question
stringlengths 9
197
| article
stringlengths 174
99.3k
| url
stringlengths 23
392
|
|---|---|---|
How and When Will Massachusetts Spend Its $5.3B in COVID Relief Funds? | Democratic leaders in the Legislature doubled down Wednesday on their plan to stash $5.3 billion in federal aid into an account they could control over the next several years as they and Gov. Charlie Baker engaged in the first skirmish in what could soon be a major clash between the state's chief executive and its Legislature. At the heart of the matter is a tug-of-war over who will take the lead in deciding how Massachusetts will spend the majority of its $5.3 billion in American Rescue Plan Act aid -- the Republican governor's executive branch, or the Democrat-controlled Legislature. Whichever branch of government controls the ARPA purse strings will probably also control the pace at which the federal money is put to use. Download our mobile app for iOS or Android to get alerts for local breaking news and weather. Baker appears to favor a more rapid infusion while legislative leaders are leaning towards spreading the money out over several years through a process similar to how state budgets are developed. Soon after the Legislature took the first steps Tuesday to transfer all of the ARPA money into a new account, Baker's office warned that their action could jeopardize a pledge he made to distribute a cumulative $100 million to four cities that are getting disproportionately less aid than other similar cities due to a federal funding formula. Plus, the governor's office added, the federal aid "does not require legislative appropriation" and should be "put to work without delay." But if that's the case, lawmakers said Wednesday, Baker should have already sent the money to Chelsea, Everett, Methuen and Randolph. "If he says that he has that authority, then he could have cut a check a week ago," Rep. Dan Hunt, chairman of the House Committee on Federal Stimulus and Census Oversight, said. The Legislature's plan to transfer the money into a different account also caught the attention of U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, and U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, who put out a joint statement Wednesday morning calling on the state to "immediately distribute to Chelsea, Everett, Methuen, and Randolph the $100 million dollars committed to them." Asked during a visit to Chelsea on Wednesday morning why those cities not yet gotten their $100 million, the governor said it was because of the Legislature's actions Tuesday. Everything can now open at 100-percent capacity. Theres no more time limits on tables, the partitions are down, and you dont have to wear a mask to walk around anymore if youre fully vaccinated. "We would have just moved ahead and put the money out," Baker said. "We're gonna have a conversation, obviously, with the Legislature and say to them, you know, 'Do you want to treat these four communities differently, or should we be doing exactly for them what is actually going on for the other 347?'" When pressed about why the money had not already been sent to the cities before Tuesday's legislative announcement and action, the governor replied, "The Legislature put out a press release, they made a point with respect to this. We'll raise this issue with them. I hope they see it the way we do." In the eyes of House Speaker Ronald Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka, however, it was the governor who suddenly saw the situation the way they did. "We agree that communities that have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and left behind by a flawed funding formula, like Chelsea, Randolph, Everett, and Methuen, should -- and will -- receive additional financial support," they said in a joint statement released Wednesday afternoon. They added, "Like our delegation, we have a sense of urgency regarding providing coronavirus relief to our hardest hit communities. We are glad the Governor, who has been in receipt of these funds for two weeks, is now joining the Legislature in this sense of urgency." The mask mandate has been replaced with a mask advisory under CDC guidelines. The legislative leaders, while needling the governor for being slow to distribute some of the money, did not say when they would like to begin or conclude their own process for deciding how to spend the money If the Senate does not pass the transfer bill until next Thursday, which is the day it typically holds formal sessions, and the governor takes his full 10 days to review the bill, it would be about two weeks between the announcement of the plan to transfer the money and the transfer itself. Then the legislative leaders envision starting a "robust legislative process" to determine how the money would eventually be spent. When Baker announced his commitment in March to make up for the shortfalls created by a federal formula, he did not specifically say the money would come from the ARPA award and left open the possibility that leftover CARES Act money could be used. His administration's press release said he would "work with the Legislature to use existing or future sources of federal revenue to fund this commitment." As for the remainder of the state's ARPA money and the larger question of who should control it, the Congressional lawmakers said somewhat vaguely Wednesday that "state leaders" should "determine allocation of the rest of the $5.3 billion in funding." Gov. Charlie Baker provides an update on Massachusetts reopening on Saturday. Massachusetts received its $5,286,067,526.40 federal American Rescue Plan Act money on May 19 and it has been sitting in the Federal Grants Fund overseen by the Executive Office for Administration and Finance since. That fund is not subject to appropriation, meaning that the executive branch decides when and how to spend the money within it. Spilka and Mariano jointly announced their plan Tuesday to pass legislation requiring Comptroller William McNamara to move the entirety of the state's ARPA award from the Federal Grants Fund to a separate account that would be subject to legislative appropriation. The House passed the bill (H 3827) Tuesday and the Senate is planning to do the same next week. After ceding some of its power through the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic as the governor flexed his executive authority around public health, the Legislature has in recent months shown a renewed interest in playing an oversight role when it comes to the vaccine rollout and the distribution of federal funds. The Legislature's desire to have greater say over how the ARPA money is spent comes after House lawmakers told Baker's budget chief about their frustrations that they hadn't been given enough information about how much federal aid has already been spent and how the administration decided how it would spend that funding. Rep. John Barrett said at an April hearing that lawmakers "almost feel like we're being left out of the process." "We're concerned about having a public process and we want to make sure that everyone participates in that conversation and that everyone participates in the recovery," Hunt said. "The House and Senate are responsible to their constituents and are closer to the population than the governor or his appointed commissioners." More than 3,000 people in Massachusetts tested positive for coronavirus two weeks after getting the vaccine as of 11 days ago, according to state data reported by MassLive. Spilka and Mariano said in their joint statement Wednesday that they are "united in our belief that appropriating the American Rescue Plan funding is best done through an inclusive and open public legislative process." Baker has not suggested he wants to shut the Legislature out of the process entirely and his office said Tuesday that the governor is ready to work with the Legislature, local governments, non-profits, and the private sector to "invest these funds quickly." But while the legislative budget process gives a voice to the executive branch, there is no executive branch spending process that guarantees a voice for lawmakers. Massachusetts is far from the only state where a disagreement over ARPA money spending authority has broken out. Lawmakers in Indiana and North Dakota passed bills giving themselves authority over federal aid spending decisions, their governors vetoed the bills and the legislatures then overrode the vetos to keep the ball in their own courts. The National Conference of State Legislatures said disagreements over who gets to hold onto the ARPA purse strings have also unfolded in New Mexico and Wisconsin. In Connecticut, Gov. Ned Lamont signed a bill that requires his executive branch to submit proposals for federal funds allocation to House and Senate leaders, NCSL said, and West Virginia lawmakers gave their governor the power to spend up to $150 million of the funds. "In the end, authority is largely determined by the way states interpret their individual laws," NCSL policy associate Emily Maher wrote earlier this month. | https://www.necn.com/news/national-international/how-and-when-will-massachusetts-spend-its-5-3b-in-covid-relief-funds/2478701/ |
Is Brad Stevens Ready for the Celtics GM Challenge? | originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston Download our mobile app for iOS or Android to get alerts for local breaking news and weather. Say this about Brad Stevens, the man isnt afraid of a challenge. Eight years ago next month, he parachuted into Boston as skeptics screamed about how the NBA wasnt the Horizon League, and suggested the Butler wunderkind would be just another college-to-pro flameout. Stevens never delivered the Larry OBrien trophy that might have most emphatically suggested they were wrong but with 354 wins and three Eastern Conference finals appearances, he can feel pretty good about the resume he built on the Boston sideline. And it would have been easy to stay in that role and see if a Jayson Tatum/Jaylen Brown core could eventually deliver that ultimate prize. Celtics Talk Podcast: Offseason chaos; exclusive interviews with Danny Ainge and Brad Stevens | Listen & subscribe | Watch on YouTube But now, whether by his own volition or simply acknowledging the awkward crossroad this team finds itself at, Stevens is taking on an even greater challenge. On Wednesday, the Celtics elevated the 44-year-old to the lofty role of president of basketball operations as Danny Ainge revs up his retirement golf cart. Stevens will be tasked with not only finding his own successor but untying the shoelace knot that Ainge leaves behind after Boston got tangled in the aftermath of the Kyrie Irving experiment. There is still reason to be optimistic about Bostons future with both Tatum and Brown locked up long term, but there is work to be done to put the right pieces around them and Stevens must find someone who can motivate them maybe even better than he could. It was obvious the Celtics needed change this offseason but the news of the Celtics musical chairs still hit with the velocity of a Robert Williams volleyball block. Twelve hours after his teams disappointing 2020-21 season ended in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs -- with Irving on the other side, no less -- Stevens took on the burden of figuring out how to get Boston back on the same level of a Brooklyn team that has emerged as the title favorite. Its always easier to make a move after a disappointing campaign. Ainge, steadfast in recent weeks that he wasnt contemplating stepping back, didnt always sound like someone who was willingly ready to watch from afar to see if the fruits of his labor could deliver Banner 18. But with Stevens inserted in his spot, Ainge at least seemed at peace with the decision. Stevens, too, sounded a little bit wistful while detailing his feelings at the end of Game 5 and knowing that, after 21 years with the clipboard in his hand, a new challenge awaited. He waited until Tuesday morning to tell his teenage son about the change and wonders what it will be like when everyone just calls him Brad instead of Coach. But he also sounded invigorated by whats ahead. And, ultimately, maybe change was unavoidable. The Celtics get a new vision after Ainges 18 years in the GM seat but maintain the undivided focus on the task of adding to the banner collection. Stevens should have much of Ainges support system in place to help ease his transition. His first task will be identifying the right person to lead this team forward as coach and his seemingly endless rolodex of play-callers should make that a fun endeavor to dive into. Stevens poked fun at himself while noting that the new coach doesnt have to fill Doc Rivers shoes, he just has to be better than the last guy. A heavy lift awaits Stevens after the coaching hire. Stevens used to be able to deflect roster decisions by noting that it was Ainges job to figure out the best pieces. Stevens surely had a voice in those decisions -- though Ainge was the first to admit he didnt always agree with those choices -- but theres a lot more pressure when youve got the final say. The big question from this vantage point is can Stevens be as bold as his predecessor. Ainge, for all the quips about always coming this close at the trade deadline, took some big swings during his two decades here. Those moves delivered Banner 17 and at least positioned the Celtics to compete for another title in the 2020s. We know by now that Stevens puts a premium on established talent, often deferring to veterans over young players during his time on the sideline. If he overhauls the back end of this roster, were guessing hell give his new coach a more trustworthy gang of reserves than what he dealt with the last two seasons. What we do know is that Stevens will dive into his new role with a desire to prove he can do it. Were fully expecting his first decision on coach will be as bold of a choice as it was when Ainge plucked Stevens out of Indiana. Change is difficult. But it can also be invigorating. Notice no one is lamenting the 2020-21 season today. The focus shifted quickly to whats ahead -- and thats not a coincidence. Well let time be the judge. But were certain Stevens is ready for the challenge ahead. | https://www.necn.com/news/national-international/is-brad-stevens-ready-for-the-celtics-gm-challenge/2478707/ |
Are These Meme Stocks Going To Blow Up Again? | AMC Entertainment Holdings (NYSE: AMC) A quick look at any financial headlines this week makes it clear that theres a buying frenzy kicking off in the world of meme stocks once again. They grabbed both Wall Streets and Main Streets attention for a couple of weeks in January as double and triple percentage daily moves became the norm but then they seemed to fade away almost as quickly as they appeared But as equity markets, in general, turn higher after a sluggish few months in the meantime, it looks like theres a fresh fire being lit underneath stocks that have above average short interest. Here are three that are worth keeping a close eye on. With as much as a 500% pop in the past week, AMC is currently the hottest of them all. It has a ways to go before it can top the 800% rally it posted in January, but whats interesting here is that the share price is already three times higher than that previous high. Theres an argument to be made that as we approach a complete economic reopening and recovery that the likes of AMC and their cinema business stand to do very well, but that certainly cant claim all the glory for this most recent run. The stocks short interest has kept it at the forefront of the minds of retail traders, many of whom crowd source their buying strategies on online forums. AMCs management must be thanking their lucky stars as they take advantage of the higher share price to raise some much needed fresh capital. But for all the excitement its important to remember that there are no fundamentals justifying this move. Though shares of GameStop gave back 90% of their value after the January mania died down, they surprised many by refusing to return to their pre-short squeeze levels. Instead, they stubbornly insisted on trending upwards to the point where theyve now spent much of the past four months trading more than 800% higher than their December 2020 average. Like with AMC, the risk-on sentiment that has returned to equities in recent weeks has brought fresh optimism to GME, and their stock has more than doubled since the middle of May. Just as it was looking like it was going to mature and trade a normal daily range indefinitely, thats been blown right open and we could be looking at a repeat of what happened on January 28th. One thing is for sure, the fiscal Q3 earnings report from headphone manufacturer Koss isnt the reason behind the 150% move seen in their shares over the past week. EPS was firmly in the red while revenue was 17% on the year, but still that hasnt stopped them becoming a darling of the meme stock traders who have been piling into shares in recent sessions. Daily traded volume numbers have yet to match those from the start of the year but they could be on the horizon if the narrative gathers some momentum. Shares have broken through resistance and are now at their highest levels since January. Back then, there were days when the stock ran up as much as 600% in a single session. So while theres little to find attractive about them for the long term, maybe theres an argument to be had for putting some fun money into them. Getting Involved Thats probably the name of the game for any of the stocks on this list and their peers. The experts have been out in force this week urging caution, and all three of these stocks feature high up in former fund manager Whitney Tilsons "Short Term Bubble Basket" list. He recently went so far as to say, mark my words: these stocks will fall 25% within a month (probably much sooner), 50% within three months, and 75% within a year". This may well turn out to be the case, but that doesn't mean there isnt some fun to be had in the meantime. Companies Mentioned in This Article Company MarketRank Current Price Price Change Dividend Yield P/E Ratio Consensus Rating Consensus Price Target GameStop (GME) 1.0 $282.24 +13.3% N/A -83.50 Sell $13.36 Koss (KOSS) 0.8 $40.72 +68.6% N/A 814.40 N/A N/A AMC Entertainment (AMC) 0.9 $62.55 +95.2% N/A -2.92 Hold $4.67 Once again it appears that the death of brick and mortar retail appears to be exaggerated. First-quarter earnings are showing that many retailers that rely on in-person traffic for a considerable chunk of their business are seeing a rebound in sales. And many are planning to open stores in 2021.This isnt to say that e-commerce is going away. In fact, a common feature for many of these stocks is that they either developed or enhanced their digital footprint during the pandemic.This special presentation focuses on retailers that are planning to add to their brick-and-mortar footprint in 2021. And some are planning to do so by a substantial margin. Once again, this doesnt signal a transformative shift in the overall trend, but it does mean that for the foreseeable future, brick and mortar will have some relevance. | https://www.marketbeat.com/originals/are-these-meme-stocks-going-to-blow-up-again/ |
What is Splunk and What Does the Company Do? | How Splunk Became the Most Disruptive Technology for Big Data You've probably heard of Splunk ( (SPLK) - Get Report). Well, here's an attempt at explaining it. Splunk describes itself as "Data-to-Everything-Platform, Powering Security, IT, and DevOps". The company gathers real-time data for its clients related to their businesses to assist with operations, security and gain insights into their customers. Basically, it claims to remove the barrier data and action. Real Money's Bruce Kamich says the charts and indicators suggest a good bounce to the upside. Sign up here. Splunk History Below are some highlights to this American technology company: September 2013. Splunk acquired BugSense, a mobile-device data-analytics company, and Cloudmeter, a provider of network data capture technologies. July 2015. Splunk acquired Caspida, a cybersecurity startup, for $190 million. September 2016. Splunk pledged to donate $100 million in software licenses, training, support, and education for nonprofits and schools over a 10-year period. April 2018. Splunk acquired Phantom Cyber Corporation for approximately $350 million. The company reached $14.8 billion of market capitalization. June 2021. Splunks client list includes 92 companies on the Fortune 100 list, including Domino's Pizza, Intel, Zillow, Coca-Cola, Nordstrom, and Groupon. | https://www.thestreet.com/video/what-is-splunk |
Is remote learning causing eye problems for young children? | A report shows nearsightedness in children between six and eight years old was three times higher during the pandemic than in the previous five years. WKBW Equipment used for eye exams at the Ross Eye Institute in Amherst. Researchers say the increase is caused by an the higher amount of time children are spending in front of screens during the pandemic. Dr. James Reynolds, at the Ross Eye Institute in Amherst, was examining young children Wednesday when we asked him about this latest study. Dr. Reynolds, an expert in pediatric ophthalmology, is also professor and chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology at the University at Buffalos Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. WKBW Dr. James Reynolds, at the Ross Eye Institute in Amherst, exams patient. Reynolds says this latest study reinforces the long-time theory that working prolong periods of time, up close, will lead to nearsightedness a change in your eyesight for distance. But Reynolds says he's not surprised by the findings, considering more than a year of remote learning. When kids are in a virtual world theyre typically not in school not doing black board work not doing work at 20 to 30 feet, not necessarily getting outside not going to gym not doing all these kind of things, Dr. Reynolds explained. The study, appearing in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), concluded that home confinement from the pandemic is associated with a significant shift of nearsightedness for children ages six to eight years. From JAMA Conclusion of study. However, Dr. Reynolds tells me the change is to their eye sight is minor. He says it was considered a third of a unit in how eyesight loss is measured. And a third of a unit is visually insignificant patients wouldn't really notice a third of a unit, noted Dr. Reynolds. Other pediatricians, including Dr. Kaufman, a partner at Buffalo Pediatrics Associates, agree with Dr. Reynolds. Are you surprised by that result? Buckley questioned. Not in the slightest, replied Dr. Kaufman. This is actually not surprising to those of us who have been looking at large populations studies about nearsightedness. WKBW Dr. Kaufman, a partner at Buffalo Pediatrics Associates. Dr. Kaufman says long before the pandemic, there was a large study from China showing a strong association between the number of hours spent indoors and the likelihood of being nearsighted. But the working theory is that when you're outdoors, you're looking at things both near and far to you your eyes are adjusting and repositioning for different kinds of sight and that's good for your eye health, remarked Dr. Kaufman. Both doctors say the study provides important information, but parents should not be too worried. It is meaningful. Its interesting science. It is a starting point to ask good questions, but it doesn't mean that every child who did distance learning this year is going to struggle with nearsightedness, Dr. Kaufman remarked. WKBW Examining room at Ross Eye Institute in Amherst. And what that means is more kids end up wearing glasses and that's a distinct negative, Dr. Reynolds replied. How concerning is that to you? Buckley asked. Its way less important to me, even though Im an eye surgeon, then many of the other problems that we see with virtual learning, responded Dr. Reynolds. | https://www.wkbw.com/news/coronavirus/is-remote-learning-causing-eye-troulbes-for-young-children |
Do I need public liability insurance as a freelancer? | It has been shown several times in the literature that telematics data collected in motor insurance help to better understand an insured's driving risk. Insurers that use this data reap several benefits, such as a better estimate of the pure premium, more segmented pricing and less adverse selection. The flip side of the coin is that collected telematics information is often sensitive and can therefore compromise policyholders' privacy. Moreover, due to their large volume, this type of data is costly to store and hard to manipulate. These factors, combined with the fact that insurance regulators tend to issue more and more recommendations regarding the collection and use of telematics data, make it important for an insurer to determine the right amount of telematics information to collect. In addition to traditional contract information such as the age and gender of the insured, we have access to a telematics dataset where information is summarized by trip. We first derive several features of interest from these trip summaries before building a claim classification model using both traditional and telematics features. By comparing a few classification algorithms, we find that logistic regression with lasso penalty is the most suitable for our problem. Using this model, we develop a method to determine how much information about policyholders' driving should be kept by an insurer. Using real data from a North American insurance company, we find that telematics data become redundant after about 3 months or 4,000 kilometers of observation, at least from a claim classification perspective. | https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2264092142490/do-i-need-public-liability-insurance-as-a-freelancer |
What If We Just Stopped Calling the Cops? | By Finally the BLM and Antifa, Maxine Waters and George Soros have the right idea. This article suggests that the problem of crime is that victims call the police. Not that criminals shot people but that the police are called. So, to stop this outrage, stop calling the cops if you are a victims. Suck it up and feel good you did not ask the police to help find the murderer of your brother, the rapist of your sister, your stolen car or the person that assaulted your grandmother. I know from experience, from education, from other peoples experience that I have been gifted, that most often when the police come, there are more problemsnot less. But Reimers slowly realized it wasnt her imagination. An intruder had broken in. And calling the police for help wasnt an option. Police scare Reimers more than any home intruder could. Officers severely beat her when she was working as a legal observer at a racial justice protest in the city last summer. Involving the cops goes against her politics, too, she said. So, as an unknown person wandered around her first floor, Reimers barricaded her bedroom door on the second floor and started to text friends to let them know what was going on. And for reasons that she still cant explain, she also posted about what was happening on Twitter. There is currently someone robbing my house. I was hoping they would just leave. They havent, Reimers tweeted. She added: If any of you call the cops I will murder you. In fact she is now a co-conspirator with the robber. Worse, at the next house the homeowner may not be so kind as to allow a robber in, but shoot them in the living room. A dead criminal because this attorney decided she feared the police more than a criminal. I wonder, if she was raped would she call the cops. The good news here is that as these supporters of crime get known, they become easy prey. Now that Reimers name is public, every Detroit criminal will come to here house, knowing she gave permission to steal. For decades, the solution to Black Americans distrust of cops has often been to not call them. Now white people are catching on too. by Emma Ockerman, Vice News, 5/24/21 Annette Singleton heard gunfire outside her home in Warren, Ohio, one night in August 2020. Two days later, she saw bullet holes in her and her sons cars. She was scared. But she knew she wouldnt call the police. Singleton, a 60-year-old licensed therapist and social worker, is Black. So is her 29-year-old son. And just a few months earlier, shed seen yet another example of what could happen to a Black American when the police were called even for the most innocuous of crimes. The footage of George Floyd pleading for his mother and his life while under the knee of former Minneapolis cop Derek Chauvin left an indelible mark on her mind. Floyd had allegedly used a fake $20 bill at a local convenience store the day he died. Singleton wanted someone to investigate the bullet holes. Yet she had to consider the optics. Officers might look at the damage and turn to her son, who just happens to wear his hair in locs. She worried they would assume he was a drug dealer or a gang member. They could hurt him, she thought, or more likely do nothing at all. In the end, Singleton said, I didnt report it, and I hated it. Singletons personal experiences further shaped her decision to not call the police that day: Her brother, Che Taylor, was killed by Seattle cops in 2016. Ohio police also once filed charges against Singletons son simply because a white man accused of stealing was in a car registered to someone of the same last nameeven though her son had never been to the town where the alleged crime occurred and looked nothing like the suspect. Its very scary, Singleton said. Scary enough to say, Im not calling the police, because they could do anything, and it could go bad real fast. For decades, many Black Americans have believed that cops presence will either make a situation worseor wont have any impact. And the solution has sometimes been to not call the police at all, even in circumstances where they felt unsafe. Police do not create safety. Policing is largely reactionary. They come onto the scene after the fact. But its not just communities of color anymore: White people are now occasionally rethinking whether its a good idea to rely so heavily on law enforcement, especially if summoning the police could potentially harm someone. And entire cities have considered whether police officers are the best response to certain kinds of offenses. Floyds fatal arrest last May seems to have hardened that perception. Even the teenage corner store clerk expressed regret over having taken the counterfeit $20 bill from Floyd, which later caused another employee to call the police. If I would have just not taken the bill, this could have been avoided, the clerk, Christopher Martin, said on the witness stand during Chauvins murder trial. An owner of the store, Cup Foods, decided after cops killed Floyd that from then on he and his employees would only call the cops to report violence, according to the New York Times. Thats the same mindset Leah Knox, a 36-year-old sales operation analyst from Greensboro, North Carolina, took when someone pulling out of a gas station hit her car in October. The driver appeared to be a Latino teenager, who was also very stressed and scared. Sensing his fear, she didnt want to put any more pressure on him by calling the cops. So Knox told him that if he could exchange his insurance information with her and admit fault, they both could move on without getting the police involved. He cooperated completely, and his insurance came through and paid for the repairs. Although some of her family members were shocked that she didnt call the cops, Knox said shell probably do the same if she gets in another accident. She doesnt want to call the police anymore unless its over something imminently violent, where I wouldnt know what else to do, she said. Im a white, mid-30s woman, lower-middle-class, she said. Most of my run-ins with police havent been great, but this past year has really opened my eyes to what other people go through. While the dialogue about when its appropriate to call the police and if they really keep people safe isnt new, its a conversation that some white communities seem increasingly willing to join. Misha Viets van Dyk, the national chapter network organizer for Showing Up for Racial Justice, which organizes white communities for racial and economic justice, said their organization saw a giant wave of white people concerned about police accountability this past year. As people learn about their own background or the backgrounds of people around them, they see more and more reasons why putting their trust into this institution of policing is one that harms us, Viets van Dyk said. A Gallup poll conducted after Floyd was murdered last summer found that Americans confidence in the police had slid to a record low of 48 percent, the first time in nearly 30 years without a majority. Being a Karena white woman who calls the cops on a Black birdwatcher for telling her to leash her dog, a Black driver for temporarily parking in a reserved spot, or a Black neighbor following a permit disputehas also become more of a concern in the past year. Still, the gap between Black and white peoples faith in the police is larger now than its been historically, according to the same Gallup poll. After Floyds murder, only 19 percent of Black adults reported they fostered a great deal or quite a lot of confidence in the police, down from 30 percent. For white adults, trust only dropped from 60 percent to 56 percent. Places like New York City, Portland, and Anaheim, California, have toyed with at least one solution: Social workers or other professionals could respond to certain reports of people experiencing mental distress or homelessness, rather than the cops. Other cities have also championed community-based violence prevention programs to mediate disputes and support crime survivors. That doesnt mean proposals for reform always go over smoothly. Plenty of police officers continue to say that communities are only hurting themselves by defunding police departments to boost other social services. And some police chiefs have cited the rise in violent crime during the coronavirus pandemic or serious drop in law enforcement staffing as a pressing reason to protect police budgets, even though many officers continue to spend much of their time responding to nonviolent calls and dealing with traffic offenses. Still, the defund the police movement, which broadly calls for shrinking police departments budgets so local leaders might instead fully invest in alternatives and preventive solutions, persists, despite not being all that politically popular. Austin, Texas, for example, slashed its policing budget and poured some of the leftover funds into providing services for homeless people living in permanent supportive housing. The things that create safety are also the things that create strong individuals, strong families, strong communities, said Dr. Amara Enyia, the policy and research coordinator for the Movement for Black Lives. And those things are about investments in education, in economic developments, in housing, in mitigating public health hazards. Those are the things that create safety. Police do not create safety, Enyia added. Policing is largely reactionary. They come onto the scene after the fact. Marie Reimers, a white, 28-year-old legal aid attorney, believes that too. She was at home in Detroit on March 23 when her dog started barking and going berserk. She tried not to overthink it: Maybe she was being paranoid. Maybe it was directed at the cat, she thought. I know from experience, from education, from other peoples experience that I have been gifted, that most often when the police come, there are more problemsnot less. But Reimers slowly realized it wasnt her imagination. An intruder had broken in. And calling the police for help wasnt an option. Police scare Reimers more than any home intruder could. Officers severely beat her when she was working as a legal observer at a racial justice protest in the city last summer. Involving the cops goes against her politics, too, she said. So, as an unknown person wandered around her first floor, Reimers barricaded her bedroom door on the second floor and started to text friends to let them know what was going on. And for reasons that she still cant explain, she also posted about what was happening on Twitter. There is currently someone robbing my house. I was hoping they would just leave. They havent, Reimers tweeted. She added: If any of you call the cops I will murder you. I do not want cops at my house. Instead, Reimers called a friend to pound on her door and scare the intruder off. But someone had called the cops anyway, and officers still arrived at her address. The person who had broken in, however, was able to escape without harm or arrest. Later, Reimers realized they hadnt taken anything and had just rearranged some furniture. Reimers now believes the intruder was a local homeless woman who has a mental illness and had come by and dropped off gifts on her porch before. When I realized that, I was even more thankful that I didnt call the police, she said. I dont want him dead Years ago, Jennifer Lewinski, 44, was in a relationship that became abusive. She couldnt call the cops in her town of Asbury Park, New Jersey, to report that violence. Although numerous barriers keep women from reporting domestic abuse, as a Black woman and an activist, Lewinski feared the police would hurt her or her boyfriend. He was also on parole, so an arrest could have ruined his life. Are they going to shoot him? Lewinski said of her thinking at the time. Even though hes hurting me, hes still a person that I love and I dont want him dead. And thats something you have to think of when you call the cops on Black people: Is what theyre doing, should it be a death sentence? By the time Lewinski and someone else were forced to call law enforcement in 2015, the conflict between the couple had seriously escalated: In an attempt to protect herself, Lewinski stabbed her boyfriend in the arm after she said he put her in a chokehold. She went to jail for three days and wound up with a felony charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon on her record. If thered been an alternative to the cops for addressing her domestic abusea chance to call someone earlierLewinski wouldve taken it. Partly because of that, shes trying to create a solution for other people in similar situations. After her arrest, Lewinski co-founded the Asbury Park Transformative Justice Project. The group is hoping to formally establish so-called community-run safety units, staffed by volunteers and social workers, so residents have someone they can call for de-escalation when they dont want to involve the police. And some people in Lewinskis community are already relying on her and her colleagues for help. Recently, someone called Lewinskis group because they thought their neighbor might be in a domestic violence situation and didnt want to rely on traditional law enforcement. Lewinski and a volunteer therapist went and knocked on the neighbors door to see what they could do. Nobody answered, but they were able to leave a note saying they didnt want to call the police and were able to help. Thats an option Lewinski wishes shed had. Her arrest did nothing to solve the actual problem at hand, she said. After she got out of jail, Lewinski went back to her abuser for a time, until she was eventually able to leave. And to her knowledge, he still hasnt gotten counseling or resources that might help him deal with his anger or abusive tendencies. Were taught that they [police] will help you, Lewinski said, but I know from experience, from education, from other peoples experience that I have been gifted, that most often when the police come, there are more problemsnot less. | http://www.capoliticalreview.com/capoliticalnewsandviews/what-if-we-just-stopped-calling-the-cops/ |
Is Best Buy having a Prime Day sale? | Its well known that Prime Day deals are coming. June 21 and June 22 are the official dates for the huge sales event but were fairly confident that Amazon isnt the only retailer that will be making huge price reductions on tons of great products. While nothing is confirmed just yet, Best Buy typically runs a sale at the same time as Prime Day. After all, it wants to compete for business and definitely doesnt want Amazon to have a monopoly on discount shoppers during this time period. It seems highly likely that 2021 will be the same as past years and well see a big sale going on at Best Buy. Heres what were thinking. We dont have official confirmation of when the Best Buy sale begins but its likely to be around June 21 and June 22 to coincide with the Amazon Prime Day sales. It may even end up wrapping around those days. Well just have to wait and see for the official word soon. Its very likely well see some overlap between what Amazon sells and what Best Buy offers in their sale. However, some differences are almost guaranteed as both retailers take different approaches. For instance, Amazon is likely to more heavily discount its own range of products and all things Alexa-enabled than anything Best Buy can offer. Alternatively, were expecting to see far more discounts on home essentials and furniture at Best Buy because the retailer is generally pretty keen on discounting such items in all its other sales. While Amazon focuses on technology, Best Buy cuts the prices of everything from home appliances large and small to furniture for your home and office, as well as entertainment products of all kinds and smart home accessories. If youre looking for those little things that spruce up your living space, Best Buy is likely to be the best sale for you. Like Walmart, Best Buy is pretty great at consistently offering fantastic offers on TVs. Were expecting this to be a similar case during the Prime Day sales. Expect to see a mixture of big-name brands and lesser-known names discounted in the world of TV with huge screens likely an option if youre willing to buy something a little less premium. With so many choices out there, its a good idea to read up on the best TV brands and the best TVs beforehand so you know what to look for to suit your needs. Its also likely that well see big discounts on the latest kitchen appliances too. Dont be surprised if you see some of the best Instant Pots or best air fryers out there on sale as part of the Best Buy Prime Day deals. They may well end up even better than any price Amazon can offer. We strive to help our readers find the best deals on quality products and services, and we choose what we cover carefully and independently. The prices, details, and availability of the products and deals in this post may be subject to change at anytime. Be sure to check that they are still in effect before making a purchase. Digital Trends may earn commission on products purchased through our links, which supports the work we do for our readers. Editors' Recommendations | https://www.digitaltrends.com/dtdeals/is-best-buy-having-a-prime-day-sale/ |
When does Spotify Wrapped 2021 come out? | By Sam Prance Here's everything you need to know about the Spotify Wrapped 2021 release date and how you can access it. It may only be June but Spotify has already come through with an array of features which hint at who you've been listening to the most this year. Yesterday (Jun 2), Spotify unveiled Spotify Only You, a new feature which tells you your Audio Birth Chart alongside other facts about your streaming habits. Spotify has also launched Spotify Blend for BFF playlists. Here's what you need to know about when and how you can access yours. Picture: Filip Radwanski/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images, Spotify Spotify Wrapped doesn't have a set release date. However, since launching, the popular feature has come out at the start of December every year. In 2017 and 2018, Spotify Wrapped came out on December 6, in 2019 it came out on December 5, and in 2020 it came out on December 2. Spotify Wrapped is based on your listening habits from January 1 to October 31 of that year, so it usually doesn't come out any sooner than December. Given that it's come out earlier and earlier in recent years, Spotify Wrapped 2021 could drop as soon as December 1. Picture: Spotify Every year, Spotify launches a Spotify Wrapped website for that specific year. To get your Spotify Wrapped, all you need to do is visit that website and connect it to your Spotify account. You can also access your Spotify Wrapped stats directly by visiting the Spotify app as soon as Spotify Wrapped 2021 becomes available. We'll add the website link to this page as soon as it's live but be on the lookout this December to find out your top songs, top artists and all the other amazing information that Spotify Wrapped provides. | https://www.popbuzz.com/music/news/spotify-wrapped-2021-when-date/ |
Will of the people? | Apparently, the SLO City Council didn't get the Black Lives Matters (BLM) and Cal Poly Students for Quality Education (SQE) memo about defunding the police because instead of lowering the city's police funding, the newly passed two-year budget increases it. click to enlarge "The people have spoken," says the infographic being distributed by BLM and SQE. "We've said that we don't need police, we don't want police: we want investment in our communities instead!" We certainly know the will of the squeaky wheels, but I'm guessing the vast majority of San Luis Obispans are scared shitless of the idea of defunding the police. For their part, BLM and SQE see bloated police budgets as taking resources away from the community: "It calls for new investment in servers and information for them; it calls for upgrades to the police fleet of vehicles; it's FULL of more investment in something the people have been clear they don't want to see!" Here's the thing. All those BLM protests were inspiring, but they were also divisive. For every protester you show me, I can show you a seething resident who's pissed the city spent around $800,000 trying to control protesters who spilled onto Highway 101 and disrupted people's livesand before you go there, yes, I know the point of a protest is to afflict the comfortable. My point is you don't know the will of the people. You know the will of the movement. Here's what the city said it would do at the June 1 City Council meeting. When a mental health emergency call comes in to 911, the dispatcher will assess whether it's a police matter or if it's better to send an EMT and social worker. It's a baby step, to be sure, but it's a step. The police abolitionists weren't having it, of course. It's all or nothing with them right now, and that's a recipe for nothing. "Social workers must not be complicit in a system of violence founded on racial oppression," Michael Barros commented. "People will be no doubt afraid to seek help or communicate with social workers due to a fear of incarceration or police violence. How mental health callers respond is still up to the decision of the 911 dispatchers. Contracting a social worker with the PD is not divestment." I get it. Justice deferred is justice denied. Yes, our homeless community and Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPoC) have waited more than long enough for a reform of our broken system. There's absolutely no question injustice abounds. BLM wants to fix it all with a one-size-fits-all solution that, in fact, doesn't fit all. I know it's hard to get behind the SLO Police Department right now. We had a police chief who left her gun in an El Pollo Loco bathroom, which set off a witch-hunt. We had a police commander who was promising pizza parties if officers could meet DUI arrest quotas. It's easy to argue this department is staffed by Keystone Cops, but they got the reprobate that murdered Rachel Newhouse and Aundria Crawford, and when you see someone peering through your windows, it's nice to have someone to call. Others may complain about our police pay. SLOPD Officers make about 25 percent more than the national average, but they have to live in SLO County, which has a 16.5 percent higher cost of living than the national average. New Chief of Police Rick Scott noted that nearly all of the police budget is personnel costs, meaning salaries and pensions. Pensioners earned their pension. It was a promise. The new city budget allocated $38 million over the next two years to expand housing options for all, "with an emphasis on affordable and workforce housing, and to bridge the homeless services gap currently affecting the entire SLO County region," according to a press release. There's even "about" $2 million devoted to "diversity, equity, and inclusion." I know if you're a BLM stalwart, this all seems like window dressing and half measures. The infographic begins with the statement, "Budgets are moral documents," but everyone should know it's pretty near impossible to argue about competing morality. It's a nonstarter! If we really want to know the will of the people, we need to gather signatures and get competing ballot measures into the next election that will specifically say what police duties should be and how much funding they should get for doing them. Also, we should be specific about what community funding we want and how much it should be. Let people vote. Then we'll know the will of the people. Until then, we know what BLM and SQE want, but we don't know if that aligns with what the whole community wants. The Shredder wants to re-fund neighborhood ice cream trucks. Send queries and suggestions to [email protected]. | https://www.newtimesslo.com/sanluisobispo/will-of-the-people/Content?oid=11111621 |
How new loan restructuring policy is expected to provide relief to stressed borrowers? | The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced Resolution Framework 2.0 during its last monetary policy. This allows lenders to restructure loans of individuals and small businesses. Market experts opine that this announcement has much more clarity for both borrowers and lenders as compared to the previous years framework. According to Pranjal Kamra, founder and CEO Finology, banks will form a board to approve businesses that apply for loan restructuring and businesses would get their acceptance or denial within 30 days of application. Loan restructuring could be done, Kamra explained, by reducing EMIs, increasing the term of the loan or converting interest obligations into loans. In any of these methods, the total tenure of the loan restructured should not extend 2 years. It's important to note here that the ones who availed benefits under framework 1.0 will also be enabled to secure additional borrowings under the second framework. Praising the initiative, Kamra said, "This loan restructuring would provide much relief in these troubled times as it would solve liquidity issues for these businesses which are already facing disruption in their operations and that too without classifying them as NPAs." Abhishek Soni, CEO and co-founder of Upwards further said these measures allow lenders to restructure the loan accounts of distressed borrowers such that they can come out of COVID issues and repay their loan comfortably. While there is no moratorium this time and the scope is relatively narrow, this will definitely help the most impacted borrowers effectively tide through the new COVID crises and financial issues, he says. Anil Pinapala, Founder and CEO of Vivifi India Finance Private Ltd also calls the new restructuring scheme the right step to help borrowers recuperate and recover from the losses, and bounce back to the new normal, sooner or later with adequate time and funds in hand. It must be noted that the RBI in 2020 allowed all lending institutions to allow borrowers to put off repayment of term loans for six months (March to August). That moratorium applied to all categories of borrowers. However, this time, there is no such relief. | https://www.cnbctv18.com/finance/how-new-loan-restructuring-policy-is-expected-to-provide-relief-to-stressed-borrowers-9529811.htm |
Will new buildings near railway zone be safe? | 50Plus wants to know the consequences of the safety measures around the new construction along the railway track. The group is afraid the measures will be at the expense of the projects inclusiveness. There are various plans in the pipeline for District-E, as its called. These are to build large residential towers in the railway area. Earlier, the plans raised questions about the safety of the site. The railway carries a large number of goods trains that transport hazardous substances. So, the municipality must take extra measures to guarantee the safety of future residents. The plans for District-E state, among other things, that the new project must be accessible to everyone. To ensure safety, no groups of less self-reliant people may live near the railway. According to 50Plus, this could make it less attractive for seniors to move into a District-E home. They may then have to move when they become less mobile. Impact on childcare The group also wants to know what the consequences are for, for example, childcare and daycare in the area. Some have difficulty walking and are therefore less self-reliant. They wouldnt be able to use the new workspaces because of the safety measures. 50Plus wants to know whether the city council intends to develop the plans around the railway zone so that the area will be safe enough for all future residents. Source: www.studio040.nl Translated by: Bob | https://eindhovennews.com/news/2021/06/will-new-buildings-near-railway-zone-be-safe/ |
