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Can the FBI Investigate the President? | Last weekend, The New York Times reported that senior FBI officials were so concerned about whatever President Donald Trump's true motivation for firing FBI Director James Comey was that they immediately initiated a counterintelligence investigation of the president himself. The Times reported that these officials believed that Trump may have intentionally or unwittingly played into the Kremlin's hands by firing Comey so as to impair the FBI investigation into what efforts, if any, Russian intelligence personnel undertook in attempting to influence the 2016 presidential election and what role, if any, the Trump campaign played in facilitating those efforts. Trump gave three public reasons for firing Comey. He told Comey he was fired because he had dropped the ball in the FBI investigation of Hillary Clinton's use of private servers for her official work as secretary of state by declaring publicly that Clinton would not be prosecuted. He told his Twitter followers that he fired Comey because Comey's a "total sleaze." And he told Lester Holt of NBC News that he fired Comey because he would not shut down the FBI investigation into the Russian behavior during the 2016 campaign and would not drop the prosecution of his former national security adviser, retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn. It is the reasons he gave to Holt that, according to the Times piece, impelled senior FBI officials to believe that the president himself might be a national security risk. In a word: Yes. Here is the back story. The FBI conducts generally two types of investigations -- criminal and counterintelligence. Criminal investigations are intended to find the people who have already committed particular crimes, with agents lawfully and constitutionally gathering evidence against them under the supervision of a federal prosecutor and in conjunction with a federal grand jury. A counterintelligence investigation is aimed at shoring up national security by looking at people who may be breaching it. This type of investigation often involves surveillance of the suspected people. A national security breach is any event -- criminal or not -- that may have enabled foreign enemies to acquire classified secrets or influence government decisions. The origins of criminal and counterintelligence investigations are often murky and at times inscrutable. There are two legal standards for commencing any investigation of anyone. The first is "articulable suspicion." That is a low standard that requires no hard proof of criminal behavior or national security breaches, but it is generally understood to mean that there are reasons that can be stated for employing government assets to investigate a person's behavior and that the reasons are rational and consistent with similarly situated investigations. The other requirement is that the articulable suspicion be accepted by a prosecutor, as the FBI alone cannot commence any investigation. Of course, FBI agents can chase a kidnapper without getting a prosecutor's approval. But in a white-collar case -- when the target of the investigation does not present an immediate danger to the public and the evidence of the target's criminality or interaction with foreign governments is not generally known -- FBI agents must present the reasons for the commencement of their investigation to prosecutors, who may approve and authorize or decline and reject the investigation. In the case of any FBI-harbored articulable suspicion about the president of the United States -- for criminal or counterintelligence matters -- my own view is that the Times story is probably accurate. If so, only Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein could have authorized this counterintelligence investigation of Trump. Whatever this investigation was -- and for whatever purposes it was commenced -- it was relatively short-lived in the hands of those FBI officials who suspected Trump's motivations. That's because Trump fired Comey on May 9, 2017, and Rosenstein appointed Robert Mueller as special counsel to conduct an independent investigation of alleged Russian influence in the campaign and any Trump campaign compliance just eight days later, on May 17, 2017. At that moment in time, Mueller and his team assumed whatever investigation the FBI and Rosenstein had commenced of Trump and the then-1-year-old investigation of the Russians and the Trump campaign that had begun in the Obama administration. At the same time this was going on, the FBI secured surveillance warrants of various Trump campaign officials from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court. This use of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act -- which theoretically is limited to counterintelligence investigations of foreign agents in the United States -- constituted an end run around the Fourth Amendment. Stated differently, the Fourth Amendment requires probable cause of crime in order to obtain a surveillance warrant, but FISA only requires probable cause of communicating with a foreign person in order to get the same warrant. The dual purpose of the Fourth Amendment is to protect personal privacy in persons, houses, papers and effects, as well as to compel law enforcement to focus only on those people as to whom it has probable cause of guilt. When the feds can bypass these profound requirements, they are violating and rejecting the dual purpose of the amendment, which they have sworn to uphold. FISA warrants are general warrants. General warrants basically authorize the bearer to search where he wishes and seize what he finds. One FISA warrant authorized surveillance of all 115 million Verizon customers. General warrants were the totalitarian practice of British officials in Colonial America, and the Fourth Amendment was enacted expressly to prevent them. Trump is correct when he argues that FISA has corrupted and seduced some FBI officials and agents into violating the Constitution -- yet they keep getting away with it. The insatiable appetite of government officials to spy in violation of the Constitution has infected the rule of law. If they can do this to the president, they can do it to anyone. | https://www.timesexaminer.com/judge-napolitano/4284-can-the-fbi-investigate-the-president |
Why can't I reach orgasm? | Dear Sarah, This issue has been bothering me and I will like you to please address it. Whenever I have sex with my partner, I find it hard reaching orgasm. Dear anonymous, If youre sure that everyone else is having orgasms while youre just waiting around, frustrated in your bed, heres something that may ease your sexual frustration: A lot of women have trouble reaching orgasm. It could be anything from negative self-talk, to intimacy issues, to side effects of medications that impact your libido. However, one common problem is: You havent gotten a chance to know yourself. Its very important for a woman to explore her own body and discover what she likes, what feels good, and how to have orgasms alone before engaging in sex with someone else. Also, some conditions, like diabetes and multiple sclerosis, can affect nerves and thus orgasm potential. If youre dealing with depression, certain antidepressants can also meddle with your ability to climax. Talk with your doctor about your options. You may benefit from drug-free therapies or other medications that dont come with sexual side effects. Self-pleasure can also be a good way to discover yourself and what works best for you. If youve never had an orgasm, start by just exploring on your own. But dont make orgasm the end goal just yet. Another factor that might be hindering your ability to climax is anxiety. Your excitement needs to be louder than any anxiety. And if its really challenging to change those thoughts on your own, it can be helpful to go see a doctor to get to the root of the issue. Try all the above tips and watch yourself reaching the big O like never before. | https://www.pulse.ng/hotpulse/why-cant-i-reach-orgasm/0fxc08y |
Where are the women at the Detroit auto show? | Men in suits stand huddled together on the North American International Auto Show floor shaking hands and making pleasantries. They travel in packs throughout Cobo Center during media preview days in Detroit. Theres no shortage of men at the Detroit auto show. Women, however, appear to be in short supply. Buy Photo A group gathers on the North American International Auto Show floor Monday, Jan. 14, 2019, at Cobo Center in Detroit. (Photo: Tanya Wildt/Detroit Free Press) For an industry that has been pushing for more female executives and more women in manufacturing and technology industries, the 2019 Detroit auto show is evidence theres still work to be done. Last year, Scotty Reiss, founder of agirlsguidetocars.com, a website that coaches women on car ownership issues, said women represent about 27 percent of people working in automotive professions despite the fact that they make or influence 85 percent of all car purchases. Read more: The auto industry has been vocal about its desire to hire more women. Women who can relate to what other women want from cars. Companies know without them it's like not thinking to include short people on a team designing cars for short drivers. It doesn't make a lot of sense. And its just not the auto industry that appears to have a gender problem at the auto show. The media room is mostly male. Buy Photo North American International Auto Show attendees inside the media center Monday, Jan. 14, 2019, at Cobo Center in Detroit. (Photo: Tanya Wildt/Detroit Free Press) On Tuesday, there were about 300 people in the auto show media center. I counted about 40 women among them. Spotting a woman at the show definitely isnt a unicorn moment, but as a woman moving around the venue, I really feel the imbalance at times. Buy Photo A group gathers on the North American International Auto Show floor Monday, Jan. 14, 2019, at Cobo Center in Detroit. I overheard another auto show attendee talk about how sparse the attendance was this year. He reminisced about the days when you would have to arrive 30 minutes early to a vehicle reveal if you wanted a seat. This year, the empty seats were plentiful minutes before the Lexus reveal I attended. Plenty of empty seats waiting for women to fill them. Read or Share this story: https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/detroit-auto-show/2019/01/16/detroit-auto-show-women/2580059002/ | https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/detroit-auto-show/2019/01/16/detroit-auto-show-women/2580059002/ |
Can I get Medicare and Social Security from my ex? | Q. I have lived in New Jersey all of my life. I was married 19 years before we divorced. -- Divorced A. Based on the length of your marriage, you may be eligible for benefits from your ex as a divorced spouse. To be eligible, you must remain unmarried, and your ex's benefit must be higher than your own retirement benefit, said Timothy Brunnock, a financial advisor and attorney with Trinity Financial Strategies in Morristown. (Note, he said, there is a caveat to this. If you were born before Jan. 2, 1954, you could file for what's known as a restricted application.) "If your ex-husband dies, and you remain unmarried or remarry after age 60, you would also become eligible for a divorced spouse survivor benefit," he said. "When you reach age 65, you become eligible for Medicare based on your ex-husband's work record, as long as he is at least age 62." Email your questions to [email protected]. Karin Price Mueller writes the Bamboozled column for NJ Advance Media and is the founder of NJMoneyHelp.com. Follow NJMoneyHelp on Twitter @NJMoneyHelp. Find NJMoneyHelp on Facebook. Sign up for NJMoneyHelp.com's weekly e-newsletter. | https://www.nj.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2019/01/can_i_get_medicare_and_social_security_from_my_ex.html |
Why Won't Antonio Brown Speak For Himself? | Were waiting, Antonio. has been teasing an interview for the last few weeks, whether with James Harrison, Chad Ochocinco or, most recently, on Twitter on Tuesday. Presumably, this will be Antonio Browns tell-all (from his perspective) on why the relationship between he and the Steelers has suddenly and dramatically deteriorated. Presumably, hell talk about why he wants the Steelers to trade him. Presumably, well all need to bring the popcorn. I am definitely keeping analysis busy ,while creating jobs for the future analysts ! Hows business AB Always Boomin !! Interview coming soon for everybody#CallGod Antonio Brown (@AB84) January 15, 2019 But Brown is dragging out this process by teasing the interview that still hasnt come. In the meantime, he seemingly sent an emissary on Fox Sports 1s Undisputed. Harrison, a former Steelers linebacker, appeared on multiple FOX Sports programs to discuss the situation after recently spending time with Brown. Harrison wasnt effusive with praise, but seemed to stand firmly in the pro-Brown camp. "[AB's] going to grind, he's going to go out there and give you everything he's got. But at the same time, he's a WR. He's going to want his number of catches, he's going to want his number of yards and he's going to want all the accolades that comes with that." @jharrison9292 pic.twitter.com/GkHkQe5xEj UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) January 15, 2019 "I think it may have rubbed [AB] a little wrong, a little raw because he is the one drawing doubles; he is the one making situations easier for JuJu to be able to get the balls and the yards that he got. "@jharrison9292 on JuJu being named the Steelers 2018 MVP pic.twitter.com/LppDsjL22A UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) January 15, 2019 Brown has watched the dumpster fire burn high in Pittsburgh while stoking the flames. The Steelers have, in consecutive seasons, seen one of their three best players try to force his way off the team (with LeVeon Bell sitting out for the entire 2018 season after receiving the franchise tag). Brown seems like hes as good as gone. And in the meantime, hes hinted at an explanation, but none has come. Please, just explain whats going on. | https://thebiglead.com/2019/01/16/why-wont-antonio-brown-speak-for-himself/ |
Why Don't Craps Players Just Use The Right Strategy? | For many people, the game of craps seems difficult because there are so many different betting options. And, this is just one of the many aspects of the game that can fool gamblers. The setup alone can fool gamblers into thinking that craps are some complicated game that should be approached from many different angles. However, the truth of the matter is that craps are a very simple game both in terms of playing and choosing a strategy. In fact, any novice should be able to quickly take to the take and learn to play it like a pro. Despite this fact, there are still so many players out there that take the wrong approach to the game. Players Haven't Developed The Right Strategy There was a time when people had to refer to paperback book or magazine subscriptions to learn about gambling strategies. Fortunately, the Internet has completely changed that. Things are much easier now, as all you have to do is fire up the old PC or pull out the smartphone and search from the best craps strategies. Despite this fact, there are still a number of players that choose to go to the tables without the right strategy. This is a huge mistake because many craps bets really favor the house. You need to make sure that you are studying up on all the strategies and choosing the ones that best suit your playing style. Gamblers Can Get Bored It doesn't matter if you are playing craps at link sbobet or in a land-based casino; craps is more about the players vying against the nature of the game. Other games like poker or blackjack are about player versus player. That really isn't the case with craps. Players can place the same bets as other players and piggyback off each other. In essence, the game of craps really isn't as exciting as the atmosphere that comes along with it. When players are waiting for multi-roll bets to come it can cause the player to grow weary, which really results in them making more wagers to increase the action. When players start adding buy or hard ways bets to the whole equation it really decreases their overall odds. Players Choose The System Method When a lot of players are playing craps they like to take the systematic approach to the game. Crap systems are basically nothing more than a series of bets that are designed to beat the house edge. In most cases, these systems involve covering most of the dice outcomes. For instance, the player will place bets on 5, 6, and 8 as well as placing a field wager. This means that the player has covered every number except 7. This might seem like a good strategy because you virtually win over 80 percent of the time. However, when 7 does come up on the dice you lose all four wagers In addition to this, you also lose three place bets if you don't get a 5, 6, or 8. Players are simply better off to avoid this way of thinking. | https://www.pitpass.com/63777/Why-Dont-Craps-Players-Just-Use-The-Right-Strategy |
How much sympathy for pregnant illegal border-crossers is too much? | ), says journalist Ruben Navarrette, who is "extremely grateful for his citizenship." The problem is, she entered illegally, which makes her eligible for deportation. "I feel like a criminal," said Maryury. She is a criminal. A pregnant foreigner may go to the U.S. to give birth. She doesn't violate any U.S. laws if she has a visa. Still, U.S. Customs, strict on pregnant foreigners entering the country, may refuse her entry. Maryury didn't bother to apply for a visa. She caravanned north, and her handlers quickly put her in the hands of immigration agents who caringly whisked her off to an excellent environment for giving birth. She gave birth on November 27 a bouncing baby boy. While hosting a show on "a conservative radio station" in San Diego, citizen-journalist Navarrette listened to callers repeat "the old trope advanced by cable news hosts that babies born on U.S. soil somehow 'anchor' their parents to the United States." People should know that babies born on U.S. soil to foreign parents don't anchor their parents to the United States. Apparently, Maryury's baby has become a U.S. citizen by jus soli, yet Maryury is eligible for deportation. So it's back to Honduras for mother and child, or it's back to Honduras for mother sans child, who goes into foster care, whether mother likes it or not, though she probably likes it at least her child has a better life. Maryury has no right to live in this country. She is eligible for deportation, yet, here she is, making her way through our court system, slowly, due to the excessive demands being made on it. Meanwhile, an American woman, a volunteer, houses her in this country, and she doesn't see herself as a criminal, nor do plenty of others, for what it's worth. Imagine the influx of migrants, the chaos: conditions in cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco would become worse, to the point of becoming impossible to live in, because migrants struggling to survive there would contribute as much or more to the worsening conditions (e.g., greater crime, more trash, poorer sanitation, etc.) as citizens. The reader should not feel sorry for Maryury. Rather, he should feel anger for her. Look what she put her three-year old through, trekking north to the border. Citizen-journalist Navarrette is dangerously soft-hearted (and anyone else who thinks like him). He is a drunkard, drunk on the w(h)ine of liberalism. His plea for Maryury and other migrants who enter the country illegally (I presume) looking for a "better life" is maudlin and given as a rationalization for the commission of a crime. There can be no rationalization for crime. Meanwhile, look what's happening in our cities. Citizens should not denigrate immigration agents; they should support them for the good of the immigration system and for the good of the country. Build the wall. A wall would help. | https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2019/01/how_much_sympathy_for_pregnant_illegal_bordercrossers_is_too_much.html |
How To Get Enough Fiber On A Keto Diet? | The ketogenic diet is one of the most elegant options when it comes to weight loss. It causes your body to shift from glucose to fat as its primary fuel source. When fat is utilized, it is burnt; hence, it results on a significant drop in your weight. In many instances, avoiding carbs means like you also have to avoid fiber as well. But this should not always be true all the time. Fiber doesnt result in the increase of blood glucose after all. Despite this, you still have to be cautious whenever you are searching for fiber sources that are good for the ketogenic diet. To help you in the process, I do suggest that you use a simple keto calculator. This particular tool will help you determine the amount of fat, fiber, and other macronutrients that you should eat based on several factors. Meanwhile, you should check out these keto-friendly fiber foods! Chia Seeds Chia seeds are one of the most potent sources of fiber, whether you are in the ketogenic diet or not. Specifically, a single ounce of chia seed contains about ten grams of fiber. Thats more than enough to replenish your body with enough fiber. Take note that this seed contains at least net carbohydrate content of two grams. Fortunately, thats something that you can safely ignore. There are a variety of recipes where you can include chia seeds. Smoothies, salads, and egg delicacies can make use of these tasty seeds! Avocado Avocado is one of my favorite fruits. This one has a creamy and tasty texture, making it an irresistible treat. It is a suitable ingredient for various desserts and mouth-watering delicacies. Fortunately, the ketogenic diet does not forbid the consumption of this avocado. On the contrary, it is being encouraged. After all, avocado is an excellent source not only of fat but fiber as well. A single piece of avocado contains a decent three to four net carbohydrates. But interestingly, it will give you around 14 grams of fiber. Flaxseed Flaxseed is typically used as a coating for different recipes. They can make your chicken or fish meal crunchy and full of texture. It can become a tasty and nutritious breading, too. I always use flaxseed whenever I am preparing my very own crusted chicken recipe. It is a great addition because it balances it enhances the flavor without causing the chicken to lose its appeal. Not many people know that flaxseed is an excellent source of fiber. It contains around two grams of fiber per tablespoon, which is indeed great! Furthermore, you should be glad that it doesnt include any net carb. But before you can fully relish the benefits of flaxseed, make sure that you can grind them properly. Fresh Coconut The coconut is not a nut, but definitely, you will go nuts with the benefits that it can give for those who are doing the ketogenic diet. Right from the get-go, fresh coconuts contain around four grams of fiber per every three grams of net carbs. Thats already a good deal. Furthermore, coconut is a rich source of healthy fat, which is essential for maintaining ketosis. However, it is essential that the coconut should be fresh and raw. Otherwise, you will never get the full nutritional contents that it has. Coconut is one of the items that you should eat if you want to live healthily. But if youre going to live longer, theres a lot of work that you need to do. Broccoli It is time that you forget your hate to vegetables especially if you want to sustain yourself with enough fiber. After all, most of the green leafy veggies out there are safe sources of fiber and other essential macronutrients. Broccoli, for instance, is a sufficient pool of fiber. One cup of fiber contains around four grams of usable carbs and two grams of fiber. If you are going to cook it on the same quantities, the usable carb becomes one gram while fiber becomes three grams. Never Run Out of Fiber! It is not a good thing if you miss a healthy dose of fiber while you are on the ketogenic diet. It will lead to various digestive discomforts, which is never a good thing at all. Even it sounds like an understatement, your gut matters here. These food items that I have listed here can ensure that you will never run out of the fiber. You should have a stock of them in your kitchen! Thats it for now. If you have questions or suggestions, feel free to drop them in the comment section below! Sources: https://www.verywellfit.com/high-fiber-low-carb-food-list-2242216 https://www.everydayhealth.com/ketogenic-diet/diet/best-sources-fiber-on-keto-diet/ | https://www.praguepost.com/lifestyle/how-to-get-enough-fiber-on-keto-diet |
Which NFL Players Are Headed for Mega Paydays? | 0 of 9 Charles Krupa/Associated Press NFL teams will be spending top dollar on players who can provide pressure in the 2019 free-agent class. As usual, the biggest figures will go to quarterbacks and positions like cornerback. But pressure is more valuable than ever in today's NFL, especially with the constricting rules on defensive backs and the emerging class of the next great passers, including Patrick Mahomes. Granted, it is never cut-and-dry. It isn't easy to foresee some of the silliness that bidding wars on the open market can produce, such as the $48 million the Kansas City Chiefs gave Sammy Watkins or the $40 million the Arizona Cardinals threw at Sam Bradford. Predicting those numbers is a fool's errand most of the time, though the quality of the top-tier free agents this year makes it clear which players will be getting mega paydays. This list won't include extension candidatesguys like Ezekiel Elliott, A.J. Green and Russell Wilson. It's too volatile to project whether their extensions will happen this offseason, next year or the following offseason. But the following players are guaranteed to pick up massive contracts in 2019 through free agency or the franchise tag. | https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2815478-which-nfl-players-are-headed-for-mega-paydays |
Is the tech backlash going askew? | As winter sets in, the dark days for technology companies have been getting longer. We sympathize with the increased anxiety over the poor data hygiene practices of leading tech platforms. And we agree that legislation clarifying the duties of those who collect and use personal information is important, as is delineating enforcement responsibilities among agencies and jurisdictions. Were concerned, however, by the tendency of some to shoehorn pet theories into the debate notably the passionate but incomplete argument that its time to jettison decades of antitrust policy that limits the government to intervening only when market concentration has, or could, cause higher prices for consumers. The vague alternative, proposed by critics on the left and right, is a return to a failed framework that boils down to, at best, a general belief that big is bad and, at worst, to politically-based payback for companies on the wrong side of an election. [Why Facebook is giving $300 million for local journalism] Writing recently in the New York Times, law professor Tim Wu urged antitrust enforcers to launch sweeping lawsuits against Facebook and other Big Tech platforms that would likely last a decade or more. Anything less, Wu says, amounts to giving these companies a pass when it comes to antitrust enforcement, allowing them to dominate their markets and buy up their competitors. The goal of Wus approach is not to actually win so much as it is to distract the companies leaders. The litigation is not a means but the end in itself. Paraphrasing Thomas Jefferson, Wu advocates spilling the corporate equivalent of the blood of patriots, attacking relentlessly regardless of whether theres actually, you know, a sustainable case. That logic is oddly aligned with the views of some, including President Trump and his former attorney general, Jeff Sessions, who believe they are justified in threatening companies they view as politically hostile on the fuzzy grounds that there is a very antitrust situation. Wus best example of how this abuse of legal process works was the U.S. governments 13-year crusade in the 1970s to break up IBM. At the time, IBM was the undisputed leader of the computer business. [T-Mobile announced a merger needing Trump administration approval. The next day, 9 executives had reservations at Trumps hotel.] Though the government was never able to prove the company had, as accused, undertaken exclusionary and predatory conduct with the aim and effect of eliminating competition, Wu believes the cost and uncertainty for the company of the extended legal fight saved the U.S. economy, giving personal computers an opening to proliferate and unseat IBMs mainframe computer monopoly. Never mind that IBM was the most successful seller of PCs and, through its relationship with Lenovo, still is. The company was certainly hurt by the ultimately abandoned case, as were, in later examples, Microsoft, Intel, Qualcomm and others. Probably not. While well-founded prosecutions, such as those leading to the 1982 breakup of AT&T, did open critical markets, that success may not be duplicated elsewhere. In fact, Philip Verveer, a Visiting Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School and the governments lead counsel in the AT&T case, recently concluded that unleashing antitrust against todays platform companies would amount to little more than an act of faith that a successful prosecution would bring about benefits. [AT&T says itll stop selling your location data, amid calls for a federal investigation] Theres no need to gamble. The more effective regulator of digital markets has always been the happy confluence of engineering and business innovations in hardware, software and communications driving exponential improvements in speed, quality, size, energy usage and, of course, cost. As computing continues to improve, markets become unsettled, innovation flourishes, and new leaders emerge. Its not the arbitrary release of the blood of patriots that best corrects market imbalances. Its the normal cycles of capitalism sped up by disruptive innovation, or what economist Joseph Schumpeter in 1942 famously called creative destruction. If the tech sector was immune to that process, as some allege, we would expect stagnant productivity and wage growth, with profits protected and funneled to shareholders. But that view doesnt square with recent findings from Michael Mandel, chief economist at the Progressive Policy Institute. According to Mandel, who has been measuring the digital economy for decades, the technology sector broadly accounted for almost half of non-health private sector growth between 2007 and 2017. Technology prices, at the same time, fell by 15%, compared to a 21 percent increase in the rest of the non-health private sector. Annual pay for tech workers (including hourly workers at e-commerce fulfillment centers) rose at more than twice the rate of other industries. Job growth in tech was four times faster. Lower prices, higher pay and growing productivity: That doesnt suggest a problem, or at least not one requiring radical restructuring of the companies driving the gains. Consider the alternative approach taken in Europe, which has ramped up an aggressive attack of U.S. technology companies, applying the kind of expansive view of competition law urged by Wu and others. European businesses are still largely no-shows in the digital revolution, the result not of monopolies but of the micromanagement of employment, investment and infrastructure by regulators. Rather than freeing up local innovators to benefit European consumers, the European Union seems content simply to fine successful U.S. businesses. The European approach highlights another problem with calls for U.S. antitrust enforcers to punish platform companies just for their size. Looking ahead to the technology drivers of the near future, such as artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicles, any hopes for the United States to lead internationally depend on heavy investment today in research and development. Many of the highest-risk bets are being placed by, you guessed it, todays monopoly companies. The starting point is vigilance in applying tried-and-true tools to new harms. The Federal Trade Commission, for example, has already brought over 150 enforcement actions against tech companies in the last decade for violations of consumer protection laws, reaching settlements that in many cases include decades of ongoing oversight and reporting. The trade agency is gearing up a broad review of Facebook to see whether the companys many embarrassing failures of the past few years amount to violations of a 2011 consent decree or, indeed, new violations. And the commissioners recently told Congress that they want additional resources and authority to better enforce existing law, joining a bipartisan call for targeted legislation, particularly on consumer data collection and use. Techs loudest critics argue that the gears of government are turning too slowly. But thats actually another reason why calls to simply throw out measured approaches to regulating competition are dangerous, despite their populist appeal. Even assuming new standards could be developed that wouldnt stall the innovation engine driving the U.S. economy, rewriting federal competition law, realistically, would take Congress and the courts decades to hammer out. Fortunately, the next wave of disruptive technology is always coming. It wont fix everything. But if history is any guide, it will fix an awful lot and do so without breaking everything thats actually working. Blair Levin is a nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. Larry Downes is project director at the Georgetown Center for Business and Public Policy. | https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2019/01/16/is-tech-backlash-going-askew/ |
What Is Esports And Why Should Investors Care About Gaming? | Market historians will likely remember the 2010s as a pivotal decade for esports. Although gamers can trace its origins as far back as 1972, it took advances in the internet to make esports a global phenomenon. A myriad of tech companies played a role in developing and supporting these games, paving the way in making esports what it is today. By understanding esports and all of the stocks that power it, investors can profit from this growing phenomenon. Put simply, esports is competitive video game playing. Competitions usually take place in multiplayer and team competitions, enabled by advances in streaming and live venues that help bring together tens of millions of gamers with similar interests. It has become so popular that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has even looked at it as a possible Olympic sport. The IOC has so far rejected this idea. Esports Stocks to Buy Despite the IOCs sentiments, this has become a favorite gamer and spectator event. Among esports stocks, Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI ) has stood out, most recently with last years deal with Disney (NYSE: DIS ) to broadcast the Overwatch League on ESPN and Disney XD digital cable and satellite television. Naturally, investors also look to peers such as Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA ), Take-Two Interactive (NASDAQ: TTWO ), and now, China-based Tencent (OTCMKTS: TCEHY ). Tencent operates in many different fields. However, its gaming division alone dwarfs its largest American gaming peers. Of these, I would recommend EA stock at this time. It trades at a forward PE ratio of about 17.3x. Also, profit growth appears set to take off again. Analysts predict an 11.8% profit increase this year, and an average annual rate of 13.1% over the next five years. EA has lagged Activisions esports promotion efforts. However, EA games such as Battlefield, Madden NFL, and FIFA have become popular. Its FIFA 18 Global Series attracted more than 20 million competitors alone. Between its low multiple and prominent games, EA is in a position to profit investors and become an up-and-coming player in the esports arena. Cadre of Stocks in Esports Ecosystem To profit further, investors also need to consider the non-gaming stocks that make esports possible. Given the computing power of PCs, gamers consider these systems vastly superior to gaming consoles for speed. Players also need the fastest, most-powerful memory chips available. This need benefits Micron (NASDAQ: MU ). The gaming industry will always purchase its fastest and most-expensive chips regardless of its demand situation. Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT ) has also become a vital esports stock. While its Xbox gaming console is one path into the industry, esports games players prefer to play on PCs. Thats why Microsofts Windows software plays a critical role in the gaming market despite the PCs overall decline in importance elsewhere. Meanwhile, headset maker Turtle Beach (NASDAQ: HEAR ) has found its niche by making its headsets the gaming accessory of choice. Still, in this market, I see Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA ) as the hardware stock of choice. Today, most investors think of Nvidia for artificial intelligence (AI), self-driving cars, and virtual reality (VR). However, some might forget that Nvidia got its start as a chip company focused on gaming. Despite the new niches, gaming remains a vital part of its business. Like with MSFT and MU, gaming provides a foot in the PC market that will persist despite the PCs falling popularity. Thanks to a chip glut and a tech-stock selloff in the fall of 2018, NVDA stock has again become a bargain. In this latest swoon, its price-to-earnings (PE) fell to about 21x. However, after this fiscal year, profit growth should resume. Wall Street expects average profit growth of 15.1% a year over the next five years. Bolstered by AI, VR, and of course, esports, NVDA should become the premier chip stock over the next few years. Finally, investors should also remember that the ATVI deal makes Disney a gaming stock in a technical sense. Its forward PE multiple stands at 15.1x. Also, profit growth bolstered by a move into streaming, and now, gaming should help the media company recover. The Bottom Line on Esports Stocks to Buy Esports has not only become a favorite pastime, but it has also benefited equities across the tech landscape. This activity helps gaming-related equities such as TTWO stock. However, investors need to also look at companies that enable the games. One such stock is Nvidia, the maker of the chips that makes gaming possible. As well, due to its deal with Activision, one can also argue that a media company such as Disney has become an esports stock. Like with gaming, investing in esports stock will take both skill and strategic thinking. However, by picking the right equities, traders can achieve the goal of making investing a winning esport in itself. As of this writing, Will Healy did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned stocks. You can follow Will on Twitter at @HealyWriting. | https://investorplace.com/2019/01/what-is-esports-important-investors/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+InvestorPlace+%28InvestorPlace%29 |
What happens now Theresa Mays Brexit deal has been defeated? | caption Britains Prime Minister Theresa May speaks to the media as she launches the NHS Long Term Plan at Alder Hey Childrens Hospital in Liverpool, Britain January 7, 2019 source Anthony Devlin / Pool via `Reuters Theresa May has lost a vote on her Brexit deal by a historic margin. She now faces a no-confidence vote, before having to formulate a new plan to get Brexit through parliament. The options still left open to May are fraught with difficulty. Heres what could now happen over the coming days and weeks. LONDON Parliament finally took their chance to reject Theresa Mays Brexit deal on Tuesday, and did so in historic numbers. 432 MPs voted against the deal, including 118 Conservative MPs, with just 202 in favour, meaning the prime minister suffered the biggest defeat for a government in modern British history. First things first Theresa May first faces the small issue of a confidence vote in her government on Wednesday evening. Labour scheduled a motion immediately after Theresa Mays Brexit deal was defeated. In normal times, this would be a big deal. But these are very unusual times indeed, and tonights vote is likely to be a bit of a sideshow. Labour felt compelled to schedule a motion because the government had just suffered the biggest parliamentary defeat in modern British history, but the government expects to win it easily. Conservative and DUP MPs may be opposed to the prime ministers Brexit policy, but they are united in opposition to the prospect of a Corbyn-led government, so will have the numbers to see off a confidence vote. So: Lets assume the government survives tonights vote. May pledges to return to Brussels source Reuters May is required to return to parliament within three days and tell lay a motion telling MPs what she plans to do next (the House of Commons doesnt sit on a Friday, meaning her deadline is Monday). Shes expected to say that she respects the will of parliament and pledge to return to Brussels to renegotiate the much-hated Irish backstop. The fallback measure, designed to avoid the emergence of border checks between Northern Ireland and Ireland, is deeply unpopular with Tory MPs who say it could bind the UK too closely to EU rules and would undermine Northern Irelands relationship with the rest of the UK. The question is whether the EU will be willing to renegotiate the deal. Senior EU figures remain very dismissive about the prospect, and it is very difficult to see May being able to secure the kind of concessions that would assuage the concerns of hardline Brexiteers and the DUP over the backstop. However, were May willing to drop some of her negotiating red lines on customs, trade, immigration, or the role of European courts then the EU would almost certainly agree to a more substantial renegotiation. But while pledging to renegotiate in Brussels could buy the prime minister some time, the scale of her defeat on Tuesday means that even a renegotiated deal would face an almighty struggle to make its way through parliament before March 29. Theresa May lets parliament take back control of Brexit source UK Parliament / Jessica Taylor Downing Street sources said after the defeat last night that Theresa May would now focus on reaching out to other parties in a bid to find an alternative to her deal. However, as the prime minister pointed out last night, MPs who are united in opposition to her deal are not united in their proposal of an alternative for leaving the EU. Those who voted against the government last night include hard Brexiteers who support a no-deal Brexit, remainers who support a Norway-style deal, remainers who support Labours call for permanent customs union membership, and supporters of a second referendum. In the coming weeks, should parliament wish to prevent a no-deal Brexit, it will have to coalesce around one of those alternatives. Although May appears to be intensely wary, she may eventually agree to hold a series of indicative votes on Brexit options, including her deal, Norway plus, a Canada plus free trade agreement (although its unclear that the EU would agree to that without a backstop), a permanent customs union, and a referendum. There appears to be growing support for a permanent customs union membership among MPs and some ministers believe it could win a Commons majority. Many Labour MPs would be likely to support it, so it could be a way through for the prime minister. But that policy would be furiously opposed by large numbers of Conservative MPs, who are demanding a deal which hands Britain an independent trade policy. A deal forced through parliament with the support of Labour MPs and the opposition of a large part of the Conservative party would be a dangerous option for the prime minister. But that doesnt mean it wont happen. MPs block a no-deal Brexit source TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images An alternative to a series of indicative votes would be a cross-party plan, led by former Conservative cabinet ministers Nick Boles, Oliver Letwin, and Nicky Morgan, to try and reverse the default setting by which Britain leaves the EU without a deal on March 29. The plan would see the EU Withdrawal act amended by a bill which dictates that May must ask for an Article 50 extension if parliament cant agree on a Brexit option. The bill would also give parliament that chance to devise an alternative Brexit plan which the government would be legally required to follow. This move would be as radical as it sounds, ending the parliamentary convention which dictates that that only the government can provide time to introduce legislation. It would fundamentally challenge the idea that the executive branch the government steers the passage and direction of legislation, handing MPs across the house the right to steer Brexit in whatever direction they should so wish. The question is how much support it can command. There is overwhelming opposition to a no-deal Brexit in parliament and MPs may decide this bill is not the best mechanism to avoid such an outcome. There are also questions about whether such a bill could find time in parliament, where convention states that government business takes precedence. However, senior parliamentary officials told Business Insider this week that an amendment to next Mondays prime ministerial motion on the Brexit next steps could allow the bill time to pass parliament, if allowed by the Speaker John Bercow. Its a long shot but it could just about happen. caption Supporters sail in protest, staged by fishermen and fishing communities from the campaign group Fishing for Leave in ports across the country, against Prime Minister Theresa Mays Brexit transition deal, in Hastings, Britain April 8, 2018. source Reuters / Peter Nicholls One thing is clear. Parliament will do everything in its power to block a no-deal Brexit. But that doesnt mean it will be successful. Unless MPs can agree on an alternative, it remains the default option. The reality is that despite the parliamentary majority against a no-deal Brexit, there are not many viable mechanisms for parliament to actually prevent one given that they have already passed legislation definining Britains exit date into law. One option would be a new bill which would reverse that legal position. However, as discussed above, this would struggle to find parliamentary time. One of the only remaining options would be a general election. However, such an outcome remains very unlikely because it would probably require Labour to win a motion of no-confidence in the government, which would require Conservative MPs to vote against their own prime minister (and likely result in deselection). However, given a binary choice between a no-deal Brexit and a Labour government, some believe that a few Tory MPs could choose the latter and bring down the government. A second referendum caption Supporters of the Stronger In campaign react as results of the EU referendum are announced at the Royal Festival Hall in London. source Rob Stothard/Pool/Reuters The government is very unlikely to back a second referendum under any circumstances, but there is growing support in Labour for such an outcome, with more MPs joining the Peoples Vote campaign on Wednesday. Campaigners believe it all hinges on Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. If he backs a second referendum it could win a Commons majority, perhaps through an indicate vote as discussed above. Business Insiders Adam Payne has more details. May resigns or gets pushed source Getty May cant technically be deposed as Conservative leader because she saw off a no-confidence vote before Christmas, and party rules mean she cant be challenged for another 12 months. However, the prime minister has already made clear that she will stand down before the next general election and there are numerous unofficial leadership campaigns already taking place. May has so far shown little to no sign of going willingly, stubbornly fighting on after losing her majority at the general election, suffering dozens of resignations from her frontbench, losing the support of more than a third of her MPs in a confidence vote and losing the vote on her Brexit deal by a historic margin. However, no reign lasts forever and it is still possible that her colleagues may ultimately force her hand. source Getty All Brexit options apart from a no-deal scenario are likely to require an extension of Article 50, something which Downing Street is now refusing to rule out. Business Insiders Adam Bienkov has explained why in more detail here. | https://www.businessinsider.sg/what-happens-now-theresa-mays-brexit-deal-has-been-defeated-2019-1/ |
