question
stringlengths 9
197
| article
stringlengths 174
99.3k
| url
stringlengths 23
392
|
|---|---|---|
What's the US plan for Iran? | Donald Trump sends his Secretary of State to the Middle East to drum up support against Iran. Reassuring allies and talking tough on enemies. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has been touring the Middle East to win support and put pressure on Iran. He is pushing for an Arab military alliance to counter threats from Tehran. The aim would be to curb Iran's influence in the region from Yemen to Syria, Lebanon and Iraq. Pompeo's visit included eight Arab countries: Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, Bahrain, UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Oman. Presenter: Nick Clark Guests Majed al Ansari, Professor of Political Science at Qatar University. Joshua Landis, Director of the Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Oklahoma Source: Al Jazeera News | https://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/insidestory/2019/01/plan-iran-190114195115637.html |
Is Bristol City Council doing enough when it comes to fly-tipping? | Get Daily updates directly to your inbox Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Could not subscribe, try again later Invalid Email There is a fly-tipping incident happening on average once every hour in Bristol, according to new data. The latest government figures revealed that there were 8,206 incidents of fly-tipping recorded in the city in 2017/18 - the equivalent of nearly one every hour. However, the data also shows that in many cases, Bristol City Council fails to take any action against fly-tippers. The council only took action of any kind - be it conducting an investigation, sending out warning letters, doling out fines or prosecuting someone - on a total of 2,474 occasions. (Image: Helen Ashley) It means that in at least 60 per cent of cases, fly-tippers are getting away with it completely - assuming that one action relates to a single incident of rubbish dumping. In total, Bristol council sent out 524 warning letters in 2017/18. While the cost of sending out warning letters is no longer recorded, the year before it was estimated that sending out 835 such letters amounted to 27,555. At the same time, the authority didnt prosecute a single person over the course of the year. But Bristol City Council has said it is tackling the problem head on and that its legal team is currently looking into two possible prosecutions with a third due to be submitted shortly. In comparison South Gloucestershire Council recorded 1,617 incidents of fly-tipping over the same period with eight people being taken to court. And according to the data North Somerset Council also failed to prosecute a single person following 2,215 incidents of fly-tipping. Bristol City Council sent out 169 fixed penalty notices - which dont come with a criminal conviction - of which 164 had been paid at the time the data was released. (Image: Helen Ashley) However, the amount collected was likely barely enough to scratch the surface of the total they spent clearing away the illegally dumped rubbish. A Bristol City Council spokesperson said: Fly-tipping is not only illegal, it blights areas of our city making it intolerable for people who live by it. We are tackling the problem head on having recently diverted parts of our litter enforcement team to work alongside Bristol Waste to monitor known fly-tipping hotspots to clamp down on repeat offenders. Since April 2018, we have issued 62 fixed-penalty-notices, sent 181 warning letters and we will fine or prosecute anyone we catch dumping rubbish in public spaces. We currently have two prosecution files with our legal team and another due to be submitted shortly. The whole community needs to work with us and take a stand against fly-tipping so we can make a real change. This includes reporting anyone you see fly-tipping to the Neighbourhood Enforcement Team and letting us know about areas where rubbish is regularly dumped. Everyone is responsible for their rubbish disposal and if someone offers to remove your waste for a low price, be suspicious. (Image: Helen Ashley) Our enforcement team is using a new system which gives them greater access to reported fly-tipping cases and the evidence provided by witnesses on the day the report is received. This is critical to the investigation process. In addition, Bristol Waste Company has intensified their evidence gathering activities. We also carry out regular operations with the police to identify vehicles belonging to fly-tipping suspects. Over the next few weeks we will be investigating a list of suspected vehicles and locations from across the city. Anyone who spots fly-tipping can report it on the Bristol City Council website here or call 0117 9222 100. Anyone thinking of dumping rubbish in a fly-tipping hotspot has been warned they will be on camera and could face a fine of 50,000. | https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/bristol-city-council-doing-enough-2427647 |
Is three screens on one laptop too many? | Read more: Razer Huntsman Elite Turns out, its because Valerie is a hefty, 51-inch beast, and also, shes a laptop, and is therefore incapable of independent movement. Razer have been making gaming laptops and peripherals for years, and each time they come up with something bigger, better and more futuristic than before. Where do we go after 4K, they asked themselves - and the answer, apparently, was more 4K. Two more screens, to be precise, which is what their newest laptop, Project Valerie, can offer. Now, calling this thing a laptop is a bit of a misnomer. For a start, its apparently 10-12 pounds, which is like carrying around a chubby cat or a medium bowling ball. You could probably have it in your lap, but your lap wouldnt appreciate it. Secondly, the whole three screens thing - there are probably people out there who love the idea of having three entire screens for gaming on, but realistically, this means one of two things: 1) Recreating the magical world of peripheral vision in games, i.e. that stuff at the side that your brain can see, but mostly ignores 2) Multitasking - have Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Reddit and Grand Theft Auto on your screens all at the same time, so you can more easily confuse the awful state of the real world with the awful state of fantasy worlds Im all for the latter, actually. Multitasking is great, because when youve got your work open at the same time as Twitter, youre never not being productive, technically. But three screens is a lot to concentrate on. Its sensory overload. Which brings me back to the first point Out of sight, out of mind ...We take peripheral vision for granted, but theres a reason it exists: sensing danger. If youre able to see as far as possible to your side, you can more easily spot if somethings coming to get you. That might not apply to most games, like Gone Home or Journey, but for games like The Witcher and Call of Duty, that might actually add a whole new dimension to how you play. Youd still be paying several grand for peripheral vision, though. To be totally honest, Razers beast of a laptop is a conceptual prototype - you wont be seeing it on shelves any time soon (the two stolen prototypes notwithstanding), and not just because the shelves would collapse under the weight of several cat-sized machines. It might not be the product that any of us would buy, given the choice between a desktop and three monitors and a very expensive laptop with very breakable hinges on the screens, but there will be someone in the market for something like this. People were confused, wondering what on earth it could be used for (one publication said it would make a great interactive drinks tray), but now its a ubiquitous and well-respected piece of tech that single-handedly invented the tablet market. Maybe three-screen laptops are a bit silly. Maybe they'll end up prohibitively expensive, easy to break and very difficult to carry around. But making leaps in technology, even if they seem silly at first, is what leads to innovation. You laugh now, but in ten years, well all be calling our parents from our three-screen phones and buying three-screen baby monitors to make sure our kids are okay from every angle. Just you wait. | https://www.techradar.com/sg/news/is-three-screens-on-one-laptop-too-many |
How Can Brick-and-Mortar Stores Reinvent Themselves in 2019? | Shoppers and tourists walk around Times Square at the junction of 7th Avenue and Broadway in New York. Retail is about to get a lot smarter, faster and more spectacular. Thats according to a new report from advisory firm Coresight Research, which offered trend predictions for the industry in 2019. A global retail sector that is stronger and better equipped to serve rising consumer expectations, wrote CEO and founder Deborah Weinswig. Despite seemingly constant talk of a retail apocalypse spurred by a succession of store closings and high-profile bankruptcies the sectors reinvention will be driven by consumer demand for brick-and-mortars that provide experience-rich opportunities on top of a variety of product offerings that include customization and personalization. As such, big-box retailers including Walmart and Target have revamped their businesses, with the former announcing plans to create experiential marketplaces called town centers and the latter adding in-store toy hubs to interact with children and families. Thats not to say brick-and-mortar itself wont undergo significant changes. As shoppers demand newness and quicker service, Coresight noted that even legacy retailers will transition from permanent stores to more temporary pop-up shops. An increasing number of like-minded retailers might also participate in collaborations that will allow them to not only repurpose real estate but drive double the customer traffic. Simon Property Group, for instance, launched The Edit @ Roosevelt Field, a curated space where startup businesses can establish a mall-like presence to consumers. Also a nontraditional shopping experience, Washington Prime Groups Tangible center gives digital businesses a space to showcase products in the flesh. This fast retail trend will manifest as shorter lease terms as retailers seek to avoid being locked amid a quickening pace of change, Weinswig explained. The result will be a more appealing proposition for consumers and an enhanced ability to adapt to changing consumer behavior. As the shift to e-commerce continues to grow, so will new technology. This year, shoppers are expected to become even more familiar with voice assistants, chatbots and other forms of artificial intelligence think Amazons Echo or Google Home which will step up consumer demand for communication in all kinds of platforms. [Catering to these expectations] will require retailers to take a holistic smart retail approach that integrates AI automation, human intervention and data sharing to provide personalized and predictive interactions across multiple channels, Weinswig said. How Gen Z Shoppers Are Fueling the Sustainable Fashion Movement Retailers Are Prioritizing Customer Identification in Stores for 2019 Heres How They Plan to Do It | https://footwearnews.com/2019/business/retail/brick-and-mortar-retail-trends-2019-research-1202728748/ |
How well has Raiders GM Mike Mayock evaluated cornerbacks? | One of the great things about the Raiders hiring former NFL Network star Mike Mayock is that we have access to all of his player rankings since the 2006 NFL Draft. With all of that information, we may be able to find trends and make educated guesses throughout the draft process as to who Mayock may like, but also, what positions he knows bests. While we have all offseason to run through the tape and his draft boards, this piece is going to be a little less comprehensive. Instead, this simply a list of Mayocks top five for each draft class since 2008. In the first several parts of this series, we reviewed all of Mayocks rankings on the offensive side of the ball. Today, we are looking at how well Mayock has done grading cornerbacks. Here is the full list of linebacker rankings since 2008, via the NFL.com archives: 2008 1. Leodis McKelvin, Troy 2. Aqib Talib, Kansas 3. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Tennessee State 4. Mike Jenkins, South Florida 5. Brandon Flowers, Virginia Tech 2009 1. Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State 2. Vontae Davis, Illinois 3. Darius Butler, Connecticut 4. Alphonso Smith, Wake Forest 5. Jairus Byrd, Vanderbilt 2010 1. Joe Haden, Florida 2. Kyle Wilson, Boise State 3. Devin McCourty, Rutgers 4. Patrick Robinson, Florida State 5. Kareem Jackson, Alabama 2011 1. Patrick Peterson, LSU 2. Prince Amukamara, Nebraska 3. Aaron Williams, Texas 4. Jimmy Smith, Colorado 5. Brandon Harris, Miami (Fla. 2012 1. Morris Claiborne, LSU 2. Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina 3. Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama 4. Casey Hayward, Vanderbilt 5. Trumaine Johnson, Montana 2013 1. D.J. Hayden, Houston 2. Dee Milliner, Alabama 3. Xavier Rhodes, Florida State 4. Desmond Trufant, Washington 5. Johnthan Banks, Mississippi State 2014 1. Kyle Fuller, Virginia Tech 2. Darqueze Dennard, Michigan State 3. Justin Gilbert, Oklahoma State 4. Bradley Roby, Ohio State 5. Jason Verrett, TCU 2015 1. Trae Waynes, Michigan State 2. Kevin Johnson, Wake Forest 3. Marcus Peters, Washington 4. Jalen Collins, LSU 5. Byron Jones, Connecticut 2016 1. Jalen Ramsey, Florida State 2. Vernon Hargreaves, Florida 3. William Jackson III, Houston 4. Eli Apple, Ohio State 5. Cyrus Jones, Alabama 2017 1. Marshon Lattimore, Ohio State 2. Gareon Conley, Ohio State 3. Adoree Jackson, USC 4. Marlon Humphrey, Alabama T-5. Kevin King, Washington T-5. TreDavious White, LSU 2018 1. Denzel Ward, Ohio State 2. Jaire Alexander, Louisville 3. Mike Hughes, UCF 4. Isaiah Oliver, Colorado T-5. Donte Jackson, LSU T-5. Josh Jackson, Iowa | https://raiderswire.usatoday.com/2019/01/14/how-well-has-raiders-gm-mike-mayock-evaluated-cornerbacks/ |
Is there even one Oilers fan who isn't worried about Peter Chiarelli's next trade? | Yes. Maybe 1 in 30 fans, but thats it, about the same percentage who believe Elvis Presley is still alive. For one thing, the trade could be a whopper with the Oilers giving up a sizeable chunk of their future. All last week Bob Stauffer of the Oilers talked about Edmonton trading away a first round pick to address needs this year. Now we have this tweet of an even more substantial trade from team insider Ryan Rishaug of TSN saying: Oilers organization is on a full court press to find help at forward. Scouts and staff deployed en masse. Cap situation could make it tough, but first round pick, a goaltender, maybe a young developing forward likely all in play. To me that sounds like either goalie Cam Talbot or Mikko Koskinen, plus a first rounder, plus Kailer Yamamoto or Tyler Benson or Cameron Hebig on the move, or maybe even Jesse Puljujarvi depending on the reputation of the player coming in return. That is a lot moving out for a veteran forward, but it might well make sense if the right veteran forward comes back to the Oilers. Koskinen plays tonight (for complete info on tonights game, heres Bruce McCurdy post) so well see if hes anywhere close to coming out of his slump. Koskinen also has a full No Movement Clause, so hed have to agree to a move (which is not at all beyond the realm of possibility). His track record isnt convincing. From the start I had concerns about the Milan Lucic signing, though I also felt it might pay off in the short term. Its now playing out as a GM-firing offence, at least in combination with the Griffin Reinhart for a first and second pick trade. I disliked the Reinhart trade the moment it happened and it certainly doesnt look any better today. All that said, what really has me worried is Chiarellis last two deals. For some reason, he moved out a marginal centre in Ryan Strome for a marginal centre/winger in Ryan Spooner. While Strome was struggling at centre with the Oilers, at least he could kill penalties and play centre in somewhat adequate fashion. Spooner cant kill penalties and hes no centre, which has forced Edmonton to move useful winger Jujhar Khaira to centre where hes not so useful. Then theres the moving out of Drake Caggiula for Brandon Manning. Caggiula had to go as he was leaking Grade A scoring chances and goals against in his own end. Chiarelli said he felt Manning was a better player than Kevin Gravel, but Manning quickly proved otherwise, leaking chances and goals against. Maybe if he spends a month or two in the AHL Manning can get the rust off his game but hes not up to NHL speed right now, which is why his coach cant play him. Edmonton has been out-shot 460-338 (all situations) over the last month. That's 31st in the NHL. Edmonton has been outscored 53-37 (all situations) over the last month. That's tied with Ottawa for 27th in the NHL. This is not a team that should be shopping at deadline prices. So right at the exact moment that Chiarelli had to make a few moves to bolster a team on the cusp of pulling into a playoff spot, he made two moves that has hurt that mission rather than help it. And its not just him on the hook but also his advisors and scouts. I have serious doubts, major worries, huge trepidation. Nonetheless, it appears were about to find out. All that said, if Chiarelli can pull the trigger on a deal that does drive the Oilers into the playoffs, that will be huge for the Oilers franchise. A playoff spot is there for the taking, especially if they can find another useful forward or two who can make a positive contribution. Spooner, Tobias Rieder, Lucic and Kyle Brodziak certainly havent been doing the trick (with Spooner, Rieder and Brodziak all recent acquisitions). The odds are long on Chiarelli getting it right but Im not in that camp that argues the Oilers should do nothing, even as the distance between doing nothing and doing the right thing is a huge expanse. The job of the GM is to improve the team. Thats Chiarellis job. So long as hes GM I expect him to do it. If the Oilers arent going to fire the guy, he should do all he can improve the team. And its not like every move hes made in his time here has been bad. Hes made a number of solid ones. If hes still the GM, its his job to make one more. LEAVINS: 9 Things on a Sunday morning LEAVINS: Oilers outworked by Coyotes in 3-2 loss STAPLES: Oilers go back to old recipe on 1st line McCURDY: McRabbit out of the hat beats Panthers | https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/nhl/cult-of-hockey/is-there-even-one-oilers-fan-who-isnt-worried-about-peter-chiarellis-next-trade |
Is the 60-second rule the secret to perfect skin? | A skincare expert has revealed one simple rule that she claims can completely transform the appearance of your complexion. Nayamka Roberts-Smith, a Los Angeles-based esthetician, took Twitter by storm a few weeks ago when she posted about what she calls the '60-second rule' - a very simple, but effective, beauty hack that simply involves washing your face for a full minute at the end of every day. According to Nayamka, who tweets under the username @LaBeautyologist, the hack enables 'the ingredients in the cleaner to actually work', making any product that much more effective than it would be when used for just 15 seconds - the time most people spend washing their face. Skincare expertise: Esthetician Nayamka Roberts-Smith wowed social media with her '60-second rule', which simply requires washing the face for a full minute every day Working wonders: Several Twitter users, including Mariah, have responded with before (left) and after (right) images to show how well the hack has worked Speedy: According to Mariah, Los Angeles-based Nayamka's 60-second rule helped her skin to clear up in just a few weeks 'Cleansing your face (with your fingers) for 60 seconds allows the ingredients in the cleanser to actually work,' she wrote on Twitter. 'Most [people] wash their face for like 15 seconds max.' The skincare guru added that there are numerous benefits to making this one simple change, explaining that the process will 'soften the skin and dissolve sebum and blockages better' as well as 'improving overall texture and evenness'. She later added in an interview with Cosmopolitan.com that washing your face for a full minute each day ensures that all of the makeup, dirt, and oil that builds up on the skin throughout the day is properly removed - a process that takes a lot longer than most people might think. 'So not only do you want to give the cleanser a chance to break down and dissolve products and grime, but taking 60 seconds also makes you pay attention to your skin and what youre doinglike remembering to cleanse around the edges of your nose, under your chin, and around your hairline,' she added. Since posting about it on Twitter, Nayamka has earned a legion of devoted fans of her cleansing method, with a few even sharing before and after images of their skin under the hashtag #60secondrule. One user, Cici, revealed that following the 60-second rule cleared up her blemishes in 'just a few weeks', while Mariah shared similar then-and-now images of her own skin, while praising Nayamka's method for helping to clear her complexion in 'less than a month'. Another user chimed in: '@LaBeautyologist knows exactly what she's talking [about]. Adopted the 60-second rule and my skin is flourishing.' The rule has even made its way onto Reddit, as first noted by Cosmopolitan.com, where beauty lovers are eagerly sharing the results of the method, praising it for giving their complexion a total overhaul. Then: The Twitter user shared an image of her skin just a few weeks ago, revealing that she was suffering with a few blemishes Now: Mariah's skin has since cleared up, something that she says is down to following Nayamka's golden cleanser rule Another one! Cici is another Twitter user who was bowled over by the efficiency of the 60-second rule, revealing how it helped to clear her complexion in 'just a few weeks' 'Ive been doing this for about a month now and I have noticed the following; no more forehead bumps, softer skin texture, significant decrease in pimples, and a definite glow!' one person wrote. Another added: 'I picked up the tip from most likely the same esthetician on Twitter and the improvement in my skin has been amazing.' However, not everyone who has tried the hack has seen a huge difference, with a few people on the Reddit thread noting that increasing their cleansing time did little to improve their skin. Dermatologist Dr. Susan Cox, a partnering derm at Higher Education Skincare, told DailyMail.com that it is only necessary to wash your face for 30 seconds in order to get rid of all 'dirt and impurities'. 'Washing your face for 30 seconds with a mild cleanser and warm water should suffice to rid the skin of dirt and impurities,' she explained, while also warning anyone who wants to implement the 60-second rule into their routine against scrubbing their face too aggressively. 'Scrubbing the skin too hard or washing for too long can cause skin irritation,' she noted. In terms of the best times to cleanse, Dr. Cox explained that you should really make sure to wash your face every morning and evening, because the process removes different dirt each time. 'In the evening, cleansing the skin removes makeup, oil, bacteria and pollution while your morning cleanse will remove bacteria from saliva, your pillowcase and built-up oil,' she concluded. | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-6591289/Is-60-second-rule-secret-perfect-skin.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ito=1490&ns_campaign=1490 |
Is General Motors Ready to Take on Tesla? | Text size General Motors (GM) took aim at Tesla (TSLA) at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on Sunday. GM unveiled the new Cadillac XT6 SUV at the Detroit auto show, and while Its not all electric yet, there was some indication that the all EV model could be ready by 2021. And General Motors has more where thats coming from. Cadillac will be the tip of the corporate spear on [electric vehicles], said GM president Mark Reuss. That could be a challenge to Tesla and its Model X sport-utility vehicle with gull wing doors, especially with other all electric luxury SUVs in the auto maker pipeline. Audis e-tron SUV is accepting orders, Mercedes is planning to have an all electric luxury sport utility vehicle by the end of the decade and the Jaguar i-Pace is available for sale now. The automotive industry is going through unprecedented technological change with new safety features and propulsion technology. The one thing that hasnt change is the high level of competition. Write to Al Root at [email protected] | https://www.barrons.com/articles/is-general-motors-ready-to-take-on-tesla-51547499820 |
Will There Be a Future Man Season 3? | Created by Howard Overman, Kyle Hunter, and Ariel Shaffir and executive produced by Seth Rogen, Future Man follows the story of Josh Futturman (Josh Hutcherson), a lowly janitor and video game lover who stumbles his way into becoming humanitys savior. His time traveling antics are accompanied by two hardened, apocalyptic military officers: Tiger (Eliza Coupe), and Wolf (Derek Wilson). Together they have to save the world or die trying. Its a silly show that wonderfully blends complicated sci-fi mechanics with bro comedy, a genre pairing that works better than you may think. Even with Season 2s onslaught of dick jokes, futuristic loopholes, and wonderfully elaborate, time travel-inspired plot twists, we want more. Heres everything we know about the future of one of televisions most delightfully odd gems. At the moment we dont know whether or not well be seeing more of Josh Futturman. The series hasnt been renewed for a third season. However, if this years renewal schedule is anything like Season 1s we should know if this sci-fi comedy is back in a couple of months: Season 1 premiered in November, 2017; Hulu announced the shows Season 2 renewal in January of 2018. By that math, look for some news potentially around March. Because we dont know much about the future of this one (ha! ), were going to have to rely on this seasons production cycle. Future Man first premiered in mid November of 2017, Season 2 dropped in mid January of 2019. Based on that timeline, Season 3 could premiere in roughly a year, or a year and a half. If its happening, you can bet Josh Hutcherson, Eliza Coupe, Derek Wilson, and likely Haley Joel Osment will be making appearances. This season ended with the cameo weve been waiting on ever since this series premiered: Seth Rogen playing a furious futuristic space officer. But his guest appearance was more than just a cool moment from the A-list executive producer of this show. Season 2 ended with Josh, Tiger (Coupe), and Wolf (Wilson) in hot water for time traveling one too many times. Turns out all of those time loops created multiple timelines that led to a universe full of chaos and extraterrestrial genocide. Whoops. The season ended with our three protagonists thrown into jail in the year 3491 after receiving death sentences. A new season would likely explore their escape And you can bet it wont stop them from messing with the past, present, and future once more. Watch Future Man on Hulu | https://decider.com/2019/01/14/future-man-season-3-renewed-canceled/ |
What is Yaya Toure's net worth and how much does the former Man City star earn? | Goal rounds up Toure's career earnings, charity work and sponsorship as the Ivory Coast forward seeks a new footballing challenge Yaya Toure has enjoyed an illustrious career on both club and international levels, most notably during his spell at Manchester City where he scored 79 career goals over the course of eight seasons. He has been an important player for the Ivory Coast national team as well, winning the Africa Cup of Nations in 2015 netting 19 times in 101 appearances. He is a known philanthropist and is involved in giving back to the community as well, is outspoken about race issues in football and is a keen advocate for the preservation of animals (elephants especially) as well as a supporter of UNICEF. With the forward now having been released from Olympiakos as he searches for a new challenge, Goal has tallied up his estimated net worth and taken a look at his past charity pursuits and endorsements. Toure is currently a free agent after he re-joined the Greek club in September, though is now eager for a new challenge as he believes that modern-day footballers can play well into their 40s. He is believed to have taken a significant pay cut after joining the Greek side following the reported 220,000 he was earning a week at Manchester City, with his assets during his Etihad days thought to be worth around 54 million ($70m). Toure's primary sponsorship deal with Puma calls for part of his income to be used towards supplying shoes to underprivileged West Africans. In 2015, he was the face of Nissan's advertising in Africa and became the brand's global ambassador. Unlike the majority of his colleagues and compatriots, he is not on Instagram, though tweets semi-frequently on his Twitter account where, at the time of writing, he has amassed 726,000 followers. Looking forward to some Monday Night Football !!!! Lets do this https://t.co/gFAJBaY1cL Yaya Tour (@YayaToure) January 14, 2019 He boasts 1.3m followers on his official Facebook account, though his preferred social media platform of choice is likely his official website, with which he posts updates about his club activity, his sponsorship endorsements as well as his activities in charity work and giving back to the community. As per the introduction to the website: "In the Ivory Coast they call him 'LOrdinateur' ('the computer') because he is a master of the game, a tactician of subtle brilliance. Roberto Mancini, his former manager at Manchester City, famously called him 'coach' because of his appetite for analysing video footage of games and writing down his observations in a notebook." In October 2013, Toure joined a campaign against elephant poaching, becoming a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Environment Programme. Lets do all we can to protect the environment and the incredible animals on our planet. Great work @UNEnvironment https://t.co/9i8x88pO37 Yaya Tour (@YayaToure) November 10, 2018 In the summer of 2018, Toure gave his support to UNICEF by taking part in the Soccer Aid charity match alongside the likes of Usain Bolt, Gordon Ramsey and Kevin Pietersen. The match raised over 5.5m. He also leads the Yaya Toure Young Leaders Programme, an educational vehicle that seeks to expand the horizons of young people in Africa aged 15-25. The course covers HIV prevention, gender equality issues and the dangers of substance abuse, and is geared to developing the future leaders of Africa. Toure also joined forced with Idris Elba, former footballer Patrick Vieira and others in a groundbreaking campaign titled 'Ebola Deeply Africa United' that broadcast to millions across Africa and the world, in an effort to de-stigmatise the healthcare workers fighting the Ebola epidemic. After signing a boot deal with Puma in 2011, Toure insisted on waiving his fee in exchange for large amounts of football equipment to be distributed among West African children living in poverty. Toure's aim was to give more children in the region the chance to play football, therefore encouraging football development in Africa at grassroots level, as well as supporting child welfare. In under-privileged areas of Africa, football is a way for children to enjoy themselves and be healthy, for some it is also a way to a better life as it was for me. I am very happy to be working with PUMA on this, he said at the time. The Ivory Coast international has also been an active participant in the discourse surrounding racism and the bigotry received by black footballers, and is an ambassador for anti-racism group FARE and also advised FIFA on how to fight the issue. It was my pleasure to visit @farenets #DiversityHouse today! All my career I have stood against racism and discrimination. I wanted to thank the campaigners fighting this issue every day. We should all support them as much as possible. Article continues below Toure has enjoyed an illustrious career that has seen him play for some of the biggest names in European football including Barcelona, Man City and Monaco, but it is with Man City that he hit his career best in form, scoring 79 career goals and winning three Premier League titles, one FA Cup, two EFL Cups and one Community Shield. He is an Africa Cup of Nations champion with the Ivory Coast in 2015 and was named African Footballer of the Year on four occasions for four consecutive years (2011-2015) as well as Manchester City Player of the Year in 2013-14. Toure's net worth has been estimated at 54m ($70m) by the website Celebrity Net Worth | https://www.goal.com/en-sg/news/what-is-yaya-toures-net-worth-and-how-much-does-the-former/ymve7adgmft416rjlri2h3i4x |
Will New Governor Disrupt Oklahoma Status Quo? | - KEVIN Stitt won the 2018 governor's race by tapping into voter dissatisfaction with politics as usual. A businessman who rarely even voted in governor's races before placing his name on the ballot, Stitt made it through a crowded Republican field and then defeated a well-known, well-funded Democrat by promising to reject the status quo.Stitt gets to begin following through on his promise Monday when he is sworn in as Oklahoma's 28th governor. Our hope is he will do exactly that, with help from a Legislature that has seen considerable turnover since last year.Stitt, 46, has focused on bringing private-sector principles and experience into government. This is evident in his early appointments, many of whom have been | https://www.realclearpolitics.com/2019/01/13/will_new_governor_disrupt_oklahoma_status_quo_463394.html |
What Good Is It Electing Women to Government When the Government Is Closed? | Getty | Katie Buckleitner Before I was elected to Congress last fall, to represent Californias 25thDistrict (parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties), I had a career working for the states largest provider of services for homeless people. I made sacrifices to quit a job I loved and launch a campaign, including racking up personal debt. But like so many of the women who ran, I did it because I believed our country was in crisis. I still do. Now Im officially a Congresswoman (one of the youngest ever!). But starting work during the government shutdown has been surreal. I thought Id be pressing for healthcare or universal background checks for gun purchases by now. These are the issues I ran on. The freshman women of Congress already have a reputation for not sitting down and shutting up. And I assure you, none of us are waiting for permission to get involved in this fight. Instead, shortly after being sworn into office, I headed back home to California to meet with my constituents at a town hall meeting. Theres an air traffic control center in my district that is responsible for all of the flights going in and out of southern California, so I represent a lot of federal employees who are either working without pay or furloughed. I heard from them that they were struggling to feed their families and having to decide which bills to pay. Just to clarify: Congress is open. Government shutdowns affect nearly a million federal employees, but not us, so I will get my first paycheck right on schedule, on February 1. Im anxious about this because many of us dont want to get paid until the rest of the government workers do. But because of my campaign, I havent taken a paycheck in eighteen months. Im surviving on microwave dinners. Okay, Im fully California Dreamin... @realDonaldTrump keeps saying that no Democrats are in town or willing to negotiate, but here I am. So, open the government then well talk. Thank you to @CNN and @MSNBC for having me, today! pic.twitter.com/qGaXJpUMuo Rep. Katie Hill (@RepKatieHill) January 13, 2019 Its frustrating that I havent been able to give my attention to the agenda I ran on. But the freshman women of Congress already have a reputation for not sitting down and shutting up. And I can assure you, none of us are waiting for permission to get involved in this fight. Im in a group chat with many of the other freshman members, and were constantly strategizing how to get the government back open. We share talking points from our town halls and messaging that has been successful in our districts. One member recently told us about how they made five stops in the middle of a snowstorm to talk to constituents about the shutdown. As for me, Id be willing to meet with Trump himself. Id even sign off on funding some border barriers in smart places, in conjunction with real immigration reform. Im willing to talk with members on the other side of the aisle. I was sent here to do a jobI dont have time for political games. I know I have to play the hand I was dealt, which happens to be Donald Trump and a government shutdown. While at times Ive felt hampered by my inability to make change, I am also optimistic well get this resolved. I know I will only get louder and louder until we do. I know I have to play the hand I was dealt, which happens to be Donald Trump and a government shutdown. And weve already had small victories: The House was able to pass a bill that will allow people to get their tax returns during the shutdown and another one that will protect food stamps and housing assistance. Around D.C., the mood is still quiet and grim. Some agencies are operating with skeleton crews, so parking lots sit empty. Uber drivers tell me theyve never seen it so dead. Tourists have skipped town, since the Smithsonian and all the other museums are closed. But at 9 p.m. this past Saturday night, I was on a group call with other members of the freshman class, a late-night huddle to figure out what we can do next. Thats exactly why its good to have all of these new women in governmentwere relentless. | https://www.cosmopolitan.com/politics/a25890475/katie-hill-government-shutdown-affects-freshman-congress-women/ |
When Is Chinese New Year 2019? | New Year's Eve has come and gone, but for many parts of Asia, that celebration is just about to begin. On Chinese New Year which is on Feb. 5, 2019 the Year of the Earth Dog will officially be over and the Year of the Earth Pig will begin. This date is determined by the new lunar calendar hence why it's also called the Lunar New Year and why the date of the Chinese festival is always different. Gwengoat via Getty Images A performer in a traditional lion dance costume for Chinese New Year. If you're wondering why there's an animal and element used to represent the year, it's because these two components determine the dominant character traits of people born in any given year. For example, Earth Dogs (those born between Feb. 16, 2018 and Feb. 4, 2019) are considered "communicative, serious, and responsible in work," while Earth Pigs (those born between Feb. 5, 2019 and Jan. 24, 2020) are considered "communicative, popular among their friends, with a strong sense of time keeping," according to China Highlights. ly86 via Getty Images The 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac. The animals of the Chinese zodiac rotate on a 12-year cycle, beginning with the Rat and ending with the Pig. These animals also rotate through the five elements wood, fire, earth, metal and water creating a 60-year cycle. The animal and element of the year affects everyone, not just those who are born in that year. And, according to Hawaii-based astrologer Cathryn Moe, the Year of the Pig is expected to be a good one for many. "The year will be more comfortable and will allow people to indulge," Moe predicted to The Japan Times. "We have to pace ourselves (through life) and there hasn't been much opportunity to do that in the past few years as we've gone from one shock to the next. This year involves everyone taking responsibility for their well-being." Chinese New Year celebrations are held across Asia, and involve lion dances to repel bad spirits and the giving of red packets to symbolize good fortune. And, of course, the festival is celebrated with specific foods, such as mandarins, dumplings, and lychee. Also on HuffPost: | https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2019/01/14/chinese-new-year-2019_a_23642345/ |
What makes wearables wearable? | Acceptance is a big issue with wearables, says Ichiro Amimori as he zips himself into a black compression top trimmed with a network of Tron-style silver lines, but then again, in the 13th Century, people in Japan didnt wear eyeglasses. Amimori is the co-founder and CEO of Xenoma a Tokyo-based firm specialising in wearable motion tracking tech. Hes modelling the companys e-skin Shirt a camera-free wearable that tracks its wearers movements via 15 sensors, which are connected via flexible circuits to a small hub device attached to the chest. Hes speaking at CES Asia a Chinese counterpart to the Las Vegas event that showcases the biggest, most exciting, and sometimes weirdest new gadgets and his comment about acceptance raises a very good point. Not on my watch Unlike our own Running Man of Tech Gareth Beavis, I rarely use a sports watch while training. In fact, I only take my phone so I can enjoy Google Plays Unstoppable Rock radio station and have a lifeline in case Im so distracted by my one-woman Bryan Adams/Whitesnake/Motorhead gig that I take a wrong turn. For me, a watch is just an annoying extra. Yes, the data might be useful, but not enough to justify fiddling with its awkward USB clip every day, and Ive never bothered with its chest strap-mounted heart rate monitor. A wicking sports top, on the other hand, is essential unless you want to sweat like a pig and smell accordingly. And if that top happens to have motion sensors embedded, then getting stats on speed, elevation, heart rate and distance is no extra work at all. The retro-futuristic style looks a little odd in a conference hall, but running gear isnt known for its subtlety, and the black and silver would be nicely understated compared to much of my kit. For me, its much more wearable than a Garmin. Garmin's stand at CES Asia boasted a huge range of sports wearables for humans, as well as various options for dogs. Since your dog needs a collar anyway, I'd argue that the canine versions are more 'wearable' Listen to your heart Steven LeBoeuf, president of biometrics developer Valencell, understands the dislike of wrist-based devices for workouts. Earbuds are better, he says. If you forget your earbuds for the gym, youre going to go back for them. I am indeed, and the thought opens up a world of possibilities not only could you track your heart rate during your run, you could also plot it against each song in your playlists. Google Play Music is blocked in China, so this particular line of thought might arise from dad-rock withdrawal, but I think its what LeBoeuf would call a compelling user experience. He suggests a couple of examples that could use biometrics in place of a game controller one where you must control your breathing in order to use the Force to move an object, Star Wars style, and another where you consciously go the other way and turn into the Hulk. Combining the two would be an intellectual property nightmare, but it sounds amazing. Last years Pokmon Go Plus wearable was a one-trick Ponyta whose appeal soon wore off. Although it was novel, it didnt do anything the smartphone app didnt already do better Thats a problem Joni Kettunen, CEO of heart rate analytics firm Firstbeat, has seen in the past. The most famous product in China used to be the Xiaomi Mi Band, he says, referring to the super-cheap pedometer originally released in 2015, with several new iterations since. Is anyone here wearing one? No hands are raised. He doesnt look surprised. The pedometer function is too simple," he explains. "It cant resolve any problems for the consumer, so no one will wear it for a long time. New things arent necessarily continually useful. The main appeal of the Xiaomi Mi Band was its extremely low price, but that wasn't enough to make it wearable in the long term In the long run I think thats another reason the shirt works so well as a wearable. Many of us abandoned wristwatches in favor of smartphones many years ago. For us, any wrist-based device has a hard act to follow; unless it does something as continually useful as showing the time, itll be abandoned in the sock drawer before Christmas. The Tron top has no such handicap; its a straight replacement for something all runners already use, and doesnt lack anything youd expect to find in premium sportswear. The complex data from its 15 sensors always be relevant to athletes, and if the right developers buy the SDK, it should be easily accessible and understandable through various apps. The only person I can think of who might disagree is the man whos spent all day running on the spot in Xenomas booth on the show floor. Despite the air conditioning, Shanghai in June is hot and humid and I bet he doesnt have Billy Joel on his earphones. | https://www.techradar.com/au/news/what-makes-wearables-wearable |
Will Kanhaiya Kumar be arrested over JNU sedition case chargesheet filed by Delhi Police? | Delhi Police will on Monday file a chargesheet against Kanhaiya Kumar and nine others accused of sedition which involved the use of 'anti-national slogans' at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). The chargesheet is likely to be filed in Patiala House court. On February 11, 2016, a special wing of the Delhi Police had begun investigations into the controversial allegations of sedition raised against some JNU students, including former students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar, Anirban Bhattacharya and Syed Umar Khalid. The police are now ready to file the chargesheet in the case against the accused after the special wing took necessary sanctions from Delhi Police Commissioner and wrapped up the probe on Sunday. The three were arrested in 2016 for allegedly organising an event at the university campus against the hanging of Afzal Guru, a Kashmiri separatist convicted for the 2001 Parliament attack. The university had taken disciplinary actions against the accused people and had also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000, which was later set aside by the Delhi High court. According to the police chargesheet, Kanhaiya led the protesters on the evening of February 9, 2016. The police found that the protesters did not complete the legal formalities from JNU to conduct any events in the university campus. The group was halted and informed that they did not have permission to proceed with the event. "To this, Kanhaiya came forward, had an argument with the security personnel and then led the mob while raising slogans," the chargesheet says, reported TOI. After the arrest, Kanhaiya rose to fame which resulted in major protests across the country. Others named in the chargesheet are Aquib Hussain, Umar Gul, Rayees Rasool, Basharat Ali and Khalid Bashir Bhat, who are all residents of Jammu and Kashmir. In his reaction to the news, Kanhaiya Kumar said he should thank police authorities and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for filing the chargesheet just ahead of Lok Sabha elections as it exposes political motivation. "If the news is true that a chargesheet has been filed, I would like to thank police and Modi Ji. The filing of chargesheet after 3 years, ahead of elections clearly shows it to be politically motivated. I trust the judiciary of my country," he told media on Monday. The former president of the JNUSU, Kanhaiya Kumar, is currently the leader of the All India Students Federation (AISF) and elected to the 125 members national council of the Communist Party of India (CPI) on 29 April 2018. Kanhaiya was all set to contest in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections when the alleged sedition case has been unearthed by the Delhi police special wing. He was planning to contest from Begusarai district in Bihar, which is his home turf, on a CPI party ticket. He was contesting against the ruling Janat Dal-United (JD-U)-BJP alliance. He was expected to get support from Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). Kanhaiya has been actively involved in politics after his release in 2016, in connection with the anti-national slogans at JNU. He had also met chief minister Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad Yadav. Now under all the controversies and allegations, Kanhaiya Kumar is more likely to be arrested with others involved in the JNU event. | https://www.ibtimes.co.in/will-kanhaiya-kumar-be-arrested-over-jnu-sedition-case-chargesheet-filed-by-delhi-police-789988 |