Why Is the GOP Attacking Critical Race Theory? | Between bills targeting trans children, curbing voting rights, and criminalizing abortion, state-level Republicans are having the time of their lives. And somehow, on top of that heaping pile of bigotry, their plans to further marginalize people already on the margins has only gotten more senselessly cruel, with state legislatures jumping on the bandwagon to ban lessons about the existence of systemic racism from classrooms. From Axios blog last week on the phenomenon of states forbidding educators from teaching these concepts, erroneously framed as critical race theory: Republicans in at least nine states are moving to limit students exposure to critical race theory a concept that links racial discrimination to the nations foundations and legal system. [] Conservative activists are pressing for less talk about racism and more talk about patriotism. Civil rights advocates and some educators say banning critical race theory from schools constrains academic freedom and suppresses the experiences of people of color. Last Monday, Tennessee became the latest state to ban the teaching of these concepts in public schools. The text of the law is quite specific. The following ideas are now prohibited from being discussed (from the Tennessee General Assembly website, emphasis mine): (1) One race or sex is inherently superior to another race or sex; (2) An individual, by virtue of the individuals race or sex, is inherently privileged, racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or subconsciously; (3) An individual should be discriminated against or receive adverse treatment because of the individuals race or sex; (4) An individuals moral character is determined by the individuals race or sex; (5) An individual, by virtue of the individuals race or sex, bears responsibility for actions committed in the past by other members of the same race or sex; (6) An individual should feel discomfort, guilt, anguish, or another form of psychological distress solely because of the individuals race or sex; (7) A meritocracy is inherently racist or sexist, or designed by a particular race or sex to oppress members of another race or sex; (8) This state or the United States is fundamentally or irredeemably racist or sexist; (9) Promoting or advocating the violent overthrow of the United States government; (10) Promoting division between, or resentment of, a race, sex, religion, creed, nonviolent political affiliation, social class, or class of people; or (11) Ascribing character traits, values, moral or ethical codes, privileges, or beliefs to a race or sex, or to an individual because of the individuals race or sex. Hoo-boy! At first glance, the list reads as if you could find it in a piece of anti-discrimination legislation. Sure, these things at the top of this list would be great to not have in classrooms. Yes, lets not teach kids from marginalized backgrounds that they deserve to feel less than others! Lets not allow teachers to pigeonhole students into stereotypes and treat them as such! But once you consider the political context that institutions everywhere made promises to do better on race last summer in an attempt to save face, and that Republicans hated the everliving shit out of that and have tried to ban racial analysis in any form ever since and read further down the list, things start to take a turn. These terms state that teachers cannot introduce the simple concept that this country is built upon systems of racism and sexism. Broadly, Tennessees law censors curriculum that is about systemic racism, or critical of American exceptionalism, and has ahistorical ramifications for the way that all concepts pertaining to race and gender and the existence of the U.S. are allowed to be taught in schools. There is only one true way to teach history, the law purports, which is to uncritically accept the U.S. as justified in everything it has done, and that the only lens through which to understand the countrys history of racism is through patriotism. There are consequences at a localized level, too. When were talking about practical application in the classroom, the law doesnt just ban curriculum. It bans the interrogation of whiteness as a construct that garners privilege and power. It makes sure that white kids dont have to think about what it means for them to be white in the context of the classroom. But consider that kids of color are rarely allowed to be shielded from the effects of racism. The law does make exceptions. Sure, it allows for impartial discussion of controversial aspects of history (though its unclear to me how someone can teach accurate lessons about slavery, colonialism, and Native American genocide under the guise of impartiality), but its also heavily contradictory, allowing for the impartial instruction on the historical oppression of a particular group of people based on race, ethnicity, class, nationality, religion, or geographic region. So kids can continue learning about the through-line between slavery and the Civil Rights Movement, but not the through-line that connects that history to the present day. And schools that trip over that through-line could have their funding pulled. As Axios article mentioned, Tennessee is just one of many states with an axe to grind regarding systemic racism curriculum. Idaho, Utah and Oklahoma have already passed similar laws or resolutions, while Republicans in New Hampshire, Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, Arizona, and Texas are working on measures of their own. Advocates of these bills, among them anti-anti-racism writer Christopher Rufo (whom you can watch Marc Lamont Hill talk circles around for 25 minutes, if you really want to understand what His Deal is), say they just want impartiality again with that funny word! in the classroom, and that systemic racism can be taught as one theory among many, but not as fact. However, the reality is that these bills, like the Tennessee law, outright ban the teaching of these concepts in the classroom whatsoever. Not as part of a balanced curriculum, where, I dont know, teachers also give equal credence to the idea that there are disproportionally more white people in positions of power than people of color in certain areas because, uhh, [insert mumbled racist rationale defending meritocracy here]. No, Idaho and Oklahomas laws completely ban including concepts about systemic racism in school curriculum, as do bills from Texas and Rhode Island. New Hampshires is more lenient, saying the state cant teach students to adopt or believe these concepts, and that students cant be punished for resisting these concepts. And in lieu of a bill, the Utah State Legislature passed a resolution urging the states education board to make sure lessons on systemic racism arent included in curriculum. Many of these bills also do not define what critical race theory is. That is an active decision by lawmakers, to cut out all race-based critical analysis regardless of what its called. But also its an easy way for critical race theory to become synonymous with anything the right doesnt like about discussions about race (its also a strategy that Rufo has openly posted about). Perhaps the most interesting about these bills is that several of these states or local school districts within them have stated that they arent even teaching anything remotely close to critical race theory. The states school board has found no evidence that CRT is being taught in Utah schools or is anywhere in the curriculum, reported the Salt Lake Tribune. In Nashville, Amanda Kail, the president of the Metropolitan Nashville Education Association told WZTV Nashville, Its a little bit of a strawman argument K-12we dont teach critical race theory particularly in our schools. Kansas nor Missouri schools teach critical race theory, according to The Kansas City Star, though Topekas Kansas City Public Schools will soon start teaching curriculum based off the New York Times 1619 Project, a long-targeted enemy of former President Trump and other proponents of patriotic education, including the backers of these bills. But the school district has dismissed lawmakers concerns, telling the paper, Unpacking the struggle and resistance to oppressive factors in our nations history can produce a more honest and empowering view of Latinx and African American individuals. Thats not to say that public education doesnt need critical race theory, if not a complete overhaul to how racism and other forms of discrimination are taught. I know it does, because even nearly a decade removed from my own suburban Texas school district, I still remember the lessons that I later learned were sanitized to fit the mythos of America, ever justified in fulfilling its white supremacist destiny. Among the most egregious omissions, I remember being taught about Better Baby and Fitter Family contests during our U.S. History unit on the American Eugenics Movement, with no mention of the countrys obsession with genetic superiority, and the thousands of legal forced sterilizations that women, disabled people, and people of color endured for decades. And while I was taught that the Civil War was primarily waged over slavery, Texas schools were still allowed to claim states rights was the main motivator of the war until two years ago. If including context from other diverse perspectives to these histories is the worst thing that can be done in public schools, I can only imagine how warped these lessons remain from my own time learning them. It is all so very interesting. When Texas gets to dictate what the entire countrys schoolchildren learn (something I was also aghast to find out later in life), leaving out the most honest depictions of the harm that people who settled this nation inflicted along the way, thats not being biased. Thats not teaching certain perspectives as fact, and excluding and dismissing others. Thats just history. Well, that is nothing less than the demonization of America, and of the white people who exist in it today. Of course, the people who claim to value debate and dialogue and critical thinking, who decry cancel culture and punishing people for diversity of thought, are the same ones championing the banishment of curriculum that even includes the mention of systemic racism as a concept. Once again, people in positions of power have the ability to make the rules and bend them to their willthough now, expressing that idea is almost too inflammatory for public schools, according to the very powerful people making these decisions. Imagine that. But this is no surprise. Critical race theory and the study of systemic racism is just the latest addition to the laundry list of attacks that state Republicans have launched this year, on trans kids, on people getting abortions, on disenfranchised people looking to vote, on people just looking to protest the state-supported police violence. And they wont stop until they feel like the threats on their ability to move through the world unchallenged are eliminated. | https://discourseblog.com/critical-race-theory-banned-state-laws/ |
Why am I feeling so tired after lockdown? | For the last 14 months, weve longed for dinner parties, lusted after gym classes and, dare we say it, dreamed of the office hubbub. Now, with the country on track to normalcy, venturing out has never felt so good and so exhausting. You only have to look on Twitter and Instagram to see the mutual re-entry fatigue were all feeling since dusting off the diary. From putting an outfit together to re-learning witty repartee, it seems that flexing our social muscles has resulted in what is now known as the social hangover. Referring to the experience of needing a sizeable nap on the sofa post normal life activity, re-entry fatigue is the result of months of solitude which has left our brain still very much in Zoom mode. You may also like Skipping: how jump rope is helping people through lockdown fatigue Coming out of lockdown is a process of re-socialisation and navigating increasing sociality, with less time mediating communications and social life via the screen, says Dr Rachael Kent, founder of Dr Digital Health and lecturer at Kings College London. The process of re-learning face to face interactions both personally and professionally is draining, and we need time to adjust and recover from increasing time spent outside of our homes. Although you would think that a year spent relaxing at home, baking banana bread and storming through box sets would have us feeling rested and rejuvenated, its actually been a catalyst for a shift in our biological make-up. If we were to measure the metabolism of neurotransmitters and hormones like dopamine and serotonin during lockdown, we would notice an increase in serotonin metabolism and a decrease in dopamine, naturopath Olianna Gourli explains. This doesnt mean were happier, as serotonin needs to be in balance to dopamine to be the so-called happy hormone. Introverted activities like working in front of a computer and reading for hours deregulates the balance of the two hormones, while outdoor activities and being close to nature bring the balance back. This is the main reason why some feel more tired after so many months of being confined. Socialising and creating connections is one of the main pillars of health and virtual communication has not only drained us but we have forgotten how to co-exist with other people because of it. Another thing to consider is that touching and hugging others adds a good variety to our microbiome (friendly bacteria that lives within our guts), boosting our immune system. Afer a year of baking banana bread, we should all be super zen but we're not. We can all attest to the challenging times lockdown has handed us but even if youve muddled through relatively unscathed, Dr Rachael warns not to underestimate the effect that the pandemic has had on all of our emotions. In between government announcements, disappointing progress and frustrating outcomes, its been a draining period. We have experienced a process of global and national trauma which has made us anxious, depressed, lacking in motivation and concentration. We are in a permanent state of flight/fight mode, cortisol levels (the stress hormone) are high, and have been for 14+ months. This is hugely draining on the body and so we have to be kind and give ourselves time for re-learning and recovery in these new dynamics, she says. While once you may have been able to easily juggle late-night dinners, a full-time job and a bi-weekly spin class, lockdown has lowered our tolerance for functioning. Face-to-face sociality is often more physically and mentally fatiguing, Dr Rachael says. We are using different areas of the brain, concentration levels are higher and were navigating ever-changing situations in the moment. We got used to doing less and seeing less people or seeing people more via the screen which is a different kind of interaction. Seeing people in person again can feel strange and wonderful, but dont expect things to feel completely easy straight away or your energy levels to be high enough to do all that you might want to. When we think about re-socialisation, coming out of lockdown, and how we will manage with the strains on our physical and mental health, be aware and self-reflexive about this process, and dont put pressure on yourself to do too much too prematurely. Its hardly surprising that were feeling a little socially rusty, but with a little patience and a few early nights, well be able to pick up where we left off. 6 ways to banish re-entry fatigue Olianna shares her top tips for firing on all cylinders: Listen to your body During lockdown, we had no choice but to listen to what our bodies needed. Some of us were sleeping later, having breakfast later and not hurrying about during the day. Although circumstances may have changed, try and remain attuned to what it is you need. Fuel up with healthy food If you spent lockdown experimenting with new healthy recipes and ingredients, try to keep up your healthy habits or see this as an opportunity to start. It is more important than ever to nourish our bodies with the highest quality foods possible to support the extra demands were asking of our energy. This means focusing on whole foods and trying to eat an anti-inflammatory diet including: Lots of vegetables Seasonal fruit Whole grains: quinoa, brown rice, sourdough Loads of healthy fats and oils: cold-pressed olive oil, olives, oily fish, like sardines and wild salmon, nuts/seeds and their butters, pasture-raised eggs, coconut, avocado Hydrate With more talking and physical activity, hydration is key. Make sure that you drink at least half your body weight in ounces daily. For most of us, thats going to be around six to eight standard glasses. Move more Movement is essential for maintaining stable energy levels but be careful not to over-do it as youll spending more energy on being out and about. Choose between having a brisk walking in nature, jogging, cycling, hiking, dancing or another sport of preference. Weather-allowed, outdoor activities tend to be better choices. Get into a good sleep routine Make sure you have a good wake-sleep routine. Do not go to bed later than 11pm and make sure you sleep for at least seven hours a night. A good sleep hygiene routine will help you go through these deeper sleep stages (necessary for fully recharging). This might include hot baths with lavender oil or Epsom salts, relaxing music, candles, reading or stretching. Supplement Taking a high-quality multi-vitamin-mineral, as well as extra vitamin C, vitamin D and antioxidants, is essential for strengthening the immune system and boosting our energy levels. A clinician or nutritional therapist should advise you on a specific supplement regimen, according to your specific needs. | https://www.stylist.co.uk/fitness-health/wellbeing/re-entry-fatigue-tried-post-lockdown-boost-energy/524341 |
What constitutes as a healthy lunchbox? | Karabo Mokoena Different households approach lunchbox ideas differently, but every family would like the box to be as balanced as possible. Getting a lunchbox ready for school every day might make one run out of ideas. The most important factor in a lunchbox meal is how balanced and healthy it is versus how creative it looks. Not every mom has the time or the creative flair to create faces with bread. Every mom, however, has prioritised the health and wellbeing of the child. Therefore, knowing what one should stay away from and put more of in the box is key. ALSO READ: Mother meal preps 25 lunchboxes for her 5 kids every week Dr. Iqbal Karbanee, a paediatrician and CEO of Paed-IQ BabyLine, a trusted telephonic medical advice service for the first 1000 days of a childs life, says more conversation needs to take place in the parents regarding what constitutes a healthy lunchbox. Healthy lunchbox options According to the website Better Health, a healthy lunchbox should have a balance of the below food groups: Protein (eggs, peanut butter, fish, etc) Dairy (cheese, milk, yogurt) Starch (bread, pita or flatbread, etc) Fruits and vegetables From this foundation, multiple healthy lunchbox meal ideas could be birthed. These could be different kinds of sandwiches, salads, wraps, and even side nibbles. Sandwiches that could go into a lunchbox: Chicken mayo sandwich Grilled cheese sandwich Boiled egg with mayo Avocado sandwich Lunchbox drinks Dr. Iqbal encourages moms to either dilute fruit juices or give their children water instead. If it cant just be water, then be sure to alternate. fruit juice contains fructose that is a type of sugar. When consumed in large quantities, fructose can lead to: Loose stools Tummy cramps Affected teeth According to Dr. Iqbal, children should not consume more than 250 ml of juice per day. Dr. Iqbal says Children learn by watching their parents behaviour. The health standards of the children are determined by those set out by the family. If the family is in the habit of eating unhealthy foods, then children can easily follow suit. Packing carrots in the lunchbox when she has never seen the family eat one is going to be difficult. But when you use your own eating habits as a benchmark, then healthy eating might not be an impossible mission after all. You can also get kids involved in the buying of the groceries and preparing the meal. This can set you up for important conversations regarding the benefits of the meals chosen. It is important that kids feel like they have a choice and have participated in the decision. If it is a top-down approach to eating healthy because I say so, then rebellion might keep the children away from eating healthy. It will make the option redundant, and they will continue demanding chocolates and sweets as part of their lunchbox daily. | https://citizen.co.za/lifestyle/2512436/what-constitutes-as-a-healthy-lunchbox/ |
Are vegans really happier than meat eaters? | You may also like The UKs best vegan chocolate bars, as ranked by vegans and non-vegans Tracking Happiness asked 11,537 people in the USA to track their moods and asked about their diets. The results were then grouped into four categories: vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian and meat-eater. Vegans reported 7% higher happiness rating than meat-eaters, who fell below the average rating of 6.90. Interestingly, the study suggested that it wasnt just the plants that were making people happier; happier people are more likely to turn plant-based. Out of the 8,988 meat-eaters surveyed, those who reported the highest happiness ratings were more likely to adopt a fully vegan diet in the future. The main driver for going vegan or vegetarian, according to the study, is the environment, with 32% of the surveyed herbivores saying that protecting the environment was their biggest motive, and these were the people who had the highest happiness scores. Those who cited animal cruelty tended to have the lowest ratings within the plant-based groups. So far, so good. Kimberley Wilson, chartered psychologist and nutrition expert, explains that the link between vegan food and mood may be down to the current narrative happening around going plant-based. Compared with previous generations, veganism is currently associated with a broader social identity that is linked to kindness, compassion and social justice, she tells Stylist, all of which could contribute to vegans feeling more satisfied (happier) with their life choices and thereby enhancing self-esteem. This effect would be independent of any biological impact of diet on brain health or mood. The happier you are, the more likely you may be to turn 100% vegan in the future this study claims. However, its also important to look at these studies with a healthy degree of skepticism. Kimberley suggestst that while its possible that someone living with depression might benefit from a change of diet, for others, adopting a plant-based diet could exacerbate anxieties around food. While there are, of course, important benefits to consuming more plant foods, the current evidence suggests that there are no specific mental health benefits of vegetarianism/veganism over a well-balanced, omnivorous diet. Remember, this study is based on what people have reported to have concrete evidence, wed need more rigorous research that involves things like double-blinded, randomised controlled trials. The difficulty there is that most people can recognise what theyre eating; unless you feed people plants and meat in pill-form, participants are bound to notice what theyre eating so thered be no way of testing a placebo. Its also worth noting that this study didnt track people for any length of time so we have no way of knowing whether people felt good on a particular day or regularly. Its also interesting that this study seems to fly in the face of previous studies that have looked into the link between mood and plant-based living. Kimberley cites a 2012 German study that found that vegetarianism was associated with an increased risk of mood disorders. The authors say that this could be for a number of reasons, including the nutritional content of vegetarian diets, personality traits linked to vegetarianism and the fact that most vegetarians are women (women have a higher risk of mood disorders). However, a paper published in 2018 indicated too, that vegetarian men suffered more mood disorders than non-vegetarian men. Well, its undeniable that plants make us healthier and perhaps the best takeaway from this recent study is that we should all be eating as many plants, fruits, nuts and seeds as possible. Regularly eating red meat can put you at risk of things like colon cancer and high blood pressure, while lots of fish contain high mercury levels (particularly tuna and mackerel) and, according to a 2021 study published in Scientific Reports, microplastics. Its impossible to overlook the environmental benefits of going vegan, too something that may well influence your happiness if you do live with eco-anxiety or are concerned about global warming. However, if you do enjoy the odd chicken supper or eating fish is the easiest way for you to meet your protein and omega-3 requirements, then rest assured that the evidence for good mood food is far from conclusive. | https://www.stylist.co.uk/fitness-health/wellbeing/vegan-happier-life/528516 |
Will Israel be held accountable for war crimes? | Decision to launch inquiry into human rights abuses in Israel and Palestine described as welcome step amid international shift in willingness to look at Israeli war crimes. Like tens of thousands of Gazans, Aymen al-Djaroucha had to flee his home with his family last month during the 11 days of fighting between the Israeli military and Palestinian armed groups, mainly Hamas, which controls the blockaded enclave. Birds sing outside the window of his office as the father of three explains what it feels like to leave the place where youve spent the last 12 years without any of your belongings. You have all your memories there, its where our children grew up, where we spent time with each other and shared happy moments and difficult moments. All my life was there. But, he had to leave. The Israeli military phoned the apartment blocks caretaker on May 14 to warn families to evacuate. They bombed it less than an hour later, destroying several flats and causing a fire that ripped through the building. He has since been back to assess the scale of the damage and to try to return to my normal life, he says. The flats above the eighth floor were badly destroyed by the fire and it was very hard for the civil defence to extinguish it. We have a lot of repairs to do inside and on the stairwell and a lot of cleaning. Get back to normal It was one of several high-rise buildings in Gaza City targeted by Israeli air strikes, including the al-Jalaa building that housed several media organisations, such as Al Jazeera and The Associated Press bureaus. The skyline of the metropolis home to almost 600,000 people has been significantly altered since May 10 when hostilities escalated. Along with at least 2,000 housing units destroyed and more than 15,000 other units damaged, Gazas already run-down infrastructure was also badly hit. The United Nations reported that six hospitals, nine healthcare centres and a water desalination plant were damaged during the fighting. Al-Djaroucha, who works as the project coordinator in Gaza for Doctors Without Borders (Mdecins Sans Frontires, or MSF), says their burns and trauma clinic was damaged by an air strike. Not only the whole waiting area was affected but also one of the main sterilisation rooms, which we use to prepare materials and to sterilise the tools which we use in all our outpatient departments. So its vital that we are able to get back to normal as quickly as possible. Roads leading to Al-Shifa Hospital, the largest medical facility in the Gaza Strip, were also damaged, along with the only COVID-19 testing laboratory in the enclave. Israels military claims it was only targeting buildings with links to Hamas and other armed groups. However, Raji Sourani, director of the Palestinian Human Rights Centre based in Gaza, refutes this. It wasnt Hamas targeted; it wasnt PFLP [Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine] targeted; it wasnt Islamic Jihad targeted. I believe it was civilians targeted, he says. From the first hour of the first day [of the recent escalation], civilians were the targets of these most high-tech airplanes F16 and F35 with rockets designed for military targets and you see these things targeting precisely. Tens of children and women killed. Nothing can justify that, he adds. Israels prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, accused Hamas of using civilians as human shields. But, addressing the United Nations Human Rights Council last week, the UN human rights chief, Michelle Bachelet, said they have not seen evidence to support Israels claims that the buildings they bombed in Gaza were hosting armed groups or being used for military purposes. Even before the recent eruption of violence, the International Criminal Court (ICC) had opened an investigation into previous bouts of the continuing conflict, and last month the ICCs chief prosecutor said she was closely monitoring what was happening on the ground. Both sides have been accused of committing war crimes; Hamas for firing rockets indiscriminately into civilian areas in Israel although out of more than 2,000 rockets, about 640 fell short into the Gaza Strip and 90 percent that crossed the border were intercepted by Israels Iron Dome missile defence system and Israel for repeatedly bombing densely populated civilian areas within Gaza. At this stage, information is still being gathered, but Yael Stein, research director at BTselem, the Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories, believes that Israels bombardment of civilian structures within Gaza violates international law. In order for an attack to be legal, it has to be both directed at a military target and be proportionate, she explains. For a building to be a military target, the destruction of it should give a military advantage to Israel. To be proportionate, you have to judge whether the military advantage you anticipate to receive from the bombing is higher than the loss to the civilian population. Stein adds even when civilians were given some warning about when to evacuate, which saved lives, civilian property was still demolished and that is still part of the calculation. I think that the past proves that the Israeli army is interpreting this principle in a much wider way that the drafters of international law never expected, and that it is far from what can be considered to be proportionate, she says. Netanyahu has accused the ICC of pure anti-Semitism for investigating attacks and has said Israel does not accept the ICCs jurisdiction, however, it does not have to. Stein says the court can work without Israels acceptance. But, it will be a long time until anybody whether Hamas leaders and/or Israeli officials will be held accountable for their actions by the ICC. Were just starting the procedure which will take years until the investigation will actually take place and then more years until somebody will be charged and then more years until somebody will be in jail, she says. The lack of enforcement mechanisms within international humanitarian law is a problem, she adds. So states can violate the basic norms of international law and nothing will happen. Unforgiving siege Eric Goldstein, acting executive director for the Middle East and North Africa at Human Rights Watch, says there has been a shift in international awareness and willingness to look at Israeli war crimes. The UN Human Rights Councils recent decision to launch a continuing inquiry into human rights abuses in Israel and Palestine is a welcome step, which he urged Israel to cooperate with. Were going to push hard at the ICC so that they look at war crimes committed by all parties, Goldstein says. But, long-term peace will not be possible unless the underlying root causes are addressed, the main one being that Gaza is viewed as the largest open-air prison in the world the enclave has been under an unforgiving siege imposed by Israel for more than 14 years, ever since Hamas took control of Gaza. That leaves people there with no future, with no hope and with their rights being violated almost on a daily basis, says Stein, adding the international community needs to put pressure on Israel to stop this. You have to treat those people as human beings, as equal people that deserve the same rights as every other people in the territory under Israeli control. Goldstein adds the oppression of Palestinians, which amounts to a situation of apartheid, feeds into the conflict and gives Hamas certain political support. The United States, in particular, needs to take a harder look at its unconditional support for Israel, and parties helping Hamas commit their war crimes, logistically or providing material should stop, he says. Both Israel and Hamas announced victories at the end of the 11 days of fighting, with Israel saying they killed nearly 30 senior Hamas commanders and destroyed 340 of their rocket launchers, as well as 130km (60 miles) of underground tunnels. The number of Palestinians killed last month in Gaza stands at 256, including 66 children. In Israel, 13 people were killed, including two children. The Palestinian Human Rights Centres Sourani, who has lived through the previous three wars, says he has never experienced anything like this latest period of violence. Im honestly telling you that for 11 days I never thought dawn would come and I would see the sun rise again. Every family in Gaza has been affected: many loved ones lost, livelihoods destroyed and homes reduced to rubble, Sourani says. What did the al-Hadidi family do [to deserve this]? he asks, referring to the family that lost 10 members in an Israeli air strike only the father and baby boy survived. Accountability, he says as the call to prayer echoes in the background, means that this will not be repeated once again. | https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/6/3/will-israel-be-held-accountable-for-war-crimes |
Who has won the Euros the most times in history? | Get ready football fans because the wait is coming to an end and Euro 2020 is about to kick off (in summer 2021) with a months worth of sporting goodness! Below, we tak a look at the winners from all the years gone by and discover we have a tie for first place! There is not actually just the one winner here, with two countries actually nabbing the most Euro victories with three wins apiece: Germany and Spain. There is only one other team whos won the competition more than once and thats France, who have soared to victory twice. Some more fun facts then! The first-ever winner of the competition, which was held back in 1960, was the Soviet Union who beat out Yugoslavia in the first grand final. Because they only take place every four years, we have had 15 tournaments so far ,with this years being number 16. Two of Spains wins came back-to-back with them clinching victory in 2008 and 2012. Portugal were the latest winners when they won in 2016. Other winners are Italy, West Germany, Czechoslovakia, Netherlands, Denmark and Greece. Stay on the ball. Get all the sporting action direct to your inbox. Our Football newsletter: news, views and previews of this week's games on TV Thanks for signing up! We hope you enjoy our Football content. Sign in to/ register for a RadioTimes.com account to manage your email preferences. Sign in Register To manage your email preferences, click here. Sign me up! Immediate Media Company Limited (publishers of radiotimes.com) would love to send you our Football newsletters. We may also send occasional updates from our editorial team. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more information about how we hold your personal data, please see our privacy policy. As for England, our grand total of wins is zero and our best performance was Euro 96 where we made it to the semi-finals and lost on penalties to Germany the whole tournament was broadcast again on ITV last summer to make up for the Euro 2020 gap that appeared in the schedule when it was postponed due to the pandemic. Check out our relaunched Football Times podcast featuring special guests, FPL tips and match previews available on Apple / Spotify / Acast. For the full breakdown of what games are coming up check out our Euro 2020 fixtures on TV guide. Advertisement If youre looking for something else to watch check out our TV Guide or visit our Sport hub for all the latest news. | https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sport/football/euro-2020-winners-history/ |
Should I wear compression socks for hiking? | Originally designed for medical purposes, compression socks have become incredibly popular for walking and offer a whole range of benefits from muscle support to quicker recovery. While today's best hiking socks are mostly just designed to help prevent blisters, a good pair of compression socks, fitted correctly, can help your legs feel energised on longer walks, postpone fatigue and even ward off the dreaded DOMS. Compression socks for running have similar benefits. For hiking, you can opt for full compression socks, or if you are just looking for support and pressure on the lower leg, compression sleeves, which don't have the foot part. There are pros and cons to both options, and if you go for sleeves you'll probably need to also wear some walking socks, but there are plenty of compression socks designed for walking and hiking available that will keep you completely covered such as those from CEP Sports (we're currently testing out a few pairs of these). Of course, you'll still need to pair them with a good pair of walking shoes or hiking boots so your feet and ankles are supported (head to our roundups of the best hiking boots or the best walking shoes for men, for help there). But for now, let's take a look at the pros and cons of compression socks for hiking. There are a range of benefits of wearing compression socks for hiking, from improved blood flow to better drainage of lactate from muscles. While scientific research is still ongoing, studies have indicated several positives in wearing compression socks for sport and activities that will not only help walkers while out stomping across the countryside, but also afterwards, improving recovery times so you're fresh to get out again the next day. First up, the compression itself, which is what compression socks were originally designed for. This pressure aids what's called venous drainage; the return of deoxygenated blood back to the heart and lungs where it's replenished with oxygen and recirculated. This blood has to fight against gravity up the legs, pushed only by blood pressure. Compression socks support the surrounding muscles and veins, providing a sturdier structure for blood to travel through, and also help prevent blood pooling in the legs. This makes the system more efficient, and also means that lactate the stuff that makes for fatigue and aching muscles after exercise is also removed more efficiently so your legs feel better for longer while walking, and also recover better, reducing the impact of DOMS or 'delayed onset muscle fatigue'. The gentle pressure also helps prevent the buildup of fluid in the lower legs and feet so they're less likely to swell up, which in turn can increase pressure inside your footwear, and increase the chances of pressure points or blisters. And of course that compression helps support the muscles themselves, so they're not working quite as hard and therefore stay feeling fresher and stronger for longer. There are also benefits not related to the compression, such as the fact that if you go for the traditional, below-knee style, they provide physical protection from scratches and nettle stings, extra sun protection (though we still recommend wearing sunscreen!) and added warmth in cold conditions, which helps muscle function. Because the socks are designed to apply pressure over the whole surface of the lower leg and foot, you can expect them to feel quite snug. It's important to ensure that you put the socks on correctly so they distribute pressure evenly over your legs without bunching, which can cause extra pressure in some areas and therefore chafing, or reduction in blood flow. And while hiking compression socks don't offer as high levels of pressure as medical compression socks, keep an eye out for any signs that might indicated they're having a negative impact on you, such as swollen veins, leg cramps, bluish/purplish skin, colour or temperature change in your toes or difficulty breathing. These could indicate that the socks are negatively affecting blood flow through your legs, and in which case you should remove the socks immediately and, if the effect is severe, seek medical advice. Compression socks aren't for everyone. If you have a peripheral vascular disease in your legs a disease that affects blood flow then you need to steer clear. Likewise, if you have conditions that make your skin sensitive to pressure or very delicate skin, you may find that the pressure of the socks causes irritation. In either case, if you are at all unsure, you should check with your doctor before trying compression socks for walking. Unlike medical compression socks, which have a range of compression strengths and sizes that are specific to the individual and their medical needs, compression socks for walking usually offer light to medium compression. So long as you've got the right size, they're on correctly and they aren't inhibiting blood flow, then it's fine to wear your compression socks all day. In fact several socks are designed specifically for this purpose, though we suggest you don't actually wear them 24 hours a day. You may find that if you keep them on once you've finished exercise for a few hours (or swap to a clean pair which may be more comfortable) the benefits will continue and they'll help your legs recover faster. However, you should avoid wearing the same pair more than once without washing as dirt and bacteria can start to build up. | https://www.t3.com/features/should-i-wear-compression-socks-for-hiking |
Will vaccinated California workers have to keep masks on? | By DON THOMPSON | The Associated Press SACRAMENTO California is set to fully reopen in less than two weeks and do away with virtually all mask and social distancing requirements for vaccinated people, but those who regulate workplaces in the state arent ready to go that far and that has business groups upset. The California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board meets Thursday and will consider new workplace rules that would only allow workers to go maskless if everyone in a room is fully vaccinated against the coronavirus. The rules could remain in place into early next year even though coronavirus cases have fallen dramatically after a severe winter spike and as more people are vaccinated. Recent U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance says that fully vaccinated people can now skip face coverings and distancing in nearly all situations, and the state is set to follow that recommendation starting June 15. But the state safety boards staff says conditions are different among workers, leading to their proposed rule that even vaccinated employees remain masked unless everyone else in their workspace is inoculated. Helen Cleary, director of the Phylmar Regulatory Roundtable, a coalition of large businesses, called it astonishing that the staff didnt align with guidelines from federal and state health officials, describing the Cal/OSHA proposal as a rogue public policy. The California Chamber of Commerce also is upset. If you are fully vaccinated, (under CDC recommendations) you dont need to wear a mask inside or outside. Thats the science! chamber President and CEO Allan Zaremberg said in a statement. Under these (proposed Cal/OSHA) rules, workers freedoms will be controlled by their fellow workers decisions to get vaccinated, not by their own choices. That sets up an inconsistent standard between members of the public and employees, the chamber and more than five dozen other business organizations said in a letter to the board. Starting June 15, vaccinated individuals will be able to go to most public settings without having to wear masks, even if other unvaccinated individuals are present, they wrote. But vaccinated employees at that same location will have to wear a mask. The Cal/OSHA regulations being considered by the board apply in almost every workplace in the state. Its pandemic rules apply to all employees except those working from home or where there is a single employee who does not have contact with other people. A very large proportion of California employees will remain unvaccinated as of June 15, 2021, the staff said in its recommendation. Due to changes in social norms, as mask-wearing and physical distancing decline among fully vaccinated people, those precautions are likely to decline among unvaccinated and partially vaccinated people as well. Yet unvaccinated employees will remain at risk particularly from more contagious coronavirus variants, the staff reasoned. Business groups are upset the staff didnt ease its masking recommendation during a two-week delay since the board postponed its consideration while its staff reviewed the CDC guidelines. Im a little mystified why they didnt do more, said California Farm Bureau director of employment policy Bryan Little, whose organization joined more than three-dozen agribusiness opponents of the proposed rules. I think thats an unreasonable expectation on their part. More than 17.4 million of Californias nearly 40 million residents are fully vaccinated, state health officials said Thursday, and the positivity rate for the virus has dropped to 0.8%. But worker advocates at the boards last hearing said regulators should continue protections for vulnerable employees, while board members said they were inclined to keep safeguards for fear of another surge or emerging virus mutations. Related Articles These locally elected officials posted or openly supported QAnon conspiracy theories. Alameda County wasted most coronavirus vaccine doses in California EDD fraud mess: Judge sides with jobless workers against big bank Catalyst Club owner told to pull the plug on his South Bay backyard shows Employer organizations were additionally critical of a proposed rule that starting July 31 would require them to provide the most effective N95 masks for voluntary use by employees who are working indoors or at outdoor mega events and are not fully vaccinated. That will require require employers to track workers vaccination status and stockpile masks in competition with health care workers and as the states wildfire season heats up. But the Cal/OSHA staff said its proposed rules would significantly reduce the number (of) COVID-19 related illnesses, disabilities and deaths in Californias workforce. | https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2021/06/03/even-vaccinated-california-workers-may-have-to-keep-masks-on/ |
Why Are We All Talking About UFOs Right Now? | When spooky things appear in the sky, witnesses have often been reluctant to report them for fear of mockery by others, especially in the halls of government. These days, fewer people are laughing. Unidentified flying objects, or unidentified aerial phenomena as the government calls them, have been taken more seriously by U.S. officials in recent years, starting in 2007 with a small, secretly funded program that investigated reports of military encounters. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times The program, whose existence was first reported by The New York Times in December 2017, was revived by the Defense Department last summer as the Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force. The department said the task forces mission was to detect, analyze and catalog sightings of strange objects in the sky that could potentially pose a threat to U.S. national security. Service members were newly encouraged to speak up if they saw something, with the idea being that removing the stigma behind reporting something weird would provide authorities with a better idea of whats out there. Then, late last year, President Donald Trump signed a $2.3 trillion appropriations package that included a provision inserted by lawmakers: They asked the secretary of defense and director of national intelligence to submit an unclassified report on what the government knows about UFOs. That report is due this month. A drumbeat of UFO attention With the public asking more questions about UFOs, more officials appear willing to answer them. There are a lot more sightings than have been made public, John Ratcliffe, former director of national intelligence, told Fox News in March. Quite a few of them, he said, are difficult to explain. John Brennan, former director of the CIA, said in a podcast last year that some of the unexplained sightings might be some type of phenomenon that is the result of something that we dont yet understand and that could involve some type of activity that some might say constitutes a different form of life. Story continues The lead-up to the reports expected release has seen quite a bit of mainstream media attention in recent weeks, including a 13,000-word article in The New Yorker in April and a segment on CBS 60 Minutes. Even former President Barack Obama, in an appearance last month on The Late Late Show With James Corden, admitted there were objects in the skies that we dont know exactly what they are. (President Joe Biden deflected a question about UFOs a few days later.) How it all started in 1947 The first thing to know is that UFO doesnt automatically mean alien. As its name indicates, UFO refers to any aerial phenomenon with no immediate explanation. Though reported sightings take place frequently around the world, the vast majority of them turn out to be things like stars, satellites, planes, drones, weather balloons, birds or bats. The modern history of UFO sightings is generally considered to have started on June 24, 1947, when Kenneth Arnold, a private pilot from Idaho, reported seeing nine circular objects traveling at supersonic speeds near Mount Rainier. Newspapers described them as flying saucers, a term that captured the popular imagination. Though Arnold appeared to be a credible witness, government officials were skeptical. Nonetheless, the government began a classified study, called Project Sign, out of concern that such objects could be advanced Soviet weapons. That was followed by Project Blue Book, which reviewed about 12,000 cases from 1952 to 1969, 701 of which could not be explained. It ended with a report saying UFOs were not worth further study. As far as is publicly known, there were no more official government efforts to study UFOs until the one established in 2007, called the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program. Sightings of unidentified objects in the United States have risen during the coronavirus pandemic, as people spending long days at home turned to sky gazing. Reports increased about 15% last year to more than 7,200, according to the National UFO Reporting Center. As in other years, almost all of them had earthly explanations, the center said. In November 2004, two Navy fighter jets from the USS Nimitz were off the coast of San Diego when they encountered a whitish, oval-shaped craft of similar size hovering above the sea, which was churning in an unusual way. As one of the jets began a circular descent to get a closer look, the object which had no wings or obvious means of propulsion ascended toward it, then zipped away. It accelerated like nothing Ive ever seen, Cmdr. David Fravor, one of the pilots, told The Times in 2017. Fravor told a fellow pilot that night that he had no idea what he had seen: It had no plumes, wings or rotors and outran our F-18s. But, he added, I want to fly one. Other cases include a spinning disk that was seen hovering above OHare Airport in Chicago in 2006, and two sunlight-colored objects reported by a professional pilot in England in 2007, as The New Yorker reported. A video of the Nimitz incident, along with two from 2015, was officially released by the Defense Department last year. More recently, the department confirmed that video and images leaked to a documentary filmmaker had been taken by Navy personnel in 2019 and were being investigated by the task force. It may not say much. According to the provision in the appropriations package, the report should include a detailed analysis of UFO data held by the task force and other government bodies. The report is also supposed to flag any unidentified aerial phenomena that could be considered threats to national security, including whether they may be attributed to one or more foreign adversaries. In addition, it must provide a detailed description of an interagency process for collecting and analyzing UFO reports in the future, as well as recommendations for improving and funding data collection and research. Although the report is to be made public, it may also come with a classified annex. Calls for transparency are growing in Washington, including from a bipartisan political action committee that was launched last month. One key backer of UFO research efforts has been Harry Reid, the former Democratic senator from Nevada, who as Senate majority leader secured $22 million in funding to create the 2007 program. In an essay for The Times this month, Reid said he had been interested in UFOs since attending a conference in 1996 (to the consternation of his staff, who told him to stay the hell away from the topic). He said the program was necessary because an unofficial taboo regarding the frank discussion of encounters could harm our national security and stymie opportunities for technical advancement. There is support for UFO research among current senators as well, including Marco Rubio, R-Fla., who added the language to the appropriations package requesting the government report. Rubio told 60 Minutes that there should be a process by which reports of UFOs are cataloged and constantly analyzed, until we get some answers. Maybe it has a simple answer, he said on the program. Maybe it doesnt. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. 2021 The New York Times Company | https://news.yahoo.com/why-talking-ufos-now-121807475.html |
