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Can anyone stop Quartararo at Catalunya? | Barcelona has been happy hunting ground for the Frenchman, but the grid are reset and reloaded to try and derail his roll Not since 2016 have Yamaha won at Mugello, but Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) put in a stunner last time out to take back to the top step and make it four Yamaha wins in the first six for the first time since that very same year. Joining him on the podium, for the first time since 2014 at the Italian track, there was no Ducati. The form book took a twist and instead it was Red Bull KTM Factory Racings Miguel Oliveira putting the cherry on top of an impressive weekend for the Austrian factory, and reigning Champion Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) getting back on the rostrum. As ever Quartararo. The Frenchman won last year at the venue despite a late charge from a Suzuki train headed by Mir, and its where he was on pole as a rookie and took his first premier class podium. Now recovered from arm pump surgery and back to his best, the Frenchman must surely arrive as favourite. But teammate Maverick Viales, who said they lost their way with the bike somewhat on his side of the garage after his stunner in Qatar, will be aiming to stem the flow of momentum and get back alongside el Diablo at the front, and Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT) will be looking for a less dramatic start to his race to claw back his impressive earlier form in 2021 too. 2020 at the track plus a podium last time out teases that the biggest threat may be Mir, however. Both he and Team Suzuki Ecstar teammate Alex Rins had some serious speed at Mugello, and the reigning Champion and his teammate completed the podium in Barcelona last year. Rins, meanwhile, is more a man looking for redemption. After speed and progress to the front in the last few, crashes have then ended the Spaniards races and hes left with a mountain to climb. Having shown how fast he is in the latter stages of 2020, if Rins can stay on hell be another name to automatically add to the podium fight and that added to his rostrum at the venue last year. At KTM though, the trajectory is already back on the up after an incredibly impressive charge in Italy. The Austrian factory didnt come out the blocks swinging with the same armoury as 2020 earlier this year, but it surely would only have been a matter of time and Mugello says yes. It was not only another podium, but also another top five for the second KTM across the line as Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) equalled his best of the year so far despite never having ridden Mugello in MotoGP before. Ducati, meanwhile, arrive from a slightly more muted weekend. It was supposed to be their turf at Mugello, but with Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) crashing out early on after having been the fastest Borge Panigale machine, it was left to Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) to pick up the baton. And he put on a real show duelling Quartararo early on, before then just slipping from the podium places into fourth. Hes second in the standings, however, and is always a threat. His teammate Jorge Martin also returns from injury this weekend, so thatll be something to keep an eye on in the Pramac garage. The Queenslander cant be counted out either, despite a more solid Italian GP compared to his stunners preceding it. But he was happy with good points and being near the front to the finish, with a record at Mugello that hadnt been kind. At Honda, that fight for the podium remains the goal. After some impressive pace at times, its not fully come together yet in 2021, although Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) has been fourth, equalling his best. Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) remains under the microscope as the eight-time World Champion continues his return, teammate Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team) is still finding his feet and Alex Marquez (LCR Honda Castrol) hasnt quite had the form shown last year yet. For all three though, its familiar and true home turf and theyve got some impressive CVs at the venue. Aprilia Racing Team Gresini, meanwhile, continue their roll in 2021, with Aleix Espargaro leading the charge. And last time out may have been home turf for the factory, but this time its home turf for him as he hails from right next to the track. The gap for Quartararo in the points is now more substantial, but its not yet a whole race win. So one Grand Prix is all that that could turn it on its head. Well find out in the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya, with lights out for the MotoGP race at the earlier time of 13:00 (GMT +2). MotoGP Championship top five: 1 Fabio Quartararo Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Yamaha 105 2 Johann Zarco* Pramac Racing Ducati 81 3 Francesco Bagnaia Ducati Lenovo Team Ducati 79 4 Jack Miller Ducati Lenovo Team Ducati 74 5 Joan Mir Team Suzuki Ecstar Suzuki 65 *Independent Team rider For more MotoGP info checkout our dedicated MotoGP News page Or visit the official MotoGP website www.motogp.com If you would like to receive our headlines daily to your email inbox then sign up to our newsletter: Here Subscribe to our news channels: Here | https://superbike-news.co.uk/can-anyone-stop-quartararo-at-catalunya/ |
Will Gran Turismo 7 be on PlayStation 4? | On June 2, PlayStation owners received the big news that God of War: Ragnarok has been delayed back to 2022. Alongside that major announcement, PlayStation Studios made it clear that, in spite of the delay, Ragnarok is still coming to PS4. Thats great news for users who havent been able to make the upgrade to the PS5 yet. However, it also has left many wondering if Gran Turismo 7 will still follow a similar path. Fortunately for PS4 owners, the head of PlayStation Studios Hermen Hulst confirmed that Gran Turismo 7 is on track to release for both consoles. That news isnt overly surprising if you consider the PS4s sizeable install base. As Hulst mentioned theyve build a community of over 110 million PS4 owners. As much as PS5 users might want Sony to move on, they cant realistically leave that massive group behind. While games like Gran Turismo 7 and God of War: Ragnarok will still be cross-gen games, there are still several games only coming to next-gen hardware. For example, we just saw Sony release Returnal and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is coming on June 11. These showpiece games will slowly become the norm over the next few years, but, for now, it doesnt make financial sense to keep games from so many PS4 owners, especially with how difficult its been to get a PS5 since the system launched. So, if, like many, you havent been able to get your hands on a shiny, new PS5, youll still be able to play some of the biggest games in Sonys library well into 2022. Hopefully, well hear much more about Gran Turismo 7 and the other upcoming PlayStation games over the next few months. | https://www.gamepur.com/guides/will-gran-turismo-7-be-on-playstation-4 |
How should Sixers set up their lineup if Joel Embiid can't play? | UPDATE [1:00 p.m.] The Sixers announced on Wednesday afternoon that center Joel Embiid suffered a small lateral tear of his meniscus and has been ruled out for Game 5 against the Wizards. That's the bad news. The good news (or at least the better news) is that despite the tear, the team considers their big man's status as day to day. For more on Embiid's diagnosis and his status moving forward, click here. FROM EARLIER The Sixers have yet to confirm his absence yet, but Joel Embiid missing Wednesday's Game 5 feels close to certain from where we sit this morning. Believing a potential title run is in their future, Philadelphia is not interested in taking chances with their franchise player, especially when all they need to do is beat a bad Wizards team one more time to move on to the next round. It's not over until it's over, of course, so the Sixers have decisions to make. Doc Rivers has a number of options to fill out the starting lineup, but each case is less clear cut than they'd probably like. The Sixers will ultimately have to decide what (or who) they're willing to sacrifice, as Rivers weighs whether to give the biggest boost to the starters or a second unit in need of as much help as they can get. Let's discuss the pros and cons of each realistic option, with due respect to the other guys on the bench. Dwight Howard To be clear, there is not a "like for like" swap Rivers could make to replace Embiid. There are few (if any) bigs in the entire league with the type of all-around package Embiid has, and they certainly aren't the sort of players you have on the bench making the vet minimum. But Howard is, at the very least, a big man capable of doing big man things: offensive rebounding, shot-blocking, screen setting, the whole nine yards. Truthfully, that hasn't shown up yet in this series, and he was one of their worst rotation players in Game 4. But going without a big in the starting lineup is asking for a bit of trouble around the basket. Young Wizards center Daniel Gafford has come on strong in any non-Embiid minutes during this series, and he could have a field day if the Sixers ultimately opt to play a smaller group with a forward masquerading as a big man. There are a number of reasons the Sixers would be justified to look elsewhere. For one, Howard playing starter's minutes is basically begging for him to foul out of the game, with his rough-and-tumble approach best suited to a reserve role. There's also the matter of his fit with Ben Simmons Simmons/Howard lineups have been almost universally bad for Philadelphia. The most played group, which happens to be the Howard-Harris-Green-Curry-Simmons unit that would theoretically start together, was one of the single worst lineups in the league in the regular season, outscored by over 33 points per 100 possessions in an admittedly small sample of 141 possessions. Overall, Simmons/Howard lineups lost their minutes by over 10 points per 100 possessions for the season, according to Cleaning The Glass, putting them in the 11th percentile league-wide. That is, to put it mildly, not good, particularly for a group that would start a playoff game together. I don't think Rivers will opt to go this route, but given their failure to get stops out of small looks the other night, it would not shock me to see him go to the most "traditional" option he has, effective or not. Mike Scott Quietly, Scott may be the most likely man to start for Philadelphia on Wednesday night. He started twice the amount of games as Howard did in the regular season, and with Embiid on the shelf, priority No. 1 for the head coach has to be getting Simmons and Tobias Harris going. Opening up the floor with another shooter (at least a shooter in theory) makes as much sense as any other mood. I know, I know. Scott has been mostly dreadful this season, failing to make up for his poor floor game with the shooting touch that helped him stick in the league. But teams still seem to show him some respect from beyond the arc anyway, which is all the Sixers really need to accomplish by throwing him in the starting lineup. The bad news is that the Scott-Harris-Simmons-Green-Curry lineup, despite being their most-played small-ball look, is only barely in the positive for the year. Cleaning The Glass has them at two points better than opposing lineups across 223 possessions this season, getting there with slightly above average defense and below-average offense. Scott is almost certainly going to play at some point in Game 5, and sticking him in the starting lineup allows Rivers to leave a more troublesome second unit mostly in place. If I had to put my money on one option, this would be it, but Rivers has broken from regular season habits in several meaningful ways already, so it's far from a guarantee. Hill has been excellent to start the playoffs, excelling as an attacker on and off the ball, providing the glue that helps a lot of their mixed-unit lineups work. In a Simmons-Harris-Green-Hill-Curry lineup, the Sixers suddenly have a lot of options to unleash Simmons as a roller toward the rim. Coming off of handoffs or involved in pick-and-rolls, there are at least three players in that group you'd feel comfortable pairing Simmons within those looks, their pull-up ability making it difficult for Washington to just sink all the way to the rim on screens. Even if Simmons doesn't get going as a scorer, short-roll passing to the corners could be devastating out of a look like this. His talents may simply be needed elsewhere. Shake Milton has regressed something fierce in the second half of this season, and while Tyrese Maxey has shown excellent flashes with the second unit, betting on a rookie to be the on-ball leader for a wildly inconsistent unit feels ambitious. If Rivers is dead set on using all-bench lineups and it's more likely than ever with one of his stars already out of the picture Hill can arguably be more impactful as an organizer and steadying presence in a second-unit role to start, even if he ultimately ends up in the closing lineup. Hill is a floor raiser on both ends, so I think there's a strong case for him being Rivers' best option if his goal is just to lift up the starters as much as possible. Matisse Thybulle It's a lineup many people have wanted to see whenever Embiid is out. Simmons-Harris-Thybulle-Green-Curry is short on rim protection on the back end, but it might not matter. With two homewrecking defenders in Simmons and Thybulle, this Sixers group has the potential to cause turnover after turnover for opposing teams, making up for a decline in halfcourt offense with a devastating transition attack. If Thybulle is the guy who gets the call, perhaps we will see the Sixers go to a look that has only surfaced in small doses this season: a 2-3 zone with Simmons and Thybulle up top. At least three players in this group (Simmons, Thybulle, Green) are excellent with help rotations and closing down on shooters, and since Davis Bertans is out for the series, the Wizards are already down one of the biggest threats to bust a zone with his jumper. Of course, spacing is a potential issue for any lineup with both Simmons and Thybulle in it. The Sixers played like a bottom-five offense whenever those two shared the floor this year, and the only solace is that Washington is so bad on defense that it might not matter. But when you consider the sputtering effort the Sixers had in the halfcourt on Monday night, it seems strategy and setup matter at least a little bit. Washington is going to leave Thybulle alone on the perimeter, make or miss, and that might be enough to rule him out of the running. Furkan Korkmaz Never underestimate the power of Starter Furkan. I am only half kidding. Follow Kyle on Twitter: @KyleNeubeck Like us on Facebook: PhillyVoice Sports Subscribe to Kyle's Sixers podcast "The New Slant" on Apple, Google, and Spotify | https://www.phillyvoice.com/sixers-nba-playoffs-joel-embiid-injury-starting-lineup-rotation-dwight-howard-mike-scott/ |
Is Parker Poised for a Bounce-Back Year? | The Dolphins added playmakers in the offseason with Jaylen Waddle and Will Fuller V, but let's not forget about the player who had a Pro Bowl-caliber season just two years ago Wide receiver DeVante Parker met with the South Florida media Wednesday and the first question right off the bat was about his thoughts on the Miami Dolphins adding Jaylen Waddle to the offense. Parker said he was excited about the addition of Waddle because it's another player who can help the offense, more specifically the passing game. Yep, DeVante Parker. As in, the 2019 version of DeVante Parker. Sure, it's easy to forget about it because 2020 unfortunately was more typical of what we've seen from Parker since he arrived as a first-round pick in 2015 flashes of brilliance around a series of injuries that either slowed him down or kept him out of games entirely. But let's NOT forget just how good Parker was in that 2019 season, particularly in the second half of the year. Let's not forget how Parker led all AFC wide receiver in receiving yards (1,202) and touchdowns (9) that season and by all logic should have made the Pro Bowl he didn't because of the Dolphins' 0-7 start and because his best games came late in the year. So, yes, the Dolphins and their fans should be excited about what Waddle as well as veteran free agent newcomer Will Fuller V could do for the offense with their speed, but also don't be surprised if it ends up Parker who's the most productive wide receiver on the team in 2021. That obviously would mean establishing better chemistry with Tua Tagovailoa, something the quarterback obviously looked to help by organizing throwing sessions in the offseason. "We're all in a group chat," Parker explained. "Tua put it in a group text. He texted us. We'll just meet up and start throwing and try to get the rhythm down early." Parker said he already has noticed differences in Tagovailoa in terms of his mechanics, specifically his footwork and a quicker release. How the passing game will look in 2021 remains to be seen because we're still in the offseason program with George Godsey and Eric Studesville having taken over as co-offensive coordinators. So when he was asked for how he might be used differently or whether he's expecting to be targeted downfield more often, Parker just said it was too early to tell. When it comes to his goals, Parker said they're the same as they've always been, and what he's always told the media is that he wanted to stay healthy and play every game. That's just what he did in 2019 and the result was one of the best for a Dolphins wide receiver in a long time. If he can duplicate it two years later, it would make life a whole lot easier for everybody else on the Dolphins offense. | https://www.si.com/nfl/dolphins/news/miami-dolphins-wide-receiver-devante-parker-looking-for-bounce-back-season |
Should 'Mare of Easttown' get a second season? | This post contains spoilers for the Mare of Easttown finale. There is nothing Hollywood loves more than a hit and this is an industry that has no qualms about sucking a story dry if it is still making money or attracting an audience. Mare of Easttown reached its conclusion on Sunday and it has been a huge hit for HBO. Oscar-winner Kate Winslet is a major selling point but positive word of mouth and the endless theorizing about who did it helped build an audience. In fact, viewing figures tripled from its debut back in April with nearly three million tuning in for the finale not to mention HBO Max crashed because so many people were trying to use this service to watch the final installment. As is often the case, when a limited series soars there are questions regarding a potential follow-up, and this is rarely a good idea. HBO has previous experience in this department having successfully won Emmys in the mini-series category in 2017 for Big Little Lies before a second season had been announced. This was a big night for David E. Kelleys adaptation of Liane Moriartys novel of the same name, which won eight awards (including three acting accolades) from 16 nominations. When it entered the drama race in 2020, only five nominations followed with zero wins, and while this isnt necessarily the only marker for success, not even Meryl Streep could save the lukewarm return to Monterey. Creative differences behind the scenes that saw director Andrea Arnolds version get wrestled from her control probably played a part in the choppy nature of the narrative. However, this is a cautionary tale as to why sometimes a limited series should remain a self-contained one-off. Source material can often impact whether there is wiggle room for more and Hulus The Handmaids Tale never referred to itself as a mini-series even though the events of Margaret Atwoods book were covered by the end of Season 1 Atwood has since gone on to publish a sequel. And while some viewers probably wish it had stopped at this point (because of the relentless misery), the dystopian narrative has found its groove once again in its fourth outing. Meanwhile, Damon Lindelof has so far resisted a follow-up to critical darling Watchmen, which ended on a cliffhanger and was already distanced in space and time from Alan Moore and Dave Gibbonss graphic novel. On the other end of the spectrum, while the second season of HBOs Perry Mason has been delayed (due to the global pandemic) when it debuted it hadnt been confirmed whether it was a limited outing. The creative team purposefully left it open-ended with plenty of stories left to tell, so the news that we would see Perry (Matthew Rhys) back in the courtroom made sense the same cannot be said for Mare of Easttown. The series has made Wawa a household name outside of the East Coast and turned Mare (Winslet) into a surprising style icon via costume designer Meghan Kasperliks grounded garment choices, but this doesnt mean HBO should bring this character back for more crime-solving capers. Unlike the other shows mentioned above, Mare of Easttown is an original story that doesnt have additional source material as a roadmap for potential sequels. One of the reasons why the idea is being floated is because creator Brad Ingelsby didnt give an outright no to this question in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter : It was written as a limited, and it ends theres no more mystery to be solved. Kate and I, if we could crack a story that we were really proud of and felt like it was a deserving second chapter in Mares journey, then maybe. I havent cracked that yet; I dont know what that is, honestly. But if there was a world in which we were convinced, this is a continuation of the story that honors the first chapter and does things an audience will appreciate, then maybe. But as of right now, I have no idea what that could be. When a series that has been as popular as this one ends with the main character still breathing it is fairly typical to ask the creator whether they would like to pursue this venture. Inglesbys answer leaves this question open and doesnt shut down the possibility while speaking to specific creative parameters it is a pretty lawyerly response. The idea that he has to come up with a story worthy of the characters is somewhat reassuring but I am sure the Big Little Lies team felt similarly after the incredible finale that even director Jean-Marc Valle thought should and would be the end : If theres an opportunity to reunite with Reese, Nicole and these characters of course, Ill be a part of it, but Big Little Lies One is a one-time deal. Nah. The end is for the audience to talk about. Imagine what you want to imagine and thats it. We wont give you a season two because its so good like this. Why spoil it? (Image credit: HBO) Why spoil it? are words to live by and no matter how great the original experience was, there are diminishing returns when trying to recapture this magic. Mare of Easttown works because it is a fresh take on a familiar narrative that wraps a family story inside a whodunit. Mare is so closed off in the first episode as she refuses to confront her grief about her sons death and by the end, she ventures up into the attic she hasnt stepped foot in since finding Kevins lifeless body in this space. Not only has she solved Erin McMenamins (Cailee Spaeny) murder, but she has also cracked her hardest case herself. And while this series is one of the years best, this doesnt mean we need more to dilute its impact. Ingelsby isnt the only one fielding questions about more Mare and star Kate Winslet clearly relished playing the Easttown detective.I would absolutely love to play Mare again. I miss her. I really do. Its the strangest thing. I feel like Im in mourning, she told TVLine when asked about a potential Season 2. Nevertheless, just because she relished a role with this many layers doesnt mean the actress should pick up Mares vape once more. Instead, she should bask in the adoration and maybe even consider another TV gig instead. | https://www.whattowatch.com/features/should-mare-of-easttown-get-a-second-season |
How have DfE supported the education sector during the pandemic? | The Covid-19 pandemic has created challenges across the entire education system. Throughout, we have acted swiftly to help minimise the impact on pupils education and provided extensive support for schools, colleges and early years settings. Here are the key education milestones from the pandemic. 18 March 2020 In response to the pandemic, restrictions were announced by the Education Secretary. This meant most children were going to be educated at home with schools remaining open to vulnerable pupils and the children of key workers. This was different to the approach taken in some countries like Italy, France and Germany where schools closed to all pupils, regardless of their circumstances. 19 March 2020 At a press conference the Education Secretary set out his commitment to making sure all pupils could go back to attending school as soon as it was safe to do so. He said: I want nothing more than to get schools back to normal, making sure that children are sat around learning and experiencing the joy of being at school. At the same time, it was announced that vulnerable and disadvantaged pupils would receive free laptops to help them learn from home. 20 April 2020 The Oak National Academy an online learning platform delivering lessons that schools could make available to their pupils - was launched. To support remote education, the department made 4.84 million available for Oak. The funding supported Oak to provide video lessons in a broad range of subjects for Reception up to Year 11. Since then, over 128 million Oak lessons have been viewed by pupils across the country. 21 May 2020 As part of the Prime Ministers virtual summit on hidden harms, the Education Secretary announced 6.5 million to involve more than 150 schools in a project that will place social workers at the heart of schools. Part of a wider funding package of nearly 10 million to boost the educational outcomes of vulnerable children, social workers have been able to support teaching staff in identifying the children most at risk throughout the pandemic. 1 June 2020 Schools, colleges and nurseries began to reopen. This phased reopening meant, as the Education Secretary promised, more pupils were able to access face-to-face education. As a result, 1.6m pupils attended school and college by the end of June. 19 June 2020 The Prime Minister and the Education Secretary announced the 1bn Covid Catch Up plan to tackle lost learning time. This included a 650 million catch up premium for the academic year for 2020 to help schools support all pupils. Since then, we have gone on to set out exactly what this will mean in practice with young people getting free tutoring, holiday clubs and much more. You are using adblocker please support us by whitelisting www.fenews.co.uk Refresh this page Sector News A new report released by @officestudents: A geography of employment an Sector News @BarnsleyCollege students were virtually joined by a collection of men Sector News Imperial College London is to support Black and other underrepresented Department for Education (@educationgovuk) June 19, 2020 15 September 2020 On 15 September, 99.9% of schools reopened their doors following the summer holidays. 19 November 2020 On 19 November the Department launched the 350 million National Tutoring Programme, a landmark government funded, sector-led initiative designed to support schools and address the impact of Covid-19 on pupils progress and learning. Since its launch, over 227,000 pupils have been enrolled to receive tutoring, and over 25,000 tutors are supporting pupils across England. 20 December 2020 The Department met its commitment of delivering 500,000 laptops to pupils by Christmas while setting out its intention to deliver more than 1million in total. 5 January 2021 Based on the latest scientific data, new restrictions were announced. This meant most pupils returned to home schooling. As in the first period of restrictions, schools remained open to vulnerable children and children of critical workers. Unlike the first period of restrictions nurseries remained open. The following day, the Education Secretary announced that it was no longer fair for exams to go ahead as planned 6 months ahead of when they were due to be taken. 16 February 2021 The total number of laptops delivered was taller than Mount Everest, heavier than almost 200 elephants and enough for every person in Liverpool and Leicester combined as the Government hailed the delivery over one million devices to those who needed them most. We've now delivered over one million laptops & tablets, helping young people access remote education during the pandemic. By working together with schools, teachers and the tech sector, we're on course to deliver our commitment of 1.3 million devices. pic.twitter.com/Nui9Shy5RP Department for Education (@educationgovuk) February 16, 2021 25 February 2021 The Government announced a further 700 million of catch up funding taking the total to 1.7 billion to support children in education across the country. It was also announced that students would receive grades determined by teachers, and will only be assessed on what they have been taught, not what they may have missed. 8 March 2021 In March, schools across England reopened their doors to their remaining pupils and mass testing to keep settings safe began. Since then, more than 40 million tests have been conducted. By 16 March, 99.9% of schools had reopened along with 94% of primary pupils and 89% of secondary pupils in school in attendance. 2 June 2021 The department announced a huge boost for tutoring in the latest step of the governments education recovery plan. Were announcing a huge expansion of tuition to help children who need it to catch up on missed learning. Pupils at @FirthParkAcad in Sheffield have already seen the benefits that extra support has made to their education since returning after lockdown. pic.twitter.com/4PoiGmEIGL Department for Education (@educationgovuk) June 2, 2021 This expansion included: 1 billion for the National Tutoring Programme to support up to 6 million, 15-hour tutoring courses for disadvantaged school children; a further 250 million to help give 500,000 teachers world-leading training; 400 million to help give early years practitioners and 500,000 school teachers across the country training and support and; funding for schools and colleges to give some year 13 students the option to repeat their final year. The latest announcement builds on the 1.7 billion already announced to help children catch up on what they missed during the pandemic, which includes summer schools and mental health support, bringing total investment to over 3 billion. Education has remained a national priority for the Government throughout the pandemic and we have continued to provide support to build back better. | https://cdn-5.fenews.co.uk/press-releases/69747-how-weve-supported-the-education-sector-during-the-pandemic |
Can the American Families Plan help with the high cost of child care? | WASHINGTON It's no secret that child care is expensive. According to the advocacy group Child Care Aware, the average cost per year for child care is between $9,200-$9,600 with the costs varying by region. Gabrielle Alston is one parent struggling. She lives in Washington, D.C. which is routinely ranked as one of the most expensive cities for child care in the country. Alston, who is currently seeking work, currently pays around $50 a day. "To me thats a lot, especially if I dont have it and got other bills," Alston said. AMERICAN FAMILIES PLAN President Biden has promised to address the cost of child care in his American Families Plan, part of a massive multi-trillion dollar infrastructure package Democrats hope to pass this summer. Under the proposal, families earning less than 1.5 times their state's median income would have child care costs capped at 7 percent of their yearly salary. It's a potentially game-changing proposal for people like Alston. "It seem like a good plan, but I guess it depend how much the parent make," Alston said. PRE-K EXPANSION Apart from child care spending limits, President Biden wants to expand Pre-K across the country. Free Pre-K would dramatically offset the cost of child care for parents of three- and four-year-old children. In exchange for raising income taxes on Americans making more than $450,000 a year and couples making more than $500,000 a year, both goals would be paid for, per the White House plan. Congress will set the actual income tax brackets and rates later this summer as the bill continues to be negotiated. While some cities and states offer Pre-K right now, that is not the case in many places. LOOKING AT D.C. FOR ANSWERS It's hard to find a city in this country investing more in Pre-K on the local level than Washington, D.C. Thousands of children are successfully matched each year and enrolled in free public Pre-K programs. The cost to taxpayers is around $18,000 per child. Jason Yoho, a kindergarten teacher in Washington, D.C., says it's more than just about saving parents money. Mr. Yoho, as he is known, says it better prepares kids. "Those kids when they come into kindergarten they are just ready with those foundational skills," Yoho said. In regards to the cost, which is triple the national figure, the school district is unapologetic and proud. "We are proudly one of the districts investing the most in early childhood education," Dr. Lewis Ferebee, D.C. Chancellor for Public Schools, said in a recent interview. If President Biden's plan were to be approved, Ferebee believes it would expand the program. After all, not every parent gets their child into the program they want. This year, there were 19,921 applicants for D.C.s Pre-K program, 6,249 did not get matched. "We are trying to keep track with demand," Ferebee said. Doing it right, however, is essential for the program to work, Ferebee cautions. Teachers in D.C.'s Pre-K program are paid the same as teachers in a high school setting. That is not the case in many cities with similar programs. "The compensation model is the same whether you teach Pre-K or are a high school chemistry teacher," Ferebee said. POTENTIAL IMPACTS Expanding Pre-K education does have consequences, however. Conor Williams is an academic fellow who studies child care professionally and even enrolled his children in the D.C. program. Williams says D.C.'s experiment has been widely successful, but there are some noticeable impacts. Most notably, he says free Pre-K for a three-year-old can increase the cost of daycare for parents of a 1- or 2-year-old. "Most private care centers make the bulk of their profits on the three and four years old that they serve, its much more expensive to pay for a newborn because you need more people," Williams said. What Williams, Dr. Ferebee, Mr. Yoho, and Gabrielle Alston are all saying will play a big part as Congress debates the American Families Plan in the coming weeks. Speaker Nancy Pelosi wants a vote in the House on infrastructure by July 4. It's unclear if she plans on combining the American Jobs Plan, which deals with more traditional infrastructure projects, into one large bill with the American Families Plan or not. | https://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/national-politics/can-the-american-families-plan-help-with-the-high-cost-of-child-care |
Why are there so few black-owned galleries in London? | As subsequent events were soon to confirm, it was rather optimistic of the artist Eileen Agar to declare in 1931 that the feminine type of imagination she identified as womb magic was a force capable of countering the rampant and hysterical militarism rising across Europe. But while Agars womb magic may not have prevented the Second World War, the major retrospective of her work that has just opened at the Whitechapel Gallery confirms that it sustained an unstinting determination to work, live and love on her own emphatically female terms over a career spanning more than 70 years. And now, as our public museums and galleries are at last permitted to open, in a number of shows by artists working today it appears that the inspirational legacy of this womb magic is living on in a range of incarnations. | https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2263917411291/why-are-there-so-few-black-owned-galleries-in-london |
What Are Pose Grand Dames Musts For New Home With Her Fianc? | From gifting daughter Angel with the wedding of her dreams to finding inventive ways for her family to consistently serve stunning looks in the ballroom, as the Grande Dame of FXs ballroom odyssey Pose, Elektra Abundance is known to have an appreciation and a taste for the finer things. Like the character she portrays, Jacksons standards were high. When it comes to buying this house, she says, I want everything. While both Dominique and Edwin definitely want a home outside of the city to host their large extended friends and family, they also have some distinct differences in what they consider musts when purchasing a forever home. Edwin is being practical and willing to work within the $400,000 budget (to which Jackson quipped You crazy!) and is also looking for a farmhouse with an open-concept and plenty of space to raise chickens and pigs. Known for playing an over the top character on Pose, Jackson openly admits that there are parts of me that are that. She considers the pool and stunning spa bathroom in a two-story colonial as musts. While Jackson and Edwin seemed to enjoy the process of narrowing down their choices to the home they chose, Jackson definitely was aware that her appearance on this HGTV favorite was groundbreaking (the episode was first promoted in May and aired on the first day of Pride month). Near the end of the episode, Jackson spoke for so many in her community that still feel home ownership might not be in the cards for them. As a black trans woman, I thought it was impossible to own a home, says Jackson. Home ownership was not on my radar. And now that I am financially able to do it with my partner, I realize that it can be done. Log in with your cable provider to watch the episode here or watch the intro to the episode below. Follow HGTV on Instagram Follow Dominique Jackson on Instagram | https://instinctmagazine.com/what-are-pose-grand-dames-musts-for-new-home-with-her-fiance/ |
How Can Professional Baseball Benefit from the Usage of Cryptocurrencies? | Baseball, or Americas pastime has seen its popularity put to the test with newer generations of fans asking for the game to meet up with the demands for modernizing and excitement. While the MLB has been hesitant to really do welcome brash and fresh changes to the structures of how the game is dealt with, as time goes by its becoming more and more apparent that new times call for new measures. One new change has been for platforms that deal with sports wagering options, including those offering World Series betting boards to usher in the usage of cryptocurrencies as one of their new methods of money dealings. Two of the three major sports leagues in the United States, the NFL and NBA have already started opening up to the idea of allowing players to receive their salary and contract payments in cryptocurrencies. With athletes seeing this new form of investment as a modern way of being able to invest their hard earned money towards a sound future after their careers are over, splashes of this have already made their rounds around MLB teams around the country. Following in the likes of players of the caliber of Trevor Lawrence in the NFL and given the massive amounts of money that are managed in baseball deals, sometimes rounding around the area of hundreds of millions of dollars per contract, paying in crypto is not as bad of an idea as it sounds. Yes, there are risks that need to be taken into account like the volatility of the currency in the markets, but with caution and sound decision making skills the results are usually always best. The Oakland As Have Already Said Yes To Crypto Dealings If there is one team in Major League Baseball that is always up for a little experimenting, especially when it comes to money dealings its the Oakland Athletics. We all saw the film Moneyball, which told the story about how the As executive and now minority owner Billy Beane managed to put together a strong baseball team without breaking the bank at any point, only using math, stats and luck. So its no surprise when learning that the As are in the forefront of pro baseball for using cryptocurrencies in their dealings. Earlier in the year, the As were the first team ever to offer fans the option of purchasing tickets for games or for the whole season by using Dogecoin, a form of cryptocurrency. Yes, Dogecoin, the crypto option whose image is the shiba inu dog meme that everyone online loves. By giving the fans the option of doing their purchases with such a monetary option the As managed to become the frontrunners in the race to welcome this monetary alternative into the league. A smart move by all means from a team that is high on being right up there with welcoming newer ways to show fans that theyre there to cater for everyones needs. Play Ball! Cryptocurrencies have now also started to be used by baseball fans around the world who also fancy wagering on their favorite teams and their game to game action. Online betting platforms have taken the idea of allowing fans to use cryptocurrencies in their biddings as a form to show that they are as ready as any other sports entertainment industry to make the fans experience as pleasant as possible. Dealing with cryptocurrencies in activities like online betting offers fans the option of having to offer as little personal information as possible, leading to fewer risks of fraudulent activities and information tampering. By having options like using Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin or other crypto options, baseball fans can now do their wagering activities with much more ease, given the fact that specialized sites that focus on these kinds of activities have made it a factual point to be there step by step for their customers to be able to help usher them into this new line of dealings. | https://www.abcmoney.co.uk/2021/06/02/how-can-professional-baseball-benefit-from-the-usage-of-cryptocurrencies/ |
How is Indirect Marketing Affecting Demand for Cigarette Paper? | The global cigarette paper market is poised to expand at a CAGR of a little over 2% during the forecast period of 2021-2031. Historically, the market has witnessed a growth rate of 1.4% over the past 5 years, owing to decreasing demand for cigarettes on the back of surging prices and taxes. However, demand for cigarette paper is still steady to trillions of units of cigarettes being manufactured across the globe. For detailed insights on enhancing your product footprint, request for a sample here https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=2736 Nearly 6.5 trillion cigarettes were sold in 2019, which translates to more than 80% of global cigarette paper demand. Even though the increasing popularity of e-cigarettes has created a critical situation for factory-made cigarettes, it is still not in a position to overtake actually cigarettes anytime soon The COVID-19 pandemic exhibited an opportunity for cigarette manufacturers and suppliers to enhance their product offerings towards roll your own cigarette paper. While factory-made cigarette manufacturing facilities were shut down, the roll your own segment came as a saviour for the market. For critical insights on this market, request for methodology here https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=RM&rep_id=2736 Key Takeaways from Market Study The global cigarette paper market is anticipated to add 1.5X value by 2031. Unbleached cigarette paper is expected to expand at a substantial CAGR of 3.4% over the forecast period. East Asia is the supreme market with a value of more than US$ 500 Mn in 2020, and is projected to expand at a substantial CAGR of approx. 2% over the next ten years. The roll your own cigarette paper segment is projected to exhibit a higher growth rate of close to 4% CAGR, while cigarette manufacturing under application is projected to add 1.2X value by 2031. For in-depth competitive analysis, buy now https://www.factmr.com/checkout/2736/S The market in South Asia is set to expand at a 2.6% CAGR, and is set to be valued at over US$ 370 Mn in 2031, owing to higher presence of manufacturers in the region, huge consumer base, and substantial consumption with streamlined supply chains. By refining segment, unbleached cigarette paper is poised to provide higher opportunity for cigarette paper manufacturers by virtue of increasing consumer inclination towards unbleached rolling paper due to its chemical-free and organic attributes. The segment is poised to progress at a CAGR of more than 3% over the forecast period The cigarette paper market flourishes on cigarette smoking patterns higher the consumption, higher the growth, says a Fact.MR analyst. For comprehensive insights on this market adoption, ask an analyst here https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=AE&rep_id=2736 Collaborative Approach and Targeted End Users by Key Players Prominent players in the market such as SWM, Delfort AG, BMJ, and Miquel Y Costas have created a synergy in the demand and supply equation with cigarette manufacturers. This collaborative network has streamlined the supply chain of cigarette paper, set by relative demand for the production of cigarettes. Key players consider their intellectual property and patents to be their material assets. Market leader Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc. has been at the forefront of developing technologies, and has patented several innovations for the production of LIP cigarettes paper. Cigarette paper manufacturers are competing primarily on quality characteristics, pricing, innovation, and customer service. Read More Trending and Similar Reports from Fact.MR https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2019/08/12/1900571/0/en/Manufacturers-of-Anti-Fatigue-Mats-Exhibit-Diversification-of-Portfolio-Raising-Awareness-Becomes-the-Ticket-to-New-Markets-Fact-MR.html Explore Fact.MRs Comprehensive Coverage on Retail & Consumer Goods Landscape Insect Repellent Market, Forecast, Trend, Analysis & Competition Tracking Global Market Insights 2021 to 2031: https://www.factmr.com/report/insect-repellent-market Cannabis Vaporizer Market, Forecast, Trend, Analysis & Competition Tracking Global Market Insights 2021 to 2031: https://www.factmr.com/report/cannabis-vaporizer-market Gaming Controller Market, Forecast, Trend, Analysis & Competition Tracking Global Market Insights 2021 to 2031: https://www.factmr.com/report/gaming-controller-market About Us: Market research and consulting agency with a difference! Thats why 80% of Fortune 1,000 companies trust us for making their most critical decisions. While our experienced consultants employ the latest technologies to extract hard-to-find insights, we believe our USP is the trust clients have on our expertise. Spanning a wide range from automotive & industry 4.0 to healthcare & retail, our coverage is expansive, but we ensure even the most niche categories are analyzed. Our sales offices in United States and Dublin, Ireland. Headquarter based in Dubai, UAE. Reach out to us with your goals, and well be an able research partner. Contact: US Sales Office: 11140 Rockville Pike Suite 400 Rockville, MD 20852 United States Tel: +1 (628) 251-1583 Corporate Headquarter: Unit No: AU-01-H Gold Tower (AU), Plot No: JLT-PH1-I3A, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Email: [email protected] Visit Our Website: https://www.factmr.com | https://express-press-release.net/news/2021/06/02/941767 |
