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What are the obstacles to hydrogen vehicle adoption in India?
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The energy sector has been witnessing a crisis for quite some time. While the fossil fuel is blamed for contributing significantly in environmental pollution, the rising cost of motor fuels such as petrol and diesel are hitting the transport sector as well as the overall economy pretty hard. (Also Read: Toyota Mirai breaks world distance record set by Hyundai Nexo hydrogen car) In such a crisis scenario for the energy sector, when environmental degradation and climate change too are putting pressure on the industry, there is a search for cleaner and greener fuel alternatives. While electric vehicles seem to be an option to mitigate the tailpipe emission, there are concerns about how the electricity is produced. The majority of the electricity produced in India comes from thermal power, by burning coal. This means, while the tailpipe emission is reduced, the lithium-ion batteries or lead-acid batteries are running on electricity that is produced in a massive carbon-emitting process. In such a scenario, hydrogen fuel could be a cost-efficient, effective and long-term alternative to fossil fuels like petrol or diesel. While hydrogen fuel cell technology is one segment, on which several automakers around the world are working for quite some time, in India, hydrogen fuel cell technology is still in the prenatal stage. Countries like the US, Germany, South Korea, China and Japan have already deployed a fleet of hydrogen-fuelled commercial vehicles. The French government too aims to use hydrogen fuel cell technology in transportation. However, the development of hydrogen fuel cell technology in India is not sufficient, despite the country being one of the major automobile markets in the world. While the Indian government has been promoting hydrogen fuel cell technology as part of its push for greener and cleaner automobile fuel solutions. In the Union Budget 2021, alternative fuel options received a special mention by the finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman underlining the fact that green energy and future fuels are the way ahead to attain self-sufficiency for the country's energy requirements. Emphasising that, Prime Minister Narendra Modi too said that India needs to be industry-ready for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. However, despite hydrogen being a promising alternative fuel solution, there are several challenges for India to adopt this technology, at least in near future. Lack of infrastructure Infrastructure remains a major hindrance ahead of the growth of hydrogen fuel cell technology powered vehicles. In India, the hydrogen fuel cell dispensing fuel stations are only a few, which way lower than adequate to encourage the automakers and vehicle buyers to adopt hydrogen fuel cell technology powered vehicles. Higher safety concern Safety is a major concern around hydrogen fuel cell technology. Hydrogen fuel is highly flammable, even higher than fossil fuels like petrol or diesel. It is not necessary to store the fuel in hydrogen form only, but other hydrogen-generating sources like methane, propane, alcohols, or even regular gasoline too can create gaseous hydrogen in the vehicle itself. However, all of these come with respective flammability issues and the hydrogen itself is highly flammable as well, which brings the safety concern. The possibility of electric shock too is another safety concern around the hydrogen fuel cell technology. This system electro-chemically combines hydrogen with oxygen, both of which are flammable and generates electrical energy to power the vehicle and emits water instead of toxic tailpipe gases. Some hydrogen fuel cell motors run on voltages exceeding 350 volts. Considering the fact that anything greater than 50 volts can stop a human heart, there are great risks of electric shock from a hydrogen fuel cell powertrain. Not robust Unlike the gas or oil powertrains, the hydrogen fuel cell powertrains are not very robust, because of their delicate and intricate system. These powertrain technologies demand highly sensitive surroundings and environment, as very high or very low temperatures can result in the failure of the system. In a country like India, where it is too hot and humid at places during summer and extreme cold in the northern part of the country during summer, the chances of breakdown for these powertrains are pretty high. Quite expensive Hydrogen fuel cell powertrains are way much expensive than conventional internal combustion engine technologies. These powertrains use extremely rare earth metal like platinum, which results in the manufacturing of hydrogen fuel cells a lot more expensive than drilling transporting and refining fossil fuels. While it is expected that in future, hydrogen fuel cells will pay for themselves in terms of the amount of money they will save, but the steeper upfront costs certainly drive the investors away.
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https://auto.hindustantimes.com/auto/news/what-are-the-obstacles-to-hydrogen-vehicle-adoption-in-india-41622439549118.html
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Can Ammara and Vusi Nova do a song together already?
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Vusi Nova (middle) with Ammara Brown (immediate right) and other celebs. Showbiz Reporter The chemistry between Old Mutual Amazing Voices judges Ammara Brown and South African musician Vusi Nova is too much! Looking at their pictures and connection onscreen, one can be forgiven for thinking that the two are a couple. That is how close they are. Borrowing Vusi Novas favourite statement on the singing competition, one can easily say: the two just work. Now imagine all this chemistry in a song. Ammaras afro-pop and Vusi Novas Afro-soul, definitely, will be nothing short of a hit. Commenting on the pictures Ammara was posting with Vusi Nova from South Africa, where the Amazing Voices competition is taking place, most of her fans pleaded with her to consider collaborating with the Intliziyo hit-maker. Do a song together please, commented one. FlamesI thought a song was coming, commented another. It remains to be seen if Ammara and Vusi will heed this call by fans as they could just be sitting on a potential game-changer.
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https://www.chronicle.co.zw/can-ammara-and-vusi-nova-do-a-song-together-already/
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What was the most difficult role for Mahira Khan to play?
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Everyones beloved actress and a popular personality of Pakistan, Mahira Khan revealed that she is playing the role of a blind girl in her upcoming project and that this role has been the most difficult for her to enact. Mahira Khan shared interesting information about herself with her fans during a recent interview. The actress answered various questions asked by the host in a pleasant manner using her best sense of humor and also stunned her fans with her answers. When asked to choose between Pakistani actor and host Sahir Lodhi and Indias Shah Rukh Khan, she gave Sahir Lodhi the upper hand over the Bollywood King. Mahira Khan was also asked by the host which role in a drama or film during her career has proved to be the most difficult for the actress. Responding to this, the actress said that she is working on a new project in which she has to play the role of a blind girl Neelofar . Mahira Khan said that for her, the role of Neelofar has proved to be more difficult than all the other roles she has played in her career so far.
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https://www.bolnews.com/entertainment/2021/05/what-was-the-most-difficult-role-for-mahira-khan-to-play/
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What did Bryce Hall do to fellow YouTuber and friend Zach Clayton?
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YouTubers fighting each other and even professional fighters seems like the norm now. The same was not true when Bryce Hall and Zach Clayton butt heads back in 2018. Although tussles and altercations were relatively common amongst YouTubers and internet sensations, the feud between Hall and Clayton was one that effectively divided the internet into two halves. While most of these feuds were often harmless ways of finding one's way to the headlines and commanding a significant amount of recall value or clout, the hostility between Hall and Clayton had real-world implications. A Twitter account called @MESSYMONDAY took to the platform in a bid to call people's attention to Zach Clayton's bruised face. The post alleged that Clayton's close friend Bryce Hall was responsible for the same. The tweet was deleted shortly thereafter; however, the ball was set in motion, and it snowballed into one of the biggest scandals that year. Tana Mongeau came to Zach Clayton's rescue While the word of a netizen in itself holds no particular value, it was only when fellow YouTuber Tana Mongeau got involved that their followers started paying heed. Mongeau did more than confirm the rumor. She namechecked Bryce Hall in an attempt to call attention to the dispute between the former friends. oh shit people know now yeah so uh FUCK YOU BRYCE HALL who does this to the kindest person on this planet https://t.co/ISzuce90Rb movie theater butter (@tanamongeau) December 19, 2018 Although Bryce Hall tried to clear his name after he claimed he had received a series of "death threats and hate messages," it was all for naught. After another YouTuber in Elijah Daniel got involved, it was pretty easy for Twitterati to add Hall to the ever-growing list of 'Canceled YouTubers'. Why Bryce Hall 'assaulted' Zach Clayton Having developed a messy reputation by then, Bryce Hall found himself in deep waters. However, the worst was yet to come. Following a lengthy back and forth with Mongeau on social media, Hall was caught off-guard after Mongeau accused him of infidelity. and on a side note ive always been a good friend to bryce so i think the way hes responding to this shows his true colors. again. imagine coming at people when YOU ASSAULTED SOMEONE LIKE APOLOGIZE movie theater butter (@tanamongeau) December 19, 2018 It was easy to lose sight of the fact that the entire verbal battle between Hall and Mongeou stemmed from Zach Clayton's injuries, since it had turned into a massive smear campaign on both sides. In a bid to put the entire issue to rest, Zach Clayton took to social media to offer his two cents on the matter: again, im not gonna explain my side of the story or anything cause i wanted to keep all that offline. i never even said it was him to begin with Zach (@zachclayton) December 19, 2018 After recalling what he remembered of the incident, Clayton declared that he had not accused Hall of anything. i didnt. all i said was i got jumped. didnt say no names or no stories Zach (@zachclayton) December 19, 2018 After an arduous time full of tumult, Bryce Hall was only too glad to bury the hatchet. He took to social media to drop a statement, apologizing to Clayton and fans. Also Read: 3 times Jake Paul challenged Conor McGregor to a boxing match Please take 30 seconds to answer this survey so that we can better understand how to serve your MMA needs.
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https://www.sportskeeda.com/mma/news-what-bryce-hall-fellow-youtuber-friend-zach-clayton
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What is the real age of 'Mini Khabib' Hasbulla Magomedov?
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'Mini Khabib' Hasbulla Magomedov is nothing short of an internet sensation at the moment. Other than his hilarious antics, the reason that has got thousands of people intrigued and interested in Hasbulla Magomedov is the nature of his physical appearance. Hasbulla Magomedov looks like a young, four or five-year-old kid. In reality, though, he is a 18-year-old teenager hailing from Makhachkala, Dagestan. The social media star himself claims that his age is eighteen and we have no evidence to the contrary. Hasbulla Magomedov rose to fame during the pandemic when he started sharing funny videos of himself on TikTok. Several of them were of him trying to brawl with others in the manner of MMA fighters, which earned him the nickname 'Mini Khabib' after the former UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, who also hails from Makhachkala, Dagestan. In one of his many videos, Hasbulla Magomedov impersonated Khabib Nurmagomedov, recreating The Eagle's UFC 229 weigh-in scenario. Recently, Hasbulla Magomedov has been grabbing the headlines for his rumored fight against 17-year-old Tajikistani singer Abdu Rozik, also known as the 'smallest singer in the world'. Like Hasbulla Magomedov, Abdu Rozik is also a teenager whose physical appearance resembles that of a child. While Hasbulla Magomedov's condition is likely because of dwarfism caused by Growth Hormone Deficiency or GHD, Abdu Rozik is a survivor of early-age rickets for which he could not receive adequate treatment due to the lack of financial resources of his parents. The two have recently been seen going at each other on multiple occasions on social media, most popularly engaging in a UFC-style face-off mediated by Chechen MMA fighter Asxab Tamaev. During the face-off, both Hasbulla Magomedov and Abdu Rozik confirmed their ages to be 18 and 17, respectively. Abdu Rozik revealed that he weighs 38 lbs. and stands 1 meter tall, and Hasbulla Magomedov stated that 'one kilogram' (2.2 lbs.) less than Abdu Rozik and that he too stood a meter tall. For everyone wondering about Hasbulla and Abdu roziks Age, heres the information you needpic.twitter.com/0NL15HYMIE Hasbulla (@HasbulIah) May 26, 2021 Please spend 30 seconds to answer this survey so that we can better understand how to serve your MMA needs.
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https://www.sportskeeda.com/mma/what-is-the-real-age-of-mini-khabib-hasbulla-magomedov
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Has tenderpreneurship spirit swallowed the space of scientific innovation?
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Pali Lehohla PROFESSOR Leonhard Mehlber, a renowned neurosurgeon, is no more. I had the privilege of meeting him only once on a Zoom platform last month where we agreed on a face-to-face meeting shortly. Sadly, that will now no longer happen. The surprise meeting came about through Thami Mtshali, a chemical engineer by profession and director of Galela, where for the past five years Mehlber was a member of the scientific research team. Mtshali has been in the media on how Covid-19 can be fought using the immune system boosting Galela oil. On April 12, the Broad Pool of Ideas WhatsApp group ended up discussing planning deficits in South Africa. This was triggered by my article on the subject. At issue was the serious gap in creating scenarios and modelling public policy especially economic policy models. This led to a broad question to me on the platform from Mtshali on modelling of Covid-19. I replied to the question that I am not for the modelling of the disease itself, but from the work that we are immersed in at Indlulamithi South Africa 2030 Scenarios, the econometric techniques of the Applied Development Research Solutions, which has modelled the impacts of a mild and severe scenarios in the economy. The discussions then drifted into a request for a meeting where Mehlber joined in. We covered broad fields including my interaction with Professor Peter Seeberger, director of Max-Planck Institute on the Madagascar Covid-Organics. The meeting revealed a lot to me about Mehlber. His immersion in science to deliver better health outcomes was immeasurable. In a self-deprecating and unassuming style Mehlber said in science there was no room for miracles, we must seek and strive to know and understand and thus be able to explain everything. This was a retort on the claim that Galela was a miracle medicine for Covid-19. We spent a bit of time on statistics. Mehlber was very charming. He said how pleased he was that he finally met the man who was at the helm of this institution that produced excellent statistics. To this end he said over the past ten years he had been following attentively and using statistics from Statistics SA, especially one of those on the causes of death. He said that time-series data was helpful in their scientific research at Galela. It enabled them to secure insights into the health and medical condition of South Africans. On January 20 the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research Council tested Galela and issued the following three conclusions. 1. The sample contains CBD, THC and CBC cannabinoid components at small concentrations, 2. The sample contains lipid components typically found of plant oils and 3. There is no evidence for the presence of hazardous compounds in the oil. On May 7, the US Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) issued a certificate of registration of Galela Immune Booster. I have recently listened to people surviving this third wave on the back of Galela. Against these testimonies are scientific explanations by the now late lead scientific researcher Mehlber on how Galela works. Similarly following the prescripts of science is Dr Emmanuel Taban, the first person on earth to apply flexible fibreoptic bronchoscopy to treat severely ill Covid-19 patients. Almost half a century ago, Chris Barnard gave Louis Washkansky a chance to live 13 more days by the first heart transplant. This novel treatment placed apartheid South Africa in polar position in heart transplant treatment. The story of Neo on Friday evening was too telling. Having tested Covid-19 positive and by Friday morning, May 28 after 14 days in isolation her condition had deteriorated rapidly. She was preparing her will and writing out where everything was for her mother to find after she departed this world. Little did she know that within two hours of being delivered Galela, she would regain her precious life. The Friday evening conference call between Mtshali and I with her lasted almost two hours. She was unstoppable, too happy but also too scared that Galela could perform such a miracle. More importantly she was lost for words because Mtshali put her life first. As Mahlber insists, in science there is no room for miracles, we must seek and strive to know and understand and thus be able to explain everything. Now I have to ask myself how the apartheid system of science and innovation embraced the science of an entrepreneurial state that Mariana Mazzucato talks about, yet our democratic state finds this difficult to embrace. Dr Pali Lehohla is the former statistician-general of South Africa and the former head of Statistics South Africa. Meet him at www.pie.org.za and @Palilj01 *The views expressed here are not necessarily those of IOL or of title sites BUSINESS REPORT
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https://www.iol.co.za/business-report/economy/has-tenderpreneurship-spirit-swallowed-the-space-of-scientific-innovation-f56603eb-4b39-477d-8b4d-6ee7e07e62d0
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Is Chick-fil-A Open or Closed on Memorial Day 2021?
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Its Memorial Day 2021. Most Chick-fil-A locations will be open today, but hours vary. Read on for all the details. Most Chick-fil-A Locations Are Open Today, But Hours Are Limited Chick-fil-A is famous for always being closed on Sundays. But Memorial Day falls on a Monday, not a Sunday. And although Chick-fil-A was indeed closed the day before Memorial Day, most locations will be open on Monday, May 31, 2021. Chick-fil-A noted on its website that most restaurants will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time on Memorial Day. However, some restaurants might choose to open earlier or close later. Check with your local franchise, because hours can vary. You can check the hours and locations near you here or click on Find a Restaurant in the upper portion of the webpage. The Store Is Always Closed on Sundays & Certain Holidays The store is always closed on Sundays. Chick-fil-As website explains why its closed on Sundays. The site reads: Our founder, Truett Cathy, made the decision to close on Sundays in 1946 when he opened his first restaurant in Hapeville, Georgia. Having worked seven days a week in restaurants open 24 hours, Truett saw the importance of closing on Sundays so that he and his employees could set aside one day to rest and worship if they choose a practice we uphold today. The chain is also closed on specific holidays that dont include Memorial Day. Chick-fil-A is typically closed on Christmas Day, Christmas Eve, and Thanksgiving, for example. Chick-fil-A Has Recently Changed Its Menu The next time you visit Chick-fil-A, you might want to try one of the new menu items. The store currently has the Lemon Kale Caesar Salad available and you can get it with grilled or regular nuggets, chick-n-strips where available, or chicken filets. Chick-fil-A describes the salad this way: A next generation Caesar salad served with warm, grilled chicken breast nuggets on a bed of romaine & kale with shaved parmesan & fresh lemon wedges. Made fresh daily. Served with Lemon Parmesan Panko and pairs well with Lemon Caesar Vinaigrette. Seasonal item only. Kaitlin Miller, menu category leader at Chick-fil-A, Inc., says about the salad on the website: Its a delicious lower calorie salad option for those who enjoy a traditional Caesar Salad and those looking to try something new. After testing this item in 2017 and receiving great feedback, were excited to add it to our 2021 lineup of seasonal offerings. You can also order a Sunjoy beverage, which is 1/2 sweet tea and 1/2 lemonade in sizes small, medium, or large. This was a popular off-menu beverage that has now been given an official name. You can also get it in combinations of unsweetened tea or diet lemonade. If youre looking for the spicy chicken biscuit, its still served in 95 cities. The app will confirm availability at particular stores near you. Note that Chick-fil-A still has an industry supply-chain shortage. The site notes: Due to industrywide supply chain shortages, some items, like sauces, may be unavailable. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience. READ NEXT: The latest COVID-19 deaths, cases, and updates
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https://heavy.com/entertainment/chick-fil-a-open-closed-memorial-day-2021/
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Who is Helio Castroneves fianc Adriana Henao?
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BRAZILIAN driver Hlio Castroneves is winner of four Indy 500s, putting him in the history books. The star keeps his family life lowkey, but has a daughter with his fiance Adriana Henao. Adriana Henao is a fitness instructor based in Florida. In 2014, she competed in the New York City Marathon He told USA Today Sports, "I am so proud of the dedication and commitment Adry has shown in both her training and fundraising. She has supported me in my IndyCar racing for so long, and I'm glad I can do the same for her tomorrow." "It's been crazy these past few weeks, but well worth it. I can't thank Helio enough for taking over at home so I could train. I'm looking forward to my first marathon tomorrow and honored that I was able to raise funds for J/P HRO and their good work in Haiti." 2 Adriana Henao, right, is a fitness instructor based in Florida Credit: Instagram/@be.plumah Adriana runs a mother-daughter pajama brand, with the help of her young daughter, Mikaella. Their website described the company's aim: Plumahs philosophy is about supporting our children and empowering them to explore, create and realize their ideas. The website further adds: During the quarantine, the plans changed but not the goals. We focus on Mikaellas creative process and create new things. "She loves crafts and wanted to make a line of pajamas. Later, she put her ideas on paper and brought Soul to life. she was the one who made a large part of our designs. Adriana often shares pictures of her and Mikaella doing yoga sessions together. Helio Castroneves and Adriana Henao have one daughter together, named Mikaella. OUCH! Cody Simpson calls relationship with ex Miley Cyrus 'just one of those phases' 'STRONGER' Friends producer insists Matthew Perry 'seems better' despite fans' concerns THAT'S SO GREAT! Raven-Symon says she lost 28lbs & has a 'whole different face going on' BARGAIN BETTY Kylie Jenner fans shocked as billionaire shops at Target with Travis Scott THE PITTS NO MORE! Brad Pitt spotted 'flirting' with actress Andra Day at Oscars She was born on December 28, 2009. Mikaella often attends her pro driver dad's races. The family live together in South Florida.
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https://www.the-sun.com/entertainment/2987418/who-is-helio-castroneves-fiance-adriana-henao/
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Are CVS & Walgreens Open on Memorial Day 2021?
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CVS and Walgreens locations are open for business on Memorial Day 2021 near you. Like most retail stores, CVS and Walgreens are offering special discounts and sales for the holiday, and will be open for anyone who needs to do any last-minute shopping. CVS and Walgreens stores do not typically have a set holiday schedule that applies to all of their stores chainwide, so there could be some variation in store hours from store to store. CVS Stores Will Be Open on Memorial Day CVS stores are open on Memorial Day, but the hours may vary from store to store. Because of this, its best to check before heading over. And as always, pharmacy hours might be different than their regular retail hours. To locate a nearby CVS Pharmacy location or confirm store hours near you, visit CVS.com/stores. You can see CVS weekly ad here. Although specials may vary by location, CVS will be offering quite a few discounts for Memorial Day. These includes getting $10 in ExtraBucks Rewards for $30 spent or $15 in ExtraBucks Rewards for $45 spent (limit of $15 per household with a card.) There are also special deals on select summer seasonal items like coolers and chairs, along with deals on K-cups, Wet-n-Wild beach kits, certain Advil products, and certain discounts on some candy products. There are also BOGO deals on select vitamins and $5 ExtraBucks Rewards for $20 spent on select brands, like Pampers or select other diaper products. There are also drink deals and makeup deals to choose from. Dont forget that you can also make appointments for COVID-19 vaccinations too. Walgreens Stores Will Be Open on Memorial Day Walgreens stores tend to be open on Memorial Day, but they do not have set holiday hours, so their exact hours may vary from store to store today. Its best to check before stopping by. As with other retail stores, their pharmacy hours might be different than their regular retail hours. Click here to find a Walgreens location near you and find out its exact hours on Memorial Day 2021. You can see Walgreens weekly ad here. Although specials may vary by location, Walgreens will be offering quite a few discounts for Memorial Day (some of which are only available to myWalgreens members). These include specials on Dasani Water and specials on many different brands of soft drinks. There are special on snacks, chips, sunscreen, select sunglasses, select vitamins with BOGO offers, select skin care products, and deals of the week (while supplies last) for cereal, detergent, cookies, and certain paper products. Other discounts include certain toothpaste products, disinfecting wipes, drinks, crackers, craving saving specials, gum, candy, and more. Walgreens is also offering COVID-19 vaccinations, so dont forget that you can make an appointment for this too. You can schedule a vaccine at this link, as long as you have a Walgreens account. (If youre in New Hampshire or New Mexico, youll need to use the links for those states on the vaccination scheduler webpage.) READ NEXT: The latest COVID-19 deaths, cases, and updates
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https://heavy.com/entertainment/cvs-walgreens-memorial-day-2021-hours-open/
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Is Mail Delivered on Memorial Day 2021 Today?
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As with many federal holidays, numerous businesses and services are closed for Memorial Day today. This includes the U.S. Postal Services mail delivery and many other mail delivery services. Mail Will Not Be Delivered Today The USPS will not be open and the U.S. Postal Service will not be delivering mail to your home today since its a federal holiday. This means that postal offices will be closed today too. So if youre hoping to receive something in the mail today, youll need to wait until tomorrow when mail services resume. Lobbies in post offices, however, may still be open along with some self-service kiosks that dont require any employees to be present. Of course, this also means that lobbies will be open if you need to pick up mail from a P.O. box. But mail wont be delivered and there will be no employees working today. So any service that requires customer service wont be available today. If you want to find an available self-service kiosk near you, go to the Post Office Locator on USPS.com. In the dropdown menu, choose Self-Service Kiosks under Location Type. Then fill in your city and state or your ZIP code. Then select how far youre willing to travel under the within category, and click on Search. Postal products and services are also still available at the www.usps.com website, where you can track a package, purchase stamps, put mail on hold or forward it, print postage online, enter a change of address, and find out other relevant information. According to USPSs holiday schedule, the postal service is closed on New Years Day, Martin Luther King Jr.s Birthday, Washingtons Birthday (observed), Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. UPS & FedEx Also Consider Today a Shipping Holiday You also wont be receiving anything in the mail today or any packages from UPS or FedEx, as both consider today to be a holiday too. According to FedExs holiday schedule, every service is closed except FedEx Custom Critical. FedEx Express, FedEx Ground, FedEx Home Delivery, FedEx SmartPost, FedEx Trade Networks, and FedEx Freight are all closed today. According to FedEx, Custom Critical is same-day and overnight delivery of expedited freight. FedEx Office locations may also have modified hours today. Youll need to contact your local FedEx Office for details. As for UPS, there are no pickup or delivery services on Memorial Day. All UPS Store locations are closed and UPS Freight is closed. The only service that UPS offers on Memorial Day is UPS Express Critical. Call 1-800-714-8779 or visit UPSExpressCritical.com for details. This service is available 24/7, 365 days a year. The UPS Express Critical service includes air, surface, charter, hand carry, international secure, inside precision, and value-added services options. If youre wondering about Amazons mail delivery today, thats just a little more complicated. Typically, because UPS, FedEx, and USPS delivery services are closed, Amazon considers Memorial Day to be a shipping holiday as well. In general, you should not be expecting any mail delivery today. USPS will not be delivering mail on a federal holiday. READ NEXT: The latest COVID-19 deaths, cases, and updates
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https://heavy.com/entertainment/is-mail-delivered-memorial-day-today-2021/
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Is Starbucks Open or Closed on Memorial Day 2021?
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Today is Memorial Day 2021, and whether youre spending the day at home or with friends and family, you might need to start your day with a pick-me-up from Starbucks. Or you might need a refreshing Starbucks coffee sometime during the day to help keep you going. Yes, many Starbucks stores are open today, but hours arent guaranteed. Starbucks Store Hours Vary A representative from Starbucks previously told Heavy that store hours arent set chainwide and that although most stores are open on holidays like Memorial Day or even Easter, the hours can vary. In other words, its best if you check your local stores hours before heading over. You can find the hours of operation at a Starbucks near you on the Starbucks App or using the Starbucks Store locator. Hours can vary from store to store. If the store near you is open, select locations are letting customers use the Starbucks App to locate a store, order, and pay ahead. You can then pick up from a barista at the door, at the drive-through, or at the counter depending on the stores options. You can see step-by-step instructions for digital ordering here. Starbucks Specials Remember that specials vary based on location and can end at any time. You can also participate in Starbucks rewards program to earn free food and drinks. Here are some of the specials and menu items currently being offered at Starbucks. Starbucks has a brand new strawberry funnel cake frappuccino drink that includes real funnel-cake pieces and strawberry puree. You can also get a mango dragonfruit lemonade Starbucks Refreshers beverage. Starbucks notes: Vibrant and refreshing with real dragonfruit pieces and lemonade. Another option is the guava passionfruit coconut drink. Starbucks writes: Bursting with tropical flavors combined with creamy coconutmik. You can also get the traditional and popular Cold Brew, which is our signature slow-steeped cold brew with a super-smooth taste. Another option is the new chocolate almondmilk shaken espresso. Starbucks describes it this way: Starbucks Blonde Espresso, cocoa and notes of malt shaken together and topped with almondmilk. In the food department, Starbucks is offering a bacon, gouda, and egg sandwich, described this way: Applewood-smoked bacon layered with aged Gouda and a Parmesan frittata. Or you can get the Impossible Breakfast Sandwich. Starbucks notes: Impossible Sausage Made from Plants with a cage-free fried egg and aged Cheddar. Of course, the items above are just the featured items for the current season. There are many other items offered on the regular menu, including hot coffees, drinks, and teas, other Frappuccino blended beverages, cold coffees, iced teas, cold drinks, and a variety of food items. Starbucks stores also offer delivery options. UberEats offers $5 off your first two orders in some locations with code SBXNEW. DoorDash also has Starbucks delivery in many locations. Postmates, in participating locations, is offering SAVE100 for $100 in delivery fee credits for new customers. Grubhub also delivers from Starbucks in select locations. (All promotions are subject to change at any time.) READ NEXT: The latest COVID-19 deaths, cases, and updates
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https://heavy.com/entertainment/starbucks-memorial-day-2021-open-hours/
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Where are the politicians now for Taznes relatives after case is postponed for a year?
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Cape Town - The family of murdered 11-year-old Stacha Arendse showed relatives of slain 8-year-old Tazne van Wyk support by calling on politicians, who made promises to come forward after the trial was postponed for a year. The news came to light this morning at the , 55, made an appearance. Spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority Eric Ntabazalila revealed the matter would only be heard next year: The State vs Moyhdian Pangarker has been postponed to May 16, 2022. Pangarker faces 20 charges, including 11 counts of rape, three counts of common assault, two of kidnapping, and cases of incest, sexual assault and violating a corpse. Van Wyk died due to blunt force trauma to her head, chest and neck, according to an indictment. The court case today was attended by Henry Arends, who is Stachas uncle. Stacha vanished on March 27, 2017 after she had watched movies at a friends home in Matroosberg Street, Tafelsig. Neighbour Randy Tango entered into a plea agreement with the State in 2017 and admitted he had lured the child from her friends home by using a boy to call her. He said he didn't want to go to jail and killed her. Tango received three life terms for the rape and murder of Stacha. Tazne went missing in February 2020 while walking to a tuck shop and her body was discovered two week later in a storm water drain near N1 outside of Worcester. Pangarker was arrested for the murder. Arends said they were upset with the fact that the case had been receiving very little attention by the Department of Justice, in his opinion, and that politicians had made empty promises at Taznes funeral. President Cyril Ramaphosa also visited the family in Connaught, Elsies River, after Taznes body was found . During her funeral, Police Minister Bheki Cele, mayor Dan Plato, health MEC, Nomafrench Mbombo were among the prominent people present. The mother was in an emotional state when she heard the case was only to be heard next year, said Arends. This was a high priority case and now it seems everyone, including the politicians and political parties who were at her funeral and made promises, has forgotten about her. Next year it will be more than two years after Taznes murder and this family deserve closure and justice. All the evidence is there and there are over 20 charges. Where is the Department of Justice now? When Weekend Argus called Taznes mother, Carmen van Wyk, to ask her how she felt about the postponement, she said she could not speak. Weekend Argus
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https://www.iol.co.za/weekend-argus/news/where-are-the-politicians-now-for-taznes-relatives-after-case-is-postponed-for-a-year-a4004b65-acff-4032-862d-91d5f529d866
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Will US support for the stability of the Kurdistan region continue?
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The role of the United States in helping to establish stability and success in the Kurdish regions of Syria and Iraq has been crucial to the role that those regions play today. However, all that success depends on a delicate balance. In both cases, US policy has been threatened by Turkish and Iranian efforts to undermine stability and success. Questions have now been raised about the US long-term role in eastern Syria and what the US will do about Iran-backed attacks on its forces in Iraqs Kurdistan region. The two Kurdish regions of Syria and Iraq are very different. The Kurdistan Region of Iraq is officially and legally an autonomous region of Iraq with its government, in the capital Erbil. There are choices. There is a complex policy, most of them rooted in two powerful families, called Barzani and Talabani. The Regional Government of Iraqi Kurdistan, called KRG, has its own armed forces, the Peshmerga. These units are also divided into divisions, some close to the Barzani-led Kurdistan Democratic Party and others affiliated with the Talabanis-led Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and their supporters. Write a lot, this is what is happening in KRG: On the ground the area is economically successful and many Iraqis have fled there from other parts of chaotic Iraq. Yazidis, Christians, Turkmens and others make up the diverse structure of society. Many Arabs fled ISIS to the KRG and when ISIS disappeared, others fled pro-Iranian Shiite militias to come to Erbil. The area also has major advances from the Turkish economy, such as banks and products, because it exports and imports to neighboring Turkey. It also has to do with Iran. cnxps.cmd.push (function () {cnxps ({playerId: 36af7c51-0caf-4741-9824-2c941fc6c17b}). do (4c4d856e0e6f4e3d808bbc1715e132f6);}); if (window.location.pathname.indexOf (656089)! = -1) {console.log (hedva connatix); document.getElementByClassName (divConnatix)[0].style.display = none;} Turkey has bases in the KRG where the country claims to be fighting the PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party), but is actually expanding its influence. Rumor has it that Turkey wants to move further inland, to Sinjar, or closer to Dohuk and Erbil. Meanwhile Iran also wants a role; he wants the Iranian dissidents in the KRG to be suppressed. He wants the PDKI (Democratic Party of Iranian Kurds), the PAK (Kurdistan Freedom Party) and other parties to be suppressed. The US has helped this region. She has trained Peshmerga through organizations supported by the Anti-ISIS Coalition such as the KTCC. It has an extensive base at Erbil International Airport. That base has now been attacked by pro-Iranian militia, including a sophisticated drone strike in April. This means that US support is the key to security and stability. The Kurdistan Region is the only place in Iraq where American soldiers are generally welcomed and liked by locals. Threats can come from outside, but not from within. However, the region is being hit like an anvil by Iranian and Turkish pressure. Turkey and Iran want the US to leave the region so that it can divide countries like Iraq and Syria. Kurdistan is in the middle. For a time, during the ISIS war, the Kurdish region was a strategic and successful one, playing a major role. KRG led Kirkuk and Sinjar. The Iraqi state was so weak that the KRG functioned much more like a state than Baghdad, but the situation has changed since then. Unfortunately, the Kurds have seen this before. They have been sacrificed in the past because of US machinations during the Cold War. They have been abandoned. Their hopes in the past, relying on Russia, the US or others have faded. KRG knows this; its leaders like Nechirvan Barzani, Masrour Barzani and Lahur Talabani grew with the knowledge given by Masoud Barzani and Jalal Talabani. US support for the KRG is essential but it is not the only game in town. The region is successful and has many friends, from France to Hungary to Canada. She knows how to navigate Turkish and Iranian demands. It is generally admired in some Iranian and Turkish circles. The Iranian regime boasts that it saved the Kurdistan region from ISIS and there is even a video in which Masoud Barzani, during the dark days of August 2014 when everyone seemed lost, was greeted by Qasem Soleimani, who arrived in Erbil with support iraniane. This is a partly true story. When Erbil needed help, Iran was there, because unlike Saddams genocidal regime in the past, Iran has never committed genocide against the Kurds. Unlike Turkey, which denied that Kurds existed, Iran has always had a Kurdish province. Unlike Syria, where the Kurds could not even obtain citizenship, at least in Iran they were citizens. The Kurdish region of Iraq, called Basur or South Kurdistan is just one of the important and successful Kurdish areas. Rojava, western Kurdistan, is the Kurdish region of Syria. A relatively small and less populous region than the Kurdish regions of Turkey, Iran and Iraq, it was ignored and abandoned by the Assad regime. Only when the Syrian revolution began did the regime begin to realize that it needed the Kurdish region and tried to improve the oppression of the past. This did not work exactly, but it did mean that when the Kurdish Peoples Defense Units (YPG) came out the regime could fade away, leaving some soldiers behind in places like Qamishli. The regime intended to return as it faded during the Syrian civil war. One beneficiary of the civil war was the YPG and its constituent civilian authorities, the PYD and other related groups. Until 2014, when ISIS was raging and committing genocide in Iraq, the YPG helped Yazidis flee through Syria to IDP camps. They prevented a worse genocide. The American authorities and the nascent Coalition formed saw this success and America began to support the YPG, which helped form an anti-ISIS umbrella army called the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). It was here that Brett McGurk, then the anti-ISIS tsar, and others played a key role. US special forces came in to fight and soon the SDF is pushing ISIS back, finally destroying it in Raqqa in 2017 and squeezing it to death in Baghuz on the Euphrates banks in 2019. The success of the SDF however had a boomerang impact across the border in Turkey. Turkey, led by an extremist right-wing Islamic AK Party government, wanted to suppress Kurdish aspirations and launched a war against the PKK in 2015. They accused the PKK of being the same as the YPG and this led Turkey to invade Syria in 2016 and ethnically purge Afrin of Kurds in 2018. Turkeys confession was that Kurds in eastern Syria, West, were seeking to link up with Kurds in nearby Afrin Bregu. US authorities were concerned, but under the Trump administration a pro-Ankara lobby came into force in all parts of the US government. The lobby, staffed by former diplomats who had served in Turkey and worshiped Erdogan, wanted the United States to support the SDF and the Kurds in supporting jihadists in Idlib called the Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS) and various extremist groups. supported by Turkey called the Syrian National Army. These groups openly killed Yazidis and vowed to kill the infidels or infidels and posted pictures of themselves with machine gun women. They were similar to ISIS, but for some American officials, these were groups that could march on Damascus and through them, the US would return to the good graces of Turkey. Like the American Cold War mentality that once abandoned the Kurds in the 1970s and worshiped Saddam Husseins regime for poison gas attacks on civilians, some US officials liked far-right jihadists and found them exotic and a fortune. in the region. Meanwhile other US officials, who liked the peace and stability that the SDF had brought more than the chaos and genocide of groups like HTS, told the Kurds that the US would stay with them if they made some concessions here and there. The concessions will mean allowing Turkey to occupy Afrin and expel its entire Kurdish population, about 170,000 people, and then the occupation of Tel Abyad and the expulsion of the Kurds there as well. Turkey told the UN in 2019 that it would take a buffer zone along the Syrian border and expel the Kurds and replace them with Arabs from Syria. This would be total ethnic cleansing as something from the 1940s when Germany invaded Poland. The UN welcomed Turkeys plans. The only thing standing were some American special forces. In the end, Turkey was disappointed by its intention to destroy Kobani, Qamishli, Derik and other Kurdish cities, by a Russian and Syrian regime strategist who allowed some strict Syrian regime soldiers to storm Kurdish areas and raise the flag. of the regime. Turkey accepted minor ethnic cleansing around Tel Abyad. They had one last mission though: Kill the young Kurdish woman known as Hevrin Khalaf who was a promising rising star in eastern Syria. Presumably acting with direct intelligence from Ankara, Turkish-backed Syrian extremists shot him in October 2019 and killed him. The Turkish newspaper applauded the operation. Some in the Trump administration were shocked. Others came out on top of each other in a successful operation that could break US support for the SDF. Enter President Joe Biden. By removing the pro-Ankara lobby upon entering office, Biden has tried to maintain stability in eastern Syria, but has some concerns. An oil company granted a concession under Trump appears to be losing its concession. Reports say funding will be cut for SDF. The US has trained about 80,000 SDF members to fight ISIS. There are tens of thousands displaced in the Al-Hol camp and thousands of ISIS detainees in eastern Syria. Many of them are foreigners, including from Europe, but Europe will not take its ISIS members back. This creates an economic and security burden. The question is whether the US can maintain the stability that has helped create eastern Syria. Because the area is a range of stability, what happens in the West also matters to the KRG. This is despite the fact that the authorities in the KRG do not agree with the Kurdish-led authorities in eastern Syria. This is politics and has its reasons, but it is also due to Turkish pressure. Turkey wants the Kurdish regions to be separate and compatible. He wants the US to come out. The question is whether the US will stay and do more than in the past.
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https://exbulletin.com/world/953577/
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Do Lucifer and Chloe Get Together or Get Married on Lucifer?