Why are there no American riders left in MotoGP? | Ever since Pat Hennen joined the 500cc World Championship in 1976, the US has played a key role in shaping the history of what we now know as MotoGP. From Kenny Roberts Sr revolutionizing the sport in the late 1970s to Hayden's ultimate underdog triumph over Valentino Rossi in 2006, American riders have almost always been at the forefront of grand prix racing's top tier - until recently. It's now been nearly eight years since Ben Spies' sole MotoGP triumph at Assen in 2011, which remains the most recent for an American rider in a category now utterly dominated by Italians and Spaniards. And in that time, the number of Americans on the grid full-time has dwindled from three to zero, a number that looks unlikely to increase any time soon. Spies was the last rider to follow what was once a well-trodden path from domestic success in America to the world stage, switching to World Superbike after racking up three consecutive titles in AMA Superbike in 2006, '07 and '08. After winning WSBK at his first attempt in 2009, he duly made the move to MotoGP with Tech 3 in 2010, and was promoted to a place in Yamaha's factory line-up the following year when Rossi made his ill-fated switch to Ducati. But when Spies' MotoGP career faltered a couple of years later, there were no young Americans ready to fill the breach. Colin Edwards and Hayden were both approaching the end of their careers, with two-time WSBK champion Edwards calling it a day after the 2014 season and Hayden switching over to WSBK at the end of the following year. Barring a couple of late-season cameos by Hayden in 2016 to replace the injured Dani Pedrosa, that year was the first since 1975 without any American riders on the starting grid. While 500cc was once dominated by Americans and Australians, the make-up of modern day MotoGP is overwhelmingly European. Of the 22 riders that comprise the class of 2019, just three (Jack Miller, Takaaki Nakagami and Hafizh Syahrin) are from any other continent. Italy and Spain together make up more than 60 percent of the grid. Hafizh Syahrin, Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Photo by: Gold and Goose / LAT Images Wayne Rainey, a three-time 500cc champion in the early 1990s, believes that's no coincidence, citing the work done by those countries' national federations to prepare their youngsters for world competition. And at the same time, he laments the demise of AMA Superbike as a training ground for future MotoGP stars, something he pins on the sale of the series to NASCAR-owned Daytona Motorsports Group (DMG) back in 2008. Rainey said: "America was the dominant force in my era, and obviously much has changed in the last 20 years. I think what has happened is that the national federations in Europe, in Italy and Spain, worked very hard on their national championships, raising them to a high level. So very young riders could race in professional categories. "This was always the strong point for America, the national championship was at a very high level. This is why America was so strong in the past. But things change. "American racing was very strong up until the end of about 2008. Then [DMG] bought AMA Superbike, they changed the rules, they made the 600cc class the number one focus for the championship. Superbike was no longer the priority. "This created some confusion, and this started the decline in America. Then we had the financial crisis and that was right at the time that Europe was getting very focused on their national championships, as far as the rules were gonna be, the bikes were gonna be. This has been super-successful." A quick glance at the list of AMA Superbike champions shows just how many future MotoGP and WSBK stars the championship has provided. Besides Rainey himself, Eddie Lawson, Fred Merkel, Doug Chandler, Scott Russell, Doug Polen, Troy Corser and Ben Bostrom, as well as Edwards, Hayden and Spies all went on to have successful international careers off the back of their exploits in the States. Hayden even moved directly from AMA to a Respol Honda MotoGP ride in 2003. After Spies' run of titles, the series was dominated by Josh Hayes, who at 35 was too old to realistically go on to race abroad full-time by the time he won his first AMA title - although he did make a MotoGP cameo at Valencia in 2011 in place of the injured Edwards at Tech 3 and hardly disgraced himself. Josh Herrin (15 years the junior of his namesake) then ended Hayes' run in 2013, and off the back of that got a chance in Moto2 with the SIC team in 2014. But he didn't last the season, having been totally outclassed by teammate Johann Zarco. Clearly, AMA pedigree was no longer the guarantee of success overseas it once was. #2 Josh Herrin Photo by: James Holland Not long after that, Rainey's KRAVE organisation (so-named because of the initials of Rainey and his fellow partners) took over the running of AMA Superbike from DMG, rebranding the series MotoAmerica for the 2015 season. Cameron Beaubier - teammate to none other than Marc Marquez in the 125cc class back in 2009 - became the first champion of the new era that year, before adding further crowns in 2016 and 2018, having lost out to former MotoGP race winner and Moto2 champion Toni Elias in 2017. In years gone by, a rider with Beaubier's credentials would have most likely gone on to have a successful career overseas, especially with his close ties to Yamaha. But, barring a one-off appearance in World Superbike at Donington Park in 2016 as an injury stand-in, Beaubier has opted to stay put. It's a situation that dismays Rainey, but he says it's perfectly understandable when you consider the financial side. "What Ive seen in these last four years is that these racers understand that in the world championship, the opportunity to be on a top-level machine and make a career out of it are much less than before," admitted Rainey. "In America, a racer like Beaubier is making more money racing in MotoAmerica than everybody in World Superbike except [four-time world champion] Jonathan Rea. "He is doing very well in America, he can go home after the race and sleep in his own bed and he is making probably double what he could make in the world championship. Thats why I dont think Beaubier is going abroad." But Rainey believes Beaubier is not making the most of his potential by remaining in America, and even revealed that he has urged him to look beyond MotoAmerica to further his career. "I think he is not trying to race internationally enough," he added. "Hes not in the Suzuka 8 Hour, hes not pushing Yamaha for a MotoGP test or to ride for the World Superbike team. I think he could be in the top five no problem in World Superbike. "If it was me, and Ive told him, I think you should go past MotoAmerica, and if they want you to race for nothing, you should race for nothing. And if you have to pay something, maybe you should think about that because its for your future.' If you are successful, you can make a much better career abroad than you can in MotoAmerica." Cameron Beaubier and Josh Herrin Photo by: Ken Weisenberger Rainey went on to cite the example of JD Beach, perhaps best known to European audiences as the winner of the Red Bull Rookies Cup back in 2008, as a rider who has been proactive about trying to create opportunities abroad. "I know he was in Valencia, looking around in Moto2 for [a ride in] 2020," Rainey said of Beach, who is stepping up to MotoAmerica's Superbike class after winning the Supersport crown last year. "This is what it takes. "You have to go over there, get in front of the teams, you have to be willing to figure out how to get a test. And I know there are many teams in Europe that would love to see someone new in the paddock, especially from America." After Herrin's short-lived Moto2 stint in 2014, the lower classes of grand prix racing were devoid of US representation until the arrival of Joe Roberts in the middle of 2017. The 21-year-old from Los Angeles got the opportunity to join the now-defunct AGR team in Moto2 after establishing himself as a top-five rider in CEV Moto2, and from there was handed a full season aboard the unfancied NTS chassis, managing only five points all year. Still, Roberts (no relation to the famous US racing dynasty) has secured himself a ride with the CGBM Evolution KTM team for 2019, which ought to provide a much more representative look at whether he has true star potential. While Rainey doesn't name Roberts directly, he cautions that nothing less than top-fives will do if he, Beach or any other future hopeful from the States is to have any chance of cracking open the Spanish-Italian MotoGP duopoly. "Dorna really wants to see America be successful," said Rainey. "Maybe the right [rider] hasnt come around yet, but I think Dorna is waiting for me to tell them which one we think can be there. "But when an American [goes into Moto2 or Moto3], you cannot run 10th place, or 15th or 20th. Nobody will think you are good enough. If you finish in the top five, you have a chance. But unless you do, nobody will take you serious. "This is why, when an American comes, he must finish towards the podium, and if this happens, then I think that particular rider would have a chance to race in MotoGP." Joe Roberts, RW Racing Photo by: Gold and Goose / LAT Images Reaching MotoGP is one thing, but having a chance to win is quite another. And the grand prix paddock is a famously unforgiving place towards those riders who fail to make an immediate impact at the top level, regardless of their nationality. The crowd numbers at COTA each April for the MotoGP race seem to prove that its of little interest to American race fans where the riders come from: they just want to see great action. So if a rider having sufficient talent and experience is of far greater significance than place of origin, that may require potential American stars to head to Europe in their mid-teens to compete in CEV Moto3 or the Rookies Cup and therefore sidestep MotoAmerica entirely. That isnt a disaster for MotoAmerica: Raineys series is likely to benefit more from American success abroad stoking enthusiasm on the domestic front, than sending his stars to Europe at an age when their habits are starting to solidify, their ability to radically reboot and relearn is fading, and therefore their potential is limited. Generally speaking, the days of national Superbike series providing future MotoGP riders has passed. The disciplines are much more divergent now than they were in the early 2000s, when Hayden, Shane Byrne and Makoto Tamada all transitioned directly to MotoGP from AMA, British Superbike and All-Japan Superbike respectively. It should also be pointed out that success in MotoGP is a numbers game. The chances of one American prevailing in the tsunami of Italian and Spanish riders is necessarily a remote one, so there needs to be a counteracting tidal wave of talent from across the Atlantic. And if there is no such thing brewing, perhaps that indicates an increasing disaffection for bike racing at least at the fully pro level among the teenagers and youth of America. In which case, US bike fans may be destined forever to look back on the late '70s to early '90s as their golden era. | https://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/american-riders-wayne-rainey-interview/4320275/ |
Where do Mississippi politicians stand on Medicaid expansion? | Mississippi is one of 14 states that have refused to expand Medicaid coverage, but that could change in 2019. On Monday, the director of the Mississippi Division of Medicaid spoke to the House Appropriations Committee about expanding insurance coverage in the state. Medicaid Director Drew Snyder said his agency continues to hear from hospitals about how many patients dont have insurance. (It's a) fair concern to think about whats out there to lower those numbers, Snyder said, according to the Associated Press. Democrats have long advocated for expanding the coverage gap. Billions of dollars in federal funding would come with expansion, bringing insurance to an estimated 100,000 people without coverage, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Other estimates put the number of uninsured much higher. Currently, about a quarter of Mississippians are insured through Medicaid. More: UPDATED: Who's running for governor, AG and other open seats in Mississippi More: Republican governor candidate Robert Foster supports version of Medicaid expansion Medicaid expansion requires a 10 percent stake in funds from participating state governments, something at which Republicans have long balked, or feared would increase later. Now, some Mississippi Republicans appear to be supporting Medicaid expansion with strings attached mostly aimed at reducing the cost to the state. Proponents believe Medicaid expansion could save rural hospitals and stimulate the economy. Opponents believe it would cost money that Mississippi doesn't have. Democratic lawmakers said they want the Medicaid expansion issue tackled during the 2019 legislative session. Politicians in both parties have publicly announced their views on Medicaid expansion ahead of the elections this fall. Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant speaks at a round table with President Donald Trump. Various leaders of Miss. state agencies gathered with the president and vice president Mike Pence to discuss criminal justice reform initiatives. Gulfport, Miss. Monday, Nov. 26, 2018. (Photo: Sarah Warnock, Clarion Ledger) Gov. Publicly, no. Mississippi Today reported that the outgoing Republican governor had been in talks with people in the healthcare industry about potentially expanding Medicaid with some strings attached, similar to what then-Gov. Mike Pence did in Indiana. Bryant denied the report. Quote: From Bryant's spokesman Knox Graham: Gov. Bryant doesnt have Medicaid expansion on his legislative agenda, and he doesnt foresee that occurring this year. Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood stands on the steps of the Chicksaw County Courthouse in Houston, Miss., with his family and supporters as he announces his candidacy for governor, Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2018. Hood is the only Democrat currently holding statewide office in Mississippi. Yes. Hood has been Mississippi's attorney general since 2004. He is the lone Democratic statewide elected official. Hood has said it doesn't make sense to not expand Medicaid coverage and bring federal money to Mississippi. Quote: "The best-paying jobs in my communities are at the hospitals and clinics and in medical care," Hood told the Clarion Ledger in October. "We missed a great economic development opportunity, just like we did on roads. I support us accepting federal dollars that will keep our hospitals open and help our people." Mississippi Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves pauses before entering the stage to speak at the 'MAGA Christmas' rally at Biloxi's Mississippi Coast Coliseum. The rally was held in support of incumbent U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith the evening before a run off between Hyde-Smith and Mike Espy for senate. Monday, Nov. 26, 2018. (Photo: Sarah Warnock, Clarion Ledger) Lt. Gov. No. Reeves is a two-term lieutenant governor and heir-apparent to Bryant, who is term-limited. He is firmly against Medicaid expansion, referring to it instead as "Obamacare expansion." Quote: "I'm opposed to Obamacare expansion in Mississippi. I'm opposed to Obamacare expansion in Mississippi. I'm opposed to Obamacare expansion in Mississippi," Reeves said at a luncheon on Jan. 14. " I don't know how many ways I can explain this to y'all but I'm opposed to Obamacare expansion in Mississippi because it is not in the best interest of taxpayers." State Rep. Robert Foster, R-Hernando, speaks with reporters as he discusses his reasons for running for governor of Mississippi, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019, at the state GOP headquarters in Jackson, Miss. Kind of. Foster, a first-term lawmaker from Hernando, has described himself as a "conservative outsider." He said he supports a version of Medicaid expansion where participants would be required to contribute a monthly fee in order to receive coverage. More: Republican governor candidate Robert Foster supports version of Medicaid expansion Quote: "I do not personally support traditional expansion of Medicaid like they've done in some other states. But what I do support, and what we do have to take into serious consideration, is looking at waivers and an innovative way of bringing health care that is affordable to the working class Mississippians that are left out right now." Mississippi Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann announces his run for Lt. Governor. Possibly. Hosemann, a Republican, has been Secretary of State since 2008. At a campaign stop in Tupelo, Hosemann was asked about his stance on Medicaid expansion by the Daily Journal. Hosemann said he could support a plan similar to what Indiana and Arkansas did. Those states put additional conditions in place as part of Medicaid expansion. Quote: I think we can negotiate out where we can get an affordable expansion, Hosemann told the Daily Journal. When you get to break even, thats when you can afford to expand. Rep. Jay Hughes, of Oxford, a first-term Democrat in the Mississippi House, announces that he is running for lieutenant governor in 2019, Thursday, May 3, 2018, in Jackson, Miss. Hughes is the first candidate to announce for what will be an open seat next year. Republican Lt. Gov. Yes. A first-term Democratic lawmaker, Hughes has been actively campaigning for lieutenant governor since May 2018. Quote: Because our rural hospitals are closing and healthcare is suffering, I support expanding Medicaid in whatever manner increases healthy outcomes and the thousands of medical jobs we left on the table. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Read or Share this story: https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/politics/2019/01/14/mississippi-medicaid-expansion-where-do-politicians-stand/2538045002/ | https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/politics/2019/01/14/mississippi-medicaid-expansion-where-do-politicians-stand/2538045002/ |
Why does the status of Jerusalem matter? | Updated Australia has recognised "West Jerusalem" as the capital of Israel. The city is Israel's declared capital, its Parliament and other institutions of state are all there. For a start, there is no city called West Jerusalem, according to the Israeli Government. Jerusalem, "complete and united", is the capital declared by an Israeli Basic law, which has similar legal status to a constitution. The Israeli Government hasn't so far acknowledged Australia's recognition of "West" Jerusalem and Australian statements about a potential Palestinian capital in East Jerusalem also run counter to Israel's position. So the declaration doesn't satisfy Israelis and has also angered Palestinian officials. In recognising "West" Jerusalem as Israel's capital, Australia has joined just three other nations; the Russian Federation, the Czech Republic and Panama. Most countries with the United States one notable exception avoid this issue and keep their embassies in the commercial capital Tel Aviv. Because the status of Jerusalem is one of international law and diplomacy's most problematic questions. It has not been settled since the war over the creation of the state of Israel in 1948. In 1967, Israel drove out Jordanian troops from the east of the city and dramatically expanded its municipal borders. International law still considers East Jerusalem to be Palestinian territory under Israeli occupation. Numerous United Nations Security Council Resolutions criticise Israel's subsequent actions in East Jerusalem, including calling on Israel to "withdraw its forces from territories occupied in the 1967 conflict" (242), "desist forthwith from taking any further action which tends to change the status of the city" (252), "dismantle the existing settlements" (465) and "cease settlement activities" (2334). UNSC resolution 478 noted in Scott Morrison's policy speech also calls on member states to withdraw their diplomatic missions from the city. In 465, the Security Council called Israel's settlement policy and practices including in Jerusalem "a flagrant violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention " and "a serious obstruction to achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East". The International Court of Justice has concluded "third states" (such as Australia) have a duty not to recognise an illegal situation as lawful or assist in maintaining it. States also have a responsibility to ensure respect for the Fourth Geneva Convention. So these are among the reasons why many nations are reluctant to change a long-held position on Jerusalem, not that they don't realise the practical reality. On the ground, Jerusalem can still seem a divided city. In some parts, Israel has built high concrete walls to separate communities, purportedly for security, but something that has also been found to breach international law. In others, Jewish settlers acquire properties in Arab areas and Jewish settlements are built with government planning approval. Violent clashes are common and tension is evident on any visit to these places. Most Palestinians in the east have Israeli residency, not full citizenship. That residency can be cancelled at the discretion of Israeli authorities. The contrast between Palestinian neighbourhoods behind the wall poor, crowded, chaotic and suburbs in the west is striking. But many roads are also bad and services are lacking in those Arab suburbs of East Jerusalem that have not been separated by walls or fences. The Israeli Government this year acknowledged a huge disparity in municipal funding for those areas and promised to rectify it. The Palestinian Liberation Organisation said Australia's new policy is contradictory and violates its obligations under international law (namely UNSC 478, something Australia denies). The Israeli Government welcomed the announcement of a Trade and Defence office in Jerusalem without mentioning the recognition of the capital. The Prime Minister said Australia's declaration comes from a desire to end a "rancid stalemate" in the peace process. But neither side appears impressed by Australia's input on Jerusalem. Which perhaps suggests why so few countries have taken this position on the city. Topics: world-politics, government-and-politics, federal-government, palestinian-territory-occupied, israel, australia First posted | https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-01-15/why-does-the-status-of-jerusalem-matter/10625676 |
Is toxic masculinity too hot for men to handle? | The best a man can get, the long-time advertising slogan of Gillette, is being turned on its head in the #MeToo era. The company has unveiled its Super Bowl ad, acknowledging that via toxic masculinity, men havent been at their best. Not by a long shot. The ad is among the first to address the #MeToo movement head on, and to blatantly tell men to change their behavior, the Wall Street Journal said today. This is an important conversation happening, and as a company that encourages men to be their best, we feel compelled to both address it and take action of our own, said Pankaj Bhalla, Gillette brand director for North America in an emailed statement. We are taking a realistic look at whats happening today, and aiming to inspire change by acknowledging that the old saying Boys Will Be Boys is not an excuse. We want to hold ourselves to a higher standard, and hope all the men we serve will come along on that journey to find our best together. Its a risky move, said Dean Crutchfield, CEO of branding firm Crutchfield + Partners. On one hand, it creates a credible, believable, and upfront conversation that takes brutal honesty and tough decisions, he said. Gillette needs to appeal to millennials who care about what companies stand for, he said. Are you asking too much of your consumer to be having this conversation with them? Crutchfield asks. Thats a pathetic couple of questions to ask. | https://blogs.mprnews.org/newscut/2019/01/is-toxic-masculinity-too-hot-for-men-to-handle/ |
Will Gillette's Ad Campaign On Sexual Harassment And Toxic Masculinity Bring Change? | Gillette released a new ad campaign today, addressing #MeToo and toxic masculinity. The almost two-minute short film version of the ad asks Is this the best a man can get? Rowdy and aggressive boys are depicted as are men sexually harassing women. Male bystanders merely look on or laugh. The ad then shows news clips of #Metoo commentary and Terry Crews asserting, Men need to hold other men accountable. Then, men are depicted differently, intervening to stop the bullying and harassment. Heres what the psychology research says. To understand the problem with Gillette ad, its important to understand the work of Robert Cialdini, a preeminent researcher in the area of influence. His work not only illustrates how to best formulate a message in order to influence behavior, but also how some mixed messages can have unintended effects. This may be problem with Gillettes ad the mixed message. According to Cialdini, there are two norms that motivate people. First, people generally want to gain approval and avoid disapproval. The Gillette ad is clearly disapproving of aggressive behavior and harassment. The problem is with the second norm. This norm suggests that people like to do what is popular. In other words, they like to do what everyone else does. The issue with the Gillette ad is that it pits these two motivations against each other. It suggests that most men are bullies and harassers. If you want to be like everyone else, then you need to be a bully and harasser too. To illustrate how this plays out, Cialdini and colleagues performed an experiment aimed at getting visitors to the Petrified Forest to refrain from stealing the petrified wood. Along with the sign which asked visitors not to remove wood from the forest, the experimenters tried installing a sign which read: Your heritage is being vandalized every day by theft losses of petrified wood of 14 tons a year, mostly a small piece at a time. This warning suggested both that stealing is bad and that most people steal. The amount of wood stolen from the forest actually increased - the exact opposite of the intended effect of the message. Visitors thought it was okay to steal, since many others were clearly stealing as well. As it stand now, the Gillette ad sends a similar mixed message. The message is that aggressive behavior is wrong, and yet many men still partake in this behavior. These two messages may work against each other, and viewers are left subconsciously questioning whether they want to behave correctly or like most other men. The Gillette ad would be much more effective if only the second half of the ad were presented. If only men holding one another accountable were depicted, then the message would be consistent. Gillette disapproves of bullying and harassment, and most men are calling out other men who are bullies or harassers. In reality, most men and boys are not bullies or harassers. The ad says that "some men" are already behaving appropriately, but goes on to say , "some is not enough." This message would be more persuasive if it suggested that most men are already behaving appropriately. According to Adweek, research conducted by Gillettes parent company, Procter and Gamble found the following four attributes define a great man: honesty, moral integrity, hard work and respect for others. And when asked what men could do to be great, the most common answers were being a good father, setting a good example and taking unprompted action to help those in need. By this definition, Gillette could easily suggest that many men are already there. Gillette should be praised for helping to keep these issues in the spotlight and in the public dialog. But, in the future, advertisers should be aware that when we try to mobilize action against the problem by demonstrating the prevalence of the problem, we may undermine the message. Hopefully, most men will want to behave like the men at the end of Gillette's ad and not those at the beginning. | https://www.forbes.com/sites/kimelsesser/2019/01/14/will-gillettes-ad-campaign-on-sexual-harassment-and-toxic-masculinity-bring-change/ |
Can NASCAR solve calendar criticism in 2020? | Kurt Busch was the most critical this year, describing the series current calendar as "stale" and suggesting the Cup series should visit popular tracks outside the calendar for midweek races. Kevin Harvick, like Busch, believes that the season finale should be rotated between venues in an attempt to emulate the NFL's Super Bowl. There has been a groundswell of criticism regarding "cookie-cutter tracks" or 1.5-mile tracks, deemed to be too similar to each other and lacking interest compared to other circuits. That's led to a demand for more short tracks like the popular Bristol. It was no surprise that in the yearly state of NASCAR media conference, president Steve Phelps was asked for his take on the calendar. "I think everything is in play. So we've heard from our fan base that they would like to see more short track racing," he said. "They want to see more road courses. They want to see less cookie-cutter tracks, whatever that means. "I think that we are looking with our broadcast partners and with our tracks and with our teams and drivers to get input on what each of them believes would be an ideal schedule, and then we're obviously doing fan research as part of it. I do. All those things would be in play." Introduction of the Roval In fairness to NASCAR, it did make changes for 2018. The addition of Charlotte's Roval proved highly popular after an exciting first race and changes such as a second Las Vegas race and a rearranged Indianapolis were also met with approval. But NASCAR can currently do very little to counteract the criticism immediately, with its calendar largely predetermined through to 2020. This is because the series signed long-term deals with the tracks back in 2015, with a narrow window of dates for the two major track-owning companies: The International Speedway Corporation and Speedway Motorsports Inc. The two companies own all but three tracks on the 2018 calendar - Indianapolis, Pocono and Dover are the exceptions - meaning just fives races a year fall outside of their jurisdiction. The ISC is also owned by the NASCAR's France family and the series recently offered to buy the remaining shares of ISC it did not own in order to merge the two companies in a future-looking and "strategic" move. Other changes Other pushes from drivers this year have included less races per year and midweek events in the ilk of the NFL and MLB, and even a shared weekend with IndyCar has been mooted by those within the series. One thing is for certain, NASCAR will need to react. In a year that was critical for NASCAR after the exit of several star names, Sports Media Watch reported that 27 2018 races hit new lows or decade-plus lows in viewership. Logano's title win at Homestead was the least-watched finale since 2001 and adds further credence to the idea that NASCAR needs a shake up in its near future. | https://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/cup-schedule-calendar-criticism-2020/4317909/ |
What the Hell Happened to Lindsey Graham? | Over the past couple of weeks, Senator Lindsey Graham's behavior has made me wonder if he has gone, in the immortal phrase of the late George V. Higgins, as soft as church music. This matters a great deal because he is now the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, through which federal judicial nominations must go. On Monday, he gave an interview in which Graham, who regularly deplores Democratic senators for "politicizing" the nomination process, and who went completely batshit crazy during the hearings into Brett Kavanaugh's nomination, made it quite clear for whom he's really working. He did it by summoning up the red-faced hysteria that he'd employed during the extended debate over Weekends With PJ and Squi. From FNC: "My Democratic colleagues felt when they were in charge we should confirm judges by a majority vote," Graham told Fox News' Chris Wallace. "They changed the rules to accommodate President Obama. They tried to stack the court. They never thought [Hillary] Clinton would lose. So what youre gonna have is Harry Reids and Chuck Schumers desire to stack the court on their Democratic watch has come back to haunt them... "If there is an opening, whether its Ginsburg or anybody else, I will urge the president to nominate a qualified conservative and hopefully those people will get through that person will get through," Graham continued. "And I expect it to be along party lines, and this is what happens when you change the rules. This has come back to bite ' em. I predicted it would. And well see. I hope Justice Ginsburg serves for a long time. But if theres an opening on this court, Im going to be hell-bent to put a conservative to replace whoever steps down for whatever reason." Getty Images Mark Wilson "They shouldve thought of that before they changed the rules," Graham responded. "They tried to destroy conservative judges. I voted for [Sonia] Sotomayor and [Elena] Kagan, understanding what I was getting, so this decision by Reid and Schumer may come back to haunt them, but I am dead set on making sure it is a conservative nominee. And elections have consequences. The rules of the Senate were changed not by me, by them, and we had to do it on the Supreme Court because they would not give us any votes to nominate anybody. And Kavanaugh was a fine man, they tried to destroy him. All this is going to come back to haunt them one day." Anyone with any information regarding the disappearance of onetime Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland should contact the local authorities immediately. In addition, Senator Graham seemed befuddled about what his actual opinion on the government shutdown should be. "I would urge him to open up the government for a short period of time, like three weeks, before he pulls the plug," Graham said. "See if we can get a deal. If we cant at the end of three weeks, all bets are off. See if he can do it by himself through the emergency powers. Thats my recommendation. But I think the legislative path is just about shut off because Nancy Pelosi, the leader of the House, said Even if you open up the government, Ill give you one dollar for the wall. As long as thats the case, were never gonna get a legislative package, no matter what the Senate does." This, of course, makes utterly no sense. That would be a schizoid move even for this administration*. But it is of a piece with Graham's strange relationship with this president*, whom he once reviled, but whose policies Graham would like to take to dinner and a show. A group of Republicans pretends this is normal. Getty Images Bill Clark Even weirder was the behavior of Mark Meadows, the chairman of the House "Freedom" Caucus who, over the weekend, tweeted out that the administration* should pay for the big, beautiful, stupid wall through the proceeds from asset forfeiture, which people of his ilk once hated as much as they hated eminent domain, on which many conservative politicians have flipped as well. The president*'s ability to provoke self-destruction among his putative allies continues to be remarkable. The question remains why that's still the case. I don't think it has anything to do with compromising videos or any similar tradecraft. I think it's all about money. We already know that the National Rifle Association functioned as a laundromat for money originating with the Volga Bagmen. And we know that Russian money did indeed find its way into Republican campaigns other than that of the president*, largely via the NRA. If there was laundered Russian money running through a number of Republican campaigns, you might conceivably get the kind of ADHD politics being practiced by the likes of Lindsey Grahamwho likes to say he's only hoisting Democrats on their own petard, but, instead, seems to be hoisting all of us on his own. Respond to this post on the Esquire Politics Facebook page here. | https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/a25893610/lindsey-graham-judiciary-committee-trump-nra-republicans-money/ |
Can Bourdais and Coyne beat IndyCars Big Three in 2019? | Sebastien Bourdais was in relaxed mood in Mexico City in 2006. Three weeks earlier, hed clinched his third straight Champ Car title with Newman Haas Racing at Surfers Paradise in Australia and hed managed to escape the track without being pelted by beer cans after bashing crowd favorite and race leader Will Power out of contention. Now, here at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Super Seb was going for his seventh race victory of the season. As we walked from pitlane to paddock after a practice session, I asked him if, having yet again proven himself Champ Car king with Newman-Haas whether he felt he had nothing left to prove with the best team in the paddock. Would you ever be tempted to do what Michael Schumacher did 10 years ago by switching to Ferrari? I asked. If you brought a midfield team like PKV or HVM to the front, it would prove youre the difference-maker. Bourdais gave a shrug, pulled a slightly wincing face. I know what you mean but its not as simple as that, he said. I think I brought something to the table at Newman-aas but its a team effort. Its about working relationships with people like Craig [Hampson, race engineer], the other engineers, and so on. Theres no guarantees how well Id work with a different group. If a big bunch of us moved from this team to another yeah, probably we could have similar success. Weve got all we want here a strong team, decent sponsors, and so on. Logical point, but the wheel has turned quite a bit in the dozen years since that conversation. For Bourdais, a remarkable fourth Champ Car title in 2007 with NHR was followed by an unfortunately brief episode in Formula 1 at Toro Rosso, success in Peugeot sportscars, and then he was back in U.S. open-wheel racing in 2011, a part-timer with Dale Coyne Racing. Yet it was his two seasons with Dragon Racing, 2012-13, where Bourdais showed his class once more, proved that he truly was that difference-maker Id alluded to those several years earlier. There are very few drivers who could have overachieved for Jay Penskes squad as Bourdais did and the same was true of his three years at KV(SH) Racing. At the latter outfit, Seb formed another strong bond with an excellent engineer, Olivier Boisson, and they won four races together. So when the Kevin Kalkhoven/Jimmy Vasser/James Sullivan-owned team folded at the end of 2016, Dale Coyne found himself able to sign both Bourdais and Boisson and Hampson. Craig had been working at Andretti Autosport but through the 16 season was heavily courted by his old champ and chum Bourdais. Enticed by the prospect of working with this circle of talent, Vasser and Sullivan joined forces with Coyne to help back Bourdais #18 car. In their very first race as a trio, at St. Petersburg in 2017, Bourdais, Hampson and Boisson presented Dale with victory. Although the little Plainfield, IL-based squad was then rocked by a series of hammer blows last year the worst of which was Bourdais horrendous shunt at Indianapolis Motor Speedway it bounced back. At St. Pete again this year, the #18 DCR-Honda returned to Victory Lane. However, by seasons end, Bourdais was seventh in the championship, beaten by one driver from Chip Ganassi Racing, two from Andretti Autosport and three from Team Penske. Maybe that is, realistically, the best that a Dale Coyne Racing driver can hope for, the equivalent of Renaults Nico Hulkenberg being best of the rest with seventh in this years Formula 1 World Championship, behind the Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull drivers. Looking at the time sheets, youd have to say that such proclamations are indeed based on facts and figures: the gap between pole and seventh on an F1 grid can cover the whole grid in IndyCar, and some F1 fans will also be envious of IndyCar having 14 different podium finishers in 17 races this past season, as opposed to F1s seven from 21 events. That and the huge cost-savings are the upsides of IndyCar running cars that are spec in all but engine and shock-and-damper programs. Nonetheless, there is still a gap between IndyCars haves and have-less, and the have-less and the have-nots. Hampson, Boisson and Michael Cannon race engineer for the #19 car weigh in. Sebastien Bourdais, Dale Coyne Racing with Vasser-Sullivan Honda, crew Photo by: Michael L. Levitt / LAT Images Hampson on being honest about deficits Theres two ways of looking at our [2018] season, Hampson tells Motorsport.com. The first is to wonder where we might have finished in points had we done a better job on street courses. Thats for you folks in the media to decide. Honestly, my competitive nature is disappointed because there were also weekends where we had a good car and we didnt optimize its result and thats always frustrating. Fortunately, all the others had weekends like that too everyone except Scott Dixon, anyway. Im sure the Ganassi boys would tell you they didnt always take advantage of all their best days, but they are also phenomenal better than anyone else at extracting good results from their bad days. But like I say, we sucked at street courses. Sure, our one win did come on a street course, but we got lucky because the two guys ahead [Alexander Rossi and Robert Wickens] took each other out. Our qualifying pace on temporary tracks just wasnt good enough. So thats our area of emphasis over the winter, because we all know that Sebastien should not be struggling at street courses. The problems not him, its us. That said, Bourdais likes his cars to have a stable rear end, and the bumps typically found on street surfaces require teams to increase their cars ride-height, making the underbody the source of most downforce from this spec aerokit far less efficient. With street setups youre on soft springs for bump absorption, while on road courses youre on stiff springs, says Hampson, and were terrible on one and strong on the other. I think its probably fair to say that if we spring the car softly then Sebastiens unhappy because of how the aero map varies with ride-height changes, so to that extent, what you say is right. But its equally fair to point out that this inherent characteristic of the universal aerokit also left James Hinchcliffe unhappy compared with Robert Wickens, and Simon Pagenaud was clearly more bothered than [Will] Power and [Josef] Newgarden. That said, Im not going to hide behind any of that to explain our underperformance on street courses. Its clear that teams like Andretti Autosport did a better job even better than Penske, I think. And we cant just ask Sebastien to drive differently. Hes one of the greatest drivers of his generation and we need to figure out how to improve what we give him. He knows what a good car should feel like on a street course and we havent gotten it there. Maybe revising our damping concepts can help, but maybe there are other areas where we are missing something and we should be looking more carefully different suspension geometry, different weight distribution, different differential, that kind of thing. Weve made a list of where we might look for answers. Even knowing what our biggest flaw is in terms of the symptoms, we have to be very, very smart about trying to fix the cause. Cannon on why outside the box thinking isnt an option Sebastien Bourdais, Dale Coyne Racing with Vasser-Sullivan Honda, with new teammate Santino Ferrucci. Photo by: Scott R LePage / LAT Images The debate over whether the introduction of new rules help level a playing field or provide the perfect opportunity for the best teams to show why theyre the best is one that can run and run. But Michael Cannon, who will next year run Santino Ferrucci in the #19 car, emphasizes that the size of a team is not the deciding factor when it comes to performance gains. He remarks: Theres so much symbiosis in this industry between, team owner, team manager, drivers, engineers, mechanics, its sometimes very easy to go down the wrong hidey-hole when you get a new rules package. Weve been very fortunate over the past three years in that weve had Craig, Sebastien and Olivier, who not only have a chemistry and knowledge-base, but also are so wary of falling down those holes that they avoid them. The continuity and chemistry of guys whove achieved big things together in the past will always streamline processes and help avoid the pitfalls. So as well as their accomplishments individually, you have this unit that is even greater than the sum of its parts. Thats what Craig, Olivier and Sebastien bring to Dales team and we need it because were up against partnerships with similar levels of success, like Dave Faustino and Will Power at Penske, Chris Simmons and Scott Dixon at Ganassi, Ray Gosselin and Ryan Hunter-Reay at Andretti. I mean, even with Craig and Seb on our side, although we may strike gold in a new-rules season, its difficult to steal a march one that actually lasts for more than one race on all those usual suspects. Sooner rather than later, theyll catch up. And honestly I think thats less to do with team size and facilities although obviously that can be a huge help but more about that shared experience of winning. Ferrucci took part in four IndyCar races last year, and Bourdais has already commented on how very different his own driving style is from that of the 20-year-old rookie from Connecticut. Next year, when they are fulltime teammates, it seems natural to expect that disconnect to slow the teams progress as a whole. Hampson agrees, saying: If you end up with two drivers with very different driving styles, that makes it hard for the team because setups are gonna go in different directions, damper development will go in different directions, and so on. But Cannon is more positive about what a talented rookie can contribute to team development. Look, everyone would love to have two Sebastiens, but theyre few and far between. So we are very lucky to have one Sebastien and we have a rookie who can use him as a role model to help turn himself into another Sebastien or Scott or Will. As you say, Santino wants the car to handle somewhat differently than Sebastien, but if Sebastien is obviously your team leader and knows how to make the car fast, you can shape the fundamentals around what he prefers and then fine-tune the other car to Santinos preferences without going too far off the island. Remember, every single thing you do to these cars has a knock-on effect and we operate inside a fairly small box because of how spec the cars are. You literally cant get too far out. So one of your guys might be in one corner of the box, the other guy is in another corner, but its still the same box. Going outside the box, even if its permissible, will leave the car completely uncompetitive. That is not what happened to Coyne on street courses this year, insists Cannon. Instead the team went down a development avenue in the offseason that left them mid-grid on temporary tracks. Yeah, we simply didnt get it right as a collective, and we ended up merely average, he says, and up against those drivers and teams we mentioned before, that isnt going to get the job done. The problem is that in the offseason we have just two or three days to test at Sebring the only track we test at that remotely resembles a street course and no real development can be done on a race weekend. We have three 45-minute sessions and then were into qualifying. So if you got one of your sums slightly wrong in preseason testing, that hurts you for a long time. So the next offseason, you start again in the areas where your car sucked, and start making changes, while bearing in mind that for every area thats adjusted there is a knock-on effect. You always have to weigh the upside against the downside. Boisson on the importance of Bourdais feedback Sbastien Bourdais, Dale Coyne Racing with Vasser-Sullivan Honda examines his Firestone tires Photo by: Michael L. Levitt / LAT Images Supporting Cannons point about the size of a team not necessarily being the deciding factor when it comes to matching assiduity with accomplishment during the dawn of a new era of racecar, it was noticeable that even the mighty Ganassi looked unexceptional until raceday at the fifth round of the season, the IndyCar Grand Prix at IMS. Even after that or at least until the finale at Sonoma Dixon never looked a potential polesitter on a roadcourse. Meanwhile, according to Hampsons assertion, Andretti Autosport appeared to have the best car on street courses, so therefore even Team Penske still had things to find on the lumps, bumps, and jumps of a typical temporary track. However, both Simmons and Ganassi driver advisor Dario Franchitti have told Motorsport.com that CGR and Dixon himself made significant steps to improve the teams roadcourse performance just before the end of the season, and theyve since confirmed their findings with a promising test at Barber Motorsports Park. Meanwhile, Power, Josef Newgarden and Simon Pagenaud were highly encouraged by their test earlier this month at Sebring, and believe the Penske engineering braintrust has uncovered a significant find to help aid its street course performance. Olivier Boisson is optimistic for his compatriot Bourdais. I think its always the case that the big team is going to have the edge with the budgets they have, he says. Even with the same aerodynamics as the year before, they have the resources to find new things. But I think the aerokit was a reboot, it did mix things up a little bit, because the old setups dont work any more. It was about how fast you can react once you have the new data, and although the big teams have a natural advantage, a small team with the right people can still do good things. And thats what were trying to do here. The problem for Dale Coyne Racing is that deficiency in street course setup philosophy is the hardest to remedy. Yes, that is correct, agrees Boisson, because Sebring is not perfect for this its just the closest we have to a street course. If we struggle on road courses, we can find time to go to Barber, Mid-Ohio, wherever, but street courses we just have to do what we think will be right based on Sebring testing. Plus we dont have a lot of simulation on our side, we dont have the time to figure some things out. So we need to listen to the driver more to figure out what he wants and hopefully that will get us near to the big teams. Sebastien knows very well what he wants and so we rely on him quite a lot. We do that for another reason as well: the fact is, our teammates have much less experience, often they are rookies. But Sebastien knows what a good car feels like, and if it feels a certain way in two laps, he can figure out what its capable of over a whole stint, because his tire feedback is amazing. If he doesnt know what feedback and data he can trust from a new young teammate, has learned to rely on his own instinct and we have learned to rely on him. If he then struggles to make the car quick the way he sets it up, he can still try a setup that one of his teammates has found, but it still has to make sense in his head before he will buy into the project. But hes open and prepared to investigate different avenues because he knows we may find something that, OK, doesnt work this weekend but may be useful at another track. Thats important when we dont have a lot of testing. An air of optimism Just one experienced driver (albeit one of the aces in the pack), restricted resources in terms of staff size (albeit containing three of IndyCars engineering aces), restricted budget for simulation work, restrictive testing rules from IndyCar You can see how the odds stack against a team like Dale Coyne Racing. Boisson: No, I think top five, maybe even top four is definitely possible. Cannon: I think if we can make a good step on street course setup, bring it up to the level of our road courses, I think top five is within our reach. We have the driver and engineers to do it. Hampson: Any decent team who heavily reduced their errors last year could have pushed Dixon much harder. We all gave too many points away. If we can be the team that gets more slick operationally on race weekends and if we make progress on street courses, then yes, I think we can be much nearer the top of the points table. Its going to be tough though. That it is. As always. | https://www.motorsport.com/indycar/news/bourdais-coyne-penske-andretti-ganassi/4313630/ |
Whats behind our appetite for self-destruction? | (The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.) Mark Canada, Indiana University and Christina Downey, Indiana University (THE CONVERSATION) Each new year, people vow to put an (The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.) Mark Canada, Indiana University and Christina Downey, Indiana University (THE CONVERSATION) Each new year, people vow to put an end to self-destructive habits like smoking, overeating or overspending. Think of the criminal who leaves a trail of evidence, perhaps with the hope of getting caught, or the politician who wins an election, only to start sexting someone likely to expose him. Edgar Allan Poe, one of Americas greatest and most self-destructive writers, had some thoughts on the subject. He even had a name for the phenomenon: perverseness. Psychologists would later take the baton from Poe and attempt to decipher this enigma of the human psyche. Irresistible depravity In one of his lesser-known works, The Imp of the Perverse, Poe argues that knowing something is wrong can be the one unconquerable force that makes us do it. It seems that the source of this psychological insight was Poes own life experience. Orphaned before he was three years old, he had few advantages. But despite his considerable literary talents, he consistently managed to make his lot even worse. He frequently alienated editors and other writers, even accusing poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow of plagiarism in what has come to be known as the Longfellow war. During important moments, he seemed to implode: On a trip to Washington, D.C. to secure support for a proposed magazine and perhaps a government job, he apparently drank too much and made a fool of himself. After nearly two decades of scraping out a living as an editor and earning little income from his poetry and fiction, Poe finally achieved a breakthrough with The Raven, which became an international sensation after its publication in 1845. But when given the opportunity to give a reading in Boston and capitalize on this newfound fame, Poe didnt read a new poem, as requested. Instead, he reprised a poem from his youth: the long-winded, esoteric and dreadfully boring Al Aaraaf, renamed The Messenger Star. As one newspaper reported, it was not appreciated by the audience, evidenced by their uneasiness and continual exits in numbers at a time. Poes literary career stalled for the remaining four years of his short life. Freuds death drive While perverseness wrecked Poes life and career, it nonetheless inspired his literature. A half-century after Poes death, Sigmund Freud wrote of a universal and innate death drive in humans, which he called Thanatos and first introduced in his landmark 1919 essay Beyond the Pleasure Principle. Many believe Thanatos refers to unconscious psychological urges toward self-destruction, manifested in the kinds of inexplicable behavior shown by Poe and in extreme cases in suicidal thinking. In the early 1930s, physicist Albert Einstein wrote to Freud to ask his thoughts on how further war might be prevented. In his response, Freud wrote that Thanatos is at work in every living creature and is striving to bring it to ruin and to reduce life to its original condition of inanimate matter and referred to it as a death instinct. To Freud, Thanatos was an innate biological process with significant mental and emotional consequences a response to, and a way to relieve, unconscious psychological pressure. Toward a modern understanding In the 1950s, the psychology field underwent the cognitive revolution, in which researchers started exploring, in experimental settings, how the mind operates, from decision-making to conceptualization to deductive reasoning. Self-defeating behavior came to be considered less a cathartic response to unconscious drives and more the unintended result of deliberate calculus. In 1988, psychologists Roy Baumeister and Steven Scher identified three main types of self-defeating behavior: primary self-destruction, or behavior designed to harm the self; counterproductive behavior, which has good intentions but ends up being accidentally ineffective and self-destructive; and trade-off behavior, which is known to carry risk to the self but is judged to carry potential benefits that outweigh those risks. Think of drunk driving. If you knowingly consume too much alcohol and get behind the wheel with the intent to get arrested, thats primary self-destruction. If you drive drunk because you believe youre less intoxicated than your friend, and to your surprise get arrested, thats counterproductive. And if you know youre too drunk to drive, but you drive anyway because the alternatives seem too burdensome, thats a trade-off. Baumeister and Schers review concluded that primary self-destruction has actually rarely been demonstrated in scientific studies. Rather, the self-defeating behavior observed in such research is better categorized, in most cases, as trade-off behavior or counterproductive behavior. Freuds death drive would actually correspond most closely to counterproductive behavior: The urge toward destruction isnt consciously experienced. Finally, as psychologist Todd Heatherton has shown, the modern neuroscientific literature on self-destructive behavior most frequently focuses on the functioning of the prefrontal cortex, which is associated with planning, problem solving, self-regulation and judgment. When this part of the brain is underdeveloped or damaged, it can result in behavior that appears irrational and self-defeating. There are more subtle differences in the development of this part of the brain: Some people simply find it easier than others to engage consistently in positive goal-directed behavior. Poe certainly didnt understand self-destructive behavior the way we do today. But he seems to have recognized something perverse in his own nature. Before his untimely death in 1849, he reportedly chose an enemy, the editor Rufus Griswold, as his literary executor. True to form, Griswold wrote a damning obituary and Memoir, in which he alludes to madness, blackmail and more, helping to formulate an image of Poe that has tainted his reputation to this day. Then again, maybe thats exactly what Poe driven by his own personal imp wanted. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: http://theconversation.com/whats-behind-our-appetite-for-self-destruction-108575. Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed. | https://wtop.com/entertainment/2019/01/whats-behind-our-appetite-for-self-destruction/ |
