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Can Netflix Stock Live Up to the Q4 Hype? | The past year has been a bumpy one for Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX ). A jittery market and concerns about whether or not the firm will be able to continue growing its subscriber numbers as it has done in the past has sent NFLX on a rollercoaster ride. Despite the fact Netflix stock lost nearly half of its value between July and December of last year, NFLX was still able to deliver a 30% upside to investors who held on to their shares for the duration of the year. Since the beginning of 2019, NFLX has been making a recovery from its sharp loss back in December. After yesterdays rally, its up an astounding 30% in just two weeks! However, with fourth-quarter earnings due out on Thursday, many are wondering whether they should be buying or selling Netflix stock. Analyst upgrades have amped up investor sentiment ahead of the release, but management has warned that there are still some headwinds to watch out for. Heres a look at what to expect from NFLXs upcoming earnings release. Analyst Upgrades for NFLX Stock The past week has been peppered with positive press regarding Netflix stock. Raymond James and UBS both issued upgrades on the stock ahead of the companys fourth quarter earnings release and a research note for Stifel Nicolaus predicted fourth quarter subscriber numbers coming in ahead of expectations. The Stifel note said that in December, Netflixs search interest was at a 5-year high both in the U.S. and globally. With that in mind, the analyst believes that the increased interest in Netflix content will have translated into new subscriptions and thus better than expected subscriber numbers in the end-of-year quarter. However, its worth mentioning that not everyone believes that increased search activity equals more subscribers. Analysts at JPMorgan noted that although Q4 is likely Netflixs strongest content-wise, the popular new titles were released too late in the quarter to have improved the firms net additions. JPM analysts believe Q4 paid net additions will come in below managements already cautious guidance of 1.28 million in the U.S. and 5.97 million internationally. The Adds Add Up Netflix stocks success or failure following its earnings release really depends on whether or not the firm is able to hit those new subscriber numbers. At very least, the firm will have to hit managements low-ball numbers but investors will be looking for a beat on this metric, especially after all the enthusiastic press the stock has received. Including both paid and free-trial subscriptions, NFLX needs to have acquired 9.4 million net new members to satisfy investors expectations. What Else to Watch Outside of the subscriber numbers, investors will also look to Netflixs revenue growth. Analysts are expecting to see fourth quarter revenue come in at $4.21 billion, representing 28% growth from the year-ago quarter. Profitability, on the other hand, is expected to take a hit as spending on new content ate into margins. (The subscription-price hike, announced yesterday, of course came too late to affect Q4 numbers.) The Long-Term Case for NFLX Theres a lot of pressure on NFLX this week with earnings on the horizon and any missteps could lead to another decline for the stock especially since the stock shot up 6% yesterday. However, investors might want to use an earnings miss as a buying opportunity because the bottom line is that the long-term growth story for Netflix stock is still intact. The companys aggressive investment in its original content is paying off thats evident by the high search volume for NFLX content. Within a week of releasing Bird Box, 45 million people had watched the thriller making it the most successful original film the firm has ever released. Netflix knows how to create content that people want to watch, which is the key for long-term success. Not only does it give subscribers a reason to renew their membership, it attracts big name directors and actors for future projects. Plus, Netflix content is being recognized in Hollywood. The firm won 5 Golden Globes earlier this month. Thats a big deal because no other network or streaming service came away from the ceremony as successful. That kind of recognition proves beyond a doubt that NFLX is a force to be reckoned with in both film and TV. Additionally, yesterdays announcement shows that Netflix is confident that subscribers will continue to pay increased prices for this original content. The Bottom Line NFLX stock has the potential to make its way above $400 again over the next few months, but Im not convinced that the Q4 results can live up to expectations. Although the firm was able to put out some impressive content during the quarter, I think JPMs hypothesis that it was too late in the quarter to make a sizable impact on new additions is probably true. With investors already jittery and a shaky market, I wouldnt be surprised to see a slight earnings misstep hurting NFLX stock. However, investors should consider using a post-earnings slump as a buying opportunity because whether Q4 meets expectations or not, Netflix stock is a great long-term play. As of this writing Laura Hoy was long NFLX. | https://investorplace.com/2019/01/can-netflix-stock-live-up-to-the-q4-hype/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+InvestorPlace+%28InvestorPlace%29 |
