seems to be gaining momentum in academic, policymaking, and venture capital circles, the promise of reliable fusion power has always been just a decade or two away. No one is rooting for the success of this energy panacea more than I am, but if history is any guide, we should not hold our breath just yet. James C. Grant, Program Manager at International Market Analysis Ltd., contributed to this article | https://www.forbes.com/sites/arielcohen/2019/01/14/is-fusion-power-within-our-grasp/ |
What Do College Freshmen Struggle With Most? | originally appeared on Quora: the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world. Answer by David Reitman, board-certified adolescent medicine specialist, co-host of Their Own Devices podcast, on Quora: I work with a ton of freshmen in college and I talk about these adjustment issues with LOTS of them. Moving out of the home and starting college is frequently the most difficult and dramatic life change that they have experienced and the degree to which students can struggle cannot be understated. Many students get homesick, particularly half-way into the first semester. They miss their high school friends and family and they have a hard time understanding why they are not as close with their new college peers as they were with their friends from high school and middle school. Social media also presents challenges because they will frequently see their friends posting pictures from other universities and they wonder why they arent having as much trouble adjusting (of course, they dont realize that their friends are only posting the good things). Sleep deprivation frequently becomes a challenge and can exacerbate anxiety, depression or even just plain homesickness. Many students have their first experimentation with alcohol, marijuana and even sex/relationships during their freshman year of college and this can all present challenges to their overall sense of self-worth and adjustment. Its important that parents and friends check in on their college freshmen often. Remind them that this is a hard adjustment and that almost EVERYONE has issues with the adjustment from time to time. Its a normal life stage. But, if the student really is struggling, they should be encouraged to speak with someone in the university counseling center, a residence hall director, etc. who can help support the student if necessary. This question originally appeared on Quora - the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world. You can follow Quora on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+. More questions: | https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2019/01/14/what-do-college-freshmen-struggle-with-most/ |
Which teams would pursue Nick Foles? | The first question becomes whether hell exit as a free agent. His contract sets up a ping-pong match that starts with the Eagles exercising a $20 million option for 2019, Foles exercising a $2 million buyout, and the Eagles then deciding whether to apply the franchise tag, which would cost in the neighborhood of $25 million for one more year. The Eagles, if they tag Foles, presumably would then try to trade Foles, who may not be thrilled about the team showing its appreciation for his contributions by trying to squeeze something more for his rights than the compensatory draft pick consideration theyd get. But theyll understandably hope to guide him to a team other than Washington or the Giants, a pair of division rivals who could become very interested in pursuing the Super Bowl LII MVP. Only four other teams would seem to be obvious potential suitors: The Dolphins, Bengals (maybe), Jaguars, Raiders (maybe), and Broncos. Everyone else seems to be set at the position, and most of the teams with older quarterbacks (like the Patriots, Steelers, Chargers, and Saints) would presumably throw the incumbent overboard only for a much younger player. The lack of a long list of no-brainer options for Foles could put the Eagles in a delicate spot, with the $25 million tag applied to Foles and then accepted by Foles, making his salary fully guaranteed and forcing the Eagles to keep him around for another year, with Wentz making peanuts in comparison under the fourth year of his rookie deal. | https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/01/14/which-teams-would-pursue-nick-foles/ |
What Do Doctors Owe To The Dead People They Dissect? | The cadavers my medical classmates and I have learned to dissect remind us of the debt we owe to everyone who places their body in our hands. Isabel Seliger for BuzzFeed News I saw my first dead body when I was 9 years old. Set to the tune of a melancholic violin, I stood at the foot of the casket and kept my gaze focused on the polished dress shoes and sleek trousers that I had never seen our family friend wear while he was alive. He was a thoughtful man, generous with his time, remarkable in his steadiness and dependability. At my side, my parents kept their heads bent. In my periphery, I could see the tips of his pallid fingers, resting against his sides. Our silence stretched. Then my father sighed. My mother pressed a hand to my shoulder. They turned and walked toward the back of the room and I followed, passing by the casket without looking at his face. I didnt think of the funeral often, afterward. Death didnt permeate my life; it existed in the recesses of my mind, in a box that I opened from time to time. I didnt know what to do with it, or how to process it, or even what it was, really. And so it felt appropriate to keep my distance. Dissection isnt just about our own learning; its not about taking the body apart and studying it as you would an engine. Thirteen years later, standing in a medical school lab this fall as my classmate sawed through the rib cage of the cadaver we were dissecting, I no longer had that option. The bone saw churned up white dust and an odor of burning hair. I slipped my fingers in between the separated bone and cartilage and pulled. Bones cracked, one after the other, until the rib cage came loose. I imagined an unconscious patient in an emergency room, their pulse nonexistent, me compressing their chest with enough force to artificially pump blood through the body. It wouldnt be a perfectly resilient plastic mannequin that looked pristine after I finished with it. I would be hammering my weight into the center of a persons chest against resistance, hearing the pop of cartilage displacing, maybe ribs fracturing, willing life into a dying body. With my hands deep in the cadavers chest, I realized that I didnt have the luxury of staying aloof the way I had during that funeral years ago, or even during the anatomy classes I took in college. The people who make the decision to bequeath their bodies to medical institutions do so without ever meeting or knowing those of us who will be handling them, learning their nooks and crannies in a way that even their loved ones did not. Some may be contemplating that choice because of our failures as health care providers in the first place. Theres a weight to that decision that demands that we, as doctors-to-be, acknowledge the trust that has been placed in us. Certainly, we have to be respectful, attentive, and committed to learning the material. But the dissection isnt just about our own learning; its not about taking the body apart and studying it as you would an engine. Above everything, its an act of shared humanity. Viewing it as anything else would be a disservice to our donor, and to the debt that we owe to everyone who places their body living or not in our hands. I was no stranger to corpses when I started medical school. Id spent the past three years in an undergraduate health sciences program, and as part of the curriculum, we had to take a yearlong anatomy and physiology course with a laboratory component. Our university was unique in that it had a robust cadaver donor program a meticulous process of collecting and preserving human bodies for the education of students like me. The bodies had already been dissected. Some of them were concealed in metal trolleys, arranged in rows along the walls. Others had been plastinated or cut into different parts called prosections and ensconced in clear acrylic cubes, displayed on shelves labeled by organ system. The chemical scent of formalin lingered in the room. As we gathered around a trolley during our very first lab session, the teaching assistants assured us that there were students who had to step outside every year. It was nothing to be ashamed of, they said. After all, death could be difficult, messy, and a little smelly. But I could sense that everyone in our group was resolved not to embarrass themselves; squeamishness was supposed to be a thing of our high school biology past. They unwrapped the wet cloth that moistened the cadaver, careful to keep the face covered. Pale skin, wrinkled and tinged yellow. Bright pink nail polish. A puddle of liquid and bits of flesh surrounding the body. The skin of the forearm was stripped away, baring muscle and sheaths of silvery tendon. I put on latex gloves and reached around another student to gently pull at a forearm muscle. The wrist flexed. No queasiness. Satisfied, I stepped back to let others have their turn. I spent hundreds of hours in that lab over the course of the year, visiting in between and after classes and on weekends with friends. Wed learn by quizzing each other: Someone would point at a heart valve or a liver segment, and one of us would name it; another would ask a follow-up question about its function. Some of the bodies bore marks of age, having been in the lab for four or five years, and student curiosity frayed nerves, thinning tendons, torn veins. We examined every specimen available to us, multiple times, from multiple angles, covering up body landmarks to make identification more difficult. Some of the bodies bore marks of age, having been in the lab for four or five years, and student curiosity frayed nerves, thinning tendons, torn veins. This ritual was meant as preparation for the end-of-term practical exam: twenty stations one a small chunk of the colon, another the knee joint, yet another a transverse section of meat that turned out to be an oxtail and was meant to test our ability to identify the ligaments surrounding the spinal cord. One minute per station to jot down the name of the part and answer questions about it. If an answer didnt snap to mind within a few seconds, it was hard to hold back the panic. I was tired of the cadavers by the end of those two semesters of anatomy tired of the complexity of the human body, the overwhelming volume of material, and the demands on time that I didnt have to absorb it. I just wanted the scent of flesh and formalin out of my nose and hair and clothes for good. So when I was interviewing for medical school, the structure of the anatomy program was far down on my list of priorities. Despite the fact that dissecting a cadaver has long been considered a rite of passage for first-year medical students, there is an academic shift toward using prepared prosections and virtual learning tools instead as a more effective, efficient way of teaching anatomy. When I interviewed at schools that still used cadavers, student tour guides and professors discussed the opportunity to dissect as if it were a sacred prize. Given my time in the college anatomy lab, I was ambivalent. I just needed to learn the material. Ultimately, I did end up at a school with a dissection program. And less than a week into the first quarter, there I was again dressed in scrubs, standing in a group quietly gathered around the trolley containing our assigned cadaver, paying our respects. Then we started delegating tasks: unzip the body bag, lay out the equipment, mount the scalpel blades on their handles, mark the site of incision. We would be starting at a site just below the notch between the cadavers collarbones. I felt a hesitation that had never struck me during my undergraduate anatomy course; I passed up the chance to make that first cut. Instead, I watched as my classmate drove the blade into the chest. Skin parted; liquid oozed as the blade dove deeper, slicing through connective tissue and fat. Using forceps, I grabbed at the free edge of skin; I cringed at the ripping sound as tissue tore loose. These were not the cleanly dissected, carefully prepared bodies I was used to. Over the course of three-hour sessions, twice a week, much of our time was spent peeling off skin, hacking away at tough tissue, or suctioning the fluids that gathered in puddles around the body. At the foot of the cadaver was a pink hazard bag meant for disposal. It grew heavy with chunks of skin and bone, globs of fat, parts of organs the lobe of the left lung that we had accidentally cut through, for instance. Everyone paused and went silent once we realized what had happened. A classmate placed the two parts of the organ together, where the attachment used to be. Afterward, we went through the steps of the dissection more slowly, double-checking and triple-checking with one another and faculty before doing anything, distinctly aware of the permanence of our every action. There was a shared sense that every misstep was a violation. In many ways, the role of the physician is fundamentally intrusive. As a medical trainee, I am being taught to ask patients questions and lots of them, ranging from prior illness to mental health concerns to sexual history. There are inclusive and compassionate ways of doing this, but at its core, we are asking patients to share intimate details of their lives that they may not have disclosed to anyone else. I am also learning how to conduct a physical examination, from peering into eyes and ears to feeling pulses on the ankles and feet, and everything in between. Health professionals make every effort to ensure that patients are providing informed consent to what occurs in the medical setting. But no matter what, there will always be a degree of uncertainty for patients; they can only expect, or hope, that a doctor will minimize their pain or discomfort, will use the knowledge gained from exams in a productive way, and will communicate with compassion and empathy. The practice of medicine is predicated on this exchange of trust between patients and providers. I understood this, but when our professors referred to our cadavers as our very first patients, I was taken aback. It seemed like a strange way of framing the experience. After all, the person who donated their body would never know our names or faces. Nothing that we did would directly affect them an imprecise incision wouldnt cause any lasting damage that they would have to live with. And there was certainly no shared dialogue between us. And if the cadaver was a patient, then we couldnt just carry out the steps of a laboratory procedure. We were expected to provide a standard of care. As our class proceeded with the dissection, we began to piece together the stories of our donors. Some groups found masses in the liver, or the pancreas, or ovaries; others found scars in telltale places, like the abdomen or knees remnants of appendectomies and joint replacements. We began to develop an idea of the experiences that theyd had, both within and outside of the health system, and what had eventually ended their lives. Our cadaver was a middle-aged man, likely in his fifties. Black stitches ran along the base of his neck where the embalming fluid had been injected into his arteries. Coarse, dark hairs covered his chest, arms, and hands. The pads of his long fingers were heavily calloused; I imagined him strumming a guitar and humming quietly to himself after a long day at work. His lungs were dotted with black stains, leading us to assume that he was a smoker. We later learned that the stains were typical, likely the result of decades of breathing in environmental pollutants, and that our own lungs would look exactly like his some years down the road. Through the bequeathal of his body, our cadaver had invited us into his life. He wasnt able to articulate his health concerns, but he allowed us to witness and even feel them firsthand. Patients usually have the opportunity to scope out their doctors, to interact and determine if theyre comfortable with them. Without the benefit of being able to meet with us and discuss exactly what we would be doing to his body, our cadaver had placed his faith in our integrity and commitment to learning. He had considered and accepted the risk, however slight, of his body ending up in the hands of a student who might be careless, make a sloppy cut or an insensitive remark who, after his death, wouldnt see him as a person, but only as a collection of tissue. Through the bequeathal of his body, our cadaver had invited us into his life. If thinking of a dead body as a patient seemed strange at first, Ive begun to see it as a microcosm of the health care system at large. As medical students, residents, and fellows, we train by caring for patients. We ask patients to take part in research studies, which might involve anything from filling out a survey to undergoing an entirely new surgical procedure. Trust is requested, patients provide it, and we do our best to be worthy of it. We have failed this responsibility repeatedly. In the 1840s, the gynecologist J. Marion Sims (who created the speculum that is widely used in physical exams today) practiced surgical procedures on enslaved black women, without anesthesia. In a 1950s study under the direction of award-winning researcher Saul Krugman, children with intellectual disabilities at Willowbrook State School in Staten Island were deliberately infected with a hepatitis virus. The urologist Perry Hudson recruited people who were homeless in New York City in the 1950s to participate in prostate cancer experiments, promising them food and shelter. Cumulatively, this history has led the profession to move toward a patient-centered model that is emphatic about informed consent and shared decision-making. While institutional review boards and strict ethical guidelines have reformed research and health care delivery, it would be inaccurate to say that paternalistic, unethical care is entirely in the past. For instance, there continue to be significant disparities in the quality and accessibility of care that disproportionately affect people of color, queer people, women, and other marginalized communities. As physicians, we have a responsibility to hold ourselves and our colleagues accountable in advocating for and providing culturally competent care that recognizes the needs of these communities. And our cadavers, unable to speak or even twitch in response to something painful, gave us an important introduction to caring for those who have been rendered silent or invisible. As we yank and tug at arteries clotted with blood and stringy nerves, as we cringe at oozing clumps of fat that splash everywhere when we flip the body to dissect the back, as we reduce a human being to the minutiae of their parts, there is a sense of obligation not just to be respectful of the body and to dedicate ourselves to learning the material, but to recognize that medicine is built on sacrifice. Many advancements in medicine have resulted from a violation of the vow to do no harm, and yet we continue to ask for and receive the trust of patients. Providing compassionate, knowledgeable, and ethical care, and continually pushing the boundaries of the field forward, is both our responsibility and an acknowledgment of a debt that we cannot repay. Anna Goshua is a medical student at Stanford University with interests in mental health, chronic pain, and narrative medicine. This story is part of a series about debts of all kinds. Ben Kothe / BuzzFeed News | https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/annagoshua/debt-doctors-cadaver-dissection-medical-training-trust |
How can laymen report undiscovered disease to medical fraternity & create awareness? | Go to such and such specialists. Meaning: Mind your business. Dont worry whether the disease is undiscovered or not. But umpteen numbers of doctors have got the diagnosis wrong and they are unwilling to clear valid doubts. The diagnosis is wrong because the symptoms dont match. The diagnosis of mental conditions is correct when the patient is able to relate with the symptoms of diagnosed disease. He should feel, Yes, the description of diagnosed disease is similar to my ordeal. But this isnt happening nor are doctors accepting that they are dealing with undiscovered disease. This is dereliction of duty. Either they should get the diagnosis right or they should declare the case as undiscovered disease. They are doing neither. When you demand explanation for the symptoms not matching with diagnosed disease, doctors have endless number of excuses to brush aside the question. Their refrain is, We are professionals. We know better. Some even ridicule the demand for diagnosis. Further elaboration of reasons for searching clinical researchers will derail the topic. Inquisitive scientists should jump on such opportunity of layman patients trying to reveal something. Researchers have so much to explore. Dont suggest asking doctors. Healthy functioning of patients is the last thing on a doctors mind. They are in a hurry to wash their hands off every patient. Click to expand... | https://defence.pk/pdf/threads/how-can-laymen-report-undiscovered-disease-to-medical-fraternity-create-awareness.596842/ |
Are NBA referees too soft? | NBA referees have been quick to hand out technical fouls and many NBA fans are sick of seeing the zebras inject themselves into games. Some think this batch of refs is the most thin-skinned group the league has ever had. Others think the referees are being consistent and players are complaining more than ever--these selfish, diva-like NBA players are the real snowflakes. PERSPECTIVES There used to be a time when referees weren't so sensitive. They understood that in the heat of the moment, competitors are going to be emotional. Officials nowadays are quick with a whistle or a technical for the smallest complaints or reactions. Snowflake refs ruined a classic Thunder-Spurs game with a technical foul that was neither necessary nor warranted. They are the definition of snowflakes. The ref really called a tech on Paul George for this...when the score was tied in double OT! (Via @BleacherReport, @StephenCurry30) pic.twitter.com/CbMZpTfqd8 -- Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) January 11, 2019 Referees might be quick to a whistle, but it's only because players are testing their patience constantly. While players complain they can't have a conversation with refs anymore, they also complain about every single call for the entirety of the game. Referees aren't perfect, but they don't get every call wrong. That kind of whining is grating and unprofessional. The referees are just doing their jobs. They aren't soft. Good job Ref! Tech these babies up pic.twitter.com/m1tnDh6yIf -- Adam Cap (@CoachCapellan) January 11, 2019 The Tylt is focused on debates and conversations around news, current events and pop culture. We provide our community with the opportunity to share their opinions and vote on topics that matter most to them. We actively engage the community and present meaningful data on the debates and conversations as they progress. The Tylt is a place where your opinion counts, literally. The Tylt is an Advance Local Media, LLC property. Join us on Twitter @TheTylt, on Instagram @TheTylt or on Facebook, we'd love to hear what you have to say. | https://www.masslive.com/sports/2019/01/are_nba_referees_too_soft.html |
Is there too much pressure on adults to drink? | We are in the middle of "Dry January," a month that many people give up alcohol after indulging over the holidays, so we wanted to talk about drinking and the pressures surrounding it. Joining host Tati Amare on the panel are: Marlin Williams, a technology strategist and the "Scotchanista" on YouTube; Lauren Crocker, part of the "Blaine Fowler Morning Show" on 96.3 WDVD; and Jason Hall with RiDetroit. Hall decided to stop drinking at the end of October, so he chimed in first saying he welcomes people asking him why he doesn't drink. He said often times people who don't drink are excited to tell you why they aren't partaking. Since quitting alcohol Hall says he feels more energetic and has lost 14 pounds. Williams says you can ask her once, but that's it. "Once is enough, and if they don't answer just back off," said Williams. Crocker agreed saying this situation happens often. Her recommendation is to ask her once why she is not drinking, but don't dive right into the pregnancy topic. Williams agreed saying while it is easy to jump to conclusions, that is not necessarily the best thing to say to the person. "Party down," said Hall., implying you should drink if you want to drink. Crocker, however, said it depends on the situation. When she was out with her new boss she waited to see what he ordered before she decided to order a drink because she didn't want to come across as a "lunchtime-lush." Williams said she agreed with Crocker, but Hall stuck to his guns saying if you invite him to a bar, he feels fine ordering a drink. Tati got the group going saying she has felt pressured to drink before. Williams agreed, adding that some people will walk around with a glass in hand just to keep people from asking why they aren't drinking. Hall said he has done that before and that he will take a shot of ice tea instead of alcohol. Crocker said club soda and cranberry juice is another good mocktail. We also asked our viewers this question and our Michelle Oliver came in with their answers. "What's the Buzz" airs every Monday on Live in the D. We post a question every Sunday on our Facebook page, so feel free to chime in and join the conversation. Copyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved. | https://www.clickondetroit.com/live-in-the-d/whats-the-buzz/is-there-too-much-pressure-on-adults-to-drink |
How is it That Bitcoin is Becoming a Major Contributor to Carbon Emissions? | Troy Sussman, Bowie, MD Its hard to believe that bitcoin, the best known of a group of new cryptocurrencies that many believe to be the future of money, could be the final nail in the coffin causing irreversible climate change. But a recent study from University of Hawaii at Manoa researchers found that projected bitcoin usage, if it follows the rate of adoption of other broadly adopted technologies, could alone produce enough carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to push warming above 2C within less than three decades. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), we can only hope to avoid the most cataclysmic effects of global warming if we can limit the rise in average global temperature to 2C. The reason bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies generate so much CO2 is that they require massive amounts of electricity, and our grid is still supplied primarily by fossil fuels. Bitcoin transactions are recorded and processed by dispersed individuals known as miners who group them together in blocks and add them to larger chains which serve as public ledgers of transactions. The verification process by miners, who compete to decipher a computationally demanding proof-of-work in exchange for bitcoins, requires large amounts of electricity, reports study co-author Randi Rollins. Rollins estimates that bitcoin transactions accounted for some 69 million metric tons of CO2 emission in 2017 aloneand expects bitcoin-related emissions to rise sharply in the near future as the payment technology is adopted by millions around the world. If society adopts bitcoin as quickly as it adopted previous wildly popular technologies (e.g. credit cards, dishwashers), increased electricity demands could overwhelm efforts to curtail greenhouse gas emissions. We cannot predict the future of Bitcoin, but if implemented at a rate even close to the slowest pace at which other technologies have been incorporated, it will spell very bad news for climate change and the people and species impacted by it, says the studys lead author Camilo Mora. With the ever-growing devastation created by hazardous climate conditions, humanity is coming to terms with the fact that climate change is as real and personal as it can be, she adds. Clearly, any further development of cryptocurrencies should critically aim to reduce electricity demand, if the potentially devastating consequences of 2C of global warming are to be avoided. Critics of the report counter that the global electric power sectornot to mention computers and cryptocurrency rigsare getting significantly more energy efficient every year. Also, bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies might not be as widely adopted as researchers assume. It certainly would be a shame to suffer the effects of runaway climate change after doing so much to lower our carbon footprints just because we neglected to hold cryptocurrencies to the same efficiency standards as the rest of the technologies we rely on. | https://www.blackpressusa.com/how-is-it-that-bitcoin-is-becoming-a-major-contributor-to-carbon-emissions/ |
Whats So Controversial About a Medieval Nuns Teeth? | When an academic makes a research breakthrough, two things can happen in the public consciousness: nothing, or something. Its hard to know which is worse. Lets say youre a physicist who discovers a particle that isnt affected by gravity. If nobody outside the physics world cares about your discovery, you sigh, shake your head, get back to the lab. If your story does hit the newspapers, on the other hand, youll have to adjust to a different kind of outrage: Your scrupulous research will be repurposed into some bad headline (GRAVITY DISPROVEN) designed to yank eyeballs, extract clicks, and generally trample over your precious academic principles. Last week, the second thing happened. In a new article for Science Advances, Anita Radini, an archaeologist at Britains University of York, published evidence showing the presence of lapis lazulian ancient, rare, lovely blue stone pigmenton the teeth of a medieval German nun. The nuns skeleton, named B78, dates from the 11th or early 12th century and was found in an unmarked grave in the German town of Dalheim. By working with tartar experts, microscopists, and medieval historians, Radini was able to conclude that this woman must have been a painter or scribe (or both) who illuminated manuscripts. Images of B78s teeth. Christina Warinner, Institute for Evolutionary Medicine, University of Zrich. She must also have been a very good one, since lapis lazuli was an extremely expensive pigment only mined in Afghanistan. It was reserved for the hands of high-end professionals. The pigment probably got into her mouth directly from the paintbrush, over the course of many years of work. The story is delightful, all by itself. Theres an element of chance to the findingsnobody was looking for lapis lazuli on these teethwhich lends them the charm of serendipity. The confluence of beautiful medieval art and chemistry has a poetry all of its own. | https://newrepublic.com/article/152887/whats-controversial-medieval-nuns-teeth |
Can Waltz Estate extend its Wine Excellence XVII win streak to three? | Seven wineries will be represented Jan. 27 when the Pennsylvania Wine Society holds its Wine Excellence XVII competition, and one of those will be trying to win the annual event for the third straight year. Waltz Vineyards Estate Winery for years would finish among the finalists, selected in November and then introduced at the always late January tasting at the Hilton Harrisburg. It broke the streak in 2017, then won for a second time last year, both with its premium Crow Woods Cabernet Sauvignon. The winery is located in Manheim, Lancaster County, and considered one of the mid-Atlantics top producers. Its back with a 2015 vintage of Crow Woods Cabernet, its highest-priced wine, and also its 2018 Moscato, part of a list of 10 finalists. In all seven wineries, largely from east of the Susquehanna River, will be represented at the event from 2 to 5 p.m. All those in attendance will sample each of the top 10 wines and have a chance to try the second 10 afterward. In addition, a representative from each winery, usually the owner or winemaker, will talk about the wine, how it was made and the growing year. Its a rare chance to gain insights into all that goes into making a bottle of wine, produced from largely vinifera grapes grown in the state and made into a dry style. Virtually all the states top wineries have participated in this competition through the years, and the streak continues this year. So does the addition of new wineries to the top 10 including Cassel Vineyards of Hershey and The Vineyard at Grandview in central Pa. and Stony Run Winery over near Allentown. Heres the top 10 wines, in alphabetical order: Benignas Creek Winery Delicioso Sol and Sunshine White Cassel Vineyards of Hershey Cabernet Franc Reserve 2016 Chaddsford Winery Artisan Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 Nissley Vineyards Chambourcin 2015 Stony Run Winery Cabernet Franc Reserve 2016 and Gruner Veltliner 2017 The Vineyard at Grandview Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 Waltz Vineyards Crow Woods Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 and Moscato 2018 The honorable mention wines, in alphabetical order: Armstrong Valley Winery Cabernet Franc 2016, Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2016 and Pinot Grigio NV Fero Vineyards and Winery Biso Roots Blue NV Red Four Springs Winery Chambourcin NV Penns Woods Winery Proprietor Reserve 2015 Setter Ridge Vineyards Pinot Noir Richard J Vineyard 2014 Shade Mountain Vineyards Chardonnay NV South Shore Wine Company Gruner Veltliner 2017 Thunder Ridge Vineyards Albarino NV Tickets are $50 for nonmembers, $40 for members and $35 for patrons. Visit the Pa. Wine Society website to purchase tickets. | https://www.pennlive.com/life/2019/01/can-waltz-estate-extend-its-wine-excellence-xvii-win-streak-to-three.html |
When does the Boots 70% off sale start in 2019? | Get money updates directly to your inbox Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Could not subscribe, try again later Invalid Email Savvy shoppers will be gearing up for one of high street giant Boots' biggest sale periods outside of Black Friday and Christmas. The annual 70% off sale usually arrives mid-January, with everything from baby clothing and beauty items to health products featured in the huge discounting event. It is the last ditch attempt for the retailer to shift all the leftover gift sets and Christmas items from the festive period, to make way for all the new product launches ahead of Spring. Highlights last year included Soap & Glory gift sets for 18, reduced from 60, and half price designer fragrances and kidswear items from Boots MiniClub. All the deals will all be available in store and online at boots.com while stocks last. In 2018 the retailer launched price cuts on 19 January, so many shoppers are speculating online at deals sites like Hotukdeals.com that this year's event will fall around the same time this month. (Image: Bloomberg) So bargain-hunters should keep their eyes peeled and check boots.com towards the latter part of the week. But if you can't wait until then there hundreds of great half price deals on offer now online. The sale started on 19 January last year and before that in 2017 it kicked off on 20 January, so it is likely it will fall around the same date for 2019. Our money is on Friday 18 January as generally the date falls in the third week of January each year. However, Metro Newspaper reported that before 2017 the sale occurred on a Wednesday rather than at the end of the week, so Boots could buck the trend and surprise us all by switching back to midweek launch date. While no official announcements have been made, judging by previous year's Boots fans can expect huge price drops on branded gifts sets from Soap & Glory, Champneys, Ted Baker, Sanctuary and more. Discounted make up and beauty products from Sleek, No7, Smashbox and IT Cosmetics and designer fragrances are also likely as well as plenty of money off baby essentials like toys, clothing, nappies and toiletries. Sign up for an Advantage Card (Image: PA) If you're a regular Boots shopper it's any easy way to get extra savings and benefits on your shop - you can even sign up online. Boots shoppers get four points for every 1 spent online or in store and earned points can be redeemed against your next purchase. The reward scheme can even be managed on your smartphone by downloading the Boots App. The app features a huge selection of personalised offers to shop from as well as additional benefits like discounts for Boots Opticians and Boots Photo services. If you're a parent with a child under three or expectant parent with a Boots Advantage Card join the Boots parenting club and get personalised extra discounts and savings on baby essentials as well as other top benefits. It's not just parents that get extra perks. If you are over 60 you can sign up to get your Advantage Card and get extra discounts for other services like Boots Opticians and Boots Hearingcare. | https://www.mirror.co.uk/money/shopping-deals/boots-70-sale-start-2019-13855432 |
Can Luka Doncic change Mavericks' fortunes in free agency? | Mavs star Dirk Nowitzki was asked recently about the quick rise of his 19-year-old rookie teammate, Luka Doncic, who has already made his impact felt in All-Star balloting (No. 2 among Western Conference forwards in fan voting behind only LeBron James). Nowitzki chuckled. "Luka-mania," he said. "Its real." FACES OF 2019: Doncic among young stars who will shape tomorrow's headlines That is, of course, good news for the current state of the Mavs, who are 20-23 and 2.5 games from the No. 8 seed in the West as they try to earn their first postseason slot since 2016. Doncic has averaged a team-high 20.2 points, with 6.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists, and followed up a clutch performance in a win over Minnesota (29 points, 12 assists) on Friday with a sterling showing against the Warriors (26 points) in a tight loss Sunday. More significant, though, could be what the addition of Doncic means for the future of the franchise as the front office tries to build a roster around him and, to a lesser extent, Dennis Smith Jr., the Mavs other young guard. Dallas won an NBA championship in 2011. But the team has not won a playoff series since. "Weve been through some tough years a lot after the championship but the last couple, extremely tough," Nowitzki said. "But we feel like we have got some great young guys. We drafted Dennis last year and we drafted Luka this year. Those are some great young guys we can build around. Theyre both only 20 years old or so. "We have some cornerstones we can build on. Hopefully this franchise is going in the right direction." Ah, direction. Thats been a difficult subject for Dallas in the last few years. The Mavs have tried to balance the impending departure of Nowitzki against the need to rebuild, and thats clouded the teams decisions. Nowitzki is 40 (still unsure he is ready to retire), and the Mavs have tried to stay competitive in the West while dealing with his natural late-career decline. Going back to the championship, Dallas has repeatedly failed to bring in a top-shelf free agent to carry the load alongside Nowitzki in part because it was clear that Nowitzki was careening toward the end of his time as a star in the league. Some of those misses (Deron Williams in 2012, Dwight Howard in 2013, Carmelo Anthony in 2014) have been fortunate, but others (LeBron James in 2014, LaMarcus Aldridge and DeAndre Jordan in 2015) would have been a boost. The Mavericks did hand out overloaded contracts to Wesley Matthews (2015) and Harrison Barnes (2016), but neither has been good enough to lift the franchise back to the playoffs. Doncic changes the way the Mavs can pitch themselves in free agency. This is a team with a suddenly bright future, not one clinging to the final productive years of Nowitzki's career. "Its always hard to make that pitch and get over the hump with free agents," one league source told Sporting News. "But they didnt really have a chance with those guys. Players mostly like (owner Mark) Cuban, and they were always a compelling enough franchise to get in the room with LeBron and Dwight Howard and other stars. But they could not present themselves as a team with a great future. "They can do that now. Not sure they can push a star to put his name on the line, but 'Come play with Luka,' its a better message." MORE: Steve Kerr says Doncic is "already an All-Star" The Mavericks have been meticulous in protecting their cap space going forward. They will finally be out from Matthews contract this summer (he is being paid $18.6 million this year), and Barnes contract runs up next summer (assuming he takes his player option for the 2019-20 season). The Mavs signed DeAndre Jordan this summer for $23 million but only for one year. Dallas has only a little more than $50 million on the books next season and could have around $60 million to spend in the summer enough to sign a max free agent and another significant salary. The Mavericks have shown interest in Wizards forward Otto Porter, and could relieve Washington of Porters hefty contract ($56 million over the next two years after this season) by sending over Matthews and forward Dwight Powell. That would still leave the Mavs with enough offseason money to land a max-contract player, but the Wizards have shown little interest in losing Porter as a pure salary dump. The Mavs would be unlikely to include Smith or draft picks as part of a Porter package. The Mavs, though, dont figure to be a destination for the handful of top free agents on the summers market Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, Kawhi Leonard and Kyrie Irving, all of whom are likely to either remain with their current teams or play on one of the coasts. But it would be worth the effort for the Mavs to make their offer to any of those players. Dallas could be in the market for a versatile wing like Khris Middleton and could take a stab at DeMarcus Cousins if he can return to health this year after undergoing Achilles tendon surgery. Pacers center Myles Turner would be a dream target, but Turner is a restricted free agent, and Indiana is certain to match offers for him. The Mavericks have options, and Doncic has brightened the franchises outlook. Coach Rick Carlisle almost expected that to happen. "Hes been a very good player overseas for quite a while," Carlisle said. "He dominated over there. It was just a matter of going and getting the deal done and getting him drafted, getting him there and having him start playing with his teammates. Hes done very good things. Thats obvious. The more he sees, the more he experiences, the better he gets." Theyre counting on Doncic to get better in Dallas not just to push for the playoffs this year, but to attract free agents and rebuild the franchise in the future, too. | http://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/can-luka-doncic-change-mavericks-fortunes-in-free-agency/9dquciw7xan11ndr550efmphv |