Did the FBI Overstep by Investigating Trump? | There arent easy answers to this question in this circumstance. Since Goldsmith has already laid out the tentative case for concern about the FBIs actions, its worth considering a similarly tentative case in defense of what the bureau reportedly has done. Its not the FBIs job to contradict what elected officials decide is in the countrys best interests internationally. At the same time, its never in the national interest for an American president to subordinate himself to a foreign government to win the presidency, and then cover it up. A debate over when its appropriate for the FBI to investigate a presidents loyalty to America may seem straightforward to Trumps political opponents. Beyond him, however, theres reason to be uncomfortable. Presidents often make decisions that their critics say will harm American national security: Many on the left opposed George W. Bushs decision to invade Iraq, while most Republicans challenged Barack Obamas diplomatic moves with Cuba and Iran. Trusting FBI officials to determine when a democratically elected president is a threat to American interests should not be done lightly, even if one is confident in the integrity of the bureaus current leadership. The FBI under J. Edgar Hoover, Goldsmith notes, had a history of misusing its counterintelligence functions to quietly shape public policy. Because the president determines the U.S. national security interest and threats against it, at least for the executive branch, there is an argument that it makes no sense for the FBI to open a counterintelligence case against the president premised on his being a threat to the national security, Goldsmith wrote. The president defines what a national security threat is, and thus any action by him cannot be such a threat, at least not for purposes of opening a counterintelligence investigation. Bolstering his analysis here is the nuance and humility with which he approaches it. I am not sure this analysis or this conclusion is rightas I note, the situation [is] unprecedented in many ways, he adds. But I am confident that there is an important Article II question lurking herea reference to the section of the Constitution that sets forth the presidents executive authorityand I suspect this question is what underlies what the Times twice said was a controversy among former FBI and Justice Department officials about the appropriateness of the FBIs step. This is the right approach to thinking about this question. Without our having all of the information that was available to the FBIs senior leadership when they made the call, its hard to definitively gauge its justification. The Times article is curiously silent on who exactly ordered the investigation, and whether senior Justice Department officials like Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein were aware of it in advance. Muellers eventual report may yet shed more light on this, and historians will be even better positioned to weigh the evidence. Until then, there are some basic principles that can guide our analysis. | https://newrepublic.com/article/152896/fbi-overstep-investigating-trump |
Is Netflix phenomenon Marie Kondo most adorable or most annoying? | Open this photo in gallery Tidying Up with Marie Kondo. Denise Crew/Netflix/Netflix Listen, you have too much stuff. I have too much stuff. Were all embarrassed about it. Its like being caught by David Suzuki when youre throwing an old toaster into the Green Bin. You could try explaining the other bins are full and besides, somebody must have a good-paying job extracting old toasters and such from the Green Bin stuff. It wouldnt fly. Suzuki would just give you this look. You know the look the disapproving stare disguised behind a slight smile, as if he was seeing you as a Lucifer about to ruin this planet and others nearby with your wanton wickedness. The same look emanates from Netflixs newest sensation, one Marie Kondo. But with less authentic disapproval. Story continues below advertisement Tidying Up with Marie Kondo (now streaming on Netflix Canada) has the chattering classes chattering more than usual. And I might be the last columnist on this benighted planet to weigh in. Were talking cultural phenomenon here. Were also talking about a confidence trick. Flimflammery is the word for it. Kondo, presented as adorable, might be the most deeply annoying person on TV. If youve been lucky enough to escape the presence and influence of Marie Kondo until now, pull up one of those chairs you dont really need and Ill tell you. Open this photo in gallery Kondo is a 34-year-old Japanese organizing consultant who has written bestselling books. Denise Crew/Netflix/Netflix Kondo is a 34-year-old Japanese organizing consultant. Shes written bestselling books. The Netflix show is about decluttering and how that can make you superhappy and less stressed. This involves thanking the house for sheltering its occupant. Also, thanking your clothes for being clothes and determining if said clothes spark joy. If so, the clothes are folded in a very particular way, into rectangles that end up standing upright in your clothes drawers, arranged like a rainbow. By the way, Kondo takes a dim view of the books you have in your house. CNN described Kondo rather cattily as a tiny garbage fairy for messy people, but its an apt description. The pseudo-mysticism of pseudo-praying for guidance about your pile of stuff amounts to scattering fairy dust in order to tidy up. There are no fairies. There is no such thing as fairy dust. Its all delusional. Also, Kondo doesnt actually know how to fold clothes. Not real clothes, anyway. Yours truly. My first paying job as a teenager was in the menswear section at Switzers department store in Dublin. I learned to fold a suit, trousers and other items. If I didnt get it right, a man who had 50 years experience would sigh and make me do it again and again. Yes, I am now that annoying middle-aged man who leans over the counter at Joe Fresh and folds the garment Ive purchased before it goes in the bag. Sometimes the young staffer says thanks. Sometimes they gaze at me the way CBC executives gaze at me. Open this photo in gallery Marie Kondo with her interpreter in a home. Denise Crew/Netflix/Netflix While were at it and Ill stop talking about myself soon Im a dab hand at ironing. Love doing it. Order from chaos. Show me damp cotton and Ill make it crisp, and then fold it properly. Once when I was obliged to return from L.A. on the red-eye flight, and unwilling to just crash into bed, I spent the entire day ironing. By nightfall every darn thing in the house from the curtains to the cats pyjamas, was ironed. A great days work I recall with fondness. Thing is, many of the people Kondo encounters on her show she comes to peoples homes shyly, accompanied by an interpreter dont seem familiar with ironing, folding or even doing laundry in the traditional manner. They are easy marks for the con job that transpires. Story continues below advertisement Story continues below advertisement Sensitivity to joy is what Kondo talks about a lot. This is sanctimonious nonsense. It adds fake piety to the issue of having too much stuff. Further, it makes the matter of tidying up and organizing an act of narcissism. Its all about you, your feelings. And, as David Suzuki has been telling us for decades, its not about you. Its about the entirety of nature, other people and the human race. Open this photo in gallery The Netflix show is about decluttering and how that can make you superhappy and less stressed. Denise Crew/Netflix/Netflix When you let go of an item, you must thank it, Kondo says. Well, wed let go of it faster if letting go was not a time-consuming dirge of regret that included thanking an inanimate object. And the issue of books is another irritating part of the Kondo method. If the books dont spark joy, they should go. Thats a strange and unviable approach to books and literature and it underscores the essential materialism and narcissism that are key elements of Kondos approach. Shes selling a fantasy, one made more palatable and intriguing by larding it with prayers and the tinsel of thank-yous to objects. Now its true that the popularity of Kondos tidying regime has led to a surge of donations of clothes to charities. That is actually the one adorable part of it all. See, I have too much stuff and you have too much stuff. Giving it away to the less fortunate isnt about loving yourself and your objects that spark joy. Its just the right thing to do. | https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/television/article-is-netflix-phenomenon-marie-kondo-most-adorable-or-most-annoying/ |
How tall is Kyler Murray? | There's another height debate brewing around a potential NFL draft pick from Oklahoma. Last year, the focus was on Baker Mayfield. This year, the attention has turned to former Sooners quarterback Kyler Murray. This season's Heisman Trophy winner, Murray, declared for the NFL draft Monday. STAPLES: Kyler Murray Has Two Sports Hanging on His Unique NFL Draft Decision The announcement sparked added intrigue because Murray was selected by the Oakland A's with the No. 9 pick in last June's MLB draft. Rumors have swirled on whether Murray would declare for the draft or play for the A's. While Google lists Murray as 5'11'', the Sooners listed him at 5'10''. VRENTAS: Baker Mayfield, Tua Tagovailoa and the New Quarterback Mold Oklahoma's assistant athletic director Mike Houck tweeted about the matter Monday after writing that he's heard a lot of debate between television personalities. Houck tweeted, "Before the season, our strength staff measured him at 5-9 7/8 in socks." Mayfield is 6' 5/8" and was drafted by the Browns with the No. 1 overall pick in last year's draft. | https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/01/14/how-tall-kyler-murray |
Is a college education worth the cost? | Going to college isnt cheap. First, theres the cost of registration fees, currently capped at 3,000. Then students need to shell out for books, accommodation, transport, food and drink. Add in the cost of deferring full-time work for at least three years, even if the payback is better long-term employment prospects. And this is before students even factor in the amount of public money necessary to support our colleges, universities and colleges of further education. Of course, these institutions are absolutely necessary to generate knowledge, critically examine the universe we live in and equip graduates with the skills they need for employment. As it happens, this is closely monitored in Ireland. Dr Padraig Walsh is chief executive of Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), which promotes and regulates quality in the further- and higher-education sectors. We issue quality assurance guidelines on what the institution is expected to put in place: what a programme should consist of; how students can have an input into the various modules and be involved in the colleges governance; and how they assure the quality of their offering such as by involving external examiners, periodic evaluations and institutional reviews, he explains. Once every six years, QQI organises an institutional review, which explores the quality of its offering. Within each of these, the quality body will issue five recommendations where the institution can improve, and commend it in five areas where there are examples of good practice. In addition, each institution is required to submit an annual institutional quality report. My daughter is a second-year law student in UCD and I sent her the institutional review in advance of her going, so she could get a feel for what its like to study there, says Walsh. Lets face it, these annual quality reports, published on the QQI website, arent the most exciting reading for your average sixth-year student. But, even if theyre never opened by prospective students, they do contain reassuring information. There are details there of how the institutions are governed, the research taking place in them, how students can transfer from one programme to another and the continuous professional development undertaken by lecturers. Jim Miley is director general of the Irish Universities Association, which represents the seven universities in the Republic of Ireland. He points out that core State funding has fallen from 9,000 per student in 2009 to just 5,000 today, which is less than half of what is spent in top-performing European countries. There have been marginal increases in the last two budgets but theyre barely keeping pace with the growth in student numbers, he says. There hasnt been a massive impact on students, however. Universities have taken in more international students, who pay higher fees, and also achieved efficiencies in the system. But there are no more efficiencies to squeeze out, and there is a risk that, unless we address some of the current gaps, it could take decades to recover. The 2018 Irish survey of student engagement, which interviewed more than 38,000 students across 27 higher-education institutions, suggests students are broadly happy with quality. When asked to rate their entire educational experience, 82 per cent said it was either good or excellent, while 85 per cent said they would go to the same institution if given a chance to start again. Student accommodation Miley says the last decade has seen substantial investment in student accommodation but there remains pressure due to the growing number of students. The Host Student Accommodation under construction in Dublins Docklands. Photograph: Alan Betson Indeed, accommodation is now a significant consideration for students when deliberating their college choices. Many of the new units have been built by large property firms and kitted out as luxury accommodation, with costs of between 1,000-1,500 a month. Students unions, including the Union of Students in Ireland, have accused private firms and universities of using students as cash cows. Last year at DCU, students protested after rents at Shanowen Square surged by 27 per cent, with the colleges president, Brian MacCraith, notably coming out in support of the students. At NUI Galway, rents went up by 18 per cent at one student accommodation block. Rents at UCD have also climbed in recent years. Theres little genuine competition in the market and little option for students but to fork out or stay at home. In 2018, a survey from the Irish League of Credit Unions found the number of students living at home had risen from 63 per cent to 69 per cent as a result of the high cost and low availability of accommodation. Student life Outside the accommodation sphere, section seven of the annual reports to QQI focus specifically on student support services, including counselling, accommodation, careers development, sports, societies and the students union, and they can provide useful information to people choosing their college course. DCU is one university which has developed a student charter outlining what students can expect, including a comprehensive orientation programme to help students settle into university life, to be made aware of the appropriate and accessible resources to help them take responsibility for their learning, and to be offered a dynamic range of opportunities to enhance personal and professional development. The charter also outlines what the university expects of students in return, including that they take responsibility for their own learning, that they explore the range of extra-curricular activities available at DCU and that they respect and embrace the diversity of the staff and student population. Making choices Choosing a further- or higher-education college shouldnt be based on one single factor, Dr Padraig Walsh advises. When you decide on a holiday or a restaurant, you might look at the star rating, Trip Advisor and other review sites. This isnt as straightforward when choosing where to go after school, because students will necessarily have a mix of priorities including, for instance, whether they can travel there and what size the institution is. Dont discount the fee-paying colleges when making your choice, but do choose carefully. Griffith College, Dublin, has an excellent reputation. Photograph: Aidan Crawley Many of the private colleges or independent, as they prefer to be called have earned their stripes and have worked hard to build up a good reputation, with the daddy of them all, Griffith College, looming large. DBS also has a good course offering. St Nicholas Montessori College is the place to train as a Montessori teacher, while Hibernia Colleges teacher training courses are hugely respected. For all this, however, a small number of independent colleges have been dogged with quality issues in a way that hasnt beset publicly-funded organisations. Given that students can shell out up to twice the registration fee, they need to make sure theyre getting value for money. While QQI doesnt issue degrees in publicly-funded higher-education institutions, it is the awarding body for independent, privately-funded, fee-paying colleges. If a fee-paying college isnt up to scratch, QQI can revoke their accreditation. In 2010, the still-operational American College Dublin pulled a psychology course mid-stream after the Psychological Society of Ireland withdrew accreditation following serious concerns about its overall quality; the college has engaged with QQI and currently has just two of its level 8 courses accredited by the body. In 2016, QQI withdrew accreditation from four courses at the Grafton Academy of Management Sciences. And in 2017, following serious concerns about quality, QQI removed validation from all of the business programmes at private college IBAT. Diarmuid Hegarty, president of Griffith College and a towering figure in the independent college sector, says its always important for any school-leaver to check whether a course at an independent college is QQI-accredited. If not, the degree may not be recognised by employers in Ireland, as it suggests they havent met minimum standards. If theyre accredited by another external body instead of QQI, there may be a good reason, but students should proceed with extreme caution. Membership of the Higher Education Colleges Association (Heca.ie) may also be a benchmark for quality. This organisation applies minimum standards to courses run by its constituent members. | https://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/is-a-college-education-worth-the-cost-1.3736639?localLinksEnabled=false |
Why do doctors miss the menace that kills more women than breast cancer? | Warning signs: Alexandra Pringle, editor-in-chief at Bloomsbury Publishing, suffered dangerous chest pain in her forties Alexandra Pringles grandfather and uncle died from heart attacks at 54 and 46, and her father and brother were also diagnosed with heart disease in their mid-40s. So when Alexandra began to suffer chest pain at the age of 46, she was naturally worried that her symptoms were heart-related. Her doctor reassured her she was fine she was simply stressed. In fact her family history was relevant as she was experiencing an early symptom of the cardiovascular problems that would lead to a heart attack. Yet, as happens with too many other women, the alarm bells didnt ring, either then, or after she experienced other episodes of stress. Instead medics, even specialists, continued to dismiss her concerns, ultimately putting her life at risk. However, unaware of all this, Alexandra accepted the doctors reassurances not least because, she says, I thought a certain amount of stress was good for you. Alexandra is editor-in-chief at Bloomsbury Publishing the literary luminaries shes worked with include Khaled Hosseini, author of The Kite Runner, Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat Pray Love, Margaret Atwood and Donna Tartt and shes long set herself a demanding pace. After putting in long hours at the office, shed attend literary events most evenings a tremendous partier, she also smoked and drank hard then read into the small hours, only to be back at her desk by 8am, while also working at least one day at weekends. Always the main breadwinner, she remembers having hardly any time off, even when her son Daniel, now 32, was born. Id been an academic failure I didnt even get an interview for university, she says. I wanted to prove myself and that meant driving myself terribly hard. MENOPAUSE RAISES RISKS But then, when she was 46, Alexandra suddenly began to feel what she describes as a tight band, right across my chest, squeezing me and pulsating. This agonising pain would strike while she was sitting reading, or cooking for instance and last for a few minutes at a time. I have quite a high pain threshold, she says. But this was so intense I found it difficult to breathe. It was up there with childbirth. The pains continued once or twice a day for three or four months, when finally Alexandra saw her GP who prescribed an antacid. While cardiovascular disease is perceived by many as a mans disease, half of the seven million people in the UK living with it are women He thought the pain was caused by acid reflux which is an extraordinary conclusion to come to, because I mentioned that heart disease runs in my family. Im sure if Id been a man with that kind of medical history Id have been referred to a cardiologist. But when a doctor tells me Im OK, I believe them. As life began to settle down she was going through a divorce, too the pain subsided, but every year when she went for a routine work medical, shed ask if she was at risk of heart disease. Doctors were very dismissive, she says. I was always told I was fine, because oestrogen reduces the build-up of fatty plaques in womens arteries, protecting them from heart disease. While its true women are protected by oestrogen, this is only until the menopause. In fact, while cardiovascular disease is perceived by many as a mans disease, half of the seven million people in the UK living with it are women it actually kills more than twice as many women as breast cancer every year. Shockingly, women are twice as likely as men to die in the 30 days following a heart attack, according to a recent study by Leeds University. But reassured by her annual medicals, Alexandra didnt give her health a second thought until 2015, when the pain came back with a vengeance. She was at the Hay-on-Wye literary festival, taking part in a live discussion for Radio 4s arts programme Front Row. I was always told I was fine, because oestrogen reduces the build-up of fatty plaques in womens arteries, protecting them from heart disease. Alexandra Pringle Almost as soon as she began to speak, the most extraordinary pain began to radiate across her chest. I felt as if I was being held by a monster, she says. It was an incredibly tight pressure and it came in powerful waves which made it difficult to breathe. Not wanting to cause a fuss in public, she managed to get through the recording. Her husband, Rick, found a St John ambulance where she was given an ECG a test that records the electrical activity of the heart. The result was completely normal, but the pain was still extraordinarily intense, she says. It was like a pulsating band of iron around my chest and I found it very hard to speak. She was taken to a local hospital but by the time she arrived the pains had completely disappeared. All I could think about was the dinner I was hosting that evening. Id already had to cancel my afternoon engagement and I didnt want to let everyone down again, so when I realised there would be a four-hour wait in A&E to see a doctor, I walked out of the hospital. Alexandra got through the dinner and was completely fine until a few weeks later when she noticed her heart was racing. Her GP referred her to a private cardiologist in Harley Street, who ran various tests, including an echocardiogram and a 24-hour ECG (which monitors heart rate over a 24-hour period), but crucially, did not give her an angiogram, which reveals narrowing or blockages in the coronary arteries and helps doctors decide what to do next. VITAL AFTERCARE OFTEN MISSED Thousands of womens lives could have been saved if they received care equal to men, according to a study from Leeds University published in the medical journal Heart in November. Tellingly, this found that women were 34 per cent less likely to have an angiogram within 72 hours of their first symptoms than men. Instead, her cardiologist pronounced Alexandras heart absolutely fine, and again, she was told she was suffering from stress. But on September 23, 2016, roughly a year after shed collapsed in Hay-on-Wye, she woke up with a new kind of chest pain. This time the pressure was pushing in the middle of my chest. I got up and walked around and it went away. But the following morning it happened again. My husband said: Go and see a doctor. To which I replied: Oh stop nagging! I already have! But walking to work, the pressure became more intense. But then the bus came and so I nipped on it. By the time Alexandra had reached the breakfast meeting the pain had begun to travel down both arms and up her neck into her ears classic symptoms of a heart attack. It was getting more intense, more painful and I was finding it hard to breathe and it was difficult to talk, she says. But still I didnt think I was having a heart attack. I am sure that was because Id been thoroughly checked out and told I was OK. After a few minutes, however, unable to cope with the pain any longer, she got up and in a very English way told the young man behind the cafe counter that she was terribly sorry she would have to cancel her order because she wasnt feeling well. He very quietly sat me down and called the emergency services. He was extraordinarily kind. He looked me in the eye and kept saying: Its going to be all right. When the ambulance arrived, Alexandra, still not wanting to make a fuss, insisted on walking to it. An ECG confirmed she was having a heart attack and she was rushed to hospital where she had an angiogram. The cardiologist told me that the main artery to my heart was 99 per cent blocked and that I was due to have a cardiac arrest. SYMPTOMS EVERY WOMAN MUST KNOW The classic symptoms of a heart attack are crushing pressure in the chest and pain in the shoulder or arm. However, in some women there may be no chest pain. The respected Journal of the American Medical Association reported on a 2012 U.S. study which found that while 42% of men having a heart attack reported chest pain, just 30.7% of women patients experienced this symptom. As a result, women can be wrongly reassured by doctors that their symptoms are something else entirely asthma, anxiety, indigestion, menopause, or simply being in bad shape. The less well-known symptoms of heart attack can include: - STOMACH pain similar to heartburn or a stomach ulcer. - A FEELING of severe pressure on the stomach. - SHORTNESS of breath; difficulty breathing. - FEELING lightheaded, dizzy or weak. - BREAKING out in a cold sweat. - EXTREME fatigue or nausea. - NECK, jaw or shoulder pain. Its important to remember you may only get one of these symptoms, not all of them, so dont delay getting help, says Maureen Talbot, a senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation. This is where the heart stops beating properly and is very often fatal. She was immediately given a stent a short wire mesh tube to allow blood to move more freely. As I lay there I said, super optimistically: Im so lucky! And the cardiologist looked at me and replied very dryly: Perhaps youre not so lucky to have this condition in the first place. The problem for women is two-fold first that they themselves think its only a mans disease so are less likely to take action when they have symptoms. As Maureen Talbot, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, explains: We know that women tend to wait longer before calling 999 after first experiencing heart attack symptoms. This might be because women are less likely to recognise the symptoms, theyre reluctant to cause a fuss, or they dont want to be embarrassed if it turns out that their situation isnt serious. This delay can dramatically reduce your chance of survival. Womens symptoms can also be different (see box) they dont always have the characteristic chest pain. But it is not simply that women dont realise the dangers theyre 50 per cent more likely to be misdiagnosed initially after a heart attack and are less likely to be given a pre-hospital ECG, important for swift diagnosis and treatment, according to research by the British Heart Foundation. Even when womens heart attacks are spotted, the Leeds University research found that as well as being less likely to have an angiogram within 72 hours of their first symptoms, theyre less likely to be prescribed statins and beta blockers when leaving hospital (drugs that help to lower the risk of having a second heart attack). The researchers suggested this may help explain why women are more likely to die of a heart attack within 30 days than men. When it comes to the risk factors for heart disease, many of those that affect men, such as lifestyle and family history, apply to women, too in addition, the menopause is thought to raise a womans risk of heart and circulatory disease, explains Maureen Talbot. Two weeks after her operation, Alexandra was back at work, feeling tired, but relieved. I was given no advice or guidance and I behaved as if nothing had happened, she says. Which is bonkers. My cardiologist said I was fine to go back to work but actually I didnt feel anything like back to normal for six months. LEARN FROM MY EXPERIENCE A year on, she takes a daily aspirin which helps prevent blood clots, a beta blocker and a statin. Alexandra, 62, now feels incredibly well and thats partly because shes made some significant changes to her lifestyle. I still get the bus to work, but I get off early and walk briskly for 25 minutes morning and evening by doing that Ive lost a stone and Im down to 8st, the weight I was 20 years ago. Walking also makes me appreciate the beauty of London rather than trawling through my emails on the bus, which I know makes me stressed. Before she had her heart attack, Alexandra was dismissive of colleagues lunch hours spent in the gym. I didnt take exercise, I saw my body as this incredibly useful machine which got me around and let me do anything I wanted, she says. But she now attends cardiac exercise classes, has cut back on alcohol and goes out far less. I sleep a little longer in the mornings too, she says. The most important change shes made is stepping down from managing her department, which felt like the sensible thing to do. I want to stay around for my precious son, she says. Hes 32 and I dont want to leave him. Stress or anything that increases the workload of a heart can trigger symptoms, adds Dr Klaus Witte, a senior lecturer in cardiology at Leeds University. If someone has a sedentary job and doesnt exert themselves much then stressful periods may be the only time that their heart is really pushed hence this may be the only trigger for symptoms. Alexandra is keen other women take heed from her experience. I very much want women to know what happened, because I had always felt reassured that I was less likely to suffer heart disease than my male relatives, she says. I would say to anyone reading this: Listen to your body, but also look after it better. If Id really paid attention to the chest pain, I would have sought a second and third opinion. We need to be a little more serious about our health as we grow older, and we need to be listened to more seriously. I didnt feel listened to or taken seriously by the medical establishment, and felt that I was being classed as a slightly hysterical woman when I went for help about my chest pains. Anyone who knows me knows that I never take time off work for illness. Ive always been rather scornful of people who think too much about their bodies. One of my colleagues used to call me a machine and then I became the machine that broke down. | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-6591471/Why-doctors-miss-menace-kills-women-breast-cancer.html |
Which FAANG Stock Has the Best Earnings Chart? | Earnings season officially kicks off this week with the big banks, led by JP Morgan Chase and Bank of America. There are over 65 companies expected to report this week. But one of the FAANG stocks, Netflix, also reports earnings this week, kicking off the FAANG earnings bonanza. Investors havent paid as much attention to the earnings miss or beat with the FAANG stocks as they have with other companies because it was all about revenue growth, not the earnings side. 1. Netflix NFLX has only missed twice in 5 years. For any company, that would be an impressive track record. Shares sold off to end 2018 but have had a big bounce off those lows. 2. Facebook FB has only missed once since 2016 so it has really turned around its earnings beat track record over the last 3 years. But even still, the shares took a beating in 2018 on fears about the handling of privacy issues and worries about user and advertising growth. 3. Amazon AMZN makes it known it doesnt care about beating or missing the analyst estimate. But, since AWS, it has turned it around on the beats side and has put together more beats than misses. Additionally, the last 5 quarters have seen some enormous earnings beats. 4. Apple AAPL has a great track record of beating with just one miss in the last 5 years but it did have to issue its first warning in decades to start the year. Estimates had already been cut ahead of the warning, but afterwards, they came fast and furious. Eleven estimates have now been cut for fiscal 2019 in the last month. 5. Alphabet GOOGL is another FAANG that doesnt have a good track record of beating but the Street hasnt cared either. But it has strung together 3 beats in a row. [In full disclosure, the author of this article owns shares of FB, GOOGL and AMZN in her personal portfolio.] Today's Stocks from Zacks' Hottest Strategies It's hard to believe, even for us at Zacks. But while the market gained +21.9% in 2017, our top stock-picking screens have returned +115.0%, +109.3%, +104.9%, +98.6%, and +67.1%. And this outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. Over the years it has been remarkably consistent. From 2000 - 2017, the composite yearly average gain for these strategies has beaten the market more than 19X over. Maybe even more remarkable is the fact that we're willing to share their latest stocks with you without cost or obligation. Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research | https://news.yahoo.com/faang-stock-best-earnings-chart-230611632.html |
Is Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited Stock a Bargain? | What happened December turned out to be a historically turbulent month for big-pharma stocks, and generic-drug king Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited (NYSE: TEVA) was no exception. In fact, Teva's shares fell by a whopping 28.4% over the course of December, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence. Teva, like most of its biopharma peers, sank because of the market's overall downturn last month, as well as Johnson & Johnson's (NYSE: JNJ) so-called baby powder controversy. Person in a suit holding a toy bear in one hand and a toy bull in the other. More Image Source: Getty Images. So what The fact that Teva's shares were punished mightily for J&J's troubles -- even though this alleged scandal has no bearing on Teva's outlook whatsoever -- shows just how moody the market was last month. In turn, bargain hunters have apparently started to take note of this unwarranted sell-off, causing the drugmaker's shares to rise by a healthy 19% over the first two weeks of the new year. Despite this double-digit rally in early 2019, however, Teva's shares are still among the cheapest in the large-cap pharma space. At current levels, for instance, Teva's stock sports a rock-bottom price-to-sales ratio of 1.02. The answer to this question is arguably a resounding yes. Teva's new management team has done a stellar job at trimming the fat and getting the company's debt problem under control over the last year. These efforts have thus attracted sizable investments from blue-chip investors, such as Warren Buffett. All told, Teva's days of cellar dwelling seem to be close to an end, making now a perfect time to buy this deeply undervalued pharma stock. More From The Motley Fool George Budwell owns shares of Johnson & Johnson. The Motley Fool owns shares of Johnson & Johnson and has the following options: short January 2019 $140 calls on Johnson & Johnson. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. | https://news.yahoo.com/teva-pharmaceutical-industries-limited-stock-230000691.html |
Are the Oscars Bullying Smaller Awards Shows? | Desperate times call for desperate measures, and it would appear that the Oscars are apparently feeling desperate enough following the whole Kevin Hart drama (a drama completely of its own making ) to start lashing out at other, smaller awards show. Or at least that's what the SAG Awards claims. SAG-AFTRA, the actual and integral labor union behind the SAG Awards, claims that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the body behind the Oscars, is putting pressure on A-Listers not to present at any other awards ceremonies if they want to present (and get guaranteed air time) at the Oscars ceremony in March. "We have received multiple reports of these activities and have experienced firsthand the Academys graceless pressure tactics and attempts to control the awards show talent pipeline," said SAG-AFTRA in a statement . "Awards season is a very special time when actors and actresses are being appropriately celebrated and recognized for the outstanding quality of their work. We would expect the Academy to honor these goals." They didn't stop there. The statement also calls the Oscars alleged behavior as "self-serving intimidation" and "outrageous and unacceptable." "We call on the Academy to cease this inappropriate action," the statement concluded. Of course, when you mess with an actual labor union, you should expect to get a response befitting an actual labor union. While, yes, all that A-List acting talent that the Oscars wants to keep from appearing at the show, it also represents any dues paying actor who has ever booked a role, and helps provide and safeguard things like fair working practices, fair pay, and health insurance for its members who are surviving gig to gig. The money that the SAG awards gets from its broadcast on TNT and TBS not only helps support the operations of he union, but also helps fund the SAG-AFTRA Foundation which provides "vital assistance and free educational programming" to its member, but also benefit the public at large with a child literacy project. While most of the major awards show are put on my non-profits or guilds, trying to prevent talent from appearing as presenters at the SAG Awards is sort of like the Oscars asking them to turn their back on their own union and colleagues. It's also sort of shocking considering that actors (all of whom would be members of SAG) make up the largest block of AMPAS members. The Hollywood Reporter points out that the Oscars have been pulling the same tactics with the Golden Globes for years, or at least attempting to. "They've done it for years," a Globes source told the outlet, "but we used to be able to have Dick Clark Productions or NBC smooth things over." Of course, it's no wonder why the Oscars would be increasing those tactics this yearthey're hostless, after all. Trying to put a de facto exclusivity clause on presenting talent is certainly one way to make up for it (the Oscars are also reportedly attempting to reunite actors from The Avengers to add some flare to their broadcast as well). Not only does it give off the optics of picking off a labor union, but it's not like they're really big competition otherwise. Last year the SAG Awards were beaten in the ratings by Real Housewives of Atlanta and essentially tied with TLC's Sister Wives . The SAG Awards (this year on January 27th) also air weeks before the Oscars (on February 24th). Which is all to say, the Academy probably has bigger problems to worry about right now... like trying to get a jumpstart on recruiting next year's host. Related: No One Wants to Host the Oscars Because the Oscars Never Pick the Right Host | https://www.wmagazine.com/story/the-oscars-academy-sag-awards-presenters-controversy |
Has Chicago ever experienced a winter where the temperature has not dropped into the single digits? | Thanks, Joseph Zwick Chicago Dear Joseph, It has not. After a thorough check of the citys climate records, Chicago climatologist Frank Wachowski determined that the winter with the highest minimum temperature occurred more than a century ago in 1905-06. That winter the mercury never dropped below six degrees, logged on a frigid Groundhog Day-February 2, 1906. The winter of 2011-12 was a close runner-up with the seasons lowest reading of five on January 15. The lowest, so far this winter, has been just 14 degrees, recorded recently on January 10, but single-digit or lower temperatures are quite common in Chicago well into March, especially when there is a snow cover. The citys latest in the season single-digit temperature was a low of seven on April 7, 1982. | https://wgntv.com/2019/01/14/has-chicago-ever-experienced-a-winter-where-the-temperature-has-not-dropped-into-the-single-digits/ |
Will the Longest Shutdown in US History End in a Power Grab? | On Saturday, the government shutdown reached day 22 and became the longest government shutdown in US history. Since the 1970s, government shutdowns have been a way of life in Washington, occurring every few years. The current intractable shutdown over the presidents demand for $5 billion for a border wall has been marked by repeated failed negotiations, and its increasingly hard to see where this could all end. President Trump has repeatedly floated the idea of declaring a national emergency in order to circumvent normal budget processes and get the money for the wall. And in recent days, analysts have increasingly suggested that this may be the most plausible way to end the shutdown, which has forced 800,000 government employees to either stay home or work without pay. Past shutdowns have always ended with negotiated deals. Using a declaration of emergency to end a government shutdown regardless of whether it even worked at all would be an unprecedented and authoritarian move that could open the door to a host of alarming future scenarios in which a president might use this power to shut down electronic communication or freeze bank accounts. How Previous Shutdowns Have Ended If the intractability of government shutdowns can be measured by their duration, then the next hardest one to solve before this one was the 21-day shutdown in 1995 under President Bill Clinton. That shutdown was over a host of disagreements Republicans wanted spending and tax cuts and a balanced budget, and President Clinton wanted to defend programs like Medicare, Medicaid and education spending. After 21 days, Republicans moderated their demands for spending and tax cuts, and President Clinton proposed a new plan for a balanced budget. The next longest shutdown in 1978, at 18 days long, was one of the earlier shutdowns of the modern era, when shutdowns became common following legislation that gave Congress more power over budgeting. This shutdown happened because President Carter objected to congressional approval for spending on an aircraft carrier and public works projects that he viewed as pork barrel spending. In the end, President Carter won, and those items were not included in the budget. The third-longest shutdown lasted for 16 days in 2013, when congressional Republicans tried to defund the Affordable Care Act (ACA) before it took effect. President Obama naturally opposed any such legislation, and a shutdown ensued. President Obama emerged a clear winner when the final deal left the ACA intact. If these three examples make it seem like presidents usually come out on top after government shutdowns, the truth is more complicated. Even short-term victories often turn out to be long-term failures, and when shutdowns happen over issues where both sides have deeply held moral convictions (like abortion), shutdowns tend to have no clear winner. Which one of these models best matches the current shutdown remains to be seen. Negotiators and observers have floated a number of possible deals, ranging from splitting the difference with wall funding of $2.5 billion, a wall thats more like a fence, border security measures like new lighting and sensors, or a broader immigration deal that would secure a path to citizenship for the much fought-over Dreamers, or recipients of DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) program, as well as funding for a wall. So far, none of these possibilities have gained real traction, and many have been shut down outright by either the president, the Democrats, or both. In recent days, one of the most often-discussed ways to end the shutdown is no deal at all. The possibility that the president could try to get border wall funding through declaring a national emergency over the objections of Democrats seems a real possibility. As Marjorie Cohn recently forcefully argued in Truthout, in the Appropriations Clause, the Constitution gives Congress, not the president, the power to authorize expenditures of federal funds. If Trump declared a national emergency in order to secure funds that Congress has declined to make available, it would be an alarming abuse of power. However, it is not entirely clear how current US courts would actually rule on the legality of declaring a national emergency, and their decision could depend on details like what specific legal authority the presidents team cites for the declaration. A lawsuit against a national emergency declaration by the president could go all the way to the Supreme Court, where its unclear what the final ruling could be, since some members of the Court might prefer not to set a precedent that would limit presidential power for years to come. But the possibility of a court battle while the government reopens has still been seen as a means to end the shutdown and provide a political win for the president, even if he ultimately loses in court. Presidents declare national emergencies all the time, and there are currently 31 active national emergencies on the books. The vast majority of these implemented sanctions against foreign governments, or those the US deems terrorists or international criminals. Many pundits viewed the presidents televised national speech describing the southern border as a crisis situation as laying the groundwork for national emergency declaration. The president has repeatedly (though inconsistently) claimed that he would declare a national emergency over the border fight. This time Democrats are likely to launch an immediate lawsuit over any declaration the president makes, despite the presidents declaration that such a declaration is 100 percent within his legal powers. Most reports have involved the president reallocating money from the Pentagon. That money could come from a pool of $23 billion originally budgeted for the Army Corps of Engineers for a widely varied range of construction projects. One proposal would take funds from flood control and other measures following hurricane-related flooding and wildfires in Puerto Rico, Texas and California. Another proposal would take the funds from more routine construction of facilities like air traffic control towers and ammunition storage facilities. There is also a much smaller pool of $700 million under the military budget allocated for counter-drug efforts at the border, which could be repurposed. This National Emergency Could Have Long-Term Consequences Lawmakers in both major parties have warned about the precedent that a national emergency declaration could set. Republican Sen. Marco Rubio warned that, If today, the national emergency is border security tomorrow the national emergency might be climate change. While some Democrats have seemed to endorse the idea of opening such a precedent for climate change, Democratic leaders have made clear their opposition. In an alarming analysis, Elizabeth Goitein of the Brennan Center for Justice laid out the danger of unmitigated presidential declarations of emergency. Goitein warns that US laws could, in some circumstances, allow a president to declare a national emergency that would allow him (or her) to take drastic actions like cutting off electronic communications or freezing Americans bank accounts, or even deploying military troops within the United States. The Best Way Out Is No Wall Democrats have long offered $1.6 billion toward border security measures. Meanwhile, the entire cost of the wall is estimated at closer to $25 billion. Clearly, theres no magic in the number $5 billion. Making 800,000 government employees suffer is a cynical political move on the presidents part. Americans are mostly against building a wall, and a majority believe that $5 billion could be put to better use. The best resolution is for the government to reopen with the $1.6 billion in border funds Democrats have offered. And the only way to get there is for congressional Republicans to say enough is enough. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell certainly wont do that without pressure. But it may be the only option. As Hurricane Trump intensifies his campaign of chaos and destruction, leaving federal workers, food stamp recipients and migrants in its wake, we need to redouble our efforts to end the devastation. 2019 is going to be a pivotal year and things are only going to get worse unless we all chip in to make them better. Copyright Truthout. May not be reprinted without permission. | https://truthout.org/articles/will-the-longest-shutdown-in-us-history-end-in-a-power-grab/ |