Why has France's birth rate dropped for a fourth year in a row? | *This is a French language learner article. The words in bold are translated into French at the bottom of the article. France has maintained its crown as Europe's most fertile country but that could soon be a thing of the past if the latest numbers from France's national office of statistics Insee are anything to go by. A total of 758,000 babies were born in France last year, which is 12,000 fewer than in 2017 although the drop in the number of births does seem to be slowing down. There are now an average of 1.87 children per woman in France compared to 2017 when that figure stood 1.88. It is the fourth year in a row that the number births in France has dropped in a country that was once proud of its high fertility levels. Photo: Kristina Servant/Flickr In 2015 The Local reported that France had the highest birth rate in Europe at 1.96 children per woman, although this was also down from the symbolic rate of two children per mother in 2014. Part of the reason, as reported by Insee, is due to the fact that there are fewer and fewer women of child-bearing age in France. The number of 20 to 40-year-old women have been on the decrease in France since the 1990's, as women born in the Baby Boom period of 1946-1964 start to leave that age bracket. In 2018, there were 8.4 million French women aged between 20 and 40, compared to 8.8 million in 2008 and 2009. The economic downturn is also believed to have had an influence. The National Union of Family Associations (UNAF) is concerned by the falling birthrate and sees it as "probable proof that families have less and less confidence in the future and that their day to day existence with children has deteriorated". The union adds that "This decline is therefore probably a sign of increasing difficulties and constraints for families. Moreover, it is a high-risk trend for France, whose welfare system (pensions, health insurance ...) is based on its demography." UNAF has long criticized consecutive French government's policies towards families which have seen benefits and allowances cut in recent years, tax credits reduced and VAT rise, all of which have made having a family more expensive. The concern for economies is that a lagging birth rate means a smaller and smaller population of workers supporting an ever growing number of retirees who are drawing pensions. They also raise the possibility of shrinking nations, as countries need a fertility rate of 2.07 children per woman to keep their populations steady. In order to stabilise the number of babies being born, France has prioritized key incentives like subsidized daycare, cash support payments to families and a range of discounts. However some experts say that there's no need to worry just yet due to the fact that France's birth rate is still relatively high. Photo: AFP "There was a peak in 2010, then a decline since 2015," Lawrence Toulemon, a demographer at the National Institute of Demographic Studies, told Le Monde "Nevertheless, if we look at the last 40 years, the fertility rate of French women remains relatively stable, with between 1.8 and 2 children per woman since 1975, with the exception of a drop to around 1.65 in the 1990s." In fact, according to the latest data from Eurostat in 2016, France has the highest fertile rate of any European country. The reason why France was considered to have maintained a healthy birth rate was down to its generous health and welfare system, relatively low childcare costs and high public spending on families. "Although this is not the reason why they choose to have children, couples know that they will be able to work relatively quickly after a birth, and that they will not be forced to pay a very high price for education," said Toulemon. "In France, it is rather couples of childbearing age who do not have children who are singled out," he adds. Deaths on the rise The Insee report also revealed that the natural balance (the difference between births and deaths) in France was at its lowest since the Second World War. This is because in addition to the drop in the number of births there were a record number of deaths in France in 2018. | https://www.thelocal.fr/20190115/frances-birth-rate-drops-for-fourth-year-in-a-row |
What happens now that Theresa May's Brexit deal has been defeated? | LONDON Parliament finally took their chance to reject Theresa May's Brexit deal on Tuesday, and did so in historic numbers. 432 MPs voted against the deal, including 118 Conservative MPs, with just 202 in favour, meaning the prime minister suffered the biggest defeat for a government in modern British history. First things first... Theresa May first faces the small issue of a confidence vote in her government on Wednesday evening. Labour scheduled a motion immediately after Theresa May's Brexit deal was defeated. In normal times, this would be a big deal. But these are very unusual times indeed, and tonight's vote is likely to be a bit of a sideshow. Labour felt compelled to schedule a motion because the government had just suffered the biggest parliamentary defeat in modern British history, but the government expects to win it easily. Conservative and DUP MPs may be opposed to the prime minister's Brexit policy, but they are united in opposition to the prospect of a Corbyn-led government, so will have the numbers to see off a confidence vote. So: Let's assume the government survives tonight's vote. May pledges to return to Brussels Reuters May is required to return to parliament within three days and tell lay a motion telling MPs what she plans to do next (the House of Commons doesn't sit on a Friday, meaning her deadline is Monday). She's expected to say that she respects the will of parliament and pledge to return to Brussels to renegotiate the much-hated Irish backstop. The fallback measure, designed to avoid the emergence of border checks between Northern Ireland and Ireland, is deeply unpopular with Tory MPs who say it could bind the UK too closely to EU rules and would undermine Northern Ireland's relationship with the rest of the UK. The question is whether the EU will be willing to renegotiate the deal. Senior EU figures remain very dismissive about the prospect, and it is very difficult to see May being able to secure the kind of concessions that would assuage the concerns of hardline Brexiteers and the DUP over the backstop. However, were May willing to drop some of her negotiating red lines on customs, trade, immigration, or the role of European courts then the EU would almost certainly agree to a more substantial renegotiation. But while pledging to renegotiate in Brussels could buy the prime minister some time, the scale of her defeat on Tuesday means that even a renegotiated deal would face an almighty struggle to make its way through parliament before March 29. Theresa May lets parliament take back control of Brexit UK Parliament / Jessica Taylor Downing Street sources said after the defeat last night that Theresa May would now focus on reaching out to other parties in a bid to find an alternative to her deal. However, as the prime minister pointed out last night, MPs who are united in opposition to her deal are not united in their proposal of an alternative for leaving the EU. Those who voted against the government last night include hard Brexiteers who support a no-deal Brexit, remainers who support a Norway-style deal, remainers who support Labour's call for permanent customs union membership, and supporters of a second referendum. In the coming weeks, should parliament wish to prevent a no-deal Brexit, it will have to coalesce around one of those alternatives. Although May appears to be intensely wary, she may eventually agree to hold a series of indicative votes on Brexit options, including her deal, Norway plus, a Canada plus free trade agreement (although it's unclear that the EU would agree to that without a backstop), a permanent customs union, and a referendum. There appears to be growing support for a permanent customs union membership among MPs and some ministers believe it could win a Commons majority. Many Labour MPs would be likely to support it, so it could be a way through for the prime minister. But that policy would be furiously opposed by large numbers of Conservative MPs, who are demanding a deal which hands Britain an independent trade policy. A deal forced through parliament with the support of Labour MPs and the opposition of a large part of the Conservative party would be a dangerous option for the prime minister. But that doesn't mean it won't happen. MPs block a no-deal Brexit TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images An alternative to a series of indicative votes would be a cross-party plan, led by former Conservative cabinet ministers Nick Boles, Oliver Letwin, and Nicky Morgan, to try and reverse the "default" setting by which Britain leaves the EU without a deal on March 29. The plan would see the EU Withdrawal act amended by a bill which dictates that May must ask for an Article 50 extension if parliament can't agree on a Brexit option. The bill would also give parliament that chance to devise an alternative Brexit plan which the government would be legally required to follow. This move would be as radical as it sounds, ending the parliamentary convention which dictates that that only the government can provide time to introduce legislation. It would fundamentally challenge the idea that the executive branch the government steers the passage and direction of legislation, handing MPs across the house the right to steer Brexit in whatever direction they should so wish. The question is how much support it can command. There is overwhelming opposition to a no-deal Brexit in parliament and MPs may decide this bill is not the best mechanism to avoid such an outcome. There are also questions about whether such a bill could find time in parliament, where convention states that government business takes precedence. However, senior parliamentary officials told Business Insider this week that an amendment to next Monday's prime ministerial motion on the Brexit next steps could allow the bill time to pass parliament, if allowed by the Speaker John Bercow. It's a long shot but it could just about happen. Supporters sail in protest, staged by fishermen and fishing communities from the campaign group 'Fishing for Leave' in ports across the country, against Prime Minister Theresa Mays Brexit transition deal, in Hastings, Britain April 8, 2018. Reuters / Peter Nicholls One thing is clear. Parliament will do everything in its power to block a no-deal Brexit. But that doesn't mean it will be successful. Unless MPs can agree on an alternative, it remains the default option. The reality is that despite the parliamentary majority against a no-deal Brexit, there are not many viable mechanisms for parliament to actually prevent one given that they have already passed legislation definining Britain's exit date into law. One option would be a new bill which would reverse that legal position. However, as discussed above, this would struggle to find parliamentary time. One of the only remaining options would be a general election. However, such an outcome remains very unlikely because it would probably require Labour to win a motion of no-confidence in the government, which would require Conservative MPs to vote against their own prime minister (and likely result in deselection). However, given a binary choice between a no-deal Brexit and a Labour government, some believe that a few Tory MPs could choose the latter and bring down the government. A second referendum Supporters of the Stronger In campaign react as results of the EU referendum are announced at the Royal Festival Hall in London. Rob Stothard/Pool/Reuters The government is very unlikely to back a second referendum under any circumstances, but there is growing support in Labour for such an outcome, with more MPs joining the People's Vote campaign on Wednesday. Campaigners believe it all hinges on Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. If he backs a second referendum it could win a Commons majority, perhaps through an indicate vote as discussed above. Business Insider's Adam Payne has more details. May resigns or gets pushed Getty May can't technically be deposed as Conservative leader because she saw off a no-confidence vote before Christmas, and party rules mean she can't be challenged for another 12 months. However, the prime minister has already made clear that she will stand down before the next general election and there are numerous unofficial leadership campaigns already taking place. May has so far shown little to no sign of going willingly, stubbornly fighting on after losing her majority at the general election, suffering dozens of resignations from her frontbench, losing the support of more than a third of her MPs in a confidence vote and losing the vote on her Brexit deal by a historic margin. However, no reign lasts forever and it is still possible that her colleagues may ultimately force her hand. | https://www.businessinsider.com/what-happens-now-theresa-mays-brexit-deal-has-been-defeated-2019-1 |
Why is it important to do a buyer counseling session? | 1 / 1 Back to Gallery After getting personal recommendations, interviewing agents at open houses or checking reviews on Zillow, it is time to hire a Realtor. A Realtor is not a door opener. A Realtor is your trusted real estate adviser. Yes, you can find your own house online. A Realtor will give you insights, recommendations and perspective to connect all of the informational dots. This is the largest financial and personal decision you may ever make. You need professional guidance. A professional will invite you to sit down for a needs assessment appointment, more often called a buyer counseling session. This appointment serves several purposes. Your agent needs to understand your lifestyle. Maybe it is distance to work, or more often distance from Costco. It isnt just about the number of bedrooms and style of home. I worked with one client who had seen 100 colonials with another agent. After assessing her needs, I showed her two homes, both three bedroom contemporaries in developments. Community was her primary need. She bought one that day. Your agent needs to assess your financial capability to buy and helps to position you to be a strong buyer. Your agent will also do a reverse qualification, asking how much you want to spend, monthly for your housing expense. By knowing your down payment, he/she can then work backwards to let you know the price level you should be considering. Your Realtor will put a team together around you to get you to your goal. They can introduce you to attorneys, mortgage professionals, inspectors, contractors, movers. They are there to get you through the process as well as providing emotional support and area information. Buyer Counselling Sessions should be free and without obligation. Linda McCaffrey, (203) 994-3666 cell, (203) 790-9500 office, [email protected], www.coldwellbankermoves.com/ Linda.McCaffrey | https://m.newstimes.com/realestate/article/Why-is-it-important-to-do-a-buyer-counseling-13536764.php |
Should I purchase a condo over a single-family home? | 1 / 1 Back to Gallery This sounds like a simple question, but the answer is certainly multi-faceted. It is also a personal decision that only the buyer can answer for themselves. If those things are important to you, then the obvious choice leads you to a condo Rules and regulations When you purchase a condo, the complex will have rules and regulations that must be followed. These are put in to place for the benefit of all of the residents in order to maintain a good quality of life. If you dont like the rules, dont buy the condo. Privacy You can certainly find privacy while owning a condo, probably not quite as much as with a single-family home. An end unit or one with a private entrance could ensure more privacy and some complexes offer free-standing units. Cost Of course, condo amenities and services come at a price. The monthly common charges will cover all of those items. However, be aware that the common charges can increase over time and, if there is a capital improvement project, assessments may be imposed. Your lender will calculate your monthly payments and will have to include the common charges, which will result in qualifying for less of a mortgage Single-family homes and condos are both great choices. Buyers just needs to be able to make an informed decision and prioritize what is most important to them and their lifestyle. Patty McManus, William Pitt Sothebys International Realty, 203-733-3941, [email protected] | https://www.newstimes.com/realestate/article/Should-I-purchase-a-condo-over-a-single-family-13536747.php |
Should the East Anglian Derby go back to 3pm on a Saturday? | Alex Mathie celebrates scoring against Norwich City on the last time the game kicked off at 3pm on a Saturday. Picture: Archant Library Archant When it comes to the East Anglian Derby, there is just one thing harder to recall than an Ipswich Town win - a Saturday 3pm kick-off. Share Email this article to a friend To send a link to this page you must be logged in. For well over a decade, the football match affectionately known as the Old Farm has been held at or around 12pm on a Sunday, with the odd exception. In fact, you have to go back more than 20 years for the last time the game was played at footballs most traditional kick-off time - a 5-0 victory for the Tractor Boys on February 21, 1998. Now, as a city pub rues being block in its bid to open early ahead of the game, the issue of whether the irregular kick-off times are necessary has again reared its head. The fixture-altering move comes each time at the instruction of Norfolk Police and the city councils safety advisory group, with part of the motivation being to limit the amount of times fans can access alcohol ahead of kick-off. However, Robin Sainty, chairman of supporters group the Canaries Trust, has argued it does not take fans into account. He said: Im a traditional sort, so were it up to me the matches would kick-off at 3 oclock on a Saturday, but it would take a different attitude from the authorities for this to happen. If the Liverpool, Manchester and Sheffield derbies can all be played at ordinary times, why not ours which arguably is far less emotional affairs than theirs? Mr Sainty said he had been in negotiation to convince the SAG to take on a fan representative, but that this had not been welcomed. He added: No football supporter really wants a 12pm kick-off, as they cause logistical difficulties. It is a pain for people travelling 40-odd miles to a game. If the argument is that it is to stop people drinking lots before the game, all pubs should be stopped from opening earlier, not just some. You cant have it both ways. And at the end of the day, the minority of fans that do cause trouble will find their way to the ground whatever time the game is. Christian Hodgkinson, landlord of the Fat Cat and Canary, on Thorpe Road, this week told how his pub had been prevented from opening two hours before kick-off, as its licence presently only allows it to open at 12pm. However, pubs already licenced for earlier opening on a Sunday remain unaffected and in August, The Station Hotel in Ipswich opened to City fans at 6am ahead of the reverse fixture at Portman Road. Mr Hodgkinson said; We do feel a little singled out, although we understand the polices point of view. While our location does not help us, we are specialist pub serving real ale and dont tend to attract lager louts or rowdy people. More follows. | https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/politics/east-anglian-derby-saturday-3pm-kick-off-debate-1-5854186 |
Is Technology Helping Or Hindering Our Fight Against Financial Crime? | 2018 proved to be a successful year for the UKs tech sector, surpassing the rest of Europe by attracting 6.3bn in venture capital investment. But that wasnt the only record-level figure set last year money laundering reports in the UK also reached an all-time high. The NCA stated it received almost 10 per cent more suspicious activity reports (SARs) than the preceding year. As concerns of London becoming an increasingly attractive global laundromat grow, this striking correlation leaves us questioning whether emerging technologies are helping or hindering our fight against financial crime. Money laundering in the 21st century We often associate money laundering with shell companies, offshore accounts and complex corporate structures. As our digital society continues to grow, criminals are finding innovative ways to exploit new technologies to clean their dirty money. Companies such as Revolut and Monzo are disrupting the financial services market by providing an alternative to traditional banking. This presents new opportunities for money launderers to hide in plain sight. Many countries are also moving towards faster payments, enabling criminals to transfer illicit funds at much faster pace and on a global scale. The sheer quantity of these transactions has been made possible by progressions in technology, and as a result, compliance teams have faced greater strain. With money laundering underpinning several other crimes such as human trafficking and terrorist financing, its fundamental that we put the necessary processes in place to prevent this activity. Criminals are consistently evolving and adapting their methods of committing crime to keep up with advancements in technology. They are becoming increasingly tech-savvy and operating at a much more complex level than ever before. Historically, criminals have targeted financial institutions known to have weaker AML systems, and understood how to hide under the radar of their transaction monitoring systems. In the same way, criminals are targeting organizations with new, and potentially less secure, technology. Last year, Revolut reported that it suspected money laundering activity within its networks to British law enforcement and regulatory agencies. As new companies are growing at such astonishing rates, its essential that they maintain strict compliance procedures when onboarding customers and uphold effective anti-money laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) processes as they expand. Even for the largest organizations, AML and KYC processes are tough to get right every time. To address the UKs growing money laundering risk, institutions must take a different approach that allows them to assess complex criminal networks. Traditional transaction monitoring systems (TMS) monitor suspicious activity by looking at transactions alone, rather than at the individual and their wider context. The Catch 22: Using technology to our advantage Advancements in technology arent all bad; businesses can leverage the latest developments in tech to stay one step ahead of the criminals. Many are already employing artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning systems to spot complex patterns of criminal behavior and we are seeing early adopters of these technologies reaping the full benefits. Although AI is not a new discovery, there have been some huge advances in recent years that have enabled the technology to surpass the decision-making skills of humans in many situations. In the next few years, well see businesses using AI alongside the cloud as organizations strive for greater accuracy, efficiency and security. Over the past decade, money laundering has become a severe problem for the UK. In order to put a stop to this, companies across all sectors need to review their internal processes with the goal of strengthening their services to ensure they arent exploited. As we continue our fight against financial crime, organizations need to equip themselves with the right technology to ensure they remain compliant. Businesses who fail to recognize the importance of technology will remain vulnerable to criminals and disruptive companies alike. | https://www.forbes.com/sites/vishalmarria/2019/01/16/is-technology-helping-or-hindering-our-fight-against-financial-crime/ |
Is Chicago The Next Detroit? | That is, in my prior article I discussed a proposal for a prepackaged bankruptcy that would be designed exclusively to shed unaffordable pension liabilities. Much as it's tempting to pile on, when it comes to the overall economic and social health of the cities and their metro areas, the answer is no. Chicago as a city has plenty of woes. It's got troubles with its finances. Crime. Corruption. Citizen distrust of the government. And the like. But here are some very gross generalizations, coming from having spent my childhood in a Detroit suburb and my adulthood in a Chicago suburb. Chicago, once hog butcher for the world, has a diversified economy. Detroit historically has not -- though perhaps the situation has improved in the past decade, given that the biggest Mover and Shaker in the city is Dan Gilbert, owner of Quicken Loans, and named by Politico as one of America's "most interesting mayors" in 2017 (with an asterisk behind his name, of course). But still -- "When the U.S. economy catches a cold, Detroit gets pneumonia," as the old saying goes, not merely because of the dependence on the auto industry, but because that industry is so cyclical, with Americans postponing new car purchases when the economy declines. Chicago had the Daleys, and machine politics. Detroit had Coleman Young. His was an era not of Chicago-style machine politics, but of city vs. suburb conflict; while the intent and consequences are disputed, he famously told criminals to "hit 8 Mile Road," which readers may recall from the Eminem film to be the border between the city and its northern suburbs. This city/suburb divide had deep impacts - it didn't seem incongruous to us that the film Robocop would have been set in Detroit. Two of our sports teams (the Lions and the Pistons) played in the suburbs. The hipsters seeking an urban environment generally settled in such suburban towns as Royal Oak and Ferndale, though in the past several years there have been genuine development projects in the area rechristened Midtown (because its former moniker, the Cass Corridor, universally connoted crime and drugs). Yet at the same time, that which was such a contributor to its downfall is now giving Detroit an identity. There is a sense of pride in the auto industry, and, helped by a new generation of civic leaders, a new willingness of city and suburbs to come together, as exemplified by the fact that, in order to save the Detroit Institute of Arts, suburbanites voted to tax themselves to fund the museum. (If you visit, you'll notice that this means that residents of the tri-county area receive free admission; in addition, there are outreach programs to suburban residents. Officially, the tax authorizes the provision of art-museum services which, conveniently, are contracted out to the DIA.) Detroit has a lot of "worsts": a high poverty rate, a tremendous number of abandoned homes (now largely demolished), poor education metrics, and the like, but, at its best, Detroit thinks of itself as a scrappy fighter determined to renew itself -- and I've tended to view the 2014 election of (white) Mayor Mike Duggan somewhat symbolically, as an indicator that the old city against suburb conflict had been left behind. The city hasn't undergone the same struggles. While Chicago and Detroit both had population peaks in 1950, the Chicago decline is far less dramatic, from 3.6 million then to 2.7 million now, compared to Detroit's collapse to a little more than a third of its 1950 population as first whites, then people of all races fled the city. On the other hand, Chicago has had much more immigration, or, rather, in-migration, that is, both from immigrants to the country, and Americans from elsewhere. And here's another very broad generalization: In 2018, Detroit knows it needs to fight for every job, every boost to its tax base, every tick upwards in functional literacy rates or downwards in crime rates. Here's a statement from a recent NPR article evaluating Detroit's current situation, from Detroiter Thomas Sampson, connecting his personal situation to that of the city: "And that's what's the most important thing about Detroiters. We're strong. We're resilient. When we fall we get back up." Having not had that level of crisis, my sense is really that the city and its politicians are still likely to act as if it's owed prosperity and are not yet ready to acknowledge that difficult decisions generating unhappiness from constituents are required. Even in the current mayoral election rhetoric, candidates are promising that new revenue from gambling expansion and marijuana legalization, as well as conjuring up new revenue from the state and federal government, will solve the city's problems. But enough of that. Questions of municipal bankruptcy do not need to concern themselves with the overall soundness of the region's economy, in the same way as the bankruptcy of a private company does not depend on the overall viability of the particular line of business that company is engaged in, or even whether the company is fundamentally able to function as a profitable enterprise, absent its debt -- though that would, naturally enough, affect whether the particular structure of the bankruptcy is one of reorganization or liquidation. According to Truth in Accounting, Chicago has debts of $42 billion. That includes pension, bonds, and other liabilities. Of this total, $28 billion is the net unfunded pension liability discounted back at the expected investment return rate, and $800 million, unfunded retiree healthcare. That means that roughly 70% of the city's liabilities are in the form of pension underfunding. Detroit, at the time of its bankruptcy, had debts of over $18 billion, which included a much smaller fraction of pension liabilities - $6.9 billion - but a much larger liability for retiree healthcare, $5.7 - $6.4 billion (the data source, the Huffington Post, doesn't explain why they provide a range rather than a single point liability). That works out to a proportion of 50% of the city's total debt. Put another way, Chicago has a population of 2.7 million. Detroit's population as if the time of its bankruptcy was 700,000. If Detroit's debt were prorated to reflect Chicago's population, it would have been $72.5 billion, or 75% higher than Chicago's present debt. If Detroit's pension liabilities alone were prorated to reflect Chicago's population, they'd have been $35.5 billion, or 25% higher than Chicago's present debt. But having said that -- there is a long distance from "financially healthy" to "pre-bankruptcy-Detroit levels of financial distress" and "not being Detroit" is hardly the right metric for measuring a city's financial well-being. If Chicago's debt burden and its pension contributions trajectory put the city at risk of delivering vital services to its residents, reform is needed. As always, I invite you to share your comments at JaneTheActuary.com, where you can also see links to past and future articles in this series. | https://www.forbes.com/sites/ebauer/2019/01/16/is-chicago-the-next-detroit/ |
How Can We Help Solve The Global Mental Health Crisis? | Today, 450 million people worldwide live with a mental illness. According to the World Health Organization, one in four of us will experience a mental or neurological disorder during our lifetime. Depression is the leading cause of disability around the world. Yet low-income countries generally lack the human resources necessary to provide adequate care for the mentally ill, resulting in an astonishing treatment gap. Pavel Reppo founded a non-profit called mindfullwe in order to address this problem, and just finished his pilot program of community-based mental health support in Uganda. We recruit, train and employ local community members to provide basic therapeutic support services to individuals struggling with depression , Pavel says. The work is steeped in task-sharing, whereby the few specialists on-the-ground in the country are reallocated to offer oversight, quality assurance, and supervision so that lesser-trained workers can be empowered to act as the frontline in mental health support. The stepped care these workers provide includes 1) psychoeducation: offering practical advice in coping with problems, 2) antidepressant drug therapy, 3) interpersonal counseling: which focuses on understanding the relationship between symptoms and triggers, and if necessary, 4) referral to a mental health specialist. Moving forward, mindfullwe intends to partner with vetted organizations around the world to run similar programs, sharing a functional playbook detailing the steps to effectively replicating the program in other geographical locales. Their hope is to catalyze a shift towards community-based mental health services. Reppo says he was inspired to pursue his life purpose of facilitating groundbreaking work in mental healthcare by Tom Chi, a pioneer in rapidly prototyping solutions to different problems. But also, he was inspired to found mindfullwe based on his personal experience with mental illness. At 13, I found myself washing my hands for 45 minutes at a time. My hands began to crack and bleed, and yet I could not stop. I was in the cold grip of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Since that fated day, I've had an outpouring of support to reclaim my life. Even so, it has been far from easy. Im rounding the corner on five years of behavioral therapy, a year with an OCD expert, several bouts of medication, and keeping up-to-date with the latest literature and research in OCD management. And Im one of the lucky ones. The global mental health landscape is bleak, Reppo reports. On average, there is only one psychotherapist for every 200,000 or more people in the world. In Africa, most countries spend less than 1% of their health budgets on mental health care. The World Health Organization posits that one of the most important recommendations for improving healthcare globally is integrating mental healthcare into primary care settings, which includes screening, assessment and treatment. One simple and effective solution is task-sharing: using non-professionals trained in brief, intense therapies to offer services. By no means did I invent this solution, Reppo explains. However, I am undaunted in applying task-sharing to bridge the global mental health treatment gap. Reppo shares the story of a patient, whom well call Jane, who came into a Uganda health clinic for a check-up for her one-year-old daughter. After sitting down with a health worker trained by mindfullwe, Jane confessed that she had been struggling with severe stress for months, stemming from her separation from her husband, taking care of three children as a single mother, and being the sole provider for her family, including her mother and sister. On top of that, she recently had lost her job. The night before, she had made the decision to take her life. She had cooked a local Ugandan dish and planned to purchase rat poison to mix with the food. Luckily, the mindfullwe health worker was able to understand the diagnosis of depression, manage Janes suicidal risk, and offer practical advice. This timely intervention may have saved Janes life, and saved her three children from growing up without a mother. This anecdote shows just how meaningful our work is, Reppo says. While he finds the constant travel back and forth between Colorado and Uganda exhausting, he is passionate about what he does. We literally save lives. Other patients report having more interest and pleasure doing things. Most are more upbeat, resilient, and hopeful. Nevertheless, pursuing this career path takes its toll on Reppos own physical and mental health. Ive noticed that I am willing to give everything I have in order to see mindfullwe flourish. In doing so, I subject myself to ungodly work hours, expectations, and standards. I dont extend compassion to me, and end up hurting myself. Im learning to understand that it is not okay to give up my health for another pursuit, he says. In pursuing your life purpose, Reppo recommends a horizontal approach where you experiment doing things that may be completely unrelated. Listen to what grips and interests you, what sours you and pushes you away. A close cousin of this is, be willing to look silly or foolish in new endeavors. Frankly, if you are focused on tapping into your life purpose, its not going to matter in the long run how it appears to someone else. | https://www.forbes.com/sites/meimeifox/2019/01/16/how-can-we-help-solve-the-global-mental-health-crisis/ |
How Much Rain Has Fallen in This Week's Storms? | Rain totals neared two inches for some San Diego County communities with others reporting nearly an inch of rain from this week's winter storms, according to two-day totals released Wednesday by the National Weather Service. More than two inches of rain was reported in Julian with Santee and De Luz receiving close to 1.5 inches of rain. Communities that have received approximately an inch of rain this week include Oceanside, Encinitas, Carlsbad, Ramona, La Mesa, Lakeside, Rancho Bernardo and Lemon Grove. More than half an inch of rain fell in Chula Vista, Del Mar, Mission Beach and La Jolla. San Diegans will get a break from the heavy rain with spotty, light showers in the forecast. "This morning we're still dealing with the showers but they are on the lighter side," said NBC 7 Meteorologist Sheena Parveen. Temperatures are expected to warm up in the mountains east of San Diego, bringing more rain than snow to those areas, she added. Moderate to heavy rain was in the forecast for Thursday with the stormy weather clearing by Friday. The National Weather Service has issued a beach hazards statement through Friday. Waves were expected to reach 4 to 6 feet through Thursday and 5 to 8 feet with sets to 10 feet in southern San Diego County on Friday. With the high surf, there is an increased risk of drowning due to strong rip currents. Beach residents may also see some street flooding, according to the NWS. Since Jan. 1, San Diego has seen above average rainfall with close to two inches of rain. Parveen said we should reach more than two inches of rain for the month once the storm ends Friday. On and Off Rain Drenches North County | https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Scattered-Showers-Rain-San-Diego-Week-Storm-Winter-January-504425122.html |
Would Martins swap help Atleti land Chelseas Morata? | Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window) The individual spots on the PL club power rankings feel like they are teetering, prepared for some big moves. [ ARCHIVE: Premier League club power rankings ] The table says that Arsenal and Spurs are comfortable in their top spots, but the power rankings see a loss to West Ham and injury to Harry Kane as reason for concern. We are just a result or two from some serious tumult, but heres where we sit today. 20. Huddersfield Town Putting aside the idea of a new manager bounce against Manchester City or some other surprising results, the Terriers would need an unbelievable finish to the season to survive the drop; Huddersfield only faces three relegation candidates in the final 16 match days. Climbing out of the Bottom Three would be one of the greatest escapes of all-time. Last week: 20 Season high: 16 Season low: 20 19. Fulham Losing to Burnley was a killer. But, hey, at least your strikers arent fighting during a yoga class. Oh. Last week: 19 Season high: 11 Season low: 20 18. Newcastle United Owner Mike Ashley doesnt look prepared to invest anything ever in January, and Rafa Benitez is heading into a crucial home game against Cardiff City down a number of starters. So this is going well, especially considering Newcastle is hardly even being linked with transfer targets. Even the rumor mongers know better than to expect people to latch onto clickbait when it says Newcastle might buy big. And FWIW: We had Newcastle in our Bottom Three before last weeks results dropped them there on the table. Last week: 18 Season high: 13 Season low: 19 17. Cardiff City The good news for Neil Warnocks Bluebirds is the three teams below them look quite poor. A win at Newcastle on Saturday would be a huge step to safety. Last week: 17 Season high: 13 Season low: 20 17. Crystal Palace Not quite as maddening as Wolves and Watford, but the team that beat Man City has now drawn Cardiff City 0-0 and lost at home to the Hornets. Last week: 13 Season high: 6 Season low: 17 16. Southampton The Leicester City win is another fine moment for Ralph Hasenhuttls men, who have been aided just as much by the Bottom Three as their own results. Last week: 17 Season high: 13 Season low: 20 14. Burnley A third-straight league win has Sean Dyches unit on the rise. The fixture list has helped, but the hardened English boss has done a fine job focusing his men on the task at hand. Last week: 17 Season high: 13 Season low: 20 13. Bournemouth Only being stopped by a new season low by the clubs underneath it. Next up for the Cherries: West Ham and Chelsea at the Vitality Stadium. Last week: 12 Season high: 6 Season low: 14 12. Everton Will be relieved to have handled Bournemouth, and will be eyeing a table run with fixtures ahead with Southampton, Huddersfield Town, Wolves, and Watford. Last week: 12 Season high: 5 Season low: 13 11. Leicester City Heres what I wrote last week, before the Foxes went and lost to Southampton, Theyre doing it again, luring me into the belief that the Foxes are the clear favorite to finish seventh. This all but guarantees a weekend loss to Southampton at the King Power Stadium. Last week: 10 Season high: 7 Season low: 13 10. Brighton and Hove Albion Flustered Liverpool, and it wouldnt have been a crime had the Seagulls lifted a point from the leaders. Last week: 13 Season high: 9 Season low: 19 9. Wolves Losing to Man City is all but certain when you go down a man at the Etihad Stadium. Last week: 8 Season high: 5 Season low: 13 8. After dramatically drawing Newcastle and Bournemouth, the Hornets are back into seventh via a win at Palace. Last week: 11 Season high: 4 Season low: 14 7. West Ham United We cannot overlook recent form and 10 points on the table, but the Irons are looking decent money against any club that dares to overlook them. Just ask Arsenal. Last week: 10 Season high: 6 Season low: 20 6. Arsenal Its not wild to call Saturdays match against Chelsea a season-defining one, especially with the Top Four door opened by an injury to Harry Kane at Spurs. Last week: 6 Season high: 2 Season low: 9 5. Chelsea Ten points from 12 has rarely looked so meh. Last week: 4 Season high: 1 Season low: 5 4. Manchester United Took three points off Spurs as a team, then perhaps even more thanks to Phil Jones tackle on Harry Kane. Last week: 5 Season high: 4 Season low: 14 3. Spurs Seven is the number. Thats Spurs advantage on Chelsea and Arsenal heading into this prolonged Harry Kane absence. Last week: 3 Season high: 2 Season low: 8 2. Man City Could sleepwalk through next four fixtures to get to Chelsea and Arsenal on consecutive match days. And both of those are at the Etihad Stadium. Last week: 2 Season high: 1 Season low: 3 1. Liverpool Sadio Mane has joined Dejan Lovren in publicly claiming theyll win their first top flight title of the Premier League era. Last week: 1 Season high: 1 Season low: 4 Follow @NicholasMendola | https://soccer.nbcsports.com/2019/01/16/would-martins-swap-help-atleti-land-chelseas-morata/ |
Is Gemma Collins quitting Dancing on Ice? | Before Gemma Collins made her Dancing on Ice debut earlier this month, she insisted she wasnt just taking part, she was taking over. Advertisement But two weeks in, and its now been suggested that the TOWIE star has lost some of her enthusiasm for Dancing on Ice. The 37-year-old is said to have skipped out at the end of last weeks show as she was a bit bored, something that Dancing on Ice host Holly Willoughby later called unprofessional. It was also reported that she had thrown a camera crew off the rink when they were trying to film her rehearsals with her professional skating partner Matt Evers. Well Collins has now addressed the rumours in her Instagram story, and admits that the coverage has made her want to quit the show. Ive been really been really devastated by all the hurtful press reports this week that havent been true, she said. Ive got the shakes where Ive been so upset. But yeah, please dont believe whats being put out there. Yes, but Im not going to. Im not giving up, Im not quitting. I am here with the team. It has got me down this week but I really hope youre going to love Sundays routine and yeah. I just want to be me. Addressing rumours that shed asked the camera crew to leave, she then turned to the crew who was filming with her that day. Did I tell you at any point to get your cameras of the ice? she said, to which the cameraman replied, No. Were always here, always rolling, always ready to go. Do you honestly think I would tell a mainstream ITV show or anyone to get a camera off? Collins continued. I know people say Im a diva but its kind of fun, its a bit of a laugh, its not actually true. The reason I havent been on social [media] before is because me and Matt have been so upset, Ive been shell-shocked. We didnt know what to do. Weve been heartbroken. Collins determination comes after Dancing on Ice co-host Phillip Schofield expressed his doubts as to whether she would ever make it on to the ice in the first place. Speaking to RadioTimes.com, he explained, Shes known as a walker, and Id like her to be known as a skater. She says shes committed and we love having her as part of the show. Hopefully shell do really well. It seems all the Dancing on Ice drama is happening rink-side this series, with Love Island star Wes Nelson at the centre of a feud between girlfriend Megan Barton Hanson and his professional skating partner, Vanessa Bauer Barton Hanson accused Bauer of not making an effort with her, taking aim at her in a since-deleted Instagram post. Youve never reached out to me once or invited me to watch you train, it pained you to introduce yourself to me last night, you didnt even look me in the eye, she wrote. Looks as if things could be a bit frosty come Sunday night Advertisement Dancing on Ice continues Sunday at 6pm on ITV | https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2019-01-16/is-gemma-collins-quitting-dancing-on-ice/ |
What is the backstop and how does it affect Brexit? | (Photo TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images) Theresa May saw her proposed Brexit deal rejected by MPs in Westminster last night. Ex husband appears in court after 'blowing up family home' The Prime Minister now faces a vote of confidence later today which could see her removed from power if it goes against her. A key issue that prevented a number of MPs from supporting her deal was the backstop that was included as part of the withdrawal agreement within the EU. Here is everything you need to know about what the backstop is and why it stopped May from getting her Brexit deal agreed by parliament. Advertisement Advertisement The backstop is considered as a safety net to put in place arrangement for the Irish border once the UK leaves the European union. This would provide some stability while negotiations around trade agreements continue during the post-Brexit transitional period. Builder reassures neighbours his DIY roof project will be 'luxury penthouse' One of the main issues with the backstop was that the EU originally wanted it to only apply to Northern Ireland, which would mean it staying as part of the EU customs union and being part of the single market. The UKs concern was that this would create a border between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK as good would need to be checked before they crossed over because of a difference in trading standards. An agreement was eventually reached that determined that Northern Ireland would stay aligned to certain rules of the EU single market if another solution isnt found by the end of the transition period which is currently set for December 2020. It was agreed between both the UK and EU as part of Theresa Mays Brexit deal with the aim of keeping the cross-border cooperation and protecting the Good Friday peace agreement, which has been a key talking point. Theresa May has had difficult convincing MPs to accept the backstop (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images) Guidance published by the European Commission says: There would be a need for some compliance checks with EU standards, consistent with risk, to protect consumers, economic traders and businesses in the single market. Advertisement Advertisement The EU and the UK have agreed to carry out these checks in the least intrusive way possible. The extent to which the EU would influence Northern Ireland was criticised by Jeremy Corbyn when the details were revealed. The Labour party leader said: The list of EU measures that continue to apply to the UK in respect of Northern Ireland runs to 68 pages of the agreement, this affects VAT declarations and rules of origin checks. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Despite all this, the backstop remains a last resort as negotiations would continue until the Brexit deadline in March 2019, and then until the end of the transitional period in December 2020. They could even go beyond then as the transitional period could still be extended. Advertisement The issue is that if the backstop went ahead then Northern Ireland would need to have any incoming goods checked to see if they meet EU standards. If the backstop remains in place then it would mean that the whole of the UK would essentially still be influenced by the EU. Many people are concerned that the lack of a time-limit for the backstop could mean that the UK will remain as part of the EU indefinitely. This is because the backstop wouldnt end until both the UK and EU agree that is it no longer required. The government is now required to provide an alternative plan after Theresa Mays deal was rejected on Tuesday night, but it remains to be seen whether any future proposed deal will include a backstop. MORE: Theresa May accused of being in denial over historic Brexit defeat | https://metro.co.uk/2019/01/16/backstop-affect-brexit-8351847/ |