Why Does the Chemical Industry Play a Crucial Role in Driving Demand for Catalyst Carriers? | Emerging customized catalyst carriers based on application requirements and rising demand from end-use industries such as petrochemicals, oil & gas, and chemicals are aiding growth of catalyst carriers. Catalysts demand intricate innovation and improvisation in their material composition and structure to portray reliable application with high-end performance. For detailed insights on enhancing your product footprint, request for a sample here https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=1263 In addition, expansion strategies and increasing geographical reach to ensure reliable supply chain network have resulted in fruitful offerings for catalyst carrier manufacturers. Demand for spheres and extrudate catalyst carriers will remain high over the next ten years across regions. Overall, the global catalyst carriers market is projected to expand at a steady CAGR of around 4% through 2031. For critical insights on this market, request for methodology here https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=RM&rep_id=1263 Key Takeaways from Market Study The global catalyst carriers market is anticipated to add 1.4X value by 2031. Ceramic-based catalyst carriers capture major market share and are set to create US$ 133.6 Mn opportunity over the decade. Chemical application is the fastest-growing segment based on end-use industry. North America is set to dominate market revenue, and is expected to gain 226 BPS in its market share by 2031. Pore size >0.7 cm3/g is anticipated to gain around 71 BPS in the long-run forecast period. The United States, China, and GCC countries are key markets governing the demand for catalyst carriers. For in-depth competitive analysis, buy now https://www.factmr.com/checkout/1263/S Demand for catalyst carriers to come majorly from chemical, oil & gas, and petrochemical industries, says a Fact.MR analyst. Fragmented High Potential Market: Competition Tuning Factor Key manufacturers of catalyst carriers are Almatis, BASF, Cabot Corporation, CeramTec, CoorsTek, Evonik Industries, Magma Catalysts, Noritake Co. Limited, SASOL, and W.R.Grace. The market is partially fragmented with a significant number of players positioned in East Asia, Europe, and North America. Growing demand for catalyst carriers in chemical and petrochemical applications has allowed the market valuation to grow substantially in the last decade. Despite being partially fragmented, higher potential of the product will attract new players to this space. For comprehensive insights on this market adoption, ask an analyst here https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=AE&rep_id=1263 Explore Fact.MRs Comprehensive Coverage on Chemical & Materials Landscape Polyaspartic Coatings Market, Forecast, Trend, Analysis & Competition Tracking Global Market Insights 2021 to 2031: https://www.factmr.com/report/polyaspartic-coatings-market Seamless Steel Pipes Market, Forecast, Trend, Analysis & Competition Tracking Global Market Insights 2021 to 2031: https://www.factmr.com/report/seamless-steel-pipes-market Anisotropic Conductive Film (ACF) Market, Forecast, Trend Analysis & Competition Tracking Global Market Insights 2021 to 2031: https://www.factmr.com/report/5315/anisotropic-conductive-film-acf-market About Us: Market research and consulting agency with a difference! Thats why 80% of Fortune 1,000 companies trust us for making their most critical decisions. While our experienced consultants employ the latest technologies to extract hard-to-find insights, we believe our USP is the trust clients have on our expertise. Spanning a wide range from automotive & industry 4.0 to healthcare & retail, our coverage is expansive, but we ensure even the most niche categories are analyzed. Our sales offices in United States and Dublin, Ireland. Headquarter based in Dubai, UAE. Reach out to us with your goals, and well be an able research partner. Contact: US Sales Office: 11140 Rockville Pike Suite 400 Rockville, MD 20852 United States Tel: +1 (628) 251-1583 Corporate Headquarter: Unit No: AU-01-H Gold Tower (AU), Plot No: JLT-PH1-I3A, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Email: [email protected] Visit Our Website: https://www.factmr.com | https://express-press-release.net/news/2021/06/02/941769 |
Will Netanyahu lose his immunity like Trump? | Posted on by martyrashrakat I will bet that Bibi will lose, based on Liberman going over to opposition, as he has always despied Netanyahu By Jim W. Dean, Managing Editor -June 2, 202170 Two key Netanyahu rivals reach agreement to unseat Israels longest-sitting PM from PressTV, Tehran [ Editors Note: There is a corny old saying, It couldnt happend to a nicer guy. Unfortunately, if Bibi, loses his Prime Minister immunity and gets convicted via his ongoing trial, we will have to create an new saying of, It couldnt have happened to a more deserving guy. That said, in Israeli politics the appropriate saying would be It aint over until the fat lady sings. All those offended by that comment please on reply to the webmater over it. I will use figures of speech when I want to, thank you. We will not know for sure what is going to happen until midnight. And you rest assured that Bibi has planned for some last minute hat tricks to use if immenent defeat in remaining Prime Minister. Such could include major incentive to snare a couple of key MPs away from the prospective opposition coalition list. The Blue and White coalitions serves as a perfect example with Benny Gantz flipping over to joing Bibi in a joint-Prime Minstership with a second rotation slot for Gantz, but which Bibi never had any intention of honoring. I will bet that Bibi will lose, based on Liberman going over to opposition, as he has always despied Netanyahu, and seeing a chance of getting him out of office and maybe into a jail cell, that with victory so close he would throw in to counter Bibi snatching a couple of MPs away from the current opposition list. We will know soon Jim W. Dean ] Could the Netanyahu reign finally be over First published June 02, 2021 Israels so-called centrist opposition figure Yair Lapid is closer than ever to unseating 12-year prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu after reaching an agreement to form a coalition cabinet. Several parties including Lapids Yesh Atid party agreed with Israeli minister of military affairs Benny Gantzs Blue and White party to form a new cabinet. In a joint statement on Wednesday, Yesh Atid and Blue and White parties said they had agreed that Gantz would remain the minister of military affairs in the new cabinet. Lapid has until midnight Wednesday to present a final slate, after Netanyahu failed to do so in the wake of an inconclusive March 23 election. The 57-year-old Netanyahu has yet to reach a deal with his main partner, Naftali Bennett, who would serve as premier first under a proposed rotation between the two. According to a Lapid spokesman, agreements have been reached with the left-wing Meretz and center-left Labor parties as well as with former war minister Avigdor Liebermans extremist Yisrael Beitenu party. If Lapid fails to meet the Wednesday deadline, Israels Knesset will have three weeks to agree on a new candidate. And if that fails as well, the entity will have to hold its fifth election in some two years. Netanyahu has said Bennett is trying to form a leftist ruling structure that would ensure his rise to premiership. In remarks on Sunday, he said Bennett was trying to pre-empt another election, because he knows that his party will not secure enough votes. Bennett, Netanyahu said, had been sowing discord, division, and hatred against him. Such a leftist ruling coalition would present a danger for the security of the Israeli regime, he said, adding, Imagine what would happen in Iran, Gaza, and Washington, should a leftist coalition take shape. BIOGRAPHY Jim W. Dean, Managing Editor Managing EditorJim W. Dean is Managing Editor of Veterans Today involved in operations, development, and writing, plus an active schedule of TV and radio interviews. Read Full Complete Bio >>> Jim W. Dean Archives 2009-2014 https://www.veteranstoday.com/jim-w-dean-biography/[email protected] Share this: Share Facebook Twitter Email Like this: Like Loading... Related Filed under: Nazi Israel | Tagged: Bennett, Netanyahu, Yisrael Beitenu | | https://uprootedpalestinians.wordpress.com/2021/06/02/will-netanyahu-lose-his-immunity-like-trump/ |
Can Dogs Eat Pineapple? | Here's what you should know. It's tropical fruit salad seasonand you're cutting up fresh pineapple or making a summertime pia colada with fresh fruit. You bet; pineapple is an excellent fruit to let your dog have a taste since it's not only yummy but a boost to their health. Pineapples are packed with vitamin C, great for the immune system of dogs too, and contain vitamins B1, B2, B6, and B9, which all provide health benefits like maintaining their energy level and helping their metabolism. "Like any treat you give your pet, moderation is key!" says Freshpet's expert veterinarian, Dr. Aziza Glass. "While your dog may thank you for some pieces of pineapple, the fruit does contain high amounts of sugar and fiber. This means that too much pineapple can have adverse reactions to their digestive system," says Dr. Glass. We know that only about 10 percent of your dog's diet should come from treats, so that means pineapple portions should be strictly monitored. You'll want to feed your dog small quantities of the fruit as it's naturally high in sugar. Plus, too much pineapple can result in upset tummies and more serious issues such as weight gain and diabetes. "When introducing any new foods to your pets, be sure to monitor their bowel movements to see if they have an upset stomach as it may not be the snack of choice for them," warns Dr. Glass. Dr. Glass says to use caution with canned pineapples when it comes to your dog. Canned fruits often come in syrups that are very high in sugar and can be too much for a dog's digestion to handle. However, if you do offer your pup a piece of canned pineapple, choose fruit that's packed in 100 percent natural fruit juice, not heavy syrup, and rinse off the juice before giving the pineapple to your pets as a treat. Again, use the freezer to make a nice summertime treat for pups. Slice fresh pineapples and place them in a freezer to serve almost frozen. You may have heard this myth that eating pineapple can help stop your dogs from eating their poop. Called coprophagia, it can be both a behavioral or learned trait and can also be caused by a lack of nutrition in your dog's diet that causes a decrease in absorption of nutrients. "This leads to gastrointestinal upset and an increased appeal in a dog's number two," says Dr. Glass. While pineapple contains bromelain, a digestive enzyme that makes it easier for dogs to metabolize proteins, it's a misconception that bromelain would alter the dog's poop, making it unappetizing and there's no proof it really works. Drats. "While we all wish some dogs would choose to not delight in eating their own poop, pineapples will not be the solution," says Dr. Glass. Pet parents that have dogs that suffer from this may want to give fresh dog food a try to see if it helps. And while your pup is enjoying some summertime pineapple, make sure to skip the skin or core of the fruit as these can be hard for a dog to digest and become a choking hazard. "Only offer them bite-sized chunks of the fleshy part of the fruit," says Dr. Glass. Now, back to that pia colada. | https://www.southernliving.com/culture/pets/can-dogs-eat-pineapple |
What Is the Subaru Love Promise? | Photo: Subaru You probably know the famous tagline Love: its what makes a Subaru a Subaru from the brands endearing commercials about love, friendship, and giving back to the community. This campaign is part of a much larger endeavor run by Subaru, called the Subaru Love Promise. Love Your Subaru: Maintenance tips to extend the life of your vehicle According to the automaker, the Subaru Love Promise is its vision to show love and respect to all people at every interaction with Subaru. Subaru is famously known for championing pet causes, but the automaker actually has its hands in several charitable buckets. These different causes are represented by the Subaru Loves branding: Subaru Loves Pets, Subaru Loves the Earth, Subaru Loves Learning, Subaru Loves to Help, and Subaru Loves to Care. Photo: Subaru Subaru Loves Pets While this wing specifically mentions pets, it encompasses Subarus efforts to improve the lives of all animals, domesticated and wild. While the brand works with numerous causes on a local level, it is dedicated to a number of organizations at the national level. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) ASPCA Rescue Rides Center for Pet Safety Subaru partnered with the Philadelphia Union to create the first zero landfill MLS stadium Photo: Subaru Subaru Loves the Earth Animals arent the only part of nature for which Subaru is fighting. The environment is also a cause that Subaru promotes, as the automaker actively works to preserve and maintain our environment here and abroad. Below are some of the causes to which Subaru is attached. National Park Foundation The Subaru Forester Re-Foresting Project Leave No Trace National Park Conservation Association Klean Kanteen Photo: Subaru Subaru Loves Learning Education is another cause that is important to Subaru not just in strengthening curriculums but making them more widely available. Subaru is tied to several local educational causes, but it is on a national level that Subaru really makes a difference. Here are a few of those causes. AdoptAClassroom.org American Association for the Advancement of Science Google Expeditions Teach for America Saturday Academy Photo: Subaru Subaru Loves to Help This wing of the Love Promise is called as such because calling it Subaru Loves World Hunger just doesnt get across the point quite well enough. This part of Subarus giving arm is all about combating hunger and bringing peace to the world. Again, Subaru is involved with a number of local charities, but below are the national causes that Subaru champions. Feeding America Meals on Wheels American Red Cross Ready Platinum Program Big Brothers Big Sisters Boys and Girls Club Habitat for Humanity USO More Details: See how the Subaru Love Promise works on the local level Photo: Subaru Subaru Loves to Care Subarus final major cause, Subaru Loves to Care, is all about promoting a healthy lifestyle and fighting disease. In addition to local causes, Subaru is dedicated to the following on a national level. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Make-A-Wish America Alzheimers Association Dining Out for Life Special Olympics | https://thenewswheel.com/what-is-the-subaru-love-promise/ |
Can TV Shows Help With Teen Mental Health? | The FINANCIAL -- Popular television shows and movies can bolster teenagers mental health and help them cope with bullying, sexual assault, suicidal thoughts, substance abuse and depression when these issues are depicted with empathy and appropriate resources are provided, a report published today by UCLAs Center for Scholars and Storytellers shows, University of California notes. And the need is great. Recent research has shown that children between the ages of 11 and 17 are more likely than any other age group to report moderate to severe anxiety and depression, said Yalda Uhls, founder and executive director of the center and an adjunct assistant professor of psychology. Even before the pandemic, teen suicide rates were rising, along with reported symptoms of anxiety and depression, she noted. At the same time, nearly half of young adults say they still perceive a stigma attached to receiving mental health treatment. The center conducted several studies examining Netflixs controversial series 13 Reasons Why, a teen drama that first aired in 2017 and drew both worldwide acclaim and condemnation for its graphic depictions of suicide, sexual assault, domestic violence, bullying, homelessness and school shootings. Uhls and her team wanted to learn how the program impacted the mental health of teens who viewed it. In a study of 157 children between the ages of 13 and 17 from across the country, 68 watched Season 3 of 13 Reasons Why, while the others did not. All participants completed a survey at the beginning of the study about mental health, depression, bullying, sexual assault and related topics and another at the end that asked, among other questions, whether they had sought out information about these issues. The group that watched the show also answered questions about whether, and with whom, they discussed the show and whether what they viewed led them to seek further information on the topics raised, University of California notes. Nearly all the teens 62 of 68 who watched the program reported having looked for information on mental health topics related to what they saw. A vast majority of them also reported discussing the issues it raised with others especially suicide, mental health and bullying. Our research found that when teens watch TV shows that portray mental health issues, they actually talk about it with their peers, parents and partners, Uhls said. Our results demonstrate that these kinds of challenging and realistic stories inspire youth to talk about and learn more about mental health. The average age of participants was 15; 52 percent were female and 48 percent male. About 55 percent were white, 19 percent were Hispanic, 17 percent were Black and slightly more than 6 percent identified as multiracial. The study, which is highlighted in the Center for Scholars and Storytellers report, has been accepted for publication in the Journal of Medical Internet Research and is scheduled to be published in August. The center also commissioned a study by media research and analytics company MarketCast that tracked more than 1.29 million Twitter mentions of 13 Reasons Why over a total of three weeks to examine the conversation surrounding the show on social media. Among the findings: Social engagement was particularly high when the shows actors provided mental health resources, like when Devin Druid, who plays one of the main characters, posted resources and shared an article in which he discussed sexual assault. Viewers also used posts of emotionally charged scenes and behind-the-scenes content on social media to engage in conversations about difficult subjects. In addition, the shows producers created a website featuring videos by the actors, crisis-line numbers and links to resources to help viewers navigate the topics raised in various episodes. The report recommends that, like the producers of 13 Reasons Why, studios create and provide credible, engaging resources with accurate information to accompany TV shows and films designed for teens that address mental health and related issues. Examples include toolkits developed by public health experts that are designed to support teens as they discuss these issues with parents and friends. Uhls said she hopes the centers new research will inspire efforts by film and television executives to produce meaningful shows that improve viewers lives. Together, we can normalize talking about mental health by bringing together scholars and content creators to unlock the power of research-informed storytelling, she said. This study provides much-needed evidence to advance the conversation about how a popular show can impact adolescent mental health and the lessons to be drawn from it. Accurate information combined with compelling storytelling works well. Co-authors of the report are Jordan Levinson, a UCLA graduate student in psychology; Laurel Felt, a senior fellow with the center; Elise Tsai, a UCLA research assistant; and Ellen Wartella, a professor of communication at Northwestern University. Melinda French Gates Pivotal Ventures and the University of WisconsinMadisons Technology and Adolescent Mental Wellness program funded the centers mental health initiative, of which the current report is a part. The center published a report earlier this year assessing the values emphasized by television programs popular with tweens over each decade from 1967 to 2017. | https://finchannel.com/society/health-beauty/80823-can-tv-shows-help-with-teen-mental-health |
Is there really a lumber shortage? | Videos shared on TikTok recently claim the lumber shortage was created to boost profits in the lumber industry. From toilet paper to flour, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a number of product shortages in the United States since its onset in early 2020. Recently, on TikTok, there have been a series of videos shared from people at lumber yards across the country claiming that the widely-reported lumber shortage is fake and was created to boost profits in the lumber industry. THE SOURCES THE ANSWER Yes, the lumber shortage is real. WHAT WE FOUND According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the lumber industry is experiencing a crisis due to the pandemic, which is causing a supply shortage and lumber prices to surge nationwide. On its website, the trade association says the escalating lumber prices are largely due to insufficient domestic production and extremely large lumber mill curtailments that lasted well into the 2020 building season. Laura Raynor-Williams of Kluttz Lumber Company, a family-owned business that has served the Charlotte, North Carolina, area for over 85 years, told VERIFY that the pandemic has had a major impact on the lumber industry. When the pandemic started, we weren't prepared. No one was prepared. No one was out there shouting from the street corners, Hey, there's a pandemic about to start! Buy your lumber now! And so, no one was ready. The infrastructure just was not there, said Raynor-Williams. We ran out of masks, we ran out of hand sanitizer, we ran out of lumber, because the production just wasn't ramped up to the level it needed to be for the amount of demand that there was, and so, since then, we've been playing catch up now or trying to play catch up for over a year now and we're still running into issues. Judd Johnson is an editor at Hardwood Market Report (HMR), a weekly publication that has delivered benchmark pricing and market commentary on North American hardwood lumber and the hardwood products industry since 1922. He told VERIFY by email, It is our view from daily analysis that lumber supply shortages exist. Johnson says the public and many media outlets often refer to softwood lumber as simply lumber, however, he makes it clear that the term is not all-encompassing. The data we create and develop involve hardwoods and forces that influence business for hardwoods, said Johnson. All of that said, I do know there are shortages of softwood lumber, just as I know there are shortages of essentially all commodities. Part of this stems from the pandemic, but there were market forces preceding the pandemic that set back both hardwood and softwood lumber production capacity utilization and even production capacity. Raynor-Williams says the shortage is affecting multiple industries, including home improvement and homebuilding. Since April 2020, the NAHB says the surge in lumber prices has added nearly $36,000 to the average price of a new single-family home. It goes all the way to the person that you live next door to all the way up to the people building skyscrapers and housing developments, apartment complexes, grocery stores, shopping centers, and then that starts to affect the bottom lines of those companies [and] that affects the home builders bottom lines, said Raynor-Williams. When asked about the TikTok videos claiming that the lumber shortage is fake and to boost profits for the lumber industry, Raynor-Williams says, Just because you can see the lumber does not mean that there is not a shortage. We're not trying to swindle anybody, the prices have gone up, and at this point, it's a waiting game to see when they're going to go back down again. But right now it's not looking like it's going to happen this year. So we're trying our hardest, and as soon as we can get those prices inched down, we're inching right down with them, she continued. We are definitely not overcharging for the sake of overcharging or trying to gouge the customers because we want you guys to be able to buy the materials and to use it and to have a good quality product and that's the most important thing to us, not necessarily the bottom line. According to the NAHB, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo acknowledged the issues surrounding lumber and promised to take action in a recent House Appropriations subcommittee hearing. | https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/verify/national-verify/the-lumber-shortage-is-real/536-5ceac969-aea9-44f8-898b-c0e6da319ea2 |
When can I see the International Space Station? | Visible to the naked eye, the ISS looks like an airplane or a very bright star moving across the sky. It is the third brightest object in the sky and easy to spot if you know when to look up. Visible to the naked eye, the ISS looks like an airplane or a very bright star moving across the sky, except it doesn't have flashing lights or change direction. It will also be moving considerably faster than a typical airplane (airplanes generally fly at about 600 miles (965 km) per hour; the space station flies at 17,500 miles (28,000 km) per hour). If you live in East Texas, here are the upcoming times and coordinates for when and where you can see the ISS through Saturday, June 12: Wednesday, June 2 - 9:34 p.m.; Visible for 5 minutes; Appears 10 above NNW; Disappears 22 above ESE - 9:34 p.m.; Visible for 5 minutes; Appears 10 above NNW; Disappears 22 above ESE Thursday, June 3 - 10:23 p.m.; Visible for 3 minutes; Appears 10 above WNW; Disappears 23 above SW - 10:23 p.m.; Visible for 3 minutes; Appears 10 above WNW; Disappears 23 above SW Friday, June 4 - 9:36 p.m.; Visible for 5 minutes; Appears 10 above WNW; Disappears 23 above SSE - 9:36 p.m.; Visible for 5 minutes; Appears 10 above WNW; Disappears 23 above SSE Sunday, June 6 - 9:39 p.m.; Visible for 3 minutes; Appears 10 above W; Disappears 10 above SSW The space station is Earth's only microgravity laboratory. This football field-sized platform hosts a plethora of science and technology experiments that are continuously being conducted by crew members, or are automated. Research aboard the orbiting laboratory holds benefits for life back on Earth, as well as for future space exploration. The space station serves as a testbed for technologies and allows us to study the impacts of long-term spaceflight to humans, supporting NASA's mission to push human presence farther into space. The space station is visible because it reflects the light of the Sun the same reason we can see the Moon. However, unlike the Moon, the space station isn't bright enough to see during the day. It can only be seen when it is dawn or dusk at your location. As such, it can range from one sighting opportunity a month to several a week, since it has to be both dark where you are, and the space station has to happen to be going overhead. | https://www.cbs19.tv/article/news/local/the-international-space-station-in-east-texas/501-896ec14e-ca4c-4d9f-99e0-6ab7e53fec2f |
When will Ivory Coast's ex president Laurent Gbagbo return? | Ivory Coast's former president Laurent Gbagbo is not likely to return during political tensions, say several of his close associates. That despite Gbagbo's party, the Ivorian Popular Front (FPI), announcing on Monday he would return on June 17. Gbagbo is a highly controversial figure in Ivory Coast, where he was forced out a decade ago after a civil war that claimed several thousand lives. He faced charges by the ICC for crimes against humanity during that conflict. Scores died in election-related violence after Gbagbo's refused to concede defeat. He was acquitted in 2019 and in March a failed appeal permitted his return. Speculation of when he returns has been building for months and his supporters say they want to welcome him in triumph. But the government is in favour of a lower profile, wary of potential unrest The Communications Minister said the date of June 17, announced by the party, had not been previously agreed by the government. "The date was to be discussed consensually" between the government and Gbagbo's Ivorian Popular Front (FPI), said Communications Minister Amadou Coulibaly , adding: "It was not." Coulibaly, who is also government spokesman, said that in order to set a date "consensually... arrangements must be implemented," notably for Gbagbo's "safety". Gbagbo's return will be the start of a "new phase", FPI secretary-general Assoa Adou said on Monday -- "an important phase for the future of Ivory Coast, the phase of reconciliation, peace, the reconstruction of our country". | https://www.africanews.com/2021/06/02/cote-d-ivoire-laurent-gbagbo-rentrera-t-il-sans-consensus-avec-le-pouvoir/ |
Can LeBron James keep Lakers competitive against Suns after 30-point loss? | The Los Angeles Lakers find themselves on shaky ground and on the verge of elimination after a whopping 30-point loss to the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday. The Lakers, who were up 2-1 after Game 3, now trail the Suns 3-2 after the 115-85 blowout in Game 5. Suns star shooting guard Devin Booker led Phoenix with 30 points, seven rebounds and five assists while the Lakers superstar James put in a subpar performance by his standards. James went 9-for-19 from the field and 6-for-10 from 3-point range for 24 points in 32 minutes. He added five rebounds and seven assists but didnt make it to the free-throw line for only the third time in his 265-game NBA playoff career. For more up-to-date news on all things Lakers, click here to register for alerts on the FOX Sports app! The Lakers were without Anthony Davis on Tuesday, and it showed. Davis, who was already dealing with a hyperextended right knee suffered in Game 3, did not play in Game 5 because of a left groin strain suffered Sunday in the second quarter of the Lakers 100-92 Game 4 loss. With Davis on the sideline in street clothes and James having a marginal performance again, by his standards on the floor, the Lakers found themselves trailing by 30 points at halftime, and they never recovered. In total, the Lakers shot 34.5% from the field and 34.3% from distance in Game 5. And with 5:40 left in the fourth quarter and the Lakers down by 32 points, James left the court early. After the game, head coach Frank Vogel said the superstar's early departure was so he could get started on his postgame treatment in preparation for Game 6. On Tuesdays " Undisputed ," Skip Bayless said ahead of Game 5 that the game would be a pivotal moment in James career win or lose. "Tonight is a huge opportunity for him late in his career, year 18, to make a resounding statement that he has launched his team at Phoenix as a 5-point underdog without Anthony Davis, against Chris Paul, whos suddenly healthy, and the 51-21, second-seed Phoenix Suns," Bayless said. "If he could pull this off tonight this might be one of those games that you always remember LeBron for." Unfortunately, Game 5 wont be remembered the way Bayless suggested. On Wednesdays "Undisputed," Bayless co-host, Shannon Sharpe , pointed out some cracks in the Lakers approach while reacting to James performances in the loss. "[LeBron] didnt get off to the greatest of starts, and no one got off to the greatest of starts," Sharpe said. "When you get 11 points from your other starters, its gonna be a sad night. [The Lakers] didnt play well. They gotta do better than this. The game was decided early on. "Im gonna put the lion's share of the blame on LeBron because I expected him to come out, but he can only do so much. He cant make the shots for the [other] guys. I think, rightfully so, the lions share of the blame should be placed at his feet." Bayless agreed. "It was a nightmare," Bayless added. "The Lakers were pathetic, but the point is, the GOAT was even worse. Last night was his night, his turn, his opportunity to set the table for his team, to be the early tone-setter, to take over the game right out of the box He didn't look right the whole night." On Wednesday's "The Herd," Colin Cowherd explained why the Lakers can't be confident about a comeback even if Davis returns in this series. "The Suns are better than the Lakers, even if AD plays," Cowherd began. "I think AD [has] had two or three amazing quarters, but you can't depend on him. I can depend on Chris Paul, when he's healthy, every quarter. [Paul's] leadership doesn't go away. His toughness doesn't go away. I can't depend on AD even when he's healthy. I don't know if I get aggressive AD, so I think the Suns are a better team. "In the past, when LeBron's teammates let him down and it was often LeBron had the ability to rise, put on the Superman cape and carry them. He [didn't]. He's scored more than 40 points one time this year. In the playoffs, he's 20th in scoring. Since LeBron scored 40 points once this year, 42 other guys have scored over 40 points. LeBron now has to look himself in the mirror." James and the Lakers will have a chance to tie the series once again when they head back to Staples Center on Thursday for a must-win Game 6. The only difference is that in this case, "must-win" isn't a cute way to say it's a big game it truly means win or go home. For more up-to-date news on all things NBA, click here to register for alerts on the FOX Sports app! Get more from National Basketball Association Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more. | https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nba/los-angeles-lakers-lebron-james-game-5-phoenix-suns-chris-paul |
Does Genshin Impact support cross-platform gameplay? | Genshin Impact has become one of the most popular open-world games since it was released last September. The title now supports cross-platform play on several devices. Gamers can download Genshin Impact on their mobile phones, PlayStation, and PCs. On June 9th, PC gamers can download the game from the Epic Games store. Nintendo players will also get their chance, as Genshin Impact will debut on the Switch on some unknown release date. This article dives into the games cross-platform capabilities since Genshin Impact has several ports and a popular co-op mode. Also read: Genshin Impact on Epic Games for PC: Release date, version, and more Cross-platform play in Genshin Impact Genshin Impact is partially cross-platform supported. The game offers a cross-saving feature and cross-platform matchmaking on mobile, PC, and PlayStation. However, the cross-saving feature does not fully apply to PlayStation users who cannot access their accounts from other devices. Since console players log in using their PlayStation account, the cross-save feature does not extend to other devices. However, cross-save does work between PlayStation 4 and 5. Enjoying Genshin Impact! I just wish there was mobile and PS5 cross progression. pic.twitter.com/WT8ZdfAoFj Mr. Joanna Dark (@Big_N_boss) April 27, 2021 So far, the Genshin Impact community is in the dark regarding whether this limitation for PlayStation players will be fixed. Such a feature would only benefit console players and expand the reach of the game. Rumors claim that Genshin Impact's release on the Nintendo Switch has been delayed due to hardware issues. Genshin Impact may be available to Nintendo players on the next console. Whenever Genshin Impact is released on Nintendo, its likely to have the same cross-platform features as other ports. Its unclear whether the console will have a cross-save feature between PC and mobile. However, it will undoubtedly have cross-platform matchmaking. Multiplayer modes in Genshin Impact Travelers can enter co-op mode once they reach Adventure Rank 16. In co-op mode, all players must meet this criteria. In co-op mode, players can work in teams with up to four members to challenge domains and beat open-world monsters for rewards. Players whove gone through the early parts of the game can play online with anyone, regardless of their device. Also read: Genshin Impact leaks: Everything known about Tohma so far Edited by Srijan Sen | https://www.sportskeeda.com/esports/does-genshin-impact-support-cross-platform-gameplay |
How long has Julio Jones been in the NFL? | The Atlanta Falcons selected Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones with their sixth overall pick in the first round of the 2011 NFL draft. Julio Jones had a fantastic college career in Alabama. The former Crimson Tide wideout caught 179 passes for 2,653 yards and 15 touchdowns in his three years at Alabama. Julio Jones started his NFL career with an outstanding rookie year catching 54 passes for 959 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. Jones' rookie season success landed him on the 2011 NFL All-Rookie Team. The Atlanta Falcons hit a home run with their selection of Julio Jones as their sixth overall pick. Julio Jones has played ten successful seasons with the Atlanta Falcons and will be entering his 11th season in 2021. Let's take a look at the successful ten-year career that Julio Jones has had with the Falcons. Julio Jones' ten-year career with the Atlanta Falcons Washington Redskins v Atlanta Falcons Julio Jones broke the 1,000 receiving mark during his 2012 season. Jones caught 79 passes for 1,198 receiving yards and ten touchdowns during his second year in the NFL. The former first-round pick achieved this accomplishment seven times over his ten years with the Falcons. Julio Jones has led the NFL in receiving twice and led the league in receptions once in his career. The Atlanta Falcons placed their franchise on the shoulders of Julio Jones and Matt Ryan. Both have lived up to the hype and have carried the Falcons to success. Julio Jones' Career Stats Atlanta Falcons Receptions: 848 848 Receiving yards: 12,896 yards 12,896 yards Yards per reception: 15.2 yards 15.2 yards Touchdowns: 60 Julio Jones has been selected to seven Pro Bowls and assigned to two NFL All-Pro teams. The veteran wide receiver has also been appointed to the Hall of Fame All-2010s Team and has made the NFL Top 100 list a total of seven times throughout his career. Pause the GIF to see which team Julio Jones plays for this season pic.twitter.com/H73ja6sfwN BetMGM (@BetMGM) June 1, 2021 The Atlanta Falcons are in a challenging situation with Julio Jones. Atlanta is currently looking for a trade partner for their star-wideout. The seven-time Pro Bowl wide receiver wants to play for a contender. He knows that his time in the NFL is coming to an end, and Jones wants a Super Bowl ring before he retires. There isn't an NFL fan who can blame Julio Jones for wanting to play for a contender. Jones has given the Falcons ten great seasons, and he doesn't believe that his 11th season will bring a championship. Take a quick 30-second survey to help us deliver the best content around NFL & College Football. Edited by Rohit Mishra | https://www.sportskeeda.com/nfl/how-long-julio-jones-nfl |
Was steckt hinter dem Medienboykott von Naomi Osaka bei den French Open? | In der 44. Ausgabe des Nord-Sd-Gipfels, prsentiert von Lacoste, diskutieren Andrej Antic (tennis MAGAZIN) und Jrg Allmeroth (tennisnet.com) ber den Medienboykott von Naomi Osaka bei den French Open. Moderiert wird der Podcast wie immer von Jens Huiber (Sportradio360). Im neuesten Nord-Sd-Gipfel wird diesmal ber die Aufregung um Naomi Osaka diskutiert. Darber rtseln auch Allmeroth und Antic. 15.000 Dollar Strafe muss die Japanerin schon zahlen fr ihre Nichtteilnahme. All das kompakt im Nord-Sd-Gipfel von tennis MAGAZIN. Die Sendung wurde vor Osakas Rckzug von den French Open aufgenommen. HIER GEHT ES ZUM NEUEN NORD-SD-GIPFEL BER LACOSTE Life is a beautiful sport! Seit der Kreation des allerersten Polos im Jahr 1933, verkrpert LACOSTE auf einzigartige, authentische Art und Weise die sportlichen Ursprnge der Marke und berzeugt zugleich mit ebenso originellen wie eleganten Kollektionen fr Frauen, Mnner und Kinder. Mit dem Anspruch, die begehrteste Premium Lifestye-Marke zu werden, wird die Marke mit dem Krokodil heute in 120 Lndern selektiv distribuiert. Weltweit werden pro Sekunde zwei LACOSTE-Artikel verkauft. Als internationale Marke mit 10.000 Mitarbeitern, bietet LACOSTE ein vollstndiges Sortiment von Bekleidung, Lederwaren und Schuhen ber Parfms und Brillen bis hin zu Unterwsche und Heimtextilien allesamt auf qualitativ hochwertige, verantwortungsvolle und ethische Weise hergestellt. | https://www.tennismagazin.de/nord-sued-gipfel/was-steckt-hinter-dem-medienboykott-von-naomi-osaka-bei-den-french-open/ |
Where do provinces stand in their reopening plans? | TORONTO -- As the curve continues to flatten in Canada, many provinces have released their step-by-step plans on reopening to a new normal. As of June 1, Canada is averaging 2,524 positive COVID-19 cases a day over the past seven days, a decline of more than 5,300 daily average cases from one month ago. A few provinces have laid out a roadmap that involves vaccination targets that need to be met before each reopening phase. With restrictions lifting, CTVNews.ca has broken down how the provinces reopening plans line up with one another. Other provinces did not have vaccination targets, but have outlined their reopening plans through phases and projected dates: BRITISH COLUMBIA British Columbia has a four-step approach to reopening, with vaccination targets being a key part of the plan. Declining COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and mortality rates are also factored in when considering whether the province is ready to move onto the next step. The province is currently in Step 1, where the vaccination target was to have 60 per cent of the adult population vaccinated with at least one dose, along with stable COVID-19 case numbers and hospitalizations. Some activities that are permitted in this stage include small indoor and outdoor gatherings, indoor and outdoor dining with a limited number of people, and some sporting activities. The next step could start as early as June 15, with a vaccination target of 65 per cent for the adult population vaccinated with a single dose and declining COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. This step would allow larger outdoor gatherings, recreational travel within the province, and less restrictions on indoor and outdoor sports. ONTARIO Ontario has a three-step plan to reopening, and similar to British Columbia, also bases its reopening dates on vaccination targets, in addition to lower COVID-19 case numbers and hospitalizations. The Ontario government has also stated that the province will stay in each step for a minimum of 21 days before moving onto the next step. Currently outdoor gatherings of up to five people, golf courses, marinas, and playgrounds are some of the activities that are permitted. However, if Ontario moves into Step 1 on June 14, it could be seeing larger outdoor gatherings, outdoor dining, and non-essential retail open up at a limited capacity. To proceed to this step, the vaccine threshold is set to 60 per cent of adults who have received at least one dose. ALBERTA The provincial government has outlined a three-stage plan to reopening, which is dependent on vaccination targets and the number of hospitalizations due to COVID-19. As of June 1, Alberta entered the first stage of its reopening plan which includes the reopening of personal and wellness services, as well as outdoor dining. The goal for this stage was to have 50 per cent of eligible Albertans vaccinated with at least one dose and to enter this stage two weeks after the vaccination target was met. There would also have to be less than 800 hospitalizations due to COVID-19, with a continuous decline in cases. As of May 31, the province reported over 63 per cent of eligible Albertans vaccinated with at least one dose and 438 hospitalizations due to the virus. Stage 2 has a June 10 start date. This stage requires 60 per cent of Albertans 12 years of age and older to be vaccinated with at least one dose and under 500 hospitalizations with a steady decline. New permitted activities in this stage include larger outdoor gatherings, indoor recreational activities, and indoor dining. SASKATCHEWAN Saskatchewan has a three-step plan that is dependent on vaccination thresholds. The province is currently in Step 1 of its reopening plan. This step calls for 70 per cent of people 40 years of age and older to be vaccinated with a single dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and for eligibility to be opened up to all adults. In this step, a limited number of people are permitted at each table at a restaurant and both private and public gatherings, indoors and outdoors, are limited to a certain number of people. If Saskatchewan has 70 per cent of people who are 30 years of age and older vaccinated with one dose, then the province will move into Step 2, which is projected to begin June 20. This step would lift all capacity limits at retail and personal care facilities and there would be no restrictions on the number of people permitted at each table at a restaurant. NOVA SCOTIA The government of Nova Scotia has created a five-phase plan to reopening, based on vaccination targets and declining COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. Beginning on June 2, the province will enter Phase 1. Their target for this phase is to have 50 per cent of the population vaccinated with one dose and COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations declining. In this phase, limited outdoor gatherings, patios, and retail businesses with a limited capacity are a few of the things that are permitted. The next phase is projected to start two to four weeks after Phase 1, with the target of having 60 per cent of the population vaccinated with one dose. COVID-19 case numbers and hospitalizations must also be decreasing. Phase 2 allows gyms and fitness centres to operate at 50 per cent capacity, increased gathering sizes, and the reopening of personal services. NEW BRUNSWICK New Brunswick has outlined its reopening plan in three phases that include vaccination targets and a lower number of hospitalizations due to COVID-19. The province is estimating a June 7 start date for Phase 1, with a vaccination target of at least 75 per cent of New Brunswickers 12 years of age and older vaccinated with a single dose. In addition to this, hospitalization numbers must also remain low. This phase will include increased indoor and outdoor gathering sizes, organized sports, and increased capacity at faith-based facilities. Phase 2 is targeted for July 1, with the goal of having 75 per cent of people who are 12 years of age and older vaccinated with one dose and those who are 65 years of age and older in the province fully vaccinated. This new phase would open the Atlantic Bubble to Nova Scotia for travel and allow for regular capacity in businesses such as restaurants and gyms. QUEBEC The Quebec government has created a four-phase plan to reopening. The province is in its first phase and just had its curfew and regional travel bans lifted on May 28. This stage allows small outdoor gatherings, restaurant patios with a limited number of people permitted per table, and large indoor and outdoor venues with pre-assigned seating. The next phase is targeted for June 11, when outdoor sports and recreational activities will be permitted in larger groups and outdoor bars will open with limited seating per table. PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND The provincial government has outlined five steps in its plan to reopen in the summer and fall. The province currently permits small indoor and outdoor gatherings as well as indoor dining. Schools are also open with COVID-19 measures in place. PEI is projecting to enter step one of the reopening plan on June 6, which would allow for larger indoor and outdoor gatherings and dining as well as a larger capacity for special events such as weddings and funeral services. Moving forward to the next step is based off of criteria such as the proportion of the provincial population that has been vaccinated, COVID-19 cases, and public health and health care system capacity. _______ Note: Provinces and territories that did not have available reopening plans as of June 2 were not included. Information may also change as provinces make modifications to their reopening plans. | https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/where-do-provinces-stand-in-their-reopening-plans-1.5453321 |
Is sitting the new smoking? | (Mass Appeal) Its a common phrase now.sitting is the new smoking. But heres the thing there is truth to that. Dr. Christopher Keroack, Medical Director with the New England Center for Functional Medicine is with me to talk about how your chair or your couch may be hurting you. In 2012-2016 there was a lot of press coverage about the dangers of sitting and comparing it to smoking as a risk factor. James Levine, a professor of medicine at the Mayo Clinic is the one who is credited with this phrase. And the concepts are still going on today. What is being neglected in the reports is the subtle aspects of what the research really shows. So in support of sitting is dangerous is: 1) Chronic sitting leads to low levels of inflammation which are dangerous to the body 2) Chronic sitting CAN lead to added weight and fat which increases this inflammation 3) Chronic sitting CAN be related to lack of muscle use/movement and muscle movement assists with anti-inflammatory chemicals Howeverpart 2 the type of sitting, the length of time sitting and the myth of the athletic aboriginal human / prehistoric human complicates the issue This area of data was explored mostly by Daniel Lieberman, a Harvard professor of human evolutionary biology who studies hunter gather societies. His finding, in addition to others, reveal a bit more of the science related to the dangers of sitting. 1) LEISURE TIME sitting is harmful so if your job is sitting and you sit in a car and you sit to watch TV then there are higher risks 2) SITTING is not BAD hunter-gather societies sit for 10 hours a day so how you sit is more important 3) STYLE and TIME of sitting. Muscle useeven micro muscle use helps so getting up, moving in your chair, using stability chairsall of this leads to active sitting rather than passive sitting which helps decrease inflammation by activating muscle tissue I think that if you sit at your job, it is not as bad as we thoughtbut sitting ALL the time might be as bad as we thought. | https://www.wwlp.com/massappeal/is-sitting-the-new-smoking/ |
Is Target a good addition to the portfolio? | The strong-performing retail giant is working very hard and beating Wall Street expectations. Target (NYSE: TGT) had to contest a lot a year ago as it was left behind by competitors like Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) and Walmart (NYSE: WMT), who had a very smooth-functioning online platform and on the other hand, Target struggled in the e-commerce sales segment. In the second half of the pandemic, the big-box retailer picked up the pace and started leveraging its stores spread across the country for better customer reach. The store Pick Up/Drive-Up options became popular and Shipts (the Target-owned delivery service) delivery growth picked up. The Minneapolis, Minnesota-based retailer has a well-curated store network, along with pickup facilities that provided essential merchandise. This was a key differentiator as it was very difficult for customers to rely on the other e-commerce companies for their daily needs. Business Growth The strategies adopted by Target proved quite effective, as in fisl 2020, the mnys mrble-stre sles were up 20.5% nd digital mrble sles were up 118%. Sme-dy services like ik-u nd Shipt grew 235% for the year. The momentum ntinued in the fisl first quarter f 2021, with mrble sles up 22.9%, sme-dy services growth ver 90%, nd 123% increase in drive-up sles. The strong first quarter 2021 was largely driven by tremendous growth in online orders, with digital comparable sales up 50% year on year, which is impressive and came n t f the phenomenal 141% increase in the first quarter f 2020. Remodeling Target plans to increase sales by remodeling all the stores across the country. The process generated growth of 2%-4% in 2020 and will add another 2% by the end of 2021. The company expects to mlete 34 remodels in the send quarter of 2021, and lns to launch 100 more remodels by the end f the year. The retail giant has ened larger-than-usual stores in some suburbn res and claims to have generated higher sales and profit out of them. Targets stock has risen only 29% on a year-to-date basis, but as per the analysts, its a strong buy at the current level. The shares trade at forward price-to-earnings ratio of 18.5, which is a discount to the S&P 500s forward P/E of 22.4. The Wall Street consensus estimates Targets earnings growth at a compound annual rate of 13% through 2023. The dividend payout of the company has also been very consistent, making it a good long-term investment. | https://news.alphastreet.com/is-target-a-good-addition-to-the-portfolio/ |
