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Which recruits are taking official visits to Auburn in June?
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The recruiting dead period, at long last, is set to end. After the pandemic prolonged the dead period for recruiting for more than a year, preventing teams from hosting recruits on campus and preventing coaches from in-person contact with prospects, the floodgates are about to open. On June 1, that moratorium ends and recruits will finally be able to flock to campuses for official visits. It will be, as Auburn coach Bryan Harsin described it, a crazy month. I kind of look at it as we get one shot to make a first impression, Harsin said. Everybodys coming on, theres going to be a lot, probably, when you get six, seven days into it, coaches are going to be tired, they might feel overwhelmed, but still that visit with that family and that player is going to be the most important weve had of any of the visits that weve had, because its face-to-face and theyre right here on this campus.... I want our coaches to do a great job and to enjoy a month thats going to be somewhat of a grind, but know that we did a hell of a job at the end of June with every player that stepped foot on this campus, every kid that came to camp, even the guys that were not recruiting. For Auburn, which relies heavily on selling the experience of being on the Plains as part of its recruiting pitch, it will be a month that includes hosting at least 24 prospects on official visits, with several more recruits expected to take unofficial trips to campus. It will be the start of a pivotal recruiting stretch for the Tigers, whose 2022 class currently consists of three commits -- four-star quarterback Holden Geriner, three-star cornerback Jarell Stinson and three-star linebacker Powell Gordon -- and ranks 48th nationally and 13th in the SEC. Theres plenty of work to be done for Harsin and his staff with their first full class at Auburn, and that work begins in earnest Tuesday. With that in mind, heres a look at which recruits have announced scheduled official visits to Auburn in June. June 4-6 -- Darrius Clemons, four-star wide receiver, No. 151 recruit in nation -- Jacob Hood, three-star offensive tackle, No. 418 recruit in nation -- Emory Floyd, three-star safety, No. 481 recruit in nation -- Maxie Baudoin IV, three-star defensive lineman, No. 430 recruit in nation -- According to 247Sports official visit database, three-star defensive lineman Kaleb Artis and top kicker prospect Alex McPherson also set to visit during the months opening weekend. June 11-13 -- Omarion Hampton, four-star running back, No. 136 recruit in nation -- Micah Riley-Ducker, three-star tight end, No. 365 recruit in nation -- Holden Geriner, four-star quarterback commit, No. 261 recruit in nation -- Per 247Sports, three-star wide receiver Kaydin Pope and four-star linebacker DeMario Tolan are also set to visit this weekend. June 15 -- Per 247Sports, three-star cornerback Jaylen Lewis will take a midweek official visit on this date. June 18-20 -- Trevion Williams, three-star athlete -- Jay Fair, three-star wide receiver, No. 514 recruit in nation -- Jarell Stinson, three-star cornerback commit, No. 454 recruit in nation, -- JaKobi Albert, three-star athlete, No. 363 recruit in nation -- Caden Story, four-star defensive lineman, No. 219 recruit in nation -- Marcus Allen, three-star cornerback, No. 364 recruit in nation June 21-23 -- Kaden Helms, three-star tight end, No. 376 recruit in nation June 25-27 -- Myles Pollard, three-star cornerback, No. 419 recruit in nation -- Omar Graham Jr., three-star linebacker, No. No. 577 recruit in nation -- Tyreese Fearbry, four-star edge defender, No. 249 recruit in nation -- Per 247Sports, four-star cornerback Toriano Pride and four-star defensive lineman Quency Wiggins are also set to take official visits this weekend. Tom Green is an Auburn beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Tomas_Verde.
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https://www.al.com/auburnfootball/2021/05/which-recruits-are-taking-official-visits-to-auburn-in-june.html
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How much is a college degree worth in each Alabama county?
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A bachelors degree can add a lot of money to your annual earnings in Alabama, but the amount depends on where you live. In general, a bachelors degree could be worth as much as $20,600 per year in Alabama - meaning the median annual earnings of a person with a bachelors degree are roughly $20,600 higher than someone with only a high school diploma. Thats according to data from the U.S. Census Bureaus American Community Survey. But in some counties, the difference is even greater. A bachelors degree is worth the most in Madison County, home to Huntsville and one of the wealthiest and best educated counties in the state. Click here.] In Madison County, the median earnings of someone 25 years old or older with a bachelors degree are just over $61,000 per year - the highest in the state. Thats nearly $33,000 more than someone of the same age living in the same county, but with only a high school diploma. A bachelors degree is already worth a lot in Madison, but a graduate degree is worth even more. The median earnings for people 25 or older with a graduate or professional degree in Madison County are more than $87,000 per year - again, the highest in the state. Thats about $25,800 more per year than someone in Madison with just a bachelors degree. In Jefferson County, the most populous county in the state and home to Birmingham, someone with a bachelors degree could expect to earn around $52,000 per year. Thats about $22,100 per year more than someone in Jefferson County with only a high school diploma. Meanwhile, in Shelby County, just south of Jefferson and the county with the highest percentage of bachelors degrees, someone with a bachelors degree will earn an average of $59,500 per year. Thats roughly $22,700 more per year than someone in the same county with a high school diploma. Email Ramsey Archibald at [email protected], and follow him on Twitter @RamseyArchibald. Read more Alabama data stories here.
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https://www.al.com/news/2021/05/how-much-is-a-college-degree-worth-in-each-alabama-county.html
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Which Actress Should Get the Her Own Mare of Easttown Next?
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Kate Winslet didnt need a show like Mare of Easttown, but HBOs crime drama (which concluded Sunday night) offered the Oscar winner the opportunity to play a great leading role in a popular project for the first time in years. She relished the challenge (see: that accent, those coats, the scenes shared with just about every great character actor you can think of) and is a strong contender, in a very competitive category, for an Emmy. This firmly fits a trend building within prestige TVs new limited-series craze: Lauded actors of a certain age, boxed out of Hollywoods movie-star demographicsome things in this industry never changefinding new acts in handsomely produced, well-paced dramatic miniseries. Over the past decade, that Emmy for best actress in a TV movie or limited series has been won by Frances McDormand, Nicole Kidman, Michelle Williams, Regina King (twice! ), and more Oscar nominees and winners. Frankly, the category now stacks up pretty impressively with the best-actress Oscar itself. We thought of a few names. Some could just do with a new challenge; others would benefit from the boost of a strong role. (A few who came to mind were deemed ineligible due to an upcoming project that may fit the bill; Melissa McCarthy, may Hulus Nine Perfect Strangers set you free.) Not that this was an intentional criteria, but all of the following stars also happen to be Oscar nominees, and in some cases winners, so the plaudits have been there. Heres who HBO and company should keep on their short lists. Angela Bassett Angela Bassett has kind of been everywhere on TV lately. Over the past seven years, shes netted an impressive six Primetime Emmy nominations, with her scene-stealing work in American Horror Story and Master of None doing the bulk of the work there. Shes also got a main episodic cop gig, on Ryan Murphys hit Fox procedural 9-1-1, running four seasons strong. Finding that prestige-star turn would feel like a natural next step in her career. For in case you havent seen, say, Whats Love Got to Do With It, Bassett is a force when she gets a lead she can really devour. Anne Hathaway A juicy limited series can take any actor out of a rutand that is, well, kind of what Hathaways in right now. The Oscar winner has been skirting great TVs edges to frustrating results, anchoring single episodes of the middling-but-glossy streaming anthologies Modern Love and Solos. A project more suited to (and wholly focused on) her would mark a better use of the charisma that made her a household name. After last years brutal double-header of The Witches and The Last Thing He Wanted, a buzzy comeback vehicle would be just the ticket. Halle Berry Long before Hilary Swank, another Oscar winner now lost to mediocre parts, tried to do the astronaut TV thing in Netflixs (swiftly canceled) Away, Halle Berry got it done as astronaut Molly Woods in CBSs sci-fi mystery Extant. The show, canceled in 2015 after two seasons, was Berrys last small-screen effort; shes since mixed B-movie work with patient time spent on her upcoming directorial debut, Bruised. But as Vanity Fair critic Richard Lawson recently explained on Twitter, shes gritted her teethand thrivedenough in passable genre fare where shes earned some higher-end pulp. The icing on the cake would be if it maybe, finally brought her back to the Hollywood awards circle. Jennifer Jason Leigh Heres someone whos been quietly doing some of her best work ever of late, hamming it up with glee in Twin Peaks and Patrick Melrose while shining on Netflixs relatively scaled-back half hour Atypical (shes also a fairly recent Oscar nominee for The Hateful Eight). Leigh, a central face of the 90s independent scene, has settled into a reliable character-actor lane, and itd be fascinating to see what she could do with a show of her own, particularly one where she gets to show off her range. Were ready to find out. Rachel McAdams Before emerging as an unmitigated disaster, the idea of a True Detective season twofollowing up the Emmy-winning, hugely popular original best remembered as the peak of the McConaissanceseemed like a slam dunk. Extremely exciting. The missed opportunity of that season, no fault of the immensely appealing star, will hopefully yield a second chance for her in the subgenre. Combine the procedural prowess she proved in Spotlight with the comic charm shes displayed in everything from Game Night to Eurovision, and HBO could have its next great detective. For real, this time. Sandra Bullock Sandra Bullock has not appeared in an episode of television since a 2004 installment of George Lopez. This feels wrong, especially considering the medium has moved in a direction that feels tailor-made for her strengths: true star power rooted in a jagged relatability. The time commitment may be a bit hefty for the Oscar-winning actoraside from a Minions voice role, shes only appeared in three movies over the past seven-plus yearsbut thats what would make a prestige moment for her all the more thrilling. Whoopi Goldberg The longtime View cohost, whos recurred on Blue Bloods and The Stand over the last few years (news, admittedly, to this writer before an IMDB scan), also happens to be an EGOT winner, and its long felt like time she scored a part worthy of her talent and profile. Put her on a haunting, crime-solving trail, and let her activate those dramatic chops again. Join Vanity Fair to receive full access to VF.com and the complete online archive now.
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https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2021/05/mare-of-easttown-what-actress-is-next
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Are San Jose finches protecting their nest or evicting the children?
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DEAR JOAN: A pair of house finches decided to make their nest in one of the eaves of my house. After they built the nest, things were quiet for at least four to five weeks as they apparently were incubating their eggs. One morning, however, there was frenetic activity around the nest as it appeared that momma and poppa were defending their nest against grandma and grandpa and perhaps an aunt or uncle who wanted to visit. Approximately two weeks after that incident, there was an all out war of momma and poppa having to defend their nest. Either grandma and grandpa were insisting on seeing their grandchildren or momma and poppa were throwing their kids out of the nest. I have never seen anything like this, but momma and poppa were literally grabbing the wings of the birds trying to enter and shoving them out of the nest. What a spectacle. Since that time only crickets around the nest. Phillip Sienna, San Jose DEAR PHILLIP: Im not positive about what you saw. Birds, especially nesting birds, are highly territorial, and they might have been fussing over rights to the prime real estate. However, given the time frame, I think its more likely you witnessed the fledging of baby birds. Once the nest is built and ready to receive, the female will lay two to six eggs, and then sit on them for about two weeks. The new hatchlings are naked, except for a little fluffy down. Their eyes are closed, and they are described as being clumsy. It takes 12 to 19 days for the little chicks to get their feathers and be ready to face the world on their own, although its not always easy to leave the nest and the constant attention, not to mention the frequent meals. Its not, as some cartoons would have us believe, as simple as the wee birds flying out of the nest and into the sunset, or more likely, into the front hedge. It takes some practice. Right now, I have three barn swallows that are just learning to fly and there is quite the ruckus going on outside my front door as the birds scrabble for space in the now too-small nest and get the hang of flying in and out and grabbing insects in the air. I think the young finches were just struggling with young adulthood. DEAR JOAN: Recently I saw a totally green hummingbird in my back yard. It was rather small but very feisty. Most of the info I got online said it was native to Columbia or Costa Rica. I live 80 miles south of Canada. Distemper continues spread through Santa Cruz County, animal shelter suggests vaccine Pet of the Week: Remi Little birds destroying window screens in San Jose neighborhood Critter Corner: How to form a relationship between new baby and your dog DEAR BOB: Hummingbirds make astoundingly long journeys twice a year, as they migrate from the warm wintering locales to their traditional breeding grounds and then back again, traveling 4,000 miles or more. Because Washington reports no rare/vagrant species in your state, the possible hummers you saw are the Annas, the rufous, the black-chinned and the calliope. You likely saw the female or a juvenile male that hasnt yet acquired his more vibrant plumage. The Annas is the largest, up to 4 inches, and the calliope my guess as to what you saw is the smallest at about 3 inches. For more wildlife, garden and backyard topics, sign up for our new, free Flora+Fauna newsletter. Use this form to submit questions. Photos should be mailed separately to [email protected].
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https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/05/31/are-san-jose-finches-protecting-their-nest-or-evicting-the-children/
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Which positions have the Carolina Panthers improved most this offseason?
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The Panthers will resume their OTA workouts tomorrow, taking the next step towards the 2021 season. June 1 is a significant date on the NFL calendar for a number of reasons, so nows a good time to reflect on where the team is heading into the summer months. For Carolina, this offseason has been all about upgrading a young roster with an eye on fundamentally changing how they can play defense. Here is a look at the three positions that the Panthers have improved most since last season. Cornerback Lost: Rasul Douglas, Corn Elder Gained: Jaycee Horn, Keith Taylor, Rashaan Melvin, A.J. Bouye Clearly, the No. 1 priority on general manager Scott Fitterers list was upgrading what was an unreliable cornerback room in 2020. No longer having Elder at nickel may sting, but only if they dont use their personnel right. After investing significant resources at the position, theres more than enough firepower to go around, here. In free agency, the Panthers picked up Bouye and Melvin two solid veterans who may be past their prime but came on cheap, short-term deals. In the draft, Carolina added two rookies with Horn and Taylor both long, physical, lanky Seattle type corners who can press. If the plan is to start Horn and Bouye outside and slide Donte Jackson inside to cover the slot theres a real chance this cornerback group could go from liability to strength. Putting that group out there together should enable defensive coordinator Phil Snow to be far more aggressive using man coverage following a zone-heavy 2020 campaign. Linebacker Lost: Tahir Whitehead, Adarius Taylor Gained: Denzel Perryman, Haason Reddick, Frankie Luvu, Paddy Fisher Another spot that got a nice boost was linebacker both the inside and outside versions. Going from Whitehead as the starting Mike to Perryman might be the single-most impactful move the team makes this year defensively. At the very least, Perryman is a far more efficient tackler and light years ahead in coverage. If things dont work out with Perryman or he gets injured again, they still have an excellent backup in Jermaine Carter. Outside, the Panthers helped their pass rush by signing Reddick who posted 12.5 sacks and 16 QB hits last season after moving out to the edge in Arizona. If he comes anywhere close to repeating those numbers, the one-year, $6 milllion deal he signed for will be a steal. Tight end Lost: Chris Manhertz Gained: Dan Arnold, Tommy Tremble Offensively, the Panthers made huge changes at quarterback, left tackle and wide receiver, but it remains to be seen if those moves have actually made them better. That said, on paper its pretty clear that Carolina is deeper at tight end compared to last year. Manhertz may be one of the best blocking tight ends in the NFL. However, hell turn 30 in a couple weeks and most likely wont be effective much longer. The Panthers should get an effective replacement with Tremble, who has been dubbed the best blocking tight end in college football. If he lives up to that billing, Manhertz wont be missed. Like the Reddick acquisition, signing Arnold for two years and $6 million could be another significant under-the-radar steal in free agency. Arnold posted four touchdowns and 438 yards for the Cards last year. Similar production would be a step up compared to what the Panthers have gotten from this spot since Greg Olsens foot injuries began in 2017.
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https://pantherswire.usatoday.com/2021/05/31/carolina-panthers-most-improved-positions-2021-offseason/
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Could Armys Jon Rhattigan become Seahawks next undrafted free agent diamond in the rough?
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The Seahawks in the Pete Carroll/John Schneider era have feasted on finding the overlooked college player who thrives in the NFL. The seventh-rounder who becomes a Super Bowl MVP (Malcolm Smith) or the undrafted free agents who become the third-leading receiver in team history (Doug Baldwin) or make the two biggest catches in team history (Jermaine Kearse with the game-winners in consecutive NFC title games), to name a few. Jon Rhattigan, an inside linebacker, signed in May as one of 13 undrafted free agents for the rookie class of 2021 hoping to follow in their footsteps and forge an NFL career where few others might have seen it coming. And if he does, he will have traveled a road as unlikely as any of the others, if not more. To begin, Rhattigan played his college ball at Army, where few go with the idea that an NFL career will follow. That wasnt my main goal, Rhattigan said frankly when he talked to reporters last week via Zoom of whether the NFL was on his radar when he enrolled at Army in 2017. Advertising Indeed, for years anyone attending a military academy had to fulfill a service commitment before thinking of a pro sports career. As longtime NFL fans may remember, in the most notable case quarterback Roger Staubach of Navy had to wait five years before pursuing a pro career with the Dallas Cowboys, which finished with him making the Pro Football Hall of Fame. That changed in 2019 when rules were approved allowing athletes to apply for waivers and pursue playing careers immediately after graduation while agreeing to serve their enlistment time later. Two Army players last year received the waiver and made NFL regular-season rosters as rookies defensive back Elijah Riley with the Eagles and linebacker Cole Christensen of the Los Angeles Chargers. Now Rhattigan hopes to duplicate their feat. Im just blessed that I was able to graduate from West Point and theres a policy in place that allows us to represent and play in the NFL, as well, Rhattigan said. Christensen plays into the other reason that 12 months ago, even Rhattigan might have thought it a long shot hed be on an NFL roster right now. Rhattigan grew up in Naperville, Ill., where as a junior he began to attract interest from Big Ten schools. That cooled when he suffered an ACL injury his junior season. And according to an Associated Press story last year, one reason he chose Army was that the school was one of the few to stick with him through his recovery. Advertising But once at Army, he found himself a backup on the depth chart at middle linebacker to Christensen, a two-time team captain who basically never left the field. And that meant that entering his senior season, Rhattigan had played just 21 defensive snaps for the Black Knights he didnt play at all as a freshman and mostly on special teams his next two years making him about as far off the radar of NFL scouts as could be. I guess it just happens, Army coach Jeff Monken told the AP last year. You dont always find yourself at the top of the depth chart right away. We knew he was a good player, but I felt like we had some good players there that were playing. With Christensen off to the NFL in 2020, Rhattigan finally got his shot as a senior, and almost immediately showed why Big Ten schools had been interested in him early in his high school days. On what was the first series of the first start of his career in the season opener he recovered a fumble to set up a touchdown. Later in the game he picked off a pass and returned it for a score to key a 42-0 win over Middle Tennessee State. Advertising Rhattigan kept piling up the stats for an Army defense that led the nation in fewest yards allowed per game (275.3) and was second in points allowed (14.8) while going 9-3. At the end of the season he was ranked 55th on Pro Football Focus list of the best 101 college football players in the country he ranked fifth among FBS off-ball linebackers in PFF grade (86.6) and was one of eight at the position to earn a grade above 70.0 against the run, in coverage, as a pass-rusher and in tackling. The Seahawks were intrigued from the start, with Rhatting saying Seattle had been steadily interested in him throughout the draft process. But Seattle only had three picks after deciding to move up to take offensive tackle Stone Forsythe sixth round. Rhattigan said the Seahawks let him know theyd be interested if he went undrafted, and a deal was struck quickly after the draft ended. It was a pretty easy pick, Rhattigan said. That decision kicked off a whirlwind of a month for Rhattigan. He flew to Seattle to take part in rookie minicamp May 13-16, then back to West Point to walk in graduation having earned a degree in geography. It was more than I could ask for, Rhattigan said of signing an NFL contract and getting his degree in the span of a few days. Then it was back to Seattle for the rest of the offseason program. Sponsored Rhattigan is being used at both middle linebacker and weakside linebacker, each spots where Seattle has set starters Bobby Wagner and 2020 first-round pick Jordyn Brooks. But there could be room as a backup with the depth at the inside spots unclear. With K.J. Wright remaining unsigned and no indication hell be back, Cody Barton, Ben Burr-Kirven and international pathway player Aaron Donkor loom as the other players vying for time inside. A few no-pads practices without veterans around makes it difficult to judge much yet. Carrolls main takeaway after rookie minicamp when asked about Rhattigan was that he seems like a really cool kid. Soon, though, Rhattigan hopes to make a more lasting impression, vowing to take full advantage of a chance he admits he wasnt sure would come after the high school injury and three years stuck mostly on the sidelines in college. Football has been everything me and when I went to West Point, obviously the military was really important to me and academics are really important to me, he said. So I try to find a good balance between everything and I certainly didnt put the NFL (at the top). but at the same time I was going to be ready if the opportunity came and since it has Ive taken that and run with it.
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https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seahawks/could-armys-jon-rhattigan-become-seahawks-next-undrafted-free-agent-diamond-in-the-rough/
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How Long Will Bobby Lashley Hold WWE Championship on Raw?
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Credit: WWE.com Bobby Lashley's journey to the WWE Championship was surprisingly rocky. At 6'3" 273 pounds, he is a huge athlete who should have been the ideal man for WWE to run with as a world champion. However, without a strong manager, he never quite made it to the peak until MVP came into the equation. His inclusion with The All Mighty pushed Lashley to the WWE Championship, and he has looked absolutely dominant ever since. His main competition, Drew McIntyre, is another veteran that took far too long to become a world champion. The two have been butting heads ever since The All Mighty stole the title away from McIntyre through the intermediary of The Miz. It is all a matter of what WWE sees in Lashley, who has more than earned a dominant run as world champion after years of misuse. Video Play Button Videos you might like The First Hurdle: McIntyre The Scottish Warrior was crowned as the top star on Monday Night Raw when he defeated Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 36, and he has been involved in every WWE Championship match on pay-per-view since. It is clear that WWE values McIntyre as the top babyface of the company. With SmackDown running with Roman Reigns as the top heel, Raw has the most well established good guy on either brand. It can be tough for WWE to let a heel run dominant over the top guy in the company for too long. At every stage, McIntyre has been the closest to dethroning Lashley, but he has also fallen short. It feels like The All Mighty is safe, but he has to face The Scottish Warrior at least one more time. An Underdog Hero: Kofi Kingston While The All Mighty has dominated the world title scene, one man has been allowed to pin him: Kofi. The former champion has a long legacy in WWE, but he has just one world title to his name. He comes off more as a stopgap challenger to Lashley, but it is still possible Kofi could defeat The All Mighty and get one more run with the gold. The Miz recently had short run, and Kofi could have something similar. At most, this would likely be a situation where Kofi defeated Lashley then lost to him at the next PPV booking that would echo McIntyre's two reigns as WWE champion. The Familiar Face: Lesnar The Beast Incarnate is the most dominant champion in the modern WWE. His reigns as world champion lasted longer than just about anyone else could manage, and he repeatedly overwhelmed top contenders, even well established ones. Lashley vs. Lesnar is a match that many have been clambering for. The only problem was that The All Mighty was never built well enough for it. At this point, it is not only believable Lashley could compete with Lesnar but beat him. The Beast Incarnate may be more interested in competing in SmackDown where his manager Paul Heyman is working, but The Beast Incarnate could genuinely run Raw again if he wanted to. Other Potential Contenders: Randy Orton, Sheamus, Damian Priest, Keith Lee There are plenty of interesting contenders for Lashley, but few have been built yet for it. The Viper can strike at any time, and he's only a couple of wins away from tying Ric Flair and John Cena's world title record. More interesting options include Sheamus, who has been on the best run of his career, Priest, who has the size and build to challenge The All Mighty and Lee, who is the rare wrestler who has been established as having Lashley's number. Of the options, The Archer of Infamy and The Limitless One are the most interesting, but neither are ready for a while. Lee has not even been able to wrestle since early 2021. It does not feel like the time is coming soon. The All Mighty has looked phenomenal against everyone. He needs to overcome McIntyre to solidify his reign. Kofi is a filler challenger. The Beast Incarnate should only be returning to put over Lashley. Where things get interesting is later in the year around WWE Survivor Series. That show has seen multiple titles change hands in short succession to make the ideal Raw vs. SmackDown pairing. The WWE draft is also around that same time. It is likely The All Mighty will find himself without the gold around November. The best bet would be that Lashley will lose the WWE Championship in late October at whatever PPV comes post-WWE draft. Someone from SmackDown drafted to Raw such as Big E, Kevin Owens or Seth Rollins would get a fresh start by defeating The All Mighty then challenge the likely still dominant champion The Head of the Table at Survivor Series. Hopefully, by that time, Lashley will be fully established as a main event star, and it will not be long before he regains the gold again. He should be a main event talent for the rest of his run in WWE.
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https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2943698-how-long-will-bobby-lashley-hold-wwe-championship-on-raw
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Which graphic mod does xQc use for GTA 5?
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GTA 5 RP players often use different shaders and graphics mods to make their streams appear visually unique and attractive. GTA 5 is nearing its 8th anniversary, and the game is still one of the most popular choices for streaming. GTA 5 RP has revived the game in an entirely new image. While it was truly a revolutionary game in terms of game design, graphics and possibilities, it falls short of modern AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077 when it comes to visuals. The GTA modding community has kept even the oldest GTA titles alive with their graphics mods, and GTA 5, being the latest in the series, is no exception. There are stunning graphics mods that make the game look as close to the real world as possible, and many streamers utilize such mods, including xQc. The controversial poster boy of GTA 5 RP, xQc was in the limelight recently for his multiple bans (which is currently permanent) on the GTA RP NoPixel server. He is responsible for the surge in NoPixel's popularity, as the professional Overwatch player has a huge number of followers. Another not-so-obvious reason for his coming to viewers' attention is because of the graphics mod he uses. Any Twitch stream compilation of xQc and his in-game associates will reveal that his POV is quite different and significantly better. For those familiar with modding, the reason is obvious: custom shaders/graphics mods. The specific graphics mod that xQc uses in his GTA 5 RP streams is called NaturalVision Evolved. It is a popular graphics mod for GTA 5 that has an active set of modders rolling out updates quite frequently. NaturalVision Evolved is an ENB mod that makes GTA 5 look like a next-gen AAA title. ENB stands for Enhanced Natural Beauty, and that is exactly what these mods attempt to do. While the mod changes every aspect of the game's vanilla graphics, like texture, lighting and reflections, the major additions are screen-space, ray-traced global-illumination, skylighting and rain reflections. GTA 5 was not meant to be ray-traced, and screen-space ray tracing only reflects elements within the current screen space. The difference between the vanilla graphics and the NVE shaders is considerable. Los Santos and Blaine County seem more alive with vibrant colors, realistic saturation, contrast and more detailing overall. The best part of all this is the ambiance of a rainy night, with wet, reflective streets amplifying the ray-traced street lights. NaturalVision Evolved is, unlike most GTA 5 mods, only available via a monthly subscription plan between $1-15 per month on Razed's (the creator) Patreon account. For players who are willing to spend their money to enhance their GTA 5 experience to the next level, this is one of the best looking graphics mods available.
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https://www.sportskeeda.com/gta/which-graphic-mod-xqc-use-gta-5
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Will the pressure of Hollywood film producers for a union succeed?
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The low-budget satirical drama Dear White People garnered critical acclaim, grossed nearly $ 5 million in theaters in 2014, and spawned a television series. But the making of the film stretched veteran independent producer Effie T. Brown so much that she almost lost her home. Over two years, the Echo Park resident said she made just $ 40,000 working on the film, which cost around $ 1 million to make, despite its development, work on the cast and its on-time and on-budget delivery to the Lionsgate distributor. Brown is one of more than 100 feature film producers who recently ratified the formation of a new union that he hopes will provide the kind of basic health care, compensation and protection offered by most other union workers in Hollywood. My story is nothing fancy, said Brown, vice president of the newly formed producers union. She had a similar experience with the Real Women Have Curves, awarded in 2002, which were selected to be kept in the National Film Registry for its cultural and historical significance. People say: Well, you dont earn your money up front, youll earn it in the backend, Brown said. Its been 20 years. I saw zero dollars. Brown and other producers say various factors made it harder for them to make a living. The consolidation of studios and the rise of streaming have changed the economics of the industry, eliminating or eroding their share of so-called backend profits, the money split after expense recoupment (a form of Hollywood accounting that often does so). subject of litigation.). And, unlike almost everyone else in the cast and crew, the Producers lack a union guaranteeing a minimum level of pay and employer contributions to health care and pension plans, a situation that was magnified during the COVID-19 pandemic, which interrupted production. While the question of who gets the product on credit has been the subject of controversy over the years, a long-sought certification process that was not recognized by major studios until 2013, producers play a critical role in making it happen. managing all aspects of a project from start to finish. This can involve developing a movie, hiring directors, screenwriters, and other producers, finding funders, creating a budget, managing costs, and being on set full-time to see the movie. image delivered on budget and on time to distributors. More than half of producers never see backend compensation, and 70% of those polled last year said they were asked to defer fees on more than two projects, according to the study produced by the Producers Union of 550 feature film and documentary producers based in the United States. The survey found that 56% of respondents made $ 25,000 or less producing in 2020, up from 41% in 2019, and most said producing was not a sustainable career. Typically, producers spend an average of $ 9,000 out of pocket per project, according to the survey. As more films end up going to streaming platforms rather than theaters, producers say the pressure often falls on them to lower their fees. Were not trying to buy multiple homes, Brown said. I just dont want to be poor. I want to be able to put gas in my car. Currently, the main representative body for producers is the Producers Guild of America, which has expressed support for the union. Established in 1950, the PGA has over 8,000 members and has successfully led the effort to establish the credit product. However, the nonprofit trade union organization lacks collective bargaining power despite repeated efforts to organize, dating back to the 1960s. The California Court of Appeals in 1974 struck down the last industry-wide PGA contract. The PGA attempted to unionize in 1983 and took its case to the National Labor Relations Board, which dismissed the petition, determining that the directors, officers and members of its PGA bargaining committee were considered to be employers-producers. The national labor relations law did not allow union organizers to sit on both sides of the bargaining table, the council argued. This time the producers are using a different strategy. Instead of forming a traditional union, they are forming a supervisory union similar to those who represent the police. These unions rely on employers, rather than the NLRB, to recognize them. But they face an uphill battle. In 1983, the National Labor Relations Board determined that producers are supervisors and / or managers and therefore do not have the right to form a collective bargaining unit. Nothing that has happened since then has changed that determination, said Jarryd Gonzales, spokesperson for the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents major Hollywood studios, including Walt Disney, as well as film companies. Amazon and Apple streaming. Chris Moore, Treasurer of the Producers Union and producer of the hit films Good Will Hunting and American Pie, is not discouraged. The whole economy of the film industry has been built on success, Moore said. We all agree to do things at a lower rate than the market assuming what we were doing is going to be successful. The biggest thing that has changed is that with streaming there is no success. He quotes Manchester by the Sea, which made Amazon the first streaming service to be nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture. Moore, one of the five producers of the 2016 grim drama, said he was unable to take advantage of the loot. Because the film was risky, Moore said, he agreed to waive his fees, betting on a distribution of future profits instead. That payday didnt come after Amazon bought the domestic distribution rights for around $ 10 million. The film, which cost around $ 9 million to make, was a critical and commercial success, winning two Oscars and generating $ 79 million in box office sales, according to IMDb. Despite the success of the films, Moore estimates that he made less than a dollar an hour in total during the seven years he spent on the film. If 2 million people watch Manchester by the Sea on Amazon, or if one person watches, we get the same amount of money, said Moore, 54. sustainably for their efforts. Determined to fix the problem, Moore teamed up with producer Rebecca Green in the fall of 2019 to organize the union effort. After a year and a half of meetings with colleagues, 108 film producers ratified a constitution for the group in March and elected its first leaders. Now they are crafting a basic deal that will be presented to studios, networks and finance companies. The cause was also personal to Green. The Detroit-based filmmaker had critical success with the 2014 horror thriller It Follows, released in the US via Radius-TWC. People would think she must have killed. I can tell you this movie didnt pay my bills, Green said. I kind of hit a point of frustration. The 42-year-old said she received an initial honorarium of $ 15,000 for It Follows and was just one of two producers the PGA recognized for possible awards (the film had four producers in total). The film generated nearly $ 23 million in ticket sales and has a budget of $ 2 million, according to researcher The Numbers. Green received a few thousand dollars of her deferred fees and no backend compensation, she said. Another problem, producers say, is that actors, writers, directors and managers increasingly see production credit on a film as a means of having control, a share of the profits and a gateway to recognition of rewards. He was the producer of a film that won the coveted Oscar for Best Picture. We all have to share our fees and credits with a host of other people who are not really responsible for the work, said Lynette Howell Taylor, a veteran producer nominated for Best Picture for 2018, in A Star is Born. By improving the remuneration of producers, organizers hope the union will also help attract and support more diverse filmmakers. According to the union survey, feature film producers are predominantly white, a majority of women and a majority in their early forties. About 10% of the respondents were of Asian or Asian descent, 6.4% were Hispanic or Latin American, 4.9% were Black or African American, and 1.5% were Native Americans. Only 4.1% reported having a disability. Many of us are women and people of color trying to get our stories told, and if you think misogyny and racism and all that doesnt hit producers, it absolutely is. said Brown, who has been producing for 25 years. Were not complaining. I was not looking for a document. We just want equality and consideration. She hopes the pressure on Hollywood to be more inclusive will force employers to recognize the union. Now might be the right time, as people are focused on inclusiveness, equality and fairness, Brown said. I think at some point we can do it now. I have hope.
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https://exbulletin.com/entertainment/953939/
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Can Imran Khans Pakistan Really Become a Welfare State?
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We wish, said Jinnah, pleading for Pakistan on March 22, 1940, that our people develop to the maximum their spiritual, cultural, economic, social and political life in a way that we think best and in accordance with our own ideals. and according to the genius of our people. The federal government of the PTI will present its budget for 2021-2022 in mid-June with its fourth minister of finance in office. Prime Minister Imran Khans vision of a welfare state with an inclusive economic and financial structure has been one of the most discursive economic policies since taking office. Read more: Imran Khan: Pakistan will soon become the regions largest economy Imran Khan started with his own followers, Asad Umar, a former business executive as finance minister, but quickly abandoned him and enlisted a technocrat Hafeez Shaikh to realize his vision. But two years later, drastic inflation in the country saw Hafeez Shaikhs unceremoniously walk out of cabinet. Khan turned again to a politician, a well-articulated young economist Hammad Azhar, but his blow was limited to a simple press conference. And now we finally have a technocrat Shaukat Tareen, banker by profession, back in the office to make Imran Khan dream of a welfare state and Riyasat-e-Madina come true. Read more: Here is Hammad Azhar and the challenges awaiting the new Minister of Finance Shaukat Tareen, in his interviews and press conferences, presented his revolutionary ideas for creating an inclusive, integrative and well-being economy in Pakistan. An economic configuration that will uplift the poor and destitute populations of the country. The success of his ideas will be clear in the coming months. But an economy constrained by the debts and evil financial programs of the IMF and the World Bank on the outside and the interests of the elites on the inside, is difficult to transform into a social economy overnight. Read more: Pakistani economy: history and necessary reforms Pakistans economic reality As mentioned in the quote at the beginning of this article, Quaidss vision was to create a system that was intrinsic and not borrowed, and most importantly, the Islamic economic system that was the basis of Riyasat e Madina, the true welfare state, was intrinsic. and not borrowed either. But if we look at Pakistans current economic and financial system, it is not intrinsic but borrowed. It is based on Western capitalism and free trade and is neglected by their financial institutions. Over the past seventy years, we have carried out a dozen IMF programs, overhauled our economy several times, brought in so many teams and economic advisers, but our economy has still not grown. Read more: Pakistani economy in 2030 Thus, we see oppressed people struggling to achieve their goals. We are seeing a huge wealth gap, peaking unemployment, the worst levels of poverty and illiteracy, a health care crisis, failing infrastructure, minimal growth rates and pernicious GDP. All lined up on crushing debt. We have one of the highest food security crisis risks in the world. Our agriculture, which serves nearly 60 percent of the population, has stopped at almost irreparable damage. We also have one of the most flawed tax systems in the world. The capture of the elite and the status quo made the rich richer and the poor poorer. Capitalism, feudalism, economic injustice, economic disparity, exploitation of debt, hoarding, banking monopoly and financial inequality have added to our already deteriorating social, social and judicial system. Our standard of living is crippled. Read more: Food security at risk: Pakistan Economy Watch The Pakistani economic system is reminiscent of a proverbial blind man who grabs an elephants tail and concludes that an elephant is a kind of paintbrush. The reason is that we have strayed from our ideology and our intrinsic needs as mentioned by Quaid and the teachings of Islam. Our governments have tried to follow foreign economic systems in order to make their masters happy and stay aligned with the world, but at the cost of destroying our own society and economy. Break the chains Quaid told the State Bank of Pakistan at the inaugural meeting on July 1, 1948. The Western economic system has created problems that are almost insoluble for mankind. He failed to do justice between man and man and to eliminate friction on the international ground. On the contrary, he was largely responsible for the two world wars. He added: The Western world, despite its advantages of mechanization and industrial efficiency, is today in a worse situation than ever in history. Adopting Western economic theory and practice will not help us achieve our goal of creating a happy and satisfied people. But over the past seventy years, we have succumbed to the same system that Quaid warned us against. And until we change the whole system, we wont be able to achieve welfare and prosperity in pieces. Our main goal should be to change and reform the whole system. And our approach to this issue must be intrinsic, realistic, revolutionary and creative. We must move beyond blind imitation of the Western economic system and adopt a truly Islamic and national ideological basis. We will break the status quo, capture by elites, feudalism and capitalism and rebuild our economy on the new foundations that meet our needs and help the economic and social uplift of the people and create fairness and equality. in the country. Read more: Heres how to reform Pakistans economic policy We will have to rebuild our banking system with the prohibition of interest, distinguishing between halal and haram, create optimization instead of maximization of consumption, create business ethics, equitable distribution of wealth and the prohibition of hoarding and of the concentration of wealth in a few hands. We will rebuild the Islamic system of Zakat and Khiraaj and a fair distribution of land ownership. And we will ensure social justice for everyone in the country. Only in this way will we be able to realize our vision of a welfare state. Read more: Fixing Pakistans Broken Democratic System The author is a physician by profession and can be contacted at [email protected] The opinions expressed in the article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Global Village Space. 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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/953927/
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Will Indonesias Omnibus Reforms Support Recovery From COVID-19?