What time is Cleaning Up on ITV and how many episodes are there? | Sheridan Smiths character hits on a get rick quick scheme in Cleaning Up (Picture: ITV) Sheridan Smiths newest drama Cleaning Up kicked off on ITV last week and things are about to get a whole lot more complicated this week. Episode one of the drama saw the working mum trying to handle her divorce and gambling addiction before stumbling upon insider trading as a potential solution to her money worries. The character finds herself caught up in the shady world of insider trading (Picture: ITV) The second instalment of the drama kicks off on ITV on Wednesday night at 9pm. Advertisement Advertisement There are six hour-long episodes, airing over the next four weeks while it will also be available to watch on the ITV Hub. Episode one introduced us to Sheridans character Sam who according to the official synopsis is caught between two worlds the everyday life of a devoted and loving mum and the darker, dangerous world of insider trading. It sees the character, who is on a zero hours contract and struggling with an online gambling addition, realise she can gain access to lucrative Stock Market information which could help solve all her financial problems. Sheridan recently said of her character: If weve done our job right, the audience will be torn between what they think of her. They will be frustrated that shes doing the wrong things, and it is a big moral dilemma. Jade Anouka stars as best friend Jess (Picture: ITV) The supporting cast includes Trauma star Jade Anouka, who plays Sams best friend Jess, and Matthew McNulty recently seen in Versailles who appears as her husband Dave. Actress Kristy Philipps plays Sams 14-year-old daughter Alice while young actress Anya McKenna Bruce plays her eight-year-old daughter Lily. You might also recognise Neil Maskell as Sams boss Warren who she owes a lot of money to as hes been in the likes of Humans, Utopia, No Offence and The Mimic. 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. | https://metro.co.uk/2019/01/16/time-sheridan-smith-drama-cleaning-itv-many-episodes-8351852/ |
Why is it so Hard to Find a Black Man who Dates Black Women? | Lemme unstuck your life send your questions to: [email protected] or reach out to me on Facebook.com/AskMindaHoney Hi Lou-vers! You know like, Louisville + Lovers = Lou-vers. Ill put a poll up on my Facebook page, and you can let me know if you totally hate it or not. I need to kick off this weeks column with a couple of updates, then well dive into the question. The Catfish Texter I shared with you all that I got a text from a man looking for his gym buddy. I informed him he had the wrong number, and then he began flirting with me because the convo tapered off. I tracked down at least 11 other women he texted using the same general format for each. None escalated beyond texting to actual date or even a phone call. Ive not heard from him since our initial exchange. I reached out to Louisville police to see if they have tips for dealing with a potential Stranger Danger texter, but I didnt get a response. If I do, Ill be sure to update you. Five Things on WFPL with Tara Anderson Last week, I was Tara Andersons guest on Five Things. You discuss five of your most prized possessions and Tara asked some great questions about what its like to write an advice column. The link is posted to my Facebook, but you can also visit WFPL.org to take a listen. OK, on to this weeks question. I know that some people dont want marriage, or they are cool with open relationships, but I am not. Trying to meet black men who want to date black women is way harder than it should be and all the black men I have attempted to date dont want to date. They are fine with just sex and kicking it. The black women I know who are in interracial relationships seem so happy. Plus, I recognize that over 70 percent of the successful black men in my sector (CEOs, directors, CFOs) are married to white women. It is exhausting. A.N.N.A. (Amphibians Need Not Apply) Hi A.N.N.A. As I sat down to write this column, Facebook served me a dozen smiling couples as People You Might Know. But thats Louisville for you. Its a bubble that makes it easy to forget that things arent always what they seem. Its time to pop your bubble, A.N.N.A. While its true, twice as many black men marry outside their race as black women, (according to Pew Research it is 24 percent versus 12 percent), that means still more than 75 percent of black men are marry within their race. Pew Research also reports that intermarriage among African-Americans is more common among those with no college education and is less likely the older you get. So, as a college-educated black woman past her 20s (Im assuming) who is seeking the same in a partner, these stats are working in your favor, my friend. That doesnt mean what youre looking for will be easy, though. It just means it isnt unrealistic. Probably. Likely. You have to decide how important black love is to your life and how much youre willing to sacrifice for a chance at it. Now, on the other hand, as someone whos asked herself similar questions, what Ive come to realize is that when you meet that person with whom you have the kind of energy that makes you want to marry them, the rest is bullshit. The rest just becomes excuses you were using to defend yourself against disappointment. You wont care what race, height, income bracket or amount of hair your partner has if they are the person finally loving you the exact way you needed to be loved. Sometimes, what you want isnt always what you need. Ive dated broadly across racial lines, and let me tell you, no one group has the monopoly on being disappointing in a relationship. I recommend opening yourself up and going on a few dates with whatever kind of person that intrigues, and see how you feel. See if youre able to open your mind and heart up to someone you never expected. | https://www.leoweekly.com/2019/01/hard-find-black-man-dates%E2%80%A8-black-women/ |
What is it like to work in the medical division at Haymarket Media Group? | GPOnline, MIMS, MIMS Learning and Medeconomics all provide healthcare professionals with the tools they need to deliver the best possible patient care while developing their own careers. Their brand mission is to ensure GPs and other healthcare professionals use their content regularly to help them in their day-to-day roles, while driving forward long and short term revenue goals. We spoke to Alice French, head of marketing at Haymarket Media Groups medical division, about her experience working in the medical division and how you can become part of the team. As head of the marketing team, its my job to ensure as many healthcare professionals, especially GPs and related roles, are aware of and using our products as possible, in order to drive up revenue and contribution from our user-paid content and live events. The Haymarket medical team is a close-knit and supportive group of experienced and knowledgeable experts. Its a great experience working with enthusiastic people who know so much about their sector and are generous with their knowledge, and as a team, people are always looking for opportunities and ways to improve our products. I started working at Haymarket in the medical division when an old colleague put me forward for the role, and recommended it to me as a great working environment with a lot of support and a lot of opportunities to learn and make the role my own. Theres been a lot! I think the medical live events are always a great experience to look back on - the whole team comes together to deliver the event to the highest possible standard on the day, and its great to hear all the fantastic feedback we get from clients and GPs afterwards. Plus, launching the new MIMS Learning subscription a year ago and watching our membership grow was really satisfying to see. It definitely helps to have a bit of awareness, particularly of the primary care market, but thats also something you can pick up on the job - theres so much knowledge around the team. Id say its more important to have the right skills and most of all the right attitude. Roles in this division work best for people who are always asking questions and looking for ways to learn and improve. Do it! Its a great opportunity to take ownership of a role, and really turn it into your own. Id say come with some ideas about how youd like to apply your own experience and skillset to the medical market, and how youd create growth. Were looking for a number of talented individuals to join the medical division at Haymarket, see our current vacancies below to apply. | https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/work-medical-division-haymarket-media-group/1523097 |
Is it really Raining Spiders in Brazil? | It is not every day that one comes across spiders floating in the air. However, residents in a rural area in south-east Brazil were left puzzled when they spotted several spiders flying in the air. One Cecilia Juninho Fonseca shared a video of the rare scene featuring a sky filled with spiders. According to The Guardian, Fonseca was travelling with his family to his grandparents farm in Esprito Santo do Dourado, when he spotted black dots in the sky. Advertising Fonseca told a local newspaper that he was left stunned and scared with the sight, especially when one of the spiders fell through an open window. Jercina Martinelli, Fonsecas grandmother told another local paper, There were many more webs and spiders than you can see in the video. Weve seen this before, always at dusk on days when its been really hot. Watch the video here: However, the raining spiders phenomenon is not something unique. According to the Metro website, it is typical in the region during the hot and humid weather. Common or not, the raining spiders scenario has creeped out many with some calling the footage Skin-crawling. | https://indianexpress.com/article/trending/trending-globally/raining-spiders-brazil-5541906/ |
How should I respond if I witness racist behaviour in public? | I recently read in your paper about some of the racial bias that people in Britain experience and I found it quite shocking. It is something I have heard a lot about, but have not experienced myself, and I didnt know that ethnic minorities still find themselves being removed from bars or restaurants for no reason. It has made me start to wonder how to respond if I see this behaviour in public. If I witnessed a person experiencing racism, I would want to help but wouldnt want to appear like a white knight coming to the rescue because I thought they couldnt speak for themselves. At the same time, I dont want to just be a bystander who tacitly validates this unacceptable behaviour by not saying anything at all. You are right to start by putting yourself in someone elses shoes sometimes good intentions are not enough, particularly if walking on uncharted ground. The answer very much depends on your relationship to the person in question. It may feel nerve-racking, but trust yourself. The articles you have read can be a starting point for conversation, and youll have to gauge how far you should go with it. Be clear about your own lack of knowledge; its fine to say to someone, I dont really know how to ask this question or, I cant tell if this is offensive or the sort of thing you necessarily want to talk to me about I know its not your job to educate me. Of course you might get it wrong in fact, its likely you will as no two people are the same and racism is a sensitive subject; some people might not feel at ease talking to you about it. They may fear that you will become defensive as has been written about by many writers of colour that you might deny their experience of racism, or fail to understand it. But you might be able to ask how they would like people to react when these things happen to them. As long as you are open-minded, willing to accept criticism and to be clear about your own lack of knowledge, you have the chance of building a better understanding of someone elses life and becoming better equipped to support them. You may be in a situation where you witness racism towards someone you dont know. A person may appear to want to ignore it, but that could be for a host of reasons feeling others dont care, or out of embarrassment, shame or feeling like they are a burden. In these situations you should gauge whether it is safe to intervene or you need to call the police. There are guides that suggest helpful behaviours in these situations, focusing on diverting attention from the situation (sitting next to someone and talking to them about a random, unrelated topic, rather than standing up for them or confronting the aggressor). In reality, you will do what you feel comfortable with and are able to. That may mean making eye contact, or mouthing to see whether they are OK. In times of crisis and upset, it is always OK to ask. Post your responses below or email them to [email protected] Submissions are subject to our terms and conditions: see gu.com/letters-terms | https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/jan/16/racist-behaviour-witness-how-respond |
Has Brexit become a choice between a horrible ending and unending horror? | Name: Unending horror. Age: For the rest of eternity. Appearance: Oh my God oh my God oh my God. You sound stressed. Its this Brexit business. Ah well. The referendum happened. Fifty-two is more than 48. I guess we just have to make a deal and go. Thats not what Im stressed about. I suppose there is a risk of leaving without a deal, which could be very bad, I agree. But Im sure wed recover eventually. Thats not what Im stressed about, either. I dont see how we can. Parliament and the country dont want Mays deal, or no deal. Thats a relief! But if they decide they want a second referendum, or a general election, or a fresh negotiation, well need to extend the deadline, assuming the EU lets us. Then the process will take months, perhaps many months. Perhaps years. She could, but if we revoke Brexit, many leavers will feel betrayed and well live with a permanent campaign for Brexit 2 Oh God, please no And, of course, even if we do leave, the campaign to rejoin will begin right afterwards. Make it stop! There there. You have the full sympathy of Dr Volker Treier of the German Chambers of Industry and Commerce. Well, I suppose thats um something. He says it would better not to extend the deadline under any circumstances. As he put it, better a horrible ending than unending horror. Cheery fellow, Dr Volker. Although a horrible ending doesnt sound great either, to be honest. Unending horror it is! Agh! Excuse me while I start drinking heavily. I know the feeling. Its enough to make you miss the happier days of Brexit fatigue or even Brexhaustion, back when at least we thought it was nearly over. Thats right. Now Brexit has become a never-ending nightmare, according to the German newspaper Die Zeit. So the Germans feel sorry for us. Somehow I dont think this was what Ukip had in mind. Indeed. You could call it a where did I put my keys? Brexit. Sounds perfect. Do say: Thank goodness we avoided chaos with Ed Miliband. Dont say: I bet even David Cameron wishes that we hadnt now. | https://www.theguardian.com/politics/shortcuts/2019/jan/16/has-brexit-become-a-choice-between-a-horrible-ending-and-unending-horror |
Why is the dead of winter the best time to sell a house? | 1 / 1 Back to Gallery Contrary to conventional thinking and in my humble opinion, the best time to buy or sell a house is between Thanksgiving and the end of January. There is a general consensus that spring is the best time of year to sell a home because weather in northern climates begins to cooperate, foliage comes alive and offers fresh curb appeal. Other important considerations include families with school age children who typically wait for the academic year to finish before disrupting schedules so finding a home and moving throughout the summer gets everyone back on track in time for the new semester. The thing about putting a home on the market when everyone else does is precisely the problem. Inventories are at their highest with competition being particularly fierce so that homes need to be in pristine condition, priced aggressively and situated in optimum locations to sell quickly. Buying and selling real estate, however, is a year round activity. With folks relocating, (traditionally January is the month for corporate transferees to begin new jobs) scaling up, or down, changes in marital status, the necessity to be closer to family, there are people moving to and from homes all the time, not just in spring or summer. As the holidays approach, many homeowners who dread having to keep their places in immaculate condition with people coming and going tend to take their homes off the market so not to be bothered while celebrating. However, as inventory decreases, buyers have less to choose from. As competition wanes, a home in good condition priced properly and decorated joyously (houses show so well then) for the holidays gives these serious buyers a chance to possibly even be in a new home before the New Year. Selling in winter also gives the seller a chance to be a non-contingent buyer during spring free to choose from that growing inventory. One last point, you cant sell a home when its off the market. Bobbi Markowitz, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, (203) 209-3157, [email protected] | https://m.ctpost.com/realestate/article/Why-is-the-dead-of-winter-the-best-time-to-sell-a-13535966.php |
What real estate market trends can we expect in 2019? | 1 / 1 Back to Gallery Though there is no crystal ball to see the future of the real estate market in 2019, there are definite trends that are setting the tone for the market in the new year. Mortgage interest rates will continue to rise. Experts predict that by the end of 2019, mortgage interest rates will be 5.5 percent or even higher. Despite this projected increase, mortgage interest rates remain historically low. For buyers, now is the time to buy before home purchase power is further impacted by higher interest rates. Millennials will make up a key share of buyers in 2019 as their income increases and as they start and grow their families. Realtor.com expects that millennials will account for 45 percent of mortgages with 37 percent going to Gen Xers and 17 percent to baby boomers in 2019. Millennials are a big demographic group and as they are getting older and settling down, they are getting into their home buying years. For sellers, correctly pricing a home for sale is now more important than ever. Buyers are well-educated on the dynamics of the market and they are highly concerned about over-spending. They are looking for incredible value and they will not consider a property unless it represents a significant value proposition. Michelle Hennessey, Al Filippone Associates, William Raveis, (917) 449-6806, [email protected] | https://m.ctpost.com/realestate/article/What-real-estate-market-trends-can-we-expect-in-13535951.php |
What is clean breathing water? | "Don't drink the water" might be good enough advice to keep you from getting sick in some places, but according to researchers from Arizona State and Drexel University, the admonition should probably be expanded to "...try not to breathe the water either." In research recently published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, the group takes a closer look at how the spray from showers, sinks and toilets can expose us to the bacteria responsible for the most waterborne disease outbreaks in the country. "Most people in the United States think we have a handle on our water quality problems and drinking water isn't something we need to worry about anymore. If anything, the recent water crisis in Flint, Michigan, and frequent Legionnaires' disease outbreaks across the nation have demonstrated that's not the case," said Kerry Hamilton, PhD, an assistant professor in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University and former doctoral researcher at Drexel, who led the investigation into how the Legionella pneumophila bacteria can grow and spread in indoor water supplies. Legionella, the bacteria that causes pneumonia-like Legionnaire's disease, has been responsible for a number of recent outbreaks and can be fatal in 10-25 percent of infections, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While it is considered one of the deadliest waterborne diseases in the United States, it is actually contracted via inhalation or aspiration. This means to accurately understand environments that could increase one's risk of exposure, researchers need to examine places where people are exposed to water in the air. "To protect people from infections, we first need to understand the risks," Hamilton said. "If we can better model and predict how water quality degrades under different circumstances, we can more efficiently target resources and prevent disease outbreaks." The research considered a variety of factors to assess risk of exposure - from any combination of showering, using a sink or flushing a toilet - using water with a range of bacterial concentrations. It also took into consideration that older people or people who already have a health condition are at greater risk of becoming ill from Legionella exposure. And it is one of the first studies to closely examine how water-efficient fixtures, in a green building for example, can affect risks. "We found that shower risks were highest, likely due to the amount of time a person would be exposed to the water spray. Risk of exposure from water efficient fixtures tended to be slightly less if concentrations are comparable to those at conventional water fixtures, because they produce fewer inhalable aerosol particles due to a less powerful or more distributed spray," said Charles Haas, PhD, LD Betz Professor of Environmental Engineering in Drexel's College of Engineering, who was a co-author of the paper. "However, modeling differences in Legionella concentrations in conventional and water efficient buildings remains a research gap our related work aims to address." As one might expect, risk is greater when exposure from multiple sources is considered or when it is adjusted for populations that are less able to fight off infection. The researchers created their assessment using available data on aerosol particle volume, size and spray for a variety of showers, faucets, and toilets. While the study focuses specifically on Legionella pneumophila bacteria, it sets a framework for assessing the risk of being exposed to any bacteria lurking in indoor water sources. Thus, it could be used more broadly to guide prescriptions for "acceptable levels" of bacteria in building water systems. This is an understudied area of water quality, according to Hamilton, because the Environmental Protection Agency's regulatory responsibility ends at the property line. So most existing indoor water quality guidelines are not based on risk assessment research. But that doesn't mean Legionella can't make its way into household water supplies. In homes with particularly elaborate systems or where water can rest or stagnate for long periods of time, such as seasonal homes or new homes designed for water efficiency, Legionella colonies can form. "There are many guidelines in the literature about how to create a 'cutoff' value, but none are based on technical reasoning," Hamilton said. "Most of the guidelines are based on what people are doing in practice. Our research simulates an appropriate concentration limit based on a risk level that is consistent with other water quality policies in order to give better guidance for monitoring water quality in buildings." ### | https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-01/du-wic011619.php |
Who will be the 2018 overall winner of Fethard Sports Achievement Awards? | The final of the 2018 Butler's Fethard Sports Achievement Awards takes place this Friday, January 20, when winners in three categories will be announced. The categories in question are Young Sportsperson of the Year, Team of the Year and Overall Winner for 2018. This competition is now in its sixth year and continues to grow and capture the publics imagination. The main aim of the competition is to acknowledge and reward local sporting achievements at all levels, be it at coaching/ mentoring, participation or administration. It is confined to Fethard parish, but allows for Fethard sportspeople working or living elsewhere as well as people from elsewhere who have made their home in the parish. The competition is administered by a steering group comprising of representatives from all of the main sporting organisations, all having a love for sport as the common denominator. A feature of the monthly award nights is where we honour some of the many volunteers who give of their time and experience free of charge to further their sport. One person per month is chosen as our Mentor of the Month, which has proven to be very popular, a spokesperson said. We have unearthed some new sports this year, which we would not have known about were it not for the awards scheme. Typical of these sports would be slalom canoeing and the motor sport known as drifting, which came to our attention for the first time during the year. The awards presentation starts at 9.30pm. All are welcome and a special guest or two is certain to make an appearance. The full list of months winners throughout 2018 is as follows Butlers Bar Fethard Sports Achievement Monthly Winners 2018 January Paul Moloney Played hurling with Maynooth to win the Electric Ireland Ryan Cup February (joint winners) Edel McMahon - Irish ladies Six Nations Rugby Championship team member Eoin Tynan - victorious in over 40 singles racquetball March Charlie Manton - goalkeeper on the UCD team that defeated NUIG to win the Sigerson Cup April Fethard Ladies U15 Rugby Team won the Munster League, Munster Cup and Ladies Rugby 7s Tournament. May Gavin Ahearne - Gold medal winner and county Tipperary javelin champion; silver medal in the Shot Putt. June Colm O'Donoghue - jockey won Coronation Stakes at Ascot on Alpha Centauri for trainer Jessica Harrington. July Fethard U14 Ladies Gaelic Football Team Munster Community Games Champions August Fethard U12 Hurling Team - Winners of the South Tipperary A title for the first time in their history beating Carrick Swan in the final. September (joint winners) Ben Coen - Apprentice jockey Ben was a prolific winner in September steering home nine winners. Fethard Ladies Intermediate Football Team - First time county intermediate title winners October Paul McCarthy - European Drifting Championships November (joint winners) Freya Byrne - Twelve-year-old Freya won the Irish Canoe Slalom Junior Ladies C1 Flat Water Series 2018 Matt Coen & Jack Quinlan - These two young hurlers played a pivotal role in helping the South Tipperary U13 team regain the Peadar Cummins Cup for the first time in eight years. December Bernard Feery won gold, silver and bronze at the County Tipperary Indoor Championships Over-55 held in Nenagh, and a silver Over-55 medal from the County Masters Cross Country | https://www.tipperarylive.ie/news/sport/358104/who-will-be-the-2018-overall-winner-of-fethard-sports-achievement-awards.html |
Will Andrew Wiggins Ever Become the Player the Wolves Need Him to Be? | Andrew Wigginss performance in Minnesotas 119-117 win over against the Thunder on Jan. 8 provided every reason to buy stock in the former No. 1 overall pick. The fifth-year swingman poured in 40 points and 10 rebounds at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, attempting 18 free throws in the victory. Wiggins was a force to be reckoned with from the opening tip. He bruised his way to the tin and made decisive moves off the bounce. His defensive energy bumped up from middling to menacing, setting the tone against a physical Thunder team. The effort was impressive, albeit far too rare as Wiggins enters the first season of his five-year, $148 million extension with the Timberwolves. Wigginss talent isnt in question. The Toronto native cruised to the top pick in 2014 despite falling in the second round of the NCAA tournament with Kansas in 2014, entering the league with the moniker Maple Jordan. But performances like last weeks eruption in Oklahoma City are largely exception, not the norm. And at a hefty $148 million, Wigginss shortcomings are a glaring issue for a middling roster. Now in year five, Wiggins is at a crossroads. MAHONEY: Capela's Injury Puts More Pressure on Harden to Carry Rockets Scroll to continue with content Ad Story continues Wigginss third season provided a window into his All-Star potential. He jumped to 23.6 points per game, making 1.3 threes per game with a career-best 107 offensive rating. The jump shot was a work in progress, but it was treated as a secondary weapon paired with his ruthless drives to the rim. Wiggins is an elite leaper and strong, too, difficult to bump off his spot inside the foul line. He has mirrored Kawhi Leonard at times inside 10 feet, burying his shoulder to create space before rising up to flick in a short jumper. The outline of a strong offensive force was there. The regression has been significant. The former Jayhawk is down to 17.9 points per game in 2018-19, 39th of 47 players with a usage rate of 24% or more. Wiggins is a high-volume, pedestrian scorer, littered with inefficiencies. Its hard to find where on the floor Wiggins actually excels. His field goal percentage on shots at the rim ranks 65th out of the 75 players with at least 250 drives. Of the 41 players with at least 200 pull-up attempts, Wiggins sits at 40th in field goal percentage and 31st in three-point percentage. Hes 53rd in effective field goal percentage out of the 59 players with a usage rate over 24%. Wiggins isnt a creator, either. Hes 50th in assist rate among the 59 players noted above. By nearly every metric, Wiggins is below average compared to those who earn a similar share of opportunities. Despite the staggering statistics, it takes a discernable level of talent to earn such a large share of the offense. And it would be unfair to dismiss Wiggins as a lost cause. It wasnt regarded as a disaster when he was given nearly $150 million in October 2017. With Towns in tow, latching onto Wiggins as a foundational wing seemed like a natural fit. Yet, as the Timberwolves sit under .500 in 2018-19 after a first-round exit last year, the questions about Wigginss long-term viability will fester. The tape matches the metrics in Wigginss subpar season. Ideally hed thrive off the gravity demanded by Towns. The big center can hold court at the foul line or on the block, leaving Wiggins free to wreak havoc as a cutter and slasher. But Wiggins disappears as Towns operates in crunch time. Hes often stationed in the corner as little more than a perimeter outlet, watching the ball as Minnesotas true headliner goes to work. The Wolves operate as a medley of one-man bands. Towns will eat up the shot clock for a couple possessions, then cede an opportunity to Wiggins or Derrick Rose. All three are talented, but the offense is lesser than the sum of its parts. Much of the blame could go to the recently fired Tom Thibodeau, though Minnesotas top scorers shouldnt be absolved. SHARP: Thibodeau Is Gone, But Wolves Have Bigger Problems The stereotypes about Wigginss offensive game are unfortunately true. The decried 18-footers show up more often than they should. He doesnt attack the rim with fervor for four quarters, let alone two. Wiggins has no problem dribbling 20 seconds off the shot clock, nor does he take issue with jacking a jumper in the first five seconds of a possession. Perhaps interim head coach Ryan Saunders coaxes the best out of Wiggins. It would be a significant turnaround. Wigginss flaws would be manageable as a rotational wing, or even as a player south of a nine-figure contract. But Minnesota wont stay afloat with this version of Wiggins. His $148 million deal is a mammoth price tag for a non-All-Star, the kind of mistake that lands front office members in a new line of work. Wiggins is in the class of high-priced liabilities, players whose prior production and prestige gave way to contracts now seen as eyesores. The Wizards will struggle to deal John Wall. The Clippers were quick to find a taker for Blake Griffin. Minnesota could be hard-pressed for a suitor. Those trade conversations will be on hold for at least the rest of 2018-19. Wiggins is young and with a new coach, previously showing All-Star ability. He very well could find his groove alongside Towns down the stretch, driving drive Minnesota to a second-straight playoff appearance for the first time since 2003-04. Though as it presently stands, Wiggins is an expensive disappointment in need of a reboot to flip a career on the wrong track. | https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/andrew-wiggins-become-minnesota-second-123814333.html?src=rss |
What next on Midlands magical mystery tour to Brexit? | Image caption Westminster's famous village green on the day of the vote A Raucous Pageant That's how I described the scenes on Westminster's famous village green during my Midlands Today report on Tuesday's meaningful vote. There's an irony here. As the clock ticked down towards the biggest government defeat in history, I realised something weird and wonderful was happening. I reported that there had been no repeat of the threatening scenes witnessed there the previous week. Far from it. As I mingled among the Midlanders taking part in this ritualised war of words, of familiar slogans and even more familiar placards against the relentless background of drumming, bells and whistles, the mood seemed to have changed altogether. Anger had given way to something more like a party atmosphere. Leavers and Remainers alike were now celebrating the impending demise of Theresa May's draft Brexit deal. Despite their disagreements about what they want to happen, this was a remarkable display of agreement about what they don't. In front of our divided Parliament in our divided nation, here at last was an impromptu display of unity! The challenge facing all our MPs now is to try to find a way through the jam in a Parliament where the various factions can produce no majority for anything: or risk an unprecedented constitutional crisis. Image caption Lucy Allan, MP for Telford, was among 11 local Conservative MPs who voted against Theresa May's draft agreement In the event, 11 local Conservative MPs voted against Theresa May's draft agreement: Lucy Allan, Telford; Sir Bill Cash, Stone; Michael Fabricant, Lichfield; Eddie Hughes, Walsall North; Daniel Kawczynski, Shrewsbury and Atcham; Andrew Mitchell, Sutton Coldfield; Owen Paterson, Shropshire North; Mark Pritchard, Wrekin; Laurence Robertson, Tewkesbury; Bill Wiggin, North Herefordshire and Craig Tracey, North Warwickshire. A prominent Leave supporter, he resigned his job as a Parliamentary Private Secretary at the International Development in order to help vote the deal down. Another Warwickshire Conservative, the Rugby MP, Mark Pawsey, is one of five local Conservatives who signed a cross-party letter urging the Prime Minister to rule out a "No Deal" exit. He told me he hoped the defeat of her proposed deal would prompt MPs on both sides of the House to work more constructively together. Two local Labour MPs whose names have often featured in speculation about possible cross-party negotiations, Emma Reynolds, Wolverhampton North East, and Pat McFadden, Wolverhampton South East, both told me they had had no formal contacts with the Conservatives whatsoever, certainly not about Theresa May's deal. You would think this would have to change, and soon, now that Mrs May has pledged, after her defeat, to "reach out" to senior parliamentarians "in a constructive spirit" and to communicate their ideas to the European Union. Perhaps the Dudley North MP, Ian Austin, should be on the list as well. He is one of three Labour MPs who voted with the Government on Tuesday night. Image copyright PA Image caption Dudley North MP, Ian Austin, is one of three Labour MPs who voted with the Government Meantime, the odds are shortening all the time on another referendum. The above-mentioned Pat McFadden is joined by Jess Phillips, Birmingham Yardley and Matt Western, Warwick and Leamington, among more than 70 MPs now campaigning openly for a further poll. I don't know and neither does anyone else. If they say they do, they're having you on, because we have never been in anything like this position before. More than half a century has passed since the novelist L.P. Hartley coined the expression "the past is a foreign country". As we stand on the threshold of the next leg of our Midlands magical mystery tour, the future looks like far more distant alien terrain. | https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-46892562 |
Could 4-star Alabama signee Kevin Harris provide immediate pass-rush help? | Alabama signee and early enrollee Kevin Harris has an idea of how he'll fit into Alabama's defense. It just might also fill a key need in the 2019 season. "I see myself as an outside linebacker there, off the edge," the 6-foot-4, 230-pound Harris said at the Under Armour All-American Game in Orlando, Florida. "I see myself coming off the edge and sacking the quarterback." RELATED: Complete coverage of Alabama football Alabama loses defensive linemen Isaiah Buggs, who had a team-best 9 1/2 sacks, to graduation and Quinnen Williams (8 sacks) early to the NFL, and the Crimson Tide must find replacements for a pass rush that led the SEC with 45 sacks in 2018 and ranked tied for 11th nationally by averaging three sacks per game. Linebacker Terrell Lewis is expected to make a full recovery from knee surgery, and Christian Miller -- Alabamas leading returning sack artist after recording eight last season -- should have no long-term problems from the hamstring injury that kept him out of the 44-16 national championship-game loss to Clemson. Alabama RB commit looks ahead LaBryan Ray showed flashes of pass-rushing brilliance last season, although he was recently arrested for public intoxication in Tuscaloosa, and 2018 freshman Eyabi Anoma is also seen as a frontline pass rusher. Harris, a four-star prospect ranked as the nations No. 113 prospect by the 247Sports Composite rankings, possesses the explosion, speed and power needed to excel as a pass rusher. At Grayson (Ga.) in suburban Atlanta last season, Harris tallied 71 tackles, including 13.5 for a loss, 12.5 sacks, and 41 quarterback hurries, according to team stats posted to MaxPreps. Watch Harris highlights: Harris played defensive end for most of his high school career, but transitioned during his senior season to standing up more and even occasionally dropping into coverage. He enrolled early at Alabama and said he hopes to earn a playing time as a true freshman. Harris is one of 24 Alabama signees from college footballs early signing period, and hes expected to play linebacker at Alabama. Harris and fellow signee King Mwikuta, another 4-star prospect, fit the profile of Alabamas jack linebacker, a hybrid position that often functions like a fourth defensive lineman. I think Im more than blessed to go in there and compete, Harris said. They didnt promise me playing time or anything like that, but they promised me the chance to go in there and compete for a starting position. Josh Bean covers high school sports for AL.com. | https://www.al.com/sports/2019/01/could-4-star-alabama-signee-kevin-harris-provide-immediate-pass-rush-help.html |
Who is Bradley Cooper's girlfriend Irina Shayk? | The couple have a beautiful daughter together A Star is Born actor Bradley Cooper and his supermodel girlfriend Irina Shayk recently wowed together on the Golden Globes red carpet, with Irina literally dazzling in a golden Versace number and sporting a new, razor-sharp blunt bob. As Bradley and Irina usually like to keep a tight lid on their relationship, fans are left wanting to know more, especially when they make rare appearances like this over awards season. Irina Shayk is a Russian supermodel whose career started after winning Miss Chelyabinsk 2004. Prior to that, Irina enrolled at a music school where she played piano, then studied marketing. Since then, Irina has appeared on the covers of international magazines including Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, GQ, Cosmopolitan and Elle. She has also walked the runway for major designers such as Marc Jacobs, Versace, Moschino, Miu Miu and Givenchy. Irina was one of Victoria's Angels for the brand's now infamous annual lingerie show - she even took part when she was pregnant! Making her acting debut in 2014, Irina appeared alongside Dwayne Johnson in the Hercules film. Irina Shayk is not married. She has dated Bradley Cooper since 2015, but they are pretty private about their relationship. However, Irina sparked engagement rumours when she uploaded a photo from their New Years holiday in 2018, which showed what looked like a gold engagement or wedding ring on her left hand. While some fans commented by simply adding ring emojis, others sent congratulatory messages to the couple. "I see a ring on *that* finger," one wrote, while another commented: "She's telling us she's married, congrats!" But, nothing was ever confirmed, and she has since been photographed many times without the ring. Irina and Bradley have a beautiful baby daughter together. The couple welcomed little Leah into the world on 21 March 2017. Talking about the meaning of family in an interview with HOLA!, Irina had previously said in October 2016: "I think family is our reason for being. I was lucky to be born into a very close-knit family. My parents got married over 20 years ago and they're true role models." She added: "I would definitely like to start a family because its the most important thing in the world and what you should take care of, along with your friends and the people you love." Irina was born in Russia on 6 January 1986, which made her 33 in 2018. Irina was in a relationship with Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo for five years, but they split in 2015 following rumours that he had been unfaithful. Soon after they broke up, she said: "I love honest men and I love a man who is loyal to women". According to Celebrity Net Worth, $10million (which converts to around 7,764,350.00 in pounds sterling). This is thanks to modelling campaign contracts with brands including Intimissimi, Guess, L'Oral Paris and La Perla. Sign up to our newsletter to get other stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. | https://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/2019011666700/who-is-bradley-cooper-girlfriend-irina-shayk/ |
When is the Super Blood Wolf Moon 2019 and how to see it in the UK? | A SUPER Blood Wolf Moon will stand high in the sky in January 2019. Here we reveal everything you need to know about the lunar phenomenon, including when it will appear and how to see it in the UK. Brits will be treated to a spectacular lunar event later in the month. The Super Blood Wolf Moon will stand proudly in the sky for us to admire. When it appears Earth will have a gloomy red glow cast over it. For many, this is merely just another spectacular lunar event to enjoy, but others believe it has more meaning behind it. Here we reveal all. Three things will happen during the Super Blood Wolf Moon, and its not as spooky as it sounds. There will be a Supermoon, which happens when the moon is at the point in its orbit when its closest to Earth. This will make it appear slightly larger. It will also be a Total Lunar Eclipse, also known as a Blood Moon. The moon takes on a dark red colour when the Earth moves between the Sun and the Moon, cutting off the moons light supply. In addition, this particular moon will be called a Wolf Moon. Put simply, this is the name given to the full moon in January. If you want to read more about what a Super Blood Wolf Moon is, CLICK HERE. Skygazers will be able to look up at the sky between January 20 and 21 to experience the lunar phenomenon. In the UK you will have the best chance to get a glance at 5.15am on January 21. The moon will prepare to enter the Earths shadow just after 2.30am GMT, and reach its maximum at 5.15am. It will be visible over most of North America, South America, west and north Europe. Red our full guide on when the Super Blood Wolf Moon will appear HERE. SUPER BLOOD WOLF MOON 2019: It will appear towards the end of the month (Pic: GETTY) How to see Super Blood Wolf Moon: Luckily, Brits will be able to see the Super Blood Wolf Moon with the naked eye, weather permitting. However, the best way to admire a total lunar eclipse is by using a telescope. Focus on the boundary where light meets dark on the surface of the moon. Alternatively, binoculars will also allow you a better look. A Super Blood Wolf Moon is in itself quite a rare occurrence. It would mean a Total Lunar Eclipse, a Supermoon and a Wolf Moon would appear on the same night. This trifecta wont happen again until 2036. If you want to read more about when the next Super Blood Wolf Moon will appear, CLICK HERE. There is actually some evidence to suggest the moons gravitational pull on Earth can impact seismic activity. This is strongest during new and full moons. Studies have found there is a slightly larger likelihood of high multitude earthquakes during these. In addition, studies have also looked at the connection between a total lunar eclipse, and our moods. Read more about how the blood moon affects us HERE. In terms of lunar events, a Total Lunar eclipse is not so frequent. While we will have a full moon most months, a Blood Moon will generally only occur slightly more frequently than every two to three years. In addition, every three and a half years, two lunar eclipses will happen in the same year. If you want to read more about how often a lunar eclipse happens, CLICK HERE. The Blood Moon prophecy is a set of apocalyptic beliefs linked to a Total Lunar Eclipse. These theories date back as far as you can go, but they gained widespread attention in 2014. Christian ministers John Hagee and Mark Blitz believed a series of consecutive lunar eclipses was a sign of the end times. Since then various conspiracy theorists have put forward their beliefs the world is going to end after specific Blood Moons. Read more about the Blood Moon prophecy HERE. SUPER BLOOD WOLF MOON 2019: The moon will appear slightly larger than usual (Pic: GETTY) | https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/753911/Super-Blood-Wolf-Moon-2019-UK?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+daily-star-latest-news+%28Daily+Star+%3A%3A+News+Feed%29 |
