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What does Sven Mislintat's Arsenal exit mean for Denis Suarez transfer deal? | (Pic: GETTY) Arsenal have been chasing the Spanish midfielder for weeks but havent yet got a deal done. Suarez is wanted on board to boost the clubs chances of finishing in the top-four this season. The Gunners have fallen off the pace in the their race for a Champions League spot and now lie six points off Chelsea, who are fourth. Manchester Uniteds improved form under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has also piled the pressure on Unai Emery. While Arsenal are not in top form on the pitch, theres rumblings behind the scenes too. The BBC report Gunners head of recruitment Mislintat is said to be ready to quit after growing frustrated at his lack of influence behind the scenes. Hes also said to be unhappy at Arsenal not having cash to spend in the transfer market this month. But Mislintats departure is unlikely to call a halt to their deal for Suarez. Arsenal boss Unai Emery is a big fan of Denis Suarez (Pic: GETTY) The interest in the player was being led by Emery and head of football Raul Sanllehi - who used to work for Barcelona. Mislintat though was more interested in other targets, meaning any swoop for Suarez is likely to still be persued. Arsenal will need to take the player on loan this month, with no money available for permanent transfers. They could agree a deal with the Nou Camp club which sees them take him until the summer on a temporary basis, but with the option of a permanent deal. | https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/753813/Arsenal-transfer-news-Sven-Mislintat-Denis-Suarez-Barcelona-deal-latet |
Where is the MBA headed to in 2019? | Business school predictions for the last two years have already sung paeans to emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, Internet of Things and virtual reality in modern classrooms and the disruptions they bring to education. 2019 has already recognized those trends and given them their due pedestal. What is new in 2019 is that there is renewed focus on the MBA degrees relevance to society and whether it has become out of sync with current industry practices. Pursuing an MBA requires considerable personal and financial commitment. A recent employer survey in the US reveals that employers search for five key skills in their target managerial personnel ability to work with a variety of different people, ability to build, sustain and expand networks of people, ability to solve complex problems, ability to understand the impact of digitalization on business and the ability to prioritize and deliver time-bound results. As can be seen, these are typical soft skills which rarely form part of business curricula and are difficult to teach in classroom environments or even simulations. Some of the expectations around an MBA are patently unreasonable. For example, a number of students have been led to believe that an MBA is a golden ticket to a high-paying job, which it isnt. The fact remains that your career will depend on the body of work you are able to present to a prospective employer. Employers are looking to hire people with not only the relevant skills and competencies when they hire an MBA but also one who has demonstrated success in management through relevant experience. And only a handful of business schools will give you realworld laboratories to practice and hone skills ancillary to your core competencies. Given below are the top trends that MBA programs will be looking to deliver in 2019. New disciplines to take centerstage Entrepreneurship, analytics and design-thinking are predicted to be the 3 top areas in which demand will increase manifold this year. Digital media and luxury management are other emerging areas where specialization is a key requirement for entry. As per naukrihub.com, a quality control managers salary ranges between Rs. 549,320 to Rs. 877,720. A pharmaproduct manager earns from Rs. 447,620 to Rs. 1,051,550 and that for a business analyst, between Rs. 502,830 to Rs. 945,630. Business schools will be more responsive to society Social upheavals in todays environment continue to question established institutions and their relevance to social realities. Business leaders too, being an inherent part of the community, will be pressed to become more responsive and responsible to needs such as environmental regulation, CSR and other collaborations. Industries ranging from pharmaceuticals and energy to FMCG and fashion, all are being pressed to prove their involvement and contribution to the society at large. Adequate training and preparation will be called for those roles. Increasing relevance through collaborations In addition to continued Globalisation on one side with ease of mobility and inter-connectedness of joint academic and student exchanges worldwide, while on the other side,some countries have started to look inwards towards nationalisation. This has led to changing trading relations, resulting in redesigning operations and strategies for many businesses. MBA programmes, therefore, will be required to respond to such needs, where understanding the governments and the industry will be imperative. Despite the presence of technologies such as AI and Digital Twinning, personal interactions will continue to trump digital interactions as the things that make a business relationship sustainable are still developed over lunch or face-to-face cues. Negotiations and transactions will have the best chance of success over technically enhanced face-to-face interactions. Embedding tech in the classroom Apart from these new trends, classrooms are already being supplemented by digital lectures, notes, AI-enhanced assessments that personalize the learning pace according to the comprehension capacities of individual students, VR-powered simulations model what would happen if decisions were to be implemented. Automation, Robotisation and Blockchain skills are invaluable to the evolution of Industry 4.0 and those possessing such skills will be at a distinct advantage. The MBA degree has not lost relevance despite its being overused and non-uniform standard of education in India. The skills and capabilities the MBA offers to society and business are still generating great impact and will continue to do so in the coming future. (The author is PRO VC, JK Lakshmipat University, Jaipur) First Published: Jan 16, 2019 14:56 IST | https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/where-is-the-mba-headed-to-in-2019/story-PPyA1qrFW9E0xNh8TDe1ZO.html |
Will Apple skimp on the iWatch's sapphire to save it for the iPhone 6? | TechRadar's unofficial vision of the iPhone 6 does indeed have a gorgeous display It makes a lot of sense for the rumored iWatch to launch with a sapphire display, considering how interested Apple is in the tech. But according to a new report, Apple is saving all its sapphire for the bigger variation of its upcoming iPhone 6. Or so says Taiwanese site Economic Daily, which claims to have spoken with "supply chain sources." According to these sources, there's not as much sapphire available for display tech as Apple may have hoped, and the company will use it all on a limited initial batch of 5.5-inch iPhones this September. Sweet, sweet sapphire All previous iWatch rumors pointed to a 2014 release date, and in April a report said the iWatch will launch alongside the new iPhone in the fall. That might still come to pass, but the iWatch may be stuck with an OLED display as a result. While the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 might only be available in limited quantities, these sources also said that a 4.7-inch iPhone 6 launching with Gorilla Glass will be Apple's main seller. The iWatch has long been expected, but according to this report, it's been delayed repeatedly because it failed to meet internal expectations - Apple wants the smartwatch to use practically no power when in standby mode, apparently no easy feat. In any case these sources claim the iWatch will ship in a batch of 10 million initially and retail for $349 (about 205, AU$375). Meanwhile check out these iPhone 6 leaked photos that came to our attention earlier today. Via G for Games | https://www.techradar.com/au/news/portable-devices/other-devices/will-apple-skimp-on-iwatch-sapphire-to-save-it-for-the-iphone-6-1253749 |
How did our MPs vote in historic Brexit deal defeat? | MPs Stephen McPartland, Nadine Dorries, Bim Afolami, Alistair Burt and Sir Oliver Heald. Share Email this article to a friend To send a link to this page you must be logged in. The deal which set out the terms of how the UK would leave the EU on March 29 was rejected by 230 votes the largest defeat for a sitting government in history. There were 432 votes against the PMs deal, and one of those was from Stevenages MP Stephen McPartland. In a post on his website back in December, Mr McPartland outlined why he would vote against such a deal, saying: I cannot support the withdrawal agreement in its current form. There is much to dislike, but I accept the need for compromise in any negotiation. However, I cannot compromise on an indefinite backstop that prevents us from ever leaving the European Union and delivering on the result of the referendum. Mid-Bedfordshire MP Nadine Dorries also rebelled against her own Conservative government, voting down Mrs Mays withdrawal agreement. The withdrawal agreement as it stands leaves us subject to Brussels laws but with no voice and no say in making them, said Ms Dorries on her website. That is the worst of all possible worlds. My fear is that we will end up locked into alignment with the EU, at the mercy of 27 member states whose interests clash with our own. Hitchin and Harpenden MP Bim Afolami was one of 202 who voted in support of the deal, and has expressed his disappointment in the result. He told the Comet: I am disappointed that the Prime Ministers deal has been voted down. However we now have to address the reality that in only 72 days we will crash out of the EU without a deal. No deal would mean massive disruption for the City of London, immediate limitations on our trade capabilities and most importantly would threaten the integrity of our United Kingdom. I will now be working hard with colleagues across political parties to come to a balanced solution that will protect business, provide certainty and deliver on the result of the referendum. North East Beds MP Alistair Burt also voted in favour of the PMs deal, as did North East Hertfordshire MP Sir Oliver Heald. Following the vote, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn tabled a motion of no confidence in the government which will be debated for about six hours from 1pm, with a vote expected at 7pm. Mr McPartland has tweeted to say he has full confidence in the government and will support it in the no-confidence motion, which isnt expected to be successful in forcing a General Election. | https://www.thecomet.net/news/how-did-our-mps-vote-in-historic-brexit-deal-defeat-1-5853512 |
Does latest firmware unbrick dead iPhones? | The iPhone's firmware is completely wiped and completely overwritten by 1.1.3 it seems After all the kafuffle about iPhones getting bricked by previous firmware updates, it appears the latest update may be somewhat different. Apple's 1.1.3 firmware would appear to be a hugely expansive rewrite of some of the fundamental elements of the firmware. So if you bricked your iPhone by installing dodgy code, it'll be completely overwritten by 1.1.3. The folks at Gizmodo have posted a video of their bricked phone before and after the update. The change was not without issue though, and seems to have involved some trial and error. Initially the phone still didn't show any signal as it said the phone did not contain the authorised SIM. After a restart though, they got the phone working, as this video shows. In September we reported on the danger posed to unlocked iPhones by firmware update 1.1.1, which added access to the Wi-Fi iTunes Music Store and several other features. Danger of 'unauthorised modification' The firmware appeared to restore the unlocked iPhone back to its pre-activation state "If you have modified your iPhone's software, applying this software update may result in your iPhone becoming permanently inoperable," Apple re-warned customers in the release notes accompanying the software download. "Making unauthorised modifications to the software on your iPhone violates the iPhone software license agreement, and the inability to use your iPhone due to unauthorised software modifications is not covered under your iPhone's warranty." | https://www.techradar.com/uk/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/does-latest-firmware-unbrick-dead-iphones-201174 |
Is Social Media Damaging Young Minds? | That is the question hotly debated by more traditional, older media. Scientists are increasingly concerned about the effect on children of spending long periods of time online not least because they know so little about it. It is a key issue in the Gulf region, which is one of the worlds most highly digitized markets, with children in Saudi Arabia, for example, spending more time online than most. There is very limited research on very young children, by which I mean between 18 months and three years old, said Dr. Rachel Andrew, a clinical psychologist in north-west England who specializes in family psychology. It is very early to say whether the brain is affected and so there is no clear advice on the amount of screen time that correlates across differences in emotional health. A study by Norton, involving nearly 7,000 people with children aged between five and 16 across the Middle East and Europe, found that children in Saudi Arabia spend an average of two hours, 42 minutes connected to mobile devices the third highest duration of the 10 countries surveyed, and above the average of two hours, 35 minutes. More than half the parents questioned in both Saudi Arabia and the UAE said that time spent on mobile phones affected their childs quality of sleep. About three-quarters of respondents in both markets said they were concerned about the risk of online bullying. The UAE has some of the youngest digi-addicts in the world. The average age at which an Emirati child receives his or her first tablet is just seven. And this is despite many parents feeling there should be no phones allowed until the child is at least 10. When it comes to who spends most time on digital devices, children in the UAE rank fifth in the world, according to the Norton study. They were also concerned about the impact of devices such as mobile phones, tablets and the like on their childs social skills, mental health and physical fitness. A smaller poll of 1,000 parents taken in late 2018 showed that nearly half 44 percent supported banning smartphones for the under-16s. And it seems they are right to be worried. A study by the American Academy of Pediatrics shows that as little as two hours a day of screen time can be detrimental. Children who spend longer tend to achieve lower scores in thinking and language skills tests. Michael Duke has definitely noticed differences in his 35 years as an educational psychologist. However you shake it out, kids are spending too long online, he said. School staff tell me its difficult to get certain children to concentrate or pay attention to a task. They can spend two or three hours playing a game online but its tough to get them to look at a book. Games are designed to draw kids in. Theres an addictive element to them and kids will spend four or five hours a night to get to the next level. Baroness Professor Susan Greenfield, one of the worlds most eminent neuroscientists, goes even further. She was among the first in 2014 to voice concern about the potential damage to children of too much online activity, claiming that it was re-wiring young brains, driving young people to become more narcissistic and to seek constant and instant stimulation, while at the same time becoming more prone to low self-esteem and depression as they engage in less in face-to-face interaction. They are no longer able to go into their own mind, think laterally and have their own thoughts, she told the Daily Telegraph. She also believes social media and online games are not only preventing development in children, but also causing adults to regress and become infantilized, with the mental maturity of toddlers. What I predict is that people are going to be like three-year-olds: Emotional, risk-taking, poor social skills, weak self-identity and short attention spans, she said.Greenfield wants social media and gaming companies to be forced to do more to protect children. On Thursday, Baroness Beeban Kidron like Greenfield, a member of the upper house of the UK Parliament will call for official recognition of the relationship between the use of digital technology and the health and wellbeing of children and young people. In the UAE, the poll of 1,000 parents taken in late 2018 showed that 92 percent said social media and the Internet had a negative effect on their childrens mental health. Dr. Rasha Bassim of the Priory Wellbeing Center in Dubai has previously told the media that addiction to smartphones and the Internet can cause the brain chemistry in young people become imbalanced leading to irritabiity, more emotional distress, broken sleep, patterns, isolation and high levels of anxiety and depression. Yet those same concerned parents are often the worst culprits in feeding their childs Internet addiction. They give in to pester power and set a bad example. More than half of parents in the UAE admit their own children reprimand them for being glued to their phones. Certainly, mental health professionals agree that even if our digital addiction cannot be reversed, it can and must be managed. Dr. Bernadka Dubicka, chair of the child and adolescent faculty at the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said, Smartphones and new technology are here to stay and there are also many benefits to them. However, as we become increasingly aware of the potential negative impact on our children, as a society we all need to take responsibility to help our children to use screen time in a positive way. Its the responsibility of parents, educators, governments and technology providers to work together to minimize the potential harmful effects. My feeling would be that its less about all screen time is bad and more about parental control, said Dr. Rachel Andrew. I hear a lot about phones at mealtimes or on holiday and the struggle to get them turned off at night. Parents have been forewarned: Be clear to set the ground rules. Theres no prescriptive panacea, said Michael Duke. If a child is on their phone two or three hours a night, its the role of a parent or carer to make sensible decisions while that child is under your roof. The message is: Tough love must be applied. This article has been adapted from its original source. | https://www.albawaba.com/editorchoice/social-media-damaging-young-minds-1239550 |
What Do We Call it When Minorities Berate Their Own? | I typically like having a Muslim taxi driver. We offer our salaams, exchange pleasantries about our families, speak of our love for the Prophet Muhammad and complain about Islamophobia and Donald Trump. But every once in a while, the conversation goes sideways. Do you believe in your religion? Akbar asked me as we headed out from the Phoenix airport to Scottsdale. Of course, I love my faith, I said. What I am asking, he said in broken English with a strong East African accent, is are you really a Muslim? How do you mean? I asked, even though I had a pretty good idea where this was all going. Do you do dawa (preach Islam for the purpose of conversion)? Well, I said, I dont think were the same kind of Muslim. You see, Im an Ismaili. Were a small Shia community thats a little like a Sufi Tariqa. We have a Mawla (spiritual master) named the Aga Khan who guides our religious practice. We pray three times a day, but if thats not possible because of work or other duties, we are guided to remember God with our prayer beads. ), but he cut me off. There is no Shia. There is no Sufi. There is no Ismaili. There is Islam. There is this, he said, and held up the Quran that he kept next to him in the passenger seat. Do you read this in Arabic? I said I did not. Then listen to me, he said sternly He repeated his lines about prayer, fasting, charity, preaching. Youre good at this, I said. Sounds like youve practiced it. He seemed pleased that Id noticed. Muslims have to correct each other. I need to bring you, my brother, back to the straight path. This was his way of being helpful. How can a religion of 1.6 billion people that is 1400 years old and spread across over 100 countries be expected to have uniform interpretation and practice? I asked. Islam is one. You are either Muslim or you are not. And so it went for the entire forty minute drive. Let me be clear: my driver was perfectly polite. I never felt threatened or anything close. But he viewed my religious identity as wrong, and he was not shy about telling me. Lets do a little thought experiment: If this was a rich white guy telling me that the only way to be American was believe in Jesus, say Merry Christmas, support Trump and tattoo a flag on my arm Id know what to call it: racism, oppression, colonialism, white supremacy, etc., etc. Interesting to note: this guy was, by the standard measures, in a less powerful social position than me. Im upper middle class, he was (probably) lower middle class. Im a highly educated creative type in the knowledge economy, he drives a cab. Im a second generation South Asian who speaks the kind of English you hear from a white television anchor, hes a recently resettled refugee from Somalia with broken English and an accent. Hes got no power in the way we normally talk about power. He cant give me a job or get me fired from one. He cant tell the police to be suspicious of me. But in his particular orthodoxy and with his distinctive knowledge base (reading the Quran in Arabic), he can draw a circle around an identity in a way that draws me out. He can make me feel bad about my particular interpretation and practice of Islam (if I let him, which I might well have at an earlier stage of my development). His antipathy can spread beyond the personal to the social. He can make his mosque an uncomfortable place for me. He can write a letter to a Muslim publication denouncing Shias, Sufis and Ismailis. (Lets be real, its not like these things never happen). If he could get me fired or get the police to surveil me, we diversity progressives would have language for it structural power. My purpose here is not principally to explain diversity and divisions within the Muslim community. I think every ethnic and religious minority community has dynamics like the ones I describe above. A good deal of 20th century literature about ethnic and religious minorities (Chaim Potok, James Baldwin, Amy Tan) includes themes about how minorities negotiate orthodoxy and heterodoxy within their own communities. The people who get to decide may hold no power in the white world, but they can make you feel very small within your own identity community, and they can shut you out from its comforts and alliances in a way that is excruciatingly painful. It sometimes feels like the vast majority of Trump-era progressive diversity discourse misses this dimension, focusing only on how straight wealthy white Republican men beat up on women, people of color, LGBT folks, immigrants and Muslims (all of whom, by implication, agree on everything important and always lift each other up). It seems to me that this paradigm misses vast quantities of human experience. | https://www.insidehighered.com/blogs/conversations-diversity/what-do-we-call-it-when-minorities-berate-their-own |
What time is the No Confidence vote and what will it mean? | Get Daily updates directly to your inbox Subscribe Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Could not subscribe, try again later Invalid Email Jeremy Corbyn has tabled a motion of no confidence in the Government in an attempt to force a general election. It is the first time the procedure has been used under the provisions of the Fixed Term Parliaments Act passed by the coalition government under David Cameron. Mr Corbyn will move the motion tabled in his name as Leader of the Opposition and will speak first in the debate scheduled for Wednesday afternoon. The Prime Minister will then speak for the Government and at the end of proceedings at 7pm MPs will vote. If the Government wins there will not be a general election and ministers will carry on in office. If the Government loses, the Act states there must be an "early" election unless the Government can regain the confidence of the House by winning a confidence vote within 14 days. During that two-week period there is no statutory limit on how many times a confidence motion can be brought forward and voted on. Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now In the course of that period the opposition may seek to form alliances within the Commons to demonstrate they are the party most likely to command the confidence of the House and therefore should be given the opportunity to form a government. | https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/what-time-no-confidence-vote-2434098 |
What have the Greeks ever done for us? | As Robin Waterfield relates in detail in Creators, Conquerors, and Citizens, the ancient Greeks gave us a basis for philosophy, art and architecture, sport as a noble pursuit, and our democratic system of government. But there are also major differences, such as who benefits from democracy. Although Waterfield begins with life on the land, as most Greeks were farmers, he emphasises that a sense of Greekness came not from the land but from a shared culture. Greece as the country we know it today came into existence only in the nineteenth century. Ancient Greece was dominated by city states that were only loosely aligned and were happy to fight each other but were also happy to unite against common enemies. (Readers might tire in this account of all the armies marching back and forth.) From the eighth century BC, these city states diverged from the monarchism of their Near Eastern counterparts, and democracy flowered. Greek democracy was more democratic in one sense than our own, as it involved full participation in decision making (a radical but also inefficient innovation), though of course it involved the exclusion of women and slaves (and children). Greek society remained hierarchical, and only the rich elite could afford the time to be involved in running for government, even if they still needed, through the democratic system, the support of the poor. These rich elites cultivated a distinct culture of art and poetry, quite different to Jewish and later Christian culture, with liberal attitudes to nudity and sex. The artistic culture so celebrated by the Renaissance was not entirely a Greek invention though, borrowing at times from the Near East. Later, Greek aggression and trade would spread Greek culture across the region. The Greek alphabet helped the spread of literacy. Alexander the Great was particularly spectacular at spreading Greek culture. But it worked both ways. Greek expatriates would bring non-Greek gods back into the Greek pantheon, creating the vast polytheism Saint Paul addressed when evangelising the Greeks. By Pauls time, Greek religion had become more personal and individual. Previously, Greek religion was not what we understand as religion and was largely a matter of public ritual. It related to the state of the nation, not the soul. Within the Greek understanding of community, failure to do right by the gods was a crime against the state. By Pauls time the Greeks had also made spectacular discoveries. Philosophy included mathematics and science, what the Greeks thought of as understanding the world, but it also included ethics. There were rival schools of Cynicism, Stoicism, Epicureanism and Scepticism, all somewhat more positive than our modern caricatures of them, and more practically focused than the earlier Platonic philosophy. Additionally, these schools argued for the well-rounded person, giving us a fairly modern concept of the individual. The leaders of these schools emphasised virtue ethics over arguing about particular ethical issues or following rules. These leaders exemplified this outlook, intuitively making good decisions because they had worked hard to cultivate an overall positive orientation. In his book Jesus as Philosopher, Runar Thorsteinsson argues that Athens does have something to do with Jerusalem in that we can see that these Greek (and Roman) moral sages influenced the Gospel writers portrayals of Jesus. Although their theology was Jewish, these writers wrote in Greek and knew Greek culture (because of the spread of Greek culture through Alexanders conquests centuries before), including the philosophical schools. The Gospel writers portrayed Jesus in this tradition, and, indeed, although Jesus is compared to Abraham, Moses and David, in the Gospels he acts at times quite differently, in particular in his understanding of messiahship. Like Socrates, Jesus is accessible to commoners and dies unjustly. Although Matthew portrays a Jesus who displays his emotions, Lukes Jesus is calm under pressure, a virtue praised by the Greeks and exemplified by Socrates. Jesus has moral authority and, like the Cynics, is uninterested in material wealth. He traps the leaders of the day with his wisdom, exposing their self-interested motivations. We can find in Greco-Roman philosophy parallels to Jesus sayings, particularly in Matthews rendering of the Sermon on the Mount. For one, according to Thorsteinsson, they are partly responsible for our picture of Jesus. Nick Mattiske | https://www.insights.uca.org.au/reviews/what-have-the-greeks-ever-done-for-us |
What happens to the rest of the Tappan Zee Bridge and its successor? | CLOSE The eastern section of the Tappan Zee Bridge center span crashes into the Hudson River after explosives are detonated on its supports Jan. 15, 2019. Here are four bridge-related developments to watch for in the coming months. 1. It will be captured by steel chains that were laid on the riverbed ahead of the explosion and, in the months to come, marine salvage experts will load it onto barges and haul it away. Several large fuel tanks that were on the old bridge were removed before the demolition. Any fuel that remains will be captured by remediation specialists trained to prevent fuel from leaking into the river, according to the environmental group Riverkeeper. Buy Photo Explosives brought down the eastern portion of the Tappan Zee Bridge Jan. 15, 2019 as seen from Tarrytown. (Photo: Tania Savayan/The Journal News) 2. Spectators who gathered in Piermont Tuesday morning stuck around after the explosion to await the takedown of the west anchor span. They were disappointed. Contractors will stick to the original script for taking down the old bridge and pick apart the remains of the bridge piece by piece with the assistance of massive waterborne cranes. That work is expected to take place later this year but a precise date hasnt been set. 3. When will the shared-use bicycle and pedestrian path open on the Gov. Good question. Also sometime this year, according to state officials. When this scenic path opens next year, residents and visitors will have unprecedented views of the enduring beauty of the lower Hudson River Valley, along with more ways to cross the majestic river," Gov. Andrew Cuomo said last October. The 12-foot path will include a lane each for pedestrians and cyclists and six overlooks. Still to be decided is whether the path will remain open 24 hours a day or shut down overnight. Bicycle advocates want it open 24/7. Residents of South Nyack prefer that it close at night. 4. Another good question. Tolls on the new bridge currently $5; $4.75 with E-ZPass have been frozen until at least 2020. State officials have not said how high tolls will need to go to pay for the $3.9 billion bridge, but they will be going up. On Tuesday, Cuomo weighed in from Albany after watching the explosion of the old bridge in the state Capitol. "Were going to have a commission that is going to look at the tolls, and I dont believe the toll on this bridge, per se, is going to be a challenge," Cuomo told reporters. Transportation analysts say the bridge toll could go as high as $11, which would still be cheaper than the $12.50 toll on the George Washington Bridge ($10.50 with E-ZPass). Buy Photo The remaining structure of the Tappan Zee Bridge photographed from Upper Grandview on Tuesday, December 4, 2018. (Photo: John Meore/The Journal News) I think the greater challenge is what were going to talk about later on: Tolls in the metropolitan area and what is your rationale, logical toll scheme, not just for individual crossings, but for the entire region," Cuomo continued. "Because it has to work as a region." If not for some $2 billion the state recouped from bank settlements that was diverted to the state Thruway Authority, future tolls would likely be even higher, analysts say. The last toll hike for the authority, which operates the Cuomo Bridge, was in 2010, a year before Cuomo took office. They went up 5 percent. Cuomo talks whats next after Tappan Zee demolition DEMOLITION: Tappan Zee Bridge comes down in a flash; video REFLECTION: Tappan Zee crossing that always welcomed us home Read or Share this story: https://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/tappan-zee-bridge/2019/01/16/mario-cuomo-bridge-2019/2582797002/ | https://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/tappan-zee-bridge/2019/01/16/mario-cuomo-bridge-2019/2582797002/ |
What is a vote of no confidence and how does it work? | Theresa May is the subject of another vote of no confidence (Picture: PA Getty) After a historic loss in parliament on Tuesday 15 January regarding her Brexit deal, Theresa May has to face yet another vote of confidence. First the House of Lords opposed the deal on Monday 14 January, after which point they strongly urged the MPs to do the same. Now, with a 230 majority, 118 of which were her fellow Tories, Mays Brexit plan has utterly failed. This is the largest defeat that any sitting government in the UK has ever had. The PM must now fight to keep her title, as she faces a vote of no confidence set in motion this time by the Labour party. Advertisement Advertisement A vote of no confidence decides whether or not a political leader, or in this case party, still has the support of their government. MPs will be voting on a motion stating That this House has no confidence in Her Majestys Government. The motion was filed in Parliament yesterday, and it will go to a Commons vote at 7pm today. This could force an early general election if it passes with the support of more than 50% of MPs. This isnt Theresa Mays first no confidence rodeo. Just last month, she faced a similar vote, but this time from her fellow Tories. Because she won that vote, by law she is safe from her own party for another year. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn was the one who tabled this latest no confidence motion because Theresa Mays catastrophic Brexit loss signals an absolutely decisive verdict by MPs on the Prime Ministers handling of the situation. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video But that does not necessarily mean that this is the end for Theresa May as PM. Advertisement Advertisement A DUP spokesman has said that their party will support the Prime Minister in this no confidence motion. Pound jumps up after Theresa May's Brexit defeat Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Theresa May told Metro.co.uk that The PM still wants to deliver the Brexit people voted for. They did not vote for a no deal Brexit but leaving in an orderly fashion. She will be holding meetings with senior parliamentarians from different parties over the coming days. This will not include Jeremy Corbyn. The vote of no confidence will happen today, Wednesday 16 January at 7pm. | https://metro.co.uk/2019/01/16/what-is-a-vote-of-no-confidence-and-how-does-it-work-8350030/ |
What Happens if Ruth Bader Ginsburg Remains Too Sick to Work? | In the past two months, Ruth Bader Ginsburg has fractured three ribs and had two cancerous nodules removed from her left lung. She was absent from oral argument last week and will miss this weeks arguments as well. Doctors say they expect her to be back on the bench in February, and until then she will review transcripts from her home and participate in the courts decision-making remotely. But her return to work has not quieted critics who say that Ginsburg should have retired long ago and that her health issues are the latest evidence that justices should not be allowed to serve for life. Ginsburg, who is 85, suggested this summer that she intends to serve at least five more years on the court. She is far from the first justice to linger on the bench into advanced age. John Paul Stevens retired at 90 in 2010, making him the oldest serving justice since Oliver Wendell Holmes stepped down from the bench two months shy of his 91st birthday in 1932. Stevens extended tenure produced significantly less hand-wringing than Ginsburgsa contrast partly attributable to Stevens hale health but also possibly driven by the gender bias that Ginsburg has battled throughout her career. Yet while the focus on Ginsburg may be out of proportion, the concerns generated by a graying judiciary cannot be blithely dismissed. Fears of judicial gerontocracy have flared at several earlier points in American history, including long before the court had any female members. Story Continued Below The late Antonin Scalia waved off the idea of limiting the terms of justices as a solution in search of a problem, but the problem is not an imaginary one: Some justices really have clung to their positions long after their mental faculties have left them. Justice Henry Baldwin remained on the court for nearly a dozen years after his 1832 hospitalization for incurable lunacy. One of Justice Nathan Cliffords colleagues described him as a babbling idiot in the final years before his death in 1881. Justice Stephen Field in the mid-1890s and Justice Joseph McKenna in the early to mid-1920s each reportedly spent the end of their tenures in a haze. Mental decrepitude on the Supreme Court has continued into the modern era, as historian David Garrow has documented. Frank Murphy, who served in the 1940s, was likely addicted to illegal drugs by the end of his tenure, and his biographer wrote that on at least one occasion, with Murphy in absentia, his law clerk and two fellow justices jointly decided what Murphys votes should be. Justice Charles Whittaker teetered on the brink of nervous breakdown for much of his five-year stint on the court in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Hugo Black stayed on for more than two years after his wife concluded in 1969 that his mentality has been impaired. Nor was Black the last justice whose mind slipped while he was still on the bench. In 1975, his last year on the court, William O. Douglas was so severely disabled by a stroke that his fellow justices agreed to delay any decision in which Douglas vote could swing the outcome. Justice William Rehnquist developed a dependence on a sedative that caused him to experience hallucinations during withdrawal; at one point in late 1981, he tried to escape from George Washington University Hospital in his pajamas. Rehnquist recovered, but two of his colleaguesLewis Powell and Thurgood Marshallfaced doubts about their mental capacities at the tail end of their careers. The history of cognitive decline on the high court teaches two lessons. First, there is a real risk of a substantial time lag between the onset of mental deterioration and a justices retirement. But second, and as important, this is a risk that can be contained. No justiceno matter how derangedcan do serious doctrinal damage without the acquiescence of at least half his colleagues. And when a justice is so utterly incapacitated that he is unable to break 4-4 ties, the court can continue to function with an even number of active members. Originally, the court had only six justices; during the Civil War, it had 10; and it has functioned fine with eight members during prolonged vacancies. Indeed, there are notable virtues to having an even number of justicesone of them being that it then takes more than a knifes-edge majority to overturn a lower court decision or strike down a law nationwide. The proposed solutions to mental decrepitude on the Supreme Court each come with flaws of their own. A common proposal is to fix the lengths of justices terms, with 18 years being the number most often suggested. Yet 18-year terms would not lay to rest the problem of mental decline. Murphy had been on the court for only eight years when his apparent drug dependence reached its height. Whittaker finally suffered a nervous breakdown less than five years into his term. And the Rehnquist pajama incident occurred just nine years into his 33-year tenure. Granted, the risk of mental disability increases with advanced age, and 18-year term limits might on balance lead to a younger bench. Or they might not. Presidents might be inclined to select older nominees if justices could serve for only 18 years rather than for life. Other ostensible benefits of 18-year terms are also likely to prove illusory. Advocates argue that a fixed term length will lower the stakes of confirmation battles. Perhaps, but fights over open court seats will be fierce whether the appointee wields influence over abortion and the death penalty for 18 years or for longer. What fixed term lengths will do, without a doubt, is to ensure that these fights occur more frequently. If the goal is to defuse some of the tension surrounding Supreme Court confirmations, then creating more vacancies is a curious choice. Assuming that terms are staggered, then the 18-year proposal would also ensure that a seat on the court opens at least every two years. This is sometimes cited as an advantage, as it would narrow the inequity across presidents who have disparate opportunities to influence the court based on the number of vacancies that arise during their terms. For example, William Howard Taft, a one-term president, appointed six justices, while fellow one-termer Jimmy Carter named none. But it would also mean that every two-term president would choose fouror in the event of early retirements or deaths, even moremembers of the court. That possibility is disconcerting given that justices are, empirically, much more likely to vote with the administration when the president who appointed them is still in office. This loyalty effect, which my colleagues Lee Epstein and Eric Posner have documented, limits the courts efficacy as a check on presidential overreach. Staggered 18-year terms would likely lead to a larger number of loyalpliantjustices on the court at any given moment. Fixed term lengths would also raise the question of what term-limited justices will do after their 18 years expire. Some might try to monetize their experience by going into private practice. Others might seek elected office. Consciously or unconsciously, a justice might adjust her decisions with a view toward pleasing potential employers or future voters. While today nothing stops a justice from leaving the bench for practice or politics, very few doat least in the modern eraand the Supreme Court remains one of the few governmental institutions that is immune from the revolving door. Term limits could change that for the worse. Finally, term limits would lead to what in game theory is known as the last period problem. Justices who anticipate that they will interact with each other year after year can expect a concession in one case to be reciprocated later on. But as a term-limited justice approaches the 18-year mark, not only would her incentive to cooperate diminish, but her colleagues incentives to cooperate with her would too. Moreover, this dynamic potentially affects not only the last period of play, but also the period before the last period, and the period before that, and so on, leading to an unraveling of cooperation on the court. One advantage of the status quo is that justices rarely announceand sometimes do not decide ontheir retirements until shortly before they leave the bench. Term limits, by making end dates more predictable, would undermine the incentives for soon-departing justices to behave cooperatively and for their colleagues to cooperate with them. Instead of fixed term lengths, some have suggested a mandatory retirement age for justiceseither 70 or 75. These proposals have many of the same flaws as term limits, though a richer pedigree. Several Democratic lawmakers introduced constitutional amendments to set a mandatory retirement age for justices of 70 or 75 as an alternative to President Franklin D. Roosevelts ill-fated 1937 court-packing plan. In 1954, the Senate voted 58-19 to approve an amendment requiring all justices and federal judges to retire at 75, but the House never took up the proposal. Meanwhile, more than 30 states have adopted mandatory retirement ages for the judges on their highest courtswith most setting the cap at 70 or 75. (Vermont, an outlier, requires retirement at 90.) But like fixed terms, pushing justices off the bench as a birthday present for hitting 70 or 75 would not eliminate the risk of mental deterioration. Frank Murphys disability struck in his late 50s; Charles Whittakers nervous breakdown came in his early 60s; Rehnquists hospitalization for sedative dependence occurred when he was 57. Others will reach the age of 70 or 75 with still many years of work ahead, thus raising the risk that post-judicial career prospects may taint their decisions. An age cutoff at 70 or 75 would not appreciably lower the confirmation stakes either. Neil Gorsuch turns 70 in 2037, Brett Kavanaugh in 2035. Even with an age cap of 70, either justice could one day decide whether a female born in 2019 can get an abortion. Mandatory retirement would, however, raise the same last-period problem as fixed term lengths. It might not produce a more cognitively capable court, but it would likely lead to a less cooperative one. A third proposal targets the problem of disability more directly. In the 1970s, Senator Sam Nunn of Georgia repeatedly introduced legislation that would have allowed a panel of 12 federal judges to force the retirement of a Supreme Court justice or lower court judge if a majority of the panel concluded he was mentally or physically incapacitated. Senator Howell Heflin of Alabama introduced a constitutional amendment with a similar goal in 1989. These proposals sidestep some of the pitfalls of term limits and age caps, such as the last-period problem and the potential that justices would be swayed by post-court career prospects. But they also raise the risk of justices being ousted not because they are incompetent but because they are ideological outliers. For all three proposalsterm limits, age caps and the removal of judges determined to be disabledthere are serious questions as to whether reform requires a constitutional amendment. Article III of the Constitution states that justices and lower court judges shall hold their offices during good behaviour, a phrase whose meaning the Supreme Court has never fully explicated. According to one view, good behaviour means that impeachment is the only way to cut a justices term short. In another view, the constitutional requirement is satisfied if Supreme Court justices are demoted to the lower courts or to auxiliary status once they serve for 18 years or reach age 70 or 75, as long as their salaries are unaffected. But whether reform would require a constitutional change or simply a statutory enactment, the calls to end life tenure for justices should be batted away this time as they have been before. Term limits and age caps would lead to more frequent (but not less bruising) confirmation battles, weaker incentives for the courts members to cooperate, and stronger motivations for political posturing as justices consider the prospect of post-judicial careers. Judicial disability panels, while not raising all the same problems as term limits and age caps, would open up new opportunities for gamesmanship if members sought to force retirements to gain political advantage. The Supreme Court, while not immune from ideological strife, is one of the few remaining institutions in American life in which liberals and conservatives interact collegially and find common ground on a wide range of issues. The proposals to end life tenure would put that at risk. The severity of Ginsburgs current health condition pales in comparison with the ailments that have afflicted many of her predecessors on the benchand unlike them, there is no sign that she has lost any of her intellectual edge. The fact that the court has faced, and survived, the much more serious impairment of several of its members suggests that the problem of judicial disability, while undeniable, is also manageable. In comparison with presidential incapacity, the threat of which prompted the 25th Amendment, the incapacity of Supreme Court justices is both more common and less dangerous. Fixed terms, age caps, and forced retirement are all strong medicine for the problem of judicial disability. In light of the flaws inherent in each, the better course of treatment is none at all. Daniel Hemel is an assistant professor at the University of Chicago Law School. | https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/01/16/ruth-bader-ginsburg-supreme-court-health-224014 |