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Author: Roland Rajah, Lowy Institute Indonesias new omnibus job creation law has been spoils by the public controversy that surrounded its passage at the end of last year. The government nonetheless hailed the law as a major regulatory overhaul that would attract foreign investment and create jobs. In reality, it lacks important details, which means that its success will ultimately depend on the vagaries of implementation. The first set of implementing regulations published this year, however, looks promising, introducing important measures to liberalize the labor market while theoretically removing a plethora of restrictions on foreign direct investment (FDI). Despite significant limitations, this is the first round of serious liberalizing reforms to be introduced under President Joko Widodo after nearly seven years in power. While sixteen so-called reform packages were issued during Widodos first term, they were not ambitious enough produce much acceleration of economic growth and job creation in the formal sector. They have also failed to attract more foreign direct investment (FDI) or capture international supply chains from China, which went elsewhere in Southeast Asia. The latest measures significantly alleviate two long-standing problems in Indonesias labor code for international competitiveness, while also leaving strong protections for workers. almost intact. First, the severance payments that companies have to pay when they lay off workers have been downward revision, effectively reducing these costs by about half. This should bring Indonesia back broadly in line with its Asian peers, having previously had one of the highest severance pay requirements in the world. Second, the rules governing minimum wage increases have been significantly tightened. This will help contain the rapid increases that have eroded Indonesias external competitiveness while nonetheless failing to serve as a effective safety net for workers. Over the past decade, the productivity of Indonesias manufacturing workforce has increased by less than 20 percent while nominal minimum wages have doubled. Future minimum wage increases will be based either on local inflation or real economic growth (whichever is greater), rather than the sum of the two, as was the case since 2015, when Widodo last attempted to tighten the rules. Its another decent step forward. However, since increases in the minimum wage can still exceed growth in labor productivity, this remains a partial solution. Recent FDI reforms are potentially more transformative, at least on paper. Indonesia previously had one of the the most restrictive FDI policies among the 84 economies assessed by the OECD. The reforms significantly reduced the number of industries subject to FDI restrictions from 528 to 215, including in areas important for industrial modernization such as telecommunications, e-commerce, transport, vocational training and health. Indonesias investment environment, however, is notoriously complex, not only because of rent-seeking and corruption, but also because of the inconsistencies between the central FDI policy regime and built-in protectionism at the sector level. The end result is therefore likely to vary considerably depending on the area. For example, mining is now fully open to foreign ownership, but existing mining sector policies still require a gradual divestment from majority local ownership. Given the propensity of governments to resource nationalism, the inconsistency is probably intentional. But in other areas such as telecommunications and construction, follow-up sector reforms may be more likely. Much will also depend on specific regulatory decisions and practices in certain sectors, for example medical services. The latest reforms could ultimately be thwarted by protectionist forces. Again, world Bank The analysis suggests that the past liberalization of the central FDI policy regime has indeed led to an increase in FDI inflows, which suggests that the latest reforms will also see some results. A host of other obstacles remain in attracting substantially greater investment, from deficiencies in infrastructure to the proliferating mass of non-tariff barriers that limit access to the best inputs and make it difficult to participate in complex supply chains that cross international borders. In the immediate term, overcoming the pandemic and reviving the national economy is an absolute necessity, especially since Indonesias large domestic market is a key point of attraction for foreign investors. Indonesian policymakers are nevertheless right to take FDI more seriously as a key element of the recovery strategy. Not only does FDI generally confer significant productivity benefits, but in the aftermath of the pandemic, other means of financing Indonesias growth and development will be severely constrained. Banks, state-owned companies and private companies will all be damaged financially, hampering investment. And if fiscal policy is to be used to support the recovery, the ability to do so will be hampered by increasing debt service payments and the imperative to bring the budget deficit back to the normal legal limit of 3 percent of the budget. GDP on time. As domestic demand recovers, the current account deficit could also return as a key macroeconomic vulnerability. The US Federal Reserve will ultimately seek to unwind its crisis policy parameters. This could threaten a rebroadcast of 2013 typing tantrum but at a potentially more damaging time. With such risks on the horizon, relying more on FDI rather than volatile portfolio flows would be a real advantage. Roland Rajah is Senior Economist and Director of the International Economics Program at the Lowy Institute.
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https://exbulletin.com/politics/953941/
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How do COVID-19 vaccines affect people who are immunocompromised?
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Generally speaking, other types of vaccines, like the flu shot, also can be less effective for people who are immunocompromised. In clinical trials so far, the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine has correlated with the production of antibodies. That doesnt mean antibodies are the only function involved in a persons protection from the virus, but so far, research finds that its the strongest correlation. In people who are immunocompromised, there are certain parts of the immune system that function less effectively. For some, the compromised aspect could be parts of the immune system that help make antibodies, which can prevent COVID-19 infection. But for other people, other aspects of the immune system may not be as highly functioning. For example, HIV patients are often missing T cells or a subset of T cells. Some cancer patients lose immune cells known as B cells that make antibodies. Prescription drugs that treat some autoimmune diseases, like multiple sclerosis and some rheumatological diseases, also eliminate B cells. So these patients may not make antibodies from the vaccine. But antibodies arent the be-all and end-all. The COVID vaccine also induces T cells, another arm of the immune system. T cells dont prevent infection like antibodies do. But T cells do work once a virus starts to infect a few cells, and should be able to eliminate the virus from those cells. So while the COVID-19 vaccine might not prevent infection for immunocompromised patients, it could prevent severe disease and the need for hospitalization. Theres some data from patients who have contracted COVID-19 that indicate that T cells do prevent or limit disease severity, said John Wherry, director of the Institute for Immunology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. So theres some hope in at least some immunocompromised patients who can still mount other types of immune responses like T cells, that maybe they wont have perfect protection, but disease severity might be limited, maybe they wont get sick if they get infected. How the COVID-19 vaccine works will depend on the kind of condition a patient has and how it suppresses the immune system. So a cancer patient will behave differently than a patient with inflammatory bowel disease whos on what we call a TNF blocker. And those will be different from a transplant patient on broad-spectrum immunosuppression, Wherry said. So I think the key is that, unfortunately, the devils in the details, and we need scientific data in each of these different types of immunosuppression. Theres not a lot of data available yet. There have been some studies of cancer patients, particularly those with leukemia and lymphoma, that show they can mount some types of immune response to the vaccine, but they dont make high levels of antibodies. Several years ago, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society started a patient registry to compile and compare medical records of blood cancer patients to look for patterns of patient outcomes and treatment side effects. As the COVID-19 vaccines started to roll out, doctors and patients wanted to know if blood cancer patients would respond to the vaccine because of the reduction of certain white cells. In March, the society launched a clinical study of patients antibody response to the vaccine. The trial has enrolled about 7,500 people, and has reviewed the blood tests of about 2,500 people including Shelley from New Jersey. The results of the study are embargoed, but its well known that many blood cancers are B cell-affected and that B cells create antibodies. So, its no surprise that were seeing a lack of response in blood cancer patients who have B cell cancers, just because of their B cell cancer. And then if theyre being treated, to think about it, the treatment is to essentially wipe out B cells. So if treatments that are being given wipe out those cells, the possibility of making antibodies is much less. And thats the trends that were seeing in this study, said Dr. Larry Saltzman, executive research director at the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Saltzman himself was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Eighteen months ago, he began CAR T therapy to cure his cancer, but because the therapy essentially got rid of all his B cells, he doesnt have any antibodies. Its not only a concern for patients with blood cancer. For example, a treatment called rituximab that wipes out B cells is also used for multiple sclerosis. Any treatment that affects a persons immunity, meaning the treatments themselves cause immunosuppression, are likely to cause a problem with the production of these antibodies for COVID. So this is a bigger problem than just blood cancer, Saltzman said. Scientists dont yet know if antibodies are the only option for battling COVID-19. The society also is enrolling 1,000 people in a T-cell study to research if those can help people fight off the virus. Theres no absolute positive or negative at the moment of, If you made antibodies and you have a certain value in the lab test, is that enough or not enough? Thats what were trying to study, Saltzman said. And in the meantime, its challenging because theres some guidance from the CDC to say that if you had two vaccines, you can essentially go back to your regular life. But the problem is that we have a subset of patients, like cancer patients and other illnesses, that had two vaccines and didnt make any antibodies. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is not only checking antibody tests to see who has created an immune response to the vaccine, its asking people to share their medical records that will allow researchers to dig deeper, to look for patterns. Maybe theres a particular flavor of blood cancer or a particular kind of treatment that is better or worse from this. So its not just the one point getting an antibody test. Its a study to look for patterns of what makes things better or worse. And I think thats the power here, Saltzman said. So were in this for the long term. In other words, this registry is focused on COVID at the moment, but its really a long-term project to look at the successful treatments and lessening side effects for, in our case, blood cancer. Theres also some clinical trial data of HIV patients showing vaccines induced their immunity. Wherry said some of that data comes from South Africa, where not all HIV-infected individuals are on effective treatment for disease. He said that meant there was the expectation at least some of those trial participants would be partially immunocompromised. At least some of the vaccines looked like they induced pretty good immunity in those individuals, though not as good as in HIV-negative people. Wherry said scientists are still waiting for larger sets of data among rheumatological patients, and among multiple sclerosis patients. A couple of studies have emerged just in the past few weeks that show while antibodies can be reduced, there may still be some other immune responses, he said.
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https://whyy.org/articles/how-do-covid-19-vaccines-affect-people-who-are-immunocompromised/
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Can our OTT space have more stars?
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SUJATHANA RAYANAN By Express News Service I binge-watched two shows last week, and this column is NOT a review of either of them. One of them, the final season of the Kominsky Method, dropped on Netflix this Friday, and it begins with a mindblowing scene. Wrong! Apart from the sharp writing, there are simple momentsa stare or a lineand Im already laughing out loud because its performed by the popular Micheal Douglas (and other famous names). You know their performing cues. A good performance of a star-actor plays out like a duet between the actor and the audience. The scenes stay with you not just because of the writing (Chuck Lorre), but also because of the acting. I underline how much of a difference it makes to have professional actors in the OTT space as they are able to make even an ordinary scene stand out. The second series I saw features none other than Kate Winslet. Mare of Easttown on HBO (streaming on Disney+ Hotstar) has our beloved, delicate Rose play a tough detective whose life, in her own words, is complicated. Mares life begins with everything going wrong for her family and others around her, and then, throw in the macro plot-points of murder, drug trafficking and what not and voila! And what a performance from Katebe it the dead cold stares, the cool punchlines or simply sauntering in. My main takeaways from both shows are: 1. The lead role is written for older superstars, and it leaves no time for frivolous, empty writing. 2. The lead role is performed by a major motion picture movie star, not the character-actor star but one who would be the hero or heroine in feature films, even now. The sheer joy of seeing scenes performed by competent stars, whose famous scenes you still remember when their eyes twinkle in front of the camera, is immense. I miss this in the content that has come so far in the Tamil OTT space. Anthologies are a rarity, and some good names did act in them (in both Amazon Prime and Netflix), but till now, we have seen Ramya Krishnan (Queen), Tamannaah (November Story), or Samantha (Family Man) frontlining a series. Its just three names, with there being a paucity of A-list actors on OTT. This gap perhaps will be bridged when we see an icon like Surya in the Navarasa anthology directed by Gautham Menon (to be released on Netflix in August). This confluence of good writing with good direction and good acting, is why we wait for theatres to open again, so we can go and immerse ourselves in the highs and lows of faces we have loved all our life. While OTT platforms say they uphold the adage of content is king, the whole milieu of the regional OTT space will get supremely robust, like the theatrical space, when the big names step in. Also, the platforms in India have already slotted themselves into various viewing experiences on the audience spectrum. For e.g: Hotstar is family viewing, Prime is regional content, Netflix is adult and international content... OTT platforms must be open to all varieties of content and not get slotted like TV channels; else, they will stagnate. SUJATHA NARAYANAN @N_SUJATHA08 The writer is a content producer and an art curator
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https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2021/may/31/can-our-ott-space-have-more-stars-2309607.html
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Is Starbucks open on Memorial Day 2021?
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MEMORIAL Day 2021 is upon us, and many Americans are taking a day of both rest and remembrance. But Starbucks aficionados are wondering if their favorite coffee shop will be open on this day. The good news is, Starbucks is open on Memorial Day 2021. However, there will be some stores that have adjusted hours either open later, or closed earlier, than normal. Starbucks patrons are encouraged to download the Starbucks app, and check their local stores, for any changes to their hours of operation. Additionally, Starbucks kiosks in department stores such as those in Target will observe the hours of the store they're in. 4 Check your Starbucks app for your local store's hours Credit: Getty In other words, Starbucks kiosks in Target stores will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Memorial Day. Origially founded in Seattle in 1971, Starbucks has grown into a multinational coffee chain with more than 32,000 stores in 83 countries. It got its start as a coffee bean store. In the 1980s, the original founders Jerry Baldwin, Zev Siegl, and Gordon Bowker sold the company to Howard Schultz. Schultz turned Starbucks into a proper coffee shop after a business trip to Milan, Italy. 4 Starbucks got its start in Pike's Place, Seattle Credit: Getty In 1986, Schultz began implementing these changes in Starbucks, leading to an aggressive campaign of expansion across the United States. During Schultz's initial run as CEO, Starbucks saw an increase of sales to $5billion. Though he left as CEO in 2005, Schultz resumed the role of CEO during the company's 2007-2008 financial crisis. In 2017, Kevin Johnson took over as the Starbucks CEO. Frustrated taxpayers speak as $10,200 refunds hit with delays There are more than 15,000 Starbucks stores in the United States. The UK also has a large number of Starbucks stores, with nearly 1,000 throughout the country. And in Asia, China leads the pack, with more than 3,600 Starbucks stores in the country.
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https://www.the-sun.com/money/2988248/starbucks-memorial-day-hours-2021/
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Where is Casey Anthony today?
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CASEY Anthony was the mother of Caylee Anthony, a young Florida girl who was found dead in 2008. After Casey was found not guilty of her daughter's murder in 2011, the public is interested as to what the 35-year-old is now doing with her life. The Florida woman was accused of murdering her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee, who was last seen alive on June 16, 2008. The defense explained that Caylee drowned in the family pool sometime during the day and that both Casey and George Anthony panicked when they found the body and covered up her death. The prosecution painted a different series of event alleging that Casey used chloroform on her daughter and suffocated her by putting duct tape over the toddler's mouth and nose. 4 Almost nine years later, Casey Anthony spoke about the death of her daughter and said she does not know how the last hours of Caylee's life unfolded Credit: AP2008 The story first broke on July 15, 2008, when Casey's mother, Cindy Anthony, frantically called police in Orlando, Florida, to report that she'd just learned that her granddaughter Caylee had been missing for 31 days. Casey first claimed that Caylee was with a sitter named Zenaida Gonzalez "Zanny" which turned out to be the first of many lies. In December 2008, Caylee's decomposed remains were found in a wooded area not far from the Anthony home. Casey Anthony is allegedly trying to lead a normal life ten years on from her not guilty verdict in South Florida. In March 2020, a source told In Touch Weekly that Casey is writing a detailed and definitive account of her life and the tragedy of losing Caylee and everything that followed. At the time, she had already written three chapters. She knows the book will be controversial and that no matter what she does she will face criticism, but she also feels she has a story that has never been told. Nobody else has lived it, so no one else can tell it, the source explained. 4 Casey Anthony poses for a portrait next to a photo of her daughter, Caylee Credit: Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. In 2016, Casey tried to start her own photography business, but the venture soon folded when she received more queries about the trial than the business. In 2020, The Daily Mail reported that Casey launched a private investigation firm in Florida to help those facing serious legal charges. "She knows what its like to be accused of something that she didnt do, a source told the outlet. She wants to help other wrongfully accused people, especially women, and help them get justice. The source claimed the launch of her private investigation firm had nothing to do with her daughter's death. During the Casey Anthony trial, the jury deliberated for ten hours before acquitting her of felony charges and convicting her of four misdemeanor charges. Casey was set with felony charges of first-degree murder, aggravated manslaughter, and aggravated child abuse and four misdemeanor charges of giving false information to a law enforcement officer. 4 Casey Anthony sits in the courtroom before a sentencing hearing in Orlando, Fla Credit: AP:Associated Press Most read in US News Live Blog 'RECOVERY MISSION' Christian diet guru, husband & 6 others presumed dead after plane crash Q-OUP CALL Calls for court martial after General Flynn says coup should happen in US INSTA-HORROR Instagram star kills self on video in police chase after attacking girlfriend SOCIALITE 'BOOKED' Billionaire's daughter-in-law 'to be charged' after cop's shooting death ELECTRIC BLAST Huge electrical fire erupts in office 'near UN HQ and state gov office' TRAGIC FLIGHT Diet guru and church leaders 'on the way to MAGA rally when plane crashed' The jury selection for the case took 11 days before Judge Perry swore in a jury of five men and seven women, plus three men and two women as alternate jurors. The jury ended their first day of deliberation with no verdict and Judge Perry further instructed jurors how to proceed in their deliberations. He gave jurors the option of finding her guilty of a lesser crime such as second-degree murder, manslaughter or third-degree felony murder which do not carry a death sentence.
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https://www.the-sun.com/news/2988051/casey-anthony-caylee-anthony-murder-trial-new-life/
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Why do the Atlanta Hawks have MLK on their jerseys?
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THE Atlanta Hawks made highlights recently after a New York Knicks fan was caught on video spitting at Hawks point guard Trae Young. However, in January 2021, the Hawks made highlights for a greater cause after the team revealed their Martin Luther King Jr-inspired jerseys. With Atlanta being the hometown of Dr King, the Hawks have the privilege of hosting an NBA game every year to celebrate MLK Day. During their January 17 game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Hawks wore the NBA's first jerseys inspired by the civil rights icon. The letters "MLK" were stuck on the chest of the jersey, while the Hawks homecourt was also inspired by Dr. King. "For us to be the team that wears [those] three letters on a chest, it was going to mean a lot to us, Hawks All-Star Young told The Undefeated of the team's new City Edition jerseys. 5 The jersey features MLK's signature at the bottom of the jersey "Dr. King is the first name you think of when you think of the city of Atlanta, Hawks head coach Lloyd Pierce told the outlet. The team's MLK jerseys feature black, gold and white colors, which is a nod to King's membership in the first Black Greek-letter fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha. Several of the details throughout the uniform were inspired by architectural elements of churches, and Kings signature is on an authenticity tag at the bottom of the jersey. The stars along the sides of the shorts represent 22 times King was jailed fighting for justice and equality. The waistband displays the Hawks primary icon logo encircled in black to symbolize the continuous quest of the Black community to achieve freedom and justice. 5 The Atlanta Hawks home court also inspired by the civil rights icon When you really understand some of the details of it as well, as Im still learning, I think really people are going to be excited to have that jersey on and come to an Atlanta Hawks game, Pierce said. The Hawks played on the MLK City edition court, which took nearly a year to complete. MLKs initials were set along the courts sideline, as will the 22 Freedom Stars. At center court, the Hawks logo will be featured in a mosaic pattern reminiscent of a stained-glass motif in a church. The concept was a little bit of a no-brainer in looking at what our fans have been responding to, the team's vice president of brand creative Shirley Zhang told the outlet of the overall collaboration. A New York Knicks fan spat at Hawks point guard Young during Game 2 of the Eastern Conference First Round series between the two teams on May 26. The fan has been banned indefinitely from future Knicks games. It was one of the many incidents the NBA witnessed between fans and players last week. During Game 2 of the Philadelphia 76ers and Washington Wizards First Round series, a Sixers fan threw popcorn on Wizards guard Russell Westbrook as he was headed to the locker room with an ankle injury. 5 In Game 2 between the Knicks and the Hawks, a New York fan spat at Atlanta point guard Trae Young as he was getting ready to inbound the ball Credit: AP Westbrook had to be held back by security and Wizards staff in that incident, as the fan was ban indefinitely from the Wells Fargo Center. In Utah, three fans were banned indefinitely by the Utah Jazz after reportedly making vulgar and racist to Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant's parents on May 26. Pictured COME BUY WITH ME Fury goes shopping for PRIVATE JET before breaking into song on live TV WILD WARNING Wilder says he wants to 'decapitate and disfigure' Fury in trilogy fight 'THIS IS A FIGHT' Paul fuming at Mayweather 'exhibition' and says he will 'decapitate him' The incident occurred during Game 2 of the Western Conference First Round matchup between the Jazz and the Grizzlies. On May 30, a Boston Celtics fan was arrested after throwing a water bottle at Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving as he was exiting the court. That Celtics fan was also banned indefinitely from TD Garden, the home of the Celtics.
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https://www.the-sun.com/sport/2988120/atlanta-hawks-mlk-jerseys-nba-dr-king/
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Is The Wind a True Story? Is the Movie Based on Real Life?
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The Wind is a horror mystery drama that follows a womans slow descent into madness in the crushing solitude of the American frontier. Lizzy, left alone by her husband and still reeling from the death of her neighbor, is tormented by ominous spirits that she has long suspected exist. The film portrays, in excruciating detail, the difficult lives of women in the prairie that were part of the early settlers and attempted to tame the land. Allow us to elucidate. No, The Wind is not based on a true story. The film is a work of fiction written by Teresa Sutherland. However, the extensive research on the part of the filmmakers gives the horror film a feeling of authenticity in its portrayal of 19th-century life on the Western frontier. Additionally, the film features backdrops and natural landscapes that are authentic to where the original settlers based themselves. Sutherland first had the idea for the slow-burning western horror whilst at a community garden in Kansas. On a particularly windy day, one of the older women there mentioned how the wind would drive people crazy. Instantly curious, the author pressed the woman for more details and delved into researching the phenomenon. Years later, she made a short film on the topic as her college Masters thesis, which was well received. Subsequently, Sutherland was asked to make it into a feature-length film, for which she once again delved into research. Her sources included first-hand accounts from diaries and letters, which led to Sutherland explaining how the film explored the silent history of the women that suffered through great odds just to survive in the unforgiving prairie wilderness. To make the transition from historical context to horror genre tropes in the movie, Sutherland and the films director Emma Tammi closely examined how to use everyday experiences of women as a gateway to frightful situations. This resulted in scenes like the one where the protagonist Lizzy (Caitlin Gerard) is outside drying the laundry when she is attacked by wolves. This leads to a long and intensely desperate scene, with repercussions that continue to haunt Lizzy. The historical backdrop of The Wind is the migration to the Western United States during the 19th century and the effect it had on the migrants mental state. Due to the Homestead Act of 1862, which gave settlers 160 acres of land provided they inhabited and developed it, individual households were placed very far apart. The isolation and tough living conditions faced by these settlers resulted in symptoms like depression, violence, and social withdrawal, which were collectively termed prairie madness. The alien sounds made by the prairie winds are especially noteworthy and were often mentioned in fictional and non-fictional writings about prairie madness. Additionally, due to the nature of their household responsibilities, women were sometimes even more isolated than the men in the household. Though not expressly stated, it is quite likely that the ominous booklet titled Demons of the Prairie, and the paranormal entities that seem to accompany it and afflict only women are a nod to prairie madness. Though a fictional story, the suffering portrayed in The Wind is inspired by the very real suffering of the early settlers in the prairie belt. Its combination of the authentic period setting with supernatural elements helps the film portray a very visceral version of the horrors of solitude. Read More: Best Western Movies of the Decade
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https://thecinemaholic.com/is-the-wind-based-on-a-true-story/
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Is Welcome Home a True Story? Is the Movie Based on Real Life?
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George Ratliff previously wowed the critics with his independent documentary Hell House, and coming from him, home invasion horror-thriller Welcome Home (alternative title: The Getaway) is neither welcoming nor does it make one feel at home. In an age where everything is made accessible at a clicks distance, nave consumers often fall into the trap of wicked schemes. Based on the realistic premise, the sinister story centers on a withdrawn couple who take a vacation to a lush Italian village and rent a rustic villa to rebuild their relationship. However, the prying eyes of a deceptively charming stranger threaten their safety. Starring Aaron Paul (of Breaking Bad fame), Emily Ratajkowski, and Riccardo Scamarcio in the leading roles, shot with a faded tone, and backed by a suspenseful score, the film makes for a good enough midnight flick, although it is certainly not for the faint-hearted. The ending of the film should make you wonder whether the story is rooted in reality, and if that is the case, we have you insured. No, Welcome Home is not based on a true story. The makers of the movie have not claimed that the story is inspired by any real-life events. The film is directed by Ratliff from a script penned by David Levinson, and the film seems to be his first feature as a writer. Even though its fictitious, the premise seems to be quite realistic. As the director divulged in an interview with Daily Dead, he was keener to work on naturalistic horror stories rather than mythical supernatural tales. He became hooked on Davids script because it dealt with a worst-case scenario in the newfangled share economy. It met all the criteria, since the story was realistic, cinematic, and scary, to say the least. Share economies like Uber and Airbnb are used by many unsuspecting customers to ease their travel. The director admitted to being someone who opts for a shared economy all the time, and even the villa where most parts of the film are shot was found by the director on the internet. The thought that someone is prying on your privacy is extremely frightening, and more so when you are in a new country where you do not know anyone except for an excessively friendly stranger. In those worst-case touristy situations, it is easy to be lured into a trap. The Airbnb horror stories are not as rare as one would imagine. In fact, there are a plethora of true accounts of people finding cameras installed in their Airbnb property. In one report published by the Independent, a couple booked a rental property in Toronto only to find a video camera planted in a benign-looking digital clock in the apartment. In another account, a couple from San Diego found their California Airbnb bugged with hidden cams. The website called Eye See You that is shown in the film is fictional, of course, but the internet is infested with creepy websites that give you access to live feed from home surveillance cameras around the world. The mastery of the film lies in how it makes the viewers believe that the same thing that happens to the protagonists can happen to them. There may be cameras lurking in the corners of their far-flung rental home as they spend their precious moments away from the dredges of their daily lives. The banality of the horror is finally what makes the film interesting. All things considered, the film may be a fictionalization, but the premise is very much tethered to reality. Read More: Best Voyeur Films Ever
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https://thecinemaholic.com/is-welcome-home-based-on-a-true-story/
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Why do mosquitoes ring in our ears?
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I dont feel good summer Especially after getting bored from the barbecue in the neighborhood winter Month. However, the nemesis of the summer gathering still remains. mosquito Around us ear .. Michael Lil, a professor of entomology at the University of Arizona, said: [The sound] The flight distance is not long, so you will most notice it when flying around your ears. Woman having lunch The audible bark is probably due to female mosquitoes. This is because the lives of male and female mosquitoes are very different. Men usually hang out and drink nectar. They didnt mind astonishing humans. However, females need to eat blood to get enough energy to lay eggs after mating. In fact, female mosquitoes have their own tools for finding the next victim. From afar [female mosquitoes] We signal the carbon dioxide emitted from our bodies in a conical eruption, Riehle told Live Science. Carbon dioxide stimulates female mosquitoes to begin looking for a host and follows a concentration gradient to its source. I fly back and forth to get back, he told Live Science. In other words, mosquitoes are flying around our heads because they are where we emit the most carbon dioxide. As she approaches, a female mosquito cools her body to zero and an eruption of carbon dioxide strikes the victim. Female mosquitoes use foot taste sensors to determine if a human or bloody animal is sufficient for the next meal. Some studies have O-type blood Rile is skeptical of being the best vintage. He has not found a compelling study of blood types and interest in mosquitoes.Instead, he has other factors like humans Genetics And even dieting has a big impact on peoples tastes. Your skin give a cocktail with this unique scent that is more appealing to some mosquitoes than other mosquitoes, Rile said. Another study Female mosquitoes were found to be attracted to less diverse males Bacteria On the skin than men with more diverse skin bacteria. These vampires also have a prejudice against people wearing dark colors such as black. When the scalpel flies towards the target, it strikes its wings about 500 times per second at a frequency of 450-500 hertz. This frequency happens to be tuned to Note A, where the orchestra tunes itself before the concert. This sounds like a high-pitched drone to us, but its music to male mosquitoes.In fact, the man with that wing Hit more frequently When a woman looks for someone rather than a woman, listen to her dull voice. Riehle likes to show this effect to students by passing the tuning fork thrown at A over a female mosquito cage. He said the woman did not respond on all tests. The same demonstration takes place in a male mosquito cage, where they flutter violently and desperately seek out the goddess who produced the sweet and sweet vibrations. Male mosquitoes are excited by this sound, but humans are less excited to hear it. However, while you may easily feel the mosquitoes ringing in your ears, most mosquitoes are not attracted to our heads. Rather, these vampires have a mosquito-attracting scent. There may be a strong tendency to look for our feet that are letting mosquito-releasing bacteria play. But most people wouldnt notice mosquitoes ringing around their ankles, he said. Journal 1996 Study Trends in parasitology Female mosquitoes from the found genus AnophelesResponsible for sending. malaria The parasite was attracted to the bacteria on the human foot. This fungus, Brevibacterium linen, The same as giving Limburger cheese a unique aroma. 2013 Journal Follow-up Pro Swan We have confirmed that mosquitoes are actually attracted to Limburger cheese. The best way to avoid mosquitoes is to wear long, light-colored clothing and apply insect repellent to avoid mosquito hotspots (such as swamps) at dusk or dawn when mosquitoes are most active. Previously reported live science .. Initially published on Live Science.
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https://exbulletin.com/world/health/953953/
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Where will Prasa get money to fix railway lines?
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The massive destruction of the railway infrastructure across the country is appalling and very disturbing. At the risk of being labelled xenophobic, I have to say, I strongly believe it is people from outside SA, and I have my reasons. Foreigners from all failed African states are flocking to this country hoping for life-changing opportunities. Alas, they get here to find that the situation is no better than what they left in their countries. But once they are in the country, they have to feed themselves and send money home to feed those they left behind. They engage in all kinds of criminal activities, just to survive; we asked for it. Prasa and the minister of transport promise to revive railway lines and return the service to full capacity countrywide by April next year. This explains why other countries have always jealously protected their borders; not the case with us, we even dream of Pan-Africanism which would allow free movement of all and sundry from Cape to Cairo; away with the sovereignty of the country. A very sad situation. Cometh Dube-Makholwa, Midrand
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https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/opinion/letters/2021-05-31-where-will-prasa-get-money-to-fix-railway-lines/
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Should Delta Flyers Worry About AeroMexico Flights After the FAAs Downgrade?
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American Airlines will not be serving alcohol onboard domestic flights until at least September, which coincides with the expiration of the federal mask mandate for airline passengers. Southwest Airlines previously banned booze after several altercations between passengers and crewmostly over face mask requirementsand American Airlines followed suit, banning alcohol in May. Flight attendants are on the front lines every day not only ensuring our customers safety, but are also calming fears, answering questions, and enforcing policies like federally-required face masks, Brady Byrnes, managing director of flight service at American, told CNN. Over the past week weve seen some of these stressors create deeply disturbing situations on board aircraft.
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https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2264313945708/should-delta-flyers-worry-about-aeromexico-flights-after-the-faa-s-downgrade
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Who Would Win If the U.S. Went to War With China?
| ERROR: type should be string, got "https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/If-the-US-went-to-war-with-China-who-would-win Admiral James Stavridis was 16th Supreme Allied Commander of NATO and 12th Dean of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. He spent the bulk of his operational career in the Pacific, and is author of 2034: A Novel of the Next World War. A great deal has been written about the possibility of a war between the U.S. and China. It tends to be measured in theoretical terms, and much of the analysis centers on exactly when it might occur. Of course no one really wins a major war. But the best way to avoid having to go to war at all is to convince your potential opponent that they almost certainly would be the biggest loser. The military balance between China and the United States is complicated, and requires thinking about budgets, numbers of warships and aircraft, geography, alliance systems and technology especially undersea capability, cybersecurity and space. Lets start with dollars and yuan. The U.S. defense budget is fairly transparent, at least in terms of total dollars. Defense spending was around $714 billion in the 2020 fiscal year and is likely to increase to $733 billion in 2021. Somewhat opaque, Chinas defense spending is certainly smaller, with this defense budget set at 1.36 trillion yuan ($212.6 billion), a 6.8% increase from the previous year. But China does not have the high personnel costs of an all-volunteer force, and their military activities are largely focused on East Asia, not the very expensive global footprint of the U.S. military. And a significant level of their spending does not appear on the public books. Overall, in terms of resources, the U.S. has an advantage, but it is not as overwhelming as it appears. In terms of simple numbers of warships, China is already leading the U.S., roughly 350 to 300, in combat vessels. And the Chinese shipyards are pumping out new warships on a near-weekly basis, especially relatively low-technology patrol missile boats, corvettes and frigates. Still, U.S. ships are ton-for-ton larger, endowed with better offensive and defensive systems, and manned by far more experienced crews. A guided missile destroyer and a space tracking ship are tied up at the construction basin of the Jiangnan Shipyard: Chinese shipyards are pumping out new warships on a near-weekly basis. A guided missile destroyer and a space tracking ship are tied up at the construction basin of the Jiangnan Shipyard: Chinese shipyards are pumping out new warships on a near-weekly basis. DigitalGlobe/Getty Images Additionally, the U.S. has a very sophisticated network of command-and-control capabilities to knit together its long-range aviation platforms alongside surface warships and, of course, submarines. When factoring in the tight geography of east Asia, I would say slight advantage China in terms of pure numbers of platforms both sea and air, with the U.S. having higher quality of assets. Geographically, China enjoys a great advantage in a potential conflict with the U.S. in the South and East China seas. Notably, China would be able to support its warships logistically in terms of fuel and ammunition, provide combat repair facilities nearby and move sailors on and off their ships with ease. For the United States, lengthy supply and manpower chains would bedevil U.S. forces, even allowing for the presence of U.S. bases close by. Additionally, the string of artificial islands built by China throughout the South China Sea would somewhat balance the U.S. bases in South Korea, Japan and Guam. The U.S. Navy, by the way, does not refer to the roughly 10 Chinese islands as artificial islands rather, they are thought of as unsinkable aircraft carriers. Indeed, a great deal of U.S. tactical and strategic warfighting thinking is going into how to neutralize those facilities, with one thought being to deploy U.S. Marine special forces Marine Raiders to destroy their offensive capability early in a fight. While the U.S. would try to make up for its long logistic tail by engaging our allies, geography is clearly a factor that favors China. The U.S. has long felt that its greatest comparative advantage over China is its network of allies, partners and friends around the world. In Asia, that means strong support from Japan the third-largest economy in the world, Australia very capable naval forces, South Korea, Singapore and many others. The U.S. is also strongly cultivating India via the Quad concept of aligning it with the U.S., Japan and Australia. Yet how much the U.S. could count on such partners in the face of a Chinese attack is a growing question. Additionally, China is increasingly taking a page from the U.S. and strengthening its systems of partnerships. The Belt and Road Initiative is designed to do exactly that, and the Chinese are making inroads both in Asia and the east coast of Africa. Most importantly, Beijing is consolidating its relationships with Russia the two nations frequently exercise together militarily, Iran China just announced a $400 billion investment, Pakistan and the Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte seems to favor China in many issues over the U.S., nominally a formal treaty ally. Overall, the U.S. allies are bigger, richer and have stronger militaries, so an advantage for Washington but the gap is closing. Finally, and most importantly, victory in a U.S.-China war would be highly influenced by who has the best technology. In the key areas of undersea silencing of submarines, numbers of military satellites in space, offensive and defensive cyber tools and unmanned vehicles, the U.S. still has the lead. But China is closing fast, especially in artificial intelligence, hypersonic cruise missiles, cyber and the emerging field of quantum computing. The recently released National Commission on Artificial Intelligence is telling in this regard. Again, slight but closing advantage to the United States. Bottom line: If I were the admiral commanding the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command the leader for all American military forces in the Pacific and Indian oceans I would still want the U.S. hand of cards to play. But as the Duke of Wellington said of the Battle of Waterloo, a fight with China would be a near-run thing. And over the next decade, that gap will close and if the U.S. does not respond will favor China. That is why I set my recent novel, 2034: A Novel of the Next World War, 10 to 15 years in the future. Those alarm bells are going off at the Pacific Fleet headquarters in Pearl Harbor, and watch for U.S. strategic focus, resources and advanced technology to head west in the coming decade. Share this: Twitter Facebook" |
https://clarion.causeaction.com/2021/05/31/who-would-win-if-the-u-s-went-to-war-with-china/
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What Is Salmonberry And What Does It Taste Like?
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Not that you need us to tell you (sticking an arm out the window or, better yet! sitting in your kitchen without the AC on will do the trick), but its summer again. Or it will be, after Memorial Day weekend. While summer is always the hottest seasonal sister, literally and metaphorically, this one feels like its going to be particularly spectacular. The little bright spots weve been reveling in all spring are widening out, and the next few months are likely to be filled with reunions, travel, live music, and a rare opportunity for aesthetic rebirth. We made some moodboards to organize our thoughts.
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https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2264317024641/what-is-salmonberry-and-what-does-it-taste-like
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Why are Arabs so powerless when it comes to Israel?
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For a terrible 11 days in May, the world watched hellfire rain upon the worlds largest open-air prison camp, otherwise known as Gaza. The dazed, bleeding survivors crawling out of the rubble of collapsed buildings have experienced this before. Everyone knows this tragedy will repeat. In faraway Arab cities, as well as here in Pakistan, people glumly watched the unhindered, televised bombing by Israeli jets. But the most they could manage was a few toothless resolutions and a few impotent slogan-chanting demonstrations trampling the Israeli flag. Gulf Cooperation Council Arabs can certainly control what happens in a few miskeen (poor) countries like Pakistan; their leaders can be summoned to Riyadh at a moments notice and sent back with sackfuls of rice as wages of obedience. But before Israel which has almost zero natural resources Arab kings and sheikhs must perforce bow their heads. Blame the West if you want and, in particular, America. Indeed, from 2000-2019 armaments supplied to Israel by the Western powers (United States, United Kingdom, France, Spain and Germany) are documented at a hefty $9.6 billion. But within that 20-year period, the same document shows this amount is dwarfed by arms sold by the same suppliers to Saudi Arabia ($29.3 billion), United Arab Emirates ($20.1 billion), Egypt ($17.5 billion), Iraq ($9.1 billion) and Qatar ($6 billion). And yet these expensive weapons will provide little protection if Israel ever chooses to attack Arab lands again. While the nine-country Saudi-led coalition has created a humanitarian catastrophe in Yemen, it is failing dismally against the rag-tag Iran-supported Houthi forces. Okay, so then let us blame Palestines ill-fortune upon Arab disunity. There is truth in this: Arabs are indeed bitterly divided. From about 634 AD to 750 AD is the only period in history when they stood together. Then, after Nasser won the Suez War against Britain, Arabs united again for a brief, euphoric moment. But this unity did nothing to avert their crushing defeat in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war, that which forever changed borders. And while friends and activists for Palestine including myself would love to see Fatah and Hamas patch up their differences, doing so will not change things fundamentally. The panel of Gulf Cooperation Council attendees during a meeting in 2015. Photo credit: AFP Brain over brawn The secret of Israels strength is not hidden in its weaponry. Instead, this still-expanding and still-colonising apartheid settler state uses the same magic that enabled just a handful of 18th-century Englishmen to colonise the entire Indian subcontinent. Let us recall that in ruling over 20 crore natives for 250 years, at no time did Britain have more than 50,000 white soldiers on Indian soil. Although better guns and cannons gave them an edge, in fact, their real not-so-secret weapon was much bigger. That weapon was a system of organised thought based upon a rational and secular approach to life, a modern system of justice and a new set of social relations. This was sustained and enhanced by Enlightenment-era education that de-emphasised rote learning of the scriptures, was this-worldly and future-oriented, and which focused upon problem-solving skills using systematic, scientific thinking. Having invented modern means of communication such as railways and the telegraph, a mere island in the North Sea could boast of an empire over which the sun never sets. In a nutshell, imperialist conquests showed that brains would rule over brawn a stark truth that got still starker with time. Obviously in the womb but it is in schools, colleges and universities where minds are shaped and sharpened. Hence, these days everyone and their uncle rush to one single conclusion: fix education and this will level the playing field, greatly diminishing or perhaps ending the inequalities of power. Ah! That is so much easier said than done. To have buildings and classrooms with teachers is one thing but to coax the potential out of a student is altogether different. With their vast wealth, Arab countries have built impressive university campuses with well-equipped laboratories and well-stocked libraries. They have even imported professors from America and Europe. Yet, the needle has barely flickered so far. That is because attitudes towards learning take forever to change and only if they are somehow forced to change. Ditto for Pakistan which follows the Arab model as best as it can, together with abayas and jubbas. No university here has a bookshop, a centre for students that hums with open debate and discussion, or a theatre where classic movies are screened. Secular values Looking for a philosopher or a high-grade pure mathematician will be in vain. For 20 years, papers and PhDs have been churned out at a frantic rate. But I suspect that many of Pakistans decorated distinguished national professors with hundreds of research publications would be judged unfit to teach in a high-end Israeli high school for lack of scholarship. The problem is not genetics Arabs have a brilliant past and are probably just as smart as Ashkenazi Israelis. But the two groups have different attitudes towards success and different role models. The Ashkenazi child wants to be Albert Einstein, Niels Bohr, John von Neumann, George Wald, Paul Samuelson, Gertrude Elion, Ralph Lauren, George Soros, or a thousand other such names that fill textbooks on physics, philosophy, technology, medicine and business. Compare this with the Arab boy who wants to be Salahuddin Ayubi and the Pakistani lad who dreams of becoming Ertugrul Ghazi on horseback. He does not know about Abdus Salam, our discarded Nobelist. We live in a cruel world that, of course, we must try our best to make less cruel and more humane. But making a socially just world requires much more than condemning the oppressors and crying with the oppressed. Instead, the weak must be made stronger. That strength does not derive from oil or nuclear bombs. Instead, it springs from the human brain, but only when that superb gift of nature is appropriately tutored and trained within a system of secular values that cherishes and rewards logical thinking, questioning and creativity. This article first appeared in Dawn.