What Is A Home Equity Loan And How Does It Work? | If you need money to cover life's big expenses, tapping into the equity in your home can be a smart option. One way to do that is by getting a home equity loan. In the post below, we'll describe what this loan is, how it works, and how to qualify for one of your own. Keep reading to learn if this financial move makes sense for you. A home equity loan is often referred to as a second mortgage because that's truly what it is. It's a loan that lets you borrow against the value of your home. Often, this type of loan can be a way for homeowners to access large sums of money to pay for life's big expenses. It's not uncommon to see someone take out a home equity loan to finance home improvements, to cover medical debts, or to assist a child in paying for his or her education. Home equity loans are often an attractive source of funding because they're available at lower interest rates than credit cards or personal loans. However, be aware that those low interest rates come with a high amount of risk. Lenders feel comfortable offering lower rates because these loans are secured by your home, meaning that the lender can foreclose on you if you decide to stop making your payments. Put simply, home equity loans work in much the same way that your first mortgage did when you initially bought your house. The money from the loan is disbursed as a lump sum, allowing you to use it as you see fit. After you receive it, you start making fixed, monthly payments to pay back the loan. With each payment, you'll always be paying down a portion of both the principal and the interest. Also of note, home equity loans come with fixed interest rates. Qualifying for a home equity loan Again, qualifying for a home equity loan is very similar to qualifying for a first mortgage. Your lender will want to see proof of employment, as well as records of your debts and assets. You should be prepared to bring the following documentation with you when you visit your lender. Two years of W-2's or tax returns, if you're self-employed. Your most recent pay stub with your year-to-date income listed Statements for all your bank accounts and assets Debt records for any credit cards or other loans However, in addition to these documents, your lender will also look at one more piece of information. He or she will evaluate how much equity you have in your home. (Remember, equity is the percentage of your home that you own outright.) Here, the amount of equity you've built up in your home will help determine how much money you can borrow. Most lenders only allow you to borrow against up to 85% of your equity. To find out how much you can borrow, follow this equation: The amount your home is worth x the percentage of home equity you're allowed to borrow - how much you owe on your home For example: Let's say your home is worth $200,000 (according to a recent appraisal) and you're allowed to borrow up to 85% of your home equity, but you still have a $100,000 balance on your mortgage. $300,000 x 0.85 = 170,000 $170,000 - $100,000 = $70,000 In this case, you'd be approved for a $70,000 loan. The difference between a home equity loan and a home equity line of credit Often, home equity loans and home equity lines of credit get confused for each other. They're similar in that they both let you borrow against the value of your home, but they work much differently from one and other. While a home equity loan functions like a traditional mortgage, a home equity line of credit works like a credit card. It gives you a period of time when you're allowed to draw on the equity in your home, as needed. Home equity lines of credit also have adjustable interest rates. If you're not sure which of the two is right for you, talk to your current loan officer and/or a financial advisor. They can help you take a more in-depth look at your options in order to decide which one will serve you the best. | https://www.forbes.com/sites/taramastroeni/2019/01/16/what-is-a-home-equity-loan-and-how-does-it-work/ |
What is YouTube's paid Super Chat feature and how does it work? | YouTube has announced a feature that'll give creators more money. Called Super Chat, it essentially allows viewers to pay to pin a comment on live streams. So, when someone goes live, you will see a new cash symbol in the chat window and can click it to set a dollar amount and pin your comment. Here's everything you need to know about the new feature, including more details about how it works and why it's important for creators. Google has describe Super Chat as a "highlighted message in the chat stream that stands out from the crowd to get even more of your favourite creators attention". Super Chat will replace Fan Funding, the sites previous tool for viewers to pay creators. To use Super Chat, you must give money, and then your comment will remain pinned to the top of chat for up to five hours. Keep in mind creators can blacklist certain chat words and ban harassing viewers. When someone goes live on YouTube, youll see a cash symbol in the chat window. Click it to open up a slider, which you can touch and drag upon to set a dollar amount youd like to send the creator. The more you pay, the longer the comment gets pinned to the top. Youll also get a few more characters for your comment, and it will be highlighted in a different colour to help live streamers notice the paid comment. If the comment eventually gets pushed off, creators will be able to click through Super Chats at the top of their chat window to see them all. Here's Google's instructions on how use Super Chat: Select the dollar sign within a live chat. The live chat must be visible and mobile devices must be in portrait mode. Select SEND A SUPER CHAT. To select an amount, either drag the slider or type your desired value. Optionally, enter your message. Select BUY AND SEND. To finish your purchase, follow the instructions. You can make a purchase from YouTube or YouTube Gaming on your computer or in the Android app. Purchases on the YouTube for iOS app are currently not supported. Yes, but there is no set amount. You can decide the dollar amount youd like to send to the YouTube creators. YouTube said the tool is designed for viewers aged 18 and older. In other words, people with a credit card. When the transaction is complete, your public Super Chat will be sent to all viewers in the live chat, and a receipt will be emailed to you. Super Chats are non-refundable. The YouTube creator receives all Super Chat contributions. It's basically another way for creators to make money. Super Chat is now available for a few creators, including iHasCupquake, Great Library (buzzbean11) and Alex Wassabi, as a beta feature. YouTube will broadly launch Super Chat on 31 January for creators in 20 countries and viewers in more than 40 countries. Check out YouTube's support hub. | https://www.pocket-lint.com/tv/news/youtube/140000-what-is-youtube-s-paid-super-chat-feature-and-how-does-it-work |
Why did Kyle Kuzma tweet at halftime of the Lakers game' vs. Bulls? | Here's a weird thing that happened at 11:48 p.m. PT: Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma tweeted. Because Kuzma was in the middle of playing a game against the Chicago Bulls. We know it was halftime because the Lakers sent a tweet at 11:35 p.m., about 10 minutes before. But Kuzma's tweet is simply the handle of Ball is Life, which posts all things hoops content. On Tuesday night, the account retweeted a couple of Kuzma-related videos/GIFs. Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma (0) reacts during the first quarter against the Chicago Bulls at Staples Center. (Photo: Kelvin Kuo, USA TODAY Sports) 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. Another: He sat on his phone in his locker and butt-tweeted. Maybe the last thing he had open was the Ball Is Life's feed. Kuzma finished with 16 points and 12 rebounds in the Lakers' much-needed win over the Bulls. Los Angeles is only 4-7 since LeBron James' Christmas Day injury. The only certainty is we've come a long way (nearly 10 years, to be exact) on Twitter since Charlie Villanueva's famous halftime tweet blew up and led to an NBA social media policy: | https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/lakers/2019/01/16/kyle-kuzma-tweets-halftime-lakers-game-bulls/38906347/ |
What's the best value processor? | Just as Intel dominates the upper end of the CPU price range, AMD has managed to position itself as the value-conscious PC enthusiast's processor manufacturer of choice. This isn't necessarily a bad thing: AMD's cheaper value processors often prove just as good, if not better, than cheaper Intel processors. What's more is that AMD's AM3 architecture means that processors can be taken out and swapped willy-nilly, without having to worry about upgrading your motherboard or memory. We've picked out five of the cheapest chips we've recently reviewed, put them in price order and included an Intel one for good measure. If you're planning on building a budget system, this is essential reading. 1. AMD Athlon II X2 250 - 44 A 44 processor is never going to be able to match a 150 one, but that price does make the Athlon II X2 250 the cheapest in our recent spate of processor reviews. Its performance is surprisingly good, too - it naturally chugged when we tested games, but its HD video playback performance was excellent. It's a dual-core processor through-and-through, packing a pair of 3GHz cores and no more, but AMD has at least included an onboard memory controller and the high speed HyperTransport interconnect. As the heart of a cheap media centre or non-gaming PC it will really come into its own. Read our AMD Athlon II X2 250 review 2. AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition - 65 Don't let the Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition's dual-core nature put you off: it's still a perfectly able performer for gaming. This is thanks to its 3.1GHz clock speed and 6MB of L3 cache memory - which mean it flies in gaming benchmarks. Being a "Black Edition", it's designed to play nicely when overclocked, and we managed to get it up to 4GHz. It inevitably falls down a bit when it comes to multi-core tasks, and it's never going to be able to keep up with Intel's lower priced chips. But it's still got an unbeatable price tag, and makes a solid first step into the world of overclocking. Read our AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition review 3. AMD Athlon II X4 620 - 86 In stark contrast to the Phenom X2 550, the Athlon II X4 620 packs four cores into a single chip, and comes in at only 20 more. It's an expertly-engineered multi-core chip; it's able to handle video encoding and professional 3D rendering without even breaking a sweat. Embarrassingly for the big I, it came mightily close to Intel's far pricier chips in our video encoding tests. Gaming performance - which relies on a single core - was a bit of a let-down, but as an all-rounder you could do far, far, worse; it's perfect for those who like to use their PCs for intensive tasks other than shooting pretend people in the face. Read our AMD Athlon II X4 620 review 4. AMD Phenom II X4 965 BE - 129 A perfect chip for overclocking enthusiasts on a budget, the Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition includes four cores running at 3.4GHz. This is not to be quibbled with, and in HD video encoding and professional 3D rendering, it matched Intel's similarly-priced Core i5 750. It couldn't quite keep up with the Core i5 750 in gaming performance, but one of the key draws of AMD's chip is that the price of building a PC on its AM3 architecture is far, far cheaper. It also overclocks nicely to 4.1GHz, which is higher than AMD's own six-core processors. Read our AMD Phenom II X4 965 BE review 5 Intel Core i5 750 - 129 The cheapest Intel chip in our "budget" round-up still comes in at a rather wallet-quaking 129, but in terms of sheer performance it's worth every penny. It includes the obligatory four cores, 8MB of cache and dual-core memory controller, but this chip has got it where it counts in terms of monumental gaming performance. Each of those cores is ready and willing to take on strenuous tasks like games and file decompression, and what's more is that Intel has included plenty of overclocking headroom for system tweakers. It even beat Intel's supposedly-faster Core i5 760 in our tests, which is impressive stuff for such a (comparatively) cheap chip. Read our Intel Core i5 750 review | https://www.techradar.com/sg/news/computing-components/processors/what-s-the-best-value-processor-718497 |
Are micro condos Torontos newest real estate craze? | One of the hottest real estate trends is an exercise in minimalism and downsizing By Eric Stober Smart Houses clever space-saving amenities One way to combat Torontos increasingly expensive real estate market is to not only shrink expectations but also the size of the homes themselves. Enter the micro condo. Micro condos are smaller than the average space and may contain certain innovative uses of space including such things as built-in furniture so there is no waste of space at all. But there is some ambiguity over the term. Micro condo is not an official term. It is something that people refer to for smaller size condos, said Andrew la Fleur, a Re/Max real estate agent who specializes in micro condos. They tend to be between 300 and 400 square feet, [but] some of them are as low as 270 square feet. The Toronto trend of micro condos arose around five years ago, la Fleur said, but died down as developers shifted to larger units for a couple of years. They are now emerging once again. They are inspired by smaller living spaces that are popular in Japan, Hong Kong and New York City as well as the trend of minimalism. Currently, the average price of a condo in the city of Toronto is almost $600,000, up seven per cent from a year ago despite a 14 per cent drop in the number of sales. And some predict Torontos tech boom could make it even harder to score a home in the years to come, especially condominiums in central areas. Toronto now ranks as the fourth best tech centre in North America. Over the last year, prices have risen so much across the board that developers are now turning back to smaller units and studios because they are finding that it is becoming harder to sell condos because the price points are just so much higher, la Fleur said. [With micro condos], prices will be lower, and theyll be easier to sell, he said. They are an average price of around $1,900 a month to rent or $400,000 to buy. More space-saving hacks from Smart House La Fleur said that micro condo units sell out very quickly, mostly due to the price, and because of that, it attracts investors very easily, who like its good cash flow. There is limitless demand for them, la Fleur said, who noted that although once it was just students who were interested in the small spaces, now most people are seeking them out, including professionals, couples and sometimes small families. A development that was one of the first to fully embrace the micro condo concept is Smart House, which began selling in 2013 and is now welcoming its first residents. Located at Queen Street West and University Avenue, Smart House has studio units as small as 276 square feet, said Terry Lustig, a development manager at Malibu Investments, the company behind the project. Since we started designing the building in 2013, the trend for units is generally to be getting smaller and smaller as an affordability thing." Since we started designing the building in 2013, the trend for units is generally to be getting smaller and smaller as an affordability thing, Lustig said. Five years ago they sold units in the lower $200,000s, but Lustig is sure they have gone up in value since then. I think it was the location that attracted [purchasers], Lustig said. It wasnt for everybody, but we sold out the building well before we were under construction. Lustig said that Smart House predominately attracted young professions, but she also saw a lot of interest from people who want to downsize or people who dont live downtown but want a small place that is easy to take care of that they can go to on the weekends. What sets some micro condos apart is that they are incorporating innovations to help make the most of the space. In addition, because the price point is significantly less than the average condo unit, the homes move quickly on the resale market. For Smart House, Lustig says that they looked into how to make things fully functional in a smaller space. Innovations include increasing storage area where possible, such as double hangings in closets, larger shelves and retractable kitchen countertops. They also included Murphy Beds as an add-on. (These are beds that hide in the wall during the day to create a multi-functional room.) Other projects are finding smart ways to save space as well. Just outside Toronto, says la Fleur, the Universal Studios project features a built-in desk, table and couch, so it comes as a complete package and move-in ready. Some companies have even developed a technological solution to the small space challenge, such as Ori Systems, which has created a movable wall that users can control with voice commands to either Amazons Alexa or Googles Assistant to have it move to create more space. Although the price and location of these new small spaces are attractive, one has to question whether it is actually enjoyable to live in them. Pouneh Rouhani makes use of lessons learned from micro condo living Pouneh Rouhani, a managing director at a real estate development firm, lived in a 450-square-foot Liberty Village loft from 2014 to 2016. She was attracted to the place because of its location and smaller price tag, which was $1,400 to rent or $350,000 to own at the time, but is now closer to $500,000. She said the smaller space did take some adjustment. Anything that comes in, something has to go, Rouhani said. Even if it is a small piece of furniture, clothing, something has to go out. Rouhani was also frustrated at first with not being able to host guests, as she could only have one or two people over at a time. However, Rouhani found a way to adjust to the new lifestyle. You learn to live around [it]: how to use the amenities of the building, how to dine out more rather than having [people] at your place. Lustig agreed that the smaller space does require a different kind of lifestyle but said it is one that people are embracing. What you end up living in is really just a place to sleep and hang your clothes, she said. Rouhani found a way to view the smaller space in a positive way. It actually helped me in being more efficient, to have just what I need to live with and not go excessive, she said. I brought that rule to keep everything minimal to my new place. You dont need the extra stuff. Whether youre embracing minimalism by choice or by necessity, youre part of a new lifestyle trend. Micro condos could play a big role in Torontos future. | http://www.postcity.com/Post-City-Magazines/January-2019/Are-micro-condos-Torontos-newest-real-estate-craze/ |
Is Joe Biden REALLY The Best Dems Could Do Against Mike Pence? | I don't believe Joe Biden is the Democrats' strongest 2020 candidate, but I also don't believe he should stay out of the race, as Frank Bruni does. In response to Bruni, his New York Times op-ed colleague David Leonhardt eagerly encourages Biden to run. Run because you have strengths that no other Democratic candidate does, including your depth of experience and connection to the Obama presidency. Run because your populist image fits the Democrats most successful political strategy of the past generation. Leonhardt is one of those pundits who believes that Democrats will win by picking off white Rust Belt votes. He thinks the best Democratic message is populism, as he defines it -- economic progressivism combined with centrism on social and cultural issues (guns, immigration, racism and sexism). Setting aside the question of whether this is the right approach, I wonder why Leonhardt thinks a guy who used to be a loyal voter in the Senate for his home state's banking interests is in the strongest position to run as an economic populist. What Leonhardt won't say is that Biden seems like a populist because he performs old-school New Deal white-ethnic populism better than the rest of the field. By now he might have changed his positions enough to actually be a true champion of ordinary Americans. But he seems qualified for the role mostly because he looks the part. Well, whatever -- let him run and let him make his case. Let the other candidates make theirs. The debate will be edifying. But here's the weirdest thing Leonhardt says: [Biden] also has strengths as a candidate that the others do not. Imagine that the Trump administration descends further into chaos, through some combination of investigations and incompetence. It could certainly happen. In that case, Americans may no longer be so enamored of an outsider. They may be looking for a more reassuring figure than, say, a recently defeated senatorial candidate. Story continues below First of all, the last time we had an election after a presidency descended this far into chaos, the candidate we elected was a little-known peanut farmer and one-term governor. We may want a return to normalcy after Trump, but normalcy doesn't necessarily mean electing somebody who's been in politics forever. But beyond that, there's the fact that just two months ago a female-skewed electorate elected a bloc of new legislators who are women. Trump is a sexist pig and possible sex criminal. Pence is a God-bothering prig who'd be perfectly at ease living in Margaret Atwood's Gilead. Let's try another black person, or a woman, or a black woman, or a youngish white skate rat. Or individual old white dudes can make the case or themselves as individuals, not as archetypes of reassuring-old-white-dudeness. In any case, we shouldn't assume that old white dudes are the default choice -- not now. Republished with permission from No More Mr. Nice Blog | https://crooksandliars.com/2019/01/joe-biden-really-best-dems-could-do |
What is Comic-Con HQ and when will it go live? | Comic-Con is getting its own subscription streaming service. It's called Comic-Con HQ. From what we can tell, it is trying to be a Netflix of sorts for comic-book geeks. It's also trying to extend the Comic-Con experience from just a few days a year to 365 days a year by offering both archival and original programming to Comic-Con fans. The service was just announced, so details are scarce, but we've laid out everything we know below. Comic-Con is a registered trademark owned by San Diego Comic-Con International, an organiser of comic book conventions held across the world. The San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) itself has been held annually in San Diego since 1970 and primarily focuses on showcasing comic books, science fiction/fantasy-related film and television, as well as toys, collectible card games, video games, webcomics, and fantasy novels. In March 2016, San Diego Comic-Con International with Lionsgate announced the first details of a new video-on-demand streaming service called Comic-Con HQ. It is subscription-based, meaning you'll have to pay a membership fee in order to access content, such as classic film and TV titles, behind-the-scenes access, live streams of SDCC panels, and original programming (scripted series and unscripted news). Comic-Con HQ launches on 7 May (also known as Free Comic Book Day) in beta form. Anyone can pre-register now for free beta access via the Comic-Con HQ website. An official premiere is scheduled for sometime in June, ahead of San Diego Comic-Con in late July. We're not sure yet if the service will be available outside of the US. The ad-free service will be free during the beta but will require a paid subscription after June. Pricing as of March 2016 has yet to be announced. According to SDCC, anyone who registered for free beta access can tune into the new streaming service via their "browsers and iOS/Android devices", while a roll out across more connected devices is expected in the coming months. Example devices include Roku, AppleTV, and Xbox One, with "additional devices and distribution platforms becoming available throughout the year". According to SDCC, you can expect the following in terms of programming: Recurring daily and weekly programs. G4 alum Adam Sessler (X-Play) will executive produce programs on comics, science and gaming, along with hosting his own 1:1 interview series. G4 star Kevin Pereira (Attack of the Show) and his company Attack Media will executive produce an entertainment pop culture news show and a late night talk show format. Original scripted and unscripted series, such as the scripted comedy series Kings of Con (inspired by fan convention experiences from Supernatural stars Richard Speight and Rob Benedict), the science program Impossible Science starring illusionist Jason Latimer (he explores technologies capable of achieving his feats of magic with real science), and the unscripted series with fangirl fashion company Her Universe (hosted by founder Ashley Eckstein, who follows contestants as they design their couture concepts for the catwalk of a live San Diego Comic-Con fashion show in July). Live-streamed San Diego Comic-Con access with "CCHQ programming, airings of select Comic-Con panels, and immersive access to the convention floor and sanctionedevents never before available to the public", as well as "interviews and previews available only on CCHQ in a growing library of new and archival panels, bonus features, behind-the-scenes previews and more. " A collection of licensed film and TV series featuring "genre greats and hidden gems from science-fiction, fantasy, cult classics, action/adventure and horror". Check out Pocket-lint's Comic-Con hub for related news. | https://www.pocket-lint.com/tv/news/137035-what-is-comic-con-hq-and-when-will-it-go-live |
What is NBCUniversal Hayu and will it launch in the UK? | One of the world's leading entertainment companies has announced a new streaming video service that's all about reality TV - and it's intended audiences are in the UK, Ireland, and Australia. Called Hayu, NBCUniversal has described its initiative as a "next generation, subscription video-on-demand reality service". All content on the service will be curated, fully integrated with social media, and available on mobile devices and connected televisions as well as Hayu's website. If this sort of thing interests you, Pocket-lint has explained everything you need to know below, including what types of shows you'll be able to watch and for how much as well as all the different features you can expect Hayu to offer. Hayu from NBCUniversal is a video-streaming service (kind of like Netflix). It's unique however in that it will only serve up content from the reality genre. Also, even though NBCUniversal is based in the US, Hayu will initially only launch in the UK, Ireland, and Australia. According to NBCUniversal, you can use Hayu to watch popular shows such as Keeping Up with the Kardashians (and its spin-offs), The Real Housewives, Million Dollar Listing, Top Chef franchises, I Am Cait, Made in Chelsea, Flipping Out, Shahs of Sunset, The Millionaire Matchmaker, RuPauls Drag Race (UK and Ireland), and Dont Tell the Bride (UK and Ireland), and many more. If you're in the UK, Ireland, and Australia and own a mobile, tablet, laptop, or connected TV, you'll be able to use Hayu. You can also access it from www.hayu.com. The streaming service will include a free one-month trial, but when the trial ends, you'll need to subscribe. NBCUniversal said Hayu will offer more than 3,000 episodes of reality content, with new episodes being added to the service every week. It expects to add more than 500 episodes to the service each year, many of which will debut on the same day as their US premiere. Hayu will not only be all about reality but also social media. NBCUniversal said it baked in these social ties: "Hayu will offer users specially made short-form content snippets - selected from the original episodes - which can be shared directly via fans social media accounts. Additionally, newsfeeds from multiple sources covering the shows and talent featured on hayu will be fully integrated into the service. Further, hayu will include full social media integration alongside the videos, allowing viewers instant access to the social media accounts of hundreds of realitys hottest stars, as well as allowing fans to share their own comments." Hayu will have a monthly subscription fee of 3.99 in the UK, 4.99 in Ireland, and $5.99 in Australia. Hayu will go live sometime in March 2016. Check out NBCUniversal's announcement for more details. | https://www.pocket-lint.com/tv/news/136714-what-is-nbcuniversal-hayu-and-will-it-launch-in-the-uk |
What are the odds as Theresa May faces a second vote of no confidence? | (Photo by Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP/Getty Images) Following an incredible loss in parliament on Tuesday concerning her Brexit deal, Theresa May is once again facing a vote of no confidence. Man injects his own semen into his arm for 18 months 'to treat back pain' With a whopping 230 majority, 118 of which were her Tory peers, Mays Brexit plan has not passed through Parliament. The PM, at the time this was written, has just a few hours before she finds out her fate, as she faces a vote of no confidence for a second time. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The vote is being held at 7pm tonight, Wednesday 16 January. Advertisement Advertisement Tabled by Jeremy Corbyn after her defeat last night, this vote could force an early general election if it passes with the support of more than 50% of MPs. However, as with most of the potential Brexit outcomes, the odds are not straightforward. Corbyn was the one who triggered the vote of no confidence. (Pictures: PA/REUTERS) The no confidence vote odds After this historic loss, much of the Brexit-related future is uncertain. According to Coral, its 1-50 that May will win tonights confidence vote, but they have it at 1-2 that shell be out of No. 10 sometime in 2019. Meanwhile Odds Checker says the odds are 2-5 that Theresa Mays exit will happen before the end of the year. Theresa May has repeatedly said that she is committed to making Brexit happen, because thats what the people voted for. However if she loses power, the next PM could take a different stance. Brit killed in hotel massacre was charity director who helped world's poorest people According to Odds Checker, the most popular bet for whether or not there will be another referendum is Yes, and the two with the best odds of becoming the next Prime Minister are Jeremy Corbyn (9-2) and Boris Johnson (7-1). The others in the running at the bookies are Sajid Javid (8-1) and David Lidington (12-1). The odds on there being another referendum are also varied. Bet Fair has them at 4-7, while William Hill and Sky Bet both say its 8-15. Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile Paddy Power currently have the odds that the UK will have applied to rejoin the EU by 2027 at 5/6. The no confidence vote is at 7pm tonight, Wednesday 16 January. | https://metro.co.uk/2019/01/16/what-are-the-odds-as-theresa-may-faces-a-second-vote-of-no-confidence-8351715/ |
Will our Tory MPs support Theresa May in tonight's no-confidence vote? | 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 Derbyshire Conservatives who voted against Theresa Mays defeated Brexit deal last night look set to support the Prime Minister as she faces a vote of no-confidence tonight. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn tabled the motion after MPs voted 432 to 202 against the Prime Minister's Withdrawal Agreement. Three local Tory MPs voted against the Brexit deal, Mid Derbyshire MP Pauline Latham, North East Derbyshire MP Lee Rowley, and Amber Valley MP Nigel Mills. But, Mrs Latham is likely to support the Government in the no-confidence vote, which is expected to take place at around 7pm. She said: "I and most of the Conservative MPs are likely to vote with the Government. There has never been a time of so much uncertainty." (Image: ACantrill-Jones) While Mr Rowley did not confirm which way he would be voting tonight, he did say that Theresa May has his full backing to renegotiate the deal. He also gave his reasons for voting against the Prime Minister's Withdrawal Agreement in a video posted on his Facebook page yesterday. Mr Rowley said: "(The deal is) not right for our country on trade, it's not right for our country on the backstop, and it's not right for our country on the money. "She needs to go back and she needs to renegotiate those things. I certainly hope she will, and she will have my full backing to do that." Derbyshire Live have been unable to contact Nigel Mills regarding his voting intention. The other Conservative MPs in Derbyshire backed the Brexit deal and look set to support the Government again tonight. Those include South Derbyshire MP Heather Wheeler and Erewash MP Maggie Throup, who released a statement on her website this morning, expressing her support for Theresa May. She said: This now makes Labour the biggest single threat to delivering Brexit and so I will continue to oppose them at every opportunity in the best interests of my Constituents. This fight begins again today when I support the Government in the Confidence Motion that has been tabled. The full list of how Derbyshire Conservative MPs voted in last nights meaningful vote on Theresa Mays Brexit deal is below: Voted for the Brexit deal: MP for Erewash, Maggie Throup MP for South Derbyshire, Heather Wheeler MP for Derbyshire Dales, Patrick McLoughlin (Image: PA) Voted against the Brexit deal: MP for Mid Derbyshire, Pauline Latham MP for Amber Valley, Nigel Mills MP for North East Derbyshire, Lee Rowley | https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/derby-news/tory-mps-support-theresa-tonights-2434724 |
What is Sony PlayStation Vue and where is it available? | Sony PlayStation Vue is no longer limited to the PlayStation platform. That means almost anyone can pick a plan and - without a cable contract - get access to a rich channel offering that comes close to matching what cable and satellite providers currently offer, including live TV and a cloud-based DVR feature. You don't even need a PlayStation 3 or PlayStation 4 to stream content from the new TV service, but you do need to live in one of the US cities where it's available. Here's everything we know so far about PlayStation Vue... PlayStation Vue is a new cloud-based TV service from Sony. It offers live TV, movies and sports - all without a cable or satellite subscription. It is therefore an ideal service for cord-cutters, a growing group of people who prefer to cancel or forgo a cable or satellite subscription in favour of an alternative internet or cloud-based service. Netflix, for instance, is another alternative service aimed at cord-cutters. You can sign up for PlayStation Vue at www.psvue.com/plans. In March 2016, Sony announced that its PlayStation Vue internet TV service had gone nationwide in the states. The Netflix-like service launched over a year ago and has been available in select US cities, bringing live, local broadcasts from CBS, ABC, FOX, and NBC (as well as live cable, on-demand movie, and sports) to New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, San Francisco, and Miami. But there is a caveat to the service now expanding across the US: it's cut live network programming in the 203 added markets. PlayStation Vue offers three subscription tiers in the original 7 launch cities: Access (60+ channels of live TV, movies, and sports) for $39.99 a month, Core (75+ channels along with local sports) for $44.99 a month, and Elite (100+ channels and access to even more content from Epix Hits and Machinima) for $54.99 a month. If you're unsure about PlayStation Vue, you can also always try it at no cost via the 7-day trial. Nationwide however it is offering new "slim" packages that cut the live network programming from the big four. The slim packages include Access Slim (55+ channels, with live cable TV, movies, and sports channels) for $29.99 a month, Core Slim (70+ channels, with all the channels from Access Slim and the addition of national and regional sports networks) for $34.99 a month, and Elite Slim (100+ channels, with all the channels from Core Slim as well as more movie and entertainment channels) for $44.99 per month. Go here to explore the channels within each standard package, or go here to see what is included with the nationwide slim packages. Channel offering for the standard packages vary depending on city. In New York City, for instance, the Elite package comes with: CBS, Fox, NBC, AMC, Animal Planet, BET, Boomerang, Bravo, Cartoon Network, CMT, CNBC, CNN, Comedy Central, Cooking Channel, Discovery, DIY, E!, Epix Hits, Esquire, Food Network, Fox News, FX, HGTV, IFC, Machinima, MSNBC, MTV, MTC 2, Nat Geo, Nick Jr, Nickelodeon, NickToons, Own, Oxygen, Spike, Sundance TV, Syfy, TLC, TNT, Travel, Tru, TCM, TV Land, Universal, USA, VH1, VH1 Classic, and more. Also, Sony recently announced a new deal that would add ESPN, the Disney Channel, ABC, and ABC Family to the service. Go here to explore the devices supported by PlayStation Vue. Since launch, you've needed a PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 3 console in order to watch PlayStation Vue on your television. However, on 12 November 2015, Sony announced that its streaming TV service is also now available on both the Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV stick, with support coming "soon" for Google's Chromecast. You can even watch it using an iPhone or iPad. On 21 June 2016, Sony announced that PlayStation Vue has arrived for Roku devices. Additionally, the PlayStation Vue mobile app will come to Android smartphones and tablets by end of June. Check out Pocket-lint's PlayStation Vue hub for more details. | https://www.pocket-lint.com/tv/news/135898-what-is-sony-playstation-vue-and-where-is-it-available |
What is the BBC Store and how is it different to iPlayer? | The BBC has launched a new online shop that is calls the BBC Store. This is a place where episodes of its shows can be downloaded, at a charge. Here's everything you need to know about the BBC Store. Once shows are pushed off the back end of the iPlayer they can no longer be watched, thanks to the BBC's time limited offerings. Until now to get episodes of Sherlock, say, you'd have to either subscribe to a streaming service that offered it or buy it on disc. Now the BBC will offer its content to be bought directly from its Store. This will mean shows can be downloaded in SD or HD formats after paying for them. Once downloaded the person owns that content forever to do with as they please. As you'd expect all the BBC greats are on there to download and own. From box sets of Doctor Who and Top Gear to nature shows like Frozen Planet and The Hunt. Individual episodes can be bought too. Although who is going to pay 1.89 for a missed episode of Eastenders in SD isn't too clear. The first season of Peaky Blinder is available for 7.99 in SD or 9.99 in HD. When you consider a month of Netflix costs less and offers this show and more, this does seem pricey. But for ownership perhaps some people are willing to pay more. The BBC Store offers gift vouchers that can be given allowing others to buy what they want. So rather than giving a box set at Christmas, say, you could give an amount that lets the person choose what they want. Then they can simply choose and download the show they fancy there and then. Gift cards are sold in 10 or 25 amounts in Asda, Sainsbury's, W H Smiths and Wilko. The BBC has done the work for you with its Collections section. This offers shows guides in curated form, with the best episodes filtered out for you to find. For example the Louis Theroux Collection is chosen by the man himself. Each episode is listed with a blurb written by Louis explaining why this is a special episode. Each one is sold separately, rather than as an entire collection to buy as a series. This also works for greats like Doctor Who, where Collections put together the best of certain eras, like The Master & Missy for example. The BBC Store is live now and offers a 25 per cent discount on the first purchase of anyone registering for the first time. READ: EE Pocket-lint Gadget Awards 2015 shortlist nominations announced, vote for your winners | https://www.pocket-lint.com/tv/news/bbc/135807-what-is-the-bbc-store-and-how-is-it-different-to-iplayer |
Will the 'Battle of Bristol' make it from Facebook to the boxing ring? | 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 city's boxing world is crying out for what is being dubbed The battle of Bristol. One fighter is a huge Bristol Rovers fan, and the other has adopted City as his team. And both camps have been going 12 rounds on social media. Commonwealth champion Ash Lane and the father of Duane Gasman Winters have traded insults over a proposed fight on Facebook. The exchange brought disputes over money, insults over coaches, and arguments over who was entitled to what purse. This led to a huge barrage of comments from fight fans from the city that went on for days. Either way judging by the amount of comments and interaction, it could well be the fight that Bristol has been crying out for. Bristol Live has spoken to both camps to get the reaction to this, and whether there is a chance that this fight could move from Facebook into the ring. It all kicked off when Ash Lane, the current super bantamweight Commonwealth title holder who fights out of the Bristol Boxing Gym stable, posted a cryptic Facebook post which said: 'When you want to fight for major titles, offered a Major title fight then turn it down,' followed by a laughing emjoee. It was soon clear who Lane was referring to when Chris Skemer Winters, the father of professional boxer Duane Gasman Winters, and manager of Skemers Boxing gym, jumped in. He retorted with: If you wanted to fight Duane that much and was confident of beating him your manager wouldn't have offered mickey mouse money. 4k for a Commonwealth title, f****g joke. Skemer is a controversial character that's never shy of giving his opinion. With language often fruity, the Knowle West man who looks after the promotion of his son's fights, is never shy of confrontation. But Lane held his ground, and responded with: You cant expect the same as the champion and then say we ain't fighting at Ashton Gate you either want a major title or you dont. "Im not fussed who I fight but its pretty funny how you keep posting you are after a major title then you turn one down. The row continued on and on, with accusations firing back and forth. The added tension to this was that Duane Winters once fought under the Bristol Boxing gym led by Chris Sanigar, Lanes management. The exchange indicated he left not on good terms. He now fights under Paddy Johns Gym, being managed by Andy OKane, the stable which also looks after European champion Joe Hughes. What then ensued was fascinating, and sparked a huge debate with almost 350 comments, , lasting several days. This involved fight fans, promoters, and other professional boxers. The likes of Andy OKane himself, former world champion boxer Lee Haskins , ex Bristol Rovers PA man Nick Day , and even ex Bristol City player Colin Cramb . Some angry exchanges, some tinged with good humour. When Skemer Winters accused Lanes management of being drybread promoters and needing to put their hand in their pocket. Lane responded. He accused Winters of ducking him, hiding behind this, and making excuses not to take the fight. (Image: Bristol Live) Bristol Live spoke to both parties to get their take on the row, and whether this fight has a chance of taking off. Lane said : The fight will never happen, theyre pricing themselves out. Its just a con and they are conning the people of Bristol. We have sparred 100s of round together of which I have never stepped out of 2nd gear and never lost a round. Im sick of his team calling out my title. Im sick of people coming up to me and saying they dont know whos the number 1. He hasnt got a major title. We have both boxed at completely different levels and they know Im in a different league. For Lane the Winters camp are just making excuses. He continues: We offered them good money to challenge for a title that puts you in a great position for the British, European and even world. They put the obstacle in of it being at Ashton Gate, saying its too small in the concourse as he sells loads of tickets, up to 15,000. Its laughable, if he sold that many he would have been snapped up by a top promoter by now. Duane isnt worth the money they are asking. I have nothing to gain from this fight apart from bragging rights: he added. Skemer, however, was clear: This is a 12 round fight for the Commonwealth title, money talks, b*****s walks, and cant believe Ash sells himself short, and he accepted 4k as the champion anyway. Should be 10k. And counteracting claims they were ducking the fight, he said : Duane wants a crack at the title of course, but he has a family to feed and wont be getting paid peanuts. Nothing wrong with belts but only takes one punch to end your career, and we aren't willing to take the risk at that level. So we move on for a mandatory Southern area fight against challenger Tom McGinley on February 23 at the Winter Gardens in Weston Super-Mare. One thing is certain, there is major interest in the potential of this fight, and if and when this fight does happen, it could be huge. With Duane Winters having a sizeable Bristol Rovers following and Lane, although originally from Northampton, following City, it could split Bristol in two and be a sell out wherever its held. And this Facebook spat could well have be the best hype possible to make it happen. Former Bristol Rovers PA man Nick Day waded in and said ; The battle of Bristol!!! It has to be made. F***k me. Ill even come out of retirement and MC. I want 12 grand mind; he joked. Ex-Bristol City player Colin Cramb said: Both great lads and I for one will buy a table on the night if it does happen. Both Ash and Duane are very dedicated and I take my hat off to both of you. Fight fans all across the city waded in to give their view. One was Barry Richards who was getting excited. He stated; Fight! Fight! Fight! This will be huge for Bristol. The build up is better than the Fury and Wilder fight! Gav Ellington was adamant he wanted this to happen. He stated : This fight has definitely got to happen so hopefully both fighters management can sort this out, its a fight myself and many others certainly want to see. Louis Hodge was one of many that felt it would be a sell out. He said : This fight would clear up on ticket sales it needs to happen both good lads, it just needs to happen one way or another. And quite possibly the most pertinent response was from Ross Simmons , who simply stated: Id buy a ticket for this now, wasnt bothered before. | https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/boxing-lane-skemer-winters-facebook-2432573 |
When is Bristol Balloon Fiesta 2019 taking place this year? | The video will start in 8 Cancel 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 Bristol Balloon Fiesta is one of the most exciting events the city plays host to, with the annual attraction bringing over 100,000 people to Ashton Court to watch stunning mass ascents and night glows across four days. And even when the weather isn't kind - as it wasn't in 2018 - it is still worth heading to the mansion's grounds as the organisers are keen to put on a show come rain or shine. On the Sunday of last year's Balloon Fiesta, for example, unrelenting rain and wind forced the final night glow to be cancelled, but organisers instead staged a spectacular fire and music show using just the baskets of the hot air balloons. It was a magical display which once again demonstrated how thrilling the Fiesta can be, even when the weather gods don't get the memo. Fans of the fiesta will be delighted to learn that has been confirmed to return in 2019. The dates for your diary are Thursday, August 8 - Sunday, August 11. The information on the event's Facebook page states: "The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta offers a spectacular free weekend for the whole family from Thursday 8th - Sunday 11th August 2019. "The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta has long been a highlight in Britain's event calendar, with over 100 hot air balloons taking off at dawn and dusk, and lighting up the sky at night with evening balloon glows. "Featuring four days of colourful hot air balloon displays, hundreds of thousands of visitors gather to watch the balloons of all shapes and sizes lift over the city." | https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/when-bristol-balloon-fiesta-2019-2434506 |
Could Trumps Attorney General Pick William Barr Be Worse Than Jeff Sessions on Civil Rights? | Senate confirmation hearings began Tuesday for William Barr, President Trumps nominee for attorney general to replace Jeff Sessions. Barr served as attorney general for George H.W. Bush from 1991 to 1993. During that time, he was involved in the pardon of six Reagan officials for the Iran-Contra scandal and oversaw the opening of the Guantnamo Bay military prison, which was initially used to indefinitely detain Haitian asylum seekers. Barr also openly backed mass incarceration at home and helped develop a secret Drug Enforcement Administration program which became a blueprint for the National Security Agencys mass phone surveillance effort. But on Tuesday, senators asked few questions about Barrs past record while focusing heavily on his views about special counsel Robert Muellers probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 election. We look at Barrs history with David Cole, national legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union. His recent article for the ACLU is titled No Relief: William Barr Is as Bad as Jeff Sessionsif Not Worse. We also speak with Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. | https://www.democracynow.org/2019/1/16/could_trumps_attorney_general_pick_william |