Which cities make it easiest to commute without a car? | Nearly a third of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. come from transportation, but in most American cities, its still very challenging to get around without a car. A new report (and online tool ) looks at 20 cities across the country and how well those cities connect residents to their jobs through public transit, walking, or biking. Cities are in a really strong position to be able to create positive change and really be able to fight climate change through their transportation networks, says Joe Chesnut, a transport research associate at the nonprofit Institute for Transportation and Development Policy, which published the report. One of the things were seeing is that some cities are doing a great job of that and then other cities are still relying on a single-occupancy car dominant structure and contributing to climate change. The report looked at a selection of growing cities that have either been considering major transportation improvements or have strong transit in place. It considered 12 different factors, including how close homes and jobs are to rapid transit, how many people have access to transit that runs frequently at rush hour, the size of city blocks, and how many people could get to work in a half an hour or an hour by walking, biking on protected bike lanes, or on public transit. All of these factors affect how likely it is that commuters decide not to drive to work. In Nashville, one of the 10 fastest-growing cities in the U.S., where drivers spend an average of 33 hours each year stuck in traffic, the report found that only 5% of the population lives a 10-minute walk or bike ride from frequent public transit. (In 2018, Nashville voters shot down a transit improvement plan that would have added new light rail, bus lines, and bike lanes.) In Indianapolis, too, only 5% of the population is a short walk or bike ride from public transit. In Memphis, only 1% is. In Minneapolis, by contrast, 74% of the population lives within a 10-minute walk or bike ride from frequent transit, and 89% of jobs are also that close to frequent transit. Thats partly because of the citys concerted investment in bike lanes. If you built those protected bike lanes and connect them to frequent transit, it can allow people to more easily use that transit, Chesnut says. In Seattle, similarly, most jobs and most people are near frequent transitand its one of the few cities in the U.S. where transit ridership is growing. Boston, Chicago, New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., all known for decent public transportation, also have strong numbers. The tool is designed to help cities benchmark their progress and figure out where to invest to make improvements. Its important for them to set targets and set goals and have indicators and track their progress, says Chesnut. If youre not following the problem, it becomes impossible to solve. | https://www.fastcompany.com/90292527/which-cities-make-it-easiest-to-commute-without-a-car?partner=feedburner&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+fastcompany%2Fheadlines+%28Fast+Company%29 |
Was hilft bei Fibromyalgie? | Starke Schmerzen, Schlafstrungen, krperliche und geistige Erschpfung: Die Symptome des Fibromyalgie-Syndroms (FMS) sind vielfltig. Und die Krankheit zu erkennen ist alles andere als einfach. Es gibt keinen spezifischen Bluttest und keine Rntgenuntersuchungen fr die Diagnose FMS, erklrt Winfried Huser von der Klinik fr Innere Medizin am Klinikum Saarbrcken. Um Fibromyalgie festzustellen, mssen sich Mediziner die Vorgeschichte des Patienten grndlich ansehen und eine komplette krperliche Untersuchung sowie mehrere Labortests machen. Nur so knnen sie sicherstellen, andere krperliche Erkrankungen als Ursache oder Mitursache der Schmerzen und Mdigkeit nicht zu bersehen. Schmerzen und Angst Wrtlich bersetzt bedeutet Fibromyalgie "Faser-Muskel-Schmerz". Nach Angaben der offiziellen Leitlinie zur Behandlung von FMS tritt die Krankheit in den westlichen Industrienationen bei rund zwei Prozent der Bevlkerung auf - grtenteils bei Frauen zwischen 40 und 60 Jahren, heit es in der Leitlinie. Es knnen aber auch andere Altersgruppen sowie Mnner und Kinder betroffen sein. Die Patienten leiden hufig unter lang andauernden Schmerzen, Ein- und Durchschlafstrungen und Erschpfung. Hinzu kommen psychische Probleme: "So erfllen etwa 60 bis 80 Prozent von ihnen die Kriterien einer depressiven oder Angststrung", sagt Huser. "Aber nicht jeder FMS-Patient hat eine psychische Strung, und nicht jeder Patient mit einer depressiven oder Angststrung hat chronische Schmerzen in mehreren Krperregionen." Die Ursachen fr die Erkrankung knnen vielfltig sein. Experten gehen davon aus, dass eine genetische Veranlagung sowie verschiedene biologische und psychische Faktoren fr das Fibromyalgie-Syndrom verantwortlich sind. Zu diesen Faktoren gehren unter anderem Infekte, Depressionen, traumatische Ereignisse und Lebensstilfaktoren - Bewegungsmangel und bergewicht zum Beispiel. Auffllig ist zudem, dass viele Betroffene hnliche Persnlichkeitsmerkmale haben: "Die meisten Fibromyalgie-Patienten sind sehr sensibel, leistungsbereit und ehrgeizig", erklrt Thomas Weiss aus Mannheim, Facharzt fr Allgemeinmedizin, Psychiatrie sowie Psychotherapie und psychosomatische Medizin. "Hufig kommt im Laufe des Lebens eine berforderung dazu, die Personen geraten an ihre Grenzen - und dann geschieht etwas, das fr sie schwer verstndlich ist." Pltzlich schlafen die Betroffenen nicht mehr gut, sie reagieren empfindlicher auf Reize und haben vegetative Beschwerden - Nervositt etwa. "Wir gehen davon aus, dass die Krper der Patienten die Reizschwelle herunterfahren, was in stressigen Situationen evolutionsbedingt ein sinnvolles Verhalten ist", sagt Weiss. Nachts nicht mehr zu schlafen war frher zum Beispiel notwendig - als Schutz vor Gefahren. "Im Kern geschieht also eine Freischaltung von angeborenen, epigenetisch vererbten Programmen, die eigentlich frs berleben in einer ursprnglichen Umgebung notwendig waren." Meditation und Muskelentspannung Den Patienten kann diese Erklrung vielleicht helfen, die Erkrankung zu verstehen. Die Symptome beseitigt sie jedoch nicht. "Wir geben zur Behandlung hufig sehr niedrig dosierte Antidepressiva", sagt Weiss. "Das soll nicht bedeuten, dass es sich bei Fibromyalgie um eine verkappte Depression handelt, aber die Mittel haben eine leicht schmerzstillende Wirkung." Entspannende Techniken knnen ebenfalls helfen - zum Beispiel Meditation und progressive Muskelentspannung. Und so schwer es Patienten bei starken Schmerzen und permanenter Erschpfung oft fllt: Bewegung kann helfen, die Symptome zu lindern. Diese Erfahrung hat auch Ulrike Eidmann aus Wuppertal gemacht. 1990 wurde bei ihr Fibromyalgie festgestellt. "Ich war vorher fr lngere Zeit wegen Rcken- und Muskelschmerzen krankgeschrieben, aber kein Arzt hatte eine Erklrung", erzhlt sie. "Erst ein dreiwchiger Klinikaufenthalt brachte mir eine Diagnose." Zunchst verordneten die rzte Schmerzmittel, das half aber kaum. Seit vier Jahren verzichtet die Patientin auf diese Medikamente. "In einer Reha habe ich erstmals seit der Diagnose angefangen, mich viel zu bewegen", erzhlt Eidmann. "Ich habe mit Nordic Walken und Fahrradfahren begonnen, auerdem bin ich viel geschwommen." Die Symptome wurden besser und verschwanden schlielich weitgehend. Phasenweise ist sie inzwischen komplett schmerzfrei. Heute sagt sie: Jeder Patient msse fr sich selbst herausfinden, was ihm hilft. "Fr mich war es sehr wichtig, auf mich zu hren und so zu erkennen, was mir gut tut." Auerdem solle man selbst erleben, dass sich Bewegung lohnt. "Auch ich muss mich immer wieder aufraffen, aber ich wei, dass ich mich im Anschluss besser fhle", sagt Ulrike Eidmann. "Wenn man das gelernt hat, dann fllt es leichter, sich trotz Schmerzen aufs Rad zu setzen." Wichtig ist es nach Ansicht von Internist Huser aber, es bei der Bewegung nicht zu bertreiben. "Training mit mittlerer und hoher Belastung fhrt bei vielen Patienten zur Schmerzzunahme", sagt er. Ausnahmen gebe es nur bei Personen, die bereits vor Beginn der Erkrankung sehr gut im Ausdauertraining waren. Manchen Patienten knne es zustzlich helfen, die Ernhrung umzustellen - auch wenn die Wirkung wieder sehr individuell ist. "Es gibt keine FMS-Dit", sagt Huser. "Wie fr Gesunde auch wird eine ausgewogene Ernhrung mit viel Gemse, Obst, Ballaststoffen und wenig Fleisch empfohlen." Einzelne Patienten profitieren von vegetarischer Ernhrung oder glutenfreier Kost. Ob das die Symptome lindert, muss jeder selbst herausfinden. "Wenn nach vier Wochen keine fr den Patienten sprbare Besserung eingetreten ist, sollte der Ditversuch beendet werden." | http://www.spiegel.de/gesundheit/diagnose/raetselhafte-schmerzkrankheit-was-hilft-bei-fibromyalgie-a-1248272.html |
Are Destiny players happier than those who play Fallout? | Identifying with a specific online community makes gamers happier, according to the results of a study presented at the Annual Conference of the British Psychology Society. In the study, researchers spoke to 349 Football Manager players - a group that was 98.9 percent male, and with an average age of 24. They were asked questions about their social identity as gamers, the quality of their friendships with other players, their self-esteem and their psychological well-being. The results showed that players who considered themselves part of a specific online gaming community were more likely to report a greater psychological well-being. In short, they were happier. Linda Kaye, the author of the study, said: "Digital gaming research has largely focused on the negative outcomes of the activity and somewhat neglected the wider positive impacts. This study demonstrates the positive impact that gamers can experience by being part of a wider social group, and how games serve a positive function and platform for these experiences." She added: "This research highlights the potential for social identity theory to further explore psychosocial well-being. Specifically in relation to digital gaming experiences, these findings suggest developing this as a framework for further theoretical and empirical understanding of the outcomes of digital gaming." Considering that the study wasn't huge, it's difficult to generalise - but further exploration could reveal some interesting truths. | https://www.techradar.com/au/news/gaming/are-destiny-players-happier-than-those-who-play-fallout-1293255 |
What time is the vote of no confidence in Theresa May? What could happen if she loses? | 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 If Theresa May was hoping for an easier day after Monday's historic Brexit vote defeat, she's in for a shock. No sooner had the result been announced, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn was on his feet calling for a vote of no confidence. That vote takes place today, at 7pm. It will give all MPs the opportunity to say whether or not they have confidence in the government. It could force out the Prime Minister and could result in a General Election, and plenty in between. MPs will be asked to vote on a motion: "That this House has no confidence in Her Majesty's Government." The word from the corridors of the Commons are that the PM has enough support from the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and leading Brexiteers to see off the Labour challenge, but there could be more twists and turns in this remarkable Brexit story yet. (Image: PA) Essentially this is a chance for all MPs to have their say on whether they think the government is fit to carry out its role in running the country, or not. All MPs will be asked to vote on a motion: "That this House has no confidence in Her Majesty's Government." The leader of the Commons, Andrea Leadsom, has indicated that MPs will be able to debate the motion for the day from after prime ministers questions, which is due to end around 12.45pm, until shortly before 7pm. The vote of no confidence will take place at 7pm. (Image: Getty Images) It's unlikely, given the fact the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and leading Brexiteers have declared they will support the PM and the Government, but who knows. If Jeremy Corbyn manages to work some incredible magic or the DUP don't get the reassurances they need over Mrs May's ability to rescue her deal with Brussels, then the vote could pass. That would start a 14-day countdown clock to the government's doom. The PM can stay in office for these 14 days, but she must win a second vote with support from at least half of MPs within two weeks, otherwise a general election is triggered automatically. Other MPs can try and hold and win this vote too - but they would all need to win the support of half the House too. If it's still deadlocked, we get a general election. It's back to the drawing board and Brussels to try and salvage something, otherwise known as Plan B. Despite the huge defeat the agreement may still be on the table in an amended form as Mrs May seeks cross-party talks for 'genuinely negotiable' solutions she can take to Brussels. But time is running out. If no alternative to Mrs May's deal is agreed, the default option is for the UK to leave the EU without a deal on March 29. This would mean there would be no transition period, and individuals and businesses would have to adapt immediately to new arrangements. | https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/uk-news/theresa-may-confidence-vote-time-15685005 |
How many days are there until Brexit? | 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 The UK still looks set to leave the European Union at the end of March - but whether that will now be with no deal remains to be seen. Britain originally voted to leave the EU following a Brexit referendum in June 2016. The referendum saw nearly 52% (17.4m people) vote to leave compared to 48% (16.1m people) who wanted to remain. At this time the date given for when the UK would leave the EU was March 29 2019 - 72 days from January 16. You can see the latest time until Brexit below: However the UK currently faces the prospect of a no deal withdrawal after MPs rejected Theresa May's Brexit plans by an emphatic 432 votes to 202 on Monday January 15. he humiliating rebuff was delivered in the House of Commons just moments after the Prime Minister made a last-ditch appeal for MPs to back the Withdrawal Agreement which she sealed with Brussels in November after almost two years of negotiation. The 230-vote margin of defeat was by far the worst suffered by any Government in a meaningful division since at least the First World War and in normal circumstances would be enough to force a Prime Minister from office. And there was worse news for Mrs May shortly afterwards as Labour called a vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister. It meant every MP has to vote on whether they have confidence in the Prime Minister and her government or not. | https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/how-many-days-until-brexit-15684942 |
What is a no confidence motion? What time is it? | Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn tabled a motion of no confidence after the crushing defeat of Theresa May's Brexit deal by MPs. Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn tables no confidence motion A vote of no confidence lets MPs decide on whether they want the government to continue - and has the power to trigger a general election. The motion's wording is: "That this House has no confidence in Her Majesty's Government." Jeremy Corbyn tabled the motion after Theresa May's Brexit deal was rejected by MPs on Tuesday evening. It is backed by MPs from the SNP, Lib Dems, Plaid Cymru and Green Party. Prime Minister's Questions go ahead as usual at 12:00 GMT on Wednesday. Following a brief debate on banning low level letterboxes, MPs should start debating the motion at about 13:00 GMT. The confidence vote is expected at about 19:00 GMT. Image copyright AFP A 14-day countdown is started if a majority of MPs vote for the motion - and a general election will be called if, during that period, the government or any other alternative government cannot win a new vote of confidence. These 14 days are calendar days and not the days in which Parliament is sitting - so the deadline would be Wednesday 30 January. If there is to then be an election, the earliest it could happen would be 25 working days. Under the Fixed Term Parliaments Act 2011, UK general elections are only supposed to happen every five years. At the moment, the next one is due in 2022. Mrs May has already said that she will not be leading the Conservatives into the 2022 general election. This is the outcome that is widely expected. Labour's shadow chancellor John McDonnell has told the BBC that they are expected to lose the vote and the DUP - the party that props up Mrs May's government - has said it will vote in favour of the government. Following the vote, Mrs May will have to go back to focusing on getting some form of Brexit deal through Parliament. She offered cross-party talks to determine a way forward in the aftermath of her plan's rejection in the Commons. Mrs May is expected to begin a series of meetings with "senior Parliamentarians" on Thursday. She also told MPs she will return to the Commons with an alternative plan next week, provided she survives the confidence vote. | https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-46890481 |
What were the top 10 web exploits used by malicious attackers in 2018? | WhiteHat Security outlines the most prevalent web exploits used last year and what you can do about them. On a daily basis, you are likely to interact with a variety of applications as you go about your business. While apps are critical for the growth of many businesses, vulnerabilities and risks continue to surface. From Ticketmaster to British Airways, many companies fell victim to application security vulnerabilities last year. Today (16 January), WhiteHat security experts have revealed the most common web exploits used by malicious actors in an effort to reduce the number of breaches and incidents in 2019. The top 10 application security vulnerabilities of 2018 reflect a combination of observed trends from the WhiteHat Security vulnerability data lake and the active customer feedback on the threats across its enterprise application portfolio. The top 10 web exploits of 2018 jQuery File Upload RCE CVE-2018-9206 jQuery File Upload is a popular open-source package that allows users to upload files to a website. A common vulnerability and exposure (CVE) within it can be abused by creating a shell that is uploaded to run commands on the server. This vulnerability can be traced back to 2015, and all versions prior to 9.22.1 are vulnerable. Organisations should ensure any site using jQuery is updated to the most current version. Magecart Although not a CVE, Magecart is a card-skimming attack that cannot be overlooked. It originated from a black hat group in 2018, and companies such as Ticketmaster, British Airways, Feedify, ABS-CBN and Newegg were among the victims of this attack. It breaches systems and replaces the JavaScript that handles payments with malicious code. This code sends payment details to the hackers, unbeknownst to the end user. Bryan Becker of WhiteHat Security has detailed how companies can defend against this attack. WordPress DoS In WordPress, this CVE means unauthenticated users can perform a Denial of Service (DoS) attack by abusing the functionality of the load-scripts.php file to request a large number of JavaScript files via a single request. This allows for each request to quickly consume the resources of the server, leading to a DoS. Drupalgeddon 2 With the release of Drupalgeddon 2 and immediate proof of concept (PoC) exploit, over 100,000 websites using the open-source CMS Drupal were considered vulnerable to this remote code execution vulnerability. The exploit worked by manipulating the functionality to inject a render array containing executable code, then tricking the application into rendering the injection. Upgrading to the most recent version of Drupal 7 or 8 core mitigates the vulnerability. The vulnerability was used to infect servers with cryptocurrency miners, among other things. Drupalgeddon 3 Coming in fast following the patch for Drupalgeddon came Drupalgeddon 3, which reported that the exploit could still be achieved by using the destination parameter in Drupal. This parameter could be found on the cancel links during confirmation of deletions on various functions for Drupal 7. It also required the attacker to be authenticated and have delete permissions to execute this attack. Again, upgrading to the most recent version of Drupal 7 or 8 core mitigates the issue. Teleriks RadAsyncUpload RadAsyncUpload uses a default, hard coded key, which if not changed, allows an attacker to decrypt the data and modify configurations such as where to upload the file and what are the allowable extensions. The hacker can encrypt data and send it back to the server with a request, which results in unrestricted file upload. WhiteHat advises setting strong custom encryption keys to protect against this threat. Spring Data Commons Within the Spring Framework, the data commons are used to provide an API for accessing NoSQL and relational databases. However, in versions prior to 1.13 to 1.13.10, 2.0 to 2.0.5, and older unsupported versions of Spring Data Commons, the MapDataBinder class could be exploited using projection-based request payload binding through the Spring Expression Language Injection, leading to remote code execution. Upgrading the version will remediate the vulnerability. Cross-site Scripting While cross-site scripting (XSS) can occur in any event where the server does not validate input and encode output, CVE-2018-1999024 was created to report an instance in MathJax where a certain macro could be manipulated to execute malicious JavaScript in the victims browser. Upgrading to version 2.7.4 + remediates this specific XSS instance. Flash Player hack Remote code execution is possible within Adobe Flash Player before version 28.0.0.161. The issue lies within the Primetime software development kit, which contains a dangling pointer in the media players handling of the listener object. A successful attack can lead to arbitrary code execution. This was the case in the wild in January and February 2018. Spring OAuth Approval The default approval endpoint for Spring Security OAuth, found in versions 2.3 prior to 2.3.3, 2.2 prior to 2.2.2, 2.1 prior to 2.1.2, 2.0 prior to 2.0.15, and older unsupported versions, is vulnerable to remote code execution through a Spring Expression Language Injection. This remote code execution occurs when a malicious attacker creates an authorised request to the authorisation endpoint, and the resource owner is then able to forward to the approval endpoint. To ensure sites are not vulnerable, companies should upgrade to the latest version. | https://www.siliconrepublic.com/enterprise/web-exploits-whitehat-infosec |
Has the Home Hub 6 been the catalyst for BT's takeover of EE? | BT's decision to buy EE might have come as a surprise to many, but it seems that the company has been, one might say, obsessed with providing a converged telecommunications solution for nearly 17 years. BT launched a service called One Phone (not to be confused with Android One, HTC One or OnePlus One) in 1998 (and relaunched it last year). Even back then, the plan was to offer a unified communications ecosystem, bringing together fixed and wireless. Later in 2004, shortly before the acquisition of BT's former mobile division, Cellnet, by Telefonica (to form O2), the company launched BT Fusion, a phone handset that worked both on mobile and fixed line networks. Seamless dream The dream was to have a converged, seamless experience that worked regardless of where the user was in physical terms. BT Fusion was widely regarded as a flop but the telecoms company didn't give up and was reportedly investigating femtocells as early as December 2007. These are small mobile base stations, mini-models of phone masts, and are especially useful for extending mobile connectivity on premises where network signals often fail to reach. Just over seven years ago, BT said that the stumbling block was price. Fast forward to 2015 and it looks like this is no longer the case, and there are several hints that lead us to believe that the next version of the Home Hub (version 6) is likely to integrate a femtocell. (Note that most networks on the market have a femtocell solution Vodafone has Suresignal, Three offers the Home Signal, O2 the BoostBox, and EE has the Signal Box). In February 2013, BT acquired a 2.6GHz spectrum licence covering a total of 50MHz. The spectrum, BT said, could be used to provide fast 4G connectivity to its customers with "an enhanced range of mobile broadband services" while building on its existing strength in Wi-Fi. Back then, its former CEO, Lord Livingston, confirmed that they did not intend to build a national network. Instead, he added, that would be used to complement its existing strategy. All about convergence Unbeknown to many, BT operates the country's (and the world's) largest Wi-Fi hotspot network, one that was started guess when yes, in 2007, and counts more than 14 million access points globally (via the FON network) including five million in the UK and half a million in Greater London alone. The service is free for BT Broadband customers, more than 7.5 million of them, with 44% on its faster 76Mbps fibre broadband. Buying EE would allow BT to grow that number tremendously and also fulfil its long-term vision of a single converged communications platform. EE boasts Europe's largest 4G network with more than 7.7 million customers surfing at superfast LTE speeds, and across its mobile, fixed and wholesale businesses, serves 31 million customers (of which 24.5 million are direct mobile customers). As for the Home Hub 6, it is likely to be launched sometime this year. BT announced its predecessor nearly two years ago and last July, a job advert posted by BT looking for a principal engineer with a proven track record in LTE/4G small cell surfaced. What was remarkable was that the advert was asking for someone to work in BT's consumer CPE (Consumer Premises Equipment) unit, more specifically, someone who has the acumen and the experience to drive the technical specification and design of "LTE small cell products". Rolling out hundreds of thousands of Home Hub 6 routers is likely to be an exceedingly complex exercise, but one that could massively boost the mobile coverage of a merged BT/EE as well as enhancing connectivity in-house. Using its fibre infrastructure would also ensure the sort of resilience that would allow BT to handle current and future demands, especially if it plans to roll out additional services. Home Hub 6: what we want from it Which brings us to the last part of the puzzle: Sagemcom. The French company is one of the two ODMs for the current Home Hub 5 (the other being Arcadyan) and gave us a peek at what to expect in 2015 at the International CES in Las Vegas last month. Of interest to us was the Sagemcom Fast 5360, which is the first media gateway on the market to implement G.Fast, a new Gigabit copper-based technology, which BT has already confirmed will be coming to the UK later this year. Sagemcom's latest hub looks like the ideal starting point on which the Home Hub 6 could be based. It boasts 802.11ac MU-MIMO, a wireless technology that offers an aggregated speed of up to 1.7Gbps, NFC, Bluetooth, a rackable hard drive enclosure as well as four Gigabit Ethernet ports and two USB ports. But the best is yet to come, as that router supports high-end triple-play services as well. Other than superfast broadband, BT could potentially offer HD voice to all its customers (thanks to DECT CAT-iq compatibility) as well as 4K-ready content. Well other than BT sports in 4K, there's also the lure of the UK's fastest broadband speeds and possibly bundled mobile minutes/texts/data thanks to the EE deal. And let's not forget the formidable home automation market (hello Nest) as Sagemcom also positions its router as a home aggregator to avoid any extra box at home. Now if only BT could remove its ridiculously low data allowances on most of its packages, that would be fab. Expect rivals to move fast though Talktalk already has plans for 4G femtocells, while Virgin Media, Vodafone and Sky are also likely to follow suit with similar offerings. Sources: Lightreading, Guardian, The Register | https://www.techradar.com/sg/news/networking/routers-storage/has-the-home-hub-6-been-the-catalyst-for-bt-s-takeover-of-ee-1283690 |
Who are Irelands top 10 venture capital investors? | Venture capital activity points to a pretty frenetic start-up scene. Irelands start-up scene has been burgeoning steadily in recent years with an entrepreneurial fervour matched by pretty sizeable funding rounds and some incredible exits. New PitchBook data has now named the most active investors in the Irish tech landscape in terms of deal counts. The count fails, however, to mention Enterprise Ireland ranked by PitchBook in 2015 as Europes third largest seed investor and focuses on private venture capital (VC) fund owner/managers. According to the PitchBook Platform, there were nearly 200 VC deals in Ireland in 2018 worth around 553m, up from the previous year but down from 2016s peak of more than 632m. However, as recent Irish Venture Capital Association (IVCA) figures reveal, all is not all rosy in the Irish tech investment scene, with VC fundraising down 47pc in the third quarter of 2018 and seed funding down 32pc. The biggest decline in funding, according to the IVCA, was in deals above 5m, which were down 30pc year on year. The market awaits State action on the creation of new seed funds that can be leveraged by local and international investors to carry on funding companies for the next five to six years. According to PitchBook data, the 10 most active investors in Ireland since 2014 (excluding accelerator/incubator rounds) by deal count (in brackets) are: Delta Partners (38) Founded in 1994 by Frank Kenny, Delta Partners invests in products and services businesses in ICT, pharma, life sciences and medtech. Investments include Pulsate, Therapeutic Devices, Miracor Medical, Corrata and Popdeem. ACT Venture Capital (34) Headed by John Flynn, ACT Venture Capital was founded in 1994 and focuses on tech companies serving global markets. Investments include AQMetrics, Storyful, Cubic Telecom, DecaWave, FeedHenry, Trustev, Swrve, S3 TV Technology, Arralis and Soundwave. Kernel Capital (29) Cork-based Kernel Capital was founded in 1999 by Niall Olden and manages the Bank of Ireland Kernel Capital Venture Funds. It has offices in Cork, Dublin and Belfast. Investments include Nova Leah, Sytorus, DisplayNote, B-Secur, Pilot Photonics and Altratech. Frontline Ventures (28) Founded by Shay Garvey, Dublin and London-based Frontline Ventures last year raised the 60m Frontline Fund II, which will invest in B2B software start-ups in Europe that have an eye on making it in the US. Investments include Countingup, Logical Clocks, Signal Media, Moltin and AQMetrics. SOSV (28) With offices in Cork and New Jersey, SOSV was established by tech entrepreneur Sean OSullivan in 1995 and today the company has $300m in assets under management. A large network of follow-on VCs invests another $200m in SOSV start-ups every year. Investments include Jump Bikes (bought by Uber for $200m), Sun Genomics, Synthace, Circadia, Feel, Silicon Republic, Naughty Noahs and Chronomics, to name a few. Enterprise Equity (22) Founded in 1987, Enterprise Equity has three funds under management and has invested in excess of 50m in more than 80 companies throughout Ireland. Investments include Movidius, Duolog, AccountsIQ, Touch Press and Zartis. Fountain Healthcare Partners (16) Focused purely on the life sciences sector, Fountain Healthcare Partners was founded by Aidan King and Dr Manus Rogan in 2008. The Dublin-based company has invested in more than 45 start-ups with eight exits. Investments include Neuromod, Chrono Therapeutics, Velicept, Inflazome and Neurent Medical. Tribal.vc (13) Backing mission-driven entrepreneurs, Tribal.vc was founded by Conor Stanley and Tadhg OToole in 2014. Investments include NewsWhip, Payslip, Glofox, Brightflag, Endeco and Unravel Analytics. Growing Capital (12) A seed fund focused on tech start-ups, Growing Capital was founded by Gianni Matera in 2015. Investments include Flipdish, Cerebreon, Glofox, Reflex Gaming, Siren Solutions, TenderScout and Popertee. Investec Ventures (11) Previously known as NCB Ventures, Investec Ventures invests in companies active in tech, renewable energy and services. Investments include SilverCloud Health, Davra, Gridstore, HeyStaks, Brite:Bill (acquired by Amdocs), Zamano and Accuris Networks. Disclosure: SOSV is an investor in Silicon Republic Updated, 9.02am, 16 January 2019: This article was updated to clarify that the 2018 VC deals in Ireland were worth around 553m, not 533m as previously stated. | https://www.siliconrepublic.com/start-ups/venture-capital-investors-ireland |
How did our MPs vote in PMs Brexit deal? | MPs Heidi Allen and Sir Oliver Heald voted on Theresa May's Brexit deal last night. Share Email this article to a friend To send a link to this page you must be logged in. The deal, which set out the terms of how the UK would leave the EU on March 29, was rejected by 230 votes the largest defeat for a sitting government in history. There were 432 votes against the PMs deal, and one of those to rebel against her own party was South Cambs MP Heidi Allen. During yesterdays debate, Ms Allen said: Ive approached my role by applying analysis, the consideration of facts and by listening to and representing my constituents in South Cambridgeshire as best I can. So it angers me greatly when I hear MPs say they will reluctantly and with a heavy heart vote for this compromise. Not because I dont believe the Prime Minister has done her best, I have no doubt that she has, but MPs none of us should be voting for something that might make the economy weaker and risk jobs. I recognise I cannot please all the people all the time, but the thousands of emails, letters, tweets and conversations Ive had with my constituents, it appears that they are content with my approach. No, no, no. No, theyre not even part of the deal. I have no regrets, I have no reluctance. For me the decision is as clear as day, this is not good enough for my constituents, this is not good enough for my country. The Crow has been unable to speak with North East Herts MP Sir Oliver Heald since he voted for the deal. But setting out his stall in the weeks leading up to the Decemeber meaningful vote which was then postponed, he said: Under this draft agreement the UK would leave the EU and be in charge of its money, laws and borders. The agreement would allow our businesses to continue to trade with the EU without interruption and in a way that minimises the friction of regulation and border controls. The provisions about the transition have some difficult compromises to achieve the necessary results for business. Although it is a compromise, it was always going to be. I think the Prime Minister has shown great resilience and courage in reaching this stage and I intend to support her. Following yesterdays meaningful vote, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn tabled a motion of no confidence in the government which will be debated for about six hours from 1pm, with a vote expected at 7pm. | https://www.royston-crow.co.uk/news/brexit-vote-defeat-south-cambs-and-north-east-herts-1-5853609 |
Did Salman Khan advice Shah Rukh Khan to opt out of Rakesh Sharma biopic? | The fact that Shah Rukh Khan's career has been going downhill after his last successful film Chennai Express is not a secret anymore. With average box office performance of films like Raees, Harry Met Sejal and the latest Zero Shah Rukh has more and more number of flops getting lined up in his kitty than hits. We had recently told you that post the failure of 'Zero', Shah Rukh was keen on starting shooting for his next Rakesh Sharma biopic as soon as possible. Fatima Sana Shaikh had apparently been in talks to star alongside the actor. The same report said that Priyanka Chopra was also considered for playing important role in the biopic. The diva was actually inclined to be a part of the project. However, as per a report DNA, Shah Rukh decided to move ahead with his guaranteed hit franchise Don for its third instalment. And is apparently no longer on board for the Rakesh Sharma biopic. As per an Amar Ujala report, it was Salman Khan who advised Shah Rukh to start working on 'Don 3' instead of the Sharma biopic. The report also says that both Salman Khan and Shah Rukh have decided not to feature in each other's films for cameo and guest appearances anymore. The duo apparently has decided to just focus on good scripts and to stay away from any other kind of gimmicks. Remembering 'Swades' it would have been interesting to see Shah Rukh Khan attempt something a little tilted towards the same genre. Though 2018 ended on a sour note for the three Khans, we hope the three manage to bounce back and establish themselves as the most bankable stars this year again with their blockbuster hits. | https://www.ibtimes.co.in/did-salman-khan-advice-shah-rukh-khan-opt-out-rakesh-sharma-biopic-790098 |
Is the New York Times Motto for Real? | The public is free to believe in "All the news that's fit to print," but, admitting that newspapers are out to make a profit, let the public beware. A motto, simply an ideal or a guiding maxim, is never meant to be taken at face value. The New York Times coined its motto in 1897, and there it is today on the masthead. is addressed in my book Hadrian's Echo: The Whys and Wherefores of Israel's Critics. The answer, the key to unlock media bias, is not, as many would think, readers and audiences. The core stakeholders come first: media owners and advertisers. It is for their sake alone that news must be fit to print. What it all means may come as a shock: news and its quality are second thoughts. Return on investment is king. And here the Times, with that motherly nickname "Gray Lady," must take care. The paper has to be wary of "unwelcome" news, of news unfit to print, which could hit profitability. Hence, unwelcome news will be tampered with or blocked out entirely. In other words, for profit's sake, something has to give, and that something is objectivity bias, if you will. By definition, unless a newspaper or a channel or a site is biased in the preferred way, shareholders and advertisers will be none too happy. Not far off the mark, actually. One word out and one in will make the motto quite believable: "Only the news that's fit to print." Then the Times would have a solid case for publishing news that leans heavily to one side. If bias can be understood, faking the news is a different kettle of fish. And downplaying atrocities committed by monster tyrants puts a media business out of bounds among the lowliest and the dirtiest. How the New York Times got there is on record. It starts with the owners. In WWII, Arthur Hays Sulzberger and family, loath to alienate the powers that be, downplayed news that could give an impression of the Times being a "Jewish newspaper." Hence, editorial and news pages methodically skirted the plight of Europe's Jews being murdered wholesale. In her book, Buried by the Times: The Holocaust and America's Most Important Newspaper, Laurel Leff cites many instances of how the Times shied away from the truth. It went so far as to blur Jews in the Warsaw ghetto revolt into "Poles" or, even sillier, "Warsaw patriots." Stories on massacres of Italian and Austrian Jewry never made it onto the front page. Page 12 and four columns were good enough for an account of a half-million Hungarian Jews sent to their deaths. As if downplaying one Holocaust wasn't bad enough, the Times had already denied another one. News was not buried; it was faked, cooked up to order. Prior to downplaying Hitler's solution for the Jews, the paper denied Stalin's solution for Ukrainians. The years 1932 and 1933 saw a famine of unprecedented proportions. Ukrainians by the millions starved to death. Stalin wanted their land for Russians and set to starving them out. Cannibalism got to the point where authorities had to plaster signs on walls: "To eat your own children is a barbarian act." Meanwhile, Walter Duranty was playing his own disgusting part. The Times' man in Moscow filed dispatches denying it all. Americans read that the Holodomor, as Ukrainians call their Holocaust, was a stunt. His tales of "hardship" won Duranty the Pulitzer Prize for his "dispassionate interpretive reporting." Fifty years later, the artist of fake would be known as "the correspondent who liked Stalin" and "Stalin's apologist." Duranty, the communist- and Bolshevik-admirer, vociferously denied the famine. People, he wrote, were "hungry but not starving." "There is no famine." Fact is, the rogue newsman saw the famine with his own two eyes. None of it stopped the Times going to print with reports demeaning the atrocity as mostly "bunk" and greasily quipping, "You can't make an omelette without breaking eggs." Jokes and a big fraudulent prize! Executive editors were cool with it. The revelation doesn't seem to qualify as news. It's really history and belongs in history books. It also didn't much bother Howell Raines, the executive editor at another time (emphasis added). Though the paper's slogan is "All the News That's Fit to Print," it is patently flawed. Important news slips by because our coverage reflects blind spots that we recognize only in retrospect[.] ... "We know we make mistakes, but as long as they are ... intellectually honest... Blind spots! The Times was not intellectually honest then, nor was it afterward unless declining to return the fraudulent prize was the honest thing to do. Some record. The paper's record on Israel is more of the same. Fact is, the first owners never liked Zionism; the second- and third-generation owners liked a Jewish state no more than a chronic carbuncle hence the hiring of Middle East reporters who were and remain duty-bound to be anti-Israel, who implant opinion into news until the reader gives up distinguishing one from the other. Something called "News Analysis" on the front page brings a new subtlety to the art of coaxing readers to interpret news the Times way. The feature is an editorial by another name. Headlines, too, often are simply opinion in disguise. When covering Israel, keeping opinion and news apart seems to be a foreign concept at the Times. Jodi Rudoren took obfuscation to a new level. While bureau chief in Jerusalem, her dispatches made it clear that bias was in her brief, that her solemn duty was to tear down Israel in the eyes of the world, to deprecate, denounce, condemn, and revile Israel as the villain. From the outset, Rudoren had the back of Hamas covered, same as Walter Duranty had Stalin's back. It was her given duty the Gray Lady had appointed her to be a cutout replica of that rogue. Perhaps the day has come for the New York Times to remove the "all" in its motto. "Only the news that's fit to print" would be a more transparent one. | https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2019/01/is_the_new_york_times_motto_for_real.html |