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https://scroll.in/article/996158/why-are-arabs-so-powerless-when-it-comes-to-israel?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=public
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How will Peter Sagans Giro dItalia impact his future this season and beyond?
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Member Exclusive Become a member to unlock this story and receive other great perks. Sign In Peter Sagan now boasts a small sliver of purple to add to his sea of green. The Slovakian completed a dream by taking home the ciclamino points jersey at the Giro dItalia by a slim 18-point lead over Davide Cimolai. Sagans point haul of 136 was far lower than he achieved in 2020, but it was enough seal the deal in Milan on Sunday. The distinctive garment will go nicely next to Sagans seven green jerseys from the Tour de France in his closet. After a lean period at least by the three-time former world champions standards anyway in grand tour points competitions, the success is a big boost at a key moment in his career. Im very happy and proud to step on the final podium in Milan, wearing the ciclamino jersey of the Giro dItalia, Sagan said after Sundays stage. It has been a dream of mine for many years and I am delighted to see it come true today. Id like to thank the race organizers, the incredible Italian public that was back on the roads cheering for us and all my teammates for their work in these three tough weeks of racing. Also read: Giro di Hoody: Peter Sagan learning to win in new ways It was clear on stage 18 just how much Sagan wanted the maglia ciclamino as he threw his metaphorical and physical weight around the front of the peloton, in an attempt to monitor entrants into the breakaway. His efforts earned him a fine and a few points off his UCI total, but it was enough to ensure he would ride into Milan in purple. It caps off a solid and equally important Giro dItalia for Sagan, who also snatched a stage win at the end of the first week. With his contract negotiations for the 2021 season, his Giro performance shows that Sagan is still a bankable rider for whichever team has the money and the space to accommodate him. There is no doubt that Sagan will find a home for next season, but a Giro stage win and the maglia ciclamino will be a nice sweetener. Contract negotiations While it doesnt look likely that he will ever return to the same prolific standards he had when he first entered the sport, hes still good for some big wins during a season. The few big successes are also offset by the huge amount of publicity he can garner, whatever he does on the road. More column inches have been written about Sagans 2022 team prospects than just about anything else in cycling, and despite the rumor mill, were no closer to knowing where hell land come January 1. Also read: Team Sagan: Meet Jan Valach, Peter Sagans sports director Some potential destinations appear to have been crossed off Sagans ticket, however. Deceuninck-Quick-Step manager Patrick Lefevere played down many of the rumors linking his squad with the Slovakian. The Belgian veteran of contract negotiations poured cold water last week on any remaining embers of hope that some may have held. Of course, Lefevere was interested who wouldnt be, its Peter Sagan but signing him would mean taking on too big of an entourage, which includes up to 10 people. With Remco Evenepoel, Julian Alaphilippe and Kasper Asgreen all secured for 2022, there is certainly less incentive for Lefevere to impose all that Sagan brings with him onto the team. Sagan wants to bring several key riders, including his brother, Daniel Oss, and Maciej Bodnar, as well as his support staff that includes his preferred mechanic, soigneur, PR person and perhaps even a sport director. For Lefevere, whos crafted the Wolf Pack mystique, a team within a team, as he put it, just wont fit. A state of affairs regarding Peter Sagan: it looks like he will not be riding for our team next year. I was interested, but not by the conditions that were on the table, Lefevere wrote in his column for the Het Niewsblad newspaper. In a press call during the first rest day of the Giro, Lefevere had laid out the reasons he wouldnt be able to add Sagan to his roster. I dont want a team within a team, so I dont know if I can fit him into my team and ambitions. And then there is a question of money. I dont know if my sponsors would want to spend that money. Sagans career is winding down, but its not over yet. Look at riders like Cavendish and Gilbert, he said. Lefevere indicated another team that might be interested in Sagans services: Total-Direct Energie. Both Lquipe and Gazzetta dello Sport have also recently linked him with the French ProTeam squad. It would be a move from left field but not so unusual for Sagan. Also read: Team Sagan: Meet Maros Hlad, Peter Sagans personal soigneur Back when he signed with Bora-Hansgrohe, the German team was in cyclings second tier with ambitions of stepping up a level. If he was to take the leap and sign for the French team, it would be a similar move. Direct Energie has shown growing ambitions in recent years, snapping up more international riders in Nikki Terpstra, Edvald Boasson Hagen and Chris Lawless, but it is still missing a big winner in its ranks. If the team can find the cash, then there should be plenty of room for Sagan and his entourage to fit in. Of course, there is still a chance that he could stay with Bora-Hansgrohe, but with the on-form Sam Bennett rumored to be returning to the team, he might find himself muscled out of some of the biggest races. No matter what he does, Sagan packs the headlines, both on and off the bike.
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https://www.velonews.com/events/giro-ditalia/how-will-peter-sagans-giro-ditalia-impact-his-future-this-season-and-beyond/
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Can radiation therapy cut Covid patients oxygen demand by half?
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Sowmya Mani By Express News Service TIRUCHY: The Harshamitra Super Specialty Cancer Centre here, which is among the first in the country to conduct Phase II trials of low-dose radiation therapy for Covid-19, has submitted its preliminary results to ICMR and medical journals, which show oxygen demand of patients coming down by as much as half within 48 hours of reception of a single dose. The trial, named WINCOVID-19, was registered in ICMR/CTRI in October 2020, and has recruited about 50 patients so far. As per doctors, the preliminary results from 25 patients under the trial have shown rapid improvement in oxygenation status within 48 hours of reception of a single dose of radiation treatment. The recovery rate is 88 per cent. HOW RADIATION THERAPY WORKS ON COVID INFECTION Our trial has been designed in such a way that we dont deny any treatment as per standard government guidelines. We give low-dose radiotherapy apart from the regular treatment. This treatment does not work on the virus, it works on the immune system. Most Covid deaths occur due to immune overreaction, called cytokine storm. Low-dose radiotherapy brings an anti-inflammatory effect. It acts on inflammatory cells, called macrophages. There are two types of macrophages: pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory. Low-dose radiotherapy reduces pro-inflammatory macrophages and increases anti-inflammatory macrophages, said Dr G Govindaraj, surgical oncologist. Ideal candidates are those who require oxygen and have CT scores below 20/25 (<80 % lung damage). Radiation therapy makes sure that the patients dont deteriorate further. Ideally, it should be given a week from de-saturation (oxygen levels going down). If it is given after more than two weeks, the response is less, Dr Govindaraj added. The trial has now completed the exploratory phase and found that the radiation therapy is not associated with any acute toxicity and is associated with rapid improvement in oxygenation status and rapid improvement in the well-being of the patients. The dose of radiation used is 0.5 Gy, called as low-dose radiotherapy. It is less than one hundredth of dose of radiation used in cancer treatment. PRELIMINARY RESULTS Most patients who required 8-10 litres of oxygen required only 4-5 litres within 48 hours of the radiation treatment. Most patients in the study returned to ambience air in four to five days. Emory University in the US and AIIMS, New Delhi published their preliminary results of their phase I trials last year. The WINCOVID-19 trial is now in the comparative phase, evaluating the difference in outcome between the patients who have been treated with radiation and those who have not been treated with it. Dr Govindaraj is the principal investigator of this study. Dr P Sasipriya and Dr Vivek Sundaram are the co-investigators. Dr Praveen Kumar M, Dr Venkatraman P, D Manigandan, Dr Gunasekaran, Dr Janakiraman, Brindha T, Prabhu R, R Shree Vaishnavi, Manimaran R and Selva Kumar K form part of the trial research team.
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https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2021/may/30/can-radiation-therapy-cut-covid-patients-oxygen-demand-by-half-2309363.html
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Is May's Bank Holiday Monday the hottest day of the year?
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BANK Holiday Monday could be the hottest day of the year so far - with temperatures predicted to hit 25C in parts of the UK. It comes hot on the heels of two days of glorious weather over the long weekend, which sent Britons flocking to parks and beaches as well as pubs and restaurants now that Covid-19 restrictions have mostly been lifted. Becky Mitchell, a meteorologist from the Met Office, said the mercury could reach 25C (77F) on Monday - surpassing the high for 2021 so far, which was set on March 30 at Kew Gardens when the temperature hit 24.5C. Temperatures are expected to be at least in the low 20s for most parts of the UK, even northern Scotland. "The only exception is along the east coast - there is quite a lot of low cloud, mist and fog in east coastal areas and that will stay for the next few days, so highs of between 12C (53.6F) and 16C (60.8F) there - quite a lot lower than elsewhere," Ms Mitchell said. But if a new benchmark for the year is set, it is not expected to last for long, as temperatures are expected to climb to 27C (80.6F) on Wednesday before cooler, fresher air moves in. Ms Mitchell warned there could be some thunderstorms on the way. "There will potentially be some thunderstorms by midweek, the first bout of showers will come into parts of the South West and there will be a few thunderstorms in that," she said. The storms in the South West are expected to hit on Wednesday, with the South East due a bit of a soaking by Friday. "There's a chance of some thundery break down in the south east and we could have some quite intense storms there," Ms Mitchell said. "There's still a lot of uncertainty but with the warm and humid weather we are having we have the key ingredients for thunder storms." She continued: "The warmer weather will stick around until at least Thursday in most places, that's when we could get some slightly fresher air coming in. Although a fine bank holiday is rare, the temperatures are not unusual for the time of year, with the mercury usually sitting in the high teens and low 20s by late May. The Met Office warned previously that levels of harmful UV light will be very high over the coming days, and advised people to wear plenty of sunscreen. May has been the fourth wettest on record for the UK, and the wettest ever for Wales.
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https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/19340268.mays-bank-holiday-monday-hottest-day-year/?ref=rss
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Why is it important to create a safe space to discuss sexual and reproductive health?
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Dr Kshitiz Murdia, CEO & Co-Founder of Indira IVF explains the importance to create a safe space to discuss sexual and reproductive health. In all menstruating females, the maintenance of good hygiene practices is of utmost importance. However, in developing countries such as ours, the conversation on such practices and realising them, in reality, maybe a distant dream due to inadequate access to sanitation, feminine hygiene products, education among women, and the lack of a safe space to discuss menstruation. Menstrual Hygiene Day is observed on May 28 every year and its significance is closely tied with diseases such as urinary infections and reproductive tract infections such as vulvovaginal candidiasis or bacterial vaginosis, paving way for even more serious ailments. Womens sexual and reproductive health, thus, becomes an essential topic of discussion. In 1994, sexual and reproductive health was given a proper definition based on the international consensus at the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD). The crux of sexual and reproductive health lies in the promotion of reproductive health, consensual and safe sexual choices for individuals as well as couples, while including decisions on size of the family and time of marriage. Both sexuality and reproductive health are essential aspects of ones personality and also affects their partners. There is a growing need to fight the stigma around reproductive and sexual health to help todays youth and help them face any challenges with open minds. In India, various studies suggest the widespread prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and reproductive tract infections. A community-based study conducted across India highlighted that the prevalence of STIs was nearly 6% in the 15-50 years age group. Maintaining sound reproductive health and having safe sexual practices is imperative to keep these diseases at bay. These reproductive or sexually transmitted infections have also been identified as a factor leading to infertility. While, these figures and information are necessary to be passed on, it is even more important to fight the stigma around sexual and reproductive health. Here are few suggestions that can be helpful: Talk: Creating a safe space for open dialogue is very important. Teenagers or even adults tend to have lots of questions regarding sexual practices and their bodies; starting the conversation early can go a long way in building understanding positively. It is important to answer the questions, bust myths, provide right information and share experiences. Puberty is a curious phase in the life of teenagers and having a trustworthy source would help in battling the challenges that come with it Challenges: All bodies are different and so is everyones experience with menstruation. It is important to educate and spread the word about reproductive challenges like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis. It is important to understand about PCOS and endometriosis early as they can cause complications in conception at later stage in life and can also affect fertility. There should be awareness about STIs and reproductive infections such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), syphilis, hepatitis B, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, herpes, and human pappilomavirus (HPV) to take necessary precautions or seek medical help. Awareness about the symptoms and treatments is essential and would help in managing overall health. Active lifestyle: In the era of computers, smart phones and tablets, daily physical activity has drastically reduced. Swimming, jogging, cycling and other sports can help in developing life-skills and a healthy lifestyle. Regular exercise would help in building immunity, remaining active, maintaining hormone levels, especially in the case of PCOS and endometriosis. Healthy diet: In addition to having an active lifestyle regime, it is also important to have a healthy and balanced diet. Consumption of fruits, vegetables and plenty of water make up for a nutritious diet. Junk food and processed food can prove to be harmful in the longer run and hamper hormone levels in the body. A nutritional diet would help in ensuring not just a strong reproductive health but also overall health Period supplies for females: As per the first phase of recently conducted National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), the percentage of women using sanitary products and practising hygiene during menstrual cycle has increased across India, in the past decade-and-a-half. However, even today, some girls use old dirty rags, leaves, moss and dirt during periods. These can prove to be harmful and in some cases even fatal. Therefore, awareness regarding the use of proper menstrual hygiene or period products is extremely important and is a huge part of ensuring sexual and reproductive health. Hygiene: Hygiene is an important factor in ensuring reproductive and overall health. Personal hygiene such as washing hands after using the toilet, keeping the genital region clean, maintaining a track of menstrual cycles, wearing clean and breathable underwear and ensuring general cleanliness are essential. These habits should be introduced at a young age to avoid diseases and infections caused by an unsterile environment. While there is a variety of reproductive and sexual health information available for people to read, what is lacking is the platform to discuss these concerns in the open without any reservations and fight the taboo surrounding the subject. Healthy discourse and suggestions would go a long way in preparing youth to maintain their general and reproductive health better. An expert opines and shares its BENEFITS Credits :getty images Share your comment
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https://www.pinkvilla.com/lifestyle/health-fitness/why-it-important-create-safe-space-discuss-sexual-and-reproductive-health-759107
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Who is Hari Krishna Dwivedi and why Mamata Banerjee replaced Alapan Bandopadhyay with him?
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File photo of IAS officer Hari Krishna Dwivedi, the new chief secretary of West Bengal A tug-of-war between the West Bengal government of Mamata Banerjee and the Centre on Monday two dramatic developments: the retirement of Alapan Bandopadhyay and appointment of Hari Krishna Dwivedi as his successor to the office of the chief secretary in the state. Hari Krishna Dwivedi's appointment as West Bengal chief secretary came minutes after Alapan Bandopadhyay announced his retirement from service. Hari Krishna Dwivedi is an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the 1988-batch of West Bengal cadre. Hari Krishna Dwivedi earlier held the post of additional chief secretary, home and hill affairs in the West Bengal government. BP Gopalika, a 1989-batch IAS officer of West Bengal cadre, has been appointed the state's home secretary. In addition to home and hill affairs, Dwivedi also held the charge of the departments of parliamentary affairs, planning and statistics and programme monitoring. He was earlier the state's additional chief secretary in the finance ministry. Alapan Bandopadhyay was an IAS officer 1987-batch of West Bengal cadre. Alapan Bandopadhyay was set to retire on Monday on account of turning 60. However, days ahead of his scheduled retirement, the central government extended his service by three months in the view of the ongoing Covid-19 situation and his experience in handling the pandemic in Bengal. However, things changed rapidly after PM Modi was reportedly made to wait for around 30 minutes for a review meeting on his Bengal visit last week. Mamata Banerjee was supposed to attend the meeting but she skipped. The Centre on May 28 issued a letter to Alapan Bandopadhyay asking him to report to the Union home ministry in New Delhi on May 31 (Monday). This prompted Mamata Banerjee to send a letter to PM Narendra Modi seeking rescinding of the order. The Centre apparently did not respond, following which Alapand Bandopadhyay decided to retire from active service. Mamata Banerjee accepted Alapan Bandopadhyay's request. Addressing a press conference in Kolkata on Monday, Mamata Banerjee said, "We want his service for the pandemic. Everybody knows how he [Bandopadhyay] worked and that is why we are safe today." Alapan Bandopadhyay is now the special advisor to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
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https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/west-bengal-ias-hari-krishna-dwivedi-alapan-bandopadhyay-new-chief-secretary-1809193-2021-05-31?utm_source=rss
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What will happen when the eviction moratorium ends?
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The Portland Tribune and Pamplin Media Groups papers are a KOIN 6 News media partner PORTLAND, Ore. (PORTLAND TRIBUNE) Oregons eviction moratorium ends on Wednesday, June 30. The Oregon House Committee on Housing will hold an information hearing on rental assistance funding and programming Friday, June 4. It is expected to include the most up-to-date official estimates on how many households are at risk of eviction, how much public money has already been spent on rental assistance programs and how much more is expected. Tenant advocates and landlord representatives are also expected to testify. The hearing cannot happen a moment too soon. Despite the seriousness of the issue, there is a great deal of confusion about the scope of the potential problem among even those most involved with it. So far $391 million in federal and state funds have been dedicated to rental assistance. But estimates of the amount of remaining statewide unpaid rent range from a low of $171.3 million to a high of $1.4 billion. In Multnomah County, the estimates range from $72 million to a little more than $500 million. Estimates of those at risk of eviction range from 56,000 to 90,000 households. The confusion became apparent locally on Tuesday, May 25. That morning, the Portland City Council held a work session on how to spend the remaining $67 million from the first round of federal American Rescue Plan Act funding. Economist John Tapogna, president of the ECONorthwest consulting firm, told the council that estimates of unpaid rents in Multnomah County range from $72 million to $242 million. But later that day, city budget officials released a new chart showing the Portland Housing Bureau estimates the unpaid rent in the county at more than $500 million. That evening, the Community Alliance of Tenants co-hosted an online town hall on the upcoming end of the eviction moratorium. The local advocacy organization said 90,000 Oregon households are at risk of losing their homes. A fact sheet distributed by the alliance estimated the amount of unpaid statewide rents at between $249 million and $378 million. But the other co-host, PolicyLink, has much lower figures for the state on its website just 56,000 households at risk and $171.3 million in unpaid rent. The highest estimate of unpaid rents was provided to the Portland Tribune by three organizations representing landlords, which prefer to be called housing providers. Based on monthly surveys of members, they estimate the amount of statewide unpaid rent could be as high as $1.4 billion. That does not take into account the rental assistance that has been paid out since the start of the pandemic, however, because the organizations do not know how much that is. To date, there has been very little reporting available that provides a comprehensive analysis of the current rental assistance landscape in Oregon, Deborah Imse, executive director of Multifamily NW, said in a letter to state housing leaders on May 3. The most recent MultiFamily NW survey found that 13.2% of households were unable to pay their rent in May. The figure was 13.2% in Portland. The other two organizations are the Rental Housing Alliance and the Oregon Rental Housing Association. The three of them prepared an analysis of the rental assistance programs that accompanied Imses letter. It estimates that because of problems with the assistance programs, the amount is very small perhaps as low as just 21.3% at this point. The letter identified the programs and their problems as follows: CARES Act Funding (CVRRPA) The State of Oregon received CARES Act funding in March of 2020, and $63.5 million was processed through Community Action Agencies (CAAs) as short-term rental assistance. After receiving this tidal wave of funding, most CAAs adapted staffing and procedures to deliver this funding to the public. By December of 2020, 74.3% had been reported expended and 97% had been committed. A final report on the status of this funding has not been published, although we have been told to expect it next September. December 2020 Emergency Board In December of 2020, HB 4401 created the Landlord Compensation Fund (LCF), and the Emergency Board allocated $150 million to the LCF and $50 million to STARR Funding. Landlord Compensation Fund (LCF) The $150 million LCF permits Housing Providers to apply for rental assistance on behalf of their residents through an application portal at Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS). The system offers a preference to owners with fewer rentals and higher rent receivables, and only pays 80% of the amounts owed. The system has been fraught with major technical issues and has not paid out any funding to date. Surprisingly, in the first round of applications, less than $50 million was successfully requested. If the unsuccessful applicants are included, there may have been more than $50 million in requests. STARR funding Of the $50 million allocated by the Emergency Board, $40 million has been sent out through the CAA system. As of April 16, $5,975,986 had been distributed to the general public and approximately $20 million is committed. About $10 million was held back for other expenses. In discussions with several CAAs, the money has moved quickly and in many cases is depleted. However, as of April 16, Multnomah county had not spent any of this funding. OHCS is not planning to publish the status of this program until September of 2021. That is far too late to know if the programs are not working. Consolidated Appropriation Act Funding (ERAP) The Consolidated Appropriations Act sent $204 million to Oregon earmarked for STRA. OHCS is currently standing up a new centralized application system for distributing this money through the CAAs. It is not expected that this funding will reach the public until sometime this summer. The letter proposed a series of changes to speed up the distribution of the funds. On behalf of all Oregonians, we ask that you re-evaluate the current delivery systems for speed, efficiency, transparency and protection for those most at risk, the analysis concluded. The June 4 hearing will be the first public opportunity for housing officials to correct the record and say what they expect to happen after the moratorium eviction ends on June 30. The agenda for the hearing can be found here.
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https://www.koin.com/news/oregon/what-will-happen-when-the-eviction-moratorium-ends/
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What does the future hold for Sunderlands Elliot Embleton following Blackpool promotion?
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Elliot Embleton is arguably the biggest surprise package in League One this term. After spending a frustrating first half of the season with Sunderland, the midfielder went into the January transfer window knowing that his campaign was at risk of petering out. With first team opportunities likely to be limited under Lee Johnson, the decision was made to allow him to head out on loan to Blackpool in order to gain more regular first team activity. What a move thats proved to be. Since moving to the Tangerines the 22-year-old has made 21 appearances for the club, scoring two goals and creating four more for his teammates. Crucially, Embleton really came to life as Blackpool took on the play-offs and came out victorious. A goal in the semi-finals against Oxford United played a key role in helping them to the final, while the midfielder also managed to provide an assist in Blackpools 2-1 play-off final victory over Lincoln City. 1879 1880 1881 1882 With Neil Critchleys side now gearing up for life in the Championship it means that Elliot Embleton has some big decisions to make. The original target will surely have been for the midfielder to come back to Sunderland and challenge for a spot in the first team, but after impressing for Blackpool theres now a very real chance that he could be lined up for a move to the second tier. Lee Johnson will surely be tempted to give the player a chance in his new-look side this summer, but if Blackpool come knocking with a financial offer then theres every chance that the Black Cats could look to cash in and allow Embleton to challenge himself in the Championship something that few would have expected him to do without the supporting Sunderland cast.
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https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/what-does-the-future-hold-for-sunderlands-elliot-embleton-following-blackpool-promotion/
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Can We Protect Americas Workers?
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Expand John Locher/AP Photo Health care workers protest unsafe working conditions and demand that OSHA intervene, April 30, 2020, outside MountainView Hospital in Las Vegas. It should tell you something about who U.S. public policy honors and respects that the Protecting Americas Workers Act (PAWA), a bill that would simply expand the workplaces covered by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), oblige employers to handle violations while a case is being litigated (instead of just leaving workers in harms way), and improve whistleblower protections for workers, has been continually introduced in Congress for 20 years, without passage. Advancement on this Congresss version of PAWA would require eliminating the filibuster from an evenly divided Senate, and even then, success would not be automatic. In the midst of a historic pandemic that turned workplaces into hives of disease and threatened workers making barely livable wages with sickness or death, its particularly maddening that workplace safety has remained such a low priority in Washington. In a nation with over 130 million workers employed at more than eight million worksites and ever-evolving job environments, OSHA desperately needs to be retooled. More from Prem Thakker For 50 years, OSHA has fallen short of its mission to protect workers, hamstrung by inadequate funding and bad agency design. Staffing levels are at a 20-year low, down about 22 percent from the peak. OSHAs fines, which by statute max out at as little as $13,653 for serious violations, are much too weak to have a deterrent effect, except for the smallest employers. Even these penalties are often left unpaid for years while being appealed, or are reduced or dismissed entirely. One problem is that the onus of safe working conditions has been constantly placed upon the worker. Employers often do the bare minimum to squeak by any potential legal issues. Workers consequently have to assert their rights to hold employers accountable, rather than employers being held accountable to provide baseline conditions for workers. This dynamic is problematic on its face, but more so given how many workers are unable to assert any substantive rights in the first place. Another issue is that labor regulations are often relegated to state labor departments. Twenty-eight states and territories have OSHA-approved state plans; 22 cover both private and state and local workers, and six cover state and local workers only. OSHA has very little leverage over state plans because first, OSHA doesnt have a large enough budget to take over the plans, says Jordan Barab, former House labor policy adviser and deputy assistant secretary of OSHA. And when the plan is not working hard enough to protect workers, theres almost nothing OSHA can do. Sometimes state labor commissioners who oversee these agencies are elected, and their scrutiny can be bought out for campaign money. While some state OSHA plans do put forth standards that go beyond federal OSHA, that doesnt counter the basic problem that federal OSHA standards themselves (including the fact that not all public employees are automatically covered) are lackluster. Moreover, OSHA was critically late when it came to enacting an Emergency Temporary Standard for COVID, and the finished product has not even been completed, over a year after the initial lockdowns. Nonemergency situations are even worse. It takes eight to ten years to get out a standard, and thats quick these days, says Peg Seminario, former director of occupational safety and health for the AFL-CIO. The result is usually hundreds of pages of analysis, coupled with around ten pages of actual regulations. Your donation keeps this site free and open for all to read. Give what you can... SUPPORT THE PROSPECT Even if OSHAs staff and funding levels, standards, and enforcement were superior, the basic structure of how OSHA works would still be a problem. For one, people who work without adequate union protections are left to advocate for themselves. And union membership is on a 40-year decline , stalling at around just 10 percent. The reason we have an OSHA law is because of unions. And until we have a stronger organized labor force, a stronger workers movement politically, getting those changes in place is going to be really hard, says Seminario. It comes down to the ability of workers to actually organize and exercise their power in the workplace and political systems. For immigrant workers, their basic existence in this country can depend on ignoring their labor rights and putting up with mistreatment. Immigration status can embolden employers to get away with worker mistreatment, by threatening workers jobs, or even their residency. If [employers] wanted to control workers, they could just call ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement], says Marcy Goldstein-Gelb, co-executive director of the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health. She described how employers historically have intentionally brought in the weakest link, who would be the least vocal or capable of organizing, like immigrants, African Americans, and people who couldnt speak English. OSHA was critically late when it came to enacting an Emergency Temporary Standard for COVID, and the finished product has not even been completed. OSHA has changed little in its 50-year existence, despite substantial changes to America. The nations workforce is massively diversifying, and the gig economy and contract work are on the rise. OSHA protections are only granted to employees, not independent contractors. So up to 59 million people are working in jobs without protections. Incidentally, the same actions needed to pass the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Acteliminating the filibuster or mass political mobilization to force the Senate across the 60-vote thresholdwould lead to the passage of PAWA. Given how the PRO Act would serve to buttress workers ability to advocate for themselves and each other, its notable how much attention it has garnered (justifiably), while PAWA, a bill that would expand protections that workers continually try to assert rights for, continues to be left behind. Worker safety always has ended up taking a back seat to other priorities, says Seminario. A Republican president is never going to sign PAWA. So its got to be a Democratic Congress and president. We havent had that very often, and we have it now. But theres always other priorities. The COVID-19 crisis ostensibly forced attention on the welfare of so-called essential workers. But Republican states wasted little time seeking to push people back to work, with seemingly no acknowledgment of poor working conditions even before the pandemic. David Michaels, a former OSHA secretary during both of President Obamas terms who is now a professor at George Washington Universitys Milken Institute School of Public Health, feels frustration at the lack of sustained attention. Before this pandemic, we always found it was extremely difficult to get any press coverage of the challenges facing workers, or what happens when workers are hurt or killed on the job. So there isnt public oversight of OSHA, Michaels says. Just as these workers were invisible and underpaid, OSHA was primarily invisible and under-resourced. And I hope that changes when this pandemic is in the rearview mirror. Your donation keeps this site free and open for all to read. Give what you can... SUPPORT THE PROSPECT President Biden has come out in favor of workers right to organize and unionize. More importantly, he has nominated Californias current OSHA chief, Doug Parker, to lead federal OSHA. Parker, warmly welcomed by advocates, comes from a state that implemented a rigorous Emergency Temporary Standard for COVID-19 and had issued 203 citations to employers as of April 5, versus 408 citations doled out by the entire federal agency as of April 12. But OSHA isnt just deterred by a lack of will, but a series of design flaws that will take either substantial agency creativity or legislative action to remedy. The fact that an accelerated emergency standard was needed to deal with COVID-19 in the workplace recognizes that OSHAs ongoing tools, resources, and standards are woefully inadequate. The Protecting Americas Workers Act could be revolutionary; the same factors that would lead to its success would run parallel to conditions that would bode well for workers rights broadly in America. Its success would demonstrate that government holds the convictions required to successfully take care of workers in this country. But talk is cheap.
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https://prospect.org/labor/can-we-protect-americas-workers-osha/
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Could Dolphins be a surprise adversary for the Browns in AFC?
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The Cleveland Browns have very high goals for the 2021 season after a winning season and a playoff victory in the Wild Card round. With Kansas City coming off multiple trips to the Super Bowl, the Baltimore Ravens dominating the AFC North, and the Buffalo Bills taking control of the AFC East from the New England Patriots, those three have been the focus of attention along with the Browns related to the AFC Championship. Like most years, surprises should always be expected in the NFL. While the focus will likely be on the Chiefs, Browns, Ravens, and Bills, the Miami Dolphins could be one of the teams that barges their way into the conversation. The Dolphins missed the playoffs in 2020 despite a quality 10 6 season. Since, the team committed to Tua Tagovailoa, signed Will Fuller to add speed, and traded for Benardrick McKinney. The Dolphins followed with an impressive draft class. Speedy receiver Jaylen Waddle joins Fuller and holdover, DeVante Parker, as a top-level receiving corps. With their next two picks, the Dolphins upgraded their defense with edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and safety Javon Holland. The offense continued to get upgrades with Liam Eichenberg on the offensive line and Hunter Long at tight end. With Brian Flores steadying the ship, the Dolphins have a solid balance between young veterans and new additions to make a charge at the Browns and the rest of the top of the AFC. For Miami, the key will be the development of Tagovailoa at quarterback after being in and out of the lineup as a rookie last year. In 10 games, threw for over 1,800 yards, 11 touchdowns, and five interceptions. While he completed 64% of his passes he only averaged 6.3 yards per attempt while doing so. Playing it safe, especially with the speed additions of Fuller and Waddle, wont get it done for the Dolphins offense. On defense, two of the Dolphins biggest moves were releasing veteran Kyle Van Noy and trading Shaq Lawson in the move that brought in McKinney. Miami will now rely on Emmanuel Ogbah and Phillips, in his rookie season, to provide the pass rush. Going 10 6 a year ago, the Dolphins pushed the Browns, and others, for the final Wild Card spot in the AFC. With additional talent and very few losses, the Dolphins should be better than they were a year ago. Thankfully for the Browns, they also added talent and had very few losses from their roster. While the Browns will be talked about amongst the top of the AFC heap with the Chiefs, Ravens, and Bills, there are a few teams that could join that conversation this season. Dont be surprised if the Dolphins are one of them.
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https://brownswire.usatoday.com/2021/05/31/could-dolphins-be-a-surprise-adversary-for-the-browns-in-afc/
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Where is Terry McLaurin among the NFL's top deep threats?
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Terry McLaurin is entering his third NFL season in 2021. In his first two seasons, McLaurin has caught 145 passes for 2,037 yards and 14 touchdowns. The former Ohio State star went over 1,000 yards in 2020 despite playing with four different starting quarterbacks. McLaurin was just 81 yards shy of the 1,000-yard mark as a rookie in 2019. McLaurin did all of this with inconsistency at quarterback and no other discernable threat at wide receiver. Washington was busy this offseason addressing multiple needs on offense by bringing in quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and wide receivers Curtis Samuel, Adam Humphries and Dyami Brown. With that added help, perhaps McLaurin can get back to stretching the field in 2021. Pro Football Focus recently ranked the top deep threats in all of the NFL. Tyreek Hill of Kansas City came in as an overwhelming No. 1. In addition, PFF listed the top five deep threats, and Terry McLaurin came in as honorable mention essentially at No. 6. After some additions to Washingtons receiver unit and a new arm at quarterback, McLaurin will hopefully get back to doing what he does best in 2021: stretching the field. His average depth of target dipped from 14.6 yards as a rookie in 2019 to 9.9 yards in 2020. The percentage of his catches that turned into a 15-plus-yard gain decreased from 40% to 30%, and his yardage total from vertical routes was nearly halved, from 404 to 207, despite him seeing 37 more targets overall. This was solely because of the Football Teams quarterback situation. Just look at his targets above expectation from 2019 compared to 2020: During his 2019 rookie campaign, McLaurin hauled in 12 deep receptions, tying for the eighth-most in the NFL that season and tying for the fourth-most we have seen from a first-year wideout in the PFF era. Only time will tell whether McLaurin gets back to his old ways in 2021, but the third-year receiver seems poised to finish near the top of the deep receiving ranks with Ryan Fitzpatrick throwing him the rock. McLaurins overall numbers were better in 2020, but he wasnt as effective deep down the field because of Washingtons quarterbacks. In Fitzpatrick, McLaurin now has a quarterback who will give him opportunities. With Fitzpatrick under center and a more wide-open offense, McLaurin is primed for his best NFL season yet in 2021.
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https://washingtonfootballwire.usatoday.com/2021/05/31/where-is-terry-mclaurin-among-the-nfls-top-deep-threats-washington-football-team-wide-receiver/
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Could Harry and Meghan be planning a silent birth?
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As Duchess Meghans due date looms closer, theres been much speculation about her birthing plan. When Archie was born in 2019, there was confusion following his birth announcement. The couple chose to forgo the traditional route and opted to release a statement via Buckingham Palace in the afternoon confirming that Meghan had gone into labour in the early hours of the morning. The following notice seemed to be in conflict with the prior one, stating she had delivered a son at 5.26am that morning less than 20 minutes apart. No further details were given. According to Hello magazine, the Duchess of Sussex planned a home birth at Windsor but delivered Archie at The Portland Hospital in London. The imminent birth of their daughter is shrouded in as much mystery. Without giving too much away, Meghan and Harry confirmed to Oprah during their tell-all interview that their baby is due this summer. As far as her birthing plan goes, its just all speculation. But Aussie publication New Idea has revealed the couple are considering a silent birth. Meghan and Harry feel theyve been through enough in their own lives and are anxious to start over with their baby girl, and that means giving her the most peaceful entrance possible into the world, a well-placed source explained to the magazine. There will be no doctors screaming push at Meghan or anything like that. The same practice is used by the Church of Scientology, a topic that was widely debated when Katie Holmes gave birth to Suri, her daughter with ex Tom Cruise in 2006. According to reports, Cruise had asked everyone present in the birthing room to remain mute. Silent birth, sometimes known as quiet birth, is a birthing procedure advised by L Ron Hubbard and advocated by Scientologists in which everyone attending the birth should refrain from spoken words as much as possible, according to Wikipedia. But the Scientology link doesnt end there. New Idea reported that the church is looking into recruiting the royal couple. According to our LA-based insider, there is a huge Scientology building in Ventura, near where Harry and Meghan, 39, live in Montecito that leaders are desperate to show them, noted the publication. Related video:
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https://www.iol.co.za/lifestyle/family/pregnancy/could-harry-and-meghan-be-planning-a-silent-birth-0e507083-3be7-4646-b79b-83fd58f611fa
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What Restaurants Are Open Memorial Day 2021?
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If you're looking to go out to eat on Memorial Day this year, there are plenty of options for you to choose from, though not quite as many as a regular business day. Memorial Day is a federal holiday and as such all federal services will be unavailable, but private businesses, including restaurants, can decide whether or not to close for the day. A number of chain restaurants are scheduled to be open on Monday, May 31, including McDonald's, Chick-fil-A and Starbucks. For a sit-down meal, there are also plenty of options including Applebee's, Cheesecake Factory and P.F. Chang's. Memorial Day is dedicated to honoring those who died while serving in the United States military, and several restaurants are using the 2021 holiday to celebrate active-duty military members and veterans with various specials. Eateries offering military discounts include Burger King, which is giving military members 10 percent off their orders at participating restaurants, Buffalo Wild Wings, which also offers 10 percent off, IHOP, which offers a 20 percent discount by location, and Denny's, which is giving military members a 10 to 20 percent discount depending on location. Other restaurants, like Bonefish Grill and Outback Steakhouse, give service members and first responders a discount year-round. Scroll down for a list of all the chain restaurants open on Memorial Day this year and be sure to check with your local franchise before stopping by, as some locations may have adjusted their hours or closed for the holiday.
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https://popculture.com/trending/news/memorial-day-2021-restuarants-open-starbucks-mcdonalds-chick-fil-a/
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What Happened To Big Black? How Did Christopher Boykin Of MTV's 'Rob & Big' Die?
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Christopher Boykin famously known for his stage name Big Black was an American musician and television personality best known for his role in MTV's Rob & Big, in which he shared screen space with skateboarder and entrepreneur Rob Dyrdek. Big Black on MTV's Rob & Big played the role of Rob's bodyguard in the show from 2006 to 2008. In May 2017, news of Big Black's death broke out. Find out what happened to Big Black. Big Black was a part of the MTV show for 19 episodes before the show ended abruptly because of the friction between the two stars, reports Huff Post. The report also shared that the reality star had a defibrillator implant for his heart. In early May 2017, he was hospitalized in Plano, Texas, and was placed on a heart monitor. On May 9, his heart stopped and the staff spent 30 minutes trying to revive him however they were unable to. He was 45 years old when he died of a heart attack. Big Black Boykin is survived by his daughter Isis Rae Boykin who was nine at the time of his death. More about Big Black on MTV show Rob & Big The star rose to fame in 2006 after he and Rob Dyrdek started performing harmless pranks and having boisterous fun on the pairs reality show. While the show ended after they had a falling out, Rob Dyrdek in an interview with Graham Bensinger in 2016 opened up about the same and said that they both struggled with the fame and had different dynamics when it came to handling it. He shared that though the transition was a bit smooth for him as he was a professional skateboarder and had handled fame before, it was difficult for Christopher as he was a working security guard two years earlier and suddenly he found mainstream fame after appearing on television. He further explained that, while he did not want to be recognised as Rob from Rob & Big, Christopher did not want to be known as his sidekick which led to a big blowout between them. While Rob maintained that they were both paid equally at that time, there were a lot of creative differences that came up between them which led them to end the show. However, they reconciled later and Big Black made an appearance in Rob Dyrdeks Fantasy Factory. After Big Black's death, Rob wrote a heartful message for him and said that he will forever be in his heart. IMAGE: AP Get the latest entertainment news from India & around the world. Now follow your favourite television celebs and telly updates. Republic World is your one-stop destination for trending Bollywood news. Tune in today to stay updated with all the latest news and headlines from the world of entertainment.