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Lucifer is a supernatural drama series based on the DC Comics character of the same name. It revolves around the earthly adventures of the fallen angel, Lucifer Morningstar. The series began as a grounded procedural with hints of supernatural elements. However, as the seasons progressed, it embraced the more fantastical elements of its source material. One of the highlights of the show has been the sizzling chemistry between Lucifer and Detective Chloe Baker. Fans have clamored to see the two become an item, but some obstacles have always prevented that from happening. Naturally, fans have been looking forward to learning about the relationship status of Lucifer (Tom Ellis) and Chloe (Lauren German), and the second half of Lucifer season 5 brings the answer. Heres what happens to the fan-favorite ship. When Chloe first meets Lucifer in the first season, she thinks he is a disillusioned man. Lucifer helps Chloe in the investigation of various crimes and catching criminals. Through their exploits, the two become closer, and both begin to develop feelings for each other. In the second season, Lucifer realizes that his powers have no effect on Chloe, and he is actually vulnerable around her. It is also revealed that Chloe is a gift from God, resulting in Lucifer distancing himself from her. In the third season, Lucifer struggles to confront and express his feelings for Chloe. He eventually confesses his feelings but fails to tell Chloe that he loves her. In the season 3 finale, Chloe learns of Lucifers true Devil Face. By the end of the fourth season, Chloe accepts Lucifer for who he is. In the season 4 finale, Lucifer and Chole share a kiss before Lucifer returns to hell. In the first half of season 5, Lucifers evil twin brother, Micheal, arrives on earth and tries to take over Lucifers life. However, Chloe sees through his guise and helps Lucifer in his fight against his brother. In the season 5 finale titled A Chance at a Happy Ending, during the final battle with Micheal, Chloe is stabbed by Micheal and dies. She goes to heaven, where she reunites with her dad. Lucifer decides to travel to heaven to bring back Chloe despite being banished from there. Knowing if he sets foot in heaven, he will perish instantaneously; Lucifer still lands in heaven. Liliths ring with the essence of her immortality protects him from being burned, and he finds Chloe. Realizing that the ring only has enough power to send one person back to earth, he willingly sacrifices himself for Chloe. He proclaims his love for her and finally utters those three essential words: I Love You. Chloe is revived on earth and fights Micheal. Before she can kill him, Lucifer arrives unscathed. The exact reason for his survival remains a mystery for now, but it likely has something to do with his sacrifice and love for Chloe. The season ends with Lucifer becoming the new God and all the other angels and demons bowing in front of him. We do not get a glimpse at Deckerstars relationship, but it is safe to assume that Lucifer and Chloe get together. Lucifers love for Chloe has played a crucial role in his redemption. His sacrifice for Chloe proves that Lucifer cares about her more than he cares about being God. His new responsibilities will certainly cause trouble for Lucifer and Chloes newfound romance. Alas, thats a story for the shows upcoming sixth season. For now, fans can rejoice in the fact that Lucifer and Chloe are finally together.
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https://thecinemaholic.com/do-lucifer-and-chloe-get-together-on-lucifer/
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Is Jesse Labreck Married or Engaged? Who Is ANW's Jesse Labreck's Fianc?
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Jesse Labreck has had quite the impressive run on American Ninja Warrior. First appearing in season 8 of the show, this Naperville, Illinois, gym operator has established multiple records and managed to leave behind an impressive legacy. American Ninja Warrior provides one of the most exhausting and challenging obstacle courses worldwide, making Jesses accomplishments even more special. With numerous accolades to her name, it is no wonder that this brilliant athlete has managed to build up quite a fanbase over the years. Naturally, fans are curious to know what drives Jesse in her private life. Jesse Labrecks Early Life and Family Born on January 31, 1990, Jesse is a native of Oakland, Maine. Though Jesse prefers to remain tight-lipped about her family and most of her childhood, the reality star reportedly grew up alongside a brother and a sister. Not much is known about her parents but her father, Larry is now married to her step-mother, Sandy. Jesse has been involved with gymnastics and athletics even before her time on American Ninja Warrior. After high school, Jesse attended the University of Maine and earned a bachelors degree in science. During her time in university, she was a track star and wanted to become a professional track athlete. Still, the road for a track athlete is often tough, and when Jesse was given a chance to compete in American Ninja Warrior, she did not hesitate to take up the offer. Family for Jesse has always been a priority, and even with her busy schedule, she loves spending time in her fathers home in Maine. With the famous Maine three-cornered pond near her dads house, it has become the stars favorite place to visit during the summer. When talking about making time for her father even with her hectic schedule, she said, If Im not by water in the summer, then Im not happy. We swim, we kayak, we fish. I love fishing with my dad at dusk. We go out there, and we catch white perch, and its crazy we cant make it stop. Then we go home and eat the fish within 30 minutes. Its awesome. Jesse Labrecks Fianc Jesse Labreck is happily engaged to Chris DiGangi. The couple started dating in 2016 and have been blissfully happy in their own world since then. Their relationship and the many memories the couple makes is a joy to follow through their social media profiles. Chris, who is also an athlete and an American Ninja Warrior star, has competed against Jesse on the thrilling reality show. In 2018, after having dated for quite some time, Chris decided to pop the question and ask Jesse to marry him. In the fall months of 2018, Chris took Jesse to the location of the couples first date in DC. There he proposed to Jesse, who immediately accepted. With the couple living away from their families, they decided to keep their engagement under cover until their close ones were notified. Finally, in early 2019, Jesse made a public post on social media informing her followers about her fianc. Though the couple has been engaged for almost three years, they dont have any immediate plans to get married. In 2020, through an Instagram post, Jesse took on the question of marriage and said, Well maybe next year! we will probably just be engaged forever we might just go sign papers at town hallwe might have a huge wedding in the east coast.. we might just have a small one with immediate family and take photos and dinner.these are the answers you may get depending on the day. Soooo we have no freaking idea. At present, Jesse and Chris reportedly live together and are very much in love. We hope and pray that this wonderful couple keeps finding love, joy, and happiness in their way ahead.
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https://thecinemaholic.com/is-jesse-labreck-engaged-who-is-her-fiance/
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What is the eligibility for getting Covid-19 pension?
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NEW DELHI: Dependent families of industrial workers enrolled with Employee State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) who have died due to covid-19 will get pension for two years. The scheme was announced on Saturday. Here is the eligibility criteria to avail the covid-19 pension: For a family to become eligible to get the benefits, the deceased ESIC subscriber, also known as Insured Person (IP), must have been enrolled on the online portal of the social security body at least 90 days prior to the diagnosis of covid-19 infection resulting in death. Second, the IP must have been employed for wages and ESIC contributions for at least 78 days should have been paid or payable in respect of deceased IP during a period of one year immediately preceding the diagnosis of Covid disease resulting in death". The Covid pension to the dependents of IPs, who fulfil the eligibility conditions, will be entitled to receive monthly payment at 90% of average daily wages of the IP during their life". The benefits will be given for a period of two years ending 24 March 2022, which means the scheme has been made effective 24 March, 2020, when the union government first announced a national lockdown. Industrial workers with a monthly wages up to Rs21,000 fall under the ambit of the ESIC scheme and every month a portion of their salary is deducted and deposited with the ESIC to avail medical benefits from primary to tertiary care facilities. Currently, an IP pays 0.75% of his or her basic salary and 3.25% is given by the employer to the ESIC corpus every month. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter.
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https://www.livemint.com/news/india/what-is-the-eligibility-for-getting-covid-19-pension-11622455011989.html
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Will someone please take notice?
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It is very disturbing to see that animals are treated so badly by many people but especially by those who have been given the responsibility to look after their welfare and treat them humanely. A heart wrenching video of a bear cub crying in a small cage to which it has been confined, has gone viral and animal lovers are demanding that someone should take notice of this cruelty. According to the message going around on social media, the cub has been forcibly taken away by the Punjab Wildlife Police Department from an animal lover with a shelter home for animals who lives in Islamabad. She rescued the cub by buying it from an online seller, since its mother had been killed by hunters -- probably to show off a bear skin rug in their home -- and was caring for it until a proper environment friendly sanctuary could be found for it to be relocated. Bears which are among the endangered species in Pakistan are caught and treated cruelly by their handlers who make them do tricks that they have been taught with extremely cruel methods. They are also used for bear baiting, a cruel practice where two males are made to fight each other. There was a law passed against such practices but like all such laws no one takes notice or they are not implemented by the authorities. Before it dies because of the conditions it is being kept in or from hunger caused by distress, the cub should be handed back to its rescuer and the Islamabad Wildlife Department which is trained to care for animals in this situation.
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https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/842291-will-someone-please-take-notice
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Which Jets draft picks will have the biggest impact as rookies?
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The Jets drafted 10 players last week, but not all of them will have profound effects on the franchise right away. Joe Douglas took offensive players with his first four selections all of which should provide a great level of support early in Zach Wilsons career. Those four should play a role on the Jets early considering their high selection and/or importance to Wilsons development. The rest, however, are a little bit of a mystery. The six defensive players all have insane versatility and athleticism but arent necessarily Week 1 starters in Jeff Ulbrichs defense. A few may play a role early, though, considering Robert Salehs affection for hard-hitting players. Lets look at which picks will have the biggest impact on New York in 2021.
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https://jetswire.usatoday.com/lists/new-york-jets-2021-nfl-draft-class-biggest-impact-rookies/
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Can Grand Alliance take on NDA?
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Find Free WordPress Themes and plugins. Returning to power any time soon seems to be a distant dream for Congress in India. Narendra Modi did that for the Bharatiya Janata Party which even Atal Bihari Vajpayee couldnt win consecutive terms. With Modi returning to power meant more troubles for the Congress. The extreme right and Hindutva position seems to be working sublimely for the BJP. As for Congress, nothing seems to be working in its favour. Constantly losing grounds, despite voicing some very crucial issues, the Congress needs to seriously introspect and strategize accordingly. Given that they themselves ruled the nation for three consecutive terms which was marred by corruption and red tapes, the Congress knows how it is possible that the NDA might just clinch the victory again in the next Lok Sabha polls. If it wants to give the BJP a run for its money, then the Congress will have to think afresh and take note of the recent elections as well as the countrys desperate needs. The timing is quite right for the opposition to come up with a strategy to counter the NDA and set the stage for its ouster in the next general elections. We have seen how America unitedly and decisively voted out Donald Trump from the office and India may be no different. The nation off late has been reeling under the ever-increasing prices of fuel and essential commodities. Unemployment was already at burdening heights and then the pandemic worsened the equation even further. However, the people are irked over the recent misdoings and mishandling of the coronavirus situation in the country leading to a massive death toll. The Modi government has been exposed and has proven that it is not capable of handling such a national crisis. The recent government backlash over international media for raising questions against the Modi government for its handling of the second wave in the country, new stringent laws for social media and its tampering with the covid data are factors evident enough that there seems to be flaws even in the ever-charming Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Having said this, the recent assembly election results show that all has not been lost for them. The TMC and Lefts sour blow in West Bengal and Kerala respectively has exposed the cracks in the otherwise solid saffron camp. The best move of the Congress would be to initiate a dialogue with all the anti-BJP parties and start afresh a national Grand Alliance to counter the BJP and its allies. The TMC and Left might bring some important and interesting additions to the strategy for countering the Modi-Shah duo. The most important step for the Congress would be to accept the fact that Rahul Gandhi is not an indisputable leader of the Grand Alliance and that the Grand Alliance might have a different PM candidate. Anyways, the fairly younger parties such as TMC, AAP and the left conglomerate have shown a better performance against the BJP than Congress in the last few years. Nevertheless, being the oldest party of the country, Congress does need to play an important role of bringing the opposition parties together and making them work. The opposition needs to unite fast and plan to counter the aggressive and autocratic NDA and stop it from coming to power in the coming general elections. Well, it would be too early to comment on that!
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https://www.thehillstimes.in/editorial/can-grand-alliance-take-on-nda/
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How is it possible to prevent natural disasters?
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Find Free WordPress Themes and plugins. By: Alee Khan The cyclone named Yaas in the Bay of Bengal after the storm that rose from the Arabian Sea has caused great economic damage to the country, which will probably take many years to recover. It is evident that the arrival of cyclones in the Bay of Bengal is not new, because the old people remember the Bhola storm that came in the 1970s before. More than 5 lakh people lost their lives due to the Bhola cyclone. At the same time, the havoc of the Gorki cyclone that came in 1991 is also in the minds of the people. Due to which about one and a half lakh people lost their lives. Examples of many more such cyclones will be found, which, by wreaking havoc, forced many people to drown in the cheeks of time. Every year a new natural or other kind of calamity is found in some form or the other in the country. This disaster strikes in the form of floods, landslides, earthquakes, cyclones, or tsunamis. We have not forgotten the wounds caused by these disasters during the last few years. Whether it was the August 2015 landslide in Manikaran, the tragedy that struck Uttarakhand in 2013, the Amphan that came last year, or the cyclones that hit the east coast, which went by the name of Hudhud and Phailin. Due to these disasters, the country also suffered heavy loss of life and property. Whereas, now corona is wreaking havoc on the entire modern psychological civilization. It has become a huge canker for the whole world. At the same time, the right condition in India was completed by the Yaas cyclone in the Bay of Bengal and the Tauktae storm that rose from the Arabian Sea. As scientific studies have shown, the main reason behind the rise of storms is the warming of seawater. As the seawater gets warmer, the magnitude of the storms rising from the sea will increase. We all know why the sea temperature is increasing. The reason behind this is clearly the increase of greenhouse gases in the environment. In such a situation, now it is necessary that we have to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases regularly. However, whenever the question of reducing the emission of greenhouse gases arises, the global conferences on this issue are blown away by the developing countries and the rich and developed countries which emit the most carbon will discharge their responsibility. Despite this, there is no shortage of concern on this issue globally and hope for improvement in the situation. If we make a strong arrangement to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases permanently, then it is very possible that we can avoid such impending calamities in the future. Huge thanks to scientific achievements that this time the early warning of a cyclone in the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal gave people an opportunity to go to safe areas. Due to this, people have been reduced to a minimum. At the same time, a few years ago, millions of people had to lose their lives due to a lack of prior information about the arrival of such cyclones. However, this time Tauktae and Yaas have created no less orgy, even though this cyclone has caused less mass, but the horrors of the Tandava were no less. Its horrors can be gauged from the fact that the horrors of destruction were seen from the ruins of the common people, the falling trees from the rampage or the falling electric poles, the aerial raids and banners. It can be said that the cyclones named Tauktae and Yaas have wreaked havoc like Hudhud, Bhola, Gorky, except for the people. The influx of feelings towards people after such a cyclone is a different matter. But, in such a situation, finding a permanent solution to them is a different thing. In the last few years, it has been observed that there is a possibility of a major storm hitting the east coast every two-three years. In such a situation, it becomes necessary that the poor and the needy should be made to stay in a permanent house. Since, every cyclone has to bear the brunt of displacement due to temporary housing like thatch, slum. In such a situation, it becomes necessary that the Central and State governments take the initiative to make permanent houses for them. So that, they are not forced to bear the brunt of displacement due to any unexpected crisis coming forward. If the government wishes, do not allow any kind of temporary house and building to be erected between 100 and 200 km from the beach. This will mean that due to the cyclone there will definitely be a decrease in the number of deaths in raw houses and a large population will not have to be displaced. Preparations should be made well in advance to withstand future natural disasters. Talking of disaster risk in India, there are many natural and man-made calamities but not one of varying intensity. In India, about 58.6% of the terrain is normal to very high-intensity earthquake-prone areas. Over 40 million hectares, i.e. 12% of the total land is prone to floods and river erosion. In addition, 68 percent of the arable area is likely to be dry. At the same time, there is a risk of landslides and avalanches in the always mountainous regions of India. Statistics show that between 1980 and 2010 in India, proper disasters drought 7 times, earthquake 16 times, pandemic 56 times, extreme heat 38 times, flood 184 times, pest infection 1 time, massive drought 34 times, hurricane 92 Times, volcanoes have occurred 2 times. Due to all this, the work done in the race of progress collapses. Along with affecting the common people, there is a huge economic loss. Due to this, human life is destroyed. Let me tell you, it is not possible to prevent natural disasters completely. Yes, the damage caused by natural disasters can be minimized. It is important that worldwide safety instructions to important infrastructure such as dams, roads, bridges, flyovers, railway lines, power stations, water storage, towers, irrigation canals, delta water distribution systems, river and coastal embankments, ports and other civil utility services need to be tailored and monitored. To ensure sustainability in environmentally sustainable development, both environmental protection and developmental efforts need to be carried out simultaneously. Along with this, steps should be taken to maintain ecological balance by realizing the need to plant saplings on more and more land. In order to maintain ecological balance and sustainable development, forests will also have to consider deep clusters, coastal areas, rivers, agriculture, urban environment and industrial environment and ecosystems. Today, due to changes in climate, the intensity of natural disasters like cyclones, floods and droughts has increased. In such a situation, climate change-friendly actions need to be encouraged and promoted to deal with these challenges in a sustainable and effective manner. There is a dire need to adopt an integrated, collaborative and proactive approach to existing and new institutional arrangements in dealing with a disaster. Along with this, we have to move forward by becoming well acquainted with the power of nature and acknowledging its importance. If we do not warn in time, in such a situation, a big crisis will have to be experienced in the near future. (The author is a freelance writer and columnist and can be reached at [email protected])
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https://www.thehillstimes.in/featured/how-is-it-possible-to-prevent-natural-disasters/
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What's Going On With Aqua Metals Stock Today?
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Its like January all over again: The so-called meme stocks are soaring once again. On Wednesday, Gamestop (GME) increased 16%, reaching price levels not seen since March. The video game retailer climbed another 5% Thursday, as its stock eclipsed $250. Earlier this month, Gamestop was priced at just $162. AMC Entertainment (AMC) has had an even better week. On Wednesday, AMC popped by nearly 19%. Then on Thursday, it skyrocketed 35% to over $26. The movie theatre chain (which nearly filed for bankruptcy earlier in the year but instead raised more equity on the wave of retail enthusiasm) has doubled in value just this week.
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https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2264324134832/what-s-going-on-with-aqua-metals-stock-today
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Who's in the Running to Take Over Ellen DeGeneres' Daytime Throne?
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Within hours of DeGeneres' announcement, #ReplacementsForEllen began trending on Twitter, with everyone from Saturday Night Live's Kate McKinnon to Betty White to Miss Piggy getting a vote. (That last one may have been said in jest, but, like, we don't hate it?) "There are celebrities out there who have said to themselves, 'You know, I'd like to do a talk show one day,' but have never gone there because they do their other things," Mort Marcus, co-president of television syndication company Debmar-Mercury, recently told The Hollywood Reporter. It might be a good time to have that conversation.'" Which means it's definitely a good time for us to talk about who we (and every other fan of daytime TV) would like to see peppering our favorite celebrities with the questions only a true Hollywood insider can get away with asking. And, no, we didn't include Oprah Winfrey. She's got a pretty sweet gig helming her own television network and getting Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to spill all of that royal tea.
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https://www.eonline.com/uk/news/1273434/these-are-the-stars-in-the-running-to-take-over-ellen-degeneres-daytime-throne?cmpid=rss-000000-rssfeed-365-topstories&utm_source=eonline&utm_medium=rssfeeds&utm_campaign=rss_topstories
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Should Milton Keynes go back to being called Middleton?
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Sign up to FREE email alerts from BuckinghamshireLive - Milton Keynes Live News Invalid Email Something went wrong, please try again later. Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Milton Keynes is a rather odd name for a town, and many have been critical of the double-barrelled moniker over the years. The bustling town used to be known by another name, and it was arguably much nicer. In fact, the name Milton Keynes wasnt used until the 15th century and it was even changed after that because many preferred the older honorific. Back in the 11th century, Milton Keynes was actually called Middeltone and a district in the area still bears the same historical name. In the middle of the modern-day Middleton - which is spelt slightly differently from the 11th century name sits Milton Keynes village, which would eventually inspire the name of the entire borough. During the 13th century, the name of the Middeltone district began to slowly shift into the title we know today. At first it became known as Middleton Kaynes, before eventually becoming known as Milton Keynes. However, the name would change once more before we reached the modern moniker. Milton Keynes newsletter: We bring the stories to you Signing up to BuckinghamshireLive's dedicated Milton Keynes newsletter means you'll receive our weekly news email. It couldn't be simpler and it takes seconds - simply press here, enter your email address and follow the instructions, being sure to tick the Milton Keynes Live news box. You can also enter your address at the top of this page in the box below the picture on most desktop and mobile platforms. There's an 'unsubscribe' button at the bottom of every newsletter we send out. Around the 17th century, the newly-coined Milton Keynes was amalgamated with its older name and became known as Middleton Gaynes. However, clearly that name didnt stick, and the official title soon returned to the name we know today. Following the Norman Conquest, the area where the bustling Buckinghamshire town now sits was owned by the de Cahaignes family. The family owned other patches of land throughout the country, on which stood their string of grand manors. It was these grand manors and the affluent family that lived in them that inspired the name of Milton Keynes Village, and other areas like Ashton Keynes in Wiltshire and Horsted Keynes in Sussex.
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https://www.buckinghamshirelive.com/whats-on/whats-on-news/should-milton-keynes-go-back-5475425
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Why do mosquitoes buzz in our ears?
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Nothing feels more like summer than a neighborhood barbecue, especially following the dreary winter months. But the nemesis of summer gatherings remains: the droning whine of mosquitoes around our ears . "The buzzing in your ear is mostly just a side effect of the mosquito's wings beating," said Michael Riehle, a professor of entomology at the University of Arizona. "[The sound] doesn't have a long range, so you notice it most when they are flying around your ears." Ladies that lunch That buzzing you hear is likely from a female mosquito. That's because male and female mosquitoes lead very different lives. The males typically hang out and sip on the nectar of flowers; they couldn't care less about the humans lumbering about. The females, however, need to find a blood meal after mating in order to have enough energy to produce eggs. In fact, female mosquitoes are equipped with unique tools to home in on their next victim. "From a distance, [female mosquitoes] cue in on carbon dioxide that we exhale in conical plumes from our bodies," Riehle told Live Science. "The carbon dioxide stimulates the female mosquito to start host-seeking, flying back and forth to follow that concentration gradient back to the source." In other words, mosquitoes buzz around our heads because that's where we expel the most carbon dioxide. As she approaches, the female mosquito zeros in on body heat and the carbon dioxide plume to land on the victim. The female mosquito uses taste sensors on her feet to determine whether the human, or any blood-bearing animal, is adequate to tap for her next meal. While some studies suggest that type O blood is the best vintage, Riehle remains skeptical; he has not found any convincing research about blood type and mosquito interest. Instead, he believes that other factors, like a person's genetics and even diet, play a bigger role in how "delicious" a person tastes. Your skin is "giving off this unique cocktail of scents that is going to be more attractive to some mosquitoes than to others," Riehle said. Another study found that female mosquitoes were more attracted to men who had less diverse bacteria on their skin than to men with more diverse skin bacteria; these blood suckers are also partial to people who wear dark colors, such as black. As the female flies toward a target, she beats her wings approximately 500 times per second at a frequency of 450 to 500 hertz. This frequency is pitched to the musical note A, which, coincidentally, is what an orchestra tunes itself to before a concert. While this sounds like a high-pitched drone to us, it is music to male mosquitoes. In fact, males, whose wings beat at a higher frequency than the females', listen for the dulcet tones of females when they are searching for mates. Riehle likes to demonstrate this effect to his students by passing a tuning fork pitched to A over a cage of female mosquitoes. In every test, the females do not react, he said. The same demonstration over the cage of male mosquitoes sets their wings in a flurry as they frantically search for the goddess who created those sweet, sweet vibrations While male mosquitoes go wild for this tone, humans are less thrilled to hear it. But while we may readily perceive mosquitoes buzzing around our ears, Riehle noted that most mosquitoes are not attracted to our heads. Rather, these bloodsuckers may be more inclined to seek out our feet, which sport bacteria that give off mosquito-enticing aromas. However, most people probably don't notice a mosquito buzzing around their ankles, he said. A 1996 study in the journal Trends in Parasitology found that female mosquitoes from the genus Anopheles, which are responsible for transmitting the malaria parasite, were attracted to the bacteria on human feet. This bacterium, Brevibacterium linens, is the same one that gives Limburger cheese its distinctive smell. A follow-up 2013 study in the journal PLOS One confirmed that mosquitoes are, in fact, attracted to Limburger cheese. As for avoiding mosquitoes, your best bets are to wear clothing that is light-colored and long, apply insect repellent and steer clear of mosquito hotspots (wetlands, for example) at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active, Live Science previously reported . Originally published on Live Science.
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https://www.livescience.com/why-mosquitoes-buzz-near-ear.html
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Has Tyrese Maxey replaced Shake Milton in Philadelphia 76ers rotation?
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Good morning, Sixers fans. Many of you have your brooms out for tonights Game 4 in Washington against the reeling Wizards at Capital One Arena. Leading three games to none in this best-of-seven opening-round Eastern Conference series, the Sixers are looking for a sweep after Saturdays 132-103 win over the Wizards, their second straight lopsided victory. No NBA team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit, so lets just say the odds are pretty good for the Sixers to advance to face the winner of the New York Knicks-Atlanta series, which the Hawks lead, 3-1. Things are going well for the Sixers, although coach Doc Rivers still is experimenting with his bench. Youre signed up to get this newsletter in your inbox every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. If you like what youre reading, tell your friends its free to sign up here. I want to know what you think, what we should add, and what you want to read, so send me feedback by email or on Twitter @sjnard. Thank you for reading. Marc Narducci ([email protected]) Maxey moving up Shake Milton has been struggling this postseason and Saturday, Rivers put rookie Tyrese Maxey into the game ahead of Milton. Maxey entered the game with 2 minutes, 50 seconds left in the first quarter. Milton didnt enter until 1:10 remained in the first half. In the three playoff games, Milton is averaging 3.0 points in 11.2 minutes. He has hit just 2 of 12 shots (16.6%). Compare that to the regular season , when he averaged 13.0 points in 23.2 minutes, shooting 45% from the field. Milton has been up and down this season, but he did shoot 38.5% from three-point range in 35 games after the All-Star break, compared to 31.3% in 28 games before the break. In his last three games before the playoffs, he shot 17-for-31 (54.8%). During the Sixers opening 125-118 playoff win over the Wizards, he played just 9:39 and shot 1-for-3, including 1-for-2 from deep. Then in Game 2, a 120-95 win, Milton shot 0-for-6. On Saturday he played just 10:30 and shot 1-for-3. If Milton isnt scoring, then he often isnt helping the Sixers. READ MORE: Russell Westbrook started for Wizards, Seth Curry in Sixers starting lineup; both performed well Maxey has been trending the opposite direction. in his last six regular-season games, he averaged 14.8 points. Granted, one of those games was a meaningless season finale against Orlando when he scored 30, but even if that game is taken out, he averaged 11.8 points in the previous five. He has been effective attacking the basket and gives the Sixers an element of speed that Milton cant offer. During Sundays media Zoom call, Rivers was asked if using Maxey ahead of Milton is a game-by-game situation. Yeah, I mean right now probably Maxey would go in first, Rivers said. But we kind of decided that with the way they were subbing anyway. Then he gave a hypothetical. Lets say the numbers were different we probably would go that way because we need someone to stay in front of [Wizards guard Ish Smith]. And we need to give Ish some problems on the other end with speed so there is the matchup, but its also deserved. Maxey has played great. We need him. In the three playoff games, Maxey is averaging 5.7 points and shooting 58.3% in 10.5 minutes. As for the Sixers reserves, the three leaders in the playoffs in minutes are George Hill (19.7 per game), Matisse Thybulle (17.3), and Dwight Howard (16.7). The starters havent played big minutes because the last two games have been blowouts. After the top eight in the rotation, there wont be a lot of minutes, especially if the Sixers find themselves in closer games. It will be interesting to watch if Milton can regain his stature and his minutes off the bench. Starting five Ed Barkowitz provides lots of great statistics with 12 things to know leading into Mondays Game 4. Wizards coach Scott Brooks on the Sixers: They are championship ready right now Keith Pompey writes that after once questioning his Sixers future, Joel Embiid is now compared to NBA greats during the postseason run. Pompey offers his best/worst awards for the Sixers Game 3 win. David Murphy outlines why it is important for the Sixers to end the series Monday in Washington. On Saturday, Washington was able to play in front of 50% capacity (approximately 10,000), the highest total allowed this season. After the game, Wizards three-time All-Star Bradley Beal was asked about playing in front of a bigger audience. I loved it, he said. I mean we still had a lot of Philly fans here. The Sixers fans were heard loud and clear. Beal and anybody who watched the game noticed. READ MORE: Doc Rivers faced a major challenge 10 years ago with the Celtics. Hes handled a similar one so far with the Sixers. | Mike Sielski The fan support was certainly appreciated by Embiid, who scored a playoff career-high 36 points and heard plenty of chants of MVP from the Sixers fans who made the trip to Washington. It felt like this was a Philly crowd, Embiid said. It felt like we had more fans. In the past, it has always been that way. Fans have always showed up, and they have always been louder on the road, especially here in D.C. Important dates Monday: Game 4, Sixers at Washington, 7 p.m., Capital One Arena, NBC Sports Philadelphia, TNT Wednesday: *Game 5, Washington at Sixers, 7 p.m., Wells Fargo Center, NBA TV Friday, June 4: *Game 6, Sixers at Washington, TBD, Capital One Arena, TBD Sunday, June 6: *Game 7, Washington at Sixers, TBD, Wells Fargo Center, TBD *-if needed Passing the rock Question: Teams are looking at Seth [Curry] putting the ball on the floor as a weakness (see Bradley Beal comments). Phil Evans from Facebook Answer: Thanks for the question, Phil. I think the Wizards also suggested that it is better for not only Curry but also for Danny Green to have to dribble more. That is easier said than done. Washington used a lot of single coverage on Embiid and you saw how that worked out, so with the constant doubling, players such as Curry and Green are going to be open and wont have to dribble as much. Also, I think that is a part of Currys game that he has improved on and both he and Green are capable of putting the ball on the floor. I think opposing teams have so much trouble dealing with Embiid, trying to limit Tobias Harris in one-on-one situations in which he has been highly effective and keeping Ben Simmons from attacking the rim, that attempting to make Curry and/or Green dribble more wont work.
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https://www.inquirer.com/newsletters/sixers/sixers-shake-milton-tyrese-maxey-eastern-conference-playoffs-20210531.html
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Is Regice good in Pokmon Go?
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The legendary Pokmon in Pokmon Go are some of the most sought-after captures in the entire game. They rotate out pretty frequently, so you have to be on your toes to catch them. Regice shows up every few months, making it one of the more common choices. However, despite being more common than many others, its still pretty strong and is a worthwhile addition to your Pokmon team. You can expect to see it often used by other players in the Great and Ultra Leagues, although probably not as much as Regirock or Registeel. Regice is an Ice-type Pokmon. It is weak to Fighting, Fire, Rock, and Steel-type moves, but it is resistant to Ice-type attacks. Because it is only resistant to Ice-type moves, you have to be extremely careful when using it. Regice is pretty easy to find a Pokmon in your roster to exploit. When youre using Regice in the Great or Ultra League, you normally want to have it as the final Pokmon in your team to withstand the enemys attacks. But being weak to so many types with so few resistances, thats problematic and risky. Of the two leagues, you want to use Regice in the Ultra League. It has far more use against the Pokmon in this category than it would in the Great League. Regirock and Registeel dominate the Great League. You can use Regice in the Great League, no problem, itll do decently, and it can become a good party member. Although, the Ultra League is where it truly shines where it can make use of its defense stat far more. The same goes for Regirock, but Regirocks already reliable bulk and health makes it just as good, if not better, in the Great League. The moveset you want to give Regice when using it in PvP is the fast move lock on and the charged moves blizzard and earthquake. Blizzard has some good use in these battles due to it being able to take out Flying-types. Earthquake is another good coverage move that should protect Regice against Fire, Rock, and Steel-types. Regice will always struggle with Fighting-types, regardless of the attack it learns. Youll want to make sure to have a partner or a Switch Pokmon in your roster that can step in to remove any Fighting-types that show up. Overall, Regice is a good option, especially in PvP. It competes alongside Regirock and Registeel as a good choice for you to use as your final Pokmon due to its powerful defense stat. It can withstand most battles without the need of a shield, but if youre worried about a Fighting-type taking advantage of it, especially in the Great League, having a shield handy is not a bad idea.
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https://www.gamepur.com/guides/is-regice-good-in-pokemon-go
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Do we know the enemy?
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The short answer is no. Yet, as a society we seem all too keen to embrace the ideas of green capitalism without any suspicion or critique. We often blindly believe that the system that profits off our demise and has found a way to commodify everything will carry us in its arms and save us from the burning wreckage that our Earth is becoming. While there are many actors to blame for our blind faith and obedience in gimmicks and green surcharges, from NGOs, to advertising firms, it is up to the environmental movement to define itself and its politics. Too often the general public have become beholden to the ideas of sustainability and green consumerism presented in the mainstream media and politics. It is only within the past five years that we have seen a genuine challenge to these ideas and the mainstream promotion of systemic alternatives that could lay the basis for changes that will divert humanitys course away from catastrophe. While the some of the policies presented within the Green New Deal policy platform, championed in the US by Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez and Ed Markey, are contestable, the idea of reframing climate action away from shutting the doors of industries that employ working class people is fairly new to mainstream discourses. Working class solidarity Fighting for a just transition away from the fossil fuel industry should not be taken for granted, but much rather should be a demand of the environmental movement that is constantly reiterated and championed. Too often, we have seen the movement allow for the discourse of jobs vs. climate, that you cannot possibly support working people and the planet. Dangerous rhetoric around the immediate abolition of the fossil fuel industry, stokes the fears of years past whereby middle-class, liberal environmentalists pit themselves against the working class and unionised. Glimpses of this past hit the spotlight during the 2019 Federal Election Campaign, whereby Bob Brown and his Stop Adani Convoy did nothing but alienate the working class mining communities of Queensland and consolidate public support for the LNP. Given the tumultuous relationship between mainstream environmentalism and the working class, it is pivotal that those who do engage in modern climate politics do so in solidarity with workers. Workers have a unique power, they have the ability to withhold their labour through strike action, which is important in driving disruptive activism that will force governments and corporations to adopt our demands. It is up to us as environmentalists to form strong relationships with the unions and working class communities. It is a non-negotiable that we have to demand a just transition away from fossil fuels that can accommodate the livelihoods of those working in industries attached to fossil fuels. It is no longer good enough to be able to mobilise the Inner West of Sydney; in order to build a movement that can sustain itself, we must form connections across Sydney, building bridges with communities that are often neglected by mainstream politics. Our key alliances cant be with politicians but with organised communities that represent the makeup of Greater Sydney. When we move away from this, the movement can be easily divided. First Nations justice Our alliances must also extend to First Nations People. Globally, BIPOC are disproportionately impacted by environmental degradation and pollution. It is often in communities of colour that heavily polluting infrastructure is erected and operated, it is Pacific Islanders that will be the first to bear the brunt of rising sea levels and catastrophic weather events, and in the Australian context, it is First Nations Peoples that have had their traditional lands pillaged and degraded. It is imperative that environmentalists recognise the injustices inherent to the current colonialist system and work with First Nations Peoples to achieve Indigenous sovereignty and autonomy. Indigenous Australians have lived in harmony with this land for 10,000s of years, attaining knowledge that is pivotal to maintaining the Australian environment, and thus as environmental activists we have much to learn. This is why we must always fight for Indigenous Justice within our movement, platform First Nations Peoples and listen. Corporations and NGOs While we must champion our alliances with the working class and First Nations Peoples, we must also end some of the relationships of convenience that have formed over the duration of the movement thus far. The first place to look is corporations and NGOs. For corporations and NGOs politics are negotiable and morals are non-existent. Greenwashing wont solve climate change and neither will corporate social responsibility (if such a thing actually exists). Our first point of reference should be the fact that since 1988 the top 100 global polluters have accounted for 71% of carbon emissions. Corporations, specifically those attached to heavy-polluting industries have done nothing more than individualise what is a systematic crisis. It was British Petroleum that popularised the concept of the carbon footprint, it was the NGO Keep America Beautiful, funded by beverage and packaging conglomerates (i.e. the likes of PepsiCo and Coca-Cola), that launched the award-winning advertising campaign with the slogan People start pollution. People can stop it. Entwined within this notion of the corporate enemy we must include the supposed climate saviours, the billionaire CEOs with good PR teams. They have neither the incentives or skill sets to actually solve change, and have often funded and patented alternative solutions that they can then implement to further their net wealth. Bill Gates has long advocated for a simple solution, controlling overpopulation (which neglects the fact that the rich pollute significantly more than the poor), while Elon Musk has openly supported a coup against the democratically elected Bolivian government. For as long as there has been significant evidence to suggest that climate change was a man made issue caused by the burning of fossil fuels, corporations have been passing the buck on to individuals, often given cover by environmental NGOs. NGOs have often been quick to endorse unfounded gimmicks and propaganda and even big polluters. Conservation groups specifically have had a troublingly close relationship with the fossil fuel industry in the past, with some accepting millions in donations from big polluters (The Nature Conservancy group even took it upon themselves to undertake gas extraction and exploration). Many have advocated for the easy solutions to climate change, fighting for clean fossil fuels and market-based solutions. NGOs have also involved themselves in extremely problematic carbon offset schemes, choosing to give cover to polluting corporations through the schemes themselves, but also engaging in practices like the forced displacement of local Indigenous peoples in order to protect newly classified carbon sinks from human activity. As environmentalism and climate action reach mainstream politics once again it is pivotal that not only we keep in mind our allies and stay true to our politics, but also identify the enemy. We must point out at every turn that corporations and NGOs will not deliver us from climate catastrophe, but strong unified partnerships with the working class and First Nations Peoples will. Recognising this and then developing these relationships is the key next step for mainstream environmentalism, which will allow for the development and implementation of Climate Justice and a better future. This article was published in Embers, a pullout in Honis Semester 1, Week 11 edition.
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http://honisoit.com/2021/05/do-we-know-the-enemy/
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What Would They Have Wanted?
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When we seek to honor service personnel who gave the full measure of devotion we might ask: If they could make their preferences known, what would they have wanted? Especially for our deceased military who were parents and spouses, its safe to conclude that they would want us to take good care of the families they left behind their survivors. So we went about seeking the organizations, both government and private nonprofits, who are working to support survivors of deceased veterans and we found the following. This is only a partial list and you may know of other worthy organizations. If you know of a survivor family, consider what you might do for them as a caring neighbor. And you might share with them the following information: Organizations in Support of Survivor Families Federal: https://www.militaryonesource. mil/family-relationships/gold- star-surviving-family/gold- star-surviving-family- resources/ TAPS Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors https://www.taps.org Special Operations Warrior Foundation https://specialops.org American Legion George Beach Post No. 4 2124 County Rd 54G Fort Collins, CO 80524 [email protected]
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https://northfortynews.com/category/columns/what-would-they-have-wanted/
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How might faith-based events factor into bridge lighting?
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Presenting draft policy on the lighting to councillors, town staff included a list of five suggested dates the town could pre-schedule special lighting on the bridge: New Years Day, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Labour Day and Remembrance Day. We apologize, but this video has failed to load. Try refreshing your browser. Back to video We originally had a very large list, because when we started doing this project and started talking about it, once we started that list we really had a hard time stopping, said community events & culture manager Kristie Bell. If you were going to fill a calendar such as that, our recommendation would be to avoid the religious holidays simply because it might appear preferential, she later added, or how does it represent the community as a whole if we light just for Christmas, would other groups not feel represented in that case? Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Councillor Morgan Nagel said he wanted to see the list of dates pre-scheduled by the town expanded to include Christmas and Easter, the two faith-based dates in Albertas calendar of general holidays. It might be a little safer to go with just the statutory holidays that are celebrated in Alberta, its a bit more of a defensible position, but I dont think council should ever start pretending that we dont celebrate Christmas, he said. I mean, we have Christmas Light Up, we used to have a Santa Claus parade, when Christmas comes around, all of main street, all of Centre Avenue are lit up and our town looks fabulous. Im not just saying we only celebrate the Christian holidays, Id also be open to all the other statutory holidays. [The official title is Cochrane Light Up] I actually feel fairly strongly about that, Id be pretty upset if Christmas was left off this list if Im being honest. Leaving faith-based holidays (Christian or otherwise) off the pre-scheduled calendar doesnt mean they wouldnt be recognized at all: Town staff are suggesting a system where the public choose what dates call for lighting up the bridge. We were looking towards the community to then request, so that they are being represented equally and they have the equal opportunities, said Bell of the draft policy. So if somebodys wanting to represent for Hanukkah or for Eid or any of the others, were not presuming that we know what the community wants to be lit for religious observances. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content It felt like the best option to mayor Jeff Genung at the May 17 meeting. I like the idea of leaving it open and letting the community kind of fill in the dates, he said. I think there will be an overwhelming, perhaps, date that is highlighted by many, and then it will be easy. Although it could be more labour-intensive, councillor Marni Fedeyko suggested the best strategy for keeping controversy at a minimum would be to open the doors as wide as possible. Everybody is so scared to ever get started that we never get started, so just start, she said. Just open it up across the board, big holidays we celebrate, if you want your holiday recognized, give us a call and well look at it. I would hate for us to not get started because we get so caught up in God, wed hate to offend anybody, that we just wont do it at all. More council dialogue that will turn the draft into an official policy is expected this spring. Its hard to go in the middle, said chief administrative officer Mike Derricott of the overall policy. Its either relatively restricted or relatively open, but its hard to exist I think, more difficult to exist in that middle space. Share this article in your social network Latest National Stories Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. News Near Cochrane
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https://www.cochranetimes.com/news/local-news/how-might-faith-based-events-factor-into-bridge-lighting
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How will lights on the bridge be selected?