What next for Zimbabwe's govt after fuel price hike backfires? | Zimbabweans have reacted with anger and frustration to last weeks announcement of a fuel price hike by president Emmerson Mnangagwa. In a televised address last Saturday, Mnangagwa said prices of petrol and diesel would more than double to tackle a shortfall caused by increased demand and rampant illegal trading. Petrol prices have been raised from $1.24 a litre to $3.31 (2.89 euros) and diesel from $1.36 a litre to $3.11. I think what we need now is some kind of a social contract, where government, labor and employers sit down and deliberate on issues. The presidents announcement came after fuel shortages which began in October last year worsened in recent weeks with motorists sometimes spending nights in fuel pump queues that stretch for kilometres. Reactions to fuel hike Citizens, activists and opposition political parties blasted the government for being insensitive to the plight of the common man. The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions called for a three-day stayaway and shutdown strike that has paralysed banks, schools, businesses and the stock market in the capital Harare and the second city of Bulawayo. The countrys labour minister, Sekai Nzenza announced on Monday that public workers will be given a cost of living allowance of between 5 percent and 23 percent of their monthly salary from January to March. The president himself, flew out of the country on Sunday for a five-nation tour of Eastern Europe that will end at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. READ MORE We talked to Kudzanai Sharara, a financial journalist in Harare, to share his assessment of why the governments intervention seems to have backfired. I think what we need now is some kind of a social contract, where government, labor and employers sit down and deliberate on issues. And then business as well as labor will probably point out and find tune the laws. Mostly it is not about the currency that is used. We can take the strongest currency in the world. We can take the Japanese yen, which is seen by many as a safe havenyou can take the US dollar , but it will still collapse as long as we do not have the proper fundamentals on the ground. We have a huge budget deficit, which the minister is working on through this austerity measures. We have got a huge trade deficit which also needs to be looked at. So we have got so many challenges that we have and fundamentals that we really need to sort out first before we introduce our own currency. | http://www.africanews.com/2019/01/16/what-next-for-zimbabwe-s-govt-after-fuel-price-hike-backfires/ |
Could the Adam Gase-Peyton Manning relationship help Sam Darnold and the Jets? | CLOSE New York Jets new head coach Adam Gase on what he thinks of rookie quarterback Sam Darnold, saying there "needs to be a direct line of communication" between himself and Darnold. Andy Vasquez and Danielle Parhizkaran, North Jersey Record FLORHAM PARK New head coach Adam Gase still has a long way to go to prove himself to Jets fans. But he already has earned the faith and respect of one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. Peyton Manning is a big believer in the Jets new coach. Manning, who will surely be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame when he becomes eligible in 2021, has called Gase the smartest guy I know. Gase was Mannings quarterback coach in 2012 with the Broncos, and his offensive coordinator from 2013-14. In both of Gases head coaching interviews, Manning has called in to give a positive reference for his former coach. MORE: Jets adding Gregg Williams as defensive coordinator MORE: Takeaways from Jets coach Adam Gase's introductory press conference I feel like hes had to do it too much, Gase said Monday with a laugh when he was introduced at the Jets facility. With his work ethic. I think it just one of those things where when we met each other, who was going to be the first one to kind of break, who was going to outwork who? Gase said. I think he appreciates that, he appreciates hard work, he appreciates someone whos going to go nose-to-nose with him and mentally try to challenge each other. There was also the element of not wanting to let Manning down. Gase knew how prepared Manning would be, how there was no scenario that he hadnt seen during his career. So he had to be ready. DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 23: Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase has a word with Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 during a game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on November 23, 2014 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) (Photo: Justin Edmonds, Getty Images) That was something I enjoyed was that constant challenge, every day knowing when you walk in you better have your plan ready, Gase said. If youre a coordinator you better have all the answers you need ready. And thats a challenge, day in and day out, hes bringing it. Hes going to bring his A-game and hes a first ballot hall of famer. Five years after helping Manning and the Broncos to one of the greatest offensive seasons of all-time, Gase finds himself with a completely different challenge: molding 21-year-old quarterback Sam Darnold into a finished product. Mannings insights could obviously prove vital for the Jets rookie. And when Gase was asked on Tuesday if hed consider bringing in Manning in a formal, or informal role, he didnt say no. I always try to get him around as many people as I can if Im involved in something, Gase said. Hes not shy about letting guys know if he likes something, dislikes something. If guys ask him something, hell shoot things straight and I always appreciated that about him. And its always good to get another set of eyes on what youre doing. Email: [email protected] | https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/nfl/jets/2019/01/16/could-adam-gase-peyton-manning-bond-help-sam-darnold-and-ny-jets/2585868002/ |
Is NAC na de goede reeks en het vertrek van Willem II-topschutter Sol favoriet voor de derbyzege? | Dat de meest recente resultaten van de ploeg van hoofdtrainer Mitchell van der Gaag de burger moed kunnen geven, lijkt een feit. Voor het ingaan van de winterstop hield NAC aan de laatste drie duels liefst zeven punten over. Bijna een verdubbeling van het aantal dat de veertien wedstrijden daarvoor werd vergaard. In die succesvolle reeks werden onder meer Vitesse en Heerenveen gevloerd. Voeg er de oefenduels in het nieuwe jaar met Sint-Truiden (2-1 zege) en KAA Gent (2-2 gelijkspel) aan toe en NAC is al vijf achtereenvolgende wedstrijden ongeslagen. De opwaartse spiraal heeft er voor gezorgd dat NAC aansluiting heeft hervonden met de plaatsen die garantie bieden voor nog tenminste n jaar eredivisie. Zo heeft de Parel van het Zuiden ook aartsrivaal en aankomende tegenstander Willem II terug in het vizier. De slipstream is nog niet gevonden, maar NAC heeft het gat met de Tricolores verkleind tot vier punten. | https://www.bndestem.nl/nac/is-nac-na-de-goede-reeks-en-het-vertrek-van-willem-ii-topschutter-sol-favoriet-voor-de-derbyzege~a96cfcac/ |
Where's the fire? | It's the late 1970s, and this data center has a high-performance IBM 360/75 mainframe that sports a massive 1 MB of core memory -- one of only four in the world, reports a computer operator pilot fish working there. "I was a smoker and, of course, smoking in the computer room was forbidden due to the smoke detectors," fish says. "One night shift I was the lone person in the building. I was walking through a hallway not even close to the computer room when I heard a very loud whooshing noise that sounded like hundreds of tires being deflated at the same time." Fish runs to the computer room and sees a cloud of white, heavy fog covering the entire room. He knows what happened: The Halon fire-suppression system has deployed. But there doesn't seem to be any fire. Fish calls the operations manager emergency number and tells him what happened. In short order he's no longer alone -- first he's joined by a company of firefighters and after that the operations manager. First question the operations manager asks: "Why were you smoking in the computer room?" I was on the other side of the building at the time, fish replies. But the manager starts to yell at fish, accusing him of lying. "The next day the manager was making the case to get me fired in front of upper management," says fish. "As timing would have it, the fire chief entered and reported that the cause of the false fire alarm and Halon discharge was unmaintained smoke detectors. "Someone in the meeting told me later that all eyes turned to the operations manager. "I didn't get fired. But guess who did?" Tell Sharky your true tale of IT life, and nobody will know who to blame -- I'll file off the identifying marks before I use it. So send me your story at [email protected]. You can also comment on today's tale at Sharky's Google+ community, and read thousands of great old tales in the Sharkives. Get Sharky's outtakes from the IT Theater of the Absurd delivered directly to your Inbox. Subscribe now to the Daily Shark Newsletter. | https://www.computerworld.com/article/3333601/data-center/wheres-the-fire.html |
Can young children tell the difference between winners and losers? | ORLANDO, Fla. - Youve probably heard it from your parents at one time, maybe your grandparents and certainly a coach or two: It is not always about winning, but how you play the game. Now, science is backing that up. Researchers at the University of California Irvine studied two groups of toddlers between the ages of 21 months and 31 months as they watched a puppet show where two puppets bumped into each other. The toddlers saw one of two scenarios. In the first, one of the puppets bowed down and let the other pass. In the second scenario, one of the puppets pushed the other puppet out of the way to pass him. After the show, researchers asked the toddlers which of the puppets they preferred. Researchers found a majority of the toddlers liked the puppet who got his way when the other puppet bowed down to him. However, in the second scenario, the toddlers didnt prefer the aggressive puppet and instead reached for the puppet that was pushed down. his suggests that toddlers like winners, but it does matter to them how they won. On the other hand, recently a similar study with a close relative of humans, the pygmy chimpanzee, found that the chimps always prefer a winner, even when the winner gets there by beating others up. Copyright 2019 by Ivanhoe Newswire - All rights reserved. | https://www.news4jax.com/news/morning-show/can-young-children-tell-the-difference-between-winners-and-losers |
Will Wigan Warriors' Camp Nou game draw a Super League record crowd? | Ian Lenagan believes Wigan may play their part in securing a new Super League record attendance this season on foreign soil. He is predicting a spectacular event at Barcelonas Camp Nou when the Warriors face Challenge Cup holders Catalans on May 18. And with droves of Warriors fans heading to Spain, in addition to the neutrals and the Dragons supporters, Lenagan is hopeful the crowd may eclipse the record 25,004 which watched Wigans derby with St Helens in 2005. He said: This has that charisma about it, that buzz about it. I know thousands have booked flights from Wigan already, whether thats three, five or 10,000, I dont know. There is the probability that Catalans will take 20,000 there. And its been said the Catalans will play in the colours of Barcelona. We could have 20 30 40 or 50 thousand people there, that would be a really good, a spectacular day for Super League. Wigan launch the new season against St Helens on January 31. It is their earliest ever start in the summer era, done to accommodate a 29 round campaign padded with seven additional loop fixtures and five-time play-offs series. Lenagan admits the season would, ideally, be shorter and has not ruled out in a reduction for 2020 if the finances dont take a hit. Weve got to see what attendances look like under this structure, said Lenagan, a big critic of the previous Super-8s structure which was ditched as part of the shake-up which saw Super League move away from the RFLs control. If we could get back to four less games, say... but you cant solve all the issues in one year. But certainly moving forward, I think theres a desire to keep the revenues the same and if thats off 24 fixtures instead of 28 or 29 then yes, we would rather do that. In the last few years Wigan have suffered six-figure losses which Lenagan has plugged from his own funds. And with a new structure, and gauged on season ticket sales so far, the club owner is far more optimistic for the upcoming year. Weve set out our stall to break even this year and to make money from next year onwards, said Lenagan. Were tired of having to prop it up because of mistakes in organisation and the Super-8s was the worst of them all. Weve seen season ticket (sales) diminish for three years and whenever we did the survey, we were always told the same thing: We dont know when were om holiday, we dont know when weve got games. It was always the Super-8s which killed us. In a wide-ranging interview which launched a media day at the club yesterday, Lenagan also said he didnt expect any more signings to be made before the start of the season. | https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/rugby-league/wigan-warriors/will-wigan-warriors-camp-nou-game-draw-a-super-league-record-crowd-1-9539863 |
Why are we contemplating saddling the Pacific with more debt? | Following on from my extensive work as minister for international development and the Pacific (including 35 trips to the Pacific), the government is now rolling out our Pacific "step-up". Blackett Strait in the Solomon Islands. Credit:Alamy I pushed for the Pacific to be a priority in our foreign policy White Paper and more of our overseas development assistance to be redirected to the Pacific. This is our neighbourhood. Our allies expect our focus to be firmly in the Pacific. Scott Morrisons visit to the Pacific this week is recognition of this. I advocated for the Pacific to be given cabinet status. Instead, its downgrading to the level of assistant minister sent the wrong message. I came to understand about Talanoa the process of dialogue and respect and making decisions for the good of the Pacific family. Despite vast distances, Talanoa has underpinned development of Pacific regionalism to which the Pacific Island Forum is central. Hence, our step-up initiatives should be integrated into this regional architecture. The success of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands was a good example of a regional solution where Pacific Island Forum members came together to help the Solomon Islands resolve its security issues. | https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/politics/federal/why-are-we-contemplating-saddling-the-pacific-with-more-debt-20190116-p50rr9.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_feed |
Was bringen Diesel-Software-Updates? | Bitte fllen Sie alle Pflichtfelder mit * aus. Bitte stimmen Sie unseren Nutzungsbedingungen zu. Bitte stimmen Sie unserer Datenschutzerklrung zu. Bitte geben Sie Ihr Einverstndnis. Bitte akzeptieren Sie die Datenschutzbestimmungen. Bitte whlen Sie Ihren Benutzernamen. Bitte tragen Sie Ihre E-Mail-Adresse ein. Diese Email-Adresse ist bereits bei uns registriert. Bitte versuchen Sie es mit einer anderen Adresse. Mailadresse bereits bekannt, bitte mit bestehendem Account einloggen und Kinderprofil anlegen Diese E-Mail-Adresse scheint nicht korrekt zu sein sie muss ein @ beinhalten und eine existierende Domain (z.B. zdf.de) haben. Die eingegebenen Passwrter stimmen nicht berein. Bitte versuchen Sie es erneut. Das Passwort muss mindestens 8 Zeichen lang sein. Das Passwort muss mindestens einen Grobuchstaben enthalten. Das Passwort muss mindestens einen Kleinbuchstaben enthalten. Das Passwort muss mindestens ein Sonderzeichen enthalten. Das Passwort muss mindestens 8 Zeichen lang sein und mindestens eine Zahl enthalten. Die Registrierung hat leider nicht funktioniert. Bitte berprfen Sie Ihre Angaben. Benutzername E-Mail Passwort Passwort wiederholen Das Passwort muss mindestens 8 Zeichen lang sein, einen Grobuchstaben, eine Ziffer und ein Sonderzeichen enthalten. Ich akzeptiere die Nutzungsbedingungen des ZDF * Ich akzeptiere die Datenschutzerklrung des ZDF * Ich bin einverstanden, dass mein Kind 'Mein ZDFtivi' nutzt. * Ich akzeptiere die Datenschutzbestimmungen zur Nutzung von 'Mein ZDFtivi' * Pflichtfelder * Registrieren | https://www.zdf.de/verbraucher/wiso/diesel-software-update-was-bringts-100.html |
Why does Fort Lauderdale need a $100 million police station? | The elevators are ancient, the air conditioner breaks on a regular basis, the roof leaks, the offices are cramped, the basement floods and so does the parking lot. Fort Lauderdale police officers and the police chief say there are plenty of reasons theyre asking for a new police headquarters. On March 12, Fort Lauderdale voters will make the decision. If the $100 million bond issue passes, property taxes would go up for 30 years to pay for a new police headquarters and high-security parking garage. Theyd be built in the next few years at the existing property, 1300 W. Broward Blvd., just a bit east of Interstate 95. Some have questioned the cost, which is much higher than other agencies in the region spent on new police stations. Mayor Dean Trantalis said he thinks it could be built for less. City officials said when they design the station in detail, it might not be as expensive and they could spend less than the $100 million. I believe that the price for the station can be achieved well below the bond amount, Trantalis wrote in his January newsletter to residents. And we will know more as details continue to be worked out. Heres a look inside the 1958 Fort Lauderdale police headquarters: Carline Jean / Sun Sentinel A carpet in the Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) area of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department is stained from a previous flood. A carpet in the Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) area of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department is stained from a previous flood. (Carline Jean / Sun Sentinel) Mounting evidence Like many older buildings, the police station has seen its share of leaks and floods. And theres plenty of evidence of past water intrusion, including carpet stains and a faint scent of mildew. We had to do an entire mold remediation in this room, Fort Lauderdale police Capt. Frank Sousa said. It stopped our training for weeks because we had to move out of it. The building also doesnt have modern safety elements, such as fire sprinklers. The physical plant of the building is old and much of the equipment is original, consultant HDR Engineers wrote after assessing it. Carline Jean / Sun Sentinel A men's bathroom doubles as a storage room at the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. Voters in March will be asked to raise property taxes for a $100 million new police headquarters and parking garage, A men's bathroom doubles as a storage room at the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. Voters in March will be asked to raise property taxes for a $100 million new police headquarters and parking garage, (Carline Jean / Sun Sentinel) Cramped quarters You know its bad when youre storing stuff in the bathroom, Lt. Adam Solomon said, gesturing to shelves of boxes and supplies around the corner from urinals. That speaks volumes. The 85,000-square-foot building has a basement and three floors. But its not large enough for a police force thats grown to 525 officers and 727 other employees, Police Chief Rick Maglione says. Offices are cramped, with several desks in spaces intended for one or two, officials said. Due to age practicality and size limitations, the building fails to meet current or future standards of a modern law enforcement facility, a city memo from December says. Some employees have to work off-site, Sousa said, and some storage is at other locations. A new station would be much bigger, a one stop shop where all activities and storage could be brought under one roof, he said. An analysis by HDR Engineeering found a need for about 200,000 square feet, and a predicted need of about 225,000 square feet by 2030. Details of a new building are not known and would finalized if the bond issue passes. HDR estimated a 168,401-square-foot police building could be constructed for $68.4 million. A 750-space garage would cost about $18 million, HDR estimated. Carline Jean / Sun Sentinel A flood warning sign is seen in the parking area of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. A flood warning sign is seen in the parking area of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. (Carline Jean / Sun Sentinel) Parking pond Behind the police station, a parking lot for employees floods badly, Sousa said. Ive seen water up to here on a vehicle, he said, gesturing well above the wheel well of a van. A proposed construction plan by HDR Engineering shows a parking garage where the existing station is. The new, four-story headquarters would be situated to the west, along Broward Boulevard and Southwest 14th Avenue, where a small parks and recreation office stands. The police station would be constructed around the existing station, to minimize disruptions. The citys fleet operations are expected to remain at the property, behind the station. Brittany Wallman / Sun Sentinel The Fort Lauderdale Police Department is not a safe Emergency Operations Center, officials said. They evacuate in hurricanes. Major police situations, like New Year's Eve responses, are staged in this room. The Fort Lauderdale Police Department is not a safe Emergency Operations Center, officials said. They evacuate in hurricanes. Major police situations, like New Year's Eve responses, are staged in this room. (Brittany Wallman / Sun Sentinel) Hurricane fears When Hurricane Irma was headed to South Florida and predicted to be a maximum strength, Category 5, the city had to shut down the police station. A replacement police station would double as an emergency operations center, officials said. It could be used for staging a response to a major hurricane or any other major incident. For now, the command center is relatively low-tech, with large-screen televisions on the wall, and computer monitors on the tables. A high-tech real time crime center would provide video feeds from cameras throughout the city, officials said. Brittany Wallman / Sun Sentinel The elevator inside Fort Lauderdale Police Department has most officers using the stairs. The elevator inside Fort Lauderdale Police Department has most officers using the stairs. (Brittany Wallman / Sun Sentinel) Step right in The elevators are among the oldest in Broward County, according to civil engineer Ralph Zeltman, a member of the citys infrastructure task force. The panel with the elevator button is loosely attached to the wall. Many officers choose to take the stairs, Sousa said. Theyre too afraid, Sousa said. Brittany Wallman / Sun Sentinel The FLPD training room is nothing special. Some cables hang from the ceiling. A powerpoint box sits inside a rigged shelf in the ceiling. Officers want something more high-tech. The FLPD training room is nothing special. Some cables hang from the ceiling. A powerpoint box sits inside a rigged shelf in the ceiling. Officers want something more high-tech. (Brittany Wallman / Sun Sentinel) Time for class Theres nothing flashy about the training room: Tables, chairs and a white board. Yellow cords dangle from ceiling tiles. Its just not a state-of-the-art training room, Sousa said. The plans call for a large, soundproof training room of 1,800 square feet, which could be divided into three classrooms. The room would be equipped with a modern shooting simulator for training. Brittany Wallman / Sun Sentinel The police station's computer "brain" room has an air conditioning duct blowing directly on equipment to make sure it stays cool. The police station's computer "brain" room has an air conditioning duct blowing directly on equipment to make sure it stays cool. (Brittany Wallman / Sun Sentinel) Computer room Its arguably the most important room in the building the computer hub. This is the brains of the operation, said Alan Ragoonanan, who maintains the station and was likened to the innovative problem-solving MacGyver. The doorway is obstructed by a large, portable air conditioning duct that is rigged to blow cold air onto the equipment. We cant take the chance of it getting hot, Sousa said. Brittany Wallman / Sun Sentinel The building has its original air conditioning equipment, which breaks regularly, officials said. The building has its original air conditioning equipment, which breaks regularly, officials said. (Brittany Wallman / Sun Sentinel) Chill out The air conditioning system is vintage. Ragoonanan said its the buildings original system from 1958. Because of its age, he said, its repaired once or twice a week. In his memo, Zeltman said workers manually empty the condensed water from the unit every day, because there is no drainage to accommodate this need. Brittany Wallman / Sun Sentinel Most of the training in firearms is done off-site. This firing range is on the third floor and gets wet when it rains, officials said. Most of the training in firearms is done off-site. This firing range is on the third floor and gets wet when it rains, officials said. (Brittany Wallman / Sun Sentinel) Target practice On the third floor, a firing range gives officers the opportunity to practice. Because of its limited size, most firearm training is done elsewhere, Sousa said. The range gets wet every time it rains, Ragoonanan said, because the buildings roof leaks. The new police station would have a 13,000-square-foot firing range, office and storage facility, either as a standalone building or inside the headquarters, a space analysis says. Brittany Wallman / Sun Sentinel A shower in the Fort Lauderdale police headquarters shows signs of wear and tear. A shower in the Fort Lauderdale police headquarters shows signs of wear and tear. (Brittany Wallman / Sun Sentinel) 60-year-old bathrooms | https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/hallandale/fl-ne-viz-fort-lauderdale-police-station-bond-20190116-story.html |
Was bringen Software-Nachbesserungen? | Bitte fllen Sie alle Pflichtfelder mit * aus. Bitte stimmen Sie unseren Nutzungsbedingungen zu. Bitte stimmen Sie unserer Datenschutzerklrung zu. Bitte geben Sie Ihr Einverstndnis. Bitte akzeptieren Sie die Datenschutzbestimmungen. Bitte whlen Sie Ihren Benutzernamen. Bitte tragen Sie Ihre E-Mail-Adresse ein. Diese Email-Adresse ist bereits bei uns registriert. Bitte versuchen Sie es mit einer anderen Adresse. Mailadresse bereits bekannt, bitte mit bestehendem Account einloggen und Kinderprofil anlegen Diese E-Mail-Adresse scheint nicht korrekt zu sein sie muss ein @ beinhalten und eine existierende Domain (z.B. zdf.de) haben. Die eingegebenen Passwrter stimmen nicht berein. Bitte versuchen Sie es erneut. Das Passwort muss mindestens 8 Zeichen lang sein. Das Passwort muss mindestens einen Grobuchstaben enthalten. Das Passwort muss mindestens einen Kleinbuchstaben enthalten. Das Passwort muss mindestens ein Sonderzeichen enthalten. Das Passwort muss mindestens 8 Zeichen lang sein und mindestens eine Zahl enthalten. Die Registrierung hat leider nicht funktioniert. Bitte berprfen Sie Ihre Angaben. Benutzername E-Mail Passwort Passwort wiederholen Das Passwort muss mindestens 8 Zeichen lang sein, einen Grobuchstaben, eine Ziffer und ein Sonderzeichen enthalten. Ich akzeptiere die Nutzungsbedingungen des ZDF * Ich akzeptiere die Datenschutzerklrung des ZDF * Ich bin einverstanden, dass mein Kind 'Mein ZDFtivi' nutzt. * Ich akzeptiere die Datenschutzbestimmungen zur Nutzung von 'Mein ZDFtivi' * Pflichtfelder * Registrieren | https://www.zdf.de/verbraucher/wiso/dieselgate-interview-kolke-adac-100.html |
Was soll Euro 5+ bringen? | Bitte fllen Sie alle Pflichtfelder mit * aus. Bitte stimmen Sie unseren Nutzungsbedingungen zu. Bitte stimmen Sie unserer Datenschutzerklrung zu. Bitte geben Sie Ihr Einverstndnis. Bitte akzeptieren Sie die Datenschutzbestimmungen. Bitte whlen Sie Ihren Benutzernamen. Bitte tragen Sie Ihre E-Mail-Adresse ein. Diese Email-Adresse ist bereits bei uns registriert. Bitte versuchen Sie es mit einer anderen Adresse. Mailadresse bereits bekannt, bitte mit bestehendem Account einloggen und Kinderprofil anlegen Diese E-Mail-Adresse scheint nicht korrekt zu sein sie muss ein @ beinhalten und eine existierende Domain (z.B. zdf.de) haben. Die eingegebenen Passwrter stimmen nicht berein. Bitte versuchen Sie es erneut. Das Passwort muss mindestens 8 Zeichen lang sein. Das Passwort muss mindestens einen Grobuchstaben enthalten. Das Passwort muss mindestens einen Kleinbuchstaben enthalten. Das Passwort muss mindestens ein Sonderzeichen enthalten. Das Passwort muss mindestens 8 Zeichen lang sein und mindestens eine Zahl enthalten. Die Registrierung hat leider nicht funktioniert. Bitte berprfen Sie Ihre Angaben. Benutzername E-Mail Passwort Passwort wiederholen Das Passwort muss mindestens 8 Zeichen lang sein, einen Grobuchstaben, eine Ziffer und ein Sonderzeichen enthalten. Ich akzeptiere die Nutzungsbedingungen des ZDF * Ich akzeptiere die Datenschutzerklrung des ZDF * Ich bin einverstanden, dass mein Kind 'Mein ZDFtivi' nutzt. * Ich akzeptiere die Datenschutzbestimmungen zur Nutzung von 'Mein ZDFtivi' * Pflichtfelder * Registrieren | https://www.zdf.de/verbraucher/wiso/dieselgate-interview-koch-goeber-hochschule-heilbronn-100.html |
When is Ricky Gervaiss After Life released on Netflix? Whos in the cast? Whats it about? | After starring in original film Special Correspondents, and sharing his stand-up tour Humanity on the streaming platform, Ricky Gervais is back at Netflix with brand-new comedy After Life. Advertisement The show is set to follow despondent man Tony (played by Gervais) who learns to cope after the death of his wife by deciding to say and do whatever he likes, whatever the consequences. Gervais, 57, has also teamed up with a host of familiar faces and British comedy talent for the new six-part series. Netflix has confirmed that the series will land on Friday 8th March 2019. Gervais stars in the series as Tony, but having been at the helm of The Office, Extras, Derek and Lifes Too Short, the comedian has a whole host of British comic actors to draw on for his new series. While her role is yet to be confirmed, Penelope Wilton, who you may recognise as Isobel Crawley for Downton Abbey, is set to take part in the series. David Bradley, who starred as Argus Filch in the Harry Potter franchise and Jack Marshall in Broadchurch, is also billed as Tonys Dad. Gervaiss Extras co-stars Ashley Jensen and Tony Way are set to appear, as well as Derek stars Tom Basden, David Earl and Kerry Godliman. Joining them includes David Brent: Life on the Road alumni Mandeep Dhillon, Jo Hartley, Roisin Conaty and Diane Morgan, as well as comedian Joe Wilkinson. Main character Tony (Gervais) is furious with the world after his wife died. Troubled and jaded, he seeks revenge in the form of issuing savage put-downs in the face of everyone he meets but finds himself caught off balance with peoples unrelenting kindness. As the series progresses, Tony is stunned to learn that these kind influences in his life are actually helping him grow as a person. Gervais has been sitting on this idea for two years, after expressing a desire to return to the sitcom format when he was inspired to play an absolute loser. The idea is I get separated from my wife, and I have to move in with an absolute loser relative, he explained to The Hollywood Reporter. Ive lost everything. I havent got a house, I havent got a job because I was a bit of a kept man, and now I have to start dating again. Its horrendous. At 55, Ive got to start from scratch, and all I want is her back. Its about me trying to cope without this lifelong partner, and how the real world is harsh. Advertisement After Life launches on Netflix on 8th March | https://www.radiotimes.com/news/on-demand/2019-01-16/ricky-gervais-after-life-netflix-release-date-cast-trailer-comedy/ |
Will Paperchase be the next store to close? | Paperchase on Castle Street, Norwich. Picture: GoogleMaps GoogleMaps Paperchase is reportedly looking to close some of its UK stores. Email this article to a friend To send a link to this page you must be logged in. Share Email this article to a friend To send a link to this page you must be logged in. According to reports from the Telegraph, the stationer has called in KMPG to advise on carrying out a company voluntary arrangement (CVA). Paperchase has two outlets in Norwichs city centre, a concession in House of Fraser (which is to close next month) and one in Castle Street. CVAs have been the weapon of choice for many high street retailers looking to shed bricks-and-mortar stores, as the arrangement asks landlords to negotiate on rent prices or face losing the tenant. Recent examples of closures brought about by CVAs include Jamies Italian, Byron Burger, and Prezzo. KPMG and Paperchase have been approached for comment. The news comes after accounts filed to Companies House reveal a pre-tax loss at the retailer of 6.3m, with earnings dropping by 50% to 4.5m. Paperchase also had its credit insurance reduced in September amid concerns about the retailers finances. On top of this, parent company Primary Capital injected 4.5 million into Paperchase last year to repay debts. | https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/business/paperchase-next-store-close-city-centre-cva-1-5853764 |
Could Sony drastically change music with its 3D audio format? | Sony At CES this year, Sony's press conference distinctly lacked any major new announcements. Instead, the focus was on its ambitious plan to link high-quality video and audio tech. According to the company, it makes listeners feel as if they are immersed in sound from all directions. In this sense, 3D audio is a stepping-up of surround-sound: instead of hitting the listener with sounds coming from their right, left, back and front, which is what surround sound does, 3D Audio expands the hearing field by including sounds coming from above and beyond. Sony actually claims its speakers can emit sounds in all possible directions, which means they hit the listener from a whole new range of different angles. The point being to make listening more immersive and realistic as if the music was being played live in front of you. Read next The best headphones for any budget in 2019 The best headphones for any budget in 2019 In practical terms, this means using multiple speakers surrounding the listener to distribute individual sounds from the same piece of audio across a space, and "throwing" them in different directions. This is called object-based spatial audio, because the listener can perceive the spatial distribution of tracks as they play. Another way to picture it is to imagine what it would be like to feel like you are inside of the scene that you are watching or listening, rather than in front of it. To do that, Sony is using the MPEG-H 3D audio format, a standard audio format that supports multi-channel encoding/decoding on up to 64 loudspeaker channels and 128 codec core channels. In addition, the company is announcing an app to bolster the experience: based on a home-made inner ear diagnosis, carried out from a picture of your ear that you can take and send with your phone, it claims that it will deliver sound that is tailored to the listener's particular hearing characteristics. Something between Snapchat and HRTF, or so it seems. We'll have to wait and see Sony has not yet given the exact details of how it plans to bring audiology to your phone. Multi-channel technology is not new: DTS and Dolby Atmos have both already converted to surround sound, using their own audio processors that manage sound output across different speakers. In fact, the formats developed by both companies have become the new norm in film-making. Read next WIRED Recommends: The best gadgets and gear in 2019 WIRED Recommends: The best gadgets and gear in 2019 The answer is that Sony is promising or rather, hoping to achieve an eco-system in which the creation of music, its distribution and its playing, are all powered by its own technology. And it starts right in studio rooms: the company says that it is already working with artists and labels to get its 360 Reality Audio format started, by giving them the technical tools to map their audio tracks in space, working on vocals and instruments as objects evolving in a 360 environment surrounding the listener. Advertisement When placed at the centre of Sony's 360 Reality Audio speaker system, the listener is hit by sound coming from all directions and angles. This is meant to recreate the impression of attending a live event Sony / WIRED It continues on your laptop: Sony has partnered up with four streaming platforms that are already backing the project. Deezer, Tidal, nugs.net and Qobuz will be the first to provide 360 Audio content to their subscribers. Which you will be able to play, for example, on your Sony speakers. The company, while not completely rejecting the potential to expand the technology to other devices, has been firm in establishing that its focus for the time being will be to develop in-house hardware for 360 Audio. A new Sony-controlled premium audio format is on its way to take over the entire chain of music creation at least that seems to be the company's plan for the future. Dolby Atmos and DTS:X may have to start watching their backs. Where Sony can differ from Dolby Atmos or DTS, however, is in the quality of the sound it delivers. And of course, it is thinking at the consumer level, too; different ears, indeed, want different things. During the show, the company measured the hearing characteristics of listeners before starting the new technologys demo, to customise the mapping of sound to each individual. And it announced that it is working on miniaturising the process so it can be carried out directly from customers' phones. An app that lets you take a picture of your ear and work it through its software to tailor soundtracks to your specific hearing preferences is also allegedly coming. Read next Devialet Phantom Reactor 900 review: a bass-heavy speaker with dramatic looks Devialet Phantom Reactor 900 review: a bass-heavy speaker with dramatic looks These are the best wireless speakers in 2019 WIRED Recommends These are the best wireless speakers in 2019 This sounds like a very simplified HRTF diagnosis, but Sony has remained nebulous on the details of the new technology. The idea, in principle, would add a significant bonus for its technology; but whether it will deliver on it is reason enough to be skeptical. There is no reason for concern, according to the company: all audio in multitrack format should be convertible to 360 Reality Audio. Compatibility is the oil of 21st century audio and video technology. During its demo at CES, Sony showcased its 360 Reality Audio format on no less than 13 speakers, all from the companys own catalogue, of course. And it was made clear that the priority would be to make the technology work on its own speakers but Sony said that it was planning on making it compatible with other devices as well in the future. Another issue is that of space: the large booth in which the demo took place at CES was not representative of typical living room space. To counteract such criticisms, Sony showcased the use of 360 Reality Audio on headphones, using binaural reproduction a technology that plays on sound waves to convert surround sound into tracks that can deliver 3D sound even on the usual two headphone speakers. Again, Sonys new headphones can be tailored to the listeners particular ear characteristics. Read next The best wireless and noise cancelling headphones The best wireless and noise cancelling headphones Prices and details of a launch date are yet to be released, but, in addition to streaming platforms, Sony has already secured partnerships with industry names including The Wombats, Kodaline or AJR. Much more needs to be done, however, before the music business can be seen to be "on side" with the new technology, which will be key to winning over consumers and Sony being able to deliver on its promise of bringing a live concert experience to your living room. More great stories from WIRED Why the UK's porn block is one of the worst ideas ever Wedding shaming Facebook groups are the real-life Mean Girls Glasgow cured violence by treating it as a health epidemic Advertisement Upgrade your sound with our guide to the best headphones The best Black Mirror episodes ranked Get the best of WIRED in your inbox every Saturday with the WIRED Weekender newsletter | https://www.wired.co.uk/article/sony-360-reality-audio |
What's The Social Impact Of Marketing That Works Too Well? | Its ironic. A huge swath of marketing executives wrote off the whole enterprise as quaint when I started writing about cause marketing nearly 20 years ago. (I know some people HATE the term cause marketing seeing it as shorthand for short-term, opportunistic, promotional initiatives. I, alternatively and expansively, would define cause marketing as efforts by for-profit entities to simultaneously achieve commercial and social impacts. But lets not permit jargon to stand in the way please use whatever phrase you prefer social impact, responsibility, purpose - to describe such work.) Back in the day, most in the business establishment did not embrace the idea that substantial enterprises could successfully combine efforts to build a better world and the bottom line. Numerous waves of consumer research, changing consumer and employee expectations, new views of the role of business in attacking societal ills and many examples of success in the marketplace have dramatically increased the percentage of businesspeople who have embraced the idea that purpose should be considered the fifth P of marketing. Which is why I have been struck by a spate of articles recently voicing concerns about marketing efforts with seemingly good intentions that raise ethical issues. To be fair, its not really the goals of the efforts that are raising concerns, but rather their use of behavior change marketing, artificial intelligence and data analytics. These powerful tools can be used to achieve great things but the danger is that they can also be put to nefarious ends. On New Years Eve, for example, The New York Times ran a fascinating piece on the work of Humu, a start-up using artificial intelligence to identify and socialize among a companys employees behavioral changes that would positively impact workforce happiness. Humu, a start-up founded by 3 former Google employees, says it can help employees be happier by nudging them into better behavior https://t.co/6htt81zGPZ The New York Times (@nytimes) January 1, 2019 A noble goal, no doubt, but not without questions of whether the means justify the ends. Before I go on, let me be clear, I am not an expert on Humu or the other companies discussed below and I am not endorsing or bashing their work. Im just raising questions as these medias have provocatively and appropriately done. Bloomberg Businessweek recently highlighted how the language learning app Duolingo had adopted from online game companies many of the techniques that made games addictive to players. The changes such as hooking people with in-app rewards for using the site everyday have had dramatic effects, according the article. Reportedly next-day retention hit 55 percent due to these practices, up from 13 percent in 2012. The question, Businessweek appropriately asks, is whether successfully addicting people to online language learning is better than getting them hooked on games which the World Health Organization, for one, has denounced as harmful. Finally an opinion piece in Adweek by Contentlys Joe Lazauskas was alternately fascinating and terrifying. It shared some ways neuroscience is being adapted by start-up companies to enable clients to evaluate the effectiveness of their marketing. He described algorithms linked to measures of oxytocin or galvanic skin response (sweat) that are being used to better predict programming popularity than traditional surveys or focus groups in which participants often dont accurately report how they truly feel. Change like this should be scary and exciting, he writes. The ability to quantify the emotional impact content has on consumers and connect that to purchase actions is transformative and leads to deeper investment in great brand stories. As long as those greater insights are used to share stories that have positive social and business impacts, Im all for such progress. However, numerous revelations in the last year of questionable practices managing issues of privacy and deceptive advertising at major technology companies should give us all pause. All of us who take are committed to building sustainable business systems that yield social and financial dividends have our work cut out for us. | https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidhessekiel/2019/01/16/marketing-that-works-too-well/ |