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https://www.republicworld.com/entertainment-news/web-series/what-happened-to-big-black-how-did-christopher-boykin-of-mtvs-rob-and-big-die.html
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Who Is Ryan Ross On The Kate Winslet Starrer Limited-series 'Mare Of Easttown'?
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Spoiler for 'Mare of Easttown' season finale ahead. Proceed at your own risk. The final episode of Mare of Easttown starring Kate Winslet in the lead role was aired on May 30, 2021. The mini-series is a crime thriller drama where Detective Mare investigates the murder of a teenage single mother. The drama came to a stunning finale that revealed a very unplausible ending for the series and the reason for the murder. Mare of Easttown Finale Spoilers Mare of Easttown finale put to rest the numerous theories about the whodunit. The killer was revealed and it wasn't exactly who the audience thought to be a killer. It is revealed in the season finale that the person who killed Erin McMenamin is Ryan Ross, the son of John and Lori Ross. The episode answers all the questions the characters, and the audience had in their minds. John Ross had an affair with Erin, that led to Erin getting pregnant and giving birth to their child. John asks his wife Lori to lie to Mare that Billy killed Erin. John confesses to the crime. Mare meets the elderly Mr Carroll who tells her that his gun had gone missing from his shed and it returned with two rounds missing. It is thus revealed that the only person with access to Mr Carroll's shed is Ryan, the son of John and Lori. Ryan confesses to killing Erin with Mr Carroll's gun and is sent to the juvenile detention centre. In an exclusive interview with Esquire, the show's maker Brad Ingelsby revealed the reason for making Ryan Ross the killer. He revealed that they had dropped a few hints throughout the show about Ryan. He was pegged as a tightly wound kid by Mare herself. The gun went off killing Erin after Erin and Ryan were wrestling over a loaded gun. The reveal of Ryan as the actual killer puts Mare in a tight spot because Ryan is the son of Lori who is Mare's closest ally and she herself is a detective who has to do the right thing by catching the killer. Ryan Ross is the one who actually kills Eric McMenamin on Mare of Easttown. The young actor who plays Ryan Ross on the show is Cameron Mann. According to IMDB, Cameron has been acting since he was 8. Along with Mare of Easttown, he has also appeared on For Life as Justin Masry. He is the younger brother of Jamie Martin Mann who played the role of Brody on Netflix's Country Comfort. He also has a younger sister named Natalia who has also appeared in films like A California Christmas and The Passage. (Image: Cameron Mann's Instagram)
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https://www.republicworld.com/entertainment-news/web-series/who-is-ryan-ross-on-the-kate-winslet-starrer-limited-series-mare-of-easttown.html
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How tobacco consumption affects fertility?
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The young generation is more addicted to tobacco/smoking and the situation is only turning worse day by day. While the effect of smoking on lung cancer is well known, other serious effects of smoking have not often been investigated. Lately, there has been evidence showing the shocking impact of it on reproductive health, irrespective of gender status. Recent years have seen a steep rise in the total number of couples visiting an infertility clinic. Infertility, as defined by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, is the inability to achieve pregnancy after a duration period of one year of regular, unprotected sexual intercourse. Effects of smoking on male fertility Tobacco smoke contains more than 4000 harmful substances and for long, there has been a concern that smoking could have an adverse effect on male reproduction. Smoking results in reduced semen quality including semen volume, sperm density, motility, viability, and normal morphology in smokers. Furthermore, smokers are also known to be affected with reproductive hormone system disorders, dysfunction of spermatogenesis, sperm maturation process, and impaired spermatozoa function. Effects of smoking on female fertility Smoking has devastating effects on female fertility as well. Women who smoke are more likely to experience primary and secondary infertility and delays in conceiving. Moreover, it might have devastating consequences if done during pregnancy with dreadful outcomes for both mother and her baby. There are a number of adverse outcomes that have been associated with smoking during pregnancy including stillbirth, preterm birth, and low birth weight. Smoking might put the baby under severe health risks during pregnancy and even after birth. All the harmful chemicals including nicotine and other cancer-causing products inhaled from tobacco flood the mothers bloodstream and through the placenta enter directly into the babys circulation. Out of the 7000 known harmful chemicals present in tobacco smoke, over 70 are known to be carcinogenic or responsible for causing cancer. Smoking during pregnancy obstructs the placenta, resulting in a decrease in the oxygen flow as well as an adequate supply of nutrients to the baby. Among other health risks, it can increase the risk of miscarriage and stillbirth along with a hindrance in the proper development of the baby and low birth weight. In many cases, the baby gets an abnormal heart rate and many of them end up having breathing problems. An increased rate of premature delivery is also one of the adverse health effects that smoking tobacco during pregnancy has to offer. Furthermore, its not only the baby who is at risk, smoking is harmful to the mother as well. The mother is also at an equal risk of cancers, cardiovascular disease, emphysema, and other conditions. There is absolutely nothing called safe smoking during pregnancy, health risks only increase with every cigarette that you smoke. Risks of Passive Smoking Passive smoking is when you breathe in tobacco smoke from being near a smoker. It is widely proven that second-hand smoke can cause lung cancer and other health problems like cardiovascular diseases, asthma and so on. It can also lead to some other types of cancer, stroke, lung disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). According to WHO reports, more than a third of all people are regularly exposed to the harmful effects of smoke globally. Every year, about 600,000 deaths are recorded due to exposure to smoke and this smoke is responsible for about 1% of the global burden of disease worldwide. Practically every region of the world is under this threat. Passive smoking is every bit dangerous for pregnant women. All the risks of smoking during pregnancy are applicable to passive smoking by pregnant women. Health risks in babies exposed to passive smoking are massive. They possess high risks for developing asthma attacks, breathing problems, ear infections, impaired lung development, and coughing. Children exposed to second-hand smoke may require more ear tube surgeries as compared to the ones who are not exposed. Lower IQs in children are also associated with exposure to passive smoking Nicotine replacement products are not the answer While it is not easy to quit smoking, but in an attempt to kick the butt, one must not resort to nicotine replacement products. They do decrease the cravings but also result in a build-up of nicotine in the bloodstream in those who use them. The nicotine then directly enters the babys circulation from the mother through the placenta, which will eventually end up risking both the babys and the mothers health. So, it is highly recommended for pregnant women to stay away from smoking in any form during pregnancy. (Written by Dr. Archana Dhawan Bajaj, Gyneacologist, Obstetrician and IVF expert. The view expressed in the article are her own)
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https://www.dnaindia.com/health/report-how-tobacco-consumption-affects-fertility-2892746
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What are the Benefits of Layaway Online?
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Presently, no one sees the point of going to an actual location to conduct business. As per the business somebody has, he or she has the related app in the phone. You can do anything with mobile applications, from trade to buying. This is why nearly everybody is interested in the design of innovative apps. However, the majority of people are unaware of why this procedure is important or what benefits they can obtain as a result of it. The easiest way to take this approach is to use a drag-and-drop mobile app builder for free. It provides many advantages to those who value their personal preferences and ideas. Drag and drop seem to be a simple feature that allows you to quickly create an app, similar to drag and drop builder.
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https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2264528014023/what-are-the-benefits-of-layaway-online
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Is Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley a top three coach in CFB?
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Going into year five of the Lincoln Riley era, the Oklahoma Sooners are looking for a big year from the offensive guru. After four seasons, he has compiled a record of 45-8. When it comes to head coach rankings, 247Sports recently released their own top 25. What 247 Says The football gods shined on the Sooners following the abrupt resignation of Bob Stoops prior to the 2017 season, sending down the perfect fit for the program in Riley. Armed with senior quarterback Baker Mayfield, Riley unexpectedly directed the ship to a Big 12 title and the first of three straight trips to the College Football Playoff. Hes 45-8 as a head coach in Norman with an offense that has produced two Heisman winners, a Heisman runner-up and record-setting team marks. Last season marked the first time in four years Oklahoma did not play in a semifinal game. The NFL wants him badly, but Oklahoma is not letting that happen. Stoops averaged a jaw-dropping 10.5 wins per season from 1999-2016 and to think Riley could better that number over extended years is really impressive. He was one of five head coaches named to our lifetime contracts list ahead of the 2019 campaign. The native of West Texas found himself among the three best head coaches in college football along with Dabo Swinney (No. 2) and Nick Saban (No. 1). The only thing those two have that Riley doesnt is longevity at their position and a national championship. The closest Big 12 coach on the ranking to Lincoln Riley would be Iowa States Matt Campbell at No. 8. According to this report, Campbell recently turned down a big contract to remain with the Cyclones. For now, Campbell will try and close the gap on Riley and the Oklahoma Sooners. Other notable names on the list including the brother of Bob Stoops, Mark coming in at No. 16 with Kentucky. Oklahoma States Mike Gundy joined the list at No. 19 and Gary Patterson of TCU ranked at No. 21. Former offensive coordinator Mike Leach finished out the ranking at No. 25.
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https://soonerswire.usatoday.com/2021/05/31/oklahoma-sooners-football-lincoln-riley-ranking-247sports/
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Is the Samsung Galaxy A52 4G and A52 5G waterproof?
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Samsung launched the Samsung Galaxy A52 series in a separate Galaxy Unpacked event in March, together with the Galaxy A72. Samsungs Galaxy A series smartphones are the companys central budget lineups that help stave off competition from fierce Chinese smartphone companies. While the Galaxy A series continues to target the budget and mid-range segments of the smartphone market, Samsung slowly trickles down some of its premium features to sweeten its cheaper offerings. The Samsung Galaxy A52 4G and A52 5G both came to the scene with exciting features delivering improvements on several fronts, including the display, camera, and more, as detailed in our Galaxy A52 review. But reviews can be lengthy, and you may just want to know if the Galaxy A52 4G or A52 5G is waterproof or not. Yes, Samsung Galaxy A52 has an official IP67-rating for dust and water resistance. Its predecessor, the Galaxy A51, did not have enough protection to bag an official IP rating and thus was not waterproof according to the companys standards. IP Ratings Explained IP stands for Ingress Protection. IP refers to the degree of protection a case or enclosure offers to prevent the entry of foreign materials. Simply, when your smartphone has an official IP rating, it means that it provides some degree of protection against entry of external materials like dust and water. The degree of protection is usually denoted by terms like IP66, IP67, IP68, and so forth. These ratings indicate if your smartphone is waterproof. But it doesnt mean a device is totally waterproof; its only to a certain degree specified in lab tests. The higher the number, the better the protection. As such, IP68 is better than IP67. To get an idea of what the numbers mean, youll have to know what each stands for. The first digit after IP denotes resistance against foreign particles like dust, while the second denotes water resistance. For instance, the IP67 rating on the Galaxy A52 spec sheet guarantees your device will be safe if immersed in water up to one meter deep and for up to 30 minutes. It sure doesnt offer as robust protection as IP68, so you shouldnt be careless with your device either. IP rating and Water resistance vs. Waterproof IP rating, as mentioned above, only offers water resistance capability to a certain extent. However, waterproof, on the other hand, literally means that your device is impervious to water. So, no, the Galaxy A52 isnt fully waterproof. However, it guarantees water resistance up to one meter deep, and for up to 30 minutes, so you can happily dip the Galaxy A52 into the pool as long as you dont overdo it. Samsung Galaxy A524G Sports a 6.5-inch 1080p AMOLED display with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection. It runs on the 8nm Snapdragon 720G paired with up to 8GB of memory and 128GB of internal storage. The A52 is powered by a 4500mAh battery with 25W fast charging support. You get a Quad camera setup and a 32MP selfie camera. Like its 4G variant, Samsung Galaxy A52 5G is water-resistant thanks to its official IP67-rating. You can also have peace of mind if you go swimming with your Galaxy A52 5G as long as you keep in mind the limitations. Besides that, avoid saltwater or ionized water to be safe. Samsung Galaxy A52 5G Features an identical display to the 4G variant but runs the Snapdragon 750 5G for 5G support. It's also water-resistant, sports an identical display, camera setup, and battery to the 4G model. View on Amazon Samsungs Galaxy A52 4G and A52 5G have an official IP67-rating for both dust and water resistance. If you were planning to go swimming in a pool with either, you could do so without having to worry. With the Galaxy A52 waterproof discussion done and dusted, dont forget to grab some of the best Galaxy A52 cases to offer protection against drops. If youre specifically shopping for waterproof smartphones from Samsung, youll be glad to know that the Korean OEM has other alternatives under its portfolio. An excellent place to start is Samsungs flagship Galaxy S series, including the latest Galaxy S21 series. The Galaxy S21 5G, S21+ 5G, and S21 Ultra 5G, some of 2021s best Android phones, have an official IP68 rating. Samsungs Galaxy Note series also has IP68 rated models starting with 2020s Note 20 5G and Note 20 Ultra 5G. The previous Note 10, Note 10+, Note 10+ 5G, and Note 8 also have an official IP68 rating against dust and water, including the S Pen.
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https://www.xda-developers.com/is-the-samsung-galaxy-a52-waterproof/
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What Happened To Kostas Antetokounmpo? Why Is Giannis' Brother Not Playing For Lakers?
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The Los Angeles Lakers now see themselves in a bit of turmoil as the World Champions face defeat against the Phoenix Suns in Game 4 of their first-round series. The Lakers will be going into Game 5 at Pheonix with a lot to play for. They will be hoping that their star players Anthony Davis and LeBron James have good games which will help them overcome the Suns. The Lakers who had an injury-plagued season this year, face yet another adversity as their player Kostas Antetokounmpo had to travel back home to attend to a personal matter. Kostas Antetokounmpo has been reported to be away from the team and is said to be in Greece, where he is attending to a personal matter. He has been unavailable for the entire duration of the Lakers' first-round series against the Suns. There have been no confirmations on the time of his arrival but sources have verified that he will be out for the 1st round and believe that he should be available to play in the 2nd round series of the Playoffs. What happened to Kostas Antetokounmpo is still unknown. But it is reported that he will be back for the 'Purple and Gold' if they advance to the next round. Kostas is the brother of League MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. He was a second-round pick in the 2018 draft but was later traded to Dallas Mavericks on a two-way contract, which meant that he would have to split playing time between the Mavs and their G- League team, Texas Legends. Kostas was part of the Lakers side that won the Championship in 2020 and he is the first Antetokounmpo brother to do so. The Greek national re-signed with the Lakers and will be playing on a two-way contract. Lakers vs Suns Game 5 date and preview Lakers will be travelling to Phoenix for Game 5 which is scheduled to be played on Wednesday, June 2 at 10:00 PM EST [Thursday, June 3 at 7:30 AM IST]. This game is very important for both the teams, as the winner gets to take a 3-2 lead going into Game 6. The Lakers have too much to worry about at the moment with injuries to players like Anthony Davis and Kentavious Caldwell Pope they will have to head to their bench for Game 5 and will have to hope for a good outcome there. Sources: Anthony Davis day-to-day after early Game 4 exit, status unclear for Game 5 vs. Suns https://t.co/0FnM8odTg4 Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 31, 2021 The Suns will rely heavily on their backcourt of Devin Booker and Chris Paul to fire against the Lakers. Booker who is playing his first playoff series has been phenomenal, his 17 points in Game 4 helped the Suns ease past the Lakers. Booker's backcourt partner Chris Paul has been the most important player for the Suns and his performance this season has put him in the MVP conversations many times this year. Last season Paul was successful in leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Playoffs. He will be hoping that he can better last years performance and advance into the next round this year. LA Lakers vs Phoenix Suns Prediction The Los Angeles Lakers will take a big hit if Anthony Davis misses Game 5. KCP has also been suffering from injuries this series. Considering all that, our LA Lakers vs Phoenix Suns prediction is a 4-2 series win in favour of Phoenix. Picture Credits: Kostas Antetokounmpo/ Twitter
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https://www.republicworld.com/sports-news/basketball-news/what-happened-to-kostas-antetokounmpo-why-is-giannis-brother-not-playing-for-lakers.html
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Was bedeutet das Urteil zur Rentenbesteuerung?
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Die Bundesregierung will Altersvorsorge-Beitrge schneller steuerfrei stellen als geplant und damit Konsequenzen aus einem Urteil des Bundesfinanzhofs ziehen. Das oberste deutsche Finanzgericht warnte, dass knftige Rentner-Jahrgnge nach der geltenden Regelung Gefahr liefen, doppelt besteuert zu werden - einmal, wenn sie Beitrge zahlten und einmal, wenn sie ihre Renten versteuern mssten. Die Details im berblick. Der Bundesfinanzhofs wies zwar die Klagen von zwei Rentner-Ehepaaren ab, weil in ihrem konkreten Fall keine Benachteiligung vorliege. Es erkannte aber Fehler darin, wie die Finanzmter den steuerfreien Anteil der Renten bisher berechnen. Vor allem der Grundfreibetrag, der allen Steuerzahlern zusteht, msse bei der Besteuerung der Renten ausgeklammert werden, sagte die Vorsitzende Richterin bei der Urteilsverkndung in Mnchen. Bundesfinanzminister Scholz kndigte an, die Vorgaben des Gerichts im Zuge einer groen Einkommensteuerreform nach der Bundestagswahl umsetzen. "Die nchste Legislaturperiode muss direkt beginnen mit einer Steuerreform, die kleine und mittlere Einkommen entlastet", sagte der SPD-Kanzlerkandidat. Bis 2005 waren Renteneinknfte faktisch steuerfrei. Wegen der unterschiedlichen Behandlung von Pensionen der Beamten und der Alterseinknfte aus der Rentenversicherung hatte das Verfassungsgericht eine Neuregelung verlangt. Seitdem werden schrittweise Renteneinknfte anteilsmig strker besteuert. In einer bergangsphase bis 2040 steigt der Teil des Einkommens, den Arbeitnehmerinnen und Arbeitnehmer spter von ihrer Rente versteuern mssen, immer weiter an. Wer dieses Jahr in Rente geht, muss schon 81 Prozent davon versteuern, 2040 dann 100 Prozent. Im Gegenzug knnen Arbeitnehmende seit 2005 hhere Betrge als Sonderausgaben von der Steuer abziehen. Darunter fallen zum Beispiel die Ausgaben fr die Renten-, Kranken- oder Pflegeversicherung. Mit diesem System wollte die rot-grne Bundesregierung eine Doppelbesteuerung verhindern. Doch die Reform fhrt offenbar trotzdem dazu, dass einige Rentnerinnen und Rentner doppelt Steuern zahlen mssen. Betroffene argumentieren, dass sie vom Finanzamt ber Gebhr belastet wrden, weil die steuerbefreiten Renten niedriger seien als die eingezahlten versteuerten Beitrge. Der Bundesfinanzhof schreibt zum ersten Mal genaue Regeln fest, nach denen die Finanzmter und -verwaltungen eine doppelte Besteuerung errechnen mssen. Bisher rechneten die Finanzmter nach Auffassung des Bunds der Steuerzahler so, dass eher der Fiskus profitierte - dies ist in Zukunft nicht mehr mglich. Die in Zukunft verbindlichen Regeln verlangen, dass der Grundfreibetrag bei der Berechnung des steuerfreien Rentenbezugs unbercksichtigt bleibt. Auerdem mssen die Beitrge zur Kranken- und Pflegeversicherung zugunsten der Steuerzahler einbezogen werden. Dies lsst sich nur politisch lsen, zum Beispiel durch eine Steuerreform. Das Bundesfinanzministerium brachte ins Gesprch, die ab 2025 vorgesehene vollstndige Absetzbarkeit der Rentenbeitrge von der Steuer vorzuziehen. Das Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft ermittelte fr die Jahre 2020 bis 2040 insgesamt 90 Milliarden Euro Mindereinnahmen an Steuern fr den Staat. Dies wrde bedeuten, dass es um rechnerisch viereinhalb Milliarden Euro pro Jahr geht, die auf den Konten der Brgerinnen und Brgern bleiben drften. Diese Nachricht wurde am 31.05.2021 im Programm Deutschlandfunk gesendet.
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https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/fragen-und-antworten-was-bedeutet-das-urteil-zur.1939.de.html?drn:news_id=1264862
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Is it safe to swim in a pool as the COVID-19 pandemic eases?
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(NEXSTAR) With temperatures rising and summer on the horizon, many are eager to break out their swimsuits and hit the pool. There are a few things that are working in your favor, according to Kennedy. For one, pools are typically outside, which limits the spread of COVID-19. It will also, presumably, be hot when youre swimming, which also limits the transmission of coronavirus. Also, theres typically fewer cases of COVID-19 during summer, so youre less likely to run into an infected person, Kennedy said. But there are a few things working against you, as well. Typically, younger people are at the pool, and only children ages 12 and up are currently able to be vaccinated. Younger people also typically show fewer COVID-19 symptoms if they are infected, which means they could be swimming and infected without their knowledge. Lastly, at the pool, theres lots of yelling and laughing, which can spew a greater amount of viral particles into the air. Overall, Id say theres no such thing as perfectly safe, Kennedy said. There is a level of risk. People will have to decide for themselves if theyre comfortable with it.
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https://fox40.com/news/coronavirus/is-it-safe-to-swim-in-a-pool-as-the-covid-19-pandemic-eases/
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Is our sun going into hibernation?
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Solar activity refers to the state of the sun s magnetic field and associated phenomena: sunspots, flares, solar wind and coronal ejections . During periods of minimal solar activity, such events are often uncommon and weak. During solar maximum, theyre at their strongest and most frequent. Magnetic field fluctuations on the sun can happen on drastically different timescales, ranging from seconds all the way to billions of years. When astronomers speak of a slowdown or a period of quiescence in the suns activity, it doesnt mean the sun will stop shining, but that theres a slowdown in activity. The sun has one particular rhythm, lasting approximately 11 years, in which its polar magnetic field flips polarity. Sunspots serve as an indicator of this change. Indeed, its often known as the sunspot cycle. Although sunspots themselves were first observed in detail by Galileo, Christoph Scheiner and others from 1609 onwards, according to the British Library , the cyclical nature of their appearance and disappearance was first noted in 1775 by Danish astronomer Christian Horrebow. It was then rediscovered in 1843 by Heinrich Schwabe. In 1848, Swiss astronomer Rudolf Wolf used Schwabe and others results, as well as performing his own observations, to calculate the 11-year cycle and a mathematical method to count the number of sunspots. This so-called Wolf number remains in use today, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This image compares the sun at its most active (solar maximum) and least active (solar minimum) (Image credit: NASA/SDO) Many other astronomers at the time either independently observed this cycle or were inspired by the results of others. Wolfs own calculation of the 1755 to 1766 sunspot cycle was labeled as the first, and each sunspot cycle since then has been progressively numbered as such. We are now in Cycle 25 . But sometimes the spots dont appear at all. This was the case for 80 days of the first six months of the current solar cycle, which started in December 2019. It was greater still for the same period in Cycle 24, where there were 281 spot-free days. The period from 1645 to 1715 saw a near-total crash in sunspot numbers, where they could literally be counted on two hands. Wolf struggled to piece together solar cycles before the mid-1700s because of this dearth of information, but it didnt mean sunspots werent being observed. Many distinguished astronomers of the age, such as Giovanni Cassini , continued to make observations. This 70-year solar lull was later noted by German astronomer Gustav Sprer, which then later inspired the British-Irish husband and wife team Edward and Annie Maunder. The period has since been named the Maunder minimum, according to Encyclopedia Britannica . There have been other lulls before and since, such as the Sprer and Dalton minima. However, Madhulika Guhathakurta, a heliophysicist at NASA, speaking in a personal capacity, questioned how the technology available then affected observations. During the Maunder minimum, when we couldn't detect any sunspots, the question remains how well could we detect very faint sunspots then or even now? she told All About Space. We don't know and have no measure of that. The uncertainty associated with detecting no sunspots is much harder than counting them during solar maximum. In 2020 Cycle 25 had 80%more sunspots overall than the equivalent period for Cycle 24, suggesting that the current cycle may in fact be stronger, rather than weaker. The international Solar Cycle 25 Prediction Panel said in September 2020 that they expect Cycle 25 to be about as strong as Cycle 24. The consensus has not changed, panel co-chair Doug Biesecker told All About Space. The consensus is still that the current cycle will be much like Cycle 24. We have not seen anything that differs significantly in the early stages of this cycle that varies from the panel prediction of a peak of 115 [sunspots] in July 2025. The predictions are based on the 13-month smoothed sunspot number a statistical method for calculating sunspots. And you have to be patient when studying the sun. As Biesecker said: It can take up to three years after the cycle begins before we can say with confidence whether the prediction is still valid. Guhathakurta believes this cycle is not out of the ordinary. Looking at sunspots as a non-physical index of solar activity, I think this solar cycle isn't unusual, especially in the context of the prior cycle. This cycle's sort of mimicking that. Even in the early 1800s and 1900s, you see cycles of this magnitude. Successfully predicting solar weather is certainly essential when testing scientific theories about how the sun works. But theres a more pressing practical reason for doing so. Strong solar flare events and coronal mass ejections most likely to occur around the time of solar maxima can disrupt modern technology. The flux of high-energy particles can damage spacecraft, satellites and even ground-based power systems. The latter are particularly vulnerable, as solar radiation easily disturbs Earths magnetic field, inducing currents in long power lines. Such a geomagnetic storm destroyed large grid transformers and shut down the whole of Quebec, Canada, in March 1989, NASA reported. And this was just history repeating itself. In September 1859 a geomagnetic storm, dubbed the Carrington event, caused interesting problems with the telegraph system. All About Space (Image credit: Future) This article is brought to you by All About Space. All About Space magazine takes you on an awe-inspiring journey through our solar system and beyond, from the amazing technology and spacecraft that enables humanity to venture into orbit, to the complexities of space science. Telegraph operators noticed that they could disconnect their batteries and work with just the induced currents from the storm sometimes with improved results! To this day it is the most powerful coronal mass ejection on record. If a Carrington-level event were to happen now, it would cause widespread damage and disruption to power systems and satellites. As well as decimating electronics, any astronauts venturing beyond the protective blanket of Earths geomagnetic field such as to the moon or Mars would be in danger, something that NASAs upcoming Artemis lunar program needs to keep in mind. Considering the stakes, coupled with the fact that the sun is such a complex system, there must be another way to glean information about its future behavior besides sunspots. Other tried-and-trusted methods exist, but there may well be another arrow in the quiver. A U.S.-U.K. team led by Scott McIntosh of the High Altitude Observatory at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado, has looked at a phenomenon related to sunspot activity. Using data from sources such as NASAs Solar Dynamics Observatory, the team looked at extreme ultraviolet and X-ray flashes in the solar corona. These so-called bright points in the suns atmosphere correlate with large areas of material flowing in the suns interior, which rotates faster than surface plasma, similar to rates seen for sunspots. Robert Leamon of the University of Maryland likened it to helium balloons being dragged along by weights attached to the bottom. Such a study is potentially more useful than the sunspot cycle as it shows magnetic polarity. In the 19th century, Richard Carrington and Sprer both discovered sunspots appearing at different latitudes during different points in the solar cycle, starting at mid-latitudes and migrating towards the equator at the end. Plotted against time, this leads to a distinctive butterfly diagram. Sunspots appear as dark patches on the tumultuous surface in this image taken by the Solar Dynamics Observatory (Image credit: NASA/ SDO) But in the early 20th century, American astronomer George Ellery Hale proved the importance of solar magnetism by showing how a complete polar flip actually spans two sunspot cycles: a flip, then a flip back, according to NASA . This 22-year Hale cycle is what McIntoshs team looks at. The bright points are markers of Hale cycle magnetic bands. This begs the question of why the wider solar scientific community doesnt make more use of such observations in this way. Folks have in the past calling them ephemeral active regions but predominantly they are locked into the big white whales of solar activity: sunspots, McIntosh said. Just like sunspots, the magnetic bands travel the latitudes of the sun to meet at the equator, annihilating in what McIntosh calls termination events. His team uses these termination events to identify complete 22-year magnetic cycles, as well as the 11-year sunspot cycles of the past. Using these alongside predictions made for a 2020 terminator event, the team predicts that Solar Cycle 25 will, in fact, be strong. In marked contrast to scientific consensus, they say it will be among the strongest ever recorded. Biesecker is supportive of the teams approach: The work from McIntosh et al is very intriguing. It would be very exciting to have their prediction come true, as it would help teach us about how to better predict future solar cycles. But he does have a caveat. The McIntosh technique has yet to make a true prediction. That is, one for which there is no knowledge of the future. Its very difficult for a panel to give much weight to a technique that is new, which has never made a prediction that can be tested. He says other, more traditional methods continue to be used, as they have been successful in the past and are better known. That the magnetic systems inside the sun are much stronger than we anticipate and that they interact strongly to shape the production of spots, McIntosh said. The pressure of the magnetic field band relative to the surroundings is important: My sense is that the sun really wants to be balanced, and what we see in terms of sunspots is the result of imbalance in that pressure globally, locally and longitudinally. This means they think theyre only seeing the tip of the iceberg where the magnetic field is concerned. McIntosh also said that the recurrence of 55-degree latitude bands in their analysis, which can be traced back through the entire observational and photographic record, is very overlooked. It suggests structural or geometric features that play a significant role in forming and aggregating the magnetic field in the suns interior. There are still many open questions. As Leamon said: Its too early to tell, but so far the observed sunspot number and other measures, such as F10.7 solar radio flux [10.7 centimeter-wavelength radio waves] are tracking closer to our higher predictions rather than the lower panel consensus. Whatever happens with the sunspot level, there will be some big storms, and our technological society will be impacted in some way or another during Solar Cycle 25. Close-up view of a sunspot. Counting sunspots is the staple way of measuring solar activity (Image credit: Wikimedia Commons/Luc.rouppe) McIntosh concurred: Indications are that its on track to be bigger than 24, and likely 23 too. But we really need the termination event to happen to get real fidelity on the forecast. Hes still convinced that itll be a larger-than-average cycle, perhaps even in the top 10 of every one on record. But until that event happens, we wont know for sure. Bieseckers looking further ahead. The relevance of the Hale cycle, as detailed in McIntosh et al, will be something for the Solar Cycle 26 Panel to consider. He points out that looking at the 22-year Hale cycle isnt new to forecasting, and that scientists have looked at the effects of odd and even cycles in the past, although with less skill than looking at precursors of the next immediate cycle. Expect the McIntosh technique to be a big part of the conversation when the panel to forecast Solar Cycle 26 convenes, he tantalisingly concluded. Future technology could also pave the way for a better understanding of solar activity, according to Guhathakurta. I spent the last four years at NASA Ames Research Center shaping a program called Frontier Development Lab and got fascinated by artificial intelligence and how we might utilize our data and the tools of AI to infer patterns that can better guide physics outcomes, she told All About Space. Machine learning and AI could be critical for understanding solar variability and climate with huge amounts of data.
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https://www.space.com/is-our-sun-going-into-hibernation
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What would a 'change' coalition mean for Israel?
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Israel's centrist Opposition leader Yair Lapid was edging closer Monday to rallying a diverse political bloc around a common aim: to oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. But building a coalition in Israel's notoriously fractured political landscape is no easy task. Here is a look at the issues. Lapid's Yesh Atid ("There Is A Future") party took second place after Netanyahu's Likud party in March legislative elections, Israel's fourth within two years. After the combative right-wing premier again failed to cobble together a coalition, Lapid was tasked in May with forming a government. Former TV host Lapid has until just before midnight Wednesday to gather a majority of at least 61 lawmakers in the 120-seat Knesset. Also read Egypt's intelligence chief holds truce talks with Hamas in Gaza As of Monday morning, Lapid had the support of 57 lawmakers, with his centrist base and members of the left making up 51. On Sunday he had crucially gained the support of nationalist hardliner Naftali Bennett, whose Yamina ("Rightward") party holds seven seats, although one of its MPs said he would not join the anti-Netanyahu camp. Lapid, therefore, needs four more backers and is looking for support among Israeli Arab parties, which have yet to announce their plans. Speaking on Monday, Lapid warned that "many obstacles" remain. "Maybe that's a good thing, because we'll have to overcome them together," Lapid told members of his party. "That's our first test -- to see if we can find smart compromises in the coming days to achieve the greater goal." The coalition would be a fragile grouping of multiple parties with deep ideological differences, united only in their common desire to topple Israel's longest-serving premier. It would include centrist groups such as Lapid's party and the Blue and White coalition led by former military chief Benny Gantz as well as historically powerful leftists Labor and Meretz. But Lapid has also rallied supporters on the right, starting with Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beitenu, a staunchly secular nationalist party backed by many immigrants from the former Soviet Union. Read | Israel, Egypt talk truce with Hamas, rebuilding Gaza Strip It would also include the hawkish New Hope party, comprised of Likud defectors, and now the religious-nationalist Yamina bloc of Bennett, a former leader of Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank who opposes Palestinian statehood. The groups are bitterly opposed on a number of issues, including on the place of religion in politics. But they share "a genuine belief that Netanyahu is a danger to the country," said Jonathan Rynhold, a political science scholar at Bar-Ilan University near Tel Aviv. Their animosity is driven by the notion that Netanyahu has "put his personal interests ahead of the country," the professor said. Netanyahu, 71, is on trial for alleged fraud, bribery and breach of trust, charges he denies. In order to maintain unity and survive, said Rynhold, a new government would adopt "an agenda which is largely consensual", focusing mainly on less controversial issues in health, education and transport policy. Israel's political drama comes shortly after the latest deadly military escalation with the Islamist Hamas group that rules the Palestinian enclave of Gaza. It also follows years during which the Israeli-Palestinian peace process has stalled and Jewish settlements have been expanded in the occupied West Bank under hawkish Netanyahu. The issue not only angers Palestinians but also sharply divides Israel's political parties. The left supports the creation of a Palestinian state, while groups on the right want to annex the occupied West Bank. Rynhold said a multi-party "national unity government" shouldn't attempt major moves now to relaunch the peace process -- because of their divergent views, but also for unclear counterparts. The Palestinian Authority's president, Mahmud Abbas, is seen to lack legitimacy after more than 15 years in power, he said, while Hamas refuses to recognise the Jewish state. The new alliance would "reach an agreement on the status quo," Rynhold said. "But they will have to deal with managing the conflict so that there are not outbreaks" of violence as seen earlier this month. If fighting breaks out again, the parties are likely to stay united during times of military conflict, he said. "There is an Israeli consensus on the recent Gaza War. There has been an Israeli consensus on every war since 2000," Rynhold said. "It will get challenged, but they can pull it off."
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https://www.deccanherald.com/international/what-would-a-change-coalition-mean-for-israel-992173.html
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Will Post-COVID Challenge to Modi Govt Come from Indias Youth?
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The last month and a half have been harrowing to say the least for the Indian public. The second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic has managed to reach almost everyones doors, leaving a dark imprint. The governments both central and states were caught unawares and were found incapable of handling this crisis of mammoth proportions. In their absence, the people of India stepped up to support each other. From finding hospital beds, ventilators, oxygen cylinders, plasma donors, medicines to preparing and delivering food for those in need, to creating helplines to discuss mental health issues, amongst others, civil society and communities have taken over the role of the government. Rising Anger Among Youth Against Modi Govt In this battle, the urban youth of the country has visibly been at the forefront. This is primarily due to their large presence on various social media platforms which has enabled them to use the latter as a key medium of resource and communication during these times. We are seeing rising criticism and anger vocal, written and visual among the youth against the Modi-led central government. There is a general belief that the failure of governance amid crisis lies at the doorstep of 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, primarily due to the centralised nature of governance in our country. Given that the PM hogs all the credit for positive developments during his tenure, it is only fair that he should shoulder the blame too during these times. The ongoing criticism of the BJP government has also led to chatter about the weakening of his ever-powerful image, and thus his electoral prospects in the 2024 general elections. The caveat set in this chatter is that the general elections are three years away, and that is a long enough time for the Modi armoury to rebuild itself. But the youth of the country may not forget the injustices they have witnessed. Their anger was witnessed in the run-up to the 2014 general elections, which was primarily shaped by the events of 2010, 2011 and 2012 before the emergence of the Modi phenomenon in September 2013. It is a clich to say that the youth hold the key to the future of a country. Well, the clich suits the India story. As a country with one of the youngest populations in the world, its youth play a major role not only in the countrys economy but also in its politics. The youth vote bank has been recognised by political parties across the spectrum. The prime minister himself acknowledged the significance of young voters especially the new crop of 18+ voters in his 2017 Independence Day speech, calling them the creator of the destiny (Bhagya Vidhata) of our nation in the 21st century. The youth vote bank has been one of the strongest in the political mathematics of Modis electoral victories in 2014 and 2019. According to The Hindu CSDS-Lokniti Post-Poll Survey 2019, the BJP has been the most preferred party of young India. Lets look at the numbers given in this post-poll survey. The most noteworthy point here is that across age groups in 2019, the preference for the BJP had gone up since 2014. Here, the first three age groups 18-22 years; 23-27 years; and 28-35 years are the key. The reason being two-fold: first, the population between the age of 18 to 35 is frequently denoted as the youth second, this age group has the most presence on the social media platforms an important factor, as established previously in this piece Assuming that the governments lacklustre response has genuinely angered a part of the population from the three key age groups, and that their anger sustains till the 2024 general elections and gets converted into anti-Modi votes, it could be a cause of worry for Modi and his party. Although, a drastic fall in their preference percentage cant be expected from their healthy 2019 numbers. Thus, the fall in the voting preference of the youth alone might not be a headache for Modi, but their power to drive the narrative might. Also Read: How Poster Boy PM Modi is Turning into a Cautionary Tale Youths Influence On Voting Patterns of Older Age Groups The young wield some power over the voting preferences of the middle age groups, consisting of their parents and relatives. Come 2024, a large chunk of this population will reach an age where they are considered key decision-makers or at least the conversation drivers in their drawing-rooms. In addition to all this is the ever-growing social media presence of the youth which is bound to get stronger and more critical of the government, if the pandemic does not abate, as from this point on, the government will most likely be a step behind the incoming pandemic waves. Apart from the pandemic, there is also the factor of a sluggish economy and lack of jobs which will remain the Achilles Heel of the Modi government due to their failure to fulfil their promises. While not all of us are economic experts, the basics make us understand that the pandemic makes economic revival difficult, thus affecting positive job creation. Since the pandemic is far from over, the prospects of a thriving economy and job creation look less than optimistic. A major caveat to this argument is the rural-urban divide in the Indian populace. The pandemic management of the youth via social media has primarily been witnessed in the urban centres of the country. Rural India is far from being a part of the social media circle, which makes it very difficult to gauge the sense of anger if any amongst the rural youth against the government, for its mishandling of the pandemic. According to the Post-Poll Survey 2019, it is noteworthy that BJPs vote share was higher among young voters in towns (44 percent) and rural areas (40 percent) than in cities (38 percent). Thus, just the probable anger of the urban young voters might not be able to sway the narrative against the Modi government. The TINA (There Is No Alternative) factor played a crucial role in Modis 2014 and 2019 victories. On one hand, there is the Indian National Congress (INC), whose passive politics and internal fragmentation has weakened its role as the chief opposition. Amongst the three key youth age groups, the party witnessed a rise in one: 18-22 years= 20 percent (+3). Given the trends and their current standing, booming growth in the preference percentage for the INC cannot be expected. On the other hand, there is the idea of a third front coalition. The preference of young voters for a third front is almost unknown and inconsistent, given the lack of the concrete presence of the third front as a concept. The probability of a third front coalition could become a reality in the run-up to 2024 elections if the BJP falters in the crucial Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections of 2022, and if the governments pandemic response continues to falter. Finally, a crucial factor is that of the three-year space between today and the commencement of the 2024 general elections. A better economy and job numbers look like unassailable targets as of now. Then, there are Modi and BJPs two most-favoured tropes: an ideological divide and politics of nationalism. Irrespective of the pandemic, the ideological divide has always been the ruling dispensations key tool when entering an election. The politics of nationalism completely changed the discourse of the 2019 general elections in favour of Modi after the Pulwama attack and the Balakot airstrikes. Nevertheless, its too early to predict how the ongoing dissatisfaction against the government will pan out. The dissatisfaction need not get converted into a vote against the government, especially during a pandemic which carries with it a wave of sympathy, not only for the people but also for the government to some extent. Further, the mistake of underestimating the political campaigner in Modi cannot be made. One can expect many youth-oriented overtures from the Modi government in the next three years. (Ashutosh Nagda is a Researcher at the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies (IPCS), New Delhi. He is an alumnus of SOAS, University of London. He tweets @nagdashutosh. This is an opinion piece and the views expressed are the authors own. The Quint neither endorses nor is responsible for them.) . . Read more on Opinion by The Quint.