When is Black Mirror season 5 released on Netflix? Who is in the cast? What is going to happen? | Charlie Brooker and longtime collaborator Annabel Jones created something never seen before on Netflix with interactive Black Mirror movie Bandersnatch. Advertisement But theyre not stopping there. 2019 will see a whole new season of Black Mirror, with all-new episodes debuting slightly later than usual due to the work required on Bandersnatch. Doing Bandersnatch was like doing several episodes at once, Brooker told RadioTimes.com, so in one respect the other season five episodes are more straightforward, though they all come with their own challenges. Find out more about Black Mirror season five below. Charlie Brooker told RadioTimes.com that season five episodes are imminent-ish following the release of Bandersnatch, although an official release date has not yet been confirmed by Netflix. However, expect the new episodes to air at some point in 2019, with Brooker explaining that much of the filming work was completed alongside their ambitious choose-your-own-adventure movie. Wed already shot like, one of the episodes of season five before we did Bandersnatch, Brooker said. At one point we werent sure whether we were going to make Bandersnatch part of season five. It was Netflixs suggestion as well: lets do it as its own thing. As it expanded and got bigger and bigger and bigger it became apparent that the way to do this was to do it as a standalone thing. Netflix surprised subscribers by only confirming the release date of Bandersnatch days before, but its unclear whether they will attempt the same trick for the rest of season five. Not currently, although we will update this page whenever a new video is revealed. Bandersnatchs trailer was only released the day before its release, so fans could have some time to wait. Charlie Brooker hinted to RadioTimes.com that season five would contain a mix of Black Mirrors trademark nihilistic tone and some slightly lighter episodes. Theyre all different tones, so [doing the full series] is quite similar to Bandersnatch in that respect, added co-showrunner Annabel Jones. They also explained that earlier suggestions that new episodes would be more overtly political in tone may be wide of the mark. Last time I kept getting asked, How do you do Black Mirror in a dystopian present? and I was saying, Well I deliberately havent written an episode about Brexit, because you dont know how thats going to play out, so youd have to wait and see, in a way. Brooker said. Because of the turnaround time that we have, we dont want to be completely outmoded. We dont tend to do things where we go, Oh whats happening today? and then write about that. So I dont know that thats true. There have been calls from some fans to return to previous Black Mirror stories with the new episodes, in particular the surprisingly uplifting episode San Junipero. However, Brooker has sounded a note of caution when it comes to expecting any sequels. In terms of a sequel to San Junipero, no, certainly not in its current form I dont think wed revisit those characters unless we had a really, really good reason, Brooker told NME. And I very much doubt that we would do that as an episode. Maybe as a graphic novel or some sort of commemorative biscuit; but we wouldnt want to pick that apart and tinker with it, as wed like to leave Kelly and Yorkie where they are. That said, its becoming increasingly clear that Black Mirrors creators are keen to drop subtle references and Easter eggs linking previous episodes together. Whether this is all building to some huge revelation is unclear, but keep your eyes peeled for similar tricks when season five is released. Along with everything else, the stars of Black Mirror season five have been a closely guarded secret. But we do now have one name: Miley Cyrus. Yes, the singer and actress has been heavily rumoured to be in the new episodes. Cyrus even appeared to confirm the rumours herself in an interview with radio host Howard Stern. If you guess it, then I will shake my head yes or no, she said according to The Hollywood Reporter, before Stern told listeners that shed confirmed the news. Having done one interactive episode, Brooker has had plenty of ideas about what could happen next when it comes to choose your own adventure TV but dont expect them to feature in Black Mirror anytime soon. I could also see a true crime documentary where youre sort of investigating leads and youre eventually killing someone, Brooker said. No, not really! Theres loads of scenarios you could think of. You could do an action thing theres all sorts of different genres where you could see where it would apply itself. The plot of Bandersnatch was closely aligned to the format, but Brooker has warned that there are issues when making interactive TV that anyone wishing to take the format on would have to deal with. Characters are defined by what they do. If the viewer is saying what they do, then youve got a sort of problem there, he explained. Its a tricky one, in that on the one level Bandersnatch allows you hopefully to sit back and sort of watch it as a piece of drama, Brooker continued. On the other hand, we were also acutely aware that because this is interactive, and you need your remote control close by, you cant ever forget that youre there. When youre watching a TV show or a film, most of the time you forget that you exist and youre just caught up in it. In this, youre reminded every so often, and you had to be. Advertisement Read more about how Black Mirror: Bandersnatch came together by pressing next below | https://www.radiotimes.com/news/on-demand/2019-01-14/black-mirror-season-5-release-date-netflix-cast-plot-spoilers-details/ |
Could High-Riding Netflix Be In for a Fall? | Changes in executive pay, the departure of its CFO, and almost $30 billion of cash obligations may be warning signs for Netflix's valuation outlook. By many measures revenue growth, share price, new content offerings for customers Netflix is a veritable juggernaut. Investors and company executives alike have been greatly enriched the past few years. Currently, most analysts that follow Netflix have it rated as a strong buy, as its stock price has come back with gusto since a deep December swoon but is still about 25% short of its mid-2018 high. Danger could be lurking nearby, suggests a new report from Management CV, which analyzes executive teams for large institutional investors. The firms findings arent quite predictions, serving rather as alerts to possible market developments relating to executives movements, decisions, and suitability for their posts. With respect to Netflix, items of potential concern for Management CV involve a shift in executive compensation arrangements, the recent departure of Netflixs CFO, and a large debt-to-EBITDA ratio. The main smoke signal is the compensation changes, which have been playing out since 2017 and came into sharper focus with the companys late-December announcement of 2019 pay packages for its leaders. At issue is both the size and mix of compensation for Netflixs named executive officers. Continuing trends of the two prior years, the 2019 pay packages are way up from last years levels and, except in the case of CEO Reed Hastings, are solidly weighted more toward cash salary than equity awards. The [Netflix] board now pays [some of] its non-CEO executives annual cash salaries that dwarf most S&P 500 CEO salaries and often their total pay plans, the report says. Not that the equity awards which are 100% options as opposed to restricted stock are trivial. Overall, the pay arrangements are a bad deal for investors, according to Management CV. The current combination of large cash salaries and large dilutive option awards asymmetrically skews the future rewards to management and the risks to equity investors, says the report. It adds that the size and dilutive nature of the executive pay plans are big even by media industry standards. According to Management CV, the large, outlier cash salaries are inappropriate for a company with Netflixs financial circumstances, regardless of its growth rate. To be sure, Netflix is making money. It has recorded modest bottom-line and operating profits for the past several years; its guidance for the fourth quarter of 2018 suggests that the company will show a record net income of $1.18 billion for the full year. (Netflix will release its 2018 earnings on Jan. 17.) However, largely because of the great costs associated with the companys energetic development of entertainment content, free cash flow (FCF) is still running negative, and not by a small margin. Netflix has projected that FCF will be negative $3 billion for 2018 and stay roughly at that level in 2019. Further, Netflixs stock options, which are granted on the first business day of each month, are fully vested as of grant date. At other companies, options typically vest gradually over a multiple-year period, often three to five years. At a company with immediate vesting, executives may be more inclined to take the money and run at any particular time when the share price is significantly above options strike price, compared with their counterparts at other companies. Netflix employees retain their options upon leaving the company and afterward. A Netflix spokesperson declined to comment for this article. Several sell-side analysts that follow the company did not respond to requests for comment. The Rich Get Richer CEO Hastings, unlike his top executives, continues to earn a relatively modest salary. It will be $700,000 for 2019. His upside is in the options, which will have a total grant-day value of $30.8 million. Thats a notable jump from last year, when he earned $21.2 million in options plus an $850,000 salary. Total pay for chief content officer Ted Sarandos will equal that of Hastings this year, but with a much different mix of components. Exemplifying both the increased executive compensation and the shifting mix, here are Sarandos pay breakdowns for 2016 through 2019: 2016: Salary $1 million; options $3.275 million; target bonus $1.5 million 2017: Salary $1 million; options $11 million; target bonus $9 million 2018: Salary $12 million; options $14.25 million (As occurred at many companies, Netflixs board scrapped executive bonuses at the end of 2017 because bonus payments became non-deductible expenses under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.) 2019: salary $18 million, options $13.5 million Although at a lower earnings level, chief product officer Greg Peters and general counsel David Hyman have also since the beginning of 2017 received significant, increasingly salary-heavy pay bumps. The same was true for CFO David Wells, who retired this month after earning a $3.5 million salary and a $2.8 million option award in 2018. His successor, Spencer Neumann, who had been finance chief at Activision, will be paid a lot more: $5 million in salary and $5 million in options this year. Netflix investors apparently werent overwhelmingly enthusiastic about last years executive compensation changes. In a say on pay advisory vote last June, holders of just 61% of outstanding shares approved of the 2018 pay plan. Typically, shareholders approve of executive compensation plans at higher rates. It may not be known for some time, if ever, what Netflix shareholders thought about the big 2019 pay hikes. While under SEC rules companies may have say-on-pay votes each year, they are required to do so only once every three years. Both the growing cash portion of pay and the exit of Wells are signs that the companys valuation could be in for a hit going forward, says Renny Ponvert, a former private equity investor who is chief executive of Management CV, in an interview with CFO. Why is management taking out all this cash now? Ponvert says, noting that at Netflix all employees can choose to take their compensation at any mix of cash and options. Why arent they content to take most of their pay in something thats linked to the interest of the other investors? In addition to the salary hikes, multiple Netflix executives have been aggressively selling their shares. For example, Hastings has sold $410 million worth of stock over the past 18 months, while Sarandos has sold $67 million worth during that time. Still, its not a snap to get a read on the companys valuation outlook, given the recent, unusually high volatility of Netflix stock. It hit an all-time high of $423 last June 21 before free-falling to $234 by Dec. 26. It has rallied back in January, opening on Monday at $334. However, about the departure of Wells, who is just 46 years old, Ponvert says, Were always skeptical when a young but seasoned CFO who is doing well bows out at a company with really strong performance. Often its a contrary signal that the company has hit its peak earnings level, or in this case maybe a valuation peak. Some smart finance guys look at their companys prospects and decide its better to cash out than stick around a few more years. (For the record, Wells says hes retiring to go into philanthropy. Opines Ponvert, I do believe hell do the philanthropy thing for awhile, because hes done it before. But you can expect him to move on to the next great thing.) Debt Doubt Meanwhile, among the biggest headaches for incoming CFO Neumann will be, according to Management CV, an oppressive debt load. Some would actually consider Netflix to be under-leveraged. It does have long-term debt of about $10.4 billion ($2 billion of which was added in December with a new bond issuance), but with the companys approximately $140 billion of equity, its debt-to-equity ratio isnt out of whack. On the other hand, its true going-forward cash liabilities are almost three times that much. Companies, like Netflix, that distribute entertainment content (whether movies, TV shows, or streaming video) contract with production companies and others to develop the content. But at any point in time, some of that future content doesnt yet qualify as assets, so neither it nor the associated contractual obligations are recorded on the balance sheet. That likely accounted for most or all of the $10.2 billion of off-balance-sheet obligations. So, the traditional long-term debt plus all the outstanding content liabilities amount to a fat $28.8 billion for a company that is expecting 2018 EBITDA to clock in at about $710 million, is burning through vast amounts of cash, and sports a BB- credit rating. And, as shown in the third-quarter filing, $8.4 billion of Netflixs outstanding content obligations was scheduled to be paid off within a year. An additional $8.6 billion was due within three years. There is, of course, no guarantee that a significant portion of the companys big equity cushion will or wont evaporate in the coming months or over the next couple of years. At any rate, Netflix should be an interesting company to watch in 2019. | http://ww2.cfo.com/compensation/2019/01/could-high-riding-netflix-be-in-for-a-fall/ |
How Do Gravity Waves Affect Mass? | originally appeared on Quora: the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world. Answer by Kirsten Hacker, post-doc Accelerator Physics, on Quora: When I see a question on gravity waves, Emily Dickensons poem often comes to mind. Tell all the truth but tell it slant Success in Circuit lies Too bright for our infirm Delight The Truth's superb surprise As Lightning to the Children eased With explanation kind The Truth must dazzle gradually Or every man be blind The reason for this is that everybody approaches the topic with a different angle and it becomes very hard to figure out who is correct but speaking in an obscure language and who is incorrect but speaking in a popular language. When the tower of Babel gets high, everyone starts speaking different languages. With this in mind, I feel invited to approach the topic figuratively with the most painfully literal tools in my arsenal: Archimedes bathtub stories. A gravity wave is a change in gravity as a function of time and space. The amount of mass would change as a function of space and time, but if every mass in a system changes at precisely the same rate, no single mass would have any ability to detect any change because a measurement of mass is relative. To motivate intuition, Ill translate the question into something more tactile: Q: A bubble held underwater in Archimedes bathtub is slowly squeezed by a pressure-wave. At the same time, short, transverse waves reflect off of the compressed bubble and experience a slight phase shift as a result of the pressure wave. A: If the mass of the bubble is defined by the motion of the particles in the bubble relative to the water, then pressurization produces a change in mass through temperature change and rotation change. The phase shift of the reflected waves is sensitive to how quickly a change in bubble diameter becomes a change in temperature and rotation because increased internal motion would tend to counteract the compression. If there is a significant delay between the compression and the increase in internal motion, then the reflected transverse waves will measure the pressure-wave. If there is not a significant delay, they will not. This picture could be redefined such that the bubble is the earth and the long, slow pressure wave is a gravity wave coming in from deep space. If gravity waves change the relative masses of the earth and the moon, then we would detect small changes in the phase of light waves reflected off of the moon - not because the distance to the center of the moon changed, but because the moon itself changed in diameter. Unfortunately, due to the divergence of a laser beam and the precision requirements, this isnt an experimentally feasible measurement. Meanwhile, LIGO attempts to measure gravitational-wave-induced phase shifts produced by reflections between earthbound mirrors, but This change is really too small of a quantity to measure. The phase shift is supposed to be a fraction of the width of a proton - or the width of a hair relative to the distance to Alpha Centauri and back. We have no experimental knowledge of how atomic dimensions within mirrors respond to changes in gravity and we have no direct knowledge of how gravitational waves couple to individual particles. (note that I used the words changes and couple to because we are not concerned with steady states.) That is probably the reason that LIGO avoids framing their experiment in terms of atomic contraction as I have done and instead they tell us that space stretches and contracts at different rates for gravitational and light waves. I wholly disapprove of this manner of speech because it invites sloppy thinking. One can describe space as a coordinate system against which matter moves, stretches, and contracts, or one can describe space as something which contracts and stretches when waves travel through it. LIGO has chosen the latter convention and it is bad because it avoids any description of a physical mechanism. You cant. The bubbles in Archimedes bathtub make this clear. The original Michelson-Morely experiment made this clear as well. I would believe in LIGO if there were an experiment running in parallel which used a completely different mechanism to measure the same effect, but the other options are no more promising than LIGO. You could try to measure a relative change in mass via tiny temperature changes or by counting the number of particles popping into and out of existence, but we cant get enough statistics over a short enough time step to measure this with the required precision. This question originally appeared on Quora - the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world. You can follow Quora on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+. More questions: | https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2019/01/14/how-do-gravity-waves-affect-mass/ |
What Stakes Does The Church Of Scientology Have In Criminal Justice Reform? | Church of Scientology social betterment programs and policy director John Stanard signed a letter along with members of an interfaith coalition dedicated to criminal justice reform to oppose the First Step Acts Cotton-Kennedy amendments in December. Signatories of the letter said they opposed the amendments on the grounds that they would limit which prisoners are eligible for earned time credits, but Scientology experts said the group signed the letter only to further their agenda of gaining new members. Signing the letter allegedly helps Scientology don the guise of a mainstream religion, but is also part of an effort to maintain the range of influence of its prison rehabilitation program Criminon, which experts say seeks to replace psychiatry with Scientologist methods and recruit inmates to the the group. The Church of Scientology joined an interfaith coalition in opposing the First Step Acts Cotton-Kennedy amendments to protect their secretive efforts to convert inmates. The Church of Scientology (CoS) appeared as one of 22 signatories on a letter crafted by Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM), opposing the Cotton-Kennedy amendments ostensibly because they would limit which inmates qualified for earned time credits a method by which inmates could earn early release by completing rehabilitation programs put on by various private groups. (RELATED: Worldwide Cult Gets Its Own TV Network) While signatories like the Christian faith-based Prison Fellowship and the conservative group Heritage Action may have opposed what they understood the amendments to be on principle, experts on Scientology say the group joined those signatories for different reasons to appear like a mainstream religion, and to insure that a rehabilitation program with ties to the CoS would have wider access to inmates for the purpose of converting them. Scientology loves interfaith efforts in general because they believe it makes them look more like a mainstream religion when they take part in them, Tony Ortega, a journalist with The Underground Bunker who has covered the CoS since 1995, told The Daily Beast. And one thing Scientology desperately craves is to be considered mainstream, he added. That rehabilitation program is called Criminon International, and it operates in prisons in Florida, California, Washington D.C., and elsewhere around the world. The CoS website says Criminon meaning no crime, is a volunteer criminal rehabilitation program which utilizes technologies developed by L. Ron Hubbard to help convicts recover pride and self-esteem. The program is led by Scientology Freedom Medal recipient Greg Capazorio and revolves around The Way to Happiness, a pamphlet that outlines L. Ron Hubbards 21 precepts for improving ones life. Tom Cruise and the groups volunteer ministers have distributed copies of that pamphlet often as part of recruitment efforts for the cult among everyone from Hollywood actors to survivors of natural disasters. Criminon, however, openly denies that it is overtly connected to and supportive of Scientologist recruitment efforts, even going so far as to say that it is a secular program. Criminon is not licensed to use and does not utilize the religious writings and technologies of Mr. Hubbard. It has the secular purpose of eradicating the scourge of crime which plagues and, often, terrorizes our societies, the programs website reads. Ex-members of the group, academic experts, and those who have long covered the cults activities and scandals say otherwise. L. Ron Hubbard has very precise policies contained in their Public Relations doctrine that state in part that Scientologists are to align themselves with real churches and push forward the public image that Scientology is the solution to mans ills,' actress and Scientology whistle-blower Leah Remini told The Daily Beast. Criminon is just another front group for Scientology. This is just a play for Scientology to get the government to pay for its Scientology technology with its Criminon program, Remini added. Professor Stephen Kent of the University of Alberta echoed Reminis evaluation of Criminon, but also clarified that Criminon is one of several tools the CoS is using to attack and replace psychiatry with the CoS technology and philosophy, thereby gaining converts among those who seek and need the help that psychiatry offers. Scientologys design is to destroy psychiatry and replace it with Scientologys own treatments. Criminon is simply one of many Scientology organizations that hope to see this goal realized, Kent told the Los Angeles Times in 2005. A Criminon booklet obtained by the Times speaks to that goal. The booklet denounces the efforts of psychiatrists in prisons and alleges that prisoners are forcibly drugged simply to keep them from causing trouble. If [inmates] are on psychiatric drugs, encourage them to get off, the booklet reads. Psychiatrists are heavily into the prison system. Most jails and prisons have a staff psychiatrist that goes in daily and gives dosages of various and sundry mind-altering drugs to the inmates. Most of the time this is a ploy to keep the inmates sedated so that they dont cause trouble. As for how the CoS became one of the signatories on the December 17 letter to President Donald Trump, Kevin Ring, the president of FAMM, said they were simply one of the groups that asked to sign. We reached out to members of the Justice Roundtable through the listservthats how we usually solicit folks who wanted to signand they were one of the groups that asked to sign, Ring said. John Stanard, director of the CoS Social Betterment Programs and Policy, is in fact a member of both the Interfaith Criminal Justice Coalition and Justice Roundtable. Ring said, however, that the groups inclusion with the other signatories was worth us reconsidering when asked why an organization with a sordid history of scandal, harassment of former members, and alleged systematic abuse would be numbered among the coalition. Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected]. | https://dailycaller.com/2019/01/14/scientology-prison-conversion/ |
How does Brexit affect the pound? | Image copyright Getty Images During the past two years, the pound has had a rough time of things when it comes to its price against the dollar and other currencies. The immediate aftermath of the Brexit referendum saw sterling decline sharply in value. And as the vote on the UK's withdrawal deal from the European Union looms, further volatility is expected. Since June 2016, holidays and imported goods have become more expensive, but UK exports have been cheaper. It's a complex picture, though. Exporters, such as carmakers, are importers themselves, buying in raw materials such as oil or copper. While Britons living abroad but drawing a UK pension have suffered as the pound has declined. Since 1992, the pound has floated freely on currency markets, meaning that traders - buyers and sellers - determine what it's worth. When the pound rises in value, more of the currency is being bought. When it goes down, more is sold. "A free-floating currency is a very good thing, because it works as a safety valve," says Jane Foley, senior currency strategist at Rabobank. After the global financial crisis, countries whose economies suffered had weaker currencies. "Countries in the eurozone such as Greece and Spain had a strong euro they couldn't devalue," or reduce in value, she added, and for them, the safety valve was wage cuts. "The downside is when it comes on the back of political uncertainty," she said. "Goods become more expensive." In recent years, traders have been looking at politics, rather than economic data, which means faster trading, and a faster pace of change in the price. That's the volatility traders talk about. "If you think abut political uncertainty being bad, the worst outcome is a hard Brexit," says Ms Foley, because details of what will happen under those circumstances are so scarce. "If that's the worst case scenario, it [the pound] will rally if hard Brexit seems unlikely." Similarly, talk of putting Brexit on hold has boosted the pound, as it gives businesses more room to plan, she says. "Certainly since 2016, sterling is weaker," says Ms Foley. "Our wealth overseas has lessened." At the bureau de change, rates will be even worse than those on the financial market. That reflects their business costs including rent, staff, security and having lots of money ready. And if you buy your notes at the airport, convenience. But the value of the pound is always reflected in the price of another currency. Which means that since the referendum there are some currencies against which sterling has performed better, notably the Turkish lira and the Argentine peso. Interest rates and money-printing can also have an effect. Higher interest rates, and therefore returns, may attract more foreign buyers, which pushes up the value of the currency. Printing money, either literally or through the bond-buying programmes known as quantitative easing, has historically reduced the value of a currency by increasing its supply. But sometimes the effects can be minor. Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Not all currencies have gained against the pound Another factor is the UK's current account deficit, says Jane Foley. That's where imports exceed the value of a nation's exports. A simple way of thinking about it is a deficit of savers, she says. "We need foreign savers to make up the shortfall. If they don't like what they see, they are more likely to pull their money out." That means selling pounds and a cheaper currency. "If we had a surplus, we would not be as vulnerable," she says. It explains why the pound is more volatile - why trading happens at a faster rate - than the yen. Japan has much domestic wealth to draw upon. Companies may buy currencies for a variety of reasons. A company wanting to buy a UK-based rival will need lots of sterling to do so. It may have to sell dollars or euros and buy sterling. Likewise, a company wanting to pay shareholders a slice of profits may need to bring UK sales home. They will sell their pounds. Then you have traders who think they know something others don't. They will make bets on the market, or speculation. "Customers I see are corporate customers who may have to buy energy, grain or some other component," says Ms Foley. "They have a natural need. It's an easy mistake thinking it's just speculators, making a quick buck." Events will determine how the pound performs in the short term, until some sort of resolution for Britain's departure from the EU comes about, said Ms Foley. The vote on Prime Minster Theresa May's Brexit deal will probably be the next event. Market-watchers have typically mixed views. "The pound will react to the extent and manner of the government's likely defeat in the vote, with a heavier defeat more likely to push down on an exchange rate that has already depreciated a great deal," said Gregory Thwaites, research director at WorldRemit and previously Head of International Research at the Bank of England. "In the unlikely event that the deal is passed, sterling will be likely to rally." "Should the withdrawal act be ratified on Tuesday, sterling will probably surge about 5% in value against the US dollar, but if December's failed attempt is anything to go by then the chances look slim," said Simon Harvey, market analyst at Monex Europe. Hussein Sayed, chief market strategist at FXTM, said: "It is expected that the bill will be voted down, but this won't be the most significant factor influencing the pound's direction, it's what will happen next." He says options as diverse as a no-confidence vote in the government, an extension of Article 50, a new general election and a second referendum could mean very different things for the pound. "As of now, investors seem to be on wait-and-see mode." | https://www.bbc.com/news/business-46862790 |
What happens if Theresa May loses the vote on her Brexit deal? | UK leaves EU but can't strike new trade deals Glossary FTPA confidence vote Under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act the government falls MPs pass a motion of no confidence. If no new government is formed after 14 days, there is an election Government of national unity A cross-party government could form to secure a Norway-style deal, a permanent customs union or a referendum. Unlikely but not impossible Norway-style deal Staying in the single market with an additional customs deal to solve the Irish border issue Permanent customs union Keep Mays deal plus a permanent customs agreement. Ends free movement but could split the Tory party 48 letters The threshold required to trigger a vote of confidence in Mays party leadership | https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/brexit-vote-what-happens-if-theresa-may-loses-deal-h6lldrhvk |
Why are Republicans suddenly outraged over Steve Kings racism? | Columnist Republicans are shocked, shocked , to learn that Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) is a dyed-in-the-wool racist. Also, that snow is cold, the ocean is wet and the sky is often blue. The clamor of GOP voices denouncing Kings latest racist eruption is more amusing than inspiring. Surely the party of Lincoln is aware that race has been the most divisive issue in our national history. Surely Republicans were aware of Kings toxic views, which he makes no attempt to hide. Perhaps Kings newly outraged critics were waiting for him to finally spell it out in language that even the party of Trump cannot ignore. Which he did. In a New York Times profile last week, King expounded on his hard-line anti-immigrant views, which are the only thing that has distinguished him, or undistinguished him, in an otherwise mediocre congressional career. Why did I sit in classes teaching me about the merits of our history and our civilization? We have seen, in subsequent days, that the open embrace of white supremacy is a bridge too far for many Republicans. Thats what they say, at least. Ill believe them when they make clear with actions, not just words that racists such as King are unwelcome in the partys ranks. After the Times piece was published, King quickly issued a statement seeking to distance himself from white nationalism and white supremacy, claiming to reject those labels and the evil ideology they define. But then he went on to defend that very ideology in the euphemistic language word salad about nationalism and Western values that white supremacists use in polite company. King claims his crusade is about keeping out the wrong kind of values. But his rhetoric and his associations make clear that his real aim is keeping out the wrong kind of people Latinos, Muslims, anyone who doesnt fit into his warped, ahistorical, racist vision of the nations heritage. Several years ago, referring to the undocumented dreamers brought here as children, King had this to say: For every one whos a valedictorian, theres another hundred out there who weigh 130 pounds and theyve got calves the size of cantaloupes because theyre hauling 75 pounds of marijuana across the desert. Thats what King thinks of Hispanic immigration. He proposed a border wall before Trump did. As the Times noted in its profile, King has supported political figures abroad who have anti-Semitic leanings and neo-Nazi ties. In his response statement, King said he condemns anyone who supports the ideology that led to the Holocaust. So thats something. In years past, however, he did display a Confederate flag in his office an odd and telling choice of decor for a man born and raised in Iowa, where the trees are not draped with Spanish moss and the atmosphere is not suffused with Lost Cause nostalgia. Here is part of what King said last year to a right-wing Austrian website: When I made a statement on Twitter saying, We cant restore our civilization with somebody elses babies, it seemed to be more irritating to the left than anything I have ever said. First of all, the total fertility rate in Europe is below replacement rate. When that happens, you are a dying civilization. . . . If we continue to abort our babies and import a replacement for them in the form of young violent men, we are supplanting our culture, our civilization. The idea of replacement is a cornerstone of white-supremacist ideology. Following the Times profile, weve heard stirring denunciations from outraged and embarrassed Republicans. On NBCs Meet the Press, Sen. Ted Cruz (Tex.) was righteously eloquent on the subject. In a Post op-ed, Sen. Tim Scott (S.C.) challenged his colleagues: Some in our party wonder why Republicans are constantly accused of racism it is because of our silence when things like this are said. On CBSs Face the Nation, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (Calif.) promised that action will be taken against King. Yeah, sure, whatever. Then stop letting bigots such as King and Trump define the partys policies. Ill believe stirring GOP words about diversity when they are backed up by votes. Read more from Eugene Robinsons archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook. You can also join him Tuesdays at 1 p.m. for a live Q&A. | https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/why-are-republicans-suddenly-outraged-over-steve-kings-racism/2019/01/14/59f55dac-1849-11e9-9ebf-c5fed1b7a081_story.html |
Who can stop Dublins five-in-a-row this year? | Barrett, right, believes that Mayo are capable of turning the tables on Dublin this season TOMMY DICKSON/INPHO In the race to catch Dublin and to deny their five-in-a-row All-Ireland dream, only one thing is certain. If their rivals take the same approach as they have in recent seasons, theyll all be brushed aside again. Its the classic if you do what youve always done, youll always get the same result scenario. Every county on Dublins coat-tails has been pondering this over the winter and wondering what they can possibly do different to add vital value to their game. The painful reality for Dublins rivals throughout Jim Gavins six-season reign is that they have been consistently a step ahead of everyone. Dublin have faced nine counties in the All-Ireland series between 2013 and 2018 meeting Mayo most often, followed by Kerry, Tyrone and | https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/who-can-stop-dublins-five-in-a-row-this-year-2vm2dz6r7 |
Can Carlton recreate glory years? | Carlton is one of the oldest and most decorated sporting clubs in Australia. Carlton is one of the oldest and most decorated sporting clubs in Australia. Carlton is one of the oldest and most revered sporting clubs in Australia. While their supporters have been singing the Blues since the team's last premiership in 1995, the longest drought in the club's 154-year history, Carlton remains one of the "big four" traditional teams in the AFL, with a large following and a proud history. ORIGINS Carlton Football Club was established in July 1864 as an offshoot of the Carlton Cricket Club, which had launched three years earlier. The club has always worn navy blue with pride, but at first it was an expedient decision. Older dyeing methods had a habit of stripping away wool's natural water-resistant qualities, but blue dyes of the day still allowed the wool to repel water. Many working people, especially outdoor workers, owned dark blue jumpers. In the winter months, they'd wear their dark blue working clobber to stay warm and dry while playing footy, and a tradition was born. Herbert Pears of Collingwood leads Albert Trimm of Carlton to the ball in March 1903. Carlton have always worn navy blue with pride The Carlton Football Club that won the 1945 Bloodbath Grand Final at Princes Park. Carlton was a founding member of the Victorian Football Association in 1877 and won its inaugural premiership that year, but it was already a heavyweight in pre-VFA competition, winning flags in 1872, 1873, 1874 and 1875. But the Blues entered the doldrums for many years after that early flush of success, with only one more premiership, in 1887. It was playing at the south end of Princes Park but was not able to charge admission or enclose the ground, a source of uncertainty for the club, But its lowly status was overlooked when it was invited to join the rebel Victorian Football League for its first season in 1897. By then, at least, it had secured an enclosed ground and the rights to charge admission thanks to an agreement with the Carlton Cricket Club. Carlton spent its first five years in the VFL as cellar-dwellers before a fundamental change. GOLDEN YEARS Jack Worrall, the former Victorian and Australian champion cricketer who'd also played VFA football with Fitzroy, was persuaded to switch from the Fitzroy Cricket Club to Carlton's in the 1890s and in 1902 was appointed secretary of both the Carlton cricket and football clubs. He became the prototypical Aussie rules coach, a position that had not existed in the modern sense before Worrall. His highly intense coaching style and insistence that his charges train harder than any other team bred resentment from some players but he got results. Carlton made the VFL finals in 1903, 1904 and 1905 and pulled off the first VFL hat trick in 1906, 1907 and 1908. Pressure from a group of players forced Worrall's resignation during the 1909 season, after 144 matches as coach. Carlton was runner-up in 1908 and 1909, and went back-to-back in 1914 and 1915. Worrall coached Essendon to two premierships in 1911 and 1912. Carlton did not get its hands on the VFL silverware again until 1938, led by champions including Bob Chitty, Harry "Soapy" Vallance and Jim Wrout, who booted four goals that day in front of a then record grand final crowd of more than 96,000. Carlton was one half of the most infamous grand final in VFL/AFL history, the 1945 "Bloodbath" clash with South Melbourne. With the MCG still unavailable because of its military use through World War II, the match was staged before 52,000 people at Princes Park. Carlton came from fourth on the ladder to make the grand final, and South Melbourne, known colloquially as the Bloods, was the firm favourite. 1987 Grand Final. Carlton v Hawthorn. MCG. Tom Alvin holds the premiership cup. Chitty, by then one of the league's most feared tough guys and captain of the Blues, belted Ron Clegg in the second quarter, sparking a series of violent incidents that involved players, officials, umpires and police. Carlton came out on top 13.15 (103) to 10.15 (75). Ten players were reported, and seven were rubbed out for a total of 69 matches. The Blues went on to win their eighth flag in 1947, defeating Essendon by a point, and the team was runner-up to Essendon in 1949 after a 73-point drubbing. It would be 1962 before Carlton was back in the grand final, going down to Essendon once again, but the mood began to change at Princes Park with the recruiting coup of the century - Ron Barassi's controversial switch from Melbourne immediately after the Dees' last grand final win in 1964 to become Melbourne's captain-coach. With Melbourne coach Norm Smith seemingly entrenched in the role, and Barassi keen to coach, Carlton made him a financially lucrative offer that horrified the football world, making him the Blues' captain-coach. Barassi coaching the Blues in their 1968 semi-final against Essendon. The Blues were once again competitive from the mid-'60s, and went on to make three consecutive grand finals between 1968 and 1970 They secured two premierships in that dominant run. The Blues beat arch rivals Essendon by three points in 1968 - Barassi didn't play that day but coached - with Brian Kekovich (brother of Sam) starring with four goals and champions including Alex Jesaulenko, Wes Lofts, John Nicholls, Percy Jones, Ian Collins and Robert Walls. And under Barassi as coach, Carlton rolled old foes Collingwood in 1970 with a comeback from 44 points down at half time to win by 10 points, fired by an innovative rapid-fire use of handball that left the Magpies flat-footed. Little known rover Ted Hopkins led the charge with four goals after being subbed into the game at half time. He played only one more game in his 29-match career with the Blues, but cemented his place in history that day before a record crowd of 121,696. Barassi departed for Port Melbourne in the VFA in 1971. New captain-coach John Nicholls led the Blues to victory against Richmond in 1972, building a team that would outscore the powerful Tigers side that had beaten the Blues in the second semi-final replay by 41 points (the first was drawn). Carlton won 28.9 (177) to Richmond's 22.18 (150). Jesaulenko booted seven goals, with six each to Robert Walls and Big Nic in a team in which Syd Jackson, Bruce Doull, Geoff Southby and Percy Jones were among the stars. While competitive for most of the '70s, it was not until 1979 that Carlton won another flag, heralding another golden era for the club. Alex Jesaulenkos famous mark over Graham Jenkins in the 1970 Grand Final. The 1979 grand final win over Collingwood by five points was Jesaulenko's last with Carlton and was marked by Wayne Harmes' controversial tap from the boundary line to Kenny Sheldon in the goal square, ensuring Carlton got home for the win. The Blues delivered Collingwood three grand final losses in a row in 1981 with a thrilling come-from-behind win. Down by nine points and three quarter time, Carlton came home with a wet sail, kicking the last six goals and holding the Magpies to two behinds in the final quarter to record a 20-point win. Bruce Doull won the Norm Smith Medal. Goal-kickers included Rod Ashman (3), David McKay, Mark McClure, Ken Sheldon (all with two), Jimmy Buckley, Wayne Johnston and Wayne Harmes. The Blues backed up in 1982, beating Richmond by 18 points in a tight contest - a victory that gave it the most premiership wins, a title Carlton has held alone or shared with Essendon ever since. Stephen Kernahan, Craig Bradley and Norm Smith medallist David Rhys-Jones heralded a new era for the Blues in 1987 with a convincing 33-point victory over Hawthorn, but there was little success for Carlton in the years to follow. THE AFL ERA The premierships have not flowed so freely at Princes Park since the VFL competition went national. Carlton won its 16th flag in 1995 with a thumping 61-point win over Geelong after a season in which the Blues only dropped two matches led by Kernahan, Bradley, Steve Silvagni, Justin Madden, Anthony Koutoufides and Brett Ratten. A Collingwood fan taunts Corey McKernan with a wooden spoon in 2002. Justin Murphy celebrates the 1999 preliminary final victory. The Blues would go on to lose to North Melbourne. Carlton was competitive through the 1990s, featuring regularly in the finals and appearing in losing grand finals against Essendon's Baby Bombers in 1993 and North Melbourne in 1999. As its champions retired around the turn of the century, its performance waned quickly and the Blues won their first wooden spoon in 2002. That same year, massive salary cap breaches cost the club many draft picks and a $983,000 fine, the effects of which are still being felt at Princes Park. CARLTON VFL/AFL Premierships: 16 (the last in 1995), runner-up ** times VFL/AFL games played/won/lost/drawn: 2447 matches, 1415 won, 998 lost, 34 drawn Longest serving captain: Stephen Kernahan (226 games as captain from 1987 to 1997). Longest serving coach: David Parkin (355 games from 1981 to 1985 and 1991 to 2000) Longest serving player: Craig Bradley (356 games) Brownlow medallists: Bert Deacon (1947), John James (1961), Gordon Collis (1964), Greg Williams (1994) and Chris Judd (2010). | https://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/can-carltons-new-breed-help-recreate-golden-years/3622607/ |
Does the heat really feel hotter in Tasmania than it does on the mainland? | Updated If you've been to Tasmania, you might have heard locals remark that the sun's rays feel hotter on the island state than they do in other parts of Australia. Key points: The hole in the ozone layer is not a factor The lack of pollution contributes to Tasmanians feeling hotter The UV rating is extreme on most summer days It's not unusual to hear the complaint that 25 degrees Celsius feels different in Tassie than it would on the mainland. It's also common to hear that the stifling heat has to do with Tasmania's position near a hole in the ozone layer. The ABC spoke to the Bureau of Meteorology's (BOM) Luke Johnston about whether that is true, and why Tasmania's heat has a "different story" to the rest of the country. No. And it doesn't really impact on how hot we feel. According to the BOM website, the hole in the ozone layer "has only ever been observed to be well south of the Australian mainland and Tasmania". "In fact, in springtime, when the hole is in existence, ozone levels over southern Australian cities are at their highest," the BOM says. "There's not huge correlation between ultra violet (UV) radiation and surface temperature," Mr Johnston said. "So there being a hole in the ozone layer or a weaker part of ozone layer closer to Tasmania than Brisbane, for example, would not really affect what the temperature feels like." But, UV levels are different in Tasmania, and the state reaches "extreme" conditions on most summer days. Cancer Council Tasmania CEO Penny Egan said many people especially tourists did not realise how harsh the sun could be in Tasmania. "People think that because you're in Tasmania, where we happen to be at the bottom of our big country and closest to Antarctica, that we don't have to worry as much about the heat and the sun," she said. "In fact, that's a bit of a myth. "We have particularly high UV here in Tasmania and it's very important that people understand the impact that can have on your skin." Ms Egan said Tasmania had the fourth highest rate of skin cancer in the country. "Queensland is the first, which we probably would understand," she said. "New South Wales, Western Australia and ourselves are all nearly on par with each other so we're rated fourth but we're a very close second. "South Australia is much lower than us, so is the ACT and the Northern Territory, would you believe." What does make a difference to what you feel, according to Mr Johnston, is the quality of Tasmania's air, which means the sun's rays don't have to compete with pollutants. "If you look at various air quality sites around Australia, you'll find that Tasmania has usually got pretty clean air thanks to a lot of air coming from down south from the Southern Ocean, which is generally a lot clearer and cleaner," he said. "We also have less pollutants and less dust." In fact, Cape Grim in Tasmania's north-west has some of the cleanest air in the world, unaffected by regional pollution sources such as nearby cities or industry. It might all come down to what you expect when you come to Tasmania. Earlier this month, the mercury tipped over 39C in Campania, north of Hobart. The heat record for the state is 42.2C, recorded in Scamander on the east coast in January 2009. Hobart's top temperature is 41.8C, recorded in 2014, but overall, temperatures over 30C are rare. Mr Johnston said the heat could be a shock to the system for some people living in Australia's southernmost state. "Then you've got to factor in that we're not used to temperatures like this," he said. "So when things like this happen it's quite extreme for a lot of people." Topics: community-and-society, environment, weather, hobart-7000, launceston-7250, tas First posted | https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-01-15/tasmanian-heat-feels-hotter-than-on-mainland/10705112 |
Who will speak up to stop the country tearing itself apart over Brexit? | Politics is psychology is rhetoric. With Britain taking its most important parliamentary decision of the postwar era, it is bitterly divided. Yet on historical legacy all seem united the heroics of Winston Churchill. One of his greatest skills was the power of the spoken word. He took over a country fearful of invasion and on the brink of cutting a deal with Hitler. He willed Britain through. Nobody is doing that now as we tear ourselves apart over Brexit. One should not compare the threat of 1940 with 2019 although the more flamboyant Brexiteers such as Boris Johnson get close to doing that. This time the enemy is identified as coming from within. It is not sufficient to disagree. The protagonists impugn each | https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/theresa-may-brexit-deal-who-will-speak-up-to-stop-the-country-tearing-itself-apart-over-brexit-2tvsv7t8x |
What Is The Significance Of Number Four In Numerology? | Individuals who participate in active social life and enjoy a large circle of friends is what defines the personality of individuals whose life line number is four. According to a numerologist, individuals whose ruling number is four have specific traits that separate them from the other signs. These individuals love to participate in active social activities, and they enjoy having a large circle of friends. These individuals also have issues in matters of money, abundance, and commitment. To find out if your number is four, then you need to calculate your date of birth to a single digit. For Eg: 25Th January 1984= 2+5+1+1+9+8+4=30= 3+0=3. The individual's lucky number is three. | https://www.boldsky.com/astrology/numerology/importance-number-four-numerology-127172.html |