What the heck kind of butter should I buy? | Photo : Wodicka/ullstein bild ( Getty Images ) A few years back, our sister site Lifehacker published a treatise from Senior Food Editor Claire Lower that would change my life forever. The crux of the piece was that you should always keep two kinds of butter around: one for cooking and baking, and one for slathering and snacking. Since then, Ive made it a habit to spring for fancy butter from my neighborhood Scandinavian bakeryexcellent for toastwhile keeping my fridge stocked with generic unsalted butter for baking purposes. Its the best of both worlds. Heres the problem: there are too many dang butter varieties out there. The following primer should help. Advertisement For your all-purpose butter needs: unsalted butter This is an easy one. Sometimes called sweet cream butter, unsalted butter is your best buddy if you want to play it safe. Its made from only milk and/or cream, and contains at least 80% milk fat as a rule. Youll find this guy next to the salted butter, which is butter thats been, ahem, salted for flavor. Its tough to know exactly how much salt is added to each brand, so Id recommend erring on the side of caution and using unsalted butter when in doubt, especially if youre working with baked goods like brownies that dont require a ton of buttery flavor. Basically, unsalted or sweet cream butter will always do in a pinchbut if you want a very specific buttery flavor, please read on. For bready baked goods: cultured butter Cultured butter seems very fancy, but its actually just a type of butter thats been treated with cultures (like yogurt). Its then allowed to ferment before being churned, resulting in a slightly tangy, very robust buttery flavor, Taste of Home explains. If you want to experiment with cultured butter, try using it in bready, hearty baked goods like biscuits, pound cakes, or even pancakes. For fancy snacking and labor-intensive pastries: European-style butter Like most European delights, European-style butter tastes more luxurious than its American counterpart. The difference comes down to butterfat, or the fatty part of milk. As The Washington Post explains, Europeans have higher standards for the minimum amount of butterfat in butter, requiring a minimum of 82% butterfat; in the U.S., the minimum requirement is 80%. More butterfat means a richer product, a softer texture, a faster melt, and sometimes a more vibrant yellow hue. All of that makes European-style butter the perfect candidate for your go-to Snacking/Slathering Butter. The Post notes that European-style butter is also a great option for intricate baked goods like croissants and pie dough, as the higher fat content can add to the baked goods overall flakiness. Advertisement Quick note: theres a difference between bona fide European butter and European-style butter. The former is manufactured in Europe; the latter is manufactured stateside according to European standards. If you find a brand you like, youll be fine either way. For searing and roasting: clarified butter Time for a quick chemistry lesson. If you melt butter in a pan, youll see a few things as it separates: milk solids, water, foam, and the bright yellow clarified butter fat. The term clarified butter refers strictly to the latterpure fat strained out of milk solids and water. As you might imagine, clarified butter tastes much richer than traditional butter, with a toasty flavor and a high smoke point that, as Real Simple notes, makes it a great candidate for high-heat searing and roasting. One sticking point: you may have heard clarified butter referred to as ghee, but the terms arent interchangeable. Ghee is a popular type of clarified butter that originated in India thanks to its increased shelf stability. And while all ghee is clarified butter, but not all clarified butter is ghee. Happy slathering! | https://thetakeout.com/type-of-butter-sweet-cream-unsalted-cultured-clarif-1846977625 |
Is de AC Cobra Series 4-electric de coolste EV tot nu toe? | Deze pagina is vertaald met behulp van AI en machine learning. (Pocket-lint) - AC Cars heeft een versie van zijn supercoole Mark IV Cobra onthuld met een elektrische aandrijflijn. De AC Cobra Series 4-electric combineert de gestroomlijnde, sportieve styling van de fabrikant met het voedingssysteem van Falcon Electric. Het wordt geleverd in twee modellen: een 230 kW-versie die in 4,9 seconden van 0-100 km/u kan halen, 1.190 kg weegt en een geschat bereik van 190 mijl heeft; de andere een 460kW-editie die in slechts 3,8 seconden van 0-100 km/u kan halen. Dit laatste beest weegt 1.240 kg en heeft een geschatte actieradius van 160 mijl. Het 230 kW-model kost 148.000, terwijl de supercharged-versie 168.000 kost. "De opmars van de buitengewoon efficinte elektrische AC Cobras komt nu in een stroomversnelling", zei Alan Lubinsky van AC Cars. "Het elimineren van overtollig gewicht brengt positieve voordelen met zich mee voor de eigenaar van de auto. Een lager totaalgewicht vermindert het energieverbruik, waardoor de accus een grotere actieradius kunnen leveren en de auto kan rijden volgens de traditionele hoge normen van AC voor snelheid en acceleratie die het merk heeft bereikt over vele jaren." Beide modellen kunnen nu worden gereserveerd op de website van AC Cars. Er zijn verschillende aangepaste kleurvariaties beschikbaar, waaronder AC Rosso Chiaro (rood) met elektrische witte strepen en AC Electric Blue met elektrische zwarte strepen. De beste Black Friday-deals voor de VS zijn hier Door Maggie Tillman 3 juni 2021 Geschreven door Rik Henderson. | https://www.pocket-lint.com/nl-nl/autos/nieuws/157177-is-de-ac-cobra-serie-4-elektrisch-de-coolste-ev-tot-nu-toe |
Will Joe Biden overhaul Donald Trump's China investment blacklist? | Joe Biden intends to this week overhaul a list of Chinese firms that US investors are allowed to own shares in, as the president re-evaluates the world powers' post-Trump relationship while maintaining pressure on Beijing. Donald Trump prohibited Americans from buying stakes in 31 Chinese companies that were deemed to be supplying or supporting China's military and security apparatus. The list included major telecoms, construction and technology firms such as China Mobile, China Telecom, video surveillance firm Hikvision, and China Railway Construction Corp. Read more: China's disenchanted youth 'lie flat' to cope with modern life It was among a series of measures by the White House aimed at quelling the Asian giant's rise and which has left ties between the two severely strained. Biden's new order will see the Treasury Department create a list of firms that would be hit with financial penalties for their links with China's defence and surveillance technology sectors, Bloomberg News reported without citing sources. The president is expected to sign the order this week, it added. Previously, the sanctions and choice of targets were tied to a congressionally mandated Defense Department report. The review came after two Chinese companies successfully challenged the order in court, and Biden said it was needed to be sure it was legally watertight and sustainable. While the Biden administration has pledged to take a more diplomatic line with China following the upheaval of his predecessor, he has said he will keep to a strict line on several issues including defence and technology. He is expected to keep the list largely intact, while the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control will add new firms after consulting the departments of Defense and State. A tough line on China has rare cross-party support on Capitol Hill, with lawmakers determined to keep a lid on its growing global clout. Republican senators Tom Cotton and Marco Rubio, alongside Democrats Gary Peters and Mark Kelly, published a bi-partisan letter earlier this week urging the administration to publish a new list. "The US government must continue to act boldly in blocking the Chinese Communist Party's economic predation against our industrial base," they said. | https://www.deccanherald.com/business/business-news/will-joe-biden-overhaul-donald-trumps-china-investment-blacklist-993291.html |
Which countries are vaccinating children against Covid-19? | The European Commission on Friday authorized Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine for use in children as young as 12, paving the way for a broader roll-out in the EU after similar clearances in the United States and Canada. However, vaccinating adolescents in affluent countries while many parts of the world await doses for older and more vulnerable people has raised concerns, with the World Health Organisation urging rich countries to give shots to the COVAX scheme instead. The following is a list of some countries which have approved or are considering vaccinating children: EU countries * France will start vaccinating teenagers from age 12 with Pfizer's vaccine on June 15, the government said on June 2 as it looks to avoid schools' closures in September. * Germany plans to offer a first shot to children aged 12-16 from June 7, while Poland would offer shots to those aged 12-15 the same day. * Lithuania's prime minister said the country could start vaccinating children from age 12 in June, news site Delfi reported. * Italy on May 31 approved extending the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to 12-15-year-olds. * Estonia could start vaccinating teenagers by the autumn, public broadcaster ERR reported, citing the head of the government's Covid-19 council. * Austria aims to have over 340,000 children aged 12-15 vaccinated by the end of August, according to news site Vindobona. * Hungary started vaccinating 16-18-year-olds in mid-May, according to Xinhua news agency. Europe (non-EU) * Pfizer said in mid-May it was seeking British approval to use its vaccine for 12-15-year-olds. * Norway may consider the Pfizer vaccine for children who have a high risk of becoming seriously ill with Covid-19, VG newspaper reported. * Switzerland's health watchdog said in early May Pfizer had sought approval for its shot in children aged 12-15. * San Marino on June 1 opened vaccinations for children aged 12-15, reported San Marino RTV, citing its Institute for Social Security. Middle-East * Israel has given the green light to vaccinate 12- to 15-year-olds and is set to begin next week, its pandemic-response coordinator said. * Dubai said on June 1 it had started offering the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to 12-15-year-olds, after the United Arab Emirates approved the shot for emergency use for the same age group in mid-May. Asia-Pacific * Singapore opened up its vaccination programme to adolescents aged 12-18 from June 1. * Japan on May 28 approved the use of Pfizer's vaccine for those aged 12 and above. * The Philippines on May 26 decided to allow the Pfizer-BioNTech's vaccine for emergency use in children aged 12-15. * Hong Kong will open its Covid-19 vaccine scheme to children over the age of 12, the government said. Americas * Chile on May 31 approved use of Pfizer-BioNTech's vaccine for 12-16-year-olds. * US states began inoculate young adolescents in mid-May after its Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved Pfizer's shot for those aged 12-15. * Canada in early May approved use of Pfizer's vaccine for use in children aged 12-15. | https://www.deccanherald.com/international/which-countries-are-vaccinating-children-against-covid-19-993328.html |
Should Personality Assessments Be Used In Hiring? | Sherrie Haynie, Director of US Professional Services for The Myers-Briggs Company, leads Practitioner Development and Consulting Services. Getty Lately a common hiring practice has come under scrutiny: personality testing in the interview process. My firm, The Myers-Briggs Company, has long held the position that the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator instrument shouldnt be used in hiring, but rather for team-building, conflict management, leadership development and other non-selective purposes. In short, no. Personality assessments can play a helpful, objective role in the hiring process, provided that 1) the proper assessment is used, 2) insights are applied correctly and 3) its not the only way youre determining who to hire. Done right, personality assessment in hiring can reduce discrimination based on gender, ethnicity and other factors. For instance, while cognitive ability tests have produced an adverse impact on certain demographic groups, personality assessments generally dont discriminate against members of protected groups. Furthermore, they can help employers identify candidates likely to perform well and stick around. Personality is made up of psychological preferences, temperaments and predispositions. And while many factors influence us (including social and cultural pressures), personality is a major force behind our habits, behaviors and attitudes. So its not surprising that some personality assessments can be a strong predictor of job performance. Think about two common work roles: sales and accounting. Most would intuitively guess the different industries are filled by people with very different personality characteristics. In my experience and others this is certainly the case. Think about their duties, which require specific behaviors. Because personality is a major factor in preferences and behavior, it influences job performance by determining whether an individual has a natural affinity for required job duties. And employees are most effective when their personalities and interests align with job requirements. Imagine two candidates with equal cognitive ability, education and experience, and how they might differ along the scales identified by the California Psychological Inventory personality model (Disclosure: My company publishes the CPI assessment). One who scores lower on the flexibility scale may be less comfortable performing the sales position duties. On the other hand, this flexibility score may be beneficial for accounting, which involves a high degree of structure and discipline and less ambiguity in decision-making. In short, we tend to do better when our work supports how were naturally inclined to think and act, and assessments that predict this alignment can be very helpful in candidate selection. Hire for engagement and longevity. Hiring is about more than just raw ability or previous accomplishments. You consider whether someone is likely to stick around for the long-term and how engaged theyll be while theyre at your company. These outcomes are mostly determined by one simple factor: how much people enjoy their job. And being satisfied in your career is also influenced by personality. People find the ability to express their personality intrinsically rewarding, and therefore enjoy work environments that allow them to be themselves. Theres a direct link between workplace engagement and profit, as well as a correlation between engagement and performance (download required). Back to my earlier example, those who show lower levels of flexibility may be able to work in sales, but may not find it as rewarding or enjoyable. Consequently, theyre more likely to leave in favor of a position more aligned with their personality. Assessments can help identify the right individual for a work environment. Not all personality assessments are suited for personnel selection. Organizations should proceed with the utmost care when using personality assessments for hiring. If the assessment isnt psychometrically validated for hiring and selection, you can make poor decisions or find yourself in legal trouble. In many cases, using a personality assessment for hiring when it wasnt designed to be used for hiring is unethical (like using the MBTI assessment for hiring). When we talk about the suitability of an assessment, you must first consider its reliability and validity. Reliability means that if the same person takes the same test multiple times under similar circumstances, theyre likely to get similar results. Validity, on the other hand, refers to its ability to measure what it purports to measure. Many assessments on the market cant be shown to have either sufficient reliability or validity. Such tools shouldnt be used in any professional setting, much less for hiring. If you cant get your hands on documentation showing that the assessment has acceptable reliability and validity data, dont use it. But you also have to consider if the assessment has been sufficiently validated specifically for hiring and selection use cases. Heres where I think some human resources departments get a little tripped up: An assessment can be psychometrically validated for one use case, but be highly inappropriate for another use case. The MBTI instrument for instance has been psychometrically validated for its intended use but not for hiring and selection. The assessment tells you many things and can help you identify existing employees strengths and blind spots, but it wasnt designed to predict job performance. Other tools, however, have been designed and validated to predict job performance. If youre looking to use personality assessments in hiring, keep these points in mind: Generally, personality assessments that measure traits are appropriate for selection purposes (measures of psychological type arent designed for selection). An assessment is considered reliable if scores remain consistent over time the general standard for a psychometric assessment is an internal consistency reliability of .70 or above. A valid assessment measures what it purports to measure. If a test is used to select individuals for employment, there must be extensive documentation of its ability to predict job performance. Lastly, use personality assessment in conjunction with other tools. Ill close by stressing that personality assessments regardless of the science behind them shouldnt be used as the sole determinant in hiring decisions. When theyre but one part of a well-rounded hiring process that includes interviews, references and more, they provide valuable insight that can end in a great hire. Forbes Coaches Council is an invitation-only community for leading business and career coaches. | https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2021/06/03/should-personality-assessments-be-used-in-hiring/ |
Can Those Who Are Vaccinated Travel Without A COVID Test? | It seems like life is mostly "back to normal" for those who are fully vaccinated. So being able to take your first post-pandemic trip can be the icing on the cake. But you may be wondering if you need to get a COVID test before your vacation starts. Tourists at the Colosseum in Rome, Italy on May 31, 2021. The Italian government is gradually easing ... [+] lockdown measures after months of restrictions due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and starting to welcome back vaccinated foreign tourists to Italy. (Photo by Andrea Ronchini/NurPhoto via Getty Images) NurPhoto via Getty Images Current CDC Travel Guidelines Travelers should refer to the latest CDC guidelines to determine when they should wear a mask and also get a COVID test. In most cases, the fully vaccinated traveling at least 14 days after their final shot won't need to get tested before or after travel. However, the answer depends on your travel destination. Domestic Travel Guidelines The CDC currently doesn't advise vaccinated travelers and those who have recovered from COVID-19 in the past three months to get tested or self-quarantine. All travelers, vaccinated or not, will need to wear a mask when using commercial transit such as airplanes, trains and buses when traveling into, from or within the United States. This federal mask mandate supersedes the CDC guidelines for not having to wear a mask in most public settings. International Travel Guidelines The fully vaccinated will need to get a post-travel COVID test to re-enter the United States. This mandate applies to all US citizens and international visitors flying into the U.S. Some foreign destinations may have similar entry requirements. Most nations require travelers to have a negative pre-travel diagnostic test, but you might be able to waive the testing requirement by showing proof of vaccination. However, even if you can waive the mandatory testing, the nation's health authorities may conduct random health screenings. The CDC also recommends a post-travel test 3-5 days after returning but self-quarantining isn't necessary. When The Fully Vaccinated Need Testing Here are some of the destinations that may require testing the fully vaccinated. As a reminder, the CDC defines a person as fully vaccinated 14 days after receiving their final COVID-19 shot. An increasing number of countries and states are rolling out vaccine passport capability. This digital app can store your vaccination and diagnostic testing data to easily waiving any mandatory testing and quarantines. Hawaii Since May 15, 2021, Hawaiian residents who are fully vaccinated can travel between islands and counties without getting a pre-travel test. But visitors and returning residents must still obtain a negative COVID-19 test to waive the mandatory 10-day quarantine. However, the travel restrictions for the fully vaccinated should ease in the near future. Rhode Island The state of Rhode Island recommends (but doesn't require) getting a test for these reasons: Plan to travel out of state Returning from out of state travel (get a test between days 5 and 10) Exhibit COVID-19 symptoms Italy Italy is one of the first of the Schengen member nations to welcome U.S. tourists. However, travelers will need to obtain a negative COVID-19 test to waive the mandatory 10-day quarantine. Maldives The Maldives was one of the first countries to reopen to U.S. visitors. A negative PCR test is necessary for all travelers. Greece Greece has mandatory testing but showing proof of vaccination waives the pre-travel testing requirement. Other countries have similar policies, including Belize and most Caribbean nations. Summary Those who are fully vaccinated can expect to take a pre-travel test if flying to Hawaii or select international destinations. In addition, all international travelers must obtain a test to return to the United States. Besides these requirements, the fully vaccinated don't have to have a test to travel, in most cases. Related Articles: | https://www.forbes.com/sites/geoffwhitmore/2021/06/03/can-those-who-are-vaccinated-travel-without-a-covid-test/ |
Is Lea Leaving 'The Good Doctor'? What Happens To Lea And Shaun's Relationship? | The Good Doctor has reached its final episode of Season 4. The fourth season, which came as a roller coaster ride of emotions for Lea and Shaun, will end on June 7, 2021. The last episode of the show ended with Lea confessing to Shaun about her decision to move back to her home in Pennsylvania. While viewers are already heartbroken with the major turn in Shaun and Lea's life, a question has raised, "Is Lea leaving The Good Doctor in 2021?". Lea and Shaun started dating at the beginning of the fourth season of the show. Since then, their lives have been a roller coaster ride full of emotions and heartbreaks. The couple gets pregnant in the first few episodes of the season. As they prepare for the baby coming, things take a major turn. Lea gets diagnosed with Type II Was Previa, due to which she loses her baby. The couple goes through their fair share of breakdowns and work on their issues. They finally decide to move to Guatemala, where a medical opportunity is waiting for Shaun. However, things do not get any better. Shaun looks forward to working in a hospital in Guatemala, while Lea feels good to stay away from her apartment. As they decided to move for the better, Lea is left alone due to Shaun's medical engagements. Lea ponders in the hospital and comes across a mother and her newborn child. She breaks down as she wanted her child to take birth. When Shaun and Lea go out with their friends for drinks, Claire notices Lea. She later comes to talk to Lea and asks her to speak her heart out before Shaun. As the couple return to the hotel, Shaun keeps talking about his surgery. Lea intervenes and tells him how her family wants her to move back to Pennsylvania. Shaun gets into a state of shock while listening to Lea as his condition was miserable when Lea went to her home the last time. Whether Lea is leaving The Good Doctor in 2021 or not depends on the last episode of the season. The 20th episode is scheduled to air on June 7, 2021. The Good Doctor cast Freddie Highmore as Dr Shaun Murphy, Antonia Thomas as Dr Claire Browne, Hill Harper as Dr Marcus Andrews, and Richard Schiff as Aaron Glassman. Paige Spara plays the role of Shaun's love interest Lea. The show premiered on September 25, 2017. IMAGE: PAIGE SPARA'S INSTAGRAM Get the latest entertainment news from India & around the world. Now follow your favourite television celebs and telly updates. Republic World is your one-stop destination for trending Bollywood news. Tune in today to stay updated with all the latest news and headlines from the world of entertainment. | https://www.republicworld.com/entertainment-news/web-series/is-lea-leaving-the-good-doctor-what-happens-to-lea-and-shauns-relationship.html |
Will we need booster shots against Covid-19 in the future? | The world's leading Covid-19 vaccines may offer lasting protection that diminishes the need for frequent booster shots. That's according to scientists, who are finding clues in how the body remembers viruses. But they say more research is needed and that virus mutations are still a wild card. Critical studies are underway, and evidence is mounting that immunity from the mRNA vaccines made by Pfizer and Moderna doesn't depend exclusively on antibodies that dwindle over time. The body has overlapping layers of protection that offer backup. Scientists do not yet know what's called the correlate of protection, the level below which antibodies cannot fend off the coronavirus without additional help. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the US government's leading infectious disease expert, told a Senate subcommittee last week that vaccine protection would not be infinite. Pfizer and Moderna officials have said people might need yearly shots, just like with flu vaccinations. The companies plan to have some candidates ready this fall. But companies won't decide when boosters get used. That's up to health authorities in each country. Some experts say boosters may be needed only every few years. | https://www.deccanherald.com/science-and-environment/will-we-need-booster-shots-against-covid-19-in-the-future-993210.html |
Will Applying Early Decision Increase My Chances For Medical School? | Applying Early Decision to undergraduate can be a strategic move to help improve your chances of admission, especially for highly competitive and selective schools. For example, for the class of 2025, Duke University admitted 16.7% of students who applied Early Decision, whereas a record-low 4.3% of applicants were accepted during the regular decision round. Aspiring doctors will often apply to 17 or more schools, with each application costing $100 or more. Therefore, they might be interested in exploring an Early Decision Program (EDP) to help increase their odds of acceptance. Similar to applying Early Decision to undergraduate school, students can choose one medical school to apply to early. However, unlike for undergrad, pre-med students applying through an EDP have to wait until they are rejected before they can begin to apply to other schools. Although it might sound enticing to learn early whether or not your application to medical school was accepted, some drawbacks might make you reconsider this route. Combined, more than 100 allopathic and osteopathic medical schools have an EDP. Even for stellar candidates with top grades and a high MCAT score, it can be risky to apply to an EDP. Under this program, students can only apply to one EDP-participating medical school until they receive a decision. If accepted, the student must attend that school. Advantages To Applying Early 1. Reduce Time And Stress One benefit of applying early is that the student only has to apply to one school, thus reducing the time and stress of submitting applications to more than a dozen schools. This approach allows them to solely put their focus and energy on one school. Decisions from the college are released by October 1, reducing the drawn-out stress of the process. 2. Demonstrate Interest It can also show a students enthusiasm for that particular school and demonstrate a strong interest in the program, which is something colleges like to see. However, for average candidates, the chance of gaining a spot is not significantly improved. 3. More Cost-Efficient Another positive of EDPs are the cost. Applying to one medical school is significantly less than the cost of applying to 16 or more. However, if the student is financially able to shoulder the cost, it might be worthwhile. It gives them a better chance of being accepted, and the cost of applying is a small fraction of the total cost of being a doctor. While money is always a factor, in some ways, the money spent on applications is just the beginning. Disadvantages To Applying Early 1. Must Be Fully Committed When applying early, students have to be fully committed to attending that school. The EDP rules dictate that if accepted, the student must attend. 2. Application Must Be Outstanding Only a small number of seats in the admission class are reserved for early decision applicants. According to the AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges), your application has to be superb to stand out, and if it isnt, you shouldnt consider applying early. 3. Must Wait To Apply To Other Schools If you are not accepted, that means that you have to enter into the admission cycle later than most other students. EDP rules state that you may not apply to any other medical school until you are officially rejected. Notifications of acceptance or rejection of the aspiring allopathic students applications are sent by October 1. While this is enough time to apply to other schools (deadlines are often between November 1 and December 15), it can put you at a serious disadvantage. Many of the interview spots or even admission spots might have already been taken. When applying to allopathic schools, the applications for TMDSAS and AMCAS open on May 1 and May 30, respectively, and often will have deadlines in October or later. This is different from undergraduate applications, which are often open in the fall and are due in the winter. Medical schools also are unique from college admissions because they will offer rolling admissions and will review the applications as they receive them. While it might seem like you have more time for medical school, applying earlier in the cycle can work to your advantage. Once you have submitted your application, it must be verified and processed by AMCAS and TMDSAS before it is sent to the schools. The later in the application season, the more applications that are in the queue to be verified. This process can take just two weeks at the beginning of the application season but might take six weeks in July and August. This can significantly slow down your application process. According to TMDSAS, only 10% of applicants who submitted their application after August 1 were interviewed in 2018. Applying later in the cycle means you are competing against more students for fewer spots. Therefore, it is to your advantage to apply earlier in the cycle rather than closer to the deadline. Unless you are a strong applicant, your chances of gaining a seat at an allopathic medical school this cycle might be slim, and it might be better for you to wait until the following cycle to apply. 4. Acceptance Rate Is Not Higher Applicants through an EDP dont tend to see higher acceptance rates. Medical school admissions can be extremely unpredictable, and even those who are highly qualified dont get into every school they apply to. Students can be rejected by a school they thought they were highly competitive for, but still get accepted into a school with extremely low admission rates. For this reason, applying to a broad range of schools is often a good idea, because it allows students to account for the seeming randomness of medical school admissions. This strategy can help students increase the statistical odds that they find a place at a medical school the following year. If you are an extremely strong candidate, with top scores, recommendations, extracurricular activities and volunteer work, and you have one particular school that you are committed to attending, only then should you consider applying through an EDP. In this case, it may save you money on other applications and the stress of having to write dozens of secondary essays and multiple interviews. Another positive is the decisions are often released in the fall of the applicants senior year, so while other candidates are still stressed about their application status, EDP students can be confident in their place for the following year. However, due to the extreme risk of an EDP, it is likely not a good idea for the majority of medical school applicants. It might be a smart strategy for students who have a clear favorite medical school and are seriously considering a gap year. Because applicants must wait to apply to other medical schools until late in the application season, they will be at a disadvantage because many of the interview spots will already be taken by equally competitive students. If a student is rejected for their EDP school, it might be wiser to take a gap year (or two) and reapply at the start of the next admission cycle. Even if you have a high chance of admission, EDP is still unpredictable, so it is recommended that you exercise caution when considering this option. | https://www.forbes.com/sites/kristenmoon/2021/06/03/will-applying-early-decision-increase-my-chances-for-medical-school/ |
Who will fill Eli Broads philanthropic shoes? How about nobody? | Every February, writer and cultural critic William Poundstone publishes a post he calls Groundhog Day on his perceptive and affable blog, Los Angeles County Museum on Fire, which looks at how Los Angeles has historically been described in the media. The annual aggregation of quotes culled from six decades of cheese-puff reports about the city often reads like variations on a theme: basically, that Los Angeles was a vast cultural wasteland, but that the arrival of some new museum/gallery/concert hall/art fair may finally transform this land of woo-woo starlet surferheads into the sort of cultural destination that the literati neednt be quite so embarrassed about visiting. Sample entry: Los Angeles is a place where desire, fantasy and commerce come together, yet contemporary art has traditionally been overshadowed by the star power of Hollywood. Still, the city has quietly emerged as an important contemporary art hub. That was courtesy of the New York Times in 2018. Advertisement It pairs well with the following Life magazine quote from 1966: For 20 years Los Angeles had been a kind of national joke. ... Then, one day in the 1950s, that huge humming, uncorseted, uninhabitable town woke up to discover it was turning into the cultural capital of the West. No matter the decade, Poundstones wry aggregations capture a view of Los Angeles as a place that is always arriving yet never quite lands. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) I was thinking about these zombie tropes as I read the latest New York Times assessment of the state of culture in Los Angeles. The piece noted that the city had established itself as a cultural capital with its galaxy of museums, galleries and performing arts institutions, defying dated stereotypes of a superficial Hollywood with little interest in art. But it now confronts uncertainty across its cultural landscape with the one-two punch of the pandemic and the death of philanthropist Eli Broad. Like an overstuffed suitcase, there is lots to unpack beginning with the idea that L.A. has finally (finally) achieved cultural capital status and ending with the intimation that the citys art scene might wither without the presence of a strong philanthropist la Broad. Lets start with the question of philanthropy. The New York Times story, written by Adam Nagourney, implies that fundraising in celebrity-obsessed Tinseltown can be an exercise in frustration. For all its wealth, he writes, Los Angeles has always been a challenging fund-raising environment. Advertisement Its an echo of a piece about Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Times that Nagourney co-authored with Tim Arango in 2018. For all its successes, they wrote, Los Angeles has not developed the political, cultural and philanthropic institutions that have proved critical in other American cities. They also fret over Broads impending retirement. Neither story mentions the Getty Foundation, a local institution that is not only endowed to the teeth but has supported innovative cultural initiatives over more than a decade, such as the Pacific Standard Time series of exhibitions, as well as various pandemic recovery efforts. The Getty Center on the first day of its post-pandemic reopening. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) Advertisement Beyond that, the woe-is-me-where-are-the-Los-Angeles-philanthropists narrative doesnt appear to be entirely grounded in fact. The 2018 New York Times story notes that Los Angeles ranked 14th in charitable giving according to a 2017 metro market study by Charity Navigator (a ranking that also took into account issues such as accountability and transparency). What it fails to mention is that this placed L.A. five spots ahead of New York, which came in 19th out of 30 metro areas analyzed. I repeat, five spots ahead of New York. The No. San Diego. Los Angeles also came out toward the top when it came to median total contributions. The national average, according to the report, was $2.9 million. Median total contributions in L.A. came to more than $4 million well above average, and above New York, which checked in at almost $3.9 million. A separate study, published that same year by the Chronicle of Philanthropy, showed that giving ratios in Los Angeles edged out those of New York: 2.9% to 2.8%. (A giving ratio measures a citys charitable contributions as a share of total adjusted gross income.) Advertisement To be fair, New York patrons gave a slightly higher proportion of their dollars to arts and culture causes than L.A. patrons 18% to 15.2%, according to Charity Navigator. But the overall numbers hardly paint a picture of Los Angeles as disengaged from the civic act of giving. And while were at it, lets retire the outmoded idea that the most important factor in a citys cultural landscape is the presence of some white knight bearing a checkbook and grandiose ideas about turning bulldozed Los Angeles neighborhoods into the Champs-lyses (as Broad once described his vision for Bunker Hill). In fact, a moneyed philanthropist can wreak havoc on public institutions. Like the time, in 2008, when, after financing the construction of the Renzo Piano-designed Broad Contemporary Art Museum at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art to the tune of $50 million, Broad announced, weeks before the museums opening, that he wouldnt be giving LACMA his collection. Advertisement Two years later, LACMA alleged that Broad had left the museum holding the bag on $5.5 million in additional construction costs something a spokesperson for Broad denied. He also left the museum with additional maintenance expenses, since he didnt endow the building. As the late LACMA director Andrea Rich told the New Yorker in 2010: Broad once told her that no one is remembered for funding endowments. In 2015, he opened his own museum, the Broad downtown. The roofline of the Broad Contemporary Art Museum (BCAM) at LACMA is visible in the foreground. (Carolina A. Miranda / Los Angeles Times) Given this history, and given all the discussions about equity in culture that have taken place over the past year, its a weird time for the New York Times to be pondering who should fill the role of L.A.'s next Daddy Warbucks. We are at a moment in which the role of mega-donors and the ways in which they wield their money and their power has come under increasing scrutiny. Advertisement In the museum sector, this has led to heightened activism over the source of board member wealth. Prominent businessmen such as Warren B. Kanders at New Yorks Whitney Museum of American Art and Tom Gores at LACMA have been pressed to resign from museum board positions over questions relating to the source of their wealth. (Kanders owned a defense manufacturer that fabricated tear-gas grenades employed on migrant families at the U.S.-Mexico border; Gores ran a prison phone service that charged exorbitant fees to largely poor and nonwhite inmates or their families.) We are also at a moment in which there have been greater calls for public support of the arts. My colleague, Times classical music critic Mark Swed, has called for a federal Secretary of Culture. Los Angeles critic and scholar David Kipen, who once served as literature director at the National Endowment for the Arts, has proposed a Federal Writers Project inspired by the Roosevelt-era Works Progress Administration. That idea is now a bill, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Torrance). Advertisement President Biden says he wants to boost the budgets of the NEA and the National Endowment for the Humanities. (The proposed $33.5 million increase to the NEA would bring that agencys budget to $201 million its highest level funding since its founding in 1965.) After our destabilizing pandemic year, greater public funding is critical for arts organizations across the country, which frequently find themselves beholden to the whims of impetuous donors. (Benefactors are renowned for supporting grand building projects upon which they can bestow their names; they are generally less interested in raising funds to, say, pay equitable wages to frontline and entry-level staff.) If government support for the arts in the United States seems totally pie-in-the-sky, it is not especially at the local level. Advertisement LACMA is among L.A.'s publicly funded institutions. (Maria Alejandra Cardona / Los Angeles Times) LACMA draws an annual subsidy from L.A. County taxpayers of about $25 million an amount that represents a quarter to a fifth of its annual budget. In Michigan, a $15 annual tax on residential properties valued at $150,000 in three counties goes toward funding the Detroit Institute of the Arts. In Colorado, a tiny portion of the sales tax (1 cent on every $10 in sales and use tax) is set aside to fund cultural and scientific institutions in a seven-county tax district around Denver. Its a stable source of funding that doesnt fluctuate like philanthropy, says Michael Rushton, a professor in the ONeill School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University, and you can make sure its being evenly distributed. Its not European levels of funding, but these models exist and have been proven to work in the U.S. It is this model we should push for in Los Angeles not more Eli Broads. Advertisement Which brings me to the second point in the New York Times report: the idea that L.A. has at last, finally FINALMENTE! (in melodramatic telenovela voice) reached that mythical status of global cultural capital. Go figure, I think Southern California has been pretty international for a while now. Yes, theres the film industry which has been exporting culture for more than a century. And there have been so many art, architecture, music, stage and literary movements and influential creators born in L.A. that its pointless to name them all. There are other currents, too. In the early 20th century, the Mexican Revolution was planned, in part, in Los Angeles. During that same period, Korean independence activist Ahn Chang-Ho was inspired by organizing among Korean immigrants in agricultural communities such as Riverside. It was a period living in Los Angeles that helped shape the worldview of Mexican essayist and Nobel Laureate Octavio Paz. In Tokyo, there is a budding lowrider scene inspired by Chicano youth. Advertisement Not to mention the traffic of goods: For the last two decades, the Port of Los Angeles has been the busiest container port in the Western Hemisphere. A philanthropist building a namesake museum on Bunker Hill is significant, but its not what makes L.A. important. That lies in a more unquantifiable realm having to do with ideas and the ways in which they are transmitted. For that we dont need a great patron. We need better public institutions ones that serve everybody, not just the people who fund them. | https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2021-06-03/who-will-fill-eli-broads-philanthropic-shoes-how-about-nobody |
What are the risks as China reports world's first human case of H10N3 bird flu? | China revealed the first human case of H10N3 bird flu on Tuesday, an announcement that has so far raised no alarm among world health authorities. Here is what we know. The case of H10N3 bird flu announced by China on Tuesday is the first of its strain observed in humans. "The patient is a 41-year-old male from Jiangsu Province, China," the World Health Organization told AFP in an email. "He developed illness on 22 April 2021 and was hospitalised on 28 April in an intensive care unit. He is currently recovering," it said. China's National Health Commission (NHC) said the man was diagnosed with H10N3 a month after being hospitalised. "The source of the patient's exposure to the H10N3 virus is not known at this time," the WHO said. "Bird flu, or avian flu, is caused by influenza viruses that spread between birds," said Nicole Robb of the University of Warwick, cited by the Science Media Centre (SMC). "It can often spread easily between birds, but very rarely causes disease in humans," she said. John W. McCauley of the Francis Crick Institute added: "There is a very wide range of influenza viruses in circulation in birds, much wider than in the main mammalian hosts of influenza: man, pigs and horses." Two strains of bird flu, H5N1 and H7N9, (first seen in 2013) led to human contamination in Asia through infected birds. Two strains of bird flu, H5N1 and H7N9, led to human contamination in Asia through infected birds. H5N1 first broke out in 1997, then spread between 2003 and 2011, while H7N9 was first seen in 2013. Cases of transmission between humans remain extremely rare. H7N9 has infected 1,668 people and killed 616 since 2013, according to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization. The H5N8 virus, derived from H5N1, was detected in February among workers at a Russian poultry factory after circulating for a few months in several European farms. McCauley also cites sporadic infection incidents involving the H9N2 and H10N8 viruses across the world over the last 20 years. "Transmission to humans is usually by direct contact," McCauley says, citing "very close contact with infected birds, poultry or ducks with direct exposure whilst handling them or in preparation of meat from the infected animal". McCauley points to the H5N1 outbreak in 1997 in Hong Kong that was halted by the closure of bird markets. "Once cooked, infected meat poses a very low threat," he adds. "As long as avian influenza viruses circulate in poultry, sporadic infection of avian influenza in humans is not surprising," noted the WHO, "which is a vivid reminder that the threat of an influenza pandemic is persistent." As for transmission among humans, Vincent Enouf of the Pasteur Institute says: "Mutations would be necessary as the virus crosses the species barrier." "At this time, there is no indication of human-to-human transmission" of H10N3, the WHO said. "We don't have any information about mutations of this H10N3 virus that could be useful in determining whether it might have the potential to be transmitted among humans," Enouf added. "Today Chinese authorities say the virus hasn't been detected in other people, which is reassuring," he says. Even among the bird population, where H10N3 has been detected in live bird markets periodically since 2002, the WHO says it is a "low pathogenicity" virus, meaning it causes few signs of illness in its host. Robb said viruses belonging to the H5 or H7 subtypes were "more worrying" as they have proven to evolve into highly dangerous strains. These, she said, "cause fatal disease in birds and can cause serious illness in humans in the rare cases that humans have been infected". Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. | https://www.livemint.com/science/health/what-are-the-risks-as-china-reports-world-s-first-human-case-of-h10n3-bird-flu-11622720537116.html |
When Is 'That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime' Season 2 Episode 13 Releasing? | That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime is an anime series that first aired in 2018. The show is currently in its second season. In the previous episode, Rimuru gets to know about Clayman's involvement with Milim and Frey. Read on to know more about That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime season 2 episode 13 release date. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime season 2 episode 13 release date That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime's next episode is scheduled to release in September 2021. However, the date has not been revealed yet. The 12th episode released at the end of March. The 13th episode is also called episode 37 counting the 24 episodes of season 1. Each episode has a gap of two months between them. The users who have subscribed to premium Crunchyroll will be able to watch the episode when its releases. However, others will have to wait for a few weeks to watch it on other websites. The audience from Australia and New Zealand will be able to watch the episode on AnimeLab. That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime preview of season 2 episode 12 In That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime season 2 episode 12, Rimuru ascends as a demon lord. But even though he becomes the demon lord, he is not too hard and retains the core part of his identity. He finds out that Euranzia was destructed and Carrion was defeated by Milim. He was helped by another demon lord, Frey. The citizens take refuge in the tempest. Rimuru figures that Clayman might have played a part in the destruction of Euranzia. Rimuru uses his powers and finally fulfils the old promise that he made to Dragon Veldora. He releases him and gives him a new body. About That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime cast That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime cast features Miho Okasaki, Megumi Toyoguchi, Tomoaki Maeno and Yumiri Hanamori in the lead roles. The plot of That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime follows the life of Rimuru, a 37-year-old man who was reincarnated as a slime. This was because he made certain requests during his death. Image: Still from That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime Get the latest entertainment news from India & around the world. Now follow your favourite television celebs and telly updates. Republic World is your one-stop destination for trending Bollywood news. Tune in today to stay updated with all the latest news and headlines from the world of entertainment. | https://www.republicworld.com/entertainment-news/web-series/when-is-that-time-i-got-reincarnated-as-a-slime-season-2-episode-13-releasing.html |