What time is Theresa May's no confidence vote and what will happen next? | After defeat in the House of Commons on Tuesday, Theresa May faces a vote of no confidence tonight. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn tabled the motion after the Prime Minister suffered the worst defeat in British political history with the meaningful vote on the Brexit deal. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn tabled the motion after the Prime Minister suffered the worst defeat in British political history with the meaningful vote on the Brexit deal. The Governments draft Withdrawal Agreement was voted down by MPs by 432 to 202 against the deal a defeat of 230. She cannot seriously believe that after two years of failure, she is capable of negotiating a good deal for the people of this country, Corbyn told the house following the result. The most important issue facing us is that the government has lost the confidence of this House and this country. I therefore Mr Speaker inform you I have now tabled a motion of no confidence in this government. Heres what time the vote of no confidence is likely to happen, where to watch it, and how it will work. After defeat in the House of Commons on Tuesday, Theresa May faces a vote of no confidence tonight. The vote of no confidence will take place on Wednesday 16 January the day after Mays catastrophic failure in Parliament. Ms May has agreed to giving a substantial part of the day to debates on the motion. The vote itself is likely to take place around 7pm. A vote of no confidence is a mechanism that can be used by MPs to announce that they have lost faith in the Government and demand a new Prime Minister. Under the Fixed Term Parliament Act (2011) brought in by David Cameron, if the motion succeeds then Parliament will have 14 days to find a government that the majority has confidence in. If a government cannot be formed in that time frame, then parliament is dissolved and an early general election will be triggered. The Prime Minister looks set to win the vote following assurances from Brexit rebels the ERG and the Northern Irish DUP that they will not vote against the government during the motion on Wednesday. If this prediction is accurate, then we await a plan B withdrawal agreement from the government on Monday. This could involve a request for an extension of Article 50, the legal trigger for Brexit, in order to return to the EU and negotiate changes to the draft deal. If the House confirms its confidence in this Government I will then hold meetings with my colleagues, our Confidence & Supply partner the DUP and senior Parliamentarians from across the House to identify what would be required to secure the backing of the House, Ms May said in the Commons. The Government will approach these meetings in a constructive spirit, but given the urgent need to make progress, we must focus on ideas that are genuinely negotiable and have sufficient support in this House. Third, if these meetings yield such ideas, the Government will then explore them with the European Union. | https://www.pontefractandcastlefordexpress.co.uk/news/politics/what-time-is-theresa-may-s-no-confidence-vote-and-what-will-happen-next-1-9540263 |
What Stops Women From Mentoring? | While moderating the Q&A of a panel about mentoring as a means to promote women in industries and occupations where they are under-represented, someone asked a great question: Are our expectations of senior women too high? The young woman in the early stages of her career went on to tell us about a time where she sought out guidance from a senior woman and was rebuffed. It caught her off guard. It just wasnt at all what she expected would happen, nor what she thought should happen, and there were plenty of women there who appeared to feel the same way. I've been thinking about the question since I heard it asked. I've been a mentor to plenty of women and men, and I've known lots of senior women who find joy in being allies, advisors, mentors and sponsors. They seek it out. Yet there are also women who dont initiate or accept the responsibility to actively participate in other women's career development. That shouldnt be surprising. Just as not all women think alike, they dont all act alike either. Just look at election results, for example. Women dont vote as a block and they dont act the same way at work. There are many reasons why some women dont offer the developmental support that mentoring provides. Whether they are amenable to it depends on many factors, such as whether or not they are a natural giver and have relational savvy, the bandwidth to take on the work and, not least of all, their understanding of how they see their role as executives. And theres much more to it still. Some who look to senior women for the connection and learning and career benefits that a high-quality give-and-receive relationship offers expect to get support because they share the same gender. But that isnt how all women see it. Some may have minimized the significance of being a woman in a company or an industry where they have until recently been an "only." Many feel scrutinized for being female and may take pride in their hard work having paid off without anyones help. If they are the only woman, a person of a different race or individual with a disability at work, they may downplay their "only" status. That's why they've gone out of their way not to view themselves through a gender lens and instead worked hard to fit in, not stand out. I know of many cases, for example, where women insist on exceptional performance from everyone and drive teams very hard to get it. Women can sometimes hold both sexes to a tougher line because theyve had to hold themselves to an impossibly high standard to garner credibility and respect from others. This may not make sense to you if you havent faced or witnessed discrimination early in your own career. But for those who have, they can find themselves distancing themselves from other women doing what they can to prove they made it in the workplace because of their performance, not because of any special treatment. Having their gender define a good deal of their identity is something they go to great lengths to avoid, not embrace. This is just one of the many ways in which gender bias can generate conflict between multiple generations of women. Women may be more likely than men to put their job before their career. This explains why some senior women show a disinterest in helping high-performing women who show promise. Senior women may neglect the importance of growing their networks and building currencies of exchange with others who are junior. Think too about the impact of those senior women who lacked a mentor themselves. Also, possibly for those who did have mentors or sponsors, its likely it was an older male supporter because there werent many women at the top. They didn't have the experience of a woman's mentoring on the unique challenges faced by women. We need to also look at the greater context of work today to understand why some women don't want to mentor. Women persistently find themselves on an uneven playing field. There are so few women in the C-suite and on boards that scarcity can often place a chill on woman-to-woman dynamics. Without the reliability of equal pay for equal work, and far fewer opportunities to reach senior leadership levels, the workplace dynamic can set women up to compete with one another. At the same time, things are changing in some ways for the better. We cant overlook that there have always been women who support one another. Today, there are far more conversations about how to close the gaps of inequity at work sparked by the #MeToo movement. Women in male-led industries and businesses are organizing events where women with something to say about issues that affect women at work are finally given a platform. Although change is slow to happen, I am hearing more about newly created formal mentoring programs in businesses and professional associations and about informal sponsorship relationships where senior women are opening doors for others behind them to actively support their careers. Women supporting other women is powerful. There are legacy reasons why it isnt consistent across industries. Nevertheless, when women do raise each other up, there's reason to be hopeful. Long may this continue. | https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2019/01/16/what-stops-women-from-mentoring/ |
Who are the Redskins options for quarterback next season? | Sports Columnist A Super Bowl champion, Heisman Trophy winner, free agent castoff, career backup or crippled incumbent those are the Redskins options for quarterback this fall. Washington certainly has a wide range of possibilities, although the best candidates are long shots and the most likely option isnt very enticing. Fans have no faith in the team being able to draft the right QB after repeated first-round busts, and the Redskins have other needs to address. Here are five possible QB options and their odds of happening. Washington Redskins quarterback Colt McCoy drops back for a pass in the first half in a game between the Redskins and the Eagles. (Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post) Colt McCoy Coach Jay Gruden has always loved McCoy, but the backup passer gets hurt whenever hes called upon. In his second start of the season, he suffered a broken leg. And he wasnt that impressive in his limited time in 2018. McCoy lacks arm strength, so the Redskins play on a short field when hes under center. Then again, they dont have any deep targets, either. McCoy would be a stopgap starter in what may become a Tank for Tua attempt to draft Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa in 2020. If McCoy stays healthy, maybe the Redskins can just run Derrius Guice a lot to stay competitive. Odds: 5-2 Oklahomas Kyler Murray is joining the NFL draft. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File) First-rounder Oklahomas Kyler Murray, above, joining the NFL draft suddenly gives the Redskins a QB option with their 15th overall selection. The Heisman Trophy winner could be available or he could be the reason one of the other top-rated QBs falls. Either way, Murray being in the draft gives the Redskins a better chance of picking a QB. If they wait until the second round, West Virginias Will Grier or N.C. States Ryan Finley might be available. No QB in this class looks ready to immediately start, so the pick would likely sit behind Colt McCoy until October, when the front office would pressure coach Jay Gruden to start him. Odds: 7-2 Nick Foles of the Philadelphia Eagles attempts a pass during the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Divisional Playoff Game. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) Nick Foles The hero of the Eagles past two postseason runs will likely be too expensive. The Redskins have about $20 million in salary cap room and thats what Foles will demand. But Washington has always found a way to get creative with deals. He would be worth it for ticket sales alone after FedEx Field looked pretty empty last season. Owner Dan Snyder lives for marketing quarterbacks and needs something new and shiny to fool a broken fan base into giving him one more chance to win. It would be a perfect payback should Philly sign Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper. Odds: 10-1 New Orleans Saints quarterback Teddy Bridgewater drops back to pass under pressure from Carolina Panthers defensive end Mario Addison. (AP Photo/Bill Feig) Free agent Teddy Bridgewater, above, Tyrod Taylor and Ryan Fitzpatrick oh my! Really, this is just one sad option next to Nick Foles. Overpaying the cream of the crud just seems wrong. Yet, Washington might compete with Jacksonville, Miami, Oakland and maybe Denver and the New York Giants for the top free agents and draft picks to fill QB voids. Maybe the Redskins should start Colt McCoy, keep Josh Johnson as the backup and hope an offseason with coach Jay Gruden fixes some of Johnsons flaws that were exposed over the final two games in 2018. Its really a no-win situation. Odds: 30-1 Washington Redskins quarterback Alex Smith. (Photo by John McDonnell/The Washington Post) Alex Smith There will be plenty of optimism over the offseason for bringing back Smith as the starter because it doesnt cost the Redskins any additional money. Theyre already on the hook in 2019 for a $20 million cap hit for the injured quarterback. But lets be real Smith just wants to walk without a limp for the rest of his life. Asking him to return from a devastating broken leg that was complicated by a serious infection at age 35 is too much. The Redskins wont be able to legally get out of paying Smith, and its a real long shot that he will play again, much less in Week 1 of the 2019 season. Odds: 99-1 Read more from Rick Snider: Redskins should just tank next year 5 things to watch as the Redskins rebuild in the offseason Jay Gruden deserves one more season with the Redskins | https://www.washingtonpost.com/express/2019/01/16/who-has-best-odds-be-redskins-qb/ |
Why did David Cameron hold an EU Referendum and what is he doing now? | (Photo BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) David Cameron has been a quiet figure during the last couple of years despite being the person that initially started Brexit when he held the EU referendum in July 2016. Outcry over claims people over the age of 75 'shouldn't get the vote' During his time as Conservative leader he faced pressure from the public and his fellow MPs to allow a vote to take place. The former Prime Minister was never in favour of leaving the EU and he campaigned for the remain side ahead of the public vote. In June 2012, nearly 100 Conservative MPs called for a referendum on the nature of our relationship with the European Union but this was rejected. Advertisement Advertisement David Camerons initial plan was to attempt to change how the UK and EU interacted and was keen to continue down that route. He said in 2012: For those of us who are practical eurosceptics, who know there is a real benefit from being engaged but are frustrated by some of the ways the relationship works, I see lots of reasons to say the argument is going our direction. Britain faces a simple and inescapable choice stability and strong Government with me, or chaos with Ed Miliband: https://t.co/fmhcfTunbm David Cameron (@David_Cameron) May 4, 2015 Calls for a referendum were persistent, from within the Tory party and from UKIP. The promise of an EU referendum was made by David Cameron during a speech in 2013 and it was later made part of the Tory manifesto for the 2015 election, stating that a vote would be held before the end of 2017 if the Conservatives won the election. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video His plans to carry out the referendum in 2010 were halted because of the coalition, but a conservative majority made it easier for him to fulfil the manifesto commitments. Advertisement Advertisement A key milestone was then reached in December 2015 when the EU Referendum bill was passed through Parliament. The rise of anti-EU feeling was demonstrated in the 2015 election by UKIP winning 3.8 million votes (12.6%), despite only getting one MP for their efforts Douglas Carswell, who had defected from the Tories. A key manifesto commitment delivered as the EU Referendum Bill clears Parliament. Voters will have an in/out choice before the end of 2017. In February 2016 David Cameron announced that the referendum would take place on 23 June 2016. He said in a speech in May 2016: I believe that, despite its faults and its frustrations, the United Kingdom is stronger, safer and better off by remaining a member of the European Union. Certainly. The referendum result was for us to leave the EU, with 51.89% of people voting for the UK to leave and 48.11% voting for the UK to remain. The Leave campaign is wrong to say there'll be a 2nd referendum if we vote to remain in the EU. This is a referendum and not a neverendum. The day after the EU referendum result David Cameron resigned as Prime Minister, which was 13 July 2016. He was later succeeded by Theresa May who has remained as PM despite numerous setbacks, including a vote of confidence from her fellow conservatives in December. Theresa Mays proposed Brexit deal was rejected by her fellow MPs last night and she now faces a new vote of confidence from all members of Parliament tonight. Advertisement David Cameron has generally remained out of the spotlight since resigning as Prime Minister in July 2016. One of his most recent tweets was on 12 December when he urged Conservative MPs to support Theresa May when she faced a vote of no confidence. It was a vote that she later won with a majority of 83. I hope Conservative MPs will back the PM in the vote today. We need no distractions from seeking the best outcome with our neighbours, friends and partners in the EU. David Cameron (@David_Cameron) December 12, 2018 It is believed that the former Prime Minister has been spending a lot of his time writing a book which is reportedly earning him an estimated 800,000. Cameron also attracted some attention after sharing his love for the shed in the back garden of his Cotswold home. Approached by Sky News while getting into his car in December, he said: I dont regret calling a referendum. I made a promise in the election to call a referendum and I called the referendum. MORE: How newspapers reacted to Theresa Mays humiliating Brexit defeat MORE: I voted for Theresa Mays Brexit deal but now she must compromise | https://metro.co.uk/2019/01/16/david-cameron-hold-eu-referendum-now-8350174/ |
What are the best UK companies for maternity leave? | The top ten UK companies for maternity leave have been revealed in a new study. Research from price comparison experts at Money Guru names management consulting firm Accenture and e-tailer Etsy among the top employers with some offering up to nine weeks' full pay for new mothers. The study, which also looked at the best paternity leave packages, found that some 70 per cent of UK employers believe women should declare their pregnancy during the recruitment process. The top ten UK companies for maternity leave have been revealed in a new study from a team of experts at Money Guru (file photo) According to Money Guru, one in seven (14 per cent) of employers admitted they would be 'reluctant' to hire a woman who may go on to have children. Studies show that 39 per cent of young mothers have been illegally asked in job interviews about how being a mother would affect their ability to work. Whats more, around 24 per cent of employers believe that women should work for them for at least a year before having children (in some cases, this is company policy). Registered Psychologist Rachel Hard commented: 'The title "maternity leave" gives a gendered role or expectation of who can/should take leave to care for a new baby. 'The traditional male and female roles are often still in play despite social sanctions to establish equality.' The study found that some 70 per cent of UK employers believe women should declare their pregnancy during the recruitment process (file photo) Maternity support was introduced to the UK just over 100 years ago, in 1911. Women could still be sacked for falling pregnant up until 1975, when the Employment Protection Act was brought in. Only 50 per cent of women had access to maternity leave right up until 1993, when it was given to all women, as Britain was forced to comply with a European commission directive. With such a short history of women being supported during pregnancy and motherhood in the workplace, its impressive to see these companies offering more inclusive and beneficial options. 1. Accenture The management consultancy firm offers 36 weeks' maternity leave on full pay. 2. Transport for London TFL offers 26 weeks fully paid maternity leave, 13 weeks statutory maternity pay and a possible additional 13 weeks unpaid leave. This is open to all employees regardless of length of service. 3. M&G Childcare vouchers and an enhanced maternity package from the investment management company. 4. Etsy Gender blind meaning they offer all employees 26 weeks of fully paid leave to be taken in the first year of their childs life. There are also assistance programmes for parents of children with special needs and unlimited sick leave which employees are encouraged to use for caring for their children. 5. Aviva The insurance company offers 26 weeks' leave with full basic pay regardless of gender, sexual orientation or whether they had given birth, adopted or conceived through surrogacy. 6. UKFast The firm offers new mums 16 weeks' paid maternity leave, in addition to an on-site creche and baby hampers for new mums and dads. 7. Vodafone The mobile network offers 16 weeks of full paid maternity leave and a further six months of four-day weeks on full pay. 8. Netflix Parents are allowed to take off as much time as they want in the first year, while being paid their full salary by the streaming giant. They can choose to return full or part-time and this is inclusive of birth and adoption. 9. Microsoft The software giant offers 20 weeks' paid leave, eight weeks' fully paid after the birth and 12 weeks' parental leave for both mothers and fathers which can be taken at once or in blocks. They also offer mothers two weeks of disability leave before their due date and phased return. 10. Civil Service Offers 26 weeks fully paid leave and shared parental leave which can be taken in one go or in blocks throughout the first year. | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-6597943/What-best-UK-companies-maternity-leave.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ito=1490&ns_campaign=1490 |
Is the four-day workweek an impossible dream or plausible plan? | But this isnt happening. Americans are still clocking long hours at work, and while technology has made some things more efficient, it has also imposed additional burdenslike the expectation that employees are contactable (and obliged to respond to messages) 24/7. On this weeks episode of Secrets of the Most Productive People, we spoke to CEO and founder of FlexJobs, Sara Sutton, about the pros and cons of a four-day workweek. She discussed why the four-day workweek might not work for everyone, but why organizations need to be open to a four-day workweek. Well also discuss tips on how you can ask your boss for a four-day workweek, in our recently introduced segment titled, You might want to write this down. Three quick tips for requesting a four-day workweek 1. Use data. You wouldnt go into a salary negotiation without having done your research about what the market salary is, and hopefully some sort of tangible metrics that illustrate why you deserve that pay bump. Asking for a flexible working arrangement requires the same kind of due diligence. Make the case that it benefits the company, and show how you plan to do the same amount of work in shorter days. You need to lay out your plan of action, and articulate the research that shows how short, focused periods are the way to go. 2. Ask for an experiment. You might not even like working a four-day workweek. Ask your boss to try it for a week or two, and allow them to assess. Sometimes they need to see that you will be just as productive, and if you can show them that, theyre more likely to be open to making that a permanent thing. | https://www.fastcompany.com/90292086/is-the-four-day-workweek-an-impossible-dream-or-plausible-plan?partner=feedburner&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+fastcompany%2Fheadlines+%28Fast+Company%29 |
Will the Netflix price hike affect UK users? | Netflix has shocked US viewers with news of price hikes (Picture: Getty Images) Netflix has caused a spot of controversy among its viewers after announcing it plans to increase its prices in the US. The company is increasing the price of its most popular plan from $11 per month to $13 per month. Thats the one that gets you two high definition to two simultaneous screens. Over here it costs 7.99 per month for the same plan. All of which has sparked speculation that the same thing could happen over here. Well the good news is that the US price change isnt going to have any impact on UK subscriptions. Theres no shortage of big shows coming to Netflix including George R R Martins Nightflyers (Picture: Netflix) Price increases are specific to each country and the US increase does not influence or indicate a UK price change, a spokesperson has confirmed to metro.co.uk. Advertisement Advertisement All of which means that the prices are safe for now, at least, as it doesnt mean there wont be an increase in the future. We change pricing from time to time as we continue investing in great entertainment and improving the overall Netflix experience for the benefit of our members, the company told us. Part of the reason for this is increased funding for original content, but its also due to the increasing competition in the streaming market, with Disney planning to launch a rival this year. If you've got a story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk Entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page - we'd love to hear from you. MORE: All the really weird bits from George RR Martins Netflix series Nightflyers MORE: Netflix is raising prices in the US which doesnt bode well for us | https://metro.co.uk/2019/01/16/will-netflix-price-hike-affect-uk-users-8350925/ |
When is The Big Bang Theory ending in the UK? | We dont have much more of The Big Bang Theory to go (Picture: CBS) The cast of The Big Bang Theory have been bidding farewell to their characters in a string of videos and its all pretty emotional. The show is due to wrap filming for good in just over a month, and ahead of that day Kaley Cuoco, Johnny Galecki and Jim Parsons have said goodbye to Penny, Lenonard and Sheldon. The final episode is not due to air in the UK until May 2019, although we still dont have a set date for it. Advertisement Advertisement Metro.co.uk has contacted E4 to see if they can shed any light on the matter. For now though, season 12 continues on the channel on Thursdays at 8pm. Johnny Galecki revealed few details, but hinted that it will be an emotional affair, when he spoke to News.com.au. I just dont know. The last episode is something that weve talked about for many, many years and theres many variations and options, he said. I just hope whatever were doing in that last episode it justifies the characters all crying because I know the cast will be. "We, along with the cast, writers and crew, are extremely appreciative of the shows success and aim to deliver a final season, and series finale, that will bring #TheBigBangTheory to an epic creative close. -Warner Bros. Television, CBS and Chuck Lorre Productions The Big Bang Theory (@bigbangtheory) August 22, 2018 Showrunner Steve Holland addressed the prospect of a death in the finale when speaking to The Hollywood Reporter. Weve dealt with the death of Wolowitzs mother, he said. So, sure, those things are possibilities, but when we get down to the finale and nothing is set in stone since we havent written it yet but the DNA of the show is a happy, positive, loving show and I dont think it would feel right to leave this show on a downer note. Our goal is to make a really strong, really funny season, and then also find a way to end it in a way that seems satisfying, he added. If you've got a story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk Entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page - we'd love to hear from you. MORE: The Big Bang Theory welcomes Sean Astin in first look to give Amy and Sheldon a huge dilemna before finale MORE: Big Bang Theorys cast unite at Critics Choice Awards to honour show creator Chuck Lorre | https://metro.co.uk/2019/01/16/big-bang-theory-ending-uk-8350500/ |
Is Willem II ondanks het vertrek van topschutter Fran Sol nog steeds favoriet voor de derbyzege? | De fans van de Tilburgers incasseerden deze week een gevoelige tik, toen publiekslieveling Fran Sol verkocht werd. De Spaanse topschutter werd voor een miljoenenbedrag overgedaan aan Oekraense topclub Dinamo Kiev. Voor de aanvalsleider van Willem II een kans die hij niet kon laten lopen. Voor hoofdtrainer Adrie Koster hoogstwaarschijnlijk een domper, ondanks de hoge transfersom. Wat de burger geen moed zal geven, is de thuisreeks waar Willem II aan bezig is. Onder leiding van de afgelopen zomer aangestelde Adrie Koster werd er slechts n keer op eigen veld gewonnen. De laatste vier thuisduels werden zelfs verloren. En ook de laatste vijf eredivisieduels waar Fran Sol niet aan deelnam werden verloren. Daartegenover staat de dramatische serie aan uitwedstrijden waaraan voor tegenstander NAC geen einde lijkt te komen. De Bredanaars wachten al elf wedstrijden buitenshuis op een overwinning. Sterk tegen NAC Waar Willem II zich zondag aan vast kan houden, is aan het feit dat NAC al sinds 2011 niet meer won in Tilburg. Daarnaast verloren de Tricolores sowieso al vijf eredivisieduels niet meer van de Bredanaars. Willem II vergaarde tot dusverre al vier punten meer dan NAC. Ook ging de ploeg van Koster de winterstop met opgeheven hoofd in, door op bezoek in Emmen het jaar met een zege af te sluiten. | https://www.bd.nl/willem-ii/is-willem-ii-ondanks-het-vertrek-van-topschutter-fran-sol-nog-steeds-favoriet-voor-de-derbyzege~aa150eee/ |
How will the government shutdown affect Atlanta's Super Bowl? | Atlanta is prepared to keep 1 million people safe when the Super Bowl hits town, city leaders said Tuesday. But with the federal government shutdown showing no signs of ending, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said it is not known how that will affect the citys ability to successfully host the biggest game in sports. Obviously we are in uncharted territory with the shutdown thats gone on this long, Bottoms said Tuesday. We are preparing as best we can from our vantage point. Bottoms and several law enforcement leaders spoke Tuesday morning about the citys final preparations before the Feb. 3 game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Atlanta police Chief Erika Shields said after two years of planning, her department is ready, along with more than 40 other law enforcement agencies that will be assisting during the 10-day Super Bowl period. RELATED: Atlantas top cop on Super Bowl security: Know your city has an A-game ALSO: SEC Championship game a warm-up for police before Super Bowl Our goal is for our officers to be visible. For the public to feel safe. Be safe, Shields said. And to be able to position ourselves so that we can react immediately to whatever scenario we are confronted with. Groups from Atlanta visited Minneapolis and Houston, the two previous cities to host the Super Bowl, to gain insight into security preparations. Plus, Atlanta has already hosted several big events, including the SEC Championship game in December. We are so ready for this event, Shields said. We have prepared well. Atlanta Police Chief Erika Shields speaks during a press conference at Atlanta Public Safety Headquarters in Atlanta on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019. The City of Atlanta and its local, state and federal partners discussed months of public safety and emergency preparedness plans leading up to Super Bowl LIII and related events beginning on Jan. 26 and ending the Monday after the game, Feb 4. More than 1 million visitors are expected for the game and related events. HYOSUB SHIN / [email protected] But the city can only do so much to prepare with the ongoing government shutdown, Bottoms said. I do believe we are as prepared as we can possibly be, the mayor said. Certainly there are factors that we dont control, such as whats happening with our federal government shutdown and with the long TSA lines. Fans visiting for the Super Bowl wont arrive at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport all on the same day. But getting out of town will be a different story. Theres what we call Mass Exodus Monday, and its my hope that some folks will delay their departures until Tuesday, Bottoms said. Its my hope that by then, the federal government shutdown will be history. And that things will go as smoothly as possible. Chris Hacker, FBI special agent in charge for Atlanta, said federal agents take an oath to protect the public. Regardless of whether the shutdown continues, hundreds of FBI agents will be involved with Super Bowl security. Nothing will change for the Super Bowl, Hacker said. | https://www.wftv.com/sports/super-bowl/how-will-the-government-shutdown-affect-atlantas-super-bowl/905269283 |
Will it snow in North Devon this week? | A yellow weather warning is currently in place for ice from this evening (Wednesday) and through to tomorrow morning. After a somewhat mild start to the week, temperatures are set to drop overnight and the warning runs from 10pm until 11am tomorrow. A chief forecaster for the Met Office said: Icy patches are expected to develop later Wednesday evening or overnight over southern Scotland and Northern Ireland and during the early hours of Thursday over England and and Wales. There will also be some wintry showers about, mainly over hills and mountains, but also to some lower levels at times, most likely in parts of Scotland and northern, eastern and central England. With the exception of high ground, most places will not see any snow settling. During the cold winter nights, the Safe Sleep project run by Freedom Community Alliance and North Devon Council is offering beds for the homeless. So far the project has welcomed 65 different people since it opened in October. Read more about it here. | https://www.northdevongazette.co.uk/news/north-devon-ice-warning-weather-1-5853774 |
Why Arent More Women in Health Care Leadership Roles? | Its another new year, and for health care, thats a signal that the great debate on the subject is about to commence in Washington. There seems to be no doubt that the United States health Its another new year, and for health care, thats a signal that the great debate on the subject is about to commence in Washington. There seems to be no doubt that the United States health care system the most expensive in the world needs some adjustments. Its the how and where that fuels the debate, administration after administration. But perhaps theres more to consider than just legislation. Maybe theres more than coverage plans to ponder. Perhaps some of the solution should come from the health care industry itself. Not from self-regulation or expense management alone, but from a more fundamental place of leadership. [See: 17 Ways Heart Health Varies in Women and Men.] Recently, theres been a movement known as 500 Women in Medicine, which was started by five medical students at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. This program is organized to promote women achieving leadership roles in health care. Interestingly, while 40 percent of physicians are women, very few attain the highest positions in medicine. For example, only 22 percent of full professor ranks at academic medical centers are held by females. And only 16 percent of leadership positions in administration or department levels are filled by women. Clearly, this is a different type of health care disparity, and its worth contemplating the causation. Many theories have been thrown around for the reason of leadership disparity in the halls of many hospitals and academic institutions. Social norms and expectations may have something to do with it. Perhaps women are still seen as the nurturing force, and pursuing leadership development may be felt to be selfish, an attribute that seems, per psychologists, to be particularly abhorrent to women. Or perhaps its because there are some life activities, such as raising children, that limit time to pursue early training, hence resulting in a lack of pursuing leadership roles. It doesnt seem that women are particularly discriminated against if they do pursue these roles, but rather, that they may not throw their hat into the ring at all. The comments above could be attributed to every group of physicians that one could define, not solely women. In medicine, life is delayed for quite a while for medical training which is obviously imperative to prepare doctors to do their job well. By the time trainees get far enough into practice to be able to consider other things, however, there are often many complicating factors: time, family, work and economic security, for example, that may prevent returning to school. The potential to assume leadership roles may be shrouded in clinical responsibilities, RVUs and the daily needs of the clinic or hospital. They are not visible for consideration. [See: 10 Questions Doctors Wish Their Patients Would Ask.] In addition, we have some accidental leaders in medicine. Many times people are rewarded for things other than leadership skill clinical excellence, research funding or just being around the longest. On the flipside, physicians are knowledgeable and have spent years honing skills in critical thinking and the scientific method for problem solving. Clearly, the basis for the skillset required for leadership exists in many, but the emphasis and development are not there. Physicians are now getting a second advanced degree in many cases; often an MBA focused on the business of medicine. To be transparent, I am in the 16 percent. Not because I had a plan and took definitive steps to develop into a leadership role in health care administration. Rather, it was a combination of opportunity and luck. Many activities and jobs presented themselves in my path, and I had great mentors who challenged me and pushed me to tackle new projects and activities at various points in my journey, even to this day. Im not sure, but I know that my development curve in leadership skills is steeper at this age than it might have been if I had started the path earlier. So my professional resolutions for 2019 will reflect this need for reform in health care. I will vow to be a lifelong learner in the discipline of leading health care, in addition to keeping up in the discipline of pediatrics. I will also join the work for 500 Women in Medicine, actively looking for those who have interest and aptitude for leadership and taking an active role in the mentoring of these potential future leaders. But my door will be open to all who have interest, male or female. [See: 11 Things Seniors Should Look for in a Health Provider.] Our battle to reform health care will again heat up through politics on Capitol Hill. But maybe thats just one piece of the puzzle that needs to be solved. Maybe the institution of medicine needs to begin to address our leadership future by looking for innovation and creativity. Weve solved many serious health concerns in the last 200 years. After all, politics are local. originally appeared on usnews.com | https://wtop.com/news/2019/01/why-arent-more-women-in-health-care-leadership-roles/ |
What Is a Bear Market? | Bear markets can be brutal. When stock prices fall and take your portfolio value with them, it can feel like the end of all thats right in the world. But bear markets dont need to Bear markets can be brutal. When stock prices fall and take your portfolio value with them, it can feel like the end of all thats right in the world. But bear markets dont need to be the annihilation they may appear. If you know what to expect and are properly prepared, you wont suffer investment losses as steep as the overall market. Heres what you should know about bear markets: A bear market is defined as a 20 percent drop in major U.S. indices from their most recent high. Bear markets can last weeks or years. The average length of bear markets since 1926 is 1.4 years. The average bear market decline since 1926 was -41 percent. The best bear market investment strategy is to be prepared. Bear Market Definition A bear market is typically defined by a 20 percent drop in a major U.S. index like the Dow Jones Industrial Average or the S&P 500 from its most recent high. To make pinpointing the most recent high easier, some experts will qualify most recent with specific time periods, such as most recent high within the previous 52-weeks or the previous two months. The high and subsequent fall can be measured by closing or intraday prices, so some measures may indicate a bear market when others dont, says Kate Warne, an investment strategist with Edward Jones in St. Louis. Likewise, some indices may enter a bear market when others dont. At Personal Capital, they think most people should be invested globally and as such should take a global perspective of bear markets, says Craig Birk, chief investment officer Personal Capital in San Francisco. They use global indices like the FTSE All World Index and the MSCI All World Index to measure bear markets, which investors can track with ETFs like the Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (ticker: VT). While the technical definition calls a bear market a decline of 20 percent or more, in reality, bear markets are about more than how far markets fall. In the real world, the definition of a bear market is less important than the impact, Birk says. And impact is both magnitude and duration. A 20 percent decline followed immediately by a rally doesnt have the same impact as a sustained downturn. For this reason, experts like D. Keith Lockyer, investment market manager at PNC Wealth Management, wouldnt cry bear until the markets have been in decline for a couple months. Bear markets can last weeks or years. If returns remain dampened for decades, even if there are small rallies in between, its categorized as a secular bear market. Anything less than 10 years is called a cyclical bear market. A bear market ends when the index begins to climb from its most recent low. Since its impossible to pinpoint the bottom until were well clear of it, Warne wouldnt declare a bear market over until the index has risen 20 percent from its new low. Even if stocks rise 10 percent after their 20 percent drop, wed still be in a bear market, she says. [See: 10 Stocks Already in a Bear Market.] Until we reach the new 20 percent market, people tend to categorize it as a new bull market, Birk says. Bull Versus Bear Market The difference between a bull and bear market is quite simply the difference between up and down. A bear market is a condition of falling stock market prices while a bull market is defined as rising stock market prices. A rising stock market is bullish, while a falling one is bearish. The two are named for the way their animal namesakes attack: Bears sweep down with their paws while bulls attack by thrusting their horns upward. Since 1926, the average bull market lasted 9.1 years and generated average cumulative returns of 480 percent, according to research by First Trust Portfolios L.P. The average bear market lasted a mere 1.4 years with average cumulative losses of -41 percent. This is why investors shouldnt try to sell ahead of a bear market, Warne says. Bear markets are severe and unpleasant but theyre also short compared to bull markets. Theres the concern you wont be able to reinvest in time for the bull market. The only thing worse than losing money with everyone else, is seeing everyone else making money without you. Correction Versus Bear Market Bear markets are also distinct from corrections and declines. A correction is defined by a 10 percent or more decline from an indexs most recent peak. Anything less than a 10 percent decline gets lumped into dip territory. So to distinguish a bear market from a correction and a dip: A bear market is a 20 percent decline from most recent high. A correction is a 10 percent decline from most recent high. A dip is any decline of less than 10 percent. Corrections happen on average once per year but can come much more often. The S&P 500 experienced multiple corrections in 2018, the most severe being the one that nearly brought it to its knees over Christmas. Bear markets occur on average once every three or four years, Warne says. While both corrections and bear markets can be jarring for investors, theyre a natural part of the market cycle. [See: 7 Things That Can Derail Your Retirement Investing.] Bear Market Causes Bear markets are to be expected, but theyre nearly impossible to predict. Theres dozens of indicators people use to predict bear markets, but none of them are very reliable, Warne says. Lockyer says some of the causes of a bear market can be: A slowing or expected slowing in the economy Rising unemployment Weak disposable income Decreasing corporate profits A tightening Federal Reserve policy Declining consumer confidence Any one of these can cause investors to become pessimistic and spark a bear market. However, a bear market can also occur with none of the above. Unsurprisingly, the causes of bear markets are the same ones that can prompt a recession. Bear Market Versus Recession Bear markets are commonly associated with recessions, but the two dont always go together. When you have a bear market, negative sentiment (among investors) drives stock prices lower and that can start to affect (consumer) confidence, Lockyer says. If confidence weakens, spending can decrease, which may slow the economy and lead to a recession. Recessions are another natural, if unsavory, part of the business cycle. While bear markets occur in stock markets, recessions occur in the broader economy. The National Bureau of Economic Research defines a recession as a significant decline in economic activity for more than a few months. In practice, a recession is generally measured by negative growth in gross domestic product for two or more consecutive quarters. The stock market generally leads the economy by six to 12 months when investors guess right, that is. Only seven of the 13 bear markets since World War II have actually led to a recession within 12 months. When the stock market did predict right, recessions followed bear markets by eight months on average. How to Invest in a Bear Market Bear markets may predict recessions 55 percent of the time, but theres still no surefire way to predict bear markets. If markets were predictable, itd be a lot easier to be an investor, Warne says. Since theres no way to know when a bear market will occur or how long one will last, preparation is the best bear market strategy. The time to prepare for a bear market is when one isnt near, she says. Rebalance your portfolio when stocks are high to make sure you arent taking on unnecessary risk that could leave your belly exposed if a stock market bear appears. A huge part of preparing for a bear market is understanding what you own and having an honest conversation with yourself about your risk tolerance, Birk says. To be a successful long-term investor, you need an investment strategy you can stick with if and when a bear market arrives, he says. At PNC Wealth Management, they use goals-based investing to help investors weather choppy markets. The approach keeps you focused on your long-term goals while providing for your short-term needs, which can help you avoid making decisions that prove detrimental over the long-run, Lockyer says. [See: 8 Blue-Chip Stocks to Weather a Bear Market.] Think of your long-term investment portfolio as you do your house, Birk says. You dont fret about short-term fluctuations in the market price of your house because you know youre not going to sell it tomorrow. originally appeared on usnews.com | https://wtop.com/news/2019/01/what-is-a-bear-market/ |