What next if PMs deal finally goes down in flames? | Tonight the House of Commons will finally get the opportunity to pass judgment on Theresa Mays Brexit plan after the vote was pulled last month. But with Brexiteer MPs implacably opposed and Labour also intent on voting down the plan, it looks certain to be heavily defeated. The critical question is what happens then. These are the options: May pledges to go back to EU If and when she loses the vote, under existing legislation Mrs May is required to come back to parliament within three sitting days, setting out how the government intends to proceed by laying a motion before the House that can be amended by MPs. She is expected to do that soon if not immediately after the defeat. She is likely | https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/what-next-if-pm-s-deal-finally-goes-down-in-flames-j3j86wgg0 |
Will Boris Johnson marry Carrie Symonds? | After the announcement last September of Boris Johnsons divorce from Marina Wheeler, his long-suffering wife of 25 years, the Daily Mail splashed a front-page photograph of him looking crumpled and dejected on the steps of his garden in Oxfordshire. Inside, the paper devoted a colourful spread to details about his latest affair with 30-year-old Carrie Symonds, the vivacious and fun-loving former head of Tory party communications. Seeing him wearing a pair of Indian leather slippers, his hands in his tousled hair, Falstaff-like, I couldnt help but empathise with Boris as a fellow double divorc and writer on the rack. He looked broken and exhausted. I felt for him. The news, less than six months later, is that Boris is now living with Carrie and, | https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/will-boris-johnson-marry-carrie-symonds-nbzqtf7ps |
Is Colton Underwood Still With His Bachelor Final Pick? | Colton Underwood has been quite open about saying he wants to be engaged and headed toward marriage after his Bachelor experience this winter. Filming ended in mid-November and so far, Underwood has played coy about whether he achieved his goal or not. Fans are wondering if he is still with his final pick, and so far, rumors and spoilers suggest that he is. As the Inquisitr has previously detailed, Colton Underwoods journey as the Bachelor lead is said to take some twists and turns later in the season. According to gossip guru Reality Steve, he does end the season involved with somebody. However, fans reportedly will not get a traditional ending. Despite all of that, Reality Steves Bachelor spoilers say that Colton and his gal are still together as a couple. In fact, the two may have accidentally spoiled this fact themselves before the season even started to air. In his latest blog post packed with answers to questions from his readers, Reality Steve confirmed that Colton and his final pick are still with one another. In other recent posts, he has said that Underwood and his gal have had regular Happy Couple weekend visits, as is typical of final couples from this franchise during this time that they have to keep their relationship a secret. The franchises most recent Bachelor Arie Luyendyk Jr. just tied the knot this past weekend with Lauren Burnham, and as their season played out many doubted that their pairing would last. So, its entirely possible that Underwood will eventually have the same kind of outcome. Right now, however, Bachelor spoilers suggest that Underwood and his pick have a long way to go before they are ready to tie the knot and add a baby to the mix like Arie and Lauren are doing. Colton has said that hes happy and that hes learned a lot from this process, but he definitely stops short of saying hes with someone or hearing wedding bells. Viewers can expect the Bachelor spoilers via the previews to get pretty wild this season and that will definitely be the case as it gets closer to the finale. Colton has already acknowledged that the fence-jumping incident shown in previews is a serious situaton and hes spoiled that at that point, he essentially had left the show entirely for a brief period of time. Its certainly good news that Realilty Steve says theyre still together and regularly spending time together, but there are definitely some question marks tied to this ending that will have fans buzzing. | https://www.inquisitr.com/5249135/colton-underwood-still-bachelor-final-pick/ |
Will the shutdown impact future food and nutrition benefit programs? | WILMINGTON,NC (WWAY) More than 13,000 households in New Hanover County receive food and nutrition services through the Department of Social Services but, the government shutdown could soon impact this program. As the longest government shutdown in history continues, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human services is urging local communities to use February resources now. - Advertisement - Beth Gaglione is the branch director at the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. It provides food to more than 100 food pantries across Brunswick, New Hanover, Columbus and Pender counties.She says the food bank has prepared for an event like the shutdown. Even if the lapse in government funding went on for a 6 month time frame because we have some conservative folks, who prepare our budget, were prepared for that, said Gaglione. But, there will be a demand for food if the shutdown continues. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is urging communities to use Februarys food resources now. Related Article: Boys Scouts work on merit badge with visit to WWAY New Hanover County spokeswoman Jennifer Loeper says funding is not an issue right now. Our social services department, our public health department theyre all operating as normal at this time, said Loeper. There are no impacts to our service delivery or operations and funding has been extended through February. But, if things dont change, the state warns funding for these programs could run out after February. If we were to go much further into the month of February and it impacted the SNAP program then,we would see immediate effects at our food pantry that are very large and looming, said Gaglione. With more than 13,000 families relying on food stamps, they might have to rely on the food bank, if the money runs out. We will continue to support the community with the food we receive, which we dont expect to stop but, if it does, that could have a financial impact on our food bank, said Gaglione. Gaglione says for every 1 person served at a food pantry with support from the food bank, the food SNAP program is serving an additional 75 people. But, the NCDHHS reports they are working with federal partners and retailers to have little affect on these services. | https://www.wwaytv3.com/2019/01/14/will-the-shutdown-impact-future-food-and-nutrition-benefit-programs/ |
Could Billy Bush Return to TV on 'Extra'? | Anyone watching the news during the 2016 presidential election will remember the infamous leaked tape detailing Billy Bush and then-presidential candidate Donald Trump's "locker room" banter. Ultimately, the scandal cost Bush his gig at Today and marred his future opportunities, at least until now. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Bush is eyeing an Extra TV return as the syndicated pop-culture news program moves from its NBC-owned stations to Fox TV Stations in seven major markets. Kathie Lee Gifford recently announced shell be leaving after nearly 11 years, making her among the show's longest-running hosts. Bush previously appeared on a similar program, Access Hollywood, for years before his short-lived move to Today (the video of Bush's conversation with Trump was from his Access Hollywood days). This news comes more than two years after Bush was let go from the network for his part in the leaked video. Bush's firing has stood as an example by which other cases are measured in the #MeToo and Time's Up climate. In October of last year, Bush shared a statement on Instagram in which he summed up the experience. "Two years ago today, my life went from order to chaos in a dramatic instant. I accounted for my small part, while the President and my employer walked away and still haven't accounted for their actions," wrote Bush. "These past couple years have been character building to say the least - anxiety attacks, fits of rage, feelings of betrayal and abandonment - and I have concluded that I am NOT extraordinary. Terrible things can happen at any moment to ANYONE." "On the positive side, I feel grateful to know adversity as intimately as I do, and to have developed more empathy, humility and resilience," he continued." And to know you can laugh even in the darkest hour is a blessing. Especially at yourself." As Extra prepares for its fall scheduling, Fox stations in New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Dallas, San Francisco, Orlando, and Charlotte will air the program. Meanwhile, Chicago, Detroit and Washington, D.C., are among areas that are already airing the show on Fox TV Stations. Extra, Weekdays, Check your local listings | https://www.tvinsider.com/744443/billy-bush-returns-to-tv-extra/ |
What's next for Mack's Cards? | COLUMN -- Coming off an upset win at North Carolina, a win that handed North Carolina its worst home loss since 2002, Chris Macks squad has a chance to string together some wins. The common phrase in coaching has always been one game at a time, but looking ahead, the schedule eases up for the Cards. The next five games are all games that Louisville should be the favorite in, and games that Louisville should expect to win. The five-game stretch consists of match-ups with Boston College at home Wednesday night, Georgia Tech in Atlanta on Saturday, North Carolina State at home and Wake Forest on the road next week, and then back home for Pittsburgh. That sound you hear is an opportunity knocking on the door. According to Ken Pomeroy's rankings, Louisville has at least a 75 percent chance of winning vs. Noston College, Pitt and Wake Forst, a 62 percent chance to beat NC State and a 55 percent chance to win at Georgia Tech. At a minimum, Louisville needs to go 4-1 over the next five. Given the strength of the February schedule, they need these wins to help their NCAA tournament resume. For these wins to happen here a few things that we need to continue to see: Steady play from Christen Cunningham Consistent scoring from Jordan Nwora Reliable post presence from Steven Enoch and Malik Williams Louisville's win at North Carolina only reaffirmed many fans' belief in this team's potential. The biggest question mark prior to the season has been answered. Prior to the season many predicted Louisville may not have the depth to compete in the ACC, but this team can legitimately go 10 deep. Louisville can surge to the top of the ACC standings over this next stretch of games. Buckle up, Card fans. | https://louisville.rivals.com/news/what-s-next-for-mack-s-cards- |
How many people actually use Skype? | Nobody seems willing to say how many people are actively using Skype Skype has now been downloaded half a billion times. The P2P service says it has 171 million registered users worldwide, but nobody at Skype wants to say just how many of them are making calls. When we asked a spokesperson to clarify he eschewed the question, commenting only on the 171 million-strong userbase. In a speech last August, Windows Live 's George Moore claimed Messenger has twice as many peak users as Skype, at 20 million. Indeed, it's known from the Skype client's user statistics that Skype's peak is around 8 million. But even though users are online with the service, it doesn't mean they are making calls. And Skype's decentralised methodology means it's hard to find out just who is. However, statistics released to celebrate reaching the 500 million download mark show that over 7.6 billion minutes were made in the last quarter of 2006. Doing the math, that's about 950 minutes per peak time user. Skype recently announced the SkypePro subscription service as well as other calling packages. In September 2005, Skype had only 54 million registered users compared to the current 171 million. | https://www.techradar.com/uk/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/voip/internet/web/how-many-people-actually-use-skype-131887 |
What is the impact of back pain over time? | Most people struggle with back pain at some point, and its effects on the quality of life can be far-reaching. A new study looks at the outcomes of different types of back pain over time in a representative cohort. A new study investigates. A new study investigates. Past research has shown that back pain specifically lower back pain is the "leading cause of activity limitation and work absence throughout much of the world." Moreover, according to a study previously covered by Medical News Today, back pain is also associated with numerous mental health symptoms, including anxiety and depression. Due to the far-reaching effects and the fact that the right treatment can often be difficult to find, healthcare costs for back pain can be quite steep. One study, published in JAMA in 2016, found that in 2013 alone, "low back and neck pain accounted for the third-highest amount" spent on healthcare in the United States, coming to an estimated total of $87.6 billion. Now, three specialists at the Krembil Research Institute in Toronto, Canada, have looked into the effects of back pain in the general population over time, assessing information about comorbidities (coexisting health conditions), disability, and the use of medication, among other factors. Their findings appear in the journal Arthritis Care & Research, a publication of the American College of Rheumatology. The good news and the bad The researchers analyzed data collected from 12,782 participants based in Canada, whose health they followed from 1994 to 2011. The investigators interviewed the participants once every 2 years, gathering information on their comorbidities, levels and frequency of pain, disability status, drug use, and visits to their physicians. Throughout the follow-up period, 45.6 percent of the participants reported at least one instance in which they experienced back pain. Among this cohort, the researchers identified four categories of back pain: persistent (reported by 18 percent of participants) developing (28.1 percent) occasional (33.4 percent) recovery from back pain (20.5 percent) The researchers found that the participants with persistent or developing back pain tended to experience more pain overall, as well as greater disability. The participants in these groups also used more drugs for pain relief and paid more visits to doctors than individuals who had occasional back pain or who had recovered. Still, the participants in the recovery group reported taking increasing dosages of opioids over time. "The good news is that 1 in 5 people with back pain recovered," says the study's lead author, Mayilee Canizares, Ph.D. "[H]owever," she adds, "they continued to use opioids and antidepressants, suggesting that people recovering from back pain need ongoing monitoring." "The bad news was that 1 in 5 experienced persistent back pain, with an additional group almost 1 in 3 who developed back pain over time. These two groups were associated with greater pain limiting activity, disability, and depression, as well as increased healthcare and medication use." Mayilee Canizares, Ph.D. In response to these findings, Canizares and her colleagues suggest that doctors should aim to prescribe more personalized treatments for back pain, rather than offering the same generic approach to everyone. Currently, physicians often prescribe opioids for the management of back pain, though there is evidence that non-opioids could work just as well, and recent research has encouraged the increased prescription of therapies that rely less on drugs and more on restorative approaches. "The distinct groups identified in [our present] study may represent opportunities for more individualized treatment and preventative strategies," Canizares also emphasizes. | https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324174.php |
Did An Old Bill Simmons Column Help Make Anchorman A Comedy Classic? | I dont want to overreact to this or anything, but Adam McKay said something on Bill Simmons podcast last week that I cant let go without notice. McKay, the director of Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, gives credit to Simmons for the enduring popularity of the film, specifically crediting a museum-quality Sports Guy column from 2005 on ESPNs Page 2, in which Simmons hands out NBA awards based on Anchorman quotes, a gimmick I used to copy in emails to my friends. The relevant discussion begins at the 1:08.26 mark. If you were in your teens or early 20s during this time, the column will make you nostalgic for the early aughts, which, sadly, are so far in the past it is possible get nostalgic about them without being crazy. 1. Ive just been handed an urgent and horrifying news story. I need all of you to stop what youre doing and listen. [Pause.] Cannonball!!!!! ! To the Wolves whose big summer move was to re-sign Mark Madsen for $8 million over three years. I should acknowledge that all of us who make money writing about sports on the internet owe something to Simmons, who is to the genre of sports blogging what Chuck Berry was to rock-and-roll. Maybe Im overstating the case a little, which is I think what McKay does when he analyzes the things that launched Anchorman into the stratosphere. You wrote a giant piece about, Am I crazy or is this not the funniest movie ever? It was incredible. And people know it. So that helped. So I always say it was, like, playing on cable, and then your column. Produced by Judd Apatow, starring Will Ferrell, Christina Applegate, Steve Carell and Paul Rudd, and made on a budget of $26 million, Anchorman was released the summer of 2004, and made $28 million its opening weekend, finishing at $90.6 million worldwide. Reviews were mostly positive. In July of 2004, Roger Ebert gave it three out of four stars, reflecting a critical consensus. Sometimes the key to satire is to stay fairly close to the source. Anchorman, like This Is Spinal Tap, works best when its only a degree or two removed from the excesses of the real thing. When the news director goes ape over stories about cute animals at the zoo, when the promos make the news team look like a happy family, the movie is right on target. But when rival local news teams engage in what looks like a free-for-all from a Roman arena, it doesnt work. Most of the time, though, Anchorman works, and a lot of the time its very funny. McKay remembers Anchorman did well enough with test audiences, got enough positive reviews and made enough money everybody felt satisfied it had been a success. I turned 21 the summer Anchorman was released and it was what a sports fan might call an instant classic among my cohort at the University of Kansas. Anchorman and Napoleon Dynamite quotes were inescapable in 2004 and 2005, and until I heard McKay on that podcast, I had never even considered the possibility that Anchorman wasnt a classic the minute it was released. I knew my friends and I would be quoting it for the rest of our lives, but I hadnt considered the Bill Simmons out there,who discovered it later, on cable. It never occurred to me to think of Anchorman as some kind of cult film that Simmons pushed into the mainstream. But it might be true that Simmons column, which had a giant reach, validated something that had already been decided. Ive brought this up with friends today. Two of them remembered the column right away, which either means my friends are the biggest dorks in the world (they are) or the column itself is an aughts artifact of some significance. My first instinct was to scoff at what McKay said, but in 2005, Bill Simmons was by far the most popular sports media figure in America with everyone under the age of 35. Simmons column was averaging 500,000 unique visitors per month, a giant percentage of those being the exact same people who were quoting Anchorman all the time anyway. I dont think Simmons caused anything to happen to Anchorman. But one of his great talents is figuring out what young people are talking about, and then talking about it with them. And I think it might actually be true that a trenchant Simmons column from the Golden Age of sports blogging helped entrench Anchorman as one of the best comedies of its generation. | https://thebiglead.com/2019/01/14/did-an-old-bill-simmons-column-help-make-anchorman-a-comedy-classic/ |
Are the Anaheim Ducks under water? | There isn't much to say about a team who loses 11 games straight. They know it, the coaches know it, and the general manager surely knows it. He traded away left wing Andrew Cogliano for center Devin Shore from the Dallas Stars. The trade is a bit controversial in that the Cogliano is 31-years-old, and is signed until the 2020/21 season for a $3.25 million cap hit. Shore, on the other hand, is just 24-years-old, is signed until the 2019/20 season for just $2.3 million. In Cogliano's 11-year NHL career, he has exceeded the 10-goal mark nine times. For whatever reason, this season has not been a good one for him offensively. His shooting percentage is a dismal 4.7 when his career average is like 10.5. He only has three goals, eight assists in 46 games. Shore hasn't accumulated much better statistics with five goals, 12 assists in 42 games. He is an 11.4 percent shooter but has only taken 44 shots this season. On paper, it looks like the Stars took on more salary for a longer period of time and gave up on Shore. It could come back to haunt them. Both teams are looking for a solution to their own issues. The Ducks are in freefall, and the Stars are wondering why their two-star players aren't playing like stars. I mean it could happen and he did receive the 'kiss of death' from his boss Murray saying, "At this time I'm not considering a coaching change." That usually means the opposite and the coach is gone in a reasonable amount of time. That time could be if the Ducks don't snap out of their losing ways... soon. Randy Carlyle is in the last year of his contract, and already the rumors of his departure have arisen... and he doesn't like it. What are you trying to say?... Don't ask the dumb question." They seem to be a team of streaks... winning and losing. Before the current skid, they had gone 11-2 and were rolling along in third place in the weak Pacific Division. If you haven't looked at the standings lately, they are currently in a three-way tie for the last wild-card spot with 47 points. The Minnesota Wild and Vancouver Canucks are right there with them. With the next four games on the road, where their current losing ways began by losing four straight, it may just be a turning point for the Ducks... sink or swim. Sorry, I couldn't resist. Let us know in the comments section below. | https://www.vavel.com/en-us/nhl/2019/01/14/963815-are-the-anaheim-ducks-under-water.html |
Was verstehen wir eigentlich unter der Brckenfunktion? | Experten aus verschiedenen Bereichen sagen ihre Meinung Von: Aida Ivan Dienstag, 15. Januar 2019 Bernd Fabritius Foto: BdV-Archiv Alexandru Szepesi Foto: Privat Dr. Daniel Zikeli Christiane Gertrud Cosmatu Klaus Fabritius Robert Schwartz Fotos: Aida Ivan Sucht man den Begriff Brckenfunktion, so zeigen sich in 0.323 Sekunden 118 Treffer, insgesamt ber zehn Seiten auf der Internetseite der ADZ. So oft wurde dieses Konzept in ADZ-Beitrgen erwhnt, die online verfgbar sind. Es scheint wie Quecksilber zu sein, man spricht darber in der Wirtschaft, in der Politik oder im Kulturbereich. Es wirkt, als wre die Brckenfunktion selber ein dynamischer Akteur, immer prsent bei Veranstaltungen, geschtzt von wichtigen Persnlichkeiten, gefeiert bei Zeremonien: Merkel wrdigte Brckenfunktion der deutschen Minderheit in Rumnien (2011), Der Botschafter betonte Johannis Engagement fr die deutsche Minderheit und deren Brckenfunktion fr die deutsch-rumnischen Beziehungen (2014), Banater Schwaben Brckenfunktion in einer bewegten Geschichte (2016). Es gab also viele Anlsse in den letzten Jahren, bei denen diese einer Sache beigemessene Funktion eines verbindenden Elements zwischen bestimmten Gruppierungen (Duden-Definition) ins Feld gefhrt wurde. Die ADZ hat ein paar Experten aus verschiedenen Bereichen gefragt. Garant fr eine kontinuierliche Integration in die Wertegemeinschaft Europas Der wohlbekannte Politiker Bernd Fabritius wurde in Agnetheln geboren und ist Prsident des Bundes der Vertriebenen und Beauftragter der Bundesregierung fr Aussiedlerfragen und nationale Minderheiten im Bundesministerium des Innern. Seiner Meinung nach ist es wenig erstaunlich, dass die deutsche Minderheit in Rumnien in den Beziehungen zwischen unseren Lndern immer noch eine exponierte Stellung einnimmt, trotz zahlenmiger Dezimierung. Er vertritt die Ansicht, dass nicht die Zahl an Personen, sondern deren Arbeit und Leistung als deutschsprachige Gemeinschaft(en) in Vergangenheit und Gegenwart die Beziehungen definieren. Dass Klaus Johannis als Staatsprsident Rumniens der kleinen deutschen Minderheit der Siebenbrger Sachsen angehrt, sei inzwischen auch in Deutschland jedem bekannt. Sein Kampf fr ein starkes Europa, fr Minderheitenrechte, gegen Korruption und Tendenzen der Schwchung der Rechtsstaatlichkeit wird von Deutschland auf politischer, diplomatischer und auf Ebene der nichtstaatlichen Organisationen untersttzt und befeuert, so Fabritius. Seit 1990 ist sowohl im offiziellen, als auch im zivilgesellschaftlichen Rumnien Jahr um Jahr das Bewusstsein strker gewachsen, dass die deutsche Minderheit kein ethnischer Ballast, sondern Garant fr eine kontinuierliche Integration in die Wertegemeinschaft Europas ist. Ein guter Umgang mit den Minderheiten ist der Gradmesser fr demokratische Politik und gleichzeitig Messlatte fr den Zivilisationsstand eines Landes. Siebenbrger Sachsen, aber auch alle anderen deutschen Volksgruppen in Rumnien, sind heute das offene Tor ins Land hinein, sie sind der Hrer an einem der beiden Enden der Standleitung zwischen Deutschland und Rumnien. Mit der Zeit intensiver geworden Alexandru Szepesi, Leiter der Direktion fr Minderheitenschulwesen, findet, dass die Brckenfunktion der deutschen Gemeinschaft nach 1990 intensiver geworden ist trotz der massiven Auswanderung der deutschen Minderheit aus Rumnien. Der eine Pfeiler der Brcke war durch die Auswanderung geschwcht, aber durch die getroffenen Manahmen wurde dieser Pfeiler untersttzt und es scheint, dass von dieser Situation beide Lnder, vor allem aber Rumnien, profitiert haben und weiterhin profitieren, wenn ich zum Beispiel an den schwierigen Aufbau der demokratischen Strukturen, in der Wirtschaft und im Bereich der Bildung an das schulische Abkommen denke. Da habe die kleine aktive deutsche Minderheit und Gemeinschaft durch ihre Stellungnahme immer ein Wort zu sagen, so Szepesi. In vielen Ortschaften hatte die Minderheit eine aktive Rolle, ein Sagen in Hinsicht auf die lokale Entwicklung, wenn wir nur an Hermannstadt, Kronstadt, Temeswar und auch kleinere Ortschaften denken, wo die politische Komponente sehr wichtig war fr die Entwicklung der neuen Strukturen. Oft bt die deutsche Minderheit auch eine Mittlerfunktion zwischen den beiden Lndern aus und durch die getroffenen Entscheidungen werden verschiedene Bereiche, meiner Meinung nach, positiv beeinflusst. Beitrag zum besseren Verstndnis zwischen den Vlkern Der deutsche Konsul in Hermannstadt, Hans Erich Tischler, hat sein Amt 2017 angetreten. Der Konsul bietet eine historische Perspektive an: Nachdem der ungarische Knig Geza II. die deutschen Siedler vor etwa neun Jahrhunderten nach Siebenbrgen rief, haben diese das Land urbar gemacht und friedlich mit anderen Vlkern zusammengelebt. Sie haben Handel getrieben, voneinander gelernt, sich ausgetauscht und gemeinsam ihr Gemeinwesen aufgebaut. Der Konsul findet, dass die Beziehungen innerhalb der Volksgruppen stets von Respekt und Toleranz geprgt waren, denn, so wie er sagt, ethnisch motivierte Kriege oder Konfessionsstreitigkeiten hat es in allen Jahrhunderten keine gegeben. Die deutsche Minderheit stellt in den bilateralen Beziehungen eine wichtige Brcke zwischen unseren beiden Lndern dar. Gerade weil sie ber viele Jahrhunderte eng mit anderen Ethnien, Rumnen und Ungarn, zusammengelebt hat und ber einen reichen Erfahrungsschatz verfgt, kennt sie die unterschiedlichen Kulturen und Mentalitten der anderen Volksgruppen gut und trgt somit zum besseren Verstndnis zwischen den Vlkern bei. Man wei, dass man zusammengehrt Dr. Daniel Zikeli, Stadtpfarrer und Bischofsvikar, hat auch seine Meinung zum Thema Brckenfunktion geuert: Man hat diesen Begriff der Brckenfunktion in den letzten 30 Jahren immer hochgespielt. Es gibt tatschlich eine Verbindung zwischen den Siebenbrgern, die in verschiedene Lnder ausgewandert sind, und denen, die in Rumnien zurckgeblieben sind, und diese Verbindung ist eine ethnische Verbindung. Man wei, dass man zusammengehrt. Man wird eine Gemeinschaft die Gemeinschaft der Siebenbrger Sachsen und die Gemeinschaft der Banater Schwaben oder die Gemeinschaft der Rumniendeutschen. Es gibt natrlich ein Zusammengehrigkeitsgefhl. Dieses sei, laut Zikeli, das erste Element dieser Brckenfunktion zwischen den Ausgewanderten und denen, die geblieben sind. Dabei erwhnt der Bischofsvikar auch den kulturellen Bezug: Es gehe dabei um Menschen, die sich durch kulturelle Leistungen zu dieser Kultur bekennen. Dazu gehren unter anderem nicht nur der Erhalt der deutschen Sprache, sondern auch des eigenen Dialekts. Das ist ein springender Punkt, das Zusammengehrigkeitsgefhl ging auch ber die Sprache. Die deutsche Sprache war die Sprache der Kultur, der Kirche, der Schule und der kulturellen Veranstaltungen, aber auf gar keinen Fall war es die Volkssprache. Und die Brckenfunktion, wenn es eine Brckenfunktion gbe, dann mchte sie auch darin sein, in der Pflege des schsischen Dialekts was zum Teil in Deutschland und in sterreich geschieht und hier auch noch geschieht, aber wir merken, es geht zurck, sagt Zikeli. Die deutschen Schulen hlt der Bischofsvikar fr bedeutend im Kontext des kulturellen Brckenschlags. Dabei fragt er, wodurch sich eine deutsche Schule von Deutschland und von Rumnien unterscheide. Wenn ein Siebenbrger Sachse in Deutschland zur Schule geht, hat er eine andere Wirklichkeit als hier, infolge dessen wei ich nicht, wo die Brckenfunktion zwischen Osten und Westen ist. Ich bin etwas kritisch, weil ich mir nicht so genau vorstellen kann, welcher dieser Brckenschlag ist. Drei Aspekte sind, laut Zikeli, besonders wichtig: Die Pflege des schsischen Dialekts, die kulturellen Einrichtungen und die Pflege des Volkstums: Ich denke, da gibt es tatschlich Brcken zwischen Osten und Westen, denn man bemht sich, das Volkstum zu bewahren was das alles bedeutet, mit Folklore, mit Tanzen, Brauchtum und Nachbarschaftswesen und so weiter, wobei in Deutschland und sterreich mehr geschieht als eben hier. Weil die Tradenten dieser Kultur, des Brauchtums tatschlich in Deutschland sind und weniger hier. Hier ist viel nicht mehr mglich. Es gibt viele, deren Wurzeln in Rumnien sind Christiane Gertrud Cosmatu, Unterstaatssekretrin im Departement fr interethnische Beziehungen, hat eine andere Sicht. Cosmatu erinnert unter anderem an die Vereine der deutschen Wirtschaft in Grostdten, die Ansiedlung von Firmen in Rumnien, und umgekehrt, an die Lobbyarbeit fr Rumnien in Deutschland. Man bedenke auch die Politiker, die bislang im Bundestag gewesen sind, so wie Bernd Fabritius, aber nicht nur er, es gibt viele andere, deren Wurzeln in Rumnien sind und die auch sehr viel getan haben, sagt Cosmatu. Die Unterstaatssekretrin spricht von gemischten Regierungskommissionen, an denen Vertreter der Minderheit teilnehmen: Die Teilnahme an diesen Regierungskommissionen, die Teilnahme an den Treffen der Mittlerorganisationen in der deutschen Botschaft also das Bilaterale wird gepflegt und das ist sehr wichtig, man spricht auf derselben Augenhhe. Wir knnen helfen Dr. Klaus Fabritius, Vorsitzender des Demokratischen Forums der Deutschen im Altreich, wirft ein anderes Licht auf die Brckenfunktion: Es ist sehr einfach fr uns. Wir gehren zur deutschen Minderheit und wenn wir von der Heimat ausgehen, von dem Terminus Heimat, dann haben wir ein Mutter- und ein Vaterland das Mutterland ist Deutschland, das Vaterland ist Rumnien und die Heimat ist Siebenbrgen, wenn wir Sachsen sind, oder das Banat, wenn wir Banater sind. Also ist es natrlich normal, aufgrund unserer Muttersprache, dass wir gute Beziehungen zu Deutschland haben. Es ist unser Mutterland. So bietet sich auch an, dass wir diese guten Beziehungen, die wir als Minderheit haben, auch in unserem Vaterland anwenden oder besser gesagt, dass wir etwas tun. Schlsselwrter sind in diesem Fall Kommunikation, Vermittlung, Kontakte: Das seien selbstverstndliche Sachen, die Angehrige der deutschen Minderheit gerne tun. Denn sie haben nicht nur gute Kontakte, sondern kennen auch Deutschland viel besser als jemand, der zur Mehrheitsbevlkerung gehrt. Und da knnen wir natrlich helfen. Wir kennen auch die Gewohnheiten und die Gegebenheiten im Lande und so knnen wir jemanden, der etwas in Rumnien aufbauen mchte, auch beraten, und verschiedene Sachen erklren, die er nicht im Internet oder anderswo findet. Und das ist, glaube ich, das Wichtigste fr unsere Brckenfunktion, die wir ausben knnen. Die bilateralen Beziehungen gemeinsam gestalten Auch der Redaktionsleiter der rumnischen Redaktion bei der Deutschen Welle, Robert Schwartz, kommt ursprnglich aus Hermannstadt. Er findet, dass der Einfluss der Rumniendeutschen auf die Beziehungen zwischen Deutschland und Rumnien riesig ist. Die deutsche Minderheit wisse am besten Bescheid ber diese Brckenfunktion, die es immer gegeben habe. Und sie lebe diese Brckenfunktion, nicht nur durch funktionelle Vertreter des deutschen Forums, sondern auch durch die einzelnen Persnlichkeiten, die direkte Kontakte in der Bundesrepublik haben Schriftsteller, Musiker, rzte, Ingenieure, aber auch durch jeden Siebenbrger Sachsen, ganz gleich aus welcher sozialen Gruppe er gerade kommt. Sie haben ihre Kontakte in der Bundesrepublik, pflegen die Kontakte und sind natrlich ein sehr wichtiger Faktor in den direkten bilateralen Beziehungen, so Schwartz. Es sei ja auch ein Gewinn, dass ein Vertreter der deutschen Minderheit Staatsprsident in Rumnien geworden ist, dass in den verschiedenen Ministerien Vertreter der deutschen Minderheit nicht nur Siebenbrger Sachsen, sondern auch der Banater Schwaben ihren festen Platz haben im Unterrichtsministerium, im Kulturministerium, im Auenministerium auch, das heit, die deutsche Minderheit ist aktiv daran beteiligt, diese bilateralen Beziehungen gemeinsam zu gestalten. ----------------------- Dieser Artikel ist im Rahmen des Programms Europische Journalisten-Fellowships der Freien Universitt Berlin entstanden. | http://www.adz.ro/artikel/artikel/was-verstehen-wir-eigentlich-unter-der-brueckenfunktion/ |
Is Kyler Murray a first-round NFL Draft pick? | Kyler Murray has declared for the 2019 NFL Draft. Whether or not he makes it there depends on what scouts think of his gridiron future. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner exploded in 2018, rising from dual-sport curiosity to the top player in college football. Murray proved a worthy successor to Baker Mayfield, slinging 42 touchdown passes in 14 games, rushing for more than 1,000 yards, and leading Oklahoma back to the College Football Playoff in his lone year as a starting quarterback. That meteoric rise eschewed plans to leave the gridiron behind and fulfill his destiny as the No. 9 overall pick of the 2018 MLB Amateur Draft. Murrays decision to continue his football career may mean hell forfeit the $4.6 million signing bonus he inked with the Oakland Athletics. It could also mean his next contract this time in the NFL could be worth several times more in guaranteed money. That last part is the gamble Murray will consider as the NFL Combine nears. The Sooners quarterback/center fielder could have value no matter where he lands in April, but his earning potential will rise exponentially if he can work his way into a Day 1 pick. Players selected in the first round earn guaranteed four-year contracts, with a fifth-year team option that constitutes a significant raise built in as well. In 2018, Lamar Jackson, the 32nd and final pick of the first round, signed a deal worth a guaranteed $7.57 million nearly $3m more than Murrays signing bonus in Oakland. The appeal of more guaranteed money and the chance to eschew several years spent toiling in the minor leagues makes this a worthwhile risk for the NCAAs fastest rising passer. SB Nations draft expert Dan Kadar says yes, ...but its complicated. Pro: theres never been a better time for a 510 passer in the NFL Murrays biggest limitation is a 510, 195-pound frame that would make him the smallest quarterback in the league an inch shorter and 20 pounds lighter than Russell Wilson. But Wilson answered all the questions that dropped him to the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft with aplomb, proving a smaller quarterback with the ability to extend plays and fire lasers downfield can be a Super Bowl champion and a perennial (if overlooked) MVP candidate. Wilsons example helps, but the key factor that will make franchises forgive his relatively slight stature is a rocket arm that completed nearly 70 percent of his passes at Oklahoma while averaging a wildly efficient 11.9 yards per attempt. As 2019s conference championship games show, this is no longer an NFL where a caretaker quarterback can make a run through the postseason with a dominant supporting cast. True contenders need a quarterback who can make plays, and that description fits Murray to a T, regardless of size. There are some short quarterbacks in the NFL who have found success. Russell Wilson, Baker Mayfield, and Drew Brees have all shown you dont need to be 65 to light up a secondary. But Murray is pushing it at 510, 195 pounds. And thats just his listed size, according to Oklahoma. Oklahomas information director Mike Houck says it probably wont be too drastic of a difference, though. Keep hearing TV talking heads question the 5-10 height at which we list Kyler. Have heard a couple even say they think he's more like 5-8. Before the season, our strength staff measured him at 5-9 7/8 in socks. Mike Houck (@mhouckOU) January 14, 2019 He played behind the Oklahoma offensive line the collective winner of the Joe Murray Award recognizing the nations best college offensive line which allowed 19 sacks in 14 games this season. Aside from the fact that hell have to scan the field over NFL offensive linemen, hell have to survive game after game of getting hit by NFL defensive linemen in a way he never came close to getting hit at Oklahoma. And while Wilson, Mayfield, and Brees have proven durable, Brees is the lightest at 209 pounds. Hes also a pocket passer, while Murrays rushing ability is a bigger part of his game than any of those other sub-6 quarterbacks. Hoping hell be healthy for 16 games is quite the roll of a dice for a team looking to invest a first-round pick in a transformative quarterback. Pro: Baker Mayfield and Patrick Mahomes have paved a path for Murray Electric quarterback play has never been more important in the NFL. The success of college standouts like Mahomes and Mayfield have served as proof Air Raid-style passers can not only make the transition to the NFL, but also bring some of that wide-open spacing and distribution to the next level. Murrays quick-twitch athleticism gives him the ability to escape pressure in the pocket without losing his feet. His fluid hips allow him to make throws on the run or across his body without losing vital arm strength. In a season where Mahomes used both those traits to throw for 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns in a likely MVP campaign, Murrays talents are sure to be properly valued. But nothing suggests future success for the young passer more than Mayfields emergence in Cleveland. Like Murray, Mayfield won a Heisman Trophy and led the Sooners to the College Football Playoff. And after a slow start to his pro career, he teamed up with interim offensive coordinator (and now current Browns head coach) Freddie Kitchens to rise from backup quarterback to potential Offensive Rookie of the Year. Kitchens earned his spot on the Cleveland sideline by catering to Mayfields strengths, installing a wide-open offense that encouraged the dynamic quarterback to freestyle as needed and hit as many targets as he could rather than key in on top options like Jarvis Landry or ... Jarvis Landry (former OC Todd Haleys playbook was pretty rigid). The Browns didnt become a carbon copy of the Sooner offense, but a subtle tweak was all it took to unlock Mayfields potential and give him a 106.2 passer rating under Kitchens despite a barren depth chart at wideout. While Murray and Mayfield are different quarterbacks, its tough not to look at Clevelands success and think of all the lessons another needy franchise could steal and then apply to the Sooners latest Heisman winner. Con: Murray has only one (1) season as a starting quarterback under his belt Murray began his collegiate career at Texas A&M where he split time as a freshmen with Kyle Allen. He saw time in eight games often in a rotational role but finished the year with five touchdown passes and seven interceptions. He transferred to Oklahoma and sat behind Baker Mayfield until he took over the reins in 2018. His one season at the helm was fantastic, but now he enters the NFL Draft without much experience. The list of one-year collegiate starters to land in the first round is small. Theres Cam Newton as a success story, but theres also infamous bust Akili Smith. The jury is still out on Mitchell Trubisky, but former one-year starters Mark Sanchez and Ryan Tannehill didnt work out too well. Add on top of that the fact that Murray played in an offensive system and a conference that have historically struggled to produce NFL talent, and there are plenty of red flags. The best case scenario is that Murray lands in a situation where he isnt asked to play immediately and he can take time to learn NFL coverages and adapt to the speed difference. The 2018 NFL Draft class had a few green quarterbacks looking at you Josh Allen and Sam Darnold but by the time the season was over, all five rookies taken in the first round were their teams respective starters. Luckily for Murray, the other top quarterback class, Dwayne Haskins, is going to face the same questions. Haskins comes with a little more polish, though. Pro: Mitchell Trubisky only had one (1) season as a starting quarterback in college, still turned out OK And Trubisky never had the kind of impact Murray did though comparing Oklahoma football to North Carolina football is like comparing apples and embarrassing football programs. Con: Baseball is always going to be there Kyler Murray could tell every NFL team that he hates baseball and that he never wants to see a baseball again. But they know. They all know that if the NFL doesnt work out, he could go try his luck as a centerfielder with the Oakland As. That shouldnt matter to an NFL team. If hes worth a first-round pick, hed get a huge second contract that makes his football career worthwhile. But there are other quarterbacks in the NFL Draft who dont have other options. If things go south, theyve got no choice but to double up the practice time, hit the books, and get better at this football thing. Murray could always leave. Pro: Running quarterbacks are more valuable than ever Lamar Jackson, another former Heisman winner, carried the Ravens to the postseason on a 5-1 season-ending hot streak in which he averaged 17 carries and 79 rushing yards per game. Any concerns about his accuracy or adapting to the speed of NFL secondaries was brushed aside by a running game that kept opposing defenses off balance and dragged safeties close enough to the line of scrimmage to allow the Ravens to take their shots downfield Jacksons 12.1 yards per reception were a full 1.5 yards more than Joe Flaccos in 2018. Jackson isnt the only quarterback to bolster an iffy passing game with a dynamic ground attack. Rookie Josh Allen carried the Bills to upset wins over the Vikings, Jaguars, and Dolphins behind five rushing touchdowns. Marcus Mariota kept the Titans afloat by running for career highs in both yards and carries. Trubisky averaged five runs per game while gaining more than six yards per carry. Cam Newton continued to do Cam Newton things you get the idea. The read option remains a key part of NFL offenses, and thats an area where Murray, who ran for 1,001 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2018, can thrive. Its just a matter of matching him with the right enterprising coordinator. Con: NFL teams are dumb This isnt Murrays fault. But it certainly wont help him. You can point to his 42 passing touchdowns and 12 rushing touchdowns during the 2018 season as evidence that hes electric. Lamar Jackson scored a bajillion touchdowns at Louisville and he barely got a spot in the first round. He was picked a full 25 spots behind Josh Allen, who completed only 56.3 percent of his passes in his final season at Wyoming and just flat-out wasnt really a good college football player. Deshaun Watson led Clemson to a national championship over Alabama to finish a ridiculously great college career. For some reason, that landed him 10 spots below Mitchell Trubisky in the 2017 NFL Draft. You watched Murray run circles around defenses in his junior year. An NFL team will watch Dukes 65 quarterback Daniel Jones throw a ball at his pro day and decide they can turn him into Peyton Manning. Dont trust the NFL to care that Murray made sweet football magic at Oklahoma. | https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2019/1/14/18182626/kyler-murray-nfl-draft-first-round-pick-baseball |
Will ratepayers foot the bill for PG&E's bankruptcy? | Filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy could have a trickle-down effect on PG&E customers in the form of higher bills. There's also a chance the 20,000 employees of PG&E could feel an impact.Let me start with the immediate impact. You'll get your gas and electricity the same way you always have.As for any impacts on the bills you pay, that remains a real possibility.While history doesn't always repeat itself, we can learn a lot from the past.PG&E last filed for bankruptcy in 2001.The utility had lost its credit.It did not have any money to purchase the energy needed to power the homes and businesses of its customers.The California Department of Water Resources stepped in to purchase the power for them by orders of then Governor Gray Davis.Mark Toney, executive director of The Utility Reform Network, says consumers are still paying for that purchase today. "The PG&E customers ended up paying about $6.5 billion dollars for the power that was purchased on PG&E's behalf," said Toney.In fact, we're still paying for it.Look at your bill.The line item under DWR Bond Charge is a monthly fee you are still paying as a result.The history of the bankruptcy is better for PG&E employees.During the 2001 bankruptcy, the IBEW union tells us workers lost no pay and no benefits.A spokesperson called the risk of lost pay, retirement and other benefits a "low probability but high risk" issue.It's one they remain concerned about.One employee who received a big windfall is former CEO Geisha Williams.She resigned Sunday prior to the bankruptcy announcement.Bloomberg reports she received a severance between $2.3 million and $4.46 million. "They're so broke. But they're still giving a $2.5 million dollar golden parachute to a CEO whose tenure has been less than successful," said Toney of TURN.One additional tidbit. If you're expecting a rebate from PG&E for insulating your home or purchasing an electric vehicle, that rebate should not be affected. TURN says PG&E has a dedicated revenue source via customer rates. | https://abc7news.com/business/will-ratepayers-foot-the-bill-for-pg-es-bankruptcy/5078323/ |
How would PG&E bankruptcy impact California fire victims? | Don't let the apparent boom in post firestorm construction fool you. Even with the reconstructions of destroyed homes, fire victims still place plenty of questions -- especially with PG&E's looming declaration of bankruptcy. "For the last year we have been living with uncertainty, so it is nothing new," said Brad Sherwood, who is rebuilding the family home in Larkfield Estates. His uncertainty began with the Tubbs Fire. It continues while waiting for Cal Fire to point a final finger for the blame, possibly against PG&E. "It has been well over a year. We want to see the report. "Attorney Noreen Evans works for a firm representing victims in Sonoma and Butte counties. Her plaintiffs lit up the phone Monday. "What I am telling them is it is not the end of the lawsuit. It may be removed into bankruptcy court. "The list of people and agencies filing suit against PG&E includes Sonoma County itself.Supervisor James Gore served as the board's chair when making that decision. "The people most affected by the fires should be the top priority going forward. As a publicly held company, there was an accusation that you socialize the coats and privatize the profits. That is something that would have to be dealt with. "Would a bankruptcy filing reduce the amounts of settlements?Not necessarily. "PG&E is a corporation with more than $70 billion in assets," said Evans. "It has a guaranteed income stream of $1 billion a year. PG&E has the assets and means to pay its victims. "Evans speculates that PG&E is really looking for a way to restructure its debts. "By saying they might go bankrupt, they're trying to discourage people from suing." | https://abc7news.com/business/how-would-pg-e-bankruptcy-impact-fire-victims/5077996/ |
Will 2019 Be Amazon's Dividend Debut? | E-commerce giant Amazon.com (NASDAQ: AMZN) has earned the top spot in the stock universe, with its market capitalization moving above those of some of its biggest rivals in the tech space, including Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) and Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT). Even though Amazon stock suffered punishing declines during the last part of the year, it nevertheless saw solid gains in 2018, easily outperforming the losses from the broader stock market. Yet Amazon has thus far failed to do something that Microsoft and Apple have done for years: pay its shareholders a dividend. Amazon has been content to reinvest all of its cash flow back into its business, but some believe that the stock might do better if it joined the trend toward paying dividends. Below, we'll look more closely to see if 2019's the right time for Amazon to make its dividend debut. Stats on Amazon Metric Current Stat Net income, last 12 months $8.90 billion Free cash flow, last 12 months $13.36 billion Earnings per share, last 12 months $17.85 Earnings growth from full-year 2017 194% Data source: Yahoo! Finance. Why Amazon should pay a dividend Tech start-ups are slow to pay dividends. It takes time for these capital-intensive companies to hit their stride, and with so much well-established competition in the tech arena, being premature to return capital to shareholders can result in failing to catch up to one's rivals. That strategy has served Amazon well over the past 20 years, allowing it to take full advantage of strong periods while surviving the inevitable downturns that proved fatal for many of Amazon's weaker counterparts elsewhere in the industry. But now, Amazon has seen parts of its business reach full maturity. The e-commerce giant's operating cash flow has skyrocketed, rising from less than $5.5 billion five years ago to nearly $26.7 billion over the past 12 months. AMZN Cash from Operations (TTM) Chart More AMZN Cash from Operations (TTM) data by YCharts. Net income also soared last year, in part because of the beneficial impacts of lower corporate tax rates. After years of dealing with criticism for its minimal attention to its bottom line, Amazon now is consistently profitable and has been growing its earnings dramatically. That said, Amazon has always found ways to put cash to work, and paying a dividend would take money away from other uses. Lately, it's worked hard to get its balance sheet back in order after its monumental $13.7 billion purchase of Whole Foods Market back in 2017. That purchase reversed three years of efforts to pay down debt, leaving the company with long-term debt of almost $25 billion. Continuing efforts to repay borrowings are likely to continue, especially with interest rates on the rise and the possibility that Amazon will want to make further strategic acquisitions in the future. | https://news.yahoo.com/2019-amazon-apos-dividend-debut-010200763.html |