What are diners eating at Wilmot Township restaurants? | Jake & Humphreys' Bistro, New Hamburg: Co-owner and chef Janet Duncan says it depends on the time of day. "We sell mostly liver at lunch and probably grilled cheese next over the course of the year. At dinner our beef tenderloin and shrimp is the biggest seller." Turns out, one of the most popular items is not actually on the menu! "The lamb rack is almost always available and they sell more than most of the menu items." There is a rumour that chefs never reveal their recipes, but at Jake & Humphreys', there is an exception to that rule. Duncan says, "Our most requested recipe is for the braised red cabbage. Christine (Jovanovic) has designed a little recipe card for it to give out." Meme's Caf, New Hamburg: Owner Meredith Hagen says that identifying the top two choices of her diners "is a tough one." But she gave it a go: "For sure MeMe's Feta Salad organic greens tossed in our house vinaigrette topped with marinated feta cheese, organic raisins, almonds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds and red peppers. "During the winter months we offer four to five soups, which are extremely popular. We now offer a flight of soups (customers can choose three). Popular soups include local organic parsnip and pear, butternut squash and maple, and local organic carrot, lime and coconut." My Place, New Hamburg: Owner Jennifer Lan had a similar comment, when asked to pick just two. "But we have so many things!" But she, too, narrowed it down to "breakfast specials, and chicken souvlaki." New Dundee Emporium: Co-owners Mark Harrison and chef Danny Duchesne serve a lot of warm seafood salad, and also quiche. And like some of their restaurant colleagues, they report that some specials go immediately to the top of the hit list like their pasta salad special. Old Country Restaurant, New Hamburg: Owner Susan Mantas says her customers opt most often for two old favourites: liver and schnitzel. Puddicombe House, New Hamburg: Owner Nick Cressman reports that the two top sellers at Puddicombe are "pan-seared scallops with watermelon radish, honey crisp tartare, cucumber aioli and brown butter solids, and baked rainbow trout with pomegranate essence, cranberry hoisin and scallion crme fraiche." Scran & Dram, New Hamburg: It's probably not surprising that this local pub serves a lot of what would traditionally be thought of as pub food. Chef David Hutchison he and his wife, Sabrina, own both the Scran & Dram and the Imperial Market & Eatery prepares more fish and chips and burgers than anything else on the menu. And if you're not hungry now, after reading this no, that's probably not possible. Bon apptit. | https://www.newhamburgindependent.ca/whatson-story/9119945-what-are-diners-eating-at-wilmot-township-restaurants-/ |
Are Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth expecting their first child together? | Miley Cyrus, 26, and Liam Hemsworth, 29, are reportedly expecting their first child. The couple, who tied the knot on December 23, are said to be thrilled by the baby news, with an insider telling OK! Australia on Thursday that they're expecting a girl. 'Miley's over the moon because she's carrying Liam's baby... It's a girl, which is what [they] hoped for,' claimed the unnamed source. Report claims the couple are having a girl and plan to raise the baby in Australia. Pictured on their wedding day in Tennessee on December 23 'He called his brothers and parents. [Miley] got him to Skype call her family, too. Her mum was crying,' they added. The Wrecking Ball star reportedly wants to raise her first child in Liam's home country of Australia, specifically the coastal town of Byron Bay - where the couple regularly visit Chris Hemsworth and his wife Elsa Pataky. 'Byron Bay feels like a second home to her... Miley wants to buy a house next to Chris and Elsa's, so they can all spend more time together and the cousins can grow up together,' the insider said. She's glowing! Miley looked overjoyed as she left the famous Versace Mansion in Miami on January 9 Baby news: 'Miley's over the moon because she's carrying Liam's baby... It's a girl, which is what [they] hoped for,' a source told OK! Australia this week. Pictured with friends and family on their wedding day last month Daily Mail Australia has contacted Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth for comment. Coincidentally, Miley vowed to be married with children by 2019, in a previous interview with Glamour magazine. When asked where she sees herself in a decade, she said in 2009: 'Hopefully I'll be settled: making movies, living in a house, maybe even married. 