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Article content While its likely that scheduled coloured lighting of the Jack Tennant Memorial Bridge some nights would include a small handful of pre-scheduled dates from the town, staff are also proposing an application element so that local groups and individuals might be able to have their date recognized in full colour on the newly-opened multi-million dollar project. A draft of the bridge lighting policy presented May 17 noted the lights are intended to commemorate events, special occasions and achievements within the Town, including, without restriction, local festivals and events, raising awareness of various issues, acknowledging and welcoming visiting dignitaries hosted by the Town, and memorializing well-known local or national service members or other such figures. We apologize, but this video has failed to load. Try refreshing your browser. Back to video Lighting could be the initiative of a non-profit, a resident or the town itself, the draft adds. It suggests a $25 fee for applications, to reduce wasteful requests and cover some of the staffing costs associated with managing the program. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Just enough to make it serious, but not too steep for the non-profit groups, noted councillor Susan Flowers after hearing a presentation on the policy. No resources are currently allocated in the budget for such a program, which would include processing and vetting applications, running a webpage, and programming the lights. It is our recommendation that all groups should be required to go through the same process regardless of the day being recognized, said community events & culture manager Kristie Bell. The draft presented May 17 included criteria for applications that would not be accepted. It includes events that would be considered commercial, political, discriminatory, incendiary or undermining human dignity. Special days for individuals like birthdays or anniversaries are also proposed to be a no-go, and its something that some councillors could see changing. I see this as a real opportunity, said councillor Marni Fedeyko. Nobody might know what those lights necessarily represent, but to that family or to that individual it might mean a big thing. I would hate to shut the door on an opportunity where its at a higher cost than a non-profit group, but whether or not we have the ability to bring in a private bill if somebody wanted to pay for it. Councillor Tara McFadden liked the idea of Fedeykos proposal but stressed caution to ensure administration costs dont become overwhelming. Itd be an expensive birthday gift, but I guess a worthy one if somebody wants to spend it, she said. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content But if were going to move it to a private benefit instead of a community good, then Id want to make sure the costs are fully recovered. I see this as a way of the municipality being able to celebrate public goods, so, I like the innovative ideas but Id certainly want to make sure that the municipality is covering our costs and then some if we were going to move in that direction. Councillor Morgan Nagel shared a similar sentiment: The idea sounds nice, but it might be too much. I think the suggestion of opening up to the community and allowing them to pay for it is a good idea, but I dont think I support it, he said. I think we should leave the bridge for big, special occasions. When the lights are on on the bridge it can kind of be one of our big celebration tools, and I think we should leave it that way. A two-tiered pricing system was proposed during the meeting: a smaller fee for non-profits (like the suggested $25), and then a much larger one for individuals. There are some people that are willing to celebrate things in different ways and this is one of them, said mayor Jeff Genung. If it can become a revenue generator, and maybe we put it into restoring the lights, or keeping the lights going for all the other things and offsetting the administrative costs of having the special events lit up, then I think its a win-win. There was also discussion over the frequency of the coloured lights. Unlike the Calgary Towers which are on every night, the position of administration and some councillors was to keep the schedule to a limited number of dates for greater impact. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Limiting dates for individual-specific lighting to as low as three or five a year was suggested, with a potential auction aspect. Maybe we could say theres five others that we would put up for auction, and auction them off so that they do become special, Genung noted. Maybe you make this like Cochranes version of the Stampede tarp auction, councillor McFadden added. Given the towns never really handled a program like this, chief administrative officer Mike Derricott suggested a slow start. My suggestion would be lets start with significant events that are driven by community efforts, and see how it goes, and we can always expand that going forward as we get a feel for how it manifests in the community, he said. Lets try it, lets get it out there, lets see how it feels, not in the interest of constraining it but in the interest of learning so that we can get better at it so that we can grow to the next stage and move forward and try it. Share this article in your social network Latest National Stories Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. News Near Cochrane
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https://www.cochranetimes.com/news/local-news/how-will-lights-on-the-bridge-be-selected
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What Are The Issues In The Crypto Market In 2021?
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The digital money market experienced massive growth in 2020 because of a leap in institutional adoption. Major financial firms throughout the planet began broadening their venture portfolios with the amassing of crypto resources. Bitcoin, the worlds most significant cryptographic money, bounced over 300% in 2020 and penetrated the $40,000 level. Ethereum and other digital currencies likewise posted solid increases. This year, the general crypto market cap bounced above $1 trillion, interestingly. Over a 100% leap in Ethereum and a blast in DeFi tokens sped up the growth in the crypto market cap. Numerous experts accept that the new ascent in the worth of crypto resources is primarily determined by institutional adoption. Also, retail demand is on the rise. But there are still many challenges faced by the crypto market. The fall of the crypto market began when Elon Musk tweeted announcing that Tesla has quit accepting Bitcoin payments, referring to the ecological worries associated with cryptocurrency mining. Overnight, the cost of Bitcoin tumbled down 17%. Its essential to comprehend that the price of Bitcoin drives the entire crypto market. When Bitcoin falls fundamentally, it causes alarm selling among crypto investors as they sell their Altcoins. Elon Musk didnt stop there, and he kept attacking Bitcoin, calling it centralized in another one of his tweets. As the negative tweets from Elon proceeded, Bitcoin continued slamming. Bad Image Digital money, even after having gone through a shock wave, actually has a PR issue. The terms related are sufficient to invoke pictures of flinch promotions, bad quality campaigns, troublemakers, pyramid schemes, criminals, among others. For some individuals, digital currency paints a picture of the advancement of age-old tricks and cheats, which they dont need any. It might appear to be a minor issue, given the extent of the digital currency and the Blockchain business. Nonetheless, the issue has thwarted crypto for quite a long time since its origin and will keep on doing so if no institutional investors bet their odds against it. Absence Of Legislation Cryptographic currency is decentralized virtual elements. They are digital items, and the authorities are not equipped to deal with this trend-setting innovation. That is why the absence of enactment controlling these digital currencies and giving any client security has become a colossal test. The fundamental step that the authorities should take to lessen the risk involves instructing and advising individuals about guarding their personal information. However, there is still a vast void when it comes to legislation in the crypto market. Yet, until that occurs, attention to securely practicing crypto is significant. Legal Obstacles Apart from the absence of law, the other enormous obstacle that disrupts the general flow of digital currency holders like Bitcoin traders and users is the test to spend their possession. The untraceable nature of Bitcoin and its bad image as a method of money for crimes like terrorist attacks and the drug trade has made it appear in a bad light in certain nations. Digital currency is going through a time of unexpected terseness. With the market crashing and the investors losing a substantial amount of money, the future of crypto-trading is on the line. However, one cannot be sure whats in store. If wide acceptability influences these legal obstacles, the market can resume the general flow of crypto-trading and even catch the eye of money-moguls and institutional investors. Nations Banning Bitcoin Nations like Vietnam, Bangladesh, Bolivia, and Ecuador have banned crypto exchanges. The state bank has prohibited it and announced digital currency as an illicit payment type with a substantial fine for violators. Also, even where it is legitimate, there are numerous calculated issues. Indeed, even in the United States, the Securities and Exchange Commission is having a continuous discussion about new guidelines for the digital money market. Suppose powerful nations with important financial groups remain against Bitcoin. In that case, it will become progressively challenging for the crypto-type to acquire acknowledgment from the majority of investors, and illicit participation will grow exponentially. Data Rights Data has arrived at a degree of turning into a digital resource now. Digital mafias consider data the genuine article and a key to everything vulnerable for the huge worth it can hold for people and associations. That is the reason one of the greatest loose circles in digital money is and will consistently be data rights and security. A devoted system is required where investors can monitor and control their personal information. However, data rights continue to elude the crypto market as more and more investors report their digital assets getting stolen. Apart from this, the non-fungible token or the NFT marketplaces are experiencing a lapse in their underlying security systems and data privacy. Unpredictability Of Prices The volatility of costs additionally remains in a precarious situation of the capability of Bitcoin and cryptographic money as a rule. Although Bitcoin has acquired a large community following throughout the long term, there have been debates among the investors about its future course. Visit this site to trade cryptocurrency legally and profitably, but watch out for the risks it entails. The minimized user base has made money progressively, but the volatility still plagues the market. The questions about Bitcoins use and the resistance by powerful nations to coordinate the design and legitimize it will keep on crumbling the costs further. Conclusion The consequences of no move being made by modern goliaths, organizations, and government authorities hold some value. These stakeholders continue to bet their odds in favor of stocks and assets that entail an intrinsic value. The year 2020 shaped the digital money industry either for the better or in negative ways. There is no denying that a lot is on the line, and honestly, like all the other things, whats in store for the crypto market is highly uncertain and ambiguous.
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https://www.opptrends.com/issues-in-crypto-market/
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What is Tourette's Syndrome and what further help is needed to treat Tic Disorders?
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Tourette's Syndrome, also referred to as Tourette's, affects more than 300,000 people in the UK and ITV analysis shows more people are being diagnosed with the condition than ever before. ITV News also found that almost a third of children referred to CAMHS (Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service) with the condition were told there was no help available. An NHS leading doctor told ITV News Correspondent Rachel Younger children with Tourette's Syndrome and Tic Disorders are being "totally neglected" with a failure to provide even the most basic services in some areas of England and Wales. The key features of Tourette's One of the key features of the condition are tics, which are involuntary sounds or movements. Danny explains what it is like to have a tic that is painful at the back of his neck Advanced nurse, Joe Kilgariff, who works at Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham, told ITV News: "I work with all the tic disorders, Tourette's is the name we give to movement and sound tics." A common misconception is that Tourette's means people swear involuntarily. The clinical term for that, coprolalia, is something some people with Tourette's experience, but it's one of the minority symptoms on the whole. However many people with Tourette's do experience other conditions, including ADHD, OCD and anxiety. 'I think they are being totally neglected': Watch ITV News Correspondent Rachel Younger report on the struggle to access basic services Mr Kilgariff said: "There are lots of children who have autism and Tourette's and dyslexia and dyspraxia - and you can have heightened levels of those, it's all to do with the brain working too fast." The advanced nurse also said he would also expect people to have intense emotions - both good and bad. "People with tics seem to be funny, clever, loving, artistic most of the time. With that you also get fears, phobias, everything is normal but deeper and stronger," Mr Kilgariff said. The condition is estimated to affect one school child in every hundred and is more common among boys - with males about three to four time more likely to develop Tourette's than females. Tics typically show up between the ages of two and 15, with the average being around six-years-old. Sometimes children can have Tourette's when they are young and see a significant reduction in their symptoms as they grow into adults. Others experience symptoms throughout their life, but specific tics can come and go. Tourette's is a neuro-developmental condition and, though a lot has been learnt in recent years, its exact cause is still unknown. It's thought to be linked to a part of the brain that helps regulate body movements. Mr Kilgariff explains: "It's people's muscle memory on overdrive, it's a neurological condition that causes huge amounts of physical distress. TIX, Norway's Eurovision finalist this year, sang about his own experience of bullying and mental health linked to his Tourette's syndrome. Credit: AP "Technically it's how your brain stores memory and it's over fired and over triggered - an involuntary neurological condition." He adds: "If you're like a Ferrari going 200mph when you only need to go 100mph, so it's kind of like that. But the brain is not going faster it's just not able to filter things out and so you're left in a situation where you're overfired." Individuals experience also different kinds of tics and may not have the same tic forever, with symptoms said to "wax and wane," or change, over time. Tics usually start in childhood, around six to seven-years-old, and can change in severity and frequency. Environmental factors like stress, excitement, tiredness, and anxiety can have an impact on tics too. A tic can be physical or verbal and occurs in any part of the body and in any muscle. Sometimes people have internal tics - like deep abdominal muscle tension or stomach tics. Singer Billie Eilish has shared her experience of living with Tourette's Syndrome. Credit: AP Tics are often divided into simple and complex categories. Simple ones include eye blinking , grimacing, shoulder shrugging, throat clearing, sniffing, and tongue clicks. Complex tics include jumping, touching objects and other people, repeating others' gestures, saying words or phrases out of context, repeating a sound or word. Swearing is rare and only affects about 1 in 10 people with Tourette's syndrome. How to get a diagnosis for Tourette's syndrome Get in touch with your GP if you or your child starts having tics. Many children have tics for several months before growing out of them, so a tic does not necessarily mean your child has Tourette's syndrome. Tics need to have been present for at least a year to meet the diagnostic criteria for Tourette's. There's no single test for Tourette's syndrome and healthcare professionals will likely carry out other tests and scans first to rule out other conditions. To get a diagnosis, a GP may refer you to different specialists, such as a neurologist. "It is a difficult condition to live with, it impacts others within the family too," Sarah Richmond-Bunnell, who has an 11-year-old son with Tourette's, said. She told ITV News: "Josh has cycles of tics, he has the same tics but not all at the same time, he has a blink tic, a sniff tic, and a cough tic." Sarah Richmond-Bunnell and her son Joshua. Credit: Family handout Ms Richmond-Bunnell said: "When he has the cough one especially through Covid it was difficult. People don't understand it's Tourette's, it is quite tiring. It is involuntarily. Every time he coughs, it makes him intense." She added: "Josh's tics, when we go out for a meal, he looks at what other people are having and his anxiety levels go up and then his tics go up. For us, it's ok, we live with it. "When you're in a restaurant, others they don't know that and there are comments." She said she hopes there will be a better awareness of the condition and how it is portrayed on TV shows. "If you ask 10 people, eight out of 10 would say they swear - and it really isn't like that." Joshua Richmond, who's 12-years-old, has several tics. Credit: Family handout Ms Richmond-Bunnell added: "Joshua hasn't ever sworn because of his Torrette's, that's not how it is for the vast majority of people. It needs to be shown in the correct light and an accurate representation of it." She added: "We wouldn't change him for the world I just wish there was something that would better support him." Emma McNally, whose son was diagnosed with Tourette's when he was nine, has told ITV News more specialist centres would benefit those who have Tourette's and their families. She told ITV News: "In this day and age you shouldn't be fighting to get a diagnosis or to get a referral. "I was really shocked I couldn't believe the lack of care that is available, you're getting knocked back at every door." Since her son was discharged from hospital in March last year, because the neurologist left, there is no one at the hospital in the North West who can help treat him. She said: "It makes you feel like you should move so that you are in the catchment area to get a referral." A leading doctor in the NHS, Professor Chris Hollis tells Correspondent Rachel Younger: 'I think they are being totally neglected in the provision of basic services.' Ms McNally said the gap in the medical services spurred her on to start a support group and has since launched a petition calling on the government to increase funding and support into the research of Tourettes Syndrome, which so far has more than 17,000 signatures. She said: "If there was more specialist Tourette's centres that would mean that people would get a diagnosis and the help they need. "If there was one in each major city in the country, if places like Nottingham and Sheffield would bring in others from nearby areas. If all the CCGs came together to create these specialist centre, it would help everyone and I'm sure it would save money in the NHS." She added: "We have seen so many specialists, and just keep seeing the same people and they can't help us. "It would pay for itself, all the people I have spoken to have told me their children are just not getting any care." Tics are involuntary but many people are able to suppress theirs for short time periods, with practice a level of control can be established. There are methods to manage symptoms of Tourette's Syndrome. Behavioural therapies give people the tools to learn how to change certain behaviours. Cognitive therapies also help people to change the way they think about tics. Mr Kilgariff said: "It's all to do with how you can reduce feeling uncomfortable and therapy and medication works differently on each person and their needs." He said that some medication can be used to help reduce the frequency and/or intensity of tics such as anti-psychotic medication which can control the amount of messages that are being sent to the brain. Some suggest lifestyle choices can help manage symptoms - things like diet, exercise, and other therapies. There have been some trials into neurosurgery as a way to treat very severe tics, using deep brain stimulation, but these are in the early stages. Who can I or someone I know contact for help: Tourettes Action is the UKs leading support and research charity for people with Tourette's Syndrome (TS) and their families. They want people with TS to receive the practical support and social acceptance they need to help them live their lives to the full. Their helpline is 0300 777 8427. NHS Choices has comprehensive help & information from NHS Choices including links to external sites. Tourettes Hero is a place to celebrate the humour and creativity of Tourette's. Its not about mocking or commiserating - its about reclaiming the most frequently misunderstood syndrome on the planet. Tourette Scotland provides information, advice and support for children and adults with TS. Their helpline is 0300 111 1462.
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https://www.itv.com/news/2021-05-29/what-is-tourettes-syndrome-and-what-further-help-is-needed-to-treat-tic-disorders
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Why corrupt scholars are so dangerous for societies?
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SHAFAQNA If a normal member of the public or an ignorant person commits a sin, has only caused misery and harm to himself/herself. But if a scholar is deviated and commits an inappropriate act, causes deviation of a world, causes harm to Islam and other Islamic scholars. That is why it has been mentioned in narrations that the residents of hell will be bothered by the stench of the scholar who has not acted on his own knowledge (has not practiced what he preached). That is why in this world there is a difference between the scholar and the ignorant regarding the benefit or the harm they cause to Islam and the Islamic society [1]. [1] Jihad-e-Akbar or Mobarezeh ba Nafs, Imam Khomeini (RA), Page 15.
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https://en.shafaqna.com/215573/why-corrupt-scholars-are-so-dangerous-for-societies/
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How to choose the Perfect Workout Shoes?
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Running and walking are considered to be the easiest forms of exercise. It is because you dont have to spend on the weights and they show results faster than any other exercise. Running is helpful to burn calories faster than burning them in the gym. All you have to do is buy a good pair of shoes and you are good. Today, most brands offer sports shoes that are beneficial for your journey. But to choose one considering all the main factors is quite difficult. Below are some points that you should always keep in mind before spending on a pair of sports shoes. Dont think of a multi-tasker shoe Most people dont know this; running and walking shoes are different from each other. Walking shoes are rigid at the sole whereas running shoes are more flexible. Make sure you know their use before you buy them. Know your foot Feet are in a variety of shapes and knowing the type of shape is an important aspect of buying a pair of shoes. It is always beneficial to purchase a pair that complements your foot shape. Most major brands offer a model to suit every foot type. Dont over or under pay Spending more does not always mean that you would end up with a good product. Sometimes, a good-quality running shoe can be purchased at a fair price. Buy something better for your feet and you feel comfortable in. Replace them when needed You might have spent a lot of money does not mean you will keep them forever. The average life of running shoes is around 2 years. So, once you have had them for that long, try out something new. Below are some options that you can include in your list while looking for workout shoes. Adidas Originals NMD_R2 Low The list cannot possibly start without Adidas' name on it. Adidas is a well-known brand that offers running shoes, sneakers, flip-flops, and whatnot. Adidas NMD_R2 Low is known for the versatility that can be worn at any time of the day. They are super-light so are helpful during all types of workout. This piece features a technology that wraps around your ankle like a sock, giving you maximum support and comfort. Puma Running shoes Puma is another leading brand that manufactures athletic shoes and clothes. The Puma Running Shoes come in attractive color; red and is comfortable, reasonable, and easy to maintain. This piece is known for its excellent fit. Its cushioned feel padding gives more comfort and the wrap provided around the ankle gives you better support. It is one of the best pieces on the list. Explore the best running shoes from top brands at Amazon and use the coupons & deals to make your shopping inexpensive. Nike Air Max Infuriate 2 Basketball Shoes When it comes to sportswear, Nike is a well-known name. The brand is known for its style, comfort, and material. The Nike Air Max Infuriate 2 Basketball Shoes is an ideal piece for games and training sessions as well. The sole provides traction on any surface which makes it easier to attain a grip. The heels perhaps are cushioned that provide shock absorption that prevents injuries. One can play a dynamic game wearing this piece. Reebok Twist Running Shoes Everyone knows that Reebok is a global brand of fitness, providing footwear and apparel. The Reebok Twist Running Shoes is another amazing piece that you should check out if you are into sports or fitness. It is one of the best running shoes due to the traction it provides on various surfaces making it easier to run and play games. This pair is comfortable to wear and comes in an attractive multi-colored design. They have a lightweight bottom and are worth the price. Adidas Agora 1.0 Training Shoes Adidas is a leading brand when it comes to athletic shoes, clothing, and accessories. Adidas Agora 1.0 Training Shoes are the perfect shoes as they are lightweight designed specifically for prolonged training. The sole is made to provide maximum grip allowing you to walk on any surface. If you are so much into diverse training then this pair will be the best choice for you. It prevents any type of injury as it is features extreme shock absorption. Sparx Mens Mesh Sports Shoes Sparx is a brand for all those who love to run, work out, and stay fit. The Sparx Mesh Sports Shoes is a perfect pair for you if you are also one of those people. This piece is comfortable to wear and is lightweight. It comes with a sole that can provide maximum traction on any surface. This pair can be worn in the gym, during running, or even walking. Gym shoes are designed specifically for people who love to stay fit and are never away from their workout sessions. All of the pieces listed above are stylish, comfortable, and ideal for the workout. These are the must-have for every gym freak as they provide stability, durability, and flexibility to prevent injuries while working out. Pick up the one that you feel is the best for your type of workout.
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https://lifeinsaudiarabia.net/how-to-choose-the-perfect-workout-shoes/
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How to register vaccine in Tawakkalna from abroad?
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Saudi Arabia has urged all passengers including citizens, Iqama holders, GCC nationals, and visit visa holders to complete vaccine registration before arrival to Saudi Arabia. Now you can register the vaccines administered outside Saudi Arabia in the Tawakkalna application. Vaccination registration for Iqama Holders Saudi National ID and Iqama holders can register the vaccines they have taken outside Saudi Arabia in Tawakkalna application. In order to do that; Open https://eservices.moh.gov.sa/CoronaVaccineRegistration Scroll down and agree to the terms and conditions. Application Type: Saudi Resident On the next page; Iqama ID: Iqama Number. Iqama Expiry Date: Enter the Iqama expiry date from Absher. The system will fetch all your details while you will be required to enter your email address and; phone number. The system will send a verification code through SMS and email. Now you will be required to fill the form; Vaccination Type: Enter the number of doses you have taken. Administered Country: Choose the country. First Dose Taken: Select the date accurately. Second Dose Taken: Select the date accurately Attachment Passport Copy. Vaccination Card/Proof. If the MOH accepts the documents, they will update the vaccination status of the Iqama holder in the Tawakkalna application and expat residents would be allowed to enter Saudi Arabia without going through the Institutional Quarantine even on the basis of a single dose. However, if they are coming from any of the 9 banned countries, they would still be required to spend 14 days in another country before entering Saudi Arabia. Register Coronavirus recovery in Tawakkalna In case you have recovered from the COVID-19 outside Saudi Arabia in the preceding 6 months, you can still request the MOH to update it in your Tawakkalna account. In this way, you would not be required to go through the institutional quarantine after arriving in Saudi Arabia. Required Documents All the required documents must be sent in PDF format; Passport Copy. Vaccination Certification. Iqama Copy. Mobile Number. Vaccination registration for Visit Visa holders People who do not have an Iqama such as a family visit visa, work visa, tourist visa need to register the status of their vaccine through the Muqeem website. Open the Muqeem website https://muqeem.sa/#/vaccine-registration/home Click on the New Registration tab. On the next page, you will have to fill all the required fields in this way; Name: Full name as per your passport. Passport Number. Date of Birth: As per Iqama or passport. Nationality. Arrival Type: By Air or Overland. Flight Number: Check your booked ticket. Arrival Date. Arrival Destination. Airline Name. Vaccine Country. Vaccine Type: 2 doses of Pfizer BioNTech or 2 doses of Oxford AstraZeneca or 2 doses of Moderna or 1 dose of Johnson Johnsons Janssen. Sinopharm is not accepted in Saudi Arabia. Date of the first dose. Date of the second dose. Agree to the terms and conditions and click on the Submit button. On the next page, you will receive your vaccination registration number that you will have to provide to an immigration officer upon arrival to Saudi Arabia. However, if you are not vaccinated at all, there is no need to register. In that case, you will have to go through the institutional quarantine procedure. Terms and conditions The information provided in the vaccine registration form will be verified when the boarding pass is issued and at the ports of entry to Saudi Arabia. The failure to comply with these requirements may result in deportation from Saudi Arabia. It is required to carry an approved paper certificate to prove the vaccination, certified by the official health authorities in the countries of arriving travelers.
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https://lifeinsaudiarabia.net/register-vaccine-in-tawakkalna-from-abroad/
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Will there be a Mare Of Easttown season 2?
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Mare Of Easttown has gripped the globe (Picture: HBO) Mare Of Easttown has sadly come to an end with Kate Winslets Detective Mare Sheehan finally discovering who killed Erin McMenamin in a gripping series finale. The seven-part HBO crime drama had the globe gripped as they ducked and dived from red herrings and tried to stay on top of the mountain of clues that led Mare to discovering the truth about the teens murder. Weve got you covered. Mare Of Easttown has been slated as a limited series, so its unlikely another fans will be treated to another season. (Picture: HBO) However, that being said, creator Brad Ingelsby hasnt completely ruled out a return. We didnt ever talk about returningits very much a closed story. I think youve seen that now, the story ends. I think all the loose ends get tied up. I hope so at least, he said. But I think if we could ever crack a story that was as emotional and surprising, then I think maybe theres a conversation. I dont have that in my head right now, but I mean, listen, I love Mare. Ingelsby added to Esquire: If we could ever give her a great season, I would certainly consider it. I would only do it if I was convinced we could make it great, though. I wouldnt do it just because you have a chance to do it. I would want to make sure that it was as rich and compelling as I hope this season has been. As it stands, a second season of Mare Of Easttown has not been announced. Mare Of Easttown is available to stream on HBO, NOW and Sky Atlantic.
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https://metro.co.uk/2021/05/31/will-there-be-a-mare-of-easttown-season-2-14680321/
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What Will Be The Growth Rate Of Virtual Reality Technologies Market During 2021-2027?
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Complete Scenario of Virtual Reality Technologies Market with Qualitative and Quantitative Research SMI published a report, titled, Virtual Reality Technologies Market, providing a piece of complete information on the current market situation and offering robust insights about the markets potential size, volume, and dynamics during the forecast period, 2021 2027. The research study offers a complete analysis of critical aspects of the global Virtual Reality Technologies market, including competition, segmentation, geographical progress, manufacturing cost analysis, and price structure. We have provided CAGR, value, volume, sales, production, revenue, and other estimations for the global as well as regional markets. The intelligence in Virtual Reality Technologies Market report by SMI includes investigations based on the current scenarios, historical records, and future predictions. Conclude accurate data of various aspects. It presents the 360 overview of the competitive landscape of the industries. Thus, helping the companies to understand the threats and challenges in front of the businesses. Virtual Reality Technologies Market reports provide a comprehensive overview of the market size and share. Virtual Reality Technologies market data reports also provide a 5 year pre-historic and forecast for the sector and include data on socio-economic data of global. Key stakeholders can consider statistics, tables & figures mentioned in this report for strategic planning which leads to the success of the organization. Get PDF Sample Report Consist of Table of Content, Research Framework, and Research Methodology @ https://www.stratagemmarketinsights.com/sample/19248 Major Key-Players Involve in Virtual Reality Technologies Market:- Alphabet, HTC, Nvidia, EON Reality, Oculus, Christie Digital Systems, Huawei Technologies, Qualcomm, Intel, AECOM, AR Pandora, Sony, Samsung Electronics, Microsoft, Vuzix, Sensics, Antvr, Xiaomi. Regional Insights of Virtual Reality Technologies Market:- North America Europe Asia-Pacific South America Center East and Africa United States, Canada and Mexico Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy China, Japan, Korea, India, and Southeast Asia Brazil, Argentina, Colombia Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa Description: primary objective of this report is to ensure its use to its users to understand the complete scenario of the Virtual Reality Technologies market. It gives the overall idea about the market in terms of segmentation, market potential, influential trends, and the challenges that the market is facing It provides a detailed description of key players and their marketing strategies followed by press releases and relevant documents to get competitive analysis market understanding Research is done by referring to internet sources and statistical data from government websites technical writing, trade associations, and agencies. These sources are the most reliable, effective, and successful approach for obtaining precise market data Report offers detailed profiles of key players with regional analysis and focuses on key rising opportunities and challenges faced by this market Dont miss out on business opportunities in Virtual Reality Technologies Market. Speak to our analyst and gain crucial industry insights that will help your business grow @ https://www.stratagemmarketinsights.com/speakanalyst/19248 Benefits of Purchasing Virtual Reality Technologies Market Research Outlet Research Report:- Client satisfaction: The team at Market Research Outlet will assist with all research requirements and offer customized or syndicate report Inimitable Expertise: Analysts will offer in-depth insights into the global Virtual Reality Technologies Market Analysts Support: Get instant query resolved by the experts pre and post-purchase of the Virtual Reality Technologies Market report Assured Quality: Market Research Outlet maintains the accuracy and quality of the Virtual Reality Technologies Market Key Reasons To Buy This Report:- The report presents an examination of the Virtual Reality Technologies market, The report conducts historical and future assessments of the market dynamics and offers precise data in a well-organized order. The report evaluates the most prominent market growth potentials, dynamic market trends, driving factors, restraints, investment opportunities, and threats. The report further identifies the key regions and segments dominating the market. Report Covers Impacts of COVID-19 on this Market:- The on-going pandemic has overhauled various facets of the market. This research report provides financial impacts and market disturbance in the Virtual Reality Technologies market. It also includes an analysis of the potentially lucrative opportunities and challenges in the foreseeable future. They interviewed various delegates of the industry and got involved in the primary and secondary research to confer the clients with information and strategies to fight against the market challenges amidst and after the COVID-19 pandemic. To Buy Premium Report @ https://www.stratagemmarketinsights.com/cart/19248 **Thanks for reading this article; you can also get an individual chapter-wise section or region wise report versions like North America, Europe, or Asia. ** Contact Us: Mr. Shah Stratagem Market Insights Tel: US +1 415 871 0703 / JAPAN +81-50-5539-1737 Email: [email protected] Published By MN
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https://www.mccourier.com/what-will-be-the-growth-rate-of-virtual-reality-technologies-market-during-2021-2027-alphabet-htc-nvidia-eon-reality/
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Are expensive tablets worth it?
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A new tablet can be a wonderful tool for having fun, learning and staying connected. But if youre on a tight budget, the price of some tablets can be enough to make you think twice about buying one. While there is nothing wrong with buying the cheapest tablet on the market, it may not have all of the features you want. If your heart is set on an iPad, you may need to wait until your financial situation improves. However, if you dont mind making some sacrifices in screen quality or processing power, there are many fine tablets that are well within your budget. Consider the features you need in a tablet At first look, expensive tablets do seem to offer a lot. We answer your questions here. If youre thinking about buying a tablet, make sure to consider the features you need. Make a list of what you need and dont need. Whats best for you will depend on your certain needs and personal preferences. If youre in the market for a new tablet, youve got a lot of options to choose from. The first thing you need to do is decide how much youre willing to spend on your tablet. You can find a cheap tablet for around $100-$300 or you can spend up to $1,000 or more. Just as with buying a tech gadget, it depends on how convenient and powerful the device is. The most basic tablet has nearly all of the basic features you need, like a front-facing camera for selfies and video calling, and a MicroUSB port, built-in speakers and microphones, sufficient RAM, and Storage for all basic needs like watching movies or listening to songs. Consider where you will be using your tablet When youre considering which tablet to buy, its important to consider where youre going to be using it. For example, whether youre going to be using it primarily for gaming or watching movies. You should get a tablet with a larger screen if you want to use it for watching movies. And if you are into gaming then you can check out the best gaming tablets to buy, as you should be looking for something that has more processing power, the inexpensive tablets might not be able to handle that. So it all comes back to your need and requirement and we suggest that you should spend according to them. Important Attributes to look for The most important attributes to look for while choosing a tablet include speed, ease of use, security, and battery life. If you need a good tablet, look for the latest specifications and models that include quick charging capabilities, high-quality cameras, big batteries, and innovative features. You also want to make sure the phone has good reception, storage for important data, a screen that has easy-to-read font options, and an app store with plenty of popular apps for your use. The latest Android version is key for phones, but older models are still very useful. More Things to consider: You can do most of what you need on a tablet with an inexpensive model. The best cheap tablets have many of the same features as high-end versions. If youre looking to get a new tablet, you dont need to spend a fortune. You can get used tablets for very cheap. If you want to save money, get a refurbished tablet instead of a brand new one. However, its important to know that buying used is not the same as buying refurbished. There are many different kinds of refurbished products, and only some of them are as good as brand new. You can use apps to expand your tablets functionality and efficiency, you should take advantage of the many useful apps that are available for your tablet. Conclusion! The decision whether or not to buy a more expensive tablet depends on your needs and your budget, but there is certainly something out there for everyone! You dont have to spend a lot of money on a tablet with all the bells and whistles. However, if you want to get your hands on an iPad, you may need to save up for it. The best thing you can do is consider what features you really need, and then buy a tablet that matches those needs at an affordable price.
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https://pc-tablet.com/are-expensive-tablets-worth-it/
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What Is a Supply Chain Attack?
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Cybersecurity truisms have long been described in simple terms of trust: Beware email attachments from unfamiliar sources, and don't hand over credentials to a fraudulent website. That insidious and increasingly common form of hacking is known as a "supply chain attack," a technique in which an adversary slips malicious code or even a malicious component into a trusted piece of software or hardware. By compromising a single supplier, spies or saboteurs can hijack its distribution systems to turn any application they sell, any software update they push out, even the physical equipment they ship to customers, into Trojan horses. With one well-placed intrusion, they can create a springboard to the networks of a supplier's customerssometimes numbering hundreds or even thousands of victims. "Supply chain attacks are scary because they're really hard to deal with, and because they make it clear you're trusting a whole ecology," says Nick Weaver, a security researcher at UC Berkeley's International Computer Science Institute. "You're trusting every vendor whose code is on your machine, and you're trusting every vendor's vendor." The severity of the supply chain threat was demonstrated on a massive scale last December, when it was revealed that Russian hackerslater identified as working for the country's foreign intelligence service, known as the SVRhad hacked the software firm SolarWinds and planted malicious code in its IT management tool Orion, allowing access to as many as 18,000 networks that used that application around the world. The SVR used that foothold to burrow deep into the networks of at least nine US federal agencies, including NASA, the State Department, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Justice. But as shocking as that spy operation was, SolarWinds wasn't unique. Serious supply chain attacks have hit companies around the world for years, both before and since Russia's audacious campaign. Just last month, it was revealed that hackers had compromised a software development tool sold by a firm called CodeCov that gave the hackers access to hundreds of victims' networks. A Chinese hacking group known as Barium carried out at least six supply chain attacks over the past five years, hiding malicious code in the software of computer maker Asus and in the hard-drive cleanup application CCleaner. In 2017 the Russian hackers known as Sandworm, part of the country's GRU military intelligence service, hijacked the software updates of the Ukrainian accounting software MEDoc and used it to push out self-spreading, destructive code known as NotPetya, which ultimately inflicted $10 billion in damage worldwidethe costliest cyberattack in history. In fact, supply chain attacks were first demonstrated around four decades ago, when Ken Thompson, one of the creators of the Unix operating system, wanted to see if he could hide a backdoor in Unix's login function. Thompson didn't merely plant a piece of malicious code that granted him the ability to log into any system. He built a compilera tool for turning readable source code into a machine-readable, executable programthat secretly placed the backdoor in the function when it was compiled. Then he went a step further and corrupted the compiler that compiled the compiler, so that even the source code of the user's compiler wouldn't have any obvious signs of tampering. "The moral is obvious," Thompson wrote in a lecture explaining his demonstration in 1984. "You can't trust code that you did not totally create yourself. (Especially code from companies that employ people like me.)"
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https://www.wired.com/story/hacker-lexicon-what-is-a-supply-chain-attack/
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Why has China introduced a three-child policy?
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China has announced the end of its two-child policy, permitting married couples to have as many as three children for the first time in over 40 years. Beijings state-owned Global Times newspaper reported that the decision was reached at a Chinese Community Party politburo meeting with the countrys president Xi Jinping and was being introduced as part of the governments strategy of actively coping with an ageing population. Supportive measures will also be implemented to support the policy, the paper said, including lower educational costs for families, increased tax and housing support, a guarantee on the legal interests of working women, a clampdown on sky-high dowries and increased efforts to educate young people on marriage and love. The national retirement age would also be delayed to support the workforce, the paper said. Although China is home to 1.41 billion people making it the most populous nation in the world, narrowly ahead of India a once-in-a-decade census revealed this month that its population was growing at its slowest rate since the 1950s, with data showing a fertility rate of 1.3 children per woman for 2020 alone, on a par with other ageing societies like those of Japan and Italy. That falls far short of the roughly 2.1 needed to hit replacement level, posing a major threat to the economic development of one of the worlds wealthiest industrial superpowers. In 1979, China had exactly the opposite problem and introduced its strict one-child policy to rein in growth and prevent an unmanagable population explosion. Beijing imposed a system of fines for couples who disobeyed the law and even enacted coerced sterilisations and sex-selective abortions, which created a significant gender imbalance as many parents preferred male children. That draconian measure was finally relaxed in 2013 as the problem of the countrys ageing workforce began to become apparent, with the state allowing couples to have a second baby in the event that at least one of the two parents was themselves an only child. The prohibition on second babies was scrapped entirely in 2016 but appears to have failed to solve the problem so far, according to the census carried out by Chinas National Bureau of Statistics, which continues to find the birth rate in decline since 2017. A study published earlier this year by academics from Hangzhou University found that the two-child policy had encouraged wealthier couples who already had a child and were less sensitive to child-rearing costs, while simultaneously driving up the costs of childcare and education and discouraging first-time parents. People are held back not by the two-children limit, but by the incredibly high costs of raising children in todays China. Housing, extracurricular activities, food, trips, and everything else add up quickly, Yifei Li, a sociologist at NYU Shanghai, told Reuters. Raising the limit itself is unlikely to tilt anyones calculus in a meaningful way, in my view. The policy shift was met with a more positive response by Shuang Ding, chief economist at Standard Chartered in Hong Kong, who said: This is without a doubt a step in the right direction, but still its a bit timid. A fully liberalised birth policy should have been implemented at least five years ago, but its too late now, although its better late than never. A poll on the Weibo account of Chinas Xinhua news agency asking users #AreYouReady to have a third child as part of the policy appeared to reveal the problem as generational and cultural. About 29,000 of the 31,000 respondents to the survey said they would never think of it while the remainder were split between: Im ready and very eager to do so, its on my agenda", or Im hesitating and theres a lot to consider. One user wrote: I am willing to have three children if you give me 5 million yuan ($785,650). The poll was later removed. Additional reporting by agencies
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https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/china/china-three-child-policy-population-b1856926.html
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Why won't my iPhone automatically install updates overnight?
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Back in iOS 12, Apple finally gave us the ability to automatically download and install iOS updates overnight, so you could wake up the next day and have your best iPhone all updated and ready to go. This has happened to me multiple times, and I've woken up in the morning only to say, "Why won't my iPhone automatically install updates overnight?" I wish I could tell you that I have a silver bullet solution for you, but unfortunately, I still sometimes have issues downloading and installing updates automatically. Here are some troubleshooting tips you can try if you're experiencing the same problem. VPN Deals: Lifetime license for $16, monthly plans at $1 & more 1. Make sure the Automatic Updates feature is enabled There are actually two different options for automatic updates in iOS 14, one for just downloading the update and one for installing the update. You'll need to turn both turned on to download and install new updates overnight. You can turn them on by going Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates and making sure both download and install options are turned on. The switches will be green when the features are enabled.