Is the '10 Year Challenge' innocent fun or some form of data collection? | A theory is making the rounds online that the recent 10 Year Challenge that popped up on Facebook and Instagram may be some form of social engineering, meant to collect information on how you age. The 10 Year Challenge calls for social media users to post a photo of what they looked like a decade ago next to what they look like now. The theory suggests that a company could harvest this data and use it to advance facial recognition technology to factor in aging. The photos or data could also be included in a database that could be sold to other companies. Yes, you could argue that the social networks already have your old photos, but the problem is many people upload their photos out of order. Even if a profile photo was recently uploaded, it doesnt mean it is a recent photo. But now, thanks to this challenge, the internet knows what you look like 10 years apart. These past and present photos could be put into an algorithm to help identify your face for years to come and potentially even predict what youll look like. In an opinion piece for Wired Magazine, writer Kate ONeil argues that even if this particular meme isn't a case of social engineering, the past few years have been rife with examples of social games and memes designed to extract and collect data. ONeil says the age progression technology could be used for good. For instance, helping find and identify children who have gone missing for years. Or it could be used for bad. For instance, a health insurance company could determine you appear to be aging too quickly and thus not as healthy, causing them to increase the cost of your insurance. Let us know on the KHOU 11 Facebook page. On the web: https://www.wired.com/story/facebook-10-year-meme-challenge/ | https://www.wusa9.com/article/tech/is-the-10-year-challenge-innocent-fun-or-some-form-of-data-collection/65-54464d3a-57e3-4766-9f45-17c0cc3e8ae9 |
Was kann das neue iPhone XI? | Nach dem neuen iPhone ist vor dem neuen iPhone. Wer sich am Strudel jhrlicher Updates nicht strt, blickt gespannt auf die nchste Version. Und stellt diesmal fest, dass Apple fr das iPhone XI sehr stark auf die Android-Konkurrenz geschielt haben drfte. Wie auch 2018 drfte Apple weiterhin an der Strategie festhalten, drei unterschiedliche Modelle fr Interessenten anzubieten, namentlich ein "gnstigeres" R-Modell, das Standard-Modell und ein greres "Max"-Modell. Aufflallend ist, dass sich Apple offenbar Technologien bedienen drfte, die bei bestehenden Android-Modellen der Konkurrenz vorzufinden sind. So drfte beispielsweise in allen knftigen Modellen ein OLED-Bildschirm verbaut werden, auch im gnstigeren R-Modell. Radikale Kamera-Updates Die High-End-Version des nchsten iPhone drfte mit drei rckwrtigen Kameras bercksichtigt werden, wie es schon etwa beim P20 Pro oder Mate 20 Pro von Huawei der Fall war. Zudem gibt es Gerchte, dass Sony die Kameras fr das iPhone Xi fertigen soll und dabei auch an einem 3D-Kameramodul arbeite. Damit lassen sich Tiefenanalysen durchfhren und Objekte dreidimensional abbilden. Unklar ist indes noch, ob man den Notch opfern wird. Wie die Smartphone-Trends fr 2019 andeuten, drften Hersteller heuer dazu bergehen, zu "Lchern" im Display berzugehen um eine Frontkamera, aber gleichzeitig mehr Bildschirmflche zu ermglichen. Die Ausbuchtung am oberen Bildschirmrand fiele dadurch weg. Es wre naheliegend, dass sich auch Apple zu dieser logischen Evolution entschliet, besttigt scheint sie aber noch nicht. Ein Anschluss wie alle anderen Verabschieden drfte sich das iPhone XI neuesten Gerchten zufolge vom Lightning-Anschluss. Wie es sonst auch in der Branche blich ist, arbeitet Apple zurzeit an einer Umstellung den deutlich flexibleren USB-C-Standard. Das ist insofern nicht so abwegig, als dass zuletzt das neue iPad Pro auf diesen Standard umgestellt worden ist und die Macbooks sowieso schon lnger damit ausgeliefert werden. Generell hat Apple mit schwchelnden Geschftszahlen zu kmpfen, weshalb grundlegende Weiterentwicklungen wie oben genannt dringend notwendig sind. Ein Aufschub an Innovationsfaktoren auf 2020 und lediglich minimale kosmetische Updates knnten dem Aushngeschild des Konzerns weiter schaden. | https://www.news.at/a/was-das-iphone-xi-bringt-10594734 |
Are any of these towns are better than Scarborough for a fishing holiday? | Scarborough has been named one of the top 10 fishing towns in Britain in a new survey. The list by FishingBooker, the worlds largest website for booking fishing charters, looked at visitor reviews and the other facilities on offer to visitors. Albert Grain, editor of FishingBooker's blog, said: Britain is very unique when it comes to fishing. "There's so much variety and so many towns near water that offer amazing fishing experiences. The towns that made the top 10, in addition to incredible fishing, also offer many additional activities to their visitors, making them not just fishing getaways, but proper holiday spots. Although the top 10 were not ranked, the other places in the list were Brighton, Great Yarmouth, Perth, Bournemouth, Ramsgate, Windermere, Inverness, Swansea and Newquay. | https://www.thescarboroughnews.co.uk/news/business/are-any-of-these-towns-are-better-than-scarborough-for-a-fishing-holiday-1-9540096 |
What's in the Cards for State Street (STT) in Q4 Earnings? | State Street STT is scheduled to report fourth-quarter and 2018 results on Jan 18, before the market opens. While revenues for the to-be-reported quarter are expected to grow year over year, earnings are likely to witness a decline. In the last reported quarter, the companys earnings missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Results were hurt by an increase in expenses. However, higher revenues provided some support. Nevertheless, State Street boasts an impressive earnings surprise history. The companys earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the trailing four quarters, the average beat being 2.8%. State Street Corporation Price and EPS Surprise State Street Corporation Price and EPS Surprise | State Street Corporation Quote Notably, activities of the company during the fourth quarter failed to win analysts confidence. Thus, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings of $1.71 for the to-be-reported quarter has moved 4.5% downward over the past seven days. Further, the figure represents a year-over-year decline of 6.6%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for sales is pegged at $2.98 billion for the fourth quarter, reflecting 4.8% year-over-year growth. Before we take a look at what our quantitative model predicts, lets check the factors that are expected to impact fourth-quarter results. Factors at Play The Zacks Consensus Estimate for average interest-earning assets of $182.6 billion for the fourth quarter represents a marginal decline from the prior quarter. Moreover, overall lending activities were not very impressive during the quarter. Nevertheless, driven by modest loan growth, along with benefits of higher interest rates, State Streets net interest income (NII) is likely to either remain stable or witness a modest improvement. Management expects momentum in NII growth to continue in the fourth quarter. In addition, management expects fourth-quarter servicing fee revenues to be flat sequentially on assumptions of continuing industry conditions and stable market levels. Driven by substantial volatility during the quarter, the companys trading revenues are expected to be positively impacted. However, while foreign exchange trading volumes were relatively flat during the quarter, foreign exchange volatility in the emerging markets declined sequentially. Thus, because of lower volatility, foreign exchange trading revenues are likely to decline during the to-be-reported quarter. Further, the spread between the three-month LIBOR and the Fed funds rate contracted during the fourth quarter. Thus, because of narrower spreads, securities lending revenues are likely to decline sequentially. State Streets expenses have remained elevated over the past few years due to rise in compensation and employee benefit costs as well as acquisition and restructuring costs. Owing to the companys continuing restructuring efforts, costs are likely to remain elevated. However, the State Street Beacon expense savings are likely to offset the rise to some extent during the quarter. Notably, management expects total expenses in the fourth quarter to be marginally above the third-quarter level. Here is what our quantitative model predicts: Chances of State Street beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the fourth quarter are low. This is because it does not have the right combination of the two key ingredients a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better for increasing the odds of an earnings beat. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before theyre reported with our Earnings ESP Filter. Earnings ESP: The Earnings ESP for State Street is -1.95%. Zacks Rank: State Street currently carries a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell). Stocks That Warrant a Look Here are a few bank stocks that you may want to consider, as according to our model, these have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat in the to-be-reported quarter. Earnings ESP for M&T Bank MTB is +0.80% and the stock currently has a Zacks Rank of 3. The company is scheduled to release results on Jan 17. BB&T Corporation BBT has an Earnings ESP of +0.53% and it presently carries a Zacks Rank of 3. It is also slated to report quarterly numbers on Jan 17. Huntington Bancshares Incorporated HBAN is set to report earnings on Jan 24. The company has an Earnings ESP of +0.32% and it currently carries a Zacks Rank of 3. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. More Stock News: This Is Bigger than the iPhone! It could become the mother of all technological revolutions. Apple sold a mere 1 billion iPhones in 10 years but a new breakthrough is expected to generate more than 27 billion devices in just 3 years, creating a $1.7 trillion market. Zacks has just released a Special Report that spotlights this fast-emerging phenomenon and 6 tickers for taking advantage of it. If you don't buy now, you may kick yourself in 2020. 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/whats-cards-state-street-stt-123812642.html |
Is Luka Doncic Having a Better Rookie Season Than LeBron James Did? | Glenn James/Getty Images Luka Doncic's arrival as a rookie phenomenon is now complete. Not because of his monstrous play in the clutch, those groin-stretching step-backs or the generally indomitable confidence that defines the Dallas Mavericks' 19-year-old star. No, Doncic has arrived because he's played well enough through half of his first NBA season to invite a special comparison. If there are levels to talent verification, being likened to LeBron James has to be one of the last thresholds to clear. So before we get to answering the question posed up there in the headline, just appreciate the fact that we can ask it with a straight face. Of course, you probably also want that answer too. If you start simply with traditional counting stats, you get a quick and easy validation that Doncic stacks up against James: We're trafficking in arbitrary cutoffs and tiny samples here, so maybe it'll help to broaden the scope of our investigation. If Doncic's averages of 20.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists hold, he'll do something Michael Jordan and Oscar Robertson did...but not James. Those numbers are still a bit cherry-picked, though. James' rookie averages of 20.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists put him in a group with Jordan and Robertson that excludes Doncic. James and Doncic are both in the 20-5-5 rookie club with Jordan, Robertson and...Tyreke Evans. If for some reason this serves as a tiebreaker, James is the youngest player to score at least 40 points in a game, which he did at 19 years and 88 days. Based on these numbers, the best we can say is that James and Doncic performed very similarly as 19-year-old rookies. That points, rebounds and assists don't clarify this comparison is no surprise. We've reached (or at least should have reached) a point where we know those counting numbers don't paint a finished picture. We need to know about scoring efficiency, global impact and even some intangibles to sort this out. Doncic tops James when we consider those elements, starting with scoring efficiency. Doncic and James Shooting Splits FG% 3P% FT% Doncic 43.5 37.3 73.2 James 41.7 29.0 75.4 Basketball Reference Sure, Doncic arrived in an NBA vastly changed from the one James joined in 2003-04. Math is king now, and it's impossible to acknowledge Doncic's superior shooting numbers without noting that the league as a whole is scoring more efficiently. In James' rookie year, the leaguewide three-point attempt rate was 18.7 percent, and the average effective field-goal percentage was 47.1 percent. Now, those figures are 35.2 percent and 52.2 percent. If James had attempted as many threes as Doncic this year (6.6 per game), he would have ranked fifth in the league. But if James had matched Doncic's difficult shot mixstep-backs, contested looks, particularly deep heaves it seems like he would have converted at an even lower rate than the 29.0 percent he managed from distance. It's not just different eras. It's not as simple as saying "if James had been a rookie in 2018-19, he would have matched Doncic's efficiency." James was significantly below the league average in that regard as a rookie. Doncic, despite a diet of extremely tough looks, is much closer to the median in that statistic. He's simply a more skilled shot-maker than James was. James and Doncic vs. League Averages TS% eFG% 3Pr James 48.8 43.8 14.5 2003-04 AVG. 51.6 47.1 18.7 Doncic 56.4 51.6 43.3 2018-19 AVG. 55.7 52.2 35.2 Basketball Reference Another stat combo that sets Doncic apart: He's in line to finish as the third rookie to ever post a usage rate of 28.1 percent and a true shooting percentage (which is different from effective field-goal percentage because it includes free throws) of 56.4 percent. James isn't in that club. And yes, six-time All-Star Walter Davis was very good in the late '70s and early '80s. We're getting distracted, though. LeBron's absence from some of these all-time rookie leaderboards brings us to another consideration: James, though an undeniable megastar now, wasn't overwhelmingly great as a rookie. In his own class, Carmelo Anthony edged out James' 20.9 scoring average with his own 21.0 figure, and he did it with a slightly higher usage rate and true shooting percentage. Dwyane Wade was also a more efficient scorer than James. So were David West and Chris Bosh. James led his rookie class in box plus-minus, but he only ranks seventh among rookies in that stat since 2003-04 (among first-year players who got 25 minutes per game and had a usage rate over 20 percent). Doncic is third in that group, behind Chris Paul in 2005-06 and Ben Simmons last year. Paul, for what it's worth, dominates in rookie box-plus minus at plus-6.1. Simmons only reached plus-4.6, and Doncic is at plus-3.2 so far. James only managed a plus-1.9. Let's also remember Blake Griffin, who posted a plus-3.2 BPM in 2010-11 that matches Doncic's figure this season. Griffin averaged 22.5 points, 12.1 rebounds and 3.8 assists as a rookie while taking the league by storm with his 214 dunks. If we're going to use less quantifiable factors to split hairs, Griffin single-handedly making the laughingstock Clippers interesting and unmissable has to be worth something. Note, too, that Griffinnot James, not Anthony, not anybody since Yao leveraged votes from China in 2003made the All-Star team as a rookie. Lest we forget: Doncic might very well join Griffin in that All-Star honor this February, and the way he's captivated the league with highlight plays and a self-assured air that often wades into flat-out cockiness feels a lot like what Griffin did almost a decade ago. In terms of overall production, CP3 and Simmons have stronger rookie resumes than Doncic and James. But if we consider the narratives and hype attached to those two, there's a fascinating contrast to explore. James' high school games were nationally televised. He was on the cover of Sports Illustrated before he ever played an NBA game. He was the Chosen 1 before the Cavs chose him first overall. Doncic arrived this year with little more than a whisper campaign to his name. He was like a secret only a few informed observers knew about, a grainy video clip from halfway across the world. He was a teenager destroying professional adults, winning MVPs and championships in a league better than the NCAA James bypassed. It's bizarre to frame it this way, with James anointed for dominating acne-ridden, curfew-having teenagers while Doncic slipped to third in the draft after crushing a league of grown men paid to play basketball. James' hype preceded his NBA debut. Doncic created his after the fact. I'm not sure how much that matters, because we've got to credit James for performing under such crushing pressure. At the same time, there's something to be said for Doncic forcing doubters to convert. Statistically, Doncic has been better as a rookie than James was, and their origin stories, so to speak, are as fascinating as they are distinct. But if there's a claim to the title of "Best Rookie Since LeBron," it probably belongs to Paul or Simmons. Or even Griffin. Doncic could do enough in the second half to surpass those guys. He's that good. Stats courtesy of NBA.com, Cleaning the Glass and Basketball Reference unless otherwise noted. Accurate through games played Tuesday, Jan. 15. | https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2815811-is-luka-doncic-having-a-better-rookie-season-than-lebron-james-did |
What Might Animals Look Like Thousands of Years From Now? | Though Beyond the Sixth Extinction can be enjoyed solely for its dystopian yuks, its elegant paper sculptures tell a deeper story. The book doesnt spend much time blaming humans for the world it imagines, or spell out exactly what has befallen Homo sapiens during the nearly three millennia between 2019 and 4847. But it does hint at a world in which the human footprint has been radically reduced. Chicago transformed into the diminished district of Cago, and life to some extent has moved on without us. All of the creatures in Muridays imaginary field guide have evolved to take advantage ofand to some extent compensate forhuman misrule. Rex Roach, which like its smaller forerunners has a high tolerance for radioactivity, can neutralize the radioactive particles it digests. The clam fungus, whose ancestors lived on trees, now clusters on the surfaces of ancient landfills, where it gleans from methane gas the same elements its bracket fungus ancestors mined from wood. (The clam fungus prudently closes its brackets at sunrise, partly to protect its tender inner flesh from those hungry giant pigeons.) The mudmop sequesters heavy metals, as does the Cagoan dragon. The Peteybugs name derives from PT bug, for polymertrophica synthetics feeder, it eats compact discs. The bloomworm, the naturalized descendant of a genetically engineered chimera that twenty-first-century researchers hoped would fight cancer, takes root in the cracks in buildings and sidewalks, absorbing calcium and aluminum from the cement and causing concrete-based structures to deteriorate at an accelerated rate. Sheehys project was initially inspired by paleoanthropologist Richard Leakeys 1995 book The Sixth Extinction (not to be confused with Elizabeth Kolberts 2014 book of the same name). That was the first time Id ever thought about the Earths five big extinction events, and that the sixth one, which might have the same sort of drama, is our fault, Sheehy says. That had a profound impact on me. Read: How I talk to my daughter about climate change Sheehy, a former elementary-school teacher, is careful not to burden his young readers with real horrors. As in his previous pop-up book Welcome to the Neighborwood, a much cuddlier tale about real-life animal builders, his primary goal is to provoke curiosity about what else is out there that we dont know about yetwhether out there is the backyard or the distant future. The creatures of Beyond the Sixth Extinction, like the scientifically-informed inventions of novelists Paolo Bacigalupi and Jeff VanderMeer, are just familiar enough, and plausible enough, to root in the imagination, and its passing place referencesthe Cagoan District includes the Ohare Site, infamous among twenty-first-century travelersadd to its eerie believability. As a contemplation of adaptability, resilience, and the many possible consequences of the present for the future, Beyond the Sixth Extinction can be an adventure for former teenagers, too. We want to hear what you think about this article. Submit a letter to the editor or write to [email protected]. | https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2019/01/sixth-extinction-pop-up-book/580291/?utm_source=feed |
Will Kim Jong Uns diplomacy derail denuclearization efforts? | Will Kim Jong Uns diplomacy derail denuclearization efforts?. January. 11, 2019 07:48. . North Koreas state-run Korean Central News Agency reported Thursday that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Chinese President Xi Jinping had an in-depth discussion on the issue of "joint research" into the denuclearization process and the situation on the Korean Peninsula. The news agency also said that Xi supported what he called North Korea's "reasonable" demands in denuclearization talks and that agreed issues of Pyongyangs interest should be resolved. The report is viewed as Pyongyangs intention to draw China into future negotiations between Pyongyang and Washington. The North Korean state medias announcement was not included in Chinese reports, suggesting that while China is cautious about the United States wariness against Beijing interrupting U.S.-North Korea negotiations, Pyongyang expects China to become its reliable supporter. Beijing also implicitly wants to play such a role. When U.S.-North Korea talks got into full swing last year, China attempted to exercise its influence, claiming its status as an interested party in the Korean Peninsula issues, shifting from its previous position that denuclearization was a matter between Washington and Pyongyang. Of course, it would be difficult to seek to resolve the Korean Peninsula issues without involving China. It is impossible to exclude China, which is a signatory to the Armistice Treaty that halted the 1950-1953 Korean War, from discussions for establishing a peace regime on the peninsula. If China has greater voices in the U.S.-North Korea negotiations, however, Pyongyang could make outrageous demands with Beijings backing. It is also possible that the Korean Peninsula issues could be reduced to nothing but subjects of strategic negotiations between the two great powers. It was because of such a limit of multilateral negotiation framework that the six-party talks chaired by China for the Norths denuclearization went nowhere. Kim Jong Un is dreaming about playing leading roles in summit diplomacy again in 2019 with Chinas backing. South Korean President Moon Jae-in is also helping Kim. At his New Years news conference on Thursday, President Moon projected that the North Korean leader will visit Seoul after the second U.S.-North Korea summit. Moon went on to say that inter-Korean economic cooperation would be blessing for South Korea and provide a new, epochal growth engine that revitalizes our economy. Although the president mentioned that inter-Korean economic cooperation cannot be started immediately because of international sanctions, we wonder whether he is already fanning expectations. What Kim Jong Un wants is probably to repeat the diplomatic rounds that started early last year and continued until the June 12 summit with Trump. Having secured Chinas support and South Koreas cooperation, he seems to want to negotiate with the U.S. If Seoul and Beijing go too far to encouraging him to become arrogant, his diplomacy could end up becoming nothing but a diplomatic show that deviated from the goal of Pyongyangs denuclearization. Just as the U.S.-North Korea negotiations went nowhere during the second half of last year showed, we cannot afford to repeat such a diplomatic failure. | http://english.donga.com/Home/3/all/26/1606645/1 |
Why Does the Number of Iraq Christians Continue to Dwindle? | Above, a church in Karamlesh has faced displacement of its parishioners; below, Father Benham Benoka, parish priest in Bartella, and Father Benedict Kiely (r), who visited Iraq in the first week of January. The founder of a charity dedicated to assisting the beleaguered populace explains. Edward Pentin ISIS may be practically gone in northern Iraq, but Christians now face another challenge: the Shabak, a Shia group that is more subtly pushing Christians out of their towns on the Nineveh Plain. To properly assess this latest threat, Father Benedict Kiely, the founder of Nasarean.org, a charity helping persecuted Christians, returned to the region in the first days of 2019. His visit included once-Christian towns on the Nineveh Plain Bartella, Qaraqosh and Karamlesh struggling to rebuild after ISIS invaded in 2014. The towns were liberated by Iraqi forces three years later. Father Kiely explains in this Jan. 9 interview with the Register the continued uncertainty facing the ever-dwindling number of Iraqi Christians, why they must have greater local political representation in such a tribalized society, and how the United States still plays a crucial role in helping Christians return and thrive to the area, as they had done for millennia. The main aim of this trip was to go principally to see three once-Christian towns in disputed territory: Qaraqosh, Bartella and Karamlesh to see how theyre doing, but also to see the reality of what its like to be under this control. Theres a real problem there now, in that the Christian identity of these formerly Christian towns is in the balance because the Shabak, a Shia group, are taking land. This is because of political differences in the Nineveh Plain between Kurdish and Iraqi authorities and because the area is really under the control of the Shia militia, the PMF, the Popular Mobilization Force. Theres a real separation now between the life in Erbil [the capital of Kurdistan] and whats going on in the Nineveh Plain. You are almost, as it were, going through two different countries. Youve got to go through these check points, and its getting more tricky. Plus, the Kurds dont like the Shabak at all; its very tribal, and its precarious for Christians because, once again, they do not have arms; they dont fight anybody. Yes, but the real problem is political control because they [the Shabak] have more people. Christians dont have political power any more, are now a minority on councils or other parts of local government. Someone told me that unless the Iraqi government orders the Shia militias to go, then it is basically over for the Christians in the Nineveh Plain. There is a clear difference now between the Nineveh Plain, where the future hangs in the balance, and Erbil, Teleskof and other areas in the north, where there is a future. The Christians who are there can find jobs, but in many places, theyve got to find housing. No ones paying rent for them anymore, so if they havent got a job, theyve got a problem. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, visited the region over Christmas and went to Mosul. They had a big Mass, the church was filled up, but nobody is actually living there. They filled the church up with faithful brought in from elsewhere. Theres no priest there. In different ways. There are some good things. For example, in Qaraqosh, theyve done some of the rebuilding, which is really impressive. Theyve built a kind of Christian cultural center; theres a nice library. The orchestra and music project that theyre doing in Qaraqosh is really impressive. But the roads have deteriorated and much worse than they were, especially because it had been raining. USAID [U.S. Agency for International Development] is not helping with the roads, so some of the things the people are asking for arent getting done. But another problem that the Christians are saying is that the Shabak are being helped more than the Christians because the assistance is for religious minorities. Plus, they [USAID] are not employing locals to do any of the work, so in that sense, theyre not helping. Theyre bringing people and materials from Erbil or Baghdad or elsewhere. You could almost say Erbil is thriving, which is what Archbishop Warda [of Erbil] wanted. The universitys growing. Everything is uncertain; thats the problem. My friend and guide, Yohanna, said its a smooth operation now. They are using demography and political power to just push Christians out. I was told that U.S. pressure must be put on the Iraqi government to remove the Popular Mobilization Forces because America has the power still. America provides all the money. America has all the leverage. The Iranians actually dont provide anything, but the Iraqi government has got to stand up to them. The Americans not only could they must exert strong political pressure on the Iraqi government to deal with this situation, and that means ambassadors being called in and things like that. Real pressure. Its stalled because of this nervousness now about the whole situation with the Shabak. Yes, its beginning to flow; things are happening. Thats why its very positive. There needs to be more dialogue with the local communities about what exactly they want. But no, I think theres a new atmosphere. Once more, weve got to be reminded as a Catholic community to keep the persecuted Christians in our daily prayers and to be focused. If the world has forgotten the Church, we must not forget them. They were greatly strengthened by Cardinal Parolins visit. They felt that was positive, a sign that they were not forgotten. But its still a game of survival. Yes, theyre back now, focused on their survival. Theres this real anxiety. Father Benham Benoka [parish priest in Bartella] said its almost as if within the next year that their future will be decided. Edward Pentin is the Registers Rome correspondent. | http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/why-does-the-number-of-iraq-christians-continue-to-dwindle?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+NCRegisterDailyBlog+National+Catholic+Register |
Which team will be next to visit President Donald Trump at the White House? | President Donald Trump hosted Clemson on Monday at the White House to celebrate the Tigers' 44-16 win over Alabama in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. According to the Boston Globe, Trump will roll out the red carpet to celebrate another championship next month. The World Series champion Red Sox are scheduled to visit the White House on Feb. 15, team president Sam Kennedy said Tuesday. The plan is for the team to travel as a group from its spring training base in Fort Myers, Fla., to Washington and return later that day. It is likely the Sox would also visit the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. We thought an earlier visit rather than waiting until later in the year made the most sense, Kennedy said. The government shutdown has stalled communications with the White House, Kennedy said. But the Sox have informed players and staff that Feb. 15 is the target date. ... If we or the White House determine it is inappropriate for us to visit during the shutdown, we will obviously adjust, Kennedy said. .... Players and staff members will not be required to attend the event, which also was the case when the Red Sox visited the White House following their World Series title seasons of 2004, 2007, and 2013. Several players, as yet unidentified, already have said they would not attend. A visit to the White House, once an innocuous event for championship teams, has become politicized during the Trump presidency. The 2017 Houston Astros visited the White House in March 2018, albeit without Carlos Beltran and Carlos Correa. No NBA champion has visited since 2016. The Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles had their invitation rescinded last year when it became apparent that only a small number of players would attend. Trump took heat for serving Clemson a spread of fast food, including Wendys and McDonalds. Great being with the National Champion Clemson Tigers last night at the White House. Because of the Shutdown I served them massive amounts of Fast Food (I paid), over 1000 hamburgers etc. Within one hour, it was all gone. Great guys and big eaters! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 15, 2019 Wonder what he will serve the Red Sox. | https://www.nj.com/sports/2019/01/which-team-will-be-next-to-visit-president-donald-trump-at-the-white-house.html |
Whats Up with Cobalt Today? | I presume your answer is yes. Elon Musk is the founder of Tesla Motors [NYSE:TSLA] the worlds most famous electric vehicle company. He famously tweeted a few years back, Battery breakthroughs need to state power and energy density (not the same thing), plus how long they last. They usually fail on energy. That sentence can easily pass over ones head. Thats a trick question. It doesnt really matter. At least, not for investors But one battery metal blue gold has a huge impact on battery energy density. Thats how much energy you can story in a battery, mind you. Thats why punters are screaming to buy it. One strategic mineral could be set to make a roaring comeback this year. To find out why this unloved base metal could already be beginning a major turnaround, and the best-placed companies to benefit, download your FREE report here. Blue gold or cobalt surged when civil unrest broke out in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) the worlds largest cobalt supplier in December, 2016. The countrys president, Joseph Kabila, refused to step down when his constitutional mandate expired. Kabila hung onto power until the recent election on 30 December, 2018, where he lost (again) in disupted fashion. The Washington Post reported on 9 January: Congos electoral commission declared Felix Tshisekedi the winner of a contentious presidential election in the pre-dawn hours of Thursday, setting the stage for the countrys first democratic transfer of power, despite delays, irregularities and evidence of fraud. Tshisekedis win was announced almost two weeks after the Dec. 30 election. He garnered just under 40 percent of votes cast in a field of 21 candidates. He will replace Joseph Kabila, who has been president for the past 18 years. Tshisekedi represents Congos oldest political party, founded by his father, which has spent decades in the opposition. Kabila said he would step down in August. He was in power two years longer than his constitutional term limit. That said, given the disputed election result, there are rumours the ghost of Kabila will remain in power for a long time to come. More on this, and why it matters so much to Aussie investors, in a tick Cobalt on track for another run Heres the latest story for cobalt: The base metal is trading around US$19 per tonne today. Technically, cobalt is experiencing a correction nothing goes up in a straight line forever. Cobalt has corrected to re-test the technical support level US$19 per pound, shown by the blue trend line. If this level cant hold, the base metal could re-test the red support trendline at US$17 per tonne the long-term major support level dating back to 2013. I believe cobalt could bounce in the months ahead, mind you. Blue gold is trading around support. Plus, given widespread opinion, Joseph Kabilas legacy is unlikey to go away. Bloomberg reported on 10 January (my emaphsis added): There has been speculation that the announcement of Tshisekedis victory could be part of a deal with outgoing President Joseph Kabila, which means that the new president may not challenge the status quo, said senior analyst Shawn Robert Duthie [from Africa Risk Consulting]. I dont expect major changes to DRCs mining policies as Tshisekedi will unlikely be willing to undo much of what the previous administration has done. Congo is a hugely important region for copper and cobalt, and this result could cause disruption to output, depending the response of the influential Catholic church, said analyst Ben Davis [from Liberum Capital]. However, copper and cobalt prices would likely rise globally to offset this impact. Indeed, given the overall opinion, the election result wont have much impact. Joseph Kabila remains in power, and if he leaves as expected, it doesnt seem like the country will change much any time soon. Kabilas legacy is likely to remain for a long time to come. The future of cobalt Africa News reported on 13 January: Democratic Republic of Congo should recount the votes of its contested presidential election that the runner-up says was rigged, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) said on Sunday. The Dec. 30 poll was supposed to mark Congos first uncontested democratic transfer of power in 59 years of restive independence and the beginning of a new era following 18 years of chaotic rule by President Joseph Kabila. But runner-up Martin Fayulu claims that he in fact won by a landslide and that the official winner, opposition leader Felix Tshisekedi, struck a deal with Kabila to be declared victor. Tshisekedi and Kabila deny this. If little change happens in the months ahead, cobalt could skyrocket again. Remember, blue gold was originally a supply story. It had nothing to do with demand. Supply issues built because of poor policies in the DRC. And, with supply issues still lingering in the background, cobalt demand is now catching up. The bottom line: cobalt may have another big run this year. But, more on this another time. BTW, if you enjoyed this research and want to read more of my stuff, check out Gold & Commodities Stock Trader. I have tipped three of the best gold stocks on the ASX, which could take off to triple digit gains in the months ahead. Read about blue gold in this free investor report from controversial resources analyst, Jason Stevenson. Download your copy here. | https://www.marketsandmoney.com.au/whats-up-with-cobalt-today/2019/01/16/ |
Why do the Texas House and Senate adjourn so early in the day at the beginning of the legislative session? | Send us your questions about Texas politics and policy by emailing [email protected] or visiting texastribune.org/texplainer. More in this series Todays Texplainer question was inspired by reader Denise Flores. You may expect to see a full chamber on a Friday afternoon during the first week of the legislative session since lawmakers only meet for 140 days every odd-numbered year. The Texas Tribune thanks its sponsors. Become one. Wrong. Texas lawmakers see thousands of bills filed each session. But for the first two sometimes three months of each Legislature, the respective Capitol chambers typically adjourn after meeting for less than an hour. And more often than not, that hour consists of nothing more than pomp and circumstance. Last week, on the second day of the 2019 legislative session, the Senate adjourned after meeting for less than 30 minutes. Across the rotunda, the Texas House took the first Friday and Monday of the legislative session off because of the upcoming inauguration ceremonies for Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Members, I hope youre happy with this decision, newly-elected House Speaker Dennis Bonnen joked to state representatives on the first day of the 86th legislative session. Enjoy your long weekend. According to Brandon Rottinghaus, a political science professor at the University of Houston, the Legislature cant hit the ground running for a handful of reasons. Lawmakers can hold committee hearings in the early days of a new legislative session, but the state constitution says lawmakers cant pass any bills during the first 60 calendar days unless the governor declares it an emergency item or it's an emergency appropriation. The governor is the person whos holding the starting gate, Rottinghaus said. Its like rodeo: The governor is the one whos going to open the chute but until that happens, the bull will remain inside the pen. The Texas Tribune thanks its sponsors. Become one. While lawmakers have long bemoaned the slow process and blamed it for the death of measures theyve authored, changing the 60-day rule, which was adopted in 1930, would require a constitutional amendment. Its a throwback to the days before internet and travel and fast cars and highways when it took time for the membership to gather, said Jeff Blaylock, the publisher of Texas Election Source who is also a former legislative committee director for the House State Affairs Committee. Blaylock said the framers of the Texas Constitution didnt want bills to get rammed through the Capitol, and the 60-day rule allows lawmakers to get to Austin, get focused on what the states needs are and figure out what they want to do for their districts. Blaylock said another reason for the slow start to each legislative session is that each chamber needs time to name new committees and appoint committee chairs. Those committees typically dont receive bills and start holding public hearings until early February. Keep tabs on Texas politics and policy with our daily email newsletter Browse all newsletters at texastribune.org/subscribe. Bills are referred to committees during floor sessions and receive what's known as a "first reading" once they get a public hearing. After a committee has done its work and reported a bill favorably, each chamber may bring it to the floor for debate and a preliminary vote, which is known as second reading. Thats followed by a final "third reading" before its sent to the opposite chamber. Once a majority of members from both the House and Senate come to an agreement on a bills language, its sent to the governor where he or she can either sign it into law, veto it or allow it to become law without a signature. Theres one more bit of business that chews up time early in every legislative session: Both chambers need to adopt new housekeeping resolutions and a set of rules that will govern their respective chambers for the next two years. The lower chamber took that step last week with little to no debate and adopted rules that changed many committee names, memberships and jurisdictions. Because lawmakers are prohibited from passing bills until the session is nearly 40 percent complete, theyre sometimes called back for legislative overtime or a special session, something thats happened more than 110 times since 1850, according to Legislative Research Library records. Rick Perry the longest serving Texas governor called lawmakers back to Austin 12 times while in office, the most in the Legislatures history. And during the 2017 legislative session, Abbott called the Legislature back over the summer to break a stalemate over sunset legislation that had to pass for agencies like the Texas Medical Board to continue functioning. The Texas Tribune thanks its sponsors. Become one. Since lawmakers are racing against the clock and have deadlines to get bills to the floor of a chamber before their measures die, there's a mad rush to get bills passed during the second half of session. Blaylock argued, however, that even if there werent deadlines imposed, it's likely elected officials would still move slowly. If you think back to when you were in college and you had three weeks to write a paper versus three months, you ended up spending the same amount of time on the paper, Blaylock said. Its just a question of when did you finish it. The bottom line: One reason both chambers adjourn early in the first few months of a new legislative session is because under state law, lawmakers cant pass any bills during the first 60 calendar days unless the governor declares it an emergency item or it's an emergency appropriation. Another reason is that House and Senate committees are not yet named, organized and functioning and no legislation has been referred to them for action. Disclosure: The University of Houston and Jeff Blaylock have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here. | https://www.texastribune.org/2019/01/15/texas-house-senate-adjourn-early-texplainer/ |