Was hat Fielmann mit der ROW-Brache vor? | Rathenow Auf die Frage, was die Fielmann AG mit ihrem Teil der ehemaligen ROW-Brache in der Berliner Strae vorhat, gibt es noch keine Antwort. Brgermeister Ronald Seeger hatte auf der Stadtverordnetenversammlung Anfang Dezember mitgeteilt, die Fielmann AG habe einen Gesprchstermin in der vierten Kalenderwoche 2019 zugesagt. Bislang ist noch kein konkreter Terminvorschlag aus Hamburg gekommen, sagte Seeger am Montag auf MAZ-Anfrage. Er werde jetzt noch einmal nachhaken. Termin schon einmal verschoben Es ist nicht das erste Mal, dass die Stadt Rathenow von der Fielmann AG vertrstet wird. Eigentlich hatte das Unternehmen bereits im Dezember Auskunft ber seine Plne geben wollen. Aus terminlichen Grnden musste das Gesprch mit dem Brgermeister verschoben werden. Der Fielmann AG gehrt etwas mehr als die Hlfte des Grundstcks. Eigentmer der restlichen Flche ist die Optikquartier Rathenow GmbH, die im vergangenen Jahr die Askania-Liegenschaft erworben hatte. Ziel der eigens zu diesem Zweck gegrndeten Optikquartier Rathenow GmbH ist es, die Brache hinter dem Rathenower Rathaus zu einem lebendigen Stadtquartier zu entwickeln. Zu diesem Zweck wollte die neu gegrndete GmbH auch die Fielmann-Grundstcke erwerben. Doch dazu ist es nicht gekommen. Mitte des vergangenen Jahres teilte die Fielmann-Leitung mit, das Grundstck nicht verkaufen, sondern selber entwickeln zu wollen. Was genau der Fielmann AG vorschwebt, soll in dem Gesprch mit Brgermeister Ronald Seeger thematisiert werden. Unmut ber Agieren des Unternehmens Bei vielen an dem Thema interessierten Menschen sorgt das Handeln der Fielmann AG fr Unmut. In einem Leserbrief an die MAZ schrieb Albrecht Braemer, langjhriger Geschftsfhrer der Wirtschaftsfrderungsgesellschaft des Landes Brandenburg (WFB), das Taktieren der Fielmann AG sei ihm wohl bekannt. Und Daniel Golze, Fraktionschef der Rathenower Linken hat mehrfach betont, dass nicht nur seine Fraktion, sondern auch die Stadtverordnetenversammlung Alleingnge bei der Entwicklung der Brache nicht gutheien werde. Wir haben uns in der SVV zu einer einheitlichen Entwicklung des Gelndes bekannt, die der stdtebaulichen Bedeutung des Grundstckes gerecht werden muss, so Golze. Allen Plnen, die dem zuwider laufen, werde man die Zustimmung verweigern. Von Markus Kniebeler | http://www.maz-online.de/Lokales/Havelland/Rathenow/Was-hat-Fielmann-mit-der-ROW-Brache-vor |
What does Foo Fighters mean? | Dave Grohl in 1999. Radio X gets to the source of his inspiration Foo Fighters - a name thats synonymous around the world with heavy guitar anthems and the legend that is Dave Grohl. Back in the Nirvana days, Grohl had written and recorded songs but had kept them to himself as he considered Kurt Cobain to be the musical genius in the group. When Cobain died in April 1994, it looked like Dave would join another band as a superstar drummer, but the world was surprised when he came out of the studio with a whole albums worth of his own songs, recorded pretty much by himself. But Dave still wasnt confident enough to release the music under his own name. He told Clash magazine in 2010: Around the time that I recorded the first FF [demo] tape, I was reading a lot of books on UFOs. Not only is it a fascinating subject, but there's a treasure trove of band names in those UFO books!" "I had recorded the first record by myself, but I wanted people to think that it was a group, I figured that FOO FIGHTERS might lead people to believe that it was more than just one guy. Silly, huh?" "Had I actually considered this to be a career, I probably would have called it something else, because it's the stupidest fucking band name in the world." UFO Flying Over New Mexico in 1957. Picture: Bettmann/Getty Images The term foo fighter was first coined by the US Air Force in World War II, as a term for strange phenomena sighted in the sky, before the term unidentified flying objects became a term. In November 1944, pilots flying over Western Europe had spotted glowing objects flying quickly around the night sky - which were thought to be a new German secret weapon. They were quickly dubbed foo-fighters by Donald J. Meiers, a radar operator in the 415th Night Fighter Squadron, who named them after a then-current comic strip called Smokey Stover. Smokey was a fireman, or foo fighter, who travelled to incidents in his Foomobile. The term made its way into common usage in the 30s, even showing up in a Daffy Duck cartoon. like, there's a 1938 Daffy Duck cartoon that has him hold up a "SILENCE IS FOO!" sign. And this is where the term "Foo fighter" came from: used during WW2 to describe random radar traces that couldn't be explained. (Later, they'd be called UFOs) pic.twitter.com/CtRaDGWv5S foone (@Foone) December 26, 2018 So when airmen saw bright balls of fire, flying in the sky, they called them foo fighters and Dave Grohl picked up the term from one of the many, many books on UFO history. Such a shame he doesnt like the name, then! And, ironically, Grohl and his then-wife Jennifer Youngblood made a very brief cameo appearance in an episode of the TV drama The X-Files, in 1996. Mulder and Scully knew a thing or two about foo fighters | https://www.radiox.co.uk/artists/foo-fighters/what-does-foo-fighters-mean/ |
What does Dave Grohl whisper in Everlong by Foo Fighters? | The Colour And The Shape was Foo Fighters BIG breakthrough album. Following the death of Kurt Cobain and the end of Nirvana, Dave Grohl put together the first Foo Fighter album largely by himself. Released in 1995, Grohl was given much critical acclaim for becoming a compelling frontman and songwriter in his own right. The follow-up, 1997s The Colour And The Shape, was the first album to feature Foo Fighters as a band - and its generally regarded as a masterpiece. One of the most affecting songs on the album is track 11, Everlong. Passionate, wistful, urgent and full of longing, it proved that Dave Grohl could write songs that resonated with his audience and put him on a par with his former bandmate Kurt Cobain. Dave Grohl onstage at V2001. Picture: Yui Mok/PA Archive/PA Images "If everything could ever feel this real forever... If anything could ever be this good again." Its known that the album was made following Daves divorce from his first wife, Jennifer Youngblood. It was also a rocky time in the ranks of the Foos: drummer William Goldsmith left the band after Grohl re-recorded his parts on the album, and guitarist Pat Smear took a break as he was friends with the singers ex-wife. Dave was at a low ebb, but he had started a relationship with musician Louise Post, who was then enjoying success as part of the band Veruca Salt. She seems to have inspired Everlong. Louise Post of Veruca Salt at in St. Petersburg, Florida, 1995. Picture: Frank Mullen/WireImage/Getty Images Grohl told Kerrang in 2006: That song's about a girl that I'd fallen in love with and it was basically about being connected to someone so much, that not only do you love them physically and spiritually, but when you sing along with them you harmonise perfectly." Towards the end of the song, the instruments drop out for an instrumental break and a whispering voice can be heard, distorted like its coming down a phone line. The official Foo Fighters newsgroup used to carry an FAQ which claimed that the whispering is in fact three separate tracks of Grohl whispering: one is a love letter, the second is a technical manual and the third is a story about a studio technicians father. Grohl has admitted the technical manual story, and the tale from the studio tech seems to be confirmed by this video When Everlong was included on the soundtrack to the Rock Band 2 game, many people took the opportunity to examine the separate multi-tracks. As far as we can tell, the words whispering says: "So Dad would take the Sundays off, And that's the only time he could ever get any rest, And so, because we were loud on Sundays, He d make us hold his construction boots over our head, till he'd sleep And they were really heavy boots And I d used to say dad come on please And like start crying, cause they re too heavy." | https://www.radiox.co.uk/artists/foo-fighters/what-does-dave-grohl-whisper-in-everlong/ |
Who is Dave Grohl's favourite support band? | The Foo Fighters man has been singing the praises of this band that appeared on their US tour... and they're British! Dave Grohl has picked some pretty choice bands to support Foo Fighetrs over the years - and their 2017 UK tour included acts like Wolf Alice and The Cribs opening for the legendary US band. But Grohl told Radio X that the best band thats ever opened for Foo Fighters in the United States is actually BRITISH. In fact, its Derby band The Struts, led by frontman Luke Spiller. Speaking to Radio Xs Gordon Smart before Foo Fighters Manchester show backstage at the Eithad Stadiumin June 2017, Grohl said of The Struts: I guess they dont get a lot of love in England, but in America, theyre the best opening band weve ever had. That kid Luke, the singer, its unbelievable. Hell walk out in front of an audience in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where nobody has ever heard of them and by the end of the show hell have the entire audience in the palm of his hand. He added: I love seeing that. To see an audience turn like that is not easy. Grohl explained the philosophy behind picking suport bands fro the rock legends: One of the great things about being in the position were in - playing these big shows is that we get to decide whos playing with us, and we try to expose new audiences to great new music that they maybe might not otherwise heard. Bands like Wolf Alice and The Cribs, theyre huge and they dont need our help. But sometimes well take out a lesser known band and have them come out on the road with us. | https://www.radiox.co.uk/artists/foo-fighters/dave-grohl-favourite-support-band/ |
How Torturous Is A Dogs Way Home for Animal Lovers? | Photo: James Dittiger/2018 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved. **ALL IMAGES ARE PROPERTY OF SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT INC. FOR PROMOTIONAL USE ONLY. S Near the end of Mary Harrons 2000 film American Psycho, as Patrick Batemans insanity reaches fevered heights, the (maybe) serial killer picks up a kitten and appears to be on the verge of shooting it at the insistence of an ATMs instruction screen. Weve seen Bateman commit one unspeakable act after another yet this is the most upsetting moment. When he kills a woman instead, letting the kitten go free, its a relief. Or at least it is to viewers of a certain temperament, those for whom any scene of an animal in peril or distress is torture. Whatever. Bring em on. Never again. For such folks, and I count myself among them, the new A Dogs Way Home might as well be a Saw sequel. A companion piece to last years A Dogs Purpose whose premise of following a dog through many incarnations required one dog death scene after another A Dogs Way Home inspires a kind of cognitive dissonance. On one level, the Charles Martin Smithdirected film, in which the lovable Bella has to journey over 400 miles to be reunited with her owner, is perfectly fine, a piece of warmhearted family fare filled with positive messages about caring for veterans, a subplot about the unfairness of bans on pit bulls, and a no-big-deal depiction of a loving same-sex relationship. On the other hand, it is hell. Or at least, it will be to viewers who cant stand to see sweet little dogs get in any sort of trouble. Below, weve rated some key scenes in the film on a scale of 1 to 5, 1 being the equivalent of a YouTube clip of a sleeping puppy and 5 being that scene in Milo and Otis where the kitten gets attacked by seagulls. (Spoilers follow.) Bella is separated from her animal family as a puppy: 4 A Dogs Way Home doesnt wait long to get to the rough stuff. As it opens, young Bella is enjoying an idyllic puppyhood, or at least as idyllic as a puppyhood spent beneath the ruins of a collapsed building can be. She lives with her mother and siblings side by side with a nursing cat and her kittens. (Dogs and cats living together, just like Peter Venkman feared!) Then one day the cruel forces of Denvers Animal Care and Control show up and grab as many animals as they can, including Bellas mother. With a voice supplied by Bryce Dallas Howard, Bella notes, I never saw her again. Fortunately, shes taken in by the cat shell take to calling Mother Cat, who nurses her and cares for her as she grows into a bigger puppy before being taken home by Lucas (Jonah Hauer-King), a med student and worker at the local VA center with a soft spot for animals, and his mother Terri (Ashley Judd), a veteran whos having a hard time adjusting to civilian life. Bella gets shut up in a closet at the VA center: 2 Fearing eviction if their landlord learns theyve taken in a dog, Lucas and Terri bring Bella to the VA center and lock her in a supply closet a room filled with dangerous chemicals and other dog-threatening items for safekeeping. Fortunately, this doesnt last long, and soon Bellas working as an unofficial therapy dog, helping to cheer up Terri and some of the other veterans. Bella gets impounded by Animal Care and Control: 3 In a long, unpleasant sequence, Bella is taken in by an especially awful Animal Care and Control officer named Chuck (John Cassini), and she does not take well to life in the slammer, opting to sit nicely and hope to be reward for her good behavior as Howards voice-over grows increasingly confused as to why shes being punished and kept apart from Lucas. It should be noted here that Howard is an extremely good actress and that the voice-over effectively suggests the earnestness and limited understanding of a dogs inner life. In other words, bring Kleenex. Fortunately, Lucas and his co-worker/love interest Olivia (Alexandra Shipp) are able to spring Bella after learning about draconian breed restriction laws that can label any dog that resembles a pit bull as a threat. (Thats basically racism for dogs! Olivia exclaims, which, well, lets just leave that there.) The good news: Bella gets to go free. The bad news: She has to go live with Olivias aunt miles away in New Mexico while Lucas settles to the more dog-inclusive town of Golden, Colorado. Bella gets driven away from Lucas and Terri: 3 Try to have some Kleenex left over from the animal-shelter scene. Bella wanders the wilderness before hooking up with a pack of seemingly homeless dogs: 2 Bellas happy enough in New Mexico, but she misses Lucas, so she decides to run away and find him, which is (a) brave, (b) dumb, and (c) extremely doglike. After a while, she falls in with a pack of dogs with cute names like One-Tooth and Crazy Hair, picking through the trash and begging for scraps from local businesses. But, she soon learns that theyre just slumming and they all have homes (and apparently negligent owners) to whom they can return each night. Bella says a sad farewell then heads back into the woods. Bella encounters some mean hunters: 2 The hunters arent interested in Bella. Instead, theyre interested in killing a cougar, which they do, leaving behind a cub that Bella befriends and names Big Kitten. Bella is played, in most shots, by a real, and extremely expressive, dog named Shelby. Big Kitten is a CGI creation, and not a particularly convincing one, leading to many slightly unnerving scenes of a real dog frolicking with an almost-but-not-quite-real-looking cougar. The film is set in the wilds of New Mexico and Colorado, but that territory includes a couple of uncanny valleys. Bella is caught in an avalanche: 2 Though others are endangered in this moment, Bella seems far from harm. A man snowshoeing with his dog Duke gets caught in the cascade and injured, but hes pretty mean, so its not all that upsetting. Post-avalanche, Bella and Duke are taken in by a nice gay couple who give her a new rainbow collar and pamper her. She seems happy, but her love for Lucas cant allow her to settle down. She leaves Duke behind to enjoy the sweet life and hits the road. Bella is chained to a corpse for days and unable to get a drink of water: 5 A Dogs Way Home is adapted from a novel by W. Bruce Cameron, who also wrote A Dogs Purpose. Most likely, Cameron loves dogs. Late in the film, Bella is taken in by Axl (Edward James Olmos) a homeless vet who cares for her but also keeps her chained and unable to leave his side. Then, while camping by the river, Axl dies, leaving Bella unable to reach water for days, as Bellas voice-over gets increasingly mournful and panicked. Cameron, come on man. Bella is menaced by wolves: 4 By the end of the film, its revealed that Bella has spent two-and-a-half years making her way back to Lucas. For most of that time, shes trailed by a pack of wolves apparently playing the long game before making their move. When they do, theyre vicious and seem like theyre on the verge of killing her when, in an example of the venerable literary device known as cattus ex machina, Big Kitty shows up to fend them off. Bella makes it back to the city and runs into traffic: 5 In the harrowing finale, Bella makes it back to Denver then stops traffic by wandering onto the highway. A crowd gathers around her in an attempt to keep her from getting hit by a car, but then she gets hit by a car anyway. For a moment, she seems to be dead, but then she rises, bloody and limping, to make her way back to her home. Only, when she gets there, Lucas doesnt live there anymore. A Dogs Way Home has a happy ending, because of course it does, but getting there is a rough, rough ride if you have a hard time watching dogs in trouble. That A Dogs Journey, a sequel to A Dogs Purpose, is just around the corner in May seems downright inhumane. | https://www.vulture.com/2019/01/how-torturous-is-a-dogs-way-home-for-animal-lovers.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+nymag%2Fvulture+%28Vulture+-+nymag.com%27s+Entertainment+and+Culture+Blog%29 |
Whos on the 2019 Marketing Awards Craft jury? | Strategy reveals the crop of industry experts scoring this year's production-related category. From visual effects artists to editors and creative directors, 11 experts in the production and advertising fields have been announced as part of this years Marketing Awards Craft jury. This is the second year the program has led the Craft category with its own dedicated panel. And this year (as previously announced in November), Steve Mykolyn, partner at Castor Design, will chair the production bracket, leading the below jurors through an initial online round of judging and later meeting to score the finalists work in person. Strategy previously announced the jurors set to review this years Multicultural work once the 2019 Marketing Awards submissions close on February 1. The jury panels for Design and Advertising will be revealed at a later date. Craft Jury Michelle Czukar, senior editor, Rooster Post Production Pascal Desjardin, sound designer, Apollo Studios Cynthia Heyd, founder, executive producer, HeydSaffer Kelsey Horne, ECD, Taxi Janet Kestin, co-founder, partner, Swim Alan Madill, founder, creative, Good&Ready Nikki Ormerod, photographer, director, Westside Studio Marka Rankovic, editor, Married to Giants Ted Rosnick, partner, CD, Vapor RMW Yael Staav, director, Soft Citizen / Furlined David Whiteson, director, VFX artist, Alter Ego | http://strategyonline.ca/2019/01/14/whos-on-the-2019-marketing-awards-craft-jury/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=whos-on-the-2019-marketing-awards-craft-jury |
Will the next generation of Metrolink trams be hydrogen or battery-powered? | Get daily updates directly to your inbox Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Could not subscribe, try again later Invalid Email The next big Metrolink project to come to Greater Manchester will be the 350m route to the Trafford Centre. After that, according to a major transport plan for the next 20 years, new lines could lead to areas including Stockport, Middleton, Stalybridge - and there are plans for tram-train routes too. When finished, the Trafford line will feature six new tram stops at key spots, including the Trafford Centre, EventCity, the Imperial War Museum North, Old Trafford football stadium and Trafford Park. The super-route was the first big project to benefit from the Devolution deal - the handing over of more power to the region's leaders. It's this that unlocked the cash - along with a 20m contribution from Trafford Council. As transport bosses look to counter a growing congestion and pollution problem by getting more people on to public transport, they are going to have to find solutions to future-proof our travel network. But extracting money for transport from Government remains notoriously tricky. And as cash-strapped councils struggle to find the money for basic services, it's uncertain how the major Metrolink projects of the future might be funded. Greater Manchester could look to China, where transport official have just rolled on to the tracks the world's first hydrogen-powered tram. (Image: New China TV/YouTube) Developed by Sifang, a subsidiary of the China South Rail Corporation, the first tram was produced in Qiangdao, Shandong Provice. It's the first time engineers have managed to harness the technology for trams and it rules out the need for pricey overhead lines. Hydrogen, which creates a fuel when burned with oxygen, is an interesting option because it can be extracted from different sources, including renewable ones and allows vehicles to run on zero emissions, producing only water. The new tram, which can carry more than 380 passengers, is also said to slash energy running costs - with one tank lasting around 62 miles. And it only takes three minutes to refuel. Another solution could be battery-powered trams, which are already already been pioneered in this country. (Image: Birmingham Mail) Transport for West Midlands (TFWM) rolled out its first battery-powered tram last April - and is looking to add 50 more to its fleet. The company will initially buy 18 new battery-powered trams with an option to acquire an additional 32 at a later stage. The proposed expansion of the tram network is part of a planned 3.4bn investment in West Midlands transport over the next ten years, which will include new suburban rail lines, cycle routes and motorway improvements. They also plan to retrofit their 21 existing trams with batteries. The 71 trams, due to be in service by 2021, will run on upcoming extensions to the network, which connects Wolverhampton St Georges to Birmingham Grand Central. Roger Jones, Irlam member and transport expert, is battling for a cheaper solution to expanding the tram network - and argues the answer could lie in hydrogen or battery power, especially for line running around town centres. He said: "We are all trying to find the next big idea for transport and it's not easy. "Trams are popular and are doing well but they have to pay for themselves and there is no subsidy which is why the fares, if anything, are a bit high." But speaking of the capital cost of building new lines, he argues it's vital to find a cheaper way of getting more passengers on to the trams. (Image: Mark Waugh Manchester Press Photography Ltd) He added: "There's a hydrogen tram in China and there are also battery-powered trams which charge up over night and can run for most of the day. "There's also the battery-powered tram which can be charged up over night and run for most of the day. "You could have smaller one-carriage trams that go around town centres. "So, for example the tram currently runs to Eccles. You could have a tram line around Eccles linking up to th rail station and just have a one-carriage tram going round the town centre. You could have this in Altrincham or any other town centre. "It's effective, you don't need overhead power lines so you'd save a great deal of money and it would be popular, a bit like the old trolley buses. "We need to learn from other cities who have already started on these things." Andy Burnham, Greater Manchester Mayor, agrees transport bosses need to 'think creatively and as cost-effectively as they can' about the future. He said tram-trains were one way of achieving this. Danny Vaughan, TfGM head of Metrolink, said: "Our current fleet of M5000 trams are powered by electricity produced from renewable energy sources and produce zero emissions at street level. "We're committed to continuing to invest in low-emission transport moving forwards as part of our plans to develop a world-class transport network for Greater Manchester." | https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/metrolink-trams-manchester-hydrogen-battery-15665957 |
Is snow (finally) on the horizon for the viewing area? | Its possible as were tracking a system for Friday that should bring us a taste of accumulating snow. As of Monday morning, the worst of the snow will be in southern Iowa and South Dakota. Most of our area is under only light accumulations but better chances for snow are to the southwest. There's still time for the system to change. Weather links CUSTOM FORECAST: Current Conditions MORE: Maps & Radars INTERACTIVE RADAR: Click Here LIVE EYE: Tower Cams SIGN UP: KIMT News 3 Email Newsletter ALERTS: WeatherWarn WEATHER APP: iOS | Android | https://www.kimt.com/content/news/Is-snow-finally-on-the-horizon-for-the-viewing-area-504325481.html?ref=481 |
Should the Broncos re-sign CB Tramaine Brock? | When the Denver Broncos traded Aqib Talib to the Los Angeles Rams this past offseason, they knew they were going to have to lean heavily on Bradley Roby at the cornerback position. But to replace Roby, they went to the free agent market and found veteran corner Tramaine Brock. They signed him to a one-year deal. In his first year with the Broncos, Brock played on 40.5 percent of the teams defensive snaps, according to Pro Football Reference. That number would have been higher if he wasnt limited to just 12 games because of injury. Brock will be 31 years old in August and will be an unrestricted free agent. He wasnt too productive this past season, finishing with just 23 tackles and six pass deflections. But for two reasons, the Broncos should bring him back if they can do so at a reasonable (cheap) rate. For one, the Broncos dont have great depth at cornerback. Chris Harris and Roby are the only established veterans, and Roby will also be an unrestricted free agent. In addition to that, with Vic Fangio being named head coach, it gives Brock a familiar face, one in which he enjoyed the best years of his career under. Fangio was the defensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers from 2011-2014. As a member of the 49ers during that time, Brock was a solid contributor on Fangios defense, including intercepting five passes in 2013. Fangio knows what kind of player Brock is and his defense could allow him to thrive for another year or two as a rotational defensive back. The Broncos need to address the cornerback position in the draft but retaining Brock to keep another veteran presence in the secondary is an idea the team should consider. | https://broncoswire.usatoday.com/2019/01/14/nfl-free-agency-will-denver-broncos-re-sign-tramaine-brock/ |
Should the Broncos re-sign LB Shaquil Barrett? | One of the Denver Broncos more high profile unrestricted free agents this offseason will be linebacker Shaquil Barrett. Undrafted out of Colorado State in 2014, Barrett has spent his entire five-year career in Denver. As a rotational pass rusher, he has been productive and because he played his college ball locally, he has latched on with much of the fanbase. Barrett has played in 61 games over the course of the last four seasons, racking up 14 sacks, seven forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries to go along with 151 tackles. He is one of those players that makes the most of his opportunities when his number is called. However, the Broncos may not be able to shell out what he is looking for this offseason, both financially and in terms of playing time. Barrett had a base salary of $2.9 million in 2018, but according to Spotrac, could get a contract in the neighborhood of four years and $29.4 million, or an average of about $7.4 million per year as a free agent. That seems a bit steep for the Broncos. On top of that, the team willing to pay Barrett that kind of money will also likely be looking to make him a starter, something he hasnt been in Denver. In 2018, Barrett saw action on just 25.5 percent of the teams defensive snaps, according to Pro Football Reference. Hell be looking for a better situation, one in which he can make more money and become more of an impact player. There will likely be several teams lining up to make that happen for the 26-year old edge defender. Though Barrett has gone from an undrafted project to a solid defensive player and a fan favorite, its likely that the Broncos will need to prepare for life after him in 2019. | https://broncoswire.usatoday.com/2019/01/14/nfl-free-agency-will-denver-broncos-re-sign-shaquil-barrett/ |
Will Theresa May's Withdrawal Bill be the biggest ever government defeat in the House of Commons? | Theresa May could be heading for an historic defeat in the Commons over her Brexit Withdrawal Agreement, due to take place on Tuesday evening. The Prime Minister has already had to endure an unusually high number of defeats for a UK Government, suffering her 11th and 12th loss last week. All of these 12 defeats have come since the Conservatives lost their majority in the 2017 general election with Mrs May's decision to call that vote looking more damaging to her as each day passes. However, all of these previous defeats will pale into insignificance if the Conservative rebellion over her Brexit deal is as large as predicted. More than 100 Tory MPs are expected to oppose the deal, meaning Mrs... | https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/0/biggest-government-defeats-house-commons-will-withdrawl-bill/ |
Could goat meat be the new foodie trend of 2019? | Goat meat is set to become food trend of 2019 as supermarkets are said to be testing a number of ready meals containing the "ethical" meat. Despite the rising popularity of goat's cheese and milk among shoppers in recent years, goat meat has yet to take off and is not yet stocked by any of the major supermarkets. However according to BBC's Good Food magazine's list of top food trend predictions for 2019, goat is on the cusp of an ascent to the mainstream market. Also included on its foodie hotlist for the year were wonky fruit and veg, meat-free food and recyclable packaging. Sources said supermarkets were testing recipes for goat sausages, meatballs and ready meals, which could soon be brought to shop shelves as an "ethical" meat option. | https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/01/14/could-goat-meat-new-foodie-trend-2019/ |
Was steckt hinter dem deutschen Milliardenfonds fr Afrika? | Die Ankndigung trieb den anwesenden Unternehmensvertretern fast die Freudentrnen in die Augen: Auf einer groen Afrikakonferenz Ende Oktober 2018 versprach Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel der Wirtschaft einen Fonds von einer Milliarde Euro fr Investitionen in Afrika. "Natrlich werden unternehmerische Chancen und Risiken immer gegeneinander abgewogen. Um die Entscheidung fr ein Engagement zu erleichtern, braucht man bessere Investitionsbedingungen fr afrikanische Unternehmen genauso wie fr europische", so Merkel damals. Das Versprechen der Kanzlerin schien einem Strategiepapier der Wirtschaft entsprungen zu sein. Ende April hatte der Afrikaverein der deutschen Wirtschaft, in dem ber 600 Unternehmen zusammengeschlossen sind, genau diese Summe gefordert. 'Mehr heie Luft als Programmatik' Doch konkrete Informationen ber den Fonds mit dem sperrigen Arbeitstitel "Entwicklungsinvestitionsfonds" sind seitdem nicht in die ffentlichkeit gedrungen. Die Grnen - von Anfang an Kritiker des Projekts - haben nun die Bundesregierung per Anfrage um Auskunft gebeten. Von den Antworten fhlen sie sich besttigt - der Fonds sei "mehr heie Luft als Programmatik", meint Uwe Kekeritz, entwicklungspolitischer Sprecher der Grnen im Bundestag, im DW-Interview. Bundeskanzlerin Merkel beim Afrika-Gipfel im Oktober 2018: Mehr Investitionen gewnscht Laut Antwort der Bundesregierung sollen bis Mitte 2019 zwei Fonds aufgebaut werden: "AfricaConnect" fr Investitionen deutscher und europischer Unternehmen und "AfricaGrow" fr afrikanische Firmen. Dazu soll bis Ende 2019 noch ein "Wirtschaftsnetzwerk Afrika" stoen, das nach Angaben der Regierung deutsche Unternehmen beim Afrikageschft beraten soll. Genaue Angaben, was gefrdert werden soll, gibt das Papier aber nicht. "Aus meiner Sicht ist nach wie vor noch relativ diffus, was konkret auf die Unternehmen zukommt und welche Mglichkeiten der Frderung sie in Zukunft haben, wer die durchfhrenden Akteure sind und an wen man sich wenden kann", sagt auch Christoph Kannengieer, Hauptgeschftsfhrer des Afrikavereins, zur DW. Eine Milliarde Euro fr drei Jahre Klar ist allerdings, mit welcher Summe die Unternehmen rechnen knnen. Fr die drei Programme zusammen ist eine Milliarde Euro vorgesehen allerdings nicht pro Jahr, sondern bis Ende 2021. "Auf jeden Fall haben wir es hier nicht mit den ganz groen Summen zu tun", sagt der deutsche Afrikawissenschaftler Robert Kappel zur DW. "Selbst eine Milliarde, wenn sie denn pro Jahr gegeben wrde, ist ein Tropfen auf den heien Stein. Das auf drei Jahre auszudehnen bedeutet, dass noch weniger Mittel zur Verfgung sind." Und: Vorrangig sollen Investitionen in den Mitgliedslndern des "Compact with Africa" gefrdert werden. Der umfasst aber nur zwlf Lnder. Unklar ist, woher die Gelder stammen werden. "Es handelt sich sowohl um zustzliche Mittel, als auch um Anrechnungen aus den bestehenden Haushaltsanstzen", schreibt die Bundesregierung. Kritiker wie Kekeritz treibt die Sorge um, dass Gelder aus anderen Bereichen der Entwicklungszusammenarbeit umgeschichtet werden knnten. "Wenn Mittel umgeschichtet werden, dann heit das, dass sie aus anderen Bereichen kommen mssen. Zum Beispiel aus dem Gesundheitsbereich, dem Bildungsbereich, der Familienbereich und das heit, dass in diesen Bereichen weniger Mittel zur Verfgung stehen. Dabei sind das zentrale Bereiche, die wir zuknftig eigentlich strker frdern mssten", sagt Kekeritz. In einem anderen Punkt kommt die Bundesregierung ihren Kritikern dafr entgegen. Mit den Geldern aus den Fonds sollen nur Investitionen gefrdert werden, die kologische und soziale Standards einhalten. Entwicklungsorganisationen drngen darauf schon lange. "Dabei soll eine Orientierung an den Standards erfolgen, die auch bei Projekten der KFW [Kreditanstalt fr Wiederaufbau] und DEG [Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft] einzuhalten sind", heit es in der Antwort der Bundesregierung. Fr Grnen-Politiker Kekeritz ist das aber noch zu unkonkret: "Ich glaube, dass die Sozial- und Umweltstandards formell genannt werden. Aber offensichtlich hat die Regierung noch kein Konzept, wie sie sie umsetzen will und hat auch keinen Plan dafr." Auch die Wirtschaft sieht die Standards nicht gerne, allerdings aus anderen Grnden. "Standards sind natrlich richtig und wichtig", sagt Christoph Kannengieer vom Afrikaverein. "Man muss allerdings aufpassen, dass man nicht zu viel Brokratie schafft und groe Monitoringstrukturen aufbaut, die fr die Unternehmen mit hohem Aufwand verbunden sind." Allerdings: Afrikaexperte Kappel warnt vor zu groen Erwartungen an den Fonds. 2016 sind durch deutsche Investitionen in Afrika nach seinen Angaben nur knapp 2400 Arbeitspltze auf dem Kontinent entstanden. "Man kann keinen Unternehmer dazu zwingen, Arbeitspltze zu schaffen. Er wird so investieren, dass eine Investition auch profitabel ist, es wird dem Unternehmen nicht in erster Linie darum gehen, Arbeitspltze zu schaffen", so Kappel. | https://www.dw.com/de/deutschland-afrika-milliardenfonds-compact-investitionen/a-47078807 |
Does Southern California need 513 more hotels? | Michael Murphy shows off the 10th floor of a hotel tower under construction in April at Pechanga Resort & Casino. The 271-room Marriott Irvine Spectrum. Its seen here under construction a year ago. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG) Sound The gallery will resume in seconds Construction of the Element by Westin hotel at 900 North Via Piemonte, near the Citizens Business Bank Arena, in Ontario, CA., Thursday, June 7, 2018. (Staff photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Three hotels and restaurants are under construction Thursday, October 4, 2018 at the corner of Day Street and Eucalyptus Avenue in Moreno Valley. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Southern Californias lodging business continues to grow with 513 more hotels in the works after 57 others opened over the past two years. The annual hotel construction report from Atlas Hospitality shows 22 hotels opened in 2018 in the four counties covered by the Southern California News Group. Thats down from 35 in 2017 a 37 percent dip. Last years openings had 2,863 rooms vs. 6,505 in 17 a drop of 56 percent. That decline may be a fast-growth industry taking a breather rather than an actual slowdown. Atlas reported hotels under construction at year-end in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties stood at 80 vs. 59 in 17 a gain of 36 percent. That lodgings will hold 12,257 rooms vs. 9,504 a year earlier a rise of 29 percent. Plus, Southern California developers are in the planning stages for another 433 hotels vs. 359 a year earlier a rise of 21 percent. The new hotels will hold 65,860 rooms vs. 56,923 a year earlier a rise of 16 percent. PS: Southern California represented 42 percent of hotels opened statewide last year vs. 53 percent in 17 and 40 percent of lodging being built or planned. PPS: Southern Californias average rooms per hotels recently built, under construction or planned was 153 vs. 141 statewide. PPPS: Speaking of statewide construction, 52 hotels opened in 2018 vs. 66 in 2017 down 21 percent. 203 hotels vs. 145 in 17 a gain of 40 percent. 1,066 hotels vs. 859 a year earlier a rise of 24 percent. | https://www.dailybreeze.com/2019/01/14/does-southern-california-need-513-more-hotels/ |
Would Jenelle Evans Quit Teen Mom 2? | Jenelle Evans has been a part of Teen Mom 2 since its 2011 debut, but she has considered leaving the MTV reality series. Evans husband, David Eason, was fired from the show in February 2018 after posting homophobic tweets and, in turn, isnt too fond of his wife being part of the series. He said, You should just leave. Hes like, Just do it while you can and get the income while you can, Evans, 27, told Us Weekly exclusively, before adding that sometimes she does regret signing up for the franchise, which began with 16 and Pregnant. Its like 50/50. Sometimes you regret it. Sometimes you dont, she said. Im glad that I filmed as long as I did so far so people can look at my old episodes and maybe learn from my past and up to now. As for my future, I dont know what it holds and I dont know what Im gonna be doing. I would like to be more professional, get more professional jobs in the entertainment business. Maybe hosting. In October 2018, Evans hysterically broke down on a 911 call, claiming that her husband, 30, had assaulted her and pinned her on the ground. However, she later stated on social media that that wasnt what happened and told Us that she was drunk. We had friends over and we had a bonfire and I tripped over a hole, and me and David were in the middle of arguing about something. I went and fell down, David wouldnt catch me, he tripped over the hole and we both fell down together, the Read Between the Lines: From the Diary of a Teenage Mom author told Us. Oh, shes hiding it. No, Im not hiding it. CPS came to my house, they interviewed me, they know the story. My lawyer knows. Everybody knows except for the public. As for her erratic crying on the call, she said, Dude, I was drunk. When I get drunk, sometimes I cry for no reason. I mean, I was hurt, Im not gonna lie about that. Yeah I hurt my shoulder. But I went to the doctor afterwards and its just a sprain and I was fine. Teen Mom 2 season 9 premieres on MTV Monday, January 14, at 9 p.m. ET. Sign up now for the Us Weekly newsletter to get breaking celebrity news, hot pics and more delivered straight to your inbox! Download the Us Weekly iPhone app now! | https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/would-jenelle-evans-quit-teen-mom-2/ |
Are Estimated Taxes Still Due Despite the Government Shutdown? | The IRS might be partially shut down, but you can't use that as an excuse for missing a tax payment. For millions of Americans, that means you still have to pay your final 2018 estimated tax payment by January 15, 2019. Our tax system operates on a "pay-as-you-go" basis, which means the IRS wants its cut of your income when you earn it. For employees, the government gets paid through tax withholding each time you get a paycheck. If you're self-employed, it's up to you to periodically pay the IRS by making estimated tax payments - they're generally due April 15, June 15, and September 15 of the tax year, and January 15 of the following year. Whether you make estimated tax payments or rely on withholding, you could be hit with a penalty if you don't pay enough tax throughout the year. The penalty doesn't apply if you owe less than $1,000 in tax. You can also avoid the penalty if your withholding or estimated tax payments equal at least 90% of your tax due for the current year, or 100% of the tax shown on your return for the prior year. Individuals use Form 1040-ES to calculate and pay estimated taxes. There are a number of ways to pay estimated taxes, including by check, cash, credit card, and debit card. There are many online payment options, too, such as the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS). The various payment methods are described in the instructions for Form 1040-ES. Finally, don't forget about your state, whose tax collectors aren't affected by the federal government shutdown anyway. Unless you live in a state with no income tax, you probably owe estimated tax payments to your state, too. Due dates for state payments may or may not coincide with the federal dates, so be sure to check with the appropriate tax agency in your state. EDITOR'S PICKS Copyright 2019 The Kiplinger Washington Editors | https://news.yahoo.com/estimated-taxes-still-due-despite-171333856.html |