What is YouTube Gaming and could it kill Twitch? | Google is about to launch something a lot like Twitch. It's YouTube Gaming. At an event held at YouTube Space LA on 12 June, Google previewed a new initiative called YouTube Gaming. It's a mobile app as well as a website designed to showcase YouTube's gaming content. YouTube Gaming will not only feature dedicated pages for games, but also live-streaming capabilities, among many other things. Twitch is all about live streaming too. It's an Amazon.com-owned platform and website that primarily focused on video gaming. Gamers can use it to see playthroughs of video games by other users as well as broadcast and view e-sports competitions. All content on Twitch can be viewed live or on an on-demand basis. If you're a Twitch user and want to know more about Google's latest live-stream/gaming effort, we've detailed everything you need to know about YouTube Gaming. Be sure to check out our gallery of screenshots as well. Landing pages YouTube said more than 25,000 games are getting their own landing pages with YouTube Gaming, and you can expect each page to display videos and live streams. You will essentially be able to search for your favorite title (like Shadow of Mordor) and add it to your "collection" in order to see all sorts of related videos and streams. Search Apart from landing pages, you will be able to browse and subscribe to channels from game publishers and indie YouTube creators. In fact, when searching within YouTube Gaming, you will only see gaming results. There's no Justin Bieber music videos on YouTube Gaming, basically. YouTube Gaming will also offer up recommendations. Live streams YouTube is clearly going after Twitch, because it's putting a big focus on live-streaming games. It is offering a redesign Live broadcasting system with features like high frame rates at 60fps, DVR functionality, and the ability to automatically convert live streams to a YouTube video. You won't even have to schedule events ahead of time anymore, and you'll be able to share a link to all your live streams. Monetise Yup. You can monetise live streams through adverts, though there is no premium subscription option yet. Google wants YouTube Gaming to be separate from YouTube. During an announcement blog post, the company specifically wrote: "You can search with confidence, knowing that typing 'call' will show you 'Call of Duty' and not 'Call Me Maybe'". But keep in mind that YouTube Gaming is not an entirely new platform. These videos also exist on YouTube. Similar to how Google Photos is designed to surface long-forgotten photos in new and interesting ways, it appears as though YouTube Gaming is designed to surface buried video game-related videos and streams you might want to see but can't easily locate among all the other videos populating the main YouTube service. Also, Google and Amazon are competitors. And Amazon owns Twitch. By adding robust live-streaming capabilities, DVR, and more to YouTube Gaming, Google might be able to grow it into a full-blown Twitch rival. Google plans to launch this service on 26 August, but it will initially only be available in the US and UK. You'll be able to access it at the following site: gaming.youtube.com. It'll also have Android and iOS apps. The apps are scheduled to go live at 10am PT. You can see a placeholder version of YouTube Gaming's site here. Google said E3 attendees will get demonstrations of YouTube Gaming. Pocket-lint will be at the show all next week, so keep checking back for the latest and breaking news. YouTube is also hosting live previews and interviews here. | https://www.pocket-lint.com/tv/news/youtube/134250-what-is-youtube-gaming-and-could-it-kill-twitch |
Are Fiona Apple And King Princess Collaborating? | King Princess may be gearing up for a massive US tour that starts tomorrow, but it looks like the pop singer-songwriter might have a few more surprises for us. KP (real name Mikaela Straus) posted an intriguing photo to her Instagram last night. In the blurry, black and white pic, Straus high fives a woman dressed in a casual hoodie and glasses. Fans in the comments think the woman bears a strong resemblance to Fiona Apple. Dozens of commenters tagged Straus to ask if it was Apple in the pic. While Straus didnt respond to any of them, she did reply to filmmaker/photographer Zelda Hallman, who said Pretty sure I made that photo Straus replied Omg u fully did. Hallmans own Instagram has an un-cropped, full-color version of the photo that confirms its Apple. Straus and Hallman didnt share many details about the reason they were all hanging out whether it was for a song, interview, or just to chat but Straus captioned her Insta post with We made something special, which implies that the two might have collaborated on something. King Princess upcoming debut album is expected sometime this year from Mark Ronsons Zelig Records. Fiona Apples most recent record, The Idler Wheel was released in 2012, though the enigmatic star has resurfaced to record a theme song for Showtimes series The Affair, to perform with St. Vincent at a festival in Texas, and denounce Donald Trump in the spirit of Christmas. The 20-year-old Straus is around the same age Apple was when her debut album came out, and her rise to fame has been nearly as meteoric. A collab between this budding alt-pop icon and one of the most legendary lyricists and performers of the last few decades would be incredible. Make it happen, 2019! | https://uproxx.com/music/fiona-apple-king-princess-collaborating/ |
Does the NFL need a Rooney Rule for women? | Sarah Thomas made history in 2019, becoming the first female referee to work a game in the postseason. The NFL has always been a boys club, but women are slowly making their way to the league. While the NFL said a Rooney Rule equivalent for women was coming in 2016, it only applied to the league office. Expansion to all teams would help accelerate the NFL's inclusion of women. However, others feel opportunities shouldn't be handed out. They have to be earned, just like everything else in the league. PERSPECTIVES Sarah Thomas broke another barrier for women in the NFL by becoming the first woman to referee a playoff game. While this is a remarkable achievement, the fact that this is newsworthy in 2018 is sad. Women in the NFL should be the norm, not the exception. The league's proposed Rooney Rule expansion for women in 2016 was a step in the right direction, but expanding it to all teams would modernize the league by putting women in executive positions on teams, which would only benefit the league with fresh perspectives and new ideas. Much like the original Rooney Rule, adding diversity to the league is never a bad thing. Roger Goodell: NFL creating a Rooney Rule for women True equality is earning your spot through your merit. Getting handed out opportunities is not the right path to diversity. Sarah Thomas earned her way to the NFL Playoffs because she proved her skills on the field in the regular season. If they put someone out there just because she's a woman, it would be a disservice to anyone to toiled and built their resume's fairly. If a woman is right for the job in the NFL, she will be hired. They don't need a rule to force teams to interview a woman to accomplish that. The Tylt is focused on debates and conversations around news, current events and pop culture. We provide our community with the opportunity to share their opinions and vote on topics that matter most to them. We actively engage the community and present meaningful data on the debates and conversations as they progress. The Tylt is a place where your opinion counts, literally. The Tylt is an Advance Local Media, LLC property. Join us on Twitter @TheTylt, on Instagram @TheTylt or on Facebook, we'd love to hear what you have to say. | https://www.mlive.com/sports/2019/01/does_the_nfl_need_a_rooney_rul.html |
Will A's go with traditional starter or 'opener' for wild-card game? | Its a situation that is truly unique to any other team that has come before them when approaching the all-important game. It wont be an easy decision, and it certainly wont be quick. As GM David Forst held meetings with Melvin and pitching coach Scott Emerson starting Thursday, when the team had an off day before the start of a three-game series with the Los Angeles Angels, to go over the different scenarios. I dont know right now how well address it, Forst said in an interview with MLB Network Radio. In September weve gone with more bullpen games than just traditional starters. It will depend on their lineup, if were definitely playing at Yankee Stadium and how some guys have performed there; theres a lot of factors. We probably will take as much time as we can over the next week to make those decisions. The chance of hosting the wild-card game is not completely dead, but it is on life support. After the Yankees beat the Tampa Bay Rays Thursday, New Yorks magic number to clinch the top wild-card spot is down to one with three games left for each team to play. There really are just three options here for the As. Brett Anderson has been way too inconsistent to even be considered an option, and Trevor Cahill has struggled mightily in his last few starts. Lets weigh the pros and cons of each potential options the As have. Edwin Jackson Pro: Jackson has been very consistent since the day he arrived to the As clubhouse June 25. The As are 13-3 in his 16 starts, and the right-hander has allowed three earned runs or less in 13 of those outings. In terms of experience, nobody even comes close to Jacksons 16 years in the majors. Hes been through it all, winning a World Series in 2011 with the St. Louis Cardinals. He lost the only start he made in that series against the Rangers, but pitched decent with three runs allowed over 5 innings. With the type of offense the As possess, theyd take that pitching line against the Yankees in a heartbeat. Con: The career numbers for Jackson at Yankee Stadium are not pretty. Hes 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA in four games at the new Yankee Stadium, two of those outings as a reliever. Jackson has revived his career this season, but history is not on his side when pitching in New York. Mike Fiers Pro: Just like Jackson, Fiers has been consistent since his arrival via trade last month. The As have been victorious in eight of his nine starts, and Fiers has allowed three earned runs or less in eight of those nine. Con: Fiers is experienced with eight big-league seasons, but there arent a whole lot of postseasons under his belt. Hes pitched in one playoff game, an inning of relief with the Houston Astros against the Kansas City Royals in the 2015 ALDS. | https://www.pressdemocrat.com/sports/8787412-181/will-as-go-with-traditional |
Could Microsoft show off its next HoloLens device at Mobile World Congress 2019? | There's been speculation for a couple of months about when and where Microsoft will debut its next-generation HoloLens device. A January 16 invitation to a Microsoft press conference at Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona in late February is fueling the rumors further. Many of us Microsoft watchers believe Microsoft will introduce its new HoloLens mixed-reality device in 2019. Microsoft officials already confirmed that the next HoloLens will feature a custom AI coprocessor, enabling the devices to run AI workloads "at the edge." The next HoloLens also will include the same sensor that is in the Project Kinect for Azure depth-sensor kit that Microsoft unveiled at Build 2018. The CPU in the next HoloLens is believed to be a Qualcomm's Snapdragon 850 mobile processor. Alex Kipman, the father of the HoloLens who is currently Technical Fellow for AI Perception and Mixed Reality in the Cloud and AI Group at Microsoft, is going to be speaking at Microsoft's MWC press conference on Sunday February 24. He will be joined by Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Corporate Vice President of Azure, Julia White. (White may be on hand to make sure that Microsoft's "intelligent cloud/intelligent edge" messaging gets through as part of the announcement.) Kipman was made head of the AI Perception & Mixed Reality Services team as part of Microsoft's big reorganization in March 2018. That team oversees all Microsoft's speech, vision, mixed reality, and other perception capabilities, and is charged with building first-party experiences and cloud services for third parties on Azure. Kipman and team work closely with Harry Shum on all things AI related. Microsoft increasingly has been pushing the HoloLens as a business-focused device, and has introduced a few new business-centric applications for the device, including a hands-free video-calling app called Remote Assist and Microsoft Layout for creating 3D space designs. I asked Microsoft whether the company will show off the next HoloLens at MWC 2019. No word back yet (and not expecting them to confirm this). | https://www.zdnet.com/article/could-microsoft-show-off-its-next-hololens-device-at-mobile-world-congress-2019/ |
Is Google Chromecast what we wanted it to be? | It's been nearly 20 months since Google Chromecast debuted, but after all this time, there's some growing doubts about whether the inexpensive HDMI dongle has lived up to all the initial hype. If you're keen to stream media content, you have many options to choose from, including Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Stick, Roku Streaming Stick, and others. Thus, with streaming media devices aplenty, it's no wonder you've questioned the need for Chromecast. READ: VLC 3.0 will come with Chromecast support across multiple devices A bunch of things, but at its core, the thumb-sized media streaming device plugs into the HDMI port on your TV and allows you to cast content from your Android phone, Android tablet, iPhone, iPad, Mac, Windows laptop, or Chromebook. The process of casting will automatically turn on your television and start streaming said content to the big screen. Setup To get started with Chromecast, you need a display or a TV with an HDMI input. Your Chromecast will plug into the HDMI input, but it also needs access to a power outlet or an USB port on your HDMI-enabled display. Once it's plugged in and ready to go, connect it to your wireless network. It needs a 2.4 GHz 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi network connection. You'll then have to install the Chromecast app by navigating to the Chromecast setup page on your mobile device. The Chromecast app will guide you through any final setup tips (laptop users will also need the Chrome web browser). Apps Chromecast works with several apps, including Netflix, HBO GO, YouTube, WatchESPN, and Pandora. You can check out the Chromecast apps page to see a complete list of apps. The idea is that you can open any one of these apps, such as YouTube, then load whatever is you want to watch or hear, and tap the in-app Cast icon to start streaming to your TV. Mirroring Chromecast also lets you mirror, which means you can send what you see on your laptop or Android device to the TV. If you're on a laptop, you must use the Chrome web browser to mirror. To mirror a website, for instance, load the page in Chrome, then tap the Cast icon in your toolbar, and the page will appear exactly as you see it on your TV. Simples. Streaming local content Everyone has a computer or a hard disk filled with movies, TV shows, and music. Chromecast lets you enjoy that on the big screen. All you need to do is download Plex. It's an app with full support for Chromecast, and it is one of the best ways to enjoy films and TV shows stored on a computer or NAS on the big screen. Another solution is BubbleUpnP. If you have movies on your Android phone or tablet, then the app can stream them in high-definition quality. It only supports formats that can play on the Chromecast and is dependent upon the speed of your home Wi-Fi network. It can even access files stored on your local network. You can also use Chrome browser to stream local stuff. You do not need any apps (except the Google Cast extension for Chrome), but streaming quality is limited to 720p with high bitrate and not all files are supported. Just type the local file's name into the address bar, then once it starts playing in Chrome, you can cast it using the Google Cast extension. Remote control With Chromecast, your mobile device becomes a remote control. Most Chromecast-supported apps will let you search, browse, play, pause, rewind, control the volume, and make playlists. Your friends and family can connect their mobile devices to your Wi-Fi and start casting to your TV or controlling what's playing as well. Custom backdrops Chromecast can turn your TV screen into a backdrop filled with personal artwork and photos whenever it's not actually casting contact. To start using this feature, go to the Chromecast backdrop page. Tips and tricks Check out Pocket-lint's tips and tricks round-up for more information about unlocking Chromecast's true potential. It all depends on you. Chromecast is, admittedly, a weird device, and on its own, it doesnt actually do anything. It's not a home media box like Apple TV. It doesn't come with a remote. You can't plug your external USB drive into it. Chromecast is basically just a wireless display adapter/bridge, or rather something that lets you connect and display whats being shown on the screen of your smartphone, tablet, or PC on your TV. It's the physical form of Apples AirPlay feature, but it is compatible with a wider variety of devices and not just iOS. There's something about the $35 price tag that that makes it easy to say "yes" - even if you only end up using it a few times. Google has also promised to continually update the device, so you know it won't be shelved next week. It's also super compact, so it's not going to take up a lot of space in your entertainment center, but it does need to use up ports on your TV. Sticking with pros, though: Chromecast also has all the major apps covered. Apart from the ones mentioned earlier, it has VLC, Showtime Anytime, Starz Play, Hulu Plus, Vevo, MLB TV, Crackle, Vudu, and more. It's basically super easy for developers to add "Cast" support to existing Android or iOS apps, meaning Chromecast's library of supported apps is just going to keep rapidly expanding. Cons There's no onscreen user interface or a standard remote. You control it with your smartphone or tablet, which means you need to unlock and have your device on-hand every time you want to pause or rewind content. It's also not the most user-friendly device, as many people still have trouble setting up and streaming local content. Rival devices, such as Apple TV and Roku Streaming Stick, have full-fledged interfaces and sometimes come with remotes, making it super easy for both kids and elderly to start watching what they want without any hassle. Speaking of watching stuff, some argue that the app selection could still be improved (like more and better live TV apps). Another major downside is that there is no cross-platform search. On the Roku or Amazon's Fire TV, for instance, you can search for a specific movie or clip or song across all the supported apps. Some third-party apps offer a similar functionality, but it's not even close to speedy, helpful integrated search. And finally, as we hinted at earlier, screen mirroring and casting in general can be spotty. TabCasting is still a beta feature on the Chromecast and isn't available in 1080p, and it doesn't work as well as similar screen-mirroring features available on the Apple TV and latest Macs. Consumers have also complained that the Chromecast's 2.4 GHz 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi network connection is not enough to stream high-definition films from Netflix without suffering from hiccups and caching. Chromecast is dirt cheap, and that's perfect for those of you who want something other than a $100-and-up streaming media box. It also fits neatly behind your TV and is easy to tote around while traveling. If Google wanted to improve its HDMI dongle, it could make screen mirroring and Wi-Fi more stable as well as add an interface and dedicated remote. Google's $35 Chromecast is a fun way to send video and music to your TV, but it still isn't as fully featured as some of the alternative choices available. In a dream world, it would be a better mix of both. But, hey, maybe Google will fulfill all our hopes and desires with a major update by Chromecast's second birthday. Or maybe it won't. Sigh. | https://www.pocket-lint.com/tv/news/google/132797-is-google-chromecast-what-we-wanted-it-to-be |
Can feds help ease housing crisis in Bay Area and beyond? | As housing costs spiral up faster than worker incomes, U.S. Rep. Mark DeSaulnier thinks federal housing policy could use a shot of Silicon Valley innovation. The Concord Democrat has introduced a bill to create a new federal Office of Housing Innovation to provide grants across the country for local housing plans, oversee pilot projects for housing development and foster community discussions about smart planning and growth. The proposal comes as housing prices continue to set records in California and climb in many parts of the country. While other regions are not yet at Bay Area extremes, DeSaulnier said working families across the nation are running out of affordable housing options, making commutes longer and pushing the country to the brink of a housing crisis. Policy makers have to understand the urgency of now, he said. The Office of Housing Innovation would have a $100 million annual budget to create and manage grants to local governments, universities and nonprofits seeking to grow and diversify housing supply. Lack of supply in California is the major driver to record-setting prices. The Bay Area created about six times as many jobs as new housing units between 2010 and 2015, according to a study by the Silicon Valley Leadership Group. Median home prices in the region have soared past $1 million in San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Rents and home prices have risen much faster than median income, according to federal statistics. Since 1960, the median income of renters nationally has risen 5 percent, while rents have increased by 61 percent. Homeowner incomes nationally have risen 50 percent, but home prices have more than doubled in constant dollars. DeSaulnier said a similar federal program in the Department of Transportation has aided Bay Area transportation planning. In housing policy, he sees opportunities to expand available housing through converting existing properties, building accessory dwelling units and encouraging formal planning sessions where community members can find compromises on major local projects. This is a start, he said. I wish we could do more. State policymakers have debated whether cities and towns largely in control of how much and what kind of housing gets built have too much power to choke new construction. But California voters this year sent mixed signals about government involvement in housing policy. Voters rejected Proposition 10, which would have allowed cities to bring rent control to more units, but passed bond proposals to fund affordable housing. Amie Fishman, executive director of the Nonprofit Housing Association of Northern California, said the federal government has always played a large role in developing housing policy for the country. The federal government backs mortgages, helps veterans secure home loans, and funds affordable housing for the poor, among other programs. Innovations such as the standard 30-year fixed mortgage and the new roads and highways that enabled the growth of suburbs were developed at a national level, she said. Fishman believes Washington now could encourage innovation in construction, transit-friendly development and new ways to fund and build affordable housing. Its a national issue, but weve been at the tip of the spear in the Bay Area, she said. We need to do big solutions. Kevin Zwick, CEO of Housing Trust Silicon Valley, said the DeSaulnier bill offers a welcome incentive to municipalities to plan for future population and housing growth. Zwick noted that regulations enforced under President George W. Bush gave a push to counties to establish 10-year plans to counter chronic homeless. The federal program boosted the work of local homeless agencies across the Bay Area, he said. | https://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/8997662-181/can-feds-help-ease-housing |
Does housing affordability matter? Is homebuying you-get-what-you-pay-for? | Take California, which usually scores low on the traditional affordability ladder. Its homeowners are currently making their house payments with greater frequency. The states home listings are priced at 55 percent of normal affordability, according to one housing-cost index from the National Association of Realtors. That ranks next to last nationally. But just 1.2 percent of Californians who own a home have a delinquent mortgage, the ninth-best payment-making rate among the states, according to loan tracker CoreLogic. While Im not trying to diminish the anguish of many frustrated house hunters, tracking housing expenses is a good reflection of the regional economys oomph. I loaded my trusty spreadsheet with various economic and housing markers plus the recent ranking of state rankings I compiled to ponder how housing affordability translated to other measurements of life. But you dont need a trusty spreadsheet to know you dont buy or keep a home without a steady paycheck. So when California bosses were adding employees at a 1 percent annual pace in November, 20th best among the states, that created more competition for those seeking homeownership. These seemingly conflicting California trends being able to afford the supposedly unaffordable house payments were commonly found across the nation when I compared the most-affordable states for homebuying the top third, ranked by the Realtor metric vs. the least affordable in the bottom third. Look at mortgage delinquency trends from CoreLogic for the third quarter: An average 4.1 percent of owners in the most affordable states were late payers vs. 3.5 percent for the least affordable states. Again, jobs help explain this gap. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows 1.2 percent yearly growth in employment for the most affordable states vs. 2.2 percent for the least. Now to be fair to those affordable states, homeownership (tracked by the US Census Bureau) paralleled affordability: averaging 69 percent for states with the highest Realtor grades vs. 63 percent for the least affordable. But that was a rare benchmark that gave an edge to the high-affordability states. Obviously, paychecks help pay a borrowers bills. However, added incomes across a region tend to push home prices higher the house hunters double-edged sword! The same hiring spree that put them in a home-buying mood also makes housing costlier to buy. Looking at my compilation of state rankings 14 state-vs.-state scorecards on various slices of life suggests a you get what you pay for situation. The 17 most affordable states which include national leader Ohio plus West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Wisconsin and Maryland had a lowly average ranking of 30th best. The 17 costlier states which in addition to California includes New York, Nevada, Florida, Arizona and Texas had a far-loftier No. 20 average grade. Im not saying our national thirst for rankings proves much, but this math hints that less affordable regions may at least have fewer bells and whistles. Digging further into the 14 rankings, it was of little surprise where it was cheaper to live places with affordable housing. A broad-based cost-of-living scorecard from the state of Missouri gave most most affordable states an average No. 19 rank vs. No. 37 for least affordable. Plus, the most affordable states were good for drivers: The transportation scorecard by Bankrate translated to the most affordable states having a No. 18 average rank vs. No. 37 for least affordable. An index of personal freedoms from the Cato Institute shows little difference between the states when housing affordability was concerned. And WalletHubs scoring of states for family-rearing qualities had least affordable states just slightly behind most affordable: No. 25 average rank vs. No. 21. The other 10 scorecards decidedly favored most affordable states: Worker rights (ranked by Oxfam), education (US News); business climate (CNBC); healthcare (United Health Foundation); economy (24/7 Wall Street); livability (Gallup) and population growth (Census). That last one was perhaps most surprising. And its not a small gap: thin 0.2 percent population growth for most affordable states in 2018 vs. swifter 1 percent for the pricier locales. Its real estates three magic words: Jobs. Jobs. Jobs. Have work, and they will come. Even if life costs more. And sadly job creation is what most affordability measurements barely track. Yes, more jobs can nudge up whatever income metric these affordability trackers apply to their calculations. But its how many higher salaries are created what boosts the number of house hunters that makes a housing market hum or collapse! So when folks wonder aloud How can anybody afford to live in California? theres a really simple answer: Jobs. Huge job losses meant that housing was unaffordable. No matter what any affordability metric said. | https://www.dailybreeze.com/2019/01/16/does-affordability-matter-housing-is-more-of-a-you-get-what-you-pay-for-model/ |
Are Google's clip together screens Project Ara for TV? | Imagine combining all the screens in your house, or with your mates' screens, to create a giant display. This is what Google is reportedly working on right now. It could be the future for Project Ara, the modular phone too. According to The Wall Street Journal this new project is one of the latest for Google X Lab, which is also working on self-driving cars. The screens of multiple displays will reportedly plug together, like smart Lego, to make small screens into a larger one. This is the same modular way of working that Project Ara utilises. The exciting part is that the screens will be completely bezel-free so that they can clip together for a screen without any visible join lines. If these screens are the same ones that can be used on Project Ara smartphones it should mean we can expect totally bezel-free smartphones from Google as soon as January. If not it means we could clip together multiple screens from the home, for movie night say, and have one giant TV. Google is also working on a modular phone called Project Ara which is due for launch in January. This will be made up of modular parts that can be swapped out, many without even powering down the device. This will allow people to spend on the parts they deem useful and upgrade partially rather than needing a new phone every time they upgrade. This new screen system could be separate to that at this stage although it's likely the two will overlap at some point. We doubt the screens will be ready for the launch of Project Ara as, according to WSJ, Google is still dealing with the challenge of getting a single image across the screens. But since we won't hear about the Ara launch until January there is still time to hope. Apart from creating a large TV there may be other uses Google has in mind for link-up mobile screens, but it looks like we may have to wait a while before we find out what those are. READ: Google's Project Ara modular smartphone will let you swap out parts, while turned on | https://www.pocket-lint.com/tv/news/google/131247-are-google-s-clip-together-screens-project-ara-for-tv |
Is That Spring I See Up Ahead? | Don't think of it as 'The dead of winter'. Think of it as 'I see spring up ahead there!' This is the time of year when, well, I've had enough of winter. I'm just not a winter person. If you are, well bless your heart, you must be lovin' this time of year. As for me, I'm looking for any sign of spring I can find. And that means looking ahead just a wee little bit. We're about a month away from two signs that spring isn't in the far off distance. The Daytona 500 is February 17. Now, while we sit here in the cold and snow, the kids ( at my age they're all kids to me ) will go round and round and round down in Florida. Who's that??' It's all part of the fun and magic that is the Daytona 500. And you can hear it on 100.1 KXRB FM. It'll kick off a 24 NASCAR Energy Cup Season that KXRB FM will carry this race season. The other night I was watching MLB TV and heard one of the guys say 'Well, pitchers and catchers report in about a month'. Ah...the pitchers and catchers report...those words mean it's not all that long til spring. When you get those boys down to Spring Training, that means balls and strikes are just around the corner. And for me it's the Minnesota Twins , and has been since the days of Killebrew and Kaat, Oliva and Zoilo. The Twins Winter Caravan was in Sioux Falls Monday (January 14), so now it's time to look ahead. And the cool thing is, to me baseball is meant for radio, and Information 1000 KSOO will have the Twins on all season! By the way, the Twins open the regular season March 28 hosting the Cleveland Indians. So that bright light you see through the fog, mist and snow is spring. | http://ksoo.com/is-that-spring-i-see-up-ahead/ |
What Does Adam McKay Think About Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump Seeing Vice? | Its safe to say that filmmaker Adam McKay does not have a lot of love for the conservative GOP. McKays latest big-screen effort, Vice, isnt exactly complimentary of the right, dealing as does with Dick Cheneys (Christian Bale, our predicted winner at the Oscars this year) rise through politics and eventual tenure as Vice President of the United States under George W. Bush (played with hilarious obliviousness by Sam Rockwell). Not much, except that it would have made for a great joke in Vice. Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, who serve as advisers to President Donald Trump, reportedly saw the film recently but left partway through. That little tidbit tickled McKay to his core. Someone told me that yeah, McKay said with a laugh on a recent episode of Entertainment Weeklys The Awardist podcast. Thats one of the least surprising things Ive ever heard. Subscribe to Observers Entertainment Newsletter He continued: It felt like a scene we would actually shoot for Vice, where you would show the audience at one point and see Jared and Ivanka get up and walk out. We actually at one point toyed with showing shots of the actual audience, and that would have been something we would have done. Yeah, thats pretty remarkable. In Vice, McKay imagines key figures of the Republican party from the last 40 years as power-hungry status-mongers who manipulate the government to maintain their positions. Though at times it feels as if the movie is almost glorifying immorality, similar to The Wolf of Wall Street, it clearly paints Cheney as a cunning ladder-climber who puts the supposed beliefs of his party secondary to his own agenda. Bale goes beyond merely capturing the essence of the manwhich he does phenomenallyby imbuing him with a shocking yet subdued disdain for the public he is meant to be serving. Itd all be pretty hilarious if it werent so terrifying. For what its worth, McKay described Cheney as a pretty thick-skinned guy and doesnt think he would mind the movie. In the same podcast episode, he said, [Cheney is] a weird contradiction because theres part of himhes always served power. Hes been like the right-hand man to power. So he gets a big kick when people call him, like, Darth Vader, or when they pay attention to him. I think theres actually some insecurity in him about his power, and he loves being portrayed as powerful. So anyway, long-winded way of saying yes, I think he would really get a kick out of being depicted in a movie. And holy moly, what Christian does in showing him is just freakish. To depict it that accurately, I would think he would have to get a kick out of it. | https://observer.com/2019/01/vice-ivanka-trump-jared-kushner-dick-cheney-adam-mckay/ |
Is Game of Thrones still the most pirated TV show? | With just a few episodes left to be aired, Game of Thrones season four is almost at an end and just looking at the US viewing figures alone, it has been the most successful for HBO yet. It has also been the most successful for the stealyweb too, with the second episode setting a new record shortly after its American debut by hitting a massive 193,418 seeds at one point for just one file. A seed is registered for each person currently sharing a file via BitTorrent, either while they themselves are downloading it or after it has been completed. That figure doesn't include people who have already downloaded the show and not sharing it again after. It is estimated that roughly 1.5 million people downloaded that episode, in which King Joffrey and Margaery Tyrell were to be wed, in just one day. To find out, we looked at files listed on The Pirate Bay, still the most popular Torrent site in the world. The day after the episode was aired in the UK, Game of Thrones season four episode seven hit almost 100,000 seeds for the standard definition copy, almost 50,000 for the 720p HD. This doesn't even include the numerous duplicates also listed on the site or alternative TV rips. We can safely say that, yes, the show is still enormously popular amongst the illegal downloading community, albeit slightly down on the more talked about episodes in its recent past. However, in terms of legitimate television viewing figures, it was the most viewed episode of Game of Thrones in the States since the show's beginning in 2011. It received 7.2 million viewers in the US alone, over half a million more than the premiere episode of the season. It's also almost three and a half times more viewers than the very first episode of season one. A lot of hype and anticipation surrounded Jack Baeur's return to screens after a four year absence, so if anything could break Game of Thrones' dominance of the king of the Torrents it would be 24: Live Another Day. Or so you would think. Instead, the most downloaded standard definition version of episode four stood at just under 9,500 seeds. The most popular 720p HD version was seeded (when we looked) just 2,867 times. A Game of Thrones beater it is not then. Not by a long chalk. Legitimate viewing figures for the episode were yet to be released at the time of writing, but the previous episode accrued 6.48 million viewers in the US. As it nears its conclusion, with the seventh and final series almost half way through, you would think that Mad Men would be more popular than it is proving to be, both via BitTorrent and in TV viewing figures. The most popular standard def version of episode six, at the time of looking, was being seeded around 5,500 times and the HD a little over 2,000. TV viewing figures seem to reflect the lack of interest - in the US at least - with just 1.86 million watching the previous episode. Accurate viewing figures for episode seven are still yet to be revealed. The second season of the small screen appearances of DC Comics' Green Arrow tells a similar story. The latest episode, episode 23, of the series was seeded almost 10,000 times for the most popular standard definition version, just over 2,000 times for the HD. Its viewing figures were revealed to be 2.37 million. So, in conclusion, none of the big event TV shows can match Game of Thrones when it comes to the pirate network, which will actually come as some comfort to their respective broadcasters. In fact, the only TV show that came close in our admittedly quick straw poll was comedy The Big Bang Theory. The most popular standard definition version of its latest episode was seeded over 21,500 times. The HD version was seeded far less, at just under 3,000 times. Game of Thrones therefore remains an internet phenomenon, especially on the shadier side of the tracks. | https://www.pocket-lint.com/tv/news/128970-is-game-of-thrones-still-the-most-pirated-tv-show |
Is Turkmenistan Being Pulled Into Russia's Orbit? | April will mark 10 years since a mysterious explosion at a gas pipeline leading from Turkmenistan to Russia. It was arguably the low point in already uneasy relations between Ashgabat and Moscow. In the years that followed the blast, Turkmen-Russian ties were maintained at a bare minimum. There has been a shift since 2016, possibly driven by the Kremlin's concerns about the security situation in northern Afghanistan and the ability of Tajikistan and Turkmenistan to contain any such threat from spreading to countries from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). The Turkmen-Russian rapprochement is not necessarily the result of any mutual desire to improve relations; it is being initiated almost entirely by a carrot-and-stick approach emanating from Moscow. Turkmenistan is simply in no position to resist at this point. Ashgabat's official policy of neutrality is no longer a shield. Vulnerable Ashgabat The weak position Turkmenistan finds itself in today is arguably of the government's own making. On December 12, 1995, the UN General Assembly recognized Turkmenistan's status of permanent neutrality, something of an amorphous distinction. In Ashgabat's view, permanent neutrality legitimized policies that sealed off the country from the outside world. Revenues from Turkmenistan's sales of natural gas (the country has the world's fourth-largest gas reserves) enabled the government to isolate the country and still provide for domestic needs. Turkmen foreign policy was dominated by trade, specifically its gas exports. In 2007, with world gas prices on the rise, Russia had promised to pay "European prices" to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan for their gas. In 2008, Turkmenistan sold gas to two countries: Russia, via Soviet-era pipelines; and Iran, via a pipeline completed in 1997. That year, Turkmenistan sold some 40 billion cubic meters (bcm) to Russia -- and there were negotiations to boost that by another 5-8 bcm -- and 5-6 bcm to Iran. Iran paid by barter, but Russia paid in currency. Russia was paying about $140 per 1,000 cubic meters -- up more than fourfold from $32 per 1,000 cubic meters less than a decade earlier -- for Turkmen gas. Additionally, construction was well under way on new gas pipelines leading from Turkmenistan to China and Turkmenistan to Iran, respectively. Gas prices dropped during 2008. The Russian daily Vremya Novostei reported in April 2009 that Gazprom had lost more than $1 billion purchasing Central Asian gas in the first quarter. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan agreed to lower their prices; Turkmenistan did not. And when the explosion hit the gas pipeline on April 9, 2009, Turkmenistan's government complained loudly that it was Russia's fault. The result was a halt in Turkmen gas exports to Russia. When, in 2011, the two sides finally agreed on a resumption of supplies, and the pipeline was repaired, Russia said it would take no more than 11 bcm per year. By 2015, that had dropped to some 4 bcm; and at the end of that year, Gazprom announced it would not purchase any gas from Turkmenistan. Russia has not bought any Turkmen gas since then. Gas exports were really Turkmenistan's main link to Russia. Ashgabat had attempted for years to keep Moscow at arm's length, and that extended to Russian-dominated organizations. Turkmenistan's first president, Saparmurat Niyazov, was not an ardent supporter of the CIS. He was already skipping CIS summits in 1992, just one year after its establishment. In August 2005, Niyazov sent a former bodyguard who'd recently been appointed Turkmenistan's deputy prime minister in charge of CIS affairs, Aganiyaz Akyev, to an informal CIS summit in Kazan, Russia, to announce that Turkmenistan was officially reducing its status in the CIS to "associate member." And part of the Turkmen government's interpretation of permanent neutrality is the avoidance of membership in any military blocs, such as the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) that Central Asian neighbors Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan are all members of and which Uzbekistan has twice been a member of in the past. Economic Freefall At the start of 2017, Turkmenistan suspended supplies of natural gas to Iran, claiming Tehran owed some $1.8 billion for supplies delivered nearly 10 years before. With Russia having canceled its gas deal with Turkmenistan one year earlier, this left Turkmenistan with one gas customer -- China, a country that had loaned Turkmenistan billions of dollars to develop gas fields that would supply China and build the pipelines to carry that gas to China. An unspecified portion of that gas goes toward paying off Turkmen loans from China. At the start of 2016, China was reportedly paying $185 per 1,000 cubic meters, but the China National Petroleum Corp sent a delegation to Turkmenistan in February 2017 to negotiate a lower price. The results of those talks were never made public, but it seems unlikely Turkmenistan could reject the Chinese request for lower gas prices. The result of lower gas prices and fewer customers has been an economic freefall in Turkmenistan. Never since the country became independent in late 1991 has the economic situation in Turkmenistan been as bad as it is right now. People wait in line for flour, bread, and other basic goods, all of which are rationed and often require personal-identification documents to purchase. Turkmenistan has security problems, too. In the late 1990s, when the Taliban controlled most of Afghanistan, including areas bordering Central Asia, Turkmenistan was the sole CIS state to engage the Taliban diplomatically. Under President Niyazov, Turkmenistan, referring to its neutral status, managed to establish amiable ties with the Taliban, much to the displeasure of Turkmenistan's Central Asian neighbors and Russia, who all viewed the Taliban as a threat. After 2001, when the U.S.-led coalition began operations in Afghanistan, the northwestern provinces remained relatively calm. Turkmenistan seemingly had little to worry about from its southern neighbor. Current President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov has not fared as well. By the start of 2014, the situation in northern Afghanistan changed. Three Turkmen border guards were reportedly killed along the Afghan border in late February 2014 and three Turkmen soldiers in May. Since then, there have been reports of further clashes between Turkmen troops and militants from Afghanistan, but Turkmen authorities have denied, or more usually said nothing, about such incidents, insisting the border with Afghanistan is calm. As recently as November 28, Naqibullah Faiq, the governor of Afghanistan's Faryab Province, one of the four Afghan provinces bordering Turkmenistan, said 80 percent of his province was under Taliban control. And even if the Taliban might not threaten Turkmenistan, there are hundreds, certainly, of foreign militants in northern Afghanistan, stateless people who pay no heed to state borders. The Turkmen government has ordered snap military drills and increased defense spending since 2014 without explaining the sudden need for either. Advantage Russia Other interested parties see the situation along the Turkmen-Afghan border differently. Russian officials have expressed concerns about developments there. On January 3, 2016, Aleksandr Sternik, the director of the Russian Foreign Ministry's Third CIS Department, said Moscow was prepared to help Turkmenistan strengthen its border with Afghanistan. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov repeated the offer during a visit to Turkmenistan at the end of that month. Just a few months previously, in October 2015, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev expressed concern about the Turkmen-Afghan border at a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Turkmenistan's Foreign Ministry repeatedly claimed there was no problem along its border with Afghanistan, even with Afghan media showing footage of fighting in areas along the Turkmen border. The Kremlin didn't seem to believe Turkmen authorities' tales of tranquility along the Afghan frontier, which Russian officials with increasing frequency referred to as the "CIS border" with Afghanistan. On June 9, 2016, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu made an unannounced visit to Turkmenistan. Turkmen media was general in its reporting of Shoigu's visit, but Russian media was more to the point: Shoigu was in Ashgabat to "offer" Russia's help in strengthening Turkmenistan's military capabilities, including weapons sales and training. On November 14, 2018, Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported on a CIS border-guard meeting in Tokmok, Kyrgyzstan, where officials discussed a "significant deterioration in the situation on the border of Turkmenistan and Afghanistan." Two days later, the Turkmen Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying the RIA Novosti report "did not correspond to reality" and calling the report "unfriendly." 'Real Danger' On November 22, the acting general secretary of the CSTO, Valery Semerikov, said in a statement posted on the CSTO website that there was a "real danger" from IS groups forming in Afghanistan along the borders with Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. And on December 25, the acting head of Russia's Central Military District, Yevgeny Ustinov, said Russia's military had renewed joint training with military forces from Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. Ustinov did not elaborate on this new cooperation with Turkmenistan's armed forces, but it seems evident Russia has forced its military assistance on Turkmenistan whether Ashgabat wants it or not. Another example of Russian pressure on Turkmenistan happened on December 7. Lavrov raised the issue of people in Turkmenistan who had dual Turkmen-Russian citizenship, saying Russia was waiting for information about them. In 2003, Turkmenistan unilaterally withdrew from a 1993 dual-citizenship agreement it had made with Russia. It took this action following a purported assassination attempt on President Niyazov in November 2002. Several of the suspects subsequently arrested had dual citizenship and had reportedly been traveling between Russia and Turkmenistan prior to the purported attack. Those who had dual citizenship prior to 2003 maintained that status. "We expect concrete information about this soon," Lavrov said on December 7, adding a mention of Boris Shikhmuradov, Turkmenistan's former foreign minister who was imprisoned after being found guilty of planning the alleged 2002 assassination attempt. International rights groups have been calling on Turkmenistan for years to release information about Shikhmuradov and show him publicly to prove he is still alive. Lavrov's mention of Shikhmuradov therefore raised a sensitive issue for Turkmen authorities. There has been no public Russian follow-up of Lavrov's December remarks, leading one to wonder if this was a Kremlin reminder of another lever it had at its disposal. Russia seems to have drawn Turkmenistan closer to the CIS, too. Berdymukhammedov has been no more enthusiastic publicly about the CIS than his predecessor, Niyazov; but as an agreement on the legal status of the Caspian Sea drew closer, something vitally connected to Turkmenistan's gas export future, Berdymukhammedov started showing up at CIS summits. Berdymukhammedov made a memorable appearance at a summit in Sochi in October 2017, when Vladimir Putin received a puppy that the Turkmen leader was literally dangling in front of the Russian president as a gift. At a September 2018 CIS summit in Dushanbe that Berdymukhammedov did not attend (the Caspian Convention was signed in August 2018), Turkmenistan was given the rotating CIS chairmanship for 2019. Turkmenistan is now preparing to host the 2019 meetings of CIS prime ministers, CIS foreign ministers, and the CIS summit in October. Russia is also using its economic leverage. Gazprom head Aleksei Miller visited Turkmenistan on October 9 and November 28 to discuss a possible resumption of purchases of Turkmen gas. Turkmen gas exports have always been the ultimate tie that binds the two countries, but the situation now is very different than it was more than 10 years ago when Russia was buying 30-40 bcm of gas from Ashgabat. Russia has developed several large fields since then and added thousands of kilometers of gas pipelines. Russia and Gazprom did need Turkmen gas in the first decade of this century, but that is arguably no longer true. Whether the answer is either, both, or something else, Turkmenistan desperately needs to sell more of its gas -- and the sooner, the better. What Gazprom has to offer Turkmenistan is immediate exports. The pipeline is there; only an agreement is lacking. Turkmen officials were optimistic a deal would be reached by the end of 2018; but halfway into January there is still no word, so sticking points could still remain. If or when the two parties reach a deal, volumes are unlikely to exceed 4-5 bcm and the price is unlikely to be as much as Turkmenistan might wish. But then, Turkmen authorities and President Berdymukhammedov probably wish many things were different about the reality they now face. Turkmenistan has few if any real friends, an abundance of problems, and has left itself open to the intervention of a big power. Ashgabat might not be able to say "no" to Russia at this point. The views expressed in this blog post do not necessarily reflect those of RFE/RL. | https://www.rferl.org/a/iqshloq-ovozi-turkmenistan-pulled-into-russia-s-orbit/29713898.html |