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https://www.imore.com/why-wont-my-iphone-automatically-install-updates-overnight?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheIphoneBlog+%28iMore%29
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What Is A CSA?
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Think again. Booker T. Whatley, an agriculture professor at the famed historically Black college (once led by another Booker T.Booker T. Washington), advocated for what he called clientele membership clubs, where buyers paid in advance for a seasons worth of produce. Whatley saw this as a valuable way of supporting farmers year-round and wrote what some call the small farmers bible, How to Make $100,000 Farming 25 Acres, in the 1980s. According to Modern Farmer, those boxes of produceand the ideas behind themcome from a longer, more diverse history than most of us know. Author and racial justice trainer Clyde Ford summed it up, saying Black farmers were early advocates of buying local. But somehow that message hasnt made it to the masses, as the CSA has basically been co-opted by co-ops and buying co-operatives who somehow mistakenly traced the roots of CSAs back to Europe. Funny how that happens.
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https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2264461506993/what-is-a-csa
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What Is GitOps and Why Does It Matter?
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GitOps is an approach to infrastructure that takes the best practices of software development and applies them to IT systems. GitOps builds upon the Infrastructure as Code model to create an automated infrastructure model thats collaborative and versioned like your code. A modern operations team will routinely spin up new services for each deploy. Container instances, databases, and networking equipment need to be available for deployments to succeed. GitOps defines the resources to provision as files that exist in a Git repository. This lets everyone on the team inspect and contribute to the infrastructure that will be provisioned. You can use CI pipelines to verify your configuration and ultimately push it out to your cloud platform. An infrastructure repository ends up looking very much like a software repository. You create a branch for each change, update your configuration files, complete a review, and merge into your main branch. An automated tool, such as Ansible or Terraform, then applies the changes to your environment. The workflow is the same versioned branching model that developers use. The Git in GitOps refers to the Git version control system. Git has become the source control tool of choice for most developers. It has a decentralized storage model and emphasizes the use of local branches to evolve changes. Version control systems make it easy to iterate on your work. You can tackle self-contained components in parallel, using branches, before merging into a main branch that represents the released version of your project. You push your code to a shared repository, often on a service like GitHub or GitLab, to share it with others. Declarative Infrastructure GitOps biggest strength lies in its role as the source of truth. Anyone can learn what your infrastructure looks like by referring to the files in your Git repository. Youll have a set of configuration files that define the characteristics of your system. Configuration files are usually declarative in naturethey describe the system in the present tense. You declare that there should be five servers in your architecture, instead of providing a list of commands that directly start five servers. Your provisioning tool converts your statements into a sequence of commands that move your infrastructure toward the desired state. This is where continuous integration (CI) comes in. A software developer will run automated pipelines to execute unit tests, perform static analysis, and eventually, deploy to production. A typical infrastructure team pipeline will check your config files for syntax errors before pushing them to an agent that applies the changes to your systems. Ability to Verify Being able to use CI pipelines to enact infrastructure changes lets you verify that those changes will actually work as intended. GitOps also provides the ability of ongoing verification where agents in your infrastructure constantly monitor for discrepancies. The repository is the single source of truth. It follows that any difference observed in the real system is an error that should be corrected. An agent with access to the repository and the provisioned resources can take action to correct the current state if it no longer matches your declarations. GitOps aids you in observing your infrastructure. Declarative configuration files provide an explanation of how your systems entered their current state. You can inspect the repositorys Git commits to understand how the infrastructure evolved over time. GitOps can also offer a way to rollback infrastructure changes. At its simplest, reverting to a previous commit restores a previous version of your configuration files. Actually applying them can be challenging, though. Whereas code can be reverted by simply overwriting the current deployment, reversing the creationor deletionof infrastructure is much less straightforward. Youll need to evaluate the rollout agent that youre using to determine whether rollbacks are a realistic possibility. If an in-place rollout isnt possible, you can at least revert the commits in your repository and re-deploy them into a clean slate environment. Youd then use your restoration procedures to reinstate your data. Challenges with GitOps Lack of maturity is the biggest obstacle to GitOps adoption. The term remains opaque to operations teams that could be relatively inexperienced with version-controlled workflows. Many infrastructure teams will be used to working practices theyve honed over the past couple of decades. They SSH into servers, make their changes, and document them in a centrally maintained wiki. Its uncontrolled, but its simple, and it works. GitOps addresses the lack of control and can improve visbility into the state of systems. At the same time, theres a learning curve that involves a structured workflow and a very different set of tools. Direct SSH access is no longer appropriate. Instead, you make changes by editing files and waiting for a CI pipeline to apply them. Getting buy-in from relevant teams can be the biggest issue when introducing GitOps to a new organization. Be prepared for decision-makers to misunderstand where the value lies or fail to recognize it altogether. Some will be frustrated by having to commit, merge, and seek approval for changes that they could achieve manually by using a quick SSH command. GitOps remains where DevOps was a few years ago, waiting to see widespread adoption outside of technical literature. Aside from organizational pushback, GitOps has practical weaknesses, too. One common challenge is rolling out to multiple different environments. A common approach is to assign each environment its own branch in the repository. This quickly becomes clunky if you have a lot of environments. An alternative approach could be based around multiple repositories, perhaps using Git submodules, but this just moves the redundancy elsewhere. GitOps is still a young concept, and there arent established patterns for its implementation. Without a reference architecture, youll need to experiment independently. This adds further to the list of unknowns for organizations assessing the models suitability. RELATED: Automating Continuous Delivery in Containers with CodeBuild, ECR, and CodeDeploy Summary GitOps is an approach to managing IT infrastructure that uses a Git repository as the source of truth. You write declarative configuration files that describe the resources that you want to be provisioned. An automated system takes those files and uses them to evolve the state of your infrastructure. As a concept, GitOps makes a lot of sense. It reduces the gap between dev and ops teams by unifying the workflow. You get greater visibility into your infrastructure and the ability to version and audit changes. Yet GitOps remains challenging to implement in many cases. It requires organizational buy-in, acceptance of some inherent inefficiencies, and a commitment to resolve technical issues that you might not necessarily foresee. Organizations that go all-in on GitOps can expect to see stronger consistency and standardization. But for many others, the benefits provided arent yet a sufficient incentive to throw away the CLI commands in a sysadmins terminal.
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https://www.cloudsavvyit.com/11472/what-is-gitops-and-why-does-it-matter/
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What Is a Smart Home Hub?
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Getting started with smart home technology is daunting. There are many different paths you can go down. Deciding whether you need a hub is just one of the many choices that you have to make when building your smart home. Its arguably one of the bigger choices that youll have to make, though, as it has a big effect on the devices that you can add to your home. Well explain what a smart home hub is so that you can decide whether you should go down that path. Lets Talk Protocols When it comes to smart homes, a number of different protocols can be used. These protocols are what decides how the devices in your home connect and how they can be controlled. For our purposes, there are three protocols that most smart home owners should understand. The first is what youll find in many of the basic smart home gadgets: Wi-Fi. These devices, which include light bulbs, switches, outlets, and many typical smart home things, connect to the wireless network in your home. Each one of the devices is on your Wi-Fi, and that is how it communicates with the app on your phone or the Alexa or Google Assistant smart speaker. All you need to set up these devices is your Wi-Fi password. You dont need any additional hardware. The other two protocols are Z-Wave and ZigBee, and these are what typical smart home hubs use. These protocols are wireless as well, but they dont use Wi-Fi. Z-Wave and ZigBee devices create a mesh network that allows them to communicate with each other. This means that youre not limited to the range of your router. Instead of every device being on your Wi-Fi network and communicating independently, Z-Wave and ZigBee devices are all connected to the hub. The hub is the only thing connected to Wi-Fi. You communicate with the hub, which then sends commands to connected devices. Its All Happenin at the Hub The term hub is the perfect description of what a smart home hub is. Its the centralized device that everything else in your smart home is connected to. When the hub goes down, so does your smart home. Its the heart of the system. There are plenty of benefits and downsides to this type of setup. If you have dozens of smart home devices in your home, a hub allows you to keep them from crowding your Wi-Fi network. They connect to the hub rather than to your router This also makes it easier to add new devices to your smart home. With Wi-Fi devices, you usually need a third-party app and Wi-Fi credentials to get it set up. However, once you have a hub set up, its just a matter of plugging in a new device and waiting for it to appear in the app for your hub. Speaking of apps, this is another benefit of a hub. Wi-Fi devices typically require you to use third-party apps from the maker of the device. These apps are then what you use to control the devices. If you mix and match brands in your home (as many people do), you have a few different apps to remember. Of course, there are ways that you can consolidate Wi-Fi devices into a single interface with something like the Google Home app (or Apples Home app, for devices that support HomeKit). This requires extra work, however, and its not always possible with every brand. With a hub, everything can be done from one app. Devices are connected to the hub and then they show up in the app. Youre always using the same familiar interface. Hub apps typically are more powerful as well, including tools for routines and complex automation. Hubs Arent Perfect Were talking up hubs a lot here, but the truth is, they arent without problems. Smart home hubs can be finicky, annoying devices at times. The hub controls everything, so if the hub goes down, your entire smart home is down. That might seem like an obvious thing, and the same applies to Wi-Fi devices. No internet means that your smart home isnt very smart. The difference with a hub is that it can sometimes go down for other reasons. For example, if Samsungs SmartThings network goes down, the hub wont be able to connect to devices, even if your Wi-Fi is fine. Like a lot of things, the more complexity you add to a system, the more chances there are for failures. Using a smart home hub opens you up to a whole new world of possibilities, but that does come with some extra challenges as well. The big question that many people have when starting a smart home is whether they should invest in a hub. Youre looking at an extra upfront cost that seems to make things more complicated. The truth is, thats a very personal question. It really depends on the type of smart home that youre looking to create. Most people dont need to bother with a hub. If you just want a handful of smart light bulbs and switches, you dont need that extra complexity. Add a smart speaker and you have a pretty nice, simple system. When you start getting into the more serious side of smart homes, thats when a hub becomes necessary. If youre thinking about replacing all the light switches in your home, adding motion sensors in multiple rooms, and building crazy projects like fake windows, you should probably look into a hub. Well, thats another tough question to answer. There are several competing platforms available on the market today. The one that seems to have the broadest appeal is Samsungs SmartThings platform. Its been around for a long time, is backed by a major company, and supports many popular smart home brands. Works as a SmartThings Hub Aeotec Smart Home Hub A solid smart home system to start with if you decide your setup needs one. Shop Now $124.99 A hub can make your smart home even smarter, but that doesnt mean that your home is dumb without one. Its up to you to decide how far down the rabbit hole you want to go. RELATED: How to Build Your Own Artificial Natural Light Window
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https://www.howtogeek.com/730617/what-is-a-smart-home-hub/
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Will We Ever Be Able to 'Talk' With Our Pets?
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Illustration : Vicky Leta/Gizmodo Advertisement Were all familiar with the scene, either straight from the source or through one of thousands of parodies: Lassie bounds up to the farmhand and starts yipping; the farmhand says, What is it, Lassie?; Lassie keeps yipping; and eventually the farmhand deciphers, from this undifferentiated noise, some extremely specific message re: someone being trapped in a well or burning house. This fantasy of dog-human communication has, a half-century on, still not been realized: We have no real way to know what our pets are after when they make their cute little noises. For this weeks Giz Asks, weve talked to a number of experts to find out. Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering, NC State University I prefer the term communication to talk. We can always talk to them, and they talk to us back in their own language. We do this on a daily basis. The question is whether we can understand their message. There are three ways to do it. The first one is to understand what message their vocalization carries or contains. This is their typical talking. The second one is their body language. Almost all the time, it carries a message. The last one is to be aware of their physiology such as how fast and varying their heart rate is or their muscle tension or breathing rate or stress hormone (cortisol) release. Our research team uses wearable or injectable electronic sensors to assess all of these signals. In return, we can teach them our messages through first being present with them and showing our real self rather than our emotional outbursts. We can also use traditional psycho-behavioral tools such as simple classical conditioning or operant conditioning as it is outlined by the famous Harvard scientist Professor B.F. Skinner. Our collaborative team with Dr. David Roberts from NC State Computer Science Department tries to use machine learning and artificial intelligence to achieve this. My message here is that with the latest developments in biomedical sensors, wearable devices, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and the internet of things, we are definitely in a new era where we have new tools to achieve a more conscious and efficient communication with our pets and working animals. We can always talk to them, and they talk to us back in their own language. We do this on a daily basis. The question is whether we can understand their message. PhD student in Psychology and Member of the Canine Cognition Center at Yale University At least to date, theres no evidence that dogs, or any other pet, have the capacity for language as we know it. Language seems to be unique to our specieseven our closest genetic relatives, like chimpanzees or bonobos, dont seem to possess the capacity for language as we conceive it. However, we do know that dogs are very skilled at interpreting our social cues and other attempts at communication. And the more we learn about how dogs understand these cues and gestures, the better well be able to communicate with them. That said, that the extent to which dogs are able to understand communication is somewhat one-directional: they can take in a lot of what were telling them, but their capacity for communicating with us seems to be a little less sophisticated. But the more we understand about dogs communicative systems, the more nuanced our ability to communicate with them will become. Right now, theres a group working with the TikTok famous dog Bunnytheyre developing a system in which the dog presses a button to communicate certain words to humans. How robust this communication is remains an open question, but thats one of the more exciting advances we have on the dogs-producing-communication side. The other sidei.e., humans understanding how dogs communicatedates back to the beginning of canine cognition as a field of study. We are still trying to understand how much dogs are able to infer from our social cues, from the tone in which we speak. My lab, and dog labs across the country, are trying to answer these questions. One of the things were looking at right now involves the kinds of signals we have to producewith our body language, or our tone of voice, or what were looking atin order to clue dogs into the idea that a given communication is intended for them, as opposed to just happening in their environment. Broadly, this is something we call communicative intent. So while I dont think itll ever look like language, I do think that the better we understand how dogs communicate, the more efficient well be at giving the types of cooperative signals that dogs and humans need to exchange with each other in a working context. For instance, we now know that some working dogs can interpret multi-step commands from their handlers. Better communication with service dogs would allow for an improved quality of life for the humans theyre working with. It could also lead to improvements in scent-detection and search and rescueit could be the difference between finding someone and not finding someone. And all this, I think, could theoretically apply to any domesticated animal who understands our social signals. ...while I dont think itll ever look like language, I do think that the better we understand how dogs communicate, the more efficient well be at giving the types of cooperative signals that dogs and humans need to exchange with each other in a working context. Professor Emeritus, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, and the author of Canine Confidential: Why Dogs Do What They Do and co-author with Jessica Pierce of Unleashing Your Dog: A Field Guide to Giving Your Canine Companion the Best Life Possible and the forthcoming A Dogs World: Imagining the Lives of Dogs in a World Without Humans Pets/companion animals dont speak human languages, but if we listen to them carefully and became literate in however they communicate with uswith voice, visual displays, and odorswell have a very good idea about what they want and need from us or what theyre asking of us, and we can be much better at giving them what they need so they can have the best lives possible as individuals who, in many ways, are held captive by us. This isnt meant to be a negative view. If you think about it, we pretty much control their lives and ask them to adapt themselves to ours. We tell them what they can eat and when, when they can play and with whom, and when they can pee and poop. If what people mean by talk is conversing in human languages, I think its a waste of time to ask them to be like us, because they arent us. Theyre dogs, and each of them is a unique individual with a unique personality and they will communicate in ways that suit them. In this way, they can express their dogness and be dogs, not robotic companions or make-believe furry humans. And, its very important to allow them to do dog appropriate behaviors as much as possible, even if we find them disgusting. Advertisement Professor in Evolutionary Anthropology and Psychology & Neuroscience at Duke University and Co-author, with Vanessa Woods, of The Genius of Dogs The big surprise about dogs is how many words they can learnthe average service dog knows at least 50 commands, and a dog called Chaser knew over 1,000 names of objects and toys. Chaser was truly extraordinary because she could learn words through a process of exclusion. When she heard a new word, she inferred that it was for a new toy. So she brought back a toy that she had not yet learned a name for. Chaser remembered all the words she was taught and her vocabulary just kept growingshe only stopped at 1,000 because her owner had no more time to train her. As remarkable as dogs are at understanding us, this is just one side of communication. Dogs have fairly plastic vocal chords or a modifiable vocal track. They can subtly alter their voice to produce a wide variety of different sounds with different meanings. In an experiment, researchers recorded alone barks of dogs when they were alone, and stranger barks when a stranger was approaching. Then they played this bark to people to see if they could distinguish the difference. Regardless of whether they owned a dog or not, most people could tell from a bark whether a dog was alone or being approached by a stranger, playing or being aggressive. Dogs can also use showing behaviormany dog owners will get the hint for messages such as lets play fetch!, I need to go to the bathroom, over here look at this! Its surprising how much we can tell each other, even when we are not vocalizing. And of course the genius of dogs is that they can read our body language. If you throw a ball and your dog cant find it, you can point to where it went, and your dog will happily trot off in that direction. It might seem simple, but your dogs must know that you know something they dont and that your intention is to help them. This level of mind reading is called theory of mind. It appears in human infants at around 9 months old and is the gateway to culture and language. Far from being one sided, the conversation between dogs and people is quite sophisticated. As we keep exploring the minds of dogs, hopefully it will grow richer still. Advertisement Far from being one sided, the conversation between dogs and people is quite sophisticated. Associate Professor, Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, University of Minnesota Yes, we already can, if our pets are talking birds, like parrots. Irene Pepperberg showed that her African grey parrot Alex was able to understand and produce words that suggested he knew the meaning of quite a few words, including terms for color, shape, and number. Even animals that cant mimic speech can learn to communicate, with help from technology. Much like apes were trained to do in language experiments back in the 1970s, dogs can learn to use electronic communication pads to communicate with people. So to a certain extent, we already can talk with our pets. That seems unlikely, because such conversations require more sophisticated language, and more sophisticated minds, than common pets like cats and dogs have been shown to have. Email us at [email protected].
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https://gizmodo.com/will-we-ever-be-able-to-talk-with-our-pets-1846924640
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What can the anthropic principle tell us about visualization?
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As a user first of Mosaic and then of Netscape, I was not alone in seeing the arrival of Microsofts Internet Explorer back in 1995 as an attempt by a company that had completely underestimated the importance of the internet, that had seen the emergence of the Netscape phenomenon, to use the dirty trick of bundling it into the operating system which at that time dominated computing so as to dominate the market. I witnessed firsthand the downfall of Netscape while living in the United States, resisted it for a long time, and saw how the market ended up going where Microsoft wanted it to go, thus elevating Internet Explorer, a mediocre browser, to absolute monopoly: 95% market share. The story has been told in the browser wars chronicles, and the subsequent United States vs. Microsoft is still the textbook case of product bundling.
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https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2264514287259/what-can-the-anthropic-principle-tell-us-about-visualization
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Will Canada GDP Lift Canadian Dollar?
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The Canadian dollar is almost unchanged at the start of the week. In the European session, USD/CAD is trading at 1.2064, down 0.06% on the day. US markets are closed for Memorial Day and there are no US events, so we can expect a quiet day for the pair. Canada will release the Raw Material Price Index for April (12:30 GMT), which posted a strong gain of 2.3% in the previous release. Canada GDP expected to climb Canada releases GDP on a monthly basis. In February, the economy expanded at a rate of 9.0% (YoY). Another strong gain is projected for March, with a consensus of 6.7% (12:30 GMT). These readings may appear impressive, but it should be noted that they are in comparison to figures from a year ago, when Covid was at its height and caused a steep economic downturn. Canada has had a tough time in the battle against Covid-19, and has lagged behind the US and the UK. With Covid numbers gradually falling, the economy is slowly being reopened. Given the lukewarm economy, it was somewhat surprising that the Bank of Canada was the first major central bank to announce a tightening in policy. With the US and UK economies heating up, the Fed and BoE may well follow the BoC example and taper their QE programmes. The BoC has signalled that its key interest rate could rise above the current 0.25% in late 2022 and this hawkish tone has contributed to a stronger Canadian dollar. In the US, another inflation indicator was unexpectedly strong. The Core PCE Index, which is the Federal Reserves preferred inflation gauge, jumped 3.1% in April, up strongly from 1.8% and above the forecast of 2.9%. Earlier in May, the US dollar jumped after April CPI hit a 13-year high. If investors feel that higher inflation is not transient, as the Fed has been insisting, then speculation will rise over a potential taper of QE, which could provide a boost for the US dollar this week. USD/CAD Technical
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https://www.actionforex.com/contributors/fundamental-analysis/382311-will-canada-gdp-lift-canadian-dollar/
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Why Cant We Try a Little Respect?
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(Ollyy via Shutterstock) BARTH KECK Civility is so pass nowadays. You can say anything about anyone using any language, and few people even bat an eye. This woman is mentally ill, said Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene recently in reference to U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for her insistence that legislators continue to wear masks in the House Chamber. You know, added Greene, we can look back in a time in history where people were told to wear a gold star, and they were definitely treated like second-class citizens so much so that they were put in trains and taken to gas chambers in Nazi Germany and this is exactly the type of abuse that Nancy Pelosi is talking about. Thats right: Greene compared a requirement to wear a mask in the halls of Congress to the Nazis systematic murder of 11 million people, including 6 million Jews. Greene received the obligatory rebukes from Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Minority Whip Steve Scalise, who noted that he does not agree with these comments and condemns these comparisons to the Holocaust. But no further consequences were proposed by either GOP leader. So, Greene simply goes about her business, which these days means traveling the country to host America First rallies. Lest Connecticut citizens think such patently cruel and callous behavior is limited to people from elsewhere, look no further than the town of Portland. A group of protesters met outside Brownstone Intermediate School on May 23 to criticize the school districts student-mask policy. The group advertised their message on a sign that can charitably be described as insensitive. The antisemitic sign appeared to have images of Schools Superintendent Charles Britton and Board of Education Chairwoman Sharon Peters, edited to make them look like Adolf Hitler, reported the Middletown Press. Below the photos were caricatures of masked children. Fashioned to the sign were an American flag and a Trump flag. The sign drew fitting reactions from public officials like Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, and Portland First Selectwoman Susan Bransfield, who said, It is abhorrent and I strongly condemn it. In todays hyper-polarized environment, however, such words of condemnation not only ring hollow among provocateurs such as Greene; they actually add fuel to these instigators detestable actions. Stepping over the line is the whole point of [Greenes] political career, and what, at this precarious moment in a sharply divided America, gives it strength, explains journalist David Knowles. For instance, adds Knowles, at [the May 21] rally in Mesa, Ariz., which she held with Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., Greene delighted her audience by recounting how she had received two fines on a single day last week for not wearing a mask on the floor of the House of Representatives. Make a blatantly offensive statement. Get criticized. Double down. Proceed with the next offensive statement. Its right out of the Donald Trump Playbook, a strategy I originally thought too tone-deaf to succeed in modern politics. Boy, was I ever wrong. Such is the state of politics and American life, in general in 2021: People take sides, dig in their heels, and fight for their tribe, regardless of the facts. Even as their actions are especially egregious, its not just Marjorie Taylor Greene or Donald Trump; incivility is now bipartisan behavior. Call me old-fashioned, but I grew up in a world guided by the classic motherly maxim, If you cant say anything nice, dont say anything at all. That advice applied particularly to elected officials whose political careers were essentially over the moment they blatantly lied or made bigoted statements. But times have changed. Blame it on uninhibited social media, a frustrated electorate, or a self-absorbed former president. Fact is, people have become unapologetically mean. Thats why I was heartened to see the Connecticut Senate last week unanimously approve SB 989, which expands protections against online stalking and harassment. I was equally pleased to see the Christian Science Monitor dedicate a recent series to respect. Respect can be a difficult word, often used as a tool to protect inequity or injustice, explains the Monitor. In its deepest meanings, however, it is seen as an essential ingredient in the American experiment. Amid the nations political polarization and widening cultural divides are millions of Americans who have lost sight of each other, caught in reflexive rituals and simplistic clichs that dismiss, demonize, or otherwise delegitimize perceived enemies. In short, Respect is one vital way we heal and re-establish common civic ideals. Given the current climate, Im not expecting a return to widespread civility anytime soon. But the essential point remains: This American experiment will never move forward unless we regain some semblance of mutual respect. Barth Keck is in his 30th year as an English teacher and in his 15th year as assistant football coach at Haddam-Killingworth High School in Higganum where he teaches courses in journalism, media literacy, and AP English Language and Composition. Email Barth here. The views, opinions, positions, or strategies expressed by the author are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or positions of CTNewsJunkie.com.
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https://ctnewsjunkie.com/2021/05/31/op-ed-why-cant-we-try-a-little-respect/
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Was sind die Anforderungen einer modernen Internen Revision?
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Buche Dein Seminar bequem und einfach online ber unser Anmeldeformular. > Das Three Lines of Defense-Modell: Interne Revision als wichtiger Bestandteil des internen Kontrollsystems > Risikomanagement, Compliance und Interne Revision als unverzichtbare Beauftragte der Geschftsfhrung! > Organisatorische Unabhngigkeit der Internen Revision > Interne Revision sicher einrichten: Neue Revisionsstandards DIIR Nr. Die inhaltlichen Details sowie viele weitere Informationen findest du direkt hier. Unser Service-Team steht dir gerne jederzeit zur Verfgung: 089/452 429 70 100 Verantwortlicher fr diese Pressemitteilung: S&P Unternehmerforum GmbH Herr Achim Achim Feringastr. 12 A 85774 Unterfhring Deutschland fon ..: +49 89 452 429 70 100 web ..: https://sp-unternehmerforum.de/ email : [email protected] S+P Seminare + Seminaranbieter + 200 Seminarthemen + 2.500 Seminar-Termine + Seminare + Online Schulungen + E-Learnings S&P Unternehmerforum GmbH ist ein innovativer Seminar-Anbieter fr Nicht-Finanzunternehmen und Finanzunternehmen. Die S+P Idee: Mit S+P Seminaren Lsungen ohne Umwege umsetzen und Chancen sichern. Unsere Mission: Mit der S+P Tool Box das Beste fr Ihr Unternehmen schaffen. Mit Seminare + Online Schulungen + Inhouse Schulungen + Business Coachings + E-Learnings ermglichen Sie Ihren Mitarbeitern besonders wirkungsvolle Seminare. Mit der S+P Tool Box kann direkt ein gemeinsamer Umsetzungs-Fahrplan fr die Praxis entwickelt werden. ProvenExpert: S+P Seminare werden von den Teilnehmern mit 4,65 von 5 Sterne bewertet. Pressekontakt: S&P Unternehmerforum GmbH Herr Achim Schulz Feringastr. 12A 85774 Unterfhring bei Mnchen fon ..: +49 89 452 429 70 100 web ..: https://sp-unternehmerforum.de/ email : [email protected] Disclaimer: Diese Pressemitteilung wird fr den darin namentlich genannten Verantwortlichen gespeichert. Sie gibt seine Meinung und Tatsachenbehauptungen und nicht unbedingt die des Diensteanbieters wieder. Der Anbieter distanziert sich daher ausdrcklich von den fremden Inhalten und macht sich diese nicht zu eigen. LE Palms und Urban Greening Camp Startup Projekte fr Artenschutz, Klimaschutz und Umweltschutz
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https://www.wo-was.de/was-sind-die-anforderungen-einer-modernen-internen-revision.html
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What toys did Russian peasant children play with?
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To a modern Russian, the names of most of these toys are meaningless and survive only as part of some set phrases, the origins of which have been lost in time. And yet, over the centuries, these toys helped entertain and develop countless generations of Russian children. Let's discover some of them. What unites all traditional Russian toys is their simplicity and low cost. Parents made such toys for their children from whatever material they could find and in the little free time they had. The techniques for making these toys were passed down from parents to children and were perfected over the centuries. Any father could carve a horse for his son or a doll for his daughter, which she could then dress up in scraps of cloth. "Var'ka" by Karl Lemokh. The girl is holding a wooden doll dressed in rags. Karl Lemokh Karl Lemokh A peasant household did not have many toys, so each one was cherished. Besides, peasant children had precious little time for playing with their toys: from the age of five or six, they were expected to start helping around the house, primarily, looking after their little brothers and sisters. It was at approximately the same age that children themselves learned to make the simplest toys for their younger siblings. Fabric, wooden, and rag dolls Russian rag dolls. Ivan Korbun (CC BY-SA 4.0) Ivan Korbun (CC BY-SA 4.0) Russian dolls never had faces or eyes painted on them. According to scholar Galina Dain, the facelessness of the traditional rag doll is a clear vestige of the animistic views of the Slavs. A faceless doll was considered an inanimate object, inaccessible for evil spirits." Russian dolls began to have faces only closer to the end of the 19th century, under the influence of toys from Western cities. What Russians distinguished themselves in was their ingenuity in creating different types of dolls. According to ancient customs, as soon as a woman realized she was pregnant, she began making a rag doll (zakrutka). She made it without a needle, purely by hand, since metal was considered a "dangerous" element. A zakrutka could be made just of rags or it could be stuffed with grain, hay or wool. Before the baby's birth, the rag doll was placed in the cradle, and when the baby was born, it became its first toy and protective amulet. A doll like this could be swaddled, dressed up, cradled. Of course, over time, it frayed and got dirty - but it was easy to disassemble it, wash the rags and put it back together, which the children gradually learned to do themselves. One variety of the traditional rag doll was known as nyazhashka (from the word nezhit, meaning to coddle), which was made of clean rags so that a child could kiss it safely. Wicker dolls. Legion Media Legion Media Wicker dolls (strigushki) were made from straw, often right in the fields, to calm and entertain a baby since small children had to be carried around when the rest of the family worked the land and there was no-one to look after them at home. When brought home, a wicker doll could be even more fun dressed in rags and trimmed at the bottom, this bundle of straw could stand on the table or on the floor and "dance" from vibration created by stamping feet or knocking on the door. 'Dancing' wicker dolls. Legion Media Legion Media Depending on how the straw was trimmed at the bottom, the doll could - without falling - move in small "steps" on the table, and its dance each time was different! With several wicker dolls gathered together, a whole Russian dance could be assembled. Bigger wicker dolls were placed between window frames for the winter for straw absorbed moisture, which prevented the frames from swelling when the frost from the glass began to thaw. Children were allowed to play with those large wicker dolls only after they had performed their moisture absorbent function during the winter. Whipping top A Russian whipping top. Polina Cicura A whipping top (kubar') is a variety of a top which in the Russian tradition had a leather whip attached to it, making playing with it more fun. A whipping top was carved out of a cylinder 4cm to 8cm in diameter and 5cm to 11cm tall. This toy was so popular in Russia that it has been found in various archaeological layers dating back to the 10th century. Oleg the Prophet, Prince Igor, and Vladimir the Great probably played with whipping tops when they were kids. We can confidently say that playing with whipping tops was one of the favorite pastimes among residents of Old Rus. A whipping top is spun by hand and then kept spinning by lashes of a whip that make the top jump and spin even more. There are numerous games involving this toy. One that was usually played in winter was particularly good fun: a playing field was marked on the ice of a frozen river and two players, taking turns to whip the top, tried to drive it to the opponent's side of the playing field. A boy playing a whipping top. Legion Media Legion Media Masters of the game could make their whipping tops follow an "obstacle course" or do somersaults in the air. Playing whipping top developed dexterity, mobility, the spirit of struggle and competition in group games. Motion toys "Blacksmith and a bear" traditional motion toy. Eugene Zelenko (CC BY-SA 4.0) Eugene Zelenko (CC BY-SA 4.0) Russian kinetic toys, or motion toys, as they used to be known in the old days, required special skills in woodcarving and the use of proportions, so they were made by professional associations of toymakers. There were many such associations, each with its own style and traditions, but perhaps the most famous place where wooden toys, including kinetic ones, were made was a village called Bogorodskoye, near Sergiev Posad in Moscow Oblast. The craft began to develop there from the early 19th century, but had in fact existed there since much earlier. Legend has it that Saint Sergius of Radonezh himself loved to make wooden toys and give them to children. "Little Drummer Hare," a wooden toy from Bogorodskoye. Bogorodskoye Toy Museum Woodcarvers from Bogorodskoye were so skillful that they could imitate a porcelain figurine in wood. Toys were made from softwoods - linden and aspen, the same that were used to church furniture, icons and decor. Local craftsmen had centuries-old experience in that skill. Unlike toys made by the majority of other associations of craftsmen, Bogorodskoye toys were not painted since their main feature was motion. Let's take a look at the most famous of those toys. First of all, it is the toy called "A Man and a Bear", with the man and the bear each striking the anvil in turn as you slide the planks they are attached to. "Chicken pecking grains," a wooden toy from Bogorodskoye. Bogorodskoye Toy Museum There were also various toys with a wooden weight on a string, by rotating which you could make their elements move, for example, chicken to peck grain, haymakers to make hay, and so on. The simplest toy using this mechanism was a hare (or a soldier) with a drum. Sound toys A traditional Russian rattle. Legion Media Legion Media The most famous sound toy is a clay whistle in the shape of a nightingale, inside which water is poured and by blowing on its tail, you can produce "nightingale" trills. Art critic Yelena Kovycheva writes: "Our ancestors believed that all kinds of whistles, imitating bird songs, scared evil spirits away." The Vyatka province even had a spring festival called Svistunya (whistle fest) or Svistoplyaska (whistle dance), during which children blew their clay nightingales for several days in a row, welcoming in the spring and driving away demons. Abashevo clay toys. Vladimir Fedorenko/Sputnik Vladimir Fedorenko/Sputnik By the way, present-day Kirov citizens (Vyatka became Kirov in 1934) confirm that Svistoplyaska still happens in their hometown every spring! Even though now, the toy whistle birds are mostly mass-produced, instead of the handmade nightingales of the old times still, the tradition lives on! The same function of scaring the demons was performed by numerous varieties of clappers, noisemakers and rattles. There were also various ocarina-like clay whistles in the shape of animals and people. Some of the famous types of clay toys that are still made include Dymkovo toys (Vyatka province), Khludnevo toys (Kaluga province), Abashevo toys (Penza province). Interestingly, Abashevo toys have clearly preserved through the centuries ancient images of fabulous animals, making them look something like objects of primitive art. If using any of Russia Beyond's content, partly or in full, always provide an active hyperlink to the original material.
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https://www.rbth.com/history/333841-toys-russian-peasant-children-played
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What sniper rifle could replace the Soviet SVD?
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This might be the first army sniper rifle where a soldier will be able to change weapon calibers and firepower right on the battlefield in a minute. The Russian army has been looking for a new effective infantry sniper rifle to replace the outdated SVD rifle, which was created back in the 1960s. There are a number of potential candidates to take its place in the new era. Some of them are Kalashnikovs SVCH rifle, Orsiss T-5000, Lobaev Arms DVL-10 and Kalashnikovs newly released SK-16 semi-auto sniper rifle that differs a lot from its competitors. It is a modular design weapon that allows you to change its calibers on the battlefield. This makes it possible to adjust the weapon for the shooter and for the tasks directly in the field. A user can replace its barrel and even change its weapon caliber without rebuilding the assembly process, in order to increase the rifles firepower for certain battle conditions. Pros and Cons Kalashnikov Kalashnikov The sight on the SK-16 is mounted on a steel Picatinny rail, which also serves as a base for attaching the barrel and guides for the bolt group. A similar solution was applied to the AKV-521 (read about here). At the same time, when changing the caliber in the field, the rifle does not need to be re-fired. This feature allows [the user] to drastically increase or decrease the weapons firepower right in the battlefield. It can be chambered with .308 Win or upgraded to .338 LM calibers, thus increasing (or decreasing) the fire distance from 600 to 1,800 meters. It allows a user to combine two rifles inside of one, says Ivan Kudryashov, a former sniper of the Russian special forces. An interesting feature of the semi-automatic SK-16 for army snipers is the principle of automatic operation. In this rifle, the barrel is attached only to the aiming bar neither the handguard nor the gas engine have any effect on it on firing. In the SK-16, the pressure intake for automatic operation occurs after the muzzle break, thus completely removing the vibrations of the barrel during the movement of the bullet going through it. The handle of the SK-16 does not accompany the bolt frame during firing, but in case of delay and failure of the cartridge, it allows the user to securely lock it with the bolt frame in one movement and send the cartridge with a blow. The next feature is the double-sided case extraction. With the successful implementation of this feature, it will be much more comfortable to fire from close enclosed spaces, such as a car or a window opening. This option is also indispensable for left-handers. All this works for one purpose to make the displacement of the barrel and sight minimal after each shot. Ideally, the shooter should clearly see the result of the shooting and be able to quickly make a re-aimed shot. The crosshair of the sight should not leave the target after the shot. Only such tactics guarantee the maximum effectiveness of small-arms fire of a self-loading rifle. Experts are sceptical about the SK-16s chances of becoming the countrys main infantry sniper rifle for years ahead. An infantry sniper rifle shouldnt be sophisticated. Its supposed to be durable, withstand dirt and water, easy to use and maintain and effectively eliminate enemies 500 meters away from you. SK-16 is a sensitive weapon. It needs proper usage and cant be treated unprofessionally, says editor-in-chief of Homeland Arsenal magazine Viktor Murahovsky. According to him, the SK-16 might become a great addition to Spec Ops units or would win the favor of professional civilian shooters. Yet, he believes the rifle isnt fit for poorly trained soldiers. If using any of Russia Beyond's content, partly or in full, always provide an active hyperlink to the original material.
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https://www.rbth.com/science-and-tech/333840-what-sniper-rifle-could-replace-svd
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When is Veterans Day?
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In light of the somber Memorial Day holiday, which culturally marks the beginning of the summer for many, some people may already be thinking ahead to another military holiday, Veterans Day. While both holidays commemorate those who have served the country, the differences run deeper than the day of the year each holiday falls on. Memorial Day, which occurs on the last Monday in May, is a more solemn occasion as it commemorates those who have given their lives in defense of the country and its values. The day is a time to remember, reflect and honor. Veterans Day, which occurs on Nov. 11, is a time to honor those who have served but are still alive: this is the time to tag friends and family who have served and post about how proud you are of their service and thank them for their duty. MEMORIAL DAY PARADES RETURN FOR 2021, HERE ARE THE LARGEST Memorial Day originated out of a tradition of decorating soldiers' graves, evolving into a national holiday shortly after the Civil War; Veterans Day, however, was created by a Congressional resolution in 1926 as a commemoration after World War I. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP After World War II, veteran Raymond Weeks from Birmingham, Alabama, led the effort to expand the holiday to honor all living veterans. He led celebrations in his hometown until his death in 1985.
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https://www.foxnews.com/us/when-is-veterans-day
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Whose eidi has Saba Qamar still kept safe with her?
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Famous Pakistani actress Saba Qamar recently narrated a story of how she received Eidi from the legendary Indian actor Irrfan Khan and showed how she has still kept the Eidi note which was given to her safely. View this post on Instagram A post shared by (@sabaqamarzaman) The actress attended a private talk show in which she was shown an Instagram post of hers from 2016 in which she is seen holding Indian rupees and Irrfan Khan can also be seen with her in the picture. Saba Qamar wrote in the caption of her post, Best eidi from the best co star. On the sets of Hindi Medium The actress revealed a secret saying that it was the first Eid of her life which was spent away from home when she was shooting for Hindi Medium in Delhi. She narrated the incident saying she asked her co-star Irrfan Khan for eidi on set and he gave her a note which she has still kept with her to date. Saba Qamar further said that the experience of working with Irrfan Khan was a very pleasant one and that she learned a lot from him. The actress also mentioned that she has been a big fan of Irrfan Khan since her childhood and she had expressed her desire to work with him many times. I consider myself lucky that my wish came true, she said. It may be recalled that Saba Qamar had played the lead role of Mita Batra alongside Irran Khan in the Bollywood film Hindi Medium which was released in 2017. Saba Qamars performance in this film was highly appreciated by audiences across the border. Hindi Medium was Saba Qamars first Bollywood film in which Irrfan Khan played the role of her husband.
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https://www.bolnews.com/entertainment/2021/05/whose-eidi-has-saba-qamar-still-kept-safe-with-her/
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Is the World Ready for an Electric 911?