Where is Silent Witness filmed? | Series 22 of Silent Witness takes us well beyond the walls of the Lyell Centre as Dr Thomas Chamberlain and his forensics team relentlessly pursue the truth behind a new string of gruesome deaths. Advertisement From a London school to a Brighton beach, from a smelly rubbish tip to a real-life courtroom the BBC drama is packed full of new locations. But, as producer Kiaran Murray-Smith tells RadioTimes.com, at the heart of of it all is the UK capital. Silent Witness may air in 236 territories, but its location is instantly recognisable. It can only be London, he says. The Lyell Centre is located in a warehouse at BBC Park Western in Acton, where the team built a new set six years ago. This is now Silent Witnesss permanent home, with the art and props departments on-hand and ready to provide cadavers, bones and blood on demand. The set was recently expanded, giving everybody at the Lyell Centre a bit more room to work with. We opened it up a little bit, Murray-Smith says. We wanted to give them an extra room to do the forensics in, and a few more bits of machinery. Eagle-eyed viewers spotted the same filming location used in Silent Witness and Luther, which aired within days of each other a slight distracting coincidence. The building used by both shows is actually a derelict factory in Harrow in north-west London. We were going around on a recce, and I think someone mentioned the fact that Luther had just shot there, Murray-Smith says. But what he didnt realise was that the episodes would air so close to each other, or that both teams would use such similar shots and filming angles. Obviously it is a very good location and that is a very good vantage point And thats just sods law that that happened, really! Murray-Smith tells us. But just one of those things. Episodes three and four, Lift Up Your Heart, are based around a fictional school led by headmaster Mr Taylor (Colin Salmon). This was filmed in a real school called Hurlingham Academy in Fulham, London. We shot during half term, when we were allowed to take over the place for about three days, Murray-Smith says. And a lot of the schools real-life pupils took part in production: We invited them in as well to be part of the supporting artists that we had in front of the camera. He adds: Its nice to teach them as well about what it is that we do, because a lot of the time, any kids let alone in less privileged areas have no idea how to get into the industry or what it is that people do. Silent Witness is shot in London, but in episode five and six titled To Brighton, To Brighton the team took a trip (you guessed it) to the seaside town of Brighton, where they spent five days filming. Here, Dr Nikki Alexander (Emilia Fox) also reunites with her love interest Matt Garcia (Michael Landes). Whats lovely about Brighton is it links in quite nicely with the storylines of tattoo artists and potentially trying to find forensic evidence in regards to that, Murray-Smith says. Thats when Matt Garcia is involved as well, and theres nothing better than a walk on the beach with your lover, is there? Walks on the beach are all well and good. But as part of this story, the forensics team also has to visit a landfill site where they unearth body parts covered in intricate Japanese tattoos. It was an actual rubbish tip, yeah, Murray-Smith confirms. We shot at a landfill site in Swindon called Crapper & Sons. And actually you will be amazed how difficult it is to find a landfill site that you can actually film in, because health and safety wise no one is going to want you to do it. One of our landfill sites fell through, we were supposed to use a quarry that we were going to do some CGI in. I ended up the week before having to drive down to Swindon to go and talk to the guy that Id spoken to on the phone, explained to him what the situation was, and he welcomed us with open arms and said hed love us to do it. And literally five days later, we turned up with all our equipment, two cameras, and all our main cast, got Liz Carr down there as well, and it worked brilliantly. Smelly and hot, Murray-Smith recalls. It was 32 degrees and we were there for a couple of days, drove down there, doing the overnights, everyone was very sticky, very hot and very smelly, and there was it was definitely a two-shower day. Later in the series, well see a story titled Deathmaker about a car bomb attack. That was all filmed around London and around that was mainly west London for that one, a lot of Acton, a lot of Ealing, Murray-Smith says. We shot in Paddington in fact, in Jacks dads apartment. The story itself is based in west London near the Lyell Centre set in Acton which made things easy location-wise. In the final two episodes, well see Dr Nikki Alexander (Emilia Fox) up in court. This was shot at County Hall, Kingston, which is in fact where most courtroom scenes we see on TV are filmed. Advertisement The final story of series 22 also features a derelict building called Millennium Mills near City Airport, on the south side of the Royal Victoria Dock. Its such an amazing location, right by the water, and it involves one of our characters who does get found in the water, Murray-Smith reveals. | https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2019-01-14/where-is-silent-witness-filmed/ |
Does the Amazon Cloud Cam work with Ring products? | Best answer: Amazon and Ring products can work together through Alexa, but you can't directly integrate your Amazon Cloud Cam into your Ring system nor have them talk directly to each other. Amazon Cloud Cam is its own separate security system. Amazon bought Ring near the beginning of 2018 , and while it's taken Amazon a while to build and begin executing its plans for the platform, that didn't stop Amazon from debuting its own totally separate connected camera system, called Amazon Cloud Cam. This ecosystem is still fairly small Amazon only has the original Cloud Cam available right now but if you only need a couple of cameras and intend to avoid a subscription plan, it may be right for you, as you get cloud storage for 24 hours of motion clips on Cloud Cam's free plan for up to three cameras. Ring is a much larger and more comprehensive home security system, with a wide array of cameras, sensors, and even alarm systems, but it also has more expensive cameras and a subscription is required for Ring cameras to record anything. Ring's systems are completely independent of the Amazon Cloud Cam system, so if you were hoping to save a few bucks with an Amazon Cloud Cam over the new Ring Stick Up Cam, sorry to say that it won't integrate with the rest of the Ring system the way you want it to. Alexa in the middle Amazon Alexa integration is a highly prized feature of both the Ring and Amazon Cloud Cam systems, and through Amazon Alexa and its smart home configurations, you can use Ring and Amazon Cloud Cam together in one home with Alexa serving as a central hub for it all. The Ring system and the Amazon Cloud Cam systems can't talk to each other, but they can each talk to Alexa or directly to you. If one of your Ring sensors detects something, you can ask Alexa to put up the feed from a nearby Cloud Cam with the "Show me [camera name]" command. The motion alert going off on a Ring camera can't tell the Amazon camera to record directly, nor can an Amazon Cloud Cam motion detection trigger the sirens on a Ring alarm system. Both systems can work for you, even if they can't technically work together. | https://www.androidcentral.com/does-amazon-cloud-cam-work-ring-products?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+androidcentral+%28Android+Central%29 |
Is Florida at risk of recession? | Theres good news and bad news for Floridas economy in 2019: Theres a low risk of recession, but there will be fewer new jobs, a Florida Chamber Foundation economist said Monday. While the likelihood of recession in the state has nearly doubled over a year ago, it is still low over the next nine months, according to Jerry Parrish, chief economist at the foundation, citing the chambers monthly economic index, at the chambers annual economic outlook and jobs forecast in Orlando. Parrish blames the increase on economic and political uncertainties. When job creators see uncertainty in financial or international markets, they are less likely to invest, he said. In 2019, Florida is expected to create 150,000 new jobs down from 180,000 forecast a year ago and the actual 196,600. I still expect us to be growing faster than the U.S. rate, he said. Two South Florida counties Broward and Palm Beach were among the top three counties adding jobs from November 2017 to November 2018. Broward added 20,185 jobs; Palm Beach County added 19,655 jobs. Orange County added the most 37,713 jobs in the state. Some factors in Floridas economic health: -- Floridas population continues to grow; more than 21.4 million people are estimated to call Florida home in 2019. Thats up from 21.3 million in July 2018 and 20.9 million in July 2017. -- In 2018, Floridas economy topped $1 trillion in 2018 making it the 17th largest economy in the world. -- Floridas 2.8 percent job growth over the last year makes it the top in the Southeast for job creation. Parrish forecast 900 net new people moving to Florida a day, or a total of 330,000 with densely populated regions including South Florida adding the most people. He said job growth will be in construction, health services, and business and professional services. But filling open jobs will be challenging, the chamber said. Florida has more open jobs than qualified people to fill them, said Mark Wilson, president and CEO of the Florida Chamber. There are 277,400 open jobs, but only 335,000 unemployed in the state. That compares with 265,000 open jobs and 390,000 unemployed a year ago, according to the Tallahassee-based Florida Chamber. Wilson said while Floridas economic outlook for 2019 is positive, its not without risks. A potential trade war, expansion of tariffs and slowing growth in other economies pose threats for Floridas economy, according to the chamber. [email protected] or 561-243-6650, twitter: @marciabiz | https://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/fl-bz-florida-economy-jobs-summit-20190114-story.html |
Was kommt nach der Brexit-Abstimmung? | Nach einem schwachen Handelsauftakt konnte der DAX seine Verluste im weiteren Verlauf des heutigen Montaghandels teilweise wettmachen. Allerdings blieb der groe Jubel am Markt aus. Schlielich knnte die morgige Brexit-Abstimmung im britischen Parlament fr sehr viel Unruhe sorgen. Das war heute los. Zu Wochenbeginn waren es jedoch zunchst enttuschende Konjunkturdaten aus China, die Anlegern gar nicht schmeckten. Der DAX verlor in der Spitze knapp 1 Prozent an Wert. In der zweitgrten Volkswirtschaft der Welt wurden im Dezember sowohl bei den Importen als auch bei den Exporten Rckgnge verzeichnet. So etwas schrt die ngste vor einer weltweiten Konjunkturabkhlung und den Folgen des chinesisch-amerikanischen Handelsstreits weiter. Allerdings knnte es morgen noch turbulenter zugehen, wenn der Brexit-Plan von Premierministerin Theresa May wie erwartet im britischen Parlament scheitern und sich die Wahrscheinlichkeit eines ungeregelten Austritts des Vereinigten Knigreichs aus der EU erhhen sollte. Das waren die Tops & Flops. Im DAX konnte sich die Continental-Aktie (WKN: 543900 / ISIN: DE0005439004) an die Spitze setzen. Der Reifenhersteller und Automobilzulieferer hatte vorlufige Eckdaten fr das Schlussquartal und Gesamtjahr 2018 prsentiert. Auerdem stand die Prognose fr 2019 im Fokus. Aufgrund der vielen Herausforderungen, mit denen die Autobranche fertig werden muss, rechnet Continental in 2019 mit einem weiteren Rckgang der Profitabilitt. Die bereinigte EBIT-Marge wird bei rund 8 bis 9 Prozent gesehen, nach 9,2 Prozent im vergangenen Jahr und sogar 10,8 Prozent in 2017. Der Continental-Aktie bescherte dies zunchst Kursverluste, in der Folge kmpfte sich das Papier jedoch in die Gewinnzone und legte in der Spitze mehr als 2 Prozent an Wert zu. Den vollstndigen Artikel lesen ... | https://www.finanznachrichten.de/nachrichten-2019-01/45711924-was-kommt-nach-der-brexit-abstimmung-170.htm |
Is Netflixs Sunderland Til I Die the future of sports documentaries? | Imagine for a moment that when the 2017 Brooklyn Nets finished last in the NBA, they got demoted to the G-League, lost major TV deals, saw revenues plummet, and the team had to fire half its staff. advertisement advertisement Unlike American sports, finishing last in English professional soccer isnt just a major hit to a teams ego, resulting in maybe a fired coaching staff but also the reward of a higher draft pick. When your team is kicked out of the entire league, there are major consequences that reverberate far beyond the pitch. After Sunderland Football Club was relegated from the Premier League in 2017, it lost tens of millions in TV revenue and was forced to lay off more than 90 people. Sunderland Til I Die, an eight-episode documentary series that premiered in December on Netflix, chronicles the clubs first season in the Championship, Englands second-tier league. What starts as an ambitious project to gain promotion back up to the top tier quickly becomes (spoiler alert) a dramatic downward spiral. While the story of the teams plight on the pitch is compelling, the docs real power is how it puts the clubs trials into context through the hearts of its fans, and the very real effects of relegation on its employees and the community. The series is produced by Fulwell 73, the production company behind The Late Late Show with James Corden, and its spin-offs Carpool Karaoke and Drop the Mic. When Netflix came calling looking for a behind-the-scenes series to rival Amazons popular All or Nothing: Manchester City, little did they know that, aside from ardent West Ham fan Corden, the company is made up of lifelong Sunderland supporters. And while Sunderland are a historically successful and popular club in England, for most of the last decade it has sat somewhere between the middle and bottom of the Premier League standings. Not exactly anyones idea of a first choice when you imagine Netflix looking for its first English Premier League documentary. Fulwell 73 executive producer Leo Pearlman says that while they did consider approaching clubs like Tottenham, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Chelsea, they saw more compelling story potential in the northern English industrial city. Ellis Short, an American-born but U.K.-based real-estate investor who bought the team in 2008, agreed to participate in the series in the hope of making enough soccer brand magic to attract some potential suitors to take the cluband its considerable debtoff his hands. Pearlman says that was exactly their argument to Short to get him to grant access. We needed him to be on board for this project at a time when the club was teetering on the brink, and it was definitely not necessarily the best decision to let the cameras in, says Pearlman. They took a risk in doing so, and part of our pitch to Ellis was, Look, there are 135 million eyeballs on Netflix. So far theyve done Juventus and Boca Juniors [giants of Italian and Argentinian soccer, respectively]. If you can add Sunderland to that list, thats quite a coup. ' advertisement Its obviously a sports story, a clear-eyed tribute to true fan culture. But its also very much a business tale. Loss after loss on the pitch is coupled with crippling debt, bad investments, mismanagement, and other pitfalls that companies in any industry will recognize. What makes Til I Die such a breath of fresh air is the sheer amount of access producers were giveneverything from transfer negotiations to a meeting between a player and a sports psychologist. Its biggest strength is that it manages to tell a truly dramatic story, as opposed to coming across as little more than an eight-part Nike or Adidas ad. Football is an incredibly closed shop, says Pearlman. In American sports there is a world now where these access docs exist, and everyone kind of accepts it and understands it. Whether thats individual players or management. In soccer, that is absolutely not the case. Yes, you get the odd documentary, but as is clear if you watch the Man City one, the Juventus one, or the Boca Juniors one, theyre all very manicured, polished pieces of corporate content. This wasnt that. The result is a show that sometimes comes across as The Office: Sunderland, airing the clubs dirty laundry in front of the camera. Ive been watching Sunderland Til I Die on Netflix, and its fucking amazing. One of the best sports doc series Ive ever seen. Its like Premier League Hard Knocks meets a super dramatic 30 for 30. Worth your time. Karms never lied. Ian G. Karmel (@IanKarmel) January 12, 2019 But the main characters in the series are its fans and community, and as it ends on a (somewhat) high note, the series becomes a masterstroke of sports marketing. Sunderland got its badly needed new ownership, and now millions of people who never heard of Sunderland Football Club have learned of it through this story. Craig Howe, the CEO of digital strategy agency Rebel Ventures, works with clubs like Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Juventus, and agrees that Sunderland was a curveball when it comes to Netflixs first foray into the Premier League. But that goes for Sunderland as well. Because the streaming service doesnt disclose viewership numbers, its tough to measure direct impact, with the closest measure so far being the global media coverage of the series, as well as its theme song by local singer-songwriter The Lake Poets hitting number four on the U.K. iTunes charts. I dont think well know for a few years, to see the true impact its had on the club, says Howe. advertisement On the pitch it may have ended with (sort of a spoiler alert!) another devastating relegation to English soccers third tier, but it also culminates in new, optimistic ownership. Veteran football club owner Stewart Donald led a new ownership group, and he put renown marketing maven Charlie Methven in place as Sunderlands new executive director. Methven says that agreeing to participate was easy since it really only covered their first few weeks running the club. But deciding to film for a second season, which is ongoing right now even though Netflix hasnt yet announced plans to pick it up, was more complicated. We took the view that part of our strategy is to broaden the appeal and audience for Sunderland AFC, he tells me. This is free and an opportunity to express the club to a very broad, global audience who in many cases had never heard of [us]. Howe, the digital strategist, says there is significant potential for Sunderland, whether in attracting more sponsorship, or a higher caliber of players. The ultimate win here is if this becomes a tool they can use to contribute to getting back to the Premier League, he says. Id love for it to create a case study example that you can build a halo effect for your brand, and that can create a better performance on the pitch through the revenue youve generated through efforts like this, but its just too early. Methven and Donald have quickly built a reputation for their transparency with supporters regarding club businessand for trying to involve fans in as much of it as possible. When 35,000 seats in the stadium needed replacing, the owners rolled up their sleeves and invited fans to do it with them.People may have thought we were crazy, but thousands took part, and afterwards during games, they can look around, point to a row of seats and say, I did that,' says Methven. That feels like a true sense of ownership. Thats exactly the sentiment Donald and Methven are hoping to continue to showcase to the people of Sunderlandand, thanks to Netflix, the rest of the world. The power of this documentary series, as awkward and painful as it may be at times, is in its transparency and truth. By embracing that, Sunderland has managed to accomplish what all brands are striving forreal emotional connection. What you see in Sunderland Til I Die is that Sunderland fans are actually the central part of the drama, says Methven. Theyre actually the whole point of the exercise. The one thing were determined to do as we run the club is to make sure theyre absolutely at the center of what we do. Its a long way back to the Premier Leagueand its $100 million TV revenues. But if Sunderland can make it happen and keep the cameras rolling, the club will have its Hollywood ending. | https://www.fastcompany.com/90289644/is-netflixs-sunderland-til-i-die-the-future-of-sports-documentaries?partner=feedburner&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+fastcompany%2Fheadlines+%28Fast+Company%29 |
Do women friend zone the guys they really should be dating? | The friend zone. That place where women put guys who they feel are not good enough for them as partners, but also not bad enough to be discarded. The friend zone. The middle point just between being an outsider and being an insider; where you are close enough to know so much, yet far away to not be the one who sees or hears it all. While anyone can be put in this zone, many times it is women who put men in the friend zone. When a guy is interested in a woman and makes his intention known, the woman could choose to either reject him and cut him off for good, or she could offer to be friends with him if she thinks he is nice enough. Nice but not enough People who have been put in the friend zone regardless of their affection for a woman know just hurtful and frustrating that could be some times. There you are, brimming with love for a woman; hoping for just one shot at proving it to her, but she is not having it. Her heart is set on someone else who may or may not be good for her. Women have a mind of their own and should be allowed to use it It is not rocket science, neither is it new in any way people do not always have to like the people who like them back. It is a basic law of human attraction. People like what they like, and it is quite arrogant to declare yourself the best for someone when they say you are not. When a woman chooses to go after someone that is not you, then as inconvenient as it may be, you have to take your L and move on. It does not matter that she keeps getting hurt. It does not matter that she keeps getting her heart broken. It is a choice that only she can make and if heartbreak is all she keeps getting in her pursuit of love from other sources, then so be it. The choice is hers and hers alone to make, as are the responsibilities her to bear. | https://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/relationships-weddings/do-women-put-the-wrong-guys-in-the-friend-zone/qvq97sh |
What are the options if Theresa Mays Brexit deal is voted down? | Tomorrow night Theresa May will finally submit her plan for Brexit to the House of Commons. But with Brexiteer MPs implacably opposed and Labour also intent on voting down the plan it looks certain to go down to a heavy defeat. The critical question is what happens then. Here we examine the likely possibilities and options. May pledges to go back to Brussels If and when she loses the vote on her deal, under existing legislation Mrs May is required to come back to parliament within three days to set out how the government intends to proceed and lay a motion before the house, one that can be amended by MPs. She is expected to do that soon if not immediately after the defeat. She is | https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/what-are-the-options-if-may-s-deal-is-voted-down-l92g9jftw |
What time is the House of Commons vote on Theresa May's Brexit agreement? | The video will start in 8 Cancel Get Weekly Politics updates directly to your inbox Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Could not subscribe, try again later Invalid Email MPs are to hold a meaningful vote on whether to accept or reject Theresa Mays Brexit deal. Voting begins at 7pm on Tuesday January 15. But it could last a long time. First of all, the House of Commons will vote on amendments to the Governments proposals. There might be a lot of these. So its not clear when the final vote on Theresa Mays deal takes place. But its expected to be some time between 7pm and 9pm. Labour backbencher Hilary Benn has proposed an amendment which rejects both Theresa Mays deal and a no-deal Brexit. If this is approved by MPs then it would actually mean there is no final vote on Mrs Mays deal, as his amendment would replace the deal. Theresa May, of course, and it seems a majority of Conservative MPs. Labour, the SNP, the Liberal Democrats and Welsh party Plaid Cymru. However, the biggest problem for Theresa May is that its also opposed by her allies the DUP - and by a large number of Conservative MPs. Thats why it seems likely that the deal will be rejected by MPs. There are 639 MPs who will be able to take part in the vote on Tuesday night. This does not include the Speaker and Deputy Speakers, who do not vote, and Sinn Fein who do not take their seats at Westminster. It means around 320 votes are required for the deal to be approved. The vote will be decided on a simple majority, with the actual number needed for victory dependent on abstentions and absences on the day. It includes a guarantee that the rights of EU citizens living in the UK, and British citizens living in EU countries, will be protected. And it also includes a transition period, which continues until December 31 2020. During the transition period, the UK will continue to enjoy most of the benefits of EU membership, including being able to trade freely with the EU, even though weve left. But this isnt actually the final trade deal with the EU. Detailed talks about that are still to come. The withdrawal agreement means we have until the end of 2020 to come up with a trade agreement. We would leave the EU at 11pm on March 29 as planned. And the current trading arrangements with the EU would continue. It would still be possible to import and export goods between the UK and EU with almost no restrictions. Wed then have 20 months to negotiate a trade deal with the EU, to ensure trade could continue permanently. Wed still leave the EU on March 29 - unless something changes - but its unclear what would happen after that. Theresa May would have to make a statement to the House of Commons by Monday January 21, setting out what she proposes. If MPs vote against the proposed withdrawal agreement then Theresa May will have to set out an alternative plan. But nobody knows what that is. In fact, nobody knows whether she even has a plan B. It seems she hasnt even told her closest colleagues in the Government. Possible options include leaving the EU without any withdrawal agreement. Other options include holding a referendum on whether to accept her deal - or to scrap Brexit entirely. Another option might be to go back to the EU and attempt to negotiate a new withdrawal agreement. Theresa May could also, perhaps, announce that she wants to hold a general election. Weve told the EU that we are leaving on March 29. And at the moment, there is no withdrawal agreement that has the backing of MPs. So unless something changes, were going to leave without a deal. Its possible that MPs from different parties could work together to come up with an alternative Brexit plan. One option might be to agree to be part of a permanent Customs Union with the EU. This is something that Labour supports. It would make it much easier for trade with the EU to continue. It would also mean that the UK had to obey some EU rules permanently. | https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/what-time-house-commons-vote-15677403 |
How did second Hull FC pre-season game impact pecking order? | Get Hull FC updates directly to your inbox Subscribe Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Could not subscribe, try again later Invalid Email Hull FC produced a solid performance overall during their 30-24 defeat at Wakefield Trinity on Sunday. Whilst the Black and Whites will be disappointed by their inability to hold onto an 18-6 lead in the first half and a 24-20 advantage in the final quarter, the amount of changes throughout the contest mean the result was less important. In reality it was largely about the performance and there were several impressive ones across the board. The likes of Jake Connor, Matty Dawson-Jones , Masimbaashe Matongo and Jack Brown all produced displays which may influence coach Lee Radfords decision making moving forward. Connor started in the halves and was arguably the starman. He wants a half-back berth for the start of the year and if he keeps performing like that, Radfords decision might end up being made for him. Dawson-Jones was another top performer. He impressed at left wing and considering Fetuli Talanoas injury, the display at Wakefield could have cemented the back as the starting winger alongside Bureta Faraimo for round one. We still have one game left at St Helens this Saturday but Dawson-Jones is in pole position for a leading role early in the season. Moving onto Matongo and the 22-year-old prop was again imposing through the middle. He was physical and could really push Mickey Paea, Josh Bowden and Chris Green for starting roles this year. With Bowden and Green not ready for round one, Matongo may well start at Hull KR next month and his two pre-season displays show that hes ready. Another front rower who made an impact was Brown. Whilst he is too far down the pecking order at the moment to land a gameday role early in the upcoming season, the 18-year-old made everyone take note of what he can do against a Super League pack. He may end up developing quicker than expected in 2019. Follow the Black and Whites on Hull Live Our daily newsletter - To get the latest headlines direct to your email inbox every day, click here. Follow our Hull FC page on Facebook - Like our Facebook page to get the latest news in your feed and join in the lively discussions in the comments. Click here to give it a like! Follow us on Twitter - For breaking news and the latest stories, click here to follow our Hull FC page on Twitter. | https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/how-second-hull-fc-pre-2428252 |
What's New For Medicare In 2019? | By Joe Baker, Next Avenue Contributor Medicare costs change each year, so if youre 65 or older, its important to understand and review your benefits for the upcoming year. Some new rules affect the cost of prescription drugs covered under Part D (Medicares prescription drug benefit) and change the times when you can revise your Medicare health and drug coverage. Medicare Premiums and Deductibles in 2019 Medicare premiums and deductibles have risen a bit since 2018. Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital services, skilled nursing facility services, home health care and hospice, and people who have worked for more than 10 years about 99% of Medicare beneficiaries generally do not need to pay a premium. If you have worked between 7 and 10 years, your Part A premium will increase to $240 per month in 2019, and if you have worked fewer than 7 years, your Part A premium will be $437 per month. Also on Forbes: The Part A deductible and coinsurances are also increasing this year. The hospital deductible will be $1,364. Beneficiaries must pay a coinsurance amount of $341 per day for the 61st through 90th day of a hospitalization in a benefit period. For beneficiaries in skilled nursing facilities, the daily coinsurance for days 21 through 100 of extended care services in a benefit period will be $170.50 Medicare Part B covers physician services, outpatient services, certain home health services and medical items. This year, the standard monthly premium for Part B is $135.50 for individuals with a yearly income below $85,000 ($170,000 for a married couple). If your income is higher than that, you may have to pay an income-related monthly adjustment amount, also known as an IRMAA. In that case, your monthly premium will be between $189.60 and $460.50, depending on your income. The Part B annual deductible is $185 in 2019, and you will continue to pay 20% for most Part B-covered services after meeting your deductible in 2019. Medicare Prescription Drug Costs in 2019 The amount you pay for your prescription drugs on Medicare depends on which Part D prescription drug plan you are enrolled in and which coverage period youre in. Every Part D plan has a premium; this year, the national average for Part D premiums is $33.19 per month. Many Part D plans also have a yearly deductible. Deductibles vary from plan to plan, but no deductible in 2019 can be higher than $415. After meeting the deductible, youll pay your plans regular copays or coinsurances for any drugs you take (if youre not sure of these amounts, call your plan using the number on the back of your membership card), until the total costs that you and your plan have paid for drugs in a year totals $3,820. Once you and your plan have together paid $3,820 in drug costs, you will enter what is known as the donut hole or coverage gap. After falling into the donut hole, the amount you pay for prescription drugs increases, until youve spent $5,100 in out-of-pocket drug costs for the year. At that point, you enter the coverage phase known as catastrophic coverage. During this period, in 2019, you pay 5% of the cost of each drug, or $3.35 for generics and $8.25 for brand name drugs whichever is greater. Because of federal legislation, the donut hole will be closing for brand-name drugs in 2019. That means in this coverage period, you will be responsible for paying for 25% of the cost of your brand-name drugs. The coverage gap will close for generic drugs in 2020, at which point you will pay 25% of the cost of your brand-name drugs. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan in 2019, youll have the opportunity to change your coverage using the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, which occurs from January 1 to March 31. During this time, you can switch from your Medicare Advantage Plan to another one or to Original Medicare, with or without a stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan. If you make a change during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, it will become effective the month after the month when you make the switch. The Extra Help Special Enrollment Period If you have Extra Help, the federal Part D Low-Income Subsidy program that helps pay for some to most of the out-of-pocket costs of Medicare prescription drug coverage, your opportunities to switch Part D prescription drug plans will change in 2019. Previously, people with Extra Help had a Special Enrollment Period to enroll in a Part D plan or switch between plans once every month. Starting in 2019, this Special Enrollment Period will be available once per calendar quarter for the first three quarters of the year. To qualify for Extra Help, your monthly income currently must be less than $1,538 ($2,078 for married couples) and your assets must be below specified limits. If you have Extra Help, these new limits may mean that you are locked into a drug plan at certain times of the year. For this reason, it is important to make sure that any drug plan you enroll in covers as many of your drugs as possible with the fewest restrictions on coverage. Increased Medicare Advantage Plan cFlexibility Beginning in 2019, Medicare Advantage plans have increased flexibility in their plan offerings. This means that plans may be able to reduce cost-sharing for certain benefits, offer extra benefits or charge different deductibles for some enrollees who meet specific medical criteria. Medicare Advantage plans are also gaining the ability to offer new supplemental benefits that are not directly considered medical treatment. Some services that plans can begin offering in 2019 include nutrition services, in-home supports and home modifications. These changes mean that there may be more Medicare Advantage Plan options available in 2019, and it may become more complicated to compare these options. Remember to carefully review your Medicare Advantage plans Evidence of Coverage and any other materials from the insurer. If you need help understanding your plans benefits or reviewing your coverage options, call your State Health Insurance Assistance Program for assistance, 877-839-2675, or visit www.shiptacenter.org. For more information on Medicare costs, visit Medicare Interactive, the free online resource powered by the Medicare Rights Center, and download the Medicare Rights Centers free guide, Medicare in 2019. | https://www.forbes.com/sites/nextavenue/2019/01/14/whats-new-for-medicare-in-2019/ |
What Does the Feather in the Game of Thrones Teaser Signify? | Warning: This post contains spoilers for Game of Thrones. The new Game of Thrones teaser that debuted ahead of Sunday nights True Detective premiere opened with Jon Snow (Kit Harington) walking solemnly through the crypts of Winterfell and seemed to hint at a long-awaited reveal. As Jon passes by the effigy of Lyanna Stark in the teaser we see the feather. Fans might recognize that its the very same feather that Robert Baratheon placed in her statues hand in the series first episode. The feather flutters to the ground behind Jon and he looks back, appearing confused, before continuing down the tunnel. As fans know but Jon Snow is not yet aware, the King in the North is not actually the illegitimate son of Ned Stark, but rather the child of Neds sister, Lyanna, and Rhaegar Targaryen. In a series of flashbacks shown in the season 7 finale, it was revealed that Rhaegar wed Lyanna after annuling his marriage to Elia Martell. Lyanna then gave birth to Jon whose real name is Aegon Targaryen before she died, making him a trueborn Targaryen. The Brief Newsletter Sign up to receive the top stories you need to know right now. View Sample Sign Up Now Lyanna and Rhaegar were very much in love when she ran away to be with him while still betrothed to Robert. However, Robert was blinded by his feelings for Lyanna and incited a rebellion against the Targaryen throne by claiming that Rhaegar kidnapped and raped her. Many in the Seven Kingdoms still believe that Roberts version of events was credible. But after seeing Roberts feather finally fall from Lyannas statue in the new teaser, some fans are speculating that the truth about Lyanna, Rhaegar and Jon will finally be revealed to all in season 8. Jon walking by and blowing the feather off the statue is symbolic of the fact that Jon is a child of Lyanna and the Targaryen, one reddit user posits. Jons existence is a symbol of Lyannas rejection of Roberts love for her. Jon is a force of revealing the truth and his character destroys the lies everyone believes. Watch the full teaser above. Game of Thrones returns for its eighth and final season on April 14. Write to Megan McCluskey at [email protected]. | http://time.com/5502165/game-of-thrones-teaser-feather/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+time%2Ftopstories+%28TIME%3A+Top+Stories%29 |
How do I create a good score? | Q: Im about to graduate from college and get married. - Colby (at a presentation) A: Colby, there are certainly several good habits that a person needs to practice in order to build a good credit score, most of which are probably obvious. Things like making all of your payments on-time and in-full, dont open too many credit accounts at once, and then keep those accounts open for a long time. The key to building a good score lies far less in the amount of the payments youre making, but in demonstrating that you can and will pay your full balance without needing to be sent to collections. The harder part is getting someone to give you credit in the first place when you dont have a history they can look at. But there are a few options. One is to take advantage of a secured credit card. They arent hard to find at most institutions which issue credit cards. And because they are backed by money that you will have already put on-deposit with the institution, there is no risk of you defaulting. That said, that deposit is intended only to be used as collateral, so you still need to make a monthly payment. And that is where your credit is built. A second easy option is a credit-builder loan. Unlike a conventional consumer loan, the bank or credit union from whom you borrow the money keeps that money until you have paid the loan off in-full (and on-time, please!). Now, there are services offered on-line that track your bills such as rent and utilities and put that data onto your credit report, but not every credit score takes such services into consideration. Still, these are three good options to start, and they should be enough to create a score for you as you move into marriage, home ownership, etc. Good luck! With interest rates so low anyway, it seems like I might as well keep it in my desk drawer where I can keep an eye on it. Dave (via Facebook) A: Dave, youre certainly not wrong about the rates being laughably low right now, but Im not sure Id forgo interest entirely by keeping all your money under the mattress. After all, some interest is better than none. But more importantly, in a bank or credit union, your money is insured by either the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the National Credit Union Administration. More commonly referred to respectively as the FDIC (for a bank) and NCUA (for a credit union), they insure each of your accounts, at each of your financial institutions, for up to $250,000 each. In other words, my savings account at XYZ Credit Union, my checking account at XYZ Credit Union, my savings account at ABC Bank, my checking account at ABC Bank, etc. are each insured up to that amount. Youd have to check with your homeowners insurance agent, but Im willing to bet that if your house burns down and you tell State Farm that you had a quarter of a million dollars in cash in your desk drawer, they might look at you a tad askance. Both the FDIC and the NCUA are government agencies, and the FDIC put their $250,000 limit into place as a result of the Dodd-Frank Act in 2011. Although President Trump has dramatically rolled back the consumer banking protections put into place by Dodd-Frank, that particular limit has remained untouched...so far. Dave, we buy insurance on our homes, on our cars, on our health, on our life. This is insurance on our money, and we didnt even have to pay for it. On a side note, since you mentioned low rates, you could consider online financial institutions. By merit of not having all of the physical infrastructure that brick-and-mortar financial institutions have, Ive seen savings rates for online-only banks as high as 2.25%. Although I personally havent made the switch, Im getting tempted. If YOU have a question for Ask Eric, tweet it to @AskEricKSUN, send an e-mail to [email protected], or like AskEric on Facebook. Eric Litwiller has spent the last eight years of his professional career helping people achieve their financial goals through the use of budgets, retirement vehicles, and estate planning options. He is a firm believer in the importance of using Earthly riches to fulfill a mission of Christian stewardship. Eric is not a licensed financial planner. | http://www.hdnews.net/news/20190114/how-do-i-create-good-score |