Where Is Bran in the Game of Thrones Teaser? | If you watched the Game of Thrones Season 8 teaser that just premiered, you might be wondering like many other people why Bran was not in the trailer. We saw Sansa, Arya, and Jon. And we had that shocking moment of seeing all three of their statues in the crypts of Winterfell. Fans have a lot of theories about this, some of them disturbing. But his absence certainly hasnt gone unnoticed. #GameOfThrones Trillmonger Targareyn (@DarnThatStayceJ) January 14, 2019 now that i see it, i cannot unsee that Bran is not there! #GameOfThrones FanOfArt (@CN_1Long) January 14, 2019 Im really just praying that Bran wasnt in the trailer bc the crypts are not handicap accessible and not because hes actually the night king #GameOfThrones Kat (@TheNamesFilip) January 14, 2019 While it appears that Jon, Arya, and Sansa will all be honored in the Winterfell crypts, Bran is not there. One theory is that this symbolizes Brans status as the Three-Eyed Raven. Hes no longer really a Stark. He left that world behind in order to become something greater that transcends familial labels. Hes no longer considered a Stark and thus will not be in the crypts, even one day when he does die. Another theory is that Bran traveled back in time, and thus is not present to be honored in the crypts with a statue like Jon, Arya, and Sansa. This theory is based on the idea that Bran traveled back in time (as weve seen him do before) but this time he gets stuck. Perhaps he travels physically and not just in his mind. Either way, he becomes Bran the Builder. As Bran the Builder, in the past, he creates the statues honoring Sansa, Arya, and Jon, and buries them in a place in the crypts that will be inaccessible until just the right time. This is why the statues are there before the three have died. Its not symbolic the statues really are there, according to this theory. Another theory is that Bran becomes the Night King. This theory assumes that the current Night King dies in battle and Bran, for some reason, takes on his mantle and becomes a new Night King. When he does this, he is no longer considered part of the Stark family. He wont be honored with them. In fact, the winter that is seen approaching Jon, Sansa, and Arya in the crypts might actually be Bran in Night King form. Another twist on this theory is that Bran goes back in time, but instead of being stuck as Bran the Builder, he becomes the man that the Children of the Forest were shown transforming into the Night King. READ NEXT: The Crypts of Winterfell: A Theory About the Great Other | https://heavy.com/entertainment/2019/01/bran-game-of-thrones-teaser-season-8/ |
What Does the Feather Mean in the Game of Thrones Teaser? | HBO released a teaser for Game of Thrones Season 8 that likely holds a lot of clues for the upcoming season, just like the Season 7 teaser did. During the teaser, we see a feather twice. It actually ties into two previous episodes and didnt just come out of nowhere. (And no, its not specifically connected to the Three-Eyed Raven, although there certainly could be additional symbolic meaning.) Heres the teaser. The feather ties back to two episodes: the pilot for Game of Thrones and an episode in Season 5. Both took place in the crypts of Winterfell. In the pilot, Robert put a feather on Lyanna Starks grave. That decision seemed odd to fans because Lyanna was known for loving roses. Fans even talked about it on Reddit here. HBO explained the whole thing in a Making of Game of Thrones article posted on May 2, 2015. This was posted after the Season 5 episode where Sansa goes into the crypts of Winterfell and finds a feather on Lyannas statue. Heres the scene where Robert left the feather with Lyannas statue. David Benioff said that the feather was from an exotic, tropical bird. Benioff thought it would be fitting to have Sansa wondering about the feather and to leave viewers wondering where they had seen the feather before. Redditors carried the discussion a bit further. They noted that Robert would bring the birds up to Lyanna before she died because she liked the exotic, southern bird. Bringing the feather to her statue was his way of showing he remembered what she cared about, remembered the connection they had, and still cared. The feather was on the floor when Sansa visited the crypts, but she put it back in the statues hand, right were Robert had left it. Heres the scene where Sansa found the feather: Now the feather has appeared again in the teaser. It feels ominous the last remaining vestige of Lyanna will be destroyed yet again. And in the same teaser, we see Jon Snow (and Arya and Sansa) as statues beneath the crypt, indicating that they have died too. If youre also wondering what might be attacking Jon, Sansa, and Arya in the crypts of Winterfell, Heavy wrote an in-depth article with a theory that applies to this very question. You can read the story, originally published in 2016, here. READ NEXT: The Crypts of Winterfell: A Theory About the Great Other | https://heavy.com/entertainment/2019/01/feather-game-of-thrones-teaser-trailer/ |
Did the Game of Thrones Teaser Use Actual Footage from Season 8? | HBO has just released a new Game of Thrones teaser while also announcing that the show is premiering on Sunday, April 14. Although HBO has not specifically answered this question as of the time of publication, the answer is more than likely no. This is likely symbolic footage for Season 8 and not actual footage from the show. And we can make that assumption based on what HBO has done before. Just look back at the teaser for Season 7 of Game of Thrones to confirm this. That teaser has a similar feel to the one released tonight. But like tonight, that teaser was largely symbolic and did not contain actual footage from the season. The footage from Season 7s teaser showed Cersei, Jon Snow, and Daenerys walking down long, dark halls and ultimately sitting on their thrones. No, these scenes did not actually happen in Season 7. But the teaser, as fans realized later, was quite symbolic of what was to come. In Season 7, Cersei was settling in as Queen (she actually took the throne at the end of Season 6 after blowing up a bunch of people, but this was the first time we saw her acting in her role as queen.) Jon was named King of the North in Season 6 Episode 10, and Season 7 was also his first time acting officially in the role. And Daenerys cemented her title of Queen when Jon bent the knee to her in Season 7. So the promo was symbolic of all three performing in their respective roles, and how they would eventually come to clash in Season 7. The Season 8 teaser is likely the same. Were seeing that Arya, Sansa, and Jon Snow will be united for the same cause, but may be facing their own deaths. (At least, thats certainly what those statues indicate.) Together, they will be fighting the coming cold (aka the Night King.) HBO hasnt said, but my personal guess is during the Super Bowl. That would be the perfect time for a very-hyped trailer to premiere. | https://heavy.com/entertainment/2019/01/game-of-thrones-teaser-season-8-footage/ |
How Many Super Bowls Have the Patriots Won? | The New England Patriots are one win away from getting another opportunity to tie the NFL record for most Super Bowl wins. The Patriots have five Super Bowl wins, just one victory short of the Steelers six trophies. The Patriots will need to pull out a road win in Kansas City to get another opportunity at No. 6. New England was victorious in their matchup earlier this season, but the Chiefs will have the advantage of playing the AFC Championship at Arrowhead Stadium. The 2018 Patriots team has had its share of doubters given some of their shaky performances, but they are now one win away from another Super Bowl appearance. It is important to note that the Patriots are competing against the rest of the NFL for a title, not past New England teams. Tom Brady noted before the playoffs started that their story for this season was yet to be determined. We worked hard to get to this point, and theres still a lot more to go, Brady told ESPN. Were still writing our story, and hopefully we write a good one. Learn more about the Patriots Super Bowl history. New England Patriots Super Bowl History The Patriots have played in more Super Bowls than any NFL franchise. The Patriots have won five Super Bowls and lost five games in their 10 appearances. The Patriots are two wins away from winning their second set of back-to-back titles. The Patriots have won titles in the following seasons: 2002, 2004, 2005, 2015 and 2017. New England has won four of their last six Super Bowls. Brady and Bill Belichick have been a part of all five of the Patriots titles. Brady is 5-3 in his eight Super Bowl appearances. Belichick is 7-4 in Super Bowls counting his first three appearances as a coordinator. Belichick was 2-1 in his first three appearances as a coordinator, and 5-3 in his eight appearances as Patriots head coach. New Englands two most recent Super Bowl victories required improbable comebacks. The Patriots trailed the Falcons 28-3 in Super Bowl LI, but the Patriots 19 fourth-quarter points sent the game into overtime. James Whites short touchdown run in overtime gave New England a 34-28 victory. Brady threw for 466 yards, two touchdowns and an interception against the Falcons. In Super Bowl XLIX, the Seahawks had a 24-14 lead on the Patriots heading into the fourth quarter. The Patriots went on to score 14 straight fourth quarter points while shutting out the Seattle offense. Malcolm Butler came up with a critical interception in the end zone to seal a 28-24 comeback victories for the Patriots. The Patriots defeated the Eagles 27-24 in Super Bowl XXXIX. The game was tied at 14 heading into the fourth quarter, but the Patriots rattled off 10 straight points to win the game. Brady was 23-of-33 for 236 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Deion Branch had half of the Patriots receiving yards. Branch finished with 11 receptions for 133 yards. In Super Bowl XXXVIII, an Adam Vinatieri field goal gave the Patriots a 32-29 victory over the Panthers. Brady was 32-of-48 for 354 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Branch had another monster game with 10 receptions, 143 yards and a touchdown. It is hard to imagine, but the Patriots were on the opposite end of the sports spectrum before their first Super Bowl win. New England was a heavy underdog against the Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI. Vinatieri came through in the clutch with a game-winning 48 yard field goal as time expired to give the Patriots its first Super Bowl in franchise history. At the time, the Boston Globe called it one of the biggest upsets in NFL history. New England held one of the leagues best offenses to just 17 points. Brady was 16-of-27 for 145 yards and a touchdown. Antowain Smith had 18 carries for 92 yards. With Brady and Belichick at the helm, the Patriots have only been topped in the Super Bowl twice. The 2008 and 2012 losses both came against the Giants. In an interview with NBC Sports, Brady explained some of the philosophy behind the Patriots success. Coach [Belichick] would say no days off. Just work hard every day, no matter what youre doing, Brady told NBC Sports. Whether youre on the field or not on the field, youve got to be putting the time in mentally or physically to get yourself physically, mentally, emotionally ready to play for those games. Patriots Came Up Short in Their Attempt to Tie Super Bowl Record The Patriots had an opportunity in Super Bowl LII to tie the Steelers record for most championships at six. Instead, New England was narrowly defeated by Philadelphia. The loss left the Patriots tied for the second-most titles. The Patriots are tied with the 49ers and Cowboys with five Super Bowl wins. After reflecting on the loss, Brady posted a lengthy Instagram message. | https://heavy.com/sports/2019/01/how-many-super-bowls-patriots-won/ |
Whats involved in the DNA test that could solve the Hacienda Healthcare case? | PHOENIX This case has shocked the nation. The focus is now on determining who raped and impregnated a 29-year-old woman in a vegetative state at a Phoenix healthcare facility. The court has now ordered all male employees of Hacienda Healthcare to submit to a DNA test to determine if they are the father of the child. Identifying who impregnated the woman inside Hacienda Healthcare is now the focus of the Phoenix Police Departments investigation. READ: Phoenix police serve search warrant for DNA of male Hacienda Healthcare employees The test is a complex process that involves extracting DNA from the suspects and then comparing the genetic markers from the baby and mother. The genetic code is almost never wrong. Dr. Sree Kanthaswamy, associate professor of forensic science and genetics at ASU, showed 12 News how the process works. Its a fairly straight forward paternity case, assuming you have all the males suspects the one who may have contributed the biological material. Its biologically impossible to get it wrong Kanthaswamy said. Sign up for the daily Snapshot newsletter Sign up for the daily Snapshot Newsletter Something went wrong. The most interesting and talked-about stories from Arizona and beyond delivered to your inbox weekday afternoons! Thank you for signing up for the Snapshot Newsletter. Please try again later. Submit That process starts with taking a swab or blood draw from the men and those samples are transferred to a DNA extractor. That DNA extraction is then quantified in what's called a "PCR Thermo Cycler" that can identify specific DNA markers from the father. The DNA is put into tubes and run through this genetic analyzer what comes out is a genetic blueprint that will lead authorities to the perpetrator. "Its not whether you got it right or wrong, its whether youve excluded everyone else and likely have the right match and the likelihood that its correct. So its usually 99.9 percent correct and above," Kanthaswamy said. MEANWHILE: Ex-prosecutor's Hacienda Healthcare rape investigation to focus on facility's practices Kanthaswamy says if that person who committed the act is still employed at Hacienda Healthcare and his DNA has been collected, it will be a short time before an arrest is made. Yeah, thats pretty much it. Barring the father has an identical twin that has the same alleles but normally you dont come across that," Kanthaswamy said. Kanthaswamy says the only thing that will prevent us from knowing the person responsible is if that person is not an employee at Hacienda. RELATED: How a woman in a vegetative state was able to give birth at a Phoenix care facility | https://www.12news.com/article/news/whats-involved-in-the-dna-test-that-could-solve-the-hacienda-healthcare-case/75-4dd9a989-a2e1-4e8c-86f4-e0f95ba30a68 |
Could reality TV be the harbinger of the apocalypse? | HEINZ DUCKLAU SIGNING up for a TV reality show is like playing Russian roulette. In the case of Gympie farmer, Mick Gould, who will hit our screens in Married at First Sight in about two weeks, being paired to the interesting young lass who is the frightfully made-up face of the 2019 series (and apparently "Australia's most confident bride) would be like being stuck with the shortest straw and a loaded chamber in the gamble from hell. Poor bloke if she's his "one. In the case of this year's Z-list celebrities on I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, it's clear they find them in the cast-offs bins around Canberra and other bottom-of-the-barrel places. Justin Lacko gets friendly with some snakes in the first episode of I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! Supplied by Channel 10. Charlie Sperring The valiant efforts of hosts Dr Chris Brown and Julia Morris to talk up their intriguing/interesting/ fabulous cast of jungle "celebrities were awkwardly shrill and unconvincing. Reality television was bad to start with, and it is steadily getting worse as the pool of "talent suffers from an apparent prolonged drought. The 2019 cast of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! (from left) Ajay Rochester, Justin Lacko, Sam Dastyari, Angie Kent, Yvie Jones, Luke Jacobz, Dermott Brereton, Jacqui Lambie, Natasha Exelby, Tahir Bilgic, Justine Schofield and Richard Reid. Supplied by Channel 10. It is contributing to the dumbing down of society and really, should just get canned altogether before we start swinging back up into the trees. | https://www.gympietimes.com.au/news/could-reality-tv-be-the-harbinger-of-the-apocalyps/3622322/ |
Is PG&E expecting trouble after bankruptcy plans go public? | PG&E placed barricades around its San Francisco headquarters Monday, the same day it announced that it plans to file for bankruptcy protection amid mounting liability for California wildfires. The blue barricades lined the Beale Street entrance at one of the buildings occupied by the companys headquarters in downtown San Francisco. We made a major announcement today, PG&E spokesman Matt Nauman said. Its not uncommon for us to do this to help our employees get where they need to go. The utility would not say whether any executives or employees had received threats, but there were about a dozen guards visible outside the companys buildings Monday afternoon. PG&E bankruptcy could trigger higher monthly bills PG&E to file for bankruptcy due to wildfire lawsuits; shares tank The utility said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Monday that it could be on the hook for $30 billion or more in wildfire-related costs, but that it had only $1.5 billion in cash. It is facing hundreds of complaints, including several class-action lawsuits, related to the 2017 and 2018 California wildfires. The company has been implicated in some of those fires, some of which were deadly. In addition, PG&E is facing investigations by Cal Fire, the California Public Utilities Commission and others. PG&E shares tanked Monday, closing more than 52 percent lower to $8.38, amid questions about whats next for the utility, its 16 million customers, fire victims and more. CLICK HERE if you are having a problem viewing the photos or video on a mobile device | https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2019/01/14/pge-puts-up-barricades-around-s-f-headquarters/ |
Is Oppo launching a smartphone with 10X zoom? | Oppos periscope-style dual camera technology. SoyaCincau pic KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 15 Oppo is having an event in Beijing thats taking place on 16 Jan. From the looks of it, it appears that they could be launching a smartphone that could offer 10X zoom. Thats quite a feat considering Huawei offers 5X Hybrid zoom with is current Mate 20 Pro and P20 Pro flagship smartphones. On the event teaser image, the main text roughly translates to Ten Views and you can see 10 reflected below the rays. Picture by Oppo via SoyaCincau On the event teaser image, the main text roughly translates to Ten Views and you can see 10 reflected below the rays. It isnt clear if this is a product launch or merely a technology showcase from Oppo. The OPPO official said it will release a 10x hybrid optical zoom technology, which we will see at CES or MWC as early as possible. Ice universe (@UniverseIce) December 25, 2018 Serial leakster @UniverseIce had mentioned before that Oppo is expected to offer a 10x hybrid optical zoom technology which could be announced at either CES or MWC. Nothing was announced last week so theres a chance that the technology might be revealed in China before it goes to Barcelona. Two years ago, Oppo had showcased its 5X Hybrid Zoom technology that claims to be the first dual-camera feature that uses a periscope-style design. It consists of the main shooter and a secondary telephoto unit that has an array of lens elements and prism to reflect light at a 90-degree angle. For steadier shots, the secondary zoom lens even gets optical image stabilisation. Unfortunately, this technology wasnt introduced on any Oppo smartphones released to date. That might change this coming 16th January and well find out more in the next couple of days. For the device to achieve 10X Hybrid zoom, theres a possibility that the upcoming device might come with at least 5X optical zoom with additional help via digital zoom. Its worth pointing out that this wont be the first smartphone with 10X zoom. Samsung had that with the Galaxy K Zoom back in 2014 but it was crazy thick especially with its extended lens barrel. If we look at the current trend, most smartphone makers are now moving towards having an ultra-wide-angle lens to provide additional versatility on top of the existing telephoto shooter. Let us know in the comments below. SoyaCincau | https://www.malaymail.com/s/1712613/is-oppo-launching-a-smartphone-with-10x-zoom |
Why does Apple keep making the Mac? | Any Mac, in its current form, is a thing to behold: a sleek, durable piece of aluminium and silicon that, when compared to other PCs, stands out from the crowd by a considerable distance. All of the MacBook lines comprised of the Air, the Pro, and the standard MacBook are thin, light, and crafted with an obvious eye for detail. The Mac mini, the cheapest computer Apple sells, is beautifully tiny, while the iMac has a presence that can be genuinely felt, thanks to a distinctive design that has adorned the desks of almost every film set ever. The Mac Pro, the company's highly expensive desktop, is really the icing on the cake. However, Apple's main business the iPhone is vastly more profitable than the Mac, which brings in around $5 billion (around 3.4 billion, AU$7 billion), in revenue per quarter. In fact, when the two are compared the Mac pales in comparison, fading away behind quarterly sales of over 50 million iPhones and a staggering amount of revenue. The simple reason is this: The Mac is a "halo" product. What this means, essentially, is that the Mac creates an image under which all other Apple products - from the TV, to the iPad, to the iPhone - are viewed. This is, in part, down to the fact that Apple was, originally, a computer company. The very first product Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniack created, from their garage, was a desktop computer. PCs, in various forms, run in Apple's DNA and are omnipresent in everything Apple does, even today. The second reason, which is tied into the first, is that because Apple has been making the Mac for so long it has become well known and, as such, defines Apple as a brand and as a company. The 13-inch MacBook Air is still a popular laptop Everyone in the Western world, where Apple makes the majority of its profits, would recognise - or at least know of - a "Mac." This name recognition is part of the reason the iPhone is so successful: It builds on the shoulders of giants that shaped an era of computers and, astonishingly, continue to do so today. While the iPhone was never Mac-only like the iPod, it has close links to the Mac both in terms of software - iOS is based off OS X - and hardware. All of the iPhone's applications are built to look like their Mac counterparts, for example, and the sleek, metallic design of the later iPhones - i.e. the iPhones that went on to sell in the tens of millions - harks back to the MacBook, especially the later models. The product signally that the Mac infers - wealth, status, power - is driven by Apple's reluctance to race to the bottom in terms of pricing, a decision that every other PC maker - from Lenovo to Dell to HP to Toshiba - is now regretting. PC shipments, both in the West and globally, are falling thanks, almost entirely, to the smartphone. The only company that isn't seeing a negative trend for its computers is Apple. Familiar to millions The answer is simple: The Mac is so well known, has spawned another well known product, and continually strives to be the best computer - desktop or laptop - available today. In essence, the Mac is as premium as they come - and this defines the Apple brand. Reviewers often rate Apple's laptops and desktops as best in class, spurred on by a winning combination of hardware and software. In some key ways - like the trackpad and battery life - MacBooks cannot be touched. The high scores these devices attract, in turn, are reflected onto the iPhone. Steve Jobs and the iPhone Steve Jobs, the father of the Mac, insisted that everything about the computer was perfect including, famously, the circuit boards inside the casing which, most likely, were never going to be seen by the owner. This obsessive attention to detail, driven by Jobs, persists today and is why Macs continue to be best-in-class in at least a few areas. Where Apple falls short, its low-resolution MacBook Air displays being one example, it prefers to take its time before releasing an updated model to get it right. As its 21.5-inch 4K and 27-inch 5K iMacs show, it's often worth the wait. On the other hand, it has taken Apple so long to update its MacBook Air line that it could be argued the next wave of MacBooks needs to be revolutionary. Tim Cook, the successor to Steve Jobs who currently presides over the company, told Charlie Rose of "60 Minutes" in an interview that all of Apple's products could be laid on a single table and this, Cook said, was what made Apple so special: A laser focus on just a few, carefully selected things. So, with that in mind, it would seem that the Mac is far beyond just a relic from the past and is being kept on by Apple for something. Branding exercise That something is this: To build up the Apple brand and recognition for the iPhone and, more broadly, the iPad, elevating the cheaper models - such as the upcoming iPhone 5se, which is rumoured to be a low-cost model - to the plane of other Apple products, like the $2,499 iMac or $3,199 MacBook Pro. It may seem strange to declare a range of computers that sells around 5 million per quarter as the backbone of the iPhone - which sold 74 million in one quarter last year - but the design ethos, brand recognition, and ideas come from the Mac. The quality associated with the Apple brand also comes from the Mac, thanks to the attention to detail that stems from Jobs that, in turn, translated into consumer trust. Apple's newest iMac: the 4K Retina model In fact, the loyal following who originally bought the Mac - predominantly creatives and developers - were the first people who bought the iPhone and, more importantly, the people who persuaded their friends, parents, grandparents, and siblings to buy one. The first 10 million units were, without a doubt, down to Mac users buying one and recommending it, probably because the apps - such as Mail or Safari - looked like the ones that OS X had. Apple continues to service these users - which could be described as "power" users - with the Mac, adding another reason to keep the line going. When the Mac Pro, the high-end desktop model, was left un-updated for a number of years, users revolted and Apple had to quickly update the desktop. The new model, which has a cylindrical design, is a thing to behold and, in a way, describes why the Mac is here to stay: Fitting a whole desktop into a tiny cylinder is hard, but Apple did it anyway. It is this idea - that difficulty leads to perfection - that gave way to the iPhone, iPod, iPad and, originally, Mac and continues to guide Apple to this very day. | https://www.techradar.com/uk/news/computing/apple/why-does-apple-keep-making-the-mac-1314907 |
Who is responsible for what when it comes to the classroom? | In 2019 were going to see teachers and the teaching profession return to the top of the education agenda. In a year of vigorous political argument with both State and Federal elections conscripting our lounge-rooms, education, and teachers in particular, will be, and should be, top of the list among public concerns. As Australian educators and parents prepare themselves for the inevitable political scraps and free-for-alls, were once again thinking about pencils, laptops and school shoes school is soon to return for the 2019 year. In the coming school year we can expect education as an election issue to be used, abused and misused. Education, especially education funding, at all levels primary, secondary and tertiary is, along with health, the most commonly misunderstood of the social and economic areas of public policy. We are all directly and intimately affected by education and health. We are all experts and we have "attitude" in each. What is state and what is federal responsibility continues to confuse. The major parties exploit this poor community understanding. Education will be central to the public discussion this year. In the coming school year we can expect education as an election issue to be used, abused and misused. Credit: Michele Mossop The teaching profession is set to return to the top of the education issues pecking order. Teacher attrition rates, teacher burnout, teacher preparation pathways and standards, how best to supply our regional schools, are already filtering into the public discourse. These will be highlighted during the upcoming state and federal elections. | https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/who-is-responsible-for-what-when-it-comes-to-the-classroom-20190115-p50rei.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_feed |
Why are the Democrats so Afraid of Ryan Zinke? | It will be amusing to some that this old, grey, fat, slow and weak U.S. Army veteran of Vietnam would feel it necessary to come to the aid and assistance of a 21st century U.S. Navy S.E.A.L. The full-page ad in the Flathead Beacon of Jan. 2 paid for by Democratic Party money-laundering group known as the Montana Conservation Voters Education Fund made it necessary for this rebuttal to be stated. The ad claims that Ryan Zinke embarrassed Montana in his short time as Interior Secretary. It then proceeds to list a series of obfuscations, innuendos and outright lies; to wit: Zinke let LWCF expire. Secretary Zinke did no such thing. Congress did. The Land amd Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) was established by Congress in 1965 to establish land, water and easements to land and water for the benefit of all Americans. Its primary source of revenue for the grants, etc., was to be the fees paid by companies drilling offshore for oil and gas. (Of course, if Democrats had their way, there wouldnt be any offshore drilling, hence no revenue). Congress failure to renew was not due to any action of Secretary Zinke. Shrunk the size of our national monuments. This statement refers to the illegal land-grab of 1.4 million acres that President Barack Obama decreed in the dying days of his administration, on Dec. 28, 2016, of the Bears Ears National monument. Despite the opposition of the state of Utah, the entire congressional delegation of Utah, local elected officials and a majority of the citizens of Utah, Obama, in violation of the original statute with a stroke of a pen disregarded the will of the people. Secretary Zinke, upon review and President Trumps approval, reduced the size of the monument. He did not abolish it, and all the land remains under federal ownership. Paved the way for developers to build in our parks. This is an outright lie. If they mean that private corporations are building, restoring and improving the public amenities in our parks, then this is true; however, implying that developers would be building subdivisions is asinine. Spent hard earned taxpayer dollars on private jets. This has been proved to be an exaggeration and the secretary has been cleared of any wrong-doing by the Inspector General. And is under investigation for inappropriate personal deals that padded his bank account This is once again the secretarys enemies throwing bovine excrement on the wall to see if any of it sticks. No investigations have uncovered any illegal behavior. Rep. John Fuller R-Kalispell Comments comments | https://flatheadbeacon.com/2019/01/14/democrats-afraid-ryan-zinke/ |
Is Jeff Glors CBS Evening News spot safe? | Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window) Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) The battle for the CBS Evening News anchors seat is back on, just a year after it was filled by Jeff Glor. Page Six is told that while incoming CBS News president Susan Zirinsky has been talking to Glor nonstop since it was announced that shes taking over for David Rhodes, Shes implied her support for Jeff, said an insider. But Im not going to mislead you and say that she called and told Jeff, Your job is safe. Meanwhile, were told that CBS This Morning co-anchor Norah ODonnell is once again campaigning for the coveted gig, previously held by the likes of Katie Couric, Dan Rather and Walter Cronkite. ODonnell had lobbied to get the job when Glors predecessor, Scott Pelley, quit in June 2017. But at the time, the morning show was doing so well that execs wouldnt consider interfering with the chemistry by moving her. Now that the shows ratings are suffering, shes a serious contender for the gig. A source close to ODonnell told us that she has, so far, not been offered the job. Meanwhile, were told that while enthusiasm for Glor and his executive producer Mosheh Oinounou was flagging under Rhodes Zirinsky is hot on Oinounou. Were also told that Zirinsky already a CBS News heavy hitter as executive producer of 48 Hours, had been a strong proponent of hiring Glor in the first place. Sources say that Zirinsky isnt in a hurry to make changes. Shes not the kind of person who needs to put her stamp on something by swinging her d - - k around, said an insider. Were told that Zirinskys on a listening tour and asking for memos from producers while she gets a handle on the department. We reported in May 2018 that execs were freaking out over Glor and Oinounous slow start in the ratings, and Rhodes called a meeting to address the shows problems. Reps didnt get back to us. | https://pagesix.com/2019/01/14/is-jeff-glors-cbs-evening-news-spot-safe/ |
Can James Harden carry Rockets after Clint Capela Injury? | The basketball gods have turned this Rockets season into a perverse experiment, stripping away James Hardens support system piece by piece until the reigning MVP is forced to score every last point himself. First Chris Paul was sidelined by a hamstring injury, denying Harden his counterpunching point guard. Eric Gordon then bowed out of the lineup with a right knee contusion, forcing even more of the creative responsibility back on Harden. The latest blow is a killer: Clint Capela, according to a report from ESPN.com, is expected to miss four to six weeks with an injury to his right thumbstriking from the active roster the most common recipient of Hardens assists. Even a relatively short recovery could cost Capela 15 games at a time when the Rockets can hardly afford to lose any. Harden averaged 40.2 points, 9.6 assists and 6.9 rebounds per game for the better part of a month just to drag Houston into sixth place in the West, two games ahead of the ninth-place Jazz. Its not enough, apparently, to make history. Harden will have to do more. Without Houstons second, third and fourth-leading scorers, Harden may have to find peace in taking upward of 40 shots from the field. Some of that is a practical necessity for a team without much choice; another part of cold reality that losing Capela will make it more difficult for Harden to get to the free throw line, thus inflating his shot attempts. There is a portion of Hardens offenseand thus Houstonsthat is literally untouchable. Defenders cant seem to reach his step-back jumper often enough to affect it, which gives the reigning MVP a weapon he can access in almost any circumstance. Most everything else, however, plays in some way off of the threat of Capela. Even spreading the floor with shooters doesnt have the same immediacy. Its the dual interior threat of a driving Harden and a rolling (or cutting) Capela that puts opponents in a bind, calling their schemes into question. That element is lostas is the Rockets baseline. Houston has actually fared reasonably well in its minutes without Capela this season, in large part because Mike DAntoni had some say in when they occurred. Nene could be contained to short stints. P.J. Tucker could be deployed at center at just the right moment. You can afford to be choosy when you have a starter as uniformly capable as Capela, the fastball that sets up Nenes change-up and Tuckers knuckleball. Neither, then, is much of a full-time replacement. Tucker might have to try as the best of the options available. Houston can likely get better minutes out of its forwards than its centers, which sets up the Rockets to play as much small ball as Tucker can take. This is not an insignificant stressor, even for a semi-truck like Tucker. There are tradeoffs that come whenever smaller players are asked to defend taller ones, whether on the glass, in contesting shots or in the matchup game. Tucker is an excellent defender and, for the most part, a functional center. That functionality may be strained, however, should it become Houstons default. The Rockets were managing Nenes minutes already and occasionally resting him outright. Its nice to have a skilled, veteran center in the mix under these circumstances, but Nene is a situational choice at best. He has yet to play more than 21 minutes in any game this season, or more than 13 minutes in any game this month. Isaiah Hartenstein could pick up minutes here or there, though his minutes will likely foster an added appreciation for all the nuance Capela brings to his role. Its one thing to have size and quite another to understand how to use it over the course of a game that is constantly changing. Harden has a way of making opponents desperate, which leads to all sorts of variations in coverage. When the Rockets feel the strategy of the game shifting, Capela and Harden know how to lay a new foundation. Hartenstein is simply doing his best to get by. This could also be the last best chance for Marquese Chriss to be a relevant NBA player. If that prospect sounds enticing, keep in mind that Chriss has been largely clueless for the better part of his three seasons in the leagueat times whiffing on concepts as simple as where to stand on offense. Yet if there will ever be a time for Chriss to better establish himself, its nowwith his team desperate for rim runners and lob threats. NADKARNI: NBA Free Agency Is Not Always Your Friend No matter where they turn, the Rockets will be in relatively new territory. Houstons most-played lineup without Capela, Paul or Gordon has logged a total of 18 minutes this season, per NBA.com. Eighteen. This is not an arrangement to which anyone involved is accustomed, and yet the Rockets will have to feign chemistry until they can find some. Unfortunately, there is rarely a cakewalk game to be found in the West. The closest thing the Rockets have scheduled during Capelas projected absence is a Feb. 4 game in Phoenix that will also be Houstons third game in four nights and the third stop on a four-game road trip. Until Capelas return, the only reasonable goal is survival. Even splitting the schedule would be an achievement for a team this understaffed; it already took the emergence of Danuel House Jr. and the buyout addition of Austin Rivers to get the Rockets this far, and now theyll be forced to go without another of the cornerstones to their rotationa Sisyphean twist to Hardens growing myth. | https://www.si.com/nba/2019/01/14/can-james-harden-carry-rockets-clint-capela-injury |
Are Retailers Required to Honor Online Prices? | A man buying a scooter to help his father get around found one for a great price - but after getting an email saying it was out of stock, he saw it online for hundreds more. Randy Mac reports for the NBC4 News at 5 Monday, Jan. 14, 2019. What to Know Kia owners across the country say their cars have spontaneously erupted in flames. It's happening with some Hyundai's too. Both automakers previously recalled more than a million cars for an engine defect. A Ventura County man who bought a scooter from Walmart said he found it at a great price online, but when he tried to get the "out of stock" item, he discovered cost $500 more than expected. In Wayne Eichele's case, he found the scooter on Walmart.com at a rock bottom price. $166. And I said - this is the one," he said. Cars Still Igniting on Fire Safety Advocates Say Safety advocates say car makers have have failed to fix the issue involving fires igniting in some models. Randy Mac reports for the NBC4 News on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019. (Published Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019) He bought the scooter. But a few days later he got an email from Walmart saying the scooter was out of stock. Yet the same scooter was still on Walmart.com, but at a very different price. Nearly $500 more. It was listed at $649.99. Bingo Game Shut Down by LAPD Some senior citizens say the Los Angeles Police Department shut down their bingo game. Randy Mac reports for the NBC4 News on Monday, Jan. 7, 2019. (Published Monday, Jan. 7, 2019) "I do a double take. Here it is - the same scooter," he said. The scooter wasn't out of stock after all. Eichele says Walmart posted the wrong price and didn't want to honor it. Southwestern Law School professor Michael Dorff says legally Walmart doesn't have to. Man Says Contractor Hired Via Website Wasn't Vetted Brett Shannon thought Thumbtack.com would vet contractors, but when he paid thousands for a shaky fence, he was pretty furious. Randy Mac reports for the NBC4 News at 5 Nov. 27, 2018. (Published Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018) "Ads are usually called 'invitations to deal.' They're a way of saying to the consumer, 'hey, we're interested in doing a deal around this price,' but it's not quite an 'all you have to do is say yes and we have a deal,'" Dorff said. Dorff says most retailers are savvy, placing disclaimers at checkout, like Walmart does, that lets them off the hook for any pricing mistakes. After NBC4's I-Team reached out to Walmart, the retailer wanted to make things right with Eichele. It gave him not just one, but two scooters for free after the mishap. What Happens if Your Bag is Lost or Delayed If you check bags at the airport and theyre lost or delayed, you have rights. Randy Mac reports for the NBC4 News at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2018. (Published Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2018) "This is really above and beyond - exceeding any possibly expectation," Eichele said. Walmart didn't comment for this story. But it may leave you wondering if a retailer is legally required to honor an advertised price. E-cigarette Explodes in Purse, Burns Mother and Daughter A SoCal woman's e-cigarette exploded in her purse and burned her and her daughter. She says its a battery safety nightmare that's gone unregulated for too long. Randy Mac's shares her story and the lawsuit she hopes will change the industry. (Published Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2018) In most cases, unfortunately, no. | https://www.nbclosangeles.com/investigations/Walmart-scooter-online-price-out-of-stock-504348551.html |
How much did the White House spend on Clemson's fast food spread? | With a government shutdown in effect and the Clemson football team visiting, the White House had to improvise to put together a meal fit for the national champions. A smorgasbord of cheap fast food from McDonalds, Wendys and Burger King Heres a video I shot of President Trump showing off his 300 hamburgers. Theres no way to know for sure, but For the Win tried its best to figure that out using the available photos. (We should note that Trump said the meal included pizza and many, many fries, but we did not see those in any of the photos, so this estimate does not include those items.) Heres what we came up with McDonalds 48 Big Macs ($2.50) 42 Filet-O-Fish ($2.50) 54 Quarter Pounders ($2.50) 48 Six-Piece Nuggets ($2.50) 32 Side Salads ($1.98) (We assumed Trump took advantage of McDonalds 2 for $5 Mix and Match deal for the sandwiches and nuggets) Wendys 52 Chicken Go Wraps ($1.79) 32 Salads ($1.49) 30 Jr. Cheeseburger Deluxe ($1.89) Burger King 30 Whoppers ($4.19) That comes out to a grand total of $861.72 Thats a lot of money for a lot of bad food. Were just assuming Trump sent some lackey down to New York Avenue in Washington D.C., where there is both a McDonalds and Wendys at the same intersection. The White House could have shelled out a few extra dollars and treated Clemson to Five Guys, which is right there, but times is tough, we suppose. (Thanks to Hemal Jhaveri for helping out with the calculations.) | https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/01/clemson-football-meal-white-house-donald-trump-cost |
Will the world of work be better for our young scientists? | If the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition has taught John Kennedy anything, it is to trust in the future. The kids have got this. As ranks of shiny, young, expectant faces trooped past on their way into the 55th BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE), their school uniforms blurring into a dizzying kaleidoscope of colours, I chuckled inwardly because the penny had dropped on something that was niggling at me. I read various articles about millennials in todays workforce feeling misunderstood and maligned as being too entitled, labelled the snowflake generation for apparently being easily offended. Im on the side of millennials, and I personally believe they are clearing up the mess or dealing with the consequences of the generations that preceded them. They are paying the price economically, for one thing. They have to be, because you were appalling. And at least they are resolved to putting the world to rights. The fertile young minds of Irelands science students are truly amazing and vibrant. Just wait until they get into the workforce or create their own companies But then I laughed inside because I realised that when those ranks of schoolkids enter the workforce, the millennials themselves may be deemed the old farts. And so, on it goes. You see, no generation is different from the next. We are all born the same. The only things that are different are the times and the circumstances we are born into economically, technologically and ideologically. Regardless of the times, we all have a responsibility to shape our own destinies and make the world better for those who follow. The queues of kids entering BTYSTE 2019 including my two nieces and their friends, who begged to be there never knew a world without mobile phones or the internet. They have been born into a truly extraordinary time where science fiction of the past is no longer fiction, but a challenge for their imagination, and will require a hard work ethic and self-belief. The young people who fought and won World War II, for example, are often referred to as the greatest generation, but it is worth considering, especially in these crazy times, if todays or future generations would rise to the occasion and do their best. I believe they would. Now in its 55th year, the BTYSTE has seen generations of young Irish schoolkids demonstrate their love of science. At an Inspirefest event at BTYSTE, BT Ireland managing director Shay Walsh recalled how the idea for the event came to Fr Tom Burke and Dr Tony Scott after they visited a science fair in New Mexico and believed quite rightly that Ireland needed something like this to help bring science out of the classroom. It just got bigger and better, said Walsh, pointing out that this was BTs 19th year sponsoring the event. Around 550 projects were on show at this years event across four categories: Technology; Biological and Ecological Sciences; Social and Behavioural Sciences; and Chemical, Physical and Mathematical Sciences. I never get tired of recommending to people that if you want to start your year off on a positive and life-affirming note, get along to the BTYSTE. If you have kids, bring them. Or let them bring you. Summing up the empathy economy This years winner was 17-year-old Adam Kelly from Skerries Community College whose project focused on finding the most efficient way possible to simulate quantum computing, a technology that could change the face of the world as we know it. Siliconrepublic.com was there on day one, day two and day three of the event, and we were seriously impressed by what we saw even if it was just a sliver of what was on show from renewable jet fuel to better antibiotic resistance to using artificial intelligence for cervical cancer screening. The fertile young minds of Irelands science students are truly amazing and vibrant. Just wait until they get into the workforce or create their own companies. From observing the panel discussion involving PwCs Heather Melville, who was awarded an OBE for her services to gender equality in business; Karla OBrien, a transgender woman on the brink of graduation in computer science; and Ciara-Beth Griffin, whose experience of growing up with high-functioning autism led her to create the award-winning app Mi Contact I fear there is still a lot of work to be done. Melville spoke movingly about her own experiences breaking into the traditional British corporate world as a young single mother and a black woman. Emphasising that listening is actually the most important skill of them all, she proved that even the most stuck-in-the-mud traditional CEO can listen, be challenged and change. She said that diversity in the workplace must cherish all, no matter the sex, race, age or sexual orientation, and that customers will increasingly only spend money with organisations they feel are diverse. OBrien revealed the challenges she has faced finding work in the technology industry, which is supposedly in the midst of a skills crisis and yet some organisations say we are at full LGBT as if just ticking a corporate social responsibility (CSR) box rather than employing a human being with something to offer. Griffin emphasised that workers with autism have a place in todays and tomorrows workplace. As a bright, articulate and very humorous young woman, she challenged the conventional stereotypical view people might have of people with autism. I wanted to stand up and cheer when she challenged the rote learning system of today with its glorified pub quiz of a Leaving Cert. She stated how young people want to find their own career path in a way that doesnt just mean numbly joining the CAO points race but may mean starting their own companies first. You see, every generation comes with the conceit that it is better than the one that came before it. But, if we want a better world, we need to realise that everyone has something to offer. Young people bring energy and imagination; older people have wisdom and experience, and stories to tell. You just need to listen and make a place for everyone. That is real diversity. 55 years of young scientists testing their mettle add up to a lot of experiences, insights and stories. They are also a barometer of our times. Walsh told of how a painfully shy young transgender student, whose project tackled suicide among LGBTQ teenagers, gained enormous confidence after just a few days at the BTYSTE last year. He gave the poignant example of another young student, whose family came from Kenya, had met the Taoiseach and had put together an immaculate project despite being homeless and living in a hotel. You see, we all have stories to tell. The road is long. We just need to listen to each other. Sign up for Tech Trends, Silicon Republics weekly digest of need-to-know tech news. | https://www.siliconrepublic.com/innovation/bt-young-scientist-generation |
Is advanced technology creating or killing jobs? | Robots can man entire factories once managed with human labour. Self-driving cabs, drone package delivery, and other automated systems all are feared will make significant cuts into the human workforce. A suitable answer that best approximates present and future realities will require four rationalisations: 1. Machines will never become self-aware and write their own programs and algorithms. Humans will always be at the helm, determining and setting their parameters. 2. Every advanced civilization is powered by technology. The more diverse and cutting-edge these technologies have become, the busier the populace have been, historically. 3. When technology does it better, faster and more accurately, everyone welcomes it, like computers. 4. Technologies that are intrinsic job killers, at the same time, are inherent job creators. Pondering on point four above, if robots take over an entire factory in Europe and obliterate thousands of jobs, the design, manufacture and maintenance of these robots will create just hundreds, but who knows, maybe thousands of jobs in China or the US, countries more advanced in artificial intelligence and robotics. At best, maintenance hubs or centers will only pop up in Europe. | https://www.sunnewsonline.com/is-advanced-technology-creating-or-killing-jobs/ |