Is Sears Closing Its Doors? | NEW YORK (AP) Sears will live on at least for now. The companys chairman and largest shareholder, Eddie Lampert, won a bankruptcy auction for Sears, averting liquidation of the iconic chain, according to a source familiar with the negotiations. The person agreed to speak on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the negotiation publicly. Lampert is the only one to put out a bid for the whole company. The 56-year-old billionaire had sweetened his bid to more than $5 billion over the last few days through an affiliate of his hedge fund ESL. Details of the final terms couldnt be learned. The plan still must be approved by the bankruptcy judge in White Plains, New York, who is presiding over the court case. Lampert, who steered the company into bankruptcy protection, may be able to keep the roughly 400 remaining Sears stores open, meaning tens of thousands of jobs have been saved, at least for now. Whether Sears, founded 132 years ago as a mail-order watch business, can survive in the Amazon era remains questionable. Already, Sears has outlasted Toys R Us, Sports Authority, Bon-Ton Stores and dozens of others that were unable to survive the torrents of a massive recession and unrelenting technological change. Sears, which also operates Kmart, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in October. At that time, it had 687 stores and 68,000 workers. At its peak in 2012, its stores numbered 4,000. Lampert, who gave up the CEO title when the Sears filed for chapter 11, says theres still potential for the company. Industry analysts are not so sure. While theres no doubt that a shrunken Sears will be more viable than the larger entity, which struggled to turn a profit, we remain extremely pessimistic about the chains future, said Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData Retail. In our view, Sears exits this process with almost as many problems as it had when it entered bankruptcy protection. In essence, its hand has not changed, and the cards it holds are not winning ones. To survive, Sears needs to overhaul its business, revitalize aging stores and focus on major appliance and tools sales, say industry analysts. Still, it wont be easy. Walmart, Target and others have been heavily investing in stores and expanding online. The difference is that they have the capital to keep spending. Under Lampert, Sears has survived by spinning off stores and selling brands that had grown synonymous with the company, like Craftsman. Lampert has loaned out his own money and cobbled together deals to keep the company afloat, though critics said he has done so with the aim of benefiting his ESL hedge fund. ESL has maintained that the moves put much needed cash into the business. Lampert personally owns 31 percent of the Sears outstanding shares and his hedge fund has an 18.5 percent stake, according to FactSet. Four years ago the company created a real estate investment trust to extract revenue from the enormous number of properties owned by Sears. It sold and leased back more than 200 properties to the REIT, in which Lampert is a significant stake holder. He stands to realize a big tax gain keeping Sears alive, using the companys years of net operating losses to offset future taxable income if one of his other companies takes over the chain, says David Tawil, president and co-founder of Maglan Capital, which follows distressed companies. Tawil and others believe Lampert wants to be in full control of liquidating Sears assets, including real estate. Lampert combined Sears with Kmart in 2005, about two years after he helped bring Kmart out of bankruptcy. He pledged to return Sears to greatness, but that never happened. The company, hammered during the recession and outmatched in its aftermath by shifting consumer trends and strong rivals, hasnt had a profitable year since 2010 and has suffered 11 straight years of annual sales declines. Lampert has been criticized for not investing in the stores, which remain shabby. | https://rare.us/rare-news/across-the-u-s-a/sears-closing/ |
Who Are the Al-Shabaab Militants Plaguing Kenya? | People take cover during the attack in Nairobi on Jan. 15, 2019. (Bloomberg) The al-Shabaab group in Somalia has claimed responsibility for a coordinated attack on a hotel and office complex in Nairobi, capital of neighboring Kenya, that left at least 14 people dead. The al-Qaeda affiliated group warns that attacks will continue as long as Kenya maintains its soldiers in an African Union force that is helping prop up Somalias government. The Islamic militant group splintered from the Islamic Courts Union, which controlled Mogadishu, Somalias capital, for about six months in 2006. It has waged an insurgency against the government ever since. Its previous attacks in Kenya include a 2015 raid on a university campus that claimed at least 147 lives, and an assault on Nairobis Westgate shopping mall in 2013, when 67 died. Al-Shabaabs then-leader Ahmed Abdi Godane was killed by a U.S. drone strike in 2014 and he was succeeded by Ahmed Umar. The group swore allegiance to al-Qaeda in 2012, and it competes with Islamic State for members and support. 2. The U.S. Council on Foreign Relations estimates that al-Shabaab, whose name is Arabic for the youth, has 7,000-9,000 fighters. The Hiraal Institute in Mogadishu says the group skillfully uses clan elders to manage and control local populations, collect taxes, raise armies, and settle disputes. 3. Al-Shabaab has sought to topple Somalias government and impose its version of Islamic law on the country. It has demanded the African Union withdraw all its troops that are helping support President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohameds administration. Besides having staged more than 150 attacks in Kenya since the country intervened in Somalia in 2011, its members have carried out bombings in Uganda and Djibouti, which have also contributed personnel to the African mission. 4. At the peak of its power, al-Shabaab controlled large swathes of Somalia, including Mogadishu and the port of Kismayo. While it has been weakened by the African Union intervention and driven out of the capital and other urban strongholds, it still wields control over some rural parts of central and southern Somalia, and regularly attacks Somali government facilities and civilians. Its ability to operate in Kenya was curbed after the government there stepped up counter-terrorism efforts, and al-Shabaab has mainly resorted to providing indirect support to affiliates engaged in low-level insurgencies rather than stage complex attacks itself, according to Ed Hobey-Hamsher, an Africa analyst at Verisk Maplecroft. The Reference Shelf A Bloomberg story on the hotel attack and another on how it may affect the tourism industry. A U.S. Council on Foreign Relations report on al-Shabaab. The IMFs summary page on Kenya. BBC country profile of Kenya. To contact the reporters on this story: David Herbling in Nairobi at [email protected];Mike Cohen in Cape Town at [email protected] To contact the editors responsible for this story: Karl Maier at [email protected], Michael Gunn, Andy Reinhardt 2019 Bloomberg L.P. | https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/who-are-the-al-shabaab-militants-plaguing-kenya/2019/01/16/d558796c-19b5-11e9-b8e6-567190c2fd08_story.html |
What are the alternatives to May's rejected Brexit deal? | After Tuesday nights crushing defeat for Theresa Mays Brexit deal, there is perhaps one thing on which almost all MPs can agree: there is no obvious consensual route forward. Following are the main possibilities, the obstacles they face and an educated guess at how much support they might command. Most of them would probably involve an extension of article 50 beyond the 29 March deadline. Revoking article 50 is also possible, but unlikely without a second referendum. Tweaked version of Mays deal This appears to be the prime ministers current choice: use the heavy loss to go back to Brussels and beg for another concession on the Irish backstop. The problem is that the only changes to the mechanism that would change minds a guaranteed end date and/or a unilateral pull-out mechanism have been definitively ruled out by the EU. Likely support in Commons: little more than the 202 seen on Tuesday if May secures no real changes. Quick guide Brexit and backstops: an explainer Show Hide A backstop is required to ensure there is no hard border in Ireland if a comprehensive free trade deal cannot be signed before the end of 2020. Theresa May has proposed to the EU that the whole of the UK would remain in the customs union after Brexit, but Brussels has said it needs more time to evaluate the proposal. As a result, the EU insists on having its own backstop - the backstop to the backstop - which would mean Northern Ireland would remain in the single market and customs union in the absence of a free trade deal, prompting fierce objections from Conservative hard Brexiters and the DUP, which props up her government. That prompted May to propose a country-wide alternative in which the whole of the UK would remain in parts of the customs union after Brexit. The EU still requires a backstop to the backstop effectively an insurance policy for the insurance policy. And they want this to be the Northern Ireland-only solution that they had previously proposed, May told MPs. Raising the stakes, the prime minister said the EUs insistence amounted to a threat to the constitution of the UK: We have been clear that we cannot agree to anything that threatens the integrity of our United Kingdom, she added. No-deal departure This is still the default option if MPs find no other way out a departure on 29 March and a switch to trading on World Trade Organisation terms. However, the Commons has already shown there is a clear majority against this happening, by backing Labour MP Yvette Coopers amendment seeking to prevent it happening. And plenty of senior Conservatives have made it clear they would not let May push ahead with this. Likely support in Commons: perhaps fewer than 100 would accept it; many fewer want it as a stated ideal choice. Norway-plus/single market/Efta These options are closely interlinked, if not the same for example, the plus in Norway-plus refers to the intention of keeping the UK in a customs union as well as a single market, either permanently or until a solution to the Irish border issue can be found. Norway is among the four members of the European Free Trade Association (Efta) as was the UK before it joined the then-European Economic Community in 1973. Such versions of Brexit would limit economic damage, but require continued freedom of movement for people, which is politically difficult. Also, senior Norwegian politicians have said they would not welcome the UK re-entering Efta. Likely support in Commons: extremely hard to say. Perhaps around 200, made up mainly of Labour MPs, plus some Conservatives and the Scottish National party. It all depends on the other options on the table. Show Hide This soft Brexit compromise has been championed by the former Conservative minister Nick Boles as a plan B for leaving the European Union. It is based on Norways relationship with the EU, which is outside the bloc and the customs union but inside the single market. Under the plan the UK would have to join Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland in the European Free Trade Association (Efta), which would then allow it to participate in the European Economic Area (EEA). The plus in this option refers to a temporary customs union with the EU, which would need to be negotiated to avoid a hard border ion the island of Ireland. The temporary arrangement would remain in place until the EU and UK agreed a specific trade deal. The option has the advantage of being as close to the EU as possible without full membership, and it would do away with the need for a problematic backstop for Northern Ireland. Like Norway, the UK would be outside the common fisheries and agriculture policies, and would not be subject to the European court of justice. But it crosses a key red line for Brexiters by continuing freedom of movement, one of the preconditions of single market membership. It would also limit the UK ability to negotiate its own trade deals while a new customs arrangement is under discussion. And it would require continued financial contributions to the EU without an influence inside the bloc. Customs union To be precise, a customs union, as Labour term it, to distinguish it from the existing one based around the EU. Labour, the main proponent of the idea, says it would help businesses with supply chains and solve the Irish border issue. May argues that it goes against the referendum result as it would preclude the UK signing its own trade deals. Likely support in Commons: most of Labours 256 MPs would back this in a whipped vote. Support from others would depend on the rival options on offer. Show Hide A customs union is an agreement by a group of countries, such as the EU, to all apply the same tariffs on imported goods from the rest of the world and, typically, eliminate them entirely for trade within the group. By doing this, they can help avoid the need for costly and time-consuming customs checks during trade between members of the union. Asian shipping containers arriving at Felixstowe or Rotterdam, for example, need only pass through customs once before their contents head to markets all over Europe. Lorries passing between Dover and Calais avoid delay entirely. Customs are not the only checks that count imports are also scrutinised for conformity with trading standards regulations and security and immigration purposes but they do play an important role in determining how much friction there is at the border. A strict customs regime at Dover or between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland would lead to delays that will be costly for business and disruptive for travellers. Just-in-time supply chains in industries such as car making could suffer. An Irish peace process built around the principle of entirely unfettered travel between north and south could be jeopardised. Second referendum Otherwise styled as a peoples vote by one of the groups advocating it, arguing it would not merely be a repeat referendum but a fresh choice now that the facts of Brexit are known. On the plus side, it would end the deadlock in parliament. Negatives include considerable complexities on timing and vote mechanics, and the bad feeling it could stir in leavers who insist the matter was settled in 2016. Likely support in Commons: extremely hard to say, anything from 170 to 300, depending on a variety of factors, including whether Labour adopts the plan, and the other options. | https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jan/16/what-are-the-alternatives-to-mays-rejected-brexit-deal |
Is federal shutdown affecting Vermonters? | Expand Photo by Lou Varricchio If the shutdown continues into February, more low- and moderate-income Vermonters and dairy farmers will be impacted. Farmers have not received a federal payment that was due in December to help mitigate the impact of tariffs. Pictured: The Pomainville dairy farm in Middlebury. MIDDLEBURY | According to anecdotal reports heard by The Eagle, few Vermonters working locally in the private sector, at this time, are being affected by the partial federal government shutdown. There are little if any outward signs of closure visible in the local economy at the moment. However, local dairy farmers may be affected soon if federal payments are delayed. Farmers have not received a federal payment that was due in December to help mitigate the impact of tariffs, according to the St. Albans Dairy Cooperative. Depending upon which political party sources The Eagle consulted, the responses tended to be partisan in nature: one side supporting President Trumps effort to build a $5 billion border-security barrier (aka The Wall) while other sources were opposing the shutdown effort and pointing to the unnecessary stalemate in the nations capitol being blamed on the White House. The online personal finance website WalletHub found Vermont to be No. 27 among 50 states and the District of Columbia negatively affected by the shutdown. Vermonts neighbor New Hampshire was ranked No. 47, the New England states with the fewest federal employees and having the fewest federal services needs. Some states are hit harder by a government shutdown than others, according to WalletHubs Diane Polk. ...They range from each states share of federal jobs to federal contract dollars per capita to the share of families receiving food stamps. In the past week, The Eagle also heard from several readers on the subject of the shutdown. Karlene Callahan, of Middlebury, said, I am totally for the wall or a very high fence. These people (the Democrats) are such unbelievable hypocrites on the issue of border security, it frustrates the hell out of me. This shutdown has not affected my family. If Trump has to use his presidential powers to get a barrier up, please do it. On the other hand, Tonya Yandle, of Brandon, was strongly against the shutdown: The shutdown is going to hurt my kids. I think Trump is arrogant and divisive. He needs to resign. America and Vermont need more racial diversity; we should open our borders to all refugees. Eagle contributor Tom Pinsonneault, of Orwell, voiced his concerns too, The federal shutdown is an unfortunate event that occurs from time to time under various administrations, and a government shutdown, regardless of its intent, is never in the best interest of our great nation. The longer a shutdown is enforced, the greater the trickle-down effect. Along with forced layoffs (missing pay checks), government services meant to assist our needy neighbors begin to cut or eliminate programs. More and more of us will begin to feel the pinch and I question: Is the government shutdown truly justified? The Eagle contacted the office of Independent U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders about the shutdown; staffers reported that the senator has heard from several residents about the issue. The following accounts of the government shutdown by Vermonters were shared by Dan McLean, of Sanders office in Burlington: ...The office received a call from a 78-year-old Vermonter concerned about seniors and the shutdown. She said she cannot work and fears her food stamps are going to be reduced or taken away. She is concerned for all seniors who rely on federal benefits, according to McLean. Sanders staff also spoke with a Vermonter waiting for a hearing on her Social Security disability claim. Her husband is working without pay for U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. They were able to make the mortgage payment this month, but are worried about next month and are concerned about being able to pay for fuel and electricity. Sanders staff also reported a call from a Vermonter whose daughter is a federal employee who is not getting paid. The daughter is $118,000 in debt from student loans. Sanders himself made a public, albeit partisan, statement about the negative effects of the shutdown last week. In Vermont alone, over 1,300 federal workers may be going without a paycheck, thanks to Trumps misguided government shutdown, he said. These include employees who work at the Transportation Security Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Customs and Border Patrol and the Internal Revenue Service. As a result of this shutdown, there is growing concern in Vermont and around the country about how these federal employees are going to pay their mortgages, feed their families and provide for other basic needs without a paycheck. Sanders seemed to agree with the offices of both Sen. Leahy and Rep. Welch: If the shutdown continues into February, more low- and moderate-income Vermonters will be impacted. Those who rely on food stamps and security at airports will be impacted in a month or so. Farmers and small businesses wont be able to receive the financial assistance they need to survive from the Department of Agriculture or the Small Business Administration, according to a news statement by Sanders office released last week. | https://www.suncommunitynews.com/articles/the-vermont-eagle/is-federal-shutdown-affecting-vermonters/ |
Can Catholics Enjoy Alcohol? | Notes on Drinking, on the Centennial of the 18th Amendment Temperance societies social organizations which opposed drinking and drunkenness were a powerful force in America by the late 19th century. In the early years of our nation's history, drinking had been commonplace for men, women and even children; and too often, drunkenness was the result. Christian denominations, from John Wesley and the Methodists, to the Calvinists. to the Latter Day Saints and the Millerites, called for abstinence from alcohol. In the 1790s, Dr. Benjamin Rush, a Philadelphia civic leader and educator and one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, researched the dangers caused by alcohol consumption, citing a correlation between drunkenness and disease, death, suicide and crime. Armed with reports of the deleterious effects of alcohol, and supported by ministers of many denominations, local temperance societies campaigned at the state and national level for total national abstinence. Their efforts were successful when, in December 1917, Congress passed the 18th Amendment (also known as the Prohibition Amendment) and sent it to the states for ratification. One hundred years ago, on Jan. 16, 1919, the 18th Amendment which prohibited the manufacture, sale or transportation of intoxicating liquors for beverage purposes was ratified and became the law of the land. Nine months later, over President Woodrow Wilson's veto, Congress passed the Volstead Act, or National Prohibition Act. The Volstead Act provided for the enforcement of prohibition, and included the creation of a special unit of the Treasury Department. The three distinct purposes of the Act were: to prohibit intoxicating beverages, to regulate the manufacture, sale, or transport of intoxicating liquor (but not consumption), and to ensure an ample supply of alcohol and promote its use in scientific research and in the development of fuel, dye, and other lawful industries and practices, such as religious rituals (including the Catholic Mass). But despite a vigorous attempt by law enforcement agencies to prevent the widespread distribution of alcoholic beverages, the Volstead Act was ineffective and the production, importation, and distribution of alcoholic beverages once the province of legitimate business was taken over by criminal gangs. Organized crime flourished in America. Well, it's pretty clear that the Church isn't opposed to drinking! After all, the priest consecrates wine real wine! into the Blood of Christ at every liturgy. And Jesus Himself changed water into wine at the marriage feast in Cana. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (2290) speaks of the need for temperance: The virtue of temperance disposes us to avoid every kind of excess: the abuse of food, alcohol, tobacco or medicine. Those incur grave guilt who, by drunkenness or a love of speed, endanger their own and others' safety on the road, at sea or in the air. In the next verse (2291), the Catechism warns against the use of drugs, even in moderation, unless for therapeutic purposes; but there is no such warning against moderate drink. The use of drugs inflicts very grave damage on human health and life. Their use, except on strictly therapeutic grounds, is a grave offense. Clandestine production of and trafficking in drugs are scandalous practices. They constitute direct co-operation in evil, since they encourage people to practices gravely contrary to the moral law. First, although the Bible doesn't forbid the consumption of alcoholic beverages, it does clearly condemn drunkenness. In Romans 13:13-14, we are told: ...let us live honorably as in the day, not in revelling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarrelling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. And Galatians 5:19-21 lists drunkenness among the works of the flesh which will keep the sinner from entering paradise: Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. In Proverbs 31:4-5, a wise mother warns her son of the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption: It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to desire strong drink; or else they will drink and forget what has been decreed, and will pervert the rights of all the afflicted. But in moderation, wine and strong drink are among the gifts that God has given us for our enjoyment. In Psalm 104 (verses 14-15), wine is listed among God's gifts: You cause the grass to grow for the cattle, and plants for people to use, to bring forth food from the earth, and wine to gladden the human heart, oil to make the face shine, and bread to strengthen the human heart. And in Ecclesiastes 9:7, the prophet is clear that we should enjoy alcohol as a gift from God: Go, eat your bread with enjoyment, and drink your wine with a merry heart; for God has long ago approved what you do. A Cheerful Aside: St. Hubertus, the Hart, and the Jgermeister It's not uncommon to see wines and other alcoholic beverages featuring religious imagery on their labels. Often monasteries depend on the sale of their own beer and wines to support their monks. To name just a few, in Massachusetts, the monks of St. Joseph's Abbey produce their own Spencer Trappist Ale. In Namur, Belgium, the monks at Rochefort Abbey have been brewing beer since the 16th century, and they produce brown beers: red-capped Rochefort 6, green-capped Rochefort 8, and blue-capped Rochefort 10. In Vina, California, a community of Trappist-Cistercian monks create handcrafted, award-winning wines. But one of the most interesting of religious labels is that of Jgermeister, a German-made digestif which includes 56 herbs and spices and tastes like licorice. The 70-proof liqueur features on its label a deer with a cross between its antlers. According to legend, St. Hubertus (Hubert, in English) had lost his wife in childbirth; in his grief, he withdrew into the forest region of Ardennes, where he spent all of his time hunting. On the morning of Good Friday, as the townspeople hurried to church to pray, Hubertus again set out on horseback to pursue a deer in the forest. He came upon a magnificent stag or hart; but as the animal turned toward him, Hubertus was shocked to see a crucifix between its antlers. He heard a voice say Hubert, unless thou turnest to the Lord, and leadest a holy life, thou shall quickly go down into hell. Hubert was shocked; he dismounted and prostrated himself and asked, Lord, what wouldst Thou have me do? The crucified Christ responded, Go and seek Lambert; he will instruct you. Moved by the vision, he returned to devout practice of the faith, eventually seeking ordination. In A.D. 708, he was named Bishop of Lige. During Hubertus' religious vision, he heard the Hirsch (German: deer) lecture him about holding animals in higher regard, and having compassion for them as God's creatures with a value of their own right. The hunter, he was told, should shoot only when a humane, clean and quick kill is assured. He should shoot only old stags past their prime breeding years, and should relinquish a shot on a trophy buck to instead euthanize a sick or injured animal that might appear on the scene. Also important, a hunter should never shoot a female with young fawns, to assure that the young deer have a mother to guide them to food during the winter. Hubert became the patron saint of hunters, as well as mathematicians, opticians, and metalworkers. The legend of St. Hubertus was the inspiration for the label on Jgermeister's distinctive green bottle. And If You'd Like to Read More... ...then you might want to check out John Zmirak and Denise Matychowiak's entertaining 2007 book, The Bad Catholic's Guide to Wine, Whiskey, & Song: A Spirited Look at Catholic Life & Lore from the Apocalypse to Zinfandel. Starting with the wines, beers, and liquors made around the world by monks, the authors explore everything from Irish history to the secrets of the Knights Templar, with drinking games, food, and cocktail recipes, and rollicking drinking songs. | http://www.ncregister.com/blog/kschiffer/can-catholics-enjoy-alcohol?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+NCRegisterDailyBlog+National+Catholic+Register |
Is Microsofts Nadella the tech worlds best CEO? | Others have gotten more glory, and some have tripped recently Print Print Pro Over the years, plenty of kudos has been directed at the people at the helms of big tech companies. Until recent hard times, Facebooks Mark Zuckerberg, Amazons Jeff Bezos, Apples Tim Cook and Alphabets Sergey Brin, among others, have been fawned over by a compliant press and portrayed as visionaries and great leaders. But the worlds best tech leader has not been lionised, not even now that the tech giant he has guided for almost five years remains relatively stable amid jumpy markets. We are talking about Microsofts unassuming CEO, Satya Nadella, who as often as not has been considered merely a steady, somewhat boring functionary. Take a look though, at what he has done at the company through 2018. He has successfully turned Microsoft from a plodding, increasingly irrelevant company into a tech powerhouse that is surprisingly nimble and more willing to change course than its competitors. Nadella has been willing to adapt to a changing world and scale back Microsofts investments in high-profile products that arent panning out something Ballmer never did Transformation To fully recognise how much Nadella has transformed Microsoft, look back to February 2014, when he took over as CEO from Steve Ballmer. He was saddled with Ballmers decision to buy Nokia for $7.2 billion (6.3 billion) to prop up a failing Windows Phone business as well as the decision to pour immense amounts of money and time into a mobile operating system that no one wanted to use. Less than a year and a half before that, the company had released Window 8, one of the worst versions of Windows ever built. Given the pace of change in the tech world, it is easy to forget how big a problem that was a few short years ago. Windows was still Microsofts cash cow, seen as the core of the company. Fatefully, Ballmers Microsoft had borrowed elements of Windows Phones Metro UI, but the way that Windows 8 was most like Windows Phone was that hardly anyone wanted to use it. At the same time as the Windows 8 rollout, Microsoft had introduced the Surface tablet, which was widely derided as overpriced, underpowered and serving little purpose. The company culture had stagnated, clinging to past days of Microsoft glory (and antitrust ignominy). Ballmers arrogant belief that Microsoft could solve any problem by using Windows as a battering ram still ruled. Nadella had a lot to prove to employees, because he was only the third Microsoft CEO since the companys founding in 1975 and the first who had not been associated with the companys one-time dominance of the tech world. Nice guy, said the business press, one who was cloud-savvy and steeped in both tech and business experience. But no one was expecting to pile accolades upon his head any time soon. Hard choices By any measure, though, Nadella has been a roaring success. He took the hard choice to kill off Windows Phone (hard because no one takes such a massive write-off lightly), finally freeing the company from throwing billions of dollars down a rathole. Not only did that save Microsoft money, but it also allowed the company to use its developer resources for technologies more important to its success. Less unexpectedly, he made the cloud central to Microsofts business, but the extent to which he let the cloud focus overtake the companys Windows-centric focus was breathtaking, given the sacrosanct status the OS had always enjoyed. That has paid off big time. Microsoft is now a leader in cloud computing. The companys commercial cloud revenue was $8.5 billion for the first quarter of 2019, up 47% compared to a year previous. And that understates the way in which the cloud permeates the companys offerings. Office has been turned into primarily a cloud-based subscription service, and business is booming as a result. Windows has become, to a certain extent, cloud-based as well, because it is now delivered and updated via the cloud. Think of it as Windows as a service. Meanwhile, Nadella has turned the Surface into a hit by changing its design and focus. Today, Surface hardware is a billion-dollar business, something that was unthinkable when the poorly designed tablet was first rolled out. Nadella has been willing to adapt to a changing world and scale back Microsofts investments in high-profile products that arent panning out something Ballmer never did. So he has thrown in the towel on trying to get Cortana to compete with Amazons Alexa and Google Home. Instead, Cortana will use its smarts behind the scenes to create ways to make Microsofts other products more useful. OS acceptance Under Nadella, Microsoft has accepted open-source software and begun to work with it anathema to Gates and Ballmer. The companys popular SQL Server database, for example, runs on Linux. Heres how John JG Chirapurath, a general manager with Microsoft, explains why the company decided to do that: To keep flexibility and choice is absolutely critical. We cant walk into a customer today and offer them a data platform that exclusively works with Windows or, say, C#. Weve got to go in there and say, can we meet you on your terms, and what does that look like? In pre-Nadella days, that would have been seen as apostasy. Under Ballmer, Microsofts stock had stagnated. It has nearly tripled since Nadella took over, from $37 to around $100 now, depending on the day. Even during the December market crash, the stock held much of its value. And during a brief period in November 2018, Microsoft became the worlds most valuable company, as its stock price rose and Apples dropped. Anyone who was really paying attention when Nadella took over as CEO should not be surprised by any of this. According to CNBC, Microsoft chairman John Thompson said at an event this summer, hosted by Lightspeed Venture Partners, that in Nadellas first public appearance in 2014 as Microsoft CEO, He made a pronouncement on day one the world is about cloud first, mobile first. He never mentioned Windows one time. What he was telling the world was we at Microsoft have to be ready to embrace the cloud, and we at Microsoft have to be more about our technology running on all platforms. Nadella has delivered on all that, and more. So you may not hear Nadella make grand public pronouncements. He is not being hailed as a visionary. But while CEOs at other big tech courses stumble, Nadella has crafted and overseen Microsofts transition from an also-ran to a front-runner. Even better times might be ahead. Preston Gralla is an author, and contributing editor for Computerworld | https://www.techcentral.ie/is-microsofts-nadella-the-tech-worlds-best-ceo/ |
What is a no-deal Brexit and what might happen as a result? | Brexit Day looms ever closer on the horizon: it is now just 72 days until the UK is due to leave the European Union. After Theresa Mays Withdrawal Agreement was humiliatingly obliterated by British MPs in Tuesdays meaningful vote, she and the myriad factions in the Commons now have to find something they can agree on. A no-deal Brexit remains the default if politicians cannot come together in squeaky bum time to formulate an alternative. Theresa May and the vast majority of MPs from all sides of politics have attempted to downplay the risk of this occurring after March 29, saying there is no consensus to drop out without an agreed Withdrawal Agreement. But Westminster is suffering from political paralysis and time is running out. On March 29 the UK would quit the EU without a withdrawal agreement with the European Union covering issues including the Irish border, expats rights in Europe or a future trade deal, among other things. Either a cataclysm of Biblical proportions or a minor hiccup on the path to self-determination, depending on your point of view. British businesses that rely on unhindered imports and exports like pharmaceuticals, farming, haulage, and car and aircraft production. They have warned that it could be catastrophic for business and jobs if customs checks are reintroduced in Dover and other British ports. There have also been warnings about food supply and safety, and availability of medicines like insulin. Some MPs, reportedly including Cabinet ministers, have suggested a managed no-deal Brexit, in which there is a two-year transition period after March 29 as with the Withdrawal Agreement which would give the UK more time to be ready to counter the negative impacts. (Left to right) Former Brexit secretary Dominic Raab, DUP leader Arlene Foster, Lord Lilley, former Brexit secretary David Davis and Shanker Singham at A Better Deal event at the British Academy, London, outlining opportunities if Parliament rejects the Governments proposed deal (Steve Parsons/PA) No. Some Brexiteers, including former Brexit secretaries David Davis and Dominic Raab, argue that many of the warnings are overblown, including on the customs/border problems. They say that there may be some minor hiccups but they can quickly be overcome and the UK could do global business on World Trade Organisation terms quite happily. The WTO is an organisation with 164 nations as members, who between them make up 98% of global trade. It has its own rules, which require tariffs on many imports and exports, and which can be used in the absence of an overriding free trade agreement between two member states. The UK has yet to negotiate any new trade deals with any other countries in preparation for leaving the EU. Separate assessments from Whitehall and the Bank of England in November painted a grim picture of the impact of a no-deal Brexit on the UK economy. The Bank warned Britain could be tipped into a recession worse than the financial crash, with an 8% cut in GDP, unemployment surging by as much as 7.5% and house prices falling by almost one-third. Meanwhile, a cross-Government analysis found the UK economy would be 9.3% smaller after 15 years if Britain leaves without a deal. Again there is disagreement. Some more hardline Brexiteers say the UK should walk away without paying. Others have suggested payments could be linked to a free trade agreement. The Government has said that the bill includes legal obligations, with defaulting affecting the UKs international credit rating and sparking a challenge by the EU in court. Theresa May used the prospect of a no-deal Brexit, and the damage it could cause, as a carrot/stick to convince sceptical MPs to back the Withdrawal Agreement in a vote. But other ministers have been less negative, with International Trade Secretary Liam Fox telling the BBCs Today programme on Monday: I dont regard no-deal as national suicide. British Prime Minister Theresa May speaks during the debate on the Government no-confidence motion in the House of Commons (House of Commons/PA) Not in the slightest. She has entered the record books as the British Prime Minister with the heaviest Commons defeat in modern history after her 230-vote reverse on Tuesday. - Press Association | https://www.breakingnews.ie/world/what-is-a-no-deal-brexit-and-what-might-happen-as-a-result-898011.html |
Is Sky about to take on Netflix in its own back yard through Roku investment? | Roku, the TV box provider that offers access to web streaming services such as Netflix, has received a cash investment of $45 million. The financial backing comes from, among others, News Corporation and BSkyB, which, when combined with the launch of the latter's Now TV service - a direct rival to Netflix - leads many to wonder if this is a move by the British broadcaster to enter the US market. Rupert Murdoch's News Corp already has a number of applications on the Roku service, including Fox News, WSJ Live and X-Factor, but the Sky investment is an interesting development. Andrew Griffiths, BSkyB chief financial officer, is certainly upbeat about the future prospects for the partnership. "Were delighted to have entered into this strategic relationship with Roku," he said. "As an innovative content company were committed to embracing a wide range of complementary platforms to create more choice and flexibility for customers. "Working with Roku we look forward to extending our multi-platform leadership." News Corporation too is hoping to take advantage of the deal. We have watched Roku maintain market leadership since the launch of its streaming platform four years ago and we look forward to deepening our relationship, having already worked closely together on the launch of several products, said News Corporation chief digital officer Jon Miller. Roku's significant technology advantage, coupled with a strong market position, places them in a unique position to be an integral part of the television landscape for years to come. Roku has also announced its Roku Streaming Stick that will be available in the US from the autumn. Providing the same experience as its streaming player boxes, the stick is the size of a dongle and plugs directly into a TVs HDMI port - handy if youre someone whos always on the go but needs that Arrested Development fix here and there. With this Roku investment, Netflix in particular will be paying close attention, as more Sky content could see them in direct competition to one another. Let us know in the comments below... | https://www.pocket-lint.com/tv/news/116443-sky-netflix-after-roku-investment |
What future for Renault after Ghosn scandal? | Renault is starting to consider replacing Carlos Ghosn, who remains in custody in Japan over allegations of financial misconduct Behind bars in Japan, Carlos Ghosn has already been stripped of his leadership roles at Nissan and Mitsubishileaving questions for Renault, the third carmaker in their alliance, over who should steer the French company now. Tensions are also running high between Renault and its Japanese partners following the sensational allegations of financial misconduct against Ghosn. Ghosn is still Renault's CEObut he needs to be replaced, with even his own lawyers acknowledging he could remain in jail awaiting trial for months. "It's a foregone conclusion," a source close to the matter told AFP. A former senior executive said Renault was "in the process of recruiting Ghosn's replacement", while a third source said: "There will be a replacement, we just need to be a little patient." Thierry Bollore, Renault's chief operating officer, has temporarily taken the reins and would be Ghosn's natural heir. Choosing Bollore, a Frenchman with plenty of experience in Asia, would allow for some continuity in a company that has been badly rocked by the Ghosn affair. But several other names are also circulating, including Didier Leroy, executive vice president at Toyota, and Michelin CEO Jean-Dominique Senard. Chief Operating Officer Thierry Bollore has temporarily taken over the top job at Renault, and would be a natural choice to replace Carlos Ghosn permanently Senard's posting at the top of the tyre-making giant is coming to an end in May and he is well-liked by the French government, which with a 15 percent stake is Renault's biggest shareholder. One plausible scenario would see him become chairman of the board, while Bollore would remain on as chief operating officer. PSA chief Carlos Tavares, whom Ghosn ousted from Renault in 2013 for daring to hint that he wanted to run the firm, is also being discussed as a possible successor. Several senior French officials have been dispatched to Tokyo for talks with Nissan chief Hiroto Saikawa, which could speed up the naming of Ghosn's replacement. Until his arrest Ghosn was simultaneously CEO of Renault and the alliance, as well as board chairman at Nissan and Mitsubishi. Several sources say his replacement at Renault will not necessary also lead the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, which is based in the Netherlands. Renault's CEO job could even be split up between an executive general manager and board chairman, a structure used by other French companies partly owned by the state. One industry insider said it was "normal" for the recruitment process to take time, adding "the streets are not overflowing" with potential leaders of firms this large. French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire stressed that "there is a pilot in the plane" in Ghosn's absence in the form of Renault's temporary leadership. Ghosn, accused of with breach of trust and under-declaring his income, had been seen as the glue binding together the complex three-way structure that makes up the world's top-selling auto company. Nissan says the alleged financial misconduct came to light through a company whistleblowera source of angst at Renault, which has denounced what it called a "deliberately orchestrated destabilisation campaign". The documents passed to investigators have targeted figures close to Ghosn including Mouna Sepehri, Renault's head of legal affairs and communications. Resentment has long been brewing in Japan over the structure of the alliance, which some say gives Renault an undue share of Nissan's profits. Some within French company suspect Nissan of seeking to tip the balance of power within the alliance to the detriment of Renault, which currently holds 43 percent of its Japanese partner after saving it from collapse in the early 2000s. Nissan CEO Hiroto Saikawa dismissed this as "absurd", saying: "Look at the evidence. It's serious." He insisted he was committed to the alliance and had no immediate plans to seek to change its structure. One Paris source suggested changes would be necessary in the top ranks of Nissan for the Franco-Japanese partnership, forged in 1999, to continue. Another source said it was inevitable that there would be "battles for influence" and "score-settling", but insisted the alliance would live on to see another day. Explore further: Renault board maintains Ghosn as CEO, says pay was legal | https://phys.org/news/2019-01-future-renault-ghosn-scandal.html |