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https://in.news.yahoo.com/post-covid-challenge-modi-govt-134436524.html
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Does Bangladesh plan to normalize ties with Israel?
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Bangladesh has removed the clause "except Israel" from its new e-passport, fueling debates on whether the country might normalize ties with Israel and pave the way for Bangladeshi nationals to visit the Middle Eastern country. Older Bangladeshi passports contained the sentence, "This passport is valid for all the countries of the world except Israel." But six months ago, when Bangladesh rolled out the electronic-chip e-passport, the "except Israel" clause was omitted without public announcement. News of the change spread when two Bangladeshi nationals claimed two weeks ago they received passports with "this passport is valid for all countries of the world" written on them. Bangladesh's Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal soon after acknowledged the change, saying that his government removed the words "except Israel" to ensure that the passports meet "international standards." Ruth Zakh, the head of the Public Inquiries Division at the Israeli Foreign Ministry, welcomed the move. "Israel welcomes the removal of the words "except Israel" from Bangladeshi passports," Zakh told DW. Gilad Cohen, deputy director-general for Asia and the Pacific, with the Israeli Foreign Ministry, also welcomed the change and called on the Bangladeshi government to move forward and establish diplomatic ties with Israel. Dhaka denies plans to normalize ties The news came as a surprise to many, as Bangladesh does not recognize Israel as a state and has kept citizens from visiting for decades. Since Bangladesh's independence from Pakistan in 1971, following a bloody liberation war, the country has only recognized Palestine as a state. Bangladesh has stated that it would not recognize Israel until there is an independent Palestine. Dhaka said it supports "the two-state solution to the Palestine-Israel conflict in light of the UN resolutions recognizing pre-1967 borders and East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine." The Palestinian enclave of Gaza was battered this month by Israeli air strikes in 11 days of violencebetween the Jewish state and Hamas, an armed Palestinian militant group. The fighting, the worst between the two sides since a 50-day war in 2014, was halted by an Egypt-brokered cease-fire on May 21. Yousef Ramadan, the Palestinian Authority's ambassador in Dhaka, told local media that he was "saddened" by Bangladesh's move to not single out Israel as a travel destination on its passports. "It cannot be acceptable for us," he said. But Dhaka has denied plans to normalize ties with Israel, saying its foreign policy towards the country hasn't changed and that a travel ban remains in place. "No one from Bangladesh can visit Israel" and if anyone does, "legal action will be taken against that person," Bangladesh's Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen told a media briefing last Wednesday. Momen said the change to the new e-passport was only to "maintain international standards." "A passport is just an identity and it doesnt reflect the foreign policy of a country. The foreign policy of Bangladesh remains the same as it was during Bangabandhus (founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman) time. We dont recognize Israel," the minister said. Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan, Bangladesh's ambassador to Germany, said the clause "except Israel" was removed from Bangladeshi passports a year ago, "But that doesn't mean that we are going to establish a diplomatic relationship with Israel." "Our policy towards it remains unchanged," Bhuiyan told DW, adding that "nearly 100,000 passports have already been issued," which are "valid for all countries of the world." Passport change leaves many confused Dhaka's decision to remove the clause from e-passports has left many feeling baffled regarding the government's stance on travel to Israel. "There needs to be more clarity in Dhaka's messaging. It's quite bizarre," Michael Kugelman, a South Asia expert at the Washington-based Woodrow Wilson Center for Scholars, told DW. Dhaka-based social activist Shahidul Alam says a travel ban is "illogical" when it's no longer outlined in a passport. "It's illogical to provide such a document, allowing a person to travel and then to stipulate that such travel is not permitted," Alam told DW. Citing immigration officials who did not want to be named, Al Jazeera reported that after the change, Bangladeshi nationals can now travel to Israel from a third country if they can obtain a visa. None of the 17 legal acts governing Bangladeshs immigration rules can impose a ban on travelling to Israel, contradicting Momens assertion of legal action, Al Jazeera reported, adding that a passport alone was not enough to visit a country and that visas must be issued. Zakh said Bangladeshi citizens could still visit Israel. "Bangladeshi citizens could visit Israel even with the old passport. We always ignored the words 'except Israel' when it appeared in other countries' passports," she told DW. "Tens of thousands of tourists and pilgrims bearing passports stained with "except Israel" visited Israel every year and were warmly welcomed," she said. Ali Riaz, a political science professor at Illinois State University, told DW that "a person who can secure a visa to visit Israel cannot be stopped or prosecuted for a trip." "There is no known law that will preclude one to visit," Riaz said. "However, whether the government uses other laws to prosecute and deter people from traveling to Israel is a different matter altogether," he added. Israel open to building relations Zakh told DW that Israel was willing to build relations with Bangladesh. "The policy of Israel since its establishment 73 years ago was to reach out to every nation on Earth and to establish relations with all of them," she said. "Bangladesh is no exception, and Israel was among the first countries to recognize Bangladesh's independence soon after it was declared." Watch video 07:57 Relief in Gaza and Israel, damaged trust in mixed cities In 2017, Israel approached Bangladeshi authorities asking for permission to provide humanitarian and medical assistance to the Rohingya refugees who fled from neighboring Myanmar, Zakh said. "First, we were ignored, and then we were denied. The offer is still on the table," she added. The World Bank's World Integrated Trade Solution database shows that trade still takes place between Bangladesh and Israel despite the absence of any diplomatic ties. According to the database, Israel imported products worth approximately $333.74 million (273.57 million) from Bangladesh between 2010 and 2018, via third countries.
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https://www.dw.com/en/does-bangladesh-plan-to-normalize-ties-with-israel/a-57731321
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Does the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine contain an unsafe ingredient?
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An online video says the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine contains a cancer-causing ingredient that is not fit for human use. But the warning in the data sheet used to prove the claim is about chloroform, a toxic compound that regulators do not list as being in the vaccine. Thats weird. Not for human or veterinary use? reads the text shared with a TikTok video that has been watched more than 1.3 million times since May 14, 2021. The narrator in the video, which has also been shared on Instagram, searches for a breakdown of what is in Covid-19 vaccines, clicking on a chemical suppliers website that provides details about a product called SM-102, the same name as one of the ingredients in Modernas vaccine. View this post on Instagram A post shared by L (@luizmd3) The narrator in the video, which has also been shared on Instagram, searches for a breakdown of what is in Covid-19 vaccines, clicking on a chemical suppliers website that provides details about a product called SM-102, the same name as one of the ingredients in Modernas vaccine. SM-102 is a lipid that helps to shield fragile mRNA molecules the messenger ribonucleic acid technology used in such shots and deliver them into cells. The video features the first page of a Safety Data Sheet for SM-102, available on the website of Cayman Chemical, a biotech company based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, which clearly indicates that the substance is for research use only. The person in the video uses health warnings featured in the document, such as suspected of causing cancer and suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child, to suggest that SM-102 and thus the vaccine is dangerous. The sheet does contains those warnings including about risks of cancer and infertility that are required by regulatory agencies: But the warnings stem from Cayman Chemical SM-102 mixtures major component, chloroform a substance not listed as an ingredient in Modernas vaccine by American, European or Canadian regulators. Cayman Chemical told AFP that following the spread of misinformation, it released a statement on May 19, which explains that SM-102 is among the products it makes for research use only and these are intended only for in vitro or animal (exploratory or preclinical) use. Chemicals under the same name can have differing designations such as grade or formulation that are defined by their manufacturing protocols and intended use, the company said. The statement emphasized: Neither the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS), or the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) Classification and Labelling Inventory list any hazards associated with SM-102. Contacted by AFP about the safety claim, Moderna did not reply. But Michigan State University researchers said there is no indication that the manufacturing process would incorporate any chloroform. Dr Norbert Kaminski and Dr Jinpeng Li, members of the Center for Research on Ingredient Safety at Michigan State University, said in an emailed statement: While one company may use chloroform in the production of an ingredient, it does not suggest that Moderna would use that product in the manufacturing of their vaccine. Dasantila Golemi-Kotra, a microbiologist at York University, said that companies are required by law to list all the ingredients that are present to levels that may be risky to humans. She also explained that the Safety Data Sheet very clearly indicates (for someone that knows and is willing to learn how to read such documentation) that SM-102 is a mixture of two chemicals: the active ingredient, the lipid, and a solvent, chloroform. SM-102 is not the pure lipid, but rather it constitutes 10 percent of the mixture SM-102. She pointed to a further section of the Safety Data Sheet indicating that while chloroform is listed under dangerous components, the SM-102 molecule is not: Additional safety tables in the document also show that chloroform, not the SM-102 lipid, is the ingredient targeted by the various warnings: Raymond Tellier, a microbiologist at the McGill University Health Center, also confirmed that a careful reading of the linked Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) clearly shows that all the warnings contained refer to chloroform. Comments comments
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https://arynews.tv/en/viral-video-moderna-vaccine/
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Can we maintain human inconsistency from complicated knowledgeable recommendation?
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Everybody has biases. And everybody is aware of that everybody has biases, and that these biases have an effect on our judgements. Bias is explainable, and our brains like issues theyll clarify. One of many main explainers of our biases is economist Daniel Kahneman, famed for a Nobel win and his e book Considering, Quick and Gradual. He is now teamed with Olivier Sibony and Cass Sunstein to put in writing a e book that is not about bias. Entitled Noise: A Flaw in Human Judgement, it offers withyou guessed itnoise, the variability amongst human judgements thats the results of people being variable. We have now distinct temperaments and personalities; were totally different from one another, and were totally different from ourselves, definitely from 12 months to 12 months but in addition even from hour to hour. All of that noise is completely OK. However its completely not OK when it implies that one petty thief is granted bail whereas one other should await trial in jail, or one asylum seeker will get admitted into the US whereas one other doesnt, or one youngster prone to abuse will get shunted into foster care whereas one other stays putall as a result of they noticed a selected choose on a selected morning. An finish to noise The purpose of the e book is to eradicate noise. Step one is recognizing it, which is not simple. In contrast to bias, noise just isnt readily acknowledged. However it contributes simply as a lot to errors as bias does. So eliminating it might probably cut back errors simply as a lot as eliminating bias can. In Considering, Quick and Gradual, Kahneman described the Nobel Prize-winning work he did with Amos Tversky concerning the many cognitive biases that usually form people choices and trigger them to err. Noise expands on these concepts to discover why teams of individuals make errors and how one can cope with it after they do. The longest part of the e book is dedicated to defining and figuring out noisea justification for the measures outlined in the remainder of the textual content. Noise is variability in judgments that needs to be an identical, the authors clarify. Commercial They arent speaking about subjective issues of style, like film opinions or wine rankings, about which there clearly needs to be variations of opinion. Theyre speaking about issues like legal justice and medical analysis, by which an absence of consensus mustnt exist however does. And it exists to a a lot, a lot higher diploma than youd think about: when proven a pair of fingerprints a second time months after first seeing them, forensic analysts make totally different choices about in the event that they match about 10 % of the time. This noise might be because of some random elements: docs order extra most cancers screenings within the morning and prescribe extra opioids (however not different ache meds) within the afternoon. Folks might wish to suppose that their fates about essential issues are being decided by certainly one of a bunch of seasoned, caring, interchangeable consultants who signify a System and never their very own particular person values at that second. However their fates are, in reality, being decided by a course of far more akin to a lottery (lotteries are cited lots in Noise). The knowledgeable who makes the choice is in essence randomly chosen, and their opinion can differ wildly from that of different consultants. And thats Not Honest. One key side of noise identification that the authors stress is that we neednt know who is true to measure how a lot the judgements of the identical circumstances range. In lots of judgments, the true or proper reply is unknown or unknowable; for others, it might not even exist. However that does not matter for recognizing issues. Knowledgeable judgments ought to nonetheless cluster collectively. If they do not, the system is noisy. (In the event that they do, the judges would possibly nonetheless all be biased in the identical mannerhowever as famous earlier, that isnt a noise drawback.) Higher hygiene To cut back noise, the authors prescribe a routine they name resolution hygiene, which is about as unsexy because it sounds. And so they named it that for exactly that cause. They liken it to hand-washing, which is extensively recognized to do wonders to stop the unfold of pathogensthough if you do it, you do not know precisely which pathogens youre stopping from spreading, and you will by no means know. Commercial The authors posit that call hygiene will cut back noise-induced errors, however well by no means know which of them. The analogy would not finish there; they notice that hand-washing can also be recognized to be sort of an annoying trouble, so although its easy and very efficient, many people who find themselves conscious that they need to be doing all of it too usually do not. Resolution hygiene is analogous. A method the authors recommend we make higher judgments and predictions is to have higher judges and predictors. Seems theyre people who find themselves not solely prepared to alter their minds when confronted with new data, however those that exit and search new data that challenges their intently held views. Theyre actively open-minded, or in a state of perpetual betatheyre continuously integrating new concepts and views, continuously analyzing and refining themselves and their views. They dont adhere to silly consistencies. They sound like the precise reverse of political pundits in all places and lots of the authorities we at present revere. Soundbites Every chapter ends with an inventory of speaking factors, like a soundbite-y spotlight reel of the contents. These are in quotes, although they arent verbatim strains lifted from wherever within the chapter (this have to be Kahnemans shtick, as he does it in Considering, Quick and Gradual as effectively). The nonquote quotations are odd, particularly since Noise has so many truly quotable sentences. Think about this gem: The obviousness of this truth [that the future is unpredictable] is matched solely by the regularity with which its ignored. Or this one, on the issues individuals might have with noise-mitigation methods: Though well deal with these objections as sympathetically as we will, we under no circumstances endorse them. And Kahneman, Sibony, and Sunstein can anticipate no scarcity of objections. A kind of is that folks, particularly skilled consultants, wish to suppose that their expertise and their hunches and their intestine emotions are invaluable. They wish to use their discretion; they insurgent in opposition to the notion that their instinct might be supplanted by an algorithm (though Kahneman and Co. insist that this would definitely eradicate noise). However the purpose of judgment is accuracy, not particular person expression, the authors write. Creativity and private values definitely have their place. However not in the event that they result in injustice.
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https://www.micash.co.uk/can-we-keep-human-inconsistency-from-confusing-expert-advice.html
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What is the best order to play the Resident Evil games?
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At the end of the factory section, you will face a mutated version (decepticon like) of Heisenberg and, as expected, this fight will also takes place in two stages. During the first one, you will have to face Heisenberg from a vehicle, and shoot repeatedly (depending on the difficulty it will be more times) at the red glowing points that are located either on its arms or at the base of its body, while trying to move continuously in order to avoid its attacks. If you see that it it gets too close, use the cannon, or if it is charging, try to cover yourself with.
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https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2264356729166/what-is-the-best-order-to-play-the-resident-evil-games
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When will Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous Season 4 be on Netflix?
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Of all of the Dreamworks projects to come to Netflix, one of the most popular has been Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous which just saw season 3 land on Netflix. With all eyes now ahead to season 4 of Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous, lets take a look at whether and when it could come to Netflix. Set in the Universal IP of Jurassic World, the animated series follows six teens attending an adventure camp on an island full of dinosaurs and as you can probably guess, everything didnt go to plan. So far, 26 episodes have hit Netflix around the world so far since September 2020. Official renewal status: Status unknown but expected for renewal (Last updated: 05/31/2021) For anyone that doesnt follow Dreamworks shows on Netflix, theyre often ordered with a big batch of episodes upfront. Thats how were able to see multiple seasons added within a small time period. Some shows have been ordered up to a certain amount of episodes (see Voltron) and thats the case were expecting with Jurassic World but Netflix doesnt communicate that. Of course, at the end of season 3, the story definitely commands a few more episodes to either wrap up or continue the story being told. When talking to EntertainmentWeekly, Scott Kreamer and Colin Trevorrow revealed there are several key things moving forward with regards to how the show is overlapping with the main Jurassic World timeline saying: There are connections that were making for sure [] When you see Dominion, it will be clear that it takes place on the same timeline and in the same world as our show. adding We do have a beginning, middle, and an end for it [] I certainly wouldnt want anyone to think that we dont have a plan. We do, and there is an ending in sight. Trevorrow speaking to The Hollywood Reporter after the release of season 3 didnt confirm the fourth season but did say that there is more planned saying: If we are able to tell the whole story that we have plotted out here, that the writers have built, it will really give us a chance to go into some really new spaces that are a real departure from the movies, The best port of call for any announcement regarding season 4 (whether that be a renewal or release date) is the Jurassic World Twitter account and the second being the main Dreamworks account. We found theyve beaten trades to the punch in announcing any future seasons thus far. Wed also recommend following Jurassic Outpost who does a great job at keeping track of all things Jurassic World. Lets assume the show has already been greenlit for a fourth batch of episodes, using the timeline for the first three seasons, we should easily expect to see season 4 by the close of 2021. New seasons have arrived every four months thus far so if season 4 follows suit, we should see the next batch of episodes for Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous in September 2021. As for other Dreamworks projects on Netflix right now, theyre beginning to come to an end. Rhyme Time Town continues with a new season currently lined up for June 2021. The Fast and Furious animated series is still ongoing but its unclear when that comes to a close. Gabbys Dollhouse and Go, Dog Go! are also expected to have more episodes in the future but any new projects will likely land at Peacock. You can read more about the legacy of that deal to Netflix in a great piece Emily Horgan did for us here. Let us know in the comments down below.
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https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/when-will-jurassic-world-camp-cretaceous-season-4-be-on-netflix/
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Who was Joe Lara?
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Joe Lara is presumed to be dead after being in a plane crash that happened on Saturday. (Photos: Keller Siegel Entertainment and Life with Gwen and Joe) Actor Joe Lara, who is presumed dead along with seven other people after a plane crashed in a lake near Nashville city on Saturday, was best known for his role as Tarzan in the once-popular American TV series Tarzan: The Epic Adventures. Born on October 2, 1962 in San Diego, California, Joe first appeared in the 1988 movie Night Wars as an unnamed American solider. In 1989, the actor had a major breakthrough as he cleared the audition for a TV movie on Tarzan called Tarzan in Manhattan. He landed the lead role. Post Tarzan in Manhattan, he was seen in two more TV movies called Gunsmoke: The Last Apache and Danger Island. He returned as Tarzan in the show Tarzan: The Epic Adventures in 1996. Joe was also popular for having appeared in many actioners over the years like Steel Frontier, Armstrong, Warhead among others. In 2002, Joe quit acting to pursue a career in his second love, country music. Joe Lara tied the knot with author Gwen Shamblin in 2018. The couple are survived by two children from Gwens first marriage.
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https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/hollywood/who-was-joe-lara-7338461/
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Will Post COVID Challenge to Modi Govt Come from Indian Youth?
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The last month and a half have been harrowing to say the least for the Indian public. The second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic has managed to reach almost everyones doors, leaving a dark imprint. The governments both central and states were caught unawares and were found incapable of handling this crisis of mammoth proportions. In their absence, the people of India stepped up to support each other. From finding hospital beds, ventilators, oxygen cylinders, plasma donors, medicines to preparing and delivering food for those in need, to creating helplines to discuss mental health issues, amongst others, civil society and communities have taken over the role of the government.
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https://www.thequint.com/voices/opinion/modi-govt-youth-voters-covid-pandemic-disaster-mismanagement-2024-general-elections-public-anger
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Is Russell Westbrook playing tonight against Philadelphia 76ers in Game 4 of the 2021 NBA Playoffs?
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The Washington Wizards host Game 4 of the first round of the 2021 NBA playoffs and they hope that Russell Westbrook makes an appearance. They are down 0-3 to the 1st-seeded Philadelphia 76ers and if Westbrook doesn't lace-up, we might see the Wizards getting eliminated tonight. He suffered an ankle injury in the fourth quarter of Game 2 and was escorted to the locker room. Russell Westbrook was frustrated after suffering an apparent ankle injury. He left for the locker room in the fourth. pic.twitter.com/XWqJK3WOOq SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 27, 2021 NBA Playoffs 2021: Russell Westbrook might have to endure the pain barrier to play against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 4 Russell Westbrook suffers an ankle injury Russell Westbrook has been listed as questionable for the game tonight against the Philadelphia 76ers. Injury report for Game 4 of #WizSixers: Russell Westbrook (right ankle sprain) and Ish Smith (left groin strain) are both questionable tomorrow. Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) May 30, 2021 He was questionable for Game 3 as well but a last-minute game-time decision led to him lacing up right before tip-off. Despite playing through pain, Westbrook dropped a triple-double to move up to third on the all-time NBA playoff triple-doubles list. The Washington Wizards got Russell Westbrook treated in the locker room each time he checked out of the game. However, they couldn't afford to play without him, even with the injured ankle. Westbrook played nearly 34 minutes before stepping off the court late in the blowout. Bradley Beal spoke about his teammate, saying: "I kind of knew after last game he was going to play...Even if it was for two minutes, he was going to play." There are a ton of anecdotes i this Westbrook feature that might explain it: https://t.co/aO4NKlAb0E pic.twitter.com/tDpUamb6jF Fred Katz (@FredKatz) May 29, 2021 Russell Westbrook has a history of playing through injury and pain. Coach Scott Brooks spoke about Westbrook after the injury in Game 2. He said: "Ive seen him bounce back from some very not-so-good moments where you think he might be out for a couple of weeks. Hes tough. Hes not happy that he wasnt able to finish the game, but hes a winning basketball player." Even if Russell Westbrook does join the lineup, it is expected to be another game-time decision. The reality is that the Washington Wizards are down 0-3 to the dominant 76ers and recovering from that deficit is next to impossible. We will have to wait until tip-off to see if Westbrook suits up for the game. However, don't be surprised if he eventually fights through the pain and ends up playing the game.
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https://www.sportskeeda.com/basketball/news-is-russell-westbrook-playing-tonight-philadelphia-76ers-game-4-2021-nba-playoffs
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What's next for Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans?
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The New Orleans Pelicans endured yet another disappointing season, finishing 11th in the Western Conference standings. The Pelicans had a rough start to their 2020-21 NBA campaign, managing just five wins in their first 15 games. They recovered from that but continued to be inconsistent as they fell short of qualifying for the postseason, thanks to injuries to key players. Nonetheless, there were quite a few positives for the team during the season. The biggest of them all was the burgeoning partnership between their star trio of Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball. They were key architects in most of the New Orleans Pelicans' wins during the regular season. While the 2020-21 campaign did not happen the way the New Orleans Pelicans would have envisaged it to, they did show glimpses of their prowess. Their season series win against the LA Clippers and dominant performances against top teams like the Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers and Utah Jazz were notable examples in that regard. The Pelicans were one of the most exciting teams offensively, scoring 114.7 points per game (ninth-best in the league). They were the seventh-best team shooting from the floor, converting 47.7% of their field goals. New Orleans Pelicans' major areas of concern The New Orleans Pelicans were one of the worst defensive teams in the league during the 2020-21 NBA season. With a rating of 113.1, they were 23rd in the defensive rating list and conceded 114.1 points per game, the sixth-worst in the league. The Pelicans were also one of the worst teams defending on the perimeter, conceding 14.5 three-pointers per game, the second-worst by any team in the league. Their overreliance on their offense to win games proved to be one of their biggest shortcomings during the season. The young New Orleans Pelicans core struggled to keep their focus intact for a consistent period of time and often failed to win games regularly. They only had one four-game winning streak, which was also their longest in the entire campaign. They recorded a three-game winning streak only once and failed to win more than two games on the trot on several occasions. The team clearly lacked the ability to perform in crunch situations and were unable to turn games around when they weren't in control early on. Outgoing Players New Orleans Pelicans The contracts of Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, James Johnson, James Nunnally, Didi Louzada and Willy Hernangomez are all up this summer. The quintet could be on the move, depending on how the New Orleans Pelicans plan their off-season. Priorities in the off-season The New Orleans Pelicans have a big off-season ahead. One of their first priorities would be to try and keep Lonzo Ball in the team. Even though there are plenty of options in the 2021 free agency for the point guard position, re-signing Ball could be the best for them. That's because of his promising chemistry with the team's two frontline stars, Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram. 14.6 PPG | 5.7 APG | 4.8 RPG | 1.5 SPG 37.8% 3FG | 78.1% FT @ZO2_s season recap https://t.co/kxlAzLuuDC New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) May 26, 2021 The trio looked great together and could prove key in helping the team make the playoffs next season, provided they are surrounded by proven performers. If they fail to re-sign Lonzo Ball, though, the Pelicans should look to add an experienced floor general, who would be able to lead the team in crunch situations and keep the young team focused. In the past, the Pelicans have had to let go of players like Chris Paul and Anthony Davis while they were in their primes. If they fail to build a lethal team around Zion Williamson, he could follow in Paul's and Davis' footsteps, which wouldn't be in the best interests of the New Orleans Pelicans. Sam Amick of The Athletic recently said on KHTK radio that the New Orleans Pelicans aren't 'vibing' with current head coach Stan Van Gundy. That could be a problem moving forward, something the front office will need to address. Two other players the New Orleans Pelicans should look to keep hold of are Josh Hart and Willy Hernangomez. As mentioned earlier, the duo will be out of contract this summer. They have made solid contributions off the bench and could be relied upon next season to continue their good form. Reason to be optimistic Brandon Ingram (left) and Zion Williamson (right) have been terrific for the New Orleans Pelicans this season. The New Orleans Pelicans have two of the brightest young stars in Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram; both of them have been All-Stars as well. The duo was terrific during the 2020-21 campaign and could only improve with time. Williamson averaged 27 points per game, while Ingram averaged 23.7. Through the first two seasons of his NBA career, @Zionwilliamson has shown incomparable versatility, the ability to transform into whatever unique offensive force New Orleans needs him to be Full 2020-21 season recap: https://t.co/0wUh3M5Agu New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) May 25, 2021 They are expected to be more determined next year to challenge for the playoffs, which is one of the primary reasons why the New Orleans Pelicans should be confident ahead of next season. Early predictions for next season The New Orleans Pelicans showed great promise this season. If they can assemble a decent enough roster around Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, the Pelicans will fancy their chances of qualifying for the playoffs. If not, they are likely to at least make the play-in tournament (provided it remains).
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https://www.sportskeeda.com/basketball/what-s-next-zion-williamson-new-orleans-pelicans
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Is Cruella suitable for children?
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Disneys latest live-action remake gets a PG-13 rating. The film received a PG-13 rating from the MPAA for certain elements of violence and themesTo understand what that means, heres a breakdown of how these elements are reflected in the movie. In recent years, Disney has capitalized on the popularity of its back catalog with live-action remakes of the old IP. While many of these have remained relatively unchanged both in history and in the target audience, some, likeMaleficent (2014), braved new storytelling terrain while using familiar characters and settings, resulting in more mature films aimed at older viewers. From disneyCruella, an exploration of the backstory of the trendy villain at the center of the 1961 animated filmOne hundred and one Dalmatians and the live-action remakes of the late 90s, draw the line between darker tone and subject matter, and light, whimsical familiarity. Keep scrolling to keep reading Click the button below to start this article in quick view. Related: How Cruellas Backstory Changes Turns Disney Villain Into Hero Cruella doesnt care as much about the fun canine antics of the original animated film, nor does it relish Glenn Closes delightfully camped Cruella DeVil silliness as in101 Dalmatians (1996). The films violence is fairly bloodless, although an early scene involving Estella / Cruellas mother can prove unsettling to young viewers. The Dalmatians are, admittedly, quite formidable in this sequence, a disturbing visual for children who adored the spotty canines of the original film. The story is mostly crime-centric, and Emma Stone gives an at times intense performance as the insane titular. There are a few direct references to alcohol everywhere. All of this contributes to the films darker tone as a more mature prequel that expands the whimsical universe of the original IP. That being said, the film does offer a handful of elements aimed at a younger audience. Children can be seen in Emma Stones portrayal of young Estella / Cruella, a precocious and creatively misunderstood child struggling with bullies in school. Paul Walter Houser offers delicious comedic relief as Horace, one of Estellas criminal running mates. Her dog, Wink, lends the film some much-needed adorable dog footage, along with her scruffy canine companion, Buddy, who has belonged to Estella since her elementary school years. Even though the film resolutely boils down to the no, Cruella wouldnt flay Dalmatians for a cloak side of the original animal cruelty subtext, a move to make Estella more tradable as the protagonist rather than the original. as a villain he certainly earns his PG-13 rating. Ultimately, its up to parents to decide whether to take their kids to see this reimagined darker adventure or stick with the animated classic available on Disney +. WhileCruella offers a more intriguing live-action remake than most of the other products in the catalog to date, it perhaps does so at the expense of the originals appeal to children under 13. Next: When Cruella Is Available To Watch For Free On Disney + Apocalypse Now: the 4 different cuts explained (and which is the best) About the Author Gabriel Ponniah (88 articles published) Gabriel Ponniah is a filmmaker and writer originally from Columbia, Maryland. He has worked both inside and outside the entertainment industry as a freelance creator and for several production companies in film, television and talent development. Gabriel is excited about his distinguished return to work in the industry in Los Angeles after graduating from the University of Texas at Austin with the highest honor in radio-television-film. When hes not dissecting movies, hes playing basketball, cooking or cheering on his favorite sports team: the New Orleans Saints. More from Gabriel Ponniah 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/entertainment/954125/
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Why are protesters in Ethiopia and Mali waving Russian flags?
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On Sunday, more than 10,000 people gathered in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, to denounce the interference of the United States of America in the affairs of the country. Last week, Washington announced sanctions against several Ethiopian and Eritrean officials over the conflict in the Tigray region. Protesters also carried banners bearing photos of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping as they chanted the aggression of the Americas. The part where protesters in Ethiopia mention is China is notable because Beijing is a major player in the Ethiopian economy, providing loans and building special economic zones. They see China as an alternative, says Ovigwe Eguegu, a political analyst based in Abuja, Nigeria. China is Ethiopias largest bilateral lender. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has courted Washingtons wrath since the rejection of a US negotiated Nile Dam deal and recently the Tigray War. Enter Moscow It was the second time in three days that Russia, which had had a limited role in Africa until its 2017 intervention in the Central African Republic, received favorable sentiments at a political rally in Africa. On Thursday, protesters in a pro-army march in Bamako, capital of Malis, waved Russian flags as they showed their support for Colonel Assimi Goita, who declared himself president after sacking the transition leader Bah Ndaw. They also held up placards denouncing the former French colonial ruler, who maintains a significant military presence in the Sahel country plagued by coups and a militant insurgency. There is a historical dimension to Frances detestation in Mali and pretty much all of West Africa, Eguegu said. It starts from what people see as a stifling role played by France in the CFA franc. Public sentiment towards France has been hostile, especially in the Sahel, which President Emmanuel Macron has repeatedly blamed on regional leaders. But the demonstrators also understand that Colonel Goita [Mali junta leader] lack of critical international support he needs to retain power and cannot count on ECOWAS or Paris for his support. Thats why Russia is coming in, Eguegu said. French and Russian disinformation wars The demonstration in Bamako was just the latest manifestation of a fierce struggle for influence in Central and West Africa between the two powers. In December 2020, Facebook said it had deleted more than 500 Facebook and Instagram accounts, pages and groups from Russia and France targeting 13 African countries, including Mali. The other countries were the Central African Republic, Tunisia, Libya, Niger, Cte dIvoire and Burkina Faso. Facebook said at the time that French disinformation accounts had ties to the military. They would create deceptive content targeting elections and military operations and distribute it through social media. Moscow, encouraged by its success and goodwill in the Central African Republic, sought to further undermine Frances already waning influence in West Africa. Goita playing the Russians In 2018, Russia sent military advisers and mercenaries to Bangui to train CAR soldiers and protect senior government officials. Russian forces, UN peacekeepers and the weak Central African army are preventing President Faustin-Archange Touaderas government from being overthrown by armed groups. Events have shaken Paris, which is worried about its decreasing influence in the ailing country. But Eguegu says the Malis junta is also opportunistic. The Malians understand that the Russians and the French are rivals in the region. Malians see this and want to capitalize on this rivalry and want to draw Russia into the mix in order to use his influence to ensure that Goita has that international clout he so desperately needs to carry out his agenda.
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https://exbulletin.com/politics/954118/
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Who will host Love Island 2021?
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REALITY TV fans cannot wait for Love Island to return to our TV screens after an 18-month break. Heres all you need to know. This year's series of Love Island will be hosted by Laura Whitmore. The 36-year-old began hosting the reality TV show ahead of the 2020 Winter series. Speaking to Glamour magazine in January 2020, Laura said: "The whole thing just feels intimidating because its such a huge show, and I'm a huge fan and I know it so well. "When I was on the plane coming over, the lovely air hostess woke me up and she said, 'Good luck with the show!' "Then I was at the hotel and an older guy came up to me and said, 'I love the show, good luck!' "It's such a big show that everyone knows you're doing it." The Irish host will be joined in the villa by husband Iain Stirling, who has narrated Love Island since the show was revived in 2015. The comedians voice has become one of the most recognisable in British culture and he revealed to the Scotsman in 2019 what the attention is like. We'll give you a good deal.' "They didn't. I had to pay full price. I get recognised on the phone because its harder to cover up your voice than your head. "You can put a hat on or something, but I can't do accents. All I can do is talk like this." Rumours suggest the new series of Love Island will start on Monday, June 28. The show usually lasts for around eight weeks from June to August and this years series will hopefully be just as long, despite the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. There is no news yet as to who will appear on the show, although this is expected to be announced VERY soon. This series of Love Island will be shot in the iconic villa in Majorca. Speaking to the Telegraph in February, host Laura said: "I have been told that it's coming back. I love doing it, it's such a fun show." Most read in Love Island 'this is nuts!' RHOSLC's Jen slammed after cousin promoted GoFundMe to help with legal fees 'AMEN' Khloe thanks God for protecting her after Tristan is accused of cheating again 'SO IGNORANT!' Janas name appears to be called at Wissmann gathering amid dating rumors
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https://www.the-sun.com/entertainment/tv/2988750/who-will-host-love-island-2021/
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Will Mare of Easttown return for season 2?
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SEASON one of Mare of Easttown has drawn to a close with fans finally finding out who murdered Erin McMenamin. The HBO & Sky Atlantic crime drama came to a gripping end and viewers are already begging for more. Get the lowdown on the shows second season, and the fantastic finale of episode seven here- but beware of spoilers below! Season one managed to impress viewers with a highly emotional and heart-breaking finale that neatly wrapped up the story of the first season. The Mare of Easttown was marked as a limited series, meaning that it would be a one-off with no second season but the success of the first season means that more episodes are not out of the question. Creator, Brad Ingelsby admitted that he was open to another season of the show if the story was right. 3 The limited series could be back if the shows creator comes up with an interesting story for season 2 Credit: HBO He told Esquire before the finale: "We didn't ever talk about returning...it's very much a closed story." "But I think if we could ever crack a story that was as emotional and surprising, then I think maybe there's a conversation." "I don't have that in my head right now, but I mean, listen, I love Mare. If we could ever give her a great season, I would certainly consider it." The first season of the show followed Mare (Short for Marianne) Sheehan, a surly Irish-American detective in Philadelphia's DelCo township , struggling to process her divorce and the untimely suicide of her son. Played by Kate Winslet, Mare is tasked with investigating the murder of Erin 3 Kate Winslet's character deals with grief, custody & addiction while working to crack the case Credit: Alamy Detective Mare Sheehan - played by Kate Winslet - investigates the recent murder of Erin McMenamin. For the majority of the series, the culprit was believed to be John Ross, the man who fathered Erin's son, DJ. John is the husband of Lori - Mare's close friend - who was having an affair with Erin before her gruesome death. The season was riddled with red herrings and, in a shocking twist in the final episode, it was revealed the killer was actually Ryan Ross- the teenage son of John and Lori. Ryan was devastated to hear that his father was having yet another affair and arrived at the park to confront Erin, with a revolver in tow. Most read in TV 'this is nuts!' RHOSLC's Jen slammed after cousin promoted GoFundMe to help with legal fees 'AMEN' Khloe thanks God for protecting her after Tristan is accused of cheating again 'SO IGNORANT!' Janas name appears to be called at Wissmann gathering amid dating rumors Unfortunately, Erin reached for the weapon, leading to Ryan firing twice; once in the finger and then delivering a final, fatal blow to the head. The big reveal left her relationship with Lori fractured, but Brad Ingelsby assures viewers that Mare will not give up on her best friend. "Mare is going to in some way move on with her life while also taking care of the people in the community that need her most, which in this case is Lori."
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https://www.the-sun.com/entertainment/tv/2988810/will-mare-of-easttown-return-for-season-2/
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Does trash run on Memorial Day?
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MEMORIAL Day 2021 is in full swing, which many Americans consider a day of both rest and rememberance. And some people, in some municipalities, are wondering if their garbage will be picked up on Memorial Day. Whether trash is picked up on Memorial Day 2021 depends on your municipality. If your trash is collected by a private company, which your municipality has contracted with independently of the government, your garbage pickup will continue uninterrupted. If, however, your garbage pickup is contracted with the local government as it is in New York City your garbage will not be picked up on Memorial Day. The best way to figure out whether your garbage will be picked up on Memorial Day will be to contact your local city council. While garbage pickup on Memorial Day 2021 varies from town to town, there are some services that will be provided on Memorial Day. Walmart and Home Depot are going to be open on Memorial Day. National restaurant chains such as Starbucks, McDonald's, and Dunkin Donuts will be open on Memorial Day. Restaurant delivery apps such as UberEats and GrubHub will deliver from these stores on Memorial Day, too. 4 If your garbage pickup is privately contracted, it will continue uninterrupted Credit: Getty - Contributor However, Costco will not be open on Memorial Day 2021. Natural Grocers, the natural chain of food stores, will also be closed on Memorial Day 2021. Some stores, however, will have reduced hours. Starbucks, for example, that are in Target stores will have reduced hours on Memorial Day 2021. 4 NYC doesn't have garbage pickup today Credit: Getty - Contributor Most read in Money CHECK FOR YOURSELF Is a fourth check coming as child tax credit calculator is released BANKING ON IT How to find out if youll be sent monthly $300 checks starting in July WHAT'S OPEN What to know about liquor stores on Memorial Day 2021 DOORS ARE OPEN Lowe's Memorial Day 2021 - Everything you need to know CHECK AGAIN New round of $1,400 stimulus checks may be coming as calls mount for more cash HOME NEEDS What to know about Home Depot on Memorial Day 2021 Overall, any goods or services that are provided by the government will be closed on Memorial Day 2021. Banks will also be closed on Memorial Day 2021. Some boutique local shops will also be closed on Memorial Day, so be sure to double-check with your favorite small business.
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https://www.the-sun.com/money/2988549/garbage-pickup-memorial-day-2021/
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Who is Naftali Bennett?