How much should beef farmers pay for bull calves from the dairy herd? | Irelands dairy-beef industry has found itself propelled into the fast lane. Since the quotas were abolished in 2015, the national dairy herd has increased in size. As a result, there has been a proportional increase in the number of dairy calves coming on stream for beef production. Therefore, as calving kicks into gear on many dairy farms across the country, many beef farmers who operate dairy-beef systems will be in the market for calves over the coming weeks. Speaking at an event in Co. Kilkenny last night (Tuesday, January 15), Teagascs head of Drystock Knowledge Transfer Pearse Kelly outlined that there is money to be made from these systems; but advised farmers to proceed with caution when it comes to the price they are paying for calves. Looking back over the last eight years, Pearse highlighted that there are 40% more calves being born in the dairy herd now than there were in 2010. However, there are beef x dairy calves being born too. And, if we compare 2018 to 2010, there is a 72% or 275,000 head increase in the number of these calves coming on stream. Pearse outlined that these are relatively low-cost systems to get into. Farmers could go out and buy 50 calves for very small money, but you will very quickly spend 50,000 on those 50 calves; but they can be profitable when you hit key performance targets. Profitable calf-to-beef system: Excellent management required from start to finish; High output required; Excellent calf-rearing skills; Good health and vaccination plan; Excellent quality silage required; Weight gain from grass maximised; Meet weight for age and market specs; Pay an appropriate price for calf. During the presentation, Pearse also outlined the financial performance of the 10 farms involved in the first phase of the Teagasc Green Acres Calf to Beef Programme. Pearse outlined which production system is leaving more money in farmers pockets and which system is at the top of the ladder in terms of profitability. Systems: 28-month steer beef; 24-month steer beef; 20-month heifer beef profitable/risky; 20-month bull beef risky/avoid; Under-16 month bull beef avoid. Finishing Friesian bull calves under-16 months coming from the dairy herd is completely unprofitable; the costs are too high. 20-month bulls that go back to grass are risky, but there is money to be made. However, farmers need to be careful and should work closely with their factory. 20-month heifers Angus or Hereford heifers born in February or March and killed the following year off grass with no second winter are profitable. But, it really depends on what price you pay for those Angus/Hereford calves; you need to be getting into a 270-280kg carcass which can be hard. The system which comes out on top consistently is putting steers back out to grass for a third season. Costs are reduced especially meal costs because you are not trying to finish them over the winter period. However, Pearse highlighted that not as many can be finished per hectare, but higher carcass weights can be achieved. Touching on calf-to-store system, he outlined that farmers should really concentrate on bringing these calves to beef. The following analysis is based on a net margin figure of 200/head before support payments. Using research information from the national database over the past five years and information from Teagasc Johnstown Castle, Teagasc Grange and the Green Acres Programme, a Friesian bull calf finished under a 24-month steer system will achieve a 316kg carcass (O- 3+) on average. Turning to the price grid in the factories, Pearse highlighted that this leaves that animal somewhere in the region of -20c/kg versus the base price. Aberdeen Angus / Hereford steers come in at 316 (O+ 3+) on average and there are small bonus schemes available. Including the quality assurance (QA) payment this leaves that animal at +6c/kg versus base price. Advertisement In addition, the cross-bred steers come in at -28c/kg versus the base price. These steers kill out at 280kg (P+ 3+). Moving to variable costs of production, the Friesian steer comes in at 744, while the Angus/Hereford steer amounts to 696 and the cross-bred steer hits 688. Taking fixed cost at 233/head based on a stocking rate of 2.5LU/ha the total costs of production for the three different breeds under a 24-month steer system amount to 977/head (Friesian), 929/head (Angus/Hereford) and 921/head (cross-bred). Therefore, the value of a Friesian bull calf based on a base price of 4.00/kg, 3.90/kg and 3.80/kg in the factories is as follows: Targeting 200/head profit with a 316kg carcass (O+ 3+) and 977/head cost of production: (Carcass weight x base price) (/head profit + cost of production) = average calf value: (316 x (4.00c/kg 0.20c/kg)) (200 + 977) = 24/head; (316 x (3.90c/kg 0.20c/kg)) (200 + 977) = -8/head; (316 x (3.80c/kg 0.20c/kg)) (200 + 977) = -39/head. Im not trying to talk down the price of calves, but there needs to be a sense of reality when it comes to the prices paid for calves, Pearse explained. Genetics Continuing, Pearse said: All calves of the same breed are not the same. A black calf looks like a black calf, but it really comes down to their genetics. What we are seeing through research, is that there is massive difference in the genetics of those calves, he added. It is common knowledge that the expanding dairy herds are looking at easy calving, short-gestation bulls, but thats coming at a cost of beef production. In 2014, almost 12% of Angus-sired steers out of Friesian dams were equal to or under an O-. By 2018, the 12% has risen to almost 21%. A similar story can be seen with the Friesians; its gone from 59% to nearly 71%. Therefore, there is a reduction in the quality of calves coming from the dairy herd. This needs to be addressed on the dairy side. At the end of the day, if they want beef farmers to take these calves things need to change. Pearse also highlighted research from Teagasc and ABP where the effect of different Angus sires on carcass weight, carcass confirmation, carcass fat and kill-out % was investigated. The difference between the best (FPI) and the worst (JYK) sire on average carcass weight amounted to a difference of 53kg. Taking a price of 4.00/kg, this equals a difference of 200/head. Pearse also touched on the new Dairy-Beef Index which will be launched later this month by the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF). This will aim to help dairy farmers use better beef bulls, while not compromising a huge amount on calving difficulty. Beef farmers need to ask: What are the sires of the calves they are buying? If there is a 200/head difference between one black calf and another, thats too big a difference to leave behind. Conclusion The national dairy herd already amounts to approximately 1.4 million cows which has resulted in a tidal wave of calves coming on stream. And, all roads point to this figure increasing by 2020. Therefore, times are changing and whether we like it or not a lot of these calves will end up on beef farms. Therefore, in summary, Pearse highlighted that well-ran dairy calf-to-beef systems are profitable. However, farmers must choose their system carefully and set out targets that are achievable. For example, avoiding certain systems such as an under-16 month bull system is important. | https://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/how-much-should-beef-farmers-pay-for-bull-calves-from-the-dairy-herd/ |
Is the PS3 or Wii more recession-proof? | The games industry is posting record financial results for the last year, seemingly defying the economic downturn affecting most other industries as the credit crunch bites. Nobody knows, yet. But, as ever, there are always industry analysts willing to take a punt on what the future holds in store. Boom times continue Joe Public doesn't need an industry analyst to tell them the games industry is booming, mind. Pop into your local Gamestation, Game, Zavvi or HMV and you can see for yourself that for the games industry good times are still rolling. Dorian Bloch of GfK Chart-Track told the Guardian this week that: "The UK market in particular is gearing up for a best-ever fourth quarter overall. At the end of the year, 2008 should be 30% up on sales over 2007 with 75.5m units of console software sold." Analyst Piers Harding-Rolls claims that "the PS3 is most vulnerable to a downturn consumers become more price-sensitive under these conditions and the PS3 is expensive, so they may delay their purchase or even buy a different console." Nick Gibson of Games Investor Consulting, disagrees, claiming: "I would say that Nintendo would be the most susceptible" due to its reliance on the casual gaming consumer, who will stop buying games once they run out of extra cash to spend on what they view as a non-essential, luxury purchase. MVC Publisher Stuart Dinsey notes that the funding issue for developers and publishers is the real concern over the next year. Do they really think the banks will lend them money?" "The result of all this economic turmoil is that there might be a propensity to go for the safer brands. The credit crunch could mean it's going to be more difficult for new intellectual property to break through." | https://www.techradar.com/news/gaming/is-the-ps3-or-wii-more-recession-proof-490754 |
Did Kyle Kuzma tweet at halftime of a Lakers game? | Because Kuzma was in the middle of playing a game against the Chicago Bulls. We know it was halftime because the Lakers sent this tweet at 11:35 p.m., about 10 minutes before: Up one at the half. pic.twitter.com/PrXhDUe44r Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) January 16, 2019 But the tweet is simply the handle of Ball is Life, which posts all things hoops content. One theory: Someone else with access to the account accidentally pushed send on a draft. Or it was a tweet scheduled to run at that time, although that seems more improbable. Whichever staffer on Kyle Kuzmas PR team who scheduled that tweet not realizing there was a game going on is going to have the fine docked from their paycheck. Sean Highkin (@highkin) January 16, 2019 Another: He sat on his phone in his locker and butt-tweeted. Maybe the last thing he had open was the Ball Is Lifes feed. The only certainty is weve come a long way (nearly 10 years, to be exact) on Twitter since Charlie Villanuevas famous halftime tweet blew up and led to an NBA social media policy: In da locker room, snuck to post my twitt. We're playing the Celtics, tie ball game at da half. Coach wants more toughness. I gotta step up. Charlie Villanueva (@CVBelieve) March 15, 2009 | https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/01/los-angeles-lakers-kyle-kuzma-halftime-tweet-mystery |
Is Kenya a safe country to visit? | British travellers in Kenya should remain vigilant in the wake of an Islamic terrorist attack on a luxury hotel complex that left at least 14 dead, the UK Foreign Office (FCO) has warned. Around 100,000 Britons every year visit the east African country popular for its Big Five safari and Indian Ocean beaches, but its tourism industry has been blighted by security concerns, most recently after a spate of attacks in 2014. The FCO still advises against travel to parts in the east of the country near the Somali border. However, the majority of the country, including the capital Nairobi, where Tuesdays attack happened, are considered safe for Britons. Members of the Al-Qaeda-linked Somali group Al-Shabaab stormed the DustitD2 hotel complex in central Nairobi that contains also a spa, restaurant and office buildings, on Tuesday afternoon. At least one suicide bomber blew himself up at the hotel while gunmen sprayed fire before holing themselves up at the premises as civilians fled or barricaded themselves in their offices awaiting rescue. Gunfire and the sound of explosions stretched into Wednesday morning as security forces battled to take back control. On Wednesday morning president Uhuru Kenyatta said that the siege had ended and that all terrorists have been eliminated. Nairobi, the Kenyan capital Credit: getty A British man was among those killed. Kenyas interior cabinet secretary Fred Matiangi said that all buildings affected by the attack have been secured, adding: I can report that the country is secure, that the nation remains calm, that Kenyans and all of our visitors are safe and should feel free to continue going about their normal businesses. The situation is under control, and the country is safe. A statement from the Kenya Tourism Federation said that Nairobi is calm and security is stable and that all airports are operating as normal as are train services between Nairobi and Mombasa. We are also happy to report that all tourist circuits across Kenya are operating normally, the statement concluded. The High Commission in Nairobi will be closed on Wednesday, the FCO said. It said that anyone in the Riverside area of Nairobi should remain vigilant and follow the advice and instructions of local authorities. Anyone in the UK concerned about a British national in Kenya should call the FCO in London on 020 7008 1500. Despite advice that much of the country is safe and that the majority of British visits are trouble-free, the FCO says that terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Kenya. The main threat comes from extremists linked to Al Shabaab, a militant group that has carried out attacks in Kenya in response to Kenyas military intervention in Somalia, the FCO says. There have been a number of attacks in Kenya in recent years, particularly in Garissa, Mandera and Lamu counties and other mainland areas close to the Somali border. The FCO currently advises against all but essential travel to the following: areas within 60km of the Kenya-Somali border Garissa County Lamu County (excluding Lamu Island and Manda Island) areas of Tana River County north of the Tana river itself within 15km of the coast from the Tana river down to the Galana (Athi-Galana-Sabaki) river Of terror attacks, the FCO warns that attacks could be indiscriminate in places frequented by foreigners, and warns travellers to be vigilant at hotels, bars, restaurants, sports bars and nightclubs, sporting events, supermarkets, shopping centres, coastal areas including beaches, airports, buses, trains and other transport hubs. Kenya is most popular with British travellers as one of the greatest wildlife watching destinations in the world, home as it is to the Big Five (African lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, African leopard, and white/black rhinos), with few spending more time in the capital, Nairobi. As such, ensuring the safety of key national parks and reserves is of high priority. The FCO says specifies that is guidance against travel does not include Kenyas safari destinations in the national parks, reserves and wildlife conservancies; including the Aberdare National Park, Amboseli, Laikipia, Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara, Meru, Mount Kenya, Samburu, Shimba Hills, Tsavo. It also says that it is safe to visit the beach resorts of Mombasa, Malindi, Kilifi, Watamu, Diani, Lamu Island and Manda Island, however to travel to the latter to must be by air and not by road. Not unless you want to lose the money you paid for your trip. That the FCO is not advising against travel to much of the country means tour operators are not legally obliged to offer refunds should you decide to cancel, however, if your trip is affected by the recent events in Nairobi, they should make alternative arrangements and are likely to change your itinerary. Yes, the last travel restrictions imposed on the country by the FCO - related to terror - were lifted in 2015 and related to terrorism, after a series of attacks by Al Shabaab. More than 400 people were killed between 2013 and 2014. The threat in the early Noughties and subsequent FCO travel ban caused Kenyas annual international arrivals to fall from 1.47 million in 2010 to 1.11 million in 2015. Visitor numbers have since picked up, thanks to a period of relative stability, with 1.39 million visiting in 2017. Data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics last year showed that visitor numbers were again rising in the first half of 2018. 1.61 million arrivals were forecast for 2018. | https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/africa/kenya/articles/is-it-safe-to-visit-kenya-advice/ |
Could Windows 9 launch Microsoft back into business? | Update: Windows 9 is now known as Windows 10. Check out our in-depth Windows 10 release date page Getting under the skin of the software giant is not always easy. But there is clearly something in Microsoft's DNA that has created a good-bad-good gene when it comes to developing its operating systems. In essence, every time it skips a generation, it's significantly enhanced. It was a great product for its time. Innovative, intuitive an OS that really moved the world of personal, and more importantly business, computing forward. Sure, it had some bugs, but software development on that scale is bound to have early teething problems and they were quickly resolved. New millennium Then came Windows ME, a product supposedly fit for the new Millennium. Except, no-one appeared to have told the development team that a move into the 21st Century was supposed to engender improvement, not retrograde steps. While ME showed some ingenuity, much of it was regressive particularly for business users, who were not a happy bunch of campers. Skip a generation from 95 and welcome Windows XP. A giant leap for computer-kind, XP was a significant springboard for Microsoft to build a whole new suite of products and really enhance existing business applications such as its Office suite. It was stable, reliable and incorporated enough innovation to keep customers loyal. In fact, there are still organisations using XP and are very happy with it, despite the rest of the world having moved on. Vista was next. Clearly the rogue gene had found its way back into the code and its launch was greeted to the sound of one hand clapping. Enough said - and swiftly on to Windows 7. Again, genuine innovation and a drive towards integration with mobile technologies. Great for businesses that were starting to get to grips with an 'always-on' world. By now, the trend was pretty clear and, apparently, not just an anomaly. Windows 8: yes, a rock- solid system which works well, but an OS that was half-baked when it came to business. The interface was a radical departure from day-to-day working environments and, although 8.1 has been an improvement, the concept of partial control via tiles and partial control through traditional menu layouts just does not work particularly when most of the workforce is highly unlikely to have touch screens. In my view, this was a personal consumer OS that should have stayed that way and been clearly separated from business users. It's the reason why most businesses have held-off from full Windows 8 implementation. So, given Microsoft's genetic record, Windows 9 should be a real humdinger for business and, if the rumours are correct, there will be an element of consumer and enterprise separation. But before us geeks get too carried away, there is a fundamental question to be asked: "does business really care that much?" The reality is that, for many business users, the interest in PCs has waned and they are simply seen as a 'must have' tool to do their job, rather than engendering the kind of excitement that used to occur every time new innovations, applications or hardware appeared. The focus is now on mobile tech and that means Windows 9 has a very specific job to do: it needs to be a reliable workhorse not a sparkly, whizz-bang package. Compare an OS to the office photocopier. Speed, yes. Reliability, most definitely. Collation, probably. The same can be said for an OS. It needs to do the bog-standard stuff totally reliably and be robust enough to withstand the lowest common denominator user. It must be easy to support and fully backwards-compatible with both software and hardware. It certainly has to be fast and run software glitch-free and efficiently. Most importantly, Windows 9 has to be totally cloud future-proofed, regardless of the system or service. Until it's launched, we won't know for certain, but my hope is that Windows 9 will also include a 'killer' feature similar to Apple's Siri personal assistant, along with 'smart' coding that can rationalise password storage, predict usage patterns and reporting requirements. We'll have to wait and see but, if Microsoft's genetic code is true to form, we're in for another step forward. Dr Peter Chadha is CEO of DrPete Inc and Chair of Steegle.com. With more than 20 years of independent consulting, his company now provides strategic IT reviews and implementation to global enterprise. He takes a pragmatic approach to business solutions, but is a technology evangelist. | https://www.techradar.com/news/software/operating-systems/could-windows-9-launch-microsoft-back-into-business-1234317 |
When Has UK Prime Minister Been in Such a Weak Position as Theresa May is Today? | Theresa May's government faces a vote of confidence on Wednesday, 16 January. Sputnik looks at past UK prime ministers who have struggled to cling on to power and have faced such votes of confidence. On Tuesday, 15 January, MPs voted by 432 to 202 to reject Theresa May's deal to exit the European Union. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn immediately tabled a motion of no confidence, which is being debated on Wednesday and will be voted on at around 7pm GMT. Jim Callaghan 1979 The Labour Party won a General Election in 1974 under Harold Wilson but he retired two years later, leaving his former Chancellor, James better known as Jim Callaghan, in 10 Downing Street. AP Photo / Jim Callaghan (pictured in 1977) lost his job as Prime Minister after losing a motion of no confidence by a single vote Wilson had a majority of three in October 1974 but it was whittled away by by-election defeats and the bizarre case of Labour backbencher John Stonehouse, who faked his own death in Florida and fled to Australia to start a new life with his mistress. Steve h (@fredchampions19) 12 December 2018 By 1977 Labour could only hold on to power by virtue of a confidence and supply agreement with the Liberals, known as the Lib-Lab Pact. That too collapsed in 1978 and Callaghan hobbled on through the winter, facing growing economic difficulties. A string of strikes led to it being known as the "Winter of Discontent" and it was the final nail in the coffin of Callaghan's government. On March 28, 1979 a motion of no confidence in Callaghan was tabled in the House of Commons. Labour MP Sir Alfred Broughton, 76, was on his deathbed. Callaghan considered bringing him down from Yorkshire in an ambulance but thought it would be bad publicity if he died on the way. Willie Eckerslike (@cit_collins) 10 December 2018 In the end, the vote of no confidence was passed by 311 votes to 310, with Broughton one of four abstentions. He died five days later. Callaghan was forced to go to the country and in May Labour were swept from office by Margaret Thatcher and her resurgent Conservative Party. Labour would not get back into office for another 18 years. Stanley Baldwin 1924 The Conservative Party's Stanley Baldwin was prime minister three times between the world wars but his shortest stint ended in January 1924. He became the leader of the Tories in May 1923 after William Bonar Law was diagnosed with terminal cancer but an inconclusive election in December 1923 left the Tories with only a small majority. Prof.Frank McDonough (@FXMC1957) 14 December 2018 Baldwin had been trying to force through new tariffs to protect British manufacturers from cheap imports but he had failed to win a mandate for it and on January 21, 1924, Labour's deputy leader J R Clynes tabled a motion of no confidence. Labour and Liberal MPs ganged up on the Tories and the motion was carried by 328 to 251. Baldwin resigned the following day and was replaced as Prime Minister by Ramsay MacDonald the first-ever Labour prime minister. Ramsay MacDonald 1924 But the first ever Labour Party government would only last nine months. Labour only had 191 MPs compared to 258 Tories and were propped up by the support of 158 Liberals and various other independents. Despite this precarious position they managed to push through unemployment benefits and a big expansion to municipal housing. Michael Crick (@MichaelLCrick) 12 December 2018 MacDonald also set about trying to settle the question of German reparations from the First World War, which he thought were too harsh. But in the autumn of 1924, the government foundered over MacDonald's decision not to prosecute the editor of the Workers' Weekly, J R Campbell, on charges of "incitement to mutiny" after the paper published an open letter to soldiers and sailors. "That the conduct of His Majesty's Government in relation to the institution and subsequent withdrawal of criminal proceedings against the editor of the 'Workers' Weekly' is deserving of the censure of this House," was the wording of Sir Robert Horne's motion. It was lost by 359 to 198 but an alternative motion tabled by Sir John Simon on October 8, 1924 was passed by 364 to 198. Neither were actually motions of no confidence but MacDonald treated them as such and dissolved his government. Three weeks later Baldwin won a resounding victory at another General Election, winning an extra 154 seats, mainly at the expense of the Liberals. Earl of Rosebery 1895 In the 19th century there were two main parties in the UK Parliament the Conservatives (Tories) and the Liberals (previously known as the Whigs). Benjamin Disraeli was the leading Conservative of the era and his arch-rival was the Liberals' William Gladstone. Douglas Carswell (@DouglasCarswell) 12 December 2018 Disraeli died in 1881 and in 1894 Gladstone, by now aged 84, finally handed over the baton of leading the Liberal Party to Archibald Primrose, better known as the 5th Earl of Rosebery. But Rosebery was a disaster and in 1895 his government began to totter under the weight of criticism both externally and internally with constant sniping from his Cabinet rival Sir William Harcourt and his son Lewis. The disputes weighed down Rosebery who suffered from insomnia and bouts of depression. On June 21, 1895 things finally came to a head with the so-called Cordite Vote. Cordite had only just been introduced as a new form of explosive for the British Army, which was in the process of equipping its soldiers all over the Empire with it. Kevin Pierre Louis (@KevinLou1) 14 December 2018 When the Army Estimates were debated the Conservative Opposition decided to test the strength of Rosebery's weak government, which depended largely on support from Irish nationalists. A motion was put forward suggesting the salary of the Secretary of State for War, Henry Campbell Bannerman a future prime minister - be reduced by 100. Ian Grubb (@TheIanGrubb) 14 December 2018 It was passed by 132 votes to 125 with seven abstentions and was seen as a vote of no confidence. The Conservative leader, the Marquess of Salisbury, was called on to form a new government and he promptly called a General Election and gained 97 seats and a clear majority. The Tories were in power for the next 10 years and Rosebery resigned as Liberal leader in 1896. The Labour Party (@UKLabour) 15 January 2019 | https://sputniknews.com/europe/201901161071528234-may-no-confidence-history/ |
Is Sunil Grover finally ready to come back on The Kapil Sharma show? | MUMBAI: After a long year of fighting, intense competition, and downfall, it seems like Sunil Grover and Kapil Sharma are ready to mend their differences. There's no denying the fact that without Kapil Sharma, Kanpur Wale Khuranas is incomplete, and without Sunil Grover, The Kapil Sharma Show doesnt have the same charm and entertainment quotient. Both comedians have realized this now. Kapil also invited Sunil for his wedding, which he couldnt attend due to prior commitments, but he did congratulate Kapil online. Owing to his health issues, Kapil saw a massive downfall last year. He was started to be known for his unprofessional behaviour, and the makers had to shut down the second season of The Kapil Sharma Show. Meanwhile, Sunil Grover's Kanpur Wale Khuranas too hasn't been able to grab the same fan following as his previous show with Kapil. There was news doing the rounds that Salman Khan, who is the producer of The Kapil Sharma Show, had advised Sunil to join the show. The makers of the show also had a world with Sunil about the same, and he is thinking about the offer. As of now, he is shooting for his upcoming movie Bharat with Salman Khan. With just a few days left for Kanpur Wale Khuranas to go off-air, Sunil might actually join Kapil and his gang. | http://www.tellychakkar.com/tv/tv-news/sunil-grover-finally-ready-come-back-the-kapil-sharma-show-190116 |
How did St Albans and Harpenden MPs vote on the Brexit deal? | The Meaningful Vote in Parliament on Tuesday, January 15. Picture: UK Parliament/Mark Duffy Press Association Images. ONE EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO SALES. NO ARCHIVING. NO ALTERING OR MANIPULATING. NO USE ON SOCIAL MEDIA UN Parliament has rejected the Prime Minsters Brexit deal in a defeat which will go down in history. Share Email this article to a friend To send a link to this page you must be logged in. A Meaningful Vote, on the terms of Britains exit from the European Union (EU), lost 432 to 202 votes on Tuesday - the biggest defeat of a government motion in 100 years. St Albans MP Anne Main voted with the majority against the Withdrawal Agreement, as expected, sticking to her guns that the document threatens the union of our country. She took issue with the contentious Irish backstop, which would see an indefinite customs border drawn through the Irish Sea if future negotiations with the EU are not resolved before December 2022. Mrs Main said: The Irish government have confirmed that they will not put up a hard border and the UK have continuously said they would not put one up either so I do not see the need for a backstop mechanism that give us no unilateral exit. The Meaningful Vote in Parliament on Tuesday, January 15. Picture: UK Parliament/Mark Duffy The Meaningful Vote in Parliament on Tuesday, January 15. Picture: UK Parliament/Mark Duffy The PM is battling to get a leave vote by the country through a profoundly Remain House of Commons. I would prefer an orderly exit from the EU under a formal treaty arrangement but if the European Commission are unwillingly to budge on this issue then I see no other alternative than us leaving the EU with a clean break trading under World Trade Organisation terms. For those arguing for a second referendum they should ask themselves why any of the British people would bother to participate in the electoral process when the biggest electoral mandate in our history has been ignored. On the other hand, Hitchin and Harpenden MP Bim Afolami voted to approve the Withdrawal Agreement: We now have to address the reality that in only 72 days we will crash out of the EU without a deal. The Meaningful Vote in Parliament on Tuesday, January 15. Picture: UK Parliament/Mark Duffy The Meaningful Vote in Parliament on Tuesday, January 15. Picture: UK Parliament/Mark Duffy No deal would mean massive disruption for the City of London, immediate limitations on our trade capabilities and most importantly would threaten the integrity of our United Kingdom. I will now be working hard with colleagues across political parties to come to a balanced solution that will protect business, provide certainty and deliver on the result of the referendum. In June 2016, St Albans district voted 62.7 per cent to Remain, and since then groups have sprung up to reverse the result and campaign for a Peoples Vote. Residents have been contacting the Herts Ad to give their opinion on Brexit. Richard Homer said : She [Anne Main] is so far out of touch with her constituents - a reminder, that 63 per cent of St Albans voted to remain in the EU - that its time she started representing the will of the people as Anne puts it, by doing what she can to prevent this disaster for St Albans happening. He said St Albans voters will remember her position at the next election. Sarah Llewellyn-Jones said: When faced with an important decision most people would ask themselves more than once do they still want to go through with it? at every stage of the process. A sensible person wouldnt instigate massive change without checking that they still really wanted to go through with it. The result of the referendum was leave - a massive change. She compared leaving the EU with buying a new house, highlighting once all the information about a property is available the buyer can pull out of the sale. Some Remainers may now vote to Leave and some Brexiteers may now vote to Remain. We have an idea of what Brexit looks like now and how long it will take for the UK to untangle itself from the EU. Surely a second vote is democracy in full flow - democracy is about choice isnt it? Phil Fletcher said: The obvious, basic fact that absolutely nobody on this earth can make a sound decision without being adequately informed is consistently ignored. If a no deal Brexit does happen and it does turn out to be as bad as many fear, then it is arguable that the British electorate has been the victim of a right-wing media in the control of a few. | https://www.hertsad.co.uk/news/st-albans-and-harpenden-mps-on-brexit-after-meaningful-vote-defeat-1-5853996 |
Does talking to people about climate change make any difference? | Submit it here. Q. Lets say I was able to visit one high school per week for the next year and give a talk about what young people can do to fight climate change. Say I also try to reach adults by giving presentations at local community centers, churches, and international centers. The one that was released in 1977, with Carrie Fisher (may she rest) and Mark Hamill. Theres a scene where Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Chewbacca are all stuck in what is effectively a wet, fetid garbage-disposal pit. (Its very gross.) Then this furry, giant snake grabs Luke by the leg and tries to pull him under. (Now its very scary and gross.) And then, all of a sudden, the walls of the wet garbage pit start to close in, and it becomes terrifyingly clear to all involved that they are about to be trash compacted. This is climate change, in January 2019. Were all at risk of being trash compacted. Similarly, climate change is happening. It can happen in a very destructive way or it can happen in a less destructive way. Those are the options. If you and everyone else in the world does nothing, climate change will be very destructive. The whole world has to cut its carbon emissions in half by the year 2030 to prevent catastrophic climate change. In the United States, about two-thirds of Americans believe that citizens, corporations, and the government should be doing more to hit that target. But only 23 percent of the same group polled felt very strongly interested in climate change. Imagine recognizing that this threat this looming-garbage-compactor-wall of a threat is something that definitely needs to be acted upon, but, at the same time finding that threat only moderately or not at all interesting. Sure, the walls of climate change are closing in on us, but we still have to go to our jobs, feed our families, and pay our bills. Its hard to worry about a distant, albeit certain threat, when there are more imminent concerns. Still, closing that gap between admitting theres a problem and being interested enough to act is an endeavor worthy of your precious time. Its cited again and again as the most fallow demographic for climate action what John Cook at George Mason Universitys Center for Climate Change Communication calls the informed but idle. Activating and empowering this group is one of the most productive things we can do to achieve social momentum on climate change, he told the website Yale Climate Connections. What your time in schools and adult community groups can do is help make a transition from fragmentary awareness to formed awareness, to reference the teachings of disaster psychiatrist Robert Jay Lifton. That means teaching those to whom you minister to evolve their understanding of climate change from an abstract but distant threat to one with a comprehensible cause rising carbon emissions that they can help control. Katharine Hayhoe, whos been recognized for her superb skills as climate communicator, says that talking with people about climate change and what can be done to mitigate it is the most important thing the average person can do to combat warming. Two-thirds of Americans say they never talk about it, according to Hayhoe. (Imagine not talking about the approaching garbage wall!) But the gospel of talking about climate change in a way that gets people to care about it yes, there is such a gospel dictates that for maximum impact you should prioritize reaching out to people with whom you share common ground. For example you write that you are 57. Thus, Ill conclude youre not a high school student. This isnt at all to say that your efforts would totally be lost on teenagers, but rather that they may be strengthened if you added the perspective of a young person to your presentation if its young people youre trying to reach. Interestingly, in Japan, theres a counterintuitive but marked decrease in concern about climate change as you go from older to younger generations. Thats not the case in the United States, where many teenagers are busting their asses to raise awareness of the need for climate action. Since youre in Japan, maybe you could try to sponsor a high school group (by chipping in what you can on funding for travel, supplies, venues) to go out and talk to other teens about climate change. Back to the wet, fetid garbage pit for a second: When I discussed it with my colleague Jesse Nichols, he noted that in Star Wars: A New Hope, the crew of space bandits only gets saved because their robot compatriot switches off the compacting mechanism. This, he pointed out, could be an endorsement of geoengineering. No, Jesse, it just means they didnt have enough like-minded space bandits in the trash compactor to force the walls back. Damp with garbage, but pushing back, Umbra | https://grist.org/article/does-talking-to-people-about-climate-change-make-any-difference/ |
What rules should parents put in place when they allow children to have tech devices? | Because my kids, 11 and 9, got them for Christmas (one a phone, one an iPad). They can text friends, play games, take pictures. A: You, as well as thousands of parents around the world, have the same question this time of the year. In our holiday excitement to please and surprise our children with the latest technology, many of us have handed over sophisticated and expensive devices, only wondering after the wrapping paper has been thrown away, Wait, did we need to set rules in place before we handed that device over? Dont worry; you are not alone in trying to create rules after you handed over the technology. Most parents are not prepared for this huge gift and change in the family. Changes this big usually come with built-in training in our culture. Take getting a drivers license: In American culture, there is a time to begin considering driving, there is a process to obtain the license, and then applicants must prove that they are ready for the responsibility with a driving test. Chances are good you went through this process and your parents went through it, too. Although it may scare you to think about your children driving in the future, you consciously or unconsciously take comfort in knowing there is a process. [My friends all give their preschoolers tablets. Should my 4-year-old have one?] But technology has gotten the best of parents. Rather than slowly preparing our children for the huge world of tech (as we do with driving), we allow them to have powerful devices without boundaries or rules. And because technology is addictive and frankly, fun for all human brains, wrestling back the technology after we have given it to children invites power struggles. Add to this drama that the average 7-year-old can be more technologically savvy than the average adult, and parents are outmatched at every turn. I dont recommend allowing children to have technology and then setting rules, but you are not alone in doing this (cough-cough, me, too). We can only move forward with the best intentions to do better in the future. My go-to expert on all things digital and parenting is child psychologist Adam Pletter. A parent of teens himself, he knows technology is here to stay, and our best parenting bet is to prepare our children, not shelter and scare them around this topic. Pletter reminds parents in a paper on the topic that the smart phone, tablet, or iPod touch that you are handing to your child is designed for adults and, out of the box, is set up for adults not children. Be honest with yourself that by giving your child the adult device you are inviting them into the adult digital world. Although tech and gaming companies market and sell to children, parents need to remember that these are adult devices you are allowing your child to borrow. Just as there are rules for how long a child has to drive with an adult present, a child has to ease into using technology. And to better aid this transition, the family message should be: It is a privilege to use this adult device, and we (parents) are here to help you use it. We are going to create rules to help you use it responsibly. Your children will probably balk, but thats okay. We are not in the business of making our children happy when we allow them to use these devices; we are in the business of responsible use and safety (and sure, some fun, too). To drive home the idea that these are adult devices, and before you create a family contract, sit down with your partner and get straight how you see the use of these items playing out. I work with many parents who are surprised to find how lackadaisical or strict their partner is about tech usage for the children. Any preconceived notions we can put on the table before you talk to your children about technology helps keep the family on the same page and the disagreements to a minimum. Once you and your partner discuss the tech, the most useful and easiest way to check in with your children about tech use is a family meeting. Because you have a 9-year-old and an 11-year-old, family meetings and discussions of tech usage can be a regular occurrence. I encourage you to see these discussions as check-ins that will last as long as you have children under your roof. Similar to talking about sexuality, checking in with your children about tech use should be flexible and frequent. You are better off having short, recurring talks about rules and boundaries than trying to have one big talk. If this feels like one more exhausting thing to do in your parenting life, you are right. Monitoring your childrens tech use is a chronic hassle. By allowing this access, you have created work for yourself. Once you accept this responsibility, you may be able to relax into the reality rather than fight it. [Ill take Ding Dong Ditch over Fortnite any day] In addition to the wonderful advice of Pletter, I recommend getting into your childrens tech worlds. Sit next to them, watch them play Fortnite, and ask questions. Check out the apps they want and the games they love. Visit the Common Sense Media app to see which games are fun, educational and age-appropriate. In fact, even before my children ask for an app, I have trained them to check Common Sense Media for the apps appropriateness. If Common Sense Media says no, its a no from me, too. So, the more into their worlds you can get (I know it is hard to imagine watching YouTube videos of other children playing video games, but surrender to it), the more traction you will have with your children when it comes to rules and boundaries. Finally, all of the tech rules will change over time as your child matures, but please know this: There are strong links between children with executive functioning issues and addiction to gaming and social media. These addictions happen quickly, and the behavioral fallout from trying to get the children off the games is emotionally (and even physically) hard on the child and the parent. Be on the lookout for drops in grades, outside play, extracurricular and social interests, and disappearance from the family social areas. Remember, you are in charge, so do what you must to give your childs brain time and space to mature. They have a lifetime of tech ahead of them; dont feel pressured to give it all to them now. Good luck! | https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/on-parenting/what-rules-should-parents-put-in-place-when-they-allow-children-to-have-tech-devices/2019/01/15/541f0052-14f9-11e9-803c-4ef28312c8b9_story.html |