Is there a Nepal variant of Covid? | A Covid variant said to have originated in Nepal has been raised as a possible concern among ministers, according to a report, amid fears that mutations of the virus could spread more easily or make vaccines less effective. The Daily Mail reported that the variant had been detected in Europe and could become a factor in decisions over whether to loosen travel rules for British holidaymakers. However the evidence of a new variant originating from the Himalayan South Asian nation is so far lacking. One virus expert The Independent spoke to said there had been talk of a possible new variant from Nepal since last week but so far nothing to back that up in genomic sequencing databases. The World Health Organisation said on Thursday morning that the agency was not aware of any new variant of SARS-CoV-2 being detected in Nepal. The confirmed variants in circulation are: Alpha (B.1.1.7), Delta (B.1.617.2) and Kappa (B.1.617.1). The predominant variant currently in circulation in Nepal is Delta (B.1.617.2), WHO said, referring to three mutations one linked to Kent, two to India by their new Greek alphabet titles. Health workers in Kathmandu carry a Covid patient from a helicopter to an ambulance after being airlifted due to health complications (REUTERS) Professor Peter Openshaw of Imperial College London, who is also a member of the governments Nervtag group, told The Independent he was yet to see proof of a new Nepalese variant. Inevitably the virus is going to continue to evolve and in remote parts of the world where we have little access to samples or data it will be difficult to get information in the early stages of a variant evolving, he said. This really just emphasises how vital it is to get vaccines rolled out as soon as possible and as widely around the world as we can. An unnamed member of the governments Sage committee also told the Daily Mail officials should not be overly concerned. There are thousands of variants. This is a virus that is changing all the time, he said. Many variants of Sars-CoV-2 the virus that causes Covid-19 have been identified around the world. They include B.1.1.7, known in the UK as the Kent variant and around the world as the UK variant but now labelled by the WHO as Alpha. The B.1.617.2 variant, often known as the Indian variant, has been labelled Delta, while B.1.351, often referred to as the South African variant, has been named Beta. The B.1.617.1 variant, also linked to India, has been designated as Kappa while the P.1 Brazilian variant has been labelled Gamma. Nepal is currently battling a surge in Covid cases with the Himalayan nation tucked between China and India facing a deadly second wave. | https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/nepal-variant-covid-cases-holiday-b1858820.html |
Where are the Worst Roads in Ontario? | Thunder Bay NEWS While many complain about roads in Thunder Bay, it might surprise many to find out that only Tokio Street in the city made it to the list of worst roads in Ontario. Ottawas Carling Avenue has the dubious honour of once again being named one of the worst roads in Ontario. Noted for its very poor condition and severe cracking, Carling Avenue came in at second for the province in CAAs Worst Road for 2021. Topping the list is Victoria Road in Prince Edward County. Carling Avenue is a regular feature on the annual CAA survey aimed at advocating for better road maintenance, but this year, Hunt Club and Innes Road also made it to the top ten on the provincial list. For the Northern region, North Bays 3rd Avenue West took the top berth, followed by Rioko Street in Thunder Bay in fifth spot and Barrydowne Road in Greater Sudbury. Road safety starts with road quality, says Jeff Walker, President and CEO of CAA North & East Ontario. The cost of poor roads isnt just to commerce and trade, but as our Poor Roads study showed this year, they also cost Canadian motorists more than $3 billion a year in operating costs. Overall, roads in the National Capital Region took seven of north and east Ontarios top 10 places. With stay-at-home orders and lockdowns, were still seeing roads deteriorate, but were seeing different ones on the list this year. And, in our region, its clear that people care because we saw a 62% increase in voting over 2019, when the survey was last run, adds Walker. In Ontario, 117 municipalities saw roads in their communities nominated. Drivers accounted for most of the votes being cast, with cyclists and pedestrians accounting for about a quarter of the votes. Voters shared their primary reasons for selecting a road, with 81 per cent citing potholes or crumbling pavement, followed by traffic congestion (11 per cent) and no or poor walking infrastructure (7 per cent). Ontarios top 10 list is verified by the Ontario Road Builders Association (ORBA). We are very pleased to partner with CAA on the 2021 Worst Roads Campaign. ORBA provides analysis on the nominated roads, sheds light on why they were chosen and what issues are impacting them. Increased investment in our transportation infrastructure is vital in order to effectively maintain existing assets and plan for the future. Doubra Ambaiowei, Technical Director, Ontario Road Builders Association. Ontarios Top 10 Worst Roads 2021: 1. Victoria Road, Prince Edward County 2. Carling Avenue, Ottawa 3. Barton Street East, Hamilton 4. County Road 49, Prince Edward County 5. Eglinton Avenue East, Toronto 6. Hunt Club Road, Ottawa 7. Eglinton Avenue West, Toronto 8. Innes Road, Ottawa 9. Algonquin Boulevard West, Timmins 10. Queen Street, Kingston North & East Ontarios Top 10 Worst Roads 2021: 1. Third Avenue West, North Bay 2. Gardenvale Road, Ottawa 3. Montreal Road, Ottawa 4. Mulvihill Road, Ottawa 5. Tokio Street, Thunder Bay 6. Barrydowne Road, Greater Sudbury 7. Montee Outaouais, Clarence-Rockland 8. Loggers Way, Ottawa 9. Mountbatten Avenue, Ottawa 10. Falaise Road, Ottawa | https://www.netnewsledger.com/2021/06/03/where-are-the-worst-roads-in-ontario/ |
What underlies fear of inflation in America and Europe? | THE ECONOMIC recovery in Europe and America has set investors on edge about inflation. Annual inflation in the euro zone reached 2% in May, up from 1.6% in April and the highest since October 2018. Germanys annual rate rose to 2.4% in May, and the Bundesbank forecasts that it could soon reach 4% for the first time in nearly 30 years. In America it is higher still. Figures published on May 12th showed that the countrys consumer-price index rose by 4.2% year-on-year in April, a rate not seen since 2008, and well above the 3.6% expected by forecasters. The S&P 500 stockmarket index fell by 2% that day. The Economist Today Hand-picked stories, in your inbox A daily email with the best of our journalism Sign up The jump in Americas figure for April is not quite as alarming as it first seems. A fall in the price of oil last year depressed the base used to calculate the annual rate. Yet even the monthly increase, stripped of more volatile food and energy prices, was 0.9%, the highest since the 1980s. That partly reflected the oddities of reopening the economy: demand for some products is surging, but suppliers are unable to immediately match it. An instructive example is used cars and trucks, the prices of which rose by 10% in April. As in America, inflation in the euro area also reflects some transitory global factors, including the oil-price collapse last spring. Strip out food and energy prices, and inflation in Germany was only about 1% in April. Some temporary country-specific issues are also in play. A carbon charge in Germany has pushed up prices, and an emergency cut to value-added taxes last year will arithmetically boost inflation later this year. Even so, people on both sides of the Atlantic are starting to worry about a sustained rise in inflation. The concern in America is over the size of stimulus, and the speed of the economic recovery. Joe Bidens $1.9trn injection gave millions of Americans cheques for $1,400 earlier this year, on top of money they had previously received from the government. They saved much of the cash, creating a pile of pent-up savings. As the economy gets up to speed again, helped by a quick vaccination programme, that could set off a consumer boom and force up prices. Moreover, the Federal Reserve has said it will tolerate a period of inflation that is above its target of 2%. The combination of reopening, a generous Treasury and a tolerant Fed puts America in uncharted territory. By contrast the chances of spiralling prices and wages in Europe are far lower. Demand in the euro zone was feeble even before covid-19. Germany had kept its wage costs low in the early 2000s. After their debt crises southern economies such as Italy and Greece narrowed the gap with their richer neighbours by clamping down on their own labour costs. Moreover, Europes fiscal stimulus looks stingy next to Americas, even though the economic hit from the pandemic has been more severe. Output in the euro zone fell further than in America last year, and it is taking longer to bounce back, in part because of a slower vaccination drive. The EUs new 750bn ($919bn) recovery fund will take years to be fully disbursed. Investors agree that it will take a lot to tip the euro area into a period of high inflation. They expect inflation in five years time to languish below the European Central Banks target of close to, but below 2%. By contrast, market expectations for inflation in America are a little higher, above 2%. But there is little expectation of runaway inflation yet. | https://www.economist.com/the-economist-explains/2021/06/03/what-underlies-fear-of-inflation-in-america-and-europe |
Will Dawars announcement of new party affect PTM politics? | The Pushtoon Tahaffuz Movement has been going through internal conflicts and groupings for some time but what eventually lead Mohsin Dawar to form a new party was disagreements on the future of the movement and its nature. The disagreements became so strong that different meetings would be held to accommodate different leaders. The new party was announced by Mohsin Dawar at a meeting held at Professor Ismails house. It was attended by political workers with progressivist leanings from across the country. In a statement, Dawar said that the meeting was held after consultations with political leaders and workers. He added that consultations are underway for naming the party, its organising committee, and manifesto. The founding members include Afrasiab Khattak, Professor Ismail, Advocate Fazal Khan, Bushra Gohar, Jamal Dawar and others. Pashteens supporters, on the other hand, include workers mostly on the local and regional level. Disagreements between Dawar and Pashteen were seen when, in a DattaKhel rally, Dawar had said that the Afghan government, too, is asking Afghan Taliban to choose parliamentary politics. To this, Pashteen had replied that Ashraf Ghani is merely asking the Taliban to listen to what the public wants, and said that PTM will remain a non-parliamentary party. PTM workers divided Supporters of Dawar and Pashteen are busy criticising each other on social media. We wish you the best and hope that those in the business of spreading hate will mend their ways, a social media user Hayat Parighal said. He added that everyone has the right to choose a path which does not lead to a clash between institutions. PTM member Khan Orakzai said that everyone has the right to form a [political] party, and termed the debate on the nature of party as meaningless. He said that this debate will end now, and members will have clarity on what their end goal is. User Majeed Mehsud, though, feels disappointed. He said that many people had high hopes from Dawar and expected him to do something for their people. What does Dawar have to say to them now, he asked. Another PTM member Usman Wazir termed it a self-serving decision, and said that it was PTM that gave them influence and popularity. Dawar still a PTM member Dawar said that PTMs demands are right but he and his allies needed a platform for parliamentary politics, which was not possible with PTM. He said that it was decided from its inception that PTM will be a non-parliamentary movement. This is why, after much thought, we formed a new party. Commenting on rifts in the movement, Dawar said that the same was said when some PTM leaders contested elections but everything went back to normal after some time. PTMs constitution says that a member of any party can become a PTM member, and the only condition is that they cannot hold a PTM office. I formed PTM, I cannot quit it, he said. PTM is a separate movement while the new party has its own goals. He said that he has been associated with politics his whole life and PTM wasnt the first movement he joined. Dawar said that other nationalist parties have failed to play their role. Dawar said that he can make his own decision and will announce it once he is out of jail. Pashteens stance PTM Karachi organiser Noorullah Tareen told Samaa Digital that PTM since its inception was a non-parliamentary, resistance movement and will remain so. Tareen said that PTM has members of all political parties from the Pakhtun belt and changing the movement to a political party will affect the PTMs influence and popularity. He said that its main objective is to solve the issues of people affected by security operations and to restore peace in the Pakhtun belt, especially tribal areas. Pashteen has congratulated Dawar on forming the new party, Tareen said, adding that their only complaint with him is that he announced it at a time when they are facing several other issues. This is synonymous to dividing the movement, he said. Tareen said that Dawar has contested elections previously too, and he was never stopped from doing so. The only condition is that no one contest election using PTMs name. Its constitution, that Dawar has signed, says that it is a non-parliamentary movement, Tareen said. It will depend on Dawar and his supporters because we have never stopped any political partys worker from becoming a PTM member, and the same holds for Dawar, said Tareen. | https://www.samaa.tv/news/2021/06/will-dawars-announcement-of-new-party-affect-ptm-politics/ |
Is DJ Pauly D About To Ask Nikki That Question On Jersey Shore ? | DJ Pauly D and Nikki are in double shot at love -- and celebrating a big relationship milestone. In a sneak peek from tonight's premiere of Jersey Shore: Family Vacation, Pauly is trying to go "all out" for the couple's one-year anniversary. Champagne, rose petals...a little box in his pocket?! "You are my best friend. You have my heart," he tells Nikki in the clip above as they have a sweet toast at their Las Vegas abode. "And I have an important question to ask you." Watch the entire video, then do not miss the premiere of Jersey Shore: Family Vacation tonight at 8/7c! And relive their relationship timeline in the compilation below. | http://www.mtv.com/news/3178063/dj-pauly-d-nikki-pop-question-jersey-shore/ |
What happened to Beats By Dre? | There was a time when Beats by Dre. were the hottest headphones on the market and had a reputation for being the elite audio devices due to their unique designs and how numerous celebrities and athletes considered their products as the everyday go-to. Even the concept of having fake Beats was something consumers wanted to go to as long as they looked like Beats. Its 2021 and for quite a while Beats by Dre. seems almost extinct that just comes around to launch one or two products. How it all started Before heading into the companys extinction lets rewind and see what made Beats by Dre. the headphones everyone dreamed of having. So it all started when a famous American rapper named Dr. Dre noticed how Apple sold the iPod for $499 with an addition of their earphones costing only $1. In a nutshell, Dre did not like these $1 earphones as according to him these earphones were just to check your devices sound but not to experience the music artists worked hard to produce hence this led to the introduction of Beats by Dr. Dre or simply Beats by Dre. Now Beats by Dre. were not the best quality headphones in terms of sound at all, they never came up close to those high-end headphones people use today for gaming or music production or even video editing but what made Beats by Dre. click is their style and how they looked good when consumers tried them on. This was because the company realized that even if you had top-of-line headphones with amazing sound quality if they did not look appealing no one would want to wear them publicly or to use them every day. From there on Dr. Dre cashed in as a golden opportunity to start this as a profitable company, with his business partner Jimmy Iovine that makes normal headphones but makes them so appealing consumers would make it look like a fashion statement or something to make it part of their style. Its the same concept with Nike or Adidas shoes, people dont buy them because they are good shoes but it makes consumers look good. The hype of Beats by Dre. So Dre made some fancy headphones but just making a fashion statement was just not enough for Dre as he and his business partner leveraged all their celebrity contacts which started generating the hype of the product. This even extended to Beats giving out the 2008 U.S Olympic team a pair of headphones to rock with. Moreover, Dre gave brand new custom-made pairs for celebrities such as LeBron James, Nicki Minaj, Justin Bieber, Zedd, David Guetta. This even went beyond just headphones as celebrities such as Lady Gaga received diamond-encrusted earphones specialized for her. The fun fact here was Dr. Dre made sure that the headphones were shipped to all of these celebrity musicians just before they were about to perform on stage. In a nutshell, this marketing concept worked as almost every famous musician in the world was rocking a pair of Beats headphones which made consumers want to buy them so they could look more like their idols, favorite celebrities, and athletes. But thats not all as Beats headphones had higher bass in comparison to normal earphones and headphones making consumers think they are actually better and in those days they were. Through all of this, Beats became the most recommended headphones globally in the market and took over at least 70% of the premium headphone market. Apart from that, Beats just knew how to package their products giving users that elite feeling of purchasing the best of the best. The expansion of Beats Beats did not just stop limiting their products to just headphones as the company had started integrating Beats Audio into laptops and phones. If you own HP laptop chances are you might have noticed the Beats Audio symbol on them and though they make the laptop seem elite there wasnt any major difference in terms of sound quality. Moreover, HTC started rocking their smartphones with Beats Audio. They even started their own music subscription service called Beats Music which is exactly what Spotify and Apple Music do today. Moreover, Beats Pill which was basically a wireless speaker had a major boom as some fancy speakers to take along during travels. The beginning of the end Later on, in 2014, Beats was acquired by Apple which may have looked good in the beginning but it was surely the beginning of the Beats downfall. But there is a stroke of brilliance behind Apples acquisition of Beats as they knew wireless earphones and headphones were going to be the new modern and in order for Apple to achieve the goal of going totally wireless they would have to get ahead of their competition or simply buy their competition and thats what Apple did. As of now, Apple is currently the largest seller of audio products which mostly involves AirPods. Its very rare that you see anyone wearing Beats headphones its because Apple never had the intention of making more Beats products instead they dissected Beats, saw what made them tick, and utilized their resources to make their own range of wireless headphones and earphones which in the end worked. Now almost everywhere you see the hype of consumers wanting to get a pair of AirPods. This didnt just limit to wireless products as Apple had even taken the Beats Music application and integrated it with Apple Music because back in the day Beats Music was considered as the best app to search your favorite music or genre. Surprisingly they do, if you head to apple.com and head over to the music tab youll see a small icon called Beats which means Beats do still exist but its very rare if there ever will be new Beats products from here on. Conclusion All in all, Beats went from being the headphones of peoples dreams to ending up on the history books as a company with sheer hype. On a personal note, being a Beats user back in the day they were extremely fashionable and that was pretty much it. Let us know in the comments below what was your favorite pair of Beats headphones. | https://www.techjuice.pk/what-happened-to-beats-by-dre/ |
What Happens to the Mechanical Properties of Sandstone Under High Heat? | Within first-principles density functional theory (DFT) frameworks, it is challenging to predict the electronic structures of nanoparticles (NPs) accurately but fast. Herein, a machine-learning architecture is proposed to rapidly but reasonably predict electronic density of states (DOS) patterns of metallic NPs via a combination of principal component analysis (PCA) and the crystal graph convolutional neural network (CGCNN). With the PCA, a mathematically high-dimensional DOS image can be converted to a low-dimensional vector. The CGCNN plays a key role in reflecting the effects of local atomic structures on the DOS patterns of NPs with only a few of material features that are easily extracted from a periodic table. The PCA-CGCNN model is applicable for all pure and bimetallic NPs, in which a handful DOS training sets that are easily obtained with the typical DFT method are considered. The PCA-CGCNN model predicts the R2 value to be 0.85 or higher for Au pure NPs and 0.77 or higher for Au@Pt core@shell bimetallic NPs, respectively, in which the values are for the test sets. Although the PCA-CGCNN method showed a small loss of accuracy when compared with DFT calculations, the prediction time takes just ~ 160 s irrespective of the NP size in contrast to DFT method, for example, 13,000 times faster than the DFT method for Pt147. Our approach not only can be immediately applied to predict electronic structures of actual nanometer scaled NPs to be experimentally synthesized, but also be used to explore correlations between atomic structures and other spectrum image data of the materials (e.g., X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy). | https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2264147850272/what-happens-to-the-mechanical-properties-of-sandstone-under-high-heat |
What's Going On With Take-Two Today? | Take-Two Interactive Software Inc (NASDAQ: TTWO) is trading higher Thursday morning after an upgrade and price target increase from Jefferies. What Happened: Take-Two announced Wednesday it had acquired the mobile games company Nordeus for up to $378 million. Our investment in Nordeus strengthens further Take-Two's mobile game business, is highly complementary to Social Point and Playdots, and broadens our sports portfolio with our first-ever soccer offerings," said Michael Worosz, executive vice president and head of strategy and independent publishing for Take-Two. Following the acquisition, Jefferies analyst Andrew Uerkwitz upgraded Take-Two from Hold to Buy and raised the price target from $185 to $231. The analyst cited the vast number of games that Take-Two has in development as a reason for the upgrade. See Also: Take-Two Stock Analysts See Robust Game Pipeline, Conservative Guidance After Q4 Report Price Action: Take-Two has traded as high as $214.91 and as low as $124.86 over a 52-week period. At last check Thursday, the stock was up 1.63% in premarket trading at $179.80. Photo by K2NK from Flickr. | https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/upgrades/21/06/21407018/whats-going-on-with-take-two-today |
Why is Holby City being cancelled? | THE BBC has announced long-running medical drama Holby City will be airing its last ever episode next week after 23 years on screen. A statement shared by the BBC revealed the Tuesday night stalwart was being axed to make way for more drama serving all parts of the country. It read: "We are incredibly proud of Holby City but its with great sadness that we are announcing that after 23 years, the show will end on screen in March of next year. "We sometimes have to make difficult decisions to make room for new opportunities and as part of the BBC's commitment to make more programmes across the UK, we have taken the difficult decision to bring the show to a close in order to reshape the BBC's drama slate to better reflect, represent and serve all parts of the country. "We would like to take this opportunity to thank the amazing team at BBC Studios and all the cast and crew who have been involved in the show since 1999. "Holby has been a stalwart with audiences, delighting millions of viewers each week and winning hundreds of awards with a compelling mix of cutting edge medical stories and explosive personal stories. "We look forward to working with the team over the coming months to ensure that when it ends, Holby goes out on a high." Holby City will air its final scenes in March 2022. The popular BBC medical show started in 1999 as a spin-off to Casualty and ran for 23 series. Holby Citys official Twitter account shared the news, with fans flocking to reply and express their disappointment. MORE FOR YOU 'Let's go out with a bang' EastEnders' Davood Ghadami is 'gutted' as Holby City is axed STARS SCRUBBED UP Unexpected celeb cameos in Holby City from Sheridan Smith to Jodie Comer HOL NEW WORLD Inside Holby City star Rosie Marcel's amazing home after show is cancelled HOL-BYE CITY Holby City cast react to show's shock axing after 23 years on screen 'fuming' Holby City fans rage they'll 'never watch BBC again' as show axed after 23 years Holby City's new character Treve Harding makes a surprise entrance as Max McGerry's old flame One said: "#BBC Bad Move for axing #HolbyCity Bad Move BBC." Another added: "BBC don't cut Holby City, I love it." A third fan chimed in: "Why is Holby City being axed why not doctors, who even watches that?" | https://www.thesun.co.uk/tv/15142866/holby-city-cancelled-last-episode/ |
How Does L Brands Debt Look? | Shares of L Brands (NYSE:LB) moved higher by 24.38% in the past three months. Before we understand the importance of debt, let us look at how much debt L Brands has. L Brands's Debt According to the L Brands's most recent financial statement as reported on March 19, 2021, total debt is at $6.37 billion, with $6.37 billion in long-term debt and $0.00 in current debt. Adjusting for $3.90 billion in cash-equivalents, the company has a net debt of $2.46 billion. Let's define some of the terms we used in the paragraph above. Current debt is the portion of a company's debt which is due within 1 year, while long-term debt is the portion due in more than 1 year. Cash equivalents include cash and any liquid securities with maturity periods of 90 days or less. Total debt equals current debt plus long-term debt minus cash equivalents. To understand the degree of financial leverage a company has, investors look at the debt ratio. Considering L Brands's $11.57 billion in total assets, the debt-ratio is at 0.55. As a rule of thumb, a debt-ratio more than one indicates that a considerable portion of debt is funded by assets. A higher debt-ratio can also imply that the company might be putting itself at risk for default, if interest rates were to increase. However, debt-ratios vary widely across different industries. A debt ratio of 35% might be higher for one industry and average for another. Importance Of Debt Besides equity, debt is an important factor in the capital structure of a company, and contributes to its growth. Due to its lower financing cost compared to equity, it becomes an attractive option for executives trying to raise capital. Interest-payment obligations can impact the cash-flow of the company. Equity owners can keep excess profit, generated from the debt capital, when companies use the debt capital for its business operations. Check out Benzinga Pro, a market research platform which provides investors with near-instantaneous access to dozens of stock metrics - including debt-to-equity ratio. Click here to learn more. | https://www.benzinga.com/news/21/06/21406342/how-does-l-brands-debt-look |
What Does Donaldson's Debt Look Like? | Over the past three months, shares of Donaldson (NYSE:DCI) moved higher by 6.42%. Before we understand the importance of debt, let us look at how much debt Donaldson has. Donaldson's Debt Based on Donaldson's balance sheet as of March 2, 2021, long-term debt is at $495.10 million and current debt is at $22.40 million, amounting to $517.50 million in total debt. Adjusted for $207.30 million in cash-equivalents, the company's net debt is at $310.20 million. Let's define some of the terms we used in the paragraph above. Current debt is the portion of a company's debt which is due within 1 year, while long-term debt is the portion due in more than 1 year. Cash equivalents include cash and any liquid securities with maturity periods of 90 days or less. Total debt equals current debt plus long-term debt minus cash equivalents. To understand the degree of financial leverage a company has, investors look at the debt ratio. Considering Donaldson's $2.27 billion in total assets, the debt-ratio is at 0.23. Generally speaking, a debt-ratio more than one means that a large portion of debt is funded by assets. As the debt-ratio increases, so the does the risk of defaulting on loans, if interest rates were to increase. Different industries have different thresholds of tolerance for debt-ratios. A debt ratio of 25% might be higher for one industry and average for another. Why Debt Is Important Debt is an important factor in the capital structure of a company, and can help it attain growth. Debt usually has a relatively lower financing cost than equity, which makes it an attractive option for executives. However, due to interest-payment obligations, cash-flow of a company can be impacted. Having financial leverage also allows companies to use additional capital for business operations, allowing equity owners to retain excess profit, generated by the debt capital. Check out Benzinga Pro, a market research platform which provides investors with near-instantaneous access to dozens of stock metrics - including debt-to-equity ratio. Click here to learn more. | https://www.benzinga.com/news/21/06/21406345/what-does-donaldsons-debt-look-like |
Does the Samsung Galaxy A52 support 5G? Should I buy the 5G or the 4G variant? | It may seem silly to ask the question whether the Samsung Galaxy A52 actually supports 5G after all, its even included in the name. But its important to note that not all 5G devices are the same. While the short and simple answer is yes, it does have 5G, there is much more nuance to it than that. Most carriers in the US will support the device and work perfectly with it, but you may need to adjust your expectations and expect different results, as opposed to seeing gigabit-speed downloads that you see in premium flagship devices. The situation is further complicated with the existence of the Galaxy A52 4G. Weve extensively tested both, the Galaxy A52 5G (review) and the Galaxy A52 4G (review), so heres the nuance behind this simple question. Yes, the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G supports 5G. It has the required bands that support the Sub-6Ghz network. However, it does not support the mmWave that yields gigabit download speeds that you often see advertised by the carriers. Taking a quick look at Samsungs website tells us what 5G bands are supported by the Galaxy A52 5G. However, it would be prudent to check what version of the phone you have, as some regions will omit the 5G branding. Theres a Samsung Galaxy A52 4G as well, and it looks exactly the same while sporting a different SoC and just 4G support. The Galaxy A52 4G only has 4G bands, and the usual 2G and 3G. Make sure to check the carriers website and see if the listing is actually the model you want to buy. If its unclear or youre not certain, its better to get in touch with the carrier or company thats selling it to double-check whether theyre selling the device youre looking for. If you dont know what 5G is exactly and want to find out how it works, we have got an excellent guide explaining everything you need to know about 5G. Currently, all US carriers support some of the above-mentioned 5G bands, but as always, you should check with the carrier before purchasing to see what speeds, and how reliable a service, you can expect to get where youre based. The same is true for Europe and Asia. Most countries have service providers that support one or more of these bands, but its also important to note that 5G is still not everywhere, especially in developing countries. While its true that many larger cities have it, smaller ones and less busy, populated ones may not. Buying a 5G phone could increase your productivity and allow you to get tasks done quicker, but the Sub-6GHz band only really provides faster than LTE speeds, which are already very accessible and reliable in most places. Not a lot, actually. The 5G version has a higher-grade chipset, including the Snapdragon 750G SoC, while the 4G version has the slightly lower Snapdragon 720G. The difference isnt major, but its still there. The most noticeable one however is in the display. The 5G variant supports 120Hz refresh rate while the 4G model is limited to 90Hz the difference is there on paper and you can spot the change when you have both of them side by side. However, 90Hz is more than enough to provide a very smooth experience while navigating the device and playing some games. Luckily, both models feature the same dimensions, so if you are looking for the best cases to protect your Galaxy A52, we already have you covered. Thats pretty much it. The 5G variant has a better chipset with slightly better processing and graphics power, a more responsive display, and, depending on the storage option you decide to go for, it might have more RAM as well. The base version of the 4G variant has 128GB storage and 4GB RAM, while the 5G models base version has 128GB storage and 6GB RAM. And of course, the difference is also on 5G support. Many regions will only sell the devices that are supported by the major carriers and operators in a given country. This is great as you the customer can easily walk into a store, pick one up and forget about it. However, as a technology-focused website, we feel its important to tell you what the main differences are between the two models, and what you should know before making up your mind and pulling the trigger on one of these devices. There are a few ways this question can be answered. First, lets start with the easiest one. If only the 4G model is sold in your country, its likely a good sign that 5G is not yet widely available, or that it may take longer to get decent and usable coverage that you can actually take advantage of. In this case, going for the 4G variant may be a better solution, but it would be a great idea to see if your preferred carrier has any updates on 5G in your area. Samsung Galaxy A52 4G The Galaxy A52 4G is a feature-packed mid-ranger from Samsung. It brings a massive 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate panel, Snapdragon 720G SoC, a 64MP quad-camera, and a flagship-like experience at an affordable price tag. Buy from Samsung If both the 4G and 5G models are sold in your region, it likely means that the next generation of mobile networks is already available. It doesnt necessarily mean its supported locally, but its a good sign. Ensure that your local area is supported and if you need the slightly faster speed and the additional perks of the 5G model compared to 4G it will likely serve you better in the long term. 5G variants will mostly only be sold in countries where the demand is generally higher for such devices due to marketing and personal needs. If your region only offers the Galaxy A52 5G, it likely means that the coverage is good enough and network operators support the device to offer a reliable service. Its best to check with your preferred network operator what the coverage, speeds, and limitations are in your area. However, 4G will still be supported and you can likely expect decent speeds across the board. Samsung Galaxy A52 5G The Samsung Galaxy A52 5G is the latest mid-ranger from Samsung bringing features such as the 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display and support for 120Hz refresh rate, Snapdragon 750G SoC, a quad-camera setup and a flagship-like experience at an affordable price. Buy from Samsung At the end of the day, it all comes down to product availability, personal requirements, location, and budget. If you know there is great 5G coverage where you live, want to experience faster speeds, and have an actual need for it, the Galaxy A52 5G will likely serve you well. If however, your area does not yet have great Sub-6Ghz coverage, you want to save money and are happy with the already existing 4G speeds, you wont miss out on much and will still have a really great device and overall experience. | https://www.xda-developers.com/does-samsung-galaxy-a52-support-5g/ |
Who is Joel Dommett and whats his net worth? | COMEDIAN Joel Dommett has become a regular on our telly screens since appearing on I'm A Celeb in 2016. Here's everything you need to know about the funnyman, who currently hosts The Masked Dancer on ITV. Joel, 35, is a stand-up comedian and TV host. He was born in Rockhampton, Gloucestershire, on June 8, 1985. Before appearing in the jungle, he was known for his 2010 role as D.C. Sweeney in the hit E4 show Skins, but he has also had other acting and TV gigs - in addition to touring as a stand-up comedian. He appeared in BBC Two series Popatron and in 2011 he hosted Live in Chelsea, a discussion show revolving around Made in Chelsea. And as a member of the National Youth Theatre, he had a role in 2008 drama The Edge Of Love. The comedian also appeared in Impractical Jokers UK from 2013 to 2014 before becoming a panellist on Sky 1's Bring the Noise in 2015. Joel has devoted most of his life to comedy and performed his first gig at 19. In March 2019 he took part in All Star Musicals which saw him belting out show tunes before a panel of judges. The funnyman has hosted The Masked Singer since 2020 and is now hosting it's spin-off - The Masked Dancer. Internet reports suggest Joel is worth 2.4million, although this is just speculation at this stage of his career. It is believed he received around 25,000 for his stint on I'm A Celeb in 2016. But Joel is expected to be earning much more today as he's become one of British TV's most popular stars. Joel may have been single when he entered the jungle, but he's now found love with stunning model Hannah Cooper. He was first seen out with Hannah in May 2017, and they have posted a naked picture together. They later revealed that their love story had a very modern start - Hannah sent him a message on Instagram back in 2016. And the happy couple tied the knot on September 10, 2019 in a ceremony held in Mykonos, Greece. Love Island narrator Iain Stirling performed the ceremony. Discussing the wedding with OK! in February 2020, Joel said: "It was honestly so fun. "I was fully prepared to say it was the best day of my life and pretend it was - because I've been lucky enough to do Bake Off and I've had these amazing experiences in my life - but it was genuinely the best day of my life! "We had 28 people there. Some people have weddings where half the day is saying hi and bye to people. I wanted our closest friends and family to have a wonderful time." Joel went into the jungle as probably the least recognisable of the celebrities in camp - but early indications suggested that wouldn't last long. He got off to a fine start, entering into a flirty rapport with former Countdown boffin Carol Vorderman - a potential match that received the backing of Joel's ex. Joel also made a big impression when called upon to do his first Bushtucker Trial, conquering his fear of heights to scale a 100 ft crane and bring the maximum 10 stars back to camp. The comedian kept the camp entertained with his stand-up routine and had a lucky escape when a poisonous snake slithered next to his bed. His witty antics also proved very popular with the ITV viewers - he eventually came second in the series, losing out to Queen of the jungle Scarlett Moffatt. Joel was among a string of public figures to have had an intimate video of himself splashed across the net. The footage, recorded during a Skype call, saw Joel engaged in a solo sex act in his own home. The Sun revealed that a host of celebrities, including a Hollywood actor, have fallen victim to the scam, known as 'catfishing'. But in December 2016, when his fame rocketed on Im A Celebrity, the video went viral, leaving him mortified. The woman Joel believed he was interacting with was, in fact, a pre-recorded video. He addressed the episode in a characteristically lighthearted manner with a 'letter from his penis'. The statement, released on his Facebook page, explained: "Joel was Catfished a long time ago by somebody pretending to be someone else on the internet and was lured into Skype sex. "That Skype sex session turned out to be entirely fake and has come back to bite Joel in the ass (Joels Ass is a good friend of mine and also features in the video). "Its a genuinely horrific thing for another human being to do, to take advantage of what is private of someone's life and make it public for everyone to see." | https://www.thesun.co.uk/tv/2127288/joel-dommett-masked-singer-dancer-worth/ |
What Does a Commercial Cleaner Do? | The tasks seem so simple just a wipe of your desk and a brush off the floor. The reality is that most are unaware of places that attract dust, dirt and grime in a commercial property, according to completecleaningltd.co.uk. Getting these areas thoroughly cleaned would need the knowledge and practicality of a commercial cleaner. 5 Things a Commercial Cleaner Does That Makes Them Essential Commercial properties see a lot of traffic customers, employees, visitors, and many more. Maintaining a safe and healthy environment is of utmost importance to keep a productive area running and that is accomplished through cleaning. Giving a commercial building the once over isnt enough it requires dedicated personnel to the job. Heres what a commercial cleaner does and why they are essential. 1. They clean a wide variety of properties with a professional touch Commercial properties are often grander in stature and more complex in space. Professional cleaners ensure that areas like schools, high-rises, offices, restaurants, factories and many more are cleansed to the highest standard. Commercial cleaning will bring a safe and healthy environment to properties that see a lot of footfall. 2. Commercial cleaners have all the high-end cleaning equipment Sometimes using window sprays and floor wax is not enough. Commercial cleaning features equipment dedicated to a specific task mostly in spaces that can get particularly dirty. You can trust that all the intricate areas and machinery will be shining. Most widely available equipment would not be able to get it thoroughly cleaned. 3. They have an organized approach to cleaning spaces Like most professions, the most rewarding outcomes are delivered when theres a tactical approach. The concept is no different in commercial cleaning. Specialists will enter properties with organized ideas of how to get every asset in the area sparkling. Every cleaning job ensures that both the sanitary battles and wars are won! 4. Commercial cleaners make sure no stone is left unturned Commercial properties often feature a plethora of different rooms and assets. The cleaning job, amongst other duties, can be overwhelming. Commercial cleaners are committed to checking every detail of the building and ensuring a quality cleansing. You wont need to worry about anything being missed! 5. They deliver the complete cleaning package You can expect commercial cleaners to relieve any worries you may have about cleaning. They are experts in their trade and know exactly where to start and finish. From emptying the bins to scrubbing the light switches, trust that these professionals will deliver the complete cleaning package. If You Need Expert Commercial Cleaning Services, Heres Where to Start There are plenty of cleaners out there that can help get your commercial property cleaned. None can get them sparking quite like this one, though. Discover how this company can bring a stunning shine to any commercial building and achieve the health and safety standards required with no hassle. They are the epitome of how a commercial cleaning service should operate! | https://oikotimes.com/what-does-a-commercial-cleaner-do/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=what-does-a-commercial-cleaner-do |
What Happened To Irfan Pathan's Wife? Why Is Irfan Pathan Trending? | Recently, former Indian cricketer, Irfan Pathan started receiving backlash from people on social media after he reposted a picture with his wife and son on Instagram. The face of Irfan Pathans wife, Safa Baig was partially blurred in the picture which gave rise to a lot of extreme reactions. The former Indian cricketer gave a clarification through his Twitter account while taking a dig at all the people who criticized him over the image. Amidst all the backlash faced by Pathan, fans were left wondering, What happened to Irfan Pathan's wife?. Heres a look at how the events unfolded which later caused Irfan Pathan to trend on Twitter. It all started when the picture containing Safa Baigs partially blurred face was posted on the Instagram account of the Irfan Pathan son, Imran Pathan. The Instagram account of Irfan Pathan son has over 71,000 followers and Irfan Pathans wife, Safa Baig manages it. Clarification provided through Irfan Pathan's Twitter account Later, Irfan Pathan reposted this photo on his official Instagram account after which he started getting hate from people as they thought that the former Indian cricketer purposely blurred the face of his wife. Irfan Pathan took to Twitter on Tuesday to clarify the reality behind his wifes blurred picture. While referring to his wife as queen, Pathan said that the picture was posted by Safa Baig through his sons account. This picture is posted by my queen from my sons account. We are getting lot of hate.Let me post this here as well.She blurred this pic by her choice. And Yes,Im her mate not her master;). #herlifeherchoice pic.twitter.com/Xy6CB2kKWA Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) May 25, 2021 While addressing the hate he was getting from people, Pathan said that his wife blurred the image by her own choice, and he had no involvement in it. He also said that he is not the master of his wife, rather they both are loving partners. After this clarification, fans are coming in support of Irfan Pathan against all the people who criticized him and the whole incident has caused Irfan Pathan to trend on Twitter. Irfan Pathan receives support on Twitter Popular Indian model and actress, Gauahar Khan also came in support of the former Indian cricketer through Twitter. While retweeting Pathans post, Gauahar Khan wrote in the caption to concentrate on the love while agreeing with the former cricketer that it is his wifes choice. The photo was taken during the Road Safety World Series where Irfan Pathan represented the India Legends team while scoring 2 half-centuries and taking 7 wickets. Irfan Pathan was also previously involved in a Twitter spat with Kangana Ranaut where she accused him of not putting up a single tweet on the West Bengal violence. Image Source: Irfan Pathan Twitter | https://www.republicworld.com/sports-news/cricket-news/what-happened-to-irfan-pathan-wife-why-is-irfan-pathan-trending.html |