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NAFTALI Bennett is on the brink of potentially ending the reign of Israels longest serving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. As a polarising figure in Israel politics, the far right leader could be a controversial candidate. Here are some of the key details. Naftali Bennett is a self-made tech millionaire and former Defence Minister of Israel. As a former Special Forces commando, the 49-year year old is the son of US-born parents and lives with his wife Galit and four children in the central city of Raanana. He entered politics after selling his tech start-up for 145million in 2005, and the next year became chief of staff to current Prime Minister Netanyahu, who was then in opposition. Sources suggest that pair shared a rock relationship during their time working decision, despite sharing similar ideologies. Yet, having reportedly left the party on bad terms, he broke back into politics in 2012 who took charge of the far-right Jewish Home party (now known as Yamina). From then on his notoriety rose as he started to make headlines with a series of controversial comments. The 49-year-old leads the Yamina Party which has called for Israel to annex parts of the occupied West Bank. Bennett personally argues that the West Bank is not under occupation because there was never a Palestinian state here, and that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict could not be resolved but must be endured, like a piece of shrapnel in the buttocks. In 2020, he sought to press ahead with the annexation during the final months of the Donald Trump administration, but this fell down after Israel formalised ties with the United Arab Emirates. Away from Palestinian matters, Naftali has built a reputation as a progressive politician. This includes his comparatively liberal views on issues such as gay rights and the relationship between religion and state. As of May 2021, Bennett is seeking a coalition deal that could depose the countrys longest-serving leader Benjamin Netanyahus and replace him in charge of the country. In a nationwide address, Yamina party leader Naftali Bennett said he had decided to join forces with the centrist party leader, Yair Lapid. In his address to Israeli's Bennett said: "It's my intention to do my utmost in order to form a national unity government along with my friend Yair Lapid, so that, God willing, together we can save the country from a tailspin and return Israel to its course." The pair have until Wednesday to complete a deal in which they are expected to each serve two years as prime minister in a rotation deal. 4 Naftali is expected to form a coaltion that would remove Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu Credit: Reuters Lapid's Yesh Atid party said negotiating teams met on Sunday. A unity government would end the cycle of deadlock that has plunged the country into four inconclusive elections over the past two years. Most read in News Live Blog 'RECOVERY MISSION' Christian diet guru, husband & 6 others presumed dead after plane crash TRAGIC TOT Cop shoots dead own daughter, 6, after firing gun during boozy row with wife Q-OUP CALL Calls for court martial after General Flynn says coup should happen in US INSTA-HORROR Instagram star kills self on video in police chase after attacking girlfriend SOCIALITE 'BOOKED' Billionaire's daughter-in-law 'to be charged' after cop's shooting death TRAGIC FLIGHT Diet guru and church leaders 'on the way to MAGA rally when plane crashed' But it also would end, at least for the time being, the record-setting tenure of Netanyahu, who is currently on trial for fraud. Minutes after Bennetts announcement, Netanyahu lashed out, calling the plan a danger for the security of Israel. He accused Bennett of betraying the Israeli right-wing and urged nationalist politicians who have joined the coalition talks not to establish what he called a leftist government.
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https://www.the-sun.com/news/2988827/who-is-naftali-bennett/
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Is American Outlaws a True Story? Is the Movie Based on Real Life?
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Helmed by Les Mayfield and backed by a charismatic performance from a young Colin Farrell (The Lobster), American Outlaws is a western film packed with a lot of gunslinging and thrilling action. The story follows the notorious exploits of Jesse and Frank James as they team up with the Younger brothers to rob an evil corporation in the wild, Wild West. Taking place in the racially volatile state of Missouri in the aftermath of the American Civil War, the story seems to plunge the audience right into a turbulent chapter in the national history of America. However, if you are wondering about its historical accuracy, fret not. We have you covered! American Outlaws is partially based on a true story. The screenplay, written by Roderick Rod Taylor along with John Rogers of Jackie Chan Adventures fame, is loosely inspired by the real-life exploits of the James-Younger Gang. The Wild West has given birth to several notorious outlaws such as Billy the Kid and Butch Cassidy. Jesse James and his brothers were among the most notorious bandits that came out of the hostile history of the American Civil War. The James-Younger Gang, consisting of the James brothers, Jesse and Frank, and the Younger brothers, John, Jim, Bob, and Cole Younger, came to prominence in the late 1860s in the aftermath of the American Civil War. They were indeed real-life figures who operated on the Missouri Kansas border. The beginning of the film sees Jesse and his elder brother Frank getting caught in a gunfight with Union troops late in the Civil War. The bushwhacking guerrillas are shortly joined by the Younger brothers, and with a daring feat from Jesse, the guerrillas manage to fight off the troops. However, there may be a little exaggeration in the depiction. The James-Younger Gang was effective against the Union army precisely because they were sharpshooters, able riders, and team players up against a team of foot soldiers equipped with mere Springfield rifles. In other words, the gang was not so much a one-person show as depicted in the film. In the film, the James and Younger brothers are led by Captain Malcolm, who seems to be a fictional character without any historical basis. In reality, the Brothers were taken under the wings of William Quantrill and then the notorious raider Bloody Bill Anderson. The film also tries to make a hero out of the James-Younger Gang, overlooking the fact that the James was a family of slave-owners and that the gang had a major part to play in the Lawrence Massacre in Kansas where 150-200 unarmed Union soldiers were killed. Apart from that, the gang members were not real-life Robin Hoods helping out the poor, as they reportedly kept the spoils of the exploits mostly to themselves. The corporation called Rock Northern Railroad depicted in the film is also fictional. In reality, the gang started with bank robberies and gradually moved their way up to railroads. And more often than not, the money they stole belonged to ordinary hard-working citizens and not conglomerate businesses such as the one mentioned in the film. The character of Allan Pinkerton should be of some interest to the viewers, especially when they get to know that this guy was behind the creation of the famous Pinkerton National Detective Agency. Therefore, he seems to be quite real. However, the reel-life Pinkerton hesitates to use terror tactics, while the real-life Pinkerton did not shy away from bombing the house of the James family in retaliation to the death of his agents. In the film, the house is set on fire by the railroad guys, and as a tragic consequence, James mother breathes her last. But in reality, the mother only lost an arm while the 9-year-old half-brother Archie Samuel was killed. On the other hand, Jim Younger dies in the film in an encounter with Pinkerton, while in reality, he outlived Jesse James. In addition, while the film chooses to omit some real-life figures such as the step-father and sisters of the James family, the narrative includes some fictional characters who have no mention in history. For example, Clell Miller was a part of the gang, while Lonnie Packwood is certainly fictional. Moreover, the screenwriters also omitted the fact that Zee Mimms was actually the first cousin of Jesse James. In the finality of the film, Jesse and Zee head to Tennessee to lead a life of happily ever after, but that was not the fate of the real-life renegades. They continued their exploits till the infamous Northfield Raid, where they met with resistance from the residents upon trying to rob the First National Bank of the town. The Northfield Raid marked the end of the James-Younger Gang as they attempted to escape the scene, but Frank ended up in jail along with the Younger brothers. Jesse joined another gang in the aftermath, where he was killed by fellow gang member Robert Ford. All things considered, the films ties with historical events are palpable, but that does not stop it from being an amply entertaining watch.
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https://thecinemaholic.com/is-american-outlaws-based-on-a-true-story/
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Is I Am Sam a True Story? Is the Movie Based on Real Life?
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I am Sam is a heart-wrenching drama helmed by Jessie Nelson and starring Sean Penn The story follows a father with an intellectual disability and his young daughter, who is rapidly becoming more intelligent and capable than her father. Through portraying Sams (Penn) fight to retain custody of his daughter, the film explores the not often discussed issue of parents who are on the autism spectrum. Equally inspiring and eye-opening as it is heart-wrenching, the films story is one of the most thought-provoking ones to come out of Hollywood. Lets find out! No, I am Sam is not based on a true story. It is a fictional tale conceived by screenwriter Kristine Johnson and the films director and co-writer Jessie Nelson. Johnson initially got the idea for I am Sam from a real-life father living with a disability. For Nelson, this idea translated into a metaphor for how every parent must feel when first faced with the daunting task of parenting. Hence, the story focuses on the subjects of intellectual disability and parenting and their poignant intersection. The emotional situation in the film, with Sam on the verge of losing custody of his 7-year old daughter, feels life-like in large part due to Sean Penns compelling acting chops. To prepare for his role as a single father on the spectrum living with an intellectual disability, Penn visited L.A. GOAL, a special education school that supports people with developmental disabilities. Here, the method actor was able to note the intricacies and mannerisms that would allow him to portray his character authentically. In addition, Penn, who is known for his deeply involved roles, would often improvise a scene, depending on how he felt his character would respond. Many of these scenes were better than the original script and were retained in the final cut. The most notable examples of such improvised scenes are the one in which Sam gets entangled with the leashes of the six dogs he is simultaneously walking, and his meltdown at the diner at the end of which he screams, Ask big Bob! Though Sams exact condition is not mentioned in the movie, his mannerisms are said to portray autistic tendencies. The filmmakers also researched at L.A. GOAL for their script, and during this time met Joseph Rosenberg and Brad Allan Silverman, actors who have disabilities. The two were eventually cast in the film and play Sams loyal friends. According to Nelson, many of the people living with disabilities they met were huge fans of the Beatles, and some even held an impressive knowledge of the rock bands lore. This was largely responsible for the films Grammy Award-nominated soundtrack, as well as other aspects of the film, like Sams daughters name Lucy, inspired by the Beatles. Johnson, the films co-writer, initially got the idea for I am Sam from a real-life disabled father. For Nelson, who also directed the movie, this idea translated into a metaphor for how every parent must feel when first faced with the daunting task of parenting. Hence, the story focuses on the subjects of mental disability and parenting, and their poignant intersection. Despite being a fictional story, I am Sam delivers an eye-opening experience that forces viewers to contemplate the very real phenomenon of persons with a disability/disabilities raising children. Special Olympics Board Chairman Timothy Shriver, has also lauded the film, describing Sams depiction as challenging every preconceived notion that viewers might have about intellectual disability. An introspective movie about society at large, the arguments made by Sams character in the film, though simplistic, portray deep wisdom and help throw light on a complex social issue. Read More: Best Movies About Autism
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https://thecinemaholic.com/is-i-am-sam-based-on-a-true-story/
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Is Ninja Assassin a True Story? Is the Movie Based on Real Life?
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Set predominantly in Berlin, Germany, Ninja Assassin is a crime thriller movie that tells the story of Raizo (Rain), an elite ninja assassin, who leaves his clan after its leader, Lord Ozunu (Sh Kosugi), orders the death of the woman he loves. Raizo returns years later with only revenge in his mind. He teams up with Mika Coretti (Naomie Harris), a Europol forensic researcher, intending to bring down Ozunu and the clan he leads. Since the films release in 2009, many audience members have wondered whether ninjas still exist in the modern world. Furthermore, the films depictions of assassinations organized by governments and private parties have made people question whether real-life events inspire it. Here is what we know about it. No, Ninja Assassin is not based on a true story. While filming Speed Racer, Lana and Lilly Wachowski came up with the idea for Ninja Assassin after witnessing how effortlessly South Korean pop star Rain performs his ninja-esque action sequences. James McTeigue, with whom the Wachowskis have previously worked on V for Vendetta, subsequently joined the project as its director. According to McTeigue, they drew inspiration from the ninja films of their youth and then added additional elements of film noir and popular anime such as Ninja Scrolls. The scripting of the martial arts film also went through an interesting process. Lana and Lilly Wachowski had the draft of New Assassin ready, but they werent that fully satisfied with it. So the duo approached their friend and writer, J. Michael Straczynski, who created an entirely new draft in just 53 hours. While the film is largely fictional, its backstory is rooted in history. The ninjas truly existed in feudal Japan and were used by the ruling class to scout, infiltrate, spy, and sow discord in the enemy territories. And of course, they were also used for assassinations. Unlike the Samurai, the ninjas were not bound by the strict codes of conventional warfare and often proved to be incredibly versatile investments. The ninjas traditionally hailed from the pageant class, and the weapons they often used reflected that. For instance, the kusarigama, a modified version of which appears in the film, is a deadly weapon of the ninjas made up of a chain and a sickle. Ninja Assassin depicts the ninjas carrying all their traditional weapons: katanas, daggers, and throwing stars. However, the film sometimes ventures beyond the bounds of history and heavily uses the lore around the ninjas. In the neo-noir film, the ninjas have supernatural abilities. The masters of the Ozunu clan can heal themselves and use the shadow-blending technique. In modern days, the ninjas continue to be part of lore, art, and literature. Although they themselves are not involved in intrigue and espionage any longer, their fighting style and other aspects of their profession have been incorporated by special forces around the world. The film depicts that Mika and the tattooist that the audience meets in the opening scene have their hearts on the right sides of their bodies. This is a real condition called Dextrocardia with Situs Inversus. Caused by autosomal recessive genes, the condition affects an extremely rare group of people. Clearly, it is understandable that one may think that Ninja Assassin is based on true events when it actually isnt.
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https://thecinemaholic.com/is-ninja-assassin-a-true-story/
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Who is Lisa McVey and what happened to her?
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AT just 17, Lisa McVey managed to convince a sadistic serial killer to set her free. Lisa, now a police officer, is the only victim to survive serial killer and rapist Bobby Joe Long. McVey had a difficult childhood. Her mother was an alcoholic and drug addict and she grew up in the care of her grandmother. But Lisa was sexually abused by her grandmothers boyfriend in her care. In 1984, she became the last victim of serial killer Long, and provided evidence that enabled his arrest. Nowadays, she works as Hillsborough County sheriff's deputy and says that her ordeal motivated her. "That was my motivation to become a police officer," Lisa has said. "I'm no longer a victim." On the night of November 3, 1984, 17-year-old Lisa finished her shift at a local donut shop, and began her cycle home. She noticed a car was following her and suddenly a man, later discovered to be Bobby Joe Long, knocked her off her bike and pulled her into his car at gunpoint. He drove McVey to his apartment, where he treated her as his sex slave for over a day. McVey got glimpses of her abductor through her blindfold, and was able to provide the police with details of his appearance and his apartment. 4 Long was responsible for the abduction, sexual assault, and murder of at least 10 women in the Tampa Bay Area Credit: AP:Associated Press She later said: "At one time he placed my hands on his face. There were pockmarks, a small mustache, small ears, short hair, clean-cut, kind of stout, but not overweight; a big guy." It was McVey's testimony that finally led police to Long. He released McVey after raping her over a period of 26 hours. McVey, knowing that escaping the apartment was her only chance of survival, told Long that she was an only child and she needed to care for her sick father. Lisa later said her experience of child sexual abuse helped her talk Long out of killing her. She recalls: "I said, 'Listen, it's unfortunate how we met, but I can be your girlfriend. I could take care of you, and no one ever has to know.'" 4 It was McVey's testimony that finally led police to Long Credit: Getty McVey says: "It really helped me to survive that attack, to use it psychologically to get inside his head and actually try and get him to see that I was a compassionate person." Her captor made the decision to release McVey who, until the ordeal, had been considering taking her own life. McVey later said: When he released me and drove off, I took off my blindfold and saw this amazing oak tree. I had wanted to die before and now I wanted to live, I got a second chance at life. McVey was able to recall the amount of time she spent in Longs car after being abducted, and gave the police details of an ATM that he had used during the journey. Police checked ATM transactions in the same time frame and area, which ultimately clinched the killer. It was deduced that Long was responsible for the abduction, sexual assault, and murder of at least 10 women in the Tampa Bay Area in Florida during an eight-month period in 1984. Police had collected firm forensic evidence linking him to the murders, and he later pled guilty to all 10 of them. Most read in News Live Blog 'RECOVERY MISSION' Christian diet guru, husband & 6 others presumed dead after plane crash TRAGIC TOT Cop shoots dead own daughter, 6, after firing gun during boozy row with wife 'COVERED IN BLOOD' Socialite 'accidentally shot police chief dead while giving a MASSAGE' Q-OUP CALL Calls for court martial after General Flynn says coup should happen in US CLUB BLOODBATH Two killed and two injured in night club shooting on Memorial Day weekend INSTA-HORROR Instagram star kills self on video in police chase after attacking girlfriend Long was sentenced to death for two of the ten murders. He was executed by lethal injection on May 23, 2019. McVey, sat in the front row to watch his execution. I wanted to be the first person he saw, she said.
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https://www.the-sun.com/news/2989082/who-lisa-mcvey-what-happened-to-her/
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Is Bruno Tonioli Skipping Strictly Come Dancing in 2021?
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Bruno Tonioli is a judge on ABCs Dancing With the Stars, and he has also served as a judge on the BBCs version of the show, Strictly Come Dancing, for many years. COVID-19 restrictions limited how much he could be a part of the London-based show in 2020, leaving some fans wondering if Tonioli will be able to make a return for the 2021 season of the show. According to Bustle, co-star Craig Revel Horwood opened up about the possibility of Tonioli returning for the 2021 season of Strictly Come Dancing. We really do want him there in the seat whether he stays in the seat or not, as hes generally up and down like a yo-yo! Revel Horwood said on Good Morning Britain. Tonioli Was Involved in Talks With Strictly Come Dancing Execs According to The Sun, Tonioli recently traveled to the UK from his home in Los Angeles to talk with executives at Strictly Come Dancing. The outlet reports that they would very much like Tonioli to be returning for the upcoming season, but Toniolis agreement with Dancing With the Stars could impact that, as theyre filmed at the same time and require a lot of running back and forth. Bruno is back in the UK for several months and during that time he will work out his Strictly contract, a source told the outlet. He has also been filming another project. Bosses are keen for the series to return to its pre-COVID glory as much as possible with a live audience and would love a full house on the judging panel. The source added that Tonioli will definitely at least be on the show via video link, but in-person appearances may be limited due to COVID restrictions on travel. The Daily Mail reported on January 2 that Tonioli had been paid 125,000, which is around $170,000, for just five minutes of screentime on the 2020 season, which is something that the show may be trying to avoid in 2021. This time last year, Bruno had been signed up but things are so much less certain now, a source told the outlet. It is very unlikely the BBC will allow themselves to be in the same position they were this year and end up spending so much money for such little value. Tonioli has already announced that he will be on Dancing With the Stars for season 30. Cant wait to be back in the ballroom with my friends @tyrabanks @carrieanninaba @derekhough @grumpylengoodman and our amazing professional dancers for the most fabulous sparkling exciting season ever, he wrote on Instagram. Tonioli Is Filming a Travel Show Tonioli recently scored a new travel show for ITV as well, meaning that hell be extremely busy. According to Deadline, the show is titled Craig and Brunos Great British Adventure and features Tonioli and Craig Revel Horwood traveling around the UK. The show is being filmed across the UK due to the coronavirus pandemic and international travel restrictions, according to Deadline. They also reported that the show is being produced by RDF, which is a production company that previously worked on Tipping Point and The Crystal Maze. Dancing With the Stars will return in the fall of 2021. READ NEXT: Dancing With the Stars Fans Share Season 30 Cast Wish Lists
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https://heavy.com/entertainment/dancing-with-the-stars/strictly-come-dancing-bruno-tonioli-2021/
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Who is Marcell Ozuna and why was he arrested?
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THE Major League Baseball will open an investigation into one of its star players over an alleged domestic violence incident involving the athlete's wife. Atlanta Braves star Marcell Ozuna was arrested on May 29 and could face up to 20 years in prison, plus a suspension from the MLB. Ozuna, 30, is a Dominican baseball player who plays the outfielder position for the Atlanta Braves. Ozuna, nicknamed The Big Bear, previously played for the Miami Marlins and St Louis Cardinals. He made his MLB debut in 2013 with the Marlins. Ozuna is a two-time MLB All-Star, as well as a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Award winner. 5 Marcel Ozuna is an outfielder for the Atlanta Braves Credit: Reuters In 2017, he finished fourth in the National League in batting average (.312) and third in home runs with 37. In January 2020, Ozuna signed a one-year contract worth $18million with the Braves. In February 2021, Ozuna re-signed with the Braves on a four-year $64 million deal. According to jail records, Ozuna was booked in Sandy Springs, Georgia, on Saturday, May 29, and is facing assault and battery charges. Ozuna was charged with aggravated assault strangulation and misdemeanor battery, family violence, according to ESPN. Aggravated assault strangulation is a felony in Georgia and could carry a sentence of up to 20 years in prison. At 12:26 pm on May 29, Sandy Springs police responded to a 911 call and entered Ozuna's home after hearing screaming inside, ESPN reported citing the department's account of the incident. 5 Ozuna was arrested on May 29 and is facing assault and battery charges Credit: Getty Officers, the release said, "witnessed the suspect grabbing the victim by the neck and throwing her against a wall. "In addition to the strangulation attempts, the suspect also struck the victim with his arm which had a cast from a previous injury." Ozuna's wife Genesis told officers she and her husband argued and he threatened to kill her before she called 911, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by Channel 2 Action News. According to court documents, Genesis told investigators she was taking a shower when her husband entered the bathroom and took both of her cellphones, and refused to give them back. Genesis told police that she was afraid for her life due to his aggressive behavior and being physically abusive towards her in the past, court documents stated. Investigators say Ozuna left the Sandy Springs home with his wifes phones and she chased him around the property. 5 The alleged violent incident involved Ozuna and his wife Genesis Credit: Instagram At some point, Ozuna warned his wife in Spanish that he was not going to hit her harder because the police were en route, according to the arrest affidavit. Genesis ran back inside the couples home, where she locked the front door, while remaining on the phone with the 911 dispatcher. Ozuna told police that when he returned his wife was holding a knife. The player could also be subject to MLB's domestic violence policy and face suspension. It's not clear whether Ozuna has legal representation yet, but he's scheduled to make his first court appearance at 11:30am on Monday, May 31. The Braves released a statement to Twitter the night of Ozuna's arrest, saying the team fully supports the MLB's policy on domestic violence. Pictured COME BUY WITH ME Fury goes shopping for PRIVATE JET before breaking into song on live TV WILD WARNING Wilder says he wants to 'decapitate and disfigure' Fury in trilogy fight "We learned of Marcell Ozuna's arrest earlier this evening and immediately informed the Commissioner's office," the statement said. "The Braves fully support Major League Baseball's policy on domestic violence which stresses to the fullest that our society cannot and will not tolerate domestic violence in any form. The statement says the team will have no further comment until an investigation is completed.
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https://www.the-sun.com/sport/2988532/atlanta-braves-marcell-ozuna-arrested-domestic-violence/
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Why do mosquitoes ring in my ears?
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Nothing feels better than this summer Especially after a tragic event than a barbecue in the neighborhood winter Month. But the nemesis of the summer gathering remains: mosquito Around us ear .. Tinnitus is almost always just a side effect of beating mosquito wings, said Michael Rile, a professor of entomology at the University of Arizona. [The sound] Its not a long distance, so youll notice it most when youre flying around your ears. That lunch lady The buzz you hear is probably from a female mosquito. This is because the lives of male and female mosquitoes are very different. Men usually hang out and drink nectar from flowers. They couldnt really care that humans were sitting down. However, females need to find a blood diet after mating in order to get enough energy to lay their eggs. In fact, female mosquitoes have unique tools to catch the next victim. From afar [female mosquitoes] The clues are the carbon dioxide we exhale from our bodies in a conical plume, Rile told Live Science. In other words, mosquitoes make noise around our heads because we are the place that emits the most carbon dioxide. As she approaches, the female mosquito lands on the victim, focusing on body temperature and carbon dioxide plume. Female mosquitoes use foot taste sensors to determine if a human or blood-carrying animal is sufficient for the next meal.Some studies O-type blood The best vintage, but Rile remains skeptical. He has not found a compelling study of blood types and mosquito interests.Instead, he believes in other factors like man Genetics And even diets play a bigger role in how people taste tasty. Your skin gives this unique cocktail with a scent that is more appealing to some mosquitoes than other mosquitoes, Rile said. Another study Female mosquitoes have been found to be attracted to less diverse males Bacteria On the skin than men with more diverse skin bacteria; these vampires are also partial to people wearing dark colors such as black. When a woman flies towards her target, she hits her wings about 500 times per second at a frequency of 450 to 500 hertz. This frequency happens to be pitched to note A, where the orchestra adjusts itself before the concert. This sounds like a high-pitched drone to us, but its music to male mosquitoes.In fact, a man with that wing Beat at higher frequencies When looking for a female rather than a female, listen to the sweet tone of the female. Riehle likes to show this effect to students by passing a tuning fork thrown at A over a female mosquito cage. In all tests, he said the woman did not respond.The same demonstration over male mosquito cages rushes their wings while they are desperately looking for the goddess who created those sweet, sweet vibrations. Male mosquitoes are obsessed with this tone, but humans are less excited to hear it. However, we may immediately feel the mosquitoes ringing around our ears, but Rile pointed out that most mosquitoes are not attracted to our heads. Rather, these vampires may tend to look for our feet to play scented bacteria that seduce mosquitoes. But most people probably wont notice mosquitoes ringing around their ankles, he said. 1996 study in the journal Trends in parasitology Female mosquitoes from the genus found AnophelesResponsible for sending malaria The parasite was attracted to the bacteria on the human foot. This bacterium, Brevibacterium linen, The same as giving Limburger cheese a unique aroma.2013 follow-up survey in the journal PLOS One We have confirmed that mosquitoes are actually attracted to Limburger cheese. The best way to avoid mosquitoes is to wear long clothes in bright colors, apply insect repellent, and steer away from mosquito hotspots (such as swamps) at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active. Live science previously reported .. Originally published in Live Science.
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https://exbulletin.com/world/health/954137/
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Can I ask my colleague if I have been vaccinated with Covid?
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However, pandemics are rarely found in rearview mirrors so far. That is why our vaccination status, which is related to the possibility of getting an infectious disease, is not a private fact about our health, and its disclosure is not just a matter of etiquette. 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/world/health/954209/
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Why is a tranquil Indian archipelago simmering in protest?
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Opponents say the measures are "anti people" and threaten the livelihoods of islanders. What started as a Twitter campaign by students gained traction last week, with #SaveLakshadweep being backed by prominent politicians including opposition leader Rahul Gandhi. Adding to the bad feeling, a protest against a local official's comments on drug abuse resulted in 23 arrests, according to Indian media. The Kerala state legislative assembly adopted a motion on Monday demanding protection for people's livelihoods and the removal of the lawmaker, Praful Patel. Located in the Arabian Sea, with white sands and clear blue waters, Lakshadweep is often called India's Maldives. The islands come under the jurisdiction of the High Court in Kerala, the nearest mainland state. Located nearly 500 km (300 miles) off Kerala, Lakshadweep is a group of 36 islands with a population of about 65,000, predominantly Muslims. The islands - popular with tourists - are run by an administrator appointed by the president of India. Administrator Patel, who took charge in December 2020, has proposed a slate of draft rules, including some that would give him powers to remove or relocate islanders from their property for town planning or development or declare land to be a "planning area", and one which would allow the administration to detain any person without trial for up to a year. Other proposals involve a ban on cow slaughter and allowing some businesses to sell alcohol, seen as offending religious sentiments. Currently, the sale and consumption of alcohol is largely banned in the islands. The Bharatiya Janata Party, to which Patel belongs, has often been criticized for pushing a homogenised culture across India, raising fears among islanders that they face cultural conflict. Both Patel and the local district collector's office did not respond to repeated requests for comment. The Lakshadweep Students Association (LSA) began a campaign on Twitter and Instagram earlier this month, which gained momentum after Elamaram Kareem, a member of parliament from Kerala, wrote to India's president urging a change of guard in the archipelago. Rahul Gandhi, leader of India's opposition Congress party, wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking him to ensure that the orders are withdrawn. "Lakshadweep is India's jewel in the ocean. The ignorant bigots in power are destroying it. I stand with the people of Lakshadweep," he tweeted. Islanders depend on Kerala for logistical support, and on Monday, the Kerala legislative assembly passed an unanimous resolution, moved by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, demanding the recall of Lakshadweep administrator Patel. Kerala is essential to the archipelago as locals rely on it for basic supplies, while others travel there for education, employment and medical treatment. Patel, who has also been criticized for relaxing quarantine guidelines which led to a spike in COVID-19 cases this year, has told to roll them back. Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and the president have not yet issued public statements. Meanwhile, students and other citizens plan to keep their campaign going. "We will keep protesting until he (Patel) is revoked from the post of administrator," said Azeem Fayiz, central committee member of the Lakshadweep Students Association.
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https://bdnews24.com/neighbours/2021/05/31/why-is-a-tranquil-indian-archipelago-simmering-in-protest
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How Does Reputation Management Work?
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Whether we realise it or not, weve continually left breadcrumbs of our personal lives across our social media accounts that have most likely been scraped, collected, and collatedall with the express purpose of creating highly accurate profiles to better sell us products. All of this data is available for purchaseand more often than not, its not that expensive. [Learn more about protecting your privacy and being more anonymous. Sign up for the ExpressVPN blog newsletter.] There are numerous ways to protect your privacy and manage what companies know about you (scroll to the end of this article), but if youre serious about controlling the flow of information, you could consider paying for reputation management services, also known as social ORM (online reputation management). Reputation management refers to the practice of managing an individual or organizations image. This can be achieved through monitoring and adjustment/removal of public-facing messaging like social media posts. Other methods include mugshot and arrest record cover-up, removal of customer feedback/reviews, or manipulation of search engine page results. While reputation management is more frequently associated with celebrities or high-profile executives, the services can also benefit regular people looking to have their existing publicly available information audited, monitored, and selectively curated. Try a distributed social network 5 online reputation management (ORM) services In no particular order, here are some of the most well-known reputation management services, how they work, and how much they cost. DeleteMe DeleteMe removes personal information that has been exposed by data brokersentities that collect and sell personal data online Services: Once you submit what type of information youd like examined, DeleteMe will compile a report of exactly what information is out there and discuss the next steps with you. From here, your personal information will be monitored and deleted every three months. Pricing: 1x person @ 129 USD/year or 209 USD/2 years 2x people @ 229 USD/year or 349 USD/2 years Family of up to 4x people @ 329 USD/year or 499 USD/2 years OneRep OneRep removes your personal information from search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo! Services: OneRep will research any instances of your information in the wild, send opt-out requests on your behalf, verify that said requests have been actioned, and continually monitor and reappearances of your information. Pricing: 1x person @ 14.95 USD/month or 99.95 USD/year Family of up to 6x people @ 27.95 USD/month or 179.95 USD/year ReputationDefender ReputationDefender provides clients with options for either user software or managed services to Services: ReputationDefender offers four categories of services: search result monitoring, digital privacy, online review management, and corporate/executive level consultation. Pricing: Packages range from 3,000 USD to 25,000 USD BrandYourself One of the oldest offerings in this space, BrandYourself began when its co-founder discovered they shared the same name with a criminal, thus tainting search results of his name. Services: BrandYourself offers four categories of services: search result monitoring, social media cleanup, privacy protection, and personal branding management. Pricing: DIY software have a free and premium offering, with the latter costing 99 USD/year Managed services start at 599 USD/year Kanary Kanary actively monitors hundreds of sites for personal information or mentions of its clients. Services: Like DeleteMe and OneRep, clients submit their information for Kanary to research. Once gathered, Kanary will remove and continually monitor for reappearances. Pricing: 9.99 USD/month Other ways to control your personal information There are, of course, ways you can begin protecting your information and public image without the need of a reputation manager. You can always start protecting yourself immediately by changing your settings in the apps and services you use. This can include: Chrome extensions, Facebook, Messenger, Find my iPhone, Safari, Gmail, Google History, Google Photos, Instagram, Snapchat, Telegram, TikTok, Twitter, WhatsApp, Tinder, and Dropbox. In the case of your browsing habits, opt for a browser that is privacy and security focusedalso keeping in mind that incognito browsing modes arent exactly that private. If you must maintain correspondence with friends, family, or colleaguesand you cant avoid certain apps or servicesconsider maintaining alternate online accounts with absolutely minimal personal or pseudonymous data. If any pictures of you are going up online, take care to remove any possible identifying data. If youre getting a new phone number, take care to ensure that any services tied to said number are eliminated. Last, but not least, take care to opt out of various forms of online marketing by protecting against cookies and trackers, signing up for do not call registries, and taking care to avoid spam. If all else fails, at least you can plan for protecting your data once you expire. Read more: Go incognito: Tip to avoid surveillance in real life Hi, you've reached Marcus. Dial '1' for privacy, '2' for point and click adventure games, and '3' for paranormal stories. For all other enquiries, please stay on the line and he'll be with you shortly.
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https://www.expressvpn.com/blog/how-reputation-management-services-can-rein-in-your-online-data/
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Can Toledo stint get Tigers reliever Bryan Garcia back on track?
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Detroit Tigers reliever Bryan Garcia ended the 2020 season as one of the clubs top relievers. But the first two months of 2021 havent been as kind to Garcia, a 26-year-old right-hander who the Tigers drafted out of the University of Miami in the sixth round in 2016. He has a 5.30 ERA in 18 2/3 innings of work with 14 walks and 18 strikeouts. The Tigers optioned him to Triple-A Toledo following Sundays game. I think he was fighting a little bit of everything, said Tigers manager A.J. Hinch on Monday. And thats exactly the message that we delivered in the meeting is that weve got to get him right. He hasnt quite looked the same. He hasnt looked in command of his pitches. He was throwing so many non-competitive pitches and fighting his delivery and not being able to correct it. He escaped a lot of his outings, but it felt like an escape more than being in control. So were going to give him a stint in Triple-A and see if we can get him back on track. Hes not nave. Hes a realist, but its tough for him to have to go down and figure it out in Triple-A, but its necessary at this point. Report on Rony: Right-hander Rony Garcia was recalled to replace Bryan Garcia. Hes only on three days rest, but hell be available out of the bullpen Monday afternoon in Milwaukee. The Tigers are planning a bullpen day with left-handed reliever Tyler Alexander starting. Ronnys throwing the ball pretty well. And given that we were planning a bullpen game, a two- or three-inning stint on three days rest is not asking too much out of him, Hinch said. Rony Garcia, 23, was a Rule 5 pick from the New York Yankees and spent the entire 2020 season on the active roster to fulfill the requirements of his selection. He posted an 8.14 ERA in 21 innings, walking nine and striking out 14. He didnt participate in spring training this year as he recovered from an appendectomy. But hes pitched well in Toledo, striking out 24 in 19 2/3 innings with a 3.20 ERA. We didnt get a healthy look at him in the spring, Hinch said. I know the organization was happy they got him through the season last year as a Rule 5 pick. The reports down in Triple-A were favorable. So hes the option now and if he pitches well then he can stay, but were starting to give opportunities to many people. No DH: The Tigers are playing in a National League park Monday afternoon, but its unclear just how many pitchers will get to hit. The Tigers will have a five-man bench, which means theyll probably have enough reinforcements to pinch-hit for the pitcher each time through the order if they so choose. Tigers starting nine. Eric Haase, Niko Goodrum, Willi Castro Zack Short and Nomar Mazara will be available as pinch-hitters off the bench. pic.twitter.com/iJOKqtM2sH Evan Woodbery (@evanwoodbery) May 31, 2021 Tyler Alexander, according to Baseball Reference, has never taken an at-bat at the college or professional level (minor leagues or MLB). Greiners rehab paused: Tigers catcher Grayson Greiner was pulled from his rehab assignment in Toledo after experiencing discomfort in his hamstring. Greiner has been on the injured list with a strained left hamstring since May 12. We had to make a transaction to pull him off his rehab which just means that hell sit for I think five days minimum and then we can send him back out whenever hes healthy, Hinch said. Its not a significant step back, but it is a step back.
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https://www.mlive.com/tigers/2021/05/can-toledo-stint-get-tigers-reliever-bryan-garcia-back-on-track.html
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Should Robby Andersons OTAs no-show worry the Panthers?
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Former Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater will have another new home in the NFL for 2021, as the signal-caller was traded from the Carolina Panthers to the Denver Broncos earlier in the offseason. Bridgewater had only spent one season with the franchise before the decision was made to ship him to Denver, and while that was shorter than expected after the team signed him to a multi-year deal last offseason, the former first-round draft pick was quick to own his two perfect rather than put any blame on the franchise when he finally opened up about his departure earlier in the week.
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https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2264301750383/should-robby-anderson-s-otas-no-show-worry-the-panthers
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How many billionaires are there in Vietnam?
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Visit Vietnam Insiders homepage for more stories The Panama Papers released in May 2016 included 189 Vietnamese and 19 offshore and 23 intermediary companies. Some individuals on the list said that it was legal to make investments in areas with attractive tax incentives. This was not the first time that Vietnamese billionaires assets and transactions related to investments overseas were exposed. In early 2015, ICJC documents showed 100,000 clients from more than 200 countries having accounts at the HSBC Swiss branch in 1988-2007. There were 26 clients related to Vietnam on the list, with total assets of $37.5 million. The richest individual had $12.2 million. Some years ago, a British real estate firm came to Hanoi to sell houses in London to Vietnamese people. At that time, a high-ranking official said that buying houses overseas was not feasible because of the regulations which restrict Vietnamese peoples purchases of properties overseas and payments abroad. However, an article from Coldwell Banker Singapore published a short time later showed that the Vietnamese purchases of houses in Singapore accounted for 3.2 percent of total real estate transactions. More recently, an unofficial marketing program in HCM City offered houses in the US. A US real estate consultancy firm with a HCM City representative office offered to sell houses valued at $500,000. The firm said many people registered to buy houses with the total value of hundreds of thousand of dollars. The names of some Vietnamese owning big properties in Australia have also been released. Analysts believe that the number of wealthy and super wealthy people in Vietnam is increasing rapidly, but they remain mysterious to most Vietnamese. There is very little information about their assets and transactions. Analysts believe that the number of wealthy and super wealthy people in Vietnam is increasing rapidly, but they remain mysterious to most Vietnamese. There is very little information about their assets and transactions. In late 2014, a Swiss bank released a report about super wealthy people in the world, who have assets of at least $30 million. There were 210 Vietnamese individuals on the list with total assets of $20 billion, a two-fold increase in both the number of wealthy people and their asset value. In mid-May 2021, official statistics showed that 145 wealthy Vietnamese individuals have stock assets valued at least VND660 billion. However, experts believe that the real number of billionaires is much higher, because there are many hidden names. Reports by the World Bank and ANZ all show that the number of super wealthy people and middle-class people in Vietnam has been soaring in the last decade. Knight Frank predicted that the number of Vietnamese super wealthy people would double in the next 10 years to 300, the sharpest growth rate in the world. However, in all these reports, there are no specific names. Hidden information In early 2019, Thaco, owned by President Tran Ba Duong, consulted with its shareholders about the issuance of 30.3 million shares to the strategic shareholder Jardine Cycle & Carriage at the price of VND128,500 per share. After the deal, worth VND3.9 trillion ($160.8 million), the foreign partner would raise its ownership ratio from 25.23 percent to 26.57 percent, while Thaco value would be $9.4 billion. In 2018, Duong, with total asset value of $1.7 billion, was added by Forbes to the list of the worlds dollar billionaires. However, with the new valuation, Duong and his family members would have $6.1 billion. Since Thacos shares are being traded in the OTC market, not on the official bourses, Duong is not on the list of the richest stock billionaires. Thaco canceled the public company registration earlier this year, which means that Thaco wont have to publicize its financial figures and shareholders meeting resolutions, and the information about the billionaire will be more private. Novaland President Bui Thanh Nhon also has not been added to Forbes list of the worlds billionaires, but people believe that his assets exceeded $1 billion years ago. In 2018, Competing with Giants, a book published by Forbesbooks showed that Tran Quy Thanh once refused a deal worth $2.5 billion to buy Tan Hiep Phats shares suggested by Coca Cola seven years ago. If Thanh had accepted the deal, he would have been named on the list. Trinh Van Quyet, President of FLC, is also an unrecognized dollar billionaire. Prior to that, Dao Hong Tuyen, known as Tuan Chau Island King, once revealed that he had $1-2 billion. Many other names are also real billionaires with assets of over $1 billion, though they have not been named on any lists, including Do Quang Hien, President of T&T Group; Truong My Lan, President of Van Thinh Phat Group; Dang Van Thanh of Thanh Thanh Cong Group; Johnathan Hanh Nguyen, known as the Branded Goods King, Le Van Kiem of Long Thanh Goft, and Huynh Uy Dung of Dai Nam. These businesspeople will officially become billionaires once the corporations are listed on the bourse. The other big names include Nguyen Thi Nga, President of BRG and SeABank; Vu Van Tien of Geleximco; and Duong Cong Minh of Him Lam Real Estate Group and Sacombank. Nguyen Van Truong in Ninh Binh was considered a dollar billionaire after he announced impressive mega investment projects. In 2016, his Xuan Truong Enterprise kicked off the construction of the Ho Nui Coc National Tourism Complex with total investment capital of VND15 trillion. He is also the investor of the Trang An Bai Dinh Pagoda Tourism Complex in Ninh Binh and Tam Chuc Complex in Ha Nam. This article was originally published in Vietnamnet Share this: Facebook LinkedIn Reddit Twitter Email
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https://vietnaminsider.vn/how-many-billionaires-are-there-in-vietnam/
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Was unterscheidet eine Direktbank von einer herkmmlichen Filialbank?