What? Me Compromise? | In a Wall Street Journal piece Sunday about the length of the current partial government shutdowntheyre touting is (as are most of the NLMSM) as the longest on record as though a partial closure is somehow comparable to a complete closureKristina Peterson, Michael Bender, and Rebecca Ballhaus closed with a description of a bill being developed by Senators Rob Portman (R, OH) and Jerry Moran (R, KS) that would pair DACA recipient legal status with funding for border security, which would include a wall. However. Democrats are unlikely to view the bill as a fair trade, as it swaps $25 billion in border security for legal statusand not a path to citizenshipfor the young immigrants. This would be just another example of the Progressive-Democrats absolute refusal to negotiate. Such a bill would move the DACA matter significantly in their direction, with nothing at all to prevent them from coming back later with a bill to move legal status to path to citizenshipthe Reagan move of taking half a loaf today and coming back tomorrow for the other half. The Progressive-Democrats only know No, however. | http://aplebessite.com/2019/01/16/what-me-compromise/ |
Could Theresa Mays Government survive a general election or will Corbyn become PM? | Tonight's vote of no confidence in the Government at 7pm follows its humiliating Brexit deal defeat in the Commons less than 24 hours ago. Prime Minister Theresa Mays EU Withdrawal Agreement lost by 230 votes, the biggest government defeat in history. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who triggered a vote of no-confidence shortly afterwards, has called on the Government to do the right thing and resign saying it cannot govern. But Prime Minister Theresa May dismissed his call for a general election in a Parliamentary debate saying it would be "the worst thing we could do. Should Mrs Mays government loses tonights no-confidence vote, it has 14 days to try to regain control of Parliament otherwise a new general election will be triggered. But while there seems little appetite for another election, the political stalemate could force some MPs to back Mr Corbyn's no-confidence motion. One political analyst believes a general election loss for Theresa Mays Government is a real possibility if it loses tonight's vote. Andrew Glencross, Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at Aston University, told Express.co.uk: This is because Brexit taps into resentment, a desire for change and in many ways, Corbyn does offer more when it comes to change than Theresa May. Jeremy Corbyn told Theresa May's Government to 'do the right thing and resign Labour has advocated a Brexit model that puts jobs and the economy first with a strong emphasis on retaining the single market and customs union. But Mrs May has steadfastly stuck to her mantra of Brexit means Brexit in recent weeks, saying the UK is leaving the single market and ending free movement. The Prime Minister is opposed to the UK staying in the customs union, a key demand of the Labour Partys, while she is refusing to budge on the Northern Ireland backstop. Mr Glencross said Mr Corbyns advantage with voters in a general election is his call for change on such issues without committing to any real policies. He told Express.co.uk: Corbyn has been very slippery on that basis, trying to cover his base both sides with the Labours voters who voted Leave and Remain. DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds says there is no appetite for another general election in Parliament His idea of a jobs-first Brexit is a great slogan but translating that into a new deal is extremely difficult. Thats why you can see he much favours a general election where in a sense he can park some of those issues until and if he gets into power and those questions will come back to haunt him. But Labour faces a tough battle to convince people another general election is needed at all. The DUP, which the Conservatives counts on for key votes after providing Northern Ireland with 1billion funding, has promised to back Mrs Mays government. READ MORE: STOP THE CLOCK! - NICOLA STURGEON DEMANDS MAY DELAY BREXIT AFTER HUGE COMMONS DEFEAT MPs debated the no-confidence motion ahead of the vote at 7pm | https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1073228/theresa-may-government-general-election-vote-of-no-confidence-latest |
Is Facebook's '10 Year Challenge' meme a creepy facial recognition gambit? | By now, all of your social media feeds are probably brimming with then-and-now pictures showing the "glow-up" or positive transformations of people including celebrities, friends, family or random folks sharing decade-old images of themselves, alongside current photographs. Although the meme that's proliferated on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter is a great way to show much you've changed over the years, and users are freely sharing the images, one technologist and follower of the meme pondered whether the entire challenge was actually something more sinister and sparked a discussion about the technology in the process. Kate O'Neill, who authored a book called "Tech Humanist," went on to theorize that, if you were training a facial recognition program on age-related traits, it would be useful to have a large data set taken at a fixed number of years apart. "Thanks to this meme, there's now a very large data set of carefully curated photos of people from 10 years ago and now. Not necessarily," O'Neill said on Twitter, noting that such technology could be used to find missing children. A number of technology companies, including Facebook and Amazon, have been criticized over the privacy implications of facial recognition technology. A Facebook spokesperson provided the following statement to Fox News: This is a user-generated meme that went viral on its own. Facebook did not start this trend, and the meme uses photos that already exist on Facebook. Facebook gains nothing from this meme (besides reminding us of the questionable fashion trends of 2009). As a reminder, Facebook users can choose to turn facial recognition on or off at any time. Instagram and Twitter have not yet responded to a request for comment from Fox News. BROKE TEEN WHO SOLD KIDNEY FOR IPHONE NOW BEDRIDDEN FOR LIFE Although O'Neill said that facial recognition technology will likely be most useful for targeted advertising, she emphasized in several follow-up tweets that users should remain vigilant with what they share regardless of the social platform. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "The broader message, removed from the specifics of any one meme or even any one social platform, is that humans are the richest data sources for most of the technology emerging in the world. We should know this, and proceed with due diligence and sophistication," O'Neill wrote in an opinion piece for Wired on the meme. | https://www.foxnews.com/tech/is-facebooks-10-year-challenge-meme-a-creepy-facial-recognition-gambit |
Why is Rihanna suing her father? | Rihanna is going after her own father in court. The pop star filed the lawsuit in a federal court in Los Angeles on Tuesday, claiming he's been using the Fenty name to collect millions of dollars for his own business, Fenty Entertainment. Rihanna is suing her father, Ronald Fenty, over the use of the Fenty name. It may dont seem weird that Rihannas father chose to use his last name for his business, but the problem is that Rihanna legally owns the Fenty name after trademarking it to protect her business. She argues that he, with his company Fenty Entertainment, has misled the public and damaged her brand. "Although Mr. Fenty is Rihannas father, he does not have, and never has had, authority to act on Rihannas behalf, nor has he ever been authorized to use her name, intellectual property or publicity rights," states a court document,obtained by Variety. The lawsuit claims that Ronald Fenty and his business partners violated her trademark and falsely that their business was affiliated with Rihanna. In the documents, Rihanna states that her fathers company used her name to advertise themselves to solicit millions of dollars, including trying to book her for 15 shows in December 2017 for $15 million, without her permission. She also claims that her father tried to file a trademark for the word Fenty for newly opened resort boutique hotels, but he didnt succeed. Before filing a lawsuit, Rihanna says that she ordered her father to stop using the Fenty name but hes been ignoring her warnings and continued his business with Fenty Entertainment. The suit is seeking an injunction to keep her father and his business partners from using the Fenty name for commercial purposes, as well as monetary damages in the amount of $17 million. Rihanna has experienced huge success in recent years with her brand Fenty Beauty. The pop star debuted the cosmetics brand in 2017 and has since expanded to lingerie and sportswear. Her cosmetics are designed to be inclusive for people of all skin tones, addressing a long-criticized gap in cosmetic industry offerings for women of color. Fenty Entertainment is a product and development company, introduced in 2017 by Ronald Fenty. His company focuses on cultivating new talent and developing TV and media platforms for promoting brand development. "Our philosophy is let no talent be wasted. We welcome the entire world to submit their music, performances, and videos for recognition," The company states on their website. | https://www.metro.us/entertainment/why-is-rihanna-suing-her-father |
How does the government shutdown affect breweries? | CLEVELAND, Ohio The government shutdowns tentacles reach into multiple areas, but you can include a popular and beloved industry in its reaches. Beer. The reason for the shutdown's effect on the world of suds is simple: Beers being brewed in Ohio and distributed outside the state require federal approval. It's ironic that beer is being affected by the government today, Jan. 16. The date marks the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 18th Amendment, which started Prohibition until its repeal in 1933. The shutdown's effect is not lost on Hoppin' Frog Brewery's Fred Karm, who has worked in a competitive landscape to market his beers. The 13-year-old Akron brewery's beers are distributed to 23 states and 38 countries. "We have a wide distribution network," he said. "The government shutdown has affected what we told our distributors. Every year we give a schedule of what is coming out." And what is coming out is Hoppin' Frog's Tadpole series in 16-ounce cans. But the release order of those six beers has changed, thanks to the shutdown. "We had to drop (the first beer) because of the shutdown," said Karm, who made the decision after Christmas to shift the schedule. "The first one we arent going to make. because I didnt get approval of the label." The "cookie-style beer" he had planned blends "beer with dessert flavors. People go crazy for that. Several distributors were excited about it. I had to bite the bullet for that." Instead, Karm will be releasing Double Chocolate Cherry Oatmeal Stout, the next beer in the series. The cookie-style beer might come out toward the end of the year, he said, but that is not certain, considering the many recipes he has in the pipeline and the momentum that some beers gain in the marketplace. "I invested in brand, time and money," he said. "The first-of-six series is now a five-beer series." Most distributors, he said, want a long lead time. "With our distributors it requires a lot of legwork now. It didnt before. I have to communicate with them way ahead of time," he said, to get his beers on their plate - or in their glass, so to speak. "The government shutdown I wouldnt say greatly affected us, but it has adversely affected us. That was the disappointing thing about the Tadpole series. Here we are trying to stay relevant in this market, and this gets thrown at us." Karm said he always obtains federal approval for his beers being distributed outside the country, but he added it is an "unknown if it is required." "I really wish I could yell at the government," he said. Karm's frustration is based on working in an ever-growing competitive landscape. American craft brewers in particular churn out very creative brews and expand style categories. They are in a battle for shelf and tap space, which is a challenge for them while being good for the consumer. Government shutdowns that took place more than a decade ago had limited impact on beer because there were fewer craft breweries. But the industry has grown - and keeps growing - on multiple platforms: Some breweries expand with additional fermenters, new ones start up. With more space and equipment comes more beer. With more beer comes the quest for distribution channels - and the labels that go on those beers. Beers distributed outside the state need federal approval via the Treasury Department's Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. Label approval is required for several reasons, including ingredient and source information. It also is doubtful to see a beer called "I Hate My ($&*!) Neighbor at (insert house number and street)" Ale. Two beers from different breweries cannot have the same name, so a registration process mostly prevents that. When it does occur it often is settled with a friendly call or cease-and-desist letter between brewers, though in some cases the dispute winds up in court. Attorney and former Clevelander Adam Russ, who includes beer, wine and spirits among his areas of legal expertise, said with the proliferation of craft breweries "How many plays on the word 'hop' or 'IPA' or 'ale' can you really include?" Russ, who now works in Houston for Lorance Thompson, said labels are regulated for consumers so "there's no confusion about what theyre buying." While he said it is "hard to tell" how much of an effect the shutdown can have on the craft-brewing industry, he said "the issue that (the shutdown) can have an effect, I think, for not only breweries in production but breweries that are looking for expanding distribution." Well-known breweries in Northeast Ohio that have been expanding include Great Lakes Brewing Co., Ohio's first and largest craft brewery, which is distributed in more than a dozen states; Fat Head's Brewery, which recently opened a huge production facility and taproom in Middleburg Heights; and Platform Beer Co. All are based in Cuyahoga County, and all ship their beer outside the state. Summit County's two largest breweries both distribute outside Ohio. In addition to Hoppin' Frog, Thirsty Dog goes to 12 states. Many area breweries like The Brew Kettle, Goldhorn, Market Garden, Masthead and Sibling Revelry - all in Cuyahoga County - are not affected because, while they have strong regional distribution, their beers do not leave the state for sale. State regulation of a brewery's beers, Goldhorn's Joel Warger said, is not intended solely for labels but also for any distribution or packaging. Lindsey LeBerth, brand manager for the Ohio Division of Liquor Control, confirmed that any beer an Ohio brewery makes must be registered. "The state wants to register everything you do," Warger said. But if you're distributing only within Ohio you do not have to register federally, he added. The decision to distribute depends on a brewery's volume as well as its mission. Small breweries can have distribution limited to just a few neighborhoods, or sell beer exclusively from their taprooms. But others - larger, more established ones - send their beer to multiple states. Jack Kephart of The Brew Kettle said the shutdown affected him in 2013 but not now. "It affected me more then because I was doing more federal registrations," he said. "We were distributed outside the state, in Kentucky. So we were doing COLAs (Certificate of Label Approval) at that time. That was a major hangup for us. It will be interesting to see how this one plays out." Kephart said The Brew Kettle had a "couple" of beers waiting on label approval in 2013, but working in advance helps. "If you don't have it planned out well in advance it can definitely trip you up," he said. Federal waiting times for beer labels are at least 21 days, according to TTB figures. Kephart added Ohio's beer-registration fee is $50 while the federal permit is free. Frank Luther, one of the owners of Masthead, sees an interesting, potential ramification for some Ohio breweries. "Depending on how long it lasts, it could end up being a win for local breweries on the store shelf as out-of-state breweries that weren't able to get TTB label approval for new products prior to the shutdown won't be able to sell their products here," he said. Jan. 16 marks a record 26th day of the shutdown, which is affecting more than three quarters of a million federal workers who are furloughed or working without pay. It is a result of the congressional stalemate over President Trump's call for funds to build a wall along Mexico. When the government shut down for 16 days in 2013, there were about 100 breweries in Ohio. Today, there are 297, according to the non-profit Ohio Craft Brewers Association. Coincidentally, Goldhorn is the site for Craft Beer & Conversation: Government Shutdown at 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20. The group Craft Beer & Conversation said via Facebook that it "aims to bring people together to civilly discuss hot topics in a safe space." Previous coverage: Northeast Ohio breweries and the 2013 shutdown | https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2019/01/how-does-the-government-shutdown-affect-breweries.html |
What holds back Myanmars development? | With the progress of China-Myanmar relations, the resumption of the Myitsone Dam project in northern Myanmar can be placed on the agenda of both parties. The Myitsone Dam is a hurdle in the way of China-Myanmar relations and an obstacle to Myanmar's economic development and attracting foreign investment. Both sides need to work together to resolve this. On September 30, 2011, Myanmar's ex-president Thein Sein wrote to the parliament abruptly announcing the temporary suspension of the project. The sudden move caused huge economic losses to China. Chinese companies had invested in the $3.6 billion project with a total installed capacity of 6 million kilowatts that began construction in 2009. The stalled Myitsone Dam project is a symbol of slow economic development in the northern region in the past seven years. Compared with changes in China's Yunnan Province across the border during the same period, the contrast is stark. Yunnan, which was previously a slower-growing province of China, almost doubled its GDP per capita to nearly 35,000 yuan ($5,200 ) in seven years, making it a national fastest runner. Another example is the China-Vietnam border region, which has become Asia's most dynamic border trade zone. The port of Chongzuo in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in China imported 1.6 million tons of fruits with a sales volume of over 7.5 billion yuan ($1.1 billion) in 2017. Along the border, several trade processing zones are rapidly developing with a growing Vietnamese work force. There is some semblance of stability in northern Myanmar with the ethnic armed groups and government forces seeking a negotiated settlement after clashes reduced. The three ethnic armed groups who recently held talks in Kunming, China, also expressed their willingness to suspend military operations. Together with the cease-fire negotiations and the subsequent political talks, promoting economic development benefited not only local people, but laid a solid foundation for further talks and finally helped the ethnic groups cast aside the armor and pick up the hoe. Economic stagnation is not conducive to regional development and peace talks. Economic development fits the interests of people in northern Myanmar. A solution to power shortage in the region is therefore vital. Only 30 percent of households in Myanmar have electricity, which is one of the lowest power supply rates in the world. But the country's potential generating capacity is 100,000 megawatts 30 times of what it currently produces. There are always contradictions between rapid development and environment protection, and it is usually hard to make decisions. Because of the increase in electricity demand and the improvement in environmental technology, the World Bank has resumed financial support to hydropower stations in some underdeveloped countries. In 2015, the World Bank said that it would assist Myanmar to develop hydropower projects and help reduce damage to environment. The Myitsone Dam met the same problem. However, the project saw environmental issues turn political. Going by Western media, the dam has become a problem of democracy and a threat from China. With the help of Western NGOs and even support from the US embassy, local ethnic groups used the issue as a weapon against the government and to rally against China. The findings of some Western NGOs and environmental organizations are more politicized. They claim that the Myitsone Dam has exacerbated the conflict between ethnic groups and government forces. This is untrue. The fact is that the conflict between ethnic armed forces and the government is one of the main reasons behind suspension of the dam project. The construction of the dam can bring economic benefits to the area and help ease conflicts. In fact, Myanmar's government formed a committee in 2016 to investigate environmental and ecological issues attributed to the dam. The report submitted to the government was never released. No one knows why. The political factors that interfere with this problem must be eliminated, especially the tendency of some Western organizations to mislead. Let people know the actual role of the dam in development and how China uses advanced environmental technologies for dam building and management. Starting this process as soon as possible will facilitate further cooperation between China and Myanmar and accelerate the development of Myanmar. The author is a senior editor with People's Daily, and currently a senior fellow with the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University of China. [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @dinggangchina. | http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1136019.shtml |
What title will Harry and Meghan's baby hold? | Just this week, Meghan Markle finally gave us a glimpse into the time frame in which the baby is expected to arrive. Kensington Palace officially announced the pregnancy for Harry and Meghan -- the Duke and Duchess of Sussex -- in October 2018. Though the couple announced their baby is due in the spring, Meghan further narrowed down that time frame, saying this week that she is six months pregnant. At that count, the Duchess of Sussex should be delivering come late April or early May. While we dont yet (and likely wont) know the sex of the couples baby, what names are on the table, or details about where Meghan will deliver the next royal baby -- we do know where the bundle of joy will fall in the line of royal succession and what the childs official royal title will be. Though Harry and Meghans child wont automatically receive a prince or princess title, he or she will be seventh in line to the throne. And the only way the childs position in line can change is if William and Kate have any more children. Heres why Harry and Meghans child wont automatically be a prince or princess: King George Vs 1917 decree stated that only the oldest son of the Prince of Wales's oldest son was entitled to be styled His Royal Highness and a prince. In the current heir to the throne, wed be referencing Prince George, William and Kates oldest son. However, youve likely heard Charlotte and Louis referred to as princess and prince, respectively. Thats because Queen Elizabeth issued new Letters Patent at the end of 2012 declaring that all the children of the eldest son of The Prince of Wales should have and enjoy the style, title and attribute of Royal Highness with the titular dignity of Prince or Princess prefixed to their Christian names or with such other titles of honour, the official statement reads. While thats great for William and Kates children, that has no effect on Harry and Meghans. The ruling the queen gave in 2012 doesnt apply to the soon-to-be newest royal baby unless the queen steps in to issue Harrys child a title. Instead, if the baby is a boy, he will be known as Earl, and if its a girl, she will be known as Lady. Now, if only we could get a hint on what his or her name might be. Graham Media Group 2019 | https://www.clickorlando.com/royals/what-title-will-harry-and-meghans-baby-hold |
Has Gillette gone too far in its razor advert promoting the metoo movement? | Eva Wakeford and friends said they were in support of the new Gillette ad which they said shows it's ok for men to be emotional. 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. We asked shoppers for their views on the advert causing hundreds of thousands of dislikes on social media with outrage so fierce many men are saying theyll never use the razors again. The advert, which hasnt even been aired on TV in this country yet, has got the blood boiling of many men who feel it portrays them as bad people. Others praised the firm for highlighting such strong issues of bullying, sexual harassment and intimidation in the workplace. The ad replaces the traditional tagline The best a man can get with The best a man can be but many shoppers in Norwich hadnt seen it until shown by this newspaper. I dont like it because it makes out that we are sexist and going to wolf-whistle at a girl in a bikini. John Davila said: Im not sure an advert for a mens product should be tackling such difficult issues but it wouldnt put me off buying their products. Eva Wakeford said: It sends a strong message to men that its ok to let your guard down and be emotional. The old ad portrayed a stereotype that wasnt realistic. "Anything that highlights any kind of prejudice has to be a good thing" Paula Taylor from Norwich was captivated by the new Gillette TV commercial after being shown it by business writer Caroline Culot. Picture: neil Didsbury "Anything that highlights any kind of prejudice has to be a good thing" Paula Taylor from Norwich was captivated by the new Gillette TV commercial after being shown it by business writer Caroline Culot. Kate Morfoot, managing director of Norfolk public relations firm Jungle PR, said: Theres no such thing has bad publicity. I think alongside the negative reaction to the brands new message, theres widespread praise for its attempt to join the debate on what it means to be a modern man. From a PR point of view this is a very topical and on point message for this trusted brand. In the ad Dads are seen as turning a blind eye to their sons bullying others while others talk down a woman in a boardroom. The powerful message that the next generation of men is watching comes through that men need to change and educate the younger generation. At the forefront of the social media onslaught was TV host, former editor, Piers Morgan who tweeted: Ive used Gillette razors my entire adult life but this absurd virtue-signalling PC guff may drive me away to a company less eager to fuel the current pathetic global assault on masculinity. | https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/business/does-the-new-gillette-metoo-ad-go-too-far-1-5854719 |
How long will I live and how much will it cost me? | Global life expectancy for almost every nation will rise during the next two decades, with Spain overtaking Japan as the country with the longest life expectancy. Meanwhile, on the list of 195 countries, the U.S. will fall 20 places, from 43rd to 64th. The average U.S. lifespan as of birth is still projected to increase slightly, from 78.7 years to 79.8, but at a slower rate than the rest of the world. That isnt great news for the U.S.but it isnt necessarily bad news for you, for two reasons. First, the longer you live, the longer you can expect to live. As you plan for retirement, you should focus not on life expectancy as of birth, but on life expectancy as of, say, age 65. According to the Social Security Administration, a 65-year-old man in the U.S. can now expect to live until age 84, on average, while a 65-year-old woman is looking at age 87. Second, life expectancy statistics are based on averages with a great deal of variabilityand, for you, they could prove to be misleading guide. For instance, income is a strong predictor of life expectancy, as is gender: Women live longer at every income level than men. The implication: Those on the upper end of the wealth spectrum should not use simple averages in planning for their own retirement. When we see news reports of people celebrating their 100th birthday, we often chalk it up to good genes. But research shows genes play a smaller role than most people think in determining longevity. More crucial is lifestyle. If you eat better, smoke less and exercise more than your parents did, theres a good chance youll live longer. According to the Stanford Center on Longevity, most individuals underestimate their personal longevity. A key reason: People base their planning on their grandparents or parents lifespans. But individual life expectancies have improved dramatically over the past century. Typical is my own family. Both sets of my grandparents passed away in their early to mid-70s and yet my parents are still alive at 80 and 82. While you cant know with certainty how long you will live, its important to be aware of the possible longevity for someone of your general age, education and health characteristics. Here are three good calculators to estimate longevity, ranked from fewest to most inputs: Longevity Illustrator, a tool developed by the American Academy of Actuaries and the Society of Actuaries, is a simple online calculator thats designed to estimate longevity based on four inputs: birthdate, gender, smoking habits and general health. In addition to showing the probability of living to a certain age, the tool also provides a planning horizonthe numbers of years you can expect to live as an individual or as a couple. Lifespan Calculator, from Northwestern Mutual, shows how lifestyle choices affect longevity. There are 13 questions. By varying the inputs, you can see the impact of each on your longevity. For example, the difference between the most and the least healthy diet is five years, and the difference between a nonsmoker and a two pack-a-day smoker is 10 years. Living to 100 Life Expectancy Calculator was developed by Thomas Perls, the founder and director of the New England Centenarian Study, the worlds largest study of centenarians and their families. There are 40 quick questions, including personal information (age, marital status, formal education), lifestyle (pollution, caffeine, smoking, alcohol), nutrition (weight, height, diet, exercise habits), health (cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes) and family history. Time is our most precious resource, and the statistics and current trends indicate well enjoy more of it than ever before. But it also means we need to prepare ourselves accordingly, including saving enough and pursuing strategies that ensure we wont outlive our money. In addition, we need to understand our financial options, including products like reverse mortgages and how they could fit into our retirement strategy. Instead of planning for how long you estimate youll live, consider financial solutions that work regardless of lifespan. Those solutions include delaying Social Security benefits, favoring employers that offer traditional pension plans and considering different types of income annuity. True, annuities have a bad reputation. But partially annuitizing your assets can help you build an income floor for retirement, while providing protection against the financial risk youll live a surprisingly long time, argues financial expert Wade Pfau. He also makes the case for delaying Social Security to get a larger monthly benefit, describing Social Security as the best annuity money can buy. Jiab Wasserman recently left from her job as a financial analyst at a large bank at age 53. Shes now semiretired. Jiab and her husband currently live in Granada, Spain, and blog about downshifting, personal finance and other aspects of retirementas well as about their experience relocating to another countryat YourThirdLife.com. Her previous articles for HumbleDollar include Mind the Gap, Not So Fast and Odds Against. This column appeared on Humble Dollar. It was published with permission. | https://www.marketwatch.com/story/how-long-will-i-live-and-how-much-will-it-cost-me-2019-01-16?siteid=rss&rss=1 |
Did 'The Sopranos' Anticipate the Rise of Trump? | In The Sopranos controversial and relentlessly scrutinized final episode Made in America, Tonys misfit son AJ makes a reluctant announcement: hes going to fight in Afghanistan because he believes the Army will improve his career prospects. My ultimate goal is to qualify for helicopter pilot training, he tells an incredulous Tony. Afterwards go to work for Trump or somebody. Be their personal pilot. (AJ ultimately accepts a position at Little Carmine Lupertazzis production company, which is developing a movie about a private detective who gets sucked into the internet.) Twelve years later, the U.S. is still fighting in Afghanistan and Donald Trump has improbably ascended to the White House, his familys criminal undertakings offering their own source of fascination for the American public. To borrow a phrase from Sopranos character Bobby Baccalieri, maybe Quasimodo predicted all this. Either way, the series has proved remarkably prescient in its assessment of America as a culture and a society. I think the thematic heart of the showcorruption, consumption and wasteare subjects that are on peoples minds to a far greater degree now than they were in the late 90s, New York Magazines Matt Zoller Seitz tells Truthdig. And I hate to be so blunt, but we have a kind of gangster president. In their new book, The Sopranos Sessions, Seitz and co-author Alan Sepinwall offer a critical reexamination of the HBO dramaone that explores how the series revolutionized serial television, aesthetically and thematically. The shows mercurial unpredictability was electrifying, they write in their introduction. Pre-Sopranos, TV was widely dismissed as a medium for programs that didnt ask the viewer to think about anything except what was coming on next, and that preferred lovable characters who didnt change and had no inner life. The ideal network series was filler between commercials. The book also includes new interviews with creator David Chase, each of which provides fresh insight into the writers and show-runners creative process. Since their publication, these interviews have caused a stir of their own, fueling further speculation about the fate of Tony Soprano. I wont dissect Chases admission here, but the fact that audiences and the media alike continue to hang on his every word is a testament not just to the brilliance of the shows final scene but the enduring power of The Sopranos itself. Over the phone, I spoke with Seitz about the shows politics, Americas reverence for anti-heroes and its fundamental discomfort with ambiguity. What follows is a lightly edited transcript of our conversation. Jacob Sugarman: This year marks the 20th anniversary of The Sopranos, which serves as a hook of sorts for your book. Matt Zoller Seitz: Well, there are number of reasons. One of them is that television as we know it now comes from The Sopranos, for better of worse[specifically] the tradition of the anti-hero, or anti-heroes, being at the center of the story rather than a more moralistic hero that audiences can approve of. Thats a major change. Other shows had attempted that, but The Sopranos actually pulled it off, and it deserves the credit. Or the blame. [More significantly], I think the thematic heart of the showcorruption, consumption and wasteare subjects that are on peoples minds to a far greater degree now than they were in the late 90s. Tony Soprano is a waste-management consultant, but hes essentially in the business of hauling and dumping garbage. Thats where his veneer of legitimacy comes from. Hes also a character who disposes of people, figuratively and literally, when they are no longer of any use to him; for whom morality is entirely situational; and who is gluttonous in every way. Food, drink, women, drugs, cars, houses, you name it. Hes a corrupter who introduces an element of decay to the people around him. And I hate to be so blunt, but we have a kind of gangster president. JS: Please, be blunt! MZS: I mean, thats what he is. In fact, when I first heard Donald Trump announcing his presidencythe way he was talking and the way he was acting like a tough guy, implying that he could have people beaten up, or legally crushed, and making it clear that if you were loyal to him he loved youhe sounded like one of the two-bit gangsters Tony would end up killing before the end of the season, simply because he was too loud and too stupid to be allowed to live. Rewatching the pilot episode for the umpteenth time, I was struck by how much Tonys opening monologue seemed to echo the kinds of grievances that were so pervasive in the run-up to the 2016 election. MZS: When Tony says, Lately, Ive been thinking that I came in at the end, that the best was over, he was specifically addressing the end of the millennium, which had triggered widespread concern that our computer systems were going to fail us, that lights were going to go out, dams would burst, planes were going to fall from the sky. None of that happened, of course. But Tony was also speaking to the end of the American Century. It might not have happened right away, but the seeds had likely been planted as soon as the Soviet Union collapsed. Then 9/11 happened three years after The Sopranos debuted, and they had to take the twin towers out of the rearview mirror in the opening credits. I think its inarguable that things have become worse for America, at least in terms of our international prestige, and we brought it on ourselves. Of course, its debatable whether a country built on genocide and slavery ever deserved such an exalted position in the first place. When people say they love you, what they really mean is they fear you. And thats not a situation thats unique to America. Before us, England played the part of Tony Soprano, and China took its turn, and France. A lot of different countries have had that role. But we have given up even the pretense of being a moral authority. I think the bloom is off the rose now in a way that it maybe wasnt even in the 50s and 60s, when we were building up to Vietnam. Honestly, Im stunned that we didnt have somebody like Trump in charge of the country sooner. I look at that guy, and I feel like Im seeing what we actually are and never wanted to admit. And I think, as a country, we need to spend some quality time with Dr. Melfi and take a good, hard look at ourselves. JS: I thought it was really interesting that The Sopranos Sessions is publishing at a time when Vice is in theaters right now. Obviously its a different medium, with a different subject, but it seems like were trying to grapple with the damage of that administration. I think of The Sopranos as the ur work of the Bush presidency. MZS: I would have to disagree with you slightly. Remember, David Chase is a baby boomer, and his sensibilities as a young man were shaped by counterculture works like Catch-22, and One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest. And in cinema, stuff like The Graduate, Easy Rider, and Blow-Up, which is a major influence on the ending of the show. Just in terms of calendar, Bill was in office when the show debuted. Clinton was a scumbag, and I dont think weve really started to come to terms with the fact that hes probably a rapist. At the very least, he used his power in a way that sexually dominated and intimidated women.There was a natural charm to him that women responded to in a consensual manner, but then there were also times when he threw his weight around like a gangster, and he lied about it. Peter Bogdanovich is quoted in one of the articles from the book as saying that he thought that the show spoke to the moral murkiness of that period. JS: All fair points, and I would never try to absolve Bill Clinton of any kind of moral murkiness. But I guess Id counter that the bulk of the series is set in post-9/11 America. Youre repeatedly reminded that the towers have come down, and the country has radically changed course. MZS: Once Bush got into office, I think The Sopranos spoke directly to his presidency too, especially in the way that the mob guys expediently started blaming everything on Middle Easterners. They saw it as a way to escape the heat of the FBI. MZS: Well, I think you can make a case for pop culture acclimating people to a Trump-like figure, but I probably wouldnt pin it on The Sopranos. I think that show is basically on the side of the angels when it comes to making us feel conflicting emotions about a character like Tony and the gangsters he ran with, as well as the wives and girlfriends who were complicit in the evil of these men. There were a few moments when [the writers] kind of lost their grip and seemed to be getting off on the brutality of the characters, but it happened a lot less often than you would think. If anything, I think The Sopranos offered a counterweight, because the framework of it was morality and moral relativity. But the movie characters I grew up with in the 80s and 90s seem really sinister in retrospect. They were people like Eddie Murphy, Bill Murray, Michael Douglas, Robin Williams and Bruce Willis. Like Mel Gibson in the Lethal Weapon series, theyre mavericks. In Top Gun, Tom Cruises character is even named Maverick. All of these guys are personable, good-looking and hyper masculine. They walk with a swagger. Theyre wittier than everybody else, and theyre more confident than everybody else. They enter a room and just take over, and they dont give a damn about rules or regulations. They may get reprimanded, they may have to give up their badge for a period of time, but theyre [invariably] rewarded with a slow clap at the end. And theres always a sputtering authority figure who complains that they dont have any respect for protocol, and traditions, and all of that business. Theres nothing more American than someone who refuses to follow the rules. I actually did a piece for The Star Ledger in 2003, and a lot of readers didnt appreciate it because it was a pretty Republican circulation area at the time. But it essentially made this point. I dont think we would have been as willing to accept somebody like George W. Bush if pop culture hadnt been telling us for over 20 years that this is the guy that we all really want. Trump is more like a Michael Douglas character from an 80s movie, honestly. JS: I did not, but thats perfect. MZS: He was going to play himself. When I was writing a book about Oliver Stone, he told me that Trump was a terrible actor, that he was impossible to direct, and that he wouldnt take direction at all. JS: Of course he wouldnt. MZS: Keep in mind, this is Oliver Stone, who is not exactly Mr. Sensitivity. JS: Since your book was published, weve learned that [creator] David Chase is working on a prequel film to The Sopranos called The Many Saints of Newark, set during the Newark riots of 1967. MZS: They certainly werent shy about referencing recent politics on the show. JS: I ask because the series makes explicit reference to future New Jersey state Senator Anthony Imperiale, a racist rabble-rouser and proto-Trump, if ever there was one. MZS: Thats interesting. I hadnt even thought about that. But you know, I guess its possible. I remember seeing a profile of him on 60 Minutes when I was a kid. And my stepfather, who was born and raised in Queens, and was a big reactionary right-wing guy, loved Imperiale. His very existence seemed to excite him. Its interesting to think that he could be in the movie. JS: I know you have to run, but I would be remiss if I didnt ask you about the shows final scene. Its funny, because your book has its own little Holstens diner moment. David Chase appears to make a Freudian slip and acknowledge that Tony gets whacked, but then he quickly retreats, leaving the reader wondering exactly what just happened. MZS: Right. MZS: Well, I should start by telling you that, if you tell me that the point of that scene is that Tony died, Im not going to argue with you. I think you can certainly read it that way. But what I object to is the idea that theres only one acceptable answer to what happened at the end of The Sopranos, and that its not open to interpretation, because thats just absurd. I think if you keep insisting Tony died, and you wont accept any other discussion, then you werent really paying attention to the show. And I would say you dont really love the show for what it actually was. The Sopranos was very rigorous in insisting that we dont get the answers to certain questions, and it denied us closure every chance it got. This started in a big way in the second episode of season 3 when [Tonys mother] Livia dies. Theres a scene where AJ and Meadow are talking about Robert Frost, and AJ is very frustrated because he [cant understand] one of his poems. He just wants the answer, and Meadow keeps giving him intellectual prompts that are intended to stimulate independent thought, and lead him to his own conclusions. As he told us in the book, that was Chases way of acknowledging his own frustration with some of the viewers of the show. It annoyed him that people were so literal-minded in the way they dealt with certain aspects of the series. And this allowed him to mock them a bit. In the next scene, AJ thinks he hears the floorboards creaking outside his bedroom. Maybe and maybe not. The show never settles the matter. This is going to make me sound like a jerk, but Im just going to say it: I feel like it is our duty as people who know what art is, and accept certain properties of art as being non-negotiable, to stand up and fight against this treatment of the final four minutes of the series as a puzzle. I think that this desire to solve the last scene like an eighth-grade algebra question is part of a larger war on art that has always been [intrinsic to] the American experience of culture. People dont want art to be art. They want it to be entertainment, they want it to be digestible and they want to come up with the answer so they can get on with the rest of their lives. To be free of it. And youre never going to be free of The Sopranos. | https://www.truthdig.com/articles/did-the-sopranos-anticipate-the-rise-of-trump/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Truthdig+Truthdig%3A+Drilling+Beneath+the+Headlines |