'I think my mom [Tish Cyrus] did everything pretty close to perfect, and I want to be the cool mum that the kids run home to.' Family support: Billy Ray and Tish Cyrus (pictured) are said to be proud after witnessing their daughter say 'I do' Miley and Liam's fairytale romance began in 2009, when they met on the set of coming of age drama The Last Song. They announced their engagement in 2012 but broke up the following year. They rekindled their relationship in 2016 and Miley was pictured wearing her ring again. On December 23, they got married in Tennessee, surrounded by family and friends. | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-6600103/Are-Miley-Cyrus-Liam-Hemsworth-expecting-child-together.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 |
Can the Toronto Raptors slow down Kyrie Irving? | When the Toronto Raptors last played the Boston Celtics on Nov. 16, Kyrie Irving dazzled down the stretch in a manner few are capable of doing. At his best, Irving is perhaps the league's best shot maker, a closer with championship pedigree that relishes the spotlight and never shies away from competition. He can get his shot any time from any place, and when he's cooking, there's not much anyone can do about it. That was certainly the case in the last meeting with the Raptors and slowing down Irving will be the single most important key to Thursday's game . Dominant in the 4th quarter and overtime A quick look at the box score reveals that Irving finished with 43 points and 11 assists, an incredible night that goes down as probably one of the top 10 performances of the season by anyone given the opponent and manner in which he did it. And yet that by itself doesn't come close to fully articulating just how dominant he was on that night. If you watched that game, it probably felt like Irving did everything late. It's because he did. Zeroing in on the fourth quarter and overtime, Irving scored or assisted on 15 of Boston's final 16 made shots, including its final 13 of the game. Looking back at the tape reveals a few different ways that Irving gave the Raptors fits. One-on-One puppet master Let's start with Irving doing what he does best: going one-on-one. If the NBA held a one-on-one contest at All-Star weekend, there's a decent chance that Irving wins the whole thing. Between his ballhandling skills, shot-making ability and crafty finishing with either hand, he's an almost unstoppable isolation scorer when he gets going. Here's three different isolation plays down the stretch: In the first play, there's not much else Delon Wright can do. Irving's ability to essentially post up the 6-foot-5 Wright while isolated 18 feet from the basket before hitting a contested turnaround fadeaway is part of what makes him a transcendant offensive talent. Toronto would probably sign up for this every time and play the odds. The second and third plays, Fred VanVleet - by almost every metric a very good defender - has no shot. After easily manipulating VanVleet to get to his spot for a short jumper, he does the exact same thing the very next possession. This time, Jonas Valanciunas stays in the paint to help which allows Irving to find Al Horford for a wide open baseline jumper. That's classic pick your poison. Perimeter two-man game In the not-too-distant future, the Celtics could unleash one of the most gifted offensive backcourts in recent memory. Irving is already there while Jayson Tatum has shown more than a few glimpses of developing into one of the game's best pure scorers. Three times down the stretch in the last meeting, the Irving-Tatum two-man game showed just how dangerous they can become playing off each other's strengths. The first one is relatively straight forward. Tatum sets a screen on the left wing before sliding to the corner. Kawhi Leonard shows while VanVleet begins following over the top. Before either has time to react, Irving's already hitting Tatum, who is so wide open he has time to gather, set his feet and calmly stroke a corner 3. On the very next possession, they go right back to it. This time Danny Green - who starts on Irving - anticipates Tatum's move to the corner and switches, attached at his hip. Wright plays the drive and stays home, allowing Irving to fire off an uncontested 3. Though it's one Toronto probably lives with given it's a 27-footer with 16 seconds left on the shot clock, it shows how the Irving-Tatum two-man game forces a defence to make an almost impossible decision. Midway through overtime on the opposite wing, both Kyle Lowry and VanVleet stay attached to Irving. He drives it deep enough to the baseline that by the time he kicks it back out to Tatum, Boston essentially has a 4 on 3. Tatum scores here, but watch the defence contort and you'll see both Marcus Morris on the weak side and Gordon Hayward in the dunker spot have wide open looks should Tatum have decided to pass. Two different designs from two different spots on the court reveals problems that Irving and