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Heutzutage liefern sich Banken einen Wettkampf um die Gunst mglicher Kunden. Waren es bis vor einigen Jahren noch die Filialbanken vor Ort, die besonders viele Privatkunden abgreifen konnten, befindet sich das gesamte Bankensystem gerade im Wandel Direktbanken werden aus zahlreichen Grnden immer beliebter bei Bankkunden. Wie der Name bereits vermuten lsst, handelt es sich bei einer Direktbank um ein Kreditinstitut, bei dem der Kunde direkt betreut wird ohne zwischengeschaltete Filialen. Durch den Verzicht auf zahlreiche Filialen in verschiedenen Stdten oder gar Drfern kann der Anbieter Geld einsparen und dieses an anderer Stelle, beispielsweise im Servicebereich, investieren. Auf Kontoguru finden Bankkunden, die ein neues Girokonto erffnen mchten, eine bersicht ber leistungsstarke Direktbanken, die nicht nur guten Service bieten, sondern oft sogar ohne Kontofhrungsgebhren arbeiten. Vor- und Nachteile einer Direktbank Der klare Nachteil einer Direktbank ist die Tatsache, dass Kunden nicht an jeder Ecke Filialen finden. Das bedeutet einerseits, dass die persnliche Betreuung durch einen Bankberater vor Ort entfllt. Andererseits heit es auch, dass das Thema Bargeldabhebung schwierig ist. Durch eine sehr gute telefonische Betreuung oder durch eine ausgefeilte Online Beratung knnen Direktbanken aber immer mehr Kunden von sich berzeugen. Kooperationen mit anderen Banken oder Zusammenschlsse von Direktbanken fhren auerdem dazu, dass auch die Bargeldabhebung immer flchendeckender mglich ist. Als Vorteile nennen zufriedene Kunden vor allem die niedrigen Gebhren, die einen bei Direktbanken erwarten. Diesen steht maximale Leistung gegenber. Dazu kommt die hohe Flexibilitt, die Direktbankkunden erleben Dinge wie ffnungszeiten, Anfahrtswege oder Beratermangel spielen in diesem Fall nmlich keine Rolle. Sparkassen und Genossenschaftsbanken zhlen zu den Filialbanken. Sie zeichnen sich, wie der Name schon verrt, vor allem durch ihre Filialen aus. In diesen Filialen stehen Kunden Mitarbeiter zur Verfgung, die sie in Fragen zur Kontoerffnung, Kreditvergabe oder Altersvorsorge beraten. Da diese Arbeitsweise nicht nur Vorteile mit sich bringt, sondern auch Kosten verursacht, schlieen Kreditinstitute in den letzten Jahren verstrkt Filialen vor allem die Niederlassungen in kleineren Ortschaften sind hufig von diesen Schlieungen betroffen. Vor- und Nachteile einer Filialbank Die persnliche Betreuung durch kompetente Bankberater ist das, was die meisten Kunden besonders an Filialbanken schtzen. Doch diese Betreuung ist nur dann wirklich wertvoll, wenn der Bankkunde sie optimal nutzen kann. Schlieen Filialbanken Niederlassungen in kleinen Ortschaften beraubt das einige Kunden der Vorzge einer Bankfiliale. Neben der persnlichen Beratung war es nmlich vor allem die flchendeckende Verfgbarkeit von Niederlassungen, die Verbraucher berzeugt hat. Durch die Schlieungen werden die Anfahrtswege immer weiter, gleichzeitig reduziert sich die Mglichkeit der individuellen Beratung. Immer fter erreicht man telefonisch nur noch Hotlines, nicht mehr den Mitarbeiter des Vertrauens die Filialbanken verlieren dadurch gerade sehr viele Kunden. Auch die starren ffnungszeiten werden oft als Nachteil von Filialbanken genannt. Die Entwicklung der letzten Jahre zeigt deutlich, dass das Geschftsmodell der Filialbanken nicht mehr gut in die heutige Zeit passt. Das aufgeblhte System rund um die vielen Filialen und den breiten Mitarbeiterstamm fhrt zu Kosten, die sich nicht mehr gut relativieren lassen. Dieses Mehr an Kosten geben Filialbanken deshalb in Form von hohen Kontofhrungsgebhren, Transaktionskosten oder Online Banking Gebhren an ihre Kunden weiter. Bei gleichzeitig abnehmendem Service stt das vielen Bankkunden sauer auf. Direktbanken scheinen den Sprung ins digitale Zeitalter besser gemeistert haben als Filialbanken. Durch gute Angebote, faire Konditionen und eine transparente Arbeitsweise locken sie deshalb nun auch vermehrt diejenigen an, die bisher strikt an der Filiale ihrer Hausbank festhalten wollten. Direktbanken unterscheiden sich heute kaum noch von modernen Online Banken: Guter Service und eine maximale digitale Prsenz berzeugen im Alltag. Dadurch, dass es die Direktbanken so gut schaffen, sich den neuen Gegebenheiten so gut anzupassen, zeigen sie sich als Problemlser sie reagieren nicht, sondern agieren. Und das macht Eindruck auf Kunden. Die letzte Hemmschwelle ist fr viele Verbraucher die Bargeldabhebung etwas, was von Direktbankkunden mittlerweile oft sogar beim Einkauf im Supermarkt an der Kasse erledigt werden kann. Bildquelle: Pexels.com
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https://www.landeszeitung.de/mehr/themenwelten/finanzen-boerse/292530-was-unterscheidet-eine-direktbank-von-einer-herkoemmlichen-filialbank/
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Whos not vaccinated?
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cazort: Literally everyone I know in person who I have asked about it is vaccinated for COVID now. I see all these reports on the news though that the U.S. has only had a little over 50% of people get one vaccine dose and just a little over 40% with two doses. Its pretty easy to get vaccinated now, walk-ins are available. If anyone hasnt gotten a COVID vaccine yet and has any questions I would be glad to talk about my experience. I had COVID, the illness, over a year ago in March 2020 and I got vaccinated in April 2021. People like me apparently are at a higher risk of a stronger reaction to the vaccine, and I did have a somewhat unpleasant reaction to both vaccines. I also had Moderna, which is the heaviest of the vaccines in terms of side-effects. But it still wasnt too bad and I would do it again. The discomfort I experienced from the vaccine side-effects was nothing compared to the living hell I went through when I got COVID. COVID was far worse than having a flu, and the worst of the vaccine reaction was one day of mild flu-like symptoms but not even as bad as a full-on flu. I lost one night of quality sleep both times and felt kinda cruddy for a few days. And Im like, okay that makes some sense but you have to compare it to long-term effects from having COVID. I had COVID and it took me months to recover to where I was consistently able to exercise at a normal level, and I had a mild to moderate case, was never hospitalized. Millions of people have been vaccinated and there is now growing and overwhelming evidence that the vaccine is not only safe compared to nothing, but its much, much safer than getting this illness.
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http://www.lies.com/wp/2021/05/31/whos-not-vaccinated/
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Who will be the unlucky seven chopped from Gareth Southgates England squad for Euro 2020?
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Gareth Southgate has some big calls to make as the England manager prepares to name his 26-man final squad on Tuesday for this summers European Championship. It is less than a fortnight until the Three Lions face World Cup semi-final foes Croatia at Wembley, but a complicated build-up means the ex-defender has yet to finalise his group. Southgate will not have been able to work with a third of his 33-man provisional squad due to European cup final commitments by the time he finalises his Euro 2020 choices on Tuesday. The fitness of Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson are key considerations along with the balance of his group, especially given the strength in depth at right-back. Liverpools Jordan Henderson and Manchester United skipper Harry Maguire are fitness concerns (PA Archive) Southgate last week made the late decision to name an expanded squad rather than his 26-strong selection, which he will now do ahead of Tuesdays UEFA deadline. It means seven players will be axed from the group on the eve of Wednesdays warm-up friendly against Austria in Middlesbrough, where those already in camp will remain to aid preparations. The newly called-up trio of Aaron Ramsdale, Ben Godfrey and Ben White look most likely to miss the Euros, while the position of Ollie Watkins, who made his debut in March, also looks precarious. Mason Greenwood is involved for the first time since being sent home with Phil Foden following his debut in September, while versatile Bukayo Saka only has four caps to his name. Southgates central midfield selection could hinge on the fitness of Liverpool captain Henderson. The 30-year-old joined up with the squad on Saturday having been out since undergoing groin surgery in February, with Kalvin Phillips also with the group after sustaining a shoulder complaint. World Cup 2018 veteran Jesse Lingard was another to report to Rockliffe Hall in the north-east but faces tough competition, having been fast-tracked back into the fold in March due to injuries to other attacking options. The severity of Maguires ankle injury remains shrouded in mystery, the Manchester United captain having failed to train on the eve of the Europa League final and then being an unused substitute in the loss to Villarreal. Gareth Southgate left Trent Alexander-Arnold out of England's squad in March (PA Wire) Another of the key issues comes at right-back, with Southgate having four elite options in his 33-man party. Reece James shone in Chelseas Champions League final win against Manchester City, whose right-back Kyle Walker is one of just three players in their thirties in the expanded group. Another of those is Atletico Madrids LaLiga-winning full-back Kieran Trippier, while Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold was the odd man out in March when omitted from Englands World Cup qualification triple-header. I could be drawn into talking about any individual and then get myself into a mess, Southgate said when asked about Alexander-Arnolds recall last week. I know people think I have an obsession with right-backs. I just see four good footballers. We go into a tournament with all sorts of flexible players that can fill different roles.
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https://www.newschainonline.com/sport/mens-sport/football/who-will-be-the-unlucky-seven-chopped-from-gareth-southgates-england-squad-for-euro-2020-184377
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Is there a difference between cheap and expensive cast-iron cookware?
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Seasoning a cast-iron pan is simple, albeit time-consuming. Rub flaxseed oil all over your skillet with a paper towel, then wipe off all of the oil and heat the skillet in the oven at 400 degrees for an hour. Apply more oil and heat it again, up to four times. Cast-iron is a multi-talented piece of cooking equipment unmatched for its versatility. You can use a simple cast-iron skillet for cooking anything from roasted chicken and fried eggs to vegetable stir-frys or seared fish. Cast-iron heats up relatively quickly, but its true gift is its ability to retain heat and cook food evenly, giving you perfect, caramelized food with little effort. Theyre easy to clean and easy to maintain with just a little insider knowledge. Cast iron is naturally non-stick A well-seasoned cast-iron skillet is naturally non-stick because its coated with a layer of fat which is its seasoning. Seasoning forms through a process called fat polymerization, in which a thin coat of unsaturated oil, like flaxseed oil, is applied to the surface of the iron and then heated in an oven. The oil dries to create a thin, almost plastic-feeling layer on the surface of the pan. Cast iron holds temperature consistently Iron is a poor conductor of heat, which means that it takes a while to heat up and cool down. Its easy to get it to your desired temperature and then keep it there. This allows you to cook your food more evenly, as the temperature in your pan wont vary as it sits on the burner. The critical difference between cheap and expensive cast-iron pans is the pre-seasoning included. Cheap cast-iron typically has a rough, porous surface. The smooth finish on a luxury cast-iron requires a time-consuming manufacturing process, so cheap brands dont bother. This means you wont be unboxing your cast-iron cookware to find a gorgeous layer of polymerization. Cast iron gets better with age. The oils you use while cooking fills the pores in your pan and continues to add to the layer of finish. If the pre-seasoning on your cast-iron pan leaves much to be desired, hope is not lost as long as you continue to maintain it and cook fatty, oily foods in it. Many people dont want to wait for their cast-iron pan to become non-stick through repeated use, which is why you get what you pay for. The glossiest, smoothest cast-iron cookware will be the most expensive, including luxury brands like Finex and Le Creuset. A good choice for beginners is a Lodge cast-iron pan or even a complete Lodge set of cast iron. A budget-priced set of heritage brand cast iron will get you a long way if you arent ready to invest in anything expensive. Tips for cooking with cast-iron Avoid cooking acidic foods like tomato sauces or lemon, vinaigrette or wine-based marinades in your cast-iron cookware. Cooking acidic foods in your cast-iron can break down the seasoning, plus they may cause the pan to impart a metallic taste into your food. It will take a while for your cast-iron to become adequately seasoned, so avoid cooking sticky foods in your pan for the first month or so. Dont store food in your cast-iron pan. While its tempting to cover the pan and pop it in the fridge, your cast-iron pan shouldnt ever be left with food in it. Grab some Tupperware instead. You should avoid using soap on your cast-iron cookware because it can strip the seasoning from cookware. To clean your cast-iron cookware after use, sprinkle some kosher salt into the pan and rub it around with a paper towel. This will pick up all the residue and oil. Discard the paper towel in the trash or compost it. The best time to clean your cast-iron pan is while its still warm, directly after use. Be sure to use tongs to hold the paper towels to avoid burning your hand. If the food stuck to your cast-iron pan is too stubborn to wipe away, dont scrub your pan with steel wool or soap. Instead, add some water to the pan and boil it on the stove. This will loosen the food and allow you to wipe it away. Cast iron will rust if exposed to moisture, so its essential to get it completely dry before storing it away. To dry your cast iron, first, wipe away any moisture with a kitchen towel. Next, place it on a burner and heat it for a couple of minutes or until it smokes. Before you store your cast iron, wipe it down with a layer of cast-iron oil to preserve the seasoning. Best cast-iron cookware Top cast iron pan Finex 12-Inch Cast-Iron Skillet With Lid What you need to know: This is an exceptionally high-quality pre-seasoned cast-iron pan. What youll love: Its seasoned with organic flaxseed oil and has an ultra-glossy, smooth finish. Its ready to use directly out of the box and has a gorgeous geometric design. What you should consider: This is a pricey model, but if you dont want to wait for your cast-iron to become seasoned with time, youll be glad you spent the extra dough. Where to buy: Sold by Amazon Top cast-iron for the money Lodge Cast-Iron Skillet, Pre-Seasoned with Silicone Hot Handle Holder What you need to know: This is a versatile, pre-seasoned cast-iron pan from a trusted brand. What youll love: You can sear stakes, fry eggs and bake cornbread with ease in this skillet from an iconic brand. People who use Lodge cast iron swear by it as their absolute favorite brand. What you should consider: This option will rust if not correctly cared for, but you can prevent this by ensuring its thoroughly dry before storing. Where to buy: Sold by Amazon Worth considering Utopia Kitchen Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet 3-Piece Set What you need to know: This is a budget-friendly option for a starter cast-iron set, including a 6-inch, 8-inch and 10-inch pan. What youll love: If you need multiple cast-iron pans for different sized dishes, your best bet is to buy a set like this one rather than buying individual pieces to make it more budget-friendly. This is a reasonably priced set with pre-seasoned, smooth finishes. What you should consider: It doesnt come with a silicone handle for handling the hot iron, so youll have to use a potholder or order a silicone handle separately. Where to buy: Sold by Amazon Evelyn Waugh is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money. Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals. Copyright 2021 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved.
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https://www.cbs17.com/reviews/br/kitchen-br/cookware-br/is-there-a-difference-between-cheap-and-expensive-cast-iron-cookware/
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What is happening to Nayib Bukele and his relationship with the Joe Biden administration?
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The United States appointed Jean Elizabeth Manes as the new Charg dAffaires in El Salvador, at a difficult time for the relationship between the two countries, due to the growing friction between the White House and the Nayib Bukele government. When making her appointment official, the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, stressed that the relationship with El Salvador is fundamental and that Washingtons gaze aims, among other issues, to address the fundamental causes of the migration. By appointing Jean Manes as Charg dAffaires, we have the ideal leader for our work with the government, civil society and other sectors to address these challenges, Blinken said. On the social network Twitter, the newly appointed official responded gratefully for her appointment and said she was ready to strengthen the relationship. An RT report, written by journalist Nazareth Balbs, explains what has happened in the midst of this growing controversy with the Salvadoran president and the White House. Turbulent start between Bukele and Biden If the relationship between Nayib Bukele and Donald Trump was almost idyllic, the same cannot be said for the Salvadoran presidents ties to the new White House tenant. Since Bidens arrival in January this year, the clashes have been constant. Beyond the rumors that ran around about Bidens refusal to receive Bukele in Washington (denied by the Salvadoran president) or the questions about the way the White House refers to Central America, the most critical point of the disagreements occurred on last May 1, when the National Assembly of El Salvador dismissed five members of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice and the Attorney General, Ral Melara. The newly installed Parliament, whose majority is made up of assembly members related to Bukele, had the power to make the removal, however, it was a decision questioned by the opposition. The argument they make is that the president would be concentrating the powers for his own political project. The White House also rejected the decision, like other international organizations, and asked the Salvadoran administration to reverse it. Bukeles answer was a resounding no. In the following days, the suspension of aid to the Central American Government by USAID and the diversion of funds to civil organizations ended up straining the already fragile relationship. Yesterday, at a press conference, Bukele reiterated that the decisions of the National Assembly were irreversible and stressed that his government will not ask the US to redirect the resources it took from State institutions, such as the Supreme Court of Justice, the The Attorney Generals Office, the National Civil Police and the Institute for Access to Public Information, although he made an important caveat: Wherever USAID wants to give away its money, it can do so, as long as it is not financing opposition political movements, because it is illegal. In this context of friction, the US has now announced the appointment of Manes. The statement on the appointment makes it clear that it is a gesture that reflects the importance of relations with El Salvador, in view of the profile of the diplomat, who has accumulated 30 years of service, a broad experience in supervising programs of the White House and has maintained relationships with a wide range of Salvadorans, from the government, civil society and the private sector. An ideal designation The appointment of Manes has not yet generated any reaction from Bukele, who is used to using social networks to comment almost immediately on any decision that has to do with his government. However, some local media have praised the diplomat, who served as ambassador in that country until shortly after the arrival of the current Salvadoran president. The White House has also considered that her designation is ideal for this position. These attributes [those of Manes] place her in an ideal position to work collaboratively, to improve conditions in El Salvador and address the root causes of irregular migration, details the official text on her designation. I want to reiterate the incredible value and experience that Ambassador Manes brings to El Salvador, said Brendan O Brien, who in the last five months served as Charg dAffaires in the Central American country, and will now continue in that same diplomatic legation as minister counselor. In addition to her passing through El Salvador, between 2016 and 2019, Manes has also served in other Latin American countries such as Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil. Now the diplomat will lead the mission in El Salvador until a new ambassador is appointed and the Senate gives the green light. The thorny issues between Bukele and Biden At the center of the tensions between Washington and San Salvador are two fundamental issues: migration and the fight against corruption, which the Biden Administration has raised as a flag in recent months to condition its support in Central America. And it is that the Democratic government came to the presidency with the promise of breaking with the immigration policy of its predecessor, which privileged the approach of repression and agreements with third countries, such as El Salvador, to facilitate deportations. However, the crisis has only worsened in recent months. The images of overcrowded detention centers and the increase in the number of unaccompanied minors has complicated the situation for Biden, to the point that he appointed his Vice President, Kamala Harris, to lead the efforts in that regard. But it has been Harris herself who has wielded harsh criticism against Bukele, which has complicated coordination on this matter with the president. Earlier this month, the US Vice President wrote: We are deeply concerned about El Salvadors democracy, in light of the vote of the National Assembly to remove the judges of the Constitutional Court. An independent judiciary is essential for a healthy democracy and a strong economy. Those words came immediately after USAIDs decision, which justified the withdrawal of its support due to greater doubts regarding transparency and accountability. The escalation went from speech to action with the inclusion of Salvadoran officials, including the Chief of Staff, Carolina Recinos, on a list of involved in significant acts of corruption. However, in line contrary to this short circuit with the United States, there is a pole of attraction with China. Last week, the embassy of the Asian country in El Salvador stressed that the assistance programs that are under development in the Central American nation are carried out without involving any political conditions. China has never used foreign assistance in the past and will not use foreign assistance in the future to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, much less profit from that assistance. Cooperation between China and El Salvador is not directed at third parties, says the statement from the diplomatic delegation, which reported on the progress of various projects financed in the Central American country through non-reimbursable credits. Faced with the evident contrast between the positions of the United States and China on El Salvador, the arrival of an official like Manes, weeks after the Salvadoran Parliament ratified the framework cooperation agreement with Beijing, allows us to infer that Washington is seeking a change of focus in its relationship with Bukele. Meanwhile, the smallest country in Central America seems to become a disputed territory between two antagonistic powers.
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https://www.elciudadano.com/en/what-is-happening-to-nayib-bukele-and-his-relationship-with-the-joe-biden-administration/05/31/
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Will The US Let The Chips Fall On Semiconductor Policy?
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The expression "let the chips fall" (or "fly" as it was actually said) refers to woodchopping and is ... [+] attributed to the 1880 Republican Convention in an attempt to nominate Ulysses Grant for a third Presidential term. getty There is bipartisan, bicameral support in Congress for the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors for America Act (CHIPS for America Act), a set of investments and incentives to support US semiconductor manufacturing, research and development, and supply chain security. Recent proposals as part of the annual defense appropriations process calls for $49.5 billion ($39 billion in production and R&D incentives and $10.5 billion to implement programs including the National Semiconductor Technology Center and other R&D. Critics assert that this amount does not come close to other nations ambitions. China plans $150 billion in semiconductor investment (though this could be frittered away through waste and corruption), and South Korea just announced $450 billion. Some observers say the US needs sustained government investment of $100 billion for three to four years to catch up with other countries. The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) asserts the US share of semiconductor manufacturing has eroded from 37% in 1990 to 12% today. It attributes this to other countries governments aggressive investment in chip manufacturing and R&D while federal dollars have been relatively limited. To lower labor cost and take advantage of foreign incentives, US semiconductor firms have long offshored. All things being equal, the same dollar invested in semiconductor manufacturing in Taiwan or Singapore offers a greater return than the US. As such, the CHIPS Act investment tax credit seems a no-brainer. Jerry Ferry of Coalition for a Prosperous America and I document that while the US maintains its edge in the design of chips, its advantages are frittered away by the lack of connection to production. To improve Americans security and prosperity, we call on industrial leaders and policymakers to rebuild Americas chip making capabilities with a commitment to produce at least half of Americas needed chips by US majority-owned firms. Such solidarity for the US is a tall order. Firms like Applied Materials, Lam Research, and KLA turn a profit by selling advanced semiconductor equipment to Chinese military fabs CXMT and YMTC, which in turn use this equipment to build war technologies which could be used against Americans. Another critique of the CHIPS Act is it gives large semiconductor firms public money which already have the cash to invest. Moreover questions remain to whether US policy is adequate to fuel next generation innovation in semiconductors, extend Moores Law, and ensure a sufficient supply of chips. which explores the future of the Bureau of Industry and Security, a key regulatory agency in the space. View from a semiconductor startup About 95 percent of semiconductor device types have been made of silicon since the 1960s, but this presents some problems, not the least of which is overcoming the physical challenge of Moores Law. Moreover silicon can get too hot as data is powered through it, and cooling it creates waste. Adam Khan is innovating a cleaner, cooler, faster, and more powerful semiconductor material alternative: diamonds and nanocarbon. Through his Akhan Semiconductor, he wants to usher in the Diamond Age of electronics and revolutionize display glass, optics, thermal management to monolithically integrated diamond integrated circuits. Compared to silicon, electronics made of diamond material can run hotter without degrading performance, cool more easily, tolerate higher voltage, and deliver greater throughput. Lab-grown diamonds originate from Cold War experiments to fabricate hard materials and have subsequently be improved. Khan studied these materials in college and founded a company to manufacture diamond materials and join them with silicon semiconductor elements. Though the industrys choice material silicon carbide continues to grow with the current install base as well as favorable cost and performance factors, Khan believes that diamond material can emerge because of its technical superiority, cleaner environmental profile, and ability to be implemented without overhauling the existing semiconductor manufacturing processes. One mark of the value of Akhans technology is that Chinese tried to steal it, allegedly for its Hubei Space Bureau. Khan described cooperating with the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to address attempted theft of Akhans Miraj Diamond technology by Huawei. Chinese actors also attempted to compromise Akhans computer system, according to an audit by Dark Wolf Solutions. Khan claims that US semiconductor policy does not address the strategic issue of materials, notably diamonds. He calls the clinging to the aging silicon platform as an investment in stage coaches when the internal combustion engine has been invented. Given their important to the US economy, innovation, and security, semiconductors have taken center stage in technology policy. Moreover, managing export controls of these sensitive, advantaged, and emerging technologies has catapulted the little-known BIS as a key actor in international affairs. Whether, how, and where the chips fall has implications for the future.
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https://www.forbes.com/sites/roslynlayton/2021/05/31/will-the-us-let-the-chips-fall-on-semiconductor-policy/
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Can Bryn Forbes Help Lead The Milwaukee Bucks To The NBA Finals?
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Bryn Forbes of the Milwaukee Bucks celebrates his three pointer with Pat Connaughton against the ... [+] Miami Heat during the third quarter in Game Three of the Eastern Conference first-round playoff series at American Airlines Arena on May 27, 2021 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) Getty Images The formula for the Milwaukee Bucks has been pretty straightforward over the years: pair Giannis Antetokounmpo with enough shooters and playmakers so that he has enough spacing to drive to the basket. There is more nuance in that now that the playoffs have fully arrived, but more importantly the loss of Donte Divincenzo puts more pressure on Mike Budenholzer to scour the bench for the right combinations that balance the shooting with the defense. No player better highlights that difficulty in balance than Bryn Forbes. Forbes came to the Bucks as a free agent this offseason and signed a relatively cheap two year, $4.8 million contract with the club. The second year is a player option and if his play in the playoffs continues it would surprise no one if he declines it for a bigger pay day. But that look into the future isnt now and the Bucks have a lot of work to do still. Notably, a playoff run in which a lot rides on the championship equity of a group that isnt getting any younger. That ride to a possible NBA Finals might rest more and more on the modest shoulders of the 27-year-old shooting guard that drained 45 percent of his 3-pointers during the regular season. His hot shooting was a major catalyst in the first round against the Miami Heat where he shot a blistering 48.5 percent from deep. His minutes have started to creep up with the major void of Divincenzo and that level of shooting may be enough to keep him in games, especially when they need to juice up their offense. The Bucks partially struggled last year in the playoffs against the Miami Heat because they were unable to nail down their 3-point attempts. They took a total of 165 3-pointers over the course of five games and were only able to drill 32.7 percent of them. In contrast, the Bucks were able to sweep the Miami Heat this year by hitting an astounding ... 32 percent of their 3-pointers. Of course the offense isnt solely reliant on 3-pointers but that figure seems to run in stark contrast to what may have been expected with the Bucks romping Miami. Regardless, Forbes still made a monumental impact in being able to take advantage of his chances. Forbes ultimately ended up hitting 21 of the 52 3-pointers made by the Bucks, which would have broken the playoff record for most 3-pointers in a playoff series if he continued at that rate. Forbes gives the Bucks a shooting element that forces defenses to either stay close to him when the ball handler gets some penetration in the lane, or deflates defenses when they stray too far away by swishing enough deep jumpers. Against the Heat on Saturday he made Miami pay time and time again. A play that stands out was when Antetokounmpo had the ball at the top of the key against Tyler Herro in the 3rd quarter on Saturday. Miami was in a zone so Herro had help from both Trevor Ariza and Bam Adebayo. Giannis was able to spin into the middle of the zone to cause Ariza to step toward him to help and before he continued his move he zipped a crisp pass to Forbes who was stationed several feet beyond the opposite wing for an open 3-point shot. The importance of that play is that it showcases that Antetokounmpo has made strides in his decision-making, but also that Forbes forces the defense to make tough choices. His incredibly deep range creates enough space that help defenders are scrambling to make a tough choice, and neither option is very appealing. The gravity has allowed the Bucks to flourish over these past four games with an offensive rating of 126.9 points per 100 possessions with Forbes on the court, which is especially impressive considering that the Bucks defense has been the difference maker in their wins so far this postseason. Having Forbes to juice up the offense in starting units could allow them their best chance to succeed, especially since he may be more liable to being hunted late in games if the Brooklyn Nets are able to take down the Boston Celtics. That brings up the elephant in the room of why playing Forbes a significant amount of minutes could be problematic. The Bucks had a 114.8 defensive rating during the regular season with Forbes on the court, which would have ranked 24th overall in the league. He isnt a great rebounder and rarely passes the ball. Forbes has made the 3rd least amount of passes out of all of the players in the playoffs that have averaged at least 20 minutes per game. His role doesnt necessarily ask for him to do more than that, but the point remains his usefulness is truly through his one elite skill. The reason this needs to be brought up is that pesky issue of the Bucks balancing lineups with players that ideally can succeed on both sides of the ball, especially the deeper they get into the playoffs. Divincenzo is a huge blow for this exact reason, and it lays a lot of the burden on Forbes to soak up all of that responsibility. More than likely it wont come down to just him, but another scintillating shooting performance might make it near impossible for Budenholzer to take him off the court.
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https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomrende/2021/05/31/can-bryn-forbes-help-lead-the-milwaukee-bucks-to-the-nba-finals/
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Does Our Diversity Portend Disintegration?
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After nine people were shot to death by a public transit worker, who then killed himself in San Jose, the latest mass murder in America, Gov.Gavin Newsom, D-Calif., spoke for many on the eve of this Memorial Day weekend. What the hell is wrong with us?" Good question. Indeed, it seems that the country is coming apart. In May, Congress, to address a spate of criminal assaults on Asian Americans, enacted a new hate crimes law to protect them. May also witnessed a rash of assaults on Jewish Americans to show the attackers' hatred of Israel and support for the Palestinians in the Gaza war. The terms "racist" and "racism" are now commonplace accusations in political discourse and a public square where whites are expected to ritually denounce the "white privilege" into which they were born. In the year since the death of George Floyd and the rise of the Black Lives Matter "Defund the Police!" campaign, the shootings and killings of cops and citizens in our great cities have skyrocketed. In March, and again in April, 167,000 immigrants were caught crossing our southern border illegally. The invaders are now coming not only from Central and South America but also from Africa, the Islamic world and the largest and most populous continent, Asia. And their destiny may be to replace us. For as the endless invasion proceeds, native-born Americans have ceased to reproduce themselves. Not since the birth dearth of the Great Depression and WWII, when the Silent Generation was born, has the U.S. population experienced such a birth decline as today. In professions of religious belief, atheists, agnostics and secularists have become our largest "congregation," followed by Catholics and Protestants, both of which are in numerical decline. Diversity of faiths leads to irreconcilable, clashing opinions about morality on the most divisive social issues of our era: abortion, homosexuality, same-sex marriage, etc. Racial diversity, too, is bringing back problems unseen since the 1960s. America was almost 90% white in 1960, but that figure is down to 60% and falling. In 25 years, we will all belong to racial minorities. Hardly. Part of the nation buys into the academic and intellectual elites' version of history, tracing America's birth as a nation to the arrival of the first slave ship in Virginia in 1619. We not only disagree about our history; some actually hate our history. That hate can be seen in the statues and monuments destroyed, not just of Confederate military heroes but of the European explorers who discovered America, the Founding Fathers who created the nation, and the leaders, from Thomas Jefferson to Andrew Jackson to Teddy Roosevelt, who built the America we became. Yet, tens of millions from all over the world still see coming to America as the realization of a life's dream. Some look at Western civilization as 500 years of colonialism, imperialism, genocide, slavery and segregation practiced against people of color. This is the source of the West's wealth and power, it is said, and that wealth and power should be redistributed to the descendants of the victims of Western rapacity. For many, equality of opportunity is no longer enough. We must make restitution, deliver reparations and guarantee a future where an equality of rewards replaces an equality of rights. Meritocracy must yield to equity. Elite high schools, such as Thomas Jefferson in Virginia, Stuyvesant in New York and Lowell in San Francisco, must abandon their emphasis on grades, tests and exams to gain admissions and prove progress. And these schools must be remade to mirror the racial and ethnic composition of the communities where they reside. And a new cancel culture has taken root in America. Former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum, R-Pa., a CNN commentator, was fired for suggesting that Native American institutions and culture played no significant role in the foundation and formation of the American Republic. "We birthed a nation from nothing. I mean, there was nothing here. I mean, yes, we have Native Americans," Santorum said, adding: "There isn't much Native American culture in American culture." Something is seriously wrong with a country that professes to be great but whose elite cannot abide the mildest of heresies to its established truth. Patrick J. Buchanan is the author of "Nixon's White House Wars: The Battles That Made and Broke a President and Divided America Forever." Read Patrick Buchanan's Reports More Here.
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https://www.newsmax.com/patrickbuchanan/cnn-diversity-racism-santorum/2021/05/28/id/1023092/
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What are the release dates for the Minecraft Caves & Cliffs Updates Part 1 & 2?
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After it was made clear that Minecrafts new Caves & Cliffs update was split into two separate parts, a lot of things began to change behind the scenes. The weekly snapshots were mixed with a special add-on, and the new content in the actual snapshots themselves began winding down. It was long before it was most just bug fixes, and little to no major changes. That is because the first part of the Caves & Cliffs major update is coming very soon! Minecraft: Caves & Cliffs Part 1 is launching on June 8. It is for both Java Edition and Bedrock Edition. This means it will be available for Java Edition on PC, and Bedrock Edition for Windows 10 app, and most console and mobile platforms. The official announcement lists Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, iOS and Android. This update will be coming with new blocks and new mobs, such as the Axolotl, the Goat and the prior Minecraft Earth exclusive: The Glow Squid. On the contrary, all of the new biomes and world generation changes will not be launching until Minecraft: Caves & Cliffs Part 2. Part 2 of the Caves & Cliffs update does not have an exact release date yet, but it is slated for a holiday season release at the end of this year.
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https://www.gamepur.com/guides/what-is-the-release-date-for-the-minecraft-caves-cliffs-update
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Could Apple offer AirPods Max customization this year?
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Supply has been a real issue for Apple with AirPods Max and actually buying a pair has been more difficult than customers and Apple would have liked. In fact, the difficulty with making these things was said to be one of the reasons Apple didn't allow a level of AirPods Max customization at the point of purchase, as had been rumored. Like Apple Watch, users were originally intended to have the option to mix and match colors of AirPods Max. No problem! New rumors coming out of Mark Gurman and Bloomberg today have Apple not refreshing AirPods Max this year, which is good for those of us who spent $549 on a pair not so long ago. But Gurman does suggest that we might see new colors announced now that Apple has finally begun to catch up with demand. That idea was seemingly canned in late 2020. And then Gurman, today: The last AirPods-related hardware introduction from Apple was the over-ear AirPods Max headphones in December. That $549 pair earned criticism for bugs and its high price but praise for its materials and sound. Apple only recently caught up with demand for the product, and it is not currently working on a second generation of the AirPods Max, though it has discussed launching additional color variations in the future. Imagine Apple announcing new AirPods Max in some funky new colors and saying "oh, and you can customize your AirPods Max just the way you want" at the same time. Sure sounds like something Apple might do to me! Until that happens, or assuming you just want a standard color option, there are some AirPods Max deals beginning to crop up. The surest sign yet that stock replenishment is finally outpacing orders, perhaps.
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https://www.imore.com/could-apple-offer-airpods-max-customization-year?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheIphoneBlog+%28iMore%29
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Do non-callable fixed deposits offer any advantages?
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In a non-callable fixed deposit, banks dont allow customers to withdraw the FD prematurely. The depositor must wait until the maturity of the FD. Due to this, banks offer slightly higher interest rates on non-callable FDs. Use them for diversification FDs without a premature withdrawal facility are not available to all customers. According to regulations, the minimum amount for a non-callable FD should be above 15 lakh. Some banks ask for a minimum investment of 2 crore. Most small finance banks require a minimum investment amount of more than 15 lakh and up to 2 crore. But lenders such as ICICI Bank and IndusInd Bank require a minimum deposit of 2 crore and 1 crore, respectively. The interest rates on such FDs vary from bank to bank. According to Punjab National Banks website, a non-callable fixed deposit can fetch 5 basis points higher interest than a callable FD. Between one year and up to three years, non-callable FDs offer an interest rate of 5.15%, while those with a premature withdrawal facility offer a rate of 5.1%. In the case of small finance banks, the difference can be up to 25 basis points. One basis point is one-hundredth of a percentage point. Such deposits can be suitable for customers with a portfolio of FDs. They can decide the tenure based on their cash flow requirement and open a non-callable deposit. A part of their FD portfolio can get higher returns," said Basavaraj Tonagatti, a Bengaluru-based Sebi-registered investment adviser. Some investors are willing to take a risk for higher returns. They invest up to 5 lakh with banks offering better returns as such amounts have deposit insurance. Others want safety and prefer to stick to a bank they trust, irrespective of the interest rates. For such depositors, non-callable FDs can help to give slightly better returns if they are willing to sacrifice liquidity. Works well for banks The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had introduced non-callable FDs in 2015. Their origins are closely connected to the liquidity requirements laid out by an international framework for banksBasel III. Banks are required to maintain a certain amount of liquidity for the deposits they receive. The Basel III framework developed post the financial crisis of 2007-08 called for an increased liquidity coverage ratio (LCR) requirement to mitigate risk," said Adhil Shetty, chief executive officer, Bankbazaar.com. Under Basel III guidelines, banks must maintain a higher amount of liquidity for deposits that depositors can withdraw anytime, increasing the costs for banks. In 2015, the RBI allowed banks to take in high-value non-callable deposits to ease asset-liability management issues due to the LCR requirement," added Shetty. Things to watch out for Banks allow withdrawal only if the depositor is legally bankrupt or dies or a competent authority passes an order. If the interest rates on FDs start increasing, locking them without a liquidity facility at lower rates would put you at a disadvantage. One big attraction of fixed deposits is that depositors can withdraw them at any point. Without this feature, they might lose their appeal," said Shetty. This is probably the reason why they are not yet a popular product among depositors. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter.
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https://www.livemint.com/money/personal-finance/do-non-callable-fixed-deposits-offer-any-advantages-11622475874040.html
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What Was Utah Racial Justice Activist John Sullivan Really up to During 6 January Capitol Protests?