Is the wall stalemate about two giant egos or one very bad idea? | Theres a style of intellectual laziness that ignores the merits of a proposition in favor of other considerations that obscure the differences among conflicting points of view. One version of this is called false equivalency, but I like the colorful term Whataboutism. Whataboutism is used often in defense of President Donald Trump. For example, if you take exception to Trumps unseemly bragging about the impunity that celebrity confers on him when he assaults women, a Trump defender will say, Well, what about Bill Clinton? Touche. But whatever Clinton was guilty of provides no excuse for Trump. And more often than not the equivalence is, in fact, false. For example, New York Times columnist David Brooks employed this technique last week during PBSs Shields and Brooks. He depicted negotiations over the current government shutdown as a strange two-track phenomenon. In the lower track, Republicans are asking for $5.7 billion for the wall, but they might accept $3 billion. Democrats are thinking more like $1.7 billion, but might go up to $2 billion. In other words, Brooks says, its a normal negotiation, like youre buying a house. You meet somewhere in the middle. But theres a higher level of negotiation, which Brooks calls the ego level, which is the Pelosi-Trump level. He calls this an absolutist ego position, my way or zero. In Brooks formulation, the lower-level, normal negotiation is constantly crushed by the two towers of ego, that is, Trump and Pelosi. Trumps immense ego prods him regularly to claim to know more about nearly everything than nearly anybody. Before he was elected, he claimed that I alone can fix it. It is impossible to picture such a statement from Nancy Pelosi. Every politician needs sufficient ego to even run for office, but to imagine equivalence between the egos of Trump and Pelosi is the sort of questionable analysis that makes it possible to imagine that their two positions on the southern border wall are mere differences of opinion that can be easily negotiated, if only their egos didnt stand in the way. Further, a false comparison between Trumps ego and Pelosis diverts attention from just how bad an idea a border wall is. If it were a better idea, Trump wouldnt have to rely on such dubious arguments. He would not have to claim that previous presidents told him privately that he was doing the right thing about the wall (they didnt). He would not have to claim that the wheel is older than the wall (its not), which is like claiming that the bow and arrow were invented long before the AR-15, which proves well, nothing. And if the wall that he proposed during the campaign a massive edifice of hardened concrete as high as 65 feet and stretching across the entire border had been a good idea he would not have had to make such an appeal to his bases emotions to get them on board. After all, Trumps outrageous promise to make Mexico pay for the wall was based in spite rather than in any kind of practical economic leverage or logic. Not only will we wall off a country thats causing us problems, well even make them pay for the wall, as well. Thatll show em! Emotion and Trumps outsized ego drive his position on the wall. Pelosis ego may not be irrelevant, but she has better reasons for opposing the wall, including the fact that a significant majority of Americans oppose a wall that will offend and separate us from Mexico, a reliable democracy and trading partner. Trumps $5.7 billion or a negotiated $2 or $3 billion is merely a down payment on a very bad idea. It will never be enough until the wall is completed or until Trump and his base lose interest in it. In the meantime, imagining the government shutdown as a mere battle between two stubborn, hardheaded egos is a gross mischaracterization that clouds the issue. John M. Crisp, an OpEd columnist for Tribune News Service, lives in Georgetown, Texas. | http://bangordailynews.com/2019/01/16/opinion/contributors/is-the-wall-stalemate-about-two-giant-egos-or-one-very-bad-idea/ |
Is it hopepunk to have a baby? | Last Tuesday, I saw my unborn child for the first time, on ultrasound direct from my partner's belly. Id seen ultrasounds before, obviously, but nothing can prepare you for the sensation when it's yours. Something about both myself and my partners upbringings had left us convinced, on some deep psychological level, that we're not really real people, that there is something about us that is less than legitimate that our thoughts, desires and biologies are not quite on the same level as the thoughts, desires and biologies of other people (some perfect combination, I think, of bullying, difficult puberty, and never having had a proper secure job). I know what Edie was worried about, because I was worried about it too: that they would try and do the scan and say that they were very sorry but we'd made a mistake, there wasn't really a baby there, we'd just been imagining it the whole time. But then I saw it, this weird collection of shapes and shadows that our friends toddler, the following day, would identify as owl wriggling around Edie's womb bony and gray, never sitting still long enough for the technician to get the measurements they needed (an involuntary mischief which nevertheless made me feel weirdly proud). It's something the technician will I'm sure see maybe eight, ten times a day. But to us, it felt like a miracle. And for me, I saw manifested in these shapes on the screen not only a certain sort of proof proof that I was definitely, despite what I had always feared, a real person, a living creature capable of producing, or at least fathering, life but also a certain demand. The weight, I guess, of what I had always known, although abstractly, parenthood to be: that this creature would rely on me, more than anyone else along with its mother, to form it as a person, to help it live a good life. And so, in the exact moment when I finally felt that I could really say I was myself, I was also taken completely beyond myself. I don't really matter anymore: this thing that's only 13 weeks old and hasn't been born yet, this is what matters. And so I responded by doing what anybody would in this situation, I suppose: started laughing hysterically, then had a beer and started crying. Im really looking forward (I dont know if you can tell) to being a parent. But of course, the decision to have a child is not one that comes without a certain cognitive dissonance. Thinking the world is really bad would seem more readily associated with anti-natalism. The Medieval Cathars, for instance, a heretic sect that flourished in the 12th and 13th centuries across southern France, believed that the material world was created by Satan, and so denounced reproduction as a sin. Anti-natalist philosophers such as David Benatar believe that reproduction is a selfish act that is always harmful to new individuals because it gives them the capacity to feel pain. This might seem like a pretty wild argument, but maybe less so when you consider how society tends to look on most of the people who comprise it. (immediately, helplessly, intuitively). This is where hope must make its entrance. Recently, Vox published an essay on the concept of hopepunk. Hopepunk is an aesthetic which has its origins in communities of, well, nerds specifically, fantasy and science fiction enthusiasts on Tumblr. It was first conceived by a writer named Alexandra Rowland as the opposite of a different gritty, Hobbesian aesthetic known as grimdark (think Warhammer 40,000 or Game of Thrones). Ostensibly, hopepunk combines a narrative message of keep fighting, no matter what with virtues such as love, kindness, and faith in humanity. It places an emphasis on community-building through cooperation rather than conflict, and seeks to weaponize softness, wholesomeness, and cuteness. Examples of hopepunks, apparently, include Jesus, Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Robin Hood, and John Lennon. According to Rowland: Hopepunk says that genuinely and sincerely caring about something, anything, requires bravery and strength. Hopepunk isnt ever about submission or acceptance: Its about standing up and fighting for what you believe in. Its about standing up for other people. Its about DEMANDING a better, kinder world, and truly believing that we can get there if we care about each other as hard as we possibly can, with every drop of power in our little hearts. Examples of hopepunks, apparently, include Jesus, Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Robin Hood, and John Lennon. Hopepunk art includes the Harry Potter books, The Lord of the Rings (especially the bits with the hobbits), the Netflix series Sense8, and the music of Frank Turner (for some reason, the work of Chuck Tingle, author of books such as Pounded in the Butt by My Own Butt is also included in the canonical list of hopepunk works given at the end of the Vox article. I feel it may be best not to inquire). Hopepunk is also associated with the trendy practice of hygge (a sort of Scandinavian-derived compulsory coziness, think being wrapped up all together by the fire), as well as the high-end sleep industry (best known for providing the dirty money behind every podcast) and wholesome memes. Hopepunk, in short, sounds like an absolutely fantastic term for a bunch of things I find aesthetically repulsive. But it is also horribly misnamed. The punk part I'll let go since as far as I can tell that's just become a generic suffix you can slap onto whatever aesthetic you choose (the etymological development from cyberpunk to steampunk to seapunk). As far as I can tell, hope requires at least two moments. First, the realization that the world is not as good as it could be. Second, the faith that it could be better. Hope, then, to be hope, must not only recognize that the world is bad it must hold fast to the idea that it can be transformed. But hopepunk, as far as I can tell, only does the first of these things, and hardly seems to bother with the second at all. Consider the virtue of faith in humanity, for example. Sounds hopeful enough, but the insistence that one have faith in ones fellow human beings can all too easily turn into an apology for the many wretched things other people are, and do. Approaching them with love and kindness could just mean we end up obliged like when we're told we need to be civil to right-wing commentators to acknowledge the maybe-good intentions of the actively bad. Hopepunk glorifies struggle within the insurmountable confines of an unjust world. For it, hope looks, if anything, like the energy to keep on going in spite of it all. But this, to my mind, looks more like being resigned in the sense of being resigned to one's fate. Hopepunk is only hopeful insofar as it represses active, open despair. Towards the end of his life, the Frankfurt School critical theorist Theodor Adorno was also accused of resignation. In the eyes of the West German student movement, Adorno was a coddled bourgeois only willing to develop a theory as to why society is bad, never daring to draw the practical consequences from it. There were, if we're being honest, elements of truth to that accusation. (In one notorious incident, Adorno called the literal police on student activists who occupied some of his departments offices. But that shouldnt mean we ought to discount his rebuttal.) Hopepunk is only hopeful insofar as it represses active, open despair. In fact as Adorno argued in a short essay on the topic of resignation the student activists were the truly hopeless ones. Despite the fact their activism stood no chance of actually changing anything, the students were determined in true hopepunk style to feel like they were doing something. This smacked, quipped Adorno, of the comforts of DIY: activities that do what has long been done better by the means of industrial production only in order to inspire in the unfree individuals... the assurance that everything depends on them. Through pseudo-activities such as marches and occupations, activists were spared from recognizing the true extent of their powerlessness. True hopefulness, by contrast, requires what Adorno calls uncompromisingly critical thought. One must be willing precisely to reflect on the wretchedness of ones situation, for however long and as grimly as one needs to, in the hopes of discerning something which might point beyond society as it presently exists; which might somehow manage to escape its otherwise interminable logic. Thinking true thinking is not the intellectual reproduction of what already exists anyway. And, as long as it doesn't break off give up and retreat into a cozy fantasy of new mattresses and Nordic log fires, refuse to acknowledge some injustice because it's worried about upsetting the perpetrators this thinking will have a secure hold on possibility. There is something of the same hopefulness, I think, in having a child. Not that the act of conception required all that much thought. But when it is born, our child will like Adorno's ideal of thought point beyond us both. Our child will not be something that already existed, before we had it: they will be a new individual, all of their own. In this small sense at least, they will transform the world into which they have emerged. My child could well grow up to be worse than me crueler, more selfish. They could grow up to have a worse life, and be hardened by it. But equally, there is a chance that they could be better than me, that they might grow up and participate in making the world better themselves. It is that second possibility into which Edie and I have thrown ourselves. From this perspective, it makes no sense to ask how you could bring a child into such a bad world. It makes far more sense to ask how could you not. Perhaps, given everything, hope is absurd in the formal, Kierkegaardian sense. But if so, its exactly as ridiculous as the idea that the most important person I will ever meet is currently gestating in my partners womb. That baby is, I suppose, our leap of faith. Get The Outline in your inbox Subscribe Fight the future. Tom Whyman is a writer and philosopher from the UK. | https://theoutline.com/post/6974/having-a-baby-hopepunk |
What is the right way to cook pasta? | To enjoy pasta, even on a diet, its all about how it is cooked and limiting the size of your portion. Dont discard it. The Mediterranean diet is considered the best diet today and it includes pasta. The correct way to cook it is al dente, which means to the tooth, so that there is some firmness to the bite. Al dente pasta is lower on the glycemic index than soft, overcooked pasta if pasta is cooked too long, more starch is released and the body breaks it down into glucose meaning al dente pasta doesnt spike blood sugar as rapidly. Pasta and sauce should be made separately. I have tried recipes for one-pan pasta and I assure you that using two pans gives you a much better result. And it takes the same amount of time. Story continues below advertisement Sauces can made ahead of time, but cooking the pasta is a last-minute event. I was recently in Positano, Italy, and chef Vincenzo Esposito of Li Galli restaurant gave me a pasta cooking lesson. First, in a large pot, bring at least three litres of water to a boil, then add 1 tablespoons of Kosher salt or tablespoons regular salt. When the water returns to a rolling boil, add just enough pasta for each serving: 3 ounces or 80 grams per person is considered the right amount, but some people like more. Once the pasta is in the water, stir occasionally to make sure it doesnt stick. Cook until almost al dente. It will feel undercooked. A visual cue that youve done this right is a little ring of white inside the pasta where you have bitten it. Another clue is the cooking time on the package. Cook for one minute less than the lesser amount of time. Have your sauce simmering beside your pasta pot and, with tongs, take the pasta and toss it in the sauce. Add a cup or so of pasta-cooking water and let the pasta finish cooking in the sauce. (It should be perfectly al dente after a minute or two.) This makes starches, fats and proteins confidently amalgamate together. Toss everything around, sprinkle some olive oil over and add grated cheese, if desired. Serve immediately. Pasta waits for no one. Cook the pasta for about three minutes before tossing with the sauce and baking. It may seem raw, but it will be perfect after baking. Use larger thicker noodles, with ridged edges, so they dont overcook, and the sauce has something to cling to. Avoid long noodles or fine pastas, which will become too soft. Toss in different cooked veggies (this is a good opportunity to use up leftovers), and finish with lots of cheese for the gooey texture. For an Italian brand of pasta available in the supermarket, I like De Cecco, although many other (more expensive) brands are also good. Buy pasta that says Made in Italy, because it is more authentic. The pasta must be made with 100-per-cent durum wheat semolina, which is not always true here. Send your questions to [email protected]. | https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/food-and-wine/article-what-is-the-right-way-to-cook-pasta/ |
Is hij een moslim of hipster? | Ze hebben al met elkaar de 'islam tentoonstelling' Glans & Geluk bezocht in het Gemeentemuseum Den Haag. Zes mannen zijn het, afkomstig uit de Schilderswijk en andere delen van Den Haag. Ze zijn fotomodel, kalligrafist, jongerenwerker, fractiemedewerker, museumconservator en marktkoopman en hebben n ding met elkaar gemeen: een baard. Naar aanleiding van de tentoonstelling waar tot en met 3 maart hoogtepunten uit de collectie islamitische kunst van het Gemeentemuseum te zien zijn, haakte het museum aan bij het fotoproject Hipster/Muslim van het Rotterdamse collectief Get Me. Al eerder maakte Get Me foto's van mannen met baarden in Rotterdam, Amsterdam Nieuw-West en Borgerhout in Antwerpen en Molenbeek in Brussel. | https://www.ad.nl/den-haag/is-hij-een-moslim-of-hipster~af39cae5/ |
How much can Netflix raise its prices before customers cancel in droves? | Netflix announced the biggest price increase in the history of the streaming service today, hiking prices on all three of its US plan tiers by between 13% and 18%. The most popular plan in the US, for example, will now cost $13 instead of $11, and theres no great mystery why Netflix is doing this. The company needs an ever-growing pile of cash to fund the original shows and movies that make Netflixs stable of exclusive content attractive enough to keep subscribers and entice new ones. Thats the whole ballgame. Meanwhile, todays price hike has also spurred an interesting Reddit thread that may give many subscribers pause as they consider how they feel about this. Reddit user SuchRush decided to ask a simple question: How much could Netflix increase prices before youd cancel? Its definitely an interesting thought to ponder. The knee-jerk reaction, for example, might be to say that $20 per month is definitely the limit. Maybe $30. By way of responding to this thread, Reddit user thesnakeis chimed in with this: Honestly they could double the price and I would gladly pay. They may lose content but Ive always found something good to watch whenever Im looking for it. Plus I think their original content has been pretty decent. Overall though it comes down to having no ads. I know in the past the CEO has been firmly against them and I want to support that policy. If that changes then I may have to reconsider. On the one hand, this is a totally academic exercise in the sense that theres probably not a bright line representing the ceiling at which most subscribers will say to themselves right, thats the limit right there. Absolutely no higher than that point. The truth of the matter, though, is that the limit is probably a bit fuzzy, and one thats subject to change, which is what makes this so interesting to consider. My humble prediction is that there is a pool of Netflix subscribers who either love the service or consider it superior to most of what else is out there. As we enter the world of peak subscription, however, those consumers are only going to be able to afford so much a month. For many of them, Id argue, Netflix is a give up only as a last resort subscription. For them, Id even argue that Netflix could raise prices at a level some people might think is too high while these subscribers look for something else to cut, instead, in order to hang on to Netflix. For everyone else, well, thats the question isnt it. NBCs chief executive is already making noise about wanting to take The Office back from Netflix. Disney+ is going to be home to Star Wars, Marvel content and so much other great intellectual property. But then again, thats what makes inertia such a great business model. Prediction: Youve got a ton of subscriptions youve signed yourself up for. They hit your checking account or credit card each month like clockwork. You may not even pay attention anymore, or realize all what youve signed yourself up for. It will either take a change in your personal financial situation, or you will have to actually grow to dislike Netflix for many of you to take the initiative and actually proceed with canceling your account, no matter how high Netflixs prices get. | https://bgr.com/2019/01/16/netflix-price-increase-customers-cancel/ |
Could These China Tech Companies Dominate The Future? | China's technology sector and its continued advances never cease to intrigue. On one hand, the region offers impressive innovation in the emerging tech space of Artificial Intelligence, blockchain and more. On the other, there is the challenge of freedom of expression by individuals across certain tech platforms. Indeed, as many companies from China displayed new advances at the recent, mammoth Consumer Electronics Show(CES), news reports swirled simultaneously about the detention of citizens in China by officials merely for posting on Twitter. Dichotomies abound when it comes to China, and the future is uncertain. But in the midst of CES two China tech companies of particular note emerged in terms of innovation. However, given the current climate, within which is a confluence of economic and cultural elements, navigating a competitive, global future could present a daunting challenge. First, Pacific Future, a company that specializes in the integration of light field, image recognition, motion tracking and other algorithms is busily working to leverage such elements to build the first virtual 3D human. The intent of the company is to offer an individual the ability to clone him or herself both off- and online. The company's founder and CEO Kien Lee says that the advantage of having such an extension will save people time, space and cost. "We believe that people are connecting now over social media via text and simple images," explains Lee, "but soon people will crave something much more interactive with depth. This will be about being able to connect people on entirely new levels. You will want a full representation of yourself on-screen via future devices. Essentially, you will need another you." Previously such a feat was extremely expensive to execute. To create motion tracking needed for 3D imaging of a human body, tech costs started and $20,000 and continued upward. However, Pacific Future utilizes a camera to achieve the same goal that expensive sensors attached to the body offer. Yet the gains made in costs are certainly made up for in work at the company. The task is extremely difficult to execute and is steeped in mathematics via a team of nearly 38 engineers estimating every single joint movement that is possible with the human body. Afterward, artificial intelligence is combined with both the mathematical solution and physics in order to estimate force of movement. It took one year to create the algorithms that now allow a simple webcam that typically offers 2D image to now be translated by algorithm into 3D, and voila, you have a virtual you that moves exactly as you do in real time. "Our company differentiator is that we are not scanning whole body," explains Lee. "It's about the movement only so that the 'best you' is seen, like what we all typically present on social media. We make possible the transfer of human motion from 2D to 3D in a way that works for today's communication style." Pacific Future has left nothing to detail. Even the shadows cast from the image match real-life and use authentic, as opposed to virtual light, in order to offer the most realistic experience. Lee inspiration to create the company came from his love of various films that utilize special effects. He believes that the need for the technology offered by Pacific Futures will be driven by the impending 5G introduction across mobile devices and more. But unlike many startups, the company is already generating revenue. Pacific Futures had to actually build its own hardware devices in order to test the algorithms. The results were so impressive that organizations such as the Malaysian Tourism Board saw them and asked if the company could make such items to offer a companion virtual experience for various museum-goers in the country. Now Pacific Futures has a thriving rental business in this region and others providing historical education on a new which capturing valuable tourist data for the tourism organizations. And given the fact that Lee says that there are five billion tourists in China alone, the company is in a key position for generating even more revenue. If Pacific Futures has its eye firmly set on 3D destiny as a new company, Soguo is working to bring new meaning to Internet usage, search and various related applications to it as an established behemoth. Currently, the company is the fourth largest Chinese Internet company, ranked only behind Tencent, Baidu and Alibaba. The company reports that it is Chinas second largest search engine by mobile queries with over 560 million monthly active users globally. Sogou is also the leading Chinese language input software in the world in that it occupies 99% desktop market share and 70% mobile market share. Indeed, the company says that Sogou Mobile Keyboard has 405 million DAUs (daily average users), up 32% year-over-year. As China's largest voice app, it processes up to 500 million daily voice requests. Under the direction of Xiaochuan Wang, the current CEO of Sogou, the company is becoming one of the most watched of its type in China and beyond, for it is a publicly traded company (NYSE: SOGO) The company was first developed as a mere portal for its parent company-at-the-time, Sohu, as a search engine to compete against Baidu. Wang was brought on as CTO of Sohu in order to launch the endeavor. To do so, he recruited top talent in China, but the company became so large so quickly that Sohu soon spun Sogou out as its own company naming Wang its CEO. Even Alibaba got in on the action for a time when it sought to be part of the search engine game and invested in the company. However, since that time Alibaba has withdrawn its interests and, currently, Tencent and Sohu are Sogou's biggest shareholders, and Sogou shows no signs of slowing down. Part of the reason behind the company's ability to scale at such a rate was that Wang cleverly created both a browser and search engine together simultaneously for Sogou. At the same time Tencent initially integrated their burgeoning search engine into Soguo. In addition, Sogou is also the default for all the public content on WeChat. That means extremely valuable numbers. Yet there are still many hurdles to overcome in surprising ways. "In China," Wang explains through an interpreter, "ads in healthcare are big business, yet they are not reputable. So one of our next main goals is to make authoritative search." Thus the company is applying artificial intelligence to improve accuracy and vetting so that users see ads from only those offering the most reputable care. To ensure success in this area, Sogou is also partnering with such companies as WebMD and the MayoClinic to further vet and categorize. "There are easily at least 40 million searches across Soguo per day about health, " explains Wang. "So getting this right is extremely important to us." In addition, Sogou wants to help not only obtain the information they need but also to use technology to better express themselves. The intent is to use artificial intelligence to advance communication in a number of ways including upping the ante by enabling search via voice and image recognition. "Currently we have over 400 million searches that are answerback via a link. In the near future, voice will answer you back," explains Wang. " For next generation of AI, the objective is to have the technology gather, read, and suggest all in real-time." Yet amidst such developments by both Pacific Future and Sogou, business outlets such as Bloomberg predict a rocky road for such companies based on US-China trade conflict, decline in advertising and more. There is also the question about what part such companies will play in the growing tensions around cultural norms in the country, particularly when it comes to the wishes of the authorities and more vocal citizens. For now, it's full speed ahead in innovation, and many will continue to track the progression closely. | https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurencoleman/2019/01/16/could-these-china-tech-companies-dominate-the-future/ |
Why Is Google Dragging Its Feet In Eliminating Its Boy Erased App? | It only took one day for the app to be taken down from the Apple store. Actor Lucas Hedges who starred in Boy Erased An app encouraging users that they can recover from same-sex attractions through prayer continues to be accessible on Google platforms weeks after Apple and Amazon removed it from their stores. Truth Wins Out (TWO), an organization that campaigns against conversion therapy, launched a petition against the app last week. Though its been available for three years, Apple very quickly complied with removing the app, so now TWO is targeting Google to do the same . TWO said in a statement: By any standard, the app is awful. It brazenly compares homosexuality to an addiction. It casually trashes LGBT people as living destructive lifestyles. Gay conversion therapy is what they depict in the award winning hit movie Boy Erased . The Telegraph says Google has been accused of foot-dragging after it failed to follow the lead from Amazon, Microsoft and Apple, which removed this app from their online stores last month after being approached about it. Wayne Besen, executive director of TWO, said that it is unconscionable that Google is still offering an online platform to this app. Besen said: We are hoping this is simply an oversight from a very large company, rather than an objectionable policy decision that would warrant further action. | http://www.towleroad.com/2019/01/why-is-google-dragging-its-feet-in-eliminating-its-boy-erased-app/ |
What time is the vote of confidence for Theresa May today? | (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) Theresa May faces a vote of confidence later today after her proposed Brexit plan was shot down by her fellow MPs. After failing to deliver Brexit MPs get the chance to help deliver the post The vote of confidence was tabled by Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn shortly after the proposed Brexit plan was rejected. It will be the second vote of confidence that the PM has faced within the last two months after she was challenged by her fellow conservatives back in December. Here is everything you need to know about tonights vote and when it will take place. The confidence vote is set to take place at around 7pm on Wednesday 16 January. The vote is scheduled to be held following a 6 hour debate regarding the confidence motion which start at 12pm today, following Prime Ministers Questions. Advertisement Advertisement A result can then be expected to be announced at any point from around 8.30pm. A vote of no confidence decides whether or not a political leader, or in this case party, still has the support of their government. MPs will be voting on a motion stating That this House has no confidence in Her Majestys Government. The motion was filed in Parliament yesterday, and it will go to a Commons vote at 7pm today. This could force an early general election if it passes with the support of more than 50% of MPs. This isnt Theresa Mays first no confidence rodeo. Just last month, she faced a similar vote, but this time from her fellow Tories. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Because she won that vote, by law she is safe from her own party for another year. Advertisement Advertisement Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn was the one who tabled this latest no confidence motion because Theresa Mays catastrophic Brexit loss signals an absolutely decisive verdict by MPs on the Prime Ministers handling of the situation. But that does not necessarily mean that this is the end for Theresa May as PM. A DUP spokesman has said that their party will support the Prime Minister in this no confidence motion. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Theresa May told Metro.co.uk that The PM still wants to deliver the Brexit people voted for. They did not vote for a no deal Brexit but leaving in an orderly fashion. She will be holding meetings with senior parliamentarians from different parties over the coming days. | https://metro.co.uk/2019/01/16/time-vote-confidence-theresa-may-today-8349936/ |
How much is Netflix and are the rate hikes coming to the UK? | Netflix is raising its subscription rates once again. The popular video streaming service has confirmed to the media it plans to roll out new price hikes across all its subscription plans in the US, according to the AP. This marks the fourth time Netflix has changed its pricing strategy in the US. The last price hike happened in 2017. We suspect Netflix will reveal more about this decision on 17 January, when it reports quarterly earnings. Right now, most Americans will probably eat the price hikes without hardly complaining. But that might change, especially as Netflix will soon lose some of its biggest content while having more competition than ever. Here's what you need to know, including when and why this is happening. We've also contacted Netflix for a comment and will update as we know more. Netflix's SD plan is $8 a month, as of January 2019. It is raising to $9 monthly, due to the new price hike. Netflix's HD plan, which is the most popular plan, is $11 a month, as of January 2019. It is increasing to $13 monthly. Netflix's 4K plan is $14 a month, as of January 2019. It'll go up to $16 monthly. Existing subscribers in the US will have their prices raised gradually over the next three months, so from mid-January 2019 to mid-April 2019. However, new subscribers in the US will immediately begin seeing (and paying) the new prices. Netflixs primary goal has been - for quite a long time - to produce more of its own original content. For instance, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings once said Netflix has a goal to increase the amount of original content on the platform from 20 per cent to 50 per cent. So, if we had to guess, that is a large part of whats driving these new price changes, as the video streaming service has to finance its original productions, which isn't cheap. Let's also not forget that Netflix cant as easily acquire the rights to stream content from other media companies. Its expected to lose some of its major content providers later this year, when all the available Disney and Pixar and some Marvel content will abruptly move over to Disneys upcoming streaming service, Disney+. On top of that blow, it seems like almost every company has or is building a new streaming platform. CBS and FX have already launched CBS All Access and FX+, for instance, and NBCUniversal recently announced it'll be debut a streaming platform in 2020. Meanwhile, Apple has been producing its own content, with the expectation it'll eventually launch a streaming platform in the near future. Netflix has only announced price hikes for US users. And it's confirmed they will have no impact on UK users. | https://www.pocket-lint.com/apps/news/netflix/146769-how-much-is-netflix |
Should there be a second Brexit referendum? | The video will start in 8 Cancel Get Weekly Politics 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 Demands for a second referendum on Brexit have grown following the defeat of Theresa May's proposed Brexit withdrawal agreement. A letter signed by 71 Labour MPs called for Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn to start campaigning for a "People's Vote" on Brexit. This would mean holding another referendum which would give voters a chance to scrap Brexit. The letter said: "We now face a moment of national crisis, where the facts and the views of many people have changed - and are continuing to change." But only one Birmingham MP, Labour MP Jess Phillips (Lab Birmingham Yardley), signed the letter. 0+ VOTES SO FAR Yes No Others signing it included Matt Western, Labour MP for Warwick & Leamington, and Pat McFadden, Labour MP for Wolverhampton South East . The Scottish Government will also be "intensifying" its calls for a second European referendum in the wake of the Commons Brexit vote, Nicola Sturgeon has said. The Scottish First Minister headed to London after MPs overwhelmingly rejected Prime Minister Theresa May's proposed Withdrawal Agreement in the historic Commons vote. But Prime Minister Theresa May has ruled out a second referendum. She told the House of Commons: "This House legislated for a people's vote, it legislated for a people's vote that was held in 2016, and that vote determined the UK should leave the European Union." | https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/should-second-brexit-referendum-15686972 |
Does Minnesota drink beer the right way? | Stutrud, a lot of the brains (and some of the brawn) behind Summit Brewing, says he wouldnt try starting a brewery now. The markets too saturated, too many clueless punks are spoiling beers reputation, and peoples palates arent developed. Mark blames his competitors, who cave in to consumer demand for beer that tastes like cupcakes and juice. He thinks beer should taste like beer. And if you want to become a brewer, first learn the basics, then go crazy. Others disagree. He fingers special release and experimental brews, which stray so far from beers mores that Stutruds not even sure they should be called beer anymore. These new beers are more like candyor a junkies hook, with everyone raising the stakes in sugar, alcohol, and weirdness just to keep their addicts hyped. He knows that this take is not well-received, but he stands by his principles. Stutrud learned his craft at the knee of brewers who followed recipes and techniques passed down through millennia. Monks whove been dead 1,000 years would recognize the beer he makes. The big and beautiful copper tanks at his St. Paul facility were custom-made. His 80-some employees put a lot of thought into their work. Thats why hes ready to pick a fight. Stutruds told some young brewers they dont know what theyre doing, and that the risks they take with new flavors and techniques arent cool or exciting. Theyre stupid, and only subtract from the generations-long work he and many others have put in. By the time a beer hits a Summit tap, or is hauled into your liquor store, Stutrud and his master tasters have sampled it many times over, confident of its perfection. Hes much less sure of a 25-year-old rookie combining exotic ingredients, producing a limited edition, and then waiting for customers to stand in a line as if theyre hoping to buy a high-priced purse or the newest Jordan sneaker. Being able to be among the rare few who try it may seem exciting and cool, but Stutrud doesnt get it. That kinda shit pissed me off, Stutrud says, shaking his silvery locks. And heres the weird thing: The brewers hes dissing... dont necessarily disagree with him. Brewers who put out the kind of one-off stunt beers Stutrud abhors say theyre not sure why consumers are willing to wait in line for the chance to spend money on a beer theyve never had before. But theyre meeting the consumer where they are, and exclusivity, the chance to geek out and brag about having a beer no one else can get, is a small but significant part of driving demand. Dan Wellendorf of Modist Brewing says brewers are into invention, learning through experimentation. (The brand name is literally a take on the term modification.) Messing with tradition is what theyre all about, and if you want one of the three mainstay beers they always have running, youre welcome to try them. If you want one of their special releases, there might be competition. The releases are an important part of what we do, Wellendorf says. Any time you see people lined up outside the door... I mean, its pretty badass to be sought-after. Wellendorf doesnt often line up for rare beer himself. Neither does Fair States Niko Tonks, though he says messing around with new styles has done them well: The roselle beer, a sweet, fruity offering, got its start as a limited-run experiment. Now its 25 percent of Fair States sales. Shakopee Brew Halls Ben Sallyard and Utepils Eric Harper wont stand in line either, but know some customers want to. Its called the fear of missing out (FOMO for short), and it drives people to stand in line for the unique privilege of... buying a growler of beer. Youll spend more time waiting in line than you will drinking the beer in question, but at least youll have a story to tell. Theres more to it than just saying you got the beer, Harper says. Think about Black Friday. You could buy that TV tomorrow too. Human beings are just like that. Sallyard considers Summits Mark Stutrud a grandfather of the current craft brewing scene, and respects his opinion. But he also knows some of his customers want to feel like theyre on the cutting edge. And hes going to keep inventing new and heretofore-unseen beers, if thats what people want. From a brewing perspective, its the stuff that moves quickly that puts you in the black. Theres nothing wrong with that. But Mark Stutrud points out that Todd Haug, who created all the Surly beers that set the local beer scene alight, learned his craft at Summit before breaking off and reinventing Twin Cities beer. Haug learned the rules before he broke them. Stutrud says when hot-shit brewers from around the country come to his hall, they typically want Summits Keller Pils, a simple beer made masterfully, with an obsession to detail. Its a traditional brew and goes down smoothly. You could drink it all night and not get into trouble, and with few regrets. Says Stutrud, Thats the point. | http://www.citypages.com/restaurants/are-you-drinking-the-right-beers-does-that-question-make-you-uncomfortable/504392171 |
Do budget PC upgrades provide bang for buck? | There comes a sad time in every computer's, often short-lived, existence where it's just getting that little bit too lethargic to be a functioning member of your computing community. It can be a depressing time, seeing your once sprightly machine weighed down by the demands of newer code and shown up by even newer hardware. The joy of PCs, though, is that with a judicial hardware upgrade your once lightning-fast, but now lumbering rig can get a new lease of life for a fraction of the cost of buying a new machine. That's not to say that you shouldn't throw your bones at a full rig. When the cost of upgrading involves having to buy a new motherboard and RAM to accompany that new processor, then the price can soon start drifting north of 400. In this case you might as well take a look at some of the more bargainous system integrators out there, as they can get it cheaper. Well, it depends on what you primarily use your PC for. We've taken two old base rigs languishing in the darkest recesses of our office to represent two different upgrade paths. On the one hand, we have a thoroughly old school AMD socket 939 machine, with an Athlon X2 4800 and an Nvidia 7900GS, and on the other hand we have a 2GHz Core 2 Duo rig with the DirectX 9 card de jour, the Radeon X1900XTX. The AMD rig represents a mid-range machine and the Intel a high-end PC from yesteryear. If you're like us, the humble graphics card is the first thing to pop up on your radar. Well, kinda. The difficulty with upgrading versus just buying a whole new rig is that nine times out of ten you are having to battle against bottlenecks in your existing system and locating those choke points is going to pay dividends when it comes to choosing your upgrade. Our base system, the Intel 2GHz dual-core chip with an X1900XTX would have been the darling of the gaming world a couple of years back and would've probably cost around a grand for the privilege. Now the 1900XTX still manages reasonable frame rates on relatively high settings, so it shouldn't take too much experimentation to get this rig rocking again. For our first upgrade we've selected Nvidia's affordable 9600GT. This Palit Sonic, overclocked edition is yours for a mere 77 and it's pixel-shunting power is well documented - it' may be a little old now, but it can offer a serious boost in the right system. Unfortunately, it hardly garnered much of a performance increase at all over the base X1900XTX, gifting us a maximum of 8fps in GRID and around three or four frames in the other two games. We'll freely admit that we expected more from this card, especially as it has served us so well in the past. Rolling in at just over the 100 mark, the next upgrade of choice is the Radeon HD4850. Again this is a quality DX10 card for the money, and is capable of pushing out pretty polygons at speed. Unfortunately this gave us no extra performance, either. In fact, we saw performance drop compared to the 9600GT, in World in Conflict. It's not the mid-range card's fault, however, as once we dropped in our top upgrade card, the excellent Gigabyte GTX260 OC (similar to the Zotac GeForce GTX260), it suddenly became clear that the performance bottleneck wasn't the graphics card. With only a couple of extra frames per second for a whopping outlay of 200, this clearly isn't where your money should be going. Part of the problem here is the constraints of the motherboard itself. The old school 650i board just can't cope with amount of information that the high-end graphics cards are trying to push through its ageing pipes. But the other problem is the weak processor ticking away at the heart of the system. Replace the processor though and you would see performance increasing by at least ten frames per second with a 9600GT card and most likely doubling if we were to slot in the GTX260, the top upgrade card. Unfortunately, once you start looking at making an upgrade to your system it generally only serves to highlight the rest of the problems with the old technology residing in your rig. There's no easy quick fix for this either, a new GPU will give you a few extra frames, but to make a real difference you need to change at least two components. In this case the processor and graphics card. This in turn may need a new motherboard, and in turn new memory, but either way, spending anything on graphics for this rig is a waste. The AMD rig Upgrading this Alienware rig is akin to Indiana Jones entering a dusty cave and uncovering hordes of lost treasure. The young(ish) Harrison Ford-era Dr Jones as well, not the one in the most recent film, who appeared to be doing a parody of the king of spoof, Leslie Nielsen. This Alienware rig looks a bit like one of the fetid crystal skulls as well, being one of the subtle-as-a-sledgehammer rigs from a few years back. The first part of the PC to get the upgrade treatment is the graphics card. Possibly the easiest part of any computer to upgrade, jamming in a new pixel pusher can also give the most noticeable results. If you're running Vista on a non-DirectX 10 card you'll also notice those subtle effects when you upgrade straight away. A three-year-old Nvidia GeForce 7900GS was my starting point. This card could run the evergreen GRID smoothly enough, although it limited the resolution to 1,280 x 1024. However, it was a different story with Far Cry 2 and World in Conflict, but then we would expect them to crawl along more glacially. This particular card is still available for about 50, although we'd recommend getting a cheapo DirectX 10 card if that's your budget. The first step up was ATI's superior X1900XTX, a contemporary competitor to Nvidia's card. Frame rates were somewhat better with this card, and GRID happily ran at higher resolutions. We still couldn't get Far Cry 2 to run in anything above medium detail, however. Leaping up the wonky upgrade ladder of doom, we came across the 9600GT. Again, frame rates grew: World in Conflict and GRID breached the crucial 24fps watermark in maximum settings, although the more-intensive Far Cry 2 couldn't muster this feat. On to the competition, namely AMD's HD4850. This card managed to drop a few frames at lower resolutions, but turned out to be a heavy-hitter at maximum settings, where it almost doubled some of the 9600GT results. At this point, the effect of successive graphics cards being repeatedly rammed into the test machine pretty much topped out. We did try AMD's HD4870, which comes in at about 50 more than the 4850, but it failed to offer any noticeable improvements in the game tests. Next up was Nvidia's behemoth of a graphics card, the GTX 260. It's priced at over 200, and barely fitted in the machine. We had to reconnect the exhaust fan to another port on the motherboard, which resulted in ominous sparks and smoke firing out of the PC whenever it was turned on. Strangely enough, it reminded us of the dodgy ending to the last Indiana Jones film, except no heads exploded. The GTX 260 offered a slightly better increase in frame rates, but not enough to justify spending so much on a graphics card trapped under the glass ceiling of the ageing motherboard and processor. The 9600GT is the clear winner for this rig, at least for the cash outlay. | https://www.techradar.com/au/news/computing-components/upgrades/do-budget-pc-upgrades-provide-bang-for-buck-591068 |