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Porsche has stated pretty clearly that it will not be making an all-electric 911 any time soon, if ever. Other Porsche models like the Cayenne and Panamera E-Hybrids already are electrified, and the Taycan is famously 100-percent pure juice, but not the 911. The 911 is our icon, Porsche CEO Oliver Blume said recently. We will continue to build the 911 with a combustion engine. The concept of the 911 doesnt allow a fully electric car because we have an engine in the rear. Not necessarily. There are places that will convert your neun elfer to electricity. EVWest in San Marcos, California, just finished a green 911 for an Omaze auction, and the car should be in the winners hands as you read this. Vonnen Performance in Santa Clara, Calif., in the heart of the Silicon Valley, will also do conversions. And Voitures Extravert in the Netherlands will do the same. However, none of them sent us colorful press releases loaded with excellent photos (which is all it takes to get your product featured if its a long, long weekend). Click for gallery The Everrati Signature wide-body 911 has carbon-fiber fenders. ALEXP.COM Behold, Everrati, the latest discovery of retrofitters who start with 964 Porsche 911s and turn them into beautifuland, in this case, all-electricconveyances. Everrati has been in business only since 2019, taking classic cars and turning them into classic electric vehicles. In addition to the 964 911, Everrati also converts, reengineers, and reimagines Land Rover Discovery IIAs and Mercedes-Benz 280 SL Pagodas. Those look pretty cool, too. The 911 model you see here is the companys new, carbon-fiber, wide-body flagship dubbed the Signature. It and all Everattis begin with an accident-free 964 911, those formerly air-cooled models built between 1989 and 1993. Everrati starts by stripping the thing down to the metal carcass, then welding all the seams and adding structural reinforcement for a tighter, tougher, and ultimately more precisely performing car. To that monocoque are added wide-body carbon-fiber body fenders. Click for gallery Better brakes and wider bodies Everrati Everrati doesnt specify powertrain except to say, Power units are OEM-grade electric motors and, where appropriate, a custom single-speed gearbox is installed, developed by our engineering team. Performance is vastly improved. Likewise, specifics on the battery are a little vague: Each Everrati car is equipped with brand-new, custom-designed battery packs complete with advanced battery management, cutting-edge temperature control, and the latest regenerative braking technology. Click for gallery Everrati is the latest player in the 911 reimagining game. Everrati They claim the balance remains the same. Regular Everrati 964 911s are listed at 440 hp with a range of 180-plus miles, 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds, and a starting price of 200,000, or roughly $284,000. The new Signature flagship 911 you see here produces 500 hp, has 150 miles of range, and goes 0-60 mph in less than four seconds. Starting price for that one is 250,000 ($355,000). You have to add the cost of the donor Porsche to that figure. Thats a lot less than a similarly reimagined 911 from LA Work Shop 5001 ($400,000+), Singer ($475,000) or Guntherwerks ($525,000). Any one of those would make you happy forever. I dont know, man, its really up to you. The Everrati is the only one of those that is all-electric, and the workmanship, from what we can tell, is as good as any. It comes down to whether you want your Newton-meters delivered electrically or via internal combustionthe future or the past. Both have their own appeal. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io
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https://www.autoweek.com/car-life/a36574516/is-the-world-ready-for-an-electric-911/
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Which college did Jon Jones attend and was he roommates with Colby Covington?
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Athleticism is something that is deep in Jon Jones' blood. He has been associated with one sport or another since his school days. After graduating from Union-Endicott High School in upstate New York as a state champion in wrestling, Jon Jones attended Iowa Central Community College, a public institution in Fort Dodge, Iowa known for being the alma mater to a number of successful athletes. Along with Jon Jones and many others, UFC welterweight Colby Covington is also a notable alumnus of Iowa Central Community College. Jon Jones and Colby Covington were roommates at the institution. However, the two of them have different recollections of the number of days they spent living together in the same dorm room. While Colby Covington once claimed that they had lived together for two years, Jon Jones denied that and said it was only one semester. Nevertheless, they had some fun times together back in college and probably had better opinions of each other than they do now. Whatever friendly feeling Jon Jones and Colby Covington might have had for each other clearly does not exist anymore, given the shots they have fired at each other as UFC fighters. Jon Jones and Colby Covington on each other Jon Jones is well-known for his anger-related issues. Recollecting their college days in a 2014 interview with Fox Sports' MMA Roasted podcast, Colby Covington went ahead and said that in college, Jones had such an infamous temper that he used to throw people out of windows in a fit of fury: "When you're in a small town in Iowa, a lot of kids are farm kids, and they always wanted to start some stuff with the wrestlers...they'd always try to pick fights at our house parties and stuff. We would just clear out the place of a bunch of townies. Especially Jon. He'd be throwing people through windows and stuff. It was nuts. He has a bad temper. When he gets mad, he gets mad," Colby Covington said. Jon Jones, on the other hand, has made it clear on multiple occasions that there is no love lost between him and Colby Covington. Jon Jones spoke about him at a media conference ahead of UFC 245, where Colby Covington had his jaw broken by Kamaru Usman in the welterweight title fight main event. Jon Jones called 'Chaos' a "habitual liar" and a "really, really bad person": "Colbys a habitual liar at the end of the day. He really is. He told the fans that we lived together for two years. We lived together for one semester. Ive made a lot of mistakes and a lot of people dont consider me a good person, but coming from me, Colbys a really bad person. He really is. He really, really is." 'Bones' did not forget to point out that Colby Covington is disliked by some other MMA fighters who have spent a considerable amount of time with him, such as Tyron Woodley and Jorge Masvidal as well. Please spend 30 seconds answering this survey so that we can better understand how to serve your MMA needs.
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https://www.sportskeeda.com/mma/news-which-college-jon-jones-attend-roommates-colby-covington
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What Is The Best Time Of The Year To Visit Vietnam and Cambodia?
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Vietnam spreads up to 1,000 miles long, the weather in the country depends as you travel from the northern region to southern regions, from a temperate to a tropical climate. Angkor Wat is the largest religious monument on earth and it gets all the attention from tourists all over the world. Travellers experience beautiful landscapes, light adventures, some hidden luxury, and beaches with peace. Cambodian daily lives become a bit spiritual and thriving with creativity at the same time! before seeking Cambodia Visa for Indians, you must know when to visit the country. Vietnam Vietnam is good for travellers throughout the year due to a variety of weather conditions that do not go extreme. The Vietnamese food is absolutely delicious, the tours are tasty, plain and exciting. You can always check up on street side pho or a crusty bnh m, seafood c lao hotpots. Condensed milk put in coffee and another variety is one speciality of this country. Below are different regions for travellers who can visit Vietnam in the best seasons. When to visit Northern parts of Vietnam (Hanoi, Sapa, Halong Bay). The northern area of Vietnam has dry cold winters between December to February, where midnight temperatures can drop as low as 4C (39F).The summer months between May and August are very hot and humid. The best time to visit the north is when the spring arrives, which is between March to April or in the autumn season lasting from September to November, when the weather sunny and usually warm. When to visit Central parts of Vietnam (Hoi An, Hue). The coastal area around central Vietnam is often hit by typhoons due to its wet season. It is very difficult to predict the heavy rainfall and winds similar to when hurricanes arrive. They may hit cities in coastal areas like Hoi An, but usually, the season for typhoons falls between August and November. Around the time of February, you can see the rainfall and can look forward to bright sunshine and warm temperatures. Tourists that travel around central Vietnam in between the months of February and August will see pleasant weather but any time in July and August it will be sunny days with average day temperatures of up to 30C (86F). When to visit Southern parts of Vietnam (Mekong Delta, How Chi Minh City). The southern area of Vietnam experiences pleasant and warm temperatures throughout the year, which also makes travelling easy at any point in time. The rainy season hits from June to November and the dry season usually runs between December to May. Travelers see very little trouble, even when flooding might occur, the rain usually arrives in short bursts. Also, for a fact, the monsoon season is considered to be the best time to click pictures, as the big clouds float around the Mekong Delta and the fields of rice give an emerald-green colour, but the temperatures between March and May reach up to 40C (104F) and become unbearable. Cambodia This place almost gives an amazon jungle vibe due to its diverse rural landscapes that range between jungle-flanked water paths and floating villages. The cities and towns are crowded with the creative people of modern Asia and diverse Artworks by Cambodian people. In general, the whole country is entitled to have the same weather patterns which are mainly because of the relative uniform latitude and altitude throughout the country and is blessed with a simple weather system in all Asia. Also, there is a variation in temperatures between both the seasons, when it is the end of dry season leading towards the wet season (i.e. the time of March and April) and the early time of the wet season (i.e. the time of May and June), it is usually the hottest times of the year with temperatures that exceed 35C sometimes. There are only two distinctive weather seasons that are stated below as a weather overview for the best times you can visit the country. The Dry Season The dry season ranges between October to April/Early time of May. The dry north-eastern monsoon arrives with hot winds blowing all across the country. Between November and January, it seems to be a quiet cooler with just high temperature of 20C. In the remote parts like the north and east regions of Ratanakiri and Mondulkiri, the roads are the best and due to that, the journey times seem very less. The Wet Season The wet season ranges between the mid of May to October. The southwest monsoon season comes and lasts from May to October and brings about 75% of the annual rainfall. In Cambodia, the average daytime temperatures during the rainy season are mostly between 25C and 27C. The earlier time of the wet season which is May, June and July, remain extremely hot due to low frequency of rainfall. In between the months of late July and September, the rain becomes uniform and heavy at some points.
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https://english.sakshi.com/news/travel/what-best-time-year-visit-vietnam-and-cambodia-136272
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Did he break the laws of the Catholic Church when he got married?
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Johnson and Johnson is no longer just the name of a pharmaceutical company, but now also refers to the British Prime Minister, as the British media reported this weekend. On Saturday, Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds, now Johnson, were able to say yes when the couple were Catholics in a secret ceremony in Westminster Cathedral. The marriage is Boris Johnsons third. And precisely this detail hangs several members of the Catholic Church, writes The Guardian. Because according to the Catholic Church, it is not possible to get married several times because the Church does not recognize divorce. Another marriage can only take place if the previous spouse has died. But that doesnt apply to Boris Johnson, who divorced his first wife, Allegra Mostyn-Owen, in 1993 and most recently Marina Wheeler in November of last year. wrote Reverend Mark Drew on Twitter. Mark Drew (@ PhilHellene1960) May 29, 2021 Carrie Johnson previously declared herself a public Catholic believer, while Boris Johnson, now a Dbt Catholic, later rejected the Catholic Church in favor of the Anglican Church. Principal and Pastor Paul Butler on Twitter calls the wedding an extraordinary event: When I think about how people I know have been treated / shunned by the Catholic Church because of the desire for another marriage and even the sacrament. Still a standard for the rich and one for the poor. Still a canon law for the rich and one for the poor. asks journalist Christopher Lamb during his live visit on BBC Radio 5. According to Austen Ivereigh, author of several books on the Catholic Church, there is a simple explanation for how Boris Johnson could be married to a Catholic. He explains on Twitter that it is likely that the Prime Ministers two former marriages were not recognized by Catholic law because his ex-spouses were not Catholics. At the same time, weddings were not Catholic ceremonies. Austen Ivereigh therefore considers that a simple administrative procedure was used to declare invalid previous marriages. When the canonical form of marriage has not been observed and the marriage has not subsequently been validated in the Church, a simple administrative process is used to declare such marriages invalid in Church law. Austen Ivereigh (@austeni) May 30, 2021 According to a spokesperson for the Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, approval of the marriage by the cardinal is not required, as the marriage conforms to church standards. The bride and groom are both parishioners of Westminster Cathedral parish and Dbt Catholics. All the necessary steps have been taken () and all the formalities completed before the marriage. What Are The Main Benefits Of Comparing Car Insurance Quotes Online LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2020, / Compare-autoinsurance.Org has launched a new blog post that presents the main benefits of comparing multiple car insurance quotes. For more info and free online quotes, please visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/the-advantages-of-comparing-prices-with-car-insurance-quotes-online/ The modern society has numerous technological advantages. One important advantage is the speed at which information is sent and received. With the help of the internet, the shopping habits of many persons have drastically changed. The car insurance industry hasn't remained untouched by these changes. On the internet, drivers can compare insurance prices and find out which sellers have the best offers. View photos The advantages of comparing online car insurance quotes are the following: Online quotes can be obtained from anywhere and at any time. Unlike physical insurance agencies, websites don't have a specific schedule and they are available at any time. Drivers that have busy working schedules, can compare quotes from anywhere and at any time, even at midnight. Multiple choices. Almost all insurance providers, no matter if they are well-known brands or just local insurers, have an online presence. Online quotes will allow policyholders the chance to discover multiple insurance companies and check their prices. Drivers are no longer required to get quotes from just a few known insurance companies. Also, local and regional insurers can provide lower insurance rates for the same services. Accurate insurance estimates. Online quotes can only be accurate if the customers provide accurate and real info about their car models and driving history. Lying about past driving incidents can make the price estimates to be lower, but when dealing with an insurance company lying to them is useless. Usually, insurance companies will do research about a potential customer before granting him coverage. Online quotes can be sorted easily. Although drivers are recommended to not choose a policy just based on its price, drivers can easily sort quotes by insurance price. Using brokerage websites will allow drivers to get quotes from multiple insurers, thus making the comparison faster and easier. For additional info, money-saving tips, and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ Compare-autoinsurance.Org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc. "Online quotes can easily help drivers obtain better car insurance deals. All they have to do is to complete an online form with accurate and real info, then compare prices", said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company. CONTACT: Company Name: Internet Marketing CompanyPerson for contact Name: Gurgu CPhone Number: (818) 359-3898Email: [email protected]: https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ SOURCE: Compare-autoinsurance.Org View source version on accesswire.Com:https://www.Accesswire.Com/595055/What-Are-The-Main-Benefits-Of-Comparing-Car-Insurance-Quotes-Online View photos
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https://exbulletin.com/politics/953791/
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Who is LaMelo Ball dating?
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CHARLOTTE HORNETS teenager LaMelo Ball has taken the NBA by storm this year as a rookie. Heres what we know. Internet rumours suggest LaMelo, 19, is currently dating adult movie star Teanna Trump. The NBA rookies dating history remains relatively private, despite his growing fame. Hes also been linked to influencers Ashley Alvano and Ashlyn Castro. LaMelos father - LaVar - gave his son some controversial dating advice in an interview with the Endless Hustle podcast in November 2020. The 53-year-old said: "You're never going to meet a nice woman, especially in basketball. "If you're in this profession, when you have all this fame and notoriety, how are you going to meet a good girl?" LaVar was criticised for his comments on social media. Teanna Trump 2 Rumours linking LaMelo with Teanna Trump are dominating the web Credit: Getty Teanna, 25, is an American adult movie star. LaMelo was recently spotted with Teanna, triggering the rumours. The actress, who has more than 1.2million followers on Instagram, was also seen wearing a Hornets jersey and attended his recent comeback game. None of the rumours have been confirmed. Ashlyn Castro LaMelo is rumoured to have dated Ashlyn last year. The influencer and model has more than 105,000 followers on Insta. The rumours began when one of her followers congratulated her on an alleged relationship with LaMelo. Ashlyn liked the comment but later confirmed it was a mistake, claiming she's just friends with the NBA star. OUCH! Cody Simpson calls relationship with ex Miley Cyrus 'just one of those phases' 'STRONGER' Friends producer insists Matthew Perry 'seems better' despite fans' concerns THAT'S SO GREAT! Raven-Symon says she lost 28lbs & has a 'whole different face going on' BARGAIN BETTY Kylie Jenner fans shocked as billionaire shops at Target with Travis Scott Ashley Alvano LaMelo is believed to have dated Ashley during high school. The relationship is said to have ended in 2019, before the basketballer was drafted by the Hornets. Ashley, who has more than 130k followers on Instagram, is now rumoured to be dating Washington Wizard forward Rui Hachimura.
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https://www.the-sun.com/entertainment/2987828/who-is-lamelo-ball-dating/
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How much did Katie Thurston make from The Bachelorette?
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KATIE Thurston's Bachelorette appearance will see her raking in a large sum. Tayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe will host the new Bachelorette series after Chris Harrisons departure from the franchise. It's reported that Bachelorette leads take home hefty paychecks from their seasons. Bachelor expert Amy Kaufman penned in her book Bachelor Nation that incredibly rare for someone to make less than six figures. Emily Maynard was reportedly paid around $250,000 for leading the show. There's additional income for couples who stay together beyond the program. If a couple from the show chooses to televise their wedding, they reportedly can earn an additional $1 million from ABC, writes Cheat Sheet. 2 Katie Thurston will set off on her journey to find love with her charm, wit and take-no-nonsense attitude that fans fell in love with during her time on The Bachelor Credit: Getty Images - Getty Bachelorette couple Trista Rehn and Ryan Sutter allegedly settled for that amount of cash after their union was televised. It's thought that season 17's Katie Thurston will take home well beyond six figures due to her social media presence. Famous reality stars can reportedly bring in around $1 million per year just with social media. Per post, famous influencers typically make between $5,000 and $15,000. For the most part, The Bachelorette is real, but former contestants have provided insight into some of the show's elements that are somewhat scripted. Bachelor and Bachelorette contracts allegedly state that contestants must follow all of Producers rules, directions and instructions in all matters, including Participant selection. In former Bachelor Sean Lowe's memoir For the Right Reasons, he revealed that he filmed some of his confessionals weeks after dates would happen. Id say things like, Im having a blast with Des tonight, and I cant wait to see what the future holds. It wasnt disingenuous, because I expressed what my true feelings were at the time. Mainly, it was boring. Although the show doesn't follow a strict script, the footage is edited to fit a narrative. Contestant Luke Stone once called out Bachelor in Paradise producers and claimed that episode footage was edited to look like he was rejected. The Bachelorette will premiere on June 7 on ABC. Previous seasons of the show are currently available for streaming on Hulu with a paid subscription. THAT'S SO GREAT! Raven-Symon says she lost 28lbs & has a 'whole different face going on' 'AMEN' Khloe thanks God for protecting her after Tristan is accused of cheating again 'SO IGNORANT!' RHOBHs Lisa Rinna ripped as 'ignorant' for 'promoting alcoholism again BARGAIN BETTY Kylie Jenner fans shocked as billionaire shops at Target with Travis Scott 'SHEESH!' Teen Mom Cheyenne Floyd stuns fans as she shows off her $1500 bassinet Tayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe will host the new series after Chris Harrisons departure from the franchise. Thurston's season was reportedly so successful it wrapped early. Insiders shared the franchise's new star was "in control" and very quickly sent lots of men home.
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https://www.the-sun.com/entertainment/2987845/katie-thurston-paycheck-season-17-the-bachelorette/
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Who is Dr Christian Jessen and what is his net worth?
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DR CHRISTIAN Jessen has been helping Brits with their awkward medical problems for over a decade. Dr Christian was born in London on March 4, 1977 - making him 44 years old. He was privately educated at Uppingham School, Rutland, in the Midlands. The TV presenter studied at UCL and has a degree in sexual health. Dr Christian, who spent two years working in Kenya and Uganda, is particularly interested in HIV and malaria. Dr Christian Jessens net worth is estimated at $2 million (1.4 million) As well as his television work, Jessen has made money through his work as a columnist for Closer Magazine. He has also written for Real magazine, Gay Times, AXM, and OX magazines. Dr Christian presented Embarrassing Bodies, with Dawn Harper and Pixie McKenna, since its inception in 2007 to 2015 - as well as a number of spin-off series. He also fronted Supersize vs Superskinny, from 2008-2014, and starred in a documentary called Undercover Doctor: Cure Me I'm Gay, in which he investigated gay "cures". As a contestant, he's appeared on The Chase, Antiques Mastermind, The Weakest Link and Ready, Steady, Cook - which he won. 4 He is a columnist for the Evening Standard Credit: Rex Features He is a columnist for the Evening Standard, and works at Doctorcall - on London's famous Harley Street. Dr Christian was also on TV screens with his show 12 Hours to Cure Your Street in which he travels across the UK to treat individuals in their hometowns using a mobile clinic. Dr Christian isn't married, but he's got a long-term boyfriend. He is in a relationship with Brazilian native Rogerio Barreto - who's the head waiter at an upmarket restaurant in Central London. The couple live together in South London, near the River Thames.
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https://www.the-sun.com/lifestyle/2987958/dr-christian-jessen-embarrassing-bodies-how-old-partner-tv/
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Is Lowes open on Memorial Day 2021?
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THE Memorial Day holiday has arrived, and some shoppers may want to take advantage of the sales going around. Unlike Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving most major retailers are open on Memorial Day. Memorial Day, which commemorates military personnel who died in service is a popular day for cookouts and big sales. Lowes is a favorite among shoppers when it comes to snagging deals or shopping for food at discount prices. So last-minute shoppers who are missing a grill at their cookout can stop by Lowes and check out their options. Lowe's is open Memorial Day under regular store hours. 4 Most Lowe's locations will operate under normal business hours, however, it's best to call your local Lowe's to check their hours Credit: Getty Doors will open at 6am and close at 10pm, however, shoppers should still ultimately check their local Lowes in the event hours vary by location. Like Lowe's, Home Depot will also be open - although it's best to check with your local store hours to ensure there are no opening and closing schedule changes. It's worthwhile to note that no major retailer regularly updates its website, so it's best to call. 4 Home Depot is also open on Memorial Day Credit: AFP Click on store names to search for location-specific information. Home Depot, like many other large stores, is holding a big Memorial Day sale online leading up to summer. Memorial Day is one of the more popular federal holidays for retailers to hold massive sales. In addition to the Lowes Memorial Day sale, here is a list of some of the bigger ones: 4 Memorial Day is a big day for shoppers to save big Credit: Getty
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https://www.the-sun.com/money/2987936/lowes-holiday-store-hours-memorial-day-2021/
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What Gas Stations Are Open on Memorial Day Monday 2021?
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Americans are embarking on their first major holiday amid relaxing coronavirus guidelines: Memorial Day. The day to remember fallen military personnel is also the unofficial start of summer, which means people will be driving to see friends and family for summer cookouts and pool parties. As with most major holidays, gas stations are up and running. Heres what you need to know: Most Major Gas Stations Will Be Open for Memorial Day 2021 Speedway: Most Speedway convenience stores (including former SuperAmerica locations) are OPEN on Memorial Day writes HolidayShoppingHours.com. Check HERE for more location-specific information. Circle K: Store Business Hours noted, Circle K is open for the majority of holidays. Several locations operate on reduced hours during the holidays, listing Memorial Day as one of the possible observed holidays where the hours could potentially be reduced. Circle K information in your area can be found HERE. QuikTrip: QuikTrip stations are expected to be open reports HolidayShoppingHours.com. You can verify your local QuikTrips hours HERE. Sunoco: According to CashProf, most Sunocos are open 24 hours and maintain a regular schedule for Memorial Day. You can find information on specific Sunocos HERE. QuickChek: QuickChek fresh convenience market stores are scheduled to be open their normal hours on Memorial Day to meet the needs of busy people on the go, a representative said in a statement to Heavy. Most stores are open 24 hours (where permitted as some municipalities may have limitations). To find your nearest gas station and verify its hours, you can check HERE. Wawa: According to HolidayShoppingHours.com, most Wawas are open for all major holidays including Memorial Day. You can check your local Wawas hours HERE. Sheetz: Sheetz does not close for holidays, wrote StoreBusinessHours.com, with the occasional exception of Christmas. To verify your Sheetz hours, check HERE. Kwik Trip: The majority of Kwik Trip and Kwik Star convenience stores generally stay open on Memorial Day reported Store Holiday Hours, though it noted, reduced hours may apply. Check HERE for the most up-to-date information on your local Kwik Trip. RaceTrac: Urglamour.com reported RaceTracs are open on Memorial Day. You can find additional information HERE. Gas Prices Are at a 7-Year High for Memorial Day With more Americans getting vaccinated every day, they are embarking on revenge travel, as Jeanette McGee, spokeswoman for the American Automobile Association, told USAToday. She added, People have more discretionary income, theyve got a lot of PTO (paid time off) saved up, so theyre going to take more trips and spend more money. The publication is reporting gas is at a seven-year high. According to USAToday, this week, regular gasoline had a national average cost of $3.03 per gallon, the highest since 2014 with its $3.65 average per gallon over Memorial Day weekend. The outlet cited the cyberattack on the Colonial Pipeline, and its subsequent fuel delivery problems, for recent rises in gas prices. USAToday added, Gasoline prices have largely stabilized since that hacking incident, but prices are expected to remain in the $3-per-gallon range during the summer, experts say. READ NEXT: Home Town Star Ben Napier Reveals if He Would Run for Office Again
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https://heavy.com/entertainment/are-gas-stations-open-memorial-day/
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Are Dollar Stores Open on Memorial Day 2021?
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Heres a quick look at the store hours and details for Family Dollar, Dollar General, and Dollar Tree. Dollar General on Memorial Day 2021 Dollar General stores will be open for their regular hours on Memorial Day, a representative told Heavy. Store hours, however, can vary by location. You can see the specific store hours near you on Dollar Generals website here: https://www.dollargeneral.com/store-locator.html. You can download the Dollar General mobile app here. The app includes a cart calculator, digital coupons, a shopping list that you can create, weekly ads, and DG Go! (a service that lists the best deals in an easy-browsing interface.) You can also use the app to order ahead with DG Pickup. Dollar General is offering quite a few digital coupons. You can also check out their weekly ad here to learn more about the specials in place today. Some of Dollar Generals DG Rewards specials for members (which may vary by location) include earning $2.50 for every $10 spent (on your next trip), spending $35 and earning $7 on your next trip, or spending $15 and earning $3 on your next trip. Dollar Tree on Memorial Day 2021 Dollar Tree stores are open for Memorial Day and operating at their normal hours, a representative confirmed with Heavy. Youll want to call your local Dollar Tree or look up the hours online to double-check what your local stores hours are. Find your nearest stores hours and information here. Dollar Trees weekly ad is here. Their summer lookbook, which is good through July 4, includes specials and ideas themed for the warmer summer months (although specific specials may vary by location.) These include sunglasses, candy, summer-themed signs and decor, summer dinnerware, summer floral arrangements, summer scarves and bandanas, summer candies (like Kool Pops, Sour Patch Freezer Bars, or Italian Ices), sunscreen, Fathers Day themed items like balloons and gifts, tropical vibe supplies (like Tiki Bar essentials, novelty headbands and necklaces, and backyard party supplies), and even 32 plastic flamingos with metal stands. Dollar Tree also offers a Value Seekers Blog now with crafts and decor, tips and hacks, recipes, gift ideas, party ideas, teacher ideas, and more. Family Dollar on Memorial Day 2021 Family Dollar stores are open for Memorial Day and operating at their normal hours, a representative confirmed with Heavy. Youll want to call your local Family Dollar or look up the hours online to double-check what your local stores hours are. Find your nearest stores hours and information here. You can see Family Dollars weekly ad here. Some of Family Dollars specials, which may vary by location, include, summer cookout supplies, pool-side looks, water toys for the pool, quality dinnerware, summer cookout essentials, outdoor decor, an Igloo cooler, dishcloths and kitchen towels with summer themes, summer tablecloths, insect repellant, kids outdoor plastic or inflatable pools, waterslides, water balloon sets, and more. READ NEXT: The latest COVID-19 deaths, cases, and updates
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https://heavy.com/entertainment/dollar-stores-memorial-day-2021-general-family-tree/
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What Is U.S. Cooking Up for Iraq?
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2021/05/31 | 15:20 - Source: Iraq News (ThisDay | Iraq News Now )- BAGHDAD -- An Iraqi lawmaker says the parliament will summon Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi for explanation over the United States continued violation of the countrys sovereignty and plans to target anti-terror Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) or Hashd al-Shaabi.Abdul Amir al-Taeiban of Al-Sadiqoun bloc said the parliament is serious about holding a session, with Kadhimi and members of his cabinet in attendance, to review the recent developments in Iraq and the breach of its sovereignty by Washington.As long as the U.S.embassy is in Baghdad, Iraq will not witness calm.The shooting by the U.S.embassy is a clear violation of Iraqi sovereignty.Thus, an action must be taken to recognize what the U.S.embassy did, Al-Ahed news quoted Taeiban as saying.The remarks came one day after the U.S.embassy in Baghdad activated its C-RAM systems and alarm sirens as part an alleged security drill.A security source told Shafaq news agency that missile remnants fell on Al-Karama Hospital in central Baghdad, but no casualties were reported.Latest reports suggest the Pentagon is seeking permission from U.S.President Joe Biden to attack PMU positions in Iraq.In early 2003, the U.S.invaded Iraq under the later debunked pretext that the regime of Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction.It withdrew soldiers from Iraq between 2007 and 2011, but redeployed them in 2014 along with other partners to allegedly counter the threat from the Daesh terrorist group.On January 3, 2020, the U.S.assassinated Irans legendary anti-terror commander Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani and his Iraqi trenchmate Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy head of the PMU, in a fatal drone strike near Baghdad airport.Two days later, the Iraqi parliament unanimously approved a bill, demanding the withdrawal of all foreign military forces led by the United States from the country.Since then, however, Washington has been dragging its feet on the pullout and targeting anti-terror groups from time to time.On Sunday, an Iraqi security official said the United States is targeting Hashd al-Shaabi in a bid to resurrect Daesh that had wreaked havoc in the Arab country since 2014 but was defeated in late 2017.Washington succeeded in enabling terrorists to enter the Al-Jadaa camp in Nineveh province by transferring them from the Al-Hawl camp in Syria.This shows that the U.S.wishes for a resumption of terrorist operations in Iraq, Ali al-Waeli said.Al-Waeli said Iraqs security forces should closely watch the terrorists movements in hotspots where they are still operating.Nasir al-Shamas, a Syrian security expert, also warned of the United States moves to target the PMU and leveling accusations against the resistance group.The American forces resorted to direct confrontation (with PMU) after they were faced with major obstacles in smuggling narcotics and weapons for the terrorists on the Syrian-Iraqi border caused by Hashd al-Shaabi and its supporting forces, al-Shamas said.Iraqi security forces recently arrested Qasim Muslih, a senior official with the PMU, in Baghdad on charges of involvement in several attacks including the most recent attack on Ain al-Asad.Iraqs Defense Minister Juma Anad on Saturday described Muslihs arrest as a wrong move, adding that his case has been dealt with in a wrong way and the solution to the issue is not right, either.On the arrest, al-Waeli said the U.S.is behind the targeting of PMU commanders so as to pave the way for Daesh terrorists to enter Iraqs Al-Anbar province once again and resume their terrorist activities there.According to al-Shamas, the latest suspicious movements were made to distract public attention from the Palestinian resistance and their achievements, and to get Iraqs resistance involved in a domestic war.The U.S.governments actions in the future will not be military, but in the first place, giving false information to the Iraqi government about Hashd al-Shaabi forces and other Iraqi security commanders, the Syrian security expert added.The Daily Caller reported on Friday that the Pentagon is planning to seek approval from Biden on strikes on Iraqs anti-terror groups.Bidens first military strike on other countries soil was against the PMU at a border point in Syrias eastern province of Day al-Zawr, only a month after he assumed office.On Saturday, the Washington Post said U.S.military officials are increasingly alarmed by drone attacks from anti-terror resistance groups in Iraq, which are posing a growing threat to Americanmilitary bases and diplomatic facilities in the Arab country.Citing U.S.-led coalition officials, the Post said Iraqi resistance groups have over the past months turned to the use of highly sophisticated drones against American forces and U.S.diplomatic missions in the country.A coalition official described the evolving drone capability as the U.S.military missions biggest concern in Iraq.Instead of using rockets, the daily said, the resistance groups are increasingly using small, fixed-wing drones that fly too low to be picked up by defensive systems.Referring to two drone attacks against American bases in Iraq in April and May, the Post said the drone threat had raised the prospect of a sudden escalation of violence.In April, the Ain al-Asad airbase in Iraqs western province of Anbar housing American troops came under attack, in which a hangar for U.S.military aircraft was completely damaged.Ain al-Asad has been targeted several times since Iran launched a barrage of missiles at the base on January 8, 2020, as part of its retaliation for the U.S.assassination of General Soleimani.Attacks on American military interests in Iraq have risen in number and frequency since early last year, when the U.S.drone strike also martyred al-Muhandis.Both men enjoyed huge reverence for their contribution to the regional anti-terror fight, with General Soleimani winning fame as the regions most decisive and popular counter-terrorism commander.Last month, Iraq and the U.S.said they had agreed on the eventual withdrawal of U.S.combat troops from Iraq, and that the two sides would hold talks to work out the timing.Iraqi resistance groups have warned that they will treat the American troops as occupying forces, pledging to take up arms against them if they refuse to leave their country.
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https://english.hathalyoum.net/articles/45472-whatcooking-for-iraq--
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Which Game Boy Color Game Is The Best?
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Playing games can evoke varying emotions in an individual. In most instances, people think gamers are anti-social kids with no future perspectives. However, according to research, these gamers often have stress-free personalities, and the games help relieve you of stress. Professional psychiatrists associate the stress-free personality to emotions evoked when playing games; for instance, playing a game such as Resident Evil can make a person fear their shadows. On the other hand, games such as Call of Duty or free slots no downloads, may increase your adrenaline levels, and you remain excited throughout the day. However, people need a balance between fear, excitement, suspense or adventure. Let the body and mind relax for a period.
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https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2264356982584/which-game-boy-color-game-is-the-best
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Has political Islam taken a beating in Gaza?
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Its our neighbour Pakistan. And Turkey under expansionist Erdogan comes the close second, predictably. The reasons, though numerous, are not hard to find. After 1947 partition, Pakistan inherited the best irrigated land of the Indian subcontinent. Lahore was progressive and in many ways more developed than its Indian counterpart Mumbai. But like a profligate son squandering away all the inherited riches, Pakistan squandered away everything to become a failed state within mere seven decades of its existence. Pakistans unbridled pursuit of Islamism had brought it to such a pass. Except Pakistan, all other Muslim countries have got on with life. They are not un-Islamic but never feel the necessity to wear Islamic label on their forehead every moment! They forged ahead with developments in science, engineering, and secular education. Pakistan showcases its Islamism for many reasons. First of all, the tag Islamic Republic of Pakistan became too heavy to carry. In the process, Pakistan vainly projected itself as more Islamic than even the Arabs. As Muslim converts who carry no weight vis--vis the real Muslims of the Middle-East, Pakistanis had to grapple with inferiority complex. Like a dull student ever trying to impress the school teacher, Pakistan overdid its Islamism. Excessive obsession with Kashmir never allowed Pakistan to devote time and energy to develop itself economically. Now it is a basket case. At the height of Azerbaijan war in 2020, when Turkey was dreaming of the Caliphate, Pakistan contrived uniting the OIC and Muslim Ummah to arouse Muslims hysteria over Kashmir. It sensed a similar opportunity during recent Israel-Palestine war but Islamic world, never as uneducated as Pakistanis, could not trust hard-core Islamic Pakistan for ceasefire negotiations. Pakistan is now damn frustrated that well-to-do, prosperous Islamic states are yet not picking up its bait. In pursuit of Islamism, Pakistan has become a pauper state. Its PM cannot afford a plane ride to New York and its FM travels to Turkey in his Turkish counterparts aircraft. Pakistani freeloaders have a field day, without realising how much disdain the world views them with. You can visualise Pakistan seeking free aircraft with free fuel and pilot from the OIC for its leaders to shuttle among Islamic nations for propagation of Islamic causes. Pakistan remained drunk with Islamism and Kashmir for seven decades before waking up to realise that the world has moved a lot along its axis. Now the Muslim countries have become more worldly wise to mind their education, trade, commerce and employment. The Muslim Ummah is no more foolish to fight for the Palestinians against Israel. Muslim world capitals do not fall over each other to help Palestine. When the OIC meeting was decrying the Gaza raids, the UAE and Turkey airlines flights were flying to Israel as scheduled. Diplomatic relations remained normal though Turkeys Foreign Minister flew to Pakistan on a special aircraft and returned home with Pakistani counterpart for politicking on the Palestinians. Even Turkey did not halt its annual trade totalling $6 billion with Israel, or recalled its ambassador or reduced staff at the two Israeli missions in Ankara and Istanbul. No Muslim country made any threat. Pakistan Foreign Minister foolishly made anti-Semitic comments in an interview and was duly pulled up. He lost an opportunity to address the global audience. Open divisions among the Democrats in the US encouraged the Islamists. As for the Ummah, the words of Egyptian nationalist Saad Zaghloul about Arab unity ring are true: Zero plus zero is equal to zero. Muslim Ummah is no more keen in the liberation of Palestine from Israel. They are wisely more focussed towards saving their Kingdom rather than engaging in suicidal Islamic pursuits. For Pakistan its fashionable to champion human rights for Palestinians thousands of miles away while prosecuting minorities at home. And the political leadership foolishly thinks that they are making a difference! This truth never sinks into the average Pakistanis mind. And mostly they are so average! Syria, Libya, and Sudan suffered loss of several human lives including women and children. Many families were forced to move out of their ancestral land. And no country raised their voices when these countries were bombarded. The fact is: All Muslim nations combined cant face Israel with its hands tied behind its back. Thats the real politic! Photo Credit : Getty Images Like this: Like Loading...
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https://www.newdelhitimes.com/has-political-islam-taken-a-beating-in-gaza
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Is virtual fencing the future on beef farms?
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New grazing technologies will allow beef producers to develop off-farm income opportunities while, at the same time, improving the efficiency of their livestock businesses. One of these is virtual fencing. Dr. Francis Lively from the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) explained: Moving to a daily paddock scenario is the best way to deliver optimal quality grass cattle throughout the grazing season. Making this happen will require an investment in the required farm infrastructure. I am aware that many beef farmers now have off-farm jobs. As a result, their actual time on the farm must be put to best use. One way of not having to physically move cattle on a daily basis, is to use a form of virtual fencing system. AFBI is currently trialing this new technology, he added. Virtual fencing in paddocks According to Lively, moving to daily grazing paddocks, as opposed to set stocking will increase grass utilisation by 19%; improve animal production per hectare by 33% and boost output by 656 (737) per hectare. Lively spoke at a recent beef webinar, jointly hosted by AFBI, the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE), Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC), Northern Ireland Meat Export Association (NIMEA), National Beef Association (NBA) and Ulster Farmers Union (UFU). He confirmed that grass is the cheapest feed source available on all ruminant farms. It is also a highly nutritious feed. Advertisement Lively continued: High quality grass can replace the need for expansive concentrates. Grass production also sequesters carbon in the soil. In addition, grass-produced beef is a desirable product with well defined health benefits. Grass growth According to the AFBI scientist, grass is a good energy source, which can support high levels of animal output. However, quality is dependent on stage of growth, stage in the season and sward composition. Spring grass is a highly nutritious feed source for beef cattle. Late autumn grass is similar in quality to that of top quality silage, he said. Grass utilisation on beef farms across Northern Ireland is currently averaging 4.1t of dry matter (DM) per hectare (ha). The equivalent figure for the dairy sector is 7.1t. Recent AFBI research has confirmed that securing an extra 1t of grass DM can improve returns by 160 (180). This figure is probably higher now, given the recent uplift in beef prices. However, if the increase in output is accompanied by a 5% increase in grass quality, the improvement in returns can be further increased to 218 (245) per hectare. Producing more grass will allow beef farmers to improve their stocking rates. Improving the quality of the grass available to stock will help reduce the requirement to feed concentrates. AFBI research has also confirmed that lower nitrogen usage on beef farms accounts for a significant proportion of the difference in the grass output levels they achieve, relative to dairy businesses.
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https://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/is-virtual-fencing-the-future-on-beef-farms/
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Who received the highest direct payments per county in 2020?