Is the Charminar-Charkaman Central Square incomplete without the palaces? | Salma Ahmed Farooqui It is not that contemporary and later historians have not written about the Qutb Shahi palaces but it is only when material culture is present before us, do we award it the recognition it deserves. This is that chapter of Hyderabads glorious past that many are not aware of. The Qutb Shahi Golconda-Haidarabad was divided into four major sectors comprising the sultans palaces, the nobles residences, the bazaars, and the military encampments. What is visible today is incomplete and fragmentary but this is generally perceived to be full and total to build the glory of the grand mastersthe Qutb Shahi sultans of Golconda-Haidarabad who ruled from 1518 to 1687. When French traveller Jean de Thevenot visited Hyderabad less than four centuries ago, he praised the architectural style of the Charminar in his account, and went on to say, Nothing in the town seems so lovely as the outside of the building. And when Prince Muhammad Kambaksh, the son of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, after annexing the sultanate of Golconda was stationed at Golconda-Haidarabad as the subedar, he said that he preferred to live in a smaller residence as he could not match up to the standards of decorating or lighting up any of the existing palaces of the Qutb Shahis if he were to stay in them. Let us not forget Kambaksh had lived in Shah Jahans beautiful palaces in Delhi. The description of the Qutb Shahi palaces by both Thevenot and Kambaksh are no small remarks. The founder sultan Quli Qutb Shah is credited to have built the Qasr-e-Tur (a palace situated at a height) while his son Ibrahim Qutb Shah built an imposing darbar hall known as Daulat-Khana-e-Aali. Proceeding chronologically, how then do we build the memory of the Charminar-Charkaman central square site which stands incomplete after having lost the palace structures that were built in and around this whole area. In this case, we need to not just report about the beautiful Qutb Shahi palaces, but we need to also see them as a prologue to the grandeur of a city which was continued by the Asaf Jahi Nizams. From the Persian manuscript Hadiqat-us-Salatin we understand that on the northern side the central square of the Charkaman was bordered by the palaces and on the southern side by the Daad Mahal. [1] In the middle of the southern side where the Daad Mahal was situated, there was a large high gate without any doors and above this was an open verandah called Naqqara Khana where kettledrums, trombones and trumpets were played.[2] While on the eastern side was the Kotwal Khana which was a hostel for officials who held trials and collected taxes on certain agricultural products. On the western side, right across the Kotwal Khana was the Sarai Khana, a hostel for guild masters who were incharge of managing the large number of guilds and shops that had come up in this vicinity. [3] The Sarai Khana may have also been known as the Chowri Thana. [4] The whole quadrangle was overseen by a judge so that proper law and order was maintained in the new city of Haidarabad. The entrance to this square was on the northern side close to which stood a palace by the name Aza Khana, a house commemorating the rituals for Muharram. [5] This structure still exists in present Hyderabad and goes by almost the same name Aza Khan-e-Zehra. Among the palaces built by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, the Daad Mahal was a spectacular structure constructed around 1586 rising nine storeys facing the main thoroughfare that is present-day Lad Bazaar. The main building covered a plinth area of 156 feet by 66 feet. [6] It was a palace from where the rulers officially administered the kingdom and delivered justice. The Daad Mahal had many doors and windows and an entrance on the right that led to the sarai. Near this entry gate there was a small exit door leading to a broad tree-lined street. On the west side of the Daad Mahal there was a flat square stone building elevated four feet above the ground which was used as the apartments for the zanana. A stone staircase led into an inner courtyard which had a tank with a fountain. The sultans quarters were in this same building and could be entered through a reception hall, which opened into a round apartment that looked out onto the square. There was a second room which looked like a theatre or audience chamber. From the front room one could see a row of tall thick wooden pillars in a line from the east to the west. [7] The palace of Daad Mahal was simple in construction without any paintings or fancy ornamentation. The Khuda Daad Mahal was a royal residential mansion seven stories high. Each storey was a palace by itself and bore a separate name. The seventh floor was the Illahi Mahal, the sixth floor was Muhammedi Mahal, the fifth floor was Hyderi Mahal, the fourth floor was Hasani Mahal, the third floor was Hussaini Mahal, the second floor was Jafari Mahal, and the first floor was Moosavi Mahal. [8] The third palace, the Sarai Khana, was an oval shaped building of cut natural stone, brick and mortar running longer east to west than north to south. In the middle on its four sides there were big doors. [9] The palace-complex on the western side which was the abode of the sultan, his family, his retinue and the palace guards, had the Saher-i-Bathil ki Kaman serving as the entrance. On the opposite side, was the Kali Kaman where the kettle drums played at regular intervals throughout the day and to announce the arrival of the sultan and other important guests. [10] The towering multi-storeyed palaces of the Daad Mahal, the Khuda Daad Mahal and other palaces made the Char-su-ka-Hauz, the crossing point of the Charkaman, a livelier point. It is because the retinue and attendants of the noblemen who came to court every morning had to wait at this point. [11] The cistern of water catered to the drinking needs of the animals that had drawn their masters to their official duties in the palaces. This area came to be known as the Jilu Khana taking its name from the armed guards with their animals stationed at this point. The other palaces built in this grand square were the Lal Mahal, Chandan Mahal, Gagan Mahal, Hira Mahal, Lakhan Mahal and Sajan Mahal. In the Chandan Mahal ordinary armour bearers attended to their duties, in the Gagan Mahal, the Turks, Arabs and Deccani armour bearers used to assemble and the main apartment was reserved for trustworthy servants. Sajan Mahal was specially designated for virtuous and learned men. The eastern enclosure was the public dining hall where thousands of deserving people were supplied delicious food from the royal kitchen twice every day. [12] The Nadi Mahal was another in the series of palaces that was constructed on the banks of the River Musi. Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah also completed the pavilion of the Naubat Ghat which was built in the new citys suburbs amidst streams and waterfalls, with beautiful fountains. Another pavilion, the Kohetur, was also built by him. The Kohetur was a spacious and airy three storeyed palace located at the same site where the present Falaknuma palace stands. When the Kohetur was completed a number of khilats or robes of honour were distributed to the nobles. [13] Muhammad Quli Qutb Shahs dewan known as the KulliyateMuhammad Quli Qutb Shah speaks of the mesmerising beauty of this building. During the next ruler, Muhammad Qutb Shahs time, the Khilwat, a historically significant area was laid out and constructed very close to the same central square. The Mishk Mahal an elaborate, palatial building with a garden was also built during his time at another location which was in the suburb of Atapur. Apparently, the Mishk Mahal is the only surviving Qutb Shahi palace building presently in Hyderabad, although it is in ruins. Abdullah Qutb Shah continued with the same architectural frenzy of his predecessors. Nizamuddin Saidi, a court historian, says a huge four storeyed palace whose main structure was carved out of sandalwood and ivory was constructed with walls comprising coloured frescos. The palace gate was a huge structure of sandalwood set with golden spikes which could be reached after traversing a 1000 feet square. Adjoining pavilions, halls and rooms served as ante chambers of the nobles and officials. [14] In the last Qutb Shahi sultan Abul Hasan Qutb Shahs time, an imposing mansion on the southern bank of the River Musi known as the Char Mahal was built with a massive pool in the centre just four years before the siege of Golconda. Bhimsen, who had seen Abul Hasan Qutb Shah twice, in his book Tarikh-i-Dilkusha, describes the beauty of the Char Mahal which was a huge wooden building comprising four palaces, facing each other, and in the centre was a big tank in which the sultan enjoyed boating rides from evening till midnight. The Gosha Mahal palace, also credited to Abul Hasan although started during Abdullah Qutb Shahs time, stands a mile north of the city. It had a large cistern and secluded pleasure grounds for the zanana from where it derives its name. The structure consisted of 1000 halls. But nothing survives today except the guest house called Baradari and a housing lodge which the seventh Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan gifted to the Freemason lodge. It is said that there was a subterranean passage here connecting to Golconda. These multi-storeyed palaces built with large blocks of granite had thick walls and pointed arches. Many of these palaces were lofty which made poets comment that they are as high as the sky, the sun, the moon and the stars ornament them. Decorated with tapestry and hangings in brocades and silk, and tastefully done up with luxurious furniture, Chinese vases, and gold and silver ornamentation, these palaces became symbolic markers of the period. [15] Imagine a situation if these palaces had survived the wrath of Aurangzebs armies, they would have been counted alongwith the palaces of the Asaf Jahis in recognising Hyderabad as a heritage paradise. Sardar, Marika, Golconda and Hyderabad under the Qutb Shahis (1495-1687) in Philon, Helen, Silent Splendour: Palaces of the Deccan 14th to 19th centuries, Marg Publications, Vol.61 No.3, p. 87 Lach, Donald F., and J. Van Kley, Edwin, Asia in the Making of Europe, Volume III: A Century of Advance, The University of Chicago Press, USA, 1998, p.1084 Ibid Sardar, Marika, p.87 Lach and Kley, p. 1084 Naqvi, Sadiq, The Iranian Afaquies Contribution to the Qutb Shahi and Adil Shahi Kingdoms, Hyderabad, 2003, p.169 Lach and Kley, p. 1084 Siddiqui, Abdul Majeed, History of Golkunda, The Literary Publications, Hyderabad, 1956, p. 394 Lach and Kley, p.1084 Sardar, Marika, p. 85 Bilgrami, S.A.A., Landmarks of the Deccan, Asian Educational Services, Reprint Madras, 1992, p.20 Ibid, p.21 Siddiqui, Abdul Majeed, p.396 Bilgrami, p. 20; History and Legend in Hyderabad, Department of Information and Public Relations, Hyderabad, 1953, p.56 Sherwani, Haroon Khan, Dr. Ghulam Yazdani Commemoration Volume, digitized by University of Michigan 1966, p.213 Salma Ahmed Farooqui is Professor at H.K.Sherwani Centre for Deccan Studies, Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad. She is also India Office Director of the Association for the Study of Persianate Societies (ASPS). | https://www.siasat.com/is-the-charminar-charkaman-central-square-incomplete-without-the-palaces-2145852/ |
Did Carl Sagan have it right all along? | Andy Geissler In high school, I read a book by astrophysicist Carl Sagan called Billions and Billions. One chapter that discussed the threat of climate change left an impression on me. More than any other factor in my early life, it inspired me to pursue a career in forestry. In this chapter, Sagan wrote, The only method of cooling down the greenhouse effect which seems both safe and reliable is to plant trees. Growing trees removes CO2 from the air. After they are fully grown, of course, it would be missing the point to burn them; that would be undoing the very benefit we are seeking. Instead, forests should be planted and the trees, when fully grown, harvested and used, say, for building houses or furniture. This statement seemed simple, straightforward and refreshing to me; in fact, it felt like a mini-epiphany at the time. I chose to commit my career to the advocacy of what Sagan proposed: grow trees, harvest them to build things, regrow those trees and repeat. The concept that Sagan proposed of harvesting trees when fully grown applies to living trees that have reached maturity and whose growth has slowed down. The idea is that after maturity, the growth rate of most trees declines. Carbon sequestration can be maximized by storing what has already been sequestered, and by growing new trees. This concept seems even more straightforward when trees have died and are no longer growing and sequestering carbon, but rather releasing carbon previously sequestered. Rather than releasing that carbon into the atmosphere, we can store it by say, building houses or furniture and replanting new trees. Fast forward to the 2020 fire season. More than 377,000 acres of forests managed by the U.S. Forest Service burned in Western Oregon. The fire-killed trees on those acres are no longer sequestering any more carbon they are dead. Here, Sagans approach seems logical if the goal is to store what carbon remains and to restore the ability of these forests to sequester carbon once again. Yet some argue the best way to maximize carbon sequestration on these burned acres is to do nothing leave the dead trees where they are to decompose, release a portion of the previously stored carbon back into the atmosphere and ignore reforestation to a level that would maximize the carbon sequestration potential that these lands are capable of. Some have even protested the notion of removing dead trees posing a hazard to roads. I am writing today in an attempt to appeal to thoughtful Oregonians who truly care about climate-change mitigation through forest management and the use of wood products and are interested in understanding the context of post-fire actions by the U.S. Forest Service. For those Oregonians, here is a number to chew on: To date, aside from hazard-tree removal, the Forest Service has proposed harvest of fire-killed trees on 0.06% of land impacted by fire in Western Oregon. When rough estimates for hazard-tree removal are factored in, that total is close to 4% of impacted lands. What this boils down to is that, by best estimates, approximately 96% of burned Forest Service land will be left untouched with dead standing trees remaining into the future. And apparently, that number is still too low for some as they attack this supposedly aggressive timber salvage program (4%) put forth by the Forest Service. And of course, this outcry includes an appeal that removing dead trees, making wood products from them and planting new trees will exacerbate climate change. Surprisingly, these outcries come from special interests that fashion themselves as environmental groups. When I decided to dedicate my career to forestry at the age of 18 after reading Carl Sagan, I felt confident in calling myself an environmentalist. Seeing what constitutes an environmentalist in 2021 makes me feel nave in retrospect and bears the question of whether there is room in the environmental movement for practical solution-based minds who care about our forests and climate change. Andy Geissler is the federal timber program director for the American Forest Resource Council. Submit a letter to the editor of 200 words or fewer to [email protected]. Include your full name, mailing address and phone number for purposes of verification. If accepted, only your name and city will be published. Letters are edited for style, clarity and are fact checked. Please provide any relevant links to your research. Each writer may only publish one letter per 30 days. Submit a guest view by emailing [email protected] your draft of either 525 words or 725 words, not in between. Include any relevant links to resources and research. Also, be sure to include a short biography explaining who you are, what you do and where you live. Writers may publish one guest view per 90 days. | https://www.registerguard.com/story/opinion/columns/2021/06/03/guest-view-carl-sagan-timber-forestry-andy-geissler-climate-change/7493638002/ |
What Does Kyrsten Sinema Care About? | Photo: Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP/Shutterstock Kyrsten Sinema could do something about the filibuster, but she wont. The filibuster, the senator recently told reporters in Tucson, protects democracy. It fosters comity and exists to help senators find bipartisanship and work together, she said. Holding herself up as an example of bipartisanship in action, she added: To those who say that we must make a choice between the filibuster and X, I say, this is a false choice. The Senate isnt working, she conceded, but said the way to fix that is to fix your behavior, not to eliminate the rules or change the rules, but to change the behavior. Asked why she missed the vote to create a bipartisan January 6 commission, the senator said only that she had to attend to a personal family matter. Sinemas reticence isnt unusual, and as The 19th recently reported, the trait extends to more than her personal life. When the senator curtsied as she voted against including a $15 minimum wage in the last stimulus bill, she had a reason. Shed brought a chocolate cake for Senate staffers to share, and was acknowledging them as they thanked her. That doesnt explain her jaunty thumbs-down gesture, or absolve her for the vote itself. Rather, the incident seems quintessentially Sinema: conservative ideology, overlaid with a cultivated flippancy. If Sinema cares about anything at all, it can be difficult to tell. Constituent service may not be a top concern, for example. Outside of calling her general office number, I dont know how to get ahold of this woman, a Tucson-area labor leader told The 19th. The leader, Trish Muir of the Pima Area Labor Federation, said that the senators Tucson office appeared unoccupied. Her opposition to filibuster reform begs other questions. Sinema co-sponsored S.1, a comprehensive voting rights bill that earned its designation as a marker of its perceived importance. Yet Sinema steadfastly clings to an obstacle in the bills path to passage: the filibuster. The answer she gave reporters in Tucson on Tuesday is nearly identical to comments she made in April, when she suggested that the solution is for senators to change their behavior and begin to work together, which is what the country wants us to do. Sinemas commitment to bipartisanship may be proof the senator possesses a coherent ideology after all. But her filibuster comments in Tucson are proof that ideology is based on an alternative history and a false set of facts. Far from being a way for the Senate to discover comity, the filibuster was used historically to block major civil rights bills from passage. As a tool it was useful principally to the defenders of Jim Crow and their allies, not to dewy-eyed bipartisan dreamers. By co-sponsoring S.1, Sinema has thrown her support to the opposing side of history in theory. If shes really serious about voting rights, however, shes trapped herself in an uncomfortable position. If she wants to keep the filibuster in place, she empowers the modern-day descendants of the old segregationists. Perhaps shed like to think such descendants do not exist, that todays GOP is not the party of Jim Crow. The failure to create a January 6 commission an endeavor she had backed, and had urged Republicans to support ought to tell her something else. The GOPs decision to rebrand the January 6 Capitol riot as a simple protest, marred by a handful of agitators, is as inevitable as it is disturbing. The party had been moving to the right before Donald Trump ran for office, and his presidency obviously accelerated its trajectory. Now it can hardly admit the rot in its heart. There will be no reckoning, no penance, no truth and reconciliation. Bipartisanship might still be possible, but only if a Democrat concedes significant ground to a party that opposes voting rights for liberals as a matter of course. Sinemas constituents may understand this, even if she doesnt. Sixty-one percent of Arizonans polled by Data for Progress in March said they prioritize passing legislation over keeping the filibuster. That may help explain why Sinemas favorability ratings have begun to drop. The same month, the Arizona Public Opinion Pulse poll found that 50 percent of Democratic voters held favorable views of the senator. By contrast, 79 percent of the partys voters reported favorable views of Arizonas other Democratic senator, Mark Kelly, who hasnt endorsed ending the filibuster but hasnt been vocally defending it either. Those polling results indicate something about the broad appeal of Sinemas moderate approach, though on some issues, she and Kelly arent far apart. Neither senator has endorsed the PRO Act, for example, despite the urging of labor groups. Beyond her record, however, Sinemas failures include her public persona. In this, she is not alone. Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia is a match for Sinema in terms of his commitment to the filibuster, and his statements in its defense are equally ahistorical and ill-considered. Theres no question, either, that women in power are held to different, inequitable standards of conduct. Yet for any senator the bar is necessarily high. Thats the bargain a politician strikes with the public. In exchange for power, a senator is accountable not only to her peers in office but to the press and to voters. Instead, the public gets Sinema wearing a Fuck Off ring. In lieu of answers, Sinema leaves onlookers to assume an ugly truth. She isnt in office to pass legislation. Shes there for herself. | https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2021/06/what-does-kyrsten-sinema-care-about.html |
How to make the best use of Chrono's abilities in Free Fire's Ranked mode? | Chrono was first released during the OB26 Operation Chrono update in Free Fire, and the character rapidly gained prominence as one of the game's most wanted characters. Chrono's skill, however, was nerfed with the OB27 update, and players gradually stopped using him. Chrono owns the TimeTurner ability, which prevents damage from enemies and boosts movement speed. But the skill has a 200-second cooldown period. After Chrono has been nerfed, players don't usually prefer him for Ranked mode matches as Chrono's cooldown time doesn't allow players to use the skills frequently. Best use of Chrono's skills in Free Fire's Ranked mode #1 - Pairing Chrono with Rockie Rockie in Free Fire Chrono needs to be paired with Rockie because Chrono's major drawback is his long Cooldown period. Rockie decreases the cooldown period of the equipped active ability by 6% at its base level and 15% at the maximum level. Chrono in Free Fire After being paired with Rockie, players can utilize Chrono in Classic Ranked matches for a much shorter cooldown duration. #2 - Use correct skill combos in the Ranked mode Chrono is a prevalent character in Free Fire (Image via Total Gaming/YouTube) Using the right skill combinations with Chrono may benefit players remarkably on the battlefield. Chrono, Moco, Dasha, and Laura, for example, will make an excellent combo for Ranked mode matches. Moco identifies foes who are hit. Meanwhile, Dasha helps knock down opponents from a distance by reducing overall recoil. Laura's Sharp Shooter ability also enhances accuracy by 30 while scoping in. When paired with Chrono's ability, players can create a force field and take instant shelter while gunning down opponents. #3 - Best for squad matches Chrono is best for squad matches (Image via Total Gaming/YouTube) Squad Ranked matches are the best mode for Chrono as opposed to solo or duo modes. While playing solo or duo, players need to use their skill frequently. However, in squad Ranked matches, players will get enough help from their teammates. Their teammates can provide backup while Chrono's skills are under cooldown. Players would then not require this skill very often. Note: These suggestions are entirely the writer's personal opinion. Readers may have different points of view. Edited by suwaidfazal | https://www.sportskeeda.com/esports/how-make-best-use-chrono-s-abilities-free-fire-s-ranked-mode |
Why will Major work in Bollywood? | Adivi Sesh directs the biopic of the hero of 11/26, Major Unni Krishnan entitled Major. The films First Look teaser has already been released and received a lot of applause. Adivi Sesh in an interview revealed how the film is different from many films released on the terrorist attacks of 11/26. Major primarily captures Sandeep Unnikrishnans 31 years in a two hour film. Everything revolves around Major Sandeeps mind in every frame. There are some cinematic freedoms but they will always be true to him, Adivi Sesh revealed. The films that have come up previously on the terrorist attacks of 11/26 focus on counterterrorism operations aimed at neutralizing terrorists. But then Major is mostly Sandeeps entire life and that will add the much-needed freshness the movie needs. Patriotism is an emotion that is the same across the country and then it also brought a new factor with the unknown side of Sandeep. So, with emotion and an interesting story, there can be no better pitch for Sesh to wow audiences across the country. Click here for the latest Direct-to-OTT versions (list updated daily) What Are The Main Benefits Of Comparing Car Insurance Quotes Online LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2020, / Compare-autoinsurance.Org has launched a new blog post that presents the main benefits of comparing multiple car insurance quotes. For more info and free online quotes, please visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/the-advantages-of-comparing-prices-with-car-insurance-quotes-online/ The modern society has numerous technological advantages. One important advantage is the speed at which information is sent and received. With the help of the internet, the shopping habits of many persons have drastically changed. The car insurance industry hasn't remained untouched by these changes. On the internet, drivers can compare insurance prices and find out which sellers have the best offers. View photos The advantages of comparing online car insurance quotes are the following: Online quotes can be obtained from anywhere and at any time. Unlike physical insurance agencies, websites don't have a specific schedule and they are available at any time. Drivers that have busy working schedules, can compare quotes from anywhere and at any time, even at midnight. Multiple choices. Almost all insurance providers, no matter if they are well-known brands or just local insurers, have an online presence. Online quotes will allow policyholders the chance to discover multiple insurance companies and check their prices. Drivers are no longer required to get quotes from just a few known insurance companies. Also, local and regional insurers can provide lower insurance rates for the same services. Accurate insurance estimates. Online quotes can only be accurate if the customers provide accurate and real info about their car models and driving history. Lying about past driving incidents can make the price estimates to be lower, but when dealing with an insurance company lying to them is useless. Usually, insurance companies will do research about a potential customer before granting him coverage. Online quotes can be sorted easily. Although drivers are recommended to not choose a policy just based on its price, drivers can easily sort quotes by insurance price. Using brokerage websites will allow drivers to get quotes from multiple insurers, thus making the comparison faster and easier. For additional info, money-saving tips, and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ Compare-autoinsurance.Org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc. "Online quotes can easily help drivers obtain better car insurance deals. All they have to do is to complete an online form with accurate and real info, then compare prices", said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company. CONTACT: Company Name: Internet Marketing CompanyPerson for contact Name: Gurgu CPhone Number: (818) 359-3898Email: [email protected]: https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ SOURCE: Compare-autoinsurance.Org View source version on accesswire.Com:https://www.Accesswire.Com/595055/What-Are-The-Main-Benefits-Of-Comparing-Car-Insurance-Quotes-Online View photos | https://exbulletin.com/entertainment/962375/ |
Why Ariana Grandes Tattoos Keep Fading? | Ariana Grandes arm tattoos havent been visible recently. After Ariana Grandes married Dalton Gomez, eagle-eyed fans noticed that some of her trademark tattoos on her arm were gone. The God Is A Woman hitmaker had a design of Eevee the Pokmon on the inside of his arm and a large butterfly under his right shoulder, as well as designs on his hands. From Harry Styles to Taylor Swift, All Your Favorite Pop Stars In The Movies This Year In her stunning wedding photos, Ariss arms were visibly bare, but its understandable if she didnt want the eye-catching patterns to distract from her elegant Vera Wang gown. Ariana Grande covered her tattoos on her wedding day. Photo: Ariana Grande / Instagram But days later, when the newly married pop star performed Save Your Tears with The Weeknd at the iHeartRadio Music Awards, her arm tattoos were still missing. Only his hand tattoos, the quote on the back of the shoulder of the hour and a drawing of Chihiro de Abducted as if by magic, remained visible. Well, the last fan glimpse of Ariss tattoos was on May 6, when she posted a selfie and the top of a tattoo was just in sight. Ariana Grande last gave a preview of her arm tattoo on May 6. Photo: Ariana Grande / Instagram Ariana Grandes arm tattoos remained hidden for her performance with The Weeknd. Photo: Getty Had the star had her tattoos removed since then it would have been a long process until her wedding day on May 15. Another theory swirling around the Twittersphere is that Ari may well have been cast as Megara in the upcoming one. Hercules live-action remake, which might explain why she had her body ink covered. They even pointed out that Ariss purple outfit, arm movements, and hair style were all a nod to the character. The biggest clue of all, however, is that the company working in the production of the film loved all of Ariss wedding messages. Ariana Grande kept her tattoos on her hands for her wedding day. Photo: Ariana Grande / Instagram According to several reliable sources, Ariana Grande has been cast as Megara for the Hercules live-action movie. Sources revealed that this is the reason the singer is spotted covering all of her arm tattoos. They started and filmed a look test for the role recently. pic.twitter.com/ysvnBwC9bo jay (@FUCKPOSITIONS) May 28, 2021 Fans started asking Ariana to play Megara after her portrayal of I Wont Say Im In Love from the movie during Disneys Family Singalong went viral. We hoped! > Here are all the ways you can listen to Capital What Are The Main Benefits Of Comparing Car Insurance Quotes Online LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2020, / Compare-autoinsurance.Org has launched a new blog post that presents the main benefits of comparing multiple car insurance quotes. For more info and free online quotes, please visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/the-advantages-of-comparing-prices-with-car-insurance-quotes-online/ The modern society has numerous technological advantages. One important advantage is the speed at which information is sent and received. With the help of the internet, the shopping habits of many persons have drastically changed. The car insurance industry hasn't remained untouched by these changes. On the internet, drivers can compare insurance prices and find out which sellers have the best offers. View photos The advantages of comparing online car insurance quotes are the following: Online quotes can be obtained from anywhere and at any time. Unlike physical insurance agencies, websites don't have a specific schedule and they are available at any time. Drivers that have busy working schedules, can compare quotes from anywhere and at any time, even at midnight. Multiple choices. Almost all insurance providers, no matter if they are well-known brands or just local insurers, have an online presence. Online quotes will allow policyholders the chance to discover multiple insurance companies and check their prices. Drivers are no longer required to get quotes from just a few known insurance companies. Also, local and regional insurers can provide lower insurance rates for the same services. Accurate insurance estimates. Online quotes can only be accurate if the customers provide accurate and real info about their car models and driving history. Lying about past driving incidents can make the price estimates to be lower, but when dealing with an insurance company lying to them is useless. Usually, insurance companies will do research about a potential customer before granting him coverage. Online quotes can be sorted easily. Although drivers are recommended to not choose a policy just based on its price, drivers can easily sort quotes by insurance price. Using brokerage websites will allow drivers to get quotes from multiple insurers, thus making the comparison faster and easier. For additional info, money-saving tips, and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ Compare-autoinsurance.Org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc. "Online quotes can easily help drivers obtain better car insurance deals. All they have to do is to complete an online form with accurate and real info, then compare prices", said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company. CONTACT: Company Name: Internet Marketing CompanyPerson for contact Name: Gurgu CPhone Number: (818) 359-3898Email: [email protected]: https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ SOURCE: Compare-autoinsurance.Org View source version on accesswire.Com:https://www.Accesswire.Com/595055/What-Are-The-Main-Benefits-Of-Comparing-Car-Insurance-Quotes-Online View photos | https://exbulletin.com/entertainment/962387/ |
When is Minecraft 1.17 Caves & Cliffs update releasing for the Java Edition? | Caves & Cliffs is one of the most anticipated updates in the history of Minecraft. Ever since its announcement at Minecon 2020, fans have been wondering about the release date. As per the official stream, the Caves & Cliffs update was supposed to be released in the summer of 2021. Unfortunately, developers had to split the update into two parts, considering the technical difficulties and the pandemic-induced delay. Read: Minecraft 1.17 Caves & Cliffs update release date confirmed for every platform. Part 1 of the Minecraft update will release in June A few days ago, Mojang released the second pre-release for the 1.17 update and announced the official release date. Minecraft Caves & Cliffs Part 1 is scheduled for release on 8th June. Grab your nearest calendar and start circling with a vengeance: Caves & Cliffs: Part I arrives June 8th on both Java and Bedrock! Learn all about this jam-packed new update: https://t.co/ShjvqFWUSq pic.twitter.com/3dzYBt3mQt Minecraft (@Minecraft) May 31, 2021 Minecraft Java and Bedrock Edition will receive the 1.17 update on the same day. Players should mark their calendars and be prepared to download the best Minecraft update. The update will be freely available to players already owning a copy of the game. The following devices will receive the game: For Java Edition: Windows macOS Linux For Bedrock Edition: Xbox Series X Xbox Series S Xbox One PlayStation 5 PlayStation 4 Nintendo Switch iOS Android Windows 10 In the first part of the Caves & Cliffs update, Mojang will introduce three cute mobs, many new blocks, and items. Sadly, the world generation changes, and new biomes are scheduled for the second update to be released later this year. Steps to download the Minecraft 1.17 update Minecraft 1.17 Caves & Cliffs will be released in less than a week. Follow the steps below to download the update: Open the Minecraft launcher. Go to the "Installations" tab available near the "Play" tab. After the 1.17's official release, the latest version will be available for download. Make a fresh new installation of the latest release. After the latest version is installed, go to the "Play" tab and launch the game. A fourth pre-release for Minecraft 1.17 is out with fixes for passive-aggressive mobs, hyperspeed credits and more bug fixes. Here'a quick guide to all the changes! https://t.co/lMEDHFfSwX slicedlime (@slicedlime) June 2, 2021 Five days might seem like a long time to some. Impatient players can download the latest pre-release to test the upcoming features. Enable snapshots under the Installations tab to download snapshots and pre-releases. Read: Minecraft Caves and Cliffs update official announcement, confirmed mobs, pre-release, and more details. Edited by Srijan Sen | https://www.sportskeeda.com/minecraft/when-minecraft-1-17-caves-cliffs-update-releasing-java-edition |
How much money is Floyd Mayweather getting for the Logan Paul fight? | Floyd Mayweather earned the nickname 'Money' for a reason. Against YouTube star Logan Paul, the boxing legend is expected to once again take home a massive payout. According to sportingfree.com, Floyd Mayweather is expected to receive a base purse of $10 million, as well as a 50 percent pay-per-view share. That's a considerably higher amount than his opponent Logan Paul will make. In comparison, sportingfree.com reported that the older Paul brother will earn $250,000 in base salary, with an additional 10 percent pay-per-view share. Although it's considerably less than Floyd Mayweather's payout, it's still a lot of money, since the average professional boxer only makes $35,584 per year, according to Chron.com. Floyd Mayweather's history with money fights In 2017, Floyd Mayweather fought UFC's number one cash cow, Conor McGregor, in a boxing match dubbed 'The Money Fight'. The undefeated boxer reportedly made $275 million, while the Irishman took home $85 million, according to Forbes. The crossover bout also recorded the second highest pay-per-view buy rate in history. After officially retiring from pro-boxing, Mayweather has made it clear that he's only taking money fights now. He participated in an exhibition bout against Japanese kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa under the RIZIN banner on New Year's Eve, 2018. Mayweather reportedly made $9 million for that trip to Japan. Logan Paul's boxing career Logan Paul kickstarted his boxing career with two fights against fellow YouTube star KSI (once as amateurs and again as professionals). Both times, Logan Paul failed to convince the judges that he had done enough to earn a decision. His pro-boxing record is currently 0-1. Despite his lack of experience, Paul likes his chances against 50-0 Mayweather. In an interview with Showtime, the 26-year-old said- I'm going to knock (Mayweather) out and become the greatest boxer on the planet. Then I'm going to retire and not give Floyd the rematch. He doesn't know who he's getting in the ring with. He really thinks I'm a YouTuber. He really thinks I'm a fake fighter." Logan's younger brother Jake has had a more successful career as a pro-boxer so far. 'The Problem Child' owns a perfect 3-0 professional record that includes three knockouts. The younger Paul brother boasts wins over retired NBA guard Nate Robinson and former UFC fighter Ben Askren. He'll fight ex-UFC champ Tyron Woodley next. Please take 30 seconds to answer this survey so that we can better understand how to serve your MMA needs. Edited by Harvey Leonard | https://www.sportskeeda.com/mma/news-how-much-money-floyd-mayweather-getting-logan-paul-fight |
Will there be another season and when will it air? | Greys AnatomyThe current season has been like no other, with the departure of Jesse Williams, the return of dead characters from the past, and Meredith Gray (played by Ellen Pompeo) spending much of her time in a coma. With the return of characters like Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey), Lexie Gray (Chyler Leigh) and George OMalley (TR Knight), it sometimes felt like the series was on a victory lap before ending, leaving the fans wonder if there would ever be a season 18 of the ABC medical drama. These fans dont have to worry, because Greys Anatomy has been renewed for Season 18, although the future of the series after that is much less certain. In May, ABC confirmed that Greys and its fallout Station 19 Both would be back next season. Station 19 and Greys Anatomy have done an incredible job honoring real-life heroes by providing audiences a seamless look at one of the greatest medical stories of our time, said Craig Erwich, President of Hulu Originals & ABC Entertainment, in a communicated. Krista [Vernoff, Greys showrunner] and his team of writers have continued to deliver the gripping and compassionate storytelling that characterizes these shows and created some of the most talked about moments of the year on television. We are so grateful to our talented cast and crew for their amazing work connecting viewers around the world, and we look forward to sharing even more memorable moments with our fans next season. Greys was announced to be back after ABC made new deals with Pompeo and original cast Chandra Wilson and James Pickens Jr., all of whose contracts were ending after this current season. By deadline, Pompeos deal at the moment is only one year, suggesting the show could end after its 18th season, potentially ending after just over 400 episodes. However, Pompeo hinted that the show was only ending for him to come back so many times that its hard to predict if the show is really over. ABC announced its fall 2021 lineup in May. As in the current TV season, Greys Anatomy will take place Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. CT, and will be preceded by Station 19. The exact date for the start of the fall season, however, has not been announced. Every season, with the exception of the shorter first season and the 17th COVID-delayed season, has started in late September, and season 18 is expected to follow suit. Based on the past few years, by far the most likely release date for Season 18 is Thursday, September 23, 2021. Greys Anatomy Seasons 1 through 16 are now streaming on Netflix. So far, all of the Season 17 episodes are on Hulu. What Are The Main Benefits Of Comparing Car Insurance Quotes Online LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2020, / Compare-autoinsurance.Org has launched a new blog post that presents the main benefits of comparing multiple car insurance quotes. For more info and free online quotes, please visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/the-advantages-of-comparing-prices-with-car-insurance-quotes-online/ The modern society has numerous technological advantages. One important advantage is the speed at which information is sent and received. With the help of the internet, the shopping habits of many persons have drastically changed. The car insurance industry hasn't remained untouched by these changes. On the internet, drivers can compare insurance prices and find out which sellers have the best offers. View photos The advantages of comparing online car insurance quotes are the following: Online quotes can be obtained from anywhere and at any time. Unlike physical insurance agencies, websites don't have a specific schedule and they are available at any time. Drivers that have busy working schedules, can compare quotes from anywhere and at any time, even at midnight. Multiple choices. Almost all insurance providers, no matter if they are well-known brands or just local insurers, have an online presence. Online quotes will allow policyholders the chance to discover multiple insurance companies and check their prices. Drivers are no longer required to get quotes from just a few known insurance companies. Also, local and regional insurers can provide lower insurance rates for the same services. Accurate insurance estimates. Online quotes can only be accurate if the customers provide accurate and real info about their car models and driving history. Lying about past driving incidents can make the price estimates to be lower, but when dealing with an insurance company lying to them is useless. Usually, insurance companies will do research about a potential customer before granting him coverage. Online quotes can be sorted easily. Although drivers are recommended to not choose a policy just based on its price, drivers can easily sort quotes by insurance price. Using brokerage websites will allow drivers to get quotes from multiple insurers, thus making the comparison faster and easier. For additional info, money-saving tips, and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ Compare-autoinsurance.Org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc. "Online quotes can easily help drivers obtain better car insurance deals. All they have to do is to complete an online form with accurate and real info, then compare prices", said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company. CONTACT: Company Name: Internet Marketing CompanyPerson for contact Name: Gurgu CPhone Number: (818) 359-3898Email: [email protected]: https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ SOURCE: Compare-autoinsurance.Org View source version on accesswire.Com:https://www.Accesswire.Com/595055/What-Are-The-Main-Benefits-Of-Comparing-Car-Insurance-Quotes-Online View photos | https://exbulletin.com/entertainment/962469/ |
Is the govt taking a risk on Bio E vaccine that's yet to cross the finish line? | COVID-19 vaccine (Representative image) The government announced on June 3 that it will pay Rs 1,500 as advance to Hyderabad-based Biological E to buy 30 crore (300 million) doses of its potential COVID-19 vaccine. The doses would be manufactured and stockpiled by M/s Biological-E from August to December 2021, the health ministry said in a statement. "The arrangement with M/s Biological-E is part of the wider endeavour of the government of India to encourage indigenous vaccine manufacturers by providing them support in Research & Development (R&D) and also financial support," it said. Affordable vaccine Payment of Rs 1,500 crore for 30 crore doses, works out to advance of Rs 50 per dose. The company has not declared the price of the jab but its managing director Mahima Datla said recently that it would be among the most affordable vaccines available. The government is buying Serum Institute of India's (SII) Covishield and Bharat Biotech Covaxin at Rs 150 per dose. A vaccine works by mimicking a natural infection. A vaccine not only induces immune response to protect people from any future COVID-19 infection, but also helps quickly build herd immunity to put an end to the pandemic. Herd immunity occurs when a sufficient percentage of a population becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. The good news is that SARS-CoV-2 virus has been fairly stable, which increases the viability of a vaccine. There are broadly four types of vaccine one, a vaccine based on the whole virus (this could be either inactivated, or an attenuated [weakened] virus vaccine); two, a non-replicating viral vector vaccine that uses a benign virus as vector that carries the antigen of SARS-CoV; three, nucleic-acid vaccines that have genetic material like DNA and RNA of antigens like spike protein given to a person, helping human cells decode genetic material and produce the vaccine; and four, protein subunit vaccine wherein the recombinant proteins of SARS-COV-2 along with an adjuvant (booster) is given as a vaccine. Vaccine development is a long, complex process. Unlike drugs that are given to people with a diseased, vaccines are given to healthy people and also vulnerable sections such as children, pregnant women and the elderly. So rigorous tests are compulsory. History says that the fastest time it took to develop a vaccine is five years, but it usually takes double or sometimes triple that time. View more Show BE's COVID-19 vaccine has to be taken in two doses 28 days apart, and administered via intramuscular injection. BE is the third vaccine company to receive advance payment for supplying COVID-19 vaccines. Earlier SII was given Rs 1500 crore for supply of Covishield vaccine and Bharat Biotech received Rs 750 crore for Covaxin. Both Covishield and Covaxin were approved. The Hyderabad-based vaccine maker is developing the recombinant protein or protein subunit Covid-19 vaccine Corbevax. The candidate is an antigen (spike protein) developed by Texas Childrens Hospital Center for Vaccine Development and in-licensed from BCM Ventures part of Texas-based Baylor College of Medicine. Dynavax Technologies Corporations will provide adjuvant CpG 1018TM. The company had received financial support from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) for the Phase I/II clinical trials and also for the upcoming Phase III trial of this vaccine candidate. Sources told Moneycontrol that BE has begun manufacturing the vaccine at risk, and stockpiling in anticipation of approval. The company said it expects interim data from the trial to be available in Q1FY21. Moneycontrol learns that this vaccine is relatively easier to manufacture and scale up with higher yields of antigen. To be sure, BE's COVID-19 vaccine is undergoing Phase-3 clinical trial and doesn't have any efficacy data. BE received DCGI approval on April 24 to start a phase 3 clinical trial for its COVID-19 vaccine candidate. The government says that the results in Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials were promising. The company is yet to publish data related to those trials in any reputed peer-reviewed scientific journal. Experts say paying an advance and stockpiling of BE's subunit vaccine by the government is worth the risk. They say that if the protein subunit works well, it is much easier to manufacture at scale compared to viral vector and inactivated vaccines. "About time the government took some risk," said Dr Gagandeep Kang, renowned virologist and Professor at CMC Vellore. "I have hopes for the protein subunit vaccines, because this is a platform that can make lots of doses. Lot depends on the adjuvant, but we should get performance from phase 1/2," Kang said. Dr KV Balasubramaniam, a vaccine industry veteran and life science industry consultant, said it will turn out to be a good vaccine and affordable to the government. "Subunit protein vaccines will have good efficacy and safety. This will be a game changer for cost-effective Covid vaccines for low- and middle-income countries," Balasubramaniam. But some experts have a word of caution on backing a vaccine that doesn't yet have efficacy data. "The government is under pressure, but it probably should have used that money to buy vaccines that were approved and widely distributed," said an executive of a vaccine company who didnt want to be named. Please read here about BE and its plans for COVID-19 vaccines. | https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/companies/is-the-govt-taking-a-risk-on-bio-e-vaccine-thats-yet-to-cross-the-finish-line-6983681.html |
When Venky rejected a Remake? | Victory Venkatesh is the most successful Tollywood actor and he has done an ample number of remake films. He completed the shoots of Naarappa and Drishyam 2 which are remake films. Both these projects are expected to release soon. Venkys brother Suresh Babu watched Dhanushs recent super hit film Karnan in a special screening even before its release. He wanted Venky to remake the film but Venky rejected the plan. After watching the film, Venky felt that Karnan will not appeal to the Telugu audience. It is then Bellamkonda Sreenivas acquired the Telugu remake rights and signed the project. There are talks that Sreekanth Addala who directed Naarappa will direct the remake of Karnan and an official announcement will be made soon. Venkatesh will focus on Anil Ravipudis F3 soon after the pandemic calms down. | https://www.telugu360.com/when-venky-rejected-a-remake/ |
Should smoking be banned outdoors? | or smoking cessation for outdoor hospitality is being considered by officials in Oxfordshire, in a move designed to encourage people to leave. The plans will encourage employers to promote smoke-free environments and support staff to quit smoking. Local NHS beliefs would be non-smoking while encouraging smokers who use, visit or work in the NHS to quit smoking. If implemented, it would see Oxfordshire as the first county in England to be smoke-free by 2025. No smoke is officially recognized by the government when 5% of the population or less are smokers. The Oxfordshire Tobacco Control Strategy would see the county council working with other local authorities and the NHS to sign the Local Government Tobacco Declaration and the NHS Tobacco Free Oath as a commitment to reduce tobacco use. In addition, the proposal would also see local authorities addressing the supply and demand of illicit tobacco, raising public awareness, supporting regional programs to reduce illicit tobacco, and taking measures to reduce the sale of related products. tobacco and e-cigarettes to minors Check out: Whitty: Smoking-related cancers caused almost entirely for benefits A report by Dr Adam Briggs, the public health official leading the strategy, found that smoking was the leading cause of preventable deaths in Oxfordshire, costing 120 million for the public purse each year. While 12% of Oxfordshires population currently smoke, the low-income people, the mentally ill, the homeless and travelers all have a higher smoking rate. Last year, data from the charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) revealed 2,132 people died from smoking-related causes in Oxfordshire between 2012 and 2017. However, activists have criticized the plans. Simon Clark, director of the Forest Smokers Lobby Group, said: It is not the job of local councils if adults decide to smoke and if they smoke outside during working hours it is a matter for them and their employer not for the council. The story goes on With more businesses in the hospitality industry set to open in the coming weeks following a planned lifting of the blockade, Clark said the public will want local authorities to help local businesses pull away from the impact of the pandemic. He added: Reducing smoking levels to meet some idealistic goals is not a priority for most people and council policy should reflect that. What Are The Main Benefits Of Comparing Car Insurance Quotes Online LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2020, / Compare-autoinsurance.Org has launched a new blog post that presents the main benefits of comparing multiple car insurance quotes. For more info and free online quotes, please visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/the-advantages-of-comparing-prices-with-car-insurance-quotes-online/ The modern society has numerous technological advantages. One important advantage is the speed at which information is sent and received. With the help of the internet, the shopping habits of many persons have drastically changed. The car insurance industry hasn't remained untouched by these changes. On the internet, drivers can compare insurance prices and find out which sellers have the best offers. View photos The advantages of comparing online car insurance quotes are the following: Online quotes can be obtained from anywhere and at any time. Unlike physical insurance agencies, websites don't have a specific schedule and they are available at any time. Drivers that have busy working schedules, can compare quotes from anywhere and at any time, even at midnight. Multiple choices. Almost all insurance providers, no matter if they are well-known brands or just local insurers, have an online presence. Online quotes will allow policyholders the chance to discover multiple insurance companies and check their prices. Drivers are no longer required to get quotes from just a few known insurance companies. Also, local and regional insurers can provide lower insurance rates for the same services. Accurate insurance estimates. Online quotes can only be accurate if the customers provide accurate and real info about their car models and driving history. Lying about past driving incidents can make the price estimates to be lower, but when dealing with an insurance company lying to them is useless. Usually, insurance companies will do research about a potential customer before granting him coverage. Online quotes can be sorted easily. Although drivers are recommended to not choose a policy just based on its price, drivers can easily sort quotes by insurance price. Using brokerage websites will allow drivers to get quotes from multiple insurers, thus making the comparison faster and easier. For additional info, money-saving tips, and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ Compare-autoinsurance.Org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc. "Online quotes can easily help drivers obtain better car insurance deals. All they have to do is to complete an online form with accurate and real info, then compare prices", said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company. CONTACT: Company Name: Internet Marketing CompanyPerson for contact Name: Gurgu CPhone Number: (818) 359-3898Email: [email protected]rnetmarketingcompany.BizWebsite: https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ SOURCE: Compare-autoinsurance.Org View source version on accesswire.Com:https://www.Accesswire.Com/595055/What-Are-The-Main-Benefits-Of-Comparing-Car-Insurance-Quotes-Online View photos | https://exbulletin.com/world/962371/ |