How Will The U.S. Fracking Slowdown Impact Halliburton's Q4 Earnings? | Halliburton, the second-largest oilfield services company, is expected to publish its Q4 results on January 22, reporting on a quarter that saw a slowdown in fracking activity in the U.S, the companys bread-and-butter market. In this note, we take a look at some key trends to watch as the company publishes earnings. We have created an interactive dashboard analysis which outlines our expectations of Halliburton over 2018. You can modify the drivers to arrive at your own price estimate for the company. Headwinds In The U.S. Markets The North American oilfield services market is likely to see a soft performance over the fourth quarter, driven by multiple factors. Firstly, the market for pressure pumping services has been weak, due to declining demand and a relatively strong supply of pressure pumping equipment, which has been hurting pricing. Separately, operators have slowed down activity in the Permian, which is one of the largest oil and gas basins in the U.S., due to a lack of pipeline capacity to transport crude from the region. Halliburton also previously indicated that many of its customers had exhausted their budgets, hurting activity. While Halliburton didnt provide any mid-quarter updates following its Q3 earnings, rival Schlumberger noted that revenues from its North American business could fall 15% sequentially over the quarter, citing similar trends. Oil prices declined meaningfully over the last quarter, with WTI prices currently trading at under $50 per barrel, which is almost 35% below their October 2018 highs. While this isnt likely to have meaningfully impacted global activity over the fourth quarter, it could cause customers to take a more conservative approach with their E&P budgets over 2019, hurting drilling activity and broader services pricing. We will be looking for more color from Halliburton on this front during its earnings call. Embed them in your own posts using the Trefis WordPress Plugin. | https://www.forbes.com/sites/greatspeculations/2019/01/16/how-will-the-u-s-fracking-slowdown-impact-halliburtons-q4-earnings/ |
Is The ICO Market Truly Dead? | Recently, more than one analyst has gone on the record to state that the market for initial coin offerings (ICOs) is basically dead. Michael Novogratz, founder, CEO and chairman of Galaxy Digital, told Bloomberg last month that "The ICO market is pretty much dead right now." Barry Silbery, CEO and founder of Digital Currency Group, concurred, telling CNBC in an interview that the ICO was "dead" and "over." [Ed note: Investing in cryptocoins or tokens is highly speculative and the market is largely unregulated. Anyone considering it should be prepared to lose their entire investment.] Token Sale Evolution However, several market observers have asserted that ICOs are not dead, they are simply evolving. "ICOs are not dead, far from it," said Matthew Unger, founder and CEO of iComply Investor Services inc. John Hargrave, publisher of Bitcoin Market Journal, offered a similar point of view. "The ICO market is not dead, but changing," he claimed. Hargrave pointed to Google Trends data, emphasizing that search interest for the term "ICO" has fallen sharply over the last year. While a score of "100" represents peak search interest, this measure has been closer to 10 over the last few months. Rise of STOs He emphasized that the search interest for the term "STO," which stands for security token offering, has been fluctuating far closer to all-time highs in recent months. Unger also spoke to the proliferation of these sales, stating that: "For every ICO we see going live today there are at least three security tokens being launched." Eric Ervin, CEO of Blockforce Capital, also spoke to this transition taking place in the market for digital token sales. "As they continue to mature and people become more familiar with blockchain technology, we expect STOs to become more prolific," he stated. "In short, ICOs arent dead, investors are just doing more due diligence and looking for more credible and vetted projects," said Ervin. Crypto Wealth Effect While the landscape for digital token sales is clearly changing, shifting toward STOs, another factor that is contributing to lackluster ICO activity is the sentiment of investors, said analysts. "Global Ether buyers/owners have MUCH less 'house money' to spend," said Sean Walsh, CEO of crypto mining firm HyperBlock. Ether was trading close to $125 at the time of this writing, far below the value it had at many points in 2017 and 2018. When ether was more valuable, it likely made those who held it feel affluent. According to the wealth effect, people are more likely to spend when they feel well off. In this case, the assertion is that investors were more likely to take part in ICOs during the bull market because their crypto holdings were substantially more valuable. However, the value of the crypto market has fallen sharply over the last year, causing the net worth of many digital currency investors to dwindle. "Without that wealth effect, they're unwilling to participate in ICOs," said Walsh. Hargrave also weighed in on this situation, stating that: The whole market moves in tandem. So when BTC is down, so is ETH. When ETH is down, investors are less likely to buy into tokens. When token funding is down, the whole market slows down. It's a cycle. "But cycles change. Seasons change. Crypto winter will surely be followed by crypto spring." Disclosure: I own some bitcoin, bitcoin cash and ether. | https://www.forbes.com/sites/cbovaird/2019/01/16/is-the-ico-market-truly-dead/ |
What would a world without pushbuttons look like? | The act of pushing a button is central to how we work, play and communicate, but opposition to buttons and what they represent has a long history. In 1903, a French nobleman, the Marquis de Castellane, lamented in a newspaper editorial: It is no longer necessary to speak to be served. You step into a hotel, press the button, and a succulent luncheon appears suddenly before your delighted vision. Ten seconds later you feel chilly; you press another button, and presto! your fireplace is lighted up as if by magic. Electric buttons have become the masters of the world, overcoming distance, doing away with the necessity for forethought and, for that matter, for thought at all. To deal no longer with men, but to be dependent on things! Pushing buttons made life too easy, too simplistic, or too rote, when a single finger-action could conjure ones desires. For de Castellane, a reliance upon machines tipped the scales in favour of things over human beings, and he anxiously predicted that the result of too much simplification will be to suppress the joys of life altogether. This distaste for buttons, combined with a nostalgia for a pre-button past and a belief that action involved directed contact with the world, continued to bubble up in popular discourse well into the 1900s. In the story The Push-the-Button Man (1924) by Frank Dorrance Hopley, the protagonist, Carey, begins by being enamoured with the prospect of sitting behind a desk and pushing buttons all day to command others to do his work, but ultimately he has to excise buttons from his life to reclaim it through a dramatic act of anti-button sabotage: He sat down at his desk and his eyes rested upon the block of call buttons which had so nearly proved his undoing. There were 12 buttons; white, black, and red. Carey took out his knife and cut the cord that connected them with the other desks. The block fell to the floor; Carey picked it up, took a sheet of paper from a pigeon hole and wrote: I am sending you the buttons from my desk, as I shall not want them any more. Keep them as a souvenir of the past. Will see you tonight and explain. By literally and figuratively severing his connection to the buttons on his desk, Carey awakened to the error of his ways and embraced the American ethos of the self-made man: It was going to be worth while; out there, where men made themselves; where they held their destinies in their own hands; where merit, alone, won; and where no one ever pushed buttons. Hopleys story sounded a warning against push-button managers and bureaucracy, arguing for self-made individuals who clawed their ways to the top. Buttons represented entitlement and laziness, and button-pushing signified a hierarchical and unequal management style. Like de Castellane before him, Hopley imagined that the only way out for his main character (and for society more broadly), was to return to a world devoid of buttons. The social, technical and historical circumstances of the late-19th and early 20th centuries particularly sharpened these criticisms toward button-pushing, even as new technologies aimed to massively increase efficiency through automation of previously laborious processes. Concerns over the use of human hands, for example, grew more pronounced as many innovations involved what the German critic Walter Benjamin in 1939 described as a single abrupt movement of the hand [that] triggers a process of many steps in which a touch of the finger sufficed to fix an event for an unlimited period of time. Engineers boasted about replacing difficult, hand-operated machinery with easy-to-use electrical machinery: cranes and hoists filled in for conveyors and chutes, while pushbuttons took the place of laborious hand-actuated levers and various kinds of pulls. By contrast, for critics of these rapid technological changes, carrying out an activity by hand or manually signified not only exerting greater effort, but also engaging in a fundamentally human activity. The writer Joe Mitchell Chapple in 1908 cited many significant religious and social instances of touching, whether for healing, intimacy, or in demonstrating the personal touch. In this regard, button-pushing using machines to replace manual labour, handicraft and communication threatened to destabilise entrenched associations between hands and humanness. This anxiety was foreshadowed by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, who in their Communist Manifesto (1888) worried that: Owing to the extensive use of machinery, and the division of labour, the work of the proletarians has lost all individual character, and consequently all charm for the workman. He becomes an appendage of the machine, and it is only the most simple, most monotonous, and most easily acquired knack, that is required of him. By denigrating factory technologies for causing workers to become appendages an atrophied hand merely added on to provide a rote function Marx and Engels suggested that machines contributed to human beings alienation from production and from the products of their labour. Buttons represented this quintessential triumph of technical labour over human labour. But not all button-pushing was deemed bad: in 1888 Kodaks advertising slogan for the Brownie camera (You press the button, we do the rest) relied on the simplicity of the process for the user, and democratised photography for those who had previously been kept away because of the complicated process of developing and printing photographs. For the many millions who took up the Brownie camera, the button-pushing was what they wanted and celebrated. Cold War fears centred around a single button-push that would set a nuclear bomb on an unstoppable path At their best, early pushbuttons made light instantly appear, preventing falls in the dark. They warned of emergencies such as fires, putting help in closer reach. They honked automobile horns, and called for service in hotels and well-to-do dining rooms; they made elevators appear at a whim, and put photography within reach of the masses. Prefiguring the present-day internet age, one author in 1895 imagined an ideal future when life shall consist of sitting in a chair and pressing buttons. The act of pushing a button signified comfort, convenience and control, the heady values of industrialisation, much as it could also represent slothfulness, deskilling or alienation. These complaints carried on into the 20th century, with the French sociologist and philosopher Jean Baudrillard in 1968 lamenting that buttons, levers and the like had very nearly turned [humans] into the actors in a global process in which man is merely the role, or the spectator. This role of alienated spectator suggested human impotence, relegating button-pushers to look on as machines carried out the supposed real action. Not coincidentally, at this time, Cold War fears of imagined pushbutton warfare centred around the paranoia of a single push that would set a nuclear bomb on an unstoppable path. Although a Russian or an American finger could act as a trigger, the real power seemed to lie with the bomb itself, as humanity would watch helplessly while nuclear annihilation unfolded. Today, while technologies have changed significantly from Baudrillards time, let alone Marxs, pejoratives about button pushers are still common. Arguments against drone warfare or conflict-by-button often centre on over-simplifying, distancing and dehumanising the grave action of taking lives. In other contexts, charges against button-pushing take on a similar tenor, in the vein of critiques against button mashing in gaming, button pushers in photography and electronic music, and couch potatoes content to laze away the day with a television remote control. In each of these cases, the button-pushers engagement is perceived as detached and unskilled, and much of the criticism centres on the very fact that buttons facilitated these forms of distance and disengagement from other aspects of human life. Despite these myriad complaints, buttons remain ubiquitously present. Graphical user-interfaces on web pages and apps feature all kinds of buttons for tapping and touching. Buttons feature prominently on social media to express emotions from like and love to sad or wow. Physical buttons continue to appear on elevators, coffee-makers, remote controls and steering wheels. That being said, critics of buttons seem to hanker after a button-free world. Indeed, some recent technological designs have eschewed buttons in favour of gesture-based control (such as the Microsoft Kinect or Nintendo Wii) or voice activation (in the case of Alexa for Amazon or Siri for Apple). In other instances, such as Apples latest iPhone, the company boasts about replacing the home button, a fixture of previous designs, with facial recognition: You look at it to unlock it, noted Phil Schiller, an Apple marketing executive, at the phones launch. Your phone knows what you look like, and your face becomes the password. In a similar vein, the Polish interface designer Wojciech Dobry has argued that its time to think button-less, where user-interface architects imagine a button-less utopia where people can simply clap to express enthusiasm, use their voices to execute a command, or drag and drop items with their fingers on a slick, glass screen. Dobry surmises that buttons, a vestige of the 19th century, need not hang on far into the 21st century. These efforts propose that the world might be better off without pushbuttons by moving to more natural interactions with the technologies of everyday life. These responses reflect the fact that buttons most certainly have certain technical limitations. They can, for instance, constrain users choices to limiting binaries such as on/off, yes/no, or start/stop, rather than encouraging a range of options. In some situations, a dial, clap or voice command might indeed work better than a button and issues of usability should come to the fore of any design conversation. However, what corporations and designers often fail to recognise is that complaints about buttons have less to do with buttons themselves than with the social and technical contexts in which those buttons exist. By looking at the subtexts behind complaints about buttons, whether historically or in the present moment, it becomes clear that manufacturers, designers and users alike must pay attention to why buttons persistently engender critiques. Such negativity tends to involve one of three primary themes: fears over deskilling; frustration about lack of user agency/control; or anger due to perceptions of unequal power relations. First, despite the benefits that have resulted from delegating manual labour to machines, societies have long grappled with the question of whether those machines deskill human beings and make them obsolete. What Engels and Marx called an appendage and Baudrillard called a spectator are bodies made unnecessary, who exist solely to support a machines functions. Buttons do not inherently or inevitably deskill workers; in fact, a great deal of reskilling has been required over the past 100 years or more to teach people how to push the right buttons in the right contexts. One need only look at the complicated interface of an airplane cockpit, a car dashboard or a manufacturing facilitys control room to understand that button-pushing quite often necessitates an intimate knowledge and cultivated bodily practice. Attendant to concerns about skill, when users do not understand how buttons work in a particular context (quite a common problem), they often experience frustration at the feeling that they are not truly in control that somehow the machine worked independently from their finger pushes. Some buttons, at a push, seemingly do nothing at all, leaving the user dumbfounded and without recourse. Buttons can also, in their opaque design, prompt questions of user agency and efficacy. Likewise, the aptly named placebo button references the fact that many buttons remain in existence, such as crosswalk buttons, to give users a false sense of agency, given that computers now automate such tasks. Buttons lack of feedback can leave maddening questions in their wake about authentic control. Last and perhaps most vexing people excoriate button-pushing when they perceive that they are being pushed into action while someone else gets to do the pushing. Returning once more to Hopleys story of Carey, it becomes evident that the author feared the pushbutton manager because he represented an abuse of power. Witnessing the rise of scientific management and bureaucratic practices in offices, Hopley blamed buttons for creating oppressive distance between managers and lower-level employees. These managers could sit comfortably at their desks espousing orders with a push, while those below them unceremoniously toiled. Similar complaints cropped up among servants, who lamented their poor treatment at the hands of housewives. Such inequities persist: when one pushes, taps or clicks a button to order a product online, it is not the button that delivers that product but rather an assembly of (often poorly compensated) human labour that must respond on demand, from manufacturing and fulfilment through delivery. Buttons work through the magic of making things (and people) appear at ones beck and call. However, that magic often belies strikingly unequal power dynamics. These scenarios, which have much more to do with social relations than with buttons themselves, suggest how the act of pushing a button gets embroiled in cultural and political circumstances of a particular moment. After surveying more than a century of wild optimism and moral panic about pushbuttons, it becomes apparent that it is time to put an end to the ways that buttons (and perhaps all interfaces) get glamorised or demonised in peoples talk, writing and cultural imagination. To rethink the roles of buttons is not so much to decide if they are good or bad, but rather to look beyond their iconic function in popular culture and popular discourse. Refocusing attention from whether buttons should exist to how they function socially and technically in specific contexts opens up a realm of new questions about interface interactions in everyday life. To give a few examples: it matters whether buttons get put behind glass, whether children get to touch them at museums, and whether an intercom button gets installed at a patients bedside. A world without buttons would offer no utopian antidote to the problems that often plague communication, work and play, both through and with technologies. Every interface requires users to learn about and habituate their bodies to a set of what at first seem very unnatural gestures and every interface gets embedded and mobilised in social circumstances in ways that can support or disincentivise users agency. Touchscreen interfaces raise concerns about safety, as users must devote much of their attention to visually engaging with the screen rather than feeling about for a raised surface with their fingers. Facial-recognition interfaces carry with them attendant ethical questions, and some worry that tools of this kind indicate another step toward the end of anonymity, and invite greater surveillance by both corporations and government entities. Moving toward these forms of interaction merely invites new puzzles and negotiations. Rather than eschew buttons for the next shiniest interface as though it were a panacea, the task, then, becomes to imagine a world with buttons that also prioritises authentic user-engagement, transparency and feedback a world that is sensitised to the politics and privileges associated with pushing. | https://aeon.co/essays/what-would-a-world-without-pushbuttons-look-like |
When will Aldi grocery store open in Fairview Heights IL? | Fairview Heights grocery shoppers will soon have a new shop to try. Aldi will open a store in the Lincoln Place Shopping Center on Thursday, Jan. 24, the company announced Wednesday. The store is taking over the former hhgregg building at 5925 N. Illinois St. The new location is part of a $3.4 billion investment to expand to 2,500 stores nationwide by the end of 2022, Aldi officials wrote in a news release. Construction work to convert the hhgregg space into a grocery store began last year. This will be the seventh Aldi grocery store in the metro-east. Digital Access For Only $0.99 For the most comprehensive local coverage, subscribe today. Others are located in Granite City, Belleville, Cahokia, OFallon, Edwardsville and Collinsville. The Fairview Heights store will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday. The grand opening ceremony is scheduled for 8:25 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 24. When you shop at Aldi, you rent a shopping cart for a quarter and bag your own groceries as a part of the companys cost-saving measures. | https://www.bnd.com/news/local/article224624175.html |
What Is Marie Kondo's Net Worth? | Even if you just discovered the KonMari Method during your recent Netflix binge, Marie Kondo (and her genius decluttering approach!) has been sparking joy in homes around the world for more than a decade. Through her unique decluttering approach (based on the idea of filling your house with items that bring joy), the 34-year-old has built an organizational empire with books, TV shows, and storage solutions. As of 2019, Marie Kondo is worth an estimated $8 million. For Kondo, a childhood hobby turned into a profitable business, amassing a net worth worth of $8 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. Further proof that getting rid of clutter and negativity is beneficial, at least it is for this pro. She got started early. Her love affair with decluttering started early: As a kid, she'd regularly toss her siblings unused toys and clothes, and even spent recess reorganizing her classroom's bookshelves. While attending Tokyo Women's Christian University to study sociology, her friends started to pay her to tidy up their rooms. It was then that she realized her passion could be profitable: At 19, Kondo started a consulting business as a side hustle and charged $100 for five hours of work. Within a few years, she racked up a six-month waiting list, leading her to quit her full-time job at a staffing agency to dedicate all of her time to decluttering. She became a household name. She was named one of Times 100 Most Influential People in 2015. Getty Images Dimitrios Kambouris Regarded as one of the top organizing experts in Japan, Kondo, who moved on to teach consultants her unique approach, wrote a guide on her category-by-category method. Enter The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing. The book, which was released in Japan in 2011 inspired a TV movie called Jinsei ga Tokimeku Katazuke no Mahou (The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up). While the book was a success in Japan and Europe, it took time to gain traction in the United States. Since she didn't speak a lot of English at the time, it was difficult for her promote her book in the America but then Penelope Green wrote a review for The New York Times. Eventually, the book became a New York Times bestseller, selling more than 11 million copies in 40 countries. To piggyback the book's success, she released a journal, illustrated guide, and graphic journal. All of her books currently have at least 4.5 stars on Amazon and hundreds, if not thousands, of glowing reviews. She started selling storage solutions. Because once you master the KonMari Method, you need something cute to store your stuff in. In March 2018, she released a capsule collection with Cuyana. The entire collection was based around one item: A Japanese-inspired jewelry organizer styled like a bento box. "The guiding principle of the KonMari Method is to discover and cherish items that spark joy for you. Cuyana's philosophy of 'fewer, better' which manifests in the carefully designed and selected products made our collaboration a natural one," she said. She then began selling storage box sets on her website. All four styles, which retail for $89 a set, have been sold out since their launch in August 2018. And now, of course, she's on Netflix. It was only natural to turn her best-selling book into a binge-watching miracle: Tidying Up with Marie Kondo was an instant success after being released in January 2019. While Netflix hasn't released numbers just yet, the Internet is now obsessed with Kondo. | https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/entertainment/a25908226/marie-kondo-net-worth/ |
What Do the Oscars Gain by Losing a Host? | Sometimes, the host makes the most of these additional moments, as Ellen DeGeneres did five years ago when she pulled nearly every celebrity in the front row into a selfie that went viral. Still, with many Oscar hosts, you can see the flop sweat as they try desperately to will a minor bit into something bigger. The less said about Jimmy Kimmels aimless foray into a packed movie theater, or Neil Patrick Harriss recurring briefcase joke, the better. Mistakes like those wont be missed, and those who tune into the Oscars simply to watch things go smoothly will no doubt be satisfied. And yet, even though its a gig packed with peril, I think were still underestimating the power a host has to shape the telecast in ways both noticeable and not. For one, the hosts serve as ratings-drivers: Not only are they expected to promote the show in interviews and commercials, but when the host is well matched to the material, audiences often tune in simply to see what he or she will say. With ratings dwindling for the telecast, this is a bad year to skimp on a hosts must-see appeal, and though Oscar producers hope to offset that loss by asking big names to present, thats hardly a unique draw. Most Oscar telecasts are already packed with celebrity presenters. [The Carpetbagger on Black Panthers prospects at this years ceremony.] ABC has been so desperate to increase Oscar ratings that executives pushed for a new category just to reward blockbuster films, and while its true that the 1998 telecast became the highest-rated Oscar show ever in part because the megahit Titanic was in contention, 2014s edition was the most-watched of the last decade, and that wasnt because best picture winner 12 Years a Slave was some billion-grossing smash. Its because DeGeneres, that years social-media-savvy host, ably plugged into the way many people like to watch the Oscars these days: with one eye on the TV, and the other on Twitter. Kimmel, who hosted the last two Oscar telecasts, offered no such boost. Unable to land a good zinger even during the best-picture mix-up involving La La Land and Moonlight, Kimmel droned through most of his material like he was thinking about his grocery list. Since Kimmel already hosts a nighttime show on ABC five times a week, his Oscar stint had no special frisson, yet the network consistently overlooked his uninspired stewardship as it searched for a scapegoat to pin those falling ratings to, instead blaming the Oscars themselves. | https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/16/movies/oscars-host.html |
Are these what Google's Nexus smartwatches will look like? | We recently reported that Google may be working on making its own Android Wear smartwatches. Today, we have rendered images of what those Nexus watches could look like. An unnamed source told Android Police about the company's plans, and the site recreated its own rendered images from the physical description provided by their source. Android Police is fairly confident about its renders, but notes Google is still in the prototyping stage, which means the real watches could look dramatically different. Photo credit: Android Police Looking at the renders, you can see the watches look pretty standard, although the larger model, codenamed Angelfish, sports two extra buttons. It's unclear what these two buttons do, but they could be customizable to launch apps and settings. It also looks to be sportier than its smaller sibling, codenamed Swordfish, and its fitness-focused watchface reiterates that. New cases, new faces Speaking of watch faces, the renders show off a new face for Android Wear, allowing users to customize what data they want to see at a glance. The larger watch is separated into eight parts with different information about calendar invites, steps, emails and much more. The smaller watch only includes four customizable quadrants and may be targeted toward the more casual wearer who doesn't need the fitness features of the larger watch. Although Android Police didn't render images of the watches' side profiles, they do mention Angelfish is substantially thicker than Swordfish. That's not surprising as Angelfish will pack in LTE and GPS, while Swordfish won't. Additionally, Swordfish will apparently work with Google's MODE watch bands, which feature a quick release mechanism to make strap changes a breeze. Angelfish, meanwhile, won't. In addition to these Android Wear watches, Google is rumored to be releasing new HTC-built Nexus phones soon. Google's phones and smartwatches should share similar aesthetics, and it would be smart if the company released them together, or even in a discounted package. | https://www.techradar.com/uk/news/wearables/are-these-what-google-s-nexus-smartwatches-will-look-like-1324726 |
Does Sherrod Brown Need Sex Appeal to Beat Donald Trump? | If candidates for president are companies, Sherrod Brown is a value stock: solid fundamentals, priced well below his flashier peers. The rumpled Ohio senator has less star appeal than Beto ORourke or Kamala Harris, but delivers a Biden-esque message in a Bernie-like package. A Rust Belt populist in good standing with both the centrists and progressives in his party, Brown could be a major contenderif cable-news producers can get over the fact that he is maybe a little bit boring. Browns first major step toward a 2020 announcement will do little to dispel the perception of un-sexiness. On Tuesday, he announced a Dignity of Work tour that will take him to the early-voting states of Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina, to talk to voters about bread and butter issues. When work has dignity, everyone can afford health care, education and housing, Brown said in a statement announcing the tour, which kicks off January 30 in Cleveland. They have power over their schedules and the economic security to start a family, pay for daycare and college, take time off to care for themselves or their families when they are sick, and save for retirement. The dignity of work is a value that unites us all. But at 66, Browns blue-collar message works for him, and hes sticking to it. In 2018, he was comfortably re-elected to a third term in a state that went for Donald Trump by eight points, thanks in large part to a populist message that resonates with precisely the sort of Democrat who might have considered defecting in 2016. Brown is unabashedly progressivehe is, in fact, consistently ranked one of the most liberal lawmakers in the Senatebut takes a populist stance on issues like trade and outsourcing. In 2006, he wrote a book entitled Myths of Free Trade: Why American Trade Policy Has Failed; more recently, he spoke with Trump about the closure of a GM plant in his home state, and encouraged the president to support his American Cars, American Jobs Act. (The president said he liked the bill, Brown said in a statement.) Speaking with my colleague Chris Smith in November, he spoke candidly about his ambition to take working-class politics back from Trump, a phony populist who turned the White House into a retreat for Wall Street and oil-company executives. He is, in other words, a younger Bernie Sanders-style Democrat with a Midwestern pedigree and none of the democratic socialist baggage, who has a proven record of winning elections in what has become a reliably red state. People who know him say not to underestimate his ability to connect with real people, and speak to real issues. For one, Brown faces a younger, diverse, increasingly competitive field. Theres Elizabeth Warren, a fellow progressive who formed an exploratory committee in December; Kirsten Gillibrand, who made her own intentions clear during an appearance Tuesday night on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert; plus relative unknowns Tulsi Gabbard and Julian Castro, among others. Kamala Harris and Cory Booker are expected to make announcements of their own any day now. All of whom make Brown look decidedly white and male. If he enters the 2020 race, as expected, Brown will be playing catchup. And not just in building out a campaign infrastructure, where Brown would begin miles behind some of his more aggressive peers. (Warren has been building a political network for years, ORourke and Harris are fundraising stars, and Gillibrand has already made overtures to Wall Street.) There is also the question of name recognition. In one recent Quinnipiac poll, 77 percent of Democrat voters said they did not know enough about Brown to form an opinion. Unlike some of his potential competitors, Brown lacks the unpredictability and pizazz that win social-media mindshare. Democratic strategists are enamored of his geographic appeal, but Brown still has to win primaries. Of course, Browns less polarizing profile could be an asset, too, especially in a field where more well-known candidates come with well-known baggage. The same Quinnipiac poll, for instance, found that a large percentage of voters had already formed negative opinions about Sanders, Warren, and Michael Bloomberg. Perhaps, in the age of Trump, voters might be drawn to the decidedly un-flashy, anti-candidate candidate. After years of chaos and a hyperventilating media, Brown might prove that grizzly authenticity is more important than sex appeal, if only he can convince the media first. Sign up for our daily Hive newsletter and never miss a story. | https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2019/01/sherrod-brown-2020-race-chances |
How bad will my postpartum depression be in 12 months? | CHICAGO --- A new Northwestern Medicine study was able to successfully predict if a new mother would experience worsening depressive symptoms over the first year after giving birth by identifying four maternal characteristics that put her at risk. Identifying these factors early in the postpartum period will allow mothers to seek treatment earlier and improve their chance of a full recovery, the authors said. The four characteristics included the number of children the mother has; her ability to function in general life, at work and in relationships; her education level, which can determine access to resources; and her depression severity at four to eight weeks postpartum. The predictions from the study were 72.8 percent accurate. The study was published January 15 in the journal Depression & Anxiety. "By the time a mother comes in for her six-week postpartum visit, we have the potential to predict the severity of her depression over the next 12 months," said first author Sheehan Fisher, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. "This would be a game-changer for mothers and their clinicians because we could encourage early intervention so moms have better odds of success with their treatment over time." A mother with postpartum depression can fall into one of three depression trajectories, ranging from gradual remission (over time she starts to get better), to partial improvement (by 12 months postpartum, she is headed in a positive direction but continues to have symptoms), to chronic severe (her symptoms start at the same level as the partial improvement trajectory but worsen over time). "It's not just a question of 'Is the mother feeling depressed?' but rather, 'Which way is she headed in her depression?'" Fisher said. "If her depression symptoms are going to get worse over time, she needs to be proactive about treatment." Fisher hopes the findings will lead to improved step care for mothers in all three depression trajectories, meaning the level of care can be tailored to each woman. Mothers with postpartum depression typically experience difficulty sleeping, feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt, difficulty coping with negative emotions, have an inability to focus or concentrate on things and generally feel a lot of emotional distress, Fisher said. Postpartum depression impacts not only the mother but also can negatively impact her child's functioning and health. It can affect the child's emotional development, ability to regulate their own emotions and confer a higher risk for anxiety and depression. The longer a woman's depression goes untreated, the more difficult it is to get her back on track, Fisher said. It can also take a while to find the right medication and get access to the right provider. "It only complicates things if the mother doesn't start her treatment until later on," Fisher said. Treatment for women in the chronic severe group would differ based on the individual but could include psychotherapy and/or medication, Fisher said. Clinicians might enlist the help of the father or other family members or might seek high-level care like an intensive outpatient course of treatment for the mother. The longitudinal study looked at data collected between 2006 and 2011 of women delivering at an academic medical center in Pittsburgh, Pa. Women with a postpartum depressive disorder participated and completed symptom severity assessments at four-to-eight weeks (intake), three months, six months and 12 months postpartum. Clinicians interviewed the women about the severity of their depressive symptoms, medical and psychiatric history, functioning, obstetric experience and infant status. The scientists determined a woman's score based on the four characteristics and, using a computational algorithm that predicts her depression trajectory, provided the odds of which group the woman would fall in. ### Northwestern co-authors included Dorothy Sit, Amy Yang, Jody Ciolino and Jacki Gollan. Katherine Wisner was the senior author. Funding for this study was provided by the National Institute of Mental Health (grant R01MH071825) of the National Institutes of Health. Other Northwestern co-authors included Dorothy Sit, Amy Yang, Jody Ciolino and Jacki Gollan. Katherine Wisner was the senior author. | https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-01/nu-hbw011619.php |
Is T-Mobile Bribing the President? | It may be pure coincidence that, just after T-Mobile announced a $26 billion merger with Sprint last year, its executives developed a fancy for a little establishment that happens to be owned by Donald Trump. Right as the telecom company, which stands to more than double its value in the merger, began seeking government approval for the deal in April, C.E.O. John Legere and other top T-Mobile executives patronized the Trump International Hotel in Washington as VIP Arrivals, according to documents obtained by The Washington Post. In the months since, executives have stayed at the presidents Pennsylvania Avenue hotel roughly 38 nights. Legere appears to have made at least four visits, and another executive has returned at least 10 times, though as the Post points out, the numbers could very well be higher, as their documentation is incomplete. (Neither the White House nor T-Mobile contested the papers findings.) Its become a place I feel very comfortable, Legere told the Post in the hotels lobby last week, praising the establishment for its fine service and good security. He added, At the moment I am in town for some meetings at the Department of Justice . . . and its very convenient for that. To be fair, the hotel is located a convenient distance from the D.O.J. But as everyone from American politicians to lobbyists to the government of Saudi Arabia seem to have figured out, lining the presidents pocketbook by patronizing his establishments is also a convenient way to attempt to curry favor with the White House. T-Mobile is perhaps the most brazen example of this kind of ring kissing, because, as the Post observes, the companys executives were expected at the hotel so soon after announcing they needed a win in Washington. Trumps sprawling business empire has long raised significant conflict-of-interest concernsand he has frequently appeared to be using his office for personal profit. In the past, he has attempted to allay such concerns by claiming to have ceded control of the Trump Organization to his eldest sons, Don Jr. and Eric Trump. But the line between his personal business interests and his public office is as muddy as ever. Ethics experts have flagged this sort of ambiguity as a major problem: Its about perception of conflict of interest, lawyer F. Joseph Warin told the Post back in November. We want our leader laser-focused on fixing the problems of the United States and not diverted on commercial issues. Yet those who benefit seem content to brush concerns under the rug. Certainly not, Legere told the Post when asked whether he thought his stay would earn T-Mobile preferential treatment. Sign up for our daily Hive newsletter and never miss a story. | https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2019/01/t-mobile-executives-bribing-the-president-trump-hotel |
Is North West Durham MP Laura Pidcock being groomed to become the next Labour leader? | The video will start in 8 Cancel 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 North West Durham MP Laura Pidcock features heavily in Labours latest party political broadcast. And it will increase speculation that she is being groomed to replace Jeremy Corbyn as party leader. The powerful 3 minute 40 second film sets out Jeremy Corbyns vision for a country that believes in fairness, that knows right from wrong. And the Labour leader narrates the film. But while viewers hear his voice, they dont see him. Instead, the film ends with the camera closing in on Laura Pidcocks face as she stands in a street. Theres nothing in the film to suggest why she has been singled out for star billing rather than Mr Corbyn or any other Labour MP. Ms Pidcock, elected as an MP for the first time in 2017, is a shadow Business Minister in Labours front bench team. But shes not a member of the Shadow Cabinet, which includes the most senior shadow ministers. The North Shields-born MP came to prominence after a speech in 2017 when she said Parliament is archaic and reeks of the establishment. And she was tipped at the time as a potential future leader. Ms Pidcock recently returned to the House of Commons after taking some time off for maternity leave. She is a staunch supporter of Mr Corbyn. The MP was criticised after saying she could not be friends with a Tory, adding: The idea that theyre not the enemy is simply delusional. But her attitude may appeal to many party members. | https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/north-west-durham-mp-laura-15689322 |
Why Would Bill Barr Even Want to Be Attorney General? | Read: The inadvisable president That drily delivered answer contains a great deal of meat. Its impossible to read his statements about rule of law and the independence and reputation of the Justice Department as anything other than an implicit rebuke of Trump, who has tried to railroad the department into prosecuting political adversaries and overriding ethical recommendations; of former Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who resisted Trumps biggest pressures but saw DOJ take a steep decline in esteem; and of Matt Whitaker, the political apparatchik whos now the acting attorney general. Barr came across, during the hearing, as the sort of Washington figure who holds a near-religious reverence for the Justice Department. Not only did Barr previously serve as attorney general, late in George H. W. Bushs presidency, but he also has a long list of relations who work or have worked at the departmentas well as an 8-year-old grandson who, he quipped, will someday be in the Department of Justice. Barrs veneration for the DOJ seems to be a powerful force in his desire to take the job again. He may also nurse the same ambition as many people who have held powerful jobs: the desire to hold them again. Being attorney general is a plum position, and whatever caveats might apply in the Trump administration, people want Cabinet roles. Barrs paeans to the rule of law and independence of the Justice Department also suggest he might feel some of the same sense of duty to protect the country from Trump that compelled Mattis to serve, despite his misgivings. Perhaps Barr harbors dreams of being a modern-day Elliot Richardson, the attorney general who stood up to Richard Nixon and resigned rather than fire Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox. Barr did tell senators hed resign before doing something illegal, but the prospect of martyrdom is an unlikely reason to take a job. Like Mattis, Barr shows little evidence of being a real Trumpist. His interest in the rule of law is enough evidence of that, as is his service to Bush, a president with few if any similarities to Trump. Barr is a conservative Republican in the old mold, but Trump is not. On Tuesday, Barr praised Mueller as a man of impeccable integrity and said the special counsel would not take part in a witch hunt (though Barr allowed that Trump might feel persecuted, since he is the one under investigation). The one exception in Barrs recent past is the unsolicited memo that he submitted to Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein criticizing one interpretation of the law on obstruction of justice, related to the Mueller probe. Barr tried to write the memo off as a speculative interpretation based on little real knowledge of Muellers view of obstruction of justiceas though his input carried only the weight of an obscure legal blogger and not a former attorney general. | https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2019/01/why-would-bill-barr-want-be-trumps-attorney-general/580555/?utm_source=feed |
Is Google Babel-ing on again with Google Voice for Android update? | A minor update to the Google Voice VoIP app for Android this week may hold a few clues regarding the Babel messaging service that the company is reported to be cooking up. The app update only lists "Improved the reliability of SMS delivery" as its reason for being, but Android Police took a glance beneath the surface to find one particularly intriguing little detail. It may not sound like much, but the APK teardown showed that Google Voice's configuration settings can now be read by other applications within the Android ecosystem. Putting two-and-two together (perhaps to make five), some have concluded Google is intending for another app to take on Voice's settings. Recent rumours and leaks have suggested that Babel will bring together G-Talk in Gmail and on Android, as well as a client for Chrome, Android and iOS. According to a leaked Google memo, the service will run across synchronised devices (a la Apple's iMessage), while it'll also support 800-plus emoji and video based Google+ Hangouts. Speculation has also pointed to the eventual integration (and replacement) of Google Voice, which brings us neatly back to today's reports. "I think it all points to another app taking over Google Voice's duties," wrote Android Police's Ron Amadeo. "Google is either baking in special support for its own app, or they're going to start supporting a third party Google Voice ecosystem about a million years too late. GV is, at least partially, readying to transfer data to something, we just aren't sure what." An official announcement regarding Babel is expected for Google IO 2013. Via Android Authority | https://www.techradar.com/sg/news/software/applications/is-google-babel-ing-on-again-with-google-voice-for-android-update-1145225 |
How does winter weather impact the flu virus? | As the temperatures plunge and the air gets dry, most people know to be more vigilant about the flu virus. But do you know why?While the cold itself does not cause the flu, winter weather can strengthen the virus and provide prime conditions for it to spread, AccuWeather explains.When a person contracts the flu, it means they've come into contact with respiratory droplets. The virus has trouble spreading through the humid air of the summer, but it can more easily move through the cold, dry winter air.Learn more about the flu and winter weather in the video above from AccuWeather. | https://abc30.com/weather/how-does-winter-weather-impact-the-flu-virus/5089722/ |
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