What time is the Victoria COVID-19 press conference today as new regional restrictions are decided? | Regional Victorians are set to learn if the COVID-19 lockdown will end on time as five million Melburnians continue to live under stay-at-home orders for at least another seven days. If the regions remain coronavirus-free on Thursday, Acting Premier James Merlino said circuit breaker restrictions would ease outside of Melbourne. Victorias health authorities are expected to provide a COVID-19 update on Thursday. The time will be published here as soon as its confirmed. That would mean the removal of the five reasons to leave home, retail businesses reopening, and hospitality venues operating as seated service only. COVID-19 has been detected in wastewater at Bendigo and Axedale, and there are exposure sites at Anglesea, Axedale, Glenrowan, Kalkallo, Wallan and Rye. Some of the most recent exposure sites to be added are venues in Anglesea, which is a beach town on the Great Ocean Road. Credit: zsveta / Getty Images But none of the 60 cases linked to the current outbreak have come from regional Victoria, earning it a likely lockdown reprieve just before midnight on Thursday. The so-called ring of steel, used last year to enforce the regional divide, will be replaced by roving police patrols. Instead, the onus will be on regional businesses checking the IDs of customers, while Service Victoria QR code check-ins will become mandatory statewide in retail settings such as supermarkets. If we let this thing run its course, it will explode The Victorian government has used evidence of the Indian variant being quicker and more contagious to justify Melbourne remaining in lockdown until 11.59pm on June 10. If we let this thing run its course, it will explode, Mr Merlino said. Weve got to run this to ground because if we dont, people will die. Near empty streets are seen in Melbourne, Wednesday, June 2, 2021. Credit: JAMES ROSS / AAPIMAGE Professor Sutton said about 10 per cent of current cases caught the virus through fleeting exchanges with infected people. He has great confidence restrictions will be eased at the end of the week but travel will still not be allowed from Melbourne to regional areas over the Queens Birthday long weekend. An image published on the official Twitter account of Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews shows the Premier after he was moved out of intensive care at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne on Saturday, March 13, 2021. (AAP Image/Twitter, @DanielAndrewsMP) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY Credit: @DanielAndrewsMP / PR IMAGE Premier Daniel Andrews, who is recovering from a broken vertebra and fractured ribs, tweeted on Wednesday for Victorians to keep fighting, saying the efforts they are making to endure the current lockdown will save lives. Record tests, record vaccinations, record fight - were doing this to protect our communities, our state and the entire country. Mr Andrews said he had more scans and a meeting with his medical team next week. | https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/health-wellbeing/what-time-is-the-victoria-covid-19-press-conference-today-with-an-update-lockdown-extension-c-3001499 |
Who's running for Arizona governor in 2022? | A lot of announcements have already been made, and more are expected to drop as the election inches closer. ARIZONA, USA Multiple people on both sides of the aisle have already announced their candidacy for Arizona's governor election in 2022. Here's a rundown of who has thrown their hats into the race: Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs (D) The state's secretary of state made the announcement that she is running for state governor on June 2. Hobbs, the state's top elections officer, has majorly been in the spotlight for the past few months as a critic of the Arizona Senate GOP's hand recount of Maricopa County's 2020 election ballots. She has also received law-enforcement protection twice in the past six months due to death threats she received. "Protecting survivors of domestic abuse, ending the backlog of untested rape kits, expanding Medicaid, protecting our seniors, and tackling the opioid epidemic head-on" are listed in her announcement video as career-high points for Hobbs during her time in the state legislature from 2010 to 2018. The biography of Hobbs on the state's secretary of state website says she has a Bachelor of Social Work from Northern Arizona University and a Master of Social Work from Arizona State University. The site also says she has been a professional social worker since 1992 and, prior to being elected to the legislature, she was working in the areas of domestic violence, behavioral health, and homelessness. Former Phoenix news anchor Kari Lake (R) The former longtime TV news anchor announced her candidacy on June 1. Lake officially filed a "statement of interest" to run in the Republican primary for Arizona governor. The statement of interest is a precursor to formally declaring a run for public office and usually results in candidacy. A video released Tuesday features Lake describing why she left Fox 10 News. Lake says she became disillusioned with what she describes as an increasingly left-wing bias in the news media and she was particularly frustrated with the way her TV station covered the COVID-19 pandemic. Lake has been a lightning rod for criticism over the years for comments shes made on social media, specifically for endorsing or retweeting debunked conspiracy theories. Board of Regents member Karron Taylor Robson (R) Arizona Board of Regents member Karrin Taylor Robson announced her campaign for governor on May 18. Robson has been on the board, which oversees Arizona State University, University of Arizona, and Northern Arizona University, since June 2017. She is also the secretary of the board, chair of the Finance, Capital and Resources Committee, and member of the Audit Committee and Academic Affairs and Educational Attainment Committee, according to her bio on the board's website. "I'm going to spend the next few months visiting your community and hearing from you about how we can stand together and fight the radical Biden-Harris agenda," Robson said in her announcement video. State Treasurer Kimberly Yee (R) Arizona State Treasurer Kimberly Yee announced her campaign for governor on May 17. The former state senator made it clear she is a Trump Republican during her announcement, advocating for business growth and border security. Yee also praises Trump in the video and condemns what she calls the corrupt press. Since the election, Yee remains the highest-ranking state official not to publicly accept the presidential elections outcome. For six months, Yee has declined to respond to interviews on-camera or in writing about the election. Yee has served as the state's treasurer since 2018 and served as the state's senate majority leader from 2017 to 2019. Yee is the first Asian American elected to a statewide office in Arizonas history and the first Chinese American Republican woman to win a major statewide office in the history of the United States. She is currently the leader of both the Arizona Board of Investment and State Loan Commission and the state's Financial Literacy Task Force. Yee is also a member of the State Land Selection Board. Former Nogales Mayor Marco Lpez Jr. (D) Marco Lpez Jr. was the first major candidate to join the race for Arizona governor on March 17. Elected mayor of the city of Nogales at age 22, Lopez Jr. went on to serve former Gov. Janet Napolitano and in a top role for President Barack Obama's administration. He says his campaign will focus on education, health care, and manufacturing jobs. Arizona Politics News | https://www.12news.com/article/news/politics/arizona-governor-2022-election-race-candidates/75-5623ac81-a935-4e78-bb81-f8f5c838ddbb |
Can Kamala Harris Kick-Start the Democrats Voting Rights Fight? | With Republican attacks on voting rights mounting, and the window for Democrats to fight back closing, the White House appears to be taking a more active role in the effort to protect and expand the franchisea high-stakes battle with major implications for democracy and Democrats electoral prospects. Speaking in Tulsa on Tuesday, on the hundredth anniversary of the racist massacre that decimated the citys thriving Black Wall Street, President Joe Biden vowed to fight with every tool at my disposal to beat back GOP measures rolling back voting rightsand tapped Vice President Kamala Harris to oversee the administrations effort. Were going to be ramping up our efforts to overcome again, Biden said Tuesday. June should be a month of action on Capitol Hill. Describing the voting restrictions states like Georgia and Florida have passed and the efforts by Donald Trump to overturn his loss as a truly unprecedented assault on our democracy, Biden renewed his call for lawmakers to pass the For the People Act and to reauthorize the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, linking the current struggle against voting restrictions that could disproportionately impact minority communities to grave injustices like the Tulsa attack of 1921. The sacred right to vote, Biden said, is under assault with incredible intensity like Ive never seen. The remarks were perhaps Bidens most forceful on the matter, and the administrations more public engagement on the voting rights issue is certainly welcome, given the challenges Democrats have faced trying to combat the Republican broadsides. But what, precisely, Biden and Harris will be able to do to get either of the Democratic-backed voting rights bills over the finish line isnt quite clear. Harris in a statement said she will engage the American people and...work with voting rights organizations, community organizations, and the private sector to help strengthen and uplift efforts on voting rights nationwide. We will also, she continued, work with members of Congress to help advance these bills. This is the work of democracy, Harris said. Itll be difficult work, though. While Democrats are broadly aligned on voting rights, the bills stand little to no chance in the Senate as long as Republicans have the filibuster in their pocketand Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin have made plain their staunch opposition to abolishing the procedure. Biden took an oblique, but nevertheless searing shot at the pair in his speech Tuesday: I hear all the folks on TV saying, Why doesnt Biden get this done? he said. Well, because Biden only has a majority of effectively four votes in the House and a tie in the Senate, with two members of the Senate who vote more with my Republican friends. One hopes Harriss outreach and Bidens use of the bully pulpit can help break through the current impasse, particularly combined with the increasing pressure Manchin is facing from voting rights advocates and fellow Democrats. They need to let Manchin understand we elected Joe Bidennot Joe Manchinto be president, the civil rights leader Rev. William J. Barber II, who attended Bidens speech in Tulsa, told the Washington Post. But unlike Sinema, who supports the For the People Act, Manchin is not only against touching the filibuster, but has misgivings about the sweeping legislationand convincing him to drop his objections could require significant concessions. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is expected to soon bring this all to a head, with a promise to take voting rights to the floor for debate later this month. So far, we have not seen any glimmers on [the For the People Act], Schumer said last week. If not, everything is on the table. The Biden administration throwing its weight behind the effort could help. Join Vanity Fair to receive full access to VF.com and the complete online archive now. | https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2021/06/kamala-harris-joe-biden-kick-start-the-democrats-voting-rights-fight |
What happened to Mtley Cres Vince Neil? | ROCKSTAR Mtley Cre frontman Vince Neil is known for singing hits like Dr Feelgood and Kickstart My Heart. Mtley Cre's Vince Neil had an incident on stage during his first solo show post pandemic. Vince Neil, 60, is best known as the lead vocalist of the heavy metal band, Mtley Cre. He was born Vince Neil Wharton in Hollywood, California. He was discovered while performing with his band Rock Candy and ended up joining Mtley Cre in 1981. After over 10 years with the band, Neil parted ways after drinking habits caused him to miss band rehearsal and affected his performances. Neil released his own music as a solo artist before reuniting with the band in 1997. The founding members of Mtley Cre are bassist Nikki Sixx, drummer Tommy Lee, lead guitarist Mick Mars and lead singer Vince Neil. Other temporary members included John Corabi and Randy Castillo. The band has been planning a stadium tour with Def Leppard and Poison, but the shows have been postponed many times due to the pandemic. Mtley Cre took to their Instagram on May 14, 2021 to break the hard news, as they thanked their fans for "hanging in there" with them during the difficult time. "To all our loyal fans, we wanted to let you know that we learned today that the tour is getting moved to 2022. "This is the only way to ensure that we can play ALL of the dates for ALL of you who have purchased tickets," they explained. "We appreciate you hanging in there and cant wait to get back on stage and bring The Stadium Tour to all of our fans. On May 29, Neil performed his first solo show since the pandemic as the headliner for the Boone River Valley Festival in Iowa. Numerous reports and videos show that Neil's vocals were not as good ad they were in the past. During a cover of The Beatles' Helter Skelter, it appeared that Neil could not hit the notes and was forgetting lyrics. Most read in Celebrity ANG'S ANGER Angelina 'will NEVER forgive' Brad after he wins joint custody of kids get a room! JLo & Ben have 'off the charts chemistry' as couple holds hands at dinner BOTTOMS UP! Britney Spears shares cheeky photos of her 'a**' & boasts 'here it is' CAME TOO KHLO-SE Khloe 'threatens to SUE woman who claims she has a baby with Tristan' TV LEGEND Mayberry RFD actress Arlene Golonka dies aged 85 PERRY SAD Matthew Perry, 51, SPLITS from fiance, 29, days after 'worrying' Friends reunion When the band reached their 14th show, Girls Girls Girls, Neil exited the stage. "I'm sorry, guys," he told the crowd. "It's been a long time playing my fing voice is gone. We love you and we'll hopefully see you next time, man," he said as he walked off before the show ended. He has not commented on the incident. | https://www.the-sun.com/entertainment/3003342/motley-crues-vince-neil-walks-off-stage/ |
What is Britney Spears doing on June 23? | BRITNEY Spears has been involved in an ongoing conservatorship battle with her father and various attorneys since 2008. Advocates for the singer have stood beside her promoting the free Britney movement as she seeks to regain control over her estate and finances in court. Britney Spears, 39, is set to speak for the first time ever at her court hearing on June 23 at 1.30pm PST. Her attorney, Sam Ingham III sought permission from Judge Brenda Penny to give Spears a chance to talk, according to Page Six. He told the judge: The conservatee has requested that I seek from the court a status hearing at which she can address the court directly. Adding: My client asked that it be done on expedited basis. 4 Spears and her father Jamie have been involved in an ongoing legal battle as he was appointed head of the conservatorship Credit: Refer to Caption It is unclear exactly what matters Spears plans to disclose, however, Ingham alluded that she would like to have the hearing pertaining to the status of the conservatorship. Additionally, there will be another hearing regarding her estates accounting documents on July 14, 2021. In April, Spears asked a judge to permanently end her fathers control over her $60m fortune and personal life. The singer's attorney filed for Jodi Montgomery to officially replace Jamie Spears as the permanent conservator over Spears personal matters. She also asked her estranged father to resign from his role overseeing her personal life. 4 Jamie controls Spears' $60million fortune Credit: AP Additionally, the legal documents stated that Spears reserves the right to eventually request an end to the conservatorship completely. While sources have said Spears life "would drastically change for the better" if Jamie is removed, the father's lawyer Vivian Thoreen previously claimed the conservatorship "saved" the singer's life. In 2009, FreeBritney.net was launched in response to her court-approved conservatorship - a form of legal guardianship. It grants a chosen individual full authority over another's life and assets. The conservator typically holds the same rights and responsibilities as a parent would over a child. It is typically enacted for individuals who are incapable of making their own decisions. 4 Advocates began trending the Free Britney movement to get her out of her conservatorship Credit: Splash News In 2008, after Spears was committed to a psychiatric ward, Jamie was granted a temporary conservatorship which became permanent by the end of the year. Lawyer Andrew Wallet was also made a co-conservator to focus on managing her financial assets. Most read in Celebrity ANG'S ANGER Angelina 'will NEVER forgive' Brad after he wins joint custody of kids get a room! JLo & Ben have 'off the charts chemistry' as couple holds hands at dinner BOTTOMS UP! Britney Spears shares cheeky photos of her 'a**' & boasts 'here it is' CAME TOO KHLO-SE Khloe 'threatens to SUE woman who claims she has a baby with Tristan' TV LEGEND Mayberry RFD actress Arlene Golonka dies aged 85 PERRY SAD Matthew Perry, 51, SPLITS from fiance, 29, days after 'worrying' Friends reunion Due to the rise of the movement, Spears shared a video on Instagram back in 2019 assuring her fans saying the rumors had gotten out of control. She wrote: "Your love and dedication is amazing," "But what I need right now is a little bit of privacy to deal with all the hard things that life is throwing my way." | https://www.the-sun.com/entertainment/3004167/what-is-britney-spears-doing-on-june-23/ |
What are Billie Eilishs Lost Cause lyrics about? | BILLIE Eilish just dropped the latest single from her newest album, Happier Than Ever. And it's called "Lost Cause." Many people believe that Billie Eilish's "Lost Cause" is about her relationship with her former boyfriend, Brandon Adams. Adams is best known as "Q" and by his rap name, 7:AMP. Eilish talks abbout Adams a lot in her Apple TV+ documentary. In the documentary, she talks about how unhappy she was with him. 2 "Lost Cause" is thought to be about her ex-boyfriend Credit: Reuters "I didnt want the same things he wanted and I dont think thats fair for him," she said in the documentary. I dont think you should be in a relationship super excited about things that the other person couldnt care less about. And there was just a lack of effort, I think. I literally was just like, 'Dude, you don't even have enough love to love yourself, you can't love me. And you don't. Like, you think you do.'" As can be expected, Adams has his own take on the matter, and he explained as much in a March 2021 Instagram story. Most read in Celebrity ANG'S ANGER Angelina 'will NEVER forgive' Brad after he wins joint custody of kids get a room! JLo & Ben have 'off the charts chemistry' as couple holds hands at dinner BOTTOMS UP! Britney Spears shares cheeky photos of her 'a**' & boasts 'here it is' CAME TOO KHLO-SE Khloe 'threatens to SUE woman who claims she has a baby with Tristan' TV LEGEND Mayberry RFD actress Arlene Golonka dies aged 85 PERRY SAD Matthew Perry, 51, SPLITS from fiance, 29, days after 'worrying' Friends reunion "There's always 2 sides to a situation," he said. He also said he was dealing with the death of his brothers at the time of his split with Eilish. "Sometimes people disagree and don't want the same things as one another. It's on you to understand there's several points of view to a situation." | https://www.the-sun.com/entertainment/3004211/billie-eilish-lost-cause-lyrics/ |
Why does ICarlys reboot not include Jennette McCurdy? | FANS of the iCarly have been hoping that all the original members of the series would return for the reboot. Jennette, 28, played vlogger Sam Puckett for six seasons alongside the shows main character Carly, played by Miranda Cosgrove. Jennette McCurdy has confirmed rumors that she has quit the acting industry and resents her career as a child actress. Jennette, who hosts the podcast Empty Inside, revealed during a chat with fellow actress Anna Faris that she now considers herself done with acting. She said: I quit a few years ago to try my hand at writing and directingit's going great. I quit [acting] a few years ago because I initially didn't want to do it. Jennette went on: My mom put me in it when I was six and by sort of age, I guess, 10 or 11, I was the main financial support for my family. "My family didn't have a lot of money, and this was the way out, which I actually think was helpful in driving me to some degree of success." The series earned a huge fan base and after it ended in 2012, Jennette went on to reprise her role as Sam in the show Sam & Cat opposite Ariana Grande, however the actress said shes not proud of her work. Jennette told Anna in the interview: My experience with acting is, I'm so ashamed of the parts I've done in the past. 4 Jennette McCurdy and Miranda Cosgrove Credit: Alamy I resent my career in a lot of ways. I feel so unfulfilled by the roles that I played and felt like it was the most cheesy, embarrassing. I did the shows that I was on from like 13 to 21, and by 15, I was already embarrassed. My friends at 15, they're not like, 'Oh, cool, you're on this Nickelodeon show.' It was embarrassing. Fans were thrilled when the revival of the Nickelodeon series iCarly was ordered for a reboot - although an air date is yet to be revealed. The original iCarly ran from 2007-2012 on Nickelodeon for six seasons and 97 episodes. 4 Jennette McCurdy, Nathan Kress, Miranda Cosgrove Credit: Alamy During its run, the show proved to be incredibly popular and broke ratings records for Nickelodeon. You can now watch seasons 1 and 2 on Netflix. As well as Netflix, you can watch old episodes of the show right now on CBS All Access. The reboot will then be available to stream on the new Paramount Plus site. This is the new name of CBS All Access, which rebranded in 2021. 4 iCarly cast members Noah Munck, Miranda Cosgrove, Jerry Trainor, Jeanette McCurdy and Nathan Kress Credit: Getty Most read in Entertainment Exclusive MAD MUG Teen Mom Chelseas sex offender friend Alex appears angry in new mugshot ANG'S ANGER Angelina 'will NEVER forgive' Brad after he wins joint custody of kids get a room! JLo & Ben have 'off the charts chemistry' as couple holds hands at dinner Exclusive FREAKING OUT MAFS star Danielles high blood pressure puts her at risk after son's birth closed book Ellie's fans angry she 'omitted' family's wealth & 'racist' ball from memoir LITTLE PUMPKIN Mama June's pregnant daughter Pumpkin, 21, shows baby bump This new streaming service will incorporate more content from MTV, BET and Nickelodeon. It is being launched to try and compete with HBO Max, Netflix, Peacock, Disney+ and Hulu. It's not yet known how UK fans will be able to watch the reboot but it is likely to be on NOW TV - but as soon as we know, you'll know. | https://www.the-sun.com/entertainment/3004597/icarly-reboot-jennette-mccurdy-netflix-cast/ |
Why has KUWTK ended? | KEEPING Up With The Kardashians is one of E!s most popular series. The reality show has been airing 20 seasons on the network since 2007. 3 Kim Kardashian was the catalyst for Keeping Up With The Kardashians to air on E! Credit: E! Keeping Up With the Kardashians is officially coming to an end after 273 episodes and 11 spin-offs. The decision was decided among all sisters and family matriarch, Kris Jenner, after days of discussing the shows fate. Kim Kardashian told Grazia USA that it was ultimately decided that they needed a break. This was a dream of all of ours. We never imagined we would get onto season two. Now we're on 20," Kim said. 3 Keeping Up With The Kardashians has been airing since 2007 Credit: Rex "Sometimes we just need a break. It's really simple. We just need a minute to regroup. You know, we haven't had a break for 14 years, she added. We've gone in filming a season, then a spin off and I think there's no other way to say it other than, we just live such big lives. And we have kids now. And they need us. On September 8, 2020, Kim broke the news via Instagram that the shows finale would be in 2021. Her Instagram post read: "To our amazing fans - It is with heavy hearts that weve made the difficult decision as a family to say goodbye to Keeping Up with the Kardashians. "After what will be 14 years, 20 seasons, hundreds of episodes and numerous spin-off shows, we are beyond grateful to all of you whove watched us for all of these years - through the good times, the bad times, the happiness, the tears, and the many relationships and children. "Well forever cherish the wonderful memories and countless people weve met along the way." The KUWTK season finale of episode 12 will be split into two parts. The first part of the finale will air Thursday, June 4 at 8pm ET. Similarly, fans will have to wait until part two airs on Thursday, June 10 to witness the shows grand finale. 3 Keeping Up With The Kardashians' season finale will be split into two parts Credit: E! Previous seasons are also available for streaming on E!s website with a TV provider. The seasons are also on Hulu, and YouTube TV with a paid subscription. There have been 11 spin-offs that were since created after the release of Keeping Up With the Kardashians: | https://www.the-sun.com/entertainment/3004830/why-has-kuwtk-ended/ |
Is Anheuser-Busch giving away free beer? | ANHEUSER-Busch, the makers of Budweiser, Stella Artois, and Bon Viv in the United States, is the latest company to participate in a vaccine incentive program. States have turned to everything from L.L. Bean gift cards to lottery drawings to encourage Americans to get vaccinated. Anheuser-Busch announced they would give away free beer once the United States reaches President Biden's 70 percent vaccine goal. Once the 70 per cent mark is reached, people can upload a photo of themselves in their favorite place to grab a beer at MyCooler.com/Beer. The first 200,000 people age 21 and over will get a $5.00 digital pre-paid card that can be used to buy an Anheuser-Busch product. The giveaway will exclude residents of California, Texas, and Alabama. 3 Anheuser-Busch are the makers of Budweiser, Stella Artois, and Bon Viv Credit: Getty Biden has set a goal of reaching the 70 percent mark by July 4. The President is calling for June to be the "month of action" in effort to get American citizens vaccinated. "At Anheuser-Busch, we are committed to supporting the safe and strong recovery of our nation and being able to be together again at the places and with the people we have missed so much," Michel Doukeris, CEO of Anheuser-Busch, said in a statement. "We pride ourselves on stepping up both in times of need and in times of great celebration, and the past year has been no different," he added. "As we look ahead to brighter days with renewed optimism, we are proud to work alongside the White House to make a meaningful impact for our country, our communities and our consumers." In Georgia, certain offenders could get their sentences cut in half if they agree to get the Covid vaccine in a shocking new policy. This incentive will be available to people doing community service as part of their sentence. Hall County Court Administrator Jason Stephenson said that judges can offer up to 20 to 40 hours for those qualified to participate. Stephenson spoke about the new project saying: "In our judge's view, every shot in the arm is a service to the community. "For some offenders it does seem appropriate to recognize that the time and the cost involved and perhaps lining up childcare, taking time off from work, arranging for transportation, and making to a vaccination site not once but twice. This recognizes the commitment they've made in doing that." The state of Maryland is giving away a whopping $2million in prize money to Americans who get vaccinated against coronavirus. One resident in the state will win $40,000 every day as part of a program launched by Governor Larry Hogan and the Maryland Lottery. Americans that are 18 and over and have received a Covid vaccine in the state are eligible to enter the scheme. In New York, Governor Andrew Cuomo, 63, has announced the Vax & Scratch pilot program in a bid to get more people vaccinated against the coronavirus. Most read in News SHOCK FIND Body found in motel room during desperate search for missing boy RAPPER DEATH Rapper Lil Loaded dead at 20 after arrest for 18-year-old friends shooting ON THE RUN Manhunt for 'armed & extremely dangerous killer' after 4 dead in horrific attack MYSTERY CASE What to know about Samuel Olson's stepmom Theresa Balboa DANGEROUS CRAZE Here is what you need to know about dry scooping and whether it is safe Exclusive HURTLE DOOR Moment idiot plunges 200ft from Durdle Door before chopper rescue Anyone who gets vaccinated with receive a $20 lottery ticket for the $5million Mega Multiplier Lottery. Along with the sizeable top prize there are also a number of prizes that go down to $20. "The chances of winning something in this program is one in nine," Cuomo said, adding that when someone gets the vaccine "everyone wins." | https://www.the-sun.com/news/3004050/anheuser-busch-free-beer-white-house/ |
Is Katie Hobbs a Democrat or a Republican? | KATIE Hobbs has been the Secretary of State of Arizona since assuming office in January 2019. Before her current post, Hobbs was an Arizona state senator representing the 24th district from 2013 to 2019. On June 2, Hobbs announced her candidacy for the 2022 Arizona gubernatorial election. The 51-year-old will enter the race for the Democratic Party nomination. Incumbent Republican Governor Doug Ducey is not eligible to run for a third consecutive term. Aside from Hobbs, former mayor of Nogales, Arizona, Marco A Lopez will seek the Democratic nomination. Hobbs began trending on June 2 after she officially put her name in Arizona's gubernatorial election. In launching her campaign, Hobbs sought to cast herself as someone who could get the job done." The theme of her campaign launch video that cuts from news reports about death threats she has received since the last election to national television appearances defending Arizona's election system. "There is real harm going on for many. And the other side isn't offering policies to make our lives better, they are offering conspiracies that only make our lives worse," Hobbs said in the video. Im running for Governor to deliver transparency, accountability, and results for Arizonans -- just like Ive done my whole career. Join me: https://t.co/LM2sCDVynA pic.twitter.com/5y3QtFvYAk Katie Hobbs (@katiehobbs) June 2, 2021 "We did our jobs. They refuse to do theirs. And there is a lot more work to be done. That is why I am running for governor." In launching her campaign, Hobbs pointed to legislation she worked on that became law in the Republican-dominated Capitol. Hobbs cosponsored the Opioid Epidemic Act of 2018, which was aimed at stopping drug abuse. Her campaign launch video features footage of her shaking hands with Ducey after he signed it into law. Most read in News SHOCK FIND Body found in motel room during desperate search for missing boy RAPPER DEATH Rapper Lil Loaded dead at 20 after arrest for 18-year-old friends shooting ON THE RUN Manhunt for 'armed & extremely dangerous killer' after 4 dead in horrific attack MYSTERY CASE What to know about Samuel Olson's stepmom Theresa Balboa DANGEROUS CRAZE Here is what you need to know about dry scooping and whether it is safe Exclusive HURTLE DOOR Moment idiot plunges 200ft from Durdle Door before chopper rescue She also pointed to a bill she co-sponsored in 2017 aimed at eliminating a backlog of sexual assault evidence. Hobbs and Lopez were joined by Republican Kari Lake, a former news anchor on Fox 10. The Republican candidate also announced her campaign for Arizona governor on June 2. | https://www.the-sun.com/news/3004092/katie-hobbs-political-affliliation-revealed-democratic-party/ |
What's Really Going On With Jaden Smith And Madison Pettis? | Jaden Smith and Madison Pettis are two actors who captured audiences' hearts early on in their careers. With starring alongside his famous father, actor Will Smith, in "The Pursuit of Happyness" and Pettis playing Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's adorable daughter in "The Game Plan," these two proved their acting talents as kids. Now in adulthood, Smith and Pettis have taken on newer ventures into the entertainment industry. Smith not only acts but also raps, sings, and writes songs under the moniker Jaden. He's released two mixtapes and three studio albums, and looks up to his dad and his career. "He started in music and transitioned to movies," Smith told High Snobiety. "I started with movies, and then I transitioned into making music I look at him and use it as a blueprint of how good of a person he is, but not necessarily the success that he reached." At the same time, Pettis, who is most well-known for her time on Disney Channel's "Cory in the House," has turned away from kid-centric entertainment and has leaned towards more adult roles. Since leaving her Disney roots, Pettis has had a guest spot on "Law & Order: SVU" as well as roles in "Five Points," "American Pie Presents: Girls' Rules," and the upcoming "He's All That," according to IMDb. Read on to find out! | https://www.nickiswift.com/426509/whats-really-going-on-with-jaden-smith-and-madison-pettis/ |
Who Is John Mellencamp's New Girlfriend? | John Cougar Mellencamp is taking a shot at love again. Page Six reports that the "Hurts So Good" rocker and the lady in his life have been spotted strolling hand-in-hand along a beach in Malibu. Mellencamp was most recently linked to celebrity beauty guru Jamie Sherill and reportedly started dating her in 2020 after his daughter Teddi Mellencamp introduced them to each other, per Page Six. The couple apparently called it quits in January, according to the outlet. But it's Mellencamp's engagement to Meg Ryan that has sparked the most interest over the years. Meg Ryan and Mellencamp enjoyed an on-and-off-again romance that started in 2011 and came to a screeching halt in 2019. A source told People that Mellencamp "didn't want to get married again." The thrice-divorced musician could not see himself tying the knot once more. It seems as if it was a deal-breaker for them. The source went on to say, "He loves her, but marriage never seemed to be a part of it," before adding, "It's unclear how important a marriage was to Meg. But they spent a lot of time together and it's too bad they split. They really got along so well together." That being said, Mellencamp has moved on. How exciting! Keep reading to find out. | https://www.nickiswift.com/426811/who-is-john-mellencamps-new-girlfriend/ |
Can Demography Help Us Forecast Stock Returns? | One of the most debated issues in financial econometrics is the empirical relevance of the dividend-price (DP) ratio for forecasting the long-horizon stock market. Unlike the dismay short-run prediction where the robustness is frequently questioned by researchers (notably, Goyal and Welch (2008)), the idea of the long-run predictive ability seems to be appealing and well supported by dynamic dividend growth theory. Yet, the DP ratios high persistence contradicts the fundamental stationarity hypothesis required by the theory and greatly limits its predictive ability empirically (known as the Stambaugh (1999) bias). In other words, if we can find a way to reduce this persistence, we may accomplish much better long-horizon forecasting for stock returns. Recent work by Favero et al. (2011) (hereafter, FGT) addressed this issue. They find the slowly evolving demographic trends, especially the middle to young ratio (MY), strongly associated with the valuation. The idea behind it is simple but constructive. As people are more likely to borrow when they are young but save when they are middle-aged, a high (low) MY ratio implies an excess demand for saving (consumption), which surges (tumbles) the equilibrium prices of financial assets and thus the DP ratio. Therefore, ideally, once we remove the demographical component trend from the DP ratio, the newly adjusted DP ratio should exhibit less persistence and improve the long-run stock return forecasts. FGT test their conjecture by proposing a predictive regression model including the lagged MY ratio as a predictor. They run a horse race among model candidates, and the results are pretty striking MY ratio significantly improves the prediction under both in-sample and out-of-sample analysis. Henceforth, more empirical evidence appears to support the low-frequency co-movement between the demographic ratio and the DP ratio and its usefulness in long-horizon forecasts. Among others, Chen et al. (2021) (hereafter CGMP) show that we can further extend the predictive ability of the DP ratio by absorbing some slowly evolving information in the future. By investigating the data, CGMP finds a close match between the dynamics of the demographic variables and the common factors of stock returns (see figure below). CGMP also notice a unique property the demographic ratios are much more likely to be predicted precisely than DP ratios. In conventional prediction, including FGT, we can only use real-time information to forecast the future. Common factor in stock returns and valuation ratios, and demographics Source: Chen et al., 2021. This approach enables us to provide an update of FGTs real-time unconditional stock return forecasts. Moreover, as the demographic projection is essentially a source of another forecast, this approach also falls into a conditional forecast category, which is growing rich in literature and quite popular among researchers and policymakers. For example, although we may not be able to predict the stock return unconditionally, we may forecast future stock return conditional on different future demographic scenarios (say a lower/higher birth incentive or a more strict/looser immigration policy or a deadly pandemic like Covid-19 occurs). To examine this idea, CGMP propose a new predictive regression model replacing the lagged MY ratio of FGT with the MY ratio projection. Due to the sparse projection data, CGMP first use the true future MY ratio as the demographic projection and conducts the conditional forecast. The baseline analysis confirms the previous evidence that demographic ratios improve the long-horizon forecasts. They also find that their proposed model outperforms FGT uniformly in the out-of-sample study. After observing the promising results, CGMP collect all available projections from Census Bureau and build a large real-time demographic projection dataset. With the actual projection data, CGMP examines the models unconditional forecasting ability. Again, the proposed model mostly outperforms FGT, although the gap between the two methods narrows down in some cases. Of course, the results mentioned above may be doubted by the sample choice, the validity of the statistical test, and other notorious but ubiquitous problems in the game of the cherry-picking competition. Sadly, we cannot verify those questions until the very far end of the future. Knowledge of prediction is always like navigating in an ocean of uncertainties through the isle of certainties. The same is true for stock returns. With the tool of demographic ratio projection, the sea is getting smaller. But be careful. The navigation is also getting blurred. Chaoyi Chen Chaoyi Chen joined the MNB and the MNB Institute in 2020. He received a PhD in Economics from University of Guelph in 2019. His research interests are econometrics and applied econometrics. His research topics have included the threshold regressions, long-horizon regressions, nonstationary time series regressions, and applications on macroeconomics. References: Chen, C., N. Gospodinov, A. Maynard, and E. Pesavento (2021), Long-Horizon Stock Valuation and Return Forecasts Conditional on Demographic Projections, mimeo. Favero, C. A., Gozluklu, A. E. and Tamoni, A. (2011), Demographic trends, the dividend-price ratio, and the predictability of long-run stock market returns, Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, 46(05), 1493-1520. Goyal, A. and Welch, I. (2008), A comprehensive look at the empirical performance of equity premium prediction, Review of Financial Studies, 48(2), 663-670. Stambaugh, R. F. (1999), Predictive regressions, Journal of Financial Economics, 54, 375-421. Foldali kp forrsa: pixabay.com | https://economaniablog.hu/2021/06/01/can-demography-help-us-forecast-stock-returns/ |
How Much Does Donald Trump Jr. Really Charge To Record A Personal Message On Cameo? | The Trump family is known for exercising every opportunity to make bank. And while we haven't heard a ton from former president Donald Trump after his Twitter ban in January 2021, his son Donald Trump Jr. is out there to make an impression. Trump Jr. is now on Cameo, a service for fans to buy personalized video messages from their favorite celebrities. Like numerous other stars on the platform, Trump Jr. has been charging money to record video messages for his fans, of which there are currently 412 in his Cameo "fan club." According to The Guardian, Cameo's profit model has worked well, especially during the pandemic year, where 150 stars managed to make at least $100,000. The platform saw 1.3 million cameo videos created in 2020. Trump Jr. has joined the likes of stars such as Tiger King's Carol Baskin and Snoop Dogg and describes himself as a "Father, Patriot, Outdoorsman, Political Commentator and #1 NYT Bestselling author" on his page. Looks like Trump Jr. is up for some serious business. Other than having found a platform to express messages around Republican ideals, Trump Jr. is also helping his friend and Benghazi survivor Mark Geist raise money for his charity, the Shadow Warriors Project, to which Trump Jr. will donate a portion of his Cameo earnings. Let's find out! | https://www.nickiswift.com/426969/how-much-does-donald-trump-jr-really-charge-to-record-a-personal-message-on-cameo/ |
Can Ireland international Collins thrive at Cardiff? | 2 June 2021 By Roger Jones [email protected] Republic of Ireland international James Collins has made his way through to the English domestic, rising from League Two to the Championship. The 30-year-old will now be targeting a place in the Premier League to complete his journey to the top to emulate Jamie Vardy and his meteoric rise through the tiers. Collins opted to leave Luton Town after a successful four-year period with the Hatters, and joined former Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy at Cardiff City. Expectations for the forward will now rise, and he will be charged with scoring the goals that will lead the Bluebirds to promotion to the Premier League. The club finished eighth in the table last term, falling away towards the end of the campaign and missing out on a place in the playoffs. However, there will be optimism for Cardiff fans if they can harness the form that came following McCarthys arrival from APOEL Nicosia. The Bluebirds are backed in the Championship betting odds at 5/1 to earn promotion to the top flight next term, although a lot will hinge on the performances of Collins in the final third. Collins has played vital roles in promotions in the past. During his career, the forward has been promoted five times, including twice in two years to usher the Hatters into the Championship. Collins notched 19 goals in 42 appearances to fire Luton out of League Two before producing an outstanding campaign in League One, scoring 25 times in only 44 appearances. The 30-year-old was named in the League One Team of the Year due to his exploits. The jump to the Championship has not fazed the Republic of Ireland international. In his two seasons in the second tier, he has found the net 24 times in 88 games. The Hatters have been a mid-table side at best, therefore, opportunities were not overly forthcoming to match his previous levels of production. However, now working with McCarthy and the Bluebirds, Collins could have the opportunity to become a leading marksman in the division. One aspect that will aid Collins is the presence of Kieffer Moore in the final third. Moore was exceptional for the club last term, notching 20 goals in his first season at Cardiff City Stadium. The Wales international will draw attention from opposing teams and will allow Collins to drift under the radar. On the downside, Cardiff needs to work to provide ammunition for their frontline given that Harry Wilson and Sheyi Ojo have both returned to Liverpool at the end of their loan spells. McCarthy may be able to secure a permanent deal for the latter, but Wilson has caught the eye of Premier League teams and might be on the move the top flight. Josh Murphy and Joe Ralls are still in place and there will no doubt be further additions to the squad in the final third. Collins is in a good situation both for himself and Ireland to cultivate his prowess in front of goal. His fledgling international has been pleasing, scoring twice in eight appearances. If he can kick on in the Championship and break into the Premier League, it will be to the benefit of both the Bluebirds and the Ireland national team. Watch out for his performances next term. | https://www.thecork.ie/2021/06/02/can-ireland-international-collins-thrive-at-cardiff/ |
Is home ice really an advantage in the NHL playoffs? | It would be absurd to suggest that nearly filling Nassau Coliseum with 12,000 fans on Thursday night is anything other than a good thing. It is a great thing, actually, for community morale, for business, for television optics, for . . . fun! That is more complicated. Home ice in hockey long has been a mixed blessing, or maybe just a neutral factor. The NBA, this is not. After Tuesdays games, the NHL said 25 of the first 50 playoff games this season had been won by the road team, which marked the sixth time in the past 10 non-bubble years that that figure was at least 50%. Subscribe to Sports Now newsletter By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy. This is the fourth time in the past five non-bubble playoffs that home teams have won 50% or fewer of the first 50 games. Thats hockey, Suzyn. Unlike in the NBA, fans are separated from the action by a wall and glass, and unlike in the NBA, officials calls tend to be less swayed by the emotions of the crowd. Also, any given hockey game is more subject to randomness and luck than in the NBA. Islanders players uniformly have expressed excitement and gratitude for fan support as attendance levels at the Coliseum have risen, from 1,400 to 6,800 to 9,000 to 12,000. The trick, though, is to channel that energy in a positive way and not get TOO amped up by it and lose focus. As a professional party pooper, I tried my too-amped theory on Matt Martin after practice on Wednesday, and he did to that notion what he often does to opponents: He body-slammed it. "I dont think so," he said. "I think its all good. I think we have a veteran group, a pretty mature group. Weve learned to keep our composure pretty well under Barry [Trotz], so I think we really feed off our fan base. "They kind of push us through, give us the energy we need to beat a good team . . . Hopefully, they bring that same type of energy they brought in the first round, which Im sure they will. This is what we play for. We love it. So, bring all the noise." By all means. Again, games are more fun to play in and watch since the fans returned. But remember: The Islanders repeatedly have said they feed off not only fans in their own building, but also the fans in road arenas in Pittsburgh and Boston. "As a hockey player, you go into another teams building and the crowds roaring and theyre going, it gets you amped up as well," Casey Cizikas said before Game 1 in Boston. "So its fun to play in another teams building and kind of feed off that energy as well." Said Kyle Palmieri, "Its awesome to be back in a hostile atmosphere. Thats why we play. Its exciting." If that is so, then logically the Bruins also should be energized by the venom of opposing fans on Long Island. And unlike, say, Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry, it is unlikely veteran Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask will be shaken by hearing Coliseum fans chant his name derisively. It is a positive for the Islanders that they have been excellent at the Coliseum this season, fans or no fans, going 21-4-3. But again, just taking the ice there with 12,000 people screaming their support guarantees nothing. Performance is all that matters. In Game 3 against the Penguins, the Islanders left the ice after the second period to scattered boos. The point is, the game is played on the ice, and if the noise is better for the vibe and the energy level which it is it arguably is better for both sides, especially seasoned teams such as these. When Trotz was asked about having three of the five potential remaining games in the series at home, he said, "I think that both teams are pretty comfortable on the road in the playoffs." Yup. Still, when Trotz recalls the playoff games in the bubble last season and the games in Canada still being played with few or no fans, he feels fortunate that things around here are mostly back to normal. He said the energy after a crucial play without fans in the building "dissipated right away. You score, great, and its like playing old-timers hockey. "You score a goal, everybody taps each other, you line up at center ice and theres no momentum. Its an empty rink at midnight when youre playing old-timers." As he has done regularly, Trotz sought to keep the paying customers on his side. When prompted during a news conference about "mobilizing" the fans, he said this: "Bring it. Were going to need them. We need every one of them, just to get through this, because were playing a very, very good hockey team. We want to do it for the area, we want to do it for the fan base, we want to do it for ourselves as an organization. "So were going to need all their help, positive vibes, all the stuff that they can bring, the craziness that they can bring to the Coliseum. [Im] absolutely mobilizing them." Cant hurt. | https://www.newsday.com/sports/columnists/neil-best/home-ice-nhl-playoffs-islanders-bruins-game-3-1.50265870 |