Tatum propose to even the best game plans. The double screen with Al Horford Before Irving went down last season, his pick-and-roll partnership with Horford was on a points-per-play basis the best in the NBA. No other pick-and-roll duo, not even James Harden and Clint Capela, could match its efficiency. One of the looks Boston likes to give is utilizing a double screen at the top of the key to free up Irving and make three different defenders move in sync. When Irving checked back into the game with 3:17 left in the fourth quarter, the Raptors led 102-97. It's a situation that Toronto must have felt good about. By running the same play three straight times, leading to three straight Irving buckets. I'm not sure there's much else the Raptors could have done on the first one as Irving hits a tough jumper in traffic. On the second play, Lowry over-plays and forces Irving back to the left. With Horford remaining outside the 3-point line, Irving patiently waits for Lowry to shade back towards Horford before attacking into Serge Ibaka's chest and finishing with his left hand. On the final play, Irving never stops, gets to the rim and finishes in traffic. You'll notice, however, how far he pulls in Pascal Siakam to help from the wing. Had he wanted to, the kick out for a wide open corner 3 is right there for the taking (or if Leonard closes, one pass to Tatum leaves a wide open 3 from the wing). Toronto defended this play three different ways with the same outcome each time. Nick Nurse threw a ton of different looks at Irving in the first meeting. According to player tracking data from Second Spectrum, four different Raptors players spent at least 10 possessions guarding him. Here's how Irving fared against each of them: Kyle Lowry: 23 possessions; Irving shot 3-7 with 2 assists and 0 turnovers; Raptors allowed 24 points on those 23 possessions Danny Green: 15 possessions; Irving shot 4-6 with 1 assist and 1 turnover; Raptors allowed 14 points on those 15 possessions Fred VanVleet: 12 possessions; Irving shot 4-4 with 4 assists and 1 turnover; Raptors allowed 22 points on those 12 possessions Kawhi Leonard: 11 possessions; Irving shot 2-3 with 2 assists an 0 turnovers; Raptors allowed 13 points on 11 possessions It's obviously dangerous to read too much into one game in November, but perhaps VanVleet simply doesn't have the size to bother Irving. Whenever Lowry, Green or Leonard was the primary defender, the Raptors held the Celtics to an offensive rating of 104.1. With VanVleet as the primary defender on 12 possessions, that number sky-rocketed up to 183.3. While that's certainly not sustainable, the tape shows some concerns with leaning on VanVleet late as he was the primay defender on 5 of those 15 late buckets scored or assisted by Irving. It's far easier said than done and perhaps foolish given Irving finished with 11 assists, but the Raptors would be wise to force the ball out of Irving's hands more than they did in that second go-around. He finished with 100 touches in that game, far more than his season average of 74. Even when adjusting for overtime, Irving's touches were up 15% compared to the regular season. That might not seem like much, but in a tight game between two evenly matched teams, the margins are more than enough to swing an outcome. Regardless of what happens on Thursday, there's only so much to be learned from a January game. And yet if you watch closely, perhaps the Raptors will learn a trick or two for slowing down Kyrie that carries far more weight in May than right now. For a Raptors team with dreams of winning big into June, containing Kyrie might be the key to success in 2019. | https://www.sportingnews.com/au/nba/news/toronto-raptors-slow-down-kyrie-irving-boston-celtics-kawhi-leonard-kyle-lowry-danny-green/q807dixtxnp91tscrddx1am7e |
Could a Future President Declare a Climate Emergency? | Welcome to the Climate Fwd: newsletter. The New York Times climate team emails readers once a week with stories and insights about climate change. Sign up here to get it in your inbox. Hi, everybody! Things have been heating up around here, especially in the ocean. A new study suggests the oceans have been warming more rapidly than scientists previously thought. Zeke Hausfather, an author of the study, told our colleague Kendra Pierre-Louis that 2018 would turn out to be the warmest year on record for the Earths oceans, as 2017 was the warmest year, and 2016 was the warmest year. The news about the oceans makes you wonder how high 2018 will rank among the hottest years in recorded history. Wed love to tell you, but we cant: The government shutdown has stalled that data, and a lot of other important science besides. Kendra has that story, too. Thats just one of the effects of the shutdown. Coral Davenport wrote about furloughed pollution inspectors at the Environmental Protection Agency who would normally be checking up on chemical factories, power plants, oil refineries, water treatment plants and thousands of other industrial sites for pollution violations. Still, not everything is idle for the Trump administration. It is bringing back at least 40 federal employees to work on plans to sell oil and gas drilling leases off the United States coastline. And the hearing over the nomination of Andrew Wheeler to head the Environmental Protection Agency went on as scheduled. | https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/16/climate/climate-national-emergency-hot-water.html |