Whats the Difference Between Steve King and Donald Trump? | It was only after Kings latest remarks that Republicans condemned him with any kind of force. King drew a rebuke from Iowas two Republican senators, House Republicans have said they may take action against the congressman, and other high profile Republican legislators, such as Texas Senator Ted Cruz and South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, have condemned his remarks. The conservative intellectual Henry Olsen warned that the seeds of bigotry could take root in the Republican Party, and National Review called for King to be expelled from Congress, declaring that one of the glories of American history is how we finally shed our shameful racist past. Hardly. While it is heartening to see that Kings antics have finally drawn a unified response of condemnation from the right, the reactions seem to miss the obvious point that there is little daylight between Steve King and the president of the United States, Donald Trump. (Neither National Reviews editorial nor Scotts op-ed even mention the presidents name.) But dont take my word for it. In 2014, as Trump was mulling a run for president, he made an appearance in Iowa with King, calling him special guy, a smart person, with really the right views on almost everything, and noting that their views on the issues were so similar that we dont even have to compare notes. Little has changed. The president has defended white nationalists; sought to exploit the census to dilute the political power of minority voters, described immigration as an infestation, warning that it was changing the culture of Europe; derided black and Latino immigrants as coming from shithole countries, while expressing a preference for immigrants from places like Norway; and generally portrayed non-white immigrants as little more than rapists, drug dealers, and murderers at every opportunity. Unlike King however, the president has the authority, by himself, to make his views into policy. From his travel ban to his child-separation policy to his revocation of protections for immigrants brought here as children, he has pursued discriminatory policies with a commitment he has shown for few other campaign promises. Even now, the federal government remains shut down, its workforce denied payment for their labor, all in pursuit of the construction of a taxpayer funded symbolic monument of disapproval towards immigrants of Latin American descent. As if to remind the world of his similarity to King, on Sunday night, Trump tweeted a column from Pat Buchanan arguing that the president should seize executive power and build the wall without approval from Congress, warning that unless he does so, the United States, as we have known it, is going to cease to exist. Such a barrier is made necessary, Buchanan argues, because of the increasing diversity of the United States, which he portrays in apocalyptic terms. The more multiracial, multiethnic, multicultural, multilingual America becomesthe less it looks like Ronald Reagans Americathe more dependably Democratic it will become, he argues in the same column. The Democratic Party is hostile to white men, because the smaller the share of the U.S. population that white men become, the sooner that Democrats inherit the national estate. | https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/01/steve-king-and-donald-trump-share-same-beliefs/580288/?utm_source=feed |
Is A Recession Coming In 2019? | Let's look at what the markets are suggesting. Financial Markets Say "Be Afraid!" December was month of growing uncertainty and severe declines in the U.S. financial markets. Equity valuations fell (the Dow Jones fell from 25,826 on Dec. 3 to as low as 21,792 on Dec. 24), most commodity prices continued to be weak (oil, copper, lumber, etc. ), and interest rates declined (after peaking at 3.24 percent on Nov. 8, the 10-year Treasury yield fell from 3.01 percent on Nov. 30 to 2.56 percent on Jan. 3 2019). Several large multi-national companies lowered guidance and blamed slowing rates of activity in Europe and to a lesser extent Asia. Trade talks with China continued without resolution, and indications that the Chinese economy is beginning to suffer starting leakin out. If you asked someone today who works in the financial markets about their economic outlook, there is a high level of probability that their outlook is bearish or at least decidedly less bullish than it was two months ago. Freight Markets Say "Stay Calm" Despite all the hand-wringing' on Wall Street, the overall transportation economy continues to signal economic expansion. The uninfluenced by human emotion hard data of physical goods flow confirms that people are still making things, shipping things, and buying/consuming things. Don't miss it. Register today. Trucking Markets Say "Why Worry?" The trucking economy in particular has: added capacity and learned how to recoup most if not all of the utilization lost to ELDs; seen continued growth in economic demand (perhaps not at the frenzied pace achieved in the first half of 2018, but continued growth); and is beginning to see demand for OTR improve as lower diesel prices shift routing off domestic intermodal to OTR. We believe that this is happening at a meaningful pace with 650 to 700 mile length of haul loads, which represents approximately 1.2% of the dry van loads in the U.S. truckload marketplace. SONAR Data Says "Giddy Up!" Despite all the worry on Wall Street, the truckload market overall is off to a strong start. SONAR's OTVI.USA, which measures outbound tender volumes, has jumped straight up and after the normal holiday week (Dec. 25 Jan. 1) softness, it has already gotten back to levels on par with the average established over the last year. When we stop and think about this, we find it pretty impressive given last year's performance. (Chart: FreightWaves SONAR) (Chart: FreightWaves SONAR) If the overall OTVI isn't impressive enough, or you are one of those who are just very hard to impress, then looking at specific markets will highlight why everyone, from the bears on Wall Street' to the hard to impress' in the trucking marketplace, need to pay attention. For example, the OTVI.SEA has already catapulted past last year's average and is at the peak levels established back in the summer of 2018 when the economy (and the financial markets) were alive and well' and taking names.' Stay tuned Donald Broughton chief market strategist for FreightWaves NOTE: The smartest minds on Wall Street use charting analytics to quickly identify and then track trends in multiple data sets. Because it works. Even the most intelligent investor or skilled trader identifies patterns in numbers when they are charted far faster than when those numbers are simply displayed in columns and rows. Graphically depicting data becomes more important when you are trying to compare two or more data sets and understand the relationship between them over time. When viewing a chart of a couple of data sets that are related, you begin to understand the reason of the marketplace. If you can add a series of technical indicators to the graph, you begin to understand the rhyme and the reason of the marketplace. SONAR allows you to quickly view graphical series of data, many of which weren't previously available to professionals trading the marketplace. More importantly, it allows you to view those data series compared to other data series (some proprietary, others not) and then apply the type of sophisticated technical indicators to the data series that are normally reserved for Wall Street. Patterns in the data don't just sit there quietly as numbers; they literally jump off the screen at you. Click here to Subscribe Permalink | https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/19/01/12977551/is-a-recession-coming-in-2019 |
Is recreational marijuana delivery legal in Massachusetts? | Its a tale as old as smoking pot itself: whether its making an appointment, standing in line, and catching glares from a security guard at a dispensary; or tediously waiting while your pain-in-the-butt friend just gets to a save point in his Xbox session scoring weed isnt always easy. So, it makes sense that recreational marijuana delivery services are taking off in states like California. Some, especially so: Eaze, a GrubHub or UberEats-style platform for marijuana delivery, has received tens of millions of dollars in venture capital since its first round of funding in 2015, and could well revolutionize the industry nationwide once it expands to customers outside its home state. Oh, definitely just not in an entirely legal way. At least, not yet. Patients with a medical card have a number of legal delivery services available, but so far, state regulators have not extended this luxury to recreational users. Of course, there are several unlicensed recreational dispensaries throughout the Commonwealth, including those that operate in the Boston area. Some are explicit about what they do, while others citing a state law exception that allows for the gifting of marijuana to another person claim they are simply offering the goods as a promotional gift in conjunction with the purchase of another product. For example, the company Duuber.com bills itself as a t-shirt delivery service, selling tees with photos of various marijuana products on them ranging from $60 to $290. If $300 sounds like a lot for an undershirt with a photo of pot on it, the sites disclaimer should clue you in to whats actually going on here: We only deliver to Massachusetts. Must be over 21. Delivery time will be coordinated via email, the statement reads. This is a private club. Any payments or remuneration received by Duuber are in exchange for our awesome Luxury T-shirts only. Any free marijuana or cannabis gifts that may or may not be included by the driver are neither being advertised nor promoted to the public. If this seems ridiculous, youre right: state regulators have said these sort of workarounds dont actually fall under the laws exception for gifting. That being said, authorities dont seem keen on using resources to shut down the grey market gifting economy at least, for now. Sort of! While theyve postponed the vote several times since voters legalized recreational marijuana in 2016, the Cannabis Advisory Boards Subcommittee on Market Participation made a formal recommendation (on a four to three vote) last week to allow delivery to non-medical users. That recommendation will be sent to the full Cannabis Control Commission, who will vote on whether to allow the practice and how it might be regulated. The timetable on that decision and its possible implementation, however as is so often the case in Massachusetts remains anyones guess. | https://www.metro.us/things-to-do/boston/marijuana-delivery-massachusetts |
Will Trump end the U.S.'s leadership at the World Bank? | World Bank President Jim Yong Kim speaks during the One Planet Summit in New York on Sept. 26, 2018. (Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images) With the abrupt departure of Jim Yong Kim from the presidency of the World Bank, seven decades of unbroken American service at the helm of the largest international financial institution is now in jeopardy. Kim will be leaving the job nearly three years before his term ends. This may be the year that the banks board of executive directors, representing more than 100 countries, will decide that the time has come to end American control. In recent years, the United States has faced murmured expressions of discontent with the traditional role of an American occupying the presidents chair. But as the banks largest shareholder, the United States has always had enough clout and enough international support to maintain the status quo. Perhaps not this time around. The thought of President Trump, noted for his hostility to multilateralism and coolness toward the notions of reducing global poverty, picking the banks new president is a cause for heartburn in many world capitals. Unlike previous U.S. administrations since World War II, the Trump administration make not get its way should it seek to appoint the banks 13th president. The idea of a Trump selection his daughter Ivanka is one name apparently being considered heading the bank conjures images of a fox guarding the chicken coop. I know something about getting an American elected as World Bank president. In 1980, as the U.S. representative on the World Banks board of executive directors, I nominated A.W. Clausen to be the banks sixth president. Because groundwork for Clausens acceptance was started months earlier by President Jimmy Carters administration, major world capitals were on board with Clausens election, which came by acclamation. My task at the board meeting was all but a formality. It wont be like that this time. Trumps go-it-alone strategy, which regards consultation with either Congress or key international counterparts as a waste of time, is likely to encounter opposition to continuing American leadership of a global institution that serves the interests of both the developing world and the United States. Losing the legacy of U.S. reign at the World Bank would make America the biggest loser. That, sadly, may be in the offing. | https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/01/14/will-trump-end-us-leadership-world-bank/ |
Is Chris Pratt engaged to Katherine Schwarzenegger? | It seems that it was just yesterday that once-power couple Chris Pratt and Anna Farris called it quits and divorced while simultaneously breaking many fan's hearts. Now Pratt has taken the next step in his single life with his recently announced girlfriend Katherine Schwarzenegger (yes the Terminator's daughter.) Pratt and Schwarzenegger first sparked dating rumors in June when they were spotted on a romantic picnic date. However, the couple kept things under wraps until recently when Schwarzenegger celebrated her 29th birthday and Pratt posted on Instagram making their relationship public- citing that he was "thrilled" to be with her. The full birthday message read "Happy Birthday Chief! Your smile lights up the room. I've cherished our time together. Thrilled God put you in my life. Thankful for the laughs, kisses, talks, hikes, love and care." The pair reportedly met through Schwarzenegger's mother Maria Shriver. The Guardians of the Galaxy star then took to social media Sunday night to make the exciting announcement of their engagement. "Sweet Katherine, so happy you said yes! Im thrilled to be marrying you. Proud to live boldly in faith with you. Here we go! ," the 39-year-old actor wrote. Schwarzenegger has still kept her relationship with Pratt private on social media and has not yet commented on their new engagement. Anna Farris who has been dating cinematographer Michael Barrett has not commented about her ex-husband's bombshell announcement quite yet either, but the House Bunny actress has said that the two still remain friends. "We have a great friendship. We really do. And we always have. And yeah, its always tough to envision your future as one thing, but I think theres a lot of love," she said in a Sirius XM interview in April 2018. Looks like its a big yes and the happy couple seems ecstatic. | https://www.metro.us/entertainment/celebrities/Is-Chris-Pratt-engaged-to-Katherine-Schwarzenegger |
What happens if PM Theresa May loses vote on her Brexit deal? | Photo:AP. LONDON: British Prime Minister Theresa May is facing likely defeat in parliament on Tuesday when she asks lawmakers to approve her Brexit deal - a decision that would trigger huge uncertainty about the future of Britains exit from the European Union. May has warned that rejecting her deal opens up the possibility of Brexit being stopped, or that Britain leaves disruptively without a deal. She has promised to respond quickly to any defeat. BACK TO PARLIAMENT May must submit a new plan for Britains next steps by the end of Jan. 21. It is not clear what Mays Plan B is, but some local media have reported she would ask parliament to vote again on the deal, perhaps after seeking another set of reassurances from the EU. Some lawmakers have floated the idea that parliament could, in a temporary break from convention in Britain, take control of the process away from the government and hand it to a committee of senior lawmakers from across the political spectrum. It is not clear that this plan is technically possible, or whether it has enough support to succeed. The government said any attempt to prevent it from meeting its legal obligation to deliver an orderly EU exit would be extremely concerning. RESIGN May could resign as leader of the Conservative Party, triggering an internal contest to replace her without a general election. OUSTED May defeated an attempt to oust her as leader of the Conservative Party in December, winning a confidence vote by 200 votes to 117. The result means her position as leader of the party cannot be challenged for 12 months. VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE The opposition Labour Party has said it will call a vote of no confidence in the government if Mays deal is rejected, but has not specified exactly when. If a majority of lawmakers vote against Mays government, Labour would have 14 days to prove, by a vote, that it could command a majority and form its own government. That would allow Labour to take control of the country without an election. . BACK TO THE BALLOT If Mays government loses a confidence vote and Labour is unable to form a new government, an election is called. May could also call a general election herself if two-thirds of lawmakers in parliament agree to it. May has said that a general election is not in the national interest. LONGER-TERM OPTIONS: SECOND REFERENDUM The route to a second referendum on Brexit - or a Peoples Vote - is unclear. But, unless the plan to give control of the process to parliament is successful, it would require the backing of the government of the day. A new referendum can be called only if it is approved by parliament. With May dead-set against a second referendum, and the opposition Labour Party not committed to one (but not ruling one out), a second referendum would need either a change in prime minister, a change in government, or an abrupt change in policy. An increasingly vocal contingent of lawmakers from across the political spectrum supports a fresh vote to break the impasse in parliament. But, so far they have not been able to prove there is a majority in parliament for this view. Even if parliament did agree in principle to a second referendum, Britain would then have to ask for an extension to its timetable for leaving the EU. DELAY OR CANCEL BREXIT The government could seek to extend the negotiating period with the EU to give it time to try to reach a better deal, hold a general election, or conduct a second referendum. The government could also withdraw its notice of intention to leave the EU, which the European Court of Justice has ruled it can do without consent of other EU countries. May has said she does not want to delay Britains exit from the EU, and will not revoke the notice of intention to leave. This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. | https://www.livemint.com/Politics/KnyEPrXuVQEa8AE99pjV6I/What-happens-if-PM-Theresa-May-loses-vote-on-her-Brexit-deal.html |
Is Keith Butler Actually Being Demoted? | We know a couple things with complete certainty. Keith Butler will be back in 2019. And hell be, in title at least, the Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator. You might not like it, I might not like it, but thats shaping up to be reality. Butler may also end up coaching the outside linebackers. As was wrote late last week, hes in consideration to replace Joey Porter. Some see that as an expansion of Butlers role. Maybe thats the way to save face, Butler entering the final year of his deal, and show him out the door after the 2019 season. Traditionally, and Im saving this article for another time, the Steelers dont outright fire coaches. Their contracts arent renewed, thats the softer language the team likes to use, or theres a retirement that makes the move sound more colorful than it is. If a coach is under contract, this team doesnt often show him the door. Itd be for the wrong reasons but perhaps thats one reason why Butler didnt get a pink slip. We know Mike Tomlins influence on this defense has increased over the last 18 months. Butler still plays a key role, at least, based on the information we have, and is still the playcaller on gamedays. But Tomlins impact is there and it isnt going away. All the more reason to can Butler but thats a rant for another time. So instead, Butler may become Dwight Schrute. Assistant to the defensive coordinator. Hell carry the title, wear a headset, but maybe this is the year Tomlin takes full control. Especially if he thinks his job will be on the line. Thats the sort of move head coaches make in situations like this. After all, Tomlin hinted at aggressive changes at his end of the year press conference. So far, the only defensive move theyve mad is letting Porter go. Might as well bring a fire extinguisher to a forest fire. Having Butler coach the outside linebackers is an easy solution. Hell be a more successful coach there. Hes always been done well in that role as a linebackers coach, developing the likes of James Harrison, LaMarr Woodley, and Lawrence Timmons. Then, the team can ceremoniously thank him for his efforts after the 2019 season ends. Since theyre determined to keep him this year, its the best possible outcome. | https://steelersdepot.com/2019/01/is-keith-butler-actually-being-demoted/ |
Could Marcus Mariota and Mark Helfrich reunite in Tennessee? | Marcus Mariota and Mark Helfrich took the Oregon Ducks to the greatest season in program history. Since then, the two have gone their separate ways in the NFL. Mariota is the star quarterback for the Tennessee Titans and Helfrich is the offensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears. However, the two could reunite in Tennessee. The Titans are looking for a new offensive coordinator and Helfrich is being mentioned as a potential candidate for the position. There are the obvious options such as Mark Helfrich and John DeFilippo to replace Matt LaFleur as #Titans OC, then there's a candidate that hasn't been mentioned but is a perfect fit. https://t.co/PEu3GPkW9w TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) January 10, 2019 The Titans previous coordinator, Matt LaFleur, was named head coach of the Green Bay Packers on Tuesday. LeFleur was in the position for the 2018. Helfrich has been mentioned along with current Titans quarterbacks coach Pat OHara and former Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator John DeFilippo. The Titans could contact former Denver Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak, who was expected to become the offensive coordinator with the Broncos, but reportedly will not be joining the Broncos. While Helfrich is the offensive coordinator with the Bears, head coach Matt Nagy calls the plays. Helfrich worked with quarterback Mitchell Trubisky during his first season in the position, helping the quarterback develop and improve. Trubisky threw 24 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions in 2018 after throwing just seven scoring passes and seven interceptions in 2017. Titans general manager Jon Robinson said he and head coach Mike Vrabel will take their time making a decision. Were probably going to be a little bit more deliberate in our approach here, not rush into anything, take a lot of things into consideration as we make a decision for whats best for our team," Robinson told reporters last week. Playing under Helfrich, Mariota set Ducks program single-season records with 4,454 passing yards and 42 touchdowns along with just four interceptions while leading the Ducks to the national championship game during the 2014 season. Mariota was the Heisman Trophy in 2014 and was the No. 2 pick in the 2015 NFL draft. When the Titans do find their next offensive coordinator, it will be Mariotas fifth coordinator going into his fifth season. Robinson said he would like to find a coordinator who can provide some continuity. It is always challenging when you are talking about new terminology, and concepts. I kind of liken it to learning a foreign language, and he is on his fifth language now, Robinson told reporters. But well do our best to try and help the team and keep a lot of that the same." -- Geoffrey C. Arnold | @geoffreyCarnold | https://www.oregonlive.com/nfl/2019/01/could-marcus-mariota-and-mark-helfrich-reunite-in-tennessee.html |
Whats the Deal With Hedge Funds? | Subscribe to our free newsletters. Weve all heard this before, but here is the Financial Times on the performance of hedge funds last year: Hedge funds run by GAM, Schroders and BlackRock delivered significant losses in 2018 as declines for stock markets globally and rising US interest rates led to widespread difficulties for alternative managers.Only 16 hedge funds were able to deliver positive returns before fees in 2018 from a universe of 450 monitored by HSBCs alternative investment group. Only 16! In fairness, 2018 was a tough year for the stock market. But it wasnt a tough year for everything. After all, year-end GDP growth was most likely above 3 percent, the best growth number since before the Great Recession. There was certainly money to made somewhere. For example: If you just dumped all your money into an S&P 500 index fund, you would have done poorly. But if youd thrown some darts and picked four or five funds in a variety of areas, you would have made money and paid a management fee on the order of 0.5 percent. Of course, hedge funds are supposed to be much smarter than this. They also have access to far more investment opportunites than just the mundane mutual funds that us financial schlubs are limited to. And they charge enormous fees: typically 20 percent of gains plus 2 percent of the total fund assets. Since nearly all of them lost money in 2018, we can ignore the 20 percent profits fee, but theyre still getting that 2 percent assets fee. So: invest in schlub funds and earn, maybe, 2 or 3 percent with a 0.5 percent management fee. Invest in a hedge fund and lose 2 or 3 percent plus a 2 percent management fee. If this were a one-year deal, it wouldnt matter. But we hear this year after year after year: the average return on hedge funds is almost always lousy. And every year we schlubs scratch our chins and wonder whats really going on. And every year we dont get an answer. So there must be something else going on. The super-rich arent stupid. They arent investing their billions year after year in funds that do worse, on average, than a workaday blended equity/debt fund from e-Trade or Vanguard. | https://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2019/01/whats-the-deal-with-hedge-funds/ |
Will There Be A Season 2 of Sex Education? | Lets be honest: If youre reading this article, youve already binged all eight Season 1 episodes of Sex Education. No judgements here; I watched the entire series in three days. A charming coming-of-age tale thatll make you think youre watching an 80s John Hughes movie, the series follows the unlikely alliance between a teen virgin (Asa Butterfield) and a brilliant social outcast (Emma Mackey) who team up to run an underground high school sex therapy clinic. An ebullient combination of exceptional writing and dynamic performances, Sex Education is primed to be the surprising streaming hit of 2019. Heres everything we know so far. No. Netflix hasnt officially renewed the series for a second season, which is completely normal. Sex Education only premiered three days ago (January 11)! For comparison, The End of the F***ing World premiered on Netflix in January of 2018 and was only renewed for a second season in August of 2018. That, however, is an extreme example. Another comparable Netflix series, On My Block, debuted in March of 2018 and was renewed for Season 2 a month later, which is more in line with the norm. Officially, we dont know. Unofficially, were 98% sure therell be a Season 2 of Sex Education. Not only is Sex Education a critical hit it currently boasts an 89% on Rotten Tomatoes but its also an extremely buzzy series on social media. Without getting into spoiler territory, the Season 1 finale perfectly sets the stage for a second season. Decider will update this story as it develops. Assuming Sex Education is renewed for Season 2, its going to be awhile before the second season arrives on Netflix. Spring of 2020. Decider recently published a cast guide to Sex Education. You can learn all about this talented young ensemble on Decider. Where to stream Sex Education | https://decider.com/2019/01/14/sex-education-season-2-netflix/ |
Do these TaylorMade prototype irons mean new irons are coming for Tiger Woods? | The PGA Tour enjoyed its second week in Hawaii and while the scenery at Waialae Country Club is difficult to top, gearheads will enjoy the golf equipment eye candy that was in Hideki Matsuyama and Jason Dufners bags. Meanwhile, more than 8,700 miles away in Abu Dhabi, Tommy Fleetwood appeared ready to move on from his old Nike VR Pro Blades with a set of ironsthat might have been made with another player in mind. Pinterest Masterpress Callaways Epic Flash driver continued its early season adoption with 21 players using a Flash or Flash Sub Zero at the Sony. Sam Burns, Kevin Kisner and Ollie Schniederjans were among those putting the club into play for the first time as was non-staffer Hideki Matsuyama. The Japanese star has played Callaway drivers in the past, notably the Great Big Bertha model. Matsuyama had the movable weight in the neutral position as well as the lie angle setting on the adjustable hosel, but used the adjustable hosel to bump up his loft 1 degree from the stated 9 degrees on the clubhead. RELATED: The clubs Matt Kuchar used to win the Sony Open in Hawaii Pinterest Sam Greenwood Its no secret that Jason Dufner sometimes struggles on the greens, making a putter change almost inevitable at some point. At the Sony Duf switched to the spaceship-like Directed Force Reno mallet. The putter, which has also been used on tour by players such as Bryson DeChambeau and Retief Goosen, relies on the theory of being able to balance the head so the face stays square to the lie angle, allowing the larger muscles to control the stroke without the small muscles in the hands interrupting the motion. The Reno also incorporates an offset grip thats designed to encourage a forward press at address. After a good first round Dufners putting woes continued as he was a MDF finish in Hawaii. Pinterest Matthew Lewis When Tiger Woods put in TaylorMades TW Phase 1 irons, it was only natural to assume that another phase was coming. That next step might have been unveiled, but the irons were not in the bag of the 14-time major champion, but rather Tommy Fleetwood. The Englishman was spotted using TaylorMade blade irons stamped P*7TW during a practice round in Abu Dhabi. Whether Fleetwood puts the clubs in play remains to be seen, but he was down to his last set of Nike VR Pro Blades and had even tried to buy a set off of Paul Casey, who declined his offer. Perhaps Fleetwood is finally ready to switch, and at the very least, his consideration might be teasing an upcoming club switch by Tiger Woods. | https://www.golfdigest.com/story/do-these-taylormade-prototype-irons-mean-new-irons-are-coming-for-tiger-woods |
Is It Time to Start Buying Facebook Stock Again? | Facebook (NASDAQ: FB ) and its founder and CEO, Mark Zuckerburg, are posterchildren for the hero-to-zero persona. For years, Zuckerburg was viewed as the man who connected the world through social media. And he created trillions of dollars in value for companies related to the social media space. But today that same man is viewed as the villain who introduced the world to social media and created the online monster that is Facebook. I have to say I never loved Facebook, but I dont loathe it either. Aside from Twitter, Im just not a big fan of social media. In fact, I have deleted both my Facebook and Instagram (which is owned by Facebook) accounts. All that said, I am not ready to press the hypothetical delete button on FB stock just yet. However, I am also not ready to proclaim that the $123.02 low hit in December was the stocks ultimate bottom. Whether it was or wasnt, I strongly believe that Facebook is a good value in the $120-$145 area for long-term investors. Adding It All Up in FB Stock Lets dive into the companys numbers. Facebook reported revenue of $40.7 billion in 2017, and that is expected to increase to $55.4 billion when full-year 2018 results are released later this month. That represents impressive sales growth of 36.4%. Looking ahead to 2019, revenue is estimated to grow another 24.4% to $68.9 billion. That doesnt sound like a company thats in a lot of trouble. From a valuation standpoint, FB trades with a PEG ratio of 1.09 and a forward P/E ratio of 19.4. Both are close to the lowest levels ever for this company aside from when it was trading at its December low. Earnings per share will only show a small increase in 2019 after experiencing high annual growth since the company went public. However, growth should pick back up in 2020 and beyond. Put it all together and the numbers suggest a stock that is undervalued but could take a couple of years to get back to its full valuation. Finally, theres one non-quantitative catalyst thats worth mentioning. Businesses still rely heavily on Facebook for advertising, and I dont expect this to change at any point in the coming years. That means the company should continue to see revenue growth of more than 20% for at least the next five years, which will ultimately lead to a higher stock price for FB. Matthew McCall is the founder and president of Penn Financial Group, an investment advisory firm, as well as the editor of Investment Opportunities and Early Stage Investor. He has dedicated his career to getting investors into the worlds biggest, most revolutionary trends BEFORE anyone else. The power of being first gave Matts readers the chance to bank +2,438% in Stamps.com (STMP), +1,523% in Ulta Beauty (ULTA), +1,044% in Tesla (TSLA), +611% in Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (LNGLY), +324% in Bitcoin Services (BTSC), just to name a few. If youre interested in making triple-digit gains from the worlds biggest investment trends BEFORE anyone else, click here to learn more about Matt McCall and his investments strategy today. | https://investorplace.com/2019/01/time-to-start-buying-facebook-fb-stock-again/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+InvestorPlace+%28InvestorPlace%29 |
Will MSFTs Partnership With Kroger Drive Microsoft Stock Higher? | On Jan. 7, Kroger (NYSE:KR) and Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) announced a partnership to build the grocery stores of the future. A press release was posted on Microsofts website: Together, we will redefine the shopping experience for millions of customers at both Kroger and other retailers around the world, setting a new standard for innovation in the industry, said Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. Microsoft stock closed at $102.06 that day, up 0.41%; KR stock gained 27 cents (0.97%), closing at $27.92. Two high-tech stores will open. One will open in Redmond, Washington, near Microsofts headquarters. The other will be in Monroe, Ohio, near Krogers hometown of Cincinnati. These stores will be equipped with digital shelving technology, personalized ads, video analytics and other technologies. Some of these technologies will be displayed on Jan. 13 at NRF 2019: Retails Big Show, a trade show hosted by the National Retail Federation. The deal should boost Kroger and Microsoft stock by enabling both companies to compete against Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN). This is true as upgrading its technology will make Kroger more competitive against Amazon. Amazon has the grocery sector in its crosshairs, buying Whole Foods in 2017. Amazon opened its high-tech, automated grocery store, Amazon Go, to the public last year. Bloomberg reported in September that Amazon was considering opening 3,000 such stores by 2021. This could mean trouble for existing grocers such as KR. Kroger could also earn additional revenue from licensing out this technology to other grocery chains. The technology will be powered by MSFTs Azure (its cloud computing service). Microsoft Azure currently ranks second place in infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) cloud computing revenue. Azure is behind Amazon Web Services (AWS), and needs more revenue to catch up. Increased cloud computing revenue will boost Microsoft stock. Impact on Kroger Stock Retailers like Kroger are worried about competition from Amazon. Theyve seen what the e-commerce company has done to brick-and-mortar stores like Borders and Circuit City. Now, with next-generation Amazon Go technology, Amazon is threatening grocery stores. Kroger and other grocery stores will have to respond. With Amazon Go, shoppers do not take out cash or swipe a card when they check out. There is no checkout; you dont even need to wait in line. You only take your phone out once, to scan a QR code to identify yourself; this allows you to enter the store. Video cameras and sensors keep track of what you put in your bag. The cost is deducted from your Amazon account and you can just walk out. Shoppers dont like waiting in line, and this gives Amazon Go an edge over other grocery stores like Kroger. Amazon will also save money, since it wont need to pay cashiers. To compete against Amazon Go, Kroger will need to adopt similar technology. Kroger could also earn money by selling advertising space on its new digital shelves. Additionally, KR plans to license out this technology, which it calls retail as a service, to other grocery stores. This could bring in additional revenue, which would boost KR stock. Impact on MSFT Stock Like Kroger, MSFT is also competing against Amazon, but in a different industry: cloud computing. According to Gartner, Amazon accounted for 51.8% of global IaaS cloud computing revenue in 2017. Microsoft was second place, with a 13.3% market share. However, Amazons status as a retailer could discourage other stores from doing business with Amazon Web Services. This presents an opportunity for MSFT, as more cloud computing business could boost Microsoft stock. Krogers chief information officer told CNBC in 2017 that the company would be avoiding AWS for obvious reasons. Kroger doesnt want to fund a potential competitor. Instead, Kroger went with Amazons rivals, MSFT and Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOG , NASDAQ: GOOGL ). Kroger isnt the only retailer shunning Amazon Web Services. Walmart (NYSE: WMT ) told technology companies it works with to stop using AWS in 2017. In July, Walmart announced a partnership with MSFT. Walmart named Microsoft its preferred and strategic cloud provider. Microsoft stock will benefit from this deal since KRs technology is built on MSFT Azure. And if Kroger can sell this to other grocery stores, MSFT will earn additional revenue. As of this writing, Lucas Hahn did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities. | https://investorplace.com/2019/01/msft-partnership-kroger-kr-drive-microsoft-stock-higher/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+InvestorPlace+%28InvestorPlace%29 |