Should children be allowed to get the vaccine without parental consent? | https://hotair.com/jazz-shaw/2021/06/03/should-children-be-allowed-to-get-the-vaccine-without-parental-consent-n394192 In Pennsylvania, as with the rest of the country, children over the age of twelve are now allowed to be vaccinated using the Pfizer dose. Moderna and J&J are expected to be similarly approved in short order. But for some Keystone State lawmakers, this situation is raising an uncomfortable question. There are students in the 12-17 age range who are interested in being vaccinated but they cant do so without the consent of their parents. Thats led State Senator Amanda Cappelletti to craft a bill that would allow children who are at least 14 years old to make the choice for themselves after talking to a family doctor or pediatrician. Needless to say, this isnt a popular idea with everyone. (CBS Pittsburgh) With more and more kids getting the coronavirus vaccine but many parents still hesitant, there are questions about when a teenager should be allowed to make their own medical decisions. A Pennsylvania state senator is now sponsoring a bill to allow kids ages 14 and older to get vaccines if their doctors recommend it, even if their parents dont. Right now, kids under 18 years old need consent from parents to get a vaccine. State Senator Amanda Cappelletti from Montgomery County is writing a bill to allow anyone 14 and older to make their own decision about vaccines after talking with their family doctor or pediatrician. This issue is going to boil down to a debate over what the law currently says and what the law should say. It also brings us back to an issue weve batted around here on many occasions. As far as the current state of the legal issue goes, the answer should be fairly clear. Children do not make choices about medical decisions and even supposedly responsible adults do not override the parents choices unless it can be proven that they are placing their childs welfare at risk. If a school nurse gives a child an aspirin without first obtaining parental consent they can be fired. While most medical authorities agree that the vaccines currently approved for use are safe, theyre still not nearly as well established and understood as a 50 mg Bayer aspirin. There are many things we dont allow children to do at age 14. They cant purchase or use alcohol or tobacco products. They cant drive a car. They cant give informed consent for sexual activity. But that still leaves us with the second question I mentioned above. The proposed law in Pennsylvania would apply to children ages 14 to 17. By the time you are seventeen, you can enlist in the military on the Delayed Entry Program. In most states, you can have a drivers license. But even then, including in Pennsylvania, you have to have a parent or guardian sign off. This really isnt so much a question of whether or not children can make such decisions for themselves. The real issue is whether or not the state can allow the child to override the decision of their parents. Whether you agree with it or not, parents are still given the final say in virtually everything their children do unless they are shown to be abusive. Further, there seems to not be any discussion of the opposite situation. If not, then this proposed law really will come across as nothing but political pandering designed to drive up the vaccination numbers. Share this: Twitter Facebook | https://clarion.causeaction.com/2021/06/03/should-children-be-allowed-to-get-the-vaccine-without-parental-consent/ |
Are fixer uppers an affordable way to get into pricey real-estate markets? | Open this photo in gallery Wafa Momani and Sherif Fadali, partners and principles of White Orchid Homes, of Oakville, at one of their recent builds in Oakville on May 25, 2021. Glenn Lowson/The Globe and Mail Fewer than six months after Sherif Fadali and Wafa Momani bought a high-priced teardown house in the Greater Toronto Area, a similar home across the street sold for about $500,000 less than what they paid. We bought at a time when, similar to the market were in today, houses were getting multiple offers and you could easily be outbid by half a million dollars, recalls Mr. Fadali, construction managing director at White Orchid Homes Ltd., a Toronto-based design and build firm he owns with his wife, Ms. Momani, the firms principal designer. All it takes is just a matter of weeks or months for the market to shift completely. Buying run-down houses to tear down, rebuild and resell is part of what Mr. Fadali and Ms. Momani do in their business. But even with their knowledge and years of experience, it can still be challenging to ensure a house theyve targeted for teardown will be worth the money, time and effort. Story continues below advertisement Its even more challenging for homebuyers who are new to Canadas fixer-upper real estate market, where houses are bought so they can be renovated extensively or replaced with a new build. In some cases, buyers choose a fixer-upper because its in a desirable neighbourhood and they have the financial means to bring it up to par with the rest of the area. For many buyers, however, a fixer upper is their only way to get into hot real-estate markets such as Toronto and Vancouver. Open this photo in gallery The partners have been in the house rebuilding/flipping business for six years, averaging one house per year. Glenn Lowson/The Globe and Mail I see a lot of first-time buyers, mostly young families, who want to get into the market now and maybe need to be close to the [downtown] core, says Stan Stanchev, a realtor with Team 3000 Realty Ltd., in Vancouver. Many of them have no choice but to buy a fixer upper because thats what they can afford. While they may be more affordable, teardowns arent necessarily cheap. Christina Clavero, a sales representative and managing director at The Agency Realty Brokerage in Oakville, Ont., points to a small bungalow in Torontos Little Italy neighbourhood that sold last year for $1.8 million more than $800,000 over its listing price of $999,000. The 14 prospective buyers who submitted bids for the two-bedroom, one-bathroom property werent looking at the house, Ms. Clavero says. They were looking at the land and its surrounding community, which is known for great restaurants, shops, schools and easy access to public transit. Were looking at prices for land go up exponentially because its so tough to get a good lot, Ms. Clavero explains. Story continues below advertisement Work with a real-estate agent who does a lot of deals in the area youre interested in because theyll have a good sense of what works, what doesnt work and what will add value, says Ms. Momani of White Orchid. They should be able to say what you need to do to add value in the neighbourhood. Open this photo in gallery The question now for them, is whether it is still profitable to tear-down and rebuild homes in this market, with house prices sky rocketing and building material prices on the rise cutting into their margins. Glenn Lowson/The Globe and Mail In certain neighbourhoods, for instance, homebuyers expect to see heated floors in the master bathroom and basement. In other areas, panelled basements are common features. This type of information is important for fixer-upper purchasers because when they decide to sell in the future, prospective buyers will compare their home to others in the neighbourhood, Ms. Momani says. A realtor with experience in certain neighbourhoods should also be able to warn about common issues, such as flooding or termites. At one property Ms. Clavero had shown to a client, a big issue was that the land was under conservation and all renovations would have to be approved by the local conservation authority. The realtor didnt put this piece of information in the listing, probably because it would deter buyers, Ms. Clavero says. When my client and I were looking at the property, which was on several acres with a lot of trees, we overheard somebody talking about tearing it down. Which of course I knew could not be done easily because it was under conservation. Story continues below advertisement Ms. Clavero says its a good idea to get a trusted contractor to look at a prospective house before making an offer. This is especially important when a house is expected to draw multiple bids. Working with a contractor at this stage will also make it easier to plan and execute a teardown or renovation, Mr. Fadali says. Open this photo in gallery Those who buy and fix a teardown will likely get rewarded for their efforts. Glenn Lowson/The Globe and Mail If buyers pay a high price for a fixer-upper home, most of them wont have much money left to build or renovate. Instead of trying to get everything done all at once, Mr. Fadali suggests doing the work in stages. If youre planning to add an extension to a small house, for example, there may be no point in renovating the kitchen now because youre going to be tearing it down a year from now, he says. Its hard to put a general price for renovating or rebuilding a teardown, but Mr. Fadali says a good starting estimate would be anywhere between $250 to $300 per square foot. This doesnt take into account high-end finishes, such as tiles from Italy or a state-of-the-art kitchen faucet. Even when theyve received a budget from an architect or contractor, fixer-upper buyers should plan for potential overruns of 10 per cent to 15 per cent of the budget, Mr. Fadali says. Story continues below advertisement They should also plan for ways to help offset these costs, says Mr. Stanchev of Team 3000 Realty, such as building a nanny suite or a rental suite in the basement. But if youre going to do this, just be aware of bylaw requirements such as putting in a safety escape and fire alarms. Mr. Stanchev notes that homebuyers who go for a fixer upper tend to build or renovate aggressively in the first three years of ownership. Then they get exhausted and maybe they will decide to sell it and go to something new that they dont have to do too much with. Whether they decide to stay for years or sell after a short period, those who buy and fix a teardown will likely get rewarded for their efforts. If you built a nice product or did a nice reno youll make a good profit, Ms. Clavero says. And if you paid too much, youll probably need to stay longer and wait for the market to catch up, but in the meantime, you get to enjoy the house you built. | https://www.theglobeandmail.com/real-estate/article-are-fixer-uppers-an-affordable-way-to-get-into-pricey-real-estate/ |
Who is meteorologist Ginger Zees husband Ben Aaron? | GINGER Zee is widely recognized as being the meteorologist for Good Morning America. The weather anchor joins primary anchors Robin Roberts, George Stephanopoulos, and former New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan on the weekly show. Zee's husband is New York City-based media personnel Ben Aaron, 39. Aaron formally worked for NBCUniversal's LXTV and WNBC's New York Live. From 2017 to 2019, the 39-year-old co-hosted the nationally televised talk show, Pickler & Ben, alongside country artist Kellie Pickler. As of 2020, Aaron has been a features reporter for the Pix11 Morning News in NYC. 3 Ben Aaron is a features reporter for PIX 11 Morning News in NYC Credit: Getty Aaron and Zee engaged in August 2013, and tied the knot in June 2014. The couple have two sons together, Adrian and Miles. In honor of National Suicide Prevention Week, Zee revealed she attempted suicide twice before her television news career and begged fans in need to "get help." In September 2020, Ginger shared a throwback pic of her at an early television news job captioned: "This photo always breaks my heart. This was during my first real job on tv at WEYI. "This wide, forced smile was not long after my second suicide attempt. Of course, no one at work knew. I was a master at hiding my mental health issues. Especially from myself. "It is #suicidepreventionweek and I often wonder if there is anything I could go back and say to myself the morning I tried to take my own life. "I dont know if I would have been ready to hear it - I dont know if this message will help but I feel it is my duty to talk about it because I was lucky," the weather anchor added. Khloe 'upset' by Tristan cheating rumors but is 'standing by' him YEEZY DOES IT Irina hangs out with ex Bradley after rumours she's 'dating' Kanye 'BIG MISTAKE' Bond Girl Britt Ekland, 78, says she 'destroyed her looks' with lip fillers POST-OP SNAP Jana Kramer bares major cleavage in tiny bikini as she flaunts new boob job SPEAKING HIS MIND Amy Duggar's husband claims Josh 'f**ked up & should pay the price' Exclusive A RUFF DAY Matthew Perry's ex Molly seen WITHOUT engagement ring walking their dog "Beyond the luck, I had the support and financial ability to get the help I needed to treat my mental health issues. Not everyone has that. "If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, take it seriously. Act immediately. Dont be afraid to go to the hospital to get urgent help and they can get you to the right type of therapy or medication you may need. "For parents and young folks @childmindinstitute has some great info and support," the GMA host continued. | https://www.the-sun.com/entertainment/3008114/meet-gma-meteorologist-ginger-zees-husband-ben-aaron/ |
How long were Ray Jay and Kim Kardashian together for? | GET to know the in's and out's of Ray Jay and Kim Kardashian's relationship. William Ray Norwood Jr, known professionally as Ray Jay, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, actor, and television personality. He comes from a famous family as the younger brother of singer and actress Brandy Norwood and first cousin of rapper Snoop Dogg. He began his acting career on The Sinbad Show and has released four studio albums throughout his career. He currently has two children with wife Princess Love, Melody Love and Epik Ray, but the pair are currently working through a divorce. Kim Kardashian was going through a divorce with ex-husband Damon Thomas in 2003 when she met Ray Jay. Kim was working as Brandy and Paris Hilton's personal assistant at the time. The pair dated from 2003 to 2006, but the year following, the couple made headlines for a leaked sex tape. The adult entertainment company Vivid supposedly paid one million dollars for the tape and Kim later went on to sue them. Ray Jay appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2017 and spoke about the famous ex and the even more famous sex tape. One of his housemates asked Ray Jay if he broke Kim's heart. "We're the same kind of player. She was the female me," she said. When protested by his female housemates, he repeated, "She was a player, though. You don't really know what happened. Put it like this - we were both players. We were both cheaters, you know?" Khloe 'upset' by Tristan cheating rumors but is 'standing by' him YEEZY DOES IT Irina hangs out with ex Bradley after rumours she's 'dating' Kanye 'BIG MISTAKE' Bond Girl Britt Ekland, 78, says she 'destroyed her looks' with lip fillers POST-OP SNAP Jana Kramer bares major cleavage in tiny bikini as she flaunts new boob job SPEAKING HIS MIND Amy Duggar's husband claims Josh 'f**ked up & should pay the price' Exclusive A RUFF DAY Matthew Perry's ex Molly seen WITHOUT engagement ring walking their dog "You're looking at it from outside the house, walking in and seeing her do my clothes or something. You don't know what happened earlier, later... no clue. People think a lot of things. "We loved each other. Every relationship I was in, I loved the girl. It's just the moral standards and values were off. I was loving and lying." He confirmed that the two have an amicable relationship, saying "It's all good. I've seen her mom and her sisters at the basketball game and said, "'Hi.'" | https://www.the-sun.com/entertainment/3008159/ray-jay-kim-kardashian-dating-sex-tape/ |
How old were the Kardashians and Jenners when KUWTK started? | LEARN about how old the Kardashians and Jenners were when Keeping Up With The Kardashians began. Kris Jenner originally worked with Ryan Seacrest to conceptualize a show about her family inspired by The Osbournes. The show premiered on October 14, 2007. Kris has been an executive producer on the show for its 20 total seasons. Before the reality show premiered, Kim was known as Paris Hilton's friend or for her famous sex tape with ex-boyfriend, Ray Jay. KUWTK launched the Kardashian Jenner clan into one of the most recognizable and successful families in Hollywood. 3 The Kardashian Jenner sisters have grown and changed a lot since the show's conception, when some were just children Credit: E! The Kardashian Jenner sisters have grown and changed a lot since the show's conception, when some were just children. 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. "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. Khloe 'upset' by Tristan cheating rumors but is 'standing by' him YEEZY DOES IT Irina hangs out with ex Bradley after rumours she's 'dating' Kanye 'BIG MISTAKE' Bond Girl Britt Ekland, 78, says she 'destroyed her looks' with lip fillers POST-OP SNAP Jana Kramer bares major cleavage in tiny bikini as she flaunts new boob job SPEAKING HIS MIND Amy Duggar's husband claims Josh 'f**ked up & should pay the price' Exclusive A RUFF DAY Matthew Perry's ex Molly seen WITHOUT engagement ring walking their dog 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. | https://www.the-sun.com/entertainment/3008464/kardashians-jenners-age-when-kuwtk-started/ |
Why is it so hard to find new and used cars for sale? | SALT LAKE CITY If youre looking for a new or used car good luck. Thats because theres a shortage here in Utah and worldwide. That shortage is mainly due to a lack of semiconductor microchips. READ: Used car buyers are facing soaring prices and fewer choices In many cases the actual vehicles are available but the chips that power them are not. Thats due in part to the huge demand for microchips in phones and gaming during the pandemic, and also because some industry analysts say many carmakers simply did not foresee the demand for those chips. On top of that, there was a fire earlier this year at a Japanese electronics plant that manufactures microchips. The bottom line: used cars are at a premium. Its hot, its really hot, said Brandon Wilson, General Manager at Ken Garff Honda Downtown. And the reason for that is, there is that chip shortage so because of the chip shortage theres a shortage of new vehicles that are available, but theres plenty of used cars out there to buy. So people are looking to buy something and that ends up being the used car. Some carmakers are even shutting down some plants as the chip shortage issue continues, and there are some in the industry who feel this may be an issue for another year to 18 months. Wilson says if you can find a car you like, you will likely get top dollar for your trade right now. | https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-new-and-used-cars-for-sale |
Who is Jeanine Pirros ex-husband Albert Pirro? | ALBERT and Fox News' Jeanine Pirro were married for nearly four decades before their split. In early 2021, it was announced that Pirro was pardoned from his two-and-a-half-year prison sentence for tax crimes. Albert Pirro is a businessman and lawyer. He was married to Fox News anchor Jeanine Pirro from 1975-2013. The pair have one daughter together, Christi Pirro. Pirro was convicted at a trial in New York federal court in 2000 of conspiracy and tax evasion in connection with illegally deducting $1.2 million of personal expenses as write-offs for his business. 3 Jeanine Pirro, her husband Albert, foreground, and his legal team arrive at U.S. District Court Wednesday, May 17, 2000 Credit: AP Pirro was sentenced to 29 months in prison at the same time his wife was the Westchester County District Attorney. He served 17 months of his sentence. In January 2021, President Donald Trump issued a last-minute full pardon to Al Pirro without explaining the rationalization behind his clemency. Today, President Donald J. Trump granted a full pardon to Albert J. Pirro, Jr., Trumps spokesman, Judd Deere, said in a one-line statement at the time. The former president made the decision 45 minutes before Joe Biden was sworn in office. 3 Albert Pirro was convicted of tax crimes Credit: Alamy At the time, the White House announced Trump had pardoned 73 other people, and commuted the criminal sentences of 70 individuals. Trump also pardoned former campaign chief Steve Bannon, GOP fundraiser Elliott Broidy, rapper Lil Wayne and scores of others on his way out of the White House. Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance has been probing the Trump Organization's finances as well as Trump's personal monetary affairs for at least two years, court records show. He convened a special grand jury to consider evidence in a criminal investigation into Trump's finances, the Associated Press reported. The development signals that prosecutors are moving toward seeking charges against the former president in their investigation, which included a lengthy battle of Trump's tax returns. Vance's investigation concerns a variety of matters, such as hush-money payments paid to women on Trumps behalf, property valuations and employee compensation. The Democratic prosecutor has been using an investigative grand jury through the course of his probe to issue subpoenas and obtain documents. Most read in News SHOCK FIND Body found in motel room during desperate search for missing boy Exclusive SEA IT TO BELIEVE IT UFOs not coming from space - but from under SEA, claims ex-cop Breaking ROCKED BY QUAKE Powerful earthquake hits California & scared residents woken up by shaking UP IN FLAMES Blaze hits Iran oil refinery after fire sinks warship in new mystery disaster Latest GUN SIEGE Gunman shoots at least three cops in Wilmington before barricading in building 'HELP HER OUT!' AOC slammed as she blames Trump for grandma's hurricane-hit home The investigation also includes scrutiny of Trumps relationship with his lenders, a land donation he made to qualify for an income tax deduction, and tax write-offs his company claimed on millions of dollars in consulting fees it paid. The former president's business dealings are also currently being investigated by New York State's Attorney General. The AG's office confirmed last week that the probe into the organization was "no longer civil," and that the company was being investigated in a "criminal capacity." | https://www.the-sun.com/news/3008085/albert-pirro-jeanine-pirro-donald-trump-pardon/ |
Has Mamata emerged as a contender for the PMs post? | In the past, Bengalis have missed out on having one of their own on the prime ministers chair on several occasions. Jyoti Basu came close to becoming the prime minister of a centre-Left United Front government in 1996, but his party, the CPI(M), didnt let him. Pranab Mukherjee, PM Indira Gandhis number two, lost his chances in 1984 after her assassination, then in 1991 after Rajiv Gandhi's death and yet again in 2004 when Sonia Gandhi chose Manmohan Singh over him. West Bengals hopes, though, have been renewed. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjees huge victory against the entire BJP brigade in the assembly election has made her the natural choice for the post of a challenger who can take on the powerful duo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah. A hashtag#BengaliPrimeMinisteralong with Mamata Banerjees picture is already doing the rounds of social media. With the general elections scheduled to be held in 2024, this all seems a bit premature, but considering the recent fallout between the Centre and the state, over Mamata skipping a review meeting called by Modi for cyclone Yaas, the time seems right. Bengal election, unlike others, hogged the limelight because of the importance the BJP national leaders attached to it. As if winning it would silence the last and the loudest critic of Modi and the BJP. Along with party supporters, the rest of the country, especially those who were looking for a respite from the Modi-Shah combo, too, was keeping a close watch on Bengal results. Vanquishing the BJP in a state like Bengal, with 42 MP seats, meant a lot more than a regional fight won. Considering how the BJP had mobilised its entire fleet, resources, institutions and agencies to win Bengal, the defeat seems even harder. At her victory speech, Mamata mentioned how the entire country was interested on whether Bengal could halt the BJP juggernaut. As a result of this victory, Mamatas position among other Opposition leaders, who would like to assemble on an anti-Modi, anti-BJP platform, has been elevated. Mamata, for her part, has been utilising her position to take on the Centre head on. Not a week has passed since she started her new term that she has not had to face a Central team, the NHRC, NWC and general negative comments from the Centre on her state affairs. And, on each occasion, Mamata has put up a fight. Their recent fracas over Mamata skipping cyclone Yaas review meeting, leading to the chief Secretary being recalled by the Centre to report to Department of Personnel Training in Delhi, and finally him being served a show-cause notice for violating protocol, looks to be another one of BJPs tactics to irritate Mamata and disturb the Centre-state cooperative relationship. But the West Bengal CM has proven before that she does not shy away from criticising Modi and has the courage to stand her ground. Over the year, this tendency of Mamata to dig her heels in has made people see her as a mighty contender to Modi. According to BJP insiders, it is a part of the partys strategy to not only keep Mamata tied to the state, but also a ploy to make her claim the position of the principal face of the Opposition. "And if she stakes a claim, it is bound to impact the cohesiveness of the Opposition, since there are other players in the field who wouldn't give her a smooth walkover" says a BJP leader requesting anonymity. Though #BengaliPrimeMinister has a long way to go, it has set in motion the aspiration of Bengal as well as that of the Trinamool Congress to see their supremo at the top post. Already minister of state for sports and youth affairs, Manoj Tiwary has tweeted a message: What Bengal thinks today, India will think tomorrow. Didi will lead the way". Tiwary is a youth icon and his message is likely to encourage young minds into taking the thought forward. Read India Today magazine by downloading the latest issue: https://www.indiatoday.com/emag | https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/how-mamata-has-emerged-as-a-strong-contender-for-the-prime-minister-s-post-1810506-2021-06-03 |
Who is George P. Bushs wife Amanda Williams? | GEORGE P Bush is a fourth-generation member of the Bush family, the eldest son of former Florida Governor Jeb Bush. George's father is the nephew of the 43rd President of the United States, George W Bush. George and his wife Amanda Williams have been married since August 2004. The couple were law school classmates. Williams is a media law attorney at the firm Jackson Walker LLP in Forth Worth, Texas. Her bio on the Jackson Walker Law Firm website reads, "Amanda Bush frequently serves as outside counsel to her clients, advising them on corporate and legal strategies, assisting with legal and business development, and managing a broad array of legal matters. 4 George P Bush has been married to Amanda Williams since August 2004 Credit: AP:Associated Press "Amanda has also represented clients in a variety of litigation matters including complex commercial matters, intellectual property, and media and First Amendment." George and Amanda have two sons together, John Williams and Prescott. In an interview with Texas Monthly, George said his wife and children come before his political career. I know where my priorities stand, and its with my wife and my kids. Its trying to be a loyal son and brother. 4 George and Amanda have two sons, John Williams and Prescott Credit: AP "I try my best, knowing that my responsibilities are to my family. Ive always told my wife, Mandy, that if we ever cross a line, Id be very happy back in the private sector. I am married to her; I am not married to this, he added. On June 2, George - the current Texas Land Commissioner - announced that he's running for attorney general in Texas. The announcement sets up a GOP showdown against one of the most high-profile Republican attorneys general in the country, Ken Paxton. 4 On June 2, George P Bush announced his candidacy for attorney general of Texas Credit: AP Most read in News SHOCK FIND Body found in motel room during desperate search for missing boy Exclusive SEA IT TO BELIEVE IT UFOs not coming from space - but from under SEA, claims ex-cop Breaking ROCKED BY QUAKE Powerful earthquake hits California & scared residents woken up by shaking UP IN FLAMES Blaze hits Iran oil refinery after fire sinks warship in new mystery disaster Latest GUN SIEGE Gunman shoots at least three cops in Wilmington before barricading in building 'HELP HER OUT!' AOC slammed as she blames Trump for grandma's hurricane-hit home "I am proud to announce I am a Republican candidate to be the next Texas attorney general," George said before supporters in Austin. George immediately took shots at Paxton, who is currently under indictment for securities fraud and, separately, facing an FBI investigation for abuse of office. "Enough is enough, Ken. You've brought way too much scandal and too little integrity to this office," he said. "It's time to go." | https://www.the-sun.com/news/3008468/meet-george-p-bushs-wife-amanda-williams/ |
Did Matt Nagy take an unintentional shot at Mitch Trubisky while complimenting Andy Dalton? | The Mitch Trubisky era with the Chicago Bears wasnt a good one. It started off terrible when GM Ryan Pace traded up to select him as the first quarterback chosen in a draft that included Patrick Mahomes, and it ended just as bad with Trubisky leaving town in free agency to take a job as Josh Allens backup in Buffalo. Theres a chance a good one that Trubisky will never be a starting quarterback again. He might start games as a backup filling in for an injury, but its hard imagining a sudden breakthrough for a player who underwhelmed through four seasons and 50 regular-season starts. Coach Matt Nagy, who was lauded for his offensive acumen when he took the Bears job in 2018, was hamstrung by Trubiskys shortcomings. Most notably, Trubisky couldnt read defenses and he couldnt hit open receivers downfield. And maybe thats why Nagy was so excited after the Bears OTA session on Wednesday when he was quick to point out how impressive Andy Dalton looked on the field. In a way, it feels like Nagy isnt used to seeing a quarterback do NFL quarterback things. Its as if he hasnt seen it since he got to Chicago and was forced to work with Trubisky. He is doing a great job of making anticipatory throws, throwing the ball early, Nagy said. If theres one thing that these wide receivers are going to come out of [these] OTAs from and obviously from training camp, too, theyre going to see that when that ball is supposed to be there, that ball is going to be there, so they better get ready to put their hands up to catch it. You better be at the right spot, at the right depth and be doing your route adjustments accordingly. | https://bearswire.usatoday.com/2021/06/03/did-matt-nagy-take-an-unintentional-shot-at-mitch-trubisky-while-complimenting-andy-dalton/ |
Where are the American flags? | I've recently noticed something that is concerning to me. I've seen homes and even whole yards full of Trump flags ... and not an American flag to be found. Memorial Day has brought this point home to me. Get off the highway at Boulder and drive into town. You can't miss it ... a whole empty lot full of Trump flags 20 feet tall and no American flag. The guy next door has an American flag. I've wondered if he was making a point. As a former and therefore always U.S. Marine, I have an American flag in my yard and have for about 10 years, so it is not an recent thing to make a small point. It is what I am. Now, when those start taking down American flags being offended, then we will know we have a problem. | https://helenair.com/opinion/letters/where-are-the-american-flags/article_0d5c890a-e6d0-5bdc-99fb-48bb4f8b1df8.html |
What does a new government have in store for Israel's national budget? | "For now, the budget doesn't need any consolidation or tighter fiscal policy," Katz said. "No big cuts are needed now. The country is recovering from the coronavirus crisis, and there is no need to reduce demand. The thing to do now is to concentrate on encouraging economic growth and recovery without raising taxes or reducing the deficit, which is the same thing as the OECD is recommending for all of its countries. "Israel's tax revenues so far this year are already showing signs of recovery, and we'll probably have a deficit of 6%-7% this year. Then, as emergency measures for COVID come to an end in 2022, we'll see a 5%-6% deficit. In June 2022, the government will have to look at fiscal policy for 2023, and then we'll have a multi-year target of reducing the deficit. This could include higher taxation and a gradual reduction of government subsidies once the recovery is well-entrenched." The new government will look to make heavy structural reforms and investment in infrastructure, transportation, and real estate, said Alex Zabezhinsky, chief economist at the Meitav Dash investment house. Zabezhinsky, like Katz, expects the state to reduce subsidies to the ultra-Orthodox in an effort to encourage them to join the workforce in greater numbers. Those funds can be reinvested in education instead, Zabezhinsky said. Israel's current economic situation, as it moves to recover from the coronavirus crisis, may actually provide the opportunity to invest more aggressively than it could otherwise, Zabezhinsky added. "Normally, increasing government spending and expanding the deficit would be scary for the credit rating agencies," Zabezhinsky said. "But they understand that deficits are inflated and that risk is higher than usual, so spending more on infrastructure shouldn't sound any alarms." Israel's most important needs right now are to bring job seekers back into the job market, increase professional training for low-skilled workers, and to invest in environmentally friendly infrastructure projects that will feed the recovery, said Daphna Aviram-Nitzan, Director of the Center for Governance and the Economy at the Israel Democracy Institute. She expressed optimism that the incoming government will be able to push forward strongly on all of these fronts. cnxps.cmd.push(function () { cnxps({ playerId: '36af7c51-0caf-4741-9824-2c941fc6c17b' }).render('4c4d856e0e6f4e3d808bbc1715e132f6'); }); if(window.location.pathname.indexOf("656089") != -1){console.log("hedva connatix");document.getElementsByClassName("divConnatix")[0].style.display ="none";} "Forming a government and approving a budget after everything we have experienced is the best possible economic news Israel could hope for," said Daphna Aviram-Nitzan, director of the Center for Governance and the Economy at the Israel Democracy Institute. "Many large and long-term projects that have been proposed in the past two years have been unable to be approved and implemented. I hope the new government will be ready to move the economy forward." Once Israel forms a new government , it will move fairly rapidly to approve a two-year budget that will encourage growth at least through mid-2022, according to Jonathan Katz, chief economist at Leader Capital Markets. | https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/what-does-a-new-government-have-in-store-for-israels-national-budget-670027 |
Is Netflix's EDEN Worth Watching? | Years in the making, Justin Leach 's Eden is alive on Netflix as a four episode short series featuring a plucky heroine and her family of robots. Made with plenty of love and backed by an all-star cast, Nick and Jean-Karlo find out if Eden sticks its landing. This series is streaming on Netflix Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the participants in this chatlog are not the views of Anime News Network . Spoiler Warning for discussion of the series ahead. Nick Well Jean-Karlo, I knew the day would come where we'd have to talk about this show. I figured it'd be in Netflix Jail a little longer, but I guess we couldn't be free from talking about Hiro Mashima 's milquetoast shonen oatmeal forever. Let's get this over with and talk Edens Zero . Huh, there's a lot more CG than I was expecting. And nowhere near as many big-boobed women in bondage as the manga. That's kinda...wait a minute. Well Jean-Karlo, I knew the day would come where we'd have to talk about this show. I figured it'd be inJail a little longer, but I guess we couldn't be free from talking about's milquetoast shonen oatmeal forever. Let's get this over with and talkHuh, there's a lot more CG than I was expecting. And nowhere near as many big-boobed women in bondage as the manga. That's kinda...wait a minute. Jean-Karlo I'm surprised Mashima didn't bolt a massive pair of boobs onto those robots, yeah. Checks notes Ah shit. My bad. We're doing regular flavor Eden this week, not the Zero Calorie version. Whoops. Ah shit. My bad.We're doing regular flavorthis week, not the Zero Calorie version. Whoops. Eden , a 4-episode original miniseries that just released on Netflix . And if nothing else I'll give the show this: you can do a lot worse for a sci-fi dystopia anime on Netflix . For one, it actually has color! So yes, this time we're covering, a 4-episode original miniseries that just released on. And if nothing else I'll give the show this: you can do a lot worse for a sci-fi dystopia anime on. For one, it actually has color! Eden and it definitely doesn't feel like the usual Netflix Original Serialized Action Show By Studio Mir . Also, that dub has a lot of casting cash put into it Neil Patrick Harris , Rosario Dawson , David Tennant ... people definitely loved the crap out of this show. I was excited to watch this, because you guys all know I'm a total mark for robots, but... There's a lot of effort and care put intoand it definitely doesn't feel like the usualOriginal Serialized Action Show By. Also, thathas a lot of casting cash put into it... people definitely loved the crap out of this show. I was excited to watch this, because you guys all know I'm a total mark for robots, but... dub ! I tend to watch everything with JP audio for the sake of not clashing with the subtitles, so that's pretty neat. And I'd also like to compliment the work of always wonderful composer Kevin Penkin . I get the feeling we'll be spending a lotta time on the faults of this show, but that music is consistently excellent and elevates the whole project practically on its own. I actually had no clue about the! I tend to watch everything with JP audio for the sake of not clashing with the subtitles, so that's pretty neat. And I'd also like to compliment the work of always wonderful composer. I get the feeling we'll be spending a lotta time on the faults of this show, but that music is consistently excellent and elevates the whole project practically on its own. Kevin Penkin from Adam, and I've never seen Made in Abyss so all I can say about Eden 's music is that it sure was musical. Shout-out to Sara's little lullaby, that did make me well up a few times, but I'm getting ahead of myself. I don't knowfrom Adam, and I've never seenso all I can say aboutmusic is that it sure was musical. Shout-out to Sara's little lullaby, that did make me well up a few times, but I'm getting ahead of myself. So, it's like this: it's the year 3000-ish. Humanity has vanished from this world. All that's left is restored apple orchards and Eden , a massive robot-run edifice. As far as dystopias go it's pretty nice. Lots of greenery, clean air, boxy robots who looks like action figures. There are certainly worse versions of the 31st century out there. But then wouldn't you know it, a couple of those robots stumble upon a time capsule with a baby inside to stink up the place. A37 (left) and E92 (right) encounter a human, whom they find is named Sara Grace. Their first instinct is feartheir programming encourages them to dispose of "organic substances". But they quickly get attached to Saraand Sara's baby-talk activates their ability to speak English. It's kinda like in Hunt for Red October when they zoom into Sam Niel's mouth while he's speaking Russian and then he suddenly starts speaking in English and doesn't go back to Russian. That's perhaps the defining feature of Eden . It is very cute. It's all rounded edges and bright colors, and you could probably show this to a little kid with no problem. And that's a perfectly fine thing to be, but also kind of leaves me, as an adult with a sore back and tax paperwork, grasping for things to talk about. "That's perhaps the defining feature of. It is very cute. It's all rounded edges and bright colors, and you could probably show this to a little kid with no problem. And that's a perfectly fine thing to be, but also kind of leaves me, as an adult with a sore back and tax paperwork, grasping for things to talk about. Yeah, I didn't want to get ahead of myself but Eden reminds me a lot of a Mamoru Hosada movie in that it desperately wants to be About Something but it ultimately just doesn't have much to say at all, so all you're left with is a lot of saccharine scenes of families being cute together. And make no mistake, that's perfectly fine! Kids or people who don't overthink their media like I do will find a lot to love here. But for other folks, Eden is just kind of a nothing-burger. Look at that guy. He's great. I want to see him square dance and never learn where he got the hat. I mean, I did still find some stuff to like in here. Like once the Mom and Pop robots leave their robot compound and find a human-sympathizing cowboy robot just hanging out in the outlands.Look at that guy. He's great. I want to see him square dance and never learn where he got the hat. Ah yes, John! I like how the sculpting on his chassis looks kinda like a cowboy's mustache. Not really. But you put a funny had on a robot and I'll be amused for a good while. Eden isn't very open to the idea of humans being around, and the overseer Zero especially hates them. For the sake of keeping Sara safe, A37 and E92 escape to a commune headed up by John there. At any rate, A37 and E92 find themselves in a pinchisn't very open to the idea of humans being around, and the overseer Zero especially hates them. For the sake of keeping Sara safe, A37 and E92 escape to a commune headed up by John there. Though they only decide to leave after Zero cracks down on the underground pro-human Robot Cult, which is maybe my favorite detail in this show's lore. These guys just get together in a cave and look at idols for a couple hours every Tuesday. Even robots cannot avoid the allure of VTubers. It's just a neat little idea, and I kind of wish the show leaned in harder on left-field details like that. Would make it stand out a lot more. At a length of four 25-episodes, this is just a little under 2 hours long. You don't have terribly much time to do much, and as a result Eden feels a bit insubstantial from how quickly it breezes by. I mean these are definitely cartoon robots, so despite being programmed to pick apples and nothing else, they very quickly just become anime parents. So having a little more character to the robo-culture could have been just fine. "-voice his charm comes through. His "dad" routine is a lot of fun. "-voice his charm comes through. His "dad" routine is a lot of fun. Then of course there's the baby herself. Sara actually grows up very quickly through episode 1, just in time to become a rebellious teen. And like every good anime teenager she stumbles across a giant mech with a mysterious distress signal to get the plot started. A touch I appreciated is that Sara picked up on some of the weird beep-boop robot sounds, so she can "curse" in Robot if she's flustered. Her speech and inflection are otherwise normal for someone who has only been around robots who possibly mispronounce every other word like Norbert Beaver. Sara's the biggest aspect of this story that feels like missed potential. As-is she's not bad, but for a character who has to carry 90% of the emotional stakes of this story, she's a little too plain to really leave an impression. She definitely is. She loves her robot parents, she's rebellious, and... that's about it. Put her in a crowd of other Ghibli heroines and I wouldn't be able to pick her out. She even has an adorable pet/sidekick. Really completes the package. At any rate, Sara hopes that following the distress signal might lead her to other humans like her. So she packs her bags and heads back to Eden, knowing that Zero would blow his fuse if he catches her. den has pretty worthless security, so she immediately infiltrates the place and finds her way to The Exposition Machine. But it turns out Eden has pretty worthless security, so she immediately infiltrates the place and finds her way to The Exposition Machine. den project was more than just a fancy building. Several hundred years ago, 35,000 humans were put into stasis with the hope that the automated Eden facilities would be able to restore the ruined environment to liveable levels. Unfortunately, the timer broke and only a human voice speaking the password can break the humans out. This is especially problematic, because once a dramatic timer runs out the stasis pods will shut down and the humans will die out. As it turns out, the Eden project was more than just a fancy building. Several hundred years ago, 35,000 humans were put into stasis with the hope that the automated Eden facilities would be able to restore the ruined environment to liveable levels. Unfortunately, the timer broke and only a human voice speaking the password can break the humans out. This is especially problematic, because once a dramatic timer runs out the stasis pods will shut down and the humans will die out. An unfortunately there's only one human who knew the password so unless Sara gets really lucky reading from a dictionary they're all kinda screwed. Either that or try to track down this walking Sad Dad science guy. den. Zero forcibly reprograms A37 and E92 right in front of Sara in a genuinely tragic scene, and prepares to dispose of Sara afterwards. Before Sara can go too far in her search for the password, Zero catches up to her and kidnaps both her and her parents, who apparently went ahead and followed her back to Eden. Girl I'm pretty sure committing mass murder is a lot more evil than giving some robot dented chassis. Zero's whole thing is that he's convinced humans will just fuck up the Earth again like they did before the robots rebuilt it, but of all the ways to try and present that idea, the best the show can come up with in the moment is her causing non-permanent damage to a handful of robots that are trying to kill her. And this is enough to make Sara question whether humanity deserves to live. It's real dumb.Girl I'm pretty sure committing mass murder is a lot more evil than giving some robot dented chassis. And it's even more curious that someone would build a robot whose job is to kill humanswhen Eden begins, we are presented with a list of rules that roboticists must follow in designing robots. Also, pretty curious that Zero is even capable of killing humans considering that his guards are apparently Three Laws compliantthey let go of Sara the moment she tells them to, but he can decide to ignore that.And it's even more curious that someone would build a robot whose job is to kill humanswhenbegins, we are presented with a list of rules that roboticists must follow in designing robots. Amazon engineers. The answer is probably that Zero was programmed byengineers. They're basically The Three Laws of Robotics, For STEM Students. And while starting your robot-themed anime with a breakdown of The Three Laws is kinda hackneyed (anime writers, I wouldn't mind if you used Tezuka's Ten Principles someday!) it's nice to see that someone in this world had the foresight to impose ethics upon techbros. Well they tried, anyway. Unfortunately the world's last Silicon Valley resident decided to upload his brain to the cloud and bring along all the misanthropy a tragic anime backstory can carry: In his daughter's honor, Dr. Fields preserved his house (which his daughter cutely designated the first Eden location, " Eden Zero"). But when he woke up, looters had apparently ruined the place as the rest of humanity died off. And so even though the perfect world had been made, he just... decides humans aren't worth it and turns himself into a human-killing robot. And to seal the deal, he even locks away his human memories. Also, as it turns out, his wife was a mathematician, and her favorite number was Zero. So as it turns out, Dr. Fields has both a dead wife and a dead daughter. His wife wasn't well enough to be considered for being put into stasis, and his daughter died of Sickly Anime Girl Disease before she could be put into stasis.In his daughter's honor, Dr. Fields preserved his house (which his daughter cutely designated the first Eden location, "Zero"). But when he woke up, looters had apparently ruined the place as the rest of humanity died off. And so even though the perfect world had been made, he just... decides humans aren't worth it and turns himself into a human-killing robot.And to seal the deal, he even locks away his human memories. Also, as it turns out, his wife was a mathematician, and her favorite number was Zero. Eden kind of gets lost in its own sauce. While a despondent person choosing to end humanity rather than risk more destruction is a solid idea for a villain, this guy's story basically takes up the last 1/3 of the story and leaves the rest of the show feeling lopsided. Sara basically becomes a vessel for a) watching his story play out and b) becoming his surrogate daughter to bring him back from the darkside. And that kinda sucks. This is wherekind of gets lost in its own sauce. While a despondent person choosing to end humanity rather than risk more destruction is a solid idea for a villain, this guy's story basically takes up the last 1/3 of the story and leaves the rest of the show feeling lopsided. Sara basically becomes a vessel for a) watching his story play out and b) becoming his surrogate daughter to bring him back from the darkside. And that kinda sucks. Though at least the climax is a big mecha fight. It's not amazing, but it's something. Even John gets in on the action, bless his Western-loving heart! They also set up a makeshift cannon to plunk Zero with apple barrels. It's like they're tiny metal ewoks. At the end of the day, it's a replica of Dr. Fields' daughter that restores his human memories and helps him regain his humanity. Which is cathartic enough, I guess. It's a redemption scene. I did have to laugh at Sara using her innate powers as a young girl in a dystopia story to immediately unlock Dr. Fields' deeply buried Dad Emotions to save the day. As it turns out, the Techbro Oath was the password for the safety pods. Sara recites it, humans are restored, and it's otherwise Happily Ever After. Congrats Sara, you've completed your journey and become an Anime Mom. You'll be dead within the year! Sara even manages to restore her robot-parents' memories, and Dr. Fields has a new lease on life as a little robot dog. Some real KC Green Fire Dog energy in that last picture. Jokes aside, while Eden isn't bad per se, it's definitely slight. The solid design work, animation, and excellent musical score make it a fine enough watch, but it also kinda feels like something you put on to keep a 6-year-old occupied while surfing Netflix . Like I said earlier, I feel bad about tearing into Eden because there's effort in here and I know for sure people will latch onto the cute emotions. But it definitely feels like it has higher ambitions and it just doesn't reach that point. A lot of the robotic fiction in here is hackneyed. Sara herself doesn't have much to go off of. Eden is pretty and I appreciate that it's more of a low-key series and not another attempt at making a Serialized Action Cartoon. But I sure am bummed that I don't love Eden more than I do. far worse experiences with CG Netflix sci-fi, so I'm certainly not going to go in on this show. Well... I've had far,worse experiences with CGsci-fi, so I'm certainly not going to go in on this show. Well... This has been a great season for robots and emotions. Eden tries its hardest, but you'd best turn to another show to see robots demonstrate how scarred souls shine like stars... | https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/this-week-in-anime/2021-06-03/.173511 |