What should federal workers do about money during the shutdown? | Protesters hold signs during a protest rally by government workers and concerned citizens against the government shutdown on Friday, Jan. 11, 2019 at Post Office Square near the Federal building, headquarters for the EPA and IRS in Boston. The rally was organized by The American Federation of Government Employees. New England has 516 EPA employees that is now down to a staff of 22. - JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP/Getty Images As President Donald Trump and Congress remain locked in a stalemate over funding for Trumps border wall, the U.S. government shutdown entered its 24th day on Monday. According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, about 420,000 employees are working without pay while another 380,000 are at home on furlough. And while last Friday was a payday for these 800,000 workers, there were no paychecks. Officials in D.C. and Maryland told NPR that at least 7,000 unemployment claims were filed by federal workers and contractors in the last few weeks. As the shutdown, which as of Saturday is the longest shutdown in U.S. history, enters its fourth workweek, that number is expected to rise. Going without a paycheck is a struggle for a large number of the affected workers, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck. They are not an anomaly in the U.S. According to a 2018 report by the Federal Reserve, Four in 10 adults in 2017 would either borrow, sell something, or not be able pay if faced with a $400 emergency expense. Many of the workers who are not getting paid during the shutdown are based in or near Washington, D.C. where the cost of living is high. In April of last year, the Federal Salary Council said that federal workers salaries are almost 32 percent lower than those of similar private-sector workers. And while some government jobs pay better than those in the private sector, the pay isnt that much higher, according to a 2017 Congressional Budget Office analysts. Having to go without two-weeks worth of pay as bills pile up could amount to a lot more than $400. To helps its members, the Coast Guard Support Program issued a five-page tipsheet that recommended those going without pay hold a garage sale or pick up a temporary job as a dog walker, babysitter or a mystery shopper. The tipsheet, first reported and published by the Washington Post, drew some criticism but financial experts interviewed by Marketplace said that the tips listed werent actually bad advice. Generating additional income by selling unneeded items or working a side hustle is good advice at any time, not just when youre in a financial pinch, Greg McBride, chief financial analyst at Bankrate.com, told Marketplace. Its probably not the advice people want to hear, but that doesnt make it bad advice. Manisha Thakor, vice president of Financial Education at Brighton Jones, agreed. I actually think this tip sheet is full of sound financial advice. No way! But then a furlough at work is not a fun situation financially, it can be a very serious situation, she said. Here is what advice they and other money experts had for government workers as the shutdown continues. Call your creditors If you find yourself in need of cash in a panic, try to resist the urge to use a credit card which can end up costing you big in the long run, said Priya Malani, founder of Stash Wealth. Your best bet is to call the companies where you have bills due and explain your situation. Often they will be able to offer you the most cost-effective short-term solution. As the government shutdown neared the end of its third week, U.S. regulators such as the Federal Reserve, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the National Credit Union Administration issued a statement urging financial institutions to work with customers affected by the federal government shutdown. While the effects of the federal government shutdown on individuals should be temporary, affected borrowers may face a temporary hardship in making payments on debts such as mortgages, student loans, car loans, business loans, or credit cards, the statement read. As they have in prior shutdowns, the agencies encourage financial institutions to consider prudent efforts to modify terms on existing loans or extend new credit to help affected borrowers. According to McBride, creditors like mortgage lenders and car lenders should be your first call, since they tend to report late payments to credit bureaus. Explain your situation to see if there is any grace period or arrangement they can work out," he said. Try to make an arrangement whereby they will not report you to the credit bureaus as delinquent. This is a well-publicized shutdown and you wont be the first to call and ask, but it pays to get out ahead of it. Don't spend money on things that are not necessities In general, when your income is decreased or stops for a period of time, it's important to be mindful of flexible spending, Malani said. Flexible expenses are those lifestyle-enhancing things that we never WANT to cut back on think dining out, entertainment, shopping, gym membership, boozy brunch, etc. However, if needed, cutting back on flexible expenses can help you avoid overspending when your income drops. Don't be afraid to call subscriptions like gym memberships, Rent the Runway, etc. and tell them your situation. They will often let you pause your subscriptions for a few months without penalty and we've even seen companies continue to provide full-benefits to government workers during the shutdown. It never hurts to ask. Financial experts said to cut out those costs, unfortunately even if those things are whats making you happy during this difficult time. The absolute WORST thing anyone can do whether its this shutdown or just losing a job in general is to keep on living the same way you have been, Thakor said. Its so easy to want to do that because you are likely quite emotional over this situation feeling everything from anger to [being] overwhelmed to outright fear. To self soothe it can be easy to justify spending by saying, This is such a @$@# time, Im going to treat myself. However, you will probably regret that decision later, when your debt and expenses pile up. Be honest about your situation The second worst thing is to keep the fact that you are going through this situation to yourself especially if you get invited to do social or other activities that will cost money, Thakor continued. You may feel embarrassed by not wanting to say this isnt a good financial time to participate. But by being honest you actually free not only yourself but who knows maybe your employed friends are also struggling with finances and by bringing it up its a blessing as you help them not feel so alone either. After missing their paycheck on Friday, federal workers furloughed due to the partial government shutdown apply for substitute teacher positions at a job fair held by the Fairfax County Public School system Jan. 11, 2019 in Falls Church, Virginia. - Win McNamee/Getty Images Try to find ways to make money If you can generate other sources of income, it can help you avoid having to cut back as much, Malani said. Ideally, if you have a side-hustle that you can spend more time on, you may be able to generate some additional cash. Selling items you don't need on eBay or via a garage sale is a good idea, not just in times of financial hardship. Selling your things a few times a year not just in a time of need could help you build up an emergency fund, she added. Dont just have a garage sale on your own, advised Thakor. Combine with a few other families and create sort of a farmers' market type of sale so you dont feel sadness as things are sold but solidarity and connection to others facing the same difficult situation. Start thinking about the future Shutdowns seem to be more common nowadays. There was one 16-days long shutdown during President Barack Obamas presidency in 2013. The current shutdown is the third shutdown under President Trump and as we previously mentioned is the longest shutdown in U.S. history. As such, government workers might need to start thinking about how to prepare for such situations in the future. There is a lesson here, which is that it is important to plan for the unexpected. Having some, even a small amount of precautionary savings, can help a lot toward softening the hardship and stress associated with a decline in income, said Annamaria Lusardi, founder and director of the Global Financial Literacy Excellence Center at The George Washington University School of Business. This is a lesson not just for the workers, but for the government too. This is something that the government can also help doing: rather than providing only suggestions on what to do when facing a shock, they could promote what to do to avoid being unprepared for a shock, she continued. For example, they could promote setting up an emergency fund for employees or remind employees about that fund, for example around tax refund times, the end of the year and when they get a promotion. Saving is hard, but doing it in small steps and over time, makes it possible to build up that small amount that can help a lot when things go sour. I think the best compliment I can give is not to say how much your programs have taught me (a ton), but how much Marketplace has motivated me to go out and teach myself. Michael in Arlington, VA As a nonprofit news organization, what matters to us is the same thing that matters to you: being a source for trustworthy, independent news that makes people smarter about business and the economy. So if Marketplace has helped you understand the economy better, make more informed financial decisions or just encouraged you to think differently, were asking you to give a little something back. Become a Marketplace Investor today in whatever amount is right for you and keep public service journalism strong. Were grateful for your support. BEFORE YOU GO | https://www.marketplace.org/2019/01/14/your-money/government-shutdown-workers-no-paycheck-money-advice-experts |
How will Ravens GM Eric DeCosta differ from Ozzie Newsome? | The Baltimore Ravens are headed in a new and bold direction. With Ozzie Newsome stepping down from his role as general manager and Eric DeCosta stepping up, Baltimore is entering a new era with plenty of questions. While speculation has run rampant on how DeCosta will handle his business, the fact is no one really knows. Though DeCosta has been with the Ravens all the way from a regional scout to general manager, Baltimore hasnt been exactly broadcast his precise role in the draft and team building over recent years. So DeCosta could have very well been running the show completely for some time, been a glorified scout, or had an impact anywhere inbetween. The likelihood is DeCosta has had an increasing role in scouting and selecting players both in the draft and free agency for years culminating in his promotion. What we do know about DeCosta is he differs from Newsome in a few ways. Though they both seem to believe in grabbing the best player available, how they achieve their grading has changed. DeCosta has been a big proponent of using analytics to determine trends and figure out some positive and negative traits that often lead to success or failure in a draft prospect. We have some really smart people using the data and building models and algorithms and things and looking for ways to exploit the information, DeCosta said on The Lounge Podcast. I think were really going to start to see some cool things in the next five years. Granted, using analytics isnt anything new in the world of sports. However, under DeCosta, there could be a bigger emphasis on following the data trends than before. DeCosta has also talked about being more creative with the salary cap than in previous years. I think thats a critical thing for us moving forward, DeCosta said. I want us to be innovative with the salary cap; I want us to be ahead of the curve. Weve seen some of that in recent years around the league in playing with specific wording in contracts to gain a slight edge. According to Nick Korte of Over The Cap, Mike Wallaces contract with the Philadelphia Eagles appears to be a perfect example of how incentives and bonuses can completely change the way a contract behaves in relation to compensatory picks. For a team like the Ravens who love playing free agency for compensatory selections this type of contract work could be majorly beneficial. It could also make signing free agents a little tougher as deals arent as straight forward or guaranteed in the same ways players and agents are used to seeing. We wont know how DeCosta truly differs from Newsome for at least a few years, when draft selections and free agents pile up to create certain trends. For now, it appears DeCosta will largely keep things the same as theyve always been. With two Super Bowl trophies, thats not exactly the worst thing in the world. But time will tell if DeCosta can keep up with that legacy or if modernizations are simply style over substance. | https://ravenswire.usatoday.com/2019/01/14/how-will-ravens-gm-eric-decosta-differ-from-ozzie-newsome/ |
Was Trumps treason willful or witless? | Alliteration alert: I admit that I am addicted to alliterations. So many come to mind when I think about Trump, treason, and Russia. Most pundits who arent on the White House payroll or Fox News Trump toadies you are publicly pondering whether the presidents working to further Russian interests was done wittingly or witlessly. This is a critical, sometimes life or death, question when its decided in a court of law. When it comes to the questions being asked about Trump and Russia now the court of public opinion it matters just as much in a different way. The court of public opinion has the potential to sway the decision of the actual court which may eventually try Trump to see if hes committed a high crime. No matter what that legal definition of treason is, when it come to removing the president it means whatever the Senators want it to mean. If number one can be proved he must be impeached and convicted forthwith. Whether we call it collusion, conspiracy, or simply his work as an agent furthering Russian interests it would be a dastardly deed done to further an enemy agenda. It would be treasonous if not literally treason. This is a crime which even in the 21st century would send a leader to the gallows in many countries. There would be no impeachment dragging on for months, no languishing in jail working with defense lawyers, and no endless appeals of sentencing dragging on for years. There would be a quick trial with the sentence carried out post-haste. If hes guilty I find it unfathomable to believe he doesnt know it. Perhaps all his no collusion tweets were his attempt to convince himself as much as they were to persuade the public he was a victim of a witch hunt. Somewhere in his muddled mind he must know that If number two is true then Trump is merely guilty of being a gullible goof gobsmacked by all these accusations. There are many letter Ds to describe such a brainlessly ignorant person staring with dumb and progressing though dolt, dense, dimwit or dimbulb, and dunderhead. We know Trump is famously ignorant and unschooled in everything from science to international relations. We know he ignores the sensible and sometime vital-to-the national-interest advice coming from the experts working for him. However, it would take a light year-long leap of faith to believe he was so stupid to believe Putin over all his intelligence agents and that making decisions to Putins benefit was a mere coincidence because, well, hes really been tougher on Russia than President Obama ever was. _______________________________________________________ Copyright 2019 Capitol Hill Blue Share this: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Print Google Like this: Like Loading... | https://www.capitolhillblue.com/node/75977 |
What happens if UK Prime Minister Theresa May loses vote on her Brexit deal? | Updated British Prime Minister Theresa May is facing likely defeat in Parliament when she asks MPs to approve her Brexit deal tomorrow (AEDT). : It's hard to be exact with the timing, but it's expected the vote will take place between 6am - 8am AEDT on Wednesday That result would trigger huge uncertainty about the future of Britain's exit from the European Union. Mrs May has warned that rejecting her deal opens up the possibility of Brexit being stopped, or that Britain leaves disruptively without a deal. She has promised to respond quickly to any defeat. There are several possible outcomes. The PM could resign (but her party can't oust her) Mrs May could resign as leader of the Conservative Party, triggering an internal contest to replace her without a general election. But remember, she defeated an attempt to oust her as leader of the Conservative Party in December, winning a confidence vote by 200 votes to 117. The result means her position as leader of the party is assured until the end of 2019, as she cannot be challenged for 12 months. She could face a no-confidence vote The opposition Labour Party has said it will call a vote of no confidence in the Government if Mrs May's deal is rejected, but has not specified exactly when. If a majority of MPs vote against Mrs May's Government, Labour would have 14 days to prove, by a vote, that it could command a majority and form its own government. That would allow Labour to take control of the country without going to an election. Or be forced to contest an election If Mrs May's Government loses a confidence vote and Labour is unable to form a new government, an election is called. Mrs May could also call a general election herself if two-thirds of MPs in Parliament agree to it, though she has said that a general election is not in the national interest. Parliament may reconsider the plan Mrs May must submit a new plan for Britain's next steps by January 21. It is not clear what Mrs May's 'Plan B' is, but some British media have reported she would ask Parliament to vote again on the deal, perhaps after seeking another set of reassurances from the EU. Some MPs have floated the idea that Parliament could, in a temporary break from convention, take control of the process away from the Government and hand it to a committee of senior MPs from across the political spectrum. It is not clear that this plan is technically possible, or whether it has enough support to succeed. The Government has repeatedly emphasised that any attempt to prevent it from meeting its legal obligation to deliver an orderly EU exit would be extremely concerning. The route to a second referendum on Brexit or a people's vote is unclear. But, unless the plan to give control of the process to Parliament is successful, it would require the backing of the Government of the day. A new referendum can be called only if it is approved by Parliament. With Mrs May strongly opposed to a second referendum, and the opposition Labour Party not committed to one (but not ruling one out), a second referendum would need either a change in prime minister, a change in government, or an abrupt change in policy. An increasingly vocal contingent of MPs from across the political spectrum supports a fresh vote to break the impasse in Parliament. But so far they have not been able to prove there is a majority in Parliament that backs this view. Even if Parliament did agree in principle to a second referendum, Britain would then have to ask for an extension to its timetable for leaving the EU. The Government could seek to extend the negotiating period with the EU to give it time to try to reach a better deal, hold a general election, or conduct a second referendum. The UK is scheduled to leave the EU at 11:00pm (local time) on March 29 under the current divorce terms. The Government could also withdraw its notice of intention to leave the EU, which the European Court of Justice has ruled it can do without consent of other EU countries. Mrs May has said she does not want to delay Britain's exit from the EU, and will not revoke the notice of intention to leave. Reuters Topics: world-politics, united-kingdom, european-union First posted | https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-01-15/brexit-deal-vote-what-happens-if-theresa-may-loses/10716002 |
Why are games so terrified of sex? | Ah yes, sex. Certainly, it'd be easier to find parking spaces, but much tougher to find a date to the movies (or perhaps a reason to go on a date in the first place). Yet despite the fact that most would agree that a good horizontal rumba is rather better than, say, a good session of genocide, the number of real PC games that have dared take on more sexual subjects can practically be counted on the fingers of one hand and oh, behave. See, your smirk is the problem. Games have always had an uneasy relationship with sex. From the outside, many seem to be pandering to the egos and fantasies of little boys developers falling over themselves to create bouncy barbarian maidens in chainmail bikinis, glistened oily hunks with ridiculously large swords, gangsters doing deals in strip clubs, and lithe athletic heroines with chronic back-ache. Female characters get it the worst, whether it's trying to fight in high-heels or freezing to death in arctic tundra, or suddenly finding that heavy all-covering platemail suddenly morphs into something low-cut that shows off lots of belly, no matter how it looked on the dead orc it was taken from. For the most part this is as far is anyone dares go. Actual nudity, graphic sex scenes, or even characters commenting on the fact that the team's new Paladin looks like she funds her adventures down the local docks are never actually mentioned, leading to the most incredible coyness. A seedy bar where they can ogle girls in bikinis that could easily go in a PG-rated movie, if not for the naughty language. Nope, just a few sound effects played over an external view of the city. Too hot for screen It's no surprise that developers are scared. Putting sex into a game not only makes it harder to sell (at least in the US, where the dreaded Adults Only rating keeps titles out of the bigger stores), it paints a bright red target right on its face for the pundits and talking heads. Two games in particular have faced this in recent years, Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and more bizarrely the brilliant Bioware RPG Mass Effect. GTA is easy to understand it's a game the moral majority has always hated, so finding out there was a sex-based rhythm game called Hot Coffee buried in the code was like Christmas. Never mind that it was as objectively erotic as banging Barbie dolls together, and consisted of nothing more than two fully clothed, entirely consenting adults dry humping for a few seconds, the scandal was enough that when GTA4 came round, the worst Rockstar did was the tongue-in-cheek 'Warm Coffee' achievement during romances. Although the first DLC, The Lost And Damned, did slip in a naked politician's dangling penis. Interestingly enough, a very similar mini-game also appeared in the adventure game Fahrenheit - a quick-time-event involving moving the mouse forward and backwards in time with the main character's thrusts. Silly as it sounds, it worked OK although the scene was removed for the American release. Mass Effect's controversy on the other hand was just mindblowing. Its most graphic sex scene consisted of a couple of flashes of a blue woman's bottom and a little obscured side-boob. It took place almost at the end of the game, between characters who had come to know and care about each other, on the cusp of a mission that was almost guaranteed suicide. It was clean, classy, and so inoffensive that even psychologist Cooper Lawrence described the controversy over it as "kind of a joke". She's the psychologist who didn't actually bother watching the scenes in question before going on Fox News to publicly condemn the game's sexism and objectification of women. Nice one, Cooper. Thanks. Even worse was one conservative blogger, Kevin McCullogh, who described the action like this: "It allows its players universally male no doubt to engage in the most realistic sex acts ever conceived. One can custom design the shape, form, bodies, race, hair style, breast size of the images they wish to 'engage' and then watch in crystal clear, LCD, 54-inch screen, HD clarity as the video game 'persons' hump in every form, format, multiple, gender-oriented possibility they can think of." To clarify: No. Just no. On every level, no. Still, all this did apparently have one effect. Bioware's most recent game, Dragon Age, also has sex scenes. In style, they're very similar to Mass Effect's, with one key difference. This time, the characters keep their knickers on at all times. So far, no controversy. | https://www.techradar.com/sg/news/gaming/why-are-games-so-terrified-of-sex-672547 |
Whats good about the new Panasonic e-bike motor? | Light, narrow Q factor and plenty of torque Panasonic take the next step into the eMTB market. The electronics giant break into US market with own GXO drive motor and batteries. >>> The best electric mountain bikes Panasonic is keen to point out that its latest GXO drive unit is joint lightest on the market at just 2.95 kilograms (same as a Brose Drive S Mag) and delivers 90Nm of torque. Panasonic also boast that it has a narrow q-factor to put the pedals in a narrower stance than most eMTBs, keeping any bike it is mounted to feeling more like a standard non-electric MTB. Along with this new drive unit, Panasonic are producing batteries under its own name it has already been supplying the cells for many ebike batteries but this is the one of the first complete battery unit available. Panasonic has incredibly been making e-bike systems since 1996, when it released a complete bike for its home market of Japan. Since then it has continued to supply both domestic and foreign ebike markets with both hub and centre drive units but has been pretty overshadowed by some of the bigger players in the market. This latest move into the the North American market with its brand new motor system could potentially see Panasonic become a new rival in the burgeoning eMTB segment. In order to break into the US Panasonic has entered into a partnership with Kent International, one of North Americas largest bike producers. According to Panasonic: Panasonic, the worlds leading automotive battery supplier, and Kent International Inc., North Americas leading bicycle manufacturer, announce the entry of new electric-assist bicycles into the eBike segment. To meet the changing micro mobility lifestyle trends, Panasonic is partnering on the launch of electric bicycles under two brands with three models. Those two brands are Univega and Van Dessel, both with their own following. Of most interest looks to be Van Dessels new Captain Shred 150/140 travel aggressive trail eMTB. | https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/panasonic-ebike-market-383544 |
What's that loud rumbling in southeast Chandler? | Jet engines are tested at Honeywell plants in the Phoenix area. (Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto) No, that loud jet engine noise Chandler residents reported hearing over the past week wasn't a UFO. As one Chandler resident noted on Facebook, UFOs are pretty quiet. He would know. He said he has seen one. The low-pitched buzzing noise is coming from Honeywells jet-testing facility at the base of the San Tan Mountains on the Gila River Indian reservation. On Thursday, several Chandler residents took to Facebook to ask whether anyone else had heard a sonic boom in the area. The posts generated dozens of responses from curious residents who also heard the loud noise and wondered where it was coming from. Some speculated about aliens and several Top Gun GIFs also appeared. Facebook user Albert Cruz, who said he lives in Sun Groves near the testing facility, said it sounded like a jet flying overhead. Others said it sounded like a jet was hovering over their house, and another Facebook user, Emily Harrelson, said it felt as if her house was literally shaking. CLOSE Chandler resident Lisa Kana Scott recorded the loud buzzing noise coming from a nearby Honeywell testing site from the backyard of her home. Courtesy of Lisa Kana Scott, Arizona Republic Honeywell spokesman Steve Brecken confirmed the company is conducting correlation testing of one of its military aircraft engines at the San Tan Remote Test Facility near Higley and Riggs roads. Crews conducted a 15-minute test at full power on Thursday, Brecken said, but the test was cut short because of issues with the test cell. Honeywell resumed testing on Friday and again Monday morning, he said. Honeywell will continue to test the engines through Wednesday. The company will run the engine from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. each day, he said. Although most residents commenting on Facebook said this is the first time theyve heard the noise, others noted that they've heard the sound of jet engines sporadically over the last two decades. Honeywell has had a presence at the site for more than 50 years. Though its remote location makes it an ideal spot to test aircraft engines, new housing developments have encroached on the testing site as the Southeast Valley has continued to grow. The testing noise has elicited complaints from neighbors over the years. Brecken said he received one call from a local resident about the noise, and another resident spoke with security at the site Monday morning. The facility is closed to the public. Chandler Police has not received any noise complaints, a spokesman said, but because the testing site is on reservation land, the city would not be able to address noise issues even if it had. In 2003, 100 south Chandler residents filed a lawsuit against developers of five subdivisions near the site claiming that the developers did not tell prospective home buyers about the facility, according to a report in the East Valley Tribune. The residents claimed the jet-engine noise was bothersome and had they known they likely wouldnt have purchased a home in the area. Reach the reporter at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter: @paulinapineda22. Click here to subscribe to azcentral.com. Go to connect.azcentral.com for a staff list, for more information about the newsroom and for details about upcoming events. Read or Share this story: https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/chandler/2019/01/14/jet-engine-testing-near-chandler-generates-response-residents/2576591002/ | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/chandler/2019/01/14/jet-engine-testing-near-chandler-generates-response-residents/2576591002/ |
What Did We Learn From The NFL Divisional Playoffs? | gfoster (Geoff Foster, sports editor): The Divisionals returned normalcy to the NFL. All four home favorites won outright three of them covered the spread comfortably. There will be no wild card team making a run this year, which seems like a harder and harder path to the Super Bowl. But lets start with the last team to get in, the Saints, who were the only home favorite to not cover, and they actually had to dig out of a 14-0 hole as Philly looked primed for another upset. Salfino (Michael Salfino, contributor): Foles seems to have said his goodbye to Philadelphia. So it seems safe to say hes leaving. joshua.hermsmeyer (Josh Hermsmeyer, NFL analyst): Hanging this on Foles seems deeply wrong. On that last drive, it was the receivers that failed, not Foles. That said, since we are positing magic, I guess its true it is gone. gfoster: I wasnt blaming Foles. I actually thought he played great. neil (Neil Paine, senior sportswriter): Foles started the game so hot. The script seemed to be writing itself. But after those early drives, he really reverted back to the QB he has usually been over his career. Salfino: The last drive was definitely not Foless fault but after those first two drives, he really did not make a play. neil: In quarters two through four, Foles went 10-22 for 4.0 YPA and 0 TDs, 2 INTs gfoster: OK, so maybe great was a reach. neil: (Brees, meanwhile, went 26-32 for 8.5 YPA and 2 TDs, 0 INTs after a rough first quarter start literally as rough as it gets on the first play of the game.) gfoster: I feel like someone could have huddled up with the Eagles defense and said Hey, I think they might be trying to throw to Michael Thomas; should we do something about that? joshua.hermsmeyer: Salfino: Ginn was open, too, by a couple of steps. Brees also was short on another throw later to Taysom Hill. But he was really good at attacking the deeper middle of the field, especially on third down. Plus the Eagles helped by suffering a spate of injuries. neil: And at one point the Saints seemed to be doing everything they could to give the game away with penalties. gfoster: The Saints seemed to almost abandon the run, which is very unlike them. And until that late 36-yard run by Ingram, the Eagles took Kamara and Ingram basically out of the game plan, it seemed. joshua.hermsmeyer: I think Foles will get hired on somewhere, but if I were a GM I would let the other guy overpay for his services. His completion percentage by depth is really just average. Overpaying for average is a team killer unless you are absolutely loaded everywhere else. Salfino: Im surprised that the Saints barely won play success over the Eagles. But that just shows you that they were unreal on third downs 8-for-15, and a lot of them a high degree of difficulty. neil: And Foless third-down magic seemed to abandon the Eagles. They only went 2-for-7 during the game on third downs. Usually third-down efficiency is a calling card of these Foles playoff runs. joshua.hermsmeyer: Neil beat me to it. Salfino: Re: Joshs point, its really easy to say not to overpay for a QB unless you dont have a QB. Someone is going to give Foles $100 million. I see the Giants or Jaguars as the landing spots for Foles. gfoster: Josh, I dont know what team fits that bill and needs a quarterback. It would almost need to be like the Sam Bradford trade a couple years ago when Teddy Bridgewater got hurt. neil: The Giants would be HILARIOUS. Jettisoning Eli for basically a younger Eli Salfino: Washington just gave big-ish money to Alex Smith though. gfoster: Yeah, but his career is possibly over. Salfino: Someone on my Twitter mentions said that Foles is the new Earl Morrall. (I liked that.) joshua.hermsmeyer: Googles Earl Morrall gfoster: LOL. Here you go. neil: Ooooh, I like that. LOL. Salfino: Morton was never really a backup though. He was part of the two-QB rotation with Staubach. Morton I believe has the all-time record for yards per completion in a season. Morrall had a magical MVP season in 1968 and then flagged the Super Bowl against the Jets with all those picks and then basically disappeared until Shula resurfaced him in Miami after Griese got hurt during the perfect 1972 season. gfoster: Lets stay in the NFC and talk about the Rams. They survived another tough road contest at home this weekend. neil: I loved how they completely ran over the Cowboys D. joshua.hermsmeyer: The fact that there isnt a top 10 defense left in the playoffs confirms all my priors and warms my cockles. Salfino: The Rams had 51.3 percent play success, which is oddly exactly what the Patriots registered. CJ Anderson was hilarious in killing all the Gurley DFS guys but actually quite effective. A generational talent, some may say. gfoster: Gurley got his points, though. neil: (Kinda speaks to your story earlier this season, Josh, about Gurley being kind of a product of McVay and that offensive scheme.) joshua.hermsmeyer: That (incredibly large) hole Gurley ran through for his long TD was so much not Gurley it was amazing. I would have thought the former, for sure. neil: One thing on the Rams is that Goff didnt necessarily play all that well. Again. gfoster: Imagine what Zeke would do in that Rams offense. Because he seems to have to work for every yard, regardless of how much praise the Dallas O-line used to get or maybe still gets. Salfino: Yeah, I have a hard time envisioning Goff beating Brees in New Orleans. Huge home-road splits for Goff, too. joshua.hermsmeyer: I saw a report that Garrett will get extended. Salfino: The Cowboys offense is good if its working but if its not working, Garrett never seems to be able to figure something out on the fly. Garrett is weird in that hes a CEO coach, but is so closely tied to the offense, which he doesnt really run. I think when you are a CEO coach you have to have a really strong personality like a Bill Parcells, be that leader of men. This is not Garrett, IMO. He just seems easily replaceable. joshua.hermsmeyer: He is elite at clapping. Salfino: Lombardi ended his clapping, which is sad. neil: Yeah, I dont understand Jerry Joness fascination with Garrett. Its like they were looking for ANY excuse whatsoever to extend him. gfoster: I just dont think its a desirable job to coach with Jerry breathing down your neck. Salfino: Remember, Jones doesnt want a strong personality that will basically kick him out of the locker room and tell him to stay in his owners lane. neil: Hes going to end up being one of the longest tenured coaches ever, and his record will pale in comparison with the others in the conversation. (Except maybe Marvin Lewis.) joshua.hermsmeyer: For all the grief Jones gets, he does seem incredibly loyal, and that is a terrific boss to have in a league like the NFL that moves on from most coaches far too quickly. Stability does have value. Salfino: He is basically Marvin Lewis, who also was a CEO coach without a really strong personality/culture. Tell that to Jimmy Johnson: gfoster: Going back to Rams-Saints: The Saints lost their starting DT, Sheldon Rankins, to a possible torn Achilles. Thats a big loss, especially to be down a big interior lineman against the Rams. joshua.hermsmeyer: Mike, good point about Jimmy Johnson. neil: The way the Rams were clearing space against Dallas was unreal. According to ESPN Stats & Info Group, the Rams rushed 33 times for 195 yards and averaged 4.1 yards per carry before first contact between the tackles. joshua.hermsmeyer: You never want to lose a starter, but if I had to pick a position to lose, give me DT. gfoster: Thats fair. Salfino: Exactly right. If its a pass rusher DT, OK, thats worrisome. But there are only like one of those and hes on the other team. Theyre going to need some, Im certain, to win. neil: True, their longest reception vs. Dallas was a 21-yarder to Brandin Cooks. Salfino: 186 passing yards on 28 attempts is not the Rams offense from October, for sure. joshua.hermsmeyer: With the loss of Rankins and their success with play-action, I would think the shot plays would come there. The linebackers may try to make up for Rankinss loss by cheating a bit more than usual. I think thats debatable. joshua.hermsmeyer: They did OK with it against Dallas I think. neil: Yes, Goff was 6-of-11 for 108 yards off play-action vs the Cowboys. Thats not as amazing as their early-season standards. But its still much better than when he passed without play-action. gfoster: Lets talk about the AFC. The Chargers, who were 9-0 on the road, got absolutely destroyed by the Patriots. This was the one game that seemed completely over in the first quarter. Salfino: Yeah, getting to Joshs point, the Patriots-Chargers were exhibit A in offense mostly controls outcomes. neil: Classic Patriots home divisional-round win. Salfino: I absolutely hated the team flying back to Los Angeles after the Wild Card win in Baltimore. gfoster: I think people tend to overweight air travel. But maybe you are right in this case. joshua.hermsmeyer: The win probability charts basically concur with your assessment Geoff. neil: I do wonder how much the travel had to do with it. They seemed out of sorts most of the game, especially on defense early. Didnt help that their weird hybrid LB/DB scheme was totally ineffective against Brady and the Pats. Salfino: I hate a West Coast team in the early slot in a playoff game, but the Chargers were their own worst enemy in opting to go back home. Still, it probably wouldnt have mattered, as flat as Los Angeles seemed (especially with the missed tackles). The Patriots were flawless. Brady looked like a different player, and there are reports that trick play with him as a receiver against the Titans hurt his knee pretty badly. He was able to practice fully again though. joshua.hermsmeyer: Angry Tom in the cold is the narrative, I think. Seems lame but maybe it worked. gfoster: Also, people spent all week talking about Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa. Thats not too relevant when you dump the ball to James White 15 to 20 times a game. neil: Tactically, you have to appreciate the way they used their RBs against Los Angeless defense. Sony Michel ran for 129 and 3 TDs, plus James White had 15 catches out of the backfield. The Chargers had no answer for that attack. Michel was averaging 4.6 YPC with eight-plus defenders in the box against a defense that had smothered the run-heavy Ravens a week before. Salfino: The Patriots are all spares and no strikes now. They ran a ton with Michel. They had 15 catches for under 100 yards from White. Edelman got some big plays somehow, but hes not a gamebreaker. Gronk had one catch. But this hyper efficiency works for them because they avoid mistakes. Im not sure why the Chargers stuck with the Ravens defense with all those defensive backs. The Patriots are not a fast team at all. You want more size against them. neil: Well, people spent all week saying theyd revolutionized NFL defense with that scheme. joshua.hermsmeyer: Against a mobile QB, I think its a great defense. Against a pocket passer, Im not sure what you are gaining. Salfino: The difference between the Patriots and other teams is that they solve the puzzle with an opponent and move on to the next opponent. They dont bring whatever worked one week necessarily into the next. Considering weve seen them go on SB runs without him before. He practically got the Bronx cheer from the Foxboro crowd when he made that one catch. joshua.hermsmeyer: Gronk had a fantastic daychecks notesblocking. Salfino: Gronks yards per target this year was still good. He did gain 27 yards on that one play. Its hard for me to believe hes shot. Hes clearly not the same player, but I think he can still be effective. The Chargers are really designed to stop tight ends, though, with Derwin James. Just floating up in the wind, asking Mike Williams to make jump ball catches 40 yards downfield. neil: In fairness, he was under heavy pressure much of the game. Salfino: Williams has to make that catch, Geoff. I thought Rivers had a lot of pop on most of his throws. But the Patriots played that Ravens blitzing defense and it really surprised Rivers. By the time he adjusted, the game was over. neil: According to ESPNs Stats & Information Group, Rivers was pressured 24 times against New England, which was most of any quarterback in a playoff game in the last 10 seasons. joshua.hermsmeyer: Whats interesting is that while the Chargers kept their Ravens defense, the Patriots adopted the Ravens defense with their cover-zero looks and massive pressure on Rivers. Salfino: Yes, interesting but clearly not surprising that Belichick out-coached Lynn. That was the big worry for the Chargers in this game.What was interesting and unknown was how Belichick would get the edge. gfoster: Riverss deep ball seemed like me trying deep passes in Thanksgiving touch football. I got someone out there, so just going to heave it and hope for the best. Salfino: This is what those Ravens blitzes reduce you to, low-percentage deep throws. Whats funny is that exactly no one thinks that the Patriots having had success blitzing are going to bring that into the Chiefs game. gfoster: When the Chiefs played the Pats in the regular season, it was 43-40 and probably the most entertaining game of the season. I dont think we will see 80+ points again. The Chiefs defense seems to have improved recently. Salfino: I think we do see 80 points again. gfoster: Interesting. Salfino: If its windy, thats a problem. Nah. Unless its Ice Bowl-like. neil: Certainly seems like Patriots punter Ryan Allen probably wont get as much of a workout as Rigoberto Sanchez against KC. Seemed like every time you looked up, Indy was punting. gfoster: Judging by the Chargers games, I wasnt aware the Patriots had a punter. Salfino: Luck was so bad. It seemed like every other pass was deflected at the line. The first three, Im pretty sure, though whether the first pass of the game was tipped is not entirely clear. That has to be a record though. joshua.hermsmeyer: Regarding the total, Vegas has it at 57.5. Thats super high. Im not sure I take the over. gfoster: Kareem Hunt totaled 185 combined yards in that Patriots game. But Damien Williams has made people forget about him pretty quickly. Interestingly, Patriots were able to limit Kelces production (somewhat), which the Colts had no answer for. Salfino: OK, I revise my prediction since the forecast is for a high of 16 degrees on Sunday. joshua.hermsmeyer: If Sammy Watkins can contribute big, high-leverage plays, I think he will be one too many weapons for the Patriots to account for. Salfino: Belichick wants to x-out Kelce in these games. And then Hill kills them. Also Hunt out of the backfield in the last game, though thats no longer a threat. (Well, maybe not baked. Frozen?) Salfino: Hunt actually killed the Patriots as a receiver in the last two games they played. I dont see it. gfoster: Weather moves the total more than anything (except quarterback injuries), so we will see what happens with that line. Salfino: No appreciable wind in the forecast, though about 20 mph on Saturday so maybe thats a threat, too. I tell all my fantasy friends, its just wind other than super extreme conditions on the other side cold, rain or snow. And really wind at over 20 mph only. You could argue the Patriots. Brady sure has. joshua.hermsmeyer: Im going to fade the idea that something like weather can stop Mahomes. While it didnt snow as much people envisioned, the Indianapolis game was plenty cold and Mahomes looked fantastic. neil: For the sake of fun trivia, it was 17 degrees in Mahomes debut start. (According to PFR, thats the coldest game hes played as a pro.) Salfino: Brady has played one game in 10 degrees or colder in 2003. He had a 73.3 passer rating. (Note that includes playoffs.) gfoster: Great segue! Lets close with our Super Bowl predictions. neil: If the game was at Foxboro, Id think about it. But Brady hasnt won a road playoff game since this wacky one against the Chargers. Hard to believe! But Pats usually play at home in lead-up to Super Bowl. Salfino: Hes 0-2 since then. neil: Yes, the Marlon McCree game. Salfino: So I will stick with my Chiefs-Saints Super Bowl. neil: I will do the same! Salfino: Save us, Josh. joshua.hermsmeyer: I think well see the proverbial passing of the torch from Old Angry Tom to Mahomes, kinda like when Favre beat Young in the playoffs. And I still like the Rams in the NFC. neil: Josh, Elias says this is the biggest age difference in a QB matchup in conference champ history. joshua.hermsmeyer: Great stat neil: I am also looking forward to Mahomes potentially doubling the record for playoff wins by a Big 12 quarterback. gfoster: I also will take the Chiefs. But Im going to say Chiefs-Rams just because I still havent seen the return of that devastating Saints offense. Its been hibernating since the loss to the Cowboys in Week 13. The Saints managed just 20 points against a banged-up Eagles defense. It seemed like a struggle at times, even though a lot of that was self-inflicted penalties. Brees was under a lot of pressure. Trubisky even had more passing yards than Brees! Trubisky!!! Salfino: I will defend the Saints. They had 420 yards to 250 for the Eagles. Thats actually 28 expected points (formula is a point every 15 yards from scrimmage). To me, thats pretty close to being on schedule. I mean, they had 25 first downs. Salfino: Do not say it, Geoff. gfoster: More Taysom Hill gadget plays! Salfino: Payton was determined to make noise with Hill in that game. (Only episodes I-III.) gfoster: Hes young Anakin in Episode I. Ten minutes into the movie, you are like Is this kid really going to play this big of a role, here? joshua.hermsmeyer: I was going to say Porkins. Stay on target. gfoster: I would love to see a close-up of Breess face every time he is set out wide with Hill under center; I feel like hes rolling his eyes but I cant be sure. Salfino: Ha ha ha. joshua.hermsmeyer: His body language instills fear in the DB every time. neil: One day, Brees will burn someone over the top. Salfino: Brees has large hands and probably could win 50/50 balls. joshua.hermsmeyer: No matter what combination of teams ultimately makes it, this is the correct four teams in the championship round, and the perfect end to the greatest offensive season in NFL history. neil: Agreed! Its the first time since the 1970 merger that each of the top four teams in scoring made the conference title game. gfoster: We wanted offense. We got offense. Will see you next week when we know who is heading to Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta. | https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/what-did-we-learn-from-the-nfl-divisional-playoffs/ |
Did Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift have a reunion? | Girls' night! On Thursday, Selena Gomez made a surprise appearance on social media with a cute Snap that included bestie, Taylor Swift and her new friend, Cazzie David. The Call It What You Want singer shared a candid photo to her Instagram account where Selena is all laughs. Meanwhile Taylor is flashing her white smile with go-to red lip, and Cazzie appears nonchalant as she stands between the singers. Taylor captioned the photo with, 20wineteen, which is quite fitting considering she's holding up a glass of white wine. Selena, Taylor and Cazzie enjoyed a cozy girls' night in Photo: Instagram/@taylorswift Its been a minute since Selena has shown up in our social media feeds. In September, the Back to You singer shared an emotional post announcing she would be taking a social media break. The 26-year-old wrote, As much as I am grateful for the voice that social media gives each of us, I am equally grateful to be able to step back and live my life present to the moment I have been given. She added, Kindness and encouragement only for a bit! Just remember- negative comments can hurt anybodys feelings. Obvi. MORE: Watch Selena Gomez party with Cardi B, Ozuna and DJ Snake in the Taki Taki music video Selena told fans about their close bond during a surprise performance in Taylor's Reputation Tour. The 13 Reasons Why producer has been laying low ever since, and being the besties that they are, it makes sense for Taylor and Selena to hang out for a cozy girls' night in. Previously, Selena has been open about Taylors unconditional support. And it looks like the feeling is mutual. During a trip to Big Bear Lake in California, Selena supported her friend by wearing a big coat over a Taylor Swift Reputation Tour hoodie. The singers have shared a close friendship for years In May, Selena made a surprise performance during Taylors tour in which she told fans of their close bond. In a video captured by a fan she said, This person has never ever judged a single decision Ive made. Shes always met me where Ive been. MORE: Selena Gomez looks happy and healthy during post-treatment snow day with friends Joining in on the fun was Larry Davids daughter, Cazzie. The 25-year-old also shared a similar black polaroid with Taylor Swift on the gram which she jokingly captioned, Had a meet and greet for my fans last night. I love u all. | https://us.hola.com/celebrities/2019011115940/selena-gomez-cazzie-david-taylor-swift/ |