Where are the Waterloo Road cast now? | Get daily updates directly to your inbox Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Could not subscribe, try again later Invalid Email It has been away from our screens since 2015, and there have been calls for a reunion for the cast of the hit school drama Waterloo Road. Chelesee Healey, one of the original cast members of the BBC1 show, is keen to bring the cast back together in Rochdale, where the series was filmed from 2006 until the school was relocated to Scotland in 2012 for another three series. "We need to get it sorted get on everyone who was in Waterloo I havent got no numbers this will be sick," she tweeted. It was suggested that the cast should meet up in a pub in Kirkholt, the area of Rochdale where the school was based at the former Hill Top Primary School. And Adam Thomas, who played Donte Charles, agreed, saying "best time of my life" and said he could return as the new headteacher if Waterloo Road was to make a comeback. Chelsee Healey (Janeece Bryant) (Image: Matt Crossick/PA Wire) Chelsee played mouthy but kind-hearted pupil Janeece who couldn't keep away from Waterloo Road after finishing her education. She later returned as as a secretary after falling pregnant with daughter Cheryl. Chelsee, from Eccles, competed in Strictly Come Dancing in 2011 and was a finalist on the BBC dance show. (Image: Shed Productions) She joined the cast of Channel Four soap Hollyoaks as feisty mum Goldie McQueen, a member of the fearsome McQueen clan, in 2016. A few moths later, she took a break from the show after announcing her pregnancy and she welcomed her adorable baby daughter Coco in July 2017. Katie McGlynn (Scout Allen) These days Rochdale actress Katie plays one of Coronation Street's best loved characters, but many will remember her for her role as tearaway pupil Scout Allen in Waterloo Road, who lived with her mother and three year old brother Liam in a squalid flat. Katie has received high praise for her portrayal of pregnant Sinead who found out she had cervical cancer while expecting a baby with her new husband Daniel Osbourne in 2018. Corrie producer Iain MacLeod said Katie and co-star Rob Mallard were "acting their way off the butcher's block" following their heartbreaking scenes as Sinead and Daniel. (Image: Shed Media) After Waterloo Road Katie joined Corrie in 2013 as Underworld worker Sinead, who found love with Chesney Brown. She cheated on Ches with Daniel before reuniting with the kebab shop worker. But she fell back into Daniel's arms when blundering Chesney jilted her at the altar. Jason Done (Tom Clarkson) (Image: Jon Baxter) English teacher Tom, who went on to become head of English and then deputy head, was popular with the students of Waterloo Road. He was a stepdad to pupils Chlo and Mika Grainger and his son Josh joined the school in 2009. Fans of the show were shocked when the much-loved character, who starred on the show from series one until 2013 and endured the move from Rochdale to Scotland, died. (Image: Alan Peebles) He fell from the roof of the school trying to stop troubled student Kyle Stack played by George Sampson from committing suicide. Salford-born actor Jason has since starred in Casualty, the ITV1 drama Lewis, Vera and the Netflix crime series Paranoid. Tom Payne (Brett Aspinall) After playing charming sixth former Brett, who romanced sisters Chlo and Mika, Essex-born Tom has made the transition from Rochdale to Hollywood in the AMC drama The Walking Dead. Tom, who was 24 at the time of playing a 17-year-old on Waterloo Road, plays Jesus in the post-apocalyptic horror series and has been a regular on the show since 2016. In 2009 he played Manchester United legend George Best in the BBC2 film Best:His Mother's Son. Adam Thomas (Donte Charles) (Image: Ian West/PA Wire) Adam played bad boy Donte Charles and doting husband to fellow pupil Chlo. Manchester actor Adam went on to play Adam Barton in rural soap Emmerdale from 2009 to 2018 and he came third on I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! in 2016. His twin brother Scott was a finalist on the ITV2 dating show Love Island in 2016 and older brother Ryan played Jason Grimshaw in Coronation Street. Last year Adam branched out into property and revealed he was working as a property executive, but reassured he isn't giving up acting. The father-of-two teamed up with his pal Adam Kamani, co-founder of global fashion brand PrettyLittleThing, who runs a portfolio of commercial and residential properties in Manchester with Kamani Property. Chris Geere (Matt Wilding) Chris played the ambitious music and drama teacher Matt. He currently stars in the hit American comedy series You're The Worst, which airs on the channel FXX, as lead character Jimmy Shive-Overly. The show follows self-involved writer Jimmy and PR executive Gretchen Cutler as they attempt a relationship. (Image: Shed Productions) The show returned for a fifth and final season which premiered on January 9. And in 2018 he played teacher Dr Arvin Fennerman in the Golden Globe Award-winning mockumentary family sitcom Modern Family. Holliday Grainger (Stacey Appleyard) (Image: Ian West/PA Wire) Holliday, from Disbury, played pupil Stacey Appleyard who lived with her father, Terry, after her mother abandoned her. In 2011 the stage and screen actress appeared in the TV series The Borgias playing Lucrezia Borgia alongside Jeremy Irons in the role of Pope Alexander V. She also played Kate Beckett in the BAFTA Award-winning children's series Roger and the Rottentrolls and Estella in Mike Newall's adaptation of Great Expectations. And she played Robin Ellacott in the TV series Strike based on the novels by J.K. Rowling. Neil Morrissey (Eddie Lawson) (Image: Matt Crossick/PA Wire) Seasoned actor Neil played deputy head Eddie from 2007 to 2009. Neil has a long list of acting credits, both before and after his stint on Waterloo Road. He was in Boon Men Behaving Badly, Line of Duty, The Night Manager and Skins, as well as beloved children's classic, Bob The Builder. In 2007 he made a guest appearance in the long-running soap Neighbours as a priest, remarrying long term characters Karl and Susan Kennedy. Lucien Laviscount (Jonah Kirby) (Image: Getty Images) In 2009 he was in Coronation Street as Ben, a friend of Sophie Webster, before playing pupil Jonah on Waterloo Road. Jonah caused controversy by falling for and marrying his Spanish teacher Miss Montoya, played by Karen David. Lucien was on Celebrity Big Brother in 2011 and got involved in a love triangle with TOWIE star Amy Childs and Kerry Katona and in 2015 he went Stateside to star in the comedy horror television series Scream Queens. He now stars alongside Rupert Grint in the American TV series Snatch, a remake of the hit Guy Ritchie movie, as boxer Billy Ayres. Denise Welch (Steph Haydock) (Image: Dave Nelson) Denise, who played motherly French teacher Steph, is a much-loved panellist on the ITV1 chat show Loose Women, she appeared on Dancing On Ice in 2011 partnered with Matt Evers and she won Celebrity Big Brother in 2012. Denise, who is married to artist Lincoln Townley, is currently playing Celia in the UK touring production of Calendar Girls: The Musical, written by Tim Firth and Gary Barlow. Every year she hosts a winter ball to raise funds for The GEM Appeal, a charity that conducts research into genetic disorders. Ben Ryan Davies (Ronan Burley) Ben, from Rochdale, played pupil Ronan Burley from 2010. In 2016, Davies joined Hollyoaks as Nick Savage and he left the show the following year when his character was sentenced to prison. Ben was glad to raise awareness about the issue of consent and the Channel Four soap was praised for its thought-provoking storyline. The episode saw a newly-single Ellie Nightingale, played by Sophie Porley, meet newcomer Nick Savage, played by Ben, in a bar during Freshers Week. (Image: Shed Media) Ellie kissed Nick, following her split from boyfriend Freddie Roscoe, and invited him back to her house while very drunk. In disturbing scenes she was distressed to wake in the morning to find that they had slept together, and kicked a confused Nick out before sobbing on her bed. In December 2018 he appeared in the Christmas episode of Casualty and he played the role of Peter Pan in the 2018/19 pantomime at Billingham Forum. George Sampson (Kyle Stack) (Image: Chris Gleave) George, from Warrington, shot to fame when he won Britain's Got Talent with his Singin in the Rain dance routine. George, who opened his own dance school after his success on BGT, went on to win a number of TV roles, including on BBC drama Waterloo Road. In 2011 he played troubled pupil Kyle Stack and he returned in 2013 for dramatic scenes which saw his character threaten to jump from a roof. (Image: Shed Productions) In 2012 George joined the cast of Sky One comedy drama Mount Pleasant in its second series and he starred in the feature film StreetDance 2 as Eddie. He played Ryan Harred in Emmerdale in 2016 and the following year George revealed he was preparing to go under the knife for a hair transplant surgery at the age of just 23, putting his hair loss down to a mixture of genetics, alopecia and spinning on his head. In December 2018 he performed in Jack and the Beanstalk at Crewe with Cannon and Ball. | https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/tv/waterloo-road-cast-now-15672777 |
Is Ocasio-Cortez's Media Star Already Losing Its Luster? | Since achieving overnight stardom last June, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has become a news and social media darling of the left, praised as much for her radical socialist ideals as her media savvy. The timeline below shows the average percentage of airtime (as measured in 15-second intervals) on CNN, MSNBC and Fox News, from June 1, 2018 to present that mentioned Ocasio-Cortez (using data from the GDELT Projects processing of the Internet Archives Television News Archive). From utter obscurity to overnight star, Ocasio-Cortezs June 2018 New York primary win over 10-term incumbent Joe Crowley made her the most recognizable member of the incoming class of lawmakers. Yet, when it comes to television, her main benefactor has not been the liberal networks, but rather Fox News. Over the past six months Fox has devoted 0.16 percent of its airtime to her, compared with just 0.04 percent each for CNN and MSNBC. For comparison, Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi over the same period garnered 0.93 percent of Fox News airtime, 0.6 percent of MSNBCs and 0.46 percent of CNNs. Between her swearing in on Jan. 3 and Jan. 8, Ocasio-Cortez captivated the attention of all three channels, but as of Jan. 9, that interest seems to have largely faded away -- other than on Fox News. She also never seems to have fully recaptured the interest that immediately followed her surprise primary victory. Turning to online news coverage, the timeline below shows the percentage of English-language coverage monitored by the GDELT Project that mentioned her over the same time period, capturing a very similar pattern. Here the difference in interest between her January 2019 swearing-in and her primary victory six months prior is even more stark, as is the rapid fall-off in coverage over the past 10 days. The timeline below shows the total U.S. search volume on Google about Ocasio-Cortez over the same timeframe. Google does not report the actual number of searches, instead treating the day with the highest number of searches as 100 percent and reporting the other days as percentages of that peak. Unlike the medias months-long obsession after last years New York primary, it seems the general public took little notice of her after that initial blip until the November elections and quickly grew bored again until her swearing in. As with media coverage, however, search interest has plummeted over the last 10 days. It seems one of the few bright spots for Ocasio-Cortez has been on social media. According to at least one analysis, she is the most prominent Democrat on Twitter in terms of retweets and likes, though it remains to be seen whether that too fades over time. In the end, all fame is fleeting and Ocasio-Cortez will have to transition from the life of Twitter reality star into effective lawmaker who can accomplish things in Congress. Only time will tell whether she is able to harness her early media power into an effective bully pulpit to pressure her colleagues into supporting her initiatives -- or whether, like so many before her, she simply fades into obscurity. | https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2019/01/14/is_ocasio-cortezs_media_star_already_losing_its_luster_139172.html |
Was luft falsch in deutschen Kliniken? | (imago/Westend61) Leere Betten, veraltet, zu wenig Investitionen: In Deutschland sind viele Krankenhuser in keinem guten Zustand - und chronisch in den roten Zahlen. Die steigenden Kosten fr das Personal ber eine Million Beschftigte sind das bundesweit und die Investitionen in Gebude und Gerte: das sind die wichtigsten Faktoren, warum Krankenhuser rote Zahlen schreiben, sagt Georg Baum, Hauptgeschftsfhrer der Deutschen Krankenhausgesellschaft DKG. Auch einzelne Fachbereiche sorgten fr Probleme, etwa die Geburtsstationen mit weniger als 500 Geburten pro Jahr und die Notfallambulanzen: "Eine chronische Defizitquelle fr fast alle Krankenhuser sind die Notfallambulanzen, wir haben Kosten pro Patient von ber 100 Euro und der kommt ambulant und geht auch wieder und erhalten etwa 30 Euro pro Patient. ber die Summe aller Patienten ergibt das etwa eine Milliarde Euro Unterdeckung." Die Fallpauschalen fr die tatschlichen Behandlungskosten wrden zwar jhrlich angepasst, so Baum, seien aber nicht immer auskmmlich. Und manche Krankenhuser htten Mhe, berhaupt auf ausreichende Fallzahlen zu kommen. Das sei gerade bei kleinen Husern und auf dem Land schwierig. Georg Baum, Hauptgeschftsfhrer der DKG. (dpa) Auch bei den Investitionskosten fr Baumanahmen und teure neue medizinische Gerte wie Operations- oder Rntgenanlagen haben die Huser das Steuer nicht in der Hand, sagt Georg Baum: "Da sind die Krankenhuser auf die staatlichen Mittel von den Lndern angewiesen, per Gesetz. Die Investitionen mssen die Lnder zahlen, sie zahlen etwa drei Milliarden Euro und die Krankenhuser mssen aber etwa neun Milliarden Euro investieren, d.h. wir haben also eine hoffnungslose seit Jahren anhaltende Unterdeckung." Seit Mitte Dezember ist die DRK Krankenhausgesellschaft Thringen-Brandenburg in Insolvenz. Davon betroffen ist auch das Krankenhaus in Bad Frankenhausen, dem jetzt akut die Schlieung droht. Unser Thringen-Korrespondent Henry Bernhard hat sich vor Ort umgesehen und ratlose Patienten und Lokalpolitiker getroffen. Seine Reportage knnen Sie hier nachhren: Kommunale Krankenhuser htten dazu noch das Problem, dass sie nicht unbegrenzt Kredite aufnehmen drften, um diese Lcken zu fllen. Summa summarum: Der Hauptgeschftsfhrer der Deutschen Krankenhausgesellschaft sieht in den roten Zahlen kein Verschulden der einzelnen Krankenhuser, sondern ein "systemisches Problem" in der Finanzierung. Nur zum Teil stimmt da Wulf-Dietrich Leber vom Spitzenverband der gesetzlichen Krankenkassen zu. Auch er hlt drastisch sinkende Investitionszahlungen der Bundeslnder fr einen der wichtigsten Grnde, warum viele Krankenhuser Defizite ausweisen. Die Krankenkassen, die die laufenden Ausgaben finanzieren, sieht er dagegen nicht in der Pflicht: "Seitens der gesetzlichen Krankenversicherungen haben wir kontinuierliche Finanzierungs- und Kostensteigerungen getragen. Pro Jahr sind es anderthalb bis zwei Milliarden mehr, die in die Krankenhuser geflossen sind." Tatschlich streiten Krankenkassen und Krankenhuser jedoch auch immer hufiger um die Abrechnungen fr Behandlungen. In Summe geht es da um Milliardenbetrge. Wie das Landkrankenhaus der Zukunft aussehen knnte, wird derzeit in einem Pilotprojekt in Templin erprobt. Das dortige Krankenhaus soll nach und nach zum Ambulant-Stationren Gesundheitszentraum ausgebaut werden. Davon versprechen sich die Initiatoren Synergieeffekte und grere Ressourceneffizienz. ber den Stand der Dinge berichtet Verena Kemna. Ihren Beitrag knnen Sie hier nachhren: Entscheidend fr die rote Zahlen sei vor allem, dass es in Deutschland zu viele Krankenhuser gebe, sagt der GKV-Experte Leber. "Zwei von drei Krankenhusern knnten ohne Probleme entfallen" Der Gesundheitskonom Reinhard Busse sieht das hnlich. Er ist Professor fr "Management im Gesundheitswesen" an der Technischen Universitt Berlin und pldiert fr radikale Einschnitte und eine grundlegend neue Struktur: "Im europischen Vergleich haben wir zwei Drittel hhere Kapazitten, so dass wir insgesamt einfach zu viele Krankenhausbetten und zu viele Krankenhuser haben, und das schlgt sich jetzt nieder, dass einzelne Krankenhuser das merken, dass sie eben berflssig sind oder zumindest mehr Kapazitten haben als insgesamt gebraucht werden. Zwei von drei Krankenhusern knnten ohne Probleme entfallen." In Busses Analyse gibt es in Deutschland nicht nur viel zu viele Krankenhuser, sondern auch viel zu viele Operationen. "Gemessen an der Bevlkerungszahl haben wir 50 Prozent mehr Patienten als in vergleichbaren Lndern oder jeder Dritte fragt man sich, warum der eigentlich im Krankenhaus ist: Herzinsuffizienz, Diabetes, Schmerzen, wo in vielen anderen Lndern die Patienten gar nicht stationr eingewiesen wrden." | https://www.deutschlandfunkkultur.de/gruende-fuer-die-krankenhausmisere-was-laeuft-falsch-in.976.de.html?dram:article_id=438269 |
Does Slavery Still Have A Place In The Gambia? | 3 SHARES Share Tweet According to section 33 of the Constitution, No person shall be held in slavery or servitude. In fact section 1 of the Constitution stipulates that Gambia is a sovereign republic and that sovereignty resides in the people. This means that each of us is sovereign and equal to the other. Furthermore section 33 of the Constitution forbids discrimination based on race, colour, gender, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Indeed due to the recognition of our sovereignty the right of each citizen to participate in public affairs, including standing or voting in an election for a public office is protected by section 26 of the Constitution. | https://foroyaa.gm/does-slavery-still-have-a-place-in-the-gambia/ |
Are Brikama Magistrates Mobile? | 3 SHARES Share Tweet QUESTION OF THE DAY Reports reaching Foroyaa indicate that magistrates at the Brikama Magistrates Court who are eight in number, are provided with only one vehicle to ferry them to and from work. According to reports, when the vehicle has breakdown magistrates who are not mobile cannot go work, resulting to endless adjournments of cases and delays in proceedings. Attempts to get the principal magistrate to comment on the matter have not yet succeeded but Foroyaa will continue its effort to get his comments. Needless to say, adjudicators deserve respect and dignity and must be well paid to encourage them to do their work independently and impartially, in accordance with section 120 sub section (3) of the Constitution which states: In the exercise of their judicial functions, the courts, the judges and other holders of judicial office shall be independent and shall be subject only to this Constitution and the law, and, save as provided in this Chapter, shall not be subject to the control or direction of any other person or authority. Subsection (4) of this section imposes a responsibility on the executive thus: The Government and all departments and agencies of the Government shall accord such assistance to the courts as the courts may reasonably require to protect their independence, dignity and effectiveness. | https://foroyaa.gm/are-brikama-magistrates-mobile/ |
How Long Until the Instagram Egg Tries to Sell Me Some Shit? | Screenshot: Instagram It happens to everybody on Instagram. You follow some cute animal account and strap in for some 100 Percent Adorable Doggo Content, but pretty soon the animal is trying to sell you everything from t-shirts to toothbrushes. Sponsorships make the Instagram world go round. If you havent heard the hottest news of the day, this simple egg just broke the record for the most-liked post on Instagram. With 29.8 million likes and counting, it blew past the old record holder, Kylie Jenners baby, which has 18.3 million likes. Advertisement The egg account has raised so much attention because it was started with the explicit purpose of simply getting more likes than the Kylie Jenner post. Thats it. Theres nothing else special about the egg as far as we know. Lets set a world record together and get the most liked post on Instagram. Beating the current world record held by Kylie Jenner (18 million)! We got this, the account stated when it was started on January 4, 2019. Advertisement And while the egg is obviously some kind of statement on the banal nature of celebrity and social media, I cant help wondering what comes next. Its unclear whos behind the egg account, but they have a lot of eyeballs fixated on them right now. And that kind of engagement online is worth real money if youre willing to sell some ad space on your profile. Kylie Jenner didnt let the potential for engagement pass her by. She posted an egg-breaking video yesterday with the caption, Take that little egg. An ouroboros of engagement, if you will. Advertisement The person (or bot) who runs world_record_egg did not immediately respond to Gizmodos request for comment. But well update this article if we hear back. In the meantime, Im left wondering what the most likely ad will be for the egg account. Something related to food would be incredibly on-brand, but perhaps too obvious for whoevers behind this commentary. The banal egg account was started by Kylie Jenner to create artificial competition and raise more awareness of Kylie Jenner. Advertisement Actually, strike that. The absolute worst case scenario is that the egg has time travel abilities and went back in time and didnt bother to kill Hitler and also the egg is sexist and doesnt recycle and reclines its seat on the airplane despite the fact that theres no fucking legroom anymore, asshole. But that Kylie Jenner scenario is a close second. | https://gizmodo.com/how-long-until-the-instagram-egg-tries-to-sell-me-some-1831733423 |
Who next as Huddersfield hunt for David Wagners successor? | The Terriers sit bottom of the Premier League having picked up just two wins all season. Here, Press Association Sport looks at some of the contenders to replace Wagner. Sam Allardyce Sam Allardyce could be tempted back into a relegation battle in Yorkshire (Peter Byrne/PA) A predictable name in the frame, and should Huddersfield have any hopes of climbing away from trouble then Allardyce is the great-escape specialist. The former England boss has been out of work since being sacked by Everton last summer, largely due to an unpopular style of play, but that will not be as much of an issue at the Yorkshire club. David Moyes David Moyes may be keen to return to management (Anthony Devlin/PA) Another of the usual suspects, former Everton and Manchester United boss Moyes is ready for a return to the dugout after leaving West Ham at the end of last season. The Scot was recently linked with the vacant role at Stoke that was eventually filled by Nathan Jones. Carlos Carvalhal Former Swansea manager Carlos Carvalhal is a contender (David Davies/PA) The Portuguese coach has been out of work since leaving Swansea at the end of last season, having narrowly failed to save them from relegation. Carvalhal, who also managed Sheffield Wednesday, has made no secret of his wish to manage in England again and his character and personality could provide the new manager bounce Huddersfield need. Mark Hudson Mark Hudson will take charge of Huddersfield on Sunday (Anthony Devlin/PA) Town coach Hudson has the chance to throw his name firmly into the hat after being put in temporary charge. The job interview will be a tough one, though, as Huddersfield host champions Manchester City on Sunday. But if he pulls off a shock win the former Crystal Palace midfielder will be hard to ignore. Slavisa Jokanovic Slavisa Jokanovic is an outsider for the post (Simon Galloway/PA) Having already been sacked by one relegation-threatened team, the former Fulham boss seems an unlikely choice to manage another. But Jokanovic is a canny coach who guided both the Cottagers and Watford to promotion, and he would certainly be a candidate should the Terriers end up in the Championship. Press Association | https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/who-next-as-huddersfield-hunt-for-david-wagners-successor-37710495.html |
What To Expect From CSX Corporation's Q4 Results? | CSX Corporation (NYSE: CSX) is set to release its Q4 financial performance on January 16, and we expect the company to post steady growth in all segments. The company saw a record low operating ratio of 58.7% in the previous quarter, as it effectively managed its costs. We expect this trend to continue in Q4 as well, and aid the bottom line. Overall, we estimate the company to post $3.60 adjusted EPS for the full year 2018. We have created an interactive dashboard analysis ~ What Is The Outlook For CSX Corporation ~ on the companys expected performance for the full year 2018 and 2019. You can adjust the revenue and margin drivers to see the impact on the companys earnings, and price estimate. Below we discuss the key segments which could see growth in Q4. Expect Coal Freight To See Mid-Single Digit Growth For The Full Year We expect CSXs coal freight revenues to grow in mid-single digits led by both volume and price gains for the full year 2018. The company posted a 14% jump in coal revenues in the previous quarter, as the weakness in utility coal was offset by strength in the export business, and we expect this trend to continue in the near term. The U.S. coal export segment is seeing growth due to a rise in global benchmark coal prices, which were up roughly 15% in 2018. The decline in utility coal demand can largely be attributed to the trends in natural gas prices. The benchmark Henry Hub natural gas price is currently trading around $3 levels, similar to what it was in the prior year. The prices did move to north of $4.50 last month over supply concerns, but have corrected since then. With gas prices being more attractive, the dependency on coal as an energy source continues to come down. In fact, as per the latest EIA estimates of 650 million short tons (mst) coal consumption in 2019 will mark the year with the lowest coal consumption over the last 40 years. On the other hand, there has been a sharp growth in the coal exports, which were up over 25% (y-o-y) to 87 mst for the nine month period ending September 2018. For the full year, exports are estimated to grow in mid-teens, according to EIA. As such, the utility coal shipments for CSX will likely remain lower, while exports should continue to trend higher in the near term. Intermodal Will Likely See High Single Digit Revenue Growth For The Full Year CSXs Intermodal segment has seen volume gains of late, and we expect this trend to continue in the near term. This can be attributed to continued driver shortage after the full implementation of the ELD mandate in late 2017, which has put capacity constraints in the trucking industry, and manufacturers are looking for alternative means of transport. The segment revenues were up in high single digits for the nine month period ending September 2018, and we forecast a similar growth in Q4 as well. Merchandise Freight Revenues Could Grow In Mid-Single Digits Looking at Merchandise freight, we forecast mid-single digit growth in segment revenues, primarily led by automotive, metals, and forest products. In fact, the segment revenues were up 12% for the nine month period ending September 2018, with growth across all sub-segments but fertilizers, which saw low single digit revenue decline amid closure of a facility in late 2017. This trend could continue in Q4 as well. However, pricing gains may be moderate going forward, given that crude oil prices have fallen sharply over the last couple of months. Note that fuel surcharge is a component of average revenue per carload for railroad companies, and the same is impacted by any movement in oil prices. We forecast the companys EBITDA margins to expand by 300 bps for the full year 2018, as the company remains focused on reducing its operating ratio. We estimate the EBITDA to be a little under $7 per share in 2018. We currently have a $80 price target for CSX Corporation, which we will update post the Q4 earnings announcement. Explore example interactive dashboards and create your own. | https://www.forbes.com/sites/greatspeculations/2019/01/14/what-to-expect-from-csx-corporations-q4-results/ |
Will A Bidding War Emerge For Gannett? | Shares of Gannett surged more than 20% in trading Monday after MNG Enterprises (better known as Digital First Media) made an unsolicited $1.36 billion offer for the corporate parent of USA Today and announced it acquired a 7.5% stake in the newspaper publisher, making it its largest shareholder. The $12 per share offer represents a premium of 41% to the Gannett stock price as of December 31, 2018. According to the McClean, Virginia-based company, the companys board of directors will carefully review the proposal to see if it is in the best interest of Gannetts shareholders. It declined to elaborate further. Gannett recently changed hands at $11.88, indicating that Wall Street may be anticipating a higher bid. "In the very short term they (MNG) could probably make some more money by making deep cuts as they have with their other properties," said Rick Edmonds, a media business analyst at the non-profit Poynter Institute, in an interview, adding that another hedge fund might be interested in Gannett. "There are some other possibilities for consolidation and as it's often the case, we are going to have to wait for what happens." Before its recent run-up, Gannett shares had plunged 41 percent since its debut as a public company in 2015 after the company split its television and newspaper businesses. Gannetts TV operations trade under the Tegna name. According to MNG, Gannett was spent about $350 million on questionable digital acquisitions over the past four years instead of trying to bolster its core newspaper operations. Gannetts strategy has resulted in a substantial deterioration of the companys financial performance, destroying more than $650 million in shareholder, MNG says. MNG has invested in Gannett because we see significant value in Gannetts assets, particularly its core newspaper business, MNGs Chairman, R. Joseph Fuchs wrote in a letter to Gannetts board that was released to the press.., However, Gannett has been moving in the wrong direction, resulting in a declining stock price and lack of confidence that the Board and existing management are willing and able to take the steps necessary to turn the company around. Merging the two companies would create the countrys largest newspaper publisher. MNG owns 200 titles including Calfornias Mercury News, The St. Paul Pioneer Press in Minnesota and New Jerseys The Trentonian. Gannett owns more than 100 dailies including The Des Moines Register in Iowa, Michigans Detroit News and New York-based Democrat & Chronicle. Gannett is no slouch when it comes to cutting costs and growth through acquisitions such as its $280 million acquisition of Journal Media Group in 2015. A year later, Gannetts fortunes fell after it withdrew its $680 million offer for Tronc, now called Tribune Publishing after the financing fell through. In his letter to the company, Fuchs wrote that Gannett hasnt responded to its buyout overtures. "We request that the board promptly contact us to arrange an opportunity to discuss our proposal to purchase the Company, Fuchs wrote. If the board refuses to engage with us in good faith and in a timely fashion, we reserve our rights to take action to protect the value of our investment, which may include seeking changes to the composition of the board. MNG, which is backed by hedge fund Alden Capital that focuses on distressed companies, has asked Gannett to halt any efforts to replace Chief Executive Robert J. Dickey, who is scheduled to retire in May until the company commits to a feasible, strategic and financial path forward. The fund has come under fire for slashing newsroom budgets at papers such as the Denver Post, whose editorial board took the unprecedented step last year of calling on its corporate owners to sell the paper. The company, though, is unapologetic, noting that it had invested and revitalized newspapers such as The Orange County Register in California and Massachusetts The Boston Herald which many experts have given up for dead. We save newspapers: When other people wont step up, we do, Fuchs writes. We save newspapers and position them for a strong and profitable future so they can weather the secular decline. | https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonathanberr/2019/01/14/will-a-bidding-war-emerge-for-gannett/ |
How Long Did Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger Date Before Engagement? | Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger just announced their engagement after a mere seven months of dating, which is a) really cute, b) really fast, and c) giving me flashbacks to all the harrowing exciting celebrity engagements last summer. Here's a timeline to help you out, friend. June 18, 2018 Chris and Katherine are spotted enjoying a picnic at a park, and the internet proceeds to have a total breakdown. * Giphy *A casual not-at-all-extra sampling of questions the internet had. June 28, 2018 E! reports that Chris and Katherine are, in fact, together. And that picnic date wasn't their first ~walk in the park~. "It's still very new between Chris and Katherine but the picnic was not their first date," a source says. "They have been on multiple low-key dates and have been talking consistently for the last two months or so." July 31, 2018 Chris and Katherine are spotted kissing for the first time. Side note: this smooch took place after church at an ice cream place, and I'm literally only bringing that up because ICE CREAM. October 31, 2018 Chris and Katherine join Anna Faris and her boyfriend to go trick-or-treating with their son Jack. Looks like co-parenting is going well! December 2, 2018 Chris and Katherine are spotted cuddling while checking into the Disney Hotel in Anaheim. Because nothing says romance like Anaheim! BACKGRID December 13, 2018 Chris and Katherine go Instagram official in celebration of her birthday with this cute glimpse into their sheet-mask/God-filled relationship: January 9, 2019 Chris and Katherine celebrate the new year in Cabo with her family! Chris inexplicably decides to wear this towel atop his head the entire time. BACKGRID January 14, 2019 Chris and Katherine are engaged! And naturally the world finds out from a cute Instagram featuring the happy couple and this giant ring: That's all for now, but stay tuned for more very important updates about this very sweet relationship that you've suddenly found yourself rooting for. | https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/a25888718/chris-pratt-katherine-schwarzenegger-relationship-timeline/ |
Is 49ers QB coach Rich Scangarello on way to Denver? | SANTA CLARA Rich Scangarello, the 49ers quarterbacks coach since 2017, is interviewing Monday to become the Denver Broncos offensive coordinator, Denvers 9NEWS reported. The 49ers had previously denied the Broncos request to interview Scangarello, just as they had done to other teams inquiring about Mike LaFleur and Mike McDaniels, coordinators of the 49ers pass and run games, respectively. Scangarellos responsibilities the past two seasons have been to coach up the 49ers revolving door of quarterbacks, from Brian Hoyer to C.J. Beathard to Jimmy Garoppolo to Beathard to Nick Mullens. The 49ers trio of Garoppolo, Beathard and Mullens passed for 4,247 yards, the franchises most in a season since Steve Youngs final full season in 1998 (4,510 yards). New Broncos coach Vic Fangio, the 49ers defensive coordinator from 2011-14, has not previously worked with Scangarello. Gary Kubiak was considered a likely candidate to become the Broncos offensive coordinator but has since left and is looking at openings elsewhere. 49ers health reboot costs long-time trainer his job Survey says: 95 percent of NFL defensive players think this about Colin Kaepernick Kurtenbach: The 49ers have a two-year head start on the NFLs hottest trend In 21 seasons as a NFL and college assistant, Scangarellos only experience as an offensive coordinator was in the college ranks at UC Davis, Millsaps College, Northern Arizona and Wagner College. Prior to joining Kyle Shanahans staff in 2017, Scangarellos NFL experience was as an offensive assistant with the 2009 Raiders and 2015 Atlanta Falcons. Already this month, the 49ers have bid farewell to secondary coach Jeff Hafley, defensive line coach Jeff Zgonina, head trainer Jeff Ferguson and strength coach Ray Wright. | https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2019/01/14/is-49ers-qb-coach-rich-scangarello-on-way-to-denver/ |
Wheres the hysterical screeching over Alexandria Ocasio-Cortezs latest remarks about journalists? | Youve gotta hand it to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: She may not understand much about pretty much anything, but she understands that she can get away with a lot more than she would if she had an (R) after her name. Lately, shes spent much of her very and important days glued to her Twitter account, where shes been b*tching about the mean ol meanies in the media whove wronged her by doing awful things like covering stupid crap she says and fact-checking blatantly false statements shes made. You can count the number of times the media has held her accountable for what shes said on one hand, but thats one hand too many for her. Fortunately for Ocasio-Cortez, she knows that at the end of the day, the media will still come crawling back to grovel at her feet. Which is why she also knows that she can get away with stuff like this: Journalism isnt just about the questions you ask, but the questions you dont. If youre a reporter or pundit who has badgered every Dem about socialism yet arent asking EVERY Republican about what they plan to do about Rep. Kings white supremacy,youre telling on yourself. Because we cant. We can think of plenty who were all over Steve Kings abhorrent remarks, though. We wont hold our breath for the media to call her out on that B.S. or on any disparaging remarks she makes about them. AOC going after how the media does its job and trying to change their actions for political benefit will, I suspect, not result in the same hysterical screeching about defending the free press and Democracy Dying in Darkness as when a Republican does it https://t.co/ctc0LNx3nL Orange Muppet Energy (@sunnyright) January 14, 2019 Its been said before: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is basically Donald Trump in lipstick and heels. She spouts off incoherently on a wide range of subjects, flies off the handle at the drop of a hat, and has skin so thin, its practically see-through. And yet, not only do the media not call her out when she insults them, but they go back for more. Of course not. They'll roll over to get their bellies tickled. A Ban For All Seasons (@Michigan_P1) January 14, 2019 Count on it. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has done nothing to earn our respect. But neither have the media. | https://twitchy.com/sarahd-313035/2019/01/14/wheres-the-hysterical-screeching-over-alexandria-ocasio-cortezs-latest-remarks-about-journalists/ |
Is White Sox's pursuit of Manny Machado driven by a Netflix strategy? | The White Soxs pursuit of Manny Machado is guided in part by what might be called a Netflix strategy. (No, this is not a reference to Netflixs Bird Box and that stupid and dangerous meme in which people go around with their eyes covered.) Today virtually everyone knows Netflix. But before that, Netflix went on a binge signing pricey deals with big-name stars and content producers to win over consumers who might not have even known what a streaming service was. The resulting programs were uneven and Netflix continues to face criticism from those who believe it can ill-afford to throw around as much money as it has. From the beginning, however, what Netflix couldnt afford was to be ignored. Thats the 2019 White Sox for you. There has been much talk that the Sox play for Machado may pay off. In truth it already has. Whether Machado signs with them or not, people are talking about the White Sox, which they have not been inclined to do, at least not in a positive way. READ MORE: Paul Sullivan: White Sox's long shot pursuit of Manny Machado could be paying off Coming off six sub-.500 seasons, the Sox are competing not just for victories this year, but headspace. They dont necessarily need to be pennant contenders yet, but they cant afford to be irrelevant. Think about all the hoopla that accompanied young phenom Michael Kopechs brief time in the majors last season before getting hurt. The Sox need more of that. Desperately. This is the last of 15 seasons in which the Sox, along with the Bulls and Blackhawks, are partnered with the Cubs in NBC Sports Chicago, their cable TV venture. The Cubs plan to sell their own outlet to consumers, advertisers and distributors in 2020. While the Sox are accustomed to fighting for attention, its been especially difficult as the Cubs have played their best baseball in decades. This winter so far, the Sox have caught a break. The Cubs have been relatively quiet, licking the wounds of an early exit from post-season that no longer satisfies either their fans or front office. The Cubs interest in Washington free agent Bryant Harper (another White Sox target) has been muted publicly, overshadowed by talk of fiscal realities, the decision to not extend manager Joe Maddons contract and such. There werent even all that many turned heads when the Cubs moved to secure lightning rod Addison Russell on team-friendly terms that incentivize Russell to rehabilitate himself after running afoul of MLBs domestic abuse policies. Reinsdorfs teams are not known for throwing money around willy-nilly. Sometime when they have, it has not gone well. Yes. Yes, he was.) Side note 1: To all those dismayed by the Bulls giving a raise to Bulls gym teacher Jim Boylen despite a dearth of easily discernible success on his watch, the generosity is at least a sign the Reinsdorf vault is open for withdrawals. The Sox pursuit of Machado and Harper has been reminiscent of when, a few weeks after the group led by Reinsdorf and Eddie Einhorm acquired the team in 1981, they signed Bostons Carlton Fisk as a free agent and bought the contract of Philadelphias Greg Luzinski. The Sox at the time were a season away from launching SportsVision, just as they now are a season from the Cubs-less iteration of NBC Sports Chicago theyll share with Reinsdorfs Bulls and Rocky Wirtzs Blackhawks, SportsVision, a pre-cable subscription channel, was supposed to serve as a TV turnstile for the club (but ran into resistance from couch-bound fans unaccustomed to paying for telecasts). It was going to need star power after all. Whether signing Machado would be as impactful for the franchise as signing Fisk was remains to be seen, but he certainly would make a splash and announce the Sox are a force to be reckoned with. Unless youre going around with your eyes covered and your ears plugged you know he already has. [email protected] Twitter @phil_rosenthal Manny Machado's high school coach thinks he'll choose the White Sox Phil Rosenthal: As Cubs prepare their own channel, look for White Sox, Bulls and Blackhawks t The 'Bird Box' challenge prompts Netflix to warn fans not to 'end up in the hospital due to memes' | https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/whitesox/ct-spt-white-sox-manny-machado-netflix-20190114-story.html |