What happens if Theresa May loses the no-confidence vote? | Theresa May faces the biggest threat to her leadership yet, from a no-confidence vote designed to topple her government. The prime minister will hope the scores of Conservative MPs who emphatically rejected her Brexit deal will keep her in office this evening. She is expected to win the vote, pushed by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn in the aftermath of Tuesday night's historic Commons defeat. Image: Mr Corbyn sought to capitalise on the PM's defeat on Wednesday Brexiteer MPs have all come out in support, and Mrs May's confidence and supply partners the Democratic Unionist Party has also vowed to vote in her favour. Image: Theresa May faces the biggest test of her premiership yet The government would fall and there would be a period of 14 days in which a new one can be formed. There are no rigid rules dictating what must happen during that fortnight. Mrs May, who has previously said she would not fight a 2022 election, could attempt to cling on and form a new administration. She is safe from a vote of no confidence from her own party for another 12 months, after the ballot against her failed late last year. However, she may decide it is time to go and hand the reins over to someone else. A new Conservative leader would then have the chance to form a government - as would opposition parties. On current parliamentary arithmetic, the Conservatives remain the only party with enough numbers to have a strong chance of controlling the Commons. The new government is confirmed in office through passing a resolution in the Commons "that this house has confidence in Her Majesty's Government". However, if no government is presented after 14 days, there would be a general election. Under those circumstances, the EU is likely to grant the UK an extension to Article 50 - delaying Brexit which is currently set to take place on 29 March. | https://news.sky.com/story/what-happens-if-theresa-may-loses-the-no-confidence-vote-11608819 |
Why Wont John Roberts Accept an Ethics Code for Supreme Court Justices? | Chief Justice John Roberts waits for the arrival of former U.S. President George H.W. Bush at the U.S Capitol rotunda on Dec. 3, 2018. Jabin BotsfordPool/Getty Images The first bill introduced this year in the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives had nothing to do with the border wall, the government shutdown, the troops in Syria, or other issues that have dominated recent headlines. Instead, the For the People Actor HR 1is devoted to government integrity, covering voting rights, campaign finance reform, and ethical standards. Among many potentially controversial and complex provisions, there is one that stands out for its simplicity: requiring the adoption of an ethics code for the U.S. Supreme Court. The fact that SCOTUS justices are the only nine judges in the United States who do not have a written code of ethics is not just a symbolic problem, but a very meaningful one that requires just this sort of legislative solution. The current Code of Conduct for United States Judges, first adopted in 1973 and based on the American Bar Associations Model Code of Judicial Conduct, covers every member of the federal judiciary except Supreme Court justices. Likewise, every state has adopted some version of the ABA code. Theres a reason every other judge in the country has a code of ethics by which they must abide: Ethics issues arise constantly at all levels of the judiciary; in the absence of a written code, both judges and the public are left in the dark about how to address and resolve them. Supreme Court justices also face ethics questions. These are not hypotheticals. At least one justice has engaged in each of these activities in past years, and there is no definitive code of conduct that prohibits them. Judicial ethics ought to be a nonpartisan issue. Chief Justice John Roberts addressed the anomaly of the missing ethics code in his 2011 Year-End Report on the Federal Judiciary, acknowledging that the lower courts code is a good starting point for ethics inquiries. Nonetheless, he asserted that there is no reason to adopt a SCOTUS code because members of his court consult a wide variety of other sources for guidance. In addition, Roberts noted that current iterations of the judicial code do not adequately answer some of the ethical considerations unique to the Supreme Court, and that no compilation of ethical rules can guarantee integrity. The chief justices observations are all reasonable, but they do not begin to justify the absence of a Supreme Court code. Nearly all of his explanations apply with equal force to every other court in the U.S., and yet those courts have, without exception, adopted written codes. It is true, of course, that no compilation of rules can guarantee compliance, but the same could be said for all other codes, ranging from the Bill of Rights to the Ten Commandments. He is right that existing judicial codes do not address issues unique to the Supreme Court, but that is why the proposed legislation allows provisions that are applicable only to SCOTUS justices. Democrats have repeatedly introduced legislation requiring the Supreme Court to adopt an ethics code, but the previous Republican House leadership never allowed it to come to the floor. Although the confirmation of Supreme Court justices has become increasingly rancorous, judicial ethics ought to be a nonpartisan issue. A written code would apply equally to liberal and conservative justices, thus covering Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburgs disparagement of then-candidate Donald Trump in the months before the 2016 election as well as Justice Samuel Alitos appearance at a fundraiser for the right-leaning Claremont Institute. Both incidents would have violated specific ethics rules for every other U.S. judge, but not for the justices. Ginsburg eventually apologized for what she called ill-advised comments and promised to be more circumspect in the future; Alito declined to comment. Supreme Court justices have life tenure and cannot be subject to sanctions, short of impeachment, so the purpose of a SCOTUS code would not be punishment or even enforcement. Consequently, the For the People Act requires only the promulgation of ethics standards so that the justices can be held accountable for their conduct in the court of public opinion. In the most extreme circumstances, a documented ethics violation could be relevant to a potential impeachment proceeding, as has been the case with lower court judges. But even without such a drastic and improbable situation, there is value in transparency. It is only fair to let the public know what ethics standards we should expect from the nine most powerful judges in the nation. | https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/01/supreme-court-ethics-code-judges-john-roberts.html |
Can Spurs keep the pace without Harry Kane? | Tottenhams English striker Harry Kane receives medical treatment after picking up an injury during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium in London January 13, 2019. AFP pic LONDON, Jan 16 Tottenham have defied the odds to remain alive in three cup competitions and on course for a top-four finish in the Premier League after spending nothing in the summer but staying afloat without injured talisman Harry Kane could be the biggest challenge yet for manager Mauricio Pochettino. Kane will not even be fit to train until early March after suffering ligament damage in his left ankle during Sundays 1-0 home defeat to Manchester United. His absence could not have come at a worse time for Pochettino ahead of a potentially season-defining run of at least 11 games on four fronts over the next seven weeks. Kane is expected to miss both legs of Spurs Champions League last-16 tie against Borussia Dortmund, the second leg of a League Cup semi-final at Chelsea and the final should they progress, a trip to Crystal Palace in the fourth round of the FA Cup and the fifth round if Spurs make it through, plus seven Premier League games, including vital clashes in the battle for the top four with Chelsea and Arsenal. The loss of the World Cups Golden Boot winner has been exacerbated by the departure of Son Heung-min to the Asian Cup potentially for the rest of the month leaving Pochettino desperately short of striking options. Son is Spurs second top scorer with 12 goals behind Kanes 20 this season. The South Korean has shown his ability to carry the goalscoring burden on the few occasions Kane has been rested and when he was briefly sidelined by right ankle ligament damage last season. Pochettino will now be forced to turn to 33-year-old Spanish striker Fernando Llorente, who has played just over an hour of Premier League and Champions League football all season. Llorente was strongly linked with a return to Athletic Bilbao this month due to his limited game time but is the only natural striker Pochettino can turn to as the shallowness of Spurs squad begins to be exposed. Lucas Moura is another makeshift option who would offer more mobility than Llorentes physical approach and might be better suited if Spurs are not to alter their style drastically for Llorente to feed off crosses. However, after a bright start to the season, the Brazilian has scored just five goals since August. Pochettino has also shot down any suggestions Vincent Janssen could be welcomed back into the fold 17 months after the Dutch strikers last appearance for the club. Tottenham became the first team in Premier League history since the introduction of the summer transfer window not to have made a single signing by the start of the campaign, and prior to Kanes injury Pochettino expected another window without new arrivals. The spiralling costs and the wait to enter the clubs new 62,000-capacity stadium have hampered Spurs ability to spend on new players, while Pochettino has previously spoken of the difficulty in recruiting a back-up to Kane. Its so difficult to convince good players to come and then be on the bench. Then the problems start, said the Argentine, who has instead prioritised squad harmony. Chairman Daniel Levy is renowned for not splashing out and is under severe pressure to deliver a move into Tottenhams new home before the end of the season. However, Levy also has a fine balance to strike. Pochettino is a man in demand, with Manchester United looking for a new manager in the summer, as are a number of his players, most notably Christan Eriksen, who has just 18 months left to run on his contract and is attracting interest from Real Madrid. Should Spurs shirk the chance to bring in more firepower and then crash out of the Champions League and both domestic cups before Kane returns, Pochettino will end his fifth season in charge without winning a trophy. Champions League football for next season is also at stake, with third-placed Spurs just seven points ahead of Arsenal and a rejuvenated United in fifth and sixth. At some point the thirst for success and the opportunity to work with far greater resources may become too much for Pochettino to resist. AFP | https://www.malaymail.com/s/1713345/can-spurs-keep-the-pace-without-harry-kane |
Who will lead the attack for Tottenham in the absence of crocked Harry Kane? | Tottenham's hopes of ending an 11-year wait for silverware this season have been dealt an enormous blow with the news that talisman Harry Kane will be sidelined until the middle of March. The England striker, who has scored 20 goals in all competitions for Spurs this season, damaged ankle ligaments in Sunday's 1-0 home defeat by Manchester United. Kane is expected to miss 11 matches, including meetings with Chelsea in the Premier League and Carabao Cup, plus both legs of their Champions League last-16 showdown with Borussia Dortmund. Tottenham will be without Harry Kane until mid-March after he suffered ankle ligament damage during Sunday's 1-0 loss to Manchester United Mauricio Pochettino has been given a further headache by Son Heung-min's absence from potentially another five matches should they go all the way in the Asian Cup currently ongoing in the United Arab Emirates. It undoubtedly leaves Spurs short in attack entering what could prove to be a defining phase of their season. Pochettino's team, who are nine points behind leaders Liverpool in the Premier League, head to Fulham on Sunday before they defend a 1-0 first-leg lead against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-final. A fourth round FA Cup tie at Crystal Palace follows before a trio of Wembley league fixtures against Watford, Newcastle United and Leicester City lead into their next European assignment. A crunch visit to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea awaits them on February 24, while there is also the small matter of a north London derby at home to Arsenal on March 2. Sportsmail examines the options. Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino faces a selection headache over his front line Son Heung-min is away on international duty with South Korea at the Asian Cup in the UAE LUCAS MOURA LEADING THE LINE Probably the most likely solution is to introduce Lucas Moura to a more regular centre forward role. The Brazilian has consistently impressed since arriving from Paris Saint-Germain a little over a year ago, offering plenty of flair and the occasional spectacular goal. Lucas has scored eight times this season and has become a regular starter, albeit usually in a wide position. However, he has also occupied the main stiker's role from time to time and with some success - he scored two goals playing alongside Kane in the 3-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford in August. Brazilian winger Lucas Moura could adapt to occupy a more central role and lead the line The only difference from previous experience is that Lucas would be playing up front alone rather than with Kane's assistance and you wonder if he would have the physical presence to unsettle an opposition back line. What he does have though is pace and skill, so there's no question Lucas could perform the job if aided by an attacking midfield trio of Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen and Erik Lamela behind him. One issue with the 26-year-old in the short-term is that he picked up a knock in the 7-0 FA Cup thrashing of Tranmere Rovers earlier this month. Moura celebrates scoring against Bournemouth on Boxing Day as Spurs won the match 5-0 In response to a supporter enquiring about his fitness on Twitter earlier this week, Lucas replied: 'The knock was strong, it is still painful. I am doing full time treatment to be ready as soon as possible.' The good news should Pochettino go with Lucas up front is that Spurs have a rare vacant midweek this week to get him back to full fitness. How Tottenham could line up with Lucas Moura deployed as the forward in a 4-2-3-1 formation GO WITH FORGOTTEN MAN LLORENTE If Pochettino wants an out-and-out centre forward to replace Kane in his system, he'll need to place his faith in Spaniard Fernando Llorente. The 33-year-old has played a mere 36 minutes of Premier League football this season and has started just two games, one of which came against League Two Tranmere Rovers in the FA Cup. He did score three goals against Tranmere and also netted against West Ham in the Carabao Cup, but such scoring interventions have been rare occurences. Llorente has scored just nine times for Spurs since signing at the start of last season and seven of those came against Tranmere, Rochdale and APOEL Nicosia. Fernando Llorente rues a missed opportunity during Sunday's Wembley loss to Man United How Tottenham could line up with Fernando Llorente leading the attack in a 4-2-3-1 system He could have left Spurs this month but now looks almost certain to play a leading role in at least some of the matches ahead. Though often rusty in front of goal, he did give Spurs a presence up top during the closing stages against United after he was introduced from the bench for Harry Winks. Llorente is quite smart with his knockdowns and he should be able to bring those behind him into play as a result should Spurs go more direct. Spanish striker Llorente did offer Spurs some physical presence against Manchester United He could be used in the more immediate games, especially against such a porous defence as Fulham's on Sunday, while Lucas regains full fitness. Llorente could have three behind him - Alli, Eriksen and Lamela - in a 4-2-3-1 set-up or Pochettino may return to the 3-4-2-1 sometimes seen with Alli playing deeper. Playing the latter system, with Danny Rose and Kieran Trippier playing as wing-backs could see 6ft 4in Llorente a suitable target for crosses. Alternatively, Pochettino could opt for three at the back and two wing-backs plus Llorente THE EVEN MORE FORGOTTEN MAN JANSSEN You'd be forgiven for thinking that Vincent Janssen had departed Spurs some time ago. But actually the 24-year-old Dutch striker, signed for 17m in July 2016, has been sidelined with a foot injury for the whole season. He only returned to the field in an under-23 match against Liverpool earlier this month, where he completed 45 minutes. Janssen has rarely started in the Premier League for Spurs and has made just 39 appearances overall for the club, scoring six times. But though Pochettino has ruled out using him as their main striker in the coming weeks, his return to match fitness could well prove useful as an option from the bench. Forgotten man Vincent Janssen is slowly working his way back to full fitness in the U23 side DIVE INTO THE TRANSFER MARKET With the saga over the White Hart Lane redevelopment dragging on and on, Spurs had committed to not spending anything in this month's transfer window. But the injury to Kane could well prompt a hasty rethink given how the optimism of their season could quickly unravel in his absence. With the club still in pursuit of Liverpool and Manchester City at the top of the table, still active in both cup competitions and in the knockout stages of the Champions League, it may be worth investing now to keep the season alive. Mousa Dembele is about to move to Guangzhou R&F in China and the 11m recouped could be put to good use. Maybe a break-the-bank offer for West Ham's Marko Arnautovic or Bournemouth's Callum Wilson could solve the goals crisis. But with their expensive new stadium about to open, the transfer budget is small, so don't hold your breath. | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6598539/Who-lead-attack-Tottenham-absence-crocked-Harry-Kane.html |
Was bringt Homopathie wirklich? | Bitte fllen Sie alle Pflichtfelder mit * aus. Bitte stimmen Sie unseren Nutzungsbedingungen zu. Bitte stimmen Sie unserer Datenschutzerklrung zu. Bitte geben Sie Ihr Einverstndnis. Bitte akzeptieren Sie die Datenschutzbestimmungen. Bitte whlen Sie Ihren Benutzernamen. Bitte tragen Sie Ihre E-Mail-Adresse ein. Diese Email-Adresse ist bereits bei uns registriert. Bitte versuchen Sie es mit einer anderen Adresse. Mailadresse bereits bekannt, bitte mit bestehendem Account einloggen und Kinderprofil anlegen Diese E-Mail-Adresse scheint nicht korrekt zu sein sie muss ein @ beinhalten und eine existierende Domain (z.B. zdf.de) haben. Die eingegebenen Passwrter stimmen nicht berein. Bitte versuchen Sie es erneut. Das Passwort muss mindestens 8 Zeichen lang sein. Das Passwort muss mindestens einen Grobuchstaben enthalten. Das Passwort muss mindestens einen Kleinbuchstaben enthalten. Das Passwort muss mindestens ein Sonderzeichen enthalten. Das Passwort muss mindestens 8 Zeichen lang sein und mindestens eine Zahl enthalten. Die Registrierung hat leider nicht funktioniert. Bitte berprfen Sie Ihre Angaben. Benutzername E-Mail Passwort Passwort wiederholen Das Passwort muss mindestens 8 Zeichen lang sein, einen Grobuchstaben, eine Ziffer und ein Sonderzeichen enthalten. Ich akzeptiere die Nutzungsbedingungen des ZDF * Ich akzeptiere die Datenschutzerklrung des ZDF * Ich bin einverstanden, dass mein Kind 'Mein ZDFtivi' nutzt. * Ich akzeptiere die Datenschutzbestimmungen zur Nutzung von 'Mein ZDFtivi' * Pflichtfelder * Registrieren | https://www.zdf.de/nachrichten/heute-in-deutschland/was-bringt-homoeopathie-wirklich-100.html |
Is mystery New Year patient the missing Sussex woman? | Get daily updates directly to your inbox Subscribe Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Could not subscribe, try again later Invalid Email Striking similarities have been drawn between the woman who left Nuneatons hospital mid-treatment and another who has been missing for a year. Sussex Police said they believe Helen Slaughter, who was last seen leaving her home in Barnham in November 2017, was in Nuneaton at the end of December. This would be around the same time Warwickshire Police said a woman, who had given false details, left the George Eliot Hospital mid-way through her treatment. Both forces released images of the woman and there are striking similarities between the two. Coventry Live contacted Warwickshire Police Force to see if the two investigations are being linked. A spokesperson said: "It is one of our lines of enquiry." Warwickshire Police has yet to trace the woman who left the George Eliot Hospital Accident and Emergency department at 10.50pm on Sunday, December 30 and left at 6.10am on New Year's Day before her treatment was completed. Sussex Police has been on the hunt for Helen Slaughter for more than a year after she was last seen leaving her home in Barnham, West Sussex at around 6am on November 1 2017,.. She was 49 at the time she went missing. Watch: This is how to report a missing person Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now Investigating officers would like to speak to anyone who recognises Helen or who may have seen a woman matching her description. Anyone with any information should call PC Notton from the Missing Persons Team at Sussex Police on 101. Download the CoventryLive app Click here for iPhone and here for Android Visit our Facebook pages for Coventry and Nuneaton or visit our Twitter pages for Coventry and Nuneaton Watch our videos on YouTube and see our photos on Instagram Find old stories in our online Archives and search for jobs, motors and property, or place an advert or family notice here | https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/nuneaton-news-missing-woman-sussex-15686480 |
How will SA and Pakistan sort out their teething problems ahead of Saturday's first ODI? | Saturday's first ODI out of five between South Africa and Pakistan will be more than just about the results but how the teams sort out their teething problems. South Africa's problems can at times move from a minor pain to a major headache. That's the filling of the AB de Villiers-sized void left by the star batsmen when he retired last year. Adaptable Highveld Lions batsman Rassie van der Dussen is the next one off the conveyor belt in a attempt to find the near-perfect batsman who can not only absorb early pressure but bat long and deep enough to ensure that the very same pressure is transferred to the bowling team while avoiding the middle-overs lull that's become the difference in ODI's in the past two years. England in particular have shown that calculated and sustained aggression throughout the innings lays the platform for bowlers to attack for long periods while defending steep totals. England though have the benefit of Eoin Morgan and Joe Root to catalyse their middle over sessions when teams try to rifle through their overs. De Villiers did this well but on his own and this is where the likes of Reeza Hendricks Faf du Plessis and van der Dussen have to spearhead South Africa's batting effort. Pakistan have a similar headache even though they won't be contending with the spicy Test pitches that led to their downfall. Babar Azam's their best multi-faceted batsman while Mohammad Hafeez is expected to add the missing bit of top-order solidity that was sorely missing in the Test series. While there's clarity in terms of the roles for Azam Hafeez Shoaib Malik and the combustible Fakhar Zaman question marks still remain on how best Pakistan's middle-order functions and who bats where. Late order acceleration has also been a problem for Mickey Arthur's side but how they achieve that against South Africa's good bowling unit will be another question. However five matches (10 in SA's case with the Sri Lanka series to come in March) provide the perfect stage for questions to be answered. One of those is SA's ability to deal with quality spin. After last year's batting debacle against India there has to be tangible improvement that will inspire confidence. It was an inexperienced batting line-up that Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal took care of but with Hashim Amla and Du Plessis in reasonable form after the Test series the onus will be on this senior trio plus David Miller to lead the way should spin be a focal point in this series. Quinton de Kock and Dale Steyn have been rested for the two coastal ODI's and have been replaced by Aiden Markram and Duanne Olivier. The World Cup preparation show will move from Port Elizabeth on Saturday to Durban on Tuesday. | https://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/cricket/2019-01-16-how-will-sa-and-pakistan--sort-out-their-teething-problems-ahead-of-saturdays-first-odi/ |
Which breed of cow is best suited to once-a-day milking? | In the coming weeks, dairy farmers will enter into a peak-pressure period which will only intensify with a move towards a 90% six-week calving rate. In the weeks post calving, some dairy farmers milk once-a-day (OAD) to reduce the workload, but return to twice-a-day (TAD). A huge crowd travelled to the Horse and Jockey in Co. Tipperary recently to find out if OAD milking could be a potential solution to ease some of the pressures associated with modern-day, spring-calving, dairy systems. Farmers a mixture of established dairy farmers and potential converts from beef farming attended the event to hear about the pros and cons of OAD milking. Teagscs Brian Hilliard, the organiser of the OAD milking event, has undertaken extensive work in this area over the years and addressed the question. From research in New Zealand where OAD was practiced for many years, they would favour the pure Jersey cow. The next best breed to that they say is the Jersey-cross cow. They have higher solids fat and protein. Because there is less volume, there is less stress on the udder. Having said that, there are a number of farmers in the country who are milking Holstein Friesian cows and they are doing a very good job. And, there is a lot of farmers considering going OAD, but they dont wish to go crossing with Jerseys. Advertisement All I would say to those people is, there is black and white herds who are achieving up to 3.80% protein on average and some of the very best black and white herds Ive seen are doing very high kilograms of milk solids. Touching on bull selection, Brian said: I would think with a very good selection of bulls, you can stay with black and white cows if that suits you. However, try and keep to a medium-sized cow; dony go for the very big 650-700kg cow. I think they are less efficient and a lot of farmers milking OAD are walking cows long distances and they are not suited to those systems compared to a Jersey-cross cow or a medium-sized black and white cow. Teagascs George Ramsbottom also touched on the topic. We also need to look at health and selecting low somatic cell count cows (SCC) and cows with mastitis resistance; we also need to look at udder conformation. | https://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/which-breed-of-cow-is-best-suited-to-once-a-day-milking/ |
Why Is Colton Underwood Always Showering on The Bachelor? | Watch The Bachelor and you'll know two things: Colton Underwood is a virgin and apparently Colton Underwood is very clean. That man takes so many showers! This is a spoiler alert," Colton said on Ben Higgins and Ashley Iaconetti's Almost Famous podcast. "We had a shower B-roll day. It was awesome." Showers for days. Literally! And for those not in "the know" with production lingo, B-roll is supplemental footage shot to be placed and used with the main scenes/footage. Colton also said one of his turn offs include poor hygiene. "I'm a hygiene guy, like brush your teeth, put some deodorant on, shower every once in a while," he said. No, but "just smell decent." | https://www.eonline.com/ap/news/1005662/why-is-colton-underwood-always-showering-on-the-bachelor |
Why Is Colton Underwood Always Showering on The Bachelor ? | Watch The Bachelor and you'll know two things: Colton Underwood is a virgin and apparently Colton Underwood is very clean. That man takes so many showers! This is a spoiler alert," Colton said on Ben Higgins and Ashley Iaconetti's Almost Famous podcast. "We had a shower B-roll day. It was awesome." Showers for days. Literally! And for those not in "the know" with production lingo, B-roll is supplemental footage shot to be placed and used with the main scenes/footage. Colton also said one of his turn offs include poor hygiene. "I'm a hygiene guy, like brush your teeth, put some deodorant on, shower every once in a while," he said. No, but "just smell decent." | https://www.eonline.com/ca/news/1005659/why-is-colton-underwood-always-showering-on-the-bachelor |
Are Investors Undervaluing United Continental (UAL) Right Now? | Here at Zacks, our focus is on the proven Zacks Rank system, which emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find great stocks. Nevertheless, we are always paying attention to the latest value, growth, and momentum trends to underscore strong picks. While the proven Zacks Rank places an emphasis on earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find strong stocks, we also know that investors tend to develop their own individual strategies. With this in mind, we are always looking at value, growth, and momentum trends to discover great companies. Of these, perhaps no stock market trend is more popular than value investing, which is a strategy that has proven to be successful in all sorts of market environments. Value investors use a variety of methods, including tried-and-true valuation metrics, to find these stocks. On top of the Zacks Rank, investors can also look at our innovative Style Scores system to find stocks with specific traits. For example, value investors will want to focus on the "Value" category. Stocks with high Zacks Ranks and "A" grades for Value will be some of the highest-quality value stocks on the market today. One company value investors might notice is United Continental (UAL). UAL is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy), as well as a Value grade of A. The stock is trading with P/E ratio of 7.52 right now. For comparison, its industry sports an average P/E of 8.77. Over the past 52 weeks, UAL's Forward P/E has been as high as 12.18 and as low as 7.52, with a median of 8.86. Investors will also notice that UAL has a PEG ratio of 0.34. This metric is used similarly to the famous P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also takes into account the stock's expected earnings growth rate. UAL's PEG compares to its industry's average PEG of 0.73. Over the past 52 weeks, UAL's PEG has been as high as 1.98 and as low as 0.34, with a median of 0.44. Investors should also recognize that UAL has a P/B ratio of 2.30. Investors use the P/B ratio to look at a stock's market value versus its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. This company's current P/B looks solid when compared to its industry's average P/B of 2.45. Over the past 12 months, UAL's P/B has been as high as 2.85 and as low as 2.12, with a median of 2.40. Value investors also love the P/S ratio, which is calculated by simply dividing a stock's price with the company's sales. Some people prefer this metric because sales are harder to manipulate on an income statement. This means it could be a truer performance indicator. UAL has a P/S ratio of 0.54. This compares to its industry's average P/S of 0.7. Finally, we should also recognize that UAL has a P/CF ratio of 4.99. This metric takes into account a company's operating cash flow and can be used to find stocks that are undervalued based on their solid cash outlook. UAL's current P/CF looks attractive when compared to its industry's average P/CF of 5.56. Within the past 12 months, UAL's P/CF has been as high as 6.04 and as low as 4.27, with a median of 5. These are just a handful of the figures considered in United Continental's great Value grade. Still, they help show that the stock is likely being undervalued at the moment. Add this to the strength of its earnings outlook, and we can clearly see that UAL is an impressive value stock right now. 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. | https://news.yahoo.com/investors-undervaluing-united-continental-ual-141002446.html |
Are Investors Undervaluing American Airlines (AAL) Right Now? | Here at Zacks, our focus is on the proven Zacks Rank system, which emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find great stocks. Nevertheless, we are always paying attention to the latest value, growth, and momentum trends to underscore strong picks. While the proven Zacks Rank places an emphasis on earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find strong stocks, we also know that investors tend to develop their own individual strategies. With this in mind, we are always looking at value, growth, and momentum trends to discover great companies. Looking at the history of these trends, perhaps none is more beloved than value investing. This strategy simply looks to identify companies that are being undervalued by the broader market. Value investors use tried-and-true metrics and fundamental analysis to find companies that they believe are undervalued at their current share price levels. On top of the Zacks Rank, investors can also look at our innovative Style Scores system to find stocks with specific traits. For example, value investors will want to focus on the "Value" category. Stocks with high Zacks Ranks and "A" grades for Value will be some of the highest-quality value stocks on the market today. One company value investors might notice is American Airlines (AAL). AAL is currently holding a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy) and a Value grade of A. The stock is trading with a P/E ratio of 5.50, which compares to its industry's average of 8.77. AAL's Forward P/E has been as high as 11.53 and as low as 5.34, with a median of 7.30, all within the past year. We also note that AAL holds a PEG ratio of 0.72. This popular metric is similar to the widely-known P/E ratio, with the difference being that the PEG ratio also takes into account the company's expected earnings growth rate. AAL's industry currently sports an average PEG of 0.73. Within the past year, AAL's PEG has been as high as 5.31 and as low as 0.38, with a median of 0.68. Value investors also use the P/S ratio. The P/S ratio is is calculated as price divided by sales. This is a popular metric because sales are harder to manipulate on an income statement, so they are often considered a better performance indicator. AAL has a P/S ratio of 0.33. This compares to its industry's average P/S of 0.7. Finally, investors should note that AAL has a P/CF ratio of 4.80. This figure highlights a company's operating cash flow and can be used to find firms that are undervalued when considering their impressive cash outlook. AAL's P/CF compares to its industry's average P/CF of 5.56. Within the past 12 months, AAL's P/CF has been as high as 7.33 and as low as 4.50, with a median of 5.56. These are only a few of the key metrics included in American Airlines's strong Value grade, but they help show that the stock is likely undervalued right now. When factoring in the strength of its earnings outlook, AAL looks like an impressive value stock at the moment. 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/investors-undervaluing-american-airlines-aal-141002563.html |
Are Investors Undervaluing Boot Barn (BOOT) Right Now? | Here at Zacks, our focus is on the proven Zacks Rank system, which emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find great stocks. Nevertheless, we are always paying attention to the latest value, growth, and momentum trends to underscore strong picks. While the proven Zacks Rank places an emphasis on earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find strong stocks, we also know that investors tend to develop their own individual strategies. With this in mind, we are always looking at value, growth, and momentum trends to discover great companies. Looking at the history of these trends, perhaps none is more beloved than value investing. This strategy simply looks to identify companies that are being undervalued by the broader market. Value investors use tried-and-true metrics and fundamental analysis to find companies that they believe are undervalued at their current share price levels. On top of the Zacks Rank, investors can also look at our innovative Style Scores system to find stocks with specific traits. For example, value investors will want to focus on the "Value" category. Stocks with high Zacks Ranks and "A" grades for Value will be some of the highest-quality value stocks on the market today. One company value investors might notice is Boot Barn (BOOT). BOOT is currently holding a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy) and a Value grade of A. Investors should also note that BOOT holds a PEG ratio of 0.69. This popular figure is similar to the widely-used P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also considers a company's expected EPS growth rate. BOOT's PEG compares to its industry's average PEG of 1.08. Within the past year, BOOT's PEG has been as high as 1.68 and as low as 0.49, with a median of 0.95. Investors should also recognize that BOOT has a P/B ratio of 2.65. The P/B is a method of comparing a stock's market value to its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. This company's current P/B looks solid when compared to its industry's average P/B of 3.62. BOOT's P/B has been as high as 3.88 and as low as 1.87, with a median of 2.72, over the past year. These figures are just a handful of the metrics value investors tend to look at, but they help show that Boot Barn is likely being undervalued right now. Considering this, as well as the strength of its earnings outlook, BOOT feels like a great value stock at the moment. 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/investors-undervaluing-boot-barn-boot-141002487.html |
Are Investors Undervaluing Sprint (S) Right Now? | Here at Zacks, our focus is on the proven Zacks Rank system, which emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find great stocks. Nevertheless, we are always paying attention to the latest value, growth, and momentum trends to underscore strong picks. The proven Zacks Rank system focuses on earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find winning stocks. Nevertheless, we know that our readers all have their own perspectives, so we are always looking at the latest trends in value, growth, and momentum to find strong picks. Looking at the history of these trends, perhaps none is more beloved than value investing. This strategy simply looks to identify companies that are being undervalued by the broader market. Value investors use a variety of methods, including tried-and-true valuation metrics, to find these stocks. Zacks has developed the innovative Style Scores system to highlight stocks with specific traits. For example, value investors will be interested in stocks with great grades in the "Value" category. When paired with a high Zacks Rank, "A" grades in the Value category are among the strongest value stocks on the market today. Sprint (S) is a stock many investors are watching right now. S is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy), as well as a Value grade of A. Another valuation metric that we should highlight is S's P/B ratio of 0.88. The P/B ratio pits a stock's market value against its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. S's current P/B looks attractive when compared to its industry's average P/B of 1.49. S's P/B has been as high as 0.98 and as low as 0.73, with a median of 0.83, over the past year. Value investors also use the P/S ratio. The P/S ratio is is calculated as price divided by sales. This is a popular metric because sales are harder to manipulate on an income statement, so they are often considered a better performance indicator. S has a P/S ratio of 0.74. This compares to its industry's average P/S of 1.34. Finally, investors will want to recognize that S has a P/CF ratio of 1.55. This data point considers a firm's operating cash flow and is frequently used to find companies that are undervalued when considering their solid cash outlook. S's current P/CF looks attractive when compared to its industry's average P/CF of 3.84. Within the past 12 months, S's P/CF has been as high as 1.67 and as low as 1.24, with a median of 1.45. These are only a few of the key metrics included in Sprint's strong Value grade, but they help show that the stock is likely undervalued right now. When factoring in the strength of its earnings outlook, S looks like an impressive value stock at the moment. 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/investors-undervaluing-sprint-now-141002379.html |
Are Investors Undervaluing Navios Maritime Partners LP (NMM) Right Now? | Here at Zacks, our focus is on the proven Zacks Rank system, which emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find great stocks. Nevertheless, we are always paying attention to the latest value, growth, and momentum trends to underscore strong picks. The proven Zacks Rank system focuses on earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find winning stocks. Nevertheless, we know that our readers all have their own perspectives, so we are always looking at the latest trends in value, growth, and momentum to find strong picks. Looking at the history of these trends, perhaps none is more beloved than value investing. This strategy simply looks to identify companies that are being undervalued by the broader market. Value investors use a variety of methods, including tried-and-true valuation metrics, to find these stocks. Zacks has developed the innovative Style Scores system to highlight stocks with specific traits. For example, value investors will be interested in stocks with great grades in the "Value" category. When paired with a high Zacks Rank, "A" grades in the Value category are among the strongest value stocks on the market today. Navios Maritime Partners LP (NMM) is a stock many investors are watching right now. NMM is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy), as well as a Value grade of A. Value investors also use the P/S ratio. The P/S ratio is is calculated as price divided by sales. This is a prefered metric because revenue can't really be manipulated, so sales are often a truer performance indicator. NMM has a P/S ratio of 0.81. This compares to its industry's average P/S of 1.14. Finally, investors will want to recognize that NMM has a P/CF ratio of 5.27. This metric focuses on a firm's operating cash flow and is often used to find stocks that are undervalued based on the strength of their cash outlook. NMM's current P/CF looks attractive when compared to its industry's average P/CF of 9.93. Over the past 52 weeks, NMM's P/CF has been as high as 8.47 and as low as 3.45, with a median of 4.78. These are just a handful of the figures considered in Navios Maritime Partners LP's great Value grade. Still, they help show that the stock is likely being undervalued at the moment. Add this to the strength of its earnings outlook, and we can clearly see that NMM is an impressive value stock right now. 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. | https://news.yahoo.com/investors-undervaluing-navios-maritime-partners-141002295.html |
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