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This week, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine published a list of beneficiaries of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) direct payments in the Republic of Ireland for 2020. The department is obliged, by EU regulations, to publish a list of all beneficiaries of CAP funding once they receive more than 1,250 by the end of May each year. Earlier today (Monday, May 31), Agriland outlined the top 10 direct payments beneficiaries for last year. Starting off with Munster, Brendan Kelleher from Co. Cork received the highest direct payment in the province in 2020, amounting to 245,626.91. This was also the highest value of direct payments made to a single recipient across the country in 2020. Co. Cork was also the location of two other beneficiaries who featured on the top 10 list. County Beneficiary MUNSTER Amount () Cork Brendan Kelleher 245,626.91 Kerry Padraig and James and Con Barry 139,464.20 Clare John OLoughlin 104,170.50 Limerick Heathfield Dairy Farms Ltd 128,803.19 Tipperary John and Teresa Hanly 141,567.35 Waterford John and Peter Queally 176,541.58 Source: DAFM Turning next to Leinster, six beneficiaries in the eastern province were accounted for on the top 10 highest recipients of direct payments nationwide in 2020. Advertisement OShea Farms Unlimited in Co. Kilkenny had the second highest direct payment allocation in the country after Kelleher, amounting to 222,646.95 the highest payment in the province. County Beneficiary LEINSTER Amount () Kilkenny OShea Farms Unlimited 222,646.95 Carlow Park Farms Partnership 201,128.00 Dublin Michael and Gabriel Hoey 186,809.08 Kildare Godolphin Ireland UC 222,277.52 Laois Desmond Conroy 112,946.24 Longford Torboy Farms and Robert Payne 84,779.01 Louth Glydee Farms Limited 210,484.18 Meath Gillstown Dairy Partnership 176,635.42 Offaly Nick Molloy 147,101.58 Westmeath John Pearson Ltd 124,275.37 Wexford JKC Farms Ltd 175,278.79 Wicklow Thomas Delahunt 122,051.70 Source: DAFM Looking next to Connacht, Galway farmer Hans Weirner Meis received the highest direct payment in the western province with a payment of 191,912.08 the sole Connacht entry on the top 10 list. County Beneficiary CONNACHT Amount () Galway Hans Weirner Meis 191,912.08 Leitrim Padraig McGuinness 114,774.64 Mayo Michael and Declan Hegarty 103,574.13 Roscommon Hilltop Dairies Ltd 102,206.01 Sligo Corkamore Dairies Limited 94,534.32 Source: DAFM Finally, turning to the three Ulster counties in the Republic of Ireland, Cavan-based farm enterprise B&L Farms (Unlimited) received a total of 159,232.07 the highest in the province. Meanwhile, in Northern Ireland, Desmond Mallon received the highest direct payment last year of 29,973.98. County/location Beneficiary ULSTER Amount () Cavan B&L Farms (Unlimited) 159,232.07 Donegal Paul Carr 157,919.64 Monaghan Thomas, Mark and James Wilson 77,642.93 Northern Ireland Desmond Mallon 39,973.98 Source: DAFM
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https://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/who-received-the-highest-cap-direct-payments-per-county-in-2020/
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What does patriotism mean to US military veterans?
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From Vietnam to Afghanistan and Iraq, veterans reflect on their military service and share stories of racism, sexual assault, PTSD, homelessness and suicide. I remember September 11, 2001. I was in seventh grade. With tears streaming down my mothers face, she carefully removed her flag from the shadowbox she had been gifted at her air force retirement ceremony just months earlier. She wondered aloud if she would be recalled to active duty as she hung the flag in the window of our apartment. Partisan implications were the furthest thing from my mothers mind that day. Military service is often lauded as the pinnacle of patriotism. Thank you for your service, is regurgitated reflexively every time I ask about a military discount. I served six weeks in air force basic training before being declared medically unfit for service but given a disability rating. It does not feel worthy of thanks but no one asks for details, so automatic is the response. And while people tend to conflate nationalism with patriotism think of large pick-up trucks with American and Dont Tread on Me flags flapping across their beds I believe if my mother were alive today, she would disagree. Some of the people who participated in the United States Capitol riot on January 6 were self-proclaimed patriots. Ashli Babbitt, a protester fatally shot by police, was an air force veteran. Veterans were also found protesting against the tyranny of COVID-19 containment measures and counterprotesting Black Lives Matter events. Over the past year, a certain stereotype of US military veterans and their specific conception of patriotism has emerged. A way to divide people I spoke to veterans from all branches of service except the coastguard (and Space Force if we are being technical) encompassing all eras from Vietnam to the present day. Morgan Godvin, in an American flag hat provided to her by Veterans United upon receiving a scholarship [Courtesy: Morgan Godvin] Ryland Young, a 41-year-old navy veteran of the USS Vincennes, who was based in Japan and spent most of his time in the service out at sea in the Pacific and Indian oceans, traced the toxic tinge around American flag symbolism to the presidency of George W Bush. It was presented as patriotism and as a way to divide people from one another. It was never just trying to rally people around the flag. It was trying to separate the ones who supported Bush from the ones who didnt. Still, in middle school at that time, political complexities such as that were lost on me. I vaguely remember freedom fries and a fashion trend that heavily favoured flags. Ryland explained the implication. If you didnt support Bush, then you didnt support the Iraq war. If you didnt support the war, then you didnt support the troops, then you wanted the terrorists to win. George Griffith joined the marines as a teenager, desperate to find the purpose for his life. He framed it bluntly, When Bush-Cheney got elected [in 2000], it started to feel that my fellow marines and I were no longer doing what we were doing enduring suffering and inflicting suffering for the sake of defending America. It was not the first legitimacy crisis the military faced. Vietnam is now widely regarded as a blight on American history. Infamously, veterans of that war returned to a sharply divided country, were poorly received by the public, and suffered atrocious PTSD that largely went untreated. When I asked a Vietnam combat veteran of the US Army who preferred to remain anonymous about the meaning of the word patriotism, he could not define it as we both sat waiting for our appointments at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center. Drafted as a teenager, he said he did what he had to do and that was that. Then, eager to share with someone who wanted to listen, he regaled me with harrowing battle stories including how he was twice shot down in a helicopter over the jungles of Vietnam but still finished his tour of duty. Vietnam during which so many young men were drafted to fight (and die) in a senseless war sparked public outrage and the abolishment of the draft in 1973 as the anti-war left became increasingly powerful. Surprisingly, the end of conscription was even supported by those on the right as an all-volunteer force aligned with burgeoning neoliberal free-market ideals and pushes towards privatisation. Conceptions of service and patriotism are likely distinct in an all-volunteer force, I realised after talking with this lonely veteran. His service required no choice or critical thought; he responded to the governments demands. After chatting with him awhile, I went to my own appointment. Afterwards, I strolled around the massive Veteran Administration campus. Doing the right thing The 388-acre (157-hectare) site of the West Los Angeles VA has operated as a veterans home in some capacity since the 1800s. In the 1950s, it housed up to 5,000 veterans. Beginning in the 1970s, a rash of privatisation and corporate land leasing fundamentally changed how the federal government operated the site. In response to COVID-19, the VA reduced the capacity of its housing programme to 50 percent, leaving veterans in tents outside awaiting services. An encampment now lines the outside perimeter of the facility, and inside the fence, nestled mostly out of view of passers-by is an authorised encampment, the Care Treatment and Rehabilitation Services (CTRS) programme. It is secured-entry, guarded by two VA security guards who oversee the tents propped up on plywood platforms, the portable showers, and the porta-potties. Despite having this authorised tent city on its grounds, 35 would-be eligible veterans are still relegated to beyond the fence, lining the perimeter of a busy road. The veterans outside the fence live in tents, have no showers, and occasionally get hit by passing cars. The tents are large, uniform, and set so close together they nearly touch, despite the vast green space just beyond. Each one unironically displays an American flag. It is a jarring sight. They call it Veterans Row and it is in the middle of one of the wealthiest neighbourhoods in Los Angeles. It was there I met Jonathan. Jonathan with his pet cat at Veterans Row [Morgan Godvin/Al Jazeera] Barely older than me, Jonathan was a sophomore in high school on 9/11. He knew from that moment he was going to enlist in the military, out of a sense of patriotism and duty. He wanted to defend his country and its people. Joining right after high school, he was deployed to Iraq before he was even old enough to legally buy a beer (age 21 in the US). He questioned the pretence under which the US had invaded during his tour of duty with every horror that he witnessed, eventually becoming disillusioned and convinced that the American government had lied. He completed his five-year term of enlistment but, according to him, the American government failed to live up to their end of the bargain. He did not receive the services he needed. He struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) which led him down a path of substance and alcohol use. Now there is just a tent. I would rather not be living in a tent, he confessed. Needless to say, his definition of patriotism has changed. While at Veterans Row, I also met Rob Reynolds, 32, with the non-profit organisation American Veterans (AMVETS) who volunteers there daily. An Iraq war combat veteran who deployed to the infamous Triangle of Death, Rob has a sharp opinion about patriotism in todays America. Patriotism is doing the right thing by people and especially veterans who raise their right hand to defend this country. We didnt give up on the country when we went to war. I think the best way to honour a service member who has passed away is to take care of a veteran that is still living. Homelessness among veterans has long been recognised as a problem. They are at a 50 percent increased risk of becoming homeless over their lifetime. The greatest risk factors are lack of social support and isolation after discharge re-entering civilian life after years of living in a total institution proves challenging. The issue is compounded by a lack of social services, fractured service delivery, PTSD, and the USs weak social safety net. Rob drove the point home, California has more homeless veterans than any other US state by a wide margin. At least half of all the houseless people around the West LA VA are veterans. Yet theres only 54 units of permanent housing on the campus today. He repeatedly cites improper land use, privatisation, and poor governance verging on corruption as the root causes of this massive housing disparity. Flags flying at the West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs campus [Morgan Godvin/Al Jazeera] My block, my community Problems facing the living are not limited to housing. Veterans are at an enormously increased risk of suicide. The scars of war are not always visible. Healing the psyche and therefore preventing suicide is 39-year-old Marine Corps veteran Wyly Grays goal. As his organisation operates just outside of DC, we spoke via telephone. He served from 2000 to 2008 and deployed first in 2003 to a ship in support of the Iraq war and then to the Helmand Valley of Afghanistan in 2008. At 18, he would have reflexively defined patriotism as doing something bigger than yourself, protecting your country, and protecting your countrymen. After enduring war and loss, he redefined not only the word but his mission. By zooming in, he found purpose and a way of giving back. Patriotism now means something that I can really control. My block, my community. Where my little eyes and my little hands can physically reach. It means giving back to those veterans that may not be so lucky for whatever reason, due to their own failing support structures or overwhelming trauma to their psyche or their body. A close friend of his went from holding a top-secret clearance and working an elite job in the Corps to dying in the depths of despair, homeless, suffering from PTSD. Such a rapid fall from grace cut Wyly deeply. He, too, battles suicidal ideation. The problem is not abstract. Supporting veterans in their recovery from PTSD. He runs the nonprofit Veterans of War that offers group therapy and long-term support, assisted by plant medicine. According to the VAs own data, veterans commit suicide at a rate 1.5 times higher than the non-veteran population, with the average daily number of suicides increasing steeply since 2005 and now hovering between 17 and 20. The problem has long been recognised but has been resistant to a variety of prevention programmes administered by the VA. Nearly every veteran I spoke to mentioned losing someone to suicide. In a previous piece I wrote for Al Jazeera, I wrote of a mothers anguish over her daughters suicide, an army veteran of the Iraq war. I have lost at least one friend to post-deployment suicide, not to mention alcohol-involved car wrecks and drug overdoses. Kristen Gonzalez-Soto, a 32-year-old veteran, says in her capacity as a section Sergeant in the Marine Corps she walked into many barracks rooms to find people hanging from their racks. The poor-to-military pipeline I did not set out to write about suicide or housing. But after talking to a dozen veterans, I realised these topics are inextricably linked to modern military service and the conceptions of patriotism therein. The first question I asked people was why they joined the military. Most of the white men I interviewed enlisted out of a sense of duty to country, often passed down through their male lineage or spontaneously generated as they watched the Twin Towers fall. Others had less romantic notions of military service. Ryan Redondo, who is Latino, was houseless for his final two years of high school and joined the army because of a lack of other opportunities. He says he fell prey to the poor-to-military pipeline. What I liked about the army was the racism was very blatant, he said without a trace of sarcasm. Any antiquated racist term you want to call me, I got it from day one. It was a relief compared with the veiled passive-aggressive racism of Orange County where he grew up, he explained. Ryan Redondo leaning on his truck in his Los Angeles neighbourhood [Morgan Godvin/Al Jazeera] Like Ryan, Kyes life and service were punctuated by racism. After he left high school in Long Beach, California, no employer would accept his applications. He joined the navy because he had to get out of his grandmothers house, where he had nothing more than a couch in an impoverished neighbourhood plagued with gangs. He was undesignated, a position on a ship that is often tasked with hard labour and odd jobs. Historically, undesignated shipmen were Black people. And Im Black. Kye says his experience of racism in the navy was that it was often cloaked behind the protocol and coated in pleasantries but smelled of racism all the same. Youve already been Black your whole life, you know what to expect. His ship deployed to Haiti in the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake. The carnage seeing Black bodies pulled out of the rubble and an endless stream of the injured being carted onto the hospital ship inflicted him with lingering PTSD. After getting out in 2013, he was unhoused for years before finally being connected to VA services. I didnt know who to call, he lamented. Todays US military is more diverse than ever before. Forty-three percent of service members belong to a racial or ethnic minority, 16 percent of the military are women, and 18 percent of officers are women. Despite that, issues with both racism and how the military responds to racism continue to plague the ranks. The incredible racial diversity of the US military is obscured by the stereotype of veterans as conservative white men. In fact, the military is not nearly as conservative as most people think. A Military Times poll from this past Novembers election showed troops favoured Biden over Trump, though by just a few percentage points and it varied by poll. The rapes just kept happening From racial and ideological diversity to the difficulty of defining patriotism, one thing is clear: veterans are not a monolith, despite occasionally being portrayed as such. Nor did I set out to write about sexual assault. Kristen Gonzalez-Soto said it best. Veterans dont all have to look the same. We dont all have to feel the same way about certain things. You know, when we think about veterans, we think about Trump supporters and gun rights. But we dont all look like that. Sometimes we look like me. Her story illuminates the contradictions of military service, the inklings of which I learned from a young age. My mom joined the air force in 1980, at a time when it was prohibited to be LGBTQ and serve. She was repeatedly investigated for homosexual conduct and narrowly escaped a dishonourable discharge. A commanding officer once used her orientation to sexually assault her, she confided to me before her death. As a child, I remember the contradiction of having to hide the fact I had two moms but only around certain company my moms uniformed coworkers. For the sake of service to her country, she lived an exhausting double life. Despite periodic investigations into her sex life and an isolated assault, she made a career out of the air force. I know the military cannot be reduced to simplistic terms of good or bad. But Kristens experience pushes my ability to not reduce the military to negative labels to its limits. Houseless, she joined the Marine Corps in 2009. As for what she actually did in the Corps she summarised it: work is work. But the military is more than just a job. What stuck out to me for the military was the way I was underappreciated as a woman. The way that my value lowered, the way it made me feel about myself. That I felt less than. I was sexually assaulted. Sexual assault is a pervasive problem in the military (PDF). Egregious scandals such as Vanessa Guillens murder last year occasionally push it into the national conversation. The mishandling of her disappearance and murder at Fort Hood army base highlighted systemic issues around the reporting of sexual harassment and assault in the army. In a report that followed the death investigation, army investigators found major flaws at Fort Hood and identified a culture that was permissive of sexual harassment and assault. Fourteen officials were disciplined. Systemic and cultural issues are limited to neither Fort Hood nor the army. They have been identified across all branches but little has changed. Cases are infamous for being mishandled and victims traumatised repeatedly. Most assaults go unreported. While a bitterly low 40 percent of women military service members report their rapes, the numbers for men are even lower at 10 percent. Women are far more likely to be sexually assaulted during their service but it does happen to men too, which is even less discussed. My friend Monty was gang-raped by other soldiers on an army base. Afterwards, he suffered behavioural problems, started drinking excessively, and went absent without leave. He self-medicated for his trauma and shame. The VA finally recognised his disciplinary issues as secondary to his sexual assault which took him years to report and he would have been compensated by the VA had he not died of a drug overdose just before his compensation and pension hearing in 2018. Undeterred if not unscathed, Kristen pushed on. Im going to do it. Im going to make a career out of this. But the assaults just kept happening. The rapes just kept happening. Disaffected, she left the service after her enlistment term. The country she had sworn to defend with her life failed to defend her. For her, the sight of the American flag now provokes conflicting emotions. Her concept of patriotism warped and withered but is now rebounding. Im finding myself prouder of my military experience. I know what it means for me and what it did for me. Im not proud of what I had to endure. She recounted a story of running around a veteran memorial park at a lake in her town in Louisiana. It displays several large flags, as is common in veteran memorials, which are themselves common throughout the country. One day while on a run, the beauty of the flags struck her. She stopped to take a picture. She intended to post it to social media with a caption about what America and her military service mean to her, but she deleted it. Who am I kidding? But when asked to include a photo for this article, that was the exact photo she chose. Kristen Gonzalez-Soto while on a run at a memorial park in Lake Charles, Louisiana [Photo courtesy of Kristen Gonzalez-Soto] When pressed on her contradictory feelings surrounding the American flag, she said, I have to be super proud of what it means to me and what I would like to see it represent. She wants the flag to represent peace and unity. She wants it to be a reminder that we the people are allowed, even obligated, to hold the government accountable when it is operating outside of its agreements between its citizens and itself. She actively works to create that America. Having earned her masters in public health, she works as a harm reduction outreach coordinator. She serves marginalised people, including people who use drugs, sex workers, and unhoused people in her conservative southwestern Louisiana town. She focuses on HIV and STI prevention, detection, and treatment; overdose prevention; recovery support services; and overall improving the health and quality of life of her communitys least privileged people, the ones who fell through Americas cracks. Why were we there? Many veterans practice of patriotism is antithetical to the ostentatious displays I have come to loathe. The display is not the same as practice, however we define it. How we define it depends on our experiences. From why we joined to what we endured during and after service, many factors influence our perspective. People represented their military service in myriad ways, none of which was unequivocally good or bad. Like all things in life, complexity reigns supreme. In a country that touts such untarnished respect for the military and its veterans, we often fail to meet their needs. Veterans are the only group of Americans where there is a widely accepted belief that they are deserving of a social safety net, housing, and healthcare. From the far left to the far right, there is broad agreement among the strange bedfellows working in veterans outreach: we are failing to protect those who swore to protect us. The US fails to provide even its most revered subset of the population with an adequate social safety net, so entrenched is the resistance. To me, patriotism is service to society. It is creating the America that America purports to be. But that is just me there is no right or wrong answer. While a single definition for patriotism remains elusive, what is universal is that people want to decide for themselves. No one wants one particular narrative no matter how dominant to be rammed down their throats. Veterans are an incredibly diverse group in all meanings of the word. We decide what military service means to us. We decide how to practise patriotism. We love America how we see fit. I will no longer allow the American flag to be commandeered by a minority of people to be manipulated for political aims. I will not allow the word veteran to become synonymous with any particular political agenda. While the flag evokes distinct emotions in each of us, one thing is certain: it is our flag, too. It represents all Americans, including those with whom you disagree. Cheap attempts at hijacking it to serve narrow political aims violate the very principles for which it stands. But, as Ryan Redondo achingly pointed out, modern military service is complex and often painful. The legitimacy and necessity of American wars have been cast into doubt, he felt upon his return from Iraq. I got a peek into how a lot of Vietnam veterans must have felt. What did that accomplish? And they ask themselves that for years. In Iraq, I ask myself if we did any good at all. The government we had supported fell the moment we left. Anything more than one civilian death is unacceptable and thousands died, both directly and indirectly. And for what? He, too, will be asking himself that for years to come. Partisan divides have fractured our country and the American flag is on the vanguard. Meanwhile, people uncritically wave the American flag as the pinnacle of patriotism and thank veterans for their service, even when that service makes many veterans feel conflicted. I long for the American flag I once knew, the one that perhaps never existed. The one that represented unity. I ache for the patriotism of my mother, the humble service to ones country for the society contained within it. We must reclaim the narrative around patriotism and military service if we are to create the nation we wish the flag represented.
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https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2021/5/31/what-does-patriotism-mean-to-us-military-veterans
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Is the proposed Constitution Review a waste of time?
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The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, stated last week that the constitutional review process embarked upon by the National Assembly is a waste of time, adding that fundamental changes are needed in Nigeria, including the power of states to enforce laws. The Governor added, What we are fighting for, is central to the development of this country. States should be able to enforce the laws in their states. People ask me about Yoruba Presidency and I say what we need now is not that but restructuring. I am not saying it is a magic bullet. READ: The Senate public hearing on the review of the 1999 Constitution last week, has already seen the Lagos State Governor, Jide Sanwo-Olu request a special economic status for Lagos, State Police, and the entrenchment of true fiscal federalism in Nigeria. The House of Reps also revealed that that the zonal public hearing in the geopolitical zones on the review has been fixed for June 1st to 3rd. Chima Nnaji, a legal practitioner and political commentator, in a Saturday evening interview, told Nairametrics, that the review process might as well be nothing but a mere tactic to buy time for the administration. It a total waste of time, designed to buy time for the maintenance of the status quo, the review would achieve absolutely nothing, except helping those benefitting from the present order to buy time, he said. It is a fraudulent exercise because it lacks legitimacy, which has not been confirmed by the people in whom sovereignty lies, Nnaji added. He revealed that it should be the benefit of every Nigerian, that a new constitution be developed, where the 68 items in the exclusive list are delisted as it will address the interest of everybody on an equalitarian basis. If Justice is denied equity is impossible, and where both are not operating, there would be agitations, and only a matter of time before the agitations reach the street. The youth do not have the patience of their grandparents and parents which did not yield any dividend. They want it now and the earlier those holding Nigeria down realize this, the better for them, otherwise themselves, will have no system to enjoy, and the new order will flush them out, he warned. Areas in the constitution that should be reworked When asked about the possibility of amending sections of the constitution as a stopgap measure until a new constitution is drafted, Nnaji stated that if the lawmakers are sincere, it could indeed be done but only as a temporary panacea as the more permanent solution would be drawing up an entirely new constitution based on justice, equity and true federalism. He further suggested that the present geopolitical zones could be made into separate federating units. There needs to be a situation where respected representatives of ethnic groups come together to draft a constitution that will reflect the interest of the country. It is doable, all you need is to use the 6 geo-political zones as federating units on an equalitarian basis. There has to be a rejigging of the system in a radical way, and the best way of doing that is getting a new constitution that is equitable, based on the foundations of justice and equality, he reiterated. Although he stated his reservations about the outcome of the review being positive, Nnaji encouraged the National Assembly to tackle the assignment with courage saying that the present government is currently faced with an opportunity to write its name in gold in Nigerias history. Moreover, the process had been budgeted for and it is only logical that it should be steered to a fruitful conclusion. He warned that Nigeria needs to work hard and fast to bring in a new constitution, to achieve higher levels of fiscal federalism and resource control, and noted that this would force states to become more productive. Although the initial stages would be tough, there is no easier way to bring a lasting solution to the myriad of problems facing the nation. If we must go ahead with constitution review due to budgetary obligations, it has to be a very short schedule, the ultimate aim is to get a brand new constitution through a national conference, it has been done in the Benin Republic, it can be done alongside a present government, which also gives Buhari the opportunity to rewrite his name in Gold, he added. Timeframe for the review process The amendment can take place within the next 2 months if they are serious and there are key areas that need urgent attention. There is no need for new states, we have to manage with what we have until we have a new constitution based on equalitarian principles. In the application of federalism, the southwest is the same as the southeast and other geopolitical regions. Creating states would then be the business of each region. If the administration would go ahead with the wishes of ordinary Nigerians, the nation can have a new constitution by December 2021, he stated. Why this matters The clamour for the restructuring of Nigeria has grown louder in recent years stemming from the heightened economic hardship and insecurity in the country. There is no better time for the government to begin to address the peoples demands as the growing dissatisfaction particularly among the youth may as well end up becoming the nations undoing.
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https://nairametrics.com/2021/05/31/is-constitution-review-a-waste-of-time/
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What does the future hold for Alex Palmer at West Brom after Lincoln City loan spell?
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A remarkable season for Lincoln City ended in heartbreak at the weekend, losing 2-1 to Blackpool in the League One Play-Off Final. The Imps finished fifth in League One this season, and booked their place in the Wembley final after beating Sunderland over two legs in the semi-finals. But despite taking the lead inside 47 seconds through an Ollie Turton own goal on Sunday, a Kenny Dougall brace turned the game on its head and sent Blackpool up. Michael Appleton is now expected to be a busy man in the summer, with the manager needing to strengthen his squad and respond to the departures of some loan players. Higher Lower Brennan Johnson and Morgan Rogers will need replacing in attack, but there is also a need to bring in a new goalkeeper, with Alex Palmer returning to West Brom. Palmer has been a key player for Lincoln this season, making a whopping 57 appearances in all competitions, including every League One fixture. The goalkeeper kept 19 clean sheets in League One, and was undoubtedly a contender to be named in the League One Team of the Season. Well, with West Brom preparing for life back in the Championship, the future of Sam Johnstone is up in the air. The Sun claim that Albion have slapped a 20million price tag on his shoulders. Manchester United and West Ham are keen on Johnstone, though, and it remains to be seen whether a move to the Premier League materialises. But Palmer would be a ready-made replacement for Johnstone if he did end up leaving the Hawthorns, so a lot depends on the latters future. With his contract expiring at the end of next season, West Brom cannot afford to let Johnstone leave for nothing next summer, or for a lower price than usual in January.
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https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/what-does-the-future-hold-for-alex-palmer-at-west-brom-after-lincoln-city-loan-spell/
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Why are New Yorks Covid rules stricter for high school graduations than other big events?
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School districts across New York state are grappling with rules that are more restrictive for commencements than for other public events. Parents and school officials wonder why. The states order for graduation ceremonies forces school officials to follow rules for spacing and Covid testing that arent imposed on pro sports and concerts. The rules were set in April, long before the recent relaxation, especially for outdoor events. The state hasnt updated its order. As a result, schools especially big high schools have planned mostly outdoor events with the old social distancing requirements, few guests and cumbersome rules to keep out those without a vaccination or a clean Covid test. Under New Yorks rules, guests at high school graduations must provide proof of vaccination or a clean Covid test within 72 hours. Masks, social distancing, temperature checks, contact tracing information and wellness screenings at the door are required. But at a New York Yankees game Thursday, vaccinated fans sat together without distancing or masks, and the unvaccinated attended without proof of a negative Covid test. High schools cant do that for outdoor graduations. Everyone has to wear a mask and space apart (vaccinated or not). If you arent vaccinated or dont have a clean Covid test, you cant attend a graduation at a large high school in New York. Indoors, the New York Knicks upcoming games can now have 15,000 fans. Vaccinated fans can sit together without masks or social distancing. Again, high school graduations cant do that. At indoor commencements, guests must space apart and wear masks. Gov. Andrew Cuomo encourages fans to attend sporting events, saying they make the game, while the state encourages schools to conduct virtual graduations wherever possible. New York state officials cant or wont explain it. In response to Syracuse.coms questions, the state Health Department sent a copy of the guidelines but didnt answer questions. The governors office and State Education Department referred questions to state health. Its unclear why the rules are so stringent for graduations and havent been updated with all of the other changes in the last month. What it means is a logistical problem for large school districts. One school is bypassing all the red tape by having a graduation with only the seniors and no families. Afterward and staggered through the day, the families can attend at assigned times a diploma ceremony to get photos. Superintendents are baffled by the contrast. There are mixed messages,' said Fayetteville-Manlius Superintendent Craig Tice. Its confusing for the public because theres one set of rules for school events and another set of rules for other events. Wed like it to be uniform. School officials, parents and seniors hope the rules change, but the clock is running out. For now, most larger high schools are forced to have outdoor events because the venues are bigger and the state allows higher capacities outside. The schools require proof of Covid vaccinations or a negative Covid test within 72 hours. Theres a limit of three or four guests. Smaller high schools may not face the same problems because the rules are different for smaller gatherings. But many are still requiring clean Covid tests or vaccinations. Theres no justification,' said Robert Lowry, deputy director of the New York State Council of School Superintendents. Its frustrating, and its not the schools fault. The rules are making it really difficult to hold these events. Lowry said theyve been told there are discussions about changing the guidance, but nothing has been decided yet. Liverpools school district chose not to go through the hassle of requiring vaccination. Instead, Liverpool High Schools seniors will get an in-person graduation ceremony, but their parents and grandparents will have to watch it on video. That school will have a diploma ceremony later that day, where eight family members can attend without having to prove theyre vaccinated. They can come at a designated time, take photos from a set location and see their child receive the diploma. Although we could put on a traditional graduation ceremony, we would have to drastically limit the amount of guests per graduate and would have to require proof of vaccination, a recent negative COVID-19 test result, or proof of a past positive COVID-19 result in the past 90 days for each of our graduates and their guests,' an email from the school to parents said. Cicero-North Syracuse High School will have a traditional commencement ceremony in its outdoor stadium, but seniors and their permitted four guests must follow many steps. They must: Provide the names of each graduates guests by this week. Submit proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test for each guest. Provide photo ID and contact-tracing information for guests. Each guest must individually pick up a fast-pass wristband in the days leading up to graduation, not at the door. That guest must wear the wristband at graduation. At the event, submit to a temperature check and fill out a health-screening form. Once inside the stadium, wear a mask. The Syracuse City School District, which is holding five separate graduation ceremonies at NBT Stadium, also will require testing or vaccine proof, a spokesman said. Baldwinsville and Fayetteville-Manlius will stay outside at their stadiums and require vaccines or tests. West Genesee is having its graduation at the Center of Progress Building at the state fairgrounds, with each student allowed three guests. Again, vaccine proof and negative tests are required. Liverpool officials said they chose their way because they have 600 graduating seniors. While Covid-19 restrictions have eased, there isnt a venue large enough for the entire graduating class and a sizable number of guests to attend, officials said. With 600 seniors and four guests plus staff, thats more than 2,500 people. Complicating that are rules for showing proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test result. Liverpool had hoped until recently to use the Expo Center at the state fairgrounds, but the state said it needed the space for vaccine clinics. The states rules make superintendents take the heat for the decisions when they are following the rules, Lowry said. They want to give seniors an in-person graduation this year, after last years pandemic canceled them. We really cant rationalize why it is the way it is,' he said. It makes it really dicey for schools trying to hold these events. Elizabeth Doran covers education, suburban government and development, breaking news and more. Contact her anytime at 315-470-3012 or email [email protected]
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https://www.syracuse.com/schools/2021/05/why-are-new-yorks-covid-rules-stricter-for-high-school-graduations-than-other-big-events.html
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Who killed Princess Diana?
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Watching the Duke of Cambridge Prince William blame the BBC and journalist Martin Bashir as contributing to his mother Princess Dianas death left me surprised. If not, the man responsible for the tragedy that killed his mother in a car crash in August 1997 was his father Prince Charles, not Martin Bashir, the son of Pakistani immigrants who is the subject of so much royal indignation. Martin Bashir was a friend of Princess Diana and putting the blame on him for extracting words from her mouth is simply reflective of the institutional racism her son Prince Harry has spoken about. It was the establishment inside the British monarchy that made her suicidal and cut off all ties to the Royals and Great Britain. Martin Bashir may have pulled out all the tricks of the trade that most reporters have to perform to get to the source of a story or secure interviews with the most inaccessible elites of society, be they movie stars or even minor celebrities such as Malala Yusufzai or terrorists like Bin Laden, some requiring payments via PR agencies or agents. In the case of the 1995 Princess Diana interview, Martin Bashir admits he fudged some financial statements and made her brother Charles Spencer facilitate the interview. Every word that Princess Diana spoke in the interview was hers. At no stage did Martin Bashir edge her on or provoke her into lying. Her words were truthful and that is all that matters. The present turmoil in Buckingham Palace reminds me of Queen Victorias favourite attendant and Urdu teacher from India, Munshi (clerk) Abdul Karim in 1887. Abdul Karims presence in the palace was a source of great friction in the royal household of Queen Victoria. As Carolly Erickson writes in her book, Her Little Majesty, For a dark-skinned Indian to be put very nearly on a level with the queens white servants was all but intolerable, for him to eat at the same table with them, to share in their daily lives was viewed as an outrage. Canadians coming out of the Victoria Day weekend need to know, Victoria was well aware of this racist animosity towards Abdul and did not tolerate it. Fritz Ponsonby, her assistant private secretary, articulated her unwavering anti-racist stance in a letter: The Queen insists on bringing the Munshi forward, and if it were not for our protest, I dont know where she would stop, he wrote. But it is no use, for the Queen says it is race prejudice and that we are jealous of the poor Munshi. Victoria knew that the royal court would not pay Abdul the same respect once she was dead, so she heaped gifts and titles upon him. The Queens fears were justified. Upon her death on Jan. 22, 1901, Victorias children worked swiftly to evict their mothers favorite adviser. Edward VII sent guards into the cottage Karim shared with his wife, seizing all letters from the Queen and burning them on the spot. They instructed Karim to return to India immediately, without fanfare or a farewell. The Duke of Cambridge Prince William should have had the courage of Victoria. Instead, he demonstrated that he was simply an extension of the establishment his mother talked about, and that forced his brother to renounce country and title for a new home and life. As for the exiled Prince Harry, he drew a parallel between the racist treatment his wife Meghan Markle faced to the attitude the royals had toward Princess Diana and her Egyptian boyfriend Dodi Fayed. In an interview on May 21, Prince Harry said the British press wont stop until Meghan Markle dies like Princess Diana. History was repeating itself, Harry added. My mother was chased to her death while she was in a relationship with someone who wasnt white, and now look whats happened. Certainly not King Charles IV. Photo Credit : Getty Images Email: [email protected] Twitter: @TarekFatah Like this: Like Loading...
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https://www.newdelhitimes.com/who-killed-princess-diana
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What headphones does Ammin Van Buuren use?
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Overview Music is a universal language spoken and understood by everyone in the world regardless of geographic, physical, social, or even language differences. Every region of this world has forms of music which they relate to. It is possible for one to listen to songs in foreign languages and not understand the lyrics but can still connect to the beats and rhythm. Today, music is a force that brings people together despite their differences in race, origin, ancestry, and beliefs. Music is also a good source of joy and happiness as it can help put people in a good mood. According to scientists, music also is therapeutic. As time passes, some devices have been developed to make people truly enjoy music, of which headphones take a front seat. Headphones have become popular music accessories which help to make musical experiences even better. Audiophiles, sound engineers, and even music probably cannot effectively function without headphones. Disc jockeying is another aspect of music where the contributions of headphones cannot be overlooked. Its not a wonder when DJs are often spotted with headphones, especially when performing. One popular DJ who places importance on quality headphones is Armin van Buuren, a record producer who also hosts a very popular radio show with millions of listeners all over the world. His contributions to trance music are incredibly significant as they have led to the rise of trance music globally. Trance music is a form of the electronic genre that is mostly instrumental. See also how to choose headphones for travel A brief biography on Armin Van Buuren This immensely talented DJ hailed from the Netherlands and was born on the 25th of December 1976, and is forty-four years old. Van Buuren has been ranked number one DJ by DJ Mag for four years in a row. He also has a single Grammy Award nomination making him the fourth on the list of trance artists to receive the nomination. Surprisingly he studied Law at Leiden University and even has a Masters degree in law. He has performed in notable musical and historical events, which have earned him immense popularity. Armin van Burren has been seen with different headphones, but one which he frequently uses is the JBL CLUB ONE Wireless Over-ear headphones often seen with him during shows. He also favors the Beyerdynamic DT 250-80 Closed-back headphones, which according to many, are of very high quality. Check this out: types of headphone cables JBL CLUB ONE Wireless Over-ear headphones To many DJs, including Van Buuren, these sets of headphones are major blessings as their designs speak loudly of sophistication and high-level quality. The JBL CLUB ONE is built with plastic held together by metal alloys making it very strong and durable. It allows comfort as it can be worn comfortably for a long time with no adverse effects on the wearer. Its lightweight, flexible nature makes it very comfortable, and its weight is evenly distributed on both sides. The headphones come with a sound that is balanced and neutral with a slight touch of bass which may seem extra but is just suitable for critical listening. It also comes with a strong battery that can last for over 50 hours of use and an auto-off feature that conserves power when not in use. It is also wireless and so affords the wearer a form of freedom and ease. The CLUB ONE, however, is bulky when placed alongside other headphones and can pose a challenge during transit, but its portable carrying case can help ease stress. Its noise-canceling technique is not as effective as others that are in its price range, but it is still a great choice seeing that Van Buuren uses it. See also volume limiting headphones BeyerDynamic DT 250-80 Closed-back headphones These sets of headphones were used by Van Buuren while he was still starting, and he still favors to date. They were designed with comfort in mind as they are styled so that the wearers comfort and pleasure are not compromised. They are made mainly of plastic and aluminum alloys which primarily ensures durability. They are ideal to be worn for long with no discomfort involved as they have comfortably soft headbands and ear-pads. They provide a different experience for listeners as they come with a distinct, detailed, and well-attuned sound profile accompanied by a precise bass level and accuracy. They can be quite on the high side economically and are wired. As they are closed-back, they are superb sound retainers and great for critical listening. They are also made up of easily replaceable materials, and so solve the problem of searching for replacements when they get damaged. They are easily taken apart and can be great for audiophiles who fancy tinkering and modding. In summary, these headphones are excellent choices for DJs and sound enthusiasts. Armin Van Buurens love for the JBL headphones led him to partner with them in designing the JBL CLUB ONE Headphones, which took about eighteen months to produce. They are luxurious as each costs about three hundred and fifty dollars. He labored hand in hand with JBLs audio specialists from start to finish on the headphones. Knowing that someone as versatile and professional as Van Buuren helped develop these headphones, it is safe to conclude that quality is highly guaranteed. There is also an assurance of reliability, efficient and effective professional delivery. Conclusion Going by the career success and long DJing experience that Van Buuren enjoys, it is safe to say that he is driven by excellence. The headphones which he uses also testifies to this fact. Although they can be very expensive, they are of the best and highest standards. So for DJs and music enthusiasts who want to get the best sounds always, these two headphones are just right for use. Whether used for disc jockeying, song recording or just listening for fun, these headphones give out an assurance of getting the best sound there is, giving one a different experience.
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https://www.musicrooms.net/what-headphones-does-ammin-van-buuren-use/
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How Productive Have Remote Workers Been During Covid?
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getty For many years remote work had something of a stigma associated with it, as managers believed that being out of sight would mean people would loaf off and productivity would fall. Of course, research clearly showed that wasn't the case, and in fact, productivity generally grew as people gained more control over their workday and were stripped of the various distractions that blight us in a physical office. So it shouldn't really come as a great surprise, at least to those who were paying attention previously, that productivity has remained stable, or in many cases actually risen, during the Covid-19 pandemic in which remote working has become the norm for many knowledge workers. Further evidence comes from the University of Southampton's Work After Lockdown study, which aims to take a more objective look at the productivity of remote workers during the pandemic. "Work After Lockdown explores the experience, impact, and outcomes of pandemic-driven working from home at both individual and organizational levels," the researchers explain. "The project employs survey and interview methods along with analysis of national datasets over an 18-month period (July 2020 December 2021)." Life in lockdown The survey asked over 1,000 people about their productivity while working from home. Labor productivity was gauged using output per hour worked. This method aimed to overcome focusing just on the number of hours worked. Respondents were asked whether their productivity felt higher during the pandemic than it was before. The results suggest that 54% of people thought it had gotten higher for every hour they worked than it was before the pandemic. When coupled with the proportion of people who rated their productivity as the same as before the pandemic, it meant that nearly 90% thought that their productivity had either stayed the same or improved while working from home. It's a result that broadly matches what previous studies have shown about the productivity gains from remote work. Mental wellbeing Of course, the pandemic has also been a period of intense stress, so the researchers also wanted to understand how remote working was affecting the mental wellbeing of people. Participants were scored on the WHO's WHO-5 index, and the results suggest a clear correlation between higher productivity and higher mental health. Of course, correlation doesn't equate to causation, and it's not clear if it's poor mental health that causes lower productivity or vice versa. It's quite possible that it's a combination of the two. There are definite issues surrounding social contact and mental health, however. "Employees miss the sociability and benefits of collaboration offered by working in shared workspaces," the researchers say. "This could drive a surge back to the office when lockdown restrictions ease and confidence returns, particularly amongst younger people." Building resilience The researchers also examined the ability of employees to adapt to the changing circumstances brought about by the pandemic and overcome any setbacks they may experience. They hypothesized that those with greater resilience would be better able to focus on the task at hand, and therefore be more productive. The data seemed to support this notion, as over 90% of their respondents reported that they were able to concentrate on a single activity for a prolonged period of time. Similar numbers also said that the autonomy afforded them by their employer when working from home was highly valued and allowed them to better regulate their thoughts and avoid distractions. Of course, that's not to say that everything is hunky dory, and the authors highlight the strain many of us have lived under during the pandemic, and emphasize the importance of more compassionate leadership to help employees with the various challenges they face. The rewards from doing so, however, seem to be clear in terms of the increased productivity they might expect in return. The success achieved by remote workers during the pandemic has, the authors believe, resulted in a fundamental shift in the narrative surrounding how, where, and even when we work that is likely to endure long after the pandemic has moved from the front pages of our lives. "Latent demand for permanent flexible working pattern changes has been unlocked," the researchers conclude. "Employers must be ready to meet that demand with well-defined positions on hybrid and flexible working for every job role for the existing workforce and new recruits."