Should Florida schools mark 'hard corners' in classrooms in case of a shooting? | CLOSE Thousands attended a candlelight vigil on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018, in honor of those slain and injured in mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Andrew West/The News-Press If a gunman is found roaming the hallways of a Lee County school, teachers are taught to gather students in a spot away from the windows and doors in their classrooms. But the commission investigating last year's mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland is recommending school districts mark the safe spots in classrooms. The areas are being referred to as hard corners or safety zones and should be away from windows and doors. At least two school districts in the state Polk and Broward are already marking safe areas in classrooms with tape or paint. But some parents and educators wonder whether marking the spaces in classrooms is necessary and how it might impact students. The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission released a 439-page report Jan. 2. The report lists eight things the commission wants the Florida Legislature to mandate school districts to do. The list includes hard corners, requiring schools to keep gates locked and mandating schools have a written code red policy. "We are going to look at everything that this commission has recommended or suggested," said Rick Parfitt, the Lee County school district's safety and security director. Lee County school district (Photo: File) School Safety: New law, shooting lead to security changes for Lee County students In Lee County, there are no markings on classroom floors telling students where to go in case a gunman gets into a school. However, students are told where to go during active shooter training drills, Parfitt said. School resource officers help teachers identify the area in classrooms to gather students, Parfitt said. Parfitt said there is not a particular reason why the district does not mark the areas in classrooms where students should go, but he noted carpet covers the floors in some classrooms, so marking a spot might be somewhat difficult. He said classroom door windows have long been a safety concern for schools because they allow gunmen to see if teachers and students are in the rooms. "The training concept has been that we train our teachers and staff to find a safe place in the classroom out of sight, out of view of those windows," Parfitt said. Parfitt said the district is planning to buy blinds to put on door windows with part of the money it will get from a half-cent sales tax. The blinds will keep a gunman from seeing in the rooms, and teachers will be able to use them to signal to first responders as to whether someone in the room is hurt, Parfitt said. The school district has put locks on some classroom doors that can be locked from inside the rooms. The plan is to put the locks on all classroom doors, Parfitt said. Parfitt (Photo: Andrea Melendez/The News-Press/USA Today) Kevin Daly, president of the Teachers Association of Lee County, said he has gone through the district's active shooter drill training. He said telling teachers where the safe areas are in their classrooms seems to be a sufficient way of doing things. "I think the concept of where to go has hit home with a lot of teachers," he said. Michelle Grimm, a mother of two Lee County school district students, said she thinks marking the safe areas in classrooms is a good idea. "A lot of times when something does happen it's frantic, and the kids ... are young," she said. "Maybe they need to look for the spot. Maybe they need to know where it's designated, and if they see it every day, they will know where to go. I don't see a problem with that at all." At Marjory Stoneman Douglas High, two of the 30 classrooms in building 12, where the shooting took place, had tape on the floor identifying the rooms' hard corners. The report criticizes the school for not having more identified hard corners. It also points out the two classrooms with identified hard corners had objects in the way that prevented the safe zones from being effective. "The Districts failure to mandate and implement hard corners or safe areas in every classroom was a safety breach that contributed to students being shot," the report said. School safety: Lee County's elementary, middle schools to get security enhancements The Broward County school district announced last week that it had identified and marked more hard corners in more classrooms at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High. The school district said in a news release it plans to get feedback from teachers, students and others about hard corners before implementing them at other schools. The Polk County school district's decision to put identified hard corners in classrooms has proven to be controversial. Some are questioning the district's use of the safety measure. Polk County school board member Billy Towsend said he agrees with parents who are concerned the marked areas in classrooms are a reminder to students they could be shot at school. "I think taping them off is completely unnecessary," he said. "If you identify the safest corner in a room, you could just inform your kids that in some emergency to go to it." Towsend said the Polk County school district decided to move forward with hard corners in classrooms without consulting the school board. "In one of the hard corners I have seen taped off, it's like seven square feet, so you imagine 20 kids trying to herd themselves into seven square feet," he said. "It's absurd." School safety: School School resource officers spend five days in training Abbe Finn, director of the clinical mental health counseling program at Florida Gulf Coast University, said she has mixed thoughts about marked hard corners in classrooms based on research she has read about school districts' efforts to make schools safe. "There has been some research on student perception of school safety once they put in metal detectors and bars on the windows and things like that," said Finn, an expert in school violence prevention training. "In fact, students report that they feel less safe instead of safe. "But the research hasn't been done with kids who have been in schools where there have been school shootings necessarily." Parfitt said he recently read a news story along the same lines. The story talked about the psychological effects active shooter drills are having on students, he said. "Obviously, we have to do everything that we can to protect students," Parfitt said, "but not at the cost that we have kids that are fearful." Read or Share this story: https://www.news-press.com/story/news/education/2019/01/14/should-florida-schools-mark-hard-corners-classrooms/2549483002/ | https://www.news-press.com/story/news/education/2019/01/14/should-florida-schools-mark-hard-corners-classrooms/2549483002/ |
Is Tulsi Gabbard the Jill Stein of 2020? | The ill will toward Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, who announced Friday that she is running for president, goes a long way toward explaining the political psychosis that has gripped the Democratic Party since Russia intervened in 2016 to elect Donald Trump. In another timeline, Gabbard might be an ideal 2020 candidate: Samoan-American, Hindu, female, an Iraq War veteran and environmentalist who broke with the D.N.C. to support Bernie Sanders over Hillary Clinton in the primary. But Democratic attitudes have changed since Trump took office. Liberals who once encouraged diverse primaries are now deeply suspicious of alleged spoilers like 2016 Green Party candidate Jill Stein, who has faced questions about her ties to Russia; a party that has traditionally prided itself on skepticism toward military adventurism has since embraced a more muscular, anti-Russia foreign policy. All of which makes Gabbard the odd woman out in a soon-to-be crowded field. Perhaps the biggest red flag for the Russia-gate crowd is Gabbards perplexing coziness with Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, with whom she met in 2017. Gabbard did not notify her Democratic peers before flying to Syria on the trip, which was sponsored by a far-right groupwith connections to Greek right-wing nationalists. Afterward, Gabbard said she was skeptical that Assad had used chemical weapons against his own people, calling the accusations just another round of pointing fingers. Critics have accused her of being an Assad shill and therefore also a Putin puppetor, as Russian state television network RT put it, daring to seek firsthand accounts rather than blindly trusting the MSM narrative. Gabbards foreign-policy heterodoxy might be surmountable if not for a multitude of other original sins. In late 2016, amid rumors that she was being considered for a Trump administration position, Gabbard took a Trump Tower meeting brokered by Steve Bannon, who praised the Democrat for embracing the term radical Islamic terrorism. Outside of U.S. politics, Gabbard has offered vociferous support for Indias staunchly nationalist prime minister, Narendra Modi, who, as chief minister of Gujarat, was accused of complicity in a 2002 religious riot against Muslims that killed more than 1,000 people. (Barack Obama, for what its worth, had an unlikely friendship with Modi, himself.) Fears that Gabbard might play the Jill Steinesque spoiler, then, are likely overblownif only because Gabbards presidential aspirations are probably dead on arrival. Over the weekend, the photogenic 37-year-old congresswoman was forced to apologize for working for her fathers anti-gay organization in the early 2000s, which actively opposed same-sex marriage in Hawaii, supported conversion therapy, and attempted to bar LGBTQ people from teaching in schools. (As a state representative, Gabbard was not quiet about her beliefs, testifying on a committee in 2004 against homosexual extremists pushing for civil unions.) For todays Democratic Party, no love of surfing, millennial lan, or fondness for lei necklaces will be enough to overcome past homophobia or a Trumpian foreign policy. As R.N.C. spokesman Michael Ahrens told Axios: Liberals think shes too conservative, conservatives think shes too liberal, and just about everyone thinks her coziness with Bashar al-Assad is disturbing. That doesnt leave many constituents in Gabbards cornerexcept, perhaps, RT. Sign up for our daily Hive newsletter and never miss a story. | https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2019/01/tulsi-gabbard-2020-presidential-run |
Is Spider-Man Far From Home set before or after Avengers Endgame? | This year Marvel fans have three MCU movies to look forward to in the form of Captain Marvel, Avengers Endgame and Spider-Man Far From Home. The existence of the latter may cause some confusion for moviegoers who saw Avengers Infinity War last year. Its because Spider-Man Far From Home is set directly after the events of Avengers Endgame. Spider-Man Far From Home trailer: Heres what time it lands TOMORROW Avengers Endgame: The Simpsons DUSTED by Thanos in hilarious couch gag Back in Summer 2017, Sony producer Amy Pascal revealed to Fandom that Spider-Man Far From Home begins in Avengers Endgames aftermath. She told Fandom: We are starting now the next one which will start a few minutes after Avengers 4 wraps as a story. With this in mind, its a spoiler in plain sight that Spider-Man is somehow resurrected in Avengers Endgame. Of course how and at what cost is a mystery that fans will have to wait for. | https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/films/1072170/Spider-Man-Far-From-Home-setting-Avengers-Endgame-Peter-Parker-Avengers-Infinity-War |
Who next as Huddersfield hunt for David Wagners successor? | Huddersfield have announced the departure of manager David Wagner by mutual consent. The Terriers sit bottom of the Premier League having picked up just two wins all season. Here, Press Association Sport looks at some of the contenders to replace Wagner. Sam Allardyce Sam Allardyce could be tempted back into a relegation battle in Yorkshire (Peter Byrne/PA) A predictable name in the frame, and should Huddersfield have any hopes of climbing away from trouble then Allardyce is the great-escape specialist. The former England boss has been out of work since being sacked by Everton last summer, largely due to an unpopular style of play, but that will not be as much of an issue at the Yorkshire club. David Moyes David Moyes may be keen to return to management (Anthony Devlin/PA) Another of the usual suspects, former Everton and Manchester United boss Moyes is ready for a return to the dugout after leaving West Ham at the end of last season. The Scot was recently linked with the vacant role at Stoke that was eventually filled by Nathan Jones. Carlos Carvalhal Former Swansea manager Carlos Carvalhal is a contender (David Davies/PA) The Portuguese coach has been out of work since leaving Swansea at the end of last season, having narrowly failed to save them from relegation. Carvalhal, who also managed Sheffield Wednesday, has made no secret of his wish to manage in England again and his character and personality could provide the new manager bounce Huddersfield need. Mark Hudson Mark Hudson will take charge of Huddersfield on Sunday (Anthony Devlin/PA) Town coach Hudson has the chance to throw his name firmly into the hat after being put in temporary charge. The job interview will be a tough one, though, as Huddersfield host champions Manchester City on Sunday. But if he pulls off a shock win the former Crystal Palace midfielder will be hard to ignore. Slavisa Jokanovic Slavisa Jokanovic is an outsider for the post (Simon Galloway/PA) Having already been sacked by one relegation-threatened team, the former Fulham boss seems an unlikely choice to manage another. But Jokanovic is a canny coach who guided both the Cottagers and Watford to promotion, and he would certainly be a candidate should the Terriers end up in the Championship. - Press Association | https://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/who-next-as-huddersfield-hunt-for-david-wagners-successor-897558.html |
Should the Eagles change their mind about saying goodbye to Nick Foles? | Nick Foles could be a free agent during the offseason. (Dan Anderson/EPA-EFE/REX) NEW ORLEANS All along, the Philadelphia Eagles have been clear that Carson Wentz is their franchise quarterback. They have maintained consistently that Wentz is their quarterback of the future and, when healthy, their quarterback of the present. They have been delighted to have Nick Foles around as an insurance policy and, as it has turned out, one of the most successful understudies in NFL history. But now the time has just about arrived to make those decisions for keeps, to lock Wentz and Foles irreversibly into those roles. The offseason officially arrived Sunday night for the Eagles, as their defense of their Super Bowl title fell short and another Foles-led postseason run ended with a 20-14 defeat to the New Orleans Saints at the Superdome in an NFC divisional playoff game. It is an offseason in which the Eagles could say their farewell to Foles, the backup quarterback who became a Super Bowl MVP last season and then led a charge to a conference semifinal this season. Foless contract contains a $20 million mutual option for next season that, if not exercised, would make him eligible for unrestricted free agency, with the promise of a lucrative long-term deal and a more permanent starting job with another team. [Saints advance to NFC title game after rallying to beat Eagles: We took their best punch] Im not really gonna worry about it right now, Foles said after the game. I think Im just gonna do what I can to enjoy this flight back with my teammates and well see what happens. I do know that we went out there and gave it everything we had tonight. Everyones got to keep their heads held high because thats what its about. Sometimes you win. Sometimes you lose. But ultimately if you give it everything you have, thats what its about. If it was Foless final game with the Eagles, he exited by giving a scare to the NFCs top seed. The Eagles, who had lost by 41 points to the Saints in the same building during the regular season, built a 14-0 lead Sunday on a touchdown pass by Foles, followed by a quarterback-sneak touchdown by him. They surrendered 20 straight points. But they had their chance to craft a game-winning drive at games end until Foles threw an interception on a pass that trickled through the hands of wide receiver Alshon Jeffery and into the arms of the Saints' Marshon Lattimore. Maybe, just maybe, the Eagles should rethink allowing him to leave. Its not clear-cut either way. Yes, Wentz was drafted to be the franchises centerpiece and, for the most part, hes on course. The Eagles traded up to get the No. 2 overall selection in the 2016 NFL draft and used it on Wentz. He was a starter as a rookie and a league MVP candidate last season as a second-year pro before suffering the knee injury in December that gave Foles his chance to become a postseason hero. Wentz did not play badly at all this season with 21 touchdown passes, seven interceptions and a passer rating of 102.2 before exiting the lineup with what the Eagles called a stress fracture in his back. Carson Wentz has missed games because of significant injuries in each of the last two seasons. (AP Photo/Butch Dill) And yes, Foles is about to turn 30 this coming weekend, and he has been a journeyman quarterback for much of his career. He had a brilliant second NFL season for the Eagles, with 27 touchdown passes and only two interceptions, while playing for then-coach Chip Kelly in 2013. But he had less-than-memorable stints with the St. Louis Rams and Kansas City Chiefs before returning to the Eagles last season. Put all of that aside for a moment and consider only this: The Eagles, quite simply, have been a better team with Foles at quarterback than with Wentz at the spot. They had a 5-2 record this season, including the two playoff games, with Foles starting, compared to a 5-6 mark with Wentz as their quarterback. They are 4-1 over the past two postseasons with Foles. They won a championship last season with Foles and came close this time around to knocking off the No. 1 seed, that after regrouping with three straight victories to close the regular season just to reach the playoffs, plus a road wild-card victory in Chicago. [With Rams-Saints, Patriots-Chiefs, the NFLs scoring machines are left standing] There is one Super Bowl-winning quarterback in Eagles history. It is Foles, not Wentz. There is one quarterback with a statue at Lincoln Financial Field commemorating the famed Philly Special play call, along with Coach Doug Pederson, in the Super Bowl. It is Foles, not Wentz. This is not to demean Wentz. He very well could turn out to be a great NFL quarterback. But now hes a quarterback with a back problem. Hes a quarterback who has failed to remain healthy for two straight seasons. This is not to say that the Eagles necessarily should trade Wentz and keep Foles. The Eagles could afford to keep both for another season, with Wentz still on his original rookie contract. Maybe they could convince Foles to stay for another season for $20 million and then each side could make a long-term choice after that. Even if the Eagles want to exercise the option year, Foles could use his $2 million buyout to become a free agent and land a big deal elsewhere. The bottom line is that Wentz over Foles is not an automatic choice for the Eagles at this point. Allowing Foles to walk should not be a foregone conclusion. There at least needs to be a sincere discussion about attempting to keep both, or potentially trading Wentz and retaining Foles for the long term, among Pederson, front office chief Howie Roseman and owner Jeffrey Lurie. Redskins, Jaguars, Giants are among the possibilities.] As of Sunday night, Foles was not speaking like someone desperate to leave. I think the big thing is what the city means to me, he said. Its always welcomed me and my family. Its really been a joy to live there and be a part of everything, wear the green and wear the jersey. No matter what, you cant ever take that away. We were able to do some really special things. Well see what happens. But Ill tell you this: Ive enjoyed every single moment and itll always have a special place in my heart the city, the fans, the people, everything about it. Pederson was not making any immediate pronouncements. I just told him I appreciate everything hes done and everything that hes done this season for him to come in and step in the way he has, Pederson said after the game. I just told him I loved him and well probably visit in the next couple days. For the Eagles, there was much to digest as their season ended. Your emotions, youre trying to figure them out right now, Foles said Sunday night. Theres a lot going on . . . I know we wish we were continuing on. But thats part of this game. Read more on the NFL playoffs: Jenkins: Tom Brady, Bill Belichick dont worry about the past. Thats why the Patriots still have a future. Tom Brady seems to think that everyone thinks we suck We got it done!: The inside story of how Patrick Mahomes landed with the Chiefs A Chiefs player hopes to reward a homeless Good Samaritan who helped him in the snow | https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/01/14/should-eagles-change-their-mind-about-saying-goodbye-nick-foles/ |
Did HopCat make the right decision to change the name of 'Crack Fries'? | John Gonzalez | MLive.com BY JOHN D. GONZALEZ | [email protected] GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Social Media is buzzing today, not about the U.S. Government shutdown, but about the name change of French Fries. It comes as no surprise that HopCat's announcement to change the name of its award-winning "Crack Fries" to be more sensitive to those who have addiction issues is not going over well with those who think everyone needs to lighten up. Owner Mark Sellers was clear about his stance when he said the new name of Crack Fries would be "Cosmik Fries," named after a Frank Zappa song ("Cosmic Debris"). "We didn't really take into account what people's reactions were going to be," he told MLive in a story I posted this morning. "We just felt it was the right thing to do. ... "That's how I run the business." Keeping the name "Crack Fries" was wrong, he said. "The new name for crack fries is going to be "Cosmik Fries," said Sean Murphy on Twitter. "Perhaps the biggest tragedy of 2019 so far." "I think space aliens will be offended," said reader Sam Nabkey on MLive's Facebook page. There were supporters, too. Better Drinking Culture tweeted: "Good on you for drawing your own line in the sand. Your statement is a powerful one." | https://www.mlive.com/expo/life-and-culture/g66l-2019/01/c00bc07bc47008/did-hopcat-make-the-right-deci.html |
Which affects health more DNA code or ZIP code? | Breaking News Emails Get breaking news alerts and special reports. The news and stories that matter, delivered weekday mornings. A new study has started to answer that question in a comprehensive way and it shows the scale falls on the side of nurture over nature, at least for young adults. A team at Harvard Medical School and the University of Queensland in Australia built what they say is the worlds largest database of twin data, based on health insurance claims covering nearly 45 million people. Twins share much of their genetic code and sometimes share the same environment, so they are useful for studying the impact genetics has on health, behavior and other outcomes. The study, published in the journal Nature Genetics, doesnt have any big surprises. Overall, for diseases and conditions that hit people by early adulthood, genes account for about 40 percent of the variations from one person to another. Environment broadly, climate, pollution, and socioeconomic status accounts for most of the rest. Environment usually also includes behavior such as diet and lifestyle. Genetics had the largest influence on early-in-life eye diseases and on cognitive, or learning, disorders. Environment was the clearest factor in morbid obesity and, unsurprisingly, on infections such as Lyme disease, which is spread by ticks. It was also, to no ones surprise, the biggest factor in lead poisoning. The 56,000 twin pairs were all 24 and younger at the time of the study, which started with people born in 1985 and later. Thats because the researchers needed to follow people who stayed on their parents health insurance plans. U.S. law allows people to keep their children on their health insurance up to age 26. The study also included more than 724,000 sibling pairs. The study was not aimed at answering the question of whether you can blame your genes or zip code for disease. Its more to lay a basis for further research into what causes disease on a population basis. Our findings can provide signposts that inform subsequent research efforts and helps scientists narrowly focus their pursuits," said Chirag Lakhani, a post-doctoral research fellow at Harvard Medical School who worked on the study. Many studies have shown that zip code has a strong effect on health across the U.S. One 2013 study by the University of Washington found that people living in San Francisco or wealthy Washington, D.C. suburbs were much healthier than those living in Appalachia or rural Mississippi. Similar studies have supported these findings. Many have found that different states have greatly different rates of heart disease, stroke, cancer and other diseases. This particular study only shows effects on diseases that hit early in life. It found 40 percent of the diseases included in the study had a genetic component, and 25 percent could be linked to a shared environment such as living in the same home or having shared social influences. The biggest influence was when people shared both genes and the same environment. The finding upholds what scientists and doctors have said for years: that health is often a matter of environment and genes acting together. People with certain genetic predispositions are more likely, for instance, to become obese if they live in a place where its hard to exercise and difficult to eat a healthy diet. | https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/which-affects-health-more-dna-code-or-zip-code-n958511 |
Is Joe Tate dead or alive in Emmerdale as Debbie Dingle is asked to ID a body? | The elusive Joe Tate, played by Ned Porteous, was allegedly killed in October last year. However, it seems fans arent quite ready for Debbie Dingles late fiance to leave the show quite yet, and have come up with some theories that suggest he may not be as dead as we think. The story so far is this: Joe was due to marry Debbie when, unbeknownst to everyone, evil Kim Tate had come back to town. Kim would certainly never approve of a star-crossed Dingle/Tate wedding, especially not if it meant someone from her rival family could get their hands on Home Farm. Joe has been missed by fans (Picture: ITV) Kim ordered henchman Graham Foster to kill Joe, but things didnt go to plan when they had a heart to heart and Graham realised he was too attached to the boy he had previously been ordered to protect, instead telling Joe to run away and never come back (also giving him a bag with 100,000). Advertisement Advertisement Joe initially went, but then decided to return to confront Kim for making him miss his own wedding. Before he got to do that, though, he bumped into Debbies fuming angry dad Cain, who punched him for jilting her. The pair never quite made it to the altar (Picture: ITV) The punch knocked Joe to the ground, and it appeared he was dead. Graham turned up and told Cain to leave, telling him hell clear up the mess. After he bundled Joe into a car and was pictured with a gun, it seemed hed bumped him off for good. Here are the arguments for and against The case for dead If we go by Grahams accounts, Joe has well and truly kicked the bucket. He told Kim he had, and later went on to continue the lie that Cain was responsible for the death. He also had a huge breakdown in the car after the murder, and has been extremely emotional ever since, which may be the guilt of failing to be the guardian he was supposed to be to Joe. Joes death seems even more definite in tonights episodes, too. Debbie is floored when shes called on to ID a body that could be Joe but she cant go through with it and Cain offers to do it in her place. Later, Debbie breaks down and tells him she can never, ever move on from Joe. His disappearance has broken her heart and with so many questions she just cant let go. Advertisement Advertisement Seeing her in so much pain its too much for Cain, he finally cracks and tells her he killed Joe, leaving Debbie reeling. The next day she heads to confront Graham about Joe to find out what he knows and he appears shocked by the truth. He secretly calls Cain who charges over to Home Farm and Debbie is left horrified when she realises a further truth Graham knew too. Worse is to come as she learns Moira is in on it as well and she feels utter betrayal from her family. Cains guilt and anger gets the better of him and he snaps, taking it out on Moira and shoving her against the wall. As if this wasnt proof enough that Joe is dead, actor Ned Porteous has also not been in the UK for quite some time, posting Insta pics around the world. He also confirmed he had left with Metro.co.uk. Jeff Hordley, who plays Cain in the soap, teased: Yes there is a rift but hoping they still come back together at some point, and if the truth of the situation is that he didnt kill Joe maybe its a road back for father and daughter to reunite. Advertisement Id love that, but thats the nature of stories like this. It will put us in new territory as father and daughter. The case for alive One thing that fans picked up on was the fact that Joes hand twitched before he was hauled into Grahams car. Even though Graham is supposed to have finished Cains work after this, you never actually see this happen, which could suggest hes still alive. Then, Graham was speaking to Joes little brother Noah and said in present tense Joe loves you, you know. This hinted to fans that he might not be gone for good. Hordley added in an interview with Metro.co.uk: I hope Joe walks back through the door one day! Both Charley (who plays Debbie) and I have talked about it. Ned also threw us a curveball with this video posted on Emmerdales official Twitter page. He asks is it all over? and says see you later rather than a firm goodbye. The saga may just continue after all. The door certainly seems open. Emmerdale continues tonight on ITV at 7pm. MORE: Coronation Street spoilers: Sinead Tinker and her baby face death tonight | https://metro.co.uk/2019/01/14/is-joe-tate-dead-or-alive-in-emmerdale-as-debbie-dingle-is-asked-to-identify-a-body-8343119/ |
Why does planning a wedding turn some people evil? | (Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk) If theres one story that we all love to read, its the demands of an unreasonable bride. It doesnt matter whether shes setting a bizarre dress code based on your weight or simply telling you to put aside $4,000 to attend the nuptials, stories about brides (and lets face it, its very rarely the grooms) becoming utterly unreasonable are fascinating. Lots of us have experienced our own versions of unreasonable wedding expectations, even from couples who, before the wedding planning started, were perfectly nice, normal people. According to Sarah George, digital editor for Bride and Bride: The Wedding Show at Tatton Park, its about money, and stress. With so much to organise from finding the perfect venue and searching for the dream dress to liaising with suppliers and coordinating guests all the while, sticking to a budget, it is no wonder that brides (and grooms) can show signs of stress, she tells Metro.co.uk. Advertisement Advertisement With the average wedding cost now exceeding 32,000, there is so much pressure to make the wedding day perfect in every aspect and the seamless transition from each stage of the day requires meticulous planning months in advance. Shes not the only one who understands the stress of organising a wedding. Much like any huge life event, planning a wedding comes with its own set of pressures, Katie Byrne, editor of Wedding and Wedding Flowers magazine, tells Metro.co.uk. This will vary from couple to couple, with everything from finances to family all having the potential to contribute. Self-inflicted pressures (such as choosing to hand make 300 paper fans, for example) can also play their part. In short, it can be a minefield for couples to navigate. A small minority of people seem to take But Im the bride! or Its my wedding day! to justify all sorts of mad behaviour. A recent example that hit headlines was the bride who had been secretly fattening up her bridesmaids by plying them with calorie-heavy shakes, in order to make herself appear slimmer in comparison to them on her wedding day. There have been a variety of stories about brides who have been outraged when guests have refused to pay four figures to join them for their overseas nuptials (remember Susan?) and in my capacity as a former bridal editor, Ive heard all sorts of weird and wild tales that are too bonkers to believe. Katie points out that bad behaviour from a bride or groom can sometimes actually point to a deeper truth, for instance that the person in question is really struggling with the pressure of planning a wedding. Advertisement Advertisement Wedding planning can bring out the worst in people, but the worst varies from person to person. In some people, as above, its mad behaviour that they wouldnt dream of in real life (well youd like to think), whilst in others it can unlock anxieties and nervous issues as they lie awake at night worrying about things such as bridesmaid relations and keeping parents happy. So if a bride is shouting at you for having the wrong shade of pink nail varnish, it might be that shes actually angry with herself for not having perfectly clear skin or because her soon to be mother-in-law has made a snarky comment about her dress. People tend to lash out because they are unhappy. Which is really sad, considering that your wedding is supposed to be the best day of your life. If someone you care about enough to attend their wedding is showing signs of becoming a nasty person over the organisation process, its probably down to pressure and stress. As a friend, you can do them a world of good by checking in, talking to them about life outside of the wedding and trying to remind them that there is a life away from table plans. As Katie says: Remind them why theyre getting married. Theyre not doing it to impress anyone, or to throw the best-ever party. Theres no need for them to launch themselves into married life with a litter of debts behind them, simply because they thought they should. Advertisement Planning your dream wedding and getting swept up in a world of Pinterest boards and tulle is lovely but dont lose sight of the fact that, at the end of the day, youre marrying your best friend. MORE: Lily James sparks engagement rumours again with gold ring after denying Matt Smith proposal MORE: Theres a surprising sign of having high intelligence just being nice Advertisement Advertisement | https://metro.co.uk/2019/01/14/planning-wedding-turn-people-evil-8341893/ |
Should vegans avoid avocados and almonds? | A video recently doing the rounds on Facebook included a segment from the BBC comedy quiz show QI. The video asks which of avocados, almonds, melon, kiwi or butternut squash are suitable for vegans. The answer, at least according to QI, is none of them. Commercial farming of those vegetables, at least in some parts of the world, often involves migratory beekeeping. In places such as California, there are not enough local bees or other pollinating insects to pollinate the massive almond orchards. Bee hives are transported on the back of large trucks between farms they might go from almond orchards in one part of the US then on to avocado orchards in another, and later to sunflower fields in time for summer. Vegans avoid animal products. For strict vegans this means avoiding honey because of the exploitation of bees. That seems to imply that vegans should also avoid vegetables like avocados that involve exploiting bees in their production. Advertisement Defending avocados The revelation that avocados might not be "vegan-friendly" could seem to be a reductio ad absurdum of the ethical vegan argument. Some people might point to this and claim that those who are vegan but still consume avocados (or almonds and the like) are hypocrites. Alternatively, this sort of news might lead some people to throw up their hands at the impossibility of living a truly vegan diet, and so to give up. Pass me the foie gras someone However, one initial defence for vegans is that this is only a problem for certain vegetables that are produced commercially on a large scale and which are dependent on migratory beekeeping. In places such as the UK, this practice is still (as far as I can tell) uncommon. Locally sourced butternut squash would probably be fine (although you could never guarantee a bee kept in a hive hadn't pollinated a crop), while avocados and almonds (including most almond milk) sourced from California might be a problem. Another answer might depend on someone's view about the moral status of insects. Commercial beekeeping may injure or kill bees. Transporting bees to pollinate crops appears to negatively affect their health and lifespan. But some may question whether bees are capable of suffering in the same way as animals, while others may wonder whether bees are self-aware whether they have a desire to continue to live. If they do not, some philosophers argue that they would not be harmed by being killed (others, such as Gary Francione, would beg to differ). Depends on your ethical rationale The more important general response is that whether or not migratory beekeeping is a problem depends on your ethical rationale for being vegan. Some vegans have a non-consequentialist justification for being vegan they wish to avoid acting immorally through their diet. This could be based on something like the Kantian rule of avoiding using another sentient being as a means to an end. Or they may have a rights-based view, according to which animals (including bees) are rights holders. Any amount of rights violation is wrong under this view it is simply not ethically permissible to use bees as slaves. Other vegans choose not to eat meat or other animal products for consequentialist reasons they wish to minimise animal suffering and killing. This ethical argument might also have trouble with migratory beekeeping. While the amount of suffering experienced by an individual bee is probably small, this would be magnified by the very large number of insects potentially affected (31 billion honeybees in the Californian almond orchards alone). A vegan who chooses to eat almonds or avocados is not doing what would most reduce animal suffering. However, a different, (perhaps more practical) ethical rationale that might underlie a decision to go vegan is the wish to reduce the animal suffering and killing and environmental impact involved in food production. Migratory beekeeping also has negative environmental effects, for example, through the spread of disease and effect on native honeybee populations Taking this view, dietary choices that reduce animal exploitation are still valuable even if some animal exploitation would still occur. After all, there is a need to draw a line somewhere. When we make choices about our diet, we a need to balance the effort we expend against the impact on our daily life. The same applies when we make choices about how much we should donate to charity, or how much effort we should make to reduce water consumption, energy use, or CO emissions. One ethical theory for how resources should be distributed is sometimes called "sufficientarianism". Briefly, it is the idea that resources should be shared out in a way that is not perfectly equal, and may not maximise happiness, but at least ensures that everyone has a basic minimum has enough. In another area of ethics, there is sometimes discussion of the idea that the aim of parenting is not to be the perfect parent (we all fail at that), but to be a "good enough" parent. Taking a similar "sufficientarian" approach to the ethics of avoiding animal products, the aim is not to be absolutely vegan, or maximally vegan, but to be sufficiently vegan to make as much effort as feasible to reduce harm to animals for the sake of our diet we could call this a "vegantarian" diet. For some people this may mean choosing to avoid Californian avocados, but others may find their personal ethical balance at a different point. What is more, accepting and embracing all these variations may provide room for more people to adopt or sustain a vegan lifestyle. Pass me the avo on toast, someone. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. | https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=12190452 |
Why is it so difficult to impose term limits on members of Congress? | Members of Congress can serve as many times as they are elected, but some -- including some members of Congress -- aren't happy about that. State and federal lawmaker and advocates have been pushing for and proposing congressional term limits for more than 20 years. A 1995 U.S. Supreme Court case ruled that states cannot impose term limits on their federal senators or representatives. During the 115th Congress, there were at least nine proposals from federal lawmakers to enact congressional term limits. None of them moved any farther than being introduced in either the House or the Senate. The push for term limits has gained even more fervor since the 2016 election when now-President Donald Trump made imposing term limits a big part of his campaign platform to "drain the swamp." That was almost three years ago. Congress still doesn't have term limits. There's only one way to do it: a constitutional amendment. That constitutional amendment would need approval by two-thirds of the Senate and the House on the term limit proposal. Term limits could also be proposed at a convention called by two-thirds of state legislatures (34 states). If either of those two things happen, ratification and implementation would require either three-fourths of state legislatures to vote yes on the amendment or Congress to push states to create ratification conventions. In these conventions, three-fourths of all states must still approve the amendment. Sign up for the daily Brightside Blend Newsletter Sign up for the daily Brightside Blend Newsletter Something went wrong. This email will be delivered to your inbox once a day in the morning. Thank you for signing up for the Brightside Blend Newsletter. Please try again later. It is. Constitutional amendments have only been ratified and implemented 27 times in the history of the United States. Hence, the 27 amendments. In 1995's U.S. Term Limits, Inc. v. Thornton, the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that states are now allowed to impose term limits on their respective members of Congress. The case came about after an amendment to the Arkansas Constitution tried to keep from the ballot any Congressional candidates who had already served three terms in the House or two terms in the Senate. The group behind the case, U.S. Term Limits, Inc., is still pushing for congressional term limits. So far, it's noted three states that have called for an Article V amendment convention to vote on term limits for members of Congress. Florida passed legislation in February 2016, Alabama in January 2018 and Missouri in May 2018. Back in 2017, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and then Rep. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) introduced a constitutional amendment to impose term limits on members of Congress. Two years later, Cruz and Rep. Francis Rooney of Florida proposed an amendment again that would limit terms for both houses of Congress. The proposal is co-sponsored by Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Mike Lee (R-Utah) and David Perdue (R-Ga.). The amendment would limit senators to two six-year terms and representatives to three two-year terms. Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the 10News app now. Email [email protected], or visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed. | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/politics/why-is-it-so-difficult-to-impose-term-limits-on-members-of-congress/67-694d0162-60a1-4adc-942a-be1ac574880f |
Will the 'Beast from the East' return? | We've been talking about it for a few weeks now - and, of course, the tabloids have been trial-running their very best and scariest 'White Hell' headlines...and at last it seems that the cold weather really is about to hit. After a mild start to the new week, we can all expect a gradual downturn in temperatures over the next few days as colder, often brighter weather starts to filter across the UK from the north, affecting all parts by the weekend. We can, of course, expect that cold weather to bring the usual range of winter hazards including widespread and locally severe frosts, ice and possible snow showers but the next seven to 10 days really just appears to be "normal" winter cold. Even that though will come as a bit of shock to the system after the relative mild of the season so far. But really, so far... so what... From the end January and into mid-February, however, the Met Office are warning of something a little less usual; the "increased likelihood of colder weather being established across the UK, with temperatures continuing a downward trend. This would bring a greater risk of snow, ice and widespread frost, particularly across northern parts of the country." This is a developing story of course, but one that is gaining in confidence and detail. | https://www.itv.com/news/2019-01-14/will-the-beast-from-the-east-return/ |