Is the US-Pakistan misalliance doomed? | No-Win War: The Paradox of US-Pakistan Relations in Afghanistans Shadow By Zahid Hussain, Oxford University Press, Pakistan 2021, 355 pages The United States and Pakistan became the oddest of odd couples on the global stage in the period after the Second World War, caught in a tragic embrace that failed to deliver on their mutual promises. Each countrys leaders heard what the others leaders said but they did not listen. What was said did not match what was meant or left unsaid. Both sides also had trouble remembering or understanding their history, leaving both in a maze of confusion and disappointment. This new book by Pakistans eminent chronicler Zahid Hussain opens with the scene of best buddies George W Bush and Pervez Musharraf standing together in the celebrated Hotel Waldorf Astoria on November 10, 2001. Musharraf, hitherto an ostracised dictator, was basking in the newly found glory of having been readmitted by Bush into the club of Americas friends. Pakistan will hope for a very sustainable and longstanding, futuristic relationship developing between Pakistan and the United States, a relationship which we always have had in the past, proclaimed Musharraf. He was wrong, both in his understanding of the past rollercoaster relationship between these unequal friends and his hope for the future. Hussain captures the many twists and turns of the journey of Bush and Musharraf and their successors, through his detailed reporting and deft explanations of how each sides wishful thinking clouded its judgement about the others ability to meet their common goals: the eradication of terror and militancy from Afghanistan and the region and thus the prevention of another attack on the American mainland by Al Qaeda or any other group from that neighbourhood. America lumped Afghanistan and Pakistan together, but in the wrong order, with the much larger, nuclear-armed Pakistan becoming the coda to Afghanistan in the poorly named Af-Pak theatre. Moreover, as Hussain explains, the United States did not have a clearly defined endgame for Afghanistan nor an exit plan that would allow its allies and partners like Pakistan, who were pressed into service, to make their own decisions with confidence. The war lurched on and on as some 19 field commanders from NATO and America came and went through the revolving doors in Kabul, on average every 13 months. Tactics became strategy. No one knew how the story would end. Hussain clearly had good access to Kayani and builds the story of Kayanis US relationship as it crumbled under the suspicions of the Americans and Kayanis own impatience with the inability of the Americans to seal the eastern border of Afghanistan with Pakistan The result, as detailed in Hussains incisive reporting and interviews with key players, especially in the Pakistani military, was a growing distrust of each other that was masked by false smiles and carefully wrought language that was just enough to keep US aid flowing to Pakistan. Meanwhile, Pakistan returned the favour by doing just enough to indicate that its military was fighting terrorism in Americas war. For those who wish to get a guided tour of the past two decades of this unequal partnership between a super power and its client state, this book offers a clear and well documented journey through the labyrinth of events beginning with the botched effort to capture or kill Osama Bin Laden at Tora Bora, his escape to Pakistan and eventual hideout in Abbottabad. It then explains how Musharraf lost favour after failing to deliver on his promises and the ill-fated Benazir Bhutto was anointed as his potential successor. America, under a new and popular president, Barack Obama, who had promised to end this necessary war and the unnecessary one in Iraq, ratcheted up the drone attacks on Pakistani soil. What the Pakistani people did not know, because they were misled by their government and military, was the fact that the drone campaign was in collaboration with the Pakistani leadership and often the drones were being launched from inside Pakistan. Governments of both President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif participated in this charade. The people of Pakistan remained and continue to remain in the dark. The United States paid lip service to its consultations with the civilian governments while relying heavily on its military partners in Rawalpindi, and especially the Army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. Hussain clearly had good access to Kayani and builds the story of Kayanis US relationship as it crumbled under the suspicions of the Americans and Kayanis own impatience with the inability of the Americans to seal the eastern border of Afghanistan with Pakistan. This allowed Pakistani insurgents to use the Afghan borderlands as sanctuaries, much the way the Afghan Taliban used Pakistani territory to rest and recuperate and to park their families. All with a wink and a nod from the Pakistani military. The raid on Abbottabad to kill Bin Laden effectively sealed the fate of this pretend relationship. It exposed US distrust of Pakistan as well as the gradual build-up of US intelligence activity inside Pakistan, culminating in a series of events in 2011 that broke the alliance. The US-led NATO attack on Pakistani soldiers at the border post of Salala on 26 November 2011 that killed 26 and wounded 12 was the culmination of the aggressive US posture in 2011. The relationship with Pakistan began crumbling rapidly as the US dithered in issuing an unequivocal apology. Pakistan shut down the ground routes into Afghanistan. The US shut off aid flows and the reimbursements under the Coalition Support Funds (CSF). This pattern continued through the tumultuous period of Obamas successor, the irascible and easily irritated Donald J Trump who cut off most aid to Pakistan. Hussains narrative helps us understand the manner in which Pakistan failed to fight the terror networks inside its borders and how America penetrated Pakistans institutions to find complaint and buyable civilians and military officers who opened doors and helped cover up the misdeeds of others. A fuller examination of the Abbottabad Commission and the subsequent trials of senior military officers reportedly for espionage would have added much needed details and enhanced public understanding. Pakistan continues to place a cloak of secrecy on all such matters, leaving it vulnerable to repeating its mistakes in the future. No-Win War is a sad but true story of how America and Pakistan lost their way to finding trust and stability in the region. Hussain does a huge service to his compatriots by succinctly presenting the facts and hidden details of much that happened since 2001 inside Pakistan and with Afghanistan. In a country that relies on the oral tradition to pass information and analysis, Zahid Hussain has made a necessary and important contribution to help us understand Pakistan. It is time others, in the civil and the military, who were involved in decision-making during these past turbulent two decades came out with their versions of what happened and why. That would be a good way for Pakistan to confront its past and prepare for its future. The writer is a Distinguished Fellow at the South Asia Center of the Atlantic Council in Washington DC and was the Centers founding director in 2009. He is author of The Battle for Pakistan: The Bitter US Friendship and a Tough Neighbourhood and Crossed Swords: Pakistan, its Army, and the Wars Within. He tweets @shujanawaz and his website can be found at: www.shujanawaz | https://dailytimes.com.pk/766166/is-the-us-pakistan-misalliance-doomed/ |
Can the US Sustain the International Order? | We dont often think that how the US conducts itself at home has much impact on how we face the world, but it does. Youd be amazed at how closely people in countries all over the globe follow events here and count on the United States to lead the way. When its messy at home, its hard to sustain the strength and readiness to turn our attention outward. Doing so is especially important right now because what weve come to term the international order is under stress. Its not collapsing by any means, but US leadership faces challenges and if were divided and unsettled at home, it will be much more difficult to respond appropriately. Its essentially the set of structures and values that evolved during the 20th century to resolve disputes, promote commerce and free trade, undergird economic development and investment, further contacts and exchanges between nations and their citizens, and protect human rights. Its based on mutually negotiated rules and initiatives that, in a well-functioning world, are promoted by institutions such as the UN, the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, the World Trade Organization, the World Health Organization, and others. | https://elkodaily.com/opinion/editorial/can-the-us-sustain-the-international-order/article_2adb0d85-7ca3-5707-9cf7-5ded0753f769.html |
Who might the Hounds take 18th overall? | Article content Due in large part to the fact the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out much of the 2020-2021 midget hockey season in Ontario, the preferences of Ontario Hockey League teams could vary greatly in this weeks Priority Selections draft. During several interviews with The Sault Star, Soo Greyhounds general manager Kyle Raftis has stressed that point. Over the weekend, Raftis talked of how he believes its a little bit tougher to determine what the draft board (preference) for everyone else is going to look like. In normal years. . . youre all at the same tournaments, the same regular season games, the same playoff games. We apologize, but this video has failed to load. Try refreshing your browser. Back to video However, going into the 2021 draft, which begins with Rounds 1-3 on Friday at 7 p.m., youre catching guys at different showcases, at different times, and theres going to be a bigger range of whos going to be in play in different rounds. Rounds 4-15 are slated for Saturday, beginning at 9 a.m. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Luck wasnt on the Soos side in early May, when the OHL draft lottery was held. The results from the lottery will see the Hounds choose 18th overall on Friday. As is typical, Raftis has said hell select the best player available, regardless of position. In no particular order, here are some of the players who could be available, and could become the Greyhounds first-round choice. As of 5 p.m. on Wednesday, the OHL had yet to make available the heights and weights of eligible draft prospects. Luke Misa, centre, Oakville Rangers Described by most as a player with a high ceiling, Misa has the smarts, skill and speed to fit into the Greyhounds puck-possession style. Luca Pinelli, forward, Toronto Jr. Canadians The younger brother of Kitchener Rangers standout Francesco Pinelli is a smart, creative player with outstanding puck skills. Declan Waddick, centre, Waterloo Wolves Teams who place a premium on puck possession will surely like Waddicks skill and offensive instincts. A speedy skater, he has the ability to both score, and create opportunities for others. Cameron Mercer, centre, Barrie Jr. Colts This is a kid who can shoot the puck. His wrist shot is described by scouts as being very dangerous, the result of accuracy and a quick release. Mercer is also a speedy skater with the ability to create opportunities for teammates. Marco Mignosa, forward, Toronto Nationals He was one of the few players of this draft class to have played minor midget in 2019-2020. Mignosa is considered to be very mature with the ability to burn defenders with his speed and get pucks to the net. Along with good offensive skills, he doesnt mind the rough going in the least. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Cole Brown, centre, York Simcoe Express High hockey IQ, strong wheels and the ability to see the ice are among his attributes. Brown, who might be a reach at this point in the draft, has the ability to be a deceptive player in the offensive zone. Matthew Soto, winger, Oakville Rangers Would seem to be a good fit for the Greyhounds. Along with his speed, agility and poise when controlling the puck, Soto would bring a tenacious, physical, highly-competitive approach up front. Owen Outwater, winger, Oakville Rangers A very-intelligent player who can skate and is strong positionally, Outwater has experience skating with top linemates. A player with good hands, hes considered a top-flight finisher in front of the net. However, he might not be available at No. 18 overall. Angus MacDonell, centre, Toronto Marlboros Considered a top skater with high-end puck skills, MacDonell has the talent and willingness to play hard in all three zones. A born leader, he has the ability to accelerate quickly and is impressive in transition. Beau Akey, defenceman, Waterloo Wolves Like MacDonell, Akey has natural leadership skills. Hes described by scouts as a two-way rearguard with superb speed. Akey apparently has the talent and instincts needed to contribute offensively at the OHL level. Mathieu Paris, forward, U18 Navan Grads A very creative player who is quick, talented and knows how to bury pucks. Paris also isnt afraid to go the net hard and battle for position there. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Grayson Tiller, defenceman, Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs Described by scouts as a two-day rearguard, Tiller combines a physical approach, with the ability to distribute the puck effectively. Aram Minnetian, defenceman, Mid Fairfield Rangers (Stamford, Conn.) Considered by some to be the best American-born prospect in this draft, Minnetian is athletic, with high-end talent and the ability to make major offensive contributions. Hes impressive when it comes to jumping into the offensive play something the Hounds thrive on. Also, the Greyhounds have no problem selling their program and have never shied away from drafting top U.S. talent. Carey Terrance, centre, Kemptville 73s Called by some the fastest skater in this years draft class, Terrances speed opens up numerous opportunities for everyone he plays with. Hes also considered a big-time scorer with a quick, accurate shot and a player who excels putting back pressure on opponents whore rushing the puck. Anthony Romani, forward, Toronto Jr. Canadiens Considered by some to be a tremendous skater, Romani is also described as a two-way forward willing to pay the price in front of the opposition goal. Hes also adept at passing the puck. Share this article in your social network Latest National Stories Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. News Near Sault Ste. Marie | https://www.saultstar.com/sports/who-might-the-hounds-take-18th-overall |
Are we allowed to travel to Scotland from England? | When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Sign up fornow and never miss the top Royal stories again. Scotland and England are part of the Common Travel Area (CTA), which also includes Wales, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. Although travel between regions in the CTA is normally permitted, travel has been disrupted in recent months due to the coronavirus pandemic. Under England's travel advice, people can travel from England to Scotland under the current rules. The Government website explains: "You do not need to take a COVID-19 test or quarantine on arrival in England if you are travelling within the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, (the Common Travel Area), and you have not been outside of the Common Travel Area in the previous 10 days." However, the Scottish government has issued some restrictions on travel between parts of England and Scotland for the time being. Boris urged to do more | https://www.express.co.uk/travel/articles/1444674/are-we-allowed-to-travel-to-scotland-from-england-travel-rules-evg |
How active is the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season expected to be? | EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) The official start to the 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season started June 1. Before we jump into the numbers and predictions, lets take a look at how things currently stand. Overall, its a quiet start to the hurricane season in the Atlantic basin. However, weve already had our first named storm of the season. Sub-tropical Storm Ana formed over the western Atlantic back on May 22. The term sub-tropical means the storm only had some tropical characteristics and did not represent a complete tropical system in order to be deemed as a tropical depression or storm. Tropical systems are typically formed over warm water and feature what is known as a warm-core, meaning the air aloft in the atmosphere (within the storms circulation) is made up of warmer air along with a more closed circulation. A sub-tropical storm features a cold-core, which is typically cooler than what is found in tropical regions. The storms circulation is generally more broad as well. As we look ahead for this upcoming season, below you can find the list of names that are being used this year. Bill will be the next name used, when a storm does form. Earlier this year, the announcement was made that the Greek alphabet is retired from naming tropical systems. Even with the quiet start to the season (which is not uncommon), most forecasters and predictions call for another active season. Perhaps, not as quite as active as 2020, but still above average. In 2020, the U.S. featured a record-breaking number of billion-dollar natural disasters. Most of which was a result from the very active hurricane season. A total of 22 billion-dollar natural disasters struck the U.S. Of those 22, seven were tropical systems. Just like the 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season, this years season is looking quite active. Lets take a look into the numbers that are being forecasted, as well as how they compare to an average season. The general consensus is for a slightly above average season with anywhere from 13 to 20 total named storms. On an average year, a total of 14 storms would form with seven becoming hurricanes and three of which would be major hurricanes (category three or higher). Most forecasts for this season predict a median of 17 total named storms, eight hurricanes and four major hurricanes. Predictions are hard in any realm whether its your favorite sport game or a long range forecast. That reason is why most of these sources put out ranges rather than hard numbers. There are several factors that can either enhance or limit a hurricane season and if all the ingredients line up (similarly to 2020), then another very active season could be on the horizon. These are just a few factors that forecasters look for and track as the summer goes on. One of the biggest factors are ocean temperatures. Any tropical system needs the warm ocean waters in order to strengthen. Without that first ingredient, most storms dont have a chance. Storms also need low wind sheer aloft, which means low wind speeds and not multi-directional winds. Connect with 12 News Meteorologist Steven Matregrano on social media: Facebook Steven Matregrano WPRI Twitter smatregranoWPRI Instagram smatregrano | https://www.wpri.com/weather/weather-blog/now-that-the-2021-atlantic-hurricane-season-is-underway-how-active-of-a-season-is-expected/ |
Did the church in Acts really practice Communism? | Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment It is imperative in this time of economic crisis that the Church establish a firm understanding of the basic principles of Biblical economics. In order to do this, we must deal with one of the most misunderstood and misused passages in Scripture: the account about the early churchs sharing practices described in Acts Chapter 4. Regarding the group that was gathered around the disciples in Jerusalem we're told: "32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. 33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. 34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, 35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need." Acts 4:32-35 KJV Let's not skim over the details, but read closely. First, let's look at the grammar of the words used for selling and giving. They are both in present tense, which points towards an ongoing action. If the disciples sold it all at once and put it in a common purse, the grammar would quite likely have been different. (For Greek grammar folks, that would refer to the aorist tense.) English doesn't have quite the same tenses, so its important to point this out. This means that what we are mostly likely being told is that as needs arose, some property was sold and the money was given to the disciples to distribute. This is a very important distinction when we look in historical contexts. There were genuinely communistic private communities in the ancient world, and they operated by requiring the liquidation of all property at a point in time, often as a prerequisite to joining the community. In fact, the Essenes, the group which likely was the community found at Qumran and which gave us the Dead Sea Scrolls, had just such a rule. You sold your property and put it in some sort of escrow during your transition period, then before becoming a full member you gave it all to the community. This was a required prerequisite to membership. And there were consequences if it was found out that some property was held back; for example, lower bread rations. The Christian movement, by contrast, did not require the pooling of money as a condition for membership. thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God." Acts 5:4 KJV So, the sin was not in keeping wealth, but in lying to the Holy Spiritmaking a vow and breaking it. "Better not to vow than to vow and not pay," said The Preacher. So, putting things into Biblical, linguistic, and historical context, we can see things more clearly. The early church did not practice communism; i.e., the selling of all goods which were then put into central control. Instead, they practiced sharing as needs arose. We know this not only because of the niceties of Greek grammar, but also because of the context in the Bible. Several times after Acts 4 the Bible mentions people's houses: in fact, in Acts 5:32 at the end of this account about sharing of wealth, we're told that the followers were rejoicing and worshipping not just in the Temple but in "every house." In Acts 8, Saul is seen dragging people out of "every house," and in Acts 10 we see a reference to Simon Peter's house. The Pauline epistles have numerous mentions of various followers houses. Private property was not abolished. Many people still owned houses and did so without a hint of criticism. The deep level of sharing which we do see in Acts 4 was not required as a prerequisite to members, as Peter told Ananias, and this fact stands out as likely being exceptional given that the most prominent alternate Messianic protest movement against the Temple elite did require members to practice full communal property under penalty of hunger. In other words, it would not be surprising to see Jesuss followers engaging in extremely generous sharing, but it may well have been surprising to see them not forcing that practice on all of their members. Commentaries seems too often to focus on the communism-or-not controversy over this part of the Bible. I read several Reformation era commentaries on this section and that was a strong area of emphasis. That's understandable: at the time of the Reformation, revolutionary communistic movements were arising, many of them violent, and they were using Acts 4 as a proof-text. Rebutting that twisting of Scripture was an urgent matter. Unfortunately, it is becoming an urgent matter again as many Christians, not well grounded in Scripture, are wrongly using Acts 4 as a bludgeon against private property and for forcible redistribution of property by the state. In fact, I see this heretical view expressed in comments sections (including this one) with regularity. This is not just wrong, but an inverse of the truth. There is no compassion without liberty. And the story of Ananias and Sapphira stands as a warning not to those who fail to share it all, but perhaps as a warning to those who pose as being more generous than they are, which seems to me is a great danger for those who engage in political advocacy in favor of forced redistribution of someone elses wealth, while not voluntarily sharing their own property in proportion to their public posture of compassion and generosity. | https://www.christianpost.com/news/did-the-church-in-acts-really-practice-communism.html |
How Did We Honestly Miss That Jerry Seinfeld Hates Utica Halfmoons? | The classic Seinfeld episode "The Dinner Party" aired in 1994, and helped launch Utica Halfmoons on the map nation wide. I'm not talking black and white cookies, the classic episode featured a big puffy halfmoon. Even though Jerry refers to it as a black and white cookie, we all know the truth- These are Utica style halfmoons. Just look at it. Black and Whites are small cookie garbage. Halfmoons are massive. Either way, let's roll the tape: From the episode clip, it looks like Jerry enjoyed. Jerry eats a black and white cookie, on which he bases theories on race relations." Very true, the cookie appears throughout the entire episode. Back in 2017, apparently we all were asleep at the wheel in Central New York. In an episode of "Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee," Jerry drove and chatted with Lewis Black in a black Cadillac. It was this episode that the ugly truth came out, Jerry wasn't a fan of the halfmoon. When they go to a bakery and Black says he does not like the black-and-white cookie, Seinfeld is taken aback. He is well aware of his association with that cookie, acting almost insulted that Black did not immediately pick up on the Seinfeld reference. Granted, that scenes bigger shock is that Seinfeld doesnt even like black-and-white cookies!" Seinfeld helped to popularize the "black and white" cookie in the 90s. In reality, Seinfeld confesses that he hates the cookie which Lewis Black wholeheartedly agrees with. Apparently these boys need to take the trip to Utica and eat the real deal. 10 Summertime Restaurants In The Utica and Rome Area That Deserve Way More Credit The warmer weather is on the way for the Utica and Rome area of Central New York. That means enjoying amazing summertime foods and drinks. Here are 10 summertime restaurants in Central New York that deserve way more credit: | https://wour.com/jerry-seinfeld-hates-utica-halfmoons/ |
What Upstate New York Town Most Resembles The Fictional One The New Dexter Takes Place In? | If you're a fan of the show "Dexter", you're excited that it is back for one more season on Showtime. This time the show takes a trip to Upstate New York. According to Screen Crush, a new teaser clip reveals the serial killers charming side as he embraces his new identity. In the teaser, we hear a cheery, whistled tune that feels right at home in the quaint upstate New York town we see on screen. Michael C. Hall strolls down a charming street, greeting everyone he passes. One man calls him Jimmy, another refers to him as Jimbo, and a group of what appears to be high school or college students use the name Mr. Lindsay. As confirmed in an eight-second clip released yesterday, Dexters new alias is Jim Lindsay. And he seems to be liked by everyone in town." If you're a fan of the show "Dexter", you're excited that it is back for one more season on Showtime. This time the show takes a trip to Upstate New York. We share our thoughts: 10 Breweries in Central New York You Need To Visit At Least Once Have a little brouhaha with a locally made brew! Central New York is pretty blessed to have some amazing breweries in our back yard. Here's ten different options you need to visit at least once. | https://wour.com/what-upstate-new-york-town-most-resembles-the-fictional-one-the-new-dexter-takes-place-in/ |
Did Jayson Tatum just endorse Evan Turner for the Celtics' coaching job? | Tatum responded to Turner's joking tweet dispelling 'rumors' about the Celtics coaching job by saying he "was hoping they would be true." Evan Turner, a former Celtics guard, currently serves as an assistant coach for the team. Maddie Meyer/Getty Images As expected, all the big names are circulating now that the Celtics have a head coaching vacancy after Wednesdays front-office shakeup. Brad Stevens will now search for his own replacement after becoming Bostons new president of basketball operations with Danny Ainge stepping aside. The pool from which hell draw could include the likes of Chauncey Billups, Jason Kidd, and Lloyd Pierce, just to name a few. Current Celtics assistant coach Jerome Powell could also find himself interviewing for the job, according to ESPNs Marc Spears. But it was another Celtics assistant that made waves on social media Wednesday concerning the job both because what he said and the response it got from Bostons biggest star. It started out as a joke from Evan Turner, a former Celtics guard who joined the teams bench as an assistant coach this year. Turner took to Twitter to facetiously put some rumors about his coaching status with the Celtics to rest. The rumors and speculations about me being the next head coach of the Boston Celtics are absolutely false! Evan Turner (@thekidet) June 2, 2021 Hey, Turner has one more year of NBA coaching experience than Stevens did when he got the job. And we just saw Steve Nash who, to be fair, was a much more accomplished player than Turner get a coaching job with no prior experience. Maybe its a bit of both. Turner certainly knows Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and the rest of the Celtics players very well and has 10 years of his own NBA experience to draw on. | https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-celtics/2021/06/02/celtics-coach-brad-stevens-evan-turner-jayson-tatum/ |
What Did Fauci Tell Trump About Wuhan? | Highly skilled in the ways of Washington, Dr. Anthony Fauci persuaded a reluctant President Donald Trump to endorse shutting down much of the U.S. economy in the spring of 2020. After Mr. Trump turned against the idea, many governors continued to mandate shutdowns, supported by bleak pronouncements from Dr. Fauci and his adoring media fan base. The broad lockdown was a national disaster, yielding questionable public-health benefits and a mountain of new federal debt that Americas children will spend many years trying to finance. Publicly, Dr. Fauci played down this possibility in 2020. But a trove of his emails obtained by two media outlets suggests that early in the pandemic, he had reason to take this potential scenario very seriously. In our bizarre media age, since the two outlets are generally pro-Fauci and anti-Trump, its not easy to find the news theyve uncovered, even in their own reports. Instead, Dr. Fauci is cast as a tireless and dedicated public servant whodont laughis uncomfortable in the media spotlight. Anthony Faucis Emails Reveal The Pressure That Fell On One Man, says a headline in Buzzfeed. Thousands of pages of communications obtained by BuzzFeed News show how Fauci tried to keep Americans calm and develop an effective strategy despite conflicts with the Trump administration, says the subhead. Over at the Washington Post, Paige Winfield Cunningham describes the work of her colleagues: | https://www.wsj.com/articles/what-did-fauci-tell-trump-about-wuhan-11622668545 |
Did Monaco Expose Mercedes Weaknesses? | The 2021 Monaco Grand Prix will be remembered for two things. The first thing it will be remembered for and the most important in the long term is that it was a very bad race. The supposed motorsport competition turned out to be a procession from start to finish. If the FIA chooses tracks for the season based on their potential to provide exciting races, this will be the last time we ever see Monaco on the F1 race calendar. We all know that the sport will be back here in 2022, but we cant say many racing fans will be looking forward to it after this dire drudge of a race. Long-term concerns about the viability of the street track aside, the other thing the race is likely to be remembered for is exposing the weaknesses that the Mercedes F1 team has been fighting so hard to mask since the season began. Just how important this proves to be will depend on what happens between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen (and Mercedes and Red Bull by association) between now and the end of the season. It will either be an inconsequential blot on Hamiltons copybook or the beginning of the changing of the guard from the Englishman to the Dutchman as the sports top driver. Neutral fans who watch the sport for enjoyment more than they watch any particular driver will hope for the latter. Hamilton is great probably the greatest of all time but he wins so often that Formula 1 has become predictable with him and the top. The dominance of the Brit and his team takes some of the drama out of watching races. Formula 1 and the Monaco Grand Prix in particular, is supposed to be every bit as predictable as the F1 Racing casino game thats based on it. If you know how such things work, youll also know that the best slot games at online casinos in the UK have multiple potential winning lines, offering you the chance to win at least something with every spin some of the most popular casinos are reviewed by the experts at sistersite.co.uk. Thats how to make casino games of that kind entertaining. If someone came up with a game that had only one winning line, nobody would go near it. All too often in recent years, Hamilton has felt like the only possible winning line. The more competitive Verstappen becomes, the more we get the anything could happen feeling when were watching. At this early stage, its hard to say how much of Mercedes failure in Monaco was down to Hamilton and how much was down to his team. Its true that Hamilton had a surprisingly difficult qualifying session and can probably only blame himself for the fact that he started in seventh place. He was comfortably out-qualified by his teammate something that very rarely happens to the world champion and had no chance of winning from the moment the race started. The fact that he couldnt improve on that position was very much down to his pit lane team. They made the decision to put Hamilton first before any other racer on the track in the hope that hed be able to undercut at least one or two of the drivers in front of him. Because he went first, the other teams were able to react. Hamilton ultimately lost track position to Pierre Gasly, Sebastian Vettel, and Sergio Perez. He was furious with the bad strategy call, and he had every right to be. Hed been conserving his tyres for a longer run, so he was surprised to be called in and angry when the call turned out to be the wrong one. He gave himself a bad start, but the teams strategy ruined his race. Hamiltons teammate Valtteri Bottas had even worse luck. Based on the way he was driving, he was never likely to catch Verstappen its becoming increasingly apparent that the Finnish driver isnt capable of that but hed have been guaranteed a podium position had one of his front wheels not inexplicably have got stuck during a pit stop. No matter which tool they used or how long they pulled on it for, they couldnt get the wheel off. Bottas race ended in a shambles, and the offending wheel was still stuck to the car when Mercedes packed up their equipment and left Monaco. Everyone at Mercedes was embarrassed. Every other competitive team along the pit wall was delighted. There have been signs that the Mercedes pit lane team isnt everything it ought to be in the past. The most egregious of them is when they somehow managed to fit the wrong tyres to the wrong car during George Russells stand-in appearance for Hamilton at the Sakhir Grand Prix. Russell should have won that race. Instead, he came in 9th. Bottas, who also ended up with the wrong tyres because of the same incident, finished one place ahead of him in 8th. The incident was a disaster for Mercedes but treated race fans to the memorable sight of Sergio Perez finally taking the chequered flag and winning a Grand Prix, with Esteban Ocon and Lance Stroll joining him on the podium after Max Verstappen failed to finish. At the time, it was seen as a one-off. There have been other mistakes since, but the greatness of Hamilton usually camouflages them. This time, even he couldnt get Mercedes out of the hole they dug for themselves. Red Bulls pit lane team is every bit as good as their Mercedes counterparts seem to be bad. More often than not, Red Bull can complete a pit stop in a fraction over two seconds. Theyre frighteningly efficient, and they use it to their advantage. Going forward, we might see the team use pit stops aggressively against Mercedes. If they pit first, Mercedes has to respond quickly. If they pit unexpectedly, Mercedes has to come up with an answer on the fly. That will put an already-struggling pit land team under pressure and might create more mistakes. The Mercedes car is probably still superior on the track, but if mechanics let it down, that advantage could disappear. We look to be heading into a very exciting part of the season one in which the destiny of both the drivers and constructors championships could shift decisively one way. What happens with pit stops might turn out to be every bit as exciting as what happens on the track. VN:F [1.9.22_1171] | https://www.motorward.com/2021/06/did-monaco-expose-mercedes-weaknesses/ |
Is dit de lekkerste Audi S8 van Nederland? | Ingetogen is anders, maar deze blauwe Audi S8 Plus is wl heel gaaf. De nieuwste generatie A8 heeft een gigantische muil en is daarmee niet meer heel ingetogen. De vorige generatie A8 had ook geen kleine grille, maar die was toch nog een stuk zakelijker. Een auto waarmee je keurig voor de dag kunt komen bij klanten. Nu is het begrijpelijk dat je als zakelijke rijder voor een grijze sedan gaat, maar saai is het wel. Daarom is het ook wel eens leuk om een Audi A8 te zien die totaal niet ingetogen is. Zon exemplaar hebben we nu gevonden op Marktplaats. Het betreft niet zomaar een A8, maar het absolute topmodel: de S8 Plus. Dit was de eerste en tot op heden enige A8 met meer dan 600 pk. 605 pk om precies te zijn. Het koppel bedraag 750 Nm, genoeg om dit slagschip in 3,8 seconden naar de 100 km/u te lanceren. De topsnelheid is voor de gelegenheid niet begrenst, maar ligt op 305 km/u. De Audi S8 Plus is dus een serieus snelle jongen en dat laat hij zien ook. Met speciale 21 inch velgen, zwarte accenten en een spoilerlipje onderscheidt de Plus zich van de mindere S8. Het meest opvallende aspect aan dit exemplaar is echter de kleur. De eerste eigenaar heeft deze Audi S8 Plus namelijk via het Exclusive-programma uit laten voeren in een unieke kleur: Santorini blauw. Het lijkt erop alsof de S8 hiermee spontaan wat kilos kwijt is geraakt. Een bruin interieur zou deze auto helemaal afgemaakt hebben, maar je kunt natuurlijk niet alles hebben. Het interieur is uiteraard alsnog een zeer fijne plaats om te vertoeven. Deze bijzondere blauwe Audi S8 Plus wordt momenteel aangeboden op Marktplaats met een kleine 70.000 km op de teller. De verkoper wil er op de kop af 75.950 voor hebben. | https://www.autoblog.nl/nieuws/is-dit-de-lekkerste-audi-s8-van-nederland-897685 |
What bottle should be buried under Virginia's new ABC headquarters? | That's the question the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage (ABC) asked as it prepared to open its new Hanover County headquarters. "To celebrate this momentous occasion, [ABC] is filling a time capsule to be buried at the new location and is seeking Virginians help deciding which of Virginias finest distilled spirits should be included in the capsule," an ABC spokesperson wrote about the buried bottle. You can let your voice be heard here. We love all Virginia-made spirits, Travis Hill, Virginia ABCs chief executive officer, said. We think they all deserve to be included, but the time capsule will only hold one bottle and we need Virginians help picking which one that will be. Voting is open through June 13, 2021. | https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/virginia-abc-time-capsule |
How could a federal infrastructure plan affect Florida? | Democrats in Washington want to spend over $2 trillion on what is known as the American Jobs Plan. Republicans agree on the idea of an infrastructure plan but have a very different idea of what that plan should entail and how much it should cost. Meanwhile, local stakeholders are just hoping for a deal of any kind. During a Florida-specific conference to discuss innovation in transportation, infrastructure, and resiliency hosted by lobbying firm The Southern Group, Michael Berson, a Washington-based lobbyist from Adams and Reese who has clients focused on the federal infrastructure plan, said that while the detailed text for the infrastructure plan has not been released, President Joe Bidens recent skinny budget proposal, an initial budget request that is traditionally light on details, should shed clues about infrastructure items that could affect Florida. For example, Berson said, the budget includes items to address climate change, such as home retrofits, weatherization, pre-disaster planning and electric vehicle infrastructure, something the Secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation, Kevin Thibault, said is a priority for the Sunshine State. Speaking at the same conference earlier in the day, Thibault said the switch from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles will dramatically impact Florida. He said FDOT is working on adding more electric vehicle charging stations to Floridas highways, but, Thibault said, declining revenues from gas taxes will eventually have to be offset. If you think about whats going to happen to our revenues, if we continue in the same path without making any changes by 2040, we can expect a reduction in gas tax revenue anywhere from 8.4% under the conservative scenario to as high as 30% under the aggressive model, Thibault said. All this, by the way, occurs while Florida continues to grow, which is increasing our demands on our transportation infrastructure. Jeff Brooks, a Washington-based lobbyist representing transportation clients for Adams and Reese, also spoke at the Southern Strategy Groups conference. Brooks advised that while no deal is set in stone, any lobbyists in Florida with clients that want a priority funded through the plan should get with their congressperson now. I dont know if theyre going to have earmarks or theyre going to have projects, Brooks continued, I think you push your members of Congress; if theyre going to be doing it, and your Senators, to include that in any final transportation bill because thats where Florida really can get an advantage. But Brooks also cautioned a final infrastructure bill remains a big if, because Republicans and Democrats differ on how to define infrastructure. Brooks said Republicans only want to fund hard infrastructure projects, but Democrats are willing to open up funding to include human infrastructure, such as creating jobs and addressing racial injustice. Youve got to define what infrastructure is in order to determine what you want to fund, Brooks said. Republicans think of it as roads, bridges, the tangible piece. President Biden and his administration want infrastructure to be all the other thing that go into it. Berson said he sees infrastructure talks at the federal level, which he estimated were at least a month behind schedule, going three possible ways. Democrats could, without input from Republicans, roll expenditures for an infrastructure package into the fiscal year 2022 budget. A second option would be Republicans and Democrats could reach a compromise on a hard infrastructure package worth $1 trillion. Then Democrats could put forth another larger infrastructure package that includes the human infrastructure items Republicans didnt like. And a third option would be a $1 trillion hard infrastructure package is passed with no human infrastructure push by Democrats. And, Berson said, public perception is likely to come into play. I think that there is a belief, from a polling standpoint, that the public will reward Biden for reaching a bipartisan agreement on infrastructure, Berson said, and I think the Democratic Party as a whole also views a bipartisan agreement as being politically beneficial. | https://floridapolitics.com/archives/433321-how-could-a-federal-infrastructure-plan-affect-florida/ |
Who is Nubya Garcia? | Nubya Garcia is a British saxophonist, composer, DJ and bandleader making waves in the young London jazz scene. This year, she is making her BBC Proms debut at the Royal Albert Hall. Her music draws on influences from Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean and is eclectic and has been remixed by several other DJs. Advertisement Garcias debut album, SOURCE, was released in 2020 to widespread critical acclaim. She also hosts a monthly radio show on NTS in which she showcases her varied tastes in music, with choices spanning soul, contemporary jazz, reggae and dub. In her NPR Tiny Desk live performance, she performs alongside one of her regular collaborators, keyboard player Joe Armon-Jones. Actor and rapper Riz Ahmed chose Garcia for his entry in British Vogues list of twelve young creatives to look out for. Nubya Garcia was born in Camden Town in London and began learning the saxophone aged 10, later joining the junior jazz programme at the Royal Academy of Music (one of the best music colleges and conservatoires in the world). She went on to study at the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, specialising in Jazz Performance. Her debut EP Nubyas 5ive was released in 2017, with a second released the year after in which she began experimenting with electronics and jazz. Garcia has collaborated with other artists in the thriving young London jazz scene, including the Ezra Collective, Blue Lab Beats, Sons of Kemet and Moses Boyd. Nubya Garcia is appearing at the BBC Proms on Wednesday 18 August at 7.30pm. Her concert will take place at the Royal Albert Hall and will be broadcast as part of this years BBC Proms coverage on BBC TV and iPlayer. Find out more about all the Proms which will be available on BBC TV this year. Advertisement Read the full schedule for this years BBC Proms season here. | https://www.classical-music.com/features/artists/who-is-nubya-garcia/ |
Why COVID-19 Testing Is Done? | Brian Wenngatz, general manager at Core Security, a HelpSystems company, discusses the advancement of penetration testing during Covid-19 Covid-19 threw the spotlight on cyber security like never before. The unprecedented global shift to remote working and subsequent surge in cyber crime drove a priority focus amongst business leaders to ensure a robust cyber security posture across every part of their newly extended network. Many organisations had to make this transition rapidly, which increased the likelihood of misconfigurations and other errors, while the drastically increased attack surface presented fresh cyber security challenges around remote network connections, VPN connections, phishing, and many other types of network attacks. | https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2263828355198/why-covid-19-testing-is-done |