Will talking to AI voice assistants re-engineer our human conversations? | When youre lost, Siri can be your best friend. But if she cant retrieve the right address from your contacts, she can drive you crazy. And so it is with the legion of virtual personal assistants that are entering our lives. From Amazons Alexa to Googles Home, people are busy talking to intelligent machines as never before. Its estimated that more than 60% of internet traffic is now generated by machine-to-machine, and person-to-machine, communication. IT advisory firm Gartner has predicted that by 2020 the average person will be having more conversations with robots than with their partner. (Sometimes we dont even know we are doing it). And just as texting changed written communication, talking bots could change the way we communicate with each other. Read more: Emotionless chatbots are taking over customer service and it's bad news for consumers Talk is social The late sociologist Diedre Boden wrote that human sociability is created through talk, talk, talk and more talk. Talking person-to-person is not only how we exchange information, but also how we used to carry out many tasks, such as ordering pizzas, booking plane tickets and confirming meetings. And its these tasks that we are increasingly subcontracting to robots. When we communicate face-to-face there is an expectation of mutual attentiveness, but these norms could be wholly deconstructed if we were to have the majority of our conversations with non-humans. Unlike face-to-face talk, chatbots do not require us put effort into making the conversation polite or interesting. We dont need to be charming, amusing, or assert our intelligence. Bots dont need to like us, even if we have a need to be liked. In fact, this would wildly complicate matters. A machine will simply extract the information it needs to create an appropriate response. It is possible that talking to machines all the time could re-engineer the way we have conversations. We could end up with the linguistic equivalent of emojis. As an article in the New York Times recently put it, interacting with robots could mean atrophy for our social muscles. The scientific research on this is still unclear. Some studies have found people can actually be remarkably cordial to robots, while other research suggests were liable to be rude and curt when we know our conversational partner isnt human. We could get used to bossing things around, and this behaviour could bleed into everyday life. Remembering our manners Tech companies are already trying to head off this problem. After fielding concerns from parents, Amazon created a politeness mode for its Echo devices that gently reminds its users to say please. And some chatbots are being developed to go even further and mimic human emotion. For example, clinical psychologist Alison Darcy built a talking bot to help people with depression and anxiety. The delightfully named Woebot spoke to 50,000 people in its first week of deployment more than a human psychologist could speak to in a lifetime. In a study with 70 young adults, Darcy found that after two weeks of interacting with the bot, the test subjects had lower incidences of depression and anxiety. They were impressed, and even touched, by the softwares attentiveness. One of the subjects told Darcys team: Woebot felt like a real person that showed concern. To date, the answer has mostly been no. The reason for this is that AI devices respond to speech by drawing from an enormous database of code, scripted utterances and network conversation. So they can rarely respond to the unexpected shifts in, and immense complexity of, human conversation, save in minor ways. Brian Christian, author of two books about AI, says of such machine talk: What you get, the cobbling together of hundreds of thousands of prior conversations, is a kind of conversational pure. Made of human parts, but less than a human sum. At this stage, we can best get a glimpse into the differences between day-to-day talk and automated machine conversation when something goes awry, or there is a technical glitch. Take, for example, the story of a family in Portland Oregon whose Amazon Alexa interpreted a background human conversation in the family home as answers to its questions. Alexa subsequently sent a recording of the conversation to a person in their list of contacts, just as (it thought) it had been requested to. Read more: Teaching chatbots how to do the right thing AI is all around us Even though we might be having less of them, human conversations arent going to decrease in significance anytime soon. Nevertheless, the ubiquity of the smartphone has essentially liquefied our social world, which almost always includes a level of digital engagement with others outside the immediate social context. This has created a complex, contradictory mix of being present with others, even when theyre not physically there. AI is not about the future our lives are already saturated in it. Chatbots, softbots, and virtual personal assistants are becoming an integral part of our daily lives, even if we are not always aware of their role. If talking to chatbots and virtual personal assistants becomes the new normal, we should be aware of the ways they could change how we talk to each other, and how we relate to ourselves. One thing is certain. AI is having a profound impact on what it means to be human. Professor Elliotts new book, The Culture of AI: Everyday Life and the Digital Revolution, is published by Routledge. | http://theconversation.com/will-talking-to-ai-voice-assistants-re-engineer-our-human-conversations-108922 |
Has Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's baby gender been revealed? | Bets have been placed on what the gender will be of the Duke and Duchess of Sussexs unborn child. In fact, the odds are leaning in such a way that top online gambling company Betfair believes some people may have too strong an inkling. Over the weekend, the worlds largest betting business suspended bets on the couple having a girl because of an influx. Betfair Spokesperson Katie Baylis told our sister magazine HELLO! : "We havent seen too much betting on this market for a while, but tonight all of a sudden we have seen a flurry of betting activity on the baby to a girl." Meghan Markle's growing baby bump Weve had to suspend the market and stop taking bets on the sex of the baby, Katie continued to say. Should the baby turn out a girl, odds on her name have also been placed. Katie revealed the three top favorite names: "Diana is the 8/1 favorite, with Alice at 13/1 and Grace at 14/1 for the name of child." Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were greeted with their first baby gifts in Australia Prince Harry would certainly be happy with this outcome. While he and Meghan were on tour in Australia this past October, Harry told a well-wisher that he would like to have a daughter. The fan shouted from the crowd: "I hope it's a girl!" to which he replied: "So do I!" MORE: Why Kate Middleton is so excited for Meghan Markle's baby If it is a girl, the baby will be the second granddaughter for Prince Charles, and Prince William and Kate Middleton's first niece. The little girl will also be close in age with Princess Charlotte, who currently is the only female among her siblings and cousin. The happy news was revealed in October that Meghan and Harry would welcome their first baby this coming spring. | https://us.hola.com/royals/2019011315973/meghan-markle-prince-harry-baby-gender-revealed/ |
Will the Year of the Pig rein in Chinese yuan bulls as the seasonal boost ends and trade war reality kicks in? | If thats the case, Chinese yuan strength in the early weeks of this year should mean a strong performance versus the US dollar in 2019 as a whole. But such has been the pace of this yuan rise, investors might be disinclined to chase the move from current levels. Such a cautionary approach might well be justified. Indeed, some likely drivers of the yuans early January rise may prove short-lived. Investors who are already on the trade will be mindful of managing their exposure. Its never wrong to take a full or partial profit on a position. As for those investors who missed the initial move but now feel 2019 will indeed see a broadly lower US-dollar-to-Chinese-yuan exchange rate, it might be advisable to take a moment to reflect. On the issue of yuan appreciation potential, it might well be that markets, which in the second half of 2018 were exposed to a plethora of reports about the challenges facing Chinas economy, were probably psychologically ill-prepared, and so ill-positioned, for renminbi strength as 2019 dawned. Initial yuan appreciation in the first days of January arguably triggered a snowball effect as investors, for fear of being left behind, felt compelled to pile into the renminbi. In truth, markets may have underestimated the prospects for China in comparison to those of other major economies. Indeed, while analysts continue to evaluate the implications of Beijing potentially setting a lowered target for Chinese economic growth in 2019 of 6 to 6.5 per cent, over in the euro zone, Germanys economy shrank by 0.2 per cent in the third quarter of 2018. German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier even felt it necessary to state last week that Germany is not currently at the beginning of a recession. Former US trade chief Robert Zoellick: you cant contain China Meanwhile, in the United States, amid political gridlock in Washington and with the economic sugar rush of the Trump administrations 2018 tax cuts wearing off, markets have become less enamoured with the notion that holding the greenback is presently the optimum foreign exchange trade. That evolution in investor thinking has also been driven by evidence that the upward trajectory of Federal Reserve rate hikes is levelling off. After four rate hikes in 2018, which played no small part in supporting US dollar strength, Fed chief Jerome Powell said on January 10 that especially with inflation low and under control, we have the ability to be patient and watch patiently. On a comparative basis, and with all foreign exchange trades being a decision based on the perceived merits of different currencies relative to each other, the arguments in favour of the yuan over, in particular, the US dollar start to build up. Theres also an argument that while the Peoples Bank of China will be unlikely to want to see yuan strength run away, Beijing might well have made the calculation that a degree of renminbi appreciation can only help in tricky trade negotiations with Washington. The Trump administration has previously been vocal about Chinese currency weakness. But the trade negotiations are themselves a double-edged sword. Market expectations of a successful outcome to those talks have been rising and that has arguably fuelled yuan demand, just as the deterioration in China-US trade relations last year fed into renminbi weakness. Yet, time is short for those trade discussions. The end of the 90-day truce period that emerged after Chinas President Xi Jinping met his US counterpart in Buenos Aires in December falls on March 1. There is therefore a real, if unquantifiable, risk that any setback in the current trade negotiations will seriously undermine the short-term case for yuan strength. There is also the possibility that the pace of early-2019 yuan strength has been built on speculative demand but also on seasonal factors. The impact of the latter may soon fade. China December trade data bad, likely to get worse this year With the Year of the Pig beginning on February 5, and given the duration of the public holidays in China, it would be perfectly rational to expect Chinese exporters, who naturally convert overseas revenues into yuan, to have been front-loading their hedging activities. Once the Spring Festival is over, those exporters may revert to a more normal pace of operations. There are persuasive arguments in favour of yuan appreciation versus the US dollar in 2019, and early January has already seen the renminbi achieve a material rise versus the greenback. But that rise has been sustained by a combination of speculative and seasonal demand that may not persist. At current levels, yuan bulls might wish to proceed with a degree of caution. Neal Kimberley is a commentator on macroeconomics and financial markets | https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/united-states/article/2182080/will-year-pig-rein-chinese-yuan-bulls-seasonal |
Who exactly are the contestants on I'm A Celebrity? | Former Biggest Loser host Ajay Rochester. Credit:Ten Loading Rochester, 49, is known for best-selling 2001 book Confessions of a Reformed Dieter, its 2005 follow-up Lazy Girl's Guide to Losing Weight and Getting Fit, and a documentary Larger Than Life that followed her on her quest to lose weight after the birth of her son, Kai, 19. But the colourful character is probably best known as the presenter of The Biggest Loser from 2006 to 2009. The star is no stranger to the tabloids, having pleaded guilty to welfare fraud charges in 2008, and engaging in a long-running feud with Michelle Bridges, whom she once told to "kiss my fat ass". She moved to Los Angeles shortly after she finished up on Biggest Loser, and found her feet as a casting director in 2016, which lead to work on another reality TV show called Cast Me! Angie Kent and Yvie Jones Former Gogglebox Australia stars Angie Kent and Yvie Jones. Credit:Ten Unlike Rochester, who has lived her life in front of an audience, best friends Kent and Jones' private lives are mostly that - private. The quick-witted pair spent eight seasons as armchair critics on Gogglebox Australia before they quit in December, but were quickly snapped up by I'm A Celebrity producers for a stint in the South African grassland. Jones is a regular on the comedy scene, in particular on Gretel Killeen's live interview show This Is Who I Am and Chris Bath's ABC nightly radio show. Meanwhile, Kent is vocal in her support of rescuing dogs, and uses her social media profiles to promote #adoptdontshop, disability charities and actively supports all things equality. Dermott Brereton Former Hawthorn AFL footballer Dermott Brereton. Credit:Ten Brereton, 54, is a Hawthorn football legend and sports commentator, known and loved for his mane of golden curls in the '80s and early '90s. He has over 200 games of AFL under his belt and since then has had a career as a television presenter, football commentator, newspaper columnist and radio host, notably Friday Night Football, The AFL Footy Show, The Sunday Footy Show and Getaway. He told 10 before entering the show that he hopes he's surrounded by team players, unlike some former contenders. "I think we saw Bernard Tomic last year demonstrate to be a sportsman who plays in a single entity sport," he said. "There wasn't much about the team that Bernard thought and it was mostly about Bernard's welfare. It would be difficult to survive somebody's attitude like that." Jacqui Lambie Former senator Jacqui Lambie. Credit:Ten Former politician Lambie, 47, is one of Australia's most unique public figures, with her penchant for unscripted drama and heart-on-her-sleeve honesty often seeing her name wind up in the headlines. After her resignation from the Senate - thanks to her contribution to the citizenship scandal of 2017 - Lambie went on to write a no-holds-barred autobiograhy about her tough upbringing, called Rebel With a Cause. She recently took part in SBS show Go Back Live, which saw her fly to Syria and come face to face with the country's brutal civil war. Justin Lacko Reality TV star Justin Lacko. Credit:Network 10 Lacko, 28, is one of the fresher celebrities in the line-up, having only made a name for himself last year when he starred on the inaugural season of Channel Nine's Love Island. The international model and now-reality TV star didn't find love during the experiment, but he did establish himself as one of the nice guys, which saw him go a long way in the public-voted show. Considering himself "addicted" to coffee, Lacko is worried about not getting his morning cuppa - but perhaps his quest to finally find love will keep him distracted enough. Justine Schofield TV chef and author Justine Schofield. Credit:Network 10 A talented full-time chef, Schofield, 33, first came to Australias attention on the very first season of MasterChef, way back in 2009. Placing fourth overall in the comp, she won audiences over with her good nature, while for the judges it was her approachable, aspirational and easygoing take on fancy food that made her a hit. In 2011 she landed her own show, Everyday Gourmet with Justine Schofield, which is now approaching its ninth season, and she's released two cookbooks: Dinner With Justine and Simple Every Day. Luke Jacobz TV presenter and actor Luke Jacobz. Credit:Network 10 The popular TV host, 37, is something of an all-rounder in the Australian entertainment industry. He played character Zac Croft in Heartbreak High in the 1990s, before moving into hosting gigs that saw him notch up titles like The X Factor and Channel Seven's Instant Hotel. He's also starred in Home and Away and was in beloved noughties drama McLeod's Daughters from 2005 to 2009, playing Patrick Brewer. In 2008, Jacobz turned his talents to reality TV, signing up for Dancing With the Stars and eventually winning the show alongside dance partner Luda Kroiter. Natasha Exelby Journalist and newsreader Natasha Exelby. Credit:Network 10 Exelby is a well-established TV journalist, whos worked as a political correspondent, foreign correspondent and war reporter at various times in her career. In 2017 she found herself in the news cycle after she was caught daydreaming while she was presenting a news bulletin. The clip went viral and Exelby wound up on the receiving end of support from hundreds of fans - though she was out of a job at ABC not long after. Richard Reid Gossip guru Richard Reid. Credit:Network 10 Loading Reids is a familiar face on Australian television, working as the self-titled "gossip guru" for Nine for eight years and starring on Celebrity Apprentice in 2015, before he left the network in 2015. He now acts a contributor to Studio 10, sitting alongside Sarah Harris and Kerri-Anne Kennerley. When asked why he signed up, he said: "I want to lose weight, of course!" Sam Dastyari Former politician Sam Dastyari. Credit:Network 10 A former Labor Senator, Dastyari, 35, has certainly had his fair share of ups and downs in the last few years. After quitting his career in politics when he was accused of the Chinese donations scandal, he's turned to television to make his comeback. Though his Network 10 pilot, Disgrace! didnt get picked up for a full season after it aired last year, it did present Dastyari as a new face in the Australian TV landscape. Tahir Bilgi | https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/who-exactly-are-the-contestants-on-i-m-a-celebrity-20190114-p50r73.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_entertainment |
Should the Cincinnati Bengals usher in post-Marvin Lewis era by changing their logo? | The Cincinnati Bengals have a name that should strike fear into their opponent. Id argue that it doesnt. This is what were currently rocking and a few former logos. The top right is what the Bengals recently opted to make their official logo. The worst logo of the bunch is the Bengals 'B' I'd take that old tiger with some updates over the B. pic.twitter.com/XGEbbORn2j Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) August 7, 2018 When the Bengals 2018 logo was released, it came with mixed feelings. FanJuicer.com drew from a pool of over 1,400 fans. Here what their graphic designer took away from the Bengals unimpressed B. The Graphic Designer: Overall, the color scheme works for me, but particularly when this logo is up against darker backgrounds. I can see how some may say that this doesnt immediately scream that it is a football logo because there isnt a lot of excitement. The shape of the B is a little short and fat it just doesnt feel football. There isnt a lot of strength. Something taller and less squat would be a better approach. Ranked a bottom-five logo. | https://bengalswire.usatoday.com/2019/01/14/cincinnati-bengals-change-logo-marvin-lewis/ |
Who exactly are the contestants on I'm a Celebrity? | Former Biggest Loser host Ajay Rochester. Credit:Ten Loading Rochester, 49, is known for best-selling 2001 book Confessions of a Reformed Dieter, its 2005 follow-up Lazy Girl's Guide to Losing Weight and Getting Fit, and a documentary Larger Than Life that followed her on her quest to lose weight after the birth of her son, Kai, 19. But the colourful character is probably best known as the presenter of The Biggest Loser from 2006 to 2009. The star is no stranger to the tabloids, having pleaded guilty to welfare fraud charges in 2008, and engaging in a long-running feud with Michelle Bridges, whom she once told to "kiss my fat ass". She moved to Los Angeles shortly after she finished up on Biggest Loser, and found her feet as a casting director in 2016, which lead to work on another reality TV show called Cast Me! Angie Kent and Yvie Jones Former Gogglebox Australia stars Angie Kent and Yvie Jones. Credit:Ten Unlike Rochester, who has lived her life in front of an audience, best friends Kent and Jones' private lives are mostly that - private. The quick-witted pair spent eight seasons as armchair critics on Gogglebox Australia before they quit in December, but were quickly snapped up by I'm A Celebrity producers for a stint in the South African grassland. Jones is a regular on the comedy scene, in particular on Gretel Killeen's live interview show This Is Who I Am and Chris Bath's ABC nightly radio show. Meanwhile, Kent is vocal in her support of rescuing dogs, and uses her social media profiles to promote #adoptdontshop, disability charities and actively supports all things equality. Dermott Brereton Former Hawthorn AFL footballer Dermott Brereton. Credit:Ten Brereton, 54, is a Hawthorn football legend and sports commentator, known and loved for his mane of golden curls in the '80s and early '90s. He has over 200 games of AFL under his belt and since then has had a career as a television presenter, football commentator, newspaper columnist and radio host, notably Friday Night Football, The AFL Footy Show, The Sunday Footy Show and Getaway. He told 10 before entering the show that he hopes he's surrounded by team players, unlike some former contenders. "I think we saw Bernard Tomic last year demonstrate to be a sportsman who plays in a single entity sport," he said. "There wasn't much about the team that Bernard thought and it was mostly about Bernard's welfare. It would be difficult to survive somebody's attitude like that." Jacqui Lambie Former senator Jacqui Lambie. Credit:Ten Former politician Lambie, 47, is one of Australia's most unique public figures, with her penchant for unscripted drama and heart-on-her-sleeve honesty often seeing her name wind up in the headlines. After her resignation from the Senate - thanks to her contribution to the citizenship scandal of 2017 - Lambie went on to write a no-holds-barred autobiograhy about her tough upbringing, called Rebel With a Cause. She recently took part in SBS show Go Back Live, which saw her fly to Syria and come face to face with the country's brutal civil war. Justin Lacko Reality TV star Justin Lacko. Credit:Network 10 Lacko, 28, is one of the fresher celebrities in the line-up, having only made a name for himself last year when he starred on the inaugural season of Channel Nine's Love Island. The international model and now-reality TV star didn't find love during the experiment, but he did establish himself as one of the nice guys, which saw him go a long way in the public-voted show. Considering himself "addicted" to coffee, Lacko is worried about not getting his morning cuppa - but perhaps his quest to finally find love will keep him distracted enough. Justine Schofield TV chef and author Justine Schofield. Credit:Network 10 A talented full-time chef, Schofield, 33, first came to Australias attention on the very first season of MasterChef, way back in 2009. Placing fourth overall in the comp, she won audiences over with her good nature, while for the judges it was her approachable, aspirational and easygoing take on fancy food that made her a hit. In 2011 she landed her own show, Everyday Gourmet with Justine Schofield, which is now approaching its ninth season, and she's released two cookbooks: Dinner With Justine and Simple Every Day. Luke Jacobz TV presenter and actor Luke Jacobz. Credit:Network 10 The popular TV host, 37, is something of an all-rounder in the Australian entertainment industry. He played character Zac Croft in Heartbreak High in the 1990s, before moving into hosting gigs that saw him notch up titles like The X Factor and Channel Seven's Instant Hotel. He's also starred in Home and Away and was in beloved noughties drama McLeod's Daughters from 2005 to 2009, playing Patrick Brewer. In 2008, Jacobz turned his talents to reality TV, signing up for Dancing With the Stars and eventually winning the show alongside dance partner Luda Kroiter. Natasha Exelby Journalist and newsreader Natasha Exelby. Credit:Network 10 Exelby is a well-established TV journalist, whos worked as a political correspondent, foreign correspondent and war reporter at various times in her career. In 2017 she found herself in the news cycle after she was caught daydreaming while she was presenting a news bulletin. The clip went viral and Exelby wound up on the receiving end of support from hundreds of fans - though she was out of a job at ABC not long after. Richard Reid Gossip guru Richard Reid. Credit:Network 10 Loading Reids is a familiar face on Australian television, working as the self-titled "gossip guru" for Nine for eight years and starring on Celebrity Apprentice in 2015, before he left the network in 2015. He now acts a contributor to Studio 10, sitting alongside Sarah Harris and Kerri-Anne Kennerley. When asked why he signed up, he said: "I want to lose weight, of course!" Sam Dastyari Former politician Sam Dastyari. Credit:Network 10 A former Labor Senator, Dastyari, 35, has certainly had his fair share of ups and downs in the last few years. After quitting his career in politics when he was accused of the Chinese donations scandal, he's turned to television to make his comeback. Though his Network 10 pilot, Disgrace! didnt get picked up for a full season after it aired last year, it did present Dastyari as a new face in the Australian TV landscape. Tahir Bilgi | https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/who-exactly-are-the-contestants-on-i-m-a-celebrity-20190114-p50r73.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_feed |
Should Catholics Be More Involved In Politics? | Last week, I wrote a blog which noted that political shows were partially responsible for anger between friends, an overall lack of Christian civility, and a lack of serious political principle. Thus, I offered the suggestion that the best resolution some people can make for 2019 is to give up watching political shows altogether (emphasis added). I concluded that if we devote the year of 2019 to reading [the classic political works] instead of binge watching, we might come into 2020 with more insights in how to vote and about how politics is supposed to be. Many objections followed, the most common one being that we need Catholics to be more politically involved, not less. Though I emphasized the duty to vote and never suggested that a single Catholic give up political participation altogether, perhaps people reacted solely to the title of the blog rather than its substance. Lets investigate. Catholic justices are not new to the Supreme Court (currently holding five of the nine seats) but some of them over the years have become increasingly inebriated with the idea that Roe v. Wade is not only settled, but sacrosanct. On the level of jurisprudence alone, this is bizarre. After all, in its clear overreach of claiming law-making-powers reserved to Congress, the Roe decision treated the first three separation of power articles of the Constitution like a game of Three Card Monte. Even many lawyers who are in favor of legalized abortionincluding Justice Ruth Bader Ginsbergrecognize Roe as a terrible legal decision. With all of its Constitutional errors, not to mention its anachronistic references to fetal quickening, its insulting and misinformed reference to Saint Thomas Aquinas (which implied that Aquinas might morally allow abortion), and its complete disregard of then-existing ultrasound technology, you would think well-versed Catholic legal minds on the Supreme Court since 1973 would have overturned this national embarrassment. But rather than being overturned by Catholic justices, it is often defended by them by reason of stare decisis, a Latin term translated as Let the decision stand but in the case of Roe would be more accurately translated as We did something foolish and irresponsible yesterday, so today, well do something even more foolish and irresponsible. If Roe is going to be overturnedin effectit will take an act of Congress. There are plenty of Catholics in Congress; in fact, between the House and Senate, there are 163 Catholic lawmakers in this new Congress. We might begin by observing that the majority of Catholic senators and representatives belong to a party that is now officially pro-abortion. That leaves the Catholic Republicans, many of whom are also in favor of legalized abortion, irrespective of party stance. In fact, they often grandstand about their pro-abortion beliefs when given the chance. Senator Susan Collins, who identifies as Catholic, comes to mind. Most Americans were unfamiliar with Senator Collins until the waning moments of the Kavanaugh show trial when she appeared on a Friday afternoon to announce her intention to vote in favor of his nomination. Although most Americans likely turned the channel before the completion of her four-thousand-word address (which was three times longer than John F. Kennedys inaugural speech), she assured the remaining audience that her decision to vote in favor of Kavanaugh was largely contingent upon the assurance that he would not overturn Roe: There has also been considerable focus on the future of abortion rights based on the concern that Judge Kavanaugh would seek to overturn Roe v. Wade. Protecting this right is important to me. Regarding Republican Catholics being in favor of legalized abortion, one could provide hundredsif not thousandsof examples just like this one. The main problem is not that we lack Catholics in the public square; the problem is that many Catholic politicians vote in violation of dogmatic teachings and magisterial pronouncements of their own Church. Sadly, millions of Catholics vote in just the same fashion. Those who criticized my blog last week might say that not only do we need more knowledgeable and faithful Catholics involved in politics; ideally, we need all Catholics to be well-versed in their own faithand in how that faith applies to politics and citizenshipbefore they vote. If so, we agree. In fact, thats exactly the point I was making. We Catholics need to understand what the purpose of government actually iswhich is why I recommended reading Aristotles Politics. We need to understand the purpose of lawwhich is why I recommended reading Thomas Treatise on Law. We need to understand the rights and duties of Christian citizenshipwhich is why I recommended Tertullians Apology. We need to understand the meaning of terms like conservatism, common good, republic, liberty, state, rights, justice, and prudence. We need to understand why there is not only a duty to vote, but a moral duty to vote for the proper candidate. And, especially in times like these, we need the ability to explain transcendental truths to others without resorting to invective and name-calling. It is fair to say, however, that youre not likely to get answers to questions of politics vis--vis Catholicism on commercial-network political showswhether its FoxNews, MSNBC, or CNN. But if someone has a clip of Tomi Lahren or Sean Hannity clearly explaining Aquinas treatment of virtue, please send it along to me. Ill be sure to watch. | http://www.ncregister.com/blog/johnclark/should-catholics-be-more-involved-in-politics?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+NCRegisterDailyBlog+National+Catholic+Register |
How did Wisconsin's Annie Reardon do on 'The Bachelor' with Colton Underwood? | Annie Reardon holds her own in her meeting in with Colton Underwood on the season premiere of "The Bachelor." But she was sent home the second week. (Photo: Rick Rowell/ABC) Annie, we hardly knew ye. Annie Reardon, the Mequon native who competed for Colton Underwood's heart on "The Bachelor," was one of four contestants sent home Monday night, on just the second episode of the new season of the ABC reality-competition series. RELATED: 'The Bachelor' recap: Guest stars liven night of 'firsts'; four ladies sent home It wasn't a big surprise: Reardon, a financial associate in New York City, had posted as much on social media (scrubbing the post soon after) before the show's new season started Jan. 7. RELATED: 4 things to know about 'The Bachelor's' Wisconsin connection, Annie Reardon Reardon made her presence felt on the season's first episode, but wasn't much of a factor on Episode 2. Monday's show featured guest appearances by comic actors Nick Offerman, Megan Mullally and Billy Eichner, and focused much of its conversation on "first times" keying on the fact that Underwood, a former NFL player, is still a virgin. Nineteen women are still in the hunt for Underwood's affections. Read or Share this story: https://www.jsonline.com/story/entertainment/television-radio/2019/01/14/how-did-wisconsins-annie-reardon-do-colton-underwood-the-bachelor/2577671002/ | https://www.jsonline.com/story/entertainment/television-radio/2019/01/14/how-did-wisconsins-annie-reardon-do-colton-underwood-the-bachelor/2577671002/ |
Whose side is MahaRERA on? | national Regulatory body passes order asking unhappy flat buyers in Dadar development to not withdraw in bulk as it could jeopardise project for 520 others The complainants booked flats in the project in 2012-13. PIC FOR REPRESENTATION/Bombay Realty In an unusual order, the MahaRERA chief on January 9 set aside the plea of 13 flat buyers who want to withdraw their investments from Bombay Realty's Island City Centre project in Dadar, stating that a bulk withdrawal like this would jeopardise the completion of the project and impact 520 other flat buyers. The buyers are now contemplating approaching the tribunal. For the complainants, who booked flats in the project around 2012-13, several changes to the plan and reduced amenities proved to be the nail in the coffin. Speaking about the issues, one of the complainants said, "The issue with this ground-plus-65 storey tower, which is almost ready, is different from other flat buyers' contentions. In this case, the plan given to us was changed thrice. All the promises made at the time of booking the flat were not kept. For instance, we were promised a 300 sq ft balcony attached to our flat, and today, when the structure is ready, the balcony has been completely eliminated, and only a small window has been provided for ventilation. The shapes of the rooms are not the way they were assured either." The flat buyers allege that the developer of Island City Centre has changed the layout, floor building plans and reduced the promised amenities. PIC FOR REPRESENTATION/Bombay Realty Unwanted changes Dejected with these broken promises, the buyers approached MahaRERA, where further disappointment awaited them. "MahaRERA stated in its order that if we decide to still go ahead and withdraw from the project, the terms and condition stated in the letter of allotment [before the project was registered with MahaRERA] will be applicable, under which the developer/builder can forfeit a certain percentage of the payment we have already made. However, MahaRERA is not willing to consider the layout and design plans presented by the developer/builder to the flat purchasers before they registered the project with MahaRERA. This is nothing but favouring the developer by depriving the flat buyers," said the complainant. They added, "We had filed individual cases. But without giving us a fair chance to be heard, MahaRERA clubbed all the complaints into one and passed a single order, depriving us our right to come out of the project. We have decided to challenge the MahaRERA order in the tribunal." Gautam Chatterjee, MahaRERA chief, stated in the order According to advocate Ramesh Prabhu, who represented six of the 13 flat buyers, each of the flats cost anywhere between Rs 7.5 crore to Rs 10 crore. He said, "MahaRERA chairman [Gautam Chatterjee] is of the view that instead of withdrawing from any project, people should stay on it and ensure that it gets completed. Even in this case, the order is very clearly asking flat buyers to stick to the project and allow the completion of the construction. However, the flat buyers are aggrieved. Hence, they approached MahaRERA seeking justice, but this order is unfortunate, and has not given any justice to the flat buyers." Prabhu added, "Section 12 of RERA clearly states that if there are any discrepancies in the sample flat shown at the time of booking the flat and the final output, the flat buyer can withdraw from such a project. However, the MahaRERA chief's order completely contradicts section 12, as he is interested in getting the project completed, which the complainants are not keen on continuing with." "Also, in his order, MahaRERA chief directs complainants to adhere to terms and conditions cited in the letter of allotment, but ignores other assurances stated in the same letter. He refuses to accept all the plans submitted by the developer/builder prior to registering his project on the MahaRERA site, which in itself is a contradictory statement," pointed out Prabhu. The counsel for the respondent in the case, Bombay Dyeing and Manufacturing Company Limited, submitted that the development work of the registered project is at an advanced stage and they are committed to completing the project in accordance with the sanctioned plans and approval disclosed at the time of registering with MahaRERA, and as per the revised timeline given at the time of registration. MahaRERA says Stating its reasons, MahaRERA said in its order [mid-day has a copy], "Keeping in mind the larger interest of approximately 520 allottees of the project, allowing bulk withdrawal to so many complainants at this stage would mean jeopardising the completion of the project. Money for the refund will have to be taken out from a separate account, which is meant specifically for the completion of the project. This would eventually slow down the progress of the project work, especially when the project is nearing completion. Therefore, the provisions of Section 12 of the Act cannot be retrospectively applied to transactions that transpired before the Act came into force. Further, the complainants have failed to show that they have sustained any loss and damage by reason of an alleged incorrect, false statement made by the respondent and therefore, section 12 of the said Act is not applicable in the present case." Commenting on the issue, advocate Vinod Sampat said, "I am of the opinion that MahaRERA is trying to save the developers by ensuring that the completion of the project is more vital than injustice being caused to a few individual flat purchasers. No steps have been taken by MahaRERA to penalise the developer. It implies that a wrongful act done by the developer/builder prior to registering with MahaRERA registration can be overlooked, which will financially hurt flat buyers. In my view, that flat buyers must always approach consumer court, as one can get 24 per cent interest, which is not the case with MahaRERA." Catch up on all the latest Mumbai news, crime news, current affairs, and also a complete guide on Mumbai from food to things to do and events across the city here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates | https://www.mid-day.com/articles/whose-side-is-maharera-on/20248197 |
Why do we bother with stock market forecasts? | Forecasting: the attempt to predict the unknowable by measuring the irrelevant; this task employs most people on Wall Street. The words of Jason Zweig, author of the Devils Financial Dictionary, are particularly apt at this time of year. We hear a lot from financial forecasters every January, as strategists prognosticate on whats in store for markets for the year ahead, even though decades of research confirms the prediction game is a pretty fruitless one. As far back as 1933, US economist Albert Cowles concluded even the most successful market forecasters did little, if any, better than what might be expected to result from pure chance. Cowles conducted a larger follow-up study 11 years later; the results were no different. Since then, studies have investigated the accuracy of forecasts from market analysts, investment newsletter writers, financial journalists, and various other investment experts. Suffice to say, todays forecasters are no more accurate than their predecessors in the 1930s. The stock market is like a beauty contest where you make money not by selecting which face you think is the prettiest, but by guessing who others will think the prettiest This problem is not confined to the financial domain. Predictions expert Philip Tetlocks famous study of political forecasts over a 20-year period found the average expert is roughly as accurate as a dart-throwing chimpanzee. Countless studies in other fields have reached the same conclusion. Market beauty contest Market forecasts are particularly tricky. No one can see the future the world is inherently uncertain and surprising things will happen. Even if you know whats going to happen, however, you might not know how markets will respond. Last month, financial blogger Urban Carmel asked his Twitter followers to predict whether the Federal Reserve would raise interest rates in December and the market response to same. Twenty-three per cent said the Fed would hike and the S&P 500 would rally; 20 per cent said the Fed would hike but the S&P would drop; 34 per cent said the Fed would pause and the S&P 500 would rally; 23 per cent said the Fed would pause and the S&P would drop. In other words, not only did respondents not know what would happen, they had no idea how markets would respond. As economist John Maynard Keynes once observed, the stock market is like a beauty contest where you make money not by selecting which face you think is the prettiest, but by guessing who others will think the prettiest not an easy task. The same point is made by former Motley Fool columnist Morgan Housel, now a partner at the New York-based Collaborative Fund. The most important thing to know to accurately forecast future stock prices is what mood investors will be in in the future, writes Housel. You have to know that. Its the most important variable when predicating future stock returns. Market strategists would say there is a demand for price targets and the like and that they have little choice but to cater to this demand. As for those forecasters who make especially eye-catching predictions, they know inaccurate forecasts will quickly be forgotten, while the occasionally correct one can be milked for years. People are over-confident and overestimate their understanding of financial markets. In fact, we overestimate our understanding of all kinds of things Mathematician John Allen Paulos calls this the Jeane Dixon effect, named after the celebrity astrologer who became famous after apparently predicting president John F Kennedys death. Dixon, who advised Ronald and Nancy Reagan, also predicted that the third World War would begin in 1958, that a cure for cancer would be found in 1967, and that there would be world peace in 2000, but those forecasts were overshadowed by her prediction of a presidential assassination. Seer-sucker theory This propensity to remember successful forecasts and discount failures points to our symbiotic relationship with forecasters, writes Forewarned author Paul Goodwin, a University of Bath academic and fellow of the International Institute of Forecasters. We feel uncertainty like a pain, says Goodwin, who points to research showing belief in experts forecasts can persist even when the forecasts being offered are manifestly useless. Goodwin points to what marketing professor Scott Armstrong dubs the seer-sucker theory. If things go wrong, says Armstrong, you can avoid responsibility and blame the forecaster. As a result, no matter how much evidence exists that seers do not exist, suckers will pay for the existence of seers. This same theory was advanced by Albert Cowles. Asked in later life why his research went largely ignored, he replied: Even if I did my negative surveys every five years, or others continued them when Im gone, it wouldnt matter. People are still going to subscribe to these services. They want to believe that somebody really knows. A world in which nobody really knows can be frightening. Theres another explanation as to why forecasters keep forecasting people are over-confident and overestimate their understanding of financial markets. In fact, we overestimate our understanding of all kinds of things. In an influential 2002 study conducted by psychologists Leonid Rozenblit and Frank Keil, people were asked to rate their understanding of the workings of mundane things such as a toilet, a zip, a refrigerator and so on. Almost everyone believed they had a good understanding. However, when asked to explain how they worked, people tended to fail miserably. Successful forecasters think in terms of probabilities, not certainties. They focus what they dont know as much as what they do know People think they understand things with far greater precision, coherence, and depth than they really do, noted Rozenblit and Keil, who describe this tendency as an illusion of explanatory depth. Similar research by University of Liverpool psychologist Rebecca Lawson found people made frequent mistakes when asked to draw a bicycle, such as believing the chain went around the front wheel as well as the back wheel. Contrary to what people thought, many had virtually no knowledge of how bicycles function. We think we know how things work toilets, fridges, bicycles, economies, stock markets but our understanding is not nearly as comprehensive as we imagine. Bright side There is a bright side, however. Research shows people discover the value of humility after becoming aware of their limited understanding and tend to adopt more moderate, open-minded positions. Similarly, new research by Philip Tetlock shows there is a good side to forecasting. People often express political opinions in starkly dichotomous terms, such as Trump will either trigger a ruinous trade war or save US factory workers from disaster, writes Tetlock. Earlier research by him showed successful forecasting is possible, and that a small minority of super-forecasters prosper by taking a scientific, probabilistic approach. In Tetlocks new paper, ordinary participants took part in a multi-month forecasting tournament where they were asked to translate their beliefs into probability judgments and track their accuracy over time. By the end, the forecasting tournament had induced an epistemic humility; polarisation declined and people became more moderate in their views. Successful forecasters think in terms of probabilities, not certainties. They focus what they dont know as much as what they do know. They update or change their forecasts rather than becoming wedded to them. Doing otherwise is dangerous. As decision scientist Baruch Fischoff once cautioned: When both forecaster and client exaggerate the quality of forecasts, the client will often win the race to the poorhouse. | https://www.irishtimes.com/business/personal-finance/why-do-we-bother-with-stock-market-forecasts-1.3747774?localLinksEnabled=false |
Which three Rocky businesses have amalgamated? | This new collaborative business can be found on the corner of Musgrave and Charles Sts in North Rockhampton. This new collaborative business can be found on the corner of Musgrave and Charles Sts in North Rockhampton. In a unique spin on business collaborations, three Central Queensland brands have merged in an effort to give customers a memorable experience. Artisan Gluten Free Bakery (North Rockhampton), AdventureTec (formerly RE-LED) and Off the Grid 4x4 Accessories celebrated their grand opening on Monday at their new joint store located on the corner of Musgrave and Charles Sts. Dan Watson from AdventureTec touched on how their bright business idea came about. He said he'd been jokingly passing off the idea with the girls from the Artisan Gluten Free Bakery (Simone Lawrie and Keely Roberts) about opening a joint store for about 18 months before it came into fruition. "AdventureTec was approached by Off the Grid 4x4 Accessories jointly with Steve Grant From IHelp Business Coaching about a shop opportunity and asked if we would be interested in opening a joint shop, Mr Watson said. This venture "would help reduce everyday running costs by sharing operating costs and opening the businesses up to new clientele. Mr Watson said there was a real benefit in the three businesses combining to work together "in what can sometimes be called a very tough economic time. "Our vision for the future is to not only promote small business in the Rockhampton region but provide a unique opportunity for people to grab a bite to eat while getting their car worked on, take a bike or a scooter for a ride to Kershaw Gardens and be able to show other newer businesses, Mr Watson said. Check out the services these businesses provide at the corner of Musgrave and Charles Sts, North Rockhampton. | https://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/news/which-three-rocky-businesses-have-amalgamated/3622948/ |
Will 2019 Bring Gun Reform in Congress? | Supporters say stronger background checks are needed to keep weapons out of the hands of dangerous individuals. (Brett Hondow/Pixabay) COLUMBUS, Ohio Ohioans in favor of stronger gun laws are optimistic the new Congress will move swiftly to pass new universal background-check legislation. HR 8 and S. 42 were introduced last week and would expand federal background checks to all gun sales, including private sales. As founder of the Ohio Coalition Against Gun Violence, Toby Hoover contends the measures are long overdue. "All these secondary sales are perfectly legal right now, she points out. You know, I could go ahead and sell you a gun on a street corner right now and I don't have to do any kind of checks. I think the will is there and the country is ready to do something to make this carnage stop." Opponents argue that both bills go too far, and essentially make it a crime to hand a firearm to another person. While supporters say background checks will keep lethal weapons out of the hands of dangerous people, opponents counter that research is inconclusive on the effectiveness of background checks. Also last week, more than two dozen senators co-sponsored the Assault Weapons Ban of 2019, (S. 66), which would ban the sale of military-style assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines. Hoover says the measure would expand upon a past assault-weapons ban that was in effect for 10 years but not renewed. "They didn't really let it go into law as it should have been to start with, she stresses. And when we see people using these kind of weapons to mow down children in classrooms, I think it's time we all step back and say, 'Some of these things have to be controlled.'" At the state level, Hoover says gun-control groups are keeping an eye out for new Stand Your Ground legislation that would remove the legal requirement to retreat before using deadly force. The measure was removed from a bill late last year, but there are concerns it could appear again at the Statehouse. Reporting by Ohio News Connection in association with Media in the Public Interest and funded in part by The George Gund Foundation. Mary Kuhlman, Public News Service - OH | https://www.publicnewsservice.org/2019-01-14/gun-violence-prevention/will-2019-bring-gun-reform-in-congress/a65221-1 |
Did Kanye Donate $10 Million to Get Back at Drake? | In 1970, American artist James Turrell began a decades long project to turn a crater in the Arizona desert into a center for experiencing and contemplating light. An ambitious masterwork for an artist who's body of work has become a testament to many visually entrancing and disorienting effect light have on a given space, the Roden Crater project is part immersive art installation and part celestial observatory located far from any possible manmade light pollution. Given the massive scale of the project and its remote location, the Roden Crater has been largely overlooked in Turrell's body of work until now. After having recently profiled the project, the Wall Street Journal reported today that Kanye West has donated $10 million to the Turrell Art Foundation to further fund the Roden Crater. West had described the site as "life changing" after visiting in December and explained his motivation for the donation as wanting it to be "experienced and enjoyed for eternity." And while we have come to expect weird spontaneous left-field moves from West as the norm, a multi-million dollar art grant still manages to raise a few eyebrows. Skeptical of West's seemingly altruistic patronage, many were quick to point out that the move may actually be part of the rapper's ongoing feud with Drake. Drake cited Turrell as an inspiration for the "Hotline Bling" music video, a statement which actually forced Turrell to make a clarifying statement that he wasn't involved in the creation of the video in any way. While it is unlikely that anyone would come outright and say that this is a way West is using to get back at Drake, the weird millionaire mind games of making a big donation to your enemy's favorite artist just so you can hold over their head that they Turrell said he was "thrilled" by the development sounds exactly like the kind of shit Kanye would pull. Photo via Getty | http://www.papermag.com/kanye-turrell-roden-crater-2626017057.html |
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.