What Does a Financial Advisor Do? | Text size Good financial advisors bring more to the table than investment ideas. They spot hidden risks, keep emotions in check and keep your goals in focus. Unless youre a devoted tennis fan, probably not. Roger Federer hired him as a coach at the beginning of the 2016 season. As a player Ljubicic never reached the heights that Federer has achieved, but even the greatest tennis player in history thought he could benefit from a guiding hand. A GUIDE TO SMARTER INVESTING Over the next several weeks, well publish dozens of stories focused on the fundamentals of saving and investing. Were hoping this will provide some smart investing lessons for beginners and give valuable perspective to more experienced investors as well. By the same logic, most investors can benefit from a financial advisor. Its not just the knowledge an advisor brings to the tablealthough that is important. Merely the fact of working with an expert partner is likely to improve your financial picture. If youve ever had a good trainer at the gym, you know that outcomes improve when you have an expert guide you through the steps. Good advisors serve many purposes. For starters, they offer a reality check. Behavioral studies have shown that we tend to be overconfident in all walks of lifemen underestimate their odds of having a heart attack, and virtually everyone describes himself or herself as a better-than-average driver. By definition, half of them are wrong. Set Goals. A lot of emotions are tied up in our views on money, and emotions, namely fear and greed, lead to bad investing decisions. One financial advisor told us that her most useful role was as a psychologist. She talked clients off the ledge when the markets were tumbling and offered a reality check when euphoria set in, helping people stick to their financial plan. A Vanguard study found that advisors added an average of three percentage points a year to investment returns over the long term. Half of the savings came from behavioral coaching alone. The next biggest benefit came from periodic rebalancing: That means selling assets that have done well and buying those that have performed poorly, an emotionally trying, but financially rewarding, practice. How to size up planners When looking for an advisor, start by word of mouth. Ask friends about their experiences. Interview multiple advisors, and always ask how they get paid. We recommend an advisor who adheres to the fiduciary standard, which means he has to put your interest ahead of his own. Thats connected to the compensation question. There are two main ways advisors are paid: from commissions they earn on products they sell to you, or from the fees you pay, whether its an hourly fee or a percentage of assets under management. At first glance, you might think its better to go for free advice, but over time youll pay in the form of higher underlying fees or subpar products. It stands to reason that someone earning a flat fee or a percentage of assets has less incentive to sell you bad financial products than someone who makes a commission by selling those products. Before hiring anyone, be sure to check their Form ADV, which will list any regulatory infractions in their history. And as a further safety measure, be sure they use a third-party custodian to hold your funds. Bernie Madoff held client funds in his own custody. That didnt work out for clients. Meanwhile, some advisors focus entirely on your investment portfolio, while holistic advisors will help with all aspects of your financial life. The latter approach has practical benefitsif your advisors relationship with a mortgage banker, for example, shaves a quarter point off your interest rate, that savings will cover a nice chunk of the advisors fee. A holistic approach also better reflects reality. Your 401(k) and the 529 plans for your children should be considered in relationship to your cash flow, real estate holdings and tax liabilities. It makes little sense to consider them in isolation. | https://www.barrons.com/articles/what-does-a-financial-advisor-do-51547495576 |
Why are there so many more men than women in the Northern Territory? | Posted When the Northern Territory Government launched a suite of initiatives to recruit young, professional women to the Top End to boost its ailing population, many of the sheilas already there were quick to point out a drawcard that had been overlooked eligible, single men. Although Territory women have been outnumbered for decades, enjoying the highest ratio of men to women in the country, it seems many of them are still struck by the old proverb: the odds are good, but the goods are odd. Not so for Queensland-based questioner Katherine, who's had a different personal experience. "I've had a couple of friends that've gone to work up in Darwin and both of them have come back married," she said. "I just wondered if there was something about the Territory or Darwin in particular, that that kind of thing happens more easily." This story is part of Curious Darwin, our series where you ask us the questions, vote for your favourite, and we investigate. You can submit your questions on any topic at all, or vote on our next investigation. Katherine asked Curious Darwin to take a look at the demographics. "I know they've done some postcode analysis about whether there are more single women or single men, but I was wondering if there was anything like that for the NT," she said. Her query isn't personal, but it is altruistic. "I guess I've got a lot of single female friends and some of them are starting to get into their late 30s, early 40s now in Brisbane, and I'm just wondering if we should send them up north," she said. Prisons and workers' camps skewing the numbers At the last Census, in 2016, the NT population was 51.8 per cent male and 48.2 per cent female, with a median age of 32. Nationally, the population was 49.3 per cent male and 50.7 per cent female. Four of the five postcodes Australia-wide with the highest male-to-female ratio were in Darwin and the greater rural area. Howard Springs, outside of Darwin, tops the list, followed by Darwin City, Weddell, and then Larrakeyah, home to a significant Defence force barracks. Closer to Alice Springs, the Sandover-Plenty region population 4,456, median age 30.7 rounds out the top five. There's a couple of factors that could skew the ratio in those post codes. Howard Springs is home to Manigurr-Ma Village, a workers' camp for Inpex, whose $47 billion Ichthys project at one stage employed 8,000 workers. That project has now moved into its production phase, employed far fewer people, but at the time of the 2016 Census was still under peak construction. The Darwin Correctional Centre also falls within the boundaries of Howard Springs. Territory-wide, there are far more men in prison than women the population is 93 per cent male, with 1,520 men compared to 114 women as of June 2018 and the Darwin Correctional Centre has an average population that is almost double that of the Alice Springs Correctional Centre. The skew towards men in the NT population harks back to the Territory's history, said demographer Andrew Taylor, from Charles Darwin University. "This goes back to the sorts of reasons places like Darwin are settled commonly for strategic military purposes, for resource things, or to just have a presence in the north of developed countries," he said. "Through time, as the places become contemporary settlements, we still see that reflected in the population characteristics." Dr Taylor said it was very difficult to measure a precise economic impact. "When you think about it intuitively, there are some things that men do, and having more men can contribute," he said. For example, he said, rates of crime for males are higher, males are worse at saving, so they may not be contributing the economy in those ways, and the social networks that males develop are more limited. "If there's that imbalance, your stock of females is lower, and given that we're a younger population, that can impact on the birth rate," Dr Taylor said. "Overall, males are a higher turnover part of the population, so it contributes to our churn in some respects, and that has economic costs through businesses and others needing to re-fill jobs all the time." Female majority in resources-dominated Canadian province Dr Taylor referred to other remote, northern provinces overseas that had similar demographics to the Northern Territory, such as the far eastern province of Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada. The ratio of men to women was fairly evenly split in the region and in fact, women account for just over 50 per cent of the population, a majority, said Linda Ross, chief executive of the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Advisory Council on the Status of Women. But she said the economy of the province is largely resourced-based, focusing on the offshore oil and mining industries. "There has been a big push by the government to have more women working traditionally male-dominated occupations such as the skilled trades," she said via email. "In order for any of the mega projects to receive approval in the province they must include Women's Employment Plans that include women working across all employment fields, as well as a commitment to increase the numbers of women in those fields." The evacuation of Darwin There was a time when the ratio of men to women in the city of Darwin was skewed in its extreme. In the weeks before Darwin was bombed by Japanese forces in February 1942, it was becoming increasingly clear it was going to be a target, so authorities ordered the evacuation of women and children, old and sick residents, beginning in December 1941. Official war history recorded that a mere 2,500 people remained in Darwin two months later. Women who wanted to stay could avoid evacuation by taking jobs considered to be essential, such as typist positions with the army. Journalist, soldier, and later author Douglas Lockwood wrote in his book Australia's Pearl Harbour: Darwin 1942 that by February 18, 1942 the day before the bombing there were only 63 women left in the city. He wrote of the hundreds more people that fled following the "destruction and terror" of the Japanese attack. "Women and children, the aged, the infirm and those able-bodied men who could escape detection rode in an evacuee train of cattle trucks and flat-tops that left them exposed to tropical heat," he wrote. Mr Lockwood wrote of one group of Top Enders not ordered to evacuate: Aboriginal people, who were instead ordered to "go bush". In 2012, 70 years since the bombing of Darwin, historian and researcher Don Christopherson told ABC Radio Darwin about the selective evacuation of Aboriginal people from Darwin. Those who had both Aboriginal and European heritage were evacuated others were not. There were also Aboriginal people living on country in the Top End, like the Tiwi Islands and Milingimbi, who were not evacuated. Many Aboriginal people did labour for the army throughout the rest of the war, though often Mr Chistopherson said they were paid 'in kind', with goods like tobacco, rather than official wages. There were also the Northern Territory Special Reconnaissance Unit, which patrolled the Arnhem Land Coast on the lookout for any sign of Japanese landings. They were trained to fight as guerrillas if there was an invasion. Those in this unit weren't officially enlisted, and it was only in 1992 that the Federal Government formally acknowledged them with service medals and pay. Things can turn around The Northern Territory's population strategy released off the back of its 'Boundless Possible' campaign is trying to entice families and needed professionals to the north with financial incentives. The NT Government has commissioned further research into how to attract early career women, a key target demographic. The proportion of men to women traditionally reflected employment patterns, said Andrew Howe, demographer with the Australian Bureau of Statistics. "When we look back on the 1970s and 80s, the NT's population really grew, especially from interstate migration, with people coming from other parts of Australia attracted by employment prospects which were traditionally more attractive to men rather than women," he said. The NT's sex ratio is slowly approaching an equal number, he said. "Again, looking back into the 70s in the NT, we had roughly five men to every four women, or a sex ratio of 125 which has gradually come down to 108." Recent ABS population projections anticipate the sex ratio approaching a more even split. "The ABS doesn't go out on too much of a limb here because all we're doing is saying 'if recent trends continue this is what the population will be'," Mr Howe said. "But where it does get a bit fancy, a bit technical we consider those trends in terms of fertility, mortality, and migration, so the combined effects of those trends." Alice Springs bucking the trend with the arts, health Darwin may have been a male-dominated city since it was founded, but Alice Springs managed to buck the trend a couple of censuses back. "Once you start digging down to individual towns and so on, things can change; even at the Territory level the ratio is declining or becoming more balanced very slowly," Dr Taylor said. "Because we're a small population that can flip easily, that's why the arrival of a relatively small number of females into Alice Springs for health jobs and in the arts sector led to their population flipping. "But I think we will gradually see the population become more balanced over time." There is also a higher ratio of women to men in remote Aboriginal communities. In Tanami, Central Australia, there are 88.6 males for every 100 females, and Yuendumu-Anmatjere, had 88.7 men for every 100 women. Women on the street at Howard Springs didn't seem particularly bothered by the numbers. "[We've] got heaps of mums at school and stuff, so I don't really see too much of a difference really," one woman told the ABC when she was asked if she notices a lot of men around the suburb. "Maybe at the pub, few more blokes there." Another woman said: "I don't really notice. I don't pay attention I've got children so I'm more making sure they're still alive." One bloke we spoke to hadn't heard the statistic for his area. "I'm glad I've got a partner then, by the sounds of things," he responded. _ Topics: women, population-and-demographics, community-and-society, nt, darwin-0800, howard-springs-0835, larrakeyah-0820, alice-springs-0870 | https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-01-15/northern-territory-women-outnumbered-by-men-curious-darwin/10709740 |
What happens if Theresa May loses vote on her Brexit deal? | Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May speaks during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons, London, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019. File picture: UK Parliament /Mark Duffy via AP. London - British Prime Minister Theresa May is facing likely defeat in parliament on Tuesday when she asks lawmakers to approve her Brexit deal - a decision that would trigger huge uncertainty about the future of Britain's exit from the European Union. May has warned that rejecting her deal opens up the possibility of Brexit being stopped, or that Britain leaves disruptively without a deal. She has promised to respond quickly to any defeat. BACK TO PARLIAMENT May must submit a new plan for Britain's next steps by the end of Jan. 21. It is not clear what May's 'Plan B' is, but some local media have reported she would ask parliament to vote again on the deal, perhaps after seeking another set of reassurances from the EU. Some lawmakers have floated the idea that parliament could, in a temporary break from convention in Britain, take control of the process away from the government and hand it to a committee of senior lawmakers from across the political spectrum. It is not clear that this plan is technically possible, or whether it has enough support to succeed. The government said any attempt to prevent it from meeting its legal obligation to deliver an orderly EU exit would be extremely concerning. RESIGN May could resign as leader of the Conservative Party, triggering an internal contest to replace her without a general election. OUSTED May defeated an attempt to oust her as leader of the Conservative Party in December, winning a confidence vote by 200 votes to 117. The result means her position as leader of the party cannot be challenged for 12 months. VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE The opposition Labour Party has said it will call a vote of no confidence in the government if May's deal is rejected, but has not specified exactly when. If a majority of lawmakers vote against May's government, Labour would have 14 days to prove, by a vote, that it could command a majority and form its own government. That would allow Labour to take control of the country without an election. . BACK TO THE BALLOT If May's government loses a confidence vote and Labour is unable to form a new government, an election is called. May could also call a general election herself if two-thirds of lawmakers in parliament agree to it. May has said that a general election is not in the national interest. LONGER-TERM OPTIONS: SECOND REFERENDUM The route to a second referendum on Brexit - or a People's Vote - is unclear. But, unless the plan to give control of the process to parliament is successful, it would require the backing of the government of the day. A new referendum can be called only if it is approved by parliament. With May dead-set against a second referendum, and the opposition Labour Party not committed to one (but not ruling one out), a second referendum would need either a change in prime minister, a change in government, or an abrupt change in policy. An increasingly vocal contingent of lawmakers from across the political spectrum supports a fresh vote to break the impasse in parliament. But, so far they have not been able to prove there is a majority in parliament for this view. Even if parliament did agree in principle to a second referendum, Britain would then have to ask for an extension to its timetable for leaving the EU. DELAY OR CANCEL BREXIT The government could seek to extend the negotiating period with the EU to give it time to try to reach a better deal, hold a general election, or conduct a second referendum. The government could also withdraw its notice of intention to leave the EU, which the European Court of Justice has ruled it can do without consent of other EU countries. May has said she does not want to delay Britain's exit from the EU, and will not revoke the notice of intention to leave. Reuters | https://www.iol.co.za/news/world/what-happens-if-theresa-may-loses-vote-on-her-brexit-deal-18814587 |
How Much Fighting Is Too Much in a Relationship? | When youre in a relationship, its pretty much a guarantee that youre going to fight with your partner at some pointthats just life. But when you find yourself bickering more than usual, its natural to wonder, How much fighting is too much? and "Are we totally screwed?" Before you freak out and think your relationship is doomed because you had two fights last week, know this: its completely normal to have arguments and disagreements with your partner, says Joseph Cilona , Psy.D., a Manhattan-based licensed clinical psychologist. "There is no one correct formula when it comes to frequency of conflict, and there is no one correct way to navigate conflict thats right for all couples, he says. Translation: Some couples argue more than others, but that doesn't mean they're doomed. . Fighting means you care about the relationship, she says. When fighting goes away completely, sometimes one or both people have checked out. To figure out if your fights are healthy (or if they're raising red flags in your relationship) ask yourself these questions. 1. Rather than tallying up all of your arguments, pay more attention to how you fight. If you can argue in a respectful wayby using phrases like I feel really angry or I feel like Im not being heard and avoiding character assaultsyoure in a good place, Durvasula says. But if your arguments often devolve into personal attacks (think: name-calling, criticizing the core of who someone is or how they look), its not healthy for your relationship. Dont let arguments scare you," Durvasula says. "Just pay attention to the quality of them. 2. How well you and your partner make up is also important. Couples who are able to go through conflict into harmony end up having productive fights, which leads to greater intimacy, says David Klow , a licensed marriage and family therapist in Chicago. If you're constantly rehashing old arguments (healthy arguments focus on the current issue, Cilona says), fighting over the same things over and over with no resolution or compromise, or feeling upset about the fact that youre fighting all the time, that can be problematic. 3. If a fight with your partner has ever made you feel physically, emotionally, or psychologically unsafe, that's a major red flag, according to the experts. Fighting is healthy only as long as it stays fair and safe. If you find that youre arguing a lot, its bothering you, and the two of you can't seem to get it right, it may be time to see a professional for help. Often a clean pair of eyes can help you see where your communication patterns are going wrong, Durvasula says. And if you feel like things have crossed a line, talk to a therapist or someone you trust ASAP. If even one member of a couple has feelings of upset, dissatisfaction, discomfort, fear, or any other significant negative feelings related to the nature, frequency, or intensity of the conflict itself, it's something that should be addressed, Cilona says. | https://www.glamour.com/story/how-much-fighting-is-too-much-in-a-relationship |
Will Salman Khan and Ranbir Kapoor clash at the box office in 2019 with Dabangg 3 and Brahmastra? | We all know that Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt have been prepping together for one of Dharma Productions most ambitious project Brahmastra which also features Amitabh Bachchan in a pivotal role. The makers have been keen on releasing the film this year and if all goes well, it will be right before Christmas. On the other hand, we have Salman Khan who is gearing up for another release besides Bharat and that will be the return of Chulbul Pandey in Dabangg 3 during the same time. If recent reports are to be believed, we hear that there are high chances that Brahmastra and Dabangg 3 may clash at the box office this year. Earlier reports had suggested that Dharma Productions and director Ayan Mukerji are looking at a December release for their superhero drama. The film, inspired by Indian mythology, will be a trilogy of sorts with Brahmastra being the first film from the franchise. While it was slated to release in August, it was later pushed to the end of this year. The film has already gone on floors and it was being shot in India and abroad in picturesque locations like Bulgaria. On the other hand, Dabangg 3 marks the return of the much loved cop franchise. The third instalment of the action drama is expected to be a spin-off of sorts delving deeper into the life of Chulbul Pandey aka Salman. It will feature Sonakshi Sinha as his leading lady yet again and this time it is expected to be directed by Prabhu Dheva. The film is expected to go on floor once the actor wraps up Bharat, which will be soon. While the initial plan was to release Kick 2 during Christmas 2019, now it seems that the superstar is keen on getting it for Dabangg 3. As for Kick 2, the details of the film and the script for the same are yet to be locked. | http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/will-salman-khan-ranbir-kapoor-clash-box-office-2019-dabangg-3-brahmastra/ |
How does PG&E bankruptcy affect CA customers & employees? | PG&E is about to go bankrupt. But the troubled utility said it will keep the lights on and is committed to a fair and expeditious resolution of the billions of dollars it faces in potential liabilities from the Camp Fire and the 2017 wine country fires. Heres a look at what might happen, and what it would mean to the state, ratepayers throughout Northern California and those impacted by the wildfires. On or about Jan. 29. The utility was required, under a state law signed in September by former Gov. Jerry Brown, to give 15 days notice before filing. Thats what it did Monday. The notice came out about 12 hours after CEO Geisha Williams resigned. Digital Access for only $0.99 For the most comprehensive local coverage, subscribe today. In a press statement, the utility company said it does not expect any impact to electric or natural gas service for its customers. It also said it is committed to continuing to make investments in system safety as it works with regulators, policymakers and other key stakeholders to consider a range of alternatives to provide for the safe delivery of natural gas and electric service for the long-term in an environment that continues to be challenged by climate change. It also said its employees are expected to continue to receive their pay and benefits. The Legislature, in passing SB 901 last fall, gave PG&E and other utilities limited protection against wildfire claims. Among other things, the law says the Public Utilities Commission could allow utilities to pass some wildfire claim expenses onto ratepayers if the utilities arent strong enough financially to shoulder the costs themselves. The protection, however, only includes the 2017 fires, not the massive Camp Fire last year. Assemblyman Chris Holden, D-Pasadena, has said he would introduce legislation to extend the protections to include the Camp Fire. Fire officials have not determined a cause for that fire, but many residents already have sued PG&E, which had a power-line malfunction near the fire ignition point. It is uncertain whether the Legislature will be willing to go to bat for the utility a second time. No, and no. PG&E would file for protection under Chapter 11 of the federal bankruptcy code. Chapter 11 allows the company to stay in business while it sorts out its ever-growing debt load. PG&E kept the lights on during the three years it spent in Chapter 11 between 2001 and 2004, when it was clobbered by rising power costs during the energy crisis. The state suffered several days of rolling blackouts in 2001, but they were spread beyond PG&Es territory and werent caused by the bankruptcy. Rates could go up, but not necessarily because of a bankruptcy filing. Pacific Gas and Electric Co. has already asked the Public Utilities Commission for authority to raise rates by 6.4 percent in 2020. If the rate hike is granted in full, monthly gas bills would increase $1.84 and electric bills would rise $8.73, on average. The higher rates would generate about $1.1 billion in additional annual revenue. PG&E says about half would be spent on wildfire prevention initiatives, such as installing high-definition cameras in remote areas and trimming trees more aggressively. But bankruptcies can add enormous legal costs, and PG&E could seek to have ratepayers absorb those expenses. Bankruptcy is never a clean, easy process, and theres a lot of costs involved just in terms of lawyers and accountants, said James Bushnell, a UC Davis energy economist. Some of that is going to be passed onto ratepayers. Mark Toney, executive director of The Utility Reform Network in San Francisco, said ratepayer interests would be neglected. It puts the decision in the hands of a bankruptcy judge whose first priority is paying creditors off. The ratepayers are the last priority. SHARE COPY LINK The Camp Fire tore through Paradise, California, becoming the deadliest and most destructive in state history. Sacramento Bee staff recount covering the impact of the deadly wildfire. Chapter 11 gives companies breathing room of sorts, the chance to sort out their debts while they keep operating. One possible outcome is that PG&E would use a court-supervised auction to sell its natural-gas division to raise money to pay wildfire claims. Bankruptcy could reduce the amount of money available for paying survivors whove sued PG&E over the Camp Fire and the 2017 fires. Survivors would be declared unsecured creditors and would be lumped in with other such creditors namely the investors who hold roughly $18 billion in long-term debt owed by the utility and its corporate parent, PG&E Corp. Wildfire victims seeking recovery could be in deep trouble, said Jared Ellias, a bankruptcy-law expert at UC Hastings College of Law in San Francisco. Ellias did say, however, that bankruptcy could speed the processing of damage claims. A bankruptcy trustee could require that survivors get some funds long before the courts could resolve the mountain of lawsuits. Bankruptcy is often much faster than state court, he said. Its too early to tell. But its worth noting that PG&Es bonds have been trading at about 78 cents on the dollar, said Carol Levenson of Gimme Credit LLC, a debt-analysis firm. That suggests bondholders arent counting on getting paid in full, she said. The same could apply to fire survivors. Survivors lawyers say they believe they can recover damages for their clients regardless. PG&E has a lot of assets, said Dario de Ghetaldi, a Bay Area lawyer whos suing PG&E on survivors behalf. For many California ratepayers, it would mean writing two utility checks each month instead of one. Sacramento residents do that already, paying PG&E for gas and SMUD for electricity. A sale would be overseen by the PUC. We really have to make sure that who they sell it to is experienced (and) has a good track record in operating gas pipeline systems in a safe manner, Toney said. Yes. The company already suspended quarterly dividend payments in late 2017, and its stock price has been crushed since it disclosed that it experienced trouble on a transmission tower near the spot where the Camp Fire ignited Nov. 8. PG&E shares fell to $9.06 in Monday morning trading, and have lost 80 percent of their value since the Camp Fire started. Gov. Gavin Newsom, who used to be mayor of PG&Es hometown of San Francisco, issued a statement early Monday saying in part: Everyones immediate focus is, rightfully, on ensuring Californians have continuous, reliable and safe electric and gas service ... Aside from bankruptcy, plenty. A federal judge has told PG&E to appear in court Jan. 30 to respond to his plan to require the company to fix transmission lines and take other safety steps. In February, PG&E will release its latest financial results, which will provide more detailed analysis on the potential liabilities from the Camp Fire. | https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/state/california/article224188410.html |
Where is Cold Feet series eight filmed? | Get daily updates directly to your inbox Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Could not subscribe, try again later Invalid Email Cold Feet is back on our screens for an eighth series, with Manchester as always acting as an extra character amid all the drama. In March John Thomson, who lays Pete Gifford, was spotted filming a dramatic rescue in the canal at Castlefield. John, who plays lovable family man Pete Gifford in the ITV1 drama , was seen taking the plunge at the back of Barca bar as his character comes to the aid of a drowning man. The cast were once again reunited in Manchester and its surrounding areas earlier this year to film the eighth series of the popular show, which returned in 2016 after 13 years away from our screens. Written and created by Mike Bullen, Cold Feet stars James Nesbitt, Hermione Norris, Robert Bathurst, Fay Ripley and John Thomson as the nations favourite fifty something friends as we follow their lives in Manchester. Heres where to look out for in series 8 Manchester Ship Canal (Image: Eamonn and James Clarke) Pete and his friend Adam Williams, played by James Nesbitt, drag a man out of Manchester Ship Canal in a nightmare scenario for the father of two, who has previously battled depression. Filmed in March, the water wouldn't have been warm at that time of year. The Pub (Image: ITV Screengrab) Pals Adam (James Nesbitt), Pete (John Thomson) and David (Robert Bathurst) are often seen putting the world to rights at their local pub - and the traditional green and dark wood pub used is The Woodstock in Didsbury. Location manager Mark OHanlon said previously: "We always wanted that to feel like that was their local pub in Didsbury, so we always wanted it to feel really authentic to that. Didsbury (Image: Nicky Johnston/ITV/Big Talk Productions/PA) From the very moment Cold Feet first burst onto our screens back in 1998, the couples have all lived in Didsbury and the love affair with the suburb remains. The two most well-known houses in the show, the homes of Pete and Jenny and David and Karen, are filmed at properties on Kingston Road in Didsbury. But all of the interior scenes, that may look very convincingly like stylish townhouses, are actually purpose-built sets filmed at the Space Studios in Gorton. Salford Lads Club (Image: Ben Blackall) The cast gathered at the iconic Salford Lads Club at the corner of St Ignatius Walk. The club started in 1903, but was shot to international fame when its doorstep was used as the setting for the inner sleeve of The Smiths' album The Queen Is Dead. After being put on the map by The Smiths it has attracted pilgrims from across the world. The club operates as a music venue in its own right and is a lads and girls club with activities every night of the week. The club was founded to steer young boys away from Victorian gangs - and encourage a more wholesome fun. Since then 22,500 members have joined the club, including former Manchester United Busby Babe Edward Eddie Colman, who was tragically killed in The Munich Air Disaster in 1958. | https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/tv/cold-feet-series-eight-filmed-15675495 |
Will PG&E bankruptcy stop Diablo Canyon decommissioning? | News that San Luis Obispo Countys largest private employer plans to declare bankruptcy in the coming days had some officials worrying Monday, with many noting PG&Es plans could put the decommissioning of Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant in jeopardy. I am very concerned about layoffs that could affect employees who live in our community, and I remain concerned that the plant operate to the end of its licenses, county Supervisor Adam Hill said in an email to The Tribune on Monday. There are no (greenhouse gas)-free replacements that could make up for the power the states grid needs. It would be very bad for the state to allow it to go offline sooner than its licensed end. John Geesman, legal counsel for the San Luis Obispo-based activist group Alliance for Nuclear Responsibility, said this is a period of enormous uncertainty. The bankruptcy process is going to result in questions being asked in a bankruptcy court that no one could have foreseen prior to the bankruptcy proceeding, he said. For example, is the Diablo Canyon power plant a marketable asset? Digital Access for only $0.99 For the most comprehensive local coverage, subscribe today. Chapter 11 reorganization The utility company warned its employees on Monday that it plans to file for Chapter 11 reorganization as it faces billions of dollars in liability for its role in last years devastating California wildfires. (Investigators blamed PG&Es power lines for sparking a number of blazes in 2018.) PG&E expects that the Chapter 11 process will, among other things, support the orderly, fair and expeditious resolution of its potential liabilities resulting from the 2017 and 2018 Northern California wildfires, and will assure the company has access to the capital and resources it needs to continue to provide safe service to customers, read a news release on the companys website Monday morning. PG&E intends to file bankruptcy on or about Jan. 29, according to the release. The company will not go out of business as a result of the filing, it said, and it does not expect any impact to natural gas or electrical service for customers. Ahead of the notice, PG&E CEO Geisha Williams resigned Sunday, to be replaced by interim CEO John Simon. This isnt the first time the California utility company, which provides power to 16 million customers, has filed for bankruptcy. It previously declared bankruptcy in 2001, and emerged from reorganization three years later. Diablo Canyon decommissioning What the latest filing would mean for the ongoing process to shut down Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant is unclear. PG&E spokesman Blair Jones on Monday said there are no specific plans to close Diablo Canyon early and that no layoffs have been announced as part of the reorganization. The company employs more than 1,600 people in San Luis Obispo and northern Santa Barbara counties, Jones said. Just a month ago, PG&E officials announced they would be asking for $1.6 billion from ratepayers to pay for the safe shutdown of the plant. Those plans are pending a decision by the California Public Utilities Commission, and its unclear whether bankruptcy proceedings could in some way impact them. Jones said the company is still committed to that plan. Were going to continue down that path, he said. Notably, the $3.2 billion the company has set aside to partially fund the decommissioning process wont be at risk during the bankruptcy proceedings, Jones said. That money is bankruptcy-remote and by law cant be accessed by creditors. Assistant county administrative officer Guy Savage said the county Board of Supervisors is expected to discuss PG&Es filing to the CPUC in closed session on Tuesday. I would anticipate that we would be providing our responses to that filing before the end of the response period, Savage wrote in an email to The Tribune. He said requests for comment on potential changes to the decommissioning process in light of the bankruptcy announcement would be better directed to PG&E. When asked if the bankruptcy filing could impact the companys decommissioning funding request, CPUC media representative Terrie Prosper said the state organization is working in coordination with Gov. Gavin Newsoms office and other agencies to closely monitor PG&E, including developments regarding its leadership, financial status and legal filings, and is prepared to respond as appropriate. The CPUC always takes care to ensure that the utilities can provide all customers electric and natural gas service, she wrote in an email to The Tribune. At this point, PG&E has sufficient resources to continue to safely meet its core responsibilities and obligations. Local response Geesman, of the Alliance for Nuclear Responsibility, said in the coming months that much of the agreed upon decommissioning process for Diablo Canyon could be called into question. These are all unknowns in the process, until you actually get in the process, Geesman said. But for better or for worse, the San Luis Obispo community doesnt really have a recognized seat at the table in the bankruptcy process. The bankruptcy code is prioritized to creditors. Soon after the bankruptcy announcement Monday, other officials began weighing in on the potential impact on San Luis Obispo County. PG&Es notice of intent to file for bankruptcy is unfortunate, as it is San Luis Obispo Countys largest private employer, Assemblyman Jordan Cunningham said Monday in an emailed statement to The Tribune. Throughout the coming process, I will do whatever I can to protect our regions PG&E employees and ensure that Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant remains operational. For more information on the reorganization process, visit PG&Es Reorganization Information page on its website, www.pge.com. | https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/environment/article224498645.html |
Who is Ramona in Cold Feet and who plays her? | Get daily updates directly to your inbox Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Could not subscribe, try again later Invalid Email Ramona Ramirez appeared in the original run of Cold Feet in the 90s, and she's as much-loved by fans of the show as the circle of friends who are central to the drama. Ramona was David and Karen Marsdens fiery Spanish nanny played by Jacey Salles. She's known for passing comment on the rest of the gang with her trademark outspoken honesty while trying, and failing, to stay out of their business. There was often communication problems between herself and her employees with hilarious consequences, like the time she thought David was making romantic advances towards her. And she had a brief fling with his friend Pete Gifford. Ramona was the nanny to David and Karen's son Josh and she returned during the finale of the revived series in 2016, this time as Karen's PA. (Image: PA) Ramona is played by British actress Jacey Salles, who says on her Twitter profile "I sound English in real life!" In 2016 Jacey played Juanita Salvador Martinez Hernandez De La Cruz in the Channel Four soap. She was introduced as the mother of Diego, Myra McQueen's ex fiancee who cheated on her. Jacey also had roles in Keith Lemon Coming in America, Doctors, Holby City, Attack the Block and My Family. And Cold Feet fans are excited to have her back on our screens in the Manchester-based comedy drama series. One fan tweeted: "Wouldn't be the same without Ramona and her attitude that's just 'getting worse and worse' (said Karen) - nah, she's just feisty - Ramona I mean..and Karen too (actually, I have just thought of another favourite scene - will post under *other* tweet about our favourite scenes..)" | https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/tv/who-ramona-cold-feet-who-15671895 |