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John Earle Sullivan, 26, is the founder of the racial justice group Insurgence USA. He participated in the 6 January Capitol breach but claims he's a journalist and was only there to record the protests. Now Sullivan faces a total of eight criminal counts, according to court documents released last week. Sullivan was arrested by the DOJ on 14 January in Utah and released conditionally without bail by a federal court, despite prosecutors insisting that the protester remains a danger to the community. Earlier, on 13 July 2020, the Utah resident was charged with rioting and criminal mischief related to his activities around a 30 June 2020 protest during which a civilian was shot and injured. At that time observers questioned this apparently kid-glove treatment of Sullivan, given that other Capitol protestors like Jacob Chansley, also known as the "QAnon Shaman," and Richard Barnett, who was photographed with his feet on Nancy Pelosi's desk, were put behind bars. Barnett was refused bail even though he has no criminal record and faces no violent charges, as American Greatness' Julie Kelly detailed on 25 May. To date, federal prosecutors have charged over 400 people in connection to the 6 January Capitol breach. After seizing Sullivan's funds linked to alleged crimes, the DOJ has now brought additional charges against the racial justice activist, including weapons charges. According to court documents, Sullivan said "Hey guys, I have a knife. Let me up." In addition to that, the Utah resident was allegedly heard bragging of bringing a megaphone to instigate the riot: "I brought my megaphone to instigate s**t. I was like, guys were going inside, were f***ing s**t up.... Im gonna make these Trump supporters f*** all this s**t up," Sullivan allegedly told a witness after leaving the Capitol on 6 January. Sullivan also brought a camera to the Capitol building to record the protests and portrayed himself as a journalist who was documenting the incident. However, investigators have not found any connection or arrangements made between Sullivan and any news organisation prior to the DC incident. AP Photo / Manuel Balce Ceneta Trump supporters gesture to U.S. Capitol Police in the hallway outside of the Senate chamber at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) "Sullivan may be the luckiest 'journalist' in Washington DC," says investigative journalist and founder of Crowdsource the Truth Jason Goodman. "He captured stunning, up close footage of Ashli Babbitts' killing from start to finish. He promptly sold it to CNN and NBC for as much as $90,000. The money has now been seized by the Department of Justice." At the same time, the 26-year-old appeared to be actively participating in the breach, calling on others to "burn this s**t down." "There are so many people. Lets go. This s**t is ours!" He could also be heard saying, "I am ready bro. Ive been to too many riots. Ive been in so many riots." Uber previously featured #BLM Capitol Hill riot suspect John Earle Sullivan in a commercial. He was arrested yesterday & charged with violent entry & disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds & more. Last summer, he was charged over a BLM-antifa riot in Utah where a person was shot. pic.twitter.com/RHd7lehz5K Andy Ng (@MrAndyNgo) January 15, 2021 The racial justice activist's support of Trump is questionable given he was seen at a Washington DC racial justice gathering in August, saying: "We gotta rip Trump right out of that office right there," and "It's time for revolution." At the same time, Black Lives Matter's Utah chapter earlier disavowed Sullivan, calling him a reckless agitator and a "loose cannon." Others suggested that he could be a "double agent." Video captured by @PoAmBrotherhood show BLM activist John Earle Sullivan being detained or arrested by police in DC. pic.twitter.com/fQjcCnn1Va Andy Ng (@MrAndyNgo) January 8, 2021 It is unclear what John Sullivan was doing in the Capitol during the riot, says Goodman, who interviewed him in March 2021. According to the journalist, it's just as likely that the Utah resident is an adventurist who has implicated himself by sharing his footage of the breach or a well-trained provocateur. REUTERS / Leah Millis A mob of supporters of former U.S. President Donald Trump fight with members of law enforcement at a door they broke open as they storm the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, U.S., January 6, 2021 Sullivan Was Prepared for the Breach Goodman draws attention to the fact that Sullivan was well prepared and equipped for the incident: the individual had a camera, megaphone, ballistics vest, tactical pants, and gas mask. Speaking to the journalist on 5 March 2021, Sullivan confirmed that he had known about the upcoming storming of the DC Capitol as it was on "social media prior to this." "Wait a minute," Goodman said. Planning for what happened at the Capitol?" "Ye-eah," Sullivan responded. "Flyers have been passed around by various groups saying that they are going storm all Capitols on 6 January." Indeed, around 4 January, the racial justice activist posted a livestream on social media saying that he was in DC for forthcoming protests: "Its going to be massively insane If its a mixture of Trump people and Black Lives Matter people, damn, thats even more intense for me, thats something I want to see," he allegedly said. The reason John Earle Sullivan's CNN/NBC proceeds from the death of Ashli Babbitt were seized by the DOJ was he can be seen on his own footage inciting the crowd as he films - he yelled "Go go go! Get this sh*t!" moments before she was shot https://t.co/4ymfCPUAaQ pic.twitter.com/vHDGwKSC1l AntifaBook.com (@JackPosobiec) May 23, 2021 Still, most of the crowd that gathered at DC on 6 January apparently had no idea about the forthcoming storming of the Capitol, Goodman notes. The investigative journalist, who did not breach the restricted area with thousands of other Trump supporters on 6 January, points out that only a small minority of demonstrators broke into the Capitol building. According to Goodman, who talked to the Insurgence USA founder for more than an hour on 5 March, Sullivan appears to be smart and choosing his words wisely while on record. Judging from this, it would be hard to imagine that the 26-year-old did not know about the potential risks associated with entering restricted grounds without permission, let alone recording himself entering the restricted area, according to the investigative journalist. "Sullivans confidence belies his age particularly given the serious legal jeopardy he is in. He behaves like someone who believes he will be 'protected'. Perhaps this is due to the multiple instances when Antifa groups and racial justice activists were caught and then released last year, or perhaps he knows something we dont know," Goodman says. AFP 2021 / SAMUEL CORUM National Guard troops continue to guard the grounds of the US Capitol building in the extended security perimeter around Capitol Hill following the January 6th attack by a pro-Trump mob on February 11, 2021 in Washington, DC. Capitol Breach Still Raises a Lot of Questions Meanwhile, the Sullivan case and his controversial behaviour evoke memories of Newsweek's 17 May story about the Pentagon's "clandestine army" of "soldiers, civilians, and contractors [who are] working under false identities," according to Goodman. In addition, it's also reminiscent of one of the Biden administration's apparent plans to use private individuals and contractors to infiltrate right-wing chat rooms and track potential "domestic extremists," reported by CNN. The Crowdsource The Truth founder does not rule out that not only Sullivan "instigated" rioters on 6 January: apparently, there could be other individuals who, like the 26-year-old, weren't actually "Trump supporters." The Capitol breach has left a lot of unanswered questions, the journalist says. For example, it still remains unclear who planted two explosive devices near the Capitol in Washington, DC ahead of the protests. It's mind-boggling that this person has not been found yet given the number of surveillance cameras in the US capital. According to Goodman, the Sullivan case may potentially shed some light on this: "There is a long trial ahead," he says. "It remains to be seen if Sullivan is simply young, dumb and overconfident or if he indeed has a powerful guardian angel making sure he stays out of trouble.
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https://sputniknews.com/us/202105311083042199-what-was-utah-racial-justice-activist-john-sullivan-really-up-to-during-6-january-capitol-protests/
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Who Got the Most Screen Time on SNL Season 46?
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Look, it's not that we're not hoping for the best for this Saturday's return of Saturday Night Live especially after all of the attention the show's received since it was announced that controversial rich dude Elon Musk would be hosting (with musical guest Miley Cyrus), a decent percentage of which has been negative. Add to that SNL cast members Bowen Yang, Andrew Dismukes, Aidy Bryant, and Michael Che all weighing in on the matter (with the three former not exactly coming across as too excited by the move and Che using the opportunity to get some great digs in at "Weekend Update" co-anchor Colin Jost). Now we've reached that point where the intro videos, rehearsal images, live promos, and things like that will start to roll out, which has us curious about two things. First, which cast member will be doing the one or two (maybe three?) live promos later this week with Musk and Cyrus. Second, with less than a week to go, we're not sure why Musk thought it would be a good idea to piss off the SNL writers by soliciting "skit ideas" via Twitter.
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https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2264345507641/who-got-the-most-screen-time-on-snl-season-46
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Was hat ein Biber mitten in der Kaufbeurer Innenstadt zu suchen?
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Ein tierische Begegnung hatte unsere Redakteurin vergangene Woche am Kaufbeurer Mhlbach. Ganz einfach: Ein kstliches Abendessen. Denn whrend der Giersch manchen Hobbygrtner mit seiner Hartnckigkeit in den Wahnsinn treibt, lsst ihn sich der Biber schmecken. Appetit auf frisches Grnzeug Das Nagetier scheint groen Appetit auf die saftig-grnen Bltter zu haben so gro, dass es sich von neugierigen Fotografen nicht beim Fressen stren lsst und seelenruhig vor sich hin mmmelt. Das Bild zeigt ihn beim Abendessen am Donnerstag am Ufer des Mhlbachs in Kaufbeuren. Krzlich rief der Nager die Polizei auf den Plan Gut mglich, dass es sich um den stadtbekannten Nager handelt, der am Ostersonntag in der Nhe einen Polizeieinsatz ausgelst hat. Damals war das Tier orientierungslos in der vierten Etage des Parkhauses am Kunsthaus umhergerannt. Die Beamten baten Biberberater Stefan Schopf um Rat und halfen dem Tier in die Freiheit. Dort rettete er sich in den Mhlbach, wo er sich trotz Publikum wohlzufhlen scheint. Laut Schopf ist es nicht das einzige Exemplar in der Stadt er schtzt die Population auf 40 bis 50 Tiere.
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https://www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de/allgaeu/kaufbeuren/was-hat-ein-biber-mitten-in-der-kaufbeurer-innenstadt-zu-suchen_arid-296755
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How will Dalal Street value loss-making startups?
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(Representational Image) | Photo Credit: iStock Images New Delhi: Paytm is headed to Dalal Street for India's largest IPO of $2.5-3billion around the festive Diwali season. Zomato has already filed its draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) with the market regulator SEBI for a $1.1 bn IPO. Over the next couple of weeks, other unicorns are also likely to do the same, and that list includes Delhivery, PolicyBazaar, Nykaa, and Mobikwik. After all, these IPOs will also mark the Indian public markets debut with listings of loss-making companies! Not one of the startups headed to Dalal Street has ever reported a profit, and neither is it their immediate priority. Zomato in its regulatory filings has disclosed it would be many years before it declares one. Dalal Street has always approached stocks based on the price-to-earning ratio; net profit; EBITDA; discounted cash flows etc. But it's a whole different ball game when it comes to startups. Watch this video to find out LetsVenture Plus President Nimesh Kampani and Bernstien director Gautam Chhugani discuss this with ET Now's Nayantara Rai.
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https://www.timesnownews.com/business-economy/markets/article/how-will-dalal-street-value-loss-making-startups/764375
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When did Ben Shephard start presenting Tipping Point?
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Ben Shephard has been at the helm of Tipping Point for almost a decade (Picture: ITV) Tipping Point has become a staple of the ITV daytime schedule, with the game show proving as popular as ever after almost a decade on the air. The show sees contestants competing to win money and prizes through a giant version of the popular arcade coin-tipping machines with a possible 20,000 jackpot up for grabs for the luckiest hopefuls. Regular viewers of the show and its celebrity spin-off edition will know that its presented by Good Morning Britain regular Ben Shephard. Ben Shephard has hosted Tipping Point ever since it made its debut on screens. The first-ever episode aired on July 2 2012 with 11 series of the show having been made so far. The series have also increased in length over the years the first series consisted of just 20 shows, although the second and third series, which aired in 2013, were 50 episodes and 70 episodes respectively. The most recent series of the show, which began in April of this year, will run for an impressive 165 shows. As well as the main series, Shephard also hosts the spin-off Tipping Point: Lucky Stars, the celebrity version of the show. There have been seven series of that so far, running from 2013 until the most recent series this year. Although its been on air for nine years, the 20K Tipping Point jackpot has only ever been won twice. The first winner, Clive Rushden, walked away with the huge sum in an episode which aired in December 2020. The second, retired gardener Tom (his surname has not been revealed) nabbed the five-figure sum even more recently, in a May 2021 episode of the show. The show airs weekdays on ITV at 4pm. MORE : Tipping Point player breaks record but viewers are distracted by new layout Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Share your views in the comments below.
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https://metro.co.uk/2021/05/31/when-did-ben-shephard-start-presenting-tipping-point-14676919/
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When is Coronation Street on in big schedule change?
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Schedules have altered this week (Picture: ITV) Schedules have changed for Coronation Street this week as episodes will be airing nearly every night at different times. In a week that will see Sharon Bentleys (Tracie Bennett) real identity uncovered, a gun will go off in Weatherfield in some dark and dramatic scenes. Coronation Street always air a week of late-night episodes at around this time of year. Usually, its in line with the week of Britains Got Talent semi-final live shows but that wont be the case this time. Coronation Street will be airing from 9pm this week. Coronation Street isnt airing on Wednesday June 2 as Live International Football will be airing in its place. The England vs Austria World Cup Qualifying match will be on ITV from 7:30-10:15pm. The Masked Singers sister show The Masked Dancer will be airing this week on ITV from 7:30-9pm. It will be hosted by Joel Dommett and will see Jonathan Ross, Oti Mabuse, Davina McCall and Mo Gilligan attempt to guess the famous faces behind some very elaborate costumes. Fortunately, the schedule for Emmerdale hasnt been altered that much this week. As per, the show will air in its usual 7-7:30pm slot Monday-Friday however on Thursday, just one episode will air due to The Masked Dancer. If youve got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us [email protected] wed love to hear from you. Join the community by leaving a comment below and stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage.
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https://metro.co.uk/2021/05/31/when-is-coronation-street-on-in-big-schedule-change-14669394/
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What Could The Cleveland Browns Running Back Depth Chart Look Like?
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Last season the Cleveland Browns went as the running backs ran often. Nick Chubb missed some time, still was a thousand-yard back though. Kareem Hunt had over a thousand total yards himself. The two will be back for Cleveland, leading the Browns backfield. Cleveland has some depth options and it is going to be interesting to see how it works out. Lets take a look at projecting the teams depth chart, here who is currently most likely to make the team. Nick Chubb - 511 & 227 lbs Kareem Hunt - 511 & 216 lbs DErnest Johnson - 510 & 208 lbs Demetric Felton - 59 & 189 lbs Projecting the depth chart.... RB1 Nick Chubb This obviously is not a question and theres not much to say about, besides Nick Chubb is that guy in Cleveland. Over 3,500 yards in three seasons as a Brown has Chubb as one of the better running backs Cleveland has seen in recent memory. The only question now is if the Browns will re-sign their leading rusher and best offensive player. Offensively Cleveland has went as much as Chubb could carry them. He has been relatively healthy outside of the four games missed last year as a pro. Chubb can do a bit of everything and his cutting ability will never get old in Cleveland. Hes quiet and he works. RB2 Kareem Hunt Looking around the league not many teams are as spoiled as Cleveland when it comes to two-headed running back monsters. Hunt wasnt special as a runner last year. One thing he does though is run hard and not give up on plays, it has made him become a fan favorite in a way already. Hunt gives the Browns a very good receiving back when he is on the field, it makes him different. Cleveland signed Hunt for a couple more years and it gives them some insurance if they dont sign Chubb. In Hunts current role he is very good and gives the Browns what they need. RB3 Demetric Felton This is where the tough decision comes. Felton is a draft pick of the current front office, so that is working for him immediately. Felton, like Hunt, is another running back that can be very good in a pass catching role. It may be the one thing that gives him the nod over DErnest Johnson. Johnson has been solid for Cleveland in limited snaps due to his spot on the depth chart. He can run between the tackles and if that was what this team needs, he would make it over Felton. Theres an outside shot the team keeps four running backs, viewing Felton as a WR/RB, its an option. For now it very well looks like Cleveland could go with their most recent draft pick. It is still way earlier and injuries could happen to anyone, keeping Felton as your third running back seems like a solid option going forward. It is tough to say Felton, who hasnt played a down in the NFL, will make the team over Johnson. But, the possibility is there and it is real. He has a couple of things working for him, main one being his skill set.
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https://www.si.com/nfl/browns/browns-maven-features/browns-potential-running-back-depth-chart
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What Did Jets RG Brian Winters Think of His Bone-Crushing Block?
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The workmanlike Winters said there were some positive reviews of the jarring block in the O-Line room when the group reviewed Sunday's game tape. "Oohs and aahs, but just doing my job," he said. Much like Darnold on the rookie's second scoring pass to Robby Anderson, Winters worked his eyes from right to left before making Ray part of the turf at MetLIfe Stadium. He watched Ray move across the line of scrimmage and was prepared if Ray was going to make a move towards his rookie quarterback. Instead of fooling a safety like his quarterback, Winters retreated and looked right quickly before targeting Ray for a thunderous pop. "I saw him from the very beginning," he said. "I was pretending to look right, but then I saw him and I went left at the last second." It seemed like the Jets O-line punched all the right buttons in Week 5 while rolling up 323 yards on the ground and 512 yards of offense. But Winters said there was more to be had and Rick Dennison's unit didn't pitch a perfect game. "We left some yards out there. There were three or four plays that could have broken and could have gone longer," he said. "We can't settle for what we had." The night before the game, Jets offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates told the line to play angry. Throughout the first quarter of the season, the Green & White had spurts of good ball up front. But for the vast majority of the team's fifth game, the big uglies had a hat for a hat. The result was a record-breaking day for AFC Offensive Player of the Week Isaiah Crowell and a lot of help for rookie quarterback Sam Darnold as the Jets ran 38 times and attempted just 22 balls. "He's awesome," Winters said of Bates. "I love working with him. He's been great for us, he puts us in great situations. He takes the O-line into consideration and that's what I love about him." There is reason to feel like the offensive line will continue to get better. Veteran LT Kelvin Beachum didn't play in the preseason, Winters missed some time during the summer with a back ailment and C Spencer Long, a former Redskin who signed with the club in free agency, will suit up with his linemates Sunday against the Colts for just the sixth time in regular season action. The Jets are sixth in the NFL in rushing and they are tied for the NFL lead in 20+ yard carries with six. The Colts stand in the way of a two-game winning streak and a .500 mark for New York's AFC representative.
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https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/what-did-jets-rg-brian-winters-think-of-his-bone-crushing-block
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Can we keep human inconsistency from confusing expert advice?
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Everyone has biases. And everyone knows that everyone has biases, and that these biases affect our judgements. Bias is explainable, and our brains like things they can explain. One of the leading explainers of our biases is economist Daniel Kahneman, famed for a Nobel win and his book Thinking, Fast and Slow. He's now teamed with Olivier Sibony and Cass Sunstein to write a book... that's... not about bias. Entitled Noise: A Flaw in Human Judgement, it deals withyou guessed itnoise, the variability among human judgements that is the result of humans being variable. We have distinct temperaments and personalities; we are different from each other, and we are different from ourselves, certainly from year to year but also even from hour to hour. All of that noise is totally OK. But it is totally not OK when it means that one petty thief is granted bail while another must await trial in jail, or one asylum seeker gets admitted into the US while another does not, or one child at risk of abuse gets shunted into foster care while another stays putall because they saw a particular judge on a particular morning. An end to noise The goal of the book is to eliminate noise. The first step is recognizing it, which isn't easy. Unlike bias, noise is not readily acknowledged. But it contributes just as much to errors as bias does. So eliminating it can reduce errors just as much as eliminating bias can. In Thinking, Fast and Slow, Kahneman described the Nobel Prize-winning work he did with Amos Tversky about the many cognitive biases that often shape individuals' decisions and cause them to err. Noise expands on those ideas to explore why groups of people make errors and how to deal with it when they do. The longest section of the book is devoted to defining and identifying noisea justification for the measures outlined in the rest of the text. "Noise is variability in judgments that should be identical," the authors explain. Advertisement They are not talking about subjective matters of taste, like movie reviews or wine ratings, about which there obviously should be differences of opinion. They are talking about matters like criminal justice and medical diagnosis, in which a lack of consensus should not exist but does. And it exists to a much, much greater degree than you'd imagine: when shown a pair of fingerprints a second time months after first seeing them, forensic analysts make different decisions about if they match about 10 percent of the time. This noise can be due to some random factors: doctors order more cancer screenings in the morning and prescribe more opioids (but not other pain meds) in the afternoon. People may want to think that their fates about very important matters are being determined by one of a group of seasoned, caring, interchangeable experts who represent a System and not their own individual values at that moment. But their fates are, in fact, being determined by a process much more akin to a lottery (lotteries are cited a lot in Noise). The expert who makes the decision is in essence randomly selected, and their opinion can differ wildly from that of other experts. And that is Not Fair. One key aspect of noise identification that the authors stress is that "we don't need to know who is right to measure how much the judgements of the same cases vary." In many judgments, the true or right answer is unknown or unknowable; for others, it may not even exist. But that doesn't matter for recognizing problems. Expert judgments should still cluster together. If they don't, the system is noisy. (If they do, the judges might still all be biased in the same waybut as noted earlier, that is not a noise problem.) Better hygiene To reduce noise, the authors prescribe a regimen they call "decision hygiene," which is about as unsexy as it sounds. And they named it that for precisely that reason. They liken it to hand-washing, which is widely known to do wonders to prevent the spread of pathogensalthough when you do it, you don't know exactly which pathogens you are preventing from spreading, and you'll never know. Advertisement The authors posit that decision hygiene will reduce noise-induced errors, but we'll never know which ones. The analogy doesn't end there; they note that hand-washing is also known to be kind of an annoying hassle, so even though it is simple and extremely effective, many people who are aware that they should be doing it all too often don't. Decision hygiene is similar. One way the authors suggest we make better judgments and predictions is to have better judges and predictors. Turns out they are people who are not only willing to change their minds when faced with new information, but those who go out and seek new information that challenges their closely held views. They are "actively open-minded," or in a state of "perpetual beta"they are constantly integrating new ideas and perspectives, constantly analyzing and refining themselves and their views. They do not adhere to foolish consistencies. They sound like the exact opposite of political pundits everywhere and many of the authorities we currently revere. Soundbites Each chapter ends with a list of talking points, like a soundbite-y highlight reel of the contents. These are in quotes, even though they are not verbatim lines lifted from anywhere in the chapter (this must be Kahneman's shtick, as he does it in Thinking, Fast and Slow as well). The nonquote quotations are odd, especially since Noise has so many actually quotable sentences. Consider this gem: "The obviousness of this fact [that the future is unpredictable] is matched only by the regularity with which it is ignored." Or this one, on the problems people may have with noise-mitigation strategies: "Although we will address these objections as sympathetically as we can, we by no means endorse them." And Kahneman, Sibony, and Sunstein can expect no shortage of objections. One of those is that people, especially trained experts, like to think that their experience and their hunches and their gut feelings are invaluable. They want to use their discretion; they rebel against the notion that their intuition could be supplanted by an algorithm (although Kahneman and Co. insist that this would certainly eliminate noise). But "the goal of judgment is accuracy, not individual expression," the authors write. Creativity and personal values certainly have their place. But not if they lead to injustice.
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https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/05/can-we-keep-human-inconsistency-from-confusing-expert-advice/
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Will Tennis Blink Before Naomi Osaka Does?
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Naomi Osakas insistence upon her right to remain silent is ridiculous, admirable, silly, thought-provoking and, well, fascinating. Not necessarily wise, I grant you, in the ways that most of these measuring contests usually are, but its still an experiment worth playing out, at least until we get bored with it on Wednesday. Whatever her explanations for choosing not to speak to media during the French Open, the upshot ultimately is this: She wants to restrict her obligation as a performer to her performances, the way actors, musicians, dancers, Kyrie Irving, et. al., do. She finds the postmatch pressers 1) always tedious, 2) usually repetitive, 3) sometimes draining and 4) an ever-present waste of her time. All these explanations hold a level of water, because well, they often are. Whether they are also an impingement upon an athletes psyche is more an individual matter. Osaka says they are, so we can either take her at her word or dismiss her as Irving was dismissed for claiming the same thing before the start of the NBA season. Thats an individual matter, too. What they definitely are, though, is a highly valued promotional vehicle for the people who run the event, and the folks who run the French Open and the other three Grand Slam events are acting as though this particular obligation is galactically non-negotiable. This makes it less a matter of the quality of the format than a matter of the athletes duties and obligations away from the actual workplace. And thats another bucket of anchovies entirely. Osaka said shes not doing pressers. The Open is saying, Yes you are, and heres a $15,000 fine to make you do it. Osaka has re-raised to, Ive got 15 grand in this pack of gum. I can get 15 granded after every match until Im 93. What else you got, Pierre? to which the Open and its kin have gone all-in to, Or you wont play in the other Slams, a risky play to make this early in the hand. Osaka is now left with four plays of her own. 1. Dont play the other majors on principle and let public opinion beat the tournaments into submission. Stars drive tennis, and Osaka is the logical inheritor to Serena Williamss lands, titles, and royal prerogatives. You want to watch Sixers-Wiz or Leafs-Habs? 2. Dont play the other majors and give up playing meaningful tennis. Everyone loses, and the sport is diminished in the name of egalitarian standards obscuring the more mean-spirited issue of who is actually in charge here. Other than there being no rooting interest in such a war of wills, at least well have eight more weekends freed for healthier pursuits, like watching something else. 3. Play the other majors and sulk through the pressers, providing the bare minimum of engagement and/or leaving at the first question she finds objectionable to remind everyone that the questions matter far less than the answers. Thatll be fun for everyone who bet the under; Osaka will grudgingly have bent on a principle she seems to hold dearly, and the world will get a spoonful of rhetorical treacle it will be better off having missed. It will be an interview made up of pure scorn, the kind of television we usually associate with house renovation shows. 4. Play the other majors and start interrogating the interrogators. A few returns of poor serve like, Why would you ask that? or, Did you watch the match? or the underused, Who did you kidnap to get your credential, you moron? take tactical advantage of the situation and can change a presser into a test of wills that shake all but the bravest journalists. It could create some sparks of genuine insight and brilliance, but also some serious spite and rancor, and you can guess in one second or less which of those two the highlight shows would prefer. There is also a fifth answer, in which she just charms everyone on the outside while holding them all in silent contempt, treating the whole exercise the way she would doing her laundrya little bit of drudge, a little bit of grudge. The postgame meet-and-bleat will return to its rightful place in the industry as a rote exercise that celebrates the superficiality of sport through the unchanging tradition of Oh, sure it sucks, but its 10 minutes, tops. Just get it over with. Thats whats likely to happen in the end, an amalgamation of soul-saddening compromises that everyone finds less potentially damaging to the status quo. Thats usually how these things work out in the end. Nothing is revealed, nothing is determined, the unpleasant center holds and we all soldier on to our next destinationsretirement, hip replacements, annoying grandchildren and ultimately, death. But along the way, well all be reminded that in Osaka v. The Blazers, the attempt to control ones surroundings at all times was, is, and will always exhausting for her and ultimately a victory of little value for the straw hats.
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https://defector.com/will-tennis-blink-before-naomi-osaka-does/
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When Is It Time to Give Up on an SEO Campaign?
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May 31, 2021 5 min read Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. If youre like most modern companies, youve at least flirted with the idea of starting a search engine optimization ( ) . Maybe SEO has allowed you to capture a massive stream of inbound traffic and currently represents the most successful element of your strategy. Or maybe youre somewhere in between. The appeal of SEO is pretty obvious. Rank higher in search engines, and youll get more inbound traffic. More inbound traffic leads to more revenue. And because SEO is relatively inexpensive, the return on investment (ROI) is often favorable even in merely decent campaigns. That said, there are some important downsides to SEO that you must consider. Notably, SEO takes a long time to develop and show its true results. The SEO dilemma This leads us to the central SEO dilemma. For SEO to work long-term, you have to keep investing in it for months and sometimes years despite seeing little to no results early on. In other words, you have to have faith in the strategy and keep pushing for further development. Considering the near-universal value of SEO, this is worth pushing for. At the same time, it makes no sense to remain complacent with a strategy that isnt bringing value to your organization. If you invested in SEO for 10 years with no results, most people would consider it a bad financial move. Reasonable timeframes for SEO Before we can answer that question, we need to establish expectations for the timeline of SEO. This question is hard to answer, since it depends on so many variables. Campaigns may take longer or shorter depending on their budget, the industry, the quality of the SEO campaign and other factors. For our purposes, well consider an experienced SEO campaign manager with a mid-sized business in a competitive (but not ridiculously so) industry). Additionally, the budget is neither restrictive nor indulgent. Related: Why You're Hurting Your Bottom Line If You Only Care About the Bottom Line Realistically, you should start to see some momentum within a few weeks of starting your campaign, and definitely within the first two months. Youll notice your domain authority ticking upward (especially if you havent done any work on this yet), youll see measurable traffic increases and you should start climbing the search engine results pages (SERPs) for your target phrases. If you dont see any measurable progress after two months, thats a bad sign. After three to six months, you should see much more progress. Even in a competitive industry, you should see yourself become a formidable player. If youre still seeing minimal progress after six months of work, something is seriously wrong. Alternatives to quitting Heres something else to consider: Abandoning the SEO campaign isnt the only option available to you. If youve spent several months optimizing for search engines with not much to show for it, you could instead make adjustments to your strategy. If youre targeting the wrong keyword phrases or if youre competing on a national, instead of local level, you can make some strategic changes to see faster momentum. Related: 7 Tips for Cold-Calling Success If youre doing the work all in-house or if youre doing the work yourself, consider hiring an expert to take over the campaign. They can help you figure out what youre doing wrong, correct the issues and ultimately prime you for better results. Variables to consider If youre questioning whether your SEO strategy is working, or whether you should quit, be careful not to make any impulsive decisions. Instead, consider the variables that could be influencing this position, such as: Niche and competition. Competitive fields make it extremely difficult to grow. Standing penalties. Violations of Googles terms of service can lead to penalties, which are very hard to recover from in some cases. Content quality. Bad content or adherence to questionable practices can stymie your momentum. Pace of work. Your budget and drive will dictate how much progress you make; if youre only investing the bare minimum, you shouldnt expect fast results. SEO is a long-term strategy, and for the most part, you shouldnt let your impatience get the better of you. Momentum builds slowly and is often imperceptible at first, gradually building to incredible heights. However, there are many ways a campaign can go wrong, and its not a good idea to continue pursuing a campaign that simply isnt working. Keep a critical, analyzing eye on your campaign, and if its not generating results after a few months, be ready to change it or cut it loose.
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https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/371203
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Is Centres vaccine allocation to States equitable?
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As part of the nationwide Covid vaccination drive, the Centre has been supplying vaccines to the States and Union Territories (UTs), to be administered to the public. But there have been complaints by many States that they are not getting the vaccines rightfully due to them. We analysed the data to see if the allocation is equitable. Numbers show that the population of the State seems to be the primary consideration in these allocations and efficiency of administering vaccines is not being given enough weight. The method of allocation can be refined further. A formula can be used which is dynamic and captures the shifting case-loads in different parts of the country. According to the Centres press release, the allocation of vaccines to States/UTs is based on, the extent of infection (number of active Covid cases) & performance (speed of administration). Wastage of vaccine will also be considered in this criteria and will affect the criteria negatively. Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and West Bengal were the top five States that received the highest number of doses, as of May 18. Maharashtra received 9.6 per cent of the total doses supplied, Uttar Pradesh, 8.3 per cent, Gujarat and Rajasthan, 7.7 per cent each, and West Bengal, 6.4 per cent. But it is not clear how the Centre is arriving at the numbers to be allocated. If the population of the region were to be the criteria for vaccine distribution, then Uttar Pradesh should top the list with 16.9 per cent of Indias population, followed by Maharashtra at 9.2 per cent, Bihar at 9 per cent, West Bengal at 7.3 per cent and Madhya Pradesh at 6.2 per cent. While Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra received a large share of vaccine doses, Bihar (4.7 per cent share of vaccines), West Bengal (6.4 per cent) and Madhya Pradesh (5.10 per cent) received a far lower share than that warranted by their population. Efficiency of vaccine If the efficiency of vaccine administration is considered, then Kerala should have received a far higher share of vaccines. Its efficiency (total doses administered divided by the total doses supplied) as on May 18th was 96 per cent. Rajasthan, Karnataka and West Bengal should also have received more vaccines based on this metric. Likewise, if we look at the vaccination per 100 people of the population of these regions, then Kerala stood first at 24.2, followed by Gujarat at 21.9, Chhattisgarh at 20.9, Rajasthan at 19.8 and Karnataka at 17.1. Kerala received only 4.2 per cent of the total doses, Chhattisgarh, only 3.6 per cent, Karnataka, 5.7 per cent, whereas Gujarat and Rajasthan received 7.7 per cent each of the total doses. The right approach The supply of doses to States and UTs must be based on a formula that gives precedence to active case-load over population. States that are more efficient in administering vaccines need to be given a higher share too. Because the active case-load is dynamic and keeps changing every day, the Centre must also regulate the share it provides accordingly. The formula used to make the periodic allocation needs to be shared with the public. (With inputs from Monika Yadav in New Delhi)
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https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/is-centres-vaccine-allocation-to-states-equitable/article34692374.ece
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Can the Arab world contemplate a future without tobacco use?
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ABU DHABI : When it comes to smoking, all the facts are known yet they have proved to be no cure. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable deaths and tobacco use causes more than 8 million deaths per year worldwide, says the World Health Organization (WHO). To put that into perspective, the COVID-19 pandemic, which has necessitated national lockdowns, has seen the significantly smaller 3.52 million deaths so far. Low- and middle-income countries pay a disproportionately heavy price as they have more than 80 percent of the worlds 1.3 billion tobacco users. The Eastern Mediterranean region has a comparatively high number of tobacco consumers and that number is rising fast. A youth smokes a waterpipe (Shisha) at a cafe in Dubai on May 31, 2008. Nicotine contained in tobacco is highly addictive and tobacco use is a major risk factor for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, over 20 different types or subtypes of cancer, and many other debilitating health conditions. (File/AFP) The good news is that Gulf states are using the whole gamut of measures to reduce tobacco consumption. The largest of the GCC countries, Saudi Arabia, with a population of more than 34 million, has been taking a number of steps to curb the menace. These include increasing sales taxes and fines, conducting anti-smoking campaigns, establishing smoking cessation clinics and introducing dedicated mobile applications. Saudi Arabia has an ambitious strategic tobacco control plan to reduce smoking rates from 12.7 percent to 5 percent by 2030, Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, Saudi Arabias Minister of Health, was quoted as saying in 2019. In 2017, the Saudi National Committee for Tobacco Control imposed a 100 percent tax on all tobacco products and banned smoking in public areas including malls, parks and workplaces. A performer walks past an Emirati man as he lights a cigarette at the Meydan race track before the start of the Dubai World Cup, on March 27, 2010. Nicotine contained in tobacco is highly addictive and tobacco use is a major risk factor for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, over 20 different types or subtypes of cancer, and many other debilitating health conditions. (File/AFP) Additionally, the Saudi health ministry expanded its specialized clinics to 900 locations across the country. Consequently, data from 2019 showed an increase in visits to clinics by 213 percent, a drop in tobacco imports by 54 percent, and a 307 percent spike in the number of people quitting smoking. Neighboring UAE faces a no less daunting challenge. Authorities have set a target of reducing tobacco consumption from 21.6 percent to 15.7 percent among men and from 1.9 percent to 1.66 percent in women by the end of the year. FAST FACT World No Tobacco Day is observed on May 31 to raise awareness of the harmful and deadly effects of tobacco use. By far the most common form of tobacco consumption in the UAE is cigarette smoking (77.4 percent), followed by midwakh use (a small pipe used for smoking tobacco) at 15 percent, waterpipes at 6.8 percent and cigars at 0.66 percent. The government has launched awareness campaigns on the harms of smoking via regular means as well as social media, said Dr. Buthaina Abdulla bin Belaila, head of non-communicable disease in the UAEs Ministry of Health and Prevention. A man smokes waterpipe (Shisha) at a cafe in Dubai on May 31, 2008. Nicotine contained in tobacco is highly addictive and tobacco use is a major risk factor for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, over 20 different types or subtypes of cancer, and many other debilitating health conditions. (File/AFP) The country has started imposing excise tax on tobacco products that has led to a doubling of the price that consumers pay, which will be reflected in a reduction in consumption, according to studies, she said. The UAE has also expanded provision for smoking cessation services by increasing the number of clinics and training more doctors to offer such services, which has resulted in an increase in the number of those wishing to quit smoking. IN NUMBERS UAE excise tax rates * 100% Tobacco products * 100% Electronic smoking devices * 100% Liquids used in such devices and tools The Oman Medical Journal study found that in the UAE prevalence rates of smoking were highest among Arab expatriates (31.9 percent), followed by non-Arab expatriates (22.6 percent) and Emiratis (21.6 percent). According to Dr. Muhammed Anas Ayoob, a specialist in pulmonary disease at NMC Specialty Hospital in Abu Dhabi,, this could be because smoking is widespread in countries such as Jordan and Egypt, the home countries of many of the UAEs Arab expats. Living far away from loved ones and job-related stress may be among the reasons for high tobacco consumption by expats. Of the GCC countries, Oman has the lowest rate of tobacco consumption, but future projections suggest it can ill afford complacency. The prevalence of tobacco use among men in Oman (which stood at 17.9 percent in 2010) is predicted to rise to 33.3 percent by 2025, according to a 2017 study in the Oman Medical Journal. This figure is still low compared with the predicted figures for 2025 for other Arab countries: Lebanon (45.4 percent), Bahrain (48.8 percent) and Egypt (49.9 percent). The study claimed that before 1970, the ban on smoking in all indoor and outdoor public areas in Omar was enforced by public flogging and jail sentences. These days, the government has a very different approach: it has set up cessation clinics for smokers and imposed a comprehensive ban on the advertising, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco products. The study also noted that Oman has no tobacco product manufacturing facilities, so more than 80 percent of the domestic demand is met through imports from the UAE, followed by Germany, Switzerland, Poland and Turkey. In Qatar, a 2021 report on the epidemiology of tobacco use said the governments National Vision 2030 and the Ministry of Public Health Strategy 20182022 aim to reduce the prevalence of smoking by 5 percent. Qatars health ministry has pledged to establish a system for monitoring tobacco consumption and to conduct regular smoking surveys in accordance with the recommendations of the Global Tobacco Monitoring System. It also intends to offer services to smokers who want to kick the habit, including a helpline and a local website. A woman smokes waterpipe (Shisha) at a cafe in Dubai on May 31, 2008. Nicotine contained in tobacco is highly addictive and tobacco use is a major risk factor for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, over 20 different types or subtypes of cancer, and many other debilitating health conditions. (File/AFP) The ministry says it will establish a practical and comprehensive tax model on tobacco products, including customs duties and taxes on tobacco production and sale. Evidence from countries of all income levels shows that price increases on cigarettes are highly effective in reducing demand, Dr. Ayoob, of NMC Specialty Hospital, said. Higher prices encourage cessation and prevent initiation of tobacco use. They also reduce relapse among those who have quit and reduce consumption among continuing users. Several reviews have demonstrated that a price increase of 10 percent results in a decrease of 2.5 percent to 5 percent in cigarette consumption. A picture taken on September 28, 2017 shows a man organising cigarette packs at a shop in in Ras al-Khaimah. Nicotine contained in tobacco is highly addictive and tobacco use is a major risk factor for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, over 20 different types or subtypes of cancer, and many other debilitating health conditions. (File/AFP) On the question of whether e-cigarettes are a healthier alternative, Dr. Ayoob says that smoking does appear to be more harmful than vaping. This does not mean that vaping is safe. E-cigarettes produce an aerosol by heating a liquid that usually contains nicotine, flavorings and other chemicals that help to make the aerosol. Users inhale this aerosol into their lungs. Bystanders are also at risk of inhaling this aerosol when the user exhales into the air, he said. Dr. Ayoob pointed out that the US Food and Drug Administration has not confirmed that vaping helps people quit smoking. On the contrary, many e-cigarette users fail to kick their addiction, he said. According to a report, 58.8 percent of the people who recently used e-cigarettes also continued to smoke cigarettes, he said. Twitter: @farahheiba94
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/1867881/middle-east
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