Is the waterproof Kindle worth it? | If you like to read in the bath, a waterproof Kindle is definitely worth the extra money because you will damage any other Kindle if you drop it. There are definite advantages to owning a waterproof Kindle, especially if you often read in the bath or by the pool. If you want to buy a waterproof Kindle, youll need to learn which models are waterproof and how wet they can get without being damaged. The clear reason to buy a waterproof Kindle is to relax and read in the bath without worrying about what will happen to your Kindle if you drop it in. You can buy a Kindle case to protect your e-reader from drops and general wear and tear, but they arent waterproof. You also may be interested in a waterproof Kindle if you like to read in the pool or at the beach. If youre in the market for an e-reader, you might be wondering the difference between a Kindle and a Fire Tablet. A Kindle is a dedicated e-reader. It uses e-ink to give you a glare-free display that you can read in all lighting conditions, giving you an experience more similar to reading paper than using a computer screen. Originally released as the Kindle Fire, the Amazon Fire Tablet is the more recent edition, causing confusion between the two Fires. A Fire Tablet is a multipurpose tablet thats a bit like a small touch-screen computer or a large smartphone. While you can read Kindle books on the Fire, using the Kindle app, it doesnt give you the same book-like display as a Kindle. On the other hand, a Fire Tablet is more versatile, allowing you to use apps, play games and browse the web. Ultimately, a Kindle is what you want if you only want to read books on your device, while a Fire Tablet is excellent if you want a tablet that provides the option to read books in addition to other apps. Not all Amazon Kindles offer protection against water, so if you want an e-reader that can stand a soaking, youll need to know which Kindles are waterproof. There are currently two waterproof Kindle models: the Paperwhite and the Oasis. Kindle Paperwhite The Kindle Paperwhite Waterproof is the updated waterproof version of Paperwhite. Earlier versions of the Paperwhite werent waterproof. While older models are no longer available new, you may find some used or refurbished options out there, so make sure the model youre buying is the waterproof version. The Paperwhite costs roughly $130-$180 depending on the storage size and whether you choose the option with or without ads. Its rated IPX8 for waterproofing, which means it can survive in freshwater for 60 minutes at a depth of 6 feet or three minutes in seawater at a depth of roughly 10 inches. Kindle Oasis The Kindle Oasis is a higher-end alternative to Paperwhite. It has a sleeker aluminum body with physical buttons to turn pages, in addition to a touchscreen. It boasts higher processing power for smoother, faster page turns and a greater array of LEDs for more even lighting. These extra features make it more expensive than the Paperwhite, retailing for $250-$300. Like Paperwhite, it has an IPX8 waterproof rating, so it can survive for up to 60 minutes submerged in freshwater or up to three minutes submerged in saltwater. The basic Amazon Kindle is a more affordable option that doesnt feature waterproofing. It costs roughly $90-$110, so its up to you to decide whether or not its worth spending extra on waterproofing. Its not worth risking taking a standard Kindle in the bath or near a body of water, but it should withstand a few small splashes. Youll spend at least $40 extra on a waterproof Kindle compared to a non-waterproof model. However, youll spend up to $210 extra if you opt for the most expensive waterproof Kindle compared to the cheapest non-waterproof model. Unless you never intend to read in the bath, by the pool or at the beach, spending a little extra on a basic Kindle Paperwhite may be worthwhile. Whether or not its worth it for you to splash out on the most expensive Kindle Oasis depends on how far your budget will stretch and how often you use your e-reader. Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals. Lauren Corona writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money. Copyright 2021 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://www.wkbn.com/reviews/br/electronics-br/tablets-accessories-br/is-the-waterproof-kindle-worth-it/ |
How much carbon will peatlands lose as permafrost thaws? | Permafrost thaw in Alaska, above, results in ground subsidence and inundation that kills black spruce and other understory plants living on the permafrost plateau. Credit: USGS Just as your freezer keeps food from going bad, Arctic permafrost protects frozen organic material from decay. As the climate warms, however, previously frozen landscapes such as peatlands are beginning to thaw. In a new study, Treat et al. use a process-based model to explore how different factors may affect the carbon balance in peatlands by the end of this century. The scientists simulated more than 8,000 years of peatland history to ensure accuracy, and they examined six peatland sites in Canada to cover a gradient from spottier southern permafrost zones to continuous permafrost sites north of the Arctic tree line. Their results reveal great variation, depending on each site's history. According to the simulations, some areas will release carbon as permafrost thaws or disappears altogether. Others will accumulate and store carbon at greater rates as vegetation responds to warmer temperatures and longer growing seasons. Overall, little carbonless than 5%will escape by 2100 compared with how much will remain stored. Before peat is preserved stably in permafrost, it spends time in an "active layer," which freezes and thaws seasonally. Unfrozen peat continues to decay, so by the time it is permanently frozen, peat might be highly degraded. When such frozen peat ultimately thaws, limited further decomposition is possible, so the carbon loss is much slower than might be expected. Therefore, most of the carbon that peat will release escapes before it ever enters the permafrost. Accordingly, in simulations of future years, the upper active layer, not deeper or newly thawed peat, continued to release the most carbon. Previous field studies showed a range of carbon balance outcomes as permafrost thaws, from the release of large amounts of carbon to the storage of additional carbon. This simulation helps explain that variation, linking carbon balance results to specific variables such as site history and active layer depth. Future models could continue to refine the picture by incorporating new variables, such as ice melt and vegetation productivity. Explore further Arctic rivers provide fingerprint of carbon release from thawing permafrost More information: Claire C. Treat et al, Predicted Vulnerability of Carbon in Permafrost Peatlands With Future Climate Change and Permafrost Thaw in Western Canada, Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences (2021). Claire C. Treat et al, Predicted Vulnerability of Carbon in Permafrost Peatlands With Future Climate Change and Permafrost Thaw in Western Canada,(2021). DOI: 10.1029/2020JG005872 This story is republished courtesy of Eos, hosted by the American Geophysical Union. Read the original story here. | https://phys.org/news/2021-06-carbon-peatlands-permafrost.html |
Is Teslas Elon Musk a master manipulator of markets? | In older days, people heard tales about how a man's words could not only reach millions but might also be enough to make people lose or win money. The old tale has come true, at least in Elon Musks case. Once bitten, not shy In August 2018, Elon Musk had used his Twitter account to claim that he had "funding secured" to take his company Tesla private at a price of $420 per share. While the information was manipulated and not completely true, the effect of his statement was very true. Tech mogul Elon Musk believes so Musk was challenged by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and was charged with securities fraud the next month. While the two sides reached to a quick settlement, Musk had to step down from his position of Chairman of Tesla. He was also asked to get all his public communications (mainly, Twitter) checked and approved by his team of lawyers. In addition to this, the tech billonaire was fined $40 million. Highly vulnerable However, that has not stopped Musk from tweeting dangerous things. In the early months of 2019, Musk tweeted an estimate of how many cars Tesla would be able to produce in that financial year. Since the number was higher than the goal stated in companys official guidance, the tweet was not appreciated by the SEC, especially after the board realised the tweet in question was not approved by his lawyers. Also read | Bitcoin tumble slows with help from Elon Musk Later, famous for his odd-timed tweets, Musk on the evening of July 29 replied to Ryan McCaffrey about solar roofs. You were working on a new version (V3?) of that, right?" Musk, within minutes, replied, "Spooling up production line rapidly. Hoping to manufacture ~1000 solar roofs/week by end of this year". Spooling up production line rapidly. Hoping to manufacture ~1000 solar roofs/week by end of this year. Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 30, 2019 After this tweet, the SEC warned Tesla that Musks tweets about solar power and Tesla car production were another breach of the settlement, to which Tesla lawyers argued that it was nothing but "wholly aspirational". Also read | Elon Musk's Tesla halts bitcoin purchases amid concerns of increasing carbon emissions While the two sides agreed on stricter vetting for Musks tweets, the space junkie did not steer clear of trouble. While the world fought with the pandemic, in May 2020, the entrepreneur tweeted, "Tesla's stock price is too high imo." His tweet resulted in a drop of 10 per cent in the share prices that night and the SEC warned Musk and Tesla that the tweet reflected the company's financial condition. Not a big fan of the agency, Musk dismissed the claims by saying the tweet was simply a "personal opinion", and not a factual claim. Master of coin There was less harm when Elon Musk was limited to his own company's shares. However, recently, the SpaceX founder has started tweeting about cryptocurrencies, especially since Tesla invested in the same. If youd like to help develop Doge, please submit ideas on GitHub & https://t.co/liAPQMFaQB @dogecoin_devs Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 24, 2021 His tweets on crypto and digital currencies, and, recently, dogecoin, have sent their prices up and down within seconds. The interesting part of him dwelling in cryptocurrencies is that these commodities are not controlled by the SEC, thus giving Musk the freedom to tweet without getting into much trouble. Recently, when China signalled a new crackdown on cryptocurrency, the prices were set for a devastating fall. However, one tweet from Musk cushioned the loss. The virtual currency had fallen to nearly $30,000 but quickly climbed back to $39,500 after Musk's tweet: 'Baby Shark crushes all!' It is not just solar panels or cryptocurrencies, Musk has also diverted his attention towards childrens entertainment media. He recently replied to South Parks tweet of meme stars by saying, "Baby Shark crushes all! More views than humans." Baby Shark crushes all! More views than humans. https://t.co/48Ol3ZzhjP Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 1, 2021 His one tweet about the 'Baby Shark' dance video resulted in an increase in the shares of Samsung Publishing in the Asian trading by nearly six per cent. Tech-y advice Elon Musk has also indulged in advising the masses on which messaging app is a better choice, purely out of personal opinion. In the early months of 2021, Musk asked people to switch to a messaging app called Signal over WhatsApp and Facebook due to a change in the latter's policy which has raised privacy concerns. Shortly after the announcement, the demand for the app shot up and more than 100,000 users installed Signal across the app stores of Apple and Google within two days. Conquering new markets After successfully launching his automobile and space companies, Elon Musk is hoping to soon launch a drive-in food chain across the US, in the locations of Supercharger. Local reports stated that an application has been submitted to the United States Patent and Trademark Office, which will cover the areas of "Restaurant services, pop-up restaurant services, self-service restaurant services, take-out restaurant services". However, the reports have not yet been verified by the company or the serial tweeter, Elon Musk, yet. | https://www.wionews.com/technology/is-teslas-elon-musk-a-master-manipulator-of-markets-389229 |
Which Hollywood mega star is hunting for a Gold Coast pad? | A HOLLYWOOD mega star is on the hunt for somewhere to stay on the Gold Coast while she films a blockbuster movie in the state over the Christmas period. Prestige real estate agent Alex Fleri, of Amir Mian Prestige, has been contacted by the state government and Gold Coast City Council to find a mansion fit for a movie star for three months from December to February. MORE PROPERTY GOSS: House where David Bowie wrote hit song for sale Karl Stefanovics new Sydney pad revealed Yatala Pie Shop owners sell Highgate Hill house for record Mr Fleri would not reveal who the Hollywood star was, except to say it was a female and she was a super duper A-Lister. Amir Mian Prestige has a number of options that are being considered, including the mansion of all mansions on Sovereign Islands 26-34 Knightsbridge Parade East. The six-bedroom, seven-bathroom house on a whopping 3477 sqm of waterfront land recently passed in at auction for $32 million and is estimated to cost around $15,000 a week to rent out. The Gold Coast has lured several major productions since mid-2020 when Covid threw Hollywood into a spin; projects the state government says have created more than 3000 jobs and injected $260 million into the economy. Stars being lured to the Coast include Oscar-winning director Ron Howard, George Clooney, Julia Roberts and Byron Bay local Chris Hemsworth. Mr Fleri, who is a Hollywood stuntman turned Gold Coast real estate agent, and his wife, Victoria, have become the go-to property contacts for international film stars in Queensland. They are also looking for a place to buy for Jean-Claude Van Damme, who is looking to do a movie here in Australia. The Muscles from Brussels, who has starred in more than 40 films including Kickboxer, Timecop and Universal Soldier, is on the hunt for a plot of land something scenic and a beachfront townhouse. | https://www.realestate.com.au/news/which-hollywood-mega-star-is-hunting-for-a-gold-coast-pad/ |
Who are the next sprint superstars after Usain Bolt at the Olympics? | It was just like any other day at the Olympics where people had come to witness some of their favourite athletes, but little they knew that two world records would be broken on the same day. On 20 August 2008, Usain bolt became the Olympic champion by winning 100m, 200m and creating a world record in both races. It all started in Athens Summer Olympics 2004, but a leg injury knocked him out in the first round of 200m. However, he won two gold medals in Beijing, three gold medals at the London and Rio Olympics, respectively. He had won 8 Gold medals in total across four Olympics, with the 2016 Rio Olympics being his last. Now, with him being not around anymore, the medals in 100m and 200m are for grabs at Tokyo Olympics 2020. Here are 5 prospects who could take up the mantle from the 'Jamaican King': NOAH LYLES (USA; Age - 23) Noah Lyles is an American professional track and field athlete specialising in 100m as well as 200m. The 23-year-old American is the current 200m world champion. He has won both the sprint races at Diamond League with a personal best of 9.86 in 100 M. Many experts acknowledge him as the front-runner for both the gold medals at Tokyo Olympics 2020. Flashback Noah Lyles, , places tape in his lane, on the track , prior to the start of the 4x100 m relay final at the 2019 World Athletics Championships in Doha. . . . . #noahlyles #usatf #worldchampion #4x100mrelay #jeffcohenphoto... https://t.co/H68Zdrrjaf TrackandField Image (@TrackFieldImage) May 27, 2021 ANDRE DE GRASSE (Canada; Age - 26) Andre De Grasse is a Canadian Sprinter. He came second to Usain Bolt at the Rio Olympics 2016 by grabbing silver in 200m and winning a bronze medal in both 100m and 4 x 100m relay. However, with a personal best of 9.90, he can surely add gold to his collection at Tokyo Olympics 2020. DIVINE ODUDORO (Nigeria; Age - 24) Divine Odudoro is a Nigerian sprinter specialising in both 100m and 200m with a personal best of 9.86 in 100m and 19.76 in 200m which is also a Nigerian national record. Moreover, if he betters his personal best, we could see him do well. AKANI SIMBINE (South Africa; Age - 27) Akani Simbine is a South African sprinter specialising in 100m with a personal best of 9.89. The 27-year-old sprinter finished fifth at the last Olympics and also had a fourth spot finish at the 2019 world championship. If you missed South Africa's 4x100 team win at the #WorldRelays, here it is. Crazy fast last 100 by @AkaniSimbine Let's go #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/jyNp1GrNg9 Nqobile Ndlovu (@CashNSport) May 2, 2021 ZHARNEL HUGHES (Great Britain; Age - 25) Zharnel Hughes is a British sprinter who specialises in 100m and 200m. However, his best came when winning gold in both 100m and 4 x 100m relay at the 2018 European Championships, representing Great Britain. With a personal best of 9.91, he has a great chance of creating impact as the experts feel he could possibly do a 9.7 in the future. | https://thebridge.in/athletics/usain-bolt-sprint-superstars-tokyo-olympics-21861 |
Why is Wall Street becoming less interested in Grayscales Bitcoin trust? | There is a reason why Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) emerged as a benchmark to measure institutional interest in Bitcoin (BTC). Grayscale no longer the only option for investors The digital currency investment product was among the only ones that offered hedge funds, endowments, pension funds, and family offices a way to gain exposure to Bitcoin without needing them to own the digital asset themselves. Therefore, a rising capital inflow into GBTC such as the one reported last year, wherein Wall Street investors deposited about $18.2 billion in the fund served as a metric to gauge growing institutional interest in the crypto sector. Conversely, a declining capital inflow reflected institutional withdrawal or profit-taking, like the one happening since the first quarter of 2021. On-chain analytics service Skew reported Thursday that GBTC stopped attracting fresh investments after February 2021. The capital inflows paused right when GBTC started trading at a negative premium to its net asset value, or NAV. NAV represents the underlying market value of the holdings. Money stops flowing into Grayscale Bitcoin Trust as its premium flips negative. Source: Skew The GBTC premium was upward of 30% at the beginning of this year. But the latest Skew chart pinpoints it at -11.40%. GBTC's premium to its NAV was min40.20% at its sessional low, its worst level in history. Meanwhile, GBTC premium logged mild recoveries in early April after Grayscale announced its intentions to convert its trust structure to an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The New York firm's decision came in the wake of growing competition from then-newly launched ETFs in Canada, primarily as they offered better expense ratios than Grayscale's. For instance, Purpose, the world's first physically settled Bitcoin ETF, surfaced with an expense ratio of 1%. Evolve and CI Galaxy, other Canadian Bitcoin ETFs, offered 0.75% and 0.40%, respectively. Meanwhile, Grayscale's expense ratio was a heightened 2%. Business rivalries with Canadian Bitcoin ETFs might have also choked capital inflows into GBTC. Purpose, for instance, raked in $1 billion capital a month after its launch in February, reflecting that demand for Bitcoin investment products remained higher despite a plunge in GBTC's inflows. Musk rattled Wall Street Bitcoin investors The period also saw Bitcoin's spot rate riding higher on the Elon Musk factor. Following Tesla's revelation that it was holding $1.5 billion worth of BTC in its balance sheets, the cost to purchase one Bitcoin rose from as low as $38,057 on Feb. 8 to as high as $64,899 on April 14, with speculators believing that more corporates would replace a portion of their cash holdings with the flagship cryptocurrency. But GBTC premium stayed negative during the course of Bitcoin's February-April price rally. Its minus 40.20% bottom appeared when BTC/USD started shedding its gains owing to profit-taking, China's crypto ban, and Tesla's Bitcoin dump rumors. Bitcoin correction sentiment accelerated after Musk criticized the cryptocurrency for its carbon footprints. Source: BTCUSD on TradingView Daniel Martins, the founder of independent research firm DM Martins Research, highlighted the decline as a sign of waning Wall Street interest in Bitcoin-related investments, especially after the cryptocurrency became a clear victim of Musk's anti-Bitcoin tweets mid-May, losing more than half its valuation at one point later. Martins further noted that Grayscale reported 500% higher annualized returns than Nasdaq, but its correction was also worse than the 2008's Great Recession 82% vs. Nasdaq's 17%. That made Grayscale's bitcoin investment product an "ultra-leveraged bet," accompanied by an inferior risk-adjusted performance. The analyst added: "GBTC's volatility has been nearly nine times as high as the Nasdaq's: 145% vs. 17%." Martins' statements highlighted possibilities that GBTC premium could face further downside moves as investors hunt for more stable alternatives against Bitcoin's ongoing price correction. Moreover, its rivalry from other digital currency investment alternatives, including cryptocurrency custodian services that offer institutional investors to own real crypto assets at a cheaper fee, further risks limited capital inflow. ETF.com's analyst Sumit Roy wrote that the Grayscale fund's potential transition into an ETF ends its 2%-fee days as it would need to compete with an army of other ETFs, led by firms like Bitwise, Vanguard, Fidelity, Cboe, and others. He added: "Yet regardless of what happens, GBTC is poised to be a force, and will likely stick around no matter how the crypto fund space evolves." But whether the US markets would have access to a Bitcoin ETF in 2021 remains a mystery itself. Financial Times reported earlier this week that most ETF applications gather dust as the US Securities and Exchange Commission's chair Gary Gensler reiterated worries about investor protection in crypto markets. | https://www.fxstreet.com/cryptocurrencies/news/why-is-wall-street-becoming-less-interested-in-grayscales-bitcoin-trust-202106031322 |
Why do we still have children on reality TV? | From Here Comes Honey Boo Boo and Dance Mums to Keeping up with the Kardashians and the kids of Real Housewives, it can be difficult to understand why a parent would want to broadcast their childs development for all the world to see even if theyre able to pay for their future further down the road. There is something that feels incredibly unethical about having young people on screen for our enjoyment, at an age where theyre not fully aware of the consequences of their decisions. From Lindsay Lohan to Michael Jackson, child stars have time and time again struggled to handle early fame, and who can blame them. Now the limelight has turned to young influencers and reality stars who have to deal with cameras in their own home. Charli, for example, has faced backlash since she was thrown into the limelight at the tender age of 15. The internet has been filled with people ridiculing her decisions, body shaming her and questioning her relationships. The influencer has previously gone live on TikTok in a flood of tears after harsh comments have been made about her. Its easy to understand the pressure she must feel, especially when you realise she has 116.5million followers on TikTok alone. Now her parents want to add reality TV cameras in the mix to follow her every move. Kylie and Kendall have been on their familys reality show since they were kids (Picture: E!) It should go without saying that throwing young people into the limelight can be detrimental to their emotional and intellectual growth. It takes just one quick look at previous teenagers and children who have been on reality TV to see where it can all go wrong. Kelly Osbourne, who featured on The Osbournes from 2002 to 2005, previously revealed the impact that the show had on her mental health. Kelly signed up to the MTV show aged 15 alongside her mother and X Factor judge Sharon, rock legend dad Ozzy and brother Jack. This is often considered to be one of the first celebrity reality TV shows, even pre-dating the longstanding Keeping Up With The Kardashians. The 36-year-old has said the show had her on a dark path. The Osbournes starred in their own show between 2002 and 2005 (Picture: Getty Images) She isnt the first person to express regret over their time on a reality show while they were young. Kylie Jenner has spoken out about the fact that shes embarrassed over scenes that were aired during the early days of Keeping Up With The Kardashians. One scene in particular that shes unhappy with is when she danced on a stripper pole when she was nine. Kylie has said she wishes it never happened. Shows like Dance Moms, where the young girls are regularly yelled at and caught in the crossfire of their mothers, is a tough watch. The pressure these young kids are under is heartbreaking, and each episode often results in at least one child in a flood of tears. Dance coach Abby Lee Miller has often displayed abusive behaviour, such as one incident where she threw a chair in the direction of team member Paige Hyland during an argument with her mother Kelly, causing Paige to run out of the room in fear. This is hardly a stable environment for children to be put in. Here comes Honey Boo Boo aired from 2012 2017 (Picture: Getty Images for Extra) The reality show Here Comes Honey Boo Boo served us the sassy and loveable Alana Honey Boo Boo Thompson, a veteran child beauty pageant contestant. Before the show was cancelled, it was being questioned by the media and viewers for its sometimes exploitative nature. Honey Boo Boo was regularly filmed drinking canned energy drinks provided to her by her mother June Shannon Mama June before pageants. Pageants that, when she didnt win, left her visibly upset. Since the show ended, people have looked at it with a new lens, with the public showing concern for how Honey Boo Boo was treated and questioning the moral compass of producers. Dance Moms has featured a lot of questionable scenes (Picture: Getty Images) Children being used as ratings fodder on reality TV is unethical. Apart from lining the pockets of parents and producers, nothing good can come out of it for the children involved. This rings especially true during this age of social media, where nothing ever goes away and bullying runs rampant. We need to allow children to be just that, children. It is vital that they grow up in stable and healthy environments, without the added pressure of having to provide, perform or entertain. Childhood and adolescence is already hard enough without the added stressors of fame. If youve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page wed love to hear from you. For more stories like this, check our entertainment page. Follow Metro.co.uk Entertainment on Twitter and Facebook for the latest celeb and entertainment updates. You can now also get Metro.co.uk articles sent straight to your device. Sign up for our daily push alerts here. MORE : Bella Thorne and family could lead next big reality show after Keeping Up With The Kardashians MORE : Kris Jenner confirms new Kardashians reality show on Hulu: This is the next chapter | https://metro.co.uk/2021/06/03/why-do-we-still-have-children-on-reality-tv-14702930/ |
Could Greater Idaho happen? | The 'Greater Idaho' movement is pushing for at least 18 counties to leave their home state and join Idaho. SALEM, Ore. Seven rural counties in Oregon want to secede from their own state and join Idaho. Keaton Ems grew up on a farm in rural Oregon. He, along with 33% of the state's population, lives on more than 80% of the state's land, according to a study by Oregon State University. Over the years, he claims the state's progressive government has left republicans out of decisions that impact them. "They call us MAGA Land, they call us, 'make Idaho worser' people," spokesperson for Citizens for Greater Idaho Ems said. "If they don't want us, they don't want to listen to us, they don't have to have us." The political divide is the root of the many reasons why seven rural counties want to leave. The counties that voted for the proposal are Baker, Grant, Jefferson, Lake, Malheur, Sherman and Union. The Citizens of Greater Idaho and the Move Oregon's Borders organization are proposing redrawing of state lines. Ems said Idaho aligns with his group's beliefs and practices more than the democrat-lead Oregon. "We don't have much in common with Portland," he said. "Unfortunately, their sheer numbers dominate the political scene and it just doesn't do well for the rest of us." Issues of concern range from struggling with green energy laws due to lack of technology for farmers, intense building permits and the amount the state is involved in citizens' lives. Another reason Ems' cites is is because of feeling excluded. "They call us racist or white supremacist," he said. "I'll always judge people on their character and not on the color of their skin." Their brochures include other reasons such as Oregon having "driver's licenses for illegals," "men in girls' sports leagues" and "no arsonists or rioters set free." Most left-leaning policies are off the table for the organization. Democrats have controlled the office of the governor, the state House and the state Senate for the past 13 years. "I believe in a representative government, and going through the democratic channels of our Republic is a beautiful thing that we have in this country," he added. "Unfortunately, the bad sides of democracy where 51% can take away the rights of 49, that mob rule." Oregon voted for President Joe Biden 56.4% in the 2020 general election; while 40.4% voted for incumbent Donald Trump. Ballot measures such as campaign finance limits, cigarette taxes, psilocybin ("magic mushrooms") legalization and drug decriminalization all passed with at least 10% but up to nearly 60% more of the vote. "Our input isn't taken into account by people who live in a concrete jungle," he said. "It's just frustrating, we don't need to listen to four people screaming for every one of us." Oregon GOP senators are frustrated, too. Oregon's lawmakers have been walking off the job a multitude of times over the past two years to oppose legislation pushed by Democrats, as reported by KGW, KREM 2's sister station in Portland. "It's a completely different economy, demographics, culture; it's just a different speed of life than Portland," he added. "This whole movement of moving to Idaho [is because they have] a government geared towards, and more accustomed to, rural citizen needs." If Ems' effort sounds familiar, its because there's a similar effort to create a 51st state named, 'Liberty State' by splitting eastern Washington from it's western half. Two Representatives to the State legislature out of Spokane Valley introduced a bill in mid-Jan. to create the 51st state. Liberty State's western border would be along the "crest of the Cascade mountains and the western eight borders of Okanogan, Chelan, Kittitas, Yakima, and Klickitat counties," according to the bill. The eastern, northern and southern borders would remain the same. The Liberty movement has faced criticism because of its ties to former State Representative Matt Shea, who has been linked to groups training young men for biblical warfare and the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge Armed Takeover in Oregon. Shea attempted to pass the bill in the State House for several years during his time as a representative. However, the bill has never received widespread support and is unlikely to pass in the Senate. Creating a new state is extremely difficult and hasn't been done in 150 years. There's no way to track how many thousands of Oregonians are in the movement, because their Facebook pages and groups were banned. He said they was banned due to an attack on "conservative thoughts." Facebook claims it was "insurrectionist," and took it down on January 6th, he added. When asked by KREM 2's Morgan Trau if anyone in his group stormed the Capital in the Jan. 6 attack, he scoffed. I don't know anybody who "stormed" the capital," he replied. "I saw people being led into the capital. Perhaps." Dozens of suspected insurrectionists are using the defense that law enforcement officers let them in to the Capitol, so they didn't think there was anything wrong, according to an investigation released in late Feb. by ABC News. Some are Law experts told ABC that even if that happened, claiming ignorance is not an excuse for criminal behavior. They have a new Facebook page, but make sure to tell their website viewers to add them on additional sites, like right-wing social media app Parlor. Parlor was banned from Apple's iOS App store and Google Play Store, for ties to the deadly Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. The app is now back up, according to KREM 2's sister station WUSA 9 in Washington D.C. "There's hope for a different set of representation," Ems said. "I feel like there is an opportunity to change from the supermajority. I think we're going to be able to shake things up a bit and find better representation, one way or another." Changing Idaho and Oregon's borders would require approval from both states' legislatures and the U.S. Congress. Translation, it's extremely unlikely to happen. Ems believes his effort deserves a shot since he's not technically trying to create a new state. "I think that's a fair compromise," he added. "The people in Portland don't want us. It's a peaceful divorce and these state lines are arbitrary anyway." In their proposal, Greater Idaho suggests Idaho accepts Baker, Coos, Crook, Curry, Douglas, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, Lake, Malheur, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa and Wheeler counties. Plus a portion of Wasco County that is east of the Deschutes River, the City of Maupin, all of Jefferson County except Deschutes National Forest and Warm Springs Indian Reservation, Terrebonne, Redmond, Alfalfa, southeastern Deschutes County, Three Rivers and La Pine. They don't stop there. In California, they proposed counties of Siskiyou, Shasta, Tehama, Modoc and Lassen counties. Also, tiny portions of northern Butte, most of northern Plumas County, all of Plumas County and "maybe" northwestern Sierra County. But wait, there's more. In Washington, they propose Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties. Also, Waitsburg and Uniontown. Already, Oregon's Douglas and Wallowa counties voted against the movement. KREM2 reached out to Oregon Gov. Kate Brown but have not heard back. In a statement Gov. Little said Theres a lot that needs to happen before moving the border is within the realm of possibility. Read his full statement: | https://www.krem.com/article/news/politics/oregon-counties-secede-to-idaho/293-a3e04365-5694-4f5c-b40a-7484072ce96a |
Is Albertas UCP government trying to open a new front in the old Cold War? | Alberta Premier Jason Kenney provides an update on the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in Alberta, February 19, 2021. Photo courtesy Alberta Newsroom/Flickr. Last month, a deeply concerned Alberta Advanced Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides instructed the provinces four comprehensive academic research universities to pause any new or renewed research partnerships with the Peoples Republic of China. Nicolaides worries that such research partnerships may be used by Chinese military and intelligence agencies, presumably to the detriment of Albertas strategic international position. Research originating in Albertas taxpayer-funded postsecondary institutions, the minister continued, could be used to undermine Canada and her democratic allies and to facilitate the Peoples Republic of Chinas human-rights abuses at home against its citizens. Never mind the jarring asynchronicity of a smallish province within a mid-sized national federation attempting to leap-frog over normal state-to-state international relations and unilaterally engage directly with one of the worlds superpowers. Never mind, too, the Alberta governments lack of similar concerns about whether Chinese state investments in the oil patch might also be used to undermine Canada and her democratic allies and to facilitate human rights abuses. If nothing else, the ministers directive betrays a fundamental misunderstanding of post-secondary institutions basic functions (to teach, to engage in unfettered research, and to freely disseminate its results) or their internal governance structures. For one thing, university researchers are supposed to be free from state or political interference, not collaborators to the UCPs seeming desire to bring back the Cold War. For another, universities already have rigorous internal and external collegial oversight to detect conflicts of interest, assess the academic soundness of research proposals, and ensure academic research meets the highest ethical and professional standards. If there is any threat to universities abilities to carry out these functions, it is a government that has hobbled Albertas post-secondary sector by massive funding cuts hampering the provinces four research institutions ability to deliver core teaching and engage fully in world-class research. University administrators and research professors, of course, continue as best they can to facilitate and carry out their teaching and knowledge production and dissemination duties. Thats their job, and they have the qualifications and tools and experience to do it. What they dont have are the qualifications and tools and experience to effectively root out, investigate, and stymie communists engaged in international espionage. Thats what super-secret spies do. More to the point, and in the real world, thats what Canadas security agencies do. In the short-term, Mr. Demetrios needs to step aside and let the professionals, both those associated with Albertas research institutions and Canadas security agencies, do their jobs. In the longer term, the minister of advanced education might want to up his spycraft game. Some friendly advice: if you believe that foreign nations are engaged in espionage and youre trying to root them out, maybe dont issue a press release explaining exactly what you plan to do. Then again, perhaps rooting out spies isnt the main goal. The premier might well be eyeing an eventual return to Ottawa, and if he can confidently report to Canadians that he took a hard line against communism while he was in Alberta, it might boost his capitalist credentials nationally (although judging by his governments actual performance in Alberta, he makes for a pretty lousy capitalist as well). Whatever the case, seeking out secret Cold War era communist espionage rings seems on point for Jason Kenneys United Conservatives, a party that appears most comfortable in the 1950s when suspicious-looking strangers wearing fedoras walked around talking into their cuff links, and when bowties might really be cameras. And the province has already made a good start in that direction. Its House UnAlberta Activities Committee (aka the Allen Inquiry) is busy blowing deadlines and investigating imaginary global conspiracies meant to land-lock Alberta oil. Its so-called war room, which may or may not be run by Brigadier General Jack D. Ripper from Dr. Strangelove, beavers away at countering falsehoods about Albertas oil industry cooked up by childrens cartoons. And its K-6 curriculum draft promises to take Albertas students back to an imagined past when men were men and Reds were under every bed. Eric Strikwerda teaches Canadian history at Athabasca University. He is the author of The Wages of Relief: Cities and the Unemployed in Prairie Canada, 1929-1939 (AU Press, 2013). At present he is working on a history of western Canada following Canadas acquisition of the region in 1870. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. | https://canadiandimension.com/articles/view/is-albertas-ucp-government-trying-to-open-a-new-front-in-the-old-cold-war |
Can we take the high out of psychedelics? | David Olson is taking the high out of psychedelics. A chemical biologist at the University of California, Davis, Olson wants to tweak psychedelic drugs so they no longer produce a trip. To find out whether its possible to remove the hallucinogenic components of drugs while leaving behind the bits that could potentially treat mental illnesses. Olson first became interested in psychedelics when he was a researcher at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the early 2010s. At the time there was a lot of buzz around ketamines potential as a fast-acting antidepressant. Since then, studies involving nearly 200 people have found that a low dose of ketamine can quickly alleviate the symptoms of depression. In March 2019, the FDA approved a variant of ketamine for treatment-resistant depression, the first new way of medicating depression in decades. Depression changes the structure of our brains. A neuron has branches like a tree, called dendrites, which reach out and connect with neighbouring neurons. Depression causes neurons in this brain region to atrophy, and their branches to wither and shrivel up, and connections between neurons detach. Ketamine is thought to encourage these shrunken neurons to regrow, and realign the circuits that have become disjointed, which could explain its antidepressant effects. But using ketamine to treat depression has major drawbacks. For one, the drugs potential for abuse. In 2015, Olson started a lab at UC Davis to figure out a way around this problem. He turned to psychedelics such as LSD, DMT and psilocybin, which are not considered to be addictive. Olson wanted to find out whether these drugs had the same effect on the brain as ketamine. In 2018, his lab published a study in rats and mice showing that these psychedelics also promoted the brains capacity to remould itself, a phenomenon known as neuroplasticity. Olsons group coined the term psychoplastogen to describe this class of compounds. The idea is that if you can regrow those atrophied neurons, re-establish the synaptic connectivity in the prefrontal cortex, you can kind of exert this top-down control on a lot of behaviours, and improve mood, Olson says. He and his team thought they had found a whole new way of treating depression, but soon they realised the biggest limitation with using these drugs: the high. Psychedelics have major drawbacks. The hallucinogenic experience, gone wrong, can be traumatising, scarring. Theres also the portion of the population for whom these drugs may not be advisable, because of pre-existing psychiatric conditions or a family history of psychotic illnesses, like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. If it turns out that psychedelic drugs are the best weapon in our arsenal to treat mental illness, then these people could be left behind. Then there are the messy logistics of treating people with psychedelics. COMPASS Pathways, a mental health company in the UK, is running trials testing out psychedelic-assisted therapy. Patients involved in the trails first have to visit the clinic to be prepared for the experience. After receiving the drug they have to stay at the clinic for eight hours while being closely monitored. Then they must return to the clinic afterwards to talk through the experience with a therapist. The lengthy process means the cost of one therapy cycle would be unfeasible for many, and requires a lot of specially-trained providers with special settings. Synthesis, a company that offers psychedelic wellness retreats in the Netherlands, provides its programme for prices up to $9,000 (6,350). For these reasons, Olson doesnt think that traditional psychedelics will be scalable. Take the high out of psychedelics, and the whole process could become a lot more simple. Olson doesn't think that getting high is the reason why psychedelics can treat conditions like depression, anxiety or PTSD. Take ketamine, for instance. There have been three studies where patients under anaesthesia were administered ketamine, a drug that falls into Olsons class of psychoplastogens. The patients woke up with no recollection of the dissociative experience but still reported feeling less depressed. Meanwhile, there is research hinting that non-hallucinogenic psychedelic drugs such as MDMA can be powerful therapeutics. Taking MDMA does not illicit the trip associated with some drugs, but new research suggests it may be an effective treatment for people with PTSD. Olson says you could view MDMA as a proof-of-concept that their theory that the hallucinogenic experience of psychedelics might not be necessary may indeed be right. | https://www.wired.co.uk/article/psychedelics-without-the-high |
Would the Geely Emgrand be a nice addition to the local subcompact-sedan segment? | When the Geely Coolray first landed on our shores back in 2019, it was a very pleasant surprise. Here was a car brand that not many locals had heard of making noise off the back of a worthwhile new producta small, relatively sporty crossover with a feature-packed interior and an attainable price tag. Since then, Geely Philippines has launched two more models and made a name for itself as a viable alternative to the usual Japanese behemoths. Its a success story if weve ever heard one. PHOTO BY Geely Continue reading below Given the brand has at least found its footing in the local market, perhaps its time Geely went after some bigger fish. If management feels its ready, the upcoming Emgrand might be a worthwhile competitor in the subcompact-sedan segment. Continue reading below Recommended Videos The Chinese manufacturer has just revealed the fourth-generation Emgrand overseas featuring the same B-segment Modular Architecture (BMA) used by the Coolray subcompact crossover. Not much else has been made known about the vehicle other than its involvement in the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, but we do get a relatively good look at it courtesy of some new images. PHOTO BY Geely Continue reading below Style-wise, its easy to see how the Emgrand can compete with something like the Honda City or Toyota Vios. The sedan gives off a pretty classy vibe relative to its size, thanks to a premium-looking face that features some nice chrome trim and an attractive grille design. The rear, meanwhile, flaunts a unified taillight design, and its lines are just bold enough to lend it a serious demeanor that should appeal to most car buyers. PHOTO BY Geely Continue reading below We get a quick glance at the interior here, too. From what were seeing, it appears this vehicle will get a decent amount of soft-touch materials and a stealthy, minimalist cabin design. Also, an all-digital instrument cluster can be seen. So far, we like what were seeing. Expect more to be revealed later in the year as the sedan is set to make a 10-city tour across China this September to help promote the 2022 Asian Games. PHOTO BY Geely Continue reading below See Also Top Gear Philippines is now on Quento! Click here to download the app and enjoy more articles and videos from Top Gear Philippines and your favorite websites. | https://www.topgear.com.ph/news/car-news/2021-geely-emgrand-photos-design-interior-a962-20210603 |
How have other leading athletes addressed their struggles with mental health? | Weve all heard about the diets and fitness regimens that keep athletes in fighting shape; from Novak Djokovics ascetic eating habits to LeBron Jamess lengthy daily workout routine. Declining to do the traditional post-match press at this years French Open, Naomi Osaka has shined a light on that issue, citing her struggles with mental health as she withdrew from the tournament on Monday. (Lets set aside, for a moment, the debate that she has also fueled around the role and responsibilities of athletes vis--vis the press.) The nonprofit Athletes for Hope has estimated that 35 per cent of professional athletes experience problems with their mental health, facing everything from eating disorders and burnout to depression and anxietybut theyre not often discussed on the worlds largest stages, especially not by players at the top of their careers. (Osaka is currently ranked second in the world by the Womens Tennis Association, with a net worth of some $25 million.) Over the last 30 years, its been rather more common for athletes to describe their mood disorders or bouts of mental illness after their retirement, when certain public and professional pressures had eased. The former NHL goaltender Clint Malarchuk is one example: In 2019, he described the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that followed a horrific game-time injury in 1989. Id sit straight up in a chair so I wouldnt go into a deep sleep, he told the CBC of the ensuing months, so I wouldnt visualise in a dream the flashback of that skate coming up and cutting my jugular vein. Long after leaving the NHL in 1996, he still wrestled with anxiety and alcohol abuse, ultimately. He was only diagnosed with PTSD when he subsequently entered rehab. | https://www.vogue.in/whats-new/content/how-have-other-leading-athletes-addressed-their-struggles-with-mental-health-naomi-osaka |