Did the Senate Parliamentarian Just Foil Chuck Schumers Plan to Beat the Filibuster? | A couple of months ago, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumers office announced that it had figured out a way to move more of President Joe Bidens agenda around the 60-vote threshold needed to break a Senate filibuster. Under the budget reconciliation processwhich Democrats used to pass their $1.9 trillion COVID relief plan in Januarybudget-related legislation that meets certain conditions isnt subject to a filibuster, and thus can pass with 50 votes. The first step of the process is to pass an annual budget resolution that includes reconciliation instructions. The conventional wisdom, then, held that senators were limited to one reconciliation bill per fiscal year. Advertisement What Schumer envisioned, though, was Congress unlocking additional reconciliation bills by passing budget revisions. That could, theoretically, give the majority as many reconciliation bills as it wanted, so long as it was willing to rerun the tedious budget process. Advertisement Advertisement Subscribe to the Slatest Newsletter A daily email update of the stories you need to read right now. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again. Please enable javascript to use form. Email address: Send me updates about Slate special offers. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms Sign Up Thanks for signing up! You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time. In April, Schumers office said that it had gotten the green light from the Senate parliamentarian, Elizabeth MacDonough, who had advised that a revised budget resolution may contain budget reconciliation instructions. Where Democrats had thought they might only have one more crack at using reconciliation to pass Bidens jobs and/or families plans this year and early next year, they now had more options. Few outside of Schumers office had seen exactly what the parliamentarians memo said, however. Republicans, as well as some Democrats, were skeptical that Schumer had truly presented the parliamentarians beliefs in all of its nuances. Even Schumers own statement acknowledged the existence of follow-up questions, writing that some parameters still need to be worked out. Advertisement Indeed they did. And on May 28, MacDonough issued a follow-up that touched on some of those parameters. According to Punchbowl News, which first reported on the latest guidance, it was more of a mixed bag. While Democrats could use budget revisions to unlock additional reconciliation bills per fiscal year, Punchbowl wrote, there are limits to what Democrats can do. The majority partyin this case, the Democratscannot use reconciliation simply to avoid the regular legislative process, and there have to be reasons beyond political expediency for triggering the majority threshold, such as an economic downturn, Punchbowl wrote. Advertisement The parliamentarians guidance, of which Slate obtained a copy, does not lay down hard rules about how reconciliation cant be used to avoid the regular legislative processthat ship sailed a long time ago. Theres no rule spelled out that economic conditions need to change by a certain amount to unlock another reconciliation bill. Instead of such a rule, theres only MacDonoughs opinion that doing thisrevising budgets just to unlock reconciliation bills that the majority would use to bypass the pitfalls of regular orderwould be an abuse of the provisions original purpose. In a lengthy opening section, MacDonough goes through the record of the original intent of the budget revision process. According to the chairman of the Budget Committee in 1977, revisions were to be used to meet changed conditions arising after Congress passed the original budget resolution, and, as the ranking member said, to permit adjustment when economic or emergency conditions warrant. Advertisement The drafters and early users of [budget revisions] uniformly believed that it was to be used in extraordinary circumstances and not for things that should have been or could have been foreseen and handled in a [budget] resolution, MacDonough writes. The potential for abuse was clear in 1974 and is all the more obvious now. Advertisement Abuse of [budget revisions]overuse and over-reliance on a hyper-fast track procedure in the ordinarily deliberative Senatewill change the culture of the institution to the detriment of the committee and amendment processes and the rights of all Senators, she continues. Limits on the breadth and frequency of deployment of [budget revisions], however, will depend on adherence to the original purpose of the section and the good judgment and restraint of all involved. Advertisement Clearly, she would frown upon Chuck Schumer using a dusty revision clause to give himself as many filibuster-free legislative vehicles as he wants. When I sought guidance about the parliamentarians guidance (the life of a Senate reporter), opinions fell into a gray area. I think the parliamentarian was just trying to give herself wiggle room to be able to say that a future use of the process was not appropriate, one Senate aide said of the parliamentarians memo. In such cases, it comes down to the parliamentarians gut. Molly Reynolds, a senior fellow in governance studies at the Brookings Institution, cautioned that she couldnt read anyones mind here. But she said MacDonoughs sentence about the limits reads to me like her saying, You can go ahead and try revisions to the budget resolution with reconciliation instructions, but know that this is how I read the original purpose of the section and we might end up arguing out whether a given revision qualifies as a privileged matter every time you try. Advertisement Advertisement But thats just my reading, Reynolds added. One important element of MacDonoughs guidance that was pretty definitive, though, was about the committee process. A revision couldnt be auto-discharged out of committee and to the Senate floor, as a budget resolution could. In other words, it would have to pass out of committee. Current Senate rules in the 50-50 Congress, where committee seats are allocated equally, do provide a mechanism to get bills to the floor when theres a tie vote in committee: The entire Senate holds a vote, for which a simple majority is needed, to discharge them from committee. But Senate Republicans could boycott a committee vote on a budget revision to deny Democrats a quorum. And if its a high-stakes, partisan Democratic bill on the line, they just might. Advertisement As fun as it is to stare further down this rabbit hole, we should come up for air. The parliamentarians trap-laden advisory, Reynolds argues, might mean that the dream of additional filibuster-free reconciliation bills, while theoretically doable, might not get off the ground. Democrats may just stick with the once-per-fiscal-year arrangement that we all know and love. Advertisement Advertisement I think this guidance creates enough uncertainty around the parameters of revisions, Reynolds said, that it will bolster the case of folks in the Democratic caucus who want one bill. Importantly, it is entirely possible that that was going to end up being the strategy anyway. But I think this guidance makes it more likely. Wed give another reason at that. Its been a slog for Democrats to get centrists in their caucus, like West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, to agree to jump onto a second reconciliation process, let alone a third or fourth. This is a big reason the White House and Senate leadership are going through a multimonth song and dance with Republicans about seeing if theres a way to do infrastructure on a bipartisan basis. By the time the next reconciliation bill is doneif it isit will be nearer to the election, and those vulnerable and centrist Democrats will be even more petrified of trying for a third megabill that gives them partisan exposure. Considering infinite reconciliation bills is a fun intellectual exercise, but its one that exhausts a bare-bones, 50-seat majority. | https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2021/06/chuck-schumer-filibuster-senate-parliamentarian-nope.html?via=rss |
Did Blues Clues Pride Parade Feature a Beaver with Top Scars? | An animated Pride parade from the Nick Jr. show "Blue's Clues and You!" featured a beaver with scars from top surgery. At the start of Pride Month in June 2021, Nickelodeon shared a video on its official YouTube page for the show Blues Clues and You! that featured an animated Pride Parade led by American drag queen and activist Nina West: One particular moment in this Blues Clues pride parade drew special attention from members of the transgender community who saw the inclusion of a beaver with top scars (the scars from a surgical procedure known as top surgery or Masculinizing Chest Reconstruction in which transgender men remove breast tissue) as heartwarming. This is a genuine screenshot from the Blues Clues pride parade and a spokesperson for Nick confirmed to us that these markings are indeed scars from top surgery. This beaver appears during a portion of the video that features a family with transgender members. In addition to carrying the standard pride flag, members of this family wear bracelets and skirts and hold balloons with the colors of the transgender flag (light blue, pink, and white). The parade is set to the classic tune of The Ants Go Marching. Instead of counting marching ants, however, West sings about a parade of animals representing the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. When the beavers come on screen at number four, West sings: Families marching four by four hurrah! Hurrah! Families marching four by four hurrah! Hurrah! Trans members of this family they love each other so proudly and they all go marching in the big parade. Lindz Amer, a creator and activist specializing in queer all-ages digital media, consulted with Nickelodeon during the creation of this parade video. Amer told Yahoo News that one of her goals was to bring specificity to the video by including language that referred to specific groups of people. Amer said: Queer folks are not a monolith and I cant possibly make every single queer person happy, especially considering the profound lack of LGBTQ [representation], especially in preschool content. All we can do is try our best and I think we did a pretty good job! The team was an absolute dream to work with and its for sure the queerest thing Ive ever seen happen in the preschool space. My main goals were twofold: to try my best to bring specificity to the video, thats where the songs vocabulary came in using words like queer, trans, non-binary, ace, pan and bi. And second, to expand the definition of family as it applies to the queer community, so acknowledging chosen family was a big part of that. I hope families and queer folks see themselves in the video Everything I do is in an effort to spread queer joy and this video fits perfectly in that mission. The video received plenty of support, but some conservative commentators have claimed that this video is forcing gender confusion on children. West responded to the criticism, telling Entertainment Weekly that LGBTQIA+ families deserve a safe space to raise their children and celebrate their individuality and grow without fear. | https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/blues-clues-pride-beaver-top-scars/ |
Is MasterChef Scripted or Real? Is MasterChef Legit or Fake? | While most amateur chefs love recreating recipes from cooking shows, some make a bold decision to be a part of MasterChef. The cooking series brings together people with no professional experience to compete against each other for the MasterChef trophy and a cash prize of $250,000. It is evident that the contestants work under a lot of pressure, which is why most of us have our jaws on the floor when we see the finished dishes looking like they could be on the covers of food magazines. Moreover, everyone responds to stress in different ways, which makes interesting content for television. Lets take a look! Like many reality shows, MasterChef is no exception to the storm of controversies over the years that raised questions regarding its authenticity. Jessie Glenn, who went through the casting process for season 3, wrote a tell-all detailing her experience. In her article published by Salon, she claimed that the hopeful contestants were made to sign a contract that gave producers the right to use information about them in ways that could potentially affect ones future plans and relationships with their loved ones. According to her, hopeful contestants agree to undergo mental and physical distress when they sign the contract. Several publications also reported that Ben Starr from season 2 made some explosive allegations against MasterChef. They claimed that Starr alleged the show of being highly engineered fiction. According to these reports, the former contestant said that he was misrepresented on the series as his talking segments were taken out of context and strung together. The sources said that Starr accused the production team of stressing out the contestants deliberately so as to evoke strong emotional responses on camera. However, Starr trashed these reports in a blog post in November 2014. He clarified that none of the media outlets contacted him before running the stories of his supposed allegations against the reality series. Starr emphasized that he had a good experience on the show. However, he advised the viewers to watch all the shows purely as entertainment and particularly refrain from passing judgment on reality television personalities since the content is heavily edited. If you have been wondering how the contestants present beautiful looking food although they arent professionals, it is because they reportedly receive some help from the experts. Former judge Christina Tosi revealed that at times the contestants get pointers from the judges. Elizabeth Cauvel, the runner-up of season 5, also said that the competitors were given cooking lessons over the weekends, which werent mandatory but highly beneficial since they were related to upcoming challenges. So, although it might seem that the contestants are thrown into deep waters without warning, it is not without adequate support. No matter what people say, MasterChef is very particular about the rules of the competition. The contestants cannot look at any recipes while cooking and have to stick to the given time limit. So that they do not seek help from the internet, they are not even allowed to carry phones on set. Tosi shared that standards-and-practices officials ensure that all the rules are followed for a fair competition. Elise Mayfield from season 5 has also shared her experience on the show. She said that the judges are genuinely invested in the competition and care about the contestants. You may remember that during the Mystery Box challenge, she was about to lose consciousness. Elise said that Gordon Ramsay was highly concerned for her health and assured her that she need not return to the task if she did not feel up to it. This proves that the stress that the contestants experience is very real and also reflects the considerate person Ramsay really is behind the notorious act that he puts on. Although the viewers only see the judges critiquing the food for a few minutes, they spend a lot of time on each preparation, irrespective of whether they like it or not. It is an intense and lengthy process. No wonder filming hours are long, sometimes crossing the 12-hour-mark even though the contestants are given time limits. Another thing that the viewers do not get to see is the elaborate setup for each challenge. Tosi previously said that it could take hours to get the cooks in and situated, which essentially comprised of detailing the challenges as well the rules surrounding it. This is done so as to ensure that everyone is on the same page before the competition kicks off. While a few aspects of peoples personalities might be played up to make things interesting, there is no doubt that MasterChef takes the competition extremely seriously. The core of the show lies in the growth of self-taught chefs who are willing to take a chance and learn from their experiences. The series does not compromise on any of that, which is why we believe it is an authentic show. | https://thecinemaholic.com/is-masterchef-scripted/ |
Why Did Full Metal Leave Seal Team? What Happened to Scott Foxx? | The fourth season of the CBS military drama series, SEAL Team, has forced its characters to make tough decisions as they endure the physical, mental and emotional effects of their high-risk jobs. As the season wraps up, the Bravo team undertakes one of their toughest missions yet. In the field of action, the team finds themselves outnumbered, and their problems are further exasperated when a crucial member, Full Metal (Scott Foxx), gets injured. Here is what happened to Full Metal and how the characters fate affected actor Scott Foxxs future on the show. Scott Carter (also known as Full Metal) is a recurring character in SEAL Team. Carter is introduced in the tenth episode of season one, titled Pattern of Life, and is the Alpha teams leader. He holds the rank of Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator. Carter later joins the Bravo team after Clay is injured in episode 17 of the second season. A headstrong and valiant soldier, Carter is always ready to risk his life for his teammates. In the penultimate episode of season 4, titled Nightmare of My Choice, Carter is gravely injured during a mission to combat a group of militants in Nigeria. Jason and Clay take Carter to the rescue helicopter as the rest of the team continue the mission. Carters condition is bad, and he has multiple wounds. He is taken to a hospital and receives medical treatment. Initially, his injuries dont look severe, and Carter regains consciousness. However, in the fourth finale titled, One Life to Live, it is revealed that Carter passed away during surgery. He leaves a letter for the Bravo team as he considered them his family. Scott Foxx essays the role of Scott Carter/Full Metal in all four seasons of SEAL Team. After his character died in the fourth seasons finale, Foxx has left the series and will no longer appear on our screens. No specific reason behind Foxxs departure has been given, but it was most likely for the sake of the narrative. Foxx penned a heartfelt note to fans through an Instagram post and thanked them for their love. He also expressed gratitude to his co-stars, writers, and producers of the show. Carters death shakes up the entire team and helps the audience understand the sacrifices one has to make for a job as tough as the Bravo teams. His death causes the team to reassess their lives and helps Jason realize how much he likes being in the field despite the risk. The show authentically portrays the hardships of military personnel through the conflicts faced by the main characters. Losing a beloved comrade is certainly a compelling conflict that allows the writers to explore new emotional sides of the characters. Carter was a fan favorite and the only character whose death would have affected all the characters and the fans equally. Carters death provides a satisfying yet bittersweet ending to the season without fully resolving the ongoing internal conflicts of the main characters. Foxx, a retired real-life Navy SEAL, will continue to serve in an advisory role on the SEAL Team, which has been renewed for a fifth season. | https://thecinemaholic.com/why-did-full-metal-leave-seal-team-what-happened-to-scott-foxx/ |
Is Wetherspoons Tim Martin actually right about post-Brexit migration? | To much merriment, Tim Martin, chair of Wetherspoon and campaigner for a hard Brexit, now wants to make it easier for workers from the European Union to work in his ubiquitous pub chain of some 925 establishments. If only there was some way of bringing this about and Tim Martin is going to be very annoyed with Tim Martin when he finds out go the typically sardonic remarks on Twitter. Very droll, but at least a tad unfair. During the 2016 referendum, Martin actually did express the view that he thought EU labour should still be able to move more or less freely to the UK, and doesnt seem to have had immigration as his principal motivation in seeing the UK leave the EU; but of course exiting the single market made the end of free movement of workers inevitable. So it has come to pass, and the loss of such labour is complicating the economic recovery from Covid, with the impact of the end of the furlough scheme yet to be felt. Certainly there will be a period of adjustment; and businesses such as Wetherspoon may face higher labour costs in future, which may mean lower profitability and/or higher prices. We shall see. Martins appeal, though, does serve to highlight two difficulties with the new post-Brexit points-based immigration system recently approved by Parliament. The first is that the general plot of the immigration policy is to attract the best and the brightest, skilled and professional workers, and people who will be earning at least around the average UK salary, and often much more. In fact the list of occupations eligible for a mainstream UK work visa is currently surprisingly broad everything from medical radiographers to senior care workers to ballet dancers to vets to archaeologists. There seems little or no impediment to anyone from anywhere in the world, suitably qualified, to apply to come to the UK and work as a nurse, as any type of engineer or as any kind of artist, given certain salary expectations. All are classified as shortage occupations. There are also special routes for those, for example, nominated by a transnational company or bank, and those named by the likes of the Royal Society, the British Academy and UK Research and Innovation. | https://www.independent.co.uk/independentpremium/politics-explained/tim-martin-wetherspoon-brexit-immigration-b1858376.html |
Will we go into lockdown again in autumn? | With the start of summer, countries began to relax their isolation measures. The United Kingdom, where there were no deaths reported yesterday, plans to lift many restrictions on June 21. Turkey, on the other hand, where the number of cases is declining rapidly, entered the process of partially loosening its strict measures as of June 1. According to the new regulation, it is still mandatory to wear masks even outdoors in Turkey. Restaurants and cafes will be able to serve until 9 p.m. before the curfew starts at 10 p.m. On Sundays, the full lockdown continues. Collective events and activities in the public sphere are also limited. Some experts argue that increasing vaccinations and drastic lockdown measures are effective in decreasing cases. However, they have not yet been able to produce convincing evidence to support their theses. However, as in India, some authorities claim that the cause of variants is vaccines that make the virus resistant. Others explain the decrease in the number of cases comes with the arrival of summer in the Northern Hemisphere and the warming of the weather. Some scientists emphasize that for centuries upper respiratory tract diseases tended to decrease as the weather got warmer, so they attribute decreases in coronavirus tables to this calendar. Although such a viewpoint is "scientifically excommunicated" as it goes beyond the official discourses of the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding the pandemic, this thesis does not seem unreasonable at all. As the weather warms up, people's immunity gets stronger. People who get more sunlight and fresh air become more resistant to diseases such as the flu and coronavirus. Of course, in this case, the first question that comes to mind is what will happen as the summer passes and the weather starts to cool with autumn. Considering the practices of last year, a return to strict isolation measures would not be surprising. In this case, we can predict that the measures will be tightened as upper respiratory tract diseases increase in winter. This state of affairs does not seem to be pleasant unless we do not get rid of going into a panic, which was conceivable at the beginning of the pandemic. The serious side effects caused by controversial isolation measures we have enacted to prevent the spread of the virus also increases our concerns. Because restrictions are imposed in line with utopian goals such as zeroing the number of cases, our new seasonal flu will have much more deadly results. Limiting the practices that connect people to life paves the way for hard-to-recover losses. The fact that economies come to a standstill due to isolation measures causes many times more deaths than the coronavirs pandemic. Not to mention the severe consequences of suspending our universal rights and freedoms, which were acquired over thousands of years, such as going out and traveling. I hope I stumble in the dark scenario I predicted by assessing the process and dominant discourses. I wish the nightmare ends this summer. | https://www.dailysabah.com/opinion/columns/will-we-go-into-lockdown-again-in-autumn |
Are the Supreme Court's unanimous decisions a message and if so what are they saying? | https://hotair.com/john-s-2/2021/06/02/are-the-supreme-courts-unanimous-decisions-a-message-and-if-so-what-are-they-saying-n394103 The calls for Justice Breyer to resign from the Supreme Court to ensure that Democrats are able to replace him with a suitably progressive judge continue to appear every day or so. The latest, published yesterday by the Nation, was titled Its Time for Stephen Breyer to Retire From the Supreme Court. But even as progressives are worrying about a worst case scenario in which they lose control of the Senate and cant replace Breyer or advance any more legislation, some voices have been warning that a pressure campaign to get Breyer to retire is likely to backfire. Today, GWU law professor Jonathan Turley has a piece pointing out that the Supreme Court may even be trying to put on a show of unity in the face of calls for Breyers retirement and for another agenda item on the progressive wishlist: packing the court. Tuesday the Supreme Court issued two more unanimous decisions in Garland v. Dai and United States v. Cooley. This follows two unanimous decisions last week. The weekly display of unanimity is notable given the calls by Democratic leaders to pack the Court Last week, there were two unanimous opinions making this six 9-0 rulings in two weeks This is an extraordinary litany of unanimous decisions and could in part reflect an implied message from the justices that this is a court that is not nearly as rigid and divided as suggested by Democratic members and activists. Turley argues theres no way to know for certain because Justices will not come out and argue with the partisans directly, but he concludes that this show of unanimity at this moment seems intentional and may be the Court clearing its throat on these campaigns and threats. I think Turley clearly has a point in that a string of 9-0 decisions does seem to undercut some of the more partisan arguments about the court that are appearing nearly every day. However, there is another possibility which may have occurred to Turley but, if so, he doesnt mention it. This is pure speculation but what if the unanimous rulings arent just a rebuke to the partisans outside but also a kind of gift from the other members to Justice Breyer himself. After all, its not just Justice Breyer who is reading all of this stuff in the media. The other justices know the pressure he is under and likely know that he doesnt want to leave if he feels hes being pushed out rather unceremoniously. So maybe this show of unanimity is both a way of telling the partisans to back off but also a way to wind up Breyers tenure with the kind of non-partisan action that he believes is crucial for the court. In other words, maybe this is part of a respectful sendoff for a justice they know is about to retire. A string of 9-0 decisions might be a fitting way to honor Breyers service and his message and still allow him to retire with some dignity. Again, I think Turley is on to something about the tea leaves were seeing but maybe theres more to it. June is traditionally the month when justices retire so we should know which way this is going to go in the next few weeks. Share this: Twitter Facebook | https://clarion.causeaction.com/2021/06/02/are-the-supreme-courts-unanimous-decisions-a-message-and-if-so-what-are-they-saying/ |
What are the political risks and rewards for Quinton Lucas taking on KC police? | The fight over funding and control of the Kansas City Police Department continues this week. That means the 4Star Politics panel can take an in-depth look at the political ramifications for Mayor Quinton Lucas, and others, as the dispute unfolds in court, and in Jefferson City. Hosts Dave Helling and John Holt are joined by Annie Presley and Jason Grill, longtime political analysts with deep knowledge of the area. They discuss the police disagreement, and its implications for the long-term health of the city. The panel also talks about the Kansas governors race, and the dynamics in Washington. 4Star Politics is a joint production of The Kansas City Star and WDAF-TV/Fox 4 Kansas City. From The Kansas City Star and FOX4 | https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/dave-helling/article251849683.html |
Would banning Bitcoin solve the problem of ransomware attacks? | Last months cyberattack on the Colonial Pipeline created 1970s-style gas lines across the Southeastern United States for days. The worlds largest meat processor saw its supply chain disrupted by a cyberattack on Tuesday. And today a ransomware attack disrupted ferry service in Massachusetts between Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Marthas Vineyard. The city of Azusa acknowledged Friday that its police department had been the victim of a ransomware attack that it kept quiet for months. This kind of cybercrime is an international problem, and a lot of these digital hostage-takers demand payment in cryptocurrency. Think Bitcoin, Ethererum, and Dogecoin. When we hear about ransomware and criminals demanding payment in crypto, we need to remember crime was sort of the original point of cryptocurrency, says Jacob Goldstein, co-host of NPRs Planet Money. | https://www.kcrw.com/news/shows/press-play-with-madeleine-brand/telecommute-cryptocurrency-travel-rentals-metoo/ransomware-bitcoin?utm_source=KCRW&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=kcrw-news-rss |
What is Jake Paul's net worth in 2021? | Whilst the majority of the stars wealth comes from his YouTube channel - he also gains income from social media sponsorship deals and his marketing company 'Team 10'. According to sources, as of April 2021 the stars net worth sits at around $20 Million. The star has one sibling, Logan Paul and studied at Westlake High School in Cleveland, Ohio - alongside his brother. However, unlike his equally famous sibling - Jake did not attend college after high school. Jake is believed to have had an ordinary childhood and was born in Westlake Ohio to parents Pam Stepnick - who is a Nurse and Greg Paul - who is a Realtor. Similarly to his brother, Jake's online career began on Vine - where the star rapidly gained a large following. By the time Vine shut down he had migrated to YouTube where his career continued to flourish, his channel now has over 20 Million subscribers. In 2017 he got a role in one of Disneys sitcoms Bizaardvark. His catchphrase in the comedy show was Its Everyday Bro". Jake at the Radio Disney Music Awards. Picture: Getty Jake Paul was however dropped from the show, due to negative press surrounding his infamous wild house parties and hazardous pranks. Despite this he proceeded to release his hit single Its Everyday Bro, on YouTube which went viral. Jake Paul v AnEsonGib. Picture: Getty More recently, Paul has emerged into the boxing world. He has had an ongoing online back and forth beef with boxer Tommy Fury - causing a lot of controversy. Now, Jake has gone viral following his announcement that he will be fighting mixed martial artist and UFC Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley. | https://www.capitalxtra.com/news/jake-paul-net-worth-salary-career-how-much-money/ |
Are American Jewish Organizations Supporting Israel Strongly Enough? | While American Jews were being beaten on the streets of New York and the State of Israels good name was being shredded all across American mainstream and social media the Jewish Federation of New York, Americas largest private charity, decided to take action. They sent a group of rabbis to Israel as the rockets fell on Tel Aviv and Sderot. What better statement of solidarity with Israel than to send rabbis to Israel during a war, at personal risk, to show that American Jewish religious leaders care. Except that, in their communities in the US, many of their congregants were cowering in fear of even wearing yarmulkes and Magen Davids in Times Square. We needed these leaders to inspire their communities to stand up for Israel while it was being vilified by antisemitic politicians like Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) and celebrities like Bella and Gigi Hadid and Dua Lipa. Plus, some activists asked the Federation to get involved and co-sponsor or at least participate in, and promote a specific rally for Israel that was being organized in Times Square. The Federation did not take part, though Jewish organizations including the Federation in New York and across the country supported pro-Israel rallies held in cities around the US. Related coverage Hamas Then, Hamas Now It was exactly 20 years ago, when my wife and I were attending a Shabbat dinner in Madrid, that someone... Last Thursday, May 27th, the Jewish Federations of North America, the ADL, Hadassah, the Union for Reform Judaism, etc. all the mainstream Jewish organizations held an online Day of Action Against Antisemitism. Lets get this straight. Jews are being beaten up in Times Square, in Los Angeles, and in Toronto. Theyre afraid to walk to shul, wear a yarmulke in the streets, or sport a Magen David around their necks. Media reports said that the following speakers had participated: ADL national director Jonathan Greenblatt, American Jewish Committee CEO David Harris, chair of Jewish Federations of North America Mark Wilf, Orthodox Union vice president Rabbi Moshe Hauer, the president of the National Association of Evangelicals, and the archbishop of New York. Well, thats all great. It cant be because of COVID-19, since most states are completely open and most mask mandates have been lifted, especially outdoors. And while Jews were having our online rally against antisemitism, the Palestinian lobby was organizing a mass End American Aid to Israel rally in Washington, DC, at the Lincoln Memorial. It didnt matter to them that the numbers were small. Indeed, media reports had the rally at approximately 1,000 people a tiny fraction of the Israel haters who regularly march against the Jewish state in European capitals like London and Paris. Still, they did it. Former US ambassador to Israel Ron Dermer was recently criticized by some for saying in an interview that Christian evangelicals can sometimes be more reliable supporters of Israel than American Jews. To all of Rons Jewish critics, I would say: if you think hes misguided, then prove him wrong. Lets finally organize a Jewish march on DC for Israel. Lets do it, God willing, in the next two weeks. Lets stop with the excuses that we didnt rally for Israel because we quietly sent rabbis to Israel or had an online rally. What Israel needs right now is public, loud, and unconditional support from American Jewry. And we need it in the streets. Theres an unspoken agreement between American Jews and Israeli Jews, wherein the latter are prepared to send their sons and daughter to the IDF, endure terror rockets on their cities, and rebuild the Jewish homeland after 2,000 years of exile. All they ask of us is to in return is stand with them when genocidal terrorists try and annihilate them. Sure we do. We are attacked, beaten, and ostracized. But we must, while also combating domestic antisemitism, stand up for the safety of Israels Jewish, Muslim, and Christian citizens and for the only free country in the Middle East. No more excuses. Lets organize a Washington rally now. Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, Americas Rabbi, is the author of more than 30 books and has just published Holocaust Holiday: One Familys Descent into Genocide Memory Hell. Follow him on Instagram and Twitter @RabbiShmuley. | https://www.algemeiner.com/2021/06/02/are-american-jewish-organizations-supporting-israel-strongly-enough/ |
What will the tractor of 2030 look like? | The future development of tractors will be driven by two factors alternative fuel sources and smarter machines with increased capability. The next 10 years will see continuous development towards fully autonomous operations, relying less and less on the human operator. This will mean autonomous vehicles, self-driving tractors and robots. However, by 2030, we think its fair to say Ireland wont be at the point of fully autonomous tractors, but some large-scale operations on the continent may very well be. Fully autonomous vehicles is inevitably where we are headed. The Irish-built driverless smart tractor from Acres Machinery in Roscommon was showcased at Agritechnica 2019. The big challenge for alternative fuel is the ability to maintain machines at full capacity for long periods. This is not yet possible with alternatives when carrying out power-hungry tasks. Manufacturers are currently looking at four main alternatives: methane, electric, hydrogen and hybrid. Methane currently looks like the most likely alternative. This is a renewable gas, but still uses the internal combustion engine. New Holland has taken its methane-powered tractor through to mass production this year. The T6.180 methane model was first showcased at Agritechnica in 2019. The only difference is its natural gas-fuelled engine. As with electric, fuel storage is a limitation to work range. Fendt is developing its e100 Vario 67hp electric tractor but high battery prices remain an issue. Electric Electrical power has become increasingly popular, but only in small lightweight machines which are used intermittently and do not require large amounts of power. Electric power will work successfully in machines that have short periods of use. Fendt is currently developing a 67hp (50Kw) electric E100 Vario model tractor, said to have a four-hour working range. High battery prices are said to leave further development financially unviable. Hydrogen gas The conversion of ammonia to ultra-high-purity hydrogen, which is safe to store and transport, remains a challenge. Its big attraction is that it is a carbon-free fuel and twice as efficient as petrol or diesel. New Holland showcased a hydrogen-powered tractor in 2009, but limited availability of the fuel means that it has not been developed. Hybrid Hybrid technology encompasses a traditional combustion engine supported by an electric battery and drive system. Now common in cars, this is one of the easier alternatives. However, for the long-distance driver, hybrid technology in the automotive industry hasnt proved all that efficient, as hybrid vehicles tend to have short ranges in purely electric mode (circa 40km). The rest of the time, the engine is running to recharge the battery and power the vehicle. As a result of the batteries and added technology, such vehicles tend to be heavier than their traditional combustion engine counterparts. Therefore, fuel economy tends to be poorer for long-distance driving than whats advertised. This leads us to think that hybrid tractors may have similar issues for power-hungry tasks if such technology becomes a reality. It is arguably a step in the right direction, but it will come down to economics. New Holland has begun commerical production of its T6.180 methane-powered tractor which was showcased at Agritechnica 2019. Connectivity Telematics and connected systems are very much part of the current focus. By 2030, it seems likely that machines will have increased ability to communicate with each other, their owners, the dealers and other third-party software. Telematics systems enable both the owner and the dealer to monitor tractor performance and productivity. This is likely to lead to remote fault-finding, enabling the dealership to contact the operator before a fault develops. John Deere is already doing this. It helps the farmer, as downtime can be scheduled in advance. Advancements in implement connectivity also seem inevitable. Tractors will communicate with implements, with Isobus and GPS systems playing a major role. Tractor implement management (TIM) is a relatively new concept, whereby the implement controls the tractor. This allows any job to be done more precisely. Some manufacturers already offer this for implements such as balers, which can stop the tractor when the chamber is full. Implement hitching Looking to the future, it seems likely that hitching and implement connection methods will change. It may not happen by 2030, but new concepts will emerge between now and then. An example of this was seen at Agritechnica in 2019 when Irish manufacturer Acres Machinery unveiled its driverless iTarra smart tractor. It did not have lift arms, toplink, pickup hitch or a PTO, which are elements of implement hitching we are all accustomed to. The iTarra presented a new implement hitching concept involving guidance sensors and a magnetic pin locking system. Connection to an implement involved guidance sensors and a magnetic pin locking system. Electric power replaced the PTO system, so implements need to be compatible. It is an exciting time to be involved in the industry and no doubt the next decade will bring about much change, some of which were sure will be unexpected. | https://www.farmersjournal.ie/what-will-the-tractor-of-2030-look-like-624977/ |
How Soon Is Then? | THE MOST STRIKING FEATURE OF THE NEW WORK BY ANDREW OHAGAN is the hole in the middle of it. Mayflies first half is set in 1986, its second in 2017 and 2018, and in between there is a blank you would need a bigger novel than Mayflies to fill in. The narrator, Jimmy Collins, goes to sleep at age eighteen, having spent the night dancing his author into run-on sentences at a warehouse party in Manchester. In the next chapter, hes near fifty. Its one version of a hangover. Now a writer rather like Andrew OHagan, Jimmy sees the traces of his teenagehood all around him, musing to himself upon the strange afterlife of being eighteen. We muse upon it too. Nor is it all that strange. Its easy to live in the past when youve edited out adulthood. But Mayflies, a novel of youth and death and nothing in between, isnt nostalgic just in its architecture. For it is a book that is under the spell of pop musicand, in particular, under the spell of Morrissey. When it comes to Morrissey and nostalgia, nobody has put it better than OHagan himself, in one of his 141 (and counting) essays for the London Review of Books: That is the essence of Morrissey: his brand of loneliness and longing and hopelessness (all the stuff he sings about) is that of a person who finds it natural to have relationships with the unreachablethats to say, with images and works rather than people. . . . Pop music is nostalgic in its bonesit is part of Morrisseys gift always to have known thisand fans who adhere to its magic are in love with something that was passing as soon as it was made. In the essay, OHagan, always a conspicuous first-person presence in his nonfiction (Norman Mailer is a hero), mentions the time he saw the Smiths in Manchester in 1986, when, along with New Order and the Fall, the band performed at the citys G-Mex complex. It was the last night of the Festival of the Tenth Summer, an exhibition of postpunk: Saturday, July 19. Morrissey came onstage waving a banner bearing the words The Queen Is Dead, OHagan writes, and every person present seemed simultaneously to lose all native sense of proportion. In Mayflies, the main characters are a part of this audience, and a part of them never entirely leaves. The Saturday night in Manchester, the climax of the novels first half, will become, in its second, the key to all its nostalgia, as Morrissey returns from the past to wave the banner again. In these events, the main characters will come to feel, there was something unreachable that they are still reaching after, something they continue to live through thirty years after the fact. Something, in the parlance of psychologists, they are still processing. There are other parlances. If youth is a crime scene, as Jimmy puts it, then the evidence from that night is everywhere. These are subtle ideas, complicated ideas, maybe not universally agreeable ideas, and they are not always made easier to grasp by what OHagan describes, accurately, as the British custom of turning everything into a drinking experience. Mayflies is the rare, and possibly unique, novel to have evoked comparisons to both Proust and Irvine Welsh. Kerry Smith, The Smiths - First Record, 2020, gouache and liner notes on board, 12 x 12". Courtesy the artist and Cerbera Gallery, Kansas City AS IN THE CLASSIC NOVELS OF MALE FRIENDSHIP, the narrator of Mayflies isnt the hero but his hype mana lesser figure offering his humble take on the comet that passed him by. When people asked why he was so often the best man at weddings, Jimmy thinks early on, it was clear they hadnt known Tully Dawson in his prime. The first half of Mayflies, delivering us to the G-Mex stage, will offer a primer in Tullys prime. It begins in the summer of 1986 in Ayrshire, the region to the west of Glasgow where OHagan grew up and where the bulk of his six novels are set. Tully, a twenty-year-old lathe turner, lives with his parents in council housing (basically, the projects). He is an epitome of male youth, a kind of postpunk Rupert Brooke. In Mayflies opening pages, he isnt so much described as mythologized: He was in a band, obviously. He has innate charisma, the leader thing, the kind of looks that appeal to all sexes, famous good looksthe celebrity comp is Albert Finney. Fitting enough: it was Finney who played Arthur Seaton, that most iconic of lathe turners, in Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, Karel Reiszs 1960 film of Alan Sillitoes 1958 novel. Indeed, Tully likes to quote from the Reisz film, which he has seen all too many times, and to ape the Angry Young Man archetype the great English actor made famous. Dont let the bastards grind you down. In this novel, the quotations come conveniently italicized, a way of including you in the game even if you miss the reference. But it has the unhelpful side effect of masking just how arch (or not) the quoters are being. That sounds trivial; in Mayflies, it isnt. Its been a life of quotations, Tully will reflect later on. Mayflies is a book of quotations. Its main characters communicate in a pidgin of them. Shortly before they leave for the weekend in Manchester, Tully drops in on Jimmy at his summer job at the Jobcentre (itself a self-referential gig; Jimmys job is to help the jobless to find one): Its a dogs life, if you ask me, he said, quoting from one of our films, but I have a deep desire, much deeper than you can imagine, to play goal attack for the Irvine netball team. Any vacancies? Let me have a look, sir. I started flicking through the cards in my box. The film-reference game was going into full flight. Youre not much good at netball, are you, Jo? I said. (A Taste of Honey.) No, Im bad on purpose. (The same.) But hold on, I said. Theres a sporting life opportunity here. Head of Keep-uppy at a school in Cowdenbeath. Its a hard life if you dont weaken. (Saturday Night.) At the end of that scene, Jimmy quits the job; a novel of working-class youths, Mayflies is unusual for depicting next to nothing of work itself. Instead, movies (kitchen-sink classics), music (punk), and even the occasional book (The Great Gatsby is a touchstone) are what Tully and Jimmy have in common. In other ways, their friendship, already established when the novel begins, is unlikely. Jimmys English teacher observes that shes never before met anyone who actually enjoys Edith Sitwell. Youre a weirdo, she tells him, affectionately. And weirdos have to get out. Under her tutelage, he has won a place at the University of Strathclyde (OHagans alma mater) starting in the fall. For now, he remains a Sitwell enthusiast in a region of Scotland known for coal mining. In an early, pre-Jobcentre scene, Jimmy goes for an interview in a Portakabin, or if Im being more honest, a kennel. He notices whats on the wall: calendars of topless women. Then the interviewer notices whats in his pocket: Nausea, by Jean-Paul Sartre. Oh, for fucks sake. Such is the slapstick fate of the bookish provincial. It isnt the only scene in this novel with the feel of autofiction. Where Jimmy and Tully differ most is in their fathers. Jimmys, long gone, can bother him no more. Tullys, by contrast, is very much still around. Nicknamed Woodbine, hes a Bad Dad of a classic kind, a man suffocating on his own sense of integrity. When Jimmy comes by for dinner one night, Woodbine mocks him for his plan to study Russian. You and your foreign travel . . . Moscow. Glasgow. Manchester. He turned to me and pointed with his lighted fag. The moon! Its all a con. One reason Woodbine is so hard to bear is that, like most disagreeable people, he has a point. There is something a little pathetic about aspiration, and people who dont aspire to much never tire of noting it. Buying tickets to a music festival might not seem an event of great dramatic significance, but for Tully, like punk itself, its an act of resistance, and an assertion of the right to self-invention. In his mind, as it is interpreted by Jimmy, the desire not to become his father has become conflated with the desire to become famous, the desire to become famous with the need for their trip to Manchester to be glorious: I knew he loved his own band but I hadnt recognized the level of hope he had invested in it. He wanted the cover of the NME and a Peel session and a tour of Britain and a Bedford van. At that time, there was no other version of tomorrow that appealed to him. That July, its the hope and the humour I remember first, but then the shudder, the sense of catastrophic consequences if his fathers life was to become his. We note the shudder. In short, expectations are high. These expectations fall on OHagan: the literary character can have only as much fun as his author can describe. AND, OF COURSE, THE MANCHESTER SCENES ARE VERY FUN. Accompanied by their friends Limbo, Tibbs, Hogg, and Clogs, Jimmy and Tully go to bars, they go to gigs, they meet girls; they drink and rub speed on their gums. With determination, they get shit-faced. I doubt I am the only writer living in Brooklyn to have asked. Occasionally, amid the debauchery, OHagans prose finds a different register; the drunken teen is whooshed upward into the sky of memory to gaze down on himself from the sadness of fifty: Tully set up two cups in front of us. I can still see them: the two cups full of Limbos wine now sitting forever on the table. The sentiment is almost Nabokovian. Albeit not the scenery. Never less than an eloquent and witty writer, OHagan makes for a slightly incongruous guide to the world of punk. His literary manners are too refined for his writing to be, like punk itself, truly provocative. Its not that there arent jokes, or that the jokes dont work. Though, sometimes, for the non-Scottish reader, it is even confusing why they work. If youre going to drive a Capri you might as well grow a moustache and call yourself Gavin. The name Gavin means nothing to me, and yet still I find this to be hilarious. One could almost make a general rule of it: the less sense it makes, the better OHagans writing is. He didnt own much, but he owned the room is as clear as daylight and as vacuous. Compare this with the wonderful simile OHagan coins for when Jimmy and Tully, out smoking a cigarette on the steps of the Britannia Hotel, cross paths with the Smiths: It was like a branch of philosophy crash-landing in front of you. What exactly that means Ill never know. But, speaking as a writer, I sure wish that I had come up with it. THE SMITHS SCENE ENDS with Tully on top of the bands car, humping it. Or as OHagan puts it, with somewhat more dignity: And when we are gone from the world, there will still be spores of delight, somewhere in the universe, recalling the moment Tully Dawson ran down the steps of the Britannia Hotel and spread himself over the bonnet of the Smiths posh vehicle, his face pressed with contorted affection against the windscreen. Presumably, the spores are still out there when, at the start of section two, Jimmy gets a text (theres now texting): Tully has esophageal cancer. The greatest weekend in history has given way to the worst sentence in any language. Says Tully, Ive got four months. Its all as heartbreaking as it sounds. Yet as the treatment of teen drunkenness in Mayflies first half can at times be almost stately, so the tale of terminal illness in its second is not a little cheeky. Dying is boring, as Tully puts it to Jimmy. If I dont die soon then I might die of boredom. It falls to Jimmy to keep him entertained, his wingman unto death. In practice, this translates to more banter. I think every death should involve an airport. The clues in the nameTerminal 5. Its a comedy show at the gallows. The two parts of this book about friendship are an odd couple in more ways than one. Cancer gets a bad rap among literary critics as a quick-fix narrative device, but here its effect is the opposite of neat. The major drama of the first halfwould Tully turn out like Woodbine?is in the second disposed of in less than a paragraph. Tully did not turn out like Woodbine. He read Jimmys books, went to college, became a teacher, acquired a loving long-term girlfriend. Subplots as morbid as they are zany fill the vacuum. When Jimmy and Tully meet up in Ayrshire to map a course for what remains of Tullys life, the quotation reflex kicks in. Jimmy comes up with a line from Antony and Cleopatra: Make death proud to take us. I like it, says Tully. In fact, he likes it so much that he decides, in homage to the Bard, to commit assisted suicide via the Swiss organization Dignitas. It is Jimmys cheerless assignment to sort out the logistics. Tullys girlfriend, Anna, seems to think so. You gave him that idea, Jimmy, of owning it. You, with your Shakespeare. With her, Tully plans a wedding; with Jimmy, the particulars of his suicide. Each is its own big day, and as the pressures and the preparations mount, Eros and Thanatos start to merge. Talk about the opiate of the people. These pricks spend their lives selling junk to brainless neds who think theyre on Love Island. Id sooner walk to the wedding or go on the bus. Im only doing it for Anna. Im not being drafted into some hellish Bing Crosby scenario just because these creepy bastards say so. I was entertained all morning by that, and then he phoned back in the afternoon. Sorry, he said, coming on all Nutso McNutjob with the limousine guy, but it was good to get it out there. I actually quite liked the idea of the Humvee with the condom machine and the vodka fountain. A man could snuff it quite happily in a vehicle like that. Tully laughs at sacred things, and Mayflies reveres him for it. Its a hymn sung for a man who was brilliant because he was blasphemous, and as it proceeds toward its unbearable end, there are times when literary form starts to wobble. The elegiac mode gives way to the eulogy. Readers of British newspapers will know that Mayflies is the thinnest of fictions. OHagan really did have a high-cheekboned childhood friend who spiked his hair with soap, a lathe turner who looked like Albert Finney. And when, in 2018, Keith Martin, Mayflies dedicatee, died, age fifty-one, of esophageal cancer, OHagan was among the faithful at his bedside. By then, urged on by the dying man, he had already begun work on a book about himabout us. He had even gotten his buddys sign-off on the title. They live for a day, dont they? Martin asked. In fact, the mayflys time is even briefer than thatin the whole but about Five hours, as the Dutchman Jan Swammerdam put it. The author of a seventeenth-century monograph on the ephemeron, Swammerdam, a microscopist, tried to reveal in this basest of bugs the handiwork of God. In Switzerland, Jimmy will receive a copy of Swammerdams monograph, and its in Swammerdams spirit that OHagans novel is written. It, too, makes a kind of case for ephemeral things. It says that youth is more true than age, that Saturday night transcends Sunday morning. Quite openly, it says that who we are is less than who we were. There are things you know at eighteen, OHagan writes, that you will never know again. Still, you can always put on the Smiths, slip into quotation marks, and pretend. James Camp is a writer living in Brooklyn. | https://www.bookforum.com/print/2802/a-debauched-night-watching-the-smiths-lasts-a-lifetime-24500 |