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https://www.forbes.com/sites/adigaskell/2021/05/31/how-productive-have-remote-workers-been-during-covid/
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Can Steelers G David DeCastro bounce back after struggling in 2020?
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Steelers guard David DeCastro had the least effective season of his nine-year career in 2020. It didnt have as much to do with being on the downside of his career as it had to do with nagging injuries. A knee injury suffered in the preseason forced the six-time Pro Bowler to miss the first two weeks of the season. Two games into his return, an abdominal injury kept him on the sideline for a game and a half. I hadnt dealt with injuries too much in the past, DeCastro said last fall during a video conference call with Pittsburgh media. This year has kind of been weird having the knee injury in training camp and coming back feeling good and getting the oblique thing. You definitely appreciate it more when youre on the sidelines, for sure, how much you miss it, playing with the guys. A significant knee injury stirred concern about whether the Steelers had selected an injury-prone player with their first round draft pick DeCastros rookie season was delayed until Week 14. Between then and last season, he had only missed three games (ankle, 2013; broken hand, 2018). You are really thankful when youre healthy, because you look around the league every year there are tons of guys getting hurt, so you are just appreciative and work hard to maintain that, said DeCastro. DeCastros effectiveness as a run blocker has taken a hit over the past few seasons, but there was a significant dip in production last season. Three games with PFF grades in the 40s brought his run-blocking grade down to 51.7 in 270 snaps. As for whether DeCastro can bounce back from a subpar season, hes never had to do it before, but the Steelers will fully expect that he does. When January rolls around, the Steelers will have 46 free agents on their hands and DeCastro is one of them. The 2021 season could be his last ride in Pittsburgh.
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https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/2021/05/31/pittsburgh-steelers-offensive-line-david-decastro-nfl/
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What is the 'cut point' in whiskey distilling?
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Gareth Watson, by email, asks: I really enjoyed Peter Ranscombes article about new distilleries in Scotland (May issue). David Longfield, Decanters production editor and was formerly deputy editor of spirits & wine trade title Drinks International, replies: Distillation is carried out in stages, which depend upon the relative boiling points of various volatile compounds in the liquid being distilled. The most volatile will boil off at a lower temperature as the still is heated up, and these are known as the heads (or foreshots) these are undesirable, as they either have unpleasant flavours or are dangerous to health if consumed, or both, so must be separated and discarded. The first cut point therefore comes when the heads have condensed out of the still, and the master distiller judges the time is right to direct the flow of the fresh spirit into a second container, in order to capture the hearts of the spirit. This is the highest quality liquid which will go on to be matured in casks if being turned into whiskey or brandy. As the temperature inside the still continues to increase, a second cut point is reached, where the hearts have all been condensed and collected, and the remaining compounds in the still that are less volatile will begin to boil off. These are the tails (or feints) they contain certain oily elements and are, like the heads, undesirable in the final liquid, so the master distiller must again redirect the flow of the distillate into a separate container, to be set aside. Depending on the required finished style of the spirit, however, a small element of the heads and tails may be kept, mixed in with the hearts. Whereas this would be regarded as impurities in many vodkas, for instance, for a whiskey or brandy destined to be aged in wood, a small quantity of the components (esters, congeners, phenols etc) of the heads and tails can add useful flavour dimensions to a spirit, with additional notes ranging from floral, herbal, citrus or fruity to smoky. The precise point at which the cut is made during distilling is, therefore, critical to the character of an individual spirit or brand and equally lies at the heart of the art (and science) of being a master distiller. This was first published in the June 2021 issue of Decanter magazine.
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https://www.decanter.com/learn/what-is-the-cut-point-in-whiskey-distilling-ask-decanter-457258/
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Will L.A. flatten an iconic Boyle Heights tortilla factory?
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There was a wearied pride in Fernando Ruizs voice as he led me on a tour of his familys flour tortilla plant, La Gloria Foods in Boyle Heights. We started in the back, where a massive sifter tossed flour inside a machine that spat out perfectly formed balls of dough. Two workers fed the orbs into a pneumatic press that smushed them into flat discs. Those raw tortillas slipped onto a seven-tiered conveyor belt that passed through an oven. The cooked results moved down the length of the factory, to men and women who stuffed them into bags decorated with La Glorias festive logo. On a good day, these machines can produce 10,000 dozen packs 120,000 tortillas. Thats on top of the nearly half a million corn tortillas La Gloria makes daily at a separate facility less than half a mile away that also houses its headquarters and a small store. We used to be able to do more, said Ruiz, the companys production manager. He spoke over a symphony of mechanical whirs and groans. Pre-pandemic, we were making tortillas nearly 24 hours a day. Right now, were just at 16 hours. Workers make flour tortillas at La Gloria Mexican Foods. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times) Advertisement Advertisement Flour tortillas stuffed in bags decorated with La Glorias festive logo. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times) Looking on was his aunt and boss, La Gloria President Maria Vera, along with another aunt and two cousins. Ruizs mom was on the way. The family has hosted thousands of visitors ever since Veras father and mother, Manuel and Antonia Behar, bought the original La Gloria in 1954 just down the street and made all the tortillas themselves. But even the masks that Ruiz and his relatives wore couldnt hide their melancholy. They gathered to take in what might be one of the last factory tours. La Gloria is in danger of closing but the culprit isnt the economic ravages of COVID-19, they say. Its the Los Angeles Department of Public Works. For the last six years, La Gloria has waged a bitter battle with the agency over the fate of its flour tortilla machines. The city acquired the Quonset hut that houses them via eminent domain in 2015 as part of a long-planned roundabout at Cinco Puntos, the historic intersection where Boyle Heights turns into East Los Angeles. La Gloria received $2.2 million for the building and was also entitled to relocation fees per California law. La Gloria asked for $4.2 million, citing the complexity of dismantling and transporting the flour tortilla lines, plus a full-scale rewiring and rejiggering of the remaining factory to accommodate the machines. The Department of Public Works countered with $3.1 million, then $2.5 million, before suggesting it could move everything for just $246,000. A retired judge oversaw mediation that led to a 2019 agreement that stated the city would give La Gloria $1.88 million, plus pay for either new tortilla machines or the relocation of the old ones upon completion of a bidding process. But the dispute continued, and the next round happens Wednesday at a Zoom hearing before the departments Relocation Appeals Board. The city will suggest a new figure for La Glorias relocation fees. Advertisement Zero. A staff report recommended the amount because it claimed La Gloria violated federal law by being non-cooperative in refusing to allow reasonable inspections to determine correct relocation costs, allegations the company denies. Through Department of Public Works communications director Mary Nemick, the city of Los Angeles declined to comment. La Gloria learned of the staff report about a week ago. Flour tortillas make up 50% of its revenue. Without any relocation fees, the company says, its not just its ability to make flour tortillas that gets impacted the corn-tortilla business would go under, too. Benny Carmona works inside the corn facility of La Gloria Mexican Foods. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times) Its not as simple as just getting a bunch of U-Hauls and loading everything up, said Ruiz, 46. You couldve smacked me with a frozen burrito when I first heard that amount. But heres the thing: You cant if you want to make tortillas on the scale of La Gloria. The sifter looks like a refrigerator that just went through a growth spurt. The conveyor belt is the length of a yacht. The oven that cooks the tortillas is about the size of a teenage stegosaurus. All the parts together make a Rube Goldberg machine seem as complex as flipping a quarter. To see the offer go from seven figures to none seems personal. Advertisement The city must think were a bunch of dumb Mexicans, said Cynthia Vera, a first-grade teacher whos Marias daughter and helps with public relations. Shes particularly enraged by an 2015 internal staff email sent by a city engineer about La Glorias requested relocation fees. In it, the author joked, It sounds like they may have misplaced a decimal point. Where are they moving to ... Beverly Hills? Maria Vera has worked at La Gloria since she was a little girl who translated everything from mail to insurance policies for her Spanish-speaking parents. Now 73, she remembered how friendly city staffers walked her and her dad through permit applications to get the flour tortilla plant up and running when she was still a student at Belvedere Elementary. When we first formed La Gloria, the city helped us, she said softly but matter-of-factly. Now, the city wants to take it away. My La Gloria tour ended in a former apartment complex next door to the corn tortilla plant. This is where Vera and her two sisters grew up, where her father lived until he passed away in 1990 at 81, getting up every day at 2 in the morning to start production. La Gloria Mexican Foods founders Manuel and Antonia Behar. (Family photo) Today, the apartment complex is La Glorias offices. Eleven family members work full time, while the fourth generation does grunt work during their summer vacations as a reminder of where the family came from. My dad would always tell me, Dont let the workers see you sitting down, because thatll tell them youre lazy, said Vera, looking at a framed photo of her parents at the original La Gloria. Manuel Behar came to Los Angeles in 1954 after opening tortillerias in Mexico City, Tijuana and Texas. He had always wanted to come to Los Angeles, and he found a city whose appetite for tortillas was insatiable. With his wife, the Mexican immigrants created a Boyle Heights institution. Ronald Reagan and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa were customers. Behars innovations in tortilla production earned him a posthumous spot in the Tortilla Industry Assn.s Hall of Fame in 2009 for creating one of the first mass-producing tortilla companies in the country, according to his plaque. The city doesnt realize how much history is here, said Cynthia Vera. They think that we can just start over. But this is our family. Losing it is not an option for my mom. Advertisement The three daughters of La Gloria founders Manuel and Antonia Behar, from left, are Sylvia Ruiz, 70, Maria Vasquez, 71, and Maria Vera, 72, inside the corn facility. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times) Maria Vera owns La Gloria along with her two sisters, Maria Vazquez and Sylvia Ruiz. Theyve never thought of selling. I didnt want all of my fathers effort to go nowhere, she said. He gave everything. Vera hopes the public works appeal board rejects the nada in relocation fees that the city of Los Angeles will argue La Gloria merits. But the family is worried, because theyve been on the losing end with the city before. Back in 2007, Metro laid tracks for its Gold Line extension through the Eastside right in front of La Glorias headquarters during the holiday season, the companys busiest time of the year. Walk-up business has never been the same because customer parking is now essentially three spaces next to pallets at the headquarters. Big rigs can no longer enter the facility, which means La Gloria must unload supplies elsewhere. Its been decades that weve been dealing with this, Vera said. In her hands was a manila folder with more pictures of her parents and their business in the early days. For the city, its very easy to take this away, but they dont know the sweat and life and work here. At this point, we feel hopeless.
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https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-05-31/will-la-flatten-iconic-boyle-heights-tortilla-factory-la-gloria-foods
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What Will Enterprise Security Look Like After COVID-19?
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The global pandemic has sent deep ripples throughout the world, and few, if any, areas have been left untouched. Cybersecurity is no exception. In the earliest days of the pandemic, cyber-criminals exploited the chaos with phishing attacks targeting newly remote employees and performing ransomware attacks on hospitals. Towards the end of the year, hackers pulled off the largest supply chain attack in history. In order to preserve business continuity enterprises have also undergone swift digital transformations. In that rush, they may have overlooked the security considerations that went into the pre-pandemic adoption process and unwittingly exposed their environments to cyber-threats. Though vaccination campaigns roll out across the world, it is not yet the time to take our foot off the cybersecurity gas pedal. Resilient Security Budgets in the Face of Economic Downturn The continuing fallout of the pandemic forecasts a significant economic downturn. UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak has announced that the economy is set to contract by 11.3%. Still, cybersecurity budgets look resilient. 451 Researchs quarterly advisory report - Voice of the Enterprise: Information Security, Organizational Dynamics - shows that even those who have been most affected by the pandemic are increasing their cybersecurity budgets by 8%. Those who were less impacted are increasing those budgets by as much as 22%. Over half (53%) of organizations surveyed believe that current security staffing levels are inadequate and 15% of those organizations are adding security staff. This points to an increased need for cybersecurity even in the wake of the pandemic and economic hardship. Mass Remote Work In 2020, we saw the explosion of mass remote work on an unprecedented scaleand its here to stay, at least in some form. Even when physical offices reopen, its likely that most organizations will adopt a hybrid work model. That means that organizations who have ignored the need to make changes to their IT infrastructure or used a band aid approach will need to take a hard look at the long-term impacts of users home networks, personal devices and behaviors. Enterprises need to ensure visibility into all connections across hybrid environments in order to maintain their security posture. Cloud Reliance The move towards hybrid environments has been a long time coming, but few expected cloud adoption to take place this quickly. The pandemic prompted an explosion in cloud adoption as enterprises scrambled to ensure the viability of mass remote working. As they hastily moved infrastructure away from the data centre and into the cloud to keep the business up and running, security controls were not the priority. Security has been a historical barrier to cloud adoption and moving forward, enterprises will have to rethink security considerations that may have been overlooked. Securing the Post-Pandemic Network When faced with uncertainty, enterprises can get more conservative and hostile to risk. Going forward security may be under increased scrutiny, but it is not time to cut back on security measures. In 2020, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella noted that we have seen two years' worth of digital transformation in two months. Hes right about that and now organizations need to secure this new digital landscape. In a hybrid environment that supports mass remote work, that means deep visibility into all the transactions and connections within the network. Cloud visibility is a prime example. Enterprises need visibility tools to see into all of their environments and treat them as one unified network. The pandemic precipitated rushing head first into the cloud has flattened many of the barriers - such as security - which would have previously held up cloud deployments. Now that enterprises have been forced into an ever greater reliance on the cloud - they need to retroactively take those things into consideration. They need to be able to track data wherever it resides. The fact of the cloud and the hybrid environment means that we cannot merely set up walls and stop data from flowing freely from one environment to another. Instead we need to be able to track and profile that data wherever it resides or moves, spot threats to it and unify those different environments behind the same pane of glass. The pandemic has been a shock to the system. It has forced a variety of digital transformations upon organizations, upending much of the castle-and-moat architecture that many enterprises were used to. With that comes new considerations and potentially new threats. As the path back to normality becomes clearer, enterprises need to start securing those changes and adapting to the post-COVID digital landscape.
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https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com:443/opinions/enterprise-security-look-after/
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Have eight Australian children and an elderly nun altered the future of climate change?
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Launceston A court ruling that Royal Dutch Shell must speed up plans to curb greenhouse gas emissions rocked the global oil and gas industry, but another decision in a case brought by eight school-aged teens and a nun may end up being more significant. The order by a Dutch court that Shell must drastically deepen its planned emission reductions raised fears in the industry of similar legal actions against other oil and gas majors, and concern that companies will be held liable for meeting court imposed climate change targets. The decision against Shell, coupled with shareholder rebukes against US oil majors ExxonMobil and Chevron, made it a bad week for an industry that is grappling with how to deal with the challenge of operating profitably and sustainably in what is likely to be a carbon-constrained future. An Australian court added fuel to the fire on May 27, ruling that the countrys environment minister has an obligation to children to consider the harm caused by climate change when deciding whether to approve a coal mine expansion. The Federal Court of Australia made the ruling in a class-action suit brought by eight teenagers, aged between 14 and 17 years, and an 86-year-old nun acting as their litigation guardian. In the suit, the teens argued that the expansion of Whitehaven Coal's Vickery mine in New South Wales state would contribute to climate change and endanger their future. Australia is the worlds largest exporter of coking coal used to make steel and second-biggest in thermal coal for power generation, and the industry domestically and abroad has become a political battleground. The court ruling was only a partial victory, though, as the judge didnt grant an injunction to prevent environment minister Sussan Ley from approving the mine. The ruling does mean the minister will have to consider her duty of care to future generations, with justice Mordecai Bromberg saying the minister can foresee the possibility of the climate damage from the coal mine. The judge said there is evidence of the severe harm climate change can cause future generations. It will largely be inflicted by the inaction of this generation of adults, in what might fairly be described as the greatest intergenerational injustice ever inflicted by one generation of humans upon the next, Bromberg said, according to a report in the Financial Times. Wider impact Australias federal government said it will study the judgment, and its likely the implications go well beyond a 10 million-tonnes-per-year coal mine. The obvious end point of the case is that citizens will be able to sue the government for damages caused by climate change, using the argument that the government was well aware of the risks but still took actions that contributed to increasing carbon emissions. If the government deems the risk of being sued by its own citizens to be high, it may have to concede that approving more coal will be challenging. For its part, Whitehaven Coal welcomed the decision not to grant the injunction against its planned mine expansion, and will work to get a final approval from the federal government. The company also made the curious statement that it foresees a continuing role for what it termed high-quality coal in contributing to global CO 2 emissions reduction efforts. The only way burning coal from Whitehaven's mine could be deemed to be helping reduce emissions is if it were replacing even dirtier, lower-quality coal, or perhaps if the end user was capturing all the emissions and storing them. There is no evidence to support either assertion and Whitehavens stance is at odds with a recent paper from the International Energy Agency that called for an end to the funding and development of fossil fuel projects. The one factor in common in the Dutch and Australian rulings is that for companies and governments the risks of legal actions and being held accountable on climate change-related issues are not only very real, but also increasing. Environmental activists have finally realised that hitting companies and governments with potentially huge liabilities is a far more effective strategy than having protesters chain themselves to mining equipment or staging similar high-profile but ultimately low-impact demonstrations. Reuters
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https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/opinion/2021-05-31-have-eight-australian-children-and-an-elderly-nun-altered-the-future-of-climate-change/
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What is the Murph and why are people doing it on Memorial Day?
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In honor of all servicemen and woman who served in wartime, some of whom made the ultimate sacrifice. (Credit: Getty images) DENVER (KDVR) The arrival of Memorial Day brings a flood of social media posts with people talking about and sharing photos as they complete the Murph Challenge. The Murph Challenge was created as a fundraiser for the LT. Michael P Murphy Memorial Scholarship Foundation. LT. Murphy was a Navy SEAL officer-in-charge of a four-man SEAL element in support of Operation Red Wings in Afghanistan. He made the ultimate sacrifice on June 28, 2005 when he was killed in action. According to the Murph Challenge website, over $1,250,000 has been raised for the LT. Michael P. Murphy Memorial Scholarship Foundation through The Murph Challenge campaign. The Murph Challenge is done to remember and honor those, including LT. Murphy, who made the ultimate sacrifice while fighting for freedom. Credit: The Murph Challenge Once you complete the Murph Challenge, you can post your time here and see how you stack up with others on the leader board.
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https://www.fox21news.com/news/what-is-the-murph-and-why-are-people-doing-it-on-memorial-day/
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Is Registeel good in Pokmon Go?
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The legendary Pokmon in Pokmon Go are the most sought-after choices in the mobile game. Theyre pretty exclusive because they frequently rotate and switch out of the five star raids. You only have a few weeks to try your luck of trying to catch it before it disappears. Registeel is one of these Pokmon, and we highly recommend going out of your way to try and catch it. Its returning to five star raids from June 1 to 17 to celebrate the start of the Season of Discovery. Weve listed out its best moveset, if you can catch its shiny form during the event, and how to beat it. Registeel is a Steel-type Pokmon. Its weak to Fighting, Fire, and Ground-type attacks, but it is resistant against Steel, Rock, Poison, Psychic, Grass, Normal, Flying, Ice, Fairy, Dragon, and Bug-type Pokmon. Its resistant to various Pokmon attacks, meaning your opponent needs to be extremely selective if they want to eliminate this Pokmon from your team. Not only does it have great resistances, it has even better defenses. When you use Registeel in PvP battles, it has a maximum CP of 2,447, an attack of 124, a defense of 237, and a stamina of 162. If you use it in PvE battles and raids, Registeel has a maximum CP of 2,766, an attack of 143, a defense of 285, and a stamina of 190. When you compare Registeel to Regirock and Regice, it has the lowest stats, but its still an excellent Pokmon for you to use. You primarily want to use it in PvP battles, and when you do, make sure to keep it to the Great and Ultra Leagues. Of the two, Registeel is among the best choices in the Ultra League, but its still one of the top choices in the Great League. Both of these categories are good options for it to compete. If youre fortunate to obtain two ideal Registeel Pokmon with good IVs, having one of the Great League and another for the Ultra League competitions is a good strategy. When using it in PvP, make sure to keep Registeel as your final Pokmon. Because of its high defenses, various attack resistances, and powerful moveset, it can be tough to defeat as a final Pokmon. Registeel is also unique because it has an excellent fast move, lock on. The attack doesnt do much damage, but it generates five energy during a fight whenever you use it, meaning Registeel can reliably use its charged moves pretty often. Its charged moves require quite a bit of energy, and the trade-off for that problem is that these attacks do a lot of damage, making them devastating. Overall, Registeel is an excellent Pokmon for you to use in Pokmon Go. We highly recommend you go out of your way to capture this Pokmon add it to your collection. It will become a highly sought-after Pokmon by most trainers who are eager to use it in competitions and rise the ranks of the Great and Ultra Leagues.
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https://www.gamepur.com/guides/is-registeel-good-in-pokemon-go
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Is Mookie Betts simply slumping or is it something else?
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There was something familiar about the Dodgers 5-4 loss to the San Francisco Giants. Mookie Betts was absent. Whether hes physically on the field, or, as was the case Sunday, not, the Dodgers have spent the majority of the year without the version of their $365-million outfielder who transformed them into World Series champions. Betts is batting .240. Advertisement His defensive metrics are below league average. He just doesnt look right. The most recent setback in a maddening season came on the morning of a series finale against the Giants at Dodger Stadium. Betts woke up with symptoms of an unspecified allergic reaction, according to manager Dave Roberts. Couldnt keep his eyes open, Roberts said. His vision impaired, Betts was a late scratch from the lineup. Hes very frustrated, Roberts said. And the Dodgers should be very concerned, not because of the allergic reaction, but because of how little Betts has resembled the player he was last year. He scored 15 runs in the postseason. He made game-saving catch after game-saving catch. He smacked home runs in the first and last of the Dodgers wins over the Tampa Bay Rays in the World Series. The Dodgers have the necessary depth to win the National League West again. But the division was never their problem. Advertisement Theres a good chance, considering he was what separated the 2020 Dodgers from the underachievers who came before them. The simplest explanation for the diminished performance is that Betts is breaking down. Mookie Betts winces after being hit by a pitch against the Giants on Thursday. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press) Betts, whom the Dodgers list at 5-foot-9 and 180 pounds, played in 145 or more games in four of his five full seasons with the Boston Red Sox. Hes appeared in 43 of the Dodgers 53 games this year, which puts him on pace for only 131. Advertisement Back problems cost him four consecutive games in April. Shortly after he returned, he was struck in the right forearm by a 95-mph fastball. Last weekend, he was kept out of the lineup for the second game of a three-game series against the Giants in San Francisco for what Roberts initially described as a spa day. When Betts was scratched the next day, Roberts was forced to acknowledge he was experiencing discomfort in his left shoulder. Roberts was asked then if injuries were responsible for Betts slow start. Advertisement I think thats fair, Roberts said. Mookies never going to use ailments or things as an excuse. Hes a guy that prides himself on playing every day. But when you talk about the swing and performing consistently, you talk about the back, you talk about the front shoulder. When Betts spoke to reporters, he revealed his shoulder had been bothering him for a couple of weeks. He said Roberts estimate that he was 80-85% physically was about right. However, he added, No reason for my performance. Sometimes you just dont play well, Betts said. Advertisement That would actually be the best-case scenario. If the problem isnt health, if this is just a slump, Betts will come out of his funk. Hes too good to not. By the time it was the Giants turn to visit the Dodgers, Roberts was back to downplaying Betts physical problems. The manager said there hasnt been any discussion of placing Betts on the injured list. This one of those instances that is more micro and will pass, Roberts said. Guys always have day-to-day things. Nonetheless, Roberts conceded talking to Betts regularly about how hes holding up. Advertisement He wants to be in there every day, Roberts said. Hes an every-day player, has been his entire career. For me to discount where hes at physically and to just run him out there because hes Mookie Betts is unfair to him and team. So, with conversations with training staff, performance staff, him, Ive made decisions on giving him days. Highlights from the Dodgers 5-4 loss to the San Francisco Giants on Sunday. One of those days came Saturday, when Roberts gave him a chance to recalibrate by not starting. Betts was one for 16 on the week. He was hitless in six at-bats in the series opener against the Giants on Friday, including a strikeout to end the fourth inning with runners on second and third bases. Betts got ahead in the count against Giants pitcher Anthony DeSclafani, 3-0, only to strike out in an uncharacteristic manner, taking two strikes over the plate and whiffing on a down-the-middle fastball for strike three. Advertisement Betts knows more is expected of him. Ive shown that I can play at those expectations and kind of live by them, Betts told reporters last week. Im not mad at it by any means. I dont mind expectations. It doesnt scare me at all. Maybe health is a factor, maybe it isnt. Whatever the case, Betts knows his responsibilities remain the same. No other player on the team can do what he can. He has four months to figure it out, four months to get himself in a position to lead the Dodgers to another championship.
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https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/story/2021-05-31/mookie-betts-dodgers-slump-health-struggles-mlb
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Should I buy GameStop stock?
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The GameStop (NYSE:GME) share price is $254. A year ago, it was around $5. That means the GameStop stock price has risen an extraordinary 5,000% over the course of 12 months. Most of the price action has happened in the last five months. Calling the GameStop share price volatile might be an understatement. A short-squeeze for the ages The story of the GameStop share price action in 2021 is fascinating. Several hedge funds and other institutions and individuals had sold GameStop stock short in 2020 as it began to rise during the bull run in stocks. The bet was that the stock price would fall. A coordinated buying effort, arranged across social media and forums, sought to scupper these plans by forcing the price higher. This would result in a short-squeeze, forcing shorters to cover (buy back the shares they sold) and incur losses. And, it worked: one notable hedge fund lost nearly 50% on its investments. GameStop stock saw its price soar. 5G is here and shares of this sleeping giant could be a great way for you to potentially profit! According to one leading industry firm, the 5G boom could create a global industry worth US$12.3 TRILLION out of thin air And if you click here well show you something that could be key to unlocking 5Gs full potential... Some of the buyers might have believed in the movement to bring down the financial heavyweights. Others might have just gone along for the ride. Here at the Motley Fool, we encourage investors to take a long-term view. Momentum trading to realise short-term gains is not something that I would encourage. GameStop stock rocketed from $12 to $483 in January before falling back to $39 in February, then up to $349 in March, down to $132 in April, and here we are at $254 at the time of writing. A trader that could time these moves (few can) might have done well, but being caught on the wrong side of these erratic price swings would have resulted in heavy losses. Trading activity around GameStop is picking up again. This time, however, the narrative is a little different. Gone is the rebuke to the financial big boys theme. Now the fundamentals of the company are said to be strong. Turnaround plans GameStop has been struggling. Hundreds of stores were closed in 2017. The company was profitable in 2017 and broke even in 2018, with revenue rising over those years. However, revenues have declined from that point on, and the company has been making losses from 2019 onwards (although they are shrinking). GameStop has struggled due to the rise of online retailers and digital game downloads. When a major game or console is released, GameStop has seen customers rise, only to fall when the release calendar dries up. The company is trying to remake its stores into places people where to spend time, not just pop in to buy something (which they can do from home), and expand its online store. Allowing rental of PCs loaded with games in store for co-operative gaming is one way it is making its store more attractive. Gamestop is offering retro gaming experiences on otherwise defunct consoles and hosting tabletop game experiences. No, I am not buying GameStop stock. I feel that sentiment is driving the GameStop share price. Perhaps I am cynical, but I also worry about the motivations of those leading the charge. The turnaround plans have the potential to stabilise, perhaps even grow revenues. Still, for a company trading at a price-to-sales ratio of nearly four times, I dont think it will be able to do enough to keep the share price inflated when interest dwindles, and I think it will.
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https://www.fool.co.uk/investing/2021/05/31/should-i-buy-gamestop-stock/
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Where will the Lloyds share price go in June?
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As a Lloyds Banking Group (LSE: LLOY) shareholder, its great to finally be able to say the shares have had a good year. Well, so far at least. The rise has carried on through May, pushing the Lloyds share price up 35% in 2021. Well, Im not seriously going to try to predict where Lloyds will go next month. Thats for two reasons. One is that anything can happen in such a short timescale, and one-month movements are hard to distinguish from random. The other reason is that Im lousy at the prediction game anyway. 5G is here and shares of this sleeping giant could be a great way for you to potentially profit! According to one leading industry firm, the 5G boom could create a global industry worth US$12.3 TRILLION out of thin air And if you click here well show you something that could be key to unlocking 5Gs full potential... But do I see value in taking stock of whats happened and thinking about the things that could affect the Lloyds share price through June and beyond. Lloyds share price weakness Lloyds shares are still down around 12% since mid-February 2020, just before the pandemic hit and the stock market crashed. Prior to that, Brexit uncertainty was giving Lloyds shareholders a hard time. In its Q1 update for March, Lloyds reported a 459m impairment release, due to the improving economic outlook. It still had a net impairment credit of 323m in the quarter, mind. But that means the impact of the pandemic crash on the banks bad debt situation hasnt turned out as badly as feared. And further improvements over the rest of the year could see Lloyds freeing up more of the cash its set aside. That could give the Lloyds share price an extra lift, though boosting dividend prospects. The bank has already paid a 0.57p dividend, though thats hardly the amount retirement dreams are built on. But its the maximum that the PRA will allow right now. So well have to wait and see what dividend levels Lloyds will pay when free market conditions return. The resumption of dividends At Q1 time, Lloyds said it was accruing dividends with intention to resume progressive and sustainable ordinary dividend policy. Once thats back in place, I think we really can start to see things as back to normal. The next update on Lloyds future dividend policy should come with Julys first-half results. But without anything scheduled for June, I think its share price could drift sideways for a while. Still, June could be a very important month for Covid-19 progress. And any economic news could have an effect. Anyway, whatever happens to the Lloyds share price in June and over the next few months, its not too important to me. And I reckon theres probably as much chance of short-term losses as gains. But I do think the positive progress the banks made in the first quarter could well set it up for a good year. And then we come back to the risks posed by Brexit. Im holding, and I might even top up.
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https://www.fool.co.uk/investing/2021/05/31/where-will-the-lloyds-share-price-go-in-june/
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Where will the Rolls-Royce share price go in June?
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Rolls-Royce (LSE: RR) has had one of the rockiest rides of the pandemic. Rolls has been up and down so far in 2021, going nowhere really in May. And were still looking at a fall of more than 60% over the past two years. Now, Im going to say right up front, Ive no idea where the Rolls-Royce share price is going to go in June. But were heading for developments that should affect the longer term. And I still cant work out whether to buy Rolls-Royce shares as a recovery pick. 5G is here and shares of this sleeping giant could be a great way for you to potentially profit! According to one leading industry firm, the 5G boom could create a global industry worth US$12.3 TRILLION out of thin air And if you click here well show you something that could be key to unlocking 5Gs full potential... For one, the next step in pandemic opening up is scheduled for 21 June. On that day, the government has pencilled in the removal of the final legal restrictions on social and business movements. Saying that, theres that Indian variant thing. And the Prime Minister has already said we might have to wait a bit longer to get our full freedoms back. Further delays could see the Rolls-Royce share price weaken in June. Still, the opening up that were already enjoying is having its effect. In particular, sun-seekers are heading for the beaches again. And some travel-related shares are recovering. International Consolidated Airlines shares are up 26% so far in 2021, with easyJet not far behind with a 21% gain. TUI hasnt had such a good year so far though, dropping a few percent. And the Rolls-Royce share price is down 4%. Rolls-Royce share price drivers Its probably going to be a while before the travel sector recovery feeds through to Rolls-Royce. Itll take time before engine maintenance requirements start to ramp up again. The other critical thing is that Rolls-Royce suffered big loss in 2020, and needed a major financial rescue package. Theres still cash on the books to keep the aerospace engineer going for a while yet. The uncertainty behind that question must, surely, weigh heavily on the Rolls-Royce share price for at least a few months yet. At full-year results time, Rolls wasnt in a position to make much in the way of predictions. Thats not surprising, as the company spoke of the uncertainties of the near- and medium-term outlook for civil aviation. Its all about cash And we shouldnt expect the cash situation to reverse in the current year. With those results, Rolls said it expects free cash flow to turn positive in the second half of 2021. But it still expects to suffer a free cash outflow of around 2bn for the full year. The company is hoping for positive free cash flow in 2022 of at least 750m. But that depends critically on the pace of recovery in flying hours, and the success of the firms cost-cutting strategy. Im keenly awaiting first-half results due on 5 August. Any updates on the expected cash flow situation could drive the Rolls-Royce share price in either direction. In the meantime, any positive news from the aviation business in June and beyond would be welcome. Im not buying yet. Im going to wait for the clouds of uncertainty to clear a bit.
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https://www.fool.co.uk/investing/2021/05/31/where-will-the-rolls-royce-share-price-go-in-june/
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Why isnt the Cineworld share price rising faster?
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The Cineworld (LSE: CINE) share price has been rising recently, but perhaps not as fast as some investors might like. Indeed, even though the company has recently reopened all of its theatres across the UK and US, the stock has fallen more than 20% from its 52-week high of 122p, reached in the middle of March. Over the past 12 months, the stock has returned -1.2% overall. 5G is here and shares of this sleeping giant could be a great way for you to potentially profit! According to one leading industry firm, the 5G boom could create a global industry worth US$12.3 TRILLION out of thin air And if you click here well show you something that could be key to unlocking 5Gs full potential... Shares in the cinema group have languished despite the company reporting a strong opening weekend last weekend. In a statement to the market last week, the firm said that more people than expected returns to its theatres as the UK lockdown eased. It also reported good concession income as cinemagoers stocked up on treats. Cineworld has reopened 97% of its cinemas in the US and expects to open most of its screens around the world by the end of May. Cineworld share price outlook In theory, now that customers are returning, the market should be more receptive to the Cineworld share price. When the stock reached its 52-week high back in March, it didnt have any income, and some serious questions were being asked about whether or not it would be able to survive. However, today customers are spending their money with the business, which should provide much-needed cash flow to service debts and meet other obligations. This suggests to me that the stock should be worth more today than it was in March. But, unfortunately, the market tends to concentrate on what could happen in the future rather than whats happening right now. And it seems to me this is why the Cineworld share price has struggled to move higher in the past few weeks. It looks as if investors are concentrating on the companys risks. There are quite a few. Cineworlds debt pile has ballooned to more than eight times earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) over the past 14 months. I tend to think businesses with a debt-to-EBITDA ratio of more than two or three are too risky. Whats more, the business is highly susceptible to further coronavirus restrictions. Packing a large number of people into an enclosed space is exactly the kind of environment where the virus thrives. Coronavirus threat If theres another wave of the virus, Cineworld is likely to be one of the first companies to feel the pain. With so much debt on its balance sheet, the group cant really afford another shutdown. Considering these risks, its clear to me why the Cineworld share price isnt rising faster despite the reopening of cinemas. Indeed, even though the companys prospects have improved marginally over the past two weeks, I am going to be staying away from the stock myself. I think the risk of another shutdown and the impact that may have on the business is just too great. Id rather buy other companies with cleaner balance sheets and better growth prospects.
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https://www.fool.co.uk/investing/2021/05/31/why-isnt-the-cineworld-share-price-rising-faster/
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Will Marella Cruises Be Handed Over To TUI Cruises?
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TUI Cruises is set to grow in size and reach, according to the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine. The newspaper reported that British cruise line Marella Cruises, which is currently owned by TUI Group, will be integrated into TUI Cruises a joint venture between TUI Group and Royal Caribbean Group. The handover of Marella will grow TUI Cruises, which currently operates in the German market, into a European cruise line. Earlier, in 2020, another cruise line, Hapag Lloyd Cruises, was integrated into the TUI Cruises brand in a similar fashion. Marella Cruises currently has a fleet of four ships the Marella Explorer, Marella Explorer 2, Marella Discovery and Marella Discovery 2. The cruise line recently confirmed to Cruise Industry News that it would be growing its fleet to five ships in 2023 but did not disclose which ship those plans would involve.
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https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/25130-will-marella-cruises-be-handed-over-to-tui-cruises.html
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What is the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day?
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Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday in May, whereas Veterans Day is always Nov. 11. TAMPA, Fla. Editor's Note: This article was originally published in 2019. In the United States, Memorial Day's purpose is to honor military members who have died, while Veterans Day recognizes the service of all America's veterans. In 2021, Memorial Day will be observed on Monday, May 31. And, Veterans Day will be observed on Nov. 11. Memorial Day Memorial Day honors members of the military who have died. Previously known as "Decoration Day" because of its tradition of decorating the graves of fallen service members, its origins are rooted in the Civil War. The first high-profile memorial event was held on May 30, 1868, at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. Some states continue to recognize Memorial Day on May 30. However, in 1971, federal lawmakers changed the national observance date to be the last Monday in May. They also made sure the day would honor military members who died in any American Wars, not just the conflict between the North and South. In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson declared Waterloo, N.Y., the official birthplace of Memorial Day, although a handful of other towns also claim to be have been the first to observe the day of remembrance in an organized fashion. Veterans Day Veterans Day recognizes U.S. veterans for their service and sacrifice on behalf of their country. It began in the aftermath of World War I. Although "The Great War" technically ended with the Treaty of Versailles, the fighting stopped seven months earlier when the Allied nations and Germany agreed to a truce that took effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. Thus, Nov. 11, 1918, became known as "Armistice Day." A year later, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed 1919 would be the first annual commemoration of the armistice, saying it should be a day of reflections filled with "solemn pride" in the heroism of the country's service members. In 1954, Congress changed the name to Veterans Day, making sure it honored all American veterans -- not just those who served in WWI.
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https://www.wthr.com/article/news/national/military-news/memorial-day-veterans-day-difference/67-366d95cd-1ff3-40b2-9be6-5aab770cd2d6
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Have the Knicks Hit Their Postseason Ceiling?