What Is Synamedia's Exit Plan? | Synamedia, the startup formed in late 2018 via the acquisition of Cisco Systems's video software unit, is focused on reestablishing and stabilizing relationships with its largest customers in the near-term. But it's already thinking about what the company might look like three to five years down the road. "The right perspective is going public," Abe Peled, Synamedia 's chairman, said in a sit-down with Light Reading last week at CES in Las Vegas, when asked what sort of exit plan he had in mind for the company. Of course, no path forward is set in stone, and will be directed in part by the state and health of the markets. But Peled realizes that Permira , the private equity firm backing Synamedia, will eventually be looking for its payback on the venture. "Private equity has to have an exit," said Peled, the former chairman and CEO of NDS, the company that Cisco Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: CSCO) acquired in 2012, and Peled essentially bought back reportedly for cents on the dollar last year. (See Bye Bye Cisco Video Software, Hello Synamedia and Cisco Dumps Video Software Biz, Ends NDS Era.) But now that the keys are back in Synamedia's hands, the priority is to reconnect with the company's customers and "deliver on critical projects in-flight," Peled said. Some of Synamedia's major customers include AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T), Vodafone, Comcast Corp. (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) and Comcast's recent acquisition, Sky, the UK-based media company and service provider that just made an investment in Synamedia. (See Eurobites: Sky Takes a Stake in Synamedia.) That is being followed by a "hybrid" strategy in which Synamedia intends to enable its installed base of major pay-TV operators to convert their systems into multi-screen platforms that deliver traditional TV services along with OTT-sourced content on a unified device and platform. "That's the basis of our growth strategy... and what we believe pay-TV operators need to evolve into," Peled said. He is not overly concerned with a narrative building that some cable operators are starting to entertain the idea of letting their higher-cost video business languish and instead focus on their higher-margin and growth-oriented broadband businesses. He said that notion is more popular among smaller operators rather than the major ones Synamedia works with that continue to invest in their own video products. "That's why we're not focusing on tier-2 guys," he said. (See New Household Formation Vital to Cable's Broadband Growth Story in US and Cable One Gets Credit for Putting Pipes Ahead of Programming.) The other priority is to embark into fresh product areas for the company, including targeted advertising and a new service that London-based Synamedia has developed that enables its partners to zero in on a growing credential-sharing issue and, perhaps, turn that into a new, premium-level revenue stream. (See Synamedia Turns 'Casual' Password Sharing Into Revenue Stream and Synamedia CEO Seeks New Video Service Tangents .) Synamedia is testing a new product aimed at helping the company's partners get a grip on credential sharing issue, and is piloting it for free as it assesses the size and scope of the issue and establishes the value and business model for the product that will eventually hit the market. Pictured is a dashboard of the product that Synamedia demonstrated at CES. Synamedia is piloting the credential-sharing product for free with a small set of customers as the company attempts to understand the value of the product before establishing the business model. That approach extends well beyond core elements like conditional access and digital rights management. "We've been strong about revenue protection, but the game has moved on," Peled said, adding that the service can also be used to disrupt a larger and more troubling piracy ecosystem. (See Netflix-Backed ACE Sinks Another Video Piracy Threat .) Jeff Baumgartner, Senior Editor, Light Reading | https://www.lightreading.com/financial/what-is-synamedias-exit-plan-/d/d-id/748778?_mc=RSS_LR_EDT |
Will the bus take a back seat to CATS new rideshare service? | In case riding the bus is a little too old-fashioned for you, the Capital Area Transit System has announced plans to enter the ride share game. Touted as microtransit, a pilot program featuring a fleet of 15-passenger vans could be up and running within 90 days. BROUGHT TO YOU BY Sponsored By In a change of pace from traditional public transit, riders in the program will hail rides through a smartphone app, with drivers able to pick up and drop off other riders along the way. Locations covered by the program have yet to be determined, with areas not currently serviced by existing bus routes to serve as likely starting points. The pilot program is slated to run for 10 months, after which the city will assess future viability of the program. The per-cost pricing of a ride is unknown at this time. Give us your thoughts in the comments. | https://digbr.com/will-the-bus-take-a-back-seat-to-cats-new-rideshare-service/ |
Who is the new No. 1 in The Press boys basketball Elite 11? | Thank you for Reading. Please purchase a subscription to continue reading. A subscription is required to continue reading. Thank you for reading PressofAtlanticCity.com. If you are a current subscriber you are granted an all-access pass to the website and digital newspaper replica. Please click Sign Up or Login to activate your digital access. If not, please click Sign Up to subscribe and continue to enjoy valuable local news and information, or you can come back at the end of your 30-day period for another 10 free articles. Thank you for reading PressofAtlanticCity.com. Please click Get Started. If you are a current subscriber you are granted an all-access pass to the website and digital newspaper replica. If not, we ask that you purchase a subscription and continue to enjoy valuable local news and information, or you can come back at the end of your 30-day period for another 10 free articles. | https://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/sports/local/highschool/who-is-the-new-no-in-the-press-boys-basketball/article_d9d1cf32-1822-11e9-b1af-87924e97bd8c.html |
Why Were Cops on the Rooftops of Hy-Vee Stores Saturday? | 'Cop on a Rooftop' made its return to Sioux Falls on Saturday at Hy-Vee Stores throughout the Sioux Empire. Fortunately for the Sioux Falls finest participating, Mother Nature was somewhat cooperative, at least by January standards in the weather department for this part of the country. If you're not familiar with Cop on a Rooftop, it's not a musical, and it wasn't some big elaborate police stakeout, to help apprehend a criminal from a grocery store. 'Cop on a Rooftop' is part of the annual law enforcement torch run. For the second year in a row, Special Olympics South Dakota and Sioux Falls law enforcement joined forces for a day to help raise money and create awareness for Special Olympics South Dakota. Special Olympics South Dakota assistant torch run liaison Amy Crawford told KSFY , People just get a kick out of it because you don't usually see somebody on the roof let alone a police officer on the roof talking to you, getting some jokes going. So it really brightens their day. I stopped by two different Hy-Vee stores on Saturday, and I gotta say, the two police officers on roof duty that I saw, were doing a great job working the crowds shopping. Quite a few people appeared to be donating to the cause. KSFY reports , the goal this year is to raise $10,000. All the money collected will go to help the hundreds of athletes competing each year in Special Olympics. Source: KSFY TV | http://ksoo.com/why-were-cops-on-the-rooftops-of-hy-vee-stores-saturday/ |
Do all those kids really like eggs? Or do they just like fame? | Columnist Our family movie night was interrupted on Sunday by outbursts from the 12-year-old. Mom! Its up to 21 million likes, he said. Now 1,000 more, he cut in again. Dad paused the movie, exasperated. Every time I refresh it, there are more likes! This is crazy! the tween said. He was giddy. The egg, you guys. The egg is famous. We rolled our eyes, shushed him and hit play. By Monday, everyone was talking about the Egg, the Instagram world-record holder for the most likes for a post. The Egg became the most-liked post since Kylie Jenner got 18.1 million likes last February for her baby announcement. That record was broken Sunday. By Monday morning, it was at 33 million likes, and growing. (The #EggGang has already announced that egg merch is coming soon.) [Congrats, egg. You set an Instagram record.] There is a message in the Egg. And its bigger than the fact that the tween is cooler than all of us. The Egg, if you havent already heard, is nothing more than a photo of a lovely brown and slightly speckled specimen of poultry perfection that was uploaded by an account holder identified as the #EggGang. Plain as it is, the Egg offers an excellent lesson about the pursuit and celebration of Internet fame. It used to be that when you asked kids what they want to be when they grow up, youd hear astronaut or ballerina or doctor or president. You might even hear rich. Now, too often, we get a different answer: Famous. And they dont mean Jonas Salk famous. They mean Logan Paul famous. (Pauls one of the kings of the dopey YouTube stars. Imagine Shaggy with his own reality show sans adorable Scooby who finally got called out on his stunts when he made a big joke of Japans suicide forest and the body of a man who had just killed himself there.) Thats what professors Yalda T. Uhls and Patricia Greenfield at the University of Los Angeles heard most often in the studies they did starting in 2007. When they talked to kids in fourth through sixth grade, 40 percent of the students chose fame as the top value from a list of personal goals that included a sense of community, financial success, benevolence and achievement. A recent Pew Research study found that 37 percent of teens said one of the big negatives of their social media lives is feeling the pressure to get likes on the things they post. There it is popularity, by the numbers. I see it in my 12-year-olds little squad. They have a small circle on social media. One of them has his own YouTube channel, they all have Instagram accounts and they interact ferociously. If YouTube kids post doesnt get a lot of likes, he gets burned. His mom stepped in after he posted a video climbing out of his bedroom window onto the roof. (Got a lot of likes, though.) My own child absolutely sparkles when he gets a lot of likes for a picture that he posts, from goofy snaps of the dog, to food, to fishing with his uncle. His current record is a short and ill-advised video of him riding an office chair down the ramp of a parking garage. And you can see how easily they can go from dog pictures to driving while blindfolded a la the Bird Box challenge. On one hand, its the need for affirmation alongside another form of socialization, the digital version of those ridiculous tween conversations we all had about boys, girls, Jellies, Doom or cherry-flavored Pez. On the other, the desire to be famous has made us more isolated and insulated and made all those interactions a lot less genuine. [Scary consequences in a quest for fame] My tween and his friends were all aboard the Egg frenzy. And I asked him why they all liked the Egg. I dont think it was about the Egg at all, he said. It was just funny to like something like an egg. What is there to like about an egg? I asked him. It has lots of nutrition. Its amazing that it just comes out of a chickens butt and you can eat it. It has protein, it can be made into a cake, or bread, or you can have it sunny-side up, or scrambled. But nobody thought about that, he said. People just liked it to like it. Everyone else was doing it. Bingo. I decided to ask Henrietta, the alleged layer of the egg, according to the #EggGang account holder who posted the famous egg photo. Is this a campaign to protest the banality of Internet fame, a celebration of the beauty of your menstrual cycle, or proof that your potential offspring is cuter than Kylies? I asked Henrietta. All of the above, she replied. Twitter: @petulad | https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/do-all-those-kids-really-like-eggs-or-do-they-just-like-fame/2019/01/14/0d44bcce-182f-11e9-88fe-f9f77a3bcb6c_story.html |
What's taking the Supreme Court so long to act on hot-button cases? | For two weeks in a row, the Supreme Court has met behind closed doors in its ornate conference room to pore over an unusual number of controversial issues in order to decide whether to take up the cases this term. So far, the justices have said nothing publicly. Abortion Clarence Thomas Decisions and rulings Government and public administration Government bodies and offices Government organizations - US Health and medical Immigration Immigration, citizenship and displacement International relations and national security John Roberts (Justice) Law and legal system Medical treatments and procedures Political Figures - US Politics Sex and gender issues Sexual and reproductive health Society Trial and procedure US federal court system US federal government US Supreme Court Instead, they've issued orders lists that make no mention of the government's efforts to terminate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals immigration program, the transgender military ban, abortion, LGBT employment discrimination and the Second Amendment. Each week, Washington has waited, poised to scrutinize the court's action on the cases, and the justices have responded with near silence. The inaction comes as Chief Justice John Roberts is working to steer the court away from controversies that have almost crippled the two other branches of government, and liberal interest groups, ever mindful of the court's newly solidified conservative majority, seek to slow-walk some issues to protect them from adverse rulings. Progressives are also carefully eyeing Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who is the leader of the court's liberal wing and is casting her votes by proxy while she recovers from cancer surgery at home. What the court will do is anyone's guess. RELATED: Ruth Bader Ginsburg's absence creates uncertainty about Supreme Court's present and future The justices are clearly moving gingerly, with Roberts, who cares about the integrity of the court more than any other justice, perhaps urging caution at times and maybe trying to limit -- if not eliminate -- any angry dissents from some of his colleagues. Roberts' caution seemed to be on display last month when he voted with the four liberal members of the court to uphold a federal judge's order blocking the Trump administration's new asylum restrictions. The order denying the government's emergency petition was 5-4. Now the issue will go back to the lower courts, and conceivably return to the justices again after lower courts have fully weighed in. On December 10, Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch and Samuel Alito seemed to call out their colleagues for dodging controversial topics. On that day the court declined to review lower court opinions that said states violate federal law when they terminate Medicaid contracts with Planned Parenthood affiliates who offer preventive care for low income women. Thomas suggested the court should have taken up the case, but shied from doing so to steer away from any kind of perceived link to abortion. "Some tenuous connection to a politically fraught issue does not justify abdicating our judicial duty," Thomas wrote. The next opportunity for the court to meet behind closed doors will come Friday. Another factor will be in play by then. Mid-January normally serves as a cut off time for the justices to fill the current calendar. That could mean that if they do agree to grant one of the controversial cases, they may hear the disputes next term, when the political climate could be radically different. On the docket Perhaps the most high profile case before the justices concerns the Trump administration's move to phase out DACA -- an Obama era initiative that protects from deportation young undocumented immigrants who came to the United States as children. Lower courts have so far stymied the government's attempts to phase out the program, allowing renewals for some 700,000 undocumented immigrants to continue. The Trump administration has also asked the justices to allow its ban on transgender military service to go into effect. Lower courts have divided on the legality of the ban and the administration says it is necessary to protect national security. Also in front of the justices is a petition from Indiana asking them to allow an abortion law signed by then-Gov. Mike Pence to go into effect. It has been blocked by lower courts that have ruled that it contradicts Supreme Court precedent. The justices are considering a case concerning the scope of Second Amendment protections, an issue the court has dodged since it came down with a major ruling in 2010. They are also looking at three different cases of keen importance to LGBT rights supporters concerning whether current employment law protects workers from discrimination based on sexual identity and gender identification. On top of that, they will soon review whether an unnamed company fighting a subpoena related to the Mueller investigation can file a petition with the court under seal. | https://www.wthitv.com/content/national/504335682.html?ref=682 |
Will 2019 Be the Year Health Care in Georgia Improves? | Despite a new lineup of legislators as well as a new governor and lieutenant governor many health care issues in the upcoming session of the Georgia General Assembly will have a familiar look. They are largely the same ones that have percolated under the Gold Dome in past years. Health care regulations. Surprise medical billing. Rural health care. Medical marijuana. Yet something new just got created that may serve as a vehicle for legislation to shake up Georgia health care. House Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) has named a special committee on Access to Quality Health Care. While it will focus on regulations under the controversial certificate-of-need (CON) laws, the panel may also look at state proposals to shore up or expand health insurance. Ralston said Thursday that he hopes the committee will make a lot of progress this session, which convenes next week. He also spoke to reporters about several other health care-related issues during a media briefing at the state Capitol. The special committee will be chaired by two people very familiar with health care. State Rep. Richard Smith (R-Columbus), chairman of the House Insurance Committee, will chair the special panel, while Rep. Sharon Cooper, head of the House Health and Human Services Committee, will serve as vice chair. Its a two-year gig for the committee members, whose numbers include some Democrats. Certificate of need, in particular, appears to be in legislators crosshairs, after years of wrangling over even the slightest changes to these state regulations. The CON process governs the construction and expansion of health care facilities and services in the state. Its a very powerful factor in the states health care industry, and supporters of projects that dont get CON approval often complain that the process is unfair. Certificate of Need Two legislative committees have proposed major changes to the way Georgia regulates hospitals and other medical facilities. A Senate study committee, chaired by state Sen. Ben Watson (R-Savannah), a physician, has formulated draft legislation that could ease state restrictions involving Cancer Treatment Centers of America, which has a hospital in Newnan, and clear a path for a planned sports medicine center in Alpharetta. The goal, he said recently, is deregulation to inject more competition into health care services. A House panel in December backed more sweeping changes, including recommending replacing CON with an accreditation and rigorous licensing system for health care providers. The House Rural Development Council also seeks to require nonprofit hospitals to disclose financial information on their websites, including their IRS 990 forms and executive salaries, as well as their community benefit spending, terms of their debt, and properties owned, including those that are vacant. Ralston said Thursday that the Rural Development Council members are concerned about what some nonprofit hospitals are doing with their financial reserves and about how much reserves they have. He said he supports increasing hospital accountability and transparency with regard to these holdings. Almost any proposal to change CON, though, would draw opposition from influential hospital organizations, who have long supported the current system. Waiver Proposals The new committee could also consider requests for insurance changes that take the form of waivers, federally approved exceptions to states existing health programs. A waiver plan getting renewed attention since the November election was developed by Atlanta-based Grady Health System three years ago. The Grady plan would use federal matching Medicaid dollars to help set up pilot sites that could provide coverage to thousands of people who currently lack medical insurance. Participating medical providers would then manage these patients care. We hope to see coverage expansion to low-income Georgians, Laura Colbert of Georgians for a Healthy Future, said Thursday at an event sponsored by the consumer group. Were feeling optimistic about a statewide program to increase health insurance, she said. But Colbert added, My fear is that the conversation about CON will dominate the health conversation in a way that will prevent the Legislature from focusing on consumer issues that are more pressing. Georgia has one of the highest uninsured rates in the nation. Its political leadership has rejected expanding the state Medicaid program, citing the expense of that move. Its one of only 14 states that have not adopted expansion as outlined by the Affordable Care Act. Another waiver idea being discussed pertains to the states health insurance exchange and reinsurance. A reinsurance program aims to stabilize health insurance premiums in the exchange by capping the cost that insurers incur in covering people with high medical costs. Ralston noted that Gov.-elect Brian Kemp has mentioned waivers as an area he would like to pursue. I anticipate well know more about that after Kemps State of the State address, Ralston said. Surprise Billing This thorny issue continues to elude compromise. Surprise billing occurs when consumers have procedures or visit ERs at hospitals in their insurance network, then get separate bills for hundreds or even thousands of dollars from non-network doctors who were involved in their care. Such bills from ER doctors, anesthesiologists and radiologists, among others, often baffle and anger consumers. The most recent legislative attempt to fix the problem was last year, but it stalled like those in previous years, because lawmakers could not reach a compromise between differing proposals. One proposal, backed by health insurers, focused on giving consumers more information on non-network providers and costs. The other, supported by physician groups, would have set a formula for insurer reimbursements to doctors for out-of-network care. The issue still resonates at the Gold Dome. State Sen. Chuck Hufstetler, a Rome Republican who backed legislation earlier this year, told GHN this week, We will try again to find common ground between the House and Senate as well as insurance companies and [medical] providers. Tobacco Tax Hufstetler also told the Rome News-Tribune that he supports legislation similar to a bill introduced by Republican Rep. Ron Stephens of Savannah, near the end of last years session. It would have raised the tax on a pack of cigarettes from 37 cents to $1.87. Tobacco use the single most preventable cause of disease, disability, and death in the U.S. causes more than 11,000 deaths in the state annually, and its direct health care costs amount to more than $3 billion a year. The American Lung Association says an increase in the levy would deter many youths from smoking by making tobacco more expensive, And Georgia could raise more than $400 million a year to make investments for the health and well-being of Georgia residents by raising the cigarette tax by at least $1 per pack, says the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute. Georgia has the third-lowest state cigarette tax rate out of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. But many libertarians and conservatives oppose any tax increases. Speaker Ralston, when asked about a possible tax hike, noted that adult smoking rates have declined in the U.S. Im always hesitant to suggest raising taxes in any event, including for tobacco use, he added. Medical Cannabis Georgia allows people with medical conditions to possess medical marijuana. But its illegal to bring it into the state. A legislative commission has recommended allowing medical marijuana to be grown in Georgia and sold to patients. The proposal would license marijuana growers, manufacturers and dispensaries. Georgia is one of the few states where medical marijuana is legal but cultivation and distribution are not, the Macon Telegraph reported. That means the 6,421 Georgia residents with medical cards have virtually no legal way to get the medication they need. We really have set up a law that is potentially forcing Georgia citizens to break federal law in order to obtain the product, state Rep. Allen Peake, a Macon Republican who spearheaded the 2015 medical marijuana legislation, told the Telegraph. State Sen. Matt Brass, a co-chairman of the commission, said he wants to help patients who can benefit from medical marijuana without moving the state closer to legalization of marijuana for recreational use, the AJC reported recently. I know this bill will not make everyone happy, said Brass, a Republican from Newnan. Were simply doing this to get access for our patients. Rural Health Care In recent years, Georgia lawmakers have tried to address the financial struggles that many rural hospitals face. Legislation to help these facilities included raising the rural tax credit for donors to rural hospitals from 90 percent to 100 percent The Rural Development Council has recommended raising the tax credit ceiling for rural hospital donations from the current $60 million to $100 million. The program has been incredibly successful, says state Rep. Terry England, co-chairman of the council. But England has said the council also wants to clarify rules involving donation processes and what hospital expenditures are allowed with those funds. Ralston also said Thursday that expanding rural broadband will help health care in rural areas, as well as business and education. I think broadband is foundational to revitalize rural Georgia, he said. Step Therapy Last years Legislature considered legislation that aimed to ease access to medications for serious illnesses by facilitating exceptions to insurers drug requirements. Current protocols often require that a patient try and fail on one or more meds before insurers agree to cover the drug that was originally prescribed. Thats known as step therapy. Last years bill, which ultimately failed to clear the Legislature, would establish reasons for exemptions from such protocols. Dorothy Leone-Glasser of Advocates for Responsible Care (ARxC), who pushed the step therapy bill last year, said Thursday she expects another strong attempt at passage. Mental Health Ralston also told reporters that he wants to make mental health a priority during this session. We have not given that issue sufficient attention [and] resources for a long, long time. Thats an issue that I really believe were going to have to make a priority. Also On Atlanta Daily World: | https://atlantadailyworld.com/2019/01/14/will-2019-be-the-year-health-care-in-georgia-improves/ |
Could Nams Turn To The Courts When They Are Not Satisfied With National Assembly Decisions? | 0 SHARES Share Tweet QUESTION OF DAY: One has to refer to section 108 of the Constitution in order to have an answer to this question. Those with legal minds should engage in the debate. Section 108 of the Constitution states: (1) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the National Assembly may regulate its own procedure and, in particular, may make Standing Orders for the conduct of its own proceedings. (2) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Constitution or in any other law, no decision, order or direction of the National Assembly or any of its Committees or the Speaker relating to the Standing Orders of the National Assembly, or to the application or interpretation of Standing Orders, or any act done by the National Assembly or the Speaker under any Standing Orders, shall be enquired into by any court. Foroyaa will publish any views expressed on this provision. | http://foroyaa.gm/could-nams-turn-to-the-courts-when-they-are-not-satisfied-with-national-assembly-decisions/ |
What's going on at Kmart plaza in South Burlington? | Buy Photo Excavation of old sewer lines is underway at the former Kmart Plaza in South Burlington on Friday, Jan. 11, 2019. Hannaford supermarket, currently located on an adjacent property to the southwest, plans to move here. (Photo: JOEL BANNER BAIRD/FREE PRESS) SOUTH BURLINGTON - There's no move-in date, but crews are preparing the former Kmart Plaza on Shelburne Road for the arrival of a Hannaford supermarket. Interior demolition is underway at the former Kmart store, which closed two years ago. Upgrades to sewer lines beneath the parking lot and stormwater systems will continue through early spring, said Maine-based Hannaford spokeswoman Ericka Dodge on Tuesday. Hannaford currently operates store on an adjacent parcel, tucked next to Lowe's. The move, onto property already owned by Hannaford and into an existing building, has undergone a relatively seamless review process compared to the company's eight-year struggle to open a supermarket in Hinesburg. More: Fish-and-chips restaurant to open near Higher Ground in South Burlington A site plan for a new Hannaford supermarket on Shelburne Road shows the store occupying the former Kmart building (dark orange). (Photo: Courtesy City of South Burlington) Contact Joel Banner Baird at 802-660-1843 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @VTgoingUp. Read or Share this story: https://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/2019/01/14/hannaford-upgrade-kmart-plaza-south-burlington-supermarket/2547593002/ | https://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/2019/01/14/hannaford-upgrade-kmart-plaza-south-burlington-supermarket/2547593002/ |
Did The European Commission Authorize B&B's Bank 'Destruction' With 22B State Aid? | The effective destruction of Bradford & Bingley (B&B), the former bank, savings and mortgage company, by the Bank of England, HM Treasury and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the so-called Tripartite bodies, a decade ago in late September 2008, was completed when the European Commission (EC) authorized some 22 billion of State aid to Santander, Spains largest bank, a shareholder action group has claimed. Campaigners involved in the B&B Action Group (BBAG) seeking investor compensation for those that lost out - many of them pensioners - when the bank was nationalized in a transatlantic telephone called between Gordon Brown, the then British prime minister, and Chancellor Alistair Darling. At the time B&B was a highly regarded and viable business, which BBAG have repeatedly argued, was first established in 1851 and based in the North of England. And, the campaigners maintain it had a "far stronger balance sheet" than Northern Rock, Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS). For 2007, the B&B, which counted 2,862 employees, reported an operating income of 572.3 million and net income of 93.2 million. Indeed, since B&Bs destruction and the run-down of its mortgage book, it has repaid all State aid, interest, corporation tax, leaving a surplus that will pass - not to former shareholders with now worthless shares on the stock register at least - but to the Treasurys coffers - unless action is taken and matters can be rectified. Furthermore, the sale to Santander of B&Bs 21 billion deposit book, retail network and Isle of Man International operations for c.400 million, was according to BBAG chairman David Blundell deeply flawed since the market value was nearer 1.0 billion, according to the former insurance industry executive. Since October 2010, Bradford & Bingley has been managed and governed under the Board of UK Asset Resolution (UKAR), the holding company for B&B and NRAM Limited (i.e. Northern Rock), created to facilitate the orderly management of the closed mortgage books of both B&B and NRAM and maximise value for taxpayers. In its interim statement for the six month period ended September 2018, UKAR reported that statutory profit had decreased to 49.5 million (H1 2017/18: 216.8 million), which included a 295.2 million profit on two sales. These were namely: (1) 5.0 billion of B&B mortgage assets to an investor group led by Barclays Bank in May 2018; and, (2) 860 million portfolio of equity release mortgages to Rothesay Life Plc. The Leeds-based campaigner and businessman, who has worked in the insurance sector and largely led the campaign since September 2008 to the present day, said: The Treasury have attempted to justify this sale on numerous occasions culminating in the Right Honourable Sajid Javids statement, in a debate with Philip Davies, MP for Shipley, in Westminster Hall on the July 17 2013, describing a competitive process prior to the sale. However, despite numerous Freedom of Information (FOI) requests initiated by the campaign group over the years, the Treasury has refused to provide details of this process. In one reply to Mr Blundell from the Treasury and signed by Nicholas Macpherson, then Permanent Secretary), which I have seen, it was stated that deleting records was fairly standard practice after Treasury staff and officials had departed the organization. Part of the letter dated February 24, 2015, reads as follows: I would like to assure you that there was nothing unusual or out of the ordinary to delete these records." It went on: The Departments policy was then - and remains - that it is not necessary to systematically retain the legacy mailboxes or home drives of any Treasury staff who leave the Department. This approach to record-keeping both encourages users to file accurately and reduces the long-term retention of ephemeral data through the indiscriminate archiving of redundant user accounts. Surely though we are talking about an event and matter of national importance - and impacting just shy on one million people. And, once those records are gone it is a rather convenient for those individuals who had been involved in the discussions around B&B and Santander. Despite the obfuscation of the various authorities and frustration of the shareholder action group in being denied FOI requests (e.g. it was not in the public interest, too difficult to find, etc. ), BBAG have claimed that they now have compelling evidence - inadvertently supported by Baron Macpherson, who stepped down from the Treasury in March 2016, that the competitive process was a parody of the truth resulting in the sale securing only a fraction of its market value. In response to numerous FOI requests over a period of more than ten years, the Treasury has according to the action group (led by Mr Blundell) repeatedly attempted to justify banking failures in the U.K. by talking of a worldwide crisis. Blundell asserted on that point: "This is a fiction. The main causes of the U.K. banking crisis in 2008/9 was the gross misfeasance of the British Government: Firstly, the dilution of the regulatory powers of the Bank of England in 2001; Secondly, ignoring European Union (EU) directives by the introduction of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in 2005; and, thirdly, the light touch regulatory approach of the Tripartite of which Gordon Brown was so inordinately proud, which enabled greedy bankers to indulge in false accounting." In addition, a fourth cause highlighted, which the action group contended was the total failure of the British government to ensure that economic growth was based on sound money. Leeds-based Blundell stated: After ten years and numerous FOI requests, which have been initiated by BBAG and other parties - it is clear that the Tripartite are determined to suppress the truth as to why it and the European Commission colluded in providing around 22 billion of state aid to Santander, a bank recently fined nearly 33 million by the FCA for failing to transfer 183 million to the estates of deceased clients. He added: This [act] effectively destroyed as an on-going business to the total disadvantage of its employees and 930,000 shareholders, most of whom are just about managing retail investors, who are entitled to know why their company was not supported rather than Santander? The action group assert that it is clear that the only way of securing the truth and overcoming the institutionalized mendacity of the Treasury and the FCA is an independent inquiry. Hopefully, as Blundell puts it, the U.K. is still an open democratic society subject to the rule of law with an independent judiciary and in which those who hold high office are accountable to the people. However, they cannot be held accountable when they fail to explain how they exercise their powers, Blundell stressed. BBAG has written to the current Prime Minister, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable several times requesting they support an independent inquiry into the destruction of Bradford & Bingley. Replies garnered from the Cabinet Office, a department of the Government responsible for supporting the Prime Minister and Cabinet of the U.K., have been the standard buck passing obfuscation according to BBAG. It is understood that Sir Vince has not replied and Mr Corbyns office has confirmed that he will not support such an inquiry. These are the same politicians who regularly profess their support for the people, said Blundell. The B&B shareholders, the former owners of the company, are entitled to an independent inquiry to establish the full details of how and why their company was destroyed by the U.K. Government and the European Commission on October 1 2008, whilst simultaneously selling their deposit book and retail network for less than half its market value to Santander (who also received 22 billion of State aid from the UK Government. Back in September 2017, Blundell met his local MEP John Procter and a Reformists group member in Brussels, who was said to have expressed astonishment at the treatment to which B&B shareholders and bond holders have been subjected. The BBAG chair also had a meeting with Nicky Morgan over the issue. He added: The treatment of B&B shareholders by successive U.K. Governments, who have totally failed in their duty of care to them, has been deplorable. And, the spirit of Sir Humphrey from the British political satire sitcom Yes Minister would seem to be very much alive and well in the corridors of Whitehall. The action group suggested in 2015 that the level of compensation sought for dispossessed B&B shareholders was between 55p and 100p a share, which would equate to between 339.9 million and 618 million based on the number of B&B shares cited as being issued from the banks 2007 annual report and accounts. But with the banks subsequent rights issues the number could nudge 1 billion. | https://www.forbes.com/sites/rogeraitken/2019/01/14/did-the-european-commission-authorize-bbs-bank-destruction-with-22b-state-aid/ |
Is the film industry setting the scene for next-generation networks? | With the 86th Academy Awards having just taken place, there has been plenty of debate around the relative merits of 12 Years A Slave vs Gravity, Christian Bale vs Leonardo DiCaprio and so on. As always, we've seen much-detailed analysis of the dresses, winners and acceptance speeches on the night itself. However, the technology that lies behind these award-winning films often goes unnoticed. With production teams creating ultra-high resolution content and relying more heavily on digital technologies to produce and edit, the network infrastructure that underpins today's movies must be able to manage huge volumes of data, faster and more reliably than ever before. Film production companies are therefore often far ahead of other industries when it comes to building future-proof networks. Film-makers are constantly looking to new technology to help articulate their vision on-screen: from the ground-breaking 3D techniques used in Avatar to the incredibly data-intensive CGI worlds created by companies such as Pixar. In order for these companies to stay at the cutting edge of film and video production they need a network that is able to handle the demands of creating data-intensive productions. At Brocade we work with Lucasfilm, the company behind the iconic Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises. Success For Lucasfilm, having an industry-leading network has long been critical to the team's success, as Lucasfilm's Peter Hricak explained: "As soon as computer graphics became one of Lucasfilm's major businesses, the computer network became much more important because of the collaboration involved with so many artists and devices. Since computer animation is now the primary business of the company, the network has taken an even more prominent role, it literally couldn't happen without the network." Modern blockbusters are created and brought to market according to incredibly tight timescales. This means that any time lost during production due to a network failure can have far-reaching consequences. For Weta Digital the production company founded by Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson it was critical to have a network that could deliver the reliability, scalability and data capacity needed to tackle the exceptionally high data demands of creating digital 3D effects for James Cameron's multi-award winning epic, Avatar. It was essential for the company to reduce the stress on the network during the crunch time of production while ensuring enough backup capacity. "We often have 'renders' or video outputs from data that run for days," commented Weta Digital's Matt Provost. "If there is a network failure we can lose those and have to start them over again. And because of the way that artists work on a daily schedule, if the network goes down, we generally lose an entire day's worth of progress on the film." With 3D cinema experiencing a resurgence and content increasingly being produced in the ultra-high definition format, 4K, the demands on the network are growing even more. 3D digital effects can require more than double the volume of data and 4K creates more than four times the data volumes of standard HD, giving rise to significantly greater demands for bandwidth. These combined pressures mean that the film industry is often where the best examples of advanced networking technologies can be found. For example, Ethernet fabrics are increasingly being used by production companies, such as the special effects company Rushes, to improve the reliability of post-production and visual effects processing and real-time digital end-to-end workflows. Since Ethernet fabrics are designed to improve network utilisation, maximise application availability, increase scalability and dramatically simplify network architectures, they are perfect for the demands of the film industry. With enterprises across all sectors also experiencing growing demand for bandwidth, network scalability and flexibility, this type of solution is becoming increasingly important, regardless of vertical. The film industry is in many ways paving the way for others to follow and so, as we continue to celebrate the winners from Sunday evening, it's worth raising a glass to the networking infrastructure that makes it all possible. | https://www.techradar.com/uk/news/networking/is-the-film-industry-setting-the-scene-for-next-generation-networks-1230533 |
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