What is company capitalization? | yesterday . This question was migrated from Law Stack Exchange because it can be answered on Personal Finance & Money Stack Exchange. Migrated I was reading up on some investment agreements and I came upon the following paragraph from one of the agreements: If there is a Coin or Token Sale before the expiration or termination of this Agreement, the Company must convert all or any part of the Purchase Amount to Common Stock at a conversion price equal to the Discount Percentage multiplied by the Companys valuation determined through mutual agreement or a 409A valuation from Carta.com or another party expressly approved by the Investor, divided by the Company Capitalization, before the commencement of the Token Sale. So I am trying to understand the paragraph by using examples and I actually don't understand what company capitalization would be in this case. I am using Purchase amount to be $100,000, Company valuation to be $7,000,000 and Discount percentage is 10%. With those numbers the formula come out to be (90% x 70M) / Company Capitalization. | https://money.stackexchange.com/questions/141325/what-is-company-capitalization |
Who sets the stock loan costs in U.S. markets? | The market "fee rate" (a.k.a. borrow cost ) for borrowing stock shares to sell short can run very high. (One source for the current borrow cost is a list published every 15 minutes by Interactive Brokers.) Currently some stocks that I own are being listed with triple-digit borrow costs. I own those stocks in a margin account with a broker where I have completed a stock lending agreement. I can see that my shares have not been lent out. So I have shares available to lend at the same time that short sellers are paying more than 100% annually for the shares they have borrowed to sell short. I would be happy to lend my shares for a small fraction of the current rate being quoted market. It is true that brokers take a significant cut of the "fee rate" before it is paid to any owner of shares that are lent out. But even with that mark-up I'd be willing to undercut the market lending rate. For example: I have un-lent shares of a stock with a fee rate of 125%. I would be happy to lend my shares for a 20% fee. The broker can mark that up to 40% or more and still vastly undercut the current market offer. | https://money.stackexchange.com/questions/141350/who-sets-the-stock-loan-costs-in-u-s-markets |
Is the 30% of credit rule per month? | Utilization for the most popular credit scoring models is a point in time metric, meaning you only have to worry about it when you are trying to make use of your credit score. For monthly updates it is based on whatever your utilization is at the time they report, which may or may not coincide with your statement dates. When you are applying for loans you should target <30% utilization on your revolving credit, I've read ~10-15% is ideal but can't find definitive sources for those numbers. This is the only time it makes sense to make extra mid-period credit card payments and you'd want to try to time a target utilization with a credit inquiry. If you're making extra mid-period payments due to low available credit then that is fine but it would be better to get a higher limit in that case (not always an option but asking frequently with a history of payments will get it done eventually). Utilization affects your credit score, but also the reported outstanding balance will factor into your debt to income ratio when applying for a mortgage. Even though the impact of utilization on your score is ephemeral and shouldn't be worried about in general unless you're applying for loans I think a target of < 30% is good in general as it means you've got a healthy pile of available credit should you need it. | https://money.stackexchange.com/questions/141352/is-the-30-of-credit-rule-per-month |
How can we avoid losing another academic year to the pandemic? | Written by Samir K Brahmachari The pandemic has disrupted Indias education system and widened the existing digital divide. Governments have rightly focused on lives and livelihoods and tried to strike a balance during the first and second waves. With the focus being on enhancing health infrastructure and vaccination, education has taken a back seat. As governments plan to open educational institutions, it is imperative to evolve a countrywide model framework, learning from the experience of other nations. India, unlike other smaller countries, is unlikely to vaccinate 70-80 per cent of its population in this calendar year. We need different strategies for rural and government schools vis-a-vis the better equipped urban and private schools. Similar is the case for college students. While we have opened up vaccinations to 18-plus age groups, we need to prioritise vaccinations for school and college teachers, especially in rural India. It is sad that thousands of teachers got infected by Covid and many of them succumbed to the disease. Most such teachers were involved in state and panchayat elections. The third wave could strike after educational institutions reopen. If teachers and staff are not vaccinated by then, they could be the first victims. Available data (2014-15) indicates that there are about 3 million school teachers and 1.3 million college and university teachers in India. Adding the other staff who have direct contact with students, around 6 million education sector employees need to be vaccinated. A special drive for them, by about mid-July, can help achieve this target. Many of them, in fact, may already have been vaccinated, especially in urban areas. We must focus on vaccinating rural school and college teachers. As soon as teachers are vaccinated by August-end, physical classes for Class XI-XII should be opened. The model practised in several countries can be an example. Morning class for 11th-graders and afternoon classes for those in Class XII can start with 50 per cent attending school for five days a week (Monday to Friday), in the first and third week, and the other 50 per cent in weeks two and four. This way, each batch of students stays home for nine days after attending school. If any student gets infected at school, a nine-day break (equivalent to quarantine) will break the chain of transmission. Schools that can provide online teaching to all their students need not have physical classes, especially in districts where the positivity rate is above 2-3 per cent. A focused effort should be made to vaccinate all students born on or before 2003. In India, a board examination, especially the Class XII exam, is a milestone. Over 10 million students in various state and central boards appear for the higher secondary examination, which helps them to choose their future career. Given the pandemic, the Centre has correctly decided to cancel the examinations. Besides the safety of the students and their parents, the digital divide has put less privileged children, rural and urban alike, at a disadvantage. Students who did not have access to online teaching will feel handicapped. First, conduct examinations in the shortest possible time a maximum of six days without any break. Two, conduct examinations for two hours in order to have multiple sessions 9-11 am, 12-2 pm, 3-5 pm. Between sessions, classrooms, where exams are conducted, should be sanitised. Three, all teachers on examination duty must have been fully or partially vaccinated. Four, similarly secondary board exams can be conducted but for only three to four main subjects. Five, all exams should be held for students in their respective schools but with a few invigilators from nearby schools to avoid any malpractice. Finally, only 50 per cent weightage should be given for the Class XII exam and 50 per cent to previous years performance, including the Class X board. Finally, when it comes to primary, middle and secondary schools, it is important that at an early stage of their lives, children in rural and many government schools have physical classes as they dont have access to online education. In rural areas, government school children are already missing midday meals, exacerbating nutritional deficiencies a failure to implement the Right to Education Act. In any case, children, especially in rural settings, do not seem to be following social distancing norms while playing in their localities; but they are not attending schools. Therefore, by following the five to nine days pattern discussed above, these schools can be opened by September 2021, after the board examinations. By then, another 200-300 million people will have been vaccinated. What is needed is a combination of selective and targeted vaccination strategies and controlled opening of schools and colleges with a continuous assessment of Covid-19 positivity cases, with an imposed limit of not greater than 2-3 per cent. This will help us avoid the third wave. In conclusion, just as we need to improve our health infrastructure, we need to focus on minimising the digital divide: The WiFi facility has to reach all rural school and college campuses. Ways must be found to create community learning centres with free WiFi for continued learning. Governments should budget for computer notepads for students in government schools and colleges. Even as these measures may be taken up on priority, educational content that was popular during the heyday of TV and radio could be deployed immediately to engage children in education at home. The digital divide in the country must be minimised; else, we could lose one generation of creative children who would have, given equal opportunity, contributed to the nations economic activities more effectively. The writer is founder-director, CSIR-Institute of Genomics & Integrative Biology and former director-general, CSIR, India | https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/how-can-we-avoid-losing-another-academic-year-to-the-pandemic-7341537/ |
How safe will the Tokyo Olympics be for Team SG? | Experts say the event's success will depend on overall compliance with measures designed to protect participants from COVID-19 SINGAPORE: COVID-19 countermeasures drawn up for the upcoming Olympic Games can help ensure the safety of contingents, including Team Singapore, but the key will be executing them and ensuring compliance, said medical experts. With the Games slated to begin in about 50 days, momentum has begun to build as some countries vaccinate their contingents. Earlier this week, the Australian women's softball team became the first athletes to arrive in Japan, ahead of a pre-event training camp. Advertisement Advertisement At least 15 of Singapore's athletes have already qualified for the Games, and it has continued to ramp up its preparations. In response to queries from CNA, Sport Singapore (SportSG) said last week that the inoculation of athletes travelling to the Tokyo Olympics and the Paralympics is an "immediate priority". "Sport Singapore will ensure that the Team Singapore contingent are vaccinated before the upcoming major Games. Athletes with existing medical conditions will consult the Singapore Sport Institute Medical team on their suitability to receive the vaccine, said head of the Singapore Sport Institute Toh Boon Yi. Advertisement Advertisement Speaking to CNA, infectious disease expert Dr Ling Li Min said that it was possible for organisers to pull off a successful Games, but this would be dependent on a number of factors. These include minimised interaction between those in the Olympic bubble and the general public as well as minimised interaction between representatives from each team. We are social creatures, we end up wanting to go and mix with each other, and talk to each other. So there needs to be a lot of people on site (and) on duty ensuring that (adherence) is happening, said Dr Ling, who is an infectious disease specialist at Rophi Clinic. Not just having it (the rules) in the books, and telling them this is what they need to do. But on the ground, you need to have chaperones, officials and these officers to ensure that it is adhered to. Advertisement Dr Asok Kurup, an infectious diseases physician at Mount Elizabeth Hospital, described organising the Games as an "absolutely Herculean task". Theoretically, what is written on paper is one thing, but the logistics of moving it around and practicalising it is something completely different, he said. He noted that compliance would also not be guaranteed. When we are managing some of these people who are coming for sporting events, even in our local setting, they all come from different backgrounds, and some are very compliant and some are not compliant at all, he explained. Among the measures that have been unveiled by organisers so far include a daily testing regime for athletes, as well as the mandatory wearing of a face mask at all times, except when training, competing, eating, drinking, sleeping or during interviews. Within the Olympic village, seating capacity at the main dining hall has also been limited to allow for social distancing, while congestion levels on each floor will be communicated regularly via a smartphone application. While a decision has already been made to bar foreign spectators from the event, organisers have said that they will decide this month if local spectators will be allowed. If the Games are played out in front of empty stands, this would help further reduce risks, said Dr Ling. Wherever there are crowds, you know in the next two to three weeks that they are going to be hammered by big clusters. Weve seen it in India, weve seen it in Korea, weve seen it in the UK. We dont need a demonstration from Japan, she added. Having fewer spectators would also make contact tracing and medical care easier in the event that there are a significant number of unvaccinated individuals, said Dr Paul Tambyah, infectious diseases expert and president of the Asia Pacific Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infection. There is the possibility that if the general public are not fully vaccinated that clusters could emerge at social events or venues attended by incompletely vaccinated athletes as happened in Taiwan with the pilots and the adult venues, he noted. Following a fourth wave of COVID-19 cases, Japan is currently under its third state of emergency, which was declared in late April. Among the slate of measures which are part of the move, the government has required restaurants, bars, and karaoke parlours serving alcohol to close, and big sporting events to be held without spectators, The wave peaked in the middle of May as the countrys seven day average number of cases stood at almost 6500, a record high. But since then, numbers have begun to drop. On a national basis, Japan has recorded a close to 20 per cent week-on-week decline for two consecutive weeks. Tokyo is following on a similar trajectory. On Tuesday, the capital reported a total of 471 COVID-19 cases - a 35.66 per cent decline from two weeks before. Late last month, the Japanese government also opted to extend its state of emergency in Tokyo, Osaka and seven other prefectures by three weeks to June 20. The fourth wave coupled with the slow pace of vaccinations - Japan has fully vaccinated less than five per cent of its population despite a recent accelerated pace - mean that the current situation is not quite ideal, noted Dr Ling. And while COVID-19 cases have dropped, she noted that it remains to be seen what numbers will be like later this month. Its come down a bit, but we dont know where things are going in June. Theres still a lot of things up in the air, she explained. Anything can happen in the next six weeks. In an interview with CNN last week, Singapore's Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan expressed "confidence" in the Japanese administration. "I do have confidence in the Japanese administration, they know what they are doing. And Im sure they will do their best to make sure that they proceed, that all our athletes will be safe," he said. "So as of now, we are prepared and well take all the necessary precautions. And obviously in the case of the Singapore delegation, you know that we will be vaccinated as well." VACCINATIONS 'NOT FOOLPROOF' Experts also noted that vaccinations would help ensure the safety of those attending the event, but cautioned that this would be one of the many measures required. It is one of the useful measures but it is not the only measure (needed to be in place), said Dr Ling. Even with vaccinations, it is not foolproof. There is no vaccine that is 100 per cent efficacious for adults If one takes (the) Pfizer (vaccine) for instance (which is) 95 per cent efficacious, that means 5 per cent of the people after vaccination will still have symptomatic infections (and) will still get infected. This would mean there remains a chance that a small percentage of those vaccinated who remain at risk, she added. According to IOC President Thomas Bach, as many as 75 per cent of the residents of the Olympic Village are already vaccinated or have secured vaccination; and that there is good reason to believe that this figure will be well over 80 per cent at the time of the Games. A number of countries including South Africa, the United Kingdom and Australia have already said that they will be vaccinating their contingents before the Games. In addition, US drugs giant Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech also announced a deal with the International Olympics Committee (IOC) to provide vaccines to competitors and staff members at the event. In a statement, the firms said they would coordinate with national sporting bodies to make sure that coronavirus vaccines are available to anyone who needs one before travelling to Japan. According to the IOC, any additional doses delivered by Pfizer and BioNTech will not be taken out of existing programmes, but will be in addition to existing quotas and planned deliveries around the world. However, there remains no mandatory requirement that athletes, coaches, officials attending the Games have to be vaccinated before they enter the country. Dr Kurup noted should there be mass transmission of the virus within the bubble, this could potentially threaten the Games. It's transmitting within the bubble that's more worrisome. You may contain it, it doesn't spread into the community, but then then the whole Games will be affected, he said. When you think about every sporting event (being held at the Games) and trying to allocate resources for everything in this current era - It is challenging, (I) wish them all the best." Last Thursday, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong expressed his well wishes for the athletes travelling to Tokyo. "Our sporting community is one of the groups hard hit by the pandemic," said Mr Lee in a Facebook post. "Team Singapore launched a campaign to support our athletes as they prepare for the Olympics and Paralympics, which were postponed last year due to COVID-19. Despite the disruptions, they have been training hard and making sacrifices, including deferring their studies." Replying to CNA's queries, the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) said that the athletes and their performance teams were working hard in the final stages of their preparation ahead of the Tokyo Olympics. With the support from the Government, National Sports Associations and Singaporeans-at-large, Team Singapore has been able to continue training under the current safe management measures," said a SNOC spokesperson. "We continue to work closely with the (International Olympic Committee), Tokyo Organising Committee and the respective agencies and authorities in Singapore to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the contingent as they fulfil their Olympic aspirations." | https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/sport/singapore-teamsg-tokyo-olympics-covid19-14926094 |
Is the answer in our genes? | Find the latest COVID-19 news and guidance from Medscape. Coronavirus Resource Center.. This transcript has been edited for clarity. welcome to Impact factor, Your weekly comments on new medical research. I am Dr. F. Perry Wilson of Yale University School of Medicine. This week well dive into the lions burrow again This study Appeared in PLOS medicineCould not show a causal relationship between. Vitamin D Level and COVID-19 incidence or severity. And I know this is one of the hot button COVID problems. I think thats because we all really want a cheap and easy way to avoid getting infected with COVID or getting serious COVID. And technically, its a vaccine, but certainly I wish we had more experience. I understand it. And the observation data was definitely convincing.People with low vitamin D levels COVID results are really badIts much worse. However, correlation is not causal. Ive heard it, but I rarely elaborate on what that really means. If A Cause If you change B, then A, B will change. When asked if vitamin D levels are low, Cause Even worse COVID, what we really want is whether we can protect ourselves from COVID by increasing the level of vitamin D. If there is a causal relationship, the answer is yes. But it may not be. Many lower vitamin D levels and increase the risk of COVID. I often refer to vitamin D levels as lifestyle biomarkers. Higher in healthy and active people, and if infected with COVID, the very people you expect will be very successful. The classic method of assessing medical causality is by randomized trials, and there are currently several trials of vitamin D supplementation with COVID. I created a simple table to emphasize what I know. Here is a mixture of the results of a fairly small study that has already focused on sick people. The biggest research shows that there is no benefit. Small, poorly controlled studies show some benefit to soft results. No one has answered the question of whether providing vitamin D supplements to healthy people will later affect COVID. It turns out that there is a smart way to evaluate causality that does not require randomized trials. Its not perfect, but it may be the best we have. This is called Mendel randomization. The mechanism is as follows. However, vitamin D levels have been found to be affected by many lifestyle and environmental factors that we have no control over. But something else affects your vitamin D levels. Some people are genetically prone to high vitamin D levels, just as they are genetically prone to be taller.Yeah, yours Actual Vitamin D levels are affected by everything else, but the genes are unchanged. When low vitamin D is causally associated with worsening COVID, people with a genetic predisposition to low vitamin D have worse COVID than people with a genetic predisposition to high vitamin D. To be honest, its a pretty clever trick. Of course, a large amount of data is needed to understand which genes (in this case, small fragments of genes called SNPs) lead to elevated vitamin D levels. Researchers in this study used approximately 450,000 people to create a genetic risk profile for low vitamin D levels. The scores were then used to assess the genomes of approximately 14,000 people infected with COVID and 1.3 million people not infected with COVID. If lower vitamin D levels are causally linked to worsening COVID, you would expect the COVID group to be rich in people with a low genetic predisposition to vitamin D. However, this was not seen. Sensitivity to COVID, hospitalization for COVID, not a serious illness. This figure basically shows the following: I tried this in various ways, but no protection signal was displayed. Butler Laporte, etc. PLOS medicine. 2021; 18: e100 3605. Source At this time, vitamin D supplementation as a preventative strategy is largely unsupported. However, there are some caveats. First of all, it is important to remember that this analysis is not limited to people with vitamin D deficiency. In reality, you need to supplement with a very small amount of vitamins. Thats why its a vitamin. It is based on the measured vitamin D levels. However, the vitamin D levels we measure in the blood are not the same as the bioavailable vitamin D. We all have a protein called Vitamin D-Binding Protein. This protein binds to vitamin D in the blood, making it unavailable to cells. Some of us have a D-binding protein that has a high affinity for vitamin D. It is genetically determined. In other words, two people with different personalities It was measured Vitamin D levels may have the same effective level of vitamin D, based on genetic variation of the D-binding protein. This means that the genetic risk score may not accurately capture what we are thinking, limiting the validity of this analysis. Of course, all observational studies that link lower vitamin D levels to worse results suffer from the same measurement problems. Personally, Im not a big fan of vitamin supplementation in general. I encourage my patients to get vitamins from their diet. For Vitamin D, get in the sun while exercising a little outdoors. Fortunately, summer is coming-going for summer. F. Perry Wilson, MD, MSCE is an associate professor of medicine and director of clinical and translational research accelerators at Yale University. His science communication work can be found at the Huffington Post, NPR, here in Medscape.He murmured @fperrywilson Hosts a repository of his communication works www.methodsman.com.. Follow Medscape Facebook, twitter, Instagram, And Youtube | https://exbulletin.com/world/health/960601/ |
Was ist davon geblieben? | Berlin (dpa) - Es ist eins der geflgelten Worte der Corona-Krise: Wumms. Vor genau einem Jahr, die Wirtschaft war grad abgestrzt wie selten zuvor, beschloss die Bundesregierung ein milliardenschweres Konjunkturpaket, das Brgern und Betrieben auf die Beine helfen sollte. Lange war von der so vollmundig angekndigten Trendwende nmlich wenig zu spren - nach leichter Erholung im Sommer stattdessen weitere Lockdowns, dstere Aussichten. Im ersten Quartal 2021 schrumpfte die Wirtschaftsleistung wegen des schwachen privaten Konsums noch einmal um 1,8 Prozent gegenber dem Vorquartal. Doch die Impfkampagne, sinkende Corona-Zahlen und eine Erholung im Welthandel lassen jetzt hoffen. Vizekanzler Scholz zieht bereits ein positives Fazit: Der Wumms ist in vollem Gange, sagt er. Deutschland ist besser durch die Krise gekommen als viele andere und jetzt geht es aufwrts. AdUnit urban-intext2 Das Konjunkturpaket hatte einen Umfang von 130 Milliarden Euro. Fr fast jeden war etwas dabei: Eine mehrmonatige Senkung der Mehrwertsteuer und ein Kinderbonus sollten den privaten Konsum ankurbeln, hhere Prmien den Kauf von Elektroautos. Mit einer Senkung der EEG-Umlage wurden Stromkunden entlastet. Fr Kommunen gab es Milliardenhilfen, fr besonders belastete Firmen auch. Ganz besonders habe man auf Familien und Brger mit kleinen Einkommen geachtet, betont SPD-Kanzlerkandidat Scholz. Wirtschaftsminister Peter Altmaier (CDU) spricht von einem Kraftpaket. AdUnit urban-intext3 Arbeitgeber, Gewerkschaften sowie konomen sind sich einig: Das Paket hat die wirtschaftlichen und sozialen Folgen der Pandemie abgefedert. Zwar brach das Bruttoinlandsprodukt (BIP) im vergangenen Jahr um 4,9 Prozent ein - allerdings nicht so schlimm wie befrchtet. AdUnit urban-intext4 Alles in allem hat das Konjunkturpaket allein im vergangenen Jahr den Rckgang des BIP um 1,3 Prozentpunkte geringer ausfallen lassen, sagt der Konjunkturchef des Deutschen Instituts fr Wirtschaftsforschung (DIW), Claus Michelsen. Scholz ist sicher: Das Paket hat nicht nur eine fatale Abwrtsspirale verhindert, sondern auch den Weg fr einen starken Aufschwung bereitet. Doch nicht alle sind berzeugt, dass die Manahmen auch nachhaltig wirken. Nach DIW-Berechnungen hat die Mehrwertsteuersenkung die Wirtschaftsleistung in der zweiten Hlfte 2020 zwar um 0,5 Prozent erhht. Die Leute kauften Elektrogerte, Mbel, Fahrrder und Autos. Oft aber htten sie ohnehin geplante Kufe nur vorgezogen - entsprechend geringer sei die Nachfrage deshalb in diesem Jahr. Die hhere Prmie fr E-Autos hat die Zahl der Neuzulassungen deutlich steigen lassen, auch wenn Benziner und Diesel nach wie vor dominieren. Doch in den kommenden Jahren sind noch massiv mehr E-Autos ntig, damit Autobauer EU-Vorgaben einhalten und Klimaziele erreicht werden. Und das Ladenetz muss Schritt halten. Bewusst wollte die Bundesregierung mit ihrem Corona-Konjunkturpaket nicht nur schnell den Konsum ankurbeln, sondern auch langfristig Investition in den Klimaschutz anstoen. Das wird sich langfristig positiv auf die wirtschaftliche Dynamik in Deutschland auswirken, ist Scholz sicher. DIW-Konjunkturchef Michelsen erwartet in den kommenden fnf Jahren tatschlich einen richtigen Schub. Studien zeigen, dass Investitionen gerade in Rezessionen, gleichzeitig hoher Unsicherheit und bei niedrigen Zinsen besonders krftige Wirkung entfalten. Um Herausforderungen etwa im Bereich der Energiewende, der Digitalisierung, Infrastruktur und Bildung anzupacken, seien bis 2030 aber zustzlich rund 230 Milliarden Euro ntig. Riesige Investitionen werden gebraucht fr den Umbau der Wirtschaft hin zu mehr Klimaschutz. DGB-Chef Reiner Hoffmann fordert deshalb, dass die Bundesregierung nachlegt, mit einer Art Konjunkturprogramm II. Wir brauchen ein groangelegtes Investitionsprogramm, um die Wirtschaft zukunftsfhig zu machen und die Transformation angesichts der klimapolitischen Herausforderungen zu meistern, sagt er. Altmaier meint, Scholz msse sich ehrlich machen und nicht nur vom Klimaschutz reden, sondern finanzielle Zusagen geben. Jetzt kommt es darauf an, mit ganzer Kraft die Segel auf Zukunft und nachhaltiges Wirtschaften zu setzen, betont er. Wer Klimaschutz will, muss zu langfristigen finanziellen Zusagen bereit sein. Hier erwarte ich klare Zusagen, nicht nur warme Worte vom Bundesfinanzminister. Damit zielt der Wirtschaftsminister auf die Zukunft der milliardenschweren EEG-Umlage ab, die alle Stromkunden zur Frderung von kostrom-Anlagen zahlen. Altmaier will sie mittelfristig abschaffen. Zum anderen geht es etwa um eine Sanierungsoffensive im Gebudesektor, der als einziger Sektor 2020 Klimaziele nicht erreichte. Die Wirtschaft setzt andere Reformakzente als die Bundesregierung. Der Hauptgeschftsfhrer des Industrieverbands BDI, Joachim Lang, beklagt, dass ein Groteil der Unternehmen die krisenbedingten Verluste noch immer nicht vollstndig mit Gewinnen der Vorjahre verrechnen knne. Selbst im Mittelstand gehe es da hufig um zweistellige Millionenbetrge. Dies verringere liquide Mittel, etwa fr Zukunftsinvestitionen. Arbeitgeberprsident Rainer Dulger sagt, im Mittelpunkt dringend ntiger Reformen msse stehen, die Wettbewerbsfhigkeit der Unternehmen zu strken. Wir sehen, wie sich im Wettbewerb andere Lnder um uns herum aufstellen. Auerdem msse es flexiblere Arbeitszeiten geben: Die Arbeitszeitverordnung stammt noch aus der Zeit von Telex und Whlscheibe. Die Lebenswirklichkeit ist lngst eine andere. dpa-infocom, dpa:210602-99-837007/3 | https://www.mannheimer-morgen.de/wirtschaft_artikel,-wirtschaft-ein-jahr-wumms-paket-was-ist-davon-geblieben-_arid,1804594.html |
Could BP shares be the investment of the decade for me? | The future of oil biggie BP (LSE: BP) hangs in balance. Oil and gas demand is expected to lessen over time as green energy sources become dominant. So BP has a plan. It will pivot towards renewable energy now. BPs big pivot The plan is already at work. Yesterday, BP said that it is acquiring solar projects in the US. BP sees this as a significant step forward in achieving its clean energy target. It also sees at least 8% to 10% returns from these projects. This follows the companys foray into green projects in European countries like Greece and Portugal, as well as in Australia. It has also invested in offshore wind energy projects. 5G is here and shares of this sleeping giant could be a great way for you to potentially profit! According to one leading industry firm, the 5G boom could create a global industry worth US$12.3 TRILLION out of thin air And if you click here well show you something that could be key to unlocking 5Gs full potential... BP aims to reduce its oil and gas production by 40% by 2030. To me this sounds like a definite step forward, especially at a time when there is such a heavy policy focus on green energy. Whats next for the share price I reckon it will also be good for the BP share price, which can do with a lift. It has gone nowhere in the last 10 years. Even after its post-pandemic recovery, the BP share price is way lower than the 500p levels at which it started in 2020. Besides the question mark on its future, BPs dividend cut last year has been a possible reason for this. If a shares price is not growing, I want decent dividends. But even today, BPs dividend yield is at 4.7%. This does not compare favourably with FTSE 100 utilities like SSE or miners like Rio Tinto, which offer a higher yield and have also shown share price increases. I reckon that if BPs dividend yield were to become more competitive, it would be more attractive. I also think that the BP share price was affected by the lockdowns in the form of lower travel demand, which showed up in its results. The numbers have improved significantly recently as oil prices rose on vaccine development. I think this puts the company in a good place for now. It is buoyed by higher energy demand as the economy comes back to life. At the same time, it is developing its green energy projects at speed. Risks ahead for BP But there are still risks ahead for BP. The transition towards renewable energy can come with its own challenges. For instance, some analysts see lower returns on these projects compared to BPs projections. Also, huge investments are required for these projects. And their implementation may not always be a smooth ride. My takeaway I think it follows that my passive income from an investment in BP may remain relatively muted as it invests more and the returns are lower. However, green energy shares prices have a lot of potential. So as it renews itself into a different business, I think its share price could start rising, possibly even making up for the loss in dividend income. I already hold shares in BP. When I think about it from this angle, I am tempted to buy some more. | https://www.fool.co.uk/investing/2021/06/02/could-bp-shares-be-the-investment-of-the-decade-for-me/ |
Who is Paxton Smith and why is her valedictorian speech going viral? | MEET a high school valedictorian from Texas whose commencement speech has been going viral online. Paxton Smith is a graduating senior at Lake Highlands High School in Dallas, Texas. She is the valedictorian of her graduating class with a 104.93 average. Post graduation, Smith will be attending the University of Texas Austin. As part of her valedictorian duties, Smith was to prepare a speech to read at her graduation, which had to be approved before commencement fell on May 30, 2021. 3 Smith graduated with a 104.93 grade-point average Credit: Tim Rogers/YouTube She originally wrote a speech about the effect of media on young minds but changed this decision just days before graduation. Just 11 days before graduation, Texas governor Greg Abbott passed a bill nicknamed the "heartbeat bill." This bill would prohibit abortions in Texas as early as six weeks before some women even know that they are pregnant. This opens the door for any private citizen to sue abortion providers and others. 3 Texas governor Greg Abbott passed a bill that would prohibit abortions in Texas as early as six weeks Credit: Getty Smith was warned that if she deviated from her script, her microphone would be cut. Still, she decided to talk about the pressing issue and the importance of reproductive rights. After addressing the crowd, Smith launched into the new topic in light of recent events, it feels wrong to talk about anything but what is currently affecting me and millions of other women in this state." She continues, "I refuse to give up this platform to promote complacency and peace, when there is a war on my body and a war on my rights. "A war on the rights of your sisters, a war on the rights of your mothers, a war on the rights of your daughters. We cannot stay silent." Her speech has currently surpassed 20k views on YouTube. About the reception, Smith said When I gave the speech, I didnt realize people who werent affiliated with LHHS would see it. Ive been getting hundreds of messages applauding what I said. Its been shared on almost every platform I can think of. Thats exciting. Most read in News RAPPER DEATH Rapper Lil Loaded dead at 20 after arrest for 18-year-old friends shooting ON THE RUN Manhunt for 'armed & extremely dangerous killer' after 4 dead in horrific attack DANGEROUS CRAZE Here is what you need to know about dry scooping and whether it is safe WAR OF WORDS China threatens US with intense nuclear showdown as atomic program ramps up UP IN FLAMES Boat EXPLODES in TikTok after passengers harassed vessel flying Pride flags OH JOE! Biden gets riot date wrong & runs off stage to 'make sure' girls got ice cream Her unexpected change of topics has resulted in the schoolboard reviewing their policies for valedictorians in the future. Smith defends her decision by saying, A large part of the reason I made the speech at graduation was that was the only place I could think of where I could reach so many people from so many different backgrounds. "It did cross my mind that this is a family event where people are cheering for their kids, but this is a universal topic, and it affects everyone. I felt it need to be said. | https://www.the-sun.com/news/3004457/who-paxton-smith-valedictorian-speech-going-viral/ |
When is 2021 St. Jude Dream Home Toledo drawing? | The drawing for the Dream Home, the new car and many more prizes is set for Aug. 12. Open houses are expected to take place this summer. TOLEDO, Ohio You have done it AGAIN, Toledo-area community: Tickets for the St. Jude Dream Home are sold out and your generosity is making it possible for all families at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital to receive care at no cost to them as well as furthering life-changing cancer research. A total of $1.6 million has been raised thanks to YOU. The drawing to give away the brand-new home in Perrysburg, built by Buckeye Real Estate Group, as well as the new 2021 Honda Civic provided by Jim White Honda, a $5,000 VISA gift card courtesy of NFM Lending and other early bird prizes is Aug. 12. Anyone who visits the home during one of the open houses (still being planned; dates to come) this summer also can register for free for a chance to win a $10,000 shopping spree at La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries. | https://www.wtol.com/article/news/community/st-jude-dream-home/toledo-st-jude-dream-home-drawing-august-12/512-28b293d9-e18e-4fed-b836-d788347c556f |
Did Transformers and SpongeBob Really End Up Costing U.S. Taxpayers $4 Billion? | Popular franchises such as Transformers, SpongeBob and more may have cost U.S. tax payers quite a few dollars. This, according to a newly revealed study from The Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations. The nonprofit group determined that ViacomCBS, the parent company to Paramount Pictures, used tax shelters to avoid paying billions in taxes, potentially costing U.S. taxpayers a great deal of money over the last couple of decades. The Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations, which is funded in part by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, took a deep-dive look at how ViacomCBS used tax shelters to its advantage. Per their findings, the massive multimedia corporation avoided paying $3.96 billion in U.S. corporate taxes. Per the published report, here is how they explained it. "Media companies like Disney, Netflix and ViacomCBS produce digital content such as television shows, movies and subscription channels. All of these intangible 'goods' are protected by intellectual property rights (IPs), and they are represented as intangible assets on the balance sheet. By nature, intangible assets are easily relocated from one jurisdiction to another. This means that companies that rely on intangible assets can easily shift a large part of their global profits to tax havens, where most of their profits remain untaxed. As this report will show, the international rules for the taxation of multinational companies have not been adjusted to the economics of value creation through intangible assets." ViacomCBS has franchises such as Transformers, SpongeBob SquarePants, Mission: Impossible and Star Trek under its umbrella. All of these franchises have earned billions for the company in the 2000s. Because the company used subsidiaries located in Barbados, the Bahamas, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, some $30 billion in non-U.S. royalty revenue generated by these franchises had not been subject to corporate taxes in the U.S. ViacomCBS refuted much of the report's findings and has released the following statement on the matter. "It is filled with mischaracterizations, material omissions and numerous false claims. ViacomCBS fulfils its tax obligations in all 180-plus countries and the territories we operate, and all of our revenues, including those identified in this report, are fully taxed in relevant jurisdictions around the world, including the United States, as required by applicable law." While the company is standing its ground, there are more damning elements of the report. For one, ViacomCBS set up numerous Dutch subsidiaries, called letterbox companies, to funnel TV revenue through. Per Maarten Hietland, one of the authors of the study, the majority of these companies "did not even have a single employee." Since its inception in 2007, the Transformers franchise alone has brought in more than $4.8 billion at the global box office. Mission: Impossible, Meanwhile, has taken in more than $3.5 billion since it kicked off in 1996. And both franchises have further entries on the way. Plus, SpongeBob has become a huge part of the Paramount+ streaming service, with multiple shows and movies. The Star Trek universe is also of huge importance as it anchored CBS All Access, which was the predecessor to Paramount+. This news was previously reported by the New York Times. | https://movieweb.com/transformers-spongebob-american-tax-dollars-paid/ |
Could Ontario open early? | Article content Ontario is set to begin reopening with Step 1 on June 14 but it could come sooner if certain metrics are hit. That remains up in the air. We apologize, but this video has failed to load. tap here to see other videos from our team. Back to video The province has already hit one key metric: 60% of adults have had at least one vaccine dose. While that milestone was achieved on May 21, it takes two weeks for vaccines to take effect, meaning the earliest the province could start Step 1 is this Friday. Vaccination rates arent the only metric that provincial officials rely on. They also want to see declining hospitalization and ICU admissions, a falling case rate, and a lower positivity rate. Despite some surrounding the premier pushing for Step 1 to start on Friday, the numbers especially on ICU admissions just arent there. So far, Dr. David Williams, Ontarios chief medical officer of health, has said no. Still, Premier Doug Ford said on Wednesday that he is looking to open before the 14th. | https://torontosun.com/news/provincial/could-ontario-open-early |