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As was the case with their 1990s predecessors, the current Knicks are rough and feisty. As was the case with their 1990s predecessors, that's not enough to win a title. At times, comparisons between the 2021 Knicks and their 1990s predecessors seem a bit overblown. In contrast with the current club, those Knickswho mimicked the Bad Boys Pistons and were the last of their kindregularly led the NBA in flagrants and technicals. They werent merely inclined to play with a nasty streak; they were required to. After laying out opposing players with unforgiving physicality, then coach Pat Riley had an established, preemptive warning: Any player who tried to help up a fallen opponent would be fined. From 1992 to 99, they were a perennial contender to win the title, but they never quite got there. Still, even if those brutish elements are missing, one of the more defining characteristicsthe clubs otherworldly work ethic, particularly on defenseappears to be similar. Its what the teams undyingly loyal fan base has craved for decades, after growing accustomed to that sort of output for 10 straight years. And the mindset has been a driving force behind the Knicks surprise run to reach the postseason. But in a way, that pedal-to-the-floor mentality may very well carry some unintended consequences, too. Specifically, it raises the question of whether these Knicks, whove already been giving maximum effort for months and now trail the Hawks 31 after Sundays 11396 loss at State Farm Arena, can realistically raise their play like a number of teams do during the playoffs. Seth Wenig/Pool/USA TODAY Sports Several Knicksincluding star forward Julius Randle, second-leading scorer RJ Barrett, backup guard Derrick Rose and swingman Reggie Bullockshot almost improbably well from the perimeter during the teams 4131 campaign. According to NBA.coms John Schuhmann, those four saw the NBAs second, 10th, 11th and 13th biggest spikes in three-point percentage since last year among players with 100 tries from deep in each of the past two years. Coach Tom Thibodeau deserves credit. (As does assistant Darren Erman.) Upon being hired, he spoke with the analytics department about squeezing out more production from deep, prompting the club to use a four-point line at practices while making more frequent use of the corners. The Knicks, who just last year ranked 21st in the NBA in corner-three frequency, took a greater share of their threes from the corners than any other club this season. Rank Player, Team 201920 202021 Difference 2 Julius Randle, NYK .277 .411 +.134 10 RJ Barrett .320 .402 +.082 11 Derrick Rose, Det-NYK .306 .388 +.082 13 Reggie Bullock .333 .410 +.077 But with an emergence this suddenespecially with Randle, the Most Improved Player, whose shooting breakthrough was almost unprecedentedit was always fair to wonder whether those sorts of numbers could were sustainable long-term, or against playoff-caliber defense. And if the first four games against Atlanta are any indication, somethings clearly shifted. Rose has played incredibly well. But Barrett, New Yorks second-leading scorer during the season, has shot just 39.6% from the floor, and 27.3% from deep versus the Hawks. Bullock went scoreless (0 for 4) in Sundays defeat, and is shooting 37.9% in the series. Then theres Randle, whos looked like a completely different playerin the worst possible way. The forward, full of swagger and regularly scoring against double-teams in the regular season, has been tentative and uncomfortable all series. Even in the few moments hes been left relatively open, hes occasionally looked to pass the ball. On Sunday, when he shot 7-for-19 and scored 23 pointssomehow his best performance of the series thus farhe had a play in the third quarter where he got Atlantas Kevin Huerter in the air on a pumpfake, then dribbled into the paint. The Hawks had just subbed out stud rim protector Clint Capela, so a rumbling freight train like Randle looked like an even safer bet to score as he closed in toward the basket. But John Collins went vertical at the rim, and Randles attempt glanced off the iron. He had an opportunity to tip home his own miss before any other player leapt for the rebound, but that was off the mark, too. He ended up with the ball a third time, then fumbled it out of bounds. Randle averaged 37.3 points per game on 58.3% shooting against the Hawks during the season, but the teams No. 1 option is now averaging 16.8 points on 27.4% shooting for the seriesnumbers that, if they hold, indicate the Knicks have little chance of coming back to knock off Atlanta. In a way, even Roses success has even created challenges for the Knicks at times. Because Thibodeau opted to move his longtime point guard into the starting lineup in Game 3, the teams bench looked lost on offense without him during the second quarter, which turned out to be difference in that contest. The Knicks have talent, but not in abundance. Stretching Roses minutes and moving him into the starting lineup was like robbing Peter to pay Paul. It plugged one clear hole, but quickly created another. There may not always be enough putty on defense, which Thibodeau stresses more than perhaps any other coach. (Any given night, you can hear him shouting instructions, loudly, to his players from the sideline about how to play an opposing teams pick-and-roll.) Without the injured Mitchell Robinson, New York has a young ace-defending guard who hardly plays (Frank Ntilikina) and an athletic beanpole of a backup big (rejection specialist Nerlens Noel) who at times lacks the stoutness to hang with the biggest centers. After them, though, the Knicks23rd in defensive efficiency last year with virtually the same rosterare more or less average from top to bottom in terms of individual defending. That makes it even more remarkable that theyve managed to build a top-five defense with that group in 2021. Under Thibodeaus direction, the Knicks operate with a sort of synchronized chaos. During the regular season, they were masters at forcing the ball out of playmakers hands, making second, third and fourth efforts. When they sent aggressive double teams at post players, opponents scored a league-low .796 points per possession in those scenarios, according to Synergy Sports. New York has been taught to funnel players toward help defenders, which, when done right, makes it challenging to find a clean shot or easy pass to make. Would-be spot-up shooters typically find themselves flustered, swinging the ball to the next open man or putting it on the deck because of how hard the Knicks race at them on the perimeter. Knicks fans have long been accustomed to seeing their team give up wide-open threes, but now its often strategic. The Knicks are fine giving up an open look to someone like Atlantas Cam Reddish (26.2% from deep, and 28.6% against New York). But in turn, theyll generally blanket the likes of Brooklyns Joe Harris, who shot a league-best 47.5% in 2021, and hit 42.1% of his tries against New York. The teams high-speed closeoutsand its ability to occasionally induce shots from poor shootersled to the Knicks finishing the campaign with the lowest opponents three-point percentage in the NBA, at 33.7%. (League average is 36.7%.) Overall, New York held foes to 44.0% from the field, and 104.7 points per gameboth league lows. It marks the first time since 19992000, under Jeff Van Gundy, that the Knicks ranked best in both categories. (New York also accomplished the feat in 199293 and 9394 with Riley in charge. The club owned the NBAs best defensive efficiency rate three straight years under him.) Consistently playing that way isnt easy, though. Its some hard work, Barrett said of the commitment. Barrett understands this better than anyone. Over the course of the season, he logged more than 192 miles on the court, more than any other NBA player. Randle tracked 188 miles. By contrast, Kevin Huerter, the high man on the Hawks, traveled just 158 miles. Star Trae Young covered only 155. John Collins and and Clint Capela finished with 138.7 and 137.1, respectively. (Part of this was Barrett and Randles playing virtually every game, which only a handful of players leaguewide managed to do this year.) For better or worse, its yet another way in which these Knicks resemble the ones from decades prior. Players from that generationone with no concept of rest or load managementapproached practices in the same cut-throat fashion they did the games. I still remember when I got traded to the Knicks. I was working out at UCLA with Magic [Johnson] and [James] Worthy, Doc Rivers recalls of being dealt from the Clippers to New York in 1992. They said, Youre in trouble, bro. They loved Riles. But they said the intensity of the workouts was going to kill me and kill my career. They said, Your career is done. Rivers, 32 years old and the Knicks starting point guard back then, tore his ACL the next year. And New York, outdueled by Michael Jordan and turned back in the Finals twice, never won a title in that era. The situations are obviously different for many reasons. Dating back to his time with Chicago, Thibodeau has faced questions about the heavy minutes he saddles his best players with. This season, whenever hes been asked about the workload for Barrett and Randle, Thibodeau has said theyre both young players, and that hes often proactive about giving them days off during practice sessions. But looking beyond injuries and fatigue, there remains the broader issue of pacing in an effort to have a team peak during the playoffs. Two schools of thought exist. The glass-half-full approach would suggest a team like the Knicks is better off for having played this way all season, because theres no need to acclimate to a new level of intensity in the postseason. The effort is built in at this point, and their lead guys have played significant minutes all along. Yet its easy to see how a team like the Hawksbattered by injury for much of the season, but now finally whole againcould improve by extending their best players minutes and locking in defensively. (Both teams finished the season on fire. Under coach Nate McMillan, who took over midway through the year, the resurgent Hawks went 2511 after the All-Star Game. Meanwhile, the Knicks reeled off a season-best nine-game win streak in April and closed out the year with 16 wins in their last 20 games.) Barrett was a consistent threat from deep in the regular seasonbut not so far in the playoffs. Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty Images Its obviously a bit strange to wrestle over the question of whether the Knicks have played too hard for their own good in recent months. That were even talking about it at all speaks to how much the club has overachieved. New York entered the season with the leagues lowest payroll, and even lower expectations following last years 2145 mark. This is a franchise thats lost more than any other the past two decades: one made up of a handful of young, key contributors who still need to learn the right work habits. Asked whether theres still more magic and the players can squeeze out of this season, Thibodeau said there was. I think we will [make the adjustments]. I know how they work. Their attitude is upbeat, and their work ethic is second to none, Thibodeau said after the Game 3 loss. Perhaps more than anyone, Knicks fans always have a thirst for hard-working teams that embrace full effort and floor burns. After 20 years, the city finally has another cold glass of water. But whether that glass is half-empty or half-full is a moot point for the Knicks right now. Because if youve already poured everything you have into the regular season, that high-water mark probably wont be enough to advance come playoff time. More NBA Playoff Coverage: Chris Paul Is Back, and He Brought the Suns With Him The Mental Peril of This NBA Season Atlanta Is Falling in Love With Trae Young Read More of SIs Daily Cover Stories Here
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https://www.si.com/nba/2021/05/31/can-the-knicks-improve-nba-playoffs-daily-cover
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Has Bradley Beal Reached His Limit With the Wizards?
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The Wizards season could end as soon as tonight, and almost certainly by the end of the week. Welcome to the Morning Shootaround, where every weekday youll get a fresh, topical column from one of SI.coms NBA writers: Howard Beck on Mondays, Chris Mannix on Tuesdays, Michael Pina on Wednesdays, Chris Herring on Thursdays and Rohan Nadkarni on Fridays. Within minutes of absorbing a 29-point thrashing that cast his team into a deep chasm of postseason despair, Bradley Beal took his place on a Zoom screen and declared, with all the earnestness he could muster, that the Wizards of Washington would persist. Im a huge fan of the word embrace, Beal said Saturday, after the Wizards fell into a 3-0 hole in their first-round series against the top-seeded 76ers. Embracing everything. Embracing the stages of life. Embracing every situation. And it's the same thing with this. Embrace where we are. A seasoned vet, Beal knows the reality as well as anyone: No team in NBA history has won a playoff series after going down 3-0. The Wizardswho posted an under-.500 record this season, who had to win two play-in games just to make the playoffswill not be the first. But after nine seasons in D.C., Beal is also a veteran of disappointment and frustration and a virtual master in the art of stubborn belief. Hes embraced his fair share of quixotic quests: striking a functional partnership with John Wall; making the Wizards respectable; keeping them relevant through Walls injuries; forging a new partnership with Russell Westbrook; dragging the Wizards to the playoffs after a season marred by quarantines and postponements. Every year, Beal evolves a little moreas a shooter and a scorer, as a playmaker and a ball-handler, as a leader and a culture-setteronly to find himself staring at the same, depressing fate: early elimination. The Wizards have made the playoffs just five times in Beals nine years, falling in the second round three times, the first round once (and soon to be twice). How long before he says the two words hes repeatedly vowed not to utter: Trade me. No one professes to know Beals intentions, but rival scouts and executives have believed for months that a day of reckoning is nearas in this summer. Its true that Beal has consistently professed his loyalty to Washington, and a commitment to leading the Wizards out of the desert. But every NBA star has his limits. Hes been adamant, says an Eastern Conference scout. But yeah, it wouldnt surprise people if he had an about-face on that and said, `Enough of this. The case for Beal asking out is fairly straightforward. Hes an elite scorer, one of the NBAs best, averaging 30-plus points per game the last two seasons. Hes firmly in his prime (turning 28 later this month). Hes never experienced playoff success. Hes routinely snubbed for individual awards, because of the Wizards ghastly record. And hes on a capped-out team, with an aging, overpaid co-star, and no clear path to title contention. Rui Hachimura, the Wizards top pick in 2019, had a solid second seasonbut no one projects him as a star. Scouts like Deni Avdijas tools, but his rookie season was mostly a dud. Daniel Gafford was a late-season revelation, but hes a role player. Davis Bertans is a nice shooter who cannot possibly live up to the $80 million contract he signed last year. They got some nice players, but theyre not close to a championship team, said the scout. Future is not bright, said an executive with another Eastern Conference team. Its hard to find anyone around the league who disagrees. And though no one doubts the sincerity of Beals declarations, well, these things tend to change when stars get fed up. James Harden pledged his undying loyalty to Houston, but eventually forced his way to Brooklyn. Westbrook did the same in Oklahoma City, before forcing his way to Houstonand then out of Houston. Kyrie Irving forced a trade from Cleveland to Boston, declared hed be a Celtic for life, then left for Brooklyn. Anthony Davis ditched New Orleans for Los Angeles, just eight years after Chris Paul ditched New Orleans for Los Angeles. And on and on. Of the 27 players named to the 2021 All-Star Game (including injury replacements), just 14 are still with their original teams (including four players still on their rookie contracts). Bill Streicher/USA TODAY Sports Speculating about Beals future has practically become an annual ritual, but theres reason to think this time will be different. Beals contract runs through the 2022-23 season, but the final year is a $37 million player optionwhich means he can be a free agent in just 13 months. The clock is ticking. I think so, said an executive with a Western Conference team. Theyre in a tough spot. To be sure, its hard to accurately assess this Wizards season, marred as it was by injuries and a COVID-19 outbreak that forced the team to essentially shut down for two straight weeks in January. The Wizards went 6-17 over their first 23 games, fell 15 games under .500 in early April, then closed the season on an 18-7 kick, with Westbrook going supernova nearly every night. The last part of the season really impressed me, said Ryan McDonough, the former Suns general manager, now a commentator for Audacy. I think theres some positive takeaways. Id like to at least see how it looks next season with a healthy Westbrook and Beal, and more experience from Avdija and Hachimura and Gafford. Still, McDonough concedes, a healthy, improving Wizards team projects as a lower-tier playoff team in the Eastperhaps with a chance to crack the top six, if all goes well. Theres your upside. Westbrook turns 33 in November, and hes already shown signs of erosion over the last two years. For all his gaudy counting stats and triple-doubles, Westbrook remains a low-efficiency, high-turnover gambit. He doesnt get to the basket as often as he once did, nor finish as well as he once did, nor earn as many free throws as he once did, or even shoot them well (.656 this season). Also, he keeps getting hurt. (Also, hes turning 33 in November. Did we mention hes turning 33 in November?) Oh, and hes earning $44 million next season, with a cap-clogging $47 million player option in 2022-23. The right move is to (trade) Beal and probably buy out Westbrook, said the Eastern Conference executive (while noting that Wizards ownership has always preferred playoff berths over long-term planning). If Beal at last requests a tradeor if Wizards officials decide its time to hit the reset buttonthe market would be robust, and the payoff considerable, if recent superstar deals are any guide. The Thunder got five first-round picks, two pick swaps and a budding young star (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) for Paul George. The Pelicans got three first-rounders, a pick swap and two promising young players (Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball) for Davis. More recently, the Pelicans acquired multiple first-round picks from the Bucks in the Jrue Holiday deal. Rival executives expect something similar if Beal hits the market. The Warriors could make a bid, dangling rookie center James Wiseman and Minnesotas lottery pick. The Pelicans could offer an wealth of picks (via the Lakers and Bucks), along with Ingram. If the 76ers flame out in the coming weeks, perhaps they consider the (long-speculated) Ben Simmons-for-Beal swap. The Heat have few top-shelf assets, but could get creative and make a bid. Ditto the Mavericks. Maybe the Knicks, armed with two Dallas picks and R.J. Barrett, make a run. I think teams would pounce, said the scout. The Wizards season could end as soon as tonight, and almost certainly by the end of the week. Thats probably up to Beal, and how much more anguish hes willing to endure. For nine years, hes embraced all manner of challenges and setbacks and humiliation. Maybe now its time to embrace change. More NBA Coverage:
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https://www.si.com/nba/2021/05/31/washington-wizards-bradley-beal-future
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Who is Bobby Flay dating?
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BOBBY Flay is an American celebrity chef and the host of several Food Network television shows including Worst Cooks in America and Brunch at Bobbys. The established chef owns several restaurants across American, with locations in Las Vegas, New York and Atlantic City. The 56-year-old celebrity chef is currently hosting the Food Network show, Beat Bobby Flay, where two cooks go head to head in a bid to take down the star. The star is currently not dating anyone, with his last serious relationship ending in 2019. In an episode of Beat Bobby Flay, airing in February 2021, host Fran Drescher asked the chef of his relationship status, to which he admitted he was a bachelor, Flay said Im very single. She [Helene Yorke] kicked me to the curb. 5 The star began hosting Beat Bobby Flay in 2013 Credit: Getty Drescher then asked the chef if he would like to accompany her to to an art gallery. Im kind of blushing right now. It is unclear whether Flay and Drescher are currently dating. Debra Ponzek Ponzek is a professional chef and executive chef at numerous restaurants. She met Bobby Flay in June 1990 and the two were engaged within a matter of weeks. 5 Debra is now happily remarried and living in Connecticut Credit: Instagram/@debraponzek The couple got married in May 1991 and both were nominated for James Beard Foundation Award in 1992, competing against each other for the title of Rising Star Chef which Ponzek ended up winning. In 1994, she moved to Connecticut to open her own restaurant, Aux Dlices, divorcing Flay to do so. Kate Connelly Kate Connelly is a 55-year-old journalist and TV host, best known for hosting Food Networks Robin Leach Talking Food show. Before finding her feet as a presenter, Connelly had a professional modelling career, which she ditched in favour of uniting her love of cooking and journalism. She met Bobby Flay in 1994 when he made a guest appearance on the Food Network show and married in 1995. The two, who have a daughter together, founded several restaurants before divorcing in 1998. Stephanie March March is a 46-year-old actress best known for her role as DA Alexandra Cabot in the NBC series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. 5 Flay and March pictured together. The couple were married for 10 years Credit: Rex The Texas-born star of The Social Ones met Flay while working on the set of Law & Order SVU in 2000, with the pair tying the knot in 2005. She appeared on several of Bobby Flay's Food Network shows, including: Boy Meets Grill, Grill It! with Bobby Flay, Iron Chef America, and Throwdown with Bobby Flay. Helene Yorke Helene Yorke is a Canadian actress known for her work as a voice actor and her time on Broadway. The 36-year-old has worked on the Broadway adaption of American Pyscho as well as lending her voice on the small screen with television credits spanning from Family guy to Bojack Horseman. 5 Helene Yorke was 20 years younger than Flay Credit: Getty Yorke appeared on a 2017 episode of Beat Bobby Flay, alongside her celebrity chef partner, where Flay revealed he met his now-ex at a New York Knicks game in 2016. The couple remained together until Yorke called it quits in 2019, with the chef claiming he was "kicked to the curb". January Jones January Jones is a 43-year-old actress and model, best known for her work as Betty Draper in Mad Men from 2007-2015 for which she was nominated for two Golden Globe awards. Most read in Showbiz Exclusive katie's call Michelle Heaton tells Katie Price 'you saved my life' after addiction INSTA OFFICIAL Towie's Frankie Sims confirms relationship with Love Island's Jack Fincham sun's out legs out Ulrika Jonsson sunbathes in pink bikini bottoms as she enjoys the heat proud mama Louise Redknapp reveals she's 'so proud' of son after ex Jamie's baby news Exclusive parent pain Michelle Heaton says husband felt like single parent during her coke addiction Exclusive 'NO WAY OUT' I was days from death after 3-year booze & cocaine binge, says Michelle Heaton When Flay and ex-wife Stephanie March were going through their divorce in 2015, March cited that Flay cheated on her with Jones in 2010, before the actress fell pregnant with her son. January Jones has never revealed who the father of her son, Xander, is but many speculate that it could be Flay.
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https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/15118632/who-is-bobby-flay-dating/
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Who is Dr Christian Jessens partner Rogerio Barreto?
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DR CHRISTIAN Jessen is famous for fronting weird and wonderful series Embarrassing Bodies. Behind the scenes, the celeb doctor is loved up with Brazilian boyfriend Rogerio Barreto. Rogerio Barreto is the head waiter at an upmarket restaurant in Central London. The couple keep out of the limelight, but live together in South London, near the River Thames. They have both visited Rogerio's native Brazil together in the past. Jessen has spoken out about how becoming a TV presenter has affected his relationship. 3 Jessen has spoken out about how becoming a TV presenter has affected his relationship He said: Its life-changing actually, and you have no idea about that until it happens to you. "Its especially hard on the partner of the person in the public eye, because youre both introduced to people, but all the focus is on the one whos famous and you want to say, hang on a minute. There are two of us here! Dr Christian Jessen has spoken out about how his sexuality has impacted his career. He said: "There is a massive prejudice around being a gay doctor. "It was different for me as I have never been obviously gay and so people are often surprised when they find out. " The couple do not have children. Most read in Celebrity Exclusive katie's call Michelle Heaton tells Katie Price 'you saved my life' after addiction SEEING DOUBLE Kerry Katona fans in disbelief as she poses with lookalike daughter Lilly-Sue INSTA OFFICIAL Towie's Frankie Sims confirms relationship with Love Island's Jack Fincham sun's out legs out Ulrika Jonsson sunbathes in pink bikini bottoms as she enjoys the heat proud mama Louise Redknapp reveals she's 'so proud' of son after ex Jamie's baby news Exclusive 'NO WAY OUT' I was days from death after 3-year booze & cocaine binge, says Michelle Heaton In 2015, Dr Christian Jessen told The Guardian that he might want children in the future. Jessen said: "Rogerio has always hinted hed like a baby. "I guess my mother did it for my father, and maybe one day Ill do it for Rogerio but not yet because Im simply not ready.
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https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/15118803/who-dr-christian-jessens-partner-rogerio-barreto/
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Did Big Tech Censor a Pro-Israel Social Media Account?
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There was a big news story related to the recent attack on Israel by the terrorist group Hamas, but the Opposition Media appears to have missed it. We can understand how the news slipped by the Associated Press since they were still digging out of the rubble after the building they shared with Hamas was leveled in Gaza. All Israel News brings us the details no one else could find. Facebook formerly hosted a page called the Jerusalem Prayer Team. Mike Evans, a Dallasbased Christian founded the page in 2002. The sites purpose states it seeks to educate people about events and trends in Israel and the Middle East, and encourage them to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, as commanded by King David in the Bible in Psalm 122:6. Since its founding the page has attracted 77 million followers around the world. It also attracted the notice of potential Islamist cyber warriors. At the peak of the rocket attacks on Israel, The Jerusalem Prayer Team was hit by the biggest cyberattack on Facebook in Facebook history, according to Evans. When the assault began, the page reportedly suffered a coordinated attack consisting of over 800,000 hate comments and posts came within an hour. Naturally, Evans contacted Facebook for help. Just as naturally he supposedly received no help from Facebook. As Evans tells it, the process was repeated for the next two days. Massive coordinated attack on the page, pleas for help to Facebook and no response from Facebook. Evans found it odd that Facebook has some of the best security in the world to prevent hate speech, but was unwilling to unleash that security software for his problem. Eventually the site totaled some two million hate speech posts during those three days. Keep in mind The Jerusalem Prayer Team is not an overtly political site. It just encourages members to pray for peace in Israel. Evans response was to try and get some action from Facebook by generating news coverage. While the OpMedia maintained strict radio silence, the Christian Broadcasting Network, the New York Post and Fox News picked up the story. The coverage seems to be successful. Evans got a response from Facebook. It wasnt what he expected. Human Events reported Facebook informed Evans the page had violated the terms of service, that the ban was permanent, but reported that the Big Tech giant did not explain with any specificity what the page had done wrong. Probably because the page hadnt done anything wrong. The cyber terrorists win again. Rather than help Evans remove the hateful comments from Islamists, Facebook blames The Jerusalem Prayer Team for the comments and shuts out 77 million users. Evans hasnt given up. Hes enlisted the help of Sean Hannity and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and the government of Israel to reverse the permanent ban. Were hoping he will be successful and the latest accidental mistake from Big Tech censors will be reversed. Michael Reagan, the eldest son of President Reagan, is a Newsmax TV analyst. A syndicated columnist and author, he chairs The Reagan Legacy Foundation. Michael is an in-demand speaker with Premiere speaker's bureau. Read Michael Reagan's Reports More Here. Michael R. Shannon is a commentator, researcher for the League of American Voters, and an award-winning political and advertising consultant with nationwide and international experience. He is author of "Conservative Christian's Guidebook for Living in Secular Times (Now with added humor!)" Read Michael Shannon's Reports More Here.
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https://www.newsmax.com/reagan/big-tech-social-media-censorship/2021/05/29/id/1023175/
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Which electric vehicles include free road-trip fast-charging?
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With summer approaching, a holiday weekend upon us, and stir-crazy families looking toward post-pandemic road trips, it's as good a time as ever to survey which electric vehicles include free fast-charging. Quite a few of them do, although some automakers only offer a limited amount of free chargingoften based on kilowatt-hoursrather than unlimited access. The Electrify America network is funded through Volkswagen's diesel-emissions settlement, so naturally the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 comes with three years of unlimited DC fast charging on that network. For VW, which is pitching the ID.4 on value versus gasoline models like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V, it's an important part of that proposition. While VW is footing the bill, Electrify America is open to all EVs, so other automakers are taking advantage of the network. The Lucid Air also includes three years of unlimited Electrify America fast charging, extended to U.S. customers who reserve their vehicle by the end of 2021. Lucid also claims the Air, which is scheduled to start deliveries later this year, will be the fastest-charging EV, able to recover 300 miles of range in just 20 minutes. 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 and Electrify America DC fast-charging station Other automakers have signed on to use the Electrify America network, but with more restrictive free-charging terms. The Hyundai Ioniq 5, from the automaker's new Ioniq sub-brand, gets two years of unlimited 30-minute complimentary charging sessions from the date of purchase. That implies customers will have to pay if a session exceeds 30 minutes, but that should be enough to recover the most mileage at the quickest charging speeds. Beware that Hyundai doesn't include the offer on its other EVs. The Kona Electric and Ioniq Electric include just 250 kwh of complimentary charging on the Electrify America networkenough to cover maybe one ambitious long weekend of road-tripping. The Ford Mustang Mach-E also gets just 250 kwh of free fast charging on the Electrify America networka value of $107.50, in this case. 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E at Electrify America fast charger Nissan has been including a $250 credit for EVgo fast-charging with Leaf purchases. That's included access to partner networks; EVgo has made "roaming" arrangements with, including Electrify America, ChargePoint, and EV Connect. General Motors hasn't discussed free fast charging for its EV customers. The automaker has said that it will be partnering with Qmerit for 240-volt Level 2 AC home wallbox installation, and that it will be subsidizing basic installations for Chevrolet Bolt EV and Bolt EUV owners. However, that program only covers installation of a NEMA 14-50 outlet, which won't allow the Bolt EV and Bolt EUV to charge at their full 11 kw. It also won't help once you're out on the road.
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https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1132399_which-electric-vehicles-include-free-road-trip-fast-charging?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheCarConnection-CarReviews+%28The+Car+Connection+-+Car+Reviews%29
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When should 49ers' rookie Trey Lance take over starting quarterback job?
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With the 49ers in the middle of organized team activities the first opportunity to see rookie Trey Lance and incumbent Jimmy Garoppolo on the field at the same time head coach Kyle Shanahan says it will be abundantly clear when the quarterback competition is truly ready to begin. Shanahan, one of the games brightest offensive minds, says hell see it first. Then, the rest of the coaching staff will catch on, and eventually, the players will realize that Lance has developed enough to challenge for the job that Garoppolo held when the 49ers went to the Super Bowl in February 2020. History provides a timeline of when a highly drafted rookie quarterback should take over as the starter. Nearly 50 quarterbacks were drafted among the top five picks between the AFL-NFL merger in 1970 and 2018, and of that group, only four have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. Well come back to Peyton Manning, but Troy Aikman started 11 games as a rookie, John Elway 10 and Terry Bradshaw eight. Eli Manning and Donovan McNabb likely will join the gold-jacket club, and they started seven and six games as rookies, respectively. The average number of rookie starts among Aikman, Elway, Bradshaw, Eli Manning and McNabb is 8.4, which seems about right after removing the outliers from the study. Peyton Manning showcased a dogged work ethic and ability to laugh at himself to create a Mount Rushmore career after throwing a rookie-record 28 interceptions in starting all 16 games as Indianapolis limped to a 3-13 record in 1998. Philip Rivers sat and learned his first two seasons behind Drew Brees in San Diego, only to eventually win the job and complete a 15-year career as a starter that saw him retire fifth in NFL history in passing yards (63,440) and touchdown passes (421). Even among the outliers, eight seems to be the number of rookie-season starts that indicate future success. The lone top-five quarterback since 2007 who didnt start at least seven games his rookie season was JaMarcus Russell (2007). The No. 1 overall pick of the Raiders started one game as a rookie and only 25 before he was out of the league after a three-year career that included more interceptions (23) than passing touchdowns (18). Quarterbacks are mastering spread and run-pass-option offenses and checks and alerts as early as high school these days, and NFL franchises are incentivized to play quarterbacks immediately, because their relatively small rookie contracts allow salary-cap space to bolster the rest of the roster. The 49ers traded their 2022 and 2023 first-round picks to move up nine spots to select Lance No. 3 overall, so it may be tempting to get him on the field right away. There will probably be whispers before division games begin in Week 4 and again after the Week 6 bye. History says Lance should get the nod for Week 11 against Jacksonville, which has only one winning season in the past 13 and is 12-36 the past three years. That would set up Lance for eight starts more, if he leads a playoff run as a rookie. But that part is up to him. Rusty Simmons is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: [email protected] Twitter: @Rusty_SFChron
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https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/49ers/article/When-should-49ers-rookie-Trey-Lance-take-over-16213926.php
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Where to watch Mare Of Easttown for free?
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Kate Winslets Mare Of Easttown has concluded (Picture: HBO) Mare Of Easttown has had the globe transfixed since it arrived on television screens last month, with fans hooked on the seven-part crime drama. The HBO limited series stars Kate Winslet as Mare Sheehan, a detective who is investigating the murder of one young girl and the disappearance of another with audiences joining the quest to find out whodunnit. The cast also features American Horror Storys Evan Peters, Watchmens Jean Smart and Mementos Guy Pearce. Although the show has now wrapped up with the gripping series finale airing today, some havent yet found the time to sit down and watch. So if thats you and youre looking for how to watch Mare Of Easttown for free, then look no further. Well point you in the right direction. The best way to watch Mare Of Easttown for free is by getting a NOW trial. Mare Of Easttown comprises of seven episodes (Picture: HBO) As a new Entertainment member, subscribers can get seven days free to sample the streaming service and then its 9.99 a month, or cancel anytime. Your first monthly payment will be taken on the day you buy your membership seven days after you start your trial. NOW users can get access to Sky 1, Sky Witness, Sky Atlantic, Sky Comedy, Sky Documentaries, Sky History, Sky Nature, Gold, Sky Crime, Comedy Central, Sky Arts, MTV, Nat Geo and SyFy. To get started, all you need is a NOW account, a minimum 2.5Mbps broadband download speed and either a smart TV, a tablet or smartphone, or a laptop or computer. Mare of Easttown is available on Sky Atlantic and streaming service Now in the UK.
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https://metro.co.uk/2021/05/31/where-to-watch-mare-of-easttown-for-free-14680562/
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When to hire a lawyer for an insurance claim?
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Published Monday, May. 31, 2021, 9:06 am Join AFP's 100,000+ followers on Facebook Purchase a subscription to AFP Subscribe to AFP podcasts on iTunes and Spotify News, press releases, letters to the editor: [email protected] Advertising inquiries: [email protected] We live in a safe time when almost nothing threatens the lives of citizens. This is all possible thanks to a complex system of lectures that regulate every branch of our life. Sometimes there are situations from which no one is immune, whether it be theft or damage to property or even a direct impact on the peace of mind of your life. In such moments, insurance companies can always come to the rescue. You conclude a contract with them, which guarantees compensation for damage in certain cases. Sometimes there may be some disagreements between the insurance company and the client, and to avoid adverse consequences, it is worth contacting a lawyer for an insurance claim. Many lawyers assure that it is worth contacting specialists every time you want to file an insurance claim. As for more specific situations, you may need advice if the case may have several interpretations. A lawyer will help you avoid a situation in which the claim is denied. In some situations, the insurance company itself can harm its client in one way or another, and in such a situation you will need the help of a personal injury lawyer. If your insurance claim is small, then there is almost no threat of rejection. In such a situation, you may not need attorney services. This may relate to damage to a small property, minor injuries, and more. An insurance firm enters into a contract with its client on specific grounds that are largely beneficial to the company itself. This is followed by the stage in which the adjuster evaluates your property and based on this, the amount of possible compensation is drawn up. You can insure anything, including home, car, some things, and even life. There is a chance that some requests may be rejected on the basis that the insurance company is not profitable to insure this or that case. A legal case of refusal can be based on any factor. If you still managed to insure something, then there may come a time when you will need to file an insurance claim. There are situations in which you will need to appeal to a law firm with your claim denied: settlement of issues on payments of expensive items. Not all insurance companies are ready to pay large sums to their clients; the occurrence of disputes and disagreements at the stage of the insurance registration itself or at the time of filing an insurance claim. Hiring a lawyer will help you settle everything legally; payment for very large transactions like an insurance for your car or home. Proceedings on such issues can drag on for many months, but in the end, it will be difficult for insurers to deny payments; such cases may arise in which it is difficult or impossible to establish the guilt of a particular subject in an insured event. The help of a lawyer may also be needed during the process of creating the insurance document itself. A specialist can see minor flaws and inaccuracies in the document and will help you avoid difficulties in the future. Schlacter Law is one of the finest examples of a company that can stand up to the rights of its clients. Since November 2019, this firm has dealt with a variety of claims across the state of Florida. Their key difference is the availability of free consultation, which can make it clear to the client whether he needs the help of lawyers at all. This is a definite advantage because it is quite difficult to find such an option from competitors. The quality of the services provided and the qualifications of the lawyers themselves are at the highest level. Story by Susy Richards Related Comments
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https://augustafreepress.com/when-to-hire-a-lawyer-for-an-insurance-claim/
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Will Eliminating Standard Tests Really Reduce Racial Disparities In Education?
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Below is my column in the Hill newspaper on the announcement that the University of California will now join the test-blind movement and end the use of the SAT and ACT in its admissions decisions. Some have called for the change to increase diversity in the schools, particularly after California voters refused to change the long ban on affirmative action in education under state law. Here is the column: The Supreme Court will decide early next month whether to take a new case on the use of race in college admissions. For decades, the court has fractured on the issue and left an unintelligible morass. A challenge brought by Asian students at Harvard could bring clarity, including a possible rejection of the use of race as an admissions criterion. However, the massive California university system has just taken an action that could make such challenges more difficult in the future. University of California President Janet Napolitano announced that the ten schools in the system will no longer base admissions on standardized tests joining a test-blind admissions movement nationally. Without standardized testing, it would be difficult to prove the weight given to race in admissions. Advocates for greater diversity in admissions have long opposed the use of standardized tests as disfavoring minority applicants. Many have decried standardized testing as vehicles for white supremacy. Indeed, education officials like Alison Collins, vice president of the San Francisco Board of Education, have declared meritocracy itself to be racist. Napolitano responded to such criticism with a Standardized Testing Task Force in 2019. Many people expected the task force to recommend the cessation of standardized testing. The task force did find that 59 percent of high school graduates were Latino, African-American or Native American but only 37 percent were admitted as UC freshman students. The Task Force did not find standardized testing to be unreliable or call for its abandonment, however. Instead, its final report concluded that At UC, test scores are currently better predictors of first-year GPA than high school grade point average (HSGPA), and about as good at predicting first-year retention, [University] GPA, and graduation. Not only that, it found: Further, the amount of variance in student outcomes explained by test scores has increased since 2007 Test scores are predictive for all demographic groups and disciplines In fact, test scores are better predictors of success for students who are Underrepresented Minority Students (URMs), who are first generation, or whose families are low-income. In other words, test scores remain the best indicator for continued performance in college. That clearly was not the result Napolitano or some others wanted. So, she simply announced a cessation of the use of such scores in admissions. The system will go from two years of optional testing to a test-blind system until or unless it develops its own test. Ending standardized testing will have a notable impact on legal challenges to the use of race in college admissions. Last November, Californians rejected a resolution to restore affirmative action in college admissions. The Supreme Court has issued a series of 5-4 decisions that have ruled both for and against such race criteria admissions but even justices supporting such systems have expressed reservations. The author of the 2003 majority opinion in Grutter v. Bollinger, Associate Justice Sandra Day OConnor, said she expected that 25 years from now, the use of racial preferences will no longer be necessary to further the interest approved today. That 25 years is about up. Reports indicate that significant differences remain on such scores, particularly for Asian students. The Harvard Crimson reported that Asian-American applicants to Harvard earned an average SAT score of 726. White applicants earned an average score of 713, Native American and Native Hawaiian applicants an average score of 658, Hispanic American applicants a score of 650, and African American applicants a score of 622. Yet, during that same period, Asian-Americans saw the lowest acceptance rate of any racial group. In Students for Fair Admissions v. President and Fellows of Harvard College, the litigants cite a study finding that Asian Americans needed SAT scores that were about 140 points higher than white students; the gap with admitted African American and Hispanic students is even greater. The Supreme Court has allowed race to be considered in overall admission decisions, but has stressed that it cannot be used as a determinative or dominant factor. Judicial reviews, therefore, often focused on the objective standardized scores to deduce the weight given to race. Most of us agree that admissions should be based on a holistic review of applicants and not just their scores or GPA. This includes achieving greater demographic, socio-economic, racial and other forms of diversity. However, standardized scores remain highly valuable as objective comparisons of all applicants to guarantee a system based on meritocracy, including within such groups. In the Harvard case, the scores are particularly important because the litigants allege that subjective factors were systemically used to disfavor them on issues such as likability and personality. The elimination of scores has a pronounced impact on students. While it will likely allow for greater diversity in admissions, it also removes a way for students to distinguish themselves in actual testing of their knowledge of math, English and other subjects. Yes, there are other ways to distinguish themselves, like community service and high school projects. Yet, as found by the UC task force, these tests do have a predictive value on success. Indeed, at a time when the United States is losing ground on math and science, the elimination of such testing could undermine our competitive position in a global economy; countries like China demand high levels of objective performance in areas like math and science. There is an alternative. Rather than eliminate standardized scores due to the disparity in performance of racial groups, we should focus on improving the performance of minority high school students in these areas. Testing results reflect a continuing failure of our public schools. The top-spending public school districts are also some of the worst-performing districts. New York topped the per capita spending, at $24,040 per kid. Yet, according to a 2019 study, over half of New York City public school kids cannot handle basic math or English. On tests, Asian kids shows a 74.4 percent proficiency in math, with a 66.6 percent proficiency for whites, 33.2 percent proficiency for Hispanics and 28.2 percent proficiency for African Americans. Instead of addressing the failure to educate kids in these communities, the push is to get rid of the testing itself. The deficiencies will remain but the ability to expose them will be gone. Eliminating standardized scores will not erase true racial disparities in our educational system. Indeed, it may only exacerbate them. Jonathan Turley is the Shapiro Professor of Public Interest Law at George Washington University. You can find his updates on Twitter @JonathanTurley. Share this: Twitter Reddit Facebook Email
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https://jonathanturley.org/2021/05/31/will-eliminating-standard-tests-really-reduce-racial-disparities-in-education/
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Is Chick-fil-A open on Memorial Day?
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Google searches for that question spiked Monday morning, along with questions about other retailers Memorial Day hours. The spike makes sense, since Chick-fil-A is known for being closed on Sundays and is also closed on major holidays, including Christmas and Thanksgiving. According to the chains website, most Chick-fil-A restaurants will be open Memorial Day, just with slightly different hours. Most locations will be operating from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., according to the website. However, some restaurants could be open earlier and close later. Chick-fil-A recommended that fans check with their local restaurant before going. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP One Chick-fil-A location in Virginia is taking the Memorial Day celebration further by donating some of its sales to a local military organization, according to WTKR. The franchise owner in Norfolk will be donating 5% of the Memorial Day sales from his store to Honor and Remember, an organization that pays tribute to fallen soldiers, the station reported. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER However, if you do visit Chick-fil-A on Memorial Day, you may not be able to get all the sauce you want. For almost a month, the chain has been experiencing a sauce shortage. The chain first notified customers of the shortage on May 4 with a notice at the top of the companys website and an email, Fox News previously reported. The "Industrywide Supply Chain Shortages" notice is still up on the Chick-fil-A website as of Monday morning. "Due to industrywide supply chain shortages, some items, like sauces, may be unavailable," the notice says. "We apologize in advance for any inconvenience."
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https://www.foxnews.com/food-drink/is-chick-fil-a-open-memorial-day
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