What Happened to Tangi Miller from Felicity? | The love child of then-fledgling creators J.J. Abrams and Matt Reeves, Felicity forewent flashy twists and action sequences in favor of the quiet, painstaking horrors of unrequited love and all-night cram sessions. Over the course of four seasons, viewers were treated to low-stakes college drama full of cozy sweaters, indie music, and autumnal lighting. And as the titular heroine (Keri Russell) juggled classes and a perpetual love triangle with Ben (Scott Speedman) and Noel (Scott Foley), her brainy best friend Elena was there to provide constant reality checks and quippy comebacks. I literally went from being a student to being in Hollywood, Miller told VICE via Zoom from her home in Atlanta. When I got Felicity, it was just like, wow. To be thrown right into the middle of the mix where you're on a really hot show where the girl cuts her hair and everybody's talking about it. It was wonderful. I wouldn't change it. Tangi Miller played Elena throughout the show until (spoiler alert) she was unceremoniously killed in a near-final episode only to be bafflingly resurrected in the series finale. But more on that later. She left home to study business and marketing at Alabama State University, an HBCU in Montgomery. But by her junior year, it was clear acting, which she'd always done as a hobby, was her passion. It was an escape. Thats all it was at first, she said, and then I realized that I loved it. An apprenticeship with the Alabama Shakespeare Festival followed, and then she headed west to study acting in graduate school at the University of California, Irvine. My family was very, very strict. I wasnt allowed to watch television. My mother believed that you should be doing stuff that was Jesus-like, Miller said. Love Boat was like a sin. It was a little bit cuckoo. The oldest of six kids, Tangi Olivia Millerher mom loved Motown singer Tammi Terrell and thought Tangi was a nice nod to Tammiwas born and raised in a religious household in Miami where television was referred to as hell-evision. Those college experiences werent exactly what Felicity and the gang experienced at the fictional University of New York. There were elements of it, but we didn't have those big beautiful dorms, Miller said. [When I got to the Felicity set], I was like this dorm is just too extravagant. She wouldnt have this big room. Once on the show, Miller said, Abrams frequently invited her to have input into shaping her character and her storylines. J.J. was innovative. He was really searching for authenticity. And he listened, she said. I remember being like, My character wouldnt say that. Shes supposed to be smart. She cant just say stupid stuff unless shes joking. He wanted it to be honest. And though she thinks the character of Elena was originally written as Puerto Rican, they liked me, and I just auditioned and auditioned and auditioned until I won the part. She wowed the casting room with her brazen confidence as she cracked jokes and chatted with two assistants. It was only later that she learned those two people were not, in fact, assistants but the show creators: Abrams and Reeves. I did not know who they were. I would have been freaking out, she said. They looked really young. Armed with an agent out of grad school, Miller secured guest parts on Arli$$ and Michael Hayes before landing an audition for a supporting role on a new 1998 pilot for The WB called Felicity. Speedy was so crazy. He had to play basketball before we started shooting every day. He was very athletic. I thought he was nuts. But now in hindsight, Im like, he was really smart because he was getting his workout in first thing before we filmed 12 or 14 hour days, Miller said. Keri was so sweet. She was just a nice person, and shes kind of shy. Though a quintessentially New York series on screen, Felicity was filmed mostly on a studio lot in LA. Theyd only venture to New York for a few days or weeks each season to shoot exterior street shots and the caf scenes at Dean and Deluca. On either coast, Miller remembers the cast all getting along and everyone always being in a happy place. Delightfully, she refers to co-star Scott Speedman as Speedy. I feel like I did have to remind them that, hey, Im here. And this is what I would be feeling. This is what I would be doing. But it wasnt horrible, she said. It wasn't bad because I felt like J.J. and Matt and the team that we had were conscious, as you can see in how they developed the storylines. I heard horror stories from other [Black] folks [on other shows], you know, Im working on this show and I'm just there, as opposed to really being included. I felt like they worked really hard to include me. They were always checking in to see how I was doing and how I was getting along with everybody. I appreciated that. Still, as the only Black main cast member, Miller said she had to make an effort to have her voice heard. Im not telling, honey, she said. But sometimes I was like, Oh, my God, this is gonna crash and burn. I did not have any, but there were some cute little romances. Thats all youre getting out of me. As the show took off and earned Emmy, Golden Globe, and Teen Choice nominations, as well as an NAACP Image Award nod for Miller, the cast found themselves thrust into a new level of fame. And yes, there were plenty of on-set romances. Foley met his future wife , Jennifer Garner, on the show when she appeared in two episodes as Noel's girlfriend, and Russell and Speedman dated for a time. Beyond that, Millers lips are sealed. During season 1, Gina Prince-Bythewood worked as a consulting producer on the show until she left to direct Love & Basketball. And guest stars included Taraji P. Henson, Tyra Banks , Monica, and, as two of Elenas love interests, Donald Faison and Kenan Thompson. I thought [Faison] just adored me. He said I scared him. Im like, That was the character! It wasnt me. Miller said. Elena's supposed to be tough. And in the hair and makeup room, Miller's experience on Felicity was better than other sets shed worked on where she'd have to come to set ready to do her own glam because the stylists didnt know how to do Black hair or makeup. My makeup artist was amazing, and we actually had a Black hairstylist on our show. So I didnt have those problems on Felicity. But I have had those problems on other shows, where they didnt even have my [foundation] color, so they were putting body makeup on my face, and I would break out really bad, she said. It's so hard to get a job, the last thing that youre going to complain about is your hair and your makeup. You want to be easy. You want people to call you back. And thats why I think its taken so long, but thank God there are a lot more shows with diverse folks now. That ridiculous season 4 twist Each season of Felicity followed the cast through a different year of college, so ending the show after four years made logical sense. But while the sentimental season 4 episode called The Graduate seemed to wrap the series up with a tidy bow as Felicity got her diploma and ended up with Ben, an additional four episodes then aired that were absolutely and completely bonkers. | https://www.vice.com/en/article/88nx83/what-happened-to-tangi-miller-elena-from-felicity |
Is Alone's Colter Barnes Married? Who is Colter Barnes' Wife? Does He Have Kids? | History Channels Alone is a reality survival program like no other. Taking place in some of the most dangerous locations around the world, the show features ten hardcore survivalists who battle it out to see who can endure the wilderness for the longest and walk away with a massive cash prize. With limited gear and a camera kit, the contestants are left in isolation to face the predators, hunger, seclusion, and all the elements of the wilderness. Although born in Montana, Colter Barnes mainly grew up in Madras AKA The Basin in Jefferson County, Oregon, where he developed an interest in outdoor activities and adventures. From fishing at Lake Billy Chinook, Prineville Reservoir State Park, and Lake Simtustus to hunting elks and deer in the nearby country woods with his family, Colter did it all. The fact that he even played football, basketball, and baseball at Madras High School also helped his physical and mental development as an outdoor exploits enthusiast. However, it wasnt until Colter was 22 that he truly understood what living off of the land means. After all, thats when he relocated to the fly-in-only village of Kokhanok in Lake and Peninsula Borough, Alaska. There, owing to the help of local residents, Colter learned the art of minimal sustenance living and discovered the pure beauty of wilderness and bushcraft. A strong and positive bond with nature and a slow-paced life is all Colter has ever craved and enjoyed, which is his exact current position in Alaska. He currently resides in the Hobbit Hole on the Inian Islands. Colter Barnes Age and Profession Nicknamed Chewbacca because of his long and orange lumberjack beard, Colter Barnes was 36-years-old while filming for History Channels Alone. As for his job and career, with a Bachelors degree in Math from Montana State University and a Masters degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Alaska, Colter spent over ten years working in the education industry in rural Alaska. He taught both math and science for five years before serving as a school principal for another five. For more than 3 years, though, Colter has been dwelling on a remote island in Southeast Alaska, where hes a homesteader and instructor at the Inian Islands Institute. He owns and operates a relatively small 2-acre property in the village of Kokhanok along with a very remote 17-acre homestead on the south fork of the Kuskokwim River. We should also mention that Colter usually calls his residencies the Hobbit Hole due to their look and his own lifestyle of farming, producing, and doing everything by himself. Colter Barnes Partner and Children Although Colter Barnes prefers to lead a private life and has not revealed much about his personal relationships and connections, we know that his parents named him after John Colter, an explorer and mountain man who was a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Moreover, as far as we can tell, he migrated to Alaska with his family partner, Lexie Hayes, and daughter, Jordan after Lexie found out about homesteading in the state while they were living in Lewiston, Idaho. Read More: Michelle Finn From Alone: Everything We Know | https://thecinemaholic.com/colter-barnes-from-alone-everything-we-know/ |
Which Broncos players will have breakout seasons in 2021? | Summer is drawing close, which means Denver Broncos training camp is also drawing close. Well have plenty to talk about at camp this year, including which players could be breakout candidates in 2021. On defense, outside linebacker Bradley Chubb is already established and he even made the Pro Bowl last year. Rookie cornerback Patrick Surtain II should have a strong season, but hes not expected to start, hurting his breakout chances. Chubb and Surtain will be productive this season, but perhaps not breakout performers. On offense, the Broncos might have a few breakout candidates. In just four games last season, tight end Albert Okwuegbunam was targeted 15 times, catching 11 passes for 121 yards and a touchdown. Before going down with a knee injury, Albert O showed flashes of brilliance last year. With Noah Fant getting most of the attention at tight end, Okwuegbunam might be a sleeper in 2021. At running back, Javonte Williams is expected to split touches with Melvin Gordon, but sharing carries in college didnt stop him for producing impressive numbers. Williams might be one of Denvers most exciting rookies to watch this year, making him a strong breakout candidate. | https://broncoswire.usatoday.com/2021/06/03/denver-broncos-breakout-candidates-for-2021-season/ |
Whats in a Rank? | I am hearing more and more from people who believe that we should start referring to Confederate officers by the ranks they attained in the United States Army before the Civil War. This is part of a broader debate over language in relationship to the Civil War and specifically over the extent to which the Confederacy ought to be given legitimacy as an independent nation. For example, rather than referring to the rank that Robert E. Lee attained as a Confederate general, it is being suggested that we should refer to him as a colonel in the United States Army. Rather than referring to Stonewall Jackson as a Lieutenant General, we would refer to him as a First Lieutenant or perhaps Brevet Major in the antebellum army. As you can see, its already beginning to get a little confusing. The truth is that the military hierarchy in the Confederate army, with all its rules and regulations, functioned for four years. Promotions were secured based on battlefield performance and politics, court-martials took place to punish transgressors, and overall discipline was reinforced through this system. We can certainly debate any number of questions surrounding language, such as how to refer to the war and the army (Union/United States/Federal), but lets not go off the deep end. You are not going to get very far in understanding the military arm of the Confederacy if its military ranks are not acknowledged. | https://cwmemory.com/2021/06/02/whats-in-a-rank/ |
Is Alone's Michelle Finn Married? Who is Michelle Finn's Husband? | History Channels Alone asks this very question as it pits seasoned survivalists and challenges them to spend the most number days in harsh and unpredictable environments for a massive cash prize. Praised for its authenticity and rawness, the participants are dropped off into the wilderness, where they stay wholly cut off from the rest of the world. To increase the realism, the show has done away with a filming crew and instead depends on self-shot footage taken by the survivalists. Alone season 8 will see contestants brave wild animals, tough conditions, and extreme forces of nature on the shores of British Columbias Chilko Lake (Tilhqox Biny). Michelle Finn is one of the contestants ready to face the challenges in season 8. With Michelle being a professional educational consultant, a far cry from a survivalist, we got curious to learn more about her. Here is everything we found out! Michelle Finns Early Life Michelle Finn hails from Cherryfield, Maine, where she grew up alongside an older brother. Raised in the lap of nature, Michelle developed an intimate connection with the outdoors right from her childhood. Michelle was very active since she was a little girl and could never be kept inside the house. With her mother and her uncle further inculcating the love for nature inside her and encouraging her to embrace it, Michelle loved spending time under the open sky. Some of her favorite childhood pastimes included exploring the gorgeous Maine countryside and indulging in activities like fishing along with her brother. Camping outside, too, holds a special place in Michelles heart. Forming such a deep bond with nature right from her an early age, it is no wonder that Michelle grew up to be a seasoned survivalist. She now knows her way around every tough and challenging situation, no matter how dangerous or life-threatening it might be. Michelle Finns Profession Michelle holds a degree in elementary education. Yet, she knew that nature is her ultimate calling, and hence, went down the path least taken to study survival techniques. While learning how to survive in the wild, Michelle pushed herself to her limits by living with little to no modern amenities. To survive, she depended on her skills in tracking and hunting. When living primitively, Michelle also learned how to make shelters and find food in the wild, which is sure to help her in Alone. After gaining expertise in bushcraft, Michelle began imparting her knowledge to others, acting as their guide to natures intricacies. Today, she works as an educational consultant and has been influencing educators all around the United States. However, the thrill to survive in the wild and the challenges offered by nature will always remain her true calling, and her social media posts stand as an assertion of that fact. Michelle Finns Husband Michelle Finn is happily married to Doug, a man after her heart, as he, too, like his wife, shares a tremendous passion for nature and the wilderness. The couple lives in a beautiful farmhouse in the Maine countryside. The two met on an island, which lies off the coast of Nome, cut off from the rest of the world. The island, home to a Yupik community, had a public school where Michelle and Doug were both employed as teachers. Upon meeting, Michelle and Doug took to each other and soon found a mutual attraction for the outdoors. After marrying, the couple decided to settle in Michelles home state of Maine. However, the two prefer to keep their private life under wraps and divulge very little information on social media. With an abundance of skill and expertise in survival techniques, it looks like Michelle Finn will be a strong contender for the massive cash prize in Alone season 8. | https://thecinemaholic.com/michelle-finn-from-alone-everything-we-know/ |
What is next for Jonny Clayton following his Premier League Darts triumph? | Clayton will be bidding to claim his third major televised title of 2021 at July's World Matchplay "I have always said when I walked into rooms you get a bit star-struck with all the big players, but I have worked hard and I'm up there with the best now." The affable Welshman enjoyed arguably the biggest night of his career last Friday - defeating Michael van Gerwen and Jose De Sousa to scoop the 250,000 top prize in Milton Keynes. It saw the 46-year-old become the first Welshman to lift the coveted Premier League crown and the second consecutive debutant to triumph following Glen Durrant's victory in October 2020. Nevertheless, it was soon back to normality for Clayton - who continues to balance his darting commitments by working as a plasterer for Carmarthenshire County Council. "It's been a bit different, but back in work, back in the tools today," Clayton told the Darts Show podcast on Tuesday. "The first question was: 'Am I still saying, or am I going to leave?' he joked. Clayton certainly cannot be accused of papering over the cracks where his darts are concerned. He has performed magnificently over the last six months to capture three televised titles, but he is reluctant to change a winning formula. I am going to leave it as it is at the moment, and I will just keep working." The Ferret has not emerged from the darting abyss to become a prolific winner. He has been on the periphery of the world's top 16 since finishing runner-up at the Players Championship Finals in November 2017. Nevertheless, his World Cup win alongside world No 1 and world champion Gerwyn Price has seemingly had a domino effect, and Clayton simply attributes his ascent up the ranks to self-belief. "I think it is just confidence. I don't think I have changed anything. I just go out and I enjoy it. Darts is a game where if everything goes your way, you are going to enjoy it and at the moment, things are going my way." Sky Sports' Mark Webster - Clayton's fellow Welshman - hailed the exploits of his compatriot, and he believes the condensed nature of this year's tournament was instrumental in his success. It was massive, especially for my confidence. That win with Gezzy to win the World Cup I had a taste of my first big tournament, which was brilliant." Clayton - World Cup win was vital "I said to him at the start of the Premier League: 'Jonny, you're on a purple patch here. The Premier League is done and dusted in six weeks. Keep it going and you could lift that trophy.' "I thought nothing of it at the time, but credit to him; he wins the Premier League and is earning himself a healthy living as well. "If you are going to win your first Premier League, that is the way to do it. He was nice and comfortable and never looked in any danger of losing that final. "Even in the semi-finals, Michael [Van Gerwen] rattled off three legs on the trot against him, but Jonny was in control of the Finals Night and was a deserved Premier League champion." Having received the 10th and final spot following his Masters victory in January, Clayton spoke about grasping potentially his first and last opportunity to feature in the Premier League. 5:39 An emotional Jonny Clayton was over the moon after winning his first Premier League title in his debut campaign An emotional Jonny Clayton was over the moon after winning his first Premier League title in his debut campaign Nevertheless, as the reigning champion, the diminutive Welshman is assured of a place in next year's roadshow; a prospect he is already relishing. "It is a brilliant feeling. I know I am in it. I think the World Championship is the biggest [tournament] followed by the Premier League," Clayton continued. "I really enjoy having the fans there. I love the banter because I am just one of the boys. I like the party atmosphere and there was a few of my friends in that crowd that travelled up from my village - it meant a lot." The Ferret was a very popular winner with the darting public. It's not quite a rags to riches story akin to Rob Cross, but it's been a meteoric rise nonetheless for Clayton, and Webster believes there is plenty more to come. "He is one of the good guys, a good mate and I was so pleased for him. He is so grounded, and I think he is great for promoting the sport. Clayton's first individual major triumph at the Masters saw him secure a last-gasp Premier League place "He is just a regular working-class guy who gets on with it. He deserves all his achievements and there is more to come for me. I don't see him stopping. "Whether he wins the Matchplay next, I don't know. I don't think he is done winning major titles, that's for sure." Clayton will undoubtedly be among the favourites to challenge for the title at the World Matchplay, although there is a very realistic possibility that he will be unseeded in Blackpool. Despite winning a combined 310,000 at the Masters and Premier League, he remains world No 17, as both tournaments were non-ranking events, therefore do not contribute to the PDC Order of Merit. The prospect of Clayton colliding with the likes of Van Gerwen or Price in the opening round is a tantalising one, but he is well aware of the major target on his back, as he bids to avoid a fourth consecutive first-round defeat at the Winter Gardens. You see the three finals he has won obviously one was a pairs event for Wales at the Masters and the Premier League he got out in front, and I dont think it ever crossed his mind what he was going to achieve." Webster: The Ferret showed no fear "I think I might hide for the first couple of tournaments, keep it low-key," he quipped. "Winning the Premier League has gone - we're back to work as normal now - it's back to the floor. You have got to forget about last week. "It is nice that the Welsh are having success at the minute. Obviously Gezzy [Price] as world No 1 and world champion, that is massive. "I'm just trying to follow in his footsteps. Mark [Webster] is a world champion. Richie Burnett is a world champion. It is just nice to get my name up on the top with those guys." Darts is back on your Sky Sports screens in July, with nine days of coverage from the iconic Winter Gardens and the World Matchplay - the action gets underway on Saturday July 17 | https://www.skysports.com/darts/news/12288/12323845/what-is-next-for-jonny-clayton-following-his-premier-league-darts-triumph |
Who Is Playing Meghan And Harry In The New Lifetime Movie? | The wait is over, Lifetime loyalists! A new movie is coming in the network's popular "Harry & Meghan" series. As reported by Entertainment Weekly, upon the two famous lovebirds getting engaged, Lifetime quickly got to work releasing made for television films about the high-profile couple, including "Harry & Meghan: A Royal Romance" and "Harry & Meghan: Becoming a Royal." Now, on the heels of their famous royal "Megxit" and subsequent new life in Montecito, Calif., the network, perhaps widely known for its sensational movies, is now chronicling the couple's new American adventure sans their royal duties in a project aptly titled, "Harry and Meghan: Escaping the Palace." Per The Hollywood Reporter, Lifetime maintains that the premise of the third movie is to explore "what really happened inside the palace that drove Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to leave everything behind in order to make a future for themselves and their son Archie." Sounds pretty juicy, no?! Keep reading after the jump to find out. | https://www.nickiswift.com/427198/who-is-playing-meghan-and-harry-in-the-new-lifetime-movie/ |
Who Is Playing Doria Ragland In The New Lifetime Movie? | Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are getting the Lifetime movie treatment once again and new cast details about the project are being revealed. According to Daily Mail, the movie will be all about Megxit aka Meghan and Harry's step back from the royal family to start a new life in North America and is titled "Harry & Meghan: Escaping the Palace." In May, The Hollywood Reporter shared a first look at Sydney Morton (who fans may recognize from "Gotta Have It" and "Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C. J. Walker") as Meghan, and Jordan Dean (who's previously appeared in "The Punisher" and "Z: The Beginning of Everything") as Harry and now we're learning more about who's playing Meghan's mom, Doria Ragland. It's no surprise Ragland will have a part in the movie, as Meghan has gushed about how close she is with her mom. Meghan even previously named Ragland one of the 10 women who changed her life. "For me to watch this level of life-long sensitivity to nurturing and caregiving, but at the same time my mom has always been a free spirit... We can just have so much fun together, and yet, I'll still find so much solace in her support. That duality coexists the same way it would in a best friend," she told Glamour in 2017. Read on for the details. | https://www.nickiswift.com/427199/who-is-playing-doria-ragland-in-the-new-lifetime-movie/ |
Who Is Pat Sajak's Son? | We all know Pat Sajak for his hosting duties on "Wheel of Fortune." Pat has become a household name, ranking up there with other famous celebrity game show hosts like Bob Barker and the late Alex Trebek. According to his profile on IMDb, the game show host began his stint on the show in 1983, and as viewers know, it is still on today. Sajak likes to keep things light-hearted and fun on the show, and it's not every day that he talks about his family members. Of his two kids, Maggie Sajak is in the spotlight a little more than her brother, Patrick Sajak. Maggie is currently an online media correspondent on the show. According to her bio, she graduated from Princeton, went to a post-graduate program at Columbia University, and is currently in law school. Talk about a well-rounded young lady! Her brother, Patrick Sajak, is also really impressive. During an episode of the show in May, the talk show host took a little breather from his hosting duties to instead play the role of a proud father. Keep scrolling to find out more on why Pat is so proud of his son Patrick. | https://www.nickiswift.com/427303/who-is-pat-sajaks-son/ |
Do Console Generations Matter Anymore? | It wasnt that long ago that a new console generation felt like a breath of fresh air in video games. It was an opportunity for something completely new. 8 bit to 32. Polygons and 3D Environments. Standard definition to HD. Better graphics. Faster and more consistent frames. New consoles meant technology was ready for a change and video games were there to lead the charge. However, video games may finally be at the point where there isnt enough new technology to justify immediately leaping at new console generations. This does not mean there is nothing new of course. Virtual reality is finally a very real thing. Graphics are being pushed further than ever, and consoles are being pushed to their breaking point. Technology is always changing, but those leaps in technology that were once giant are feeling smaller and more incremental now. Its kind of like a new car or a new phone. Yes, theres a difference between last years model and this years, but for many its going to be barely noticeable. Anyone who bought a PlayStation 5 is starting to feel that lack of a giant technological breakthrough. The PS5, effectively, is a more powerful and better performing console than the PS4. Its faster, has little to no load times, runs smoother, and is, without a doubt, a technologically superior console. However, in terms of why people want to buy video game consoles, there is very little difference between a PS5 and a PS4. Here is a list of the exclusives for PS5. Astros Playroom Demons Souls Destruction All-Stars Returnal Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart (not released yet) Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade (DLC, not released) Admittedly, thats not a terrible lineup of exclusives for a console that isnt even a year old yet, but there is more to it than that. The PS5 can also play PS4 games, which is great for everyone who owned a PS4 because now they can just jump right into the next console generation, but its led to a lot of developers sticking with whats comfortable. Multiple games have come out since the PS5 was released, and its not uncommon for a game to only be made for PS4 and for PS5 owners to be playing a PS4 game on their PS5. That or they release it for both, with an enhanced version that maximizes the game on the PS5s capabilities, but offers nothing different in terms of actual gameplay. The current generation of consoles may be happening right now, but the last generation is still going just as strong as ever. Right now, its becoming increasingly hard to make an argument to buy into the new generation of consoles. Even games that were originally going to be PS5 exclusives, such as Gran Turismo 7 and God of War: Ragnarok, are now going to be released on PS4 too. Hermen: It very much is. I think thatd be bad news for fans of PS4, and frankly not very good business. Where it makes sense to develop a title for both PS4 and PS5 for Horizon Forbidden West, the next God of War, GT7 well continue looking at that. And if PS4 owners want to play that game, then they can. If they want to go on and play the PS5 version, that game will be there for them. That being said, its also very important to have showpieces for PS5, hence the development of Returnal and Ratchet that are exclusive to PS5. For PS4 owners this is great news. For PS5 owners its hard to not wonder what the point of their purchase was. Whats interesting is that these comments sound oddly similar to how Xbox has been approaching its current console generation. The Xbox Series X/S has for the most part been advertised as just a hardware upgrade.. They havent tried particularly hard to move away from the Xbox One and their list of exclusives is even smaller than the PlayStation 5, but thats because their main focus has been getting people into their Gamepass ecosystem. Similar to how Apple cares more about you using the latest version of iOS rather than the latest smart phone. It could be as simple as that, but it raises an interesting question about the entire idea of a console generation. If the coding of the game is capable of playing it then there shouldnt be a problem in theory. We may be seeing PlayStation forced into a realization they didnt want to be at. Console generations are mattering less and less. The longer PlayStation continues to say their new games can be played on PS4, the more they are acknowledging this. Its starting to feel like the latter more than the former. | https://uproxx.com/edge/playstation-5-console-generation-new/ |
Which Islanders need to play big to beat Boston? | A look at which Islanders players are going to have to step up in order to take down the dangerous Bruins. The New York Islanders are tied 1-1 with their rivals, the Boston Bruins, in the second round of the 2021 NHL playoffs. As we mentioned in our series recap, the Islanders upset the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games in the first round, thanks to a lot of heart and perseverance, incredibly poor goaltending by Pittsburghs Tristan Jarry, and an impressive showing from their rookie netminder, Ilya Sorokin. The Bruins humiliated the Washington Capitals in their own first series and the Islanders wouldnt have the luxury of relying on shoddy goaltending from them or lucking into poor performances by their top players, as was the case against Pittsburgh. In our Islanders-Bruins series preview, we talked about the strengths and weaknesses of the Bruins and Islanders as well as what the Islanders would have to do in order to win this series and move on. Eight games into New Yorks 2021 Stanley Cup campaign and two games into the second round, its time we take a look at the players who need to step up and play big in order to defeat a dangerous and experienced Bruins team. Forwards Weve mentioned the names of several Islanders forwards who would need to play well in order for the Islanders to win. Leo Komarov isnt necessarily expected to put up great offensive numbers, but the Islanders will take what they can get from him in that regard and do need him to be the physical and defensively solid forward that Barry Trotz has always praised. Jordan Eberle had a wonderful regular season and did put up four points in the first series, but the Islanders are going to need more out of their number one right winger. Komarov and Eberle have important roles to play, but all eyes are on Mathew Barzal. As weve mentioned, Barzal is the Islanders best player and the face of the franchise. He is one of the fastest skaters and best at zone entries in the entire league. He was underwhelming in the Penguins series, recording three assists and not doing much else. Barzal wasnt particularly noticeable in the first game of the Bruins series, but played better in game two and even notched an assist. It isnt impossible, as we saw in the Penguins series, but its difficult to see the Islanders beating the Bruins without Barzal being one of their best players. Game two was a good start for Barzal, and the hope is that he builds on that and continues to improve. The Islanders second line is a glaring reason why they won their first series. All three members stepped up and even exceeded expectations. In our series preview, we mentioned that this could end up becoming the battle of the second lines. If that is the case, Bostons line is winning, so far. David Krejci, who recorded a whopping three assists, and Taylor Hall (one goal) were two of the best players on the ice in game one and even Craig Smith wasnt bad. In that very same game, Josh Bailey, Anthony Beauvillier, and Brock Nelson were the Islanders three worst forwards and three of the four worst players on the ice, even though Beauvillier did score a goal. They were definitely better in game two, but the Islanders definitely want to see more from these three guys, especially against another lethal second line that features a former MVP. The Islanders might not necessarily need Bailey, Beauvillier, and Nelson to be as great as they were against Pittsburgh, but they will need to put up points and do a decent job defensively. After a relatively inconsistent series to kickoff his Islanders playoff debut, Kyle Palmieri is going to have to step his game up. We mentioned that the trade deadline acquisition was fantastic against the Bruins during the regular season while still with the New Jersey Devils, scoring five goals even during a down year. Palmieri scored three huge goals for New York against Pittsburgh, and already has a goal and an assist in this series. He was the Islanders best player in their huge game two win. If he plays like that moving forward, the Islanders bottom-six and power play are going to be dangerous. Another bottom-six forward who needs to have a big series is Jean-Gabriel Pageau. Pageau has gotten off to a great start. He was good for the Islanders in game one and was almost as great as Palmieri in game two, recording a goal and an assist. Pageau is especially important because hes an important two-way forward for the Islanders and is one of their most valuable players on special teams, both the power play and penalty kill. A strong series from him can go a long way for his team. Last but not least are the three members of the Islanders fourth line. The Islanders had issues regarding physicality, battles along the boards, and forechecking in the Pittsburgh series. The Identity Line stepped up there in a big way. These three guys have already shown their value in this series. They were fine in the first game, but a reason the Islanders tied the series in game two. Cal Clutterbuck and Matt Martin played well and Casey Cizikas scored the game-winning goal in overtime. This is the best fourth line in hockey and is a key reason why the Islanders are so good. Their grit and physicality against such a team as the Bruins as well as their ability to put up points in big moments will be important. Defense The two players that stand out on defense are the obvious ones, Adam Pelech and Ryan Pulock. Weve touched on the fact that the two didnt have the best of series against Pittsburgh, especially early on, and wouldnt have that luxury this time around. Unfortunately, Pelech and Pulock were problematic in the first game. They were the teams worst defensive pairing and two of the worst players on the ice. Pulock, usually their best defenseman, was their worst, and the second-worst player on the ice. They were much better in the second game: they were the teams best defensive pairing and Pulock was one of the teams best players. The hope is that their performance in that game will become the norm in this series. Pelech and Pulock make up one of the best defensive pairings in hockey and must play like it during the postseason. The Islanders are one of the absolute best defensive teams in hockey and Pelech and Pulock being so elite is a reason why. They have to meet expectations especially against Bostons top line, one of the best lines in hockey. We mentioned that even with their shortcomings, Nick Leddy and Scott Mayfield were the Islanders best defensive pairing in the Pittsburgh series and came up big in key moments. They did a solid job defensively but were especially great offensively. Mayfield was the teams best player on two different occasions. In our series preview, we discussed how Leddy and Mayfield would need to maintain their great play against Boston, especially given Bostons depth. Unfortunately, that hasnt quite been the case. Leddy and Mayfield looked pretty rough in game one. They both improved in game two and Leddy even recorded an assist. Mayfield was one of the worst players on the ice, but was still much better. With Noah Dobson and Andy Greene playing as badly as they have been, its even more crucial that Leddy and Mayfield do well. Goaltenders The hero of the Pittsburgh series for the Islanders, Ilya Sorokin ended up conceding five goals in game one against the Bruins. He was far from the teams worst player and it was difficult to blame him for that loss, but maybe benching him for the well-rested veteran Semyon Varlamov was a smart move. Although the Islanders did win, Varlamov was actually one of the teams worst players. Even so, both goaltenders must be at their absolute best in this series. The offensive ability of the Bruins is not to be taken lightly and the Islanders cant afford to have their goaltenders not be at the top of their game. It looks like the Islanders net is still Sorokins to lose and he will have to be as brilliant as he was against Pittsburgh. Now is not the time for him, or Varlamov, to falter. | https://elitesportsny.com/2021/06/03/which-islanders-need-to-play-big-to-beat-boston/ |
Where next for endorsement king Cristiano Ronaldo? | Said to be earning $70 million per season from his current deal at Juventus, alongside a further $50 million each year from endorsements, few sporting celebrities can match the worldwide appeal of Cristiano Ronaldo. However, the 36-year-old Portugal international could have reached a crossroads in his illustrious career, amidst considerable speculation he is weighing up a departure from the Italian giants. Cristiano's global influence As one of the most famous football personalities on the planet, companies of all stripes have been queuing up for Cristiano Ronaldo to endorse their products. Earlier in 2021, he became the first person in the world to surpass 500 million social media followers, across the trio of main platforms. Along with his own ever-growing CR7 branded products, Cristiano is often seen posting promotional videos and images of other famous brands. Back in 2015, Ronaldo inked a lifetime endorsement association with Nike. His lifetime association with the American sportswear brand is estimated to be worth around $1 billion, which remains a bargain according to Forbes, despite the hefty sums of money involved find out more here. Just to underline the global appeal Cristiano boasts, he is one of only three sportsmen to get lifetime deals with Nike, including LeBron James and Michael Jordan. While the financial terms were never published, Cristiano also became an ambassador for PokerStars in 2015. Like many top international soccer icons, it appears that Ronaldo enjoys the buzz surrounding casino gaming. This highlights parts of a wider trend as online casino gaming has become a massive global industry, which means consumers are often spoilt for choice when it comes to casino sites. However, there are sites that provide reviews by considering factors such as free spins offers and no deposit bonus deals, with an example of this found by clicking here. It goes without saying that responsible gambling is paramount to enjoyment, as is checking reviews for different online casinos, which helps to show what you can expect to find beyond the competitive bonus offers and promotions. Considering how much personal wealth Ronaldo has generated throughout his lifetime, further financial gains from football may no longer be the top of his priorities. Always highly regarded as one of the most driven and competitive spirits in the game, Cristiano may now be seeking an alternative kind of challenge in the twilight of his career. There are even growing rumours that he might head back to Sporting Clube de Portugal, where his career originally took flight. Talk of a return to Sporting originated from the mother of Ronaldo, amidst her jubilant celebrations when Sporting clinched the Portuguese title. Nevertheless, agent Jorge Mendes later suggested that Cristiano has no current plans to conclude his career in Portugal. However, the player himself also hinted at a move away from Turin, talking about his time at the club in the past tense recently as you can learn more about here. Regardless of his advancing age, Cristiano Ronaldo remains phenomenally talented and physically powerful. He will be the driving force of his national team at the Euro 2020 tournament, as Portugal seek to retain the title they last won in 2016. That will be his principal focus right now, although ahead of the 2021-22 season, the level of speculation about his club future will only increase. Reports from Italy are contrasting, which only adds to the growing interest in the immediate plans of Ronaldo. After some news outlets claimed he had expressed a desire to leave Juventus, others then quoted his partner Georgina Rodriguez insisting he will stay. Whatever happens next, should CR7 decide to up sticks and move, there will undoubtedly be no shortage of interest. | https://portugoal.net/portuguese-abroad/2119-where-next-for-endorsement-king-cristiano-ronaldo |
Is It Time to Buy the Dow Jones' 3 Worst Performing May Stocks? | Sure, you could argue that Disney's disappointing subscriber growth for its Disney+ streaming service is the culprit for its weakness. The thing is, Disney shares were already peeling back from their March peak when that news hit last month. Visa's rally lasted all the way through its late-April peak at a record high of $237.50 before it began to weaken, largely in response to last quarter's results. While hardly horrifying, the 2% slide of its top and bottom lines loosely suggests whatever reopening benefit the payment company is going to reap has already been mostly reaped. And as for Apple, its all-time peak came all the way back in January. While its fiscal second-quarter numbers posted at the end of April were nothing less than stellar (sales were up 54% year over year to reach a new Q2 record), the market chose to see the proverbial glass as half empty rather than half full. The company also says it's feeling the impact of the chip shortage. | https://lacrossetribune.com/business/investment/personal-finance/is-it-time-to-buy-the-dow-jones-3-worst-performing-may-stocks/article_e1078033-3bc5-593e-a611-77ffed0fcc8a.html |
Does defunding fossil fuel companies make economic and environmental sense? | Environmental campaigners have been increasing pressure on banks in recent months to stop financing fossil fuel companies. Campaign groups have highlighted the trillions of dollars of financing made available by global financial institutions to the sector since 2016, despite those banks insisting they take the Paris Climate Agreement seriously. And a recent analysis by Greenpeace and WWF claims that UK banks and asset managers, via their international fossil fuel investments, are responsible for almost double the UKs total domestic emissions. A growing number of financial institutions and pension funds are being urged to divest themselves of their shares in such companies, starving the fossil fuel sector of the capital it needs to operate. More than 1,000 have, in fact, done so, moving an estimated $14.5 trillion from the sector. But the fossil fuel financial divestment movement has been criticised in some quarters as unrealistic and potentially counterproductive. Bill Gates suggested to the Financial Times in 2019 that the campaign of divestment has reduced about zero tonnes of emissions. The Microsoft founder and pioneering philanthropist argued that it was more effective to invest in new green companies, such as firms developing zero-carbon meat substitutes, than try to deprive fossil fuel companies of money. Some have also warned that by depriving multinational stock market-listed oil companies of funds theres a danger their place would be taken by state-owned oil producers that are not subject to such market pressure and whose production operations might well be more polluting. Finally, the oil companies themselves generally claim they are in the process of moving beyond petroleum and that starving them of capital will merely slow down or set back this beneficial process of technological adaptation. Fossil fuel firms are certainly a massive force in global public stock markets, accounting for around 3 per cent of the equities by value. Their share of UK markets is as high as 9 per cent. That means that anyone who has their pension in those ubiquitous funds that passively track national or global markets will most likely own a slice of the likes of BP, Shell, Exxon and Total. Fossil fuel firms operations are also extremely capital intensive, meaning they require significant up-front financial investment. So anyone whose pension includes some company bond funds which invest in the debt obligations of companies will almost certainly be financing fossil fuel firms too. Stefan Andreasson of Queens University Belfast has stressed that the listed multinational oil companies in which people might find their pensions invested the likes of Shell, Total, Exxon and BP only produce about 25 per cent of the worlds oil supply. Around half comes from state-owned national oil companies, such as Saudi Aramco, the National Iranian Oil Company, Chinas National Petroleum Corporation and Petroleos de Venezuela to name but a few. View more These behemoths tend to be more polluting in their extraction process than multinationals and most have no net-zero transition plans. If a divestment drive destroyed publicly-listed fossil fuel companies its indeed a danger that such state-owned oil firms would step into the gap created. The future for [state-owned companies] is bright, says energy analyst Cyril Widdershoven. Without activist shareholders to worry about, easy access to financial markets and sovereign wealth funds, [they] are not only able to reap the rewards of the current [divestment] onslaught, they are also willing. The Independents Stop Fuelling The Climate Crisis campaign is calling for an end to investment in fossil fuel projects. Tim Lord, senior net-zero fellow at the Tony Blair Institute agrees that divestment, on its own, cant be relied upon to secure the transition to net zero. Demand is the key, he says. In the end if theres a demand for these products supply will come and meet that demand. This means governments will have to continue and intensify efforts to reduce demand for fossil fuels through a combination of carbon taxes, regulation and subsidies for zero carbon alternatives. However, Lord argues that divestment campaigns aimed at listed companies can, nevertheless play an important role in terms of putting pressure on fossil fuel firms that arent fulfilling their public commitments. A lot of them are increasingly talking a good game but when you look at what theyre doing in terms of their investment strategies, in terms of the detail and ambitions of their net-zero strategies, in most cases the credibility is a lot weaker, he says. Shell, for instance, has a 1.5C pathway in its internal planning but there are some assumptions about global reforestation (to soak up carbon emissions from continued fossil fuel burning) that analysts dismiss as non-credible. Analysts agree with the claims of multinational oil companies that they have an important part to play in the global net-zero transition, using their engineering expertise and skills in new areas such as carbon capture and storage and green hydrogen generation. The problem, experts warn, is that if theyre not genuinely committed to the transition and are not putting their resources where their rhetoric is its not realistic to imagine that they will play this beneficial role. Divestment campaigns can send a powerful message to the executives of these firms from both investors and society at large that they want to see them commit properly to this transition. Its a message that they want to see them use their resources to build the new clean energy economy and not in thirty years but starting immediately. To some extent it doesnt really matter whether divestment is a good thing or not, concludes Lord. Its going to continue to be one of the strategies because its one of the few levers that the movement has available to it and oil and gas companies have to respond to that. And its not unreasonable to believe, despite what the sceptics says, that this financial pressure can drive corporate change. In recent years the market valuations of more climate progressive energy companies such as Denmarks Orsted (which transformed itself from a fossil fuels company to a renewables) have been outperforming Shell or BP and others. Research from Imperial College London has shown that the shares price of fossil fuels companies are up by 57 per cent over the past decade, versus 423 per cent growth for renewables firms. Exxon was even demoted from the US Dow Jones Industrial Average index last year due to its sliding valuation. For Mark Campanale, of the Carbon Tracker think tank, the case for divestment by investors is less about putting pressure on fossil fuel boards than persuading investors and banks where their own financial self-interest really lies. This is fundamentally about a technology shift, where an old technology [fossil fuels] is being driven out by a new more reliable and efficient and cheaper technology and investors are just responding, he says. Its not a moral case, its a technology argument. What I fear is happening is that people are conflating climate as an ESG [environmental, social, governance] issue, he says. This is fundamentally about investment risk its about who is going to win the technology race. Campanale says that the problem is that the investment world has not yet caught up with the sheer speed of the revolution, which has resulted in collapsing wind and solar power prices, and the fact that its essentially game over for the fossil fuel economy. Divestment campaigns, from this point of view, are a salutary wake-up call. | https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/defund-divest-fossil-fuels-climate-b1828492.html |
Where is the Huge Cicada Brood X Michigan Expected in 2021? | Here's where the cicadas are and what we're missing. Don't misunderstand the title. The Brood X has emerged this summer. However, Michigan is seeing very little of these bizarre little creatures. After seeing videos pop up on TikTok and stories from publications like USA Today we brought you the story of cicadas invading Michigan. The predictions were close, but this isn't horse shoes. While Michigan is only seeing the emergence of cicadas in 2 or 3 Southern counties, Indiana and Ohio are all the buzz. As you can see in the map below from the USDA Forest Service, the areas in yellow are experiencing the Brood X. Basically, the entire state of Indiana, much of Central and Western Ohio and some of Pennsylvania are walking outside to the loud collaborative hum of bugs while hearing the crunch of their shells below their feet. USDA Forest Service Get our free mobile app For those of us lucky enough to have never experienced cicada season, here are a couple of videos to give you an idea of what you're missing. This first video shows cicadas eating plants. It also shows the weird empty shell they leave behind...everywhere. The noise can be intense. The 1 thing I remember the most about living in Cincinnati during the cicada invasion of 2004 is how I couldn't hear myself think. It's like a freight train is going by non-stop for a couple of months. It difficult to capture just how loud it can be on video but this one gives you a decent idea below. If you find these annoying little bugs fascinating you will love the video below from the BBC tracking their life cycle. | https://wbckfm.com/where-is-the-huge-cicada-brood-x-michigan-expected-in-2021/ |
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.