What should I do with my COVID-19 vaccination card? | Its the little white card thats beginning to bring a sense of normalcy to millions of us: the COVID-19 vaccination record card. Now that you have one or will likely get one soon, Consumer Reports explains what to do with it to protect your personal health information. Consumer Reports health editor says the most important info on the card is the drug and lot numbers. They allow the manufacturers to track where and when different batches were made to better trace and coordinate a response if contamination or other problems are detected. If youd like to add an extra layer of protection to the card, have it laminated at a supply store like Staples and Office Depot. Theyll do it free. Just make sure youve gotten all the necessary doses before you laminate! Then, store the card where you keep other important documents like your passport and birth certificate. Dont panic. Contact the location where you got your shot. It keeps a record of everyone vaccinated there and files it with your states immunization registry. You can find a list of state health department immunization registries and contact details on the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CR says that digital vaccine passports are a fast-developing option, so if travel is in your plans, youll want to look into what documents or apps might be required. You may need more than one app depending on what youre trying to do. | https://www.mystateline.com/news/what-should-i-do-with-my-covid-19-vaccination-card/ |
Was Mischa Barton 'Difficult' On The O.C.? | Image : Getty ( Getty Images ) Mischa Barton is somehow in the news again, and this time it has nothing to do with her involvement in that befuddling The Hills reboot. Advertisement A source anonymously told Page Six that Miss Mischa was a nightmare while filming The O.C. . Among the harrowing accusations is that she would show up late to set. How awful for everyone involved. This new narrative runs contrary to what Barton told E! back in May. Specifically, that she felt bullied by men on set and didnt think her cast or crew had her back. Now that were living in this era where we do speak out about our experiences and women do come clean about what was really going on behind the scenes and how they were treated, its a slightly different thing. On her characters fiery death, she added: This has been said before, but they kind of gave me an option. The producers were like, Well, do you want your job and to sail off into the sunset and potentially you can come back in the future in some bizarre TV scenario or we can kill your character off and you can go on with your career that you want and what you want to do? I was getting offers from big films at the time and having to turn them down. I had always been supporting in The Sixth Sense and any of those things. My dream was to be offered those lead roles, so thats what happened. It just felt like it was the best thing for me and my health and just in terms of not really feeling protected by my cast and crew at that point. The source tells Page Six that contrary to Bartons account, the bullying was more so peoples frustration at the tardiness. Co-stars Rachel Bilson and Melinda Clarke also expressed confusion over her statements. None of them need me to litigate this! Best of luck to everyone involved. Erika Jayne and Tom Girardis money woes and legal battles will be detailed in a new ABC News original documentary, The Housewife and the Hustler. Advertisement In a People teaser of the doc, legal experts, Real Housewives hanger-ons, and those accusing them of fraud are all spilling the beans. ABC News says it will also include voicemail messages, court records and a never-before-aired deposition tape of Tom. Im mostly stunned that filmmakers managed to get their hands on all this, considering how tight-lipped the two have been since news first broke late in 2020. Thankfully, its Hulu premiere on June 14 is a few weeks out still, so I have plenty of time to clear the schedule. Advertisement | https://jezebel.com/choose-your-own-adventure-was-mischa-barton-a-nightmar-1847020201 |
Do kids need a longer school day to catch up? | Dear Employee, thanks for your efforts to keep working from home during lockdown. While we appreciate you did your best when doing your job online, we are sorry to say this did not make up for the shortfall in our productivity. To rectify this, we are introducing a longer working day to improve your performance. This isnt negotiable. As an adult whos just come through one of the most challenging and stressful years on record, quite rightly, youd probably be angry. Now imagine how our kids who have no choice in the matter are going to feel if the Government pushes forward with the latest think-tank idea to extend the school day. As it is, thanks to SATs, GCSEs and A-levels, English youngsters are already among the most tested in the world. They also spend longer in the classroom than most nations in Europe, at an average of seven hours a day. Then theres the fact that even before the pandemic, our children were becoming mired in a mental health crisis. This has already led to a rising number persistently refusing to go to school now estimated at around 770,000, according to figures released last year. If there is money in the kitty, Id say lets spend it on improving quality, not quantity. Lets splash that cash on improving pupil-teacher ratios, with smaller class sizes, so children get the personalised support they need. The students concentration is already exhausted A range of research reveals that school success doesnt depend on how long you put children in classrooms. It comes from how you use those hours. Finland, for example, has one of the shortest school days in the world just five hours and gets some of the best results. Post-pandemic, by all means, keep schools open for longer but do this so that pupils can use their school libraries to do homework, and so it could be a home-away-from home, hosting sports clubs and social activities, and offering pastoral care. This will let children catch up on the life skills they really need after spending so long in lockdown. Considering what the younger generation have just come through, a far better message from education ministers would be Well done instead of Could do better. Melanie McDonagh (pictured) says she's all for longer school day to help children catch up YES by Melanie McDonagh So, the Governments plans for a Covid catch-up in schools may well include a longer school day. Yesterday the Department for Education announced that children in England will be offered up to 100 million hours of extra tuition as part of a 1.4 billion programme. It comes after a leaked report by Sir Kevan Collins, the former Education Recovery Commissioner, suggested schools could introduce a minimum 35-hour week in 2022 in order to help kids catch up. Under his idea, it would be up to schools to choose how to distribute this time (and extra money) but it could, in practice, mean they add an extra half-hour on to each school day. They might offer some even longer days say, 8am to 6pm. Bring it on! Though reports suggest Sir Kevans plans have been put on ice by the Government, I say they should start in September. The object is to help children catch up on schooling they missed during the pandemic about 115 days on average. Actually, it felt a lot longer than that for my children, now 14 and 17. There really were two pandemics: one for private schools, one for state schools. Private schools operated a normal school day, only online. Students had the same timetable and homework requirements. There are whole subject areas theyve not done In fact, for some private pupils, lockdown was really rather pleasant one parent told me her daughter was flourishing, because she didnt worry about her appearance so much. (My daughter, meanwhile, was going feral.) Lucky them. Because in many state schools, lockdown was dire at least first time round. As far as I could see, there was next to no teaching. Rather, work was left online to complete. Some children had a lovely time pretending that technical issues prevented them from joining classes. Despite my best efforts, I rather think my daughter was among them. Im all for a longer school day to help children catch up. My only quibble is that Sir Kevans focus seemed to be on what he calls the three Ts time, teaching and tutoring. It would be a pity if the extra hours came at the expense of extra-curricular activities. Some of the additional funding should go towards physical and social activities, such as chess club, drama, or (for schools lucky enough to have playing fields) team sports. Of course, children need time to play. But the loss of so much learning means that there are whole subject areas they havent covered. A longer school day is desperately needed and, like it or not, my daughter will be at the front of the queue. | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-9646049/Do-kids-need-longer-school-day-catch-up.html |
Are ZANU PF and MDC shameful governance failures proving Rhodesias Smith right that Blacks not ready to govern themselves? | There are issues that are so emotive and sensitive, that even I try my best not to provoke them unnecessarily or, at least, tread very carefully, being alive to their potential explosiveness nonetheless, a time eventually comes when what needs to be said, has to be said. The Zimbabwean I have never been a proponent of this weird creature called, political correctness since, I regard such a concept as nothing more than lying and deceitfulness, which has led to the failure of the human race as we witness today, largely due to the inability, or rather unwillingness, to tell each other the brazen and unadulterated truth. As a matter of fact, this monster deceptively referred to as political correctness, has been the main weapon used to hide our faults and weaknesses as humankind a trait that has caused so much intolerance and defensiveness, predominantly at the hands (and mouths) of those who seek to live in a world where there is a justification for anything that we do, or do not do. Nonetheless, today is one of those days when I felt it necessary to come out with something that has been bothering me for many years, but had never found enough guts to spill it out, as I feared the expected toxic response of my overly reactive kith and kin. However, there comes a time when the truth becomes so powerful that it can not be contained or suppressed any longer, and needs to either be released, or we all brace ourselves for the inevitable explosion. This is one of those times. After enduring forty one (41) years of ruinous, retrogressive, counter-developemental, and barbaric misgovernance authored by the ruling ZANU PF regime whereby, the people of Zimbabwe have been subjected to cruel, unspeakable, and indescribable poverty, torment, and repression there was a glimmer of hope in 1999, when the opposition MDC was established, with the majority, who had lost all hope for nearly twenty years of darkness and misrule, were finally injected with a renewed sense of hope and aspirationsakin to how they felt at the dawn of an independent Zimbabwe in 1980. Yet, just as with the painful devastation of those pre-independence dreams, which came crushing down not too long after the celebrations and euphoria of 1980 as the ZANU PF regime did not waste any time displaying its savage, sadistic, incompetent, and corrupt tendencies, resulting in an even more divided nation (predominantly along tribal lines), the massacring of tens of thousands (and maiming and displacement of millions more), whilst, the rest of the nation finished off the little prosperity and developmental remanents leftover from the Rhodesia era. By 1999, nothing was left of those leftovers as the country was reduced to a mere shameful and sad shell of what it had been in 1980 characterized by dizzying levels of corruption (that had long surpassed sane levels, but clearly bordering on psychosis), with the shortage of nearly everything from fuel and foreign currency, to basic commodities in the midst of a looming hyperinflation, as well as joblessness of unprecedented records (igniting the mass migration of million of Zimbabweans into the diaspora). As such, the coming in of the MDC was a long-awaited savior and hope for the hopeless. Needless to say, after a whole twenty two (22) years flooded with ruthlessly brutal repression at the blood-soaked hands of the ZANU PF junta, where hundreds of opposition supporters were murdered, many more mutilated, abducted, beaten up, and repeatedly arrested on spurious charges, with even more fleeing the country, whilst several elections clearly won by their candidates being shamelessly stolen under their noses the MDC has virtually nothing to show for all their pain and suffering. As with their main rival, ZANU PF, the MDC has unquestionably proven to be a resounding and absolute failure. In spite of being fraudulently denied their election wins, that would have enabled them to run the entire country they, however, were allowed their victories in urban areas, in which they have had a good twenty years to run and manageor, more aptly put, to ruin and mismanage. Previously well-tarred, enviable, and picturesque urban roads have been reduced to worse than gravel (or, even strip) rural roads, street lights that once illuminated the urban nights have all gone (turning cities and towns practically invisible even from the sky), whilst most residents have not seen consistent running water for some time (others, in years, with a strong belief that children born after 2000 may have never experienced a flushing toilet, or water coming out of taps or showers), and garbage being transformed into a regular and permanent landscape. One can never say, there were any other causal factors, except inaptitude and an insatiable greed for corruption. Yet, both central and local administrations are notorious for looting, or misappropriating our vast resources, or misplacing their priorities resulting in the vanishing of billions of dollars, or pumping them into unnecessary self-serving pursuits. Just imagine someone, either coming straight from the bush (liberation struggle), or some university outside the country, being handed over the heading of a global player, such as the iron and steel making giant, ZISCOSTEEL in 1980. Let us be brutally honest with ourselves for once. Even those once glamorous houses, buildings, schools, hospitals, and infrastructure we bought, or took over, after independence, have only their superstructures still standing, yet are revolting at worst, and sorrowful at best as we simply watched them disintegrating and decaying, slowly but surely. I am reminded by the well-documented statement by then Rhodesian prime minister Ian Douglas Smith, that majority rule would lead to the lowering of standards, with everything being destroyed, and filth even running down our streets. That is why, at the beginning, I made it clear that, one thing that I distasted the most was the so-called political correctness as this is what we use to conveniently hide our own weaknesses as humankind. We can never progress as people, when we are too afraid to ask ourselves those tough questions as that is the only way to genuine introspection and self-evaluationthe only key to true change and positive reformation because, I do not believe that this is an inherent flaw, but simply our unwillingness to do the right thing. For, as long as we are comfortable in sweeping our mess under the carpet, then we will forever be in denial, will never learn, and will never strive to be better people as the only way to respond to Smiths claims, is to prove him wrong but, certainly not by hiding behind the racist card, since that only proves him right, as we have done for the past forty one (41) years. Tendai Ruben Mbofana is a social justice activist, writer, author, and political commentator. Please feel free to contact him on WhatsApp/Call: +263715667700 / +263782283975, or Calls Only: +263733399640, or email: [email protected] | https://www.zimbabwesituation.com/news/are-zanu-pf-and-mdc-shameful-governance-failures-proving-rhodesias-smith-right-that-blacks-not-ready-to-govern-themselves/ |
Who will win Ohios second Vax-a-Million drawing? | CLEVELAND, Ohio (WJW) The Ohio Lotterys second Vax-a-Million winners will be revealed Wednesday at 7:29 p.m. You can watch the drawing live on FOX 8, fox8.com and our Facebook page. The Ohio Lottery drew the names Monday and then did background checks to make sure people who were signed up met the criteria. According to the State of Ohio, this weeks drawing included 3,225,789 entries for $1 million and 132,903 entries in the 12 to 17 age group for a full ride college scholarship. Thats an increase of 467,320 adult entries and 28,518 scholarship entries from last week. The drawing is conducted using a Random Number Generator and observed by a representative of the Ohio Auditor of State. Heres a look at the remaining Vax-a-Million winner announcement dates: Last week, the first winners of the Vax-a-Million drawing were announced. Abbigail Bugenske, who graduated from Shaker Heights High School, was the first name drawn for the $1 million prize. Joseph Costello, of Englewood, Ohio, won the scholarship. Ohioans aged 18 and older who have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by the date of the respective drawing are eligible to enter into the drawings for $1 million each. Meanwhile, Ohioans under the age of 18 who are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine will be entered into a drawing for a four-year full scholarship to any of Ohios state colleges and universities. The prize includes full tuition, room and board. Ohio Vax-a-Million is an opt-in program. Vaccinated Ohioans who havent yet entered the lottery can do so online here or call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833 427-5634). One entry gets you into all three remaining drawings. | https://fox8.com/news/coronavirus/ohio-vaccine-lottery/who-will-win-ohios-second-vax-a-million-drawing/ |
Could Oregon vs. Washington be a College Gameday location in Week 10? | College football fans missed out on a lot of things during the pandemic season, including actually going to see their favorite team live. Theres something else that was desperately missing having ESPNs College Gameday come to town with their stamp of approval of saying, yes, this is college footballs game of the week. We can question whether or not the early-season game against Ohio State might draw the bid, and a Week 10 game against Washington also fits the billing. This years contest with the Huskies will have plenty of storylines that will be attractive to the nations premier pre-game program. The winner of this contest might very well have the inside track to the Pac-12 North title when the Ducks go into Husky Stadium on November 6th. Besides the possible post-season implications, these two teams didnt meet last year due to some interesting circumstances. Washington was supposed to come to Eugene, but during the week of the game, the Huskies came down with a few COVID-19 tests and they decided not to make the date. That decision ultimately gave them the division championship, but UW was unable to compete in the Pac-12 title game with USC, and the Pac-12 slotted Oregon in that game in the Huskies place. One might think that ESPN Gameday might be in Columbus, Ohio to feature the Ducks-Buckeye matchup in Week 2. But that will be the FOX Big Noon game and the two networks rarely go to the same game. | https://duckswire.usatoday.com/2021/06/02/could-oregon-vs-washington-be-a-college-gameday-location-in-week-10/ |
Is Peter August leaving General Hospital? | Peters time on General Hospital may be running out. Pic credit: ABC General Hospital viewers were introduced to Peter August (Wes Ramsey) in 2017. Since then, viewers have been complaining about his spot on the canvas. Recent events have fans wondering if Peter is leaving General Hospital. After all, the previews have hinted that he may have pushed to his end when he fell down the stairs at the hospital. With the walls closing in and the list of people who hate Peter longer than ever, it may be time to finally rid Port Charles of his evilness. Get our General Hospital newsletter! The biggest red flag is Peters fall. This week, the General Hospital preview video showed Peter attempting to get away on a helicopter, and after todays episode, it all makes sense. Of course, that isnt how he will go out if he is leaving. Well, thats going to be an important part of the storyline. Who pushed him has been on everyones mind. There are so many potential suspects, including Liz (Rebecca Herbst), Anna (Finola Hughes), and pretty much everyone else in Port Charles. It is unlikely that they are the ones who pushed him, though. With the confrontation that is about to happen between him and Finn (Michael Easton), he may be the one to end Peters existence. Some speculation going around leans toward him falling on his own. Currently, Wes Ramsey has not spoken out about whether he is leaving General Hospital or sticking around. Typically, the actors dont give advance notice about their roles, and ABC doesnt comment on contract negotiations. However, contracts are generally signed for three or four years. With his debut in 2017, he should have already either already resigned something, or he knows he is out the door. With the evil and calculated nature behind Peter/Henrik, it is likely he hasnt done is last awful deed yet. Being detained by the police is not high on his priority list. What happens to Chase will directly correlate with what happens to Peter in the meantime. As viewers wait to find out Peter Augusts fate on General Hospital, they can tune in daily to see how everything plays out. General Hospital airs weekdays on ABC. | https://www.monstersandcritics.com/tv/soaps/is-peter-august-leaving-general-hospital/ |
What changes and when in Saskatchewan's revamped reopening plan? | The province has revealed a new target to trigger the end of gathering limits and mandatory masks in indoor public spaces. Photo by Matt Smith / Saskatoon StarPhoenix Article content Saskatchewan found out Tuesday when the mandatory mask rule and limits on gatherings might be removed. Here are the details. We apologize, but this video has failed to load. tap here to see other videos from our team. Back to video Premier Scott Moe announced a COVID-19 vaccination threshold to remove all restrictions on gatherings and to repeal the requirement for people to wear a face covering in indoor public spaces like businesses and churches. When 70 per cent of people aged 12 and older have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, that will trigger the removal of mandatory masks and gathering size limits. All people in the province in that age category have been eligible to receive a first dose of vaccine since May 20. Saskatchewan has spaced its three reopening steps a minimum of three weeks apart to allow the vaccines time to create antibodies to fight the virus. Since the first step in the reopening plan started on May 30, the earliest the next step can start is June 20. The earliest the end of mandatory masks could happen is July 11. That will only occur if the target is met on or before June 20. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The 70 per cent threshold is key. The first step was triggered when 70 per cent of people aged 40 and older received at least one vaccine dose; the second step threshold was reached when the same percentage of people aged 30 and older got at least one dose. For the third step, the one-dose threshold is 70 per cent of all adults. Saskatchewan has yet to meet that last goal. Yes. When 70 per cent of all adults have received one vaccine dose, remaining restrictions will be lifted, except for gathering limits and mandatory masks. Removal of those final two measures will require 70 per cent of people aged 12 and older to get a single dose. According to the latest numbers from the province on Wednesday, 66 per cent of adults have received one vaccine dose and 62 per cent of people 12 and older have had one injection. To achieve the latter goal, about 75,000 more people have to receive their first dose, Moe said. For three straight days this week, the number of second doses has exceeded the number of first doses, which marks a first. For example, on Wednesday, more than two-thirds of the 9,299 vaccine doses went to people receiving their second doses. The percentage of adults with one dose, 66 per cent, has not budged since Sunday and the province is accelerating its second-dose schedule. What effect that might have on slowing down first doses remains to be seen. However, vaccine clinics in schools also began this week and could ramp up vaccinations in people aged 12 to 17. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The first step allowed restaurants to increase seating to six per table and for fitness classes to resume. Outdoor sports are now permitted with some restrictions, and limits on visits to care homes were loosened. Capacity at places of worship expanded to 130 people or 30 per cent capacity, whichever is smaller. And gathering limits were increased to 10 for private indoor or outdoor settings, 30 for public indoor settings and 150 for public outdoor settings. Gatherings get bigger and more restrictions on businesses disappear. Private indoor and outdoor gatherings grow to 15 and places like movie theatres, bingo halls and casinos can host up to 150 people. Limits on capacity at retail stores and personal services will lift, as will table capacity at restaurants and bars, although distancing will still be required. Indoor sports restrictions will end and visiting rules for care homes will again become less stringent. Moe said Tuesday that measures intended to slow the pandemics spread have been imposed for 445 days. But those restrictions have changed a lot in that span from the original shutdown in March 2020 to the gradual reopening plan that began last spring. Most of the severe restrictions, such as the suspension of sports, capacity limits in stores and mandatory masks, were introduced in November and December. In fact, the province added restrictions seven times in those two months. [email protected] twitter.com/thinktankSK More On This Topic Sask. mask mandate could lift as early as July pending vaccinations New Sask. COVID-19 doses drop below 100, second dose rules change The news seems to be flying at us faster all the time. From COVID-19 updates to politics and crime and everything in between, it can be hard to keep up. With that in mind, the Saskatoon StarPhoenix has created an Afternoon Headlines newsletter that can be delivered daily to your inbox to help make sure you are up to date with the most vital news of the day. Click here to subscribe. Share this article in your social network Latest National Stories Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Saskatoon StarPhoenix Headline News Sign up to receive daily headline news from the Saskatoon StarPhoenix, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. Email Address There was an error, please provide a valid email address. Sign Up By clicking on the sign up button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You may unsubscribe any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails. Postmedia Network Inc. | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300 Thanks for signing up! A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Saskatoon StarPhoenix Headline News will soon be in your inbox. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again Trending | https://thestarphoenix.com/news/local-news/what-changes-and-when-in-saskatchewans-revamped-reopening-plan |
When Will Scott Rudins Broadway Shows Reopen? | In the three weeks since New York Governor Andrew Cuomo allowed Broadway theaters to reopen, virtually all of the major stage hits have announced reopening dates for as early as August. Whats missing are shows including big hits like The Book of Mormon and Aaron Sorkins To Kill a Mockingbird that were produced by 17-time Tony winner Scott Rudin. Since Rudin announced that he would step back from Broadway in April following a Hollywood Reporter expos about a decades-long history of physical and mental abuse toward his staff, his many productions have scrambled to reorganize themselves at a critical moment. The New York theater industry is counting on big shows to draw ticket buyers back into theaters that have faced a 16-month-plus pandemic shutdown. When New York theaters closed in March 2020, Rudin had five shows running on the Great White Way: The Book of Mormon, To Kill a Mockingbird, a well-reviewed revival of West Side Story that had just opened and two shows that had just begun previews: the new London-imported drama The Lehman Trilogy and a revival of Whos Afraid of Virginia Woolf? starring Laurie Metcalf. None of those show have yet announced plans to reopen, and Virginia Woolf was officially closed last spring. A rep for The Book of Mormon, where Rudin is a secondary producer behind South Park executive producer Anne Garefino, declined to comment on reopening plans. A rep for Rudins other productions did not respond to a request for comment. However, the Shubert Organization is moving forward with a revival of The Music Man starring Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster thats set to begin performances this December for a February 2022 opening at the Winter Garden without Rudin as lead producer. (Barry Diller and David Geffen were also listed as producers on the project when it was first announced.) The week before Broadway closed, Rudins shows continued to rake in big box office. The Book of Mormon, which has grossed $659.6 million since its 2011 opening, took in another $929,168 for the week ending March 8, 2020, according to the Broadway League. Mockingbird added $1.2 million to its $120 million total gross since 2019, and West Side Story earned $1.5 million just weeks after its Feb. 20 opening night. Scott Rudins decision to halt active participation in his Broadway shows as well as his upcoming film and TV projects came with a public apology. Much has been written about my history of troubling interactions with colleagues, and I am profoundly sorry for the pain my behavior caused to individuals, directly and indirectly, he said in a statement. I am now taking steps that I should have taken years ago to address this behavior. | https://www.thewrap.com/scott-rudin-broadway-shows-reopen-mockingbird-book-mormon/ |
What are the penalties for prohibited drug offences in New South Wales? | To print this article, all you need is to be registered or login on Mondaq.com. The main piece of legislation in New South Wales which facilitates the prohibition of drugs is the Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985 (the Act'). The main criminal offences contained in the Act are divided into two parts: Summary offences which are those finalised in the Local Court, and Indictable offences which are those which may be finalised in the Local or a higher court such as the District Court (these are called Table 1' and Table 2' offences), and those which must be finalised in a higher court (these are known as strictly indictable offences). Summary, Table and Strictly Indictable Offences Summary drug offences are generally the least serious. Table' offences are so called because they are listed in Tables 1 and 2 of schedule 1 of the Criminal Procedure Act 1986 (NSW), which is titled 'Indictable offences triable summarily'. Table 2 offences are generally more serious that summary offences. For these, the prosecution can elect' (choose) to commit' (refer) the case to a higher court, which is usually the District Court. Table 1 offences are generally more serious than Table 2 offences. For these, the prosecution or defence can elect to commit the case higher court. The most serious state drug offences are strictly indictable offences which, as stated, must be finalised in a higher court. Factors that determine the maximum penalty The maximum penalties that apply to these offences depend on the type and weight of the drug concerned, as well as the court in which the case is finalised; specifically, whether the case remains in the Local Court or is referred to and finalised in a higher court. Penalties that apply under the Act Here's a rundown of the maximum penalties that apply under the Act. The relevant weight categories for all prohibited drugs are listed in the table at the end of this article. A penalty unit is $110 at the time of writing. Summary offences Part 2, Division 1 lists the Act's summary drug offences. Section 21 of the Act prescribes a maximum penalty of 2 years in prison and/or 20 penalty units for each of the following offences, except an offence of possessing a Schedule 9 substance under section 18B(3) which carries a maximum of 12 months in prison and/or 20 penalty units: Section of Act Offence 10 Possession of prohibited drugs (or drug possession) 11 Possession of equipment for administration of prohibited drugs 11A Sale, supply and display of waterpipes ice pipes 11B Possession of tablet press or drug encapsulator 11C Possession of instruction for manufacture or production of prohibited drugs 12 Self-administration of prohibited drugs 13 Administration of prohibited drugs to others 14 Permitting another to administer prohibited drugs 15 Forging prescriptions 16 Obtaining prescription by false representation 17 Obtaining prohibited drug by false representation 18 Obtaining prohibit drugs from medical practitioners, nurses or midwives 18A Advertising or holding out that premises are available for use for unlawful administration of prohibited drugs 18B Manufacture, production, possession or supply of certain Schedule 9 substances 19 Aiding or abetting the commission of offence in NSW 20 Aiding or abetting the commission of offence outside NSW Table 2 offences when finalised in the Local Court Section 30 of the Act prescribes a maximum penalty of 2 years in prison and/or 50 penalty units for the offences in the table below where: The drug or plant is not more than the small quantity, and The case is finalised in the Local Court. Section of Act Offence 23(1) Cultivating, supplying or possessing a prohibited plant 23A(1) Cultivating a prohibited plant by enhanced indoor means and exposing a child to that process or substances stored for use in the process 24(1) Manufacturing or producing a prohibited drug 24(1A) Manufacturing or producing a prohibited drug and exposing a child to that process or substances stored for use in the process 25(1) Supplying a prohibited drug 25(1A) Adult supplying, or knowingly taking part in the supply of, a prohibited drug to a person under the age of 16 years 25(2C) Adult procuring a person under the age of 16 years to supply a prohibited drug (other than cannabis leaf) 26 Conspiring to commit an offence above 27 Aiding or abetting an offence above 28 Conspiring to commit, or aid or abet, an offence equivalent to the above outside NSW Table 1 offences when finalised in the Local Court Section 31 of the Act prescribes a maximum penalty of 2 years in prison and/or 100 penalty units for the offences in the table below where: The drug or plant is not more than the indictable quantity, and The case is finalised in the Local Court. Section of Act Offence 23(1) Cultivating, supplying or possessing a prohibited plant 23A(1) Cultivating a prohibited plant by enhanced indoor means and exposing a child to that process or substances stored for use in the process 24(1) Manufacturing or producing a prohibited drug 24(1A) Manufacturing or producing a prohibited drug and exposing a child to that process or substances stored for use in the process 25(1) Supplying a prohibited drug 25(1A) Adult supplying, or knowingly taking part in the supply of, a prohibited drug to a person under the age of 16 years 25(2C) Adult procuring a person under the age of 16 years to supply a prohibited drug (other than cannabis leaf) 26 Conspiring to commit an offence above 27 Aiding or abetting an offence above 28 Conspiring to commit, or aid or abet, an offence equivalent to the above outside NSW Offences finalised in a higher court Section 32 of the Act prescribes a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and/or 2000 penalty units, or 10 years and/or 2000 penalty units if the offence relates to cannabis, where the case finalised in a higher court such as the District Court: Section of Act Offence 23(1) Cultivating, supplying or possessing a prohibited plant 24(1) Manufacturing or producing a prohibited drug 25(1) Supplying a prohibited drug 25(1A) Adult supplying, or knowingly taking part in the supply of, a prohibited drug to a person under the age of 16 years 26 Conspiring to commit an offence above 27 Aiding or abetting an offence above 28 Conspiring to commit, or aid or abet, an offence equivalent to the above outside NSW Commercial quantities and cultivation for a commercial purpose Offences relating to commercial quantities of prohibited drugs and plants are strictly indictable. Section 33 of the Act prescribes these penalties: Commercial quantity For commercial quantities, the maximum penalty is 20 years and/or 3500 penalty units, or 15 years and/or 3500 penalty units if the offence relates to cannabis. Large commercial quantity For large commercial quantities, the maximum penalty is life in prison and/or 5000 penalty units, or 20 years and/or 5000 penalty units if the offence relates to cannabis. The offences are: Section of Act Offence 23(1A) Cultivating not less than the small quantity but less than the commercial quantity of prohibited plants by enhanced indoor means for a commercial purpose 23(2) Cultivating, supplying or possessing a commercial quantity of prohibited plants 24(2) Manufacturing or producing a commercial quantity of prohibited drugs 25(2) Supplying a commercial quantity of prohibited drugs 25(2A) Adult supplying a commercial quantity of drugs to a person under the age of 16 years 26 Conspiring to commit an offence above 27 Aiding or abetting an offence above 28 Conspiring to commit, or aid or abet, an offence equivalent to the above outside NSW Supplying drugs to persons under the age of 16 years Section 33AA of the Act applies to the following offences of supplying a prohibited drug to person under the age of 16 years: Section of Act Offence 25(1A) Adult supplying, or knowingly taking part in the supply of, a prohibited drug to a person under the age of 16 years 25(2A) Adult supplying, or knowingly taking part in the supply of, a commercial quantity of prohibited drug to a person under the age of 16 years 26 Conspiring to commit an offence above 27 Aiding or abetting an offence above 28 Conspiring to commit, or aid or abet, an offence equivalent to the above outside NSW The section prescribes the following maximum penalties: Where the maximum penalty is 2 years in prison 2 years and 6 months For commercial supply under section 25(2A) 25 years in prison and/or 4200 penalty units In any other case Maximum term of imprisonment and penalty units increase by one-fifth Possessing prohibited drug precursors when finalised in a higher court Section 33AB of the Act prescribes the following penalties for offences relating to drug precursors when the case is finalised in a higher court: Section of Act Offence Penalty 24A Possessing drug precursor or drug manufacture apparatus with intent to manufacturing a prohibited drug 10 years in prison and/or 2000 penalty units 24B Possessing a prescribed quantity of drug precursor 5 years in prison and/or 1000 penalty units Manufacturing or producing prohibited drugs in the presence of or using children, or procuring children to supply them Section 33AC of the Act prescribes the following penalties for offences which relate to the manufacture or production of prohibited drugs in the presence of children, or procuring children to supply drugs: Section of Act Offence Penalty 24(1A) Manufacturing or producing a prohibited drug and exposing a child to that process or substances stored for use in the process 18 years in prison and/or 2400 penalty units 24(2A) Manufacturing or producing a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug and exposing a child to that process or substances stored for use in the process 25 years and/or 4200 penalty units, or life in prison and/or 6000 penalty units for large commercial quantities 25(2C) Adult procuring a person under the age of 16 years to supply a prohibited drug (other than cannabis leaf) 18 years in prison and/or 2400 penalty units 25(2D) Adult procuring a person under the age of 16 years to supply a commercial quantity of prohibited drug (other than cannabis leaf) 25 years and/or 4200 penalty units, or life in prison and/or 6000 penalty units for large commercial quantities The same maximum penalties apply to conspiring to commit the above offences (section 26), aiding or abetting the above offences (section 27) or conspiring, or aiding or abetting, and equivalent offence that occurs outside NSW. Cultivating prohibited plants in the presence of children when finalised in a higher court Section 33AD of the Act prescribes the following penalties for offences which relate to the enhanced indoor cultivation of prohibited plants in the presence of children where the case is finalised in a higher court: Section of Act Offence Penalty 23A(1) Cultivating a prohibited plant by enhanced indoor means and exposing a child to that process or substances stored for use in the process 12 years in prison and/or 2400 penalty units 23A(2) Cultivating a commercial number of prohibited plants by enhanced indoor means and exposing a child to that process or substances stored for use in the process 18 years in prison and/or 4200 penalty units, or life in prison and/or 6000 penalty units for large commercial quantities 23A(3) Cultivating not less than the small quantity but less than the commercial quantity of prohibited plants for a commercial purpose and exposing a child to that process, or to substances stored for use in the process 18 years in prison and/or 4200 penalty units, or life in prison and/or 6000 penalty units for large commercial quantities The same maximum penalties apply to conspiring to commit the above offences (section 26), aiding or abetting the above offences (section 27) or conspiring, or aiding or abetting, and equivalent offence that occurs outside NSW. Section 33A of the Act makes clear that life in prison means for the term of the person's natural life'. Categories of drug quantities Schedule 1 of the Act contains a list of prohibited drugs and plants in New South Wales. It is important to bear in mind that in our state, the weight of the admixture' is applicable for the purpose of determining weight; in other words, the total weight of the substance that contains the prohibited drug or plant. So, for example, if one kilogram of cut' cocaine contains 200 grams of cocaine and 800 grams of fillers, the relevant weight of cocaine for the purposes of the Act is one kilogram. Similarly, if 30 grams of cut cannabis contains 25 grams of cannabis and 5 grams of tobacco or another legal substances, the relevant weight is 30 grams of cannabis. Prohibited plant or prohibited drug Traffickable quantity Small quantity Indictable quantity Commercial quantity Large commercial quantity Acetorphine 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.5kg 2.0kg Acetyl-alpha-methylfentanyl 0.0075g 0.0025g 0.0125g 0.00125kg 0.005kg N-acetylamphetamine 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 250.0g 1.0kg Acetyldihydrocodeine 15.0g 5.0g 25.0g 2.5kg 10.0kg Acetylmethadol 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.5kg 2.0kg N-acetylmethylamphetamine 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 250.0g 1.0kg N-(1-adamantyl)-1-pentyl-indazole-3-carboxamide (APINACA or AKB48) 30g 10g 50g 1kg 4kg Alfentanil 0.0075g 0.0025g 0.0125g 0.00125kg 0.005kg Allylprodine 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.5kg 2.0kg Alpha-acetylmethadol 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.5kg 2.0kg Alphameprodine 0.3g 0.1g 0.5g 0.05kg 0.2kg Alphamethylfentanyl 0.0075g 0.0025g 0.0125g 0.00125kg 0.005kg Alpha-methylthiofentanyl 0.0075g 0.0025g 0.0125g 0.00125kg 0.005kg Alphaprodine 37.5g 12.5g 62.5g 6.25kg 25.0kg Alpha-pyrrolidinovalerophenone (alpha-PVP) 3g 1g 5g 0.5kg 2.0kg Alprazolam 15g 5g 25g 1.25kg 5kg N-(1-amino-3-methyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl)-1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide (AB-CHMINACA) 30g 10g 50g 1kg 4kg N-(1-amino-3-methyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl)-1-pentyl-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide (AB-PINACA) 30g 10g 50g 1kg 4kg N-(1-amino-3-methyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl)-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide (AB-FUBINACA) 30g 10g 50g 1kg 4kg 2-aminoindane 3g 1g 5g 0.5kg 2.0kg 6-(2-aminopropyl)benzofuran (6-APB) 3g 1g 5g 0.5kg 2.0kg 5-(2-aminopropyl)indan 3g 1g 5g 0.25kg 1kg Amphetamine 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 250.0g 1.0kg Amylobarbitone 30.g 10.0g 50.0g 5.0kg 20.0kg Anabolic and androgenic steroidal agents, other than in implant preparations for use in animals 500g 50g 750g 5kg Anileridine 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg Atamestane 500g 50g 750g 5kg Benzethidine 15.0g 5.0g 25.0g 2.5kg 10.0kg Benzylmorphine (3-benzylmorphine) 7.5g 2.5g 12.5g 1.25kg 5.0kg 1-Benzylpiperazine 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg Beta-hydroxyfentanyl 0.0075g 0.0025g 0.0125g 0.00125kg 0.005kg Beta-hydroxy-3-methylfentanyl 0.0075g 0.0025g 0.0125g 0.00125kg 0.005kg Betameprodine 7.5g 2.5g 12.5g 1.25kg 5.0kg Betaprodine 7.5g 2.5g 12.5g 1.25kg 5.0kg Bezitramide 7.5g 2.5g 12.5g 1.25kg 5.0kg Bolandiol 500g 50g 750g 5kg Bolasterone 500g 50g 750g 5kg Bolazine 500g 50g 750g 5kg Boldenone 500g 50g 750g 5kg Bolenol 500g 50g 750g 5kg 4-Bromo-2,5-dimethoxyamphetamine 15 DDU or 0.075g 4 DDU or 0.02g 25 DDU or 0.125g 0.0125kg 0.05kg 4-Bromo-3,5-dimethoxyamphetamine 15 DDU or 0.075g 4 DDU or 0.02g 25 DDU or 0.125g 0.0125kg 0.05kg 4-Bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine 15 DDU or 0.3g 4 DDU or 0.08g 25 DDU or 0.5g 0.025kg 0.1kg 3-Bromo-4-methoxyamphetamine 15 DDU or 0.075g 4 DDU or 0.02g 25 DDU or 0.125g 0.0125kg 0.05kg 4-Bromo-3-methoxyamphetamine 15 DDU or 0.075g 4 DDU or 0.02g 25 DDU or 0.125g 0.0125kg 0.05kg Bufotenine and its derivatives being those derivatives having hallucinogenic properties 15 DDU or 3.0g 4 DDU or 0.8g 25 DDU or 5.0g 500.0g 2.0kg Buprenorphine 12g 4g 20g 2kg 8kg 1,4-Butanediol 30.0g 10.0g 50.0g 1.0kg 4.0kg Butobarbitone 30.0g 10.0g 50.0g 5.0kg 20.0kg Butorphanol 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg 1-Butyl-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole (JWH-073) 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.5kg 2.0kg Calusterone 500g 50g 750g 5kg Cannabis leaf (excluding any exception listed under the matter relating to Tetrahydrocannabinol and its alkyl homologues) 300.0g 30.0g 1 000.0g 25.0kg 100.0kg Cannabis oil (excluding any exception listed under the matter relating to Tetrahydrocannabinol and its alkyl homologues) 5.0g 2.0g 10.0g 500.0g 2.0kg Cannabis plant cultivated by enhanced indoor means 5 50 50 200 Cannabis plantother 5 50 250 1 000 Cannabis resin 30.0g 5.0g 90.0g 2.5kg 10.0kg [3-(3-carbamoylphenyl)phenyl] N-cyclohexylcarbamate (URB-597) 30g 10g 50g 1kg 4kg Carfentanyl 0.0075g 0.0025g 0.0125g 0.00125kg 0.005kg Cathinone 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.5kg 2.0kg Chlorandrostenolone 500g 50g 750g 5kg 1-Chloro-1-phenyl-2-aminopropane 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg 1-Chloro-1-phenyl-2-methylamino-propane 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg 1-(3-Chlorophenyl)-piperazine 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg Clonitazene 7.5g 2.5g 12.5g 1.25kg 5.0kg Clostebol 500g 50g 750g 5kg Coca leaf 30.0g 5.0g 90.0g 2.5kg 10.0kg Cocaine 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 250.0g 1.0kg Codeine 15.0g 5.0g 25.0g 2.5kg 10.0kg Codeine-N-oxide 15.0g 5.0g 25.0g 2.5kg 10.0kg Codoxime 15.0g 5.0g 25.0g 2.5kg 10.0kg Concentrate of poppy straw 30.0g 10.0g 50.0g 2.5kg 10.0kg 4-Cyano-2-dimethyl-amino-4,4-diphenyl-butane (methadone intermediate) 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.5kg 2.0kg 4-Cyano-1-methyl-4-phenylpiperidine (pethidine intermediate A) 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg Cyclobarbitone 30.0g 10.0g 50.0g 5.0kg 20.0kg Cyclohexyl-[1,1-biphenyl]-3-ylcarbamate (URB-602) 30g 10g 50g 1kg 4kg 1-cyclohexylethyl-3-(2-methoxyphenylacetyl)indole (RCS-8) 30g 10g 50g 1kg 4kg Danazol 500g 50g 750g 5kg Desomorphine 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.5kg 2.0kg Desoxypipradrol (2-DPMP) 3g 1g 5g 0.5kg 2.0kg Dexamphetamine 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 250.0g 1.0kg Dextromoramide 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.5kg 2.0kg Dextropropoxyphene 30.0g 10.0g 50.0g 2.5kg 10.0kg Diamorphinesee heroin Diampromide 7.5g 2.5g 12.5g 1.25kg 5.0kg Diethylthiambutene 7.5g 2.5g 12.5g 1.25kg 5.0kg N,N-Diethyltryptamine 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.5kg 2.0kg Difenoxin 0.6g 0.2g 1.0g 0.1kg 0.4kg Dihydrocodeine 15.0g 5.0g 25.0g 2.5kg 10.0kg Dihydrolone 500g 50g 750g 5kg Dihydromorphine 15.0g 5.0g 25.0g 2.5kg 10.0kg Dimenoxadol 15.0g 5.0g 25.0g 2.5kg 10.0kg Dimepheptanol 15.0g 5.0g 25.0g 2.5kg 10.0kg Dimethandrostanolone 500g 50g 750g 5kg 2,4-Dimethoxyamphetamine 15 DDU or 3.0g 4 DDU or 0.8g 25 DDU or 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg 2,5-Dimethoxyamphetamine 15 DDU or 3.0g 4 DDU or 0.8g 25 DDU or 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg 3,4-Dimethoxyamphetamine 15 DDU or 3.0g 4 DDU or 0.8g 25 DDU or 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg 2,5-Dimethoxy-4-bromoamphetamine (DOB) 15 DDU or 0.075g 4 DDU or 0.02g 25 DDU or 0.125g 0.0125kg 0.05kg 3,4-Dimethoxy-5-ethoxyamphetamine 15 DDU or 3.0g 4 DDU or 0.8g 25 DDU or 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg 2,5-Dimethoxy-4-ethoxyamphetamine 15 DDU or 3.0g 4 DDU or 0.8g 25 DDU or 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg 4,5-Dimethoxy-2-ethoxyamphetamine 15 DDU or 3.0g 4 DDU or 0.8g 25 DDU or 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg 2,5-Dimethoxy-4-ethylamphetamine 15 DDU or 3.0g 4 DDU or 0.8g 25 DDU or 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg 2,5-Dimethoxy-4-methylamphetamine and other substances structurally derived from methoxyphenylethylamine being those substances having hallucinogenic properties 15 DDU or 3.0g 4 DDU or 0.8g 25 DDU or 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg Dimethylthiambutene 30.0g 10.0g 50.0g 5.0kg 20.0kg 2,3-Dimethoxy-4,5-methylenedioxyamphetamine 15 DDU or 3.0g 4 DDU or 0.8g 25 DDU or 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg 2,5-Dimethoxy-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine 15 DDU or 3.0g 4 DDU or 0.8g 25 DDU or 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg 2-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylphenyl)-N-[(2-methoxyphenyl)methyl]ethanamine (25D-NBOMe) 15 DDU or 0.003g 4DDU or 0.0008g 25 DDU or 0.005g 0.0005kg 0.002kg 3,4-Dimethoxyphenylethylamine 15 DDU or 3.0g 4 DDU or 0.8g 25 DDU or 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg N, N-Dimethylamphetamine 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg 1,3-dimethylamylamine (DMAA or methylhexanamine) 3g 1g 5g 0.5kg 2.0kg 3-(1,2-Dimethylheptyl)-1-hydroxy-7,8,9,10- tetrahydro-6,6, 9-trimethyl-6H-dibenzo (b,d)pyran 15 DDU or 3.0g 4 DDU or 0.8g 25 DDU or 5.0g 0.5kg 2.0kg 5-(1,1-Dimethylheptyl)-2-[(1R,3S)-3-hydroxycyclohexyl]-phenol (CP 47, 497) 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.5kg 2.0kg 5-(1,1-Dimethyloctyl)-2-[(1R,3S)-3-hydroxycyclohexyl]-phenol (Cannabicyclohexanol or CP 47, 497 C8 Homologue) 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.5kg 2.0kg N,N-Dimethyltryptamine and its derivatives being those derivatives having hallucinogenic properties 15 DDU or 3.0g 4 DDU or 0.8g 25 DDU or 5.0g 0.5kg 2.0kg Dioxaphetyl butyrate 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.5kg 2.0kg Diphenoxylate 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.5kg 2.0kg Dipipanone 15.0g 5.0g 25.0g 2.5kg 10.0kg Dronabinol (Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) 0.6g 0.2g 1.0g 0.1kg 0.5kg Drostanolone 500g 50g 750g 5kg Drotebanol 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg Ecgonine and its esters and derivatives which are convertible to ecgonine and cocaine 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 250.0g 1.0kg Enestebol 500g 50g 750g 5kg Ephedrine 15.0g 5.0g 25.0g 1.25kg 5.0kg Epitiostanol 500g 50g 750g 5kg Ergotamine 0.3g 0.1g 0.5g 0.025kg 0.1kg Erythroxylon species 30.0g 5.0g 90.0g 2.5kg 10.0kg Ethylamphetamine 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 250.0g 1.0kg Ethyldienolone 500g 50g 750g 5kg 4,5-Ethylenedioxy-3-methoxyamphetamine 15 DDU or 3.0g 4 DDU or 0.8g 25 DDU or 5.0g 0.5kg 2.0kg N-Ethyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine 0.75g 0.25g 1.25g 0.125kg 0.5kg Ethylmethylthiambutene 15.0g 5.0g 25.0g 2.5kg 10.0kg Ethylmorphine 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.5kg 2.0kg Ethyloestrenol 500g 50g 750g 5kg N-Ethyl-1-phenylcyclohexylamine 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg Etonitazene 7.5g 2.5g 12.5g 1.25kg 5.0kg Etorphine 7.5g 2.5g 12.5g 1.25kg 5.0kg Etoxeridine 7.5g 2.5g 12.5g 1.25kg 5.0kg Fenethylline 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.5kg 2.0kg Fentanyl 0.0075g 0.0025g 0.0125g 0.00125kg 0.005kg Flunitrazepam 0.6g 0.2g 1g 0.1kg 0.5kg Fluoromethylamphetamine 3g 1g 5g 0.5kg 2.0kg 1-(5-fluoropentyl)-3-(1-adamantylamido)indole (STS-135) 30g 10g 50g 1kg 4kg [1-(5-fluoropentyl)-1H-indol-3-yl](2,2,3,3-tetramethylcyclopropyl)methanone (XLR-11) 30g 10g 50g 1kg 4kg 1-(5-fluoropentyl)-3-(2-iodobenzoyl)indole (AM-694) 30g 10g 50g 1kg 4kg 1-(5-fluoropentyl)-3-(4-methyl-1-naphthoyl)indole (MAM-2201) 30g 10g 50g 1kg 4kg 1-(5-fluoropentyl)-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole (AM-2201) 30g 10g 50g 1kg 4kg Fluoxymesterone 500g 50g 750g 5kg Formebolone 500g 50g 750g 5kg N-formylamphetamine 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 250.0g 1.0kg N-formylmethylamphetamine 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 250.0g 1.0kg Furazabol 500g 50g 750g 5kg Furethidine 1.5g 0.5g 2.5g 0.25kg 1.0kg Gamma butyrolactone 30.0g 10.0g 50.0g 1.0kg 4.0kg Harmaline 15 DDU or 0.003g 4 DDU or 0.0008g 25 DDU or 0.005g 0.0005kg 0.002kg Harmine 15 DDU or 0.003g 4 DDU or 0.0008g 25 DDU or 0.005g 0.0005kg 0.002kg Heroin 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 250.0g 1.0kg 3-Hexyl-1-hydroxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydro-6,6,9- trimethyl-6H-dibenzo (b,d)pyran 15 DDU or 3.0g 4 DDU or 0.8g 25 DDU or 5.0g 0.5kg 2.0kg 1-hexyl-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole (JWH-019) 30g 10g 50g 1kg 4kg Hydrocodone 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.5kg 2.0kg Hydromorphinol 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.5kg 2.0kg Hydromorphone 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.5kg 2.0kg 4-Hydroxybutanoic acid 30.0g 10.0g 50.0g 1.0kg 4.0kg 9-(hydroxymethyl)-6,6-dimethyl-3-(2-methyloctan-2-yl)-6a,7,10,10a-tetrahydrobenzo[c]chromen-1-ol (HU-210) 30g 10g 50g 1kg 4kg N-Hydroxy-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine 0.75g 0.25g 1.25g 0.125kg 0.5kg Hydroxypethidine 7.5g 5.0g 12.5g 1.25kg 5.0kg Hydroxystenozol 500g 50g 750g 5kg P-Iodo-N-isopropyl-amphetamine 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg Isomethadone 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.5kg 2.0kg Ketamine 7.5g 2.5g 12.5g 1.25kg 5.0kg Ketobemidone 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.5kg 2.0kg Levamphetamine 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg Levomethamphetamine 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg Levomethorphan 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.5kg 2.0kg Levomoramide 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.5kg 2.0kg Levophenacylmorphan 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.5kg 2.0kg Levorphanol 1.5g 0.5g 2.5g 0.25kg 1.0kg Lisdexamfetamine 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg Lysergic acid and its derivatives being those derivatives having hallucinogenic properties 15 DDU or 0.003g 4 DDU or 0.0008g 25 DDU or 0.005g 0.0005kg 0.002kg Lysergide and its derivatives being those derivatives having hallucinogenic properties 15 DDU or 0.003g 4 DDU or 0.0008g 25 DDU or 0.005g 0.0005kg 0.002kg Mebolazine 500g 50g 750g 5kg Mecloqualone 75.0g 25.0g 125.0g 12.5kg 50.0kg Mepitiostane 500g 50g 750g 5kg Mesabolone 500g 50g 750g 5kg Mescaline 15 DDU or 11.25g 4 DDU or 3.0g 50 DDU or 18.75g 1.875kg 7.5kg Mestanolone 500g 50g 750g 5kg Mesterolone 500g 50g 750g 5kg Metazocine 10.5g 3.5g 17.5g 1.75kg 7.0kg Methadone except in oral liquid form 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.5kg 2.0kg Methadone in oral liquid form 600ml 200ml 1L 100L 400L Methandienone 500g 50g 750g 5kg Methandriol 500g 50g 750g 5kg Methaqualone 75.0g 25.0g 125.0g 12.5kg 50.0kg Methcathinone 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.5kg 2.0kg Methenolone 500g 50g 750g 5kg Methiopropamine 3g 1g 5g 0.5kg 2.0kg Methorphan 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg Methoxetamine 7.5g 2.5g 12.5g 1.25kg 5.0kg 4-Methoxyamphetamine (also known as Paramethoxyamphetamine) 15 DDU or 3.0g 4 DDU or 0.8g 25 DDU or 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg N-(2-methoxybenzyl)-2,5-dimethoxy-4-bromophenethylamine (25B-NBOMe) 15 DDU or 0.003g 4DDU or 0.0008g 25 DDU or 0.005g 0.0005kg 0.002kg N-(2-methoxybenzyl)-2,5-dimethoxy-4-chlorophenethylamine (25C-NBOMe) 15 DDU or 0.003g 4DDU or 0.0008g 25 DDU or 0.005g 0.0005kg 0.002kg N-(2-methoxybenzyl)-2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenethylamine (25I-NBOMe) 15 DDU or 0.003g 4DDU or 0.0008g 25 DDU or 0.005g 0.0005kg 0.002kg 4-Methoxymethylamphetamine 15 DDU or 3.0g 4 DDU or 0.8g 25 DDU or 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg 2-Methoxy-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine 15 DDU or 3.0g 4 DDU or 0.8g 25 DDU or 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg 2-Methoxy-4,5-methylenedioxyamphetamine 15 DDU or 3.0g 4 DDU or 0.8g 25 DDU or 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg 3-Methoxy-4,5-methylenedioxyamphetamine 15 DDU or 3.0g 4 DDU or 0.8g 25 DDU or 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg 4-Methoxy-2,3-methylenedioxyamphetamine 15 DDU or 3.0g 4 DDU or 0.8g 25 DDU or 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg 5-Methoxy-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MMDA) 15 DDU or 3.0g 4 DDU or 0.8g 25 DDU or 5.0g 0.5kg 2.0kg 2-Methoxy-3,4-methylenedioxyphenylethylamine 15 DDU or 3.0g 4 DDU or 0.8g 25 DDU or 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg 3-Methoxy-4,5-methylenedioxyphenylethylamine 15 DDU or 3.0g 4 DDU or 0.8g 25 DDU or 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg 1-(3-methoxy-4,5-methylenedioxyphenyl)-2-propanamine 0.75g 0.25g 1.25g 0.125kg 0.5kg 4-methoxyphenyl(1butyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-methanone (RCS-4 (C4)) 3g 1g 5g 0.5kg 2.0kg 4-Methoxyphenylethylamine 15 DDU or 3.0g 4 DDU or 0.8g 25 DDU or 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1-(1-pentyl-1h-indol-3-yl)-ethanone (JWH 201) 30g 10g 50g 1kg 4kg 2-(2-Methoxyphenyl)-1-(1-pentylindol-3-yl)ethanone (JWH-250) 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.5kg 2.0kg 2-(3-methoxyphenyl)-1-(1-pentylindol-3-yl)ethanone (JWH302) 30g 10g 50g 1kg 4kg 1-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-piperazine 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg Methylamphetamine 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.25kg 0.5kg Methylclostebol 500g 50g 750g 5kg Methyldesorphine 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.5kg 2.0kg Methyldihydromorphine 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.5kg 2.0kg 5,6-methylenedioxy-2-aminoindane (MDAI) 3g 1g 5g 0.5kg 2.0kg 3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine 0.75g 0.25g 1.25g 0.125kg 0.5kg 3,4-methylenedioxymethcathinone (methylone) 3g 1g 5g 0.5kg 2.0kg 3,4-Methylenedioxymethylamphetamine 0.75g 0.25g 1.25g 0.125kg 0.5kg 3,4-Methylenedioxy-phenyl-2-propanone 0.75g 0.25g 1.25g 0.125kg 0.5kg 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) 3g 1g 5g 0.5kg 2.0kg 4-methylethylcathinone (4-MEC) 3g 1g 5g 0.5kg 2.0kg 3-Methylfentanyl 0.0075g 0.0025g 0.0125g 0.00125kg 0.005kg N-Methyl-1-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-butanamine 0.75g 0.25g 1.25g 0.125g 0.5kg N-Methyl-1-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-2-butanamine 0.75g 0.25g 1.25g 0.125g 0.5kg 2-Methyl-3-morpholino-1,1-diphenylpropane carboxylic acid (Moramide intermediate) 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg Methylphenidate 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.5kg 2.0kg 1-Methyl-4-phenylpiperidine-4-carboxylic acid (Pethidine intermediate C) 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-4-propionoxypiperidine 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg 1-[(N-methylpiperidin-2-yl)methyl]3-(1-adamantoyl)indole (AM-1248) 30g 10g 50g 1kg 4kg 1-[(N-methylpiperidin-2-yl)methyl]3-(2-iodobenzoyl) indole (AM-2233) 30g 10g 50g 1kg 4kg 1-[(N-methylpiperidin-2-yl)methyl]3-(4-methyl-1-naphthoyl)indole (MAM-1220) 30g 10g 50g 1kg 4kg 1-[(N-methylpiperidin-2-yl)methyl]3-(1-naphthoyl)indole (AM-1220) 30g 10g 50g 1kg 4kg Methyltestosterone 500g 50g 750g 5kg 4-Methylthioamphetamine 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg 3-Methylthiofentanyl 0.0075g 0.0025g 0.0125g 0.00125kg 0.005kg Methyltrienolone 500g 50g 750g 5kg Metopon 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.5kg 2.0kg Metribolone 500g 50g 750g 5kg Mibolerone 500g 50g 750g 5kg Monoacetylmorphine 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg 6-Monoacetylmorphine and other acetylated derivatives of morphine 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg Moramide 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.5kg 2.0kg Morphan 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg Morpheridine 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.5kg 2.0kg Morphine 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg Morphine methobromide 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg Morphine-N-oxide 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg 1-[2-(4-Morpholinyl)ethyl]-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole (JWH-200) 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.5kg 2.0kg Myrophine 30.0g 10.0g 50.0g 5.0kg 20.0kg Nabilone 0.6g 0.2g 1.0g 0.1kg 0.5kg Nandrolone 500g 50g 750g 5kg Naphthylpyrovalerone (Naphyrone) 3g 1g 5g 0.5kg 2.0kg Nicocodine 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.5kg 2.0kg Nicodicodine 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.5kg 2.0kg Nicomorphine 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.5kg 2.0kg Noracylmethadol 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.5kg 2.0kg Norandrostenolone 500g 50g 750g 5kg Norbolethone 500g 50g 750g 5kg Norclostebol 500g 50g 750g 5kg Norcodeine 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.5kg 2.0kg Norethandrolone 500g 50g 750g 5kg Norlevorphanol 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.5kg 2.0kg Normethadone 7.5g 2.5g 12.5g 1.25kg 5.0kg Normethandrone 500g 50g 750g 5kg Normorphine 30.0g 10.0g 50.0g 5.0kg 20.0kg Norpipanone 15.0g 5.0g 25.0g 2.5kg 10.0kg Opium 30.0g 10.0g 50.0g 1.0kg 4.0kg Ovandrotone 500g 50g 750g 5kg Oxabolone 500g 50g 750g 5kg Oxandrolone 500g 50g 750g 5kg Oxycodone 7.5g 2.5g 12.5g 1.25kg 5.0kg Oxymesterone 500g 50g 750g 5kg Oxymetholone 500g 50g 750g 5kg Oxymorphone 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.5kg 2.0kg Papaver somniferum and papaver orientale 30.0g 10.0g 50.0g 2.5kg 10.0kg Parafluorofentanyl 0.0075g 0.0025g 0.0125g 0.00125kg 0.005kg Pentazocine 15.0g 5.0g 25.0g 2.5kg 10.0kg Pentobarbitone 30.0g 10.0g 50.0g 5.0kg 20.0kg 1-pentyl-3-(1-adamantoyl)indole (AB-001) 30g 10g 50g 1kg 4kg 1-pentyl-3-(4-chloro-1-naphthoyl)indole (JWH-398) 30g 10g 50g 1kg 4kg 1-pentyl-3-(2-chlorophenylacetyl)indole (JWH 203) 30g 10g 50g 1kg 4kg 1-pentyl-3-(4-ethyl-1-naphthoyl)indole (JWH 210) 30g 10g 50g 1kg 4kg (1-pentylindol-3-yl)(2,2,3,3-tetramethylcyclopropyl)methanone (UR-144) 30g 10g 50g 1kg 4kg 1-pentyl-3-[(4-methoxy)-benzoyl]indole (RCS-4) 30g 10g 50g 1kg 4kg 1-pentyl-3-(2-methoxybenzoyl)indole (RCS-4 (2-methoxy isomer)) 30g 10g 50g 1kg 4kg 1-pentyl-3-(4-methoxy-1-naphthoyl)indole (JWH-081) 30g 10g 50g 1kg 4kg 1-Pentyl-3-(4-methyl-1-naphthoyl)indole (JWH-122) 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.5kg 2.0kg 1-Pentyl-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole (JWH-018) 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.5kg 2.0kg Pethidine 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg Phenacylmorphan 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg Phenadoxone 15.0g 5.0g 25.0g 2.5kg 10.0kg Phenampromide 15.0g 5.0g 25.0g 2.5kg 10.0kg Phenazocine 1.5g 0.5g 2.5g 0.25kg 1.0kg Phencyclidine 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 250.0g 1.0kg Phendimetrazine 7.5g 2.5g 12.5g 1.25kg 5.0kg Phenmetrazine 7.5g 2.5g 12.5g 1.25kg 5.0kg Phenomorphan 7.5g 2.5g 12.5g 1.25kg 5.0kg Phenoperidine 1.5g 0.5g 2.5g 0.25kg 1.0kg 1-Phenyl-2-chloropropane 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg 1-(1-phenylcyclohexyl) pyrrolidine 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg 1-Phenylethyl-4-acetoxypiperidine 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg 1-Phenyl-2-nitropropene 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg 4-Phenylpiperidine-4-carboxylic acid ethyl ester (Pethidine intermediate B) 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg 1-Phenyl-2-propanol 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg Phenylpropanolamine 15.0g 5.0g 25.0g 1.25kg 5.0kg 1-Phenyl-2-propanone 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg 1-Phenyl-2-propanone oxime 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg Pholcodine 7.5g 2.5g 12.5g 1.25kg 5.0kg Piminodine 15.0g 5.0g 25.0g 2.5kg 10.0kg Piritramide 1.5g 0.5g 2.5g 0.25kg 1.0kg Prasterone (dehydroepiandrosterone (dhea) or dehydroisoandrosterone (dhia)) 500g 50g 750g 5kg Pravadoline (WIN 48098) 30g 10g 50g 1kg 4kg Proheptazine 1.5g 0.5g 2.5g 0.25kg 1.0kg Prohibited plant, other than cannabis plant 5 50 250 1000 Properidine 37.5g 12.5g 62.5g 6.25kg 25.0kg Propetandrol 500g 50g 750g 5kg Propiram 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg 1-propyl-2-methyl-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole (JWH-015) 30g 10g 50g 1kg 4kg Pseudoephedrine 15.0g 5.0g 25.0g 1.25kg 5.0kg Psilocin and its derivatives being those derivatives having hallucinogenic properties 15 DDU or 0.15g 4 DDU or 0.04g 25 DDU or 0.25g 25.0g 100.0g Psilocybin and its derivatives being those derivatives having hallucinogenic properties 15 DDU or 0.15g 4 DDU or 0.04g 25 DDU or 0.25g 25.0g 100.0g Quinalbarbitone 30.0g 10.0g 50.0g 5.0kg 20.0kg Quinbolone 500g 50g 750g 5kg Racemethorphan 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.5kg 2.0kg Racemoramide 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.5kg 2.0kg Racemorphan 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.5kg 2.0kg Remifentanil 0.3g 0.1g 0.5g 0.05kg 0.2kg Roxibolone 500g 50g 750g 5kg Secbutobarbitone 30.0g 10.0g 50.0g 5.0kg 20.0kg Silandrone 500g 50g 750g 5kg Stanolone 500g 50g 750g 5kg Stanozolol 500g 50g 750g 5kg Stenbolone 500g 50g 750g 5kg Sufentanil 0.0075g 0.0025g 0.0125g 0.00125kg 0.005kg Tapentadol 7.5g 2.5g 12.5g 1.25kg 5.0kg Testolactone 500g 50g 750g 5kg Testosterone, other than in implant preparations for use in animals 500g 50g 750g 5kg Tetrahydrocannabinol and its alkyl homologues except (a) where separately specified in this Schedule, or (b) in hemp seed oil, containing 50mg/kg or less of tetrahydrocannabinols, when labelled Not for internal use or Not to be taken, or (c) in products for purposes other than internal human use containing 50 mg/kg or less of tetrahydrocannabinols, or (d) hemp seeds for human consumption containing 5mg/kg or less of tetrahydrocannabinols where the seeds have had their hulls removed and are non-viable, or (e) hemp seed oil for human consumption containing 10mg/kg or less of tetrahydrocannabinols, or (f) beverages made from hemp seeds if the beverage contains 0.2mg/kg or less of tetrahydrocannabinols 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.5kg 2.0kg 2,3,4,5-Tetramethoxyamphetamine 15 DDU or 3.0g 4 DDU or 0.8g 25 DDU or 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg Thebacon 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.5kg 2.0kg Thebaine 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.5kg 2.0kg 1-(1-(2-thienyl) cyclohexyl)-piperidine 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg Thiofentanyl 0.0075g 0.0025g 0.0125g 0.00125kg 0.005kg Thiomesterone 500g 50g 750g 5kg Tilidine 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg Trenbolone, other than in implant preparations for use in animals 500g 50g 750g 5kg Trestolone 500g 50g 750g 5kg 1-(3-Trifluoromethylphenyl)-piperazine 3.0g 1.0g 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg Trimeperidine 15.0g 5.0g 25.0g 2.5kg 10.0kg 2,3,4-Trimethoxyamphetamine 15 DDU or 3.0g 4 DDU or 0.8g 25 DDU or 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg 2,3,5-Trimethoxyamphetamine 15 DDU or 3.0g 4 DDU or 0.8g 25 DDU or 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg 2,3,6-Trimethoxyamphetamine 15 DDU or 3.0g 4 DDU or 0.8g 25 DDU or 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg 2,4,5-Trimethoxyamphetamine 15 DDU or 3.0g 4 DDU or 0.8g 25 DDU or 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg 2,4,6-Trimethoxyamphetamine 15 DDU or 3.0g 4 DDU or 0.8g 25 DDU or 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg 3,4,5-Trimethoxyamphetamine 15 DDU or 3.0g 4 DDU or 0.8g 25 DDU or 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg 1-(3,4,5-Trimethoxyphenyl)-2-aminobutane 15 DDU or 3.0g 4 DDU or 0.8g 25 DDU or 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg 2,4,5-Trimethoxyphenylethylamine 15 DDU or 3.0g 4 DDU or 0.8g 25 DDU or 5.0g 0.25kg 1.0kg The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances. | https://www.mondaq.com:443/australia/food-and-drugs-law/1075822/what-are-the-penalties-for-prohibited-drug-offences-in-new-south-wales |
How do I apply for a non-immigrant visa to the US? | TO apply for any US non-immigrant visa, you first need to complete the DS-160 online, non-immigrant visa application form. Consular officers use the information entered on the DS-160 to process the visa application and, combined with a personal interview, determine an applicant's eligibility for a non-immigrant visa. You can complete this application online at https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/. Once you complete the DS-160, you should schedule your interview at the embassy and pay the non-immigrant visa (MRV) application fee at https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-jm/niv/information/niv. Please print the confirmation page and bring it with you to your interview so that we may retrieve your DS-160. Yes, due to the US Embassy's reduced capacity to adjudicate visas during the novel coronavirus pandemic and the prioritisation of other consular services, wait times for many non-immigrant visa categories, including tourist visas, are currently more than one year. Unfortunately, we expect to have extended wait times for the foreseeable future. Only the following conditions are currently being considered for emergency expedited appointments: * The documented death, grave/terminal illness or life-threatening accident of immediate relative (parent, direct sibling, spouse, or child) in the United States. * An urgent and thoroughly documented need for life-saving medical treatment by the applicant or their minor child. * Anyone who wishes to travel but does not fall under these two conditions for emergency consideration must wait until the resumption of routine processing. Please continue to check our website and social media for updates on overall processing and appointment availability. In many cases, applicants who need to renew a visa that expired within the last 48 months can do so without waiting for an in-person visa appointment. Applicants who might qualify for visa renewal through the interview waiver process will need to complete a visa application, pay the required fees, and work through our appointment service's website to make arrangements to send their passport to the embassy via our courier service. The Consular Section at the embassy will review and adjudicate interview waiver cases using the same legal criteria as in-person interviews. This process of renewal without interview requires at least two weeks from receipt of application to return of the passport, if the visa is issued. If it is determined your case requires an interview, your passport will be returned, and will need to wait until the resumption of routine visa interviews and schedule an in-person visa interview. If you believe that you qualify for visa processing through the interview waiver process, please follow the instructions below: Check your prior visa and confirm that it expired within the last 48 months. Determine whether the same type of visa is correct for your planned travel to the United States. Information about visa types can be found at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/all-visa-categories.html. Complete the online visa application form, DS-160. The DS-160 is a US Government online form and can only be completed at https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/. Each applicant must complete this form. 3. Visit our appointment service's website at https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-jm/niv/information/niv and complete the following application steps to schedule a Consular Section appointment: * Create a user account. * Add applicant information to complete the registration. * Enter the DS-160 confirmation number for each applicant applying for a visa. * Provide an address or select a location where you want to receive your documents from the Consular Section. * Pay the non-immigrant visa (MRV) application fee(s) using one of the payment methods available in the country where you reside. See visit https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-jm/niv/information/fee for available payment options. Eligibility for an interview waiver will be determined as the applicant goes through the process of scheduling an appointment through the appointment service's website. The determination will be made based on the answers provided to the qualifying criteria and the assessment of a consular officer. The website will provide specific instructions on sending your passport in to the embassy for visa processing. For more information about visas, please visit our website https://jm.usembassy.gov/ and the website of our authorised service provider at http://www.usvisa-info.com/. Keep on top of Embassy news on our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/USEmbassyJamaica/ and by following @USEmbassyJA on Twitter. We also answer general visa questions on our Facebook and Twitter pages. | https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/How_do_I_apply_for_a_non-immigrant_visa_to_the_US%3F?profile=1470 |
Is COVID-19 Considered To Be As Event Of Force Majeure'? | ARTICLE To print this article, all you need is to be registered or login on Mondaq.com. To explore this, in the first place there are 2 options - whether the term is present in the contract or not. A) Event of Force Majeure is included in the contract 1.) Event of Force Majeure in the contract You can have a definition of Event of Force Majeure includes in your contract that means any event that is beyond the control of the Parties and their participants, unknown to and unforeseeable for the affected Party, including, but not limited to, unavoidable circumstancesm. When the epidemic is not listed in the definition of an agreement, but it still belongs to 'unavoidable circumstances' and the other elements of the definition fits also the COVID-19 situation. 2.) Legal consequences of force majeure in the contract In case of an Event of Force Majeure is prevented either Party from performing its obligations under the contract, under the regular conditions that the affected party shall - as soon as possible after the occurrence of an Event of Force Majeure, inform the other Party in writing about the nature of the Event of Force Majeure, the date of occurrence of the Event of Force Majeure and the probable effects on contractual performance - do its utmost for the mitigation of the effects of the Event of Force Majeure on the performance of this Contract; - inform the other Party immediately about the cessation of the Event of Force Majeure, and shall continue to fulfill its obligations under this Contract; In this case the performance of the obligations of such Party under the contract affected by the Event of Force Majeure shall be suspended until the cessation of the Event of Force Majeure and the Parties shall bear their own damages not attributable to the other Party and resulting from the Event of Force Majeure in connection with the performance of this Contract." If the contract contains a valid and extended force majeure clause, this is to apply; however, if it is not extended enough and does not cover all the civil law possibilities regarding force majeure, then also Civil Code shall be applied. B) Event of Force Majeure is not included in the contract 1.) Force majeure in Hungarian Civil Code According to the definition of force majeure made by judicial practice (Curia), force majeure is an irresistible force cannot be prevented by human force. The commentary of Civil Code lists also epidemics as force majeure. 2.) Consequences of force majeure according to Civil Code a) Exemption from the performance of a contractual obligation and exemption from the obligation to pay compensation (Second phrase of 6:142 of Civil Code) According to 6:142 of Civil Code, for damage caused by breach of contract, it is determined that whoever causes damage to the other party by breach of contract is obliged to compensate it; however, the party shall be released from liability if it proves that the breach was caused by a circumstance beyond its control which was unforeseeable at the time of the conclusion of the contract and could not have been expected to avoid the circumstance or remedy the damage. (i) A description of the occurrence of force majeure, i.e. the circumstances of the event Pandemic COVID-19 is an exceptional pandemic of an exceptional nature, unavoidable by the Parties, which the Parties could not have foreseen when concluding the contract, and which was due to external circumstances and events beyond the control of the parties. All this is in line with the concept laid down by the Hungarian case law (Curia) that force majeure is an "irresistible force" of natural or human origin that is absolute in nature, i.e. cannot be averted by means available to the people. (ii) Exclusion of partys liability, lack of applicability of legal consequence That is to say, a Party cannot be required to pay according to the previous payment obligations until the economic effect on the party of the situation caused by force majeure ceases. Thus, the party is not liable for the legal consequences of nonpayment under the effects of force majeure. (iii) Mitigation, increased obligation to cooperate As a party affected by force majeure, this must make all reasonable efforts to prevent, eliminate, avoid or mitigate the effects and consequences of force majeure as far as possible, and contracting parties, are required to cooperate more closely with eliminating or mitigating the effects of force majeure and, if necessary, developing reasonable alternatives. b) Impossibility (Section 6: 179-180) According to 6:179 Civil Code, under the heading of becoming impossible provides that if performance has become impossible, the contract shall be terminated. The defaulting party shall compensate for the damage resulting from the failure to notify.) According to 6:180 Civil Code, if performance has become impossible for a reason that cannot be attributed to either of the parties, the monetary value of the services provided before the time when the contract was terminated shall be compensated. (If the other party did not compensate the monetary consideration provided for services already performed, the money shall be refunded.) The impossibility based on force majeure shall be considered regarding the services by the party. In view of this, during the period without the affected service, one party is unable to perform and did not fulfill its contractual obligations. This legal argument is of paramount importance, because due to each parties inability to make the business available properly, the other party should charge no costs. c) Modification of contract by the court ( 6:192 of the Civil Code) According to 6:192 Civil Code, either of the parties shall be entitled to request to have the contract amended by court order, if in the long-term contractual relationship of the parties performing the contract under the same terms is likely to harm his relevant lawful interests in consequence of a circumstance that has occurred after the conclusion of the contract, and: a) the possibility of that change of circumstances could not have been foreseen at the time of conclusion of the contract; b) he did not cause that change of circumstances; and c) such change in circumstances cannot be regarded as normal business risks. The court shall have powers to amend the contract as of the date it has determined, at the earliest from the date of enforcement of the right to amend the contract before the court, in a manner to ensure that neither of the parties should suffer any harm in their relevant lawful interests in consequence of any change in the circumstances. So as third legal consequence provided by Civil Code in the case of force majeure is that the court may modify the contractual relationship between the parties at the request of one of the parties. In the course of the negotiations, this legal institution can definitely be referred as an argument and a good card. The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances. | https://www.mondaq.com:443/litigation-contracts-and-force-majeure/1075030/is-covid19-considered-to-be-as-event-of-force-majeure39 |
What Is Mercury Retrograde and When Is Mercury Retrograde Next? | Sound the alarm because Mercury will be retrograde from May 29 to June 22. Mercury retrograde is a phrase that can send most of us into panic and fear, even if youre not all that into astrology. And to be honest, while Mercury retrograde can be a tough time period, it doesnt have to be as scary as everyone makes it out to be. So lets break down what it means and assess how you might be able to move through it with a little bit more ease. Download our NBC 7 mobile app for iOS or Android to get alerts for local breaking news and weather. When a planet is retrograde, it appears to be moving backward in the sky, traveling back into the sign it was previously transiting. Any retrograde is always a period of review and reassessment. So when Mercury goes retrograde, you can expect misunderstandings, technology failures and, in general, some roadblocks in life. This is why it has become the astrological scapegoat of modern times. Mercury is one of the faster moving planets in our solar system, and about once a month, it changes signs in the zodiac. Mercury rules communication and can affect our technology, our conversations, the words we use and the big contracts we enter into. It not only affects the way we speak to others, but also how we speak to ourselves and the way we think. "Anytime a planet goes retrograde, it's an invitation to slow down. In that stillness, we can be taken back to where we skipped a step or missed seeing a vital piece of information," astrologers Brandon Alter and Angel Lopez of The Spiritual Gayz told TMRW. "Because Mercury rules communication with ourselves and others, it immediately invites us to slow down our response time. This isn't the time to rush into decisions. "It's also a time to be gentle with yourself. Things may take longer than you want, and that's OK," they continued. "If you're feeling like you made a mistake, now is a great time to forgive yourself. And know that if you're feeling frustrated, everyone is experiencing this on some level, so remember that you're not alone." Astrologers also warn that Mercury retrograde is not the best time to make a big purchase or sign major contracts. And while you can definitely do these things during a phase when Mercury goes retrograde, know that it might be a little frustrating or maybe take a little longer than you expected. And the best advice is to proceed with caution: Back up your work, read the fine print and know that while misunderstandings are bound to occur, they can also be easily cleared up with a little patience with yourself as well as with others. Oh, and word to the wise from The Spiritual Gayz: "Mercury isn't ever IN retrograde, Mercury GOES retrograde. Retrograde is a direction, not a realm. It's like saying 'Mercury is in backward' as opposed to 'Mercury goes backward.'" The more you know. This story first appeared on TODAY.com. More from TODAY: | https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/national-international/what-is-mercury-retrograde-and-when-is-mercury-retrograde-next/2620869/ |
What's drawing Cuban rafters back to Florida despite their limited legal options to remain? | KEY BISCAYNE - It was the end of a busy Memorial Day holiday when ten migrants ran ashore in the early evening after beaching their sailboat and disappeared into the bushes in Cape Florida state park, evading local authorities, according to video filmed by eye-witnesses. The U.S. Border Patrol said none had turned themselves in or been detained by Wednesday. This is a suspected maritime smuggling event that originated in Cuba, U.S. Border Patrol Agent Adam Hoffner told Univision. The event is still under investigation, he added. Despite preferential immigration laws favoring Cuban migrants in the United States, the migrants will likely be deported if they are tracked down or turn themselves in, according to Wilfredo Allen, a veteran immigration lawyer in Miami. These guys who just arrived have zero chance. They have no legal entry. None of them will ever get legalized unless they get taken to an [immigration detention facility], get paroled out and file for asylum, he said. Rising numbers As Cuba battles one of the worst economic crises since its 1959 revolution, more people are risking the dangerous journey to the United States resulting in tragedies on the high seas, though the numbers still remain low compared to previous years. Coast Guard crews have interdicted 323 Cubans at sea since October, more than 200 of them in the past two months. Only 49 Cubans were interdicted by the Coast Guard the previous year (October 2019 - September 2020). The Coast Guard abandoned a search at the weekend for 10 missing people after a boat that sailed from Cuba capsized last Wednesday night 16 miles from Key West. Eight people who were rescued the next day by the U.S. Coast Guard. Two bodies were pulled from the water. Coast Guard officials said they found the survivors in the water, but their boat was nowhere in sight. Some 46 Cuban migrants were repatriated to Cuba, Monday, from four interdictions, the Coast Guard. Most were picked up at sea off the Florida Keys. Earlier this year, authorities found three Cubans who had been stranded on an island in the Bahamas for 33 days, who said they survived on coconuts, rats, conch and snails. The current migrant wave is a blip compared to the situation before Obama terminated the dry-foot,wet-foot policy. For example, the Coast Guard intercepted 5,396 Cuban migrants in fiscal year 2016 and 1,468 in 2017. It nowhere near comparable to the 1994 rafter crisis when more than 30,000 Cubans took to the sea and the U.S. government was forced to build a massive refugee camp at the Guantanamo Bay naval base, says Jorge Duany, director of the Cuban Research Institute at Florida International University (FIU). Even so, its a warning warn. It does seem to be a trend, said Duany. It doesnt look like we are going to see a repeat of that. But the stories you hear suggest theres a tremendous pressure in Cuba today from people stuck there and wanting to leave, he added. 'Dry foot, wet-foot' Former President Barack Obama eliminated a so-called dry-foot, wet foot policy shortly before leaving office in January 2017, that gave Cubans who reached U.S. soil a special parole, allowing them to remain even if they arrived illegally. The policy, which was created in 1997 in an effort to halt a wave of rafters in the mid-1990s, designated any U.S. soil as a point of entry into the country. Anyone picked up at sea was considered wet foot, and repatriated to Cuba by the Coast Guard. As a result, these days any undocumented Cubans who enter the country without being inspected and processed by immigration officials at a proper border entry point, have no legal right to remain. They do still have the option of turning themselves in and seeking to make a case for asylum on grounds of political, racial or religious persecution. While living under communist rule makes Cubans more eligible for asylum than other nationalities, persecution is not easy to prove, Allen warned. Only about 30% of Cuban cases get approved he said. Cuban Adjustment Act Allen said the migrants would have been better off waiting on the beach and surrendering themselves to the Border Patrol. If the Cuban migrants avoid detention and remain in hiding, they would also be ineligible for residency under the Cuban Adjustment Act which allows Cubans to apply for accelerated U.S. residency a year after arriving in the United States. To apply for adjustment, you must be inspected and provided entry to the United States. If you land and then you run and they detain you later theres no inspection, Allen explained. I have people come see me after they are here for a year and I have to tell them, Congratulations, not only dont you qualify for Cuban Adjustment but you no longer qualify for asylum because you have to apply for asylum in your first year in the United States, he added. Factors driving migration A number of factors are being attributed to the increase in migrants, from the dire economic recession in Cuba to the spread of coronavirus and the slow roll out of covid-19 vaccines. The pandemic has also cut off all legal means of migrating from Cuba to other countries in Latin America, due to the cancellation of air travel. Its the worst economic moment we have seen in the last 30 years in Cuba, said Duany. The lines, the lack of food, the sheer desperation of people who cant make ends meet is driving people to the sea he added. The Cuban economy shrank by 11 percent last year, mostly due to the loss of tourism after the island was forced to go into lock down. Some residents say the pandemic has been far worse in Cuba than the official numbers reported - 977 deaths and 144,000 cases in total - which is relatively low for an island of 11 million inhabitants. Making it worse was the closure of the U.S. consulate in Havana by the Trump administration in 2018, due to the mysterious illness of employees from apparent sonic attacks. That has made it practically impossible for Cubans to process visa requests to visit relatives in the United States under a family reunification program. Several Cuban American members of Congress have presented a bill to process family reunification visa requests at the Guantanamo Bay U.S. Naval Station in Cuba, until a suitable place is found elsewhere on the island. "Allowing applicants to conduct their interviews at the naval station would ensure that U.S. personnel remain safe and would greatly ease the burden on Cuban applicants by allowing them to remain on the island during the application process," Mario Diaz-Balart, the Republican congressman from Miami, wrote in an op-ed column in the Nuevo Herald on Tuesday. The Key Biscayne sailboat It remains unclear who the migrants are and where they came from, though Univision found evidence in the sailboat that indicated they had come from Cuba. A plastic bucket in the boat carried lettering from Cupet, Cubas state-owned gasoline company. While the boat was structurally intact it had no engine and had only a canvas tarp sail with a mast and rigging made from tree branches, rope and some adjustable metal tension screws. It seemed unlikely to have been able to make the 225-mile journey from Cubas north coast to Miami, battling the strong currents of the Straits of Florida. Ropes on the prow indicated it might have been towed part of the way by a smuggling vessel. There were also several unopened bottles of water from a Florida supermarket found on board. | https://www.univision.com/univision-news/immigration/whats-drawing-cuban-rafters-back-to-florida-despite-limited-legal-options |
Is It Legal For Employers To Fire And Re-Hire' Employees? | ARTICLE To print this article, all you need is to be registered or login on Mondaq.com. The practice of firing and re-hiring employees' has been scrutinised recently. The General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress has said that the process has no place in modern Britain and must be outlawed, in light of employers, such as British Gas in April 2021, adopting such tactics during the Covid-19 pandemic. Acas has produced a report on the use of fire and re-hire', which was received by the government in February 2021. The report has not yet been made public. The government is still considering its response to the report and has recently confirmed that it will set out its proposed next steps in due course. This article explores whether imposing a fire and re-hire' scheme is legal, what effect it has on the employee and what risks it brings for the employer. When employers seek to fire and re-hire' employees, the underlying desire is typically to achieve a variation of the terms of an employee's contract of employment, usually to the detriment of the employee. It is quite common for employers to want to vary contract terms. Employers frequently look to change terms such as hours worked, rates of pay or the place of work due to business requirements. An employer can vary terms and conditions of an employment contract if: the contract allows for the change (if the contract contains a flexibility clause'); the employee agrees to the change; or the employee's representatives agree to the change (for example, a trade union). If none of these circumstances arise, then an employer is legally permitted to force a variation through the process of firing and re-hiring' the employee; whereby the employer gives notice of termination of the current contract, together with an offer of a new contract, which contains the varied terms and conditions, to start immediately after the original contract has been terminated. However, Acas guidance provides that this should be seen as a last resort. The risks of varying contract terms The safest way for an employer to vary contract terms is to consult with the employee and obtain their agreement. An employee is more likely to agree to a variation if the changes, and the reasons behind them, have been fully explained. Even if the contract contains a flexibility clause', an employer should exercise the right to unilaterally vary contract terms carefully, ensuring that the changes are implemented so as not to breach the implied term of trust and confidence. There is a risk that if a unilateral variation of the contract is not carried out reasonably, it could result in the employee resigning and claiming constructive dismissal. If an employer has decided to dismiss and subsequently re-engage an employee, it should be cautious in following a fair dismissal procedure. This includes providing the employee with the correct notice period and offering a right of appeal against the dismissal. The employer should ensure that the changes do not take place until the employee has been fairly dismissed and subsequently re-hired under the new contract. If the employee feels like a fair process has not been followed, they might be able to make a claim to an employment tribunal for unfair dismissal, wrongful dismissal or a breach of contract, depending on the circumstances. Aside from the risk of legal action, adopting an approach of firing and re-hiring to an employee's detriment also brings a risk to employee engagement and morale, especially if employees have not been properly consulted throughout the process. Furthermore, it could cause reputational damage in the current climate. By way of summary, the practice of firing and re-hiring' is legal provided that it is carried out in the correct way, however, even then, it can bring risks. The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances. | https://www.mondaq.com:443/uk/unfair-wrongful-dismissal/1075362/is-it-legal-for-employers-to-fire-and-rehire39-employees |
How Many Amicus Briefs Were Filed In The Average Criminal Case Between 2005 And 2020? | Today, we're looking at the amicus filing data on criminal cases for the years 2005 through 2020. Just as in our earlier period, amicus briefs were few and far between in criminal cases. None were filed in 2005, 2007-2008, 2010 or 2016. Four percent had extra briefs in 2006. That rose to six percent in 2011 and a bit higher the following year (to 6.06%), but fell for several years after that. In 2017, 21.43% of criminal cases drew at least one amicus brief. That fell to 7.69% in 2018 and 4.76% in 2019, but rose a bit to 10.71% last year. In addition to the years listed above for which no amicus briefs were filed for either side, appellants got no extra briefs in 2009 and 2014-2015. They averaged 0.06 briefs in 2011 and 0.03 additional briefs a year later. Briefs exploded in 2017, and the average per case for appellants was up to 0.5, but that adjusted the year following to 0.04 in 2018, 0.05 in 2019 and 0.04 in 2020. In addition to the years listed above of no briefs at all, there were no amicus briefs supporting appellees in 2011, 2013, 2017 or 2019. Appellees averaged 0.04 additional briefs in 2006 and 0.06 in 2012. There was a one-year spike in 2014 to 0.21 briefs per case, but the number settled back to trend level after that 0.03 in 2015, 0.04 in 2018 and 0.07 in 2020. Join us back here next week as we continue our exploration of amicus filing trends. Image courtesy of Pixabay by 350543 (no changes). The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances. | https://www.mondaq.com:443/unitedstates/trials-appeals-compensation/1074776/how-many-amicus-briefs-were-filed-in-the-average-criminal-case-between-2005-and-2020 |
What next for Hacked Off after Max Mosleys death? | Max Mosley lived a life packed with intrigue. He at first revered his fascist father, Oswald, then struggling to distance himself from him. He went from a brief career at the Bar to working at the top of motor sport, for which he had an ebullient passion. But it was his personal life and sexual peccadilloes for which he will be remembered, not least for how they resulted in a significant milestone in English and by extension UK privacy law. His 60,000 damages award in a breach of confidence action against the now defunct News of the World in 2008 arguably set the template for case law on privacy. Sponsored Yet Mosleys death last month casts doubt over the future of Hacked Off, the | https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/what-next-for-hacked-off-after-max-mosleys-death-fb8xdn0xg |
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