Was Ali Oetjen and Taite Radley's passionate Portsea Polo PDA all for show? | The Bachelorette's Ali Oetjen and Taite Radley raised a few eyebrows by passionately kissing at the Portsea Polo in Melbourne over the weekend. But now a fellow guest at the event has claimed that the reality TV twosome's steamy display may have just been for show. Speaking to OK! magazine this week, the eyewitness said: 'Once the cameras were put down, they let go of each other and weren't even touching!' 'They let go of each other and weren't even touching!' A guest at the Portsea Polo last week has claimed that Taite Radley and Ali Oetjen's steamy PDA may have just been for the cameras Daily Mail Australia has contacted Taite for comment. Ali and Taite caused quite the stir at the polo, and it wasn't just because of their PDA. During their steamy embrace, a wet patch of liquid, perhaps a spilled drink, could be seen on the side of Ali's skirt. Wet and wild! During their steamy embrace, a wet patch of liquid, perhaps a spilled drink, could be seen on the side of Ali's skirt The stain remained visible on the blonde's long skirt as she and Taite smiled for photos afterwards. Despite putting on a united front in public, some industry insiders are convinced the couple's relationship is a 'showmance'. Shortly after The Bachelorette finale aired, an alleged source told Who magazine that Taite only applied to be a contestant because he wanted to be famous, adding that the couple will split 'in less than six months'. Despite putting on a united front in public, some industry insiders are convinced the couple's relationship is a 'showmance' 'Mark my words, [the split] will be framed in such a way that Ali ended it and that he is the one who is devastated so he can still try to win public support and get The Bachelor gig,' the source claimed. Both Ali and Taite have hit back at the rumours and appear to still be going strong two months on. The pair have been inseparable since The Bachelorette finished in November, and have been spotted enjoying a handful of lavish holidays together. | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-6600395/Was-Ali-Oetjen-Taite-Radleys-passionate-Portsea-Polo-PDA-show.html |
What is Corbyn's next move after unsuccessful no-confidence vote? | The first confidence vote for a quarter of a century ended, as most confidence votes do, with victory for the government. Only three have succeeded in ejecting an administration in the last 120 years, and the result of this one was never really in doubt. It's why Jeremy Corbyn didn't want to call it in the first place. Not least because it means he will now come under relentless pressure to move on to the next stage of Labour's Brexit policy. 1:25 Video: Corbyn asks PM to rule out 'no-deal' Back in September, the Labour Party, after considerable internal wrangling, adopted a position at its party conference which just about satisfied most. First, it was decided, the party would do all it could to secure a general election, probably through a confidence vote. If that proved not to be possible, "other options" would be considered, including the possibility of a new referendum with Remain on the ballot. As far as the proponents of a so-called "People's Vote" are concerned, the possibility of a general election has now been exhausted and the party must go on to prosecute a new referendum. 2:13 Video: Corbyn: I table motion of no confidence But Mr Corbyn and his top team disagrees. I'm told by a source close to the leadership that they will try a confidence vote at least once more, when the prime minister's plan has become known. If, they reckon, it becomes clear that the prime minister has no plan B, cross-party talks breakdown and "no deal" looks likely, perhaps the arch-Remainer Tories might peel away, abstain in a motion of confidence and Mr Corbyn might have a chance to form a government. I'm also told that Mr Corbyn is extremely unlikely to back another referendum any time soon. They will not abandon seeking an election as Brexit is likely the only opportunity to force one until 2022. That's a long march ahead. Secondly, I'm told there's genuine concern of shadow cabinet walkouts and a backbench rebellion. Scores of Labour MPs represent Leave seats and many are sceptical about any such a move. These are genuine structural problems of uniting the Labour coalition of metropolitan uber-Remainers and post-industrial Leavers with which any Labour leader would have to grapple. I'm not convinced that up to this point at least, a different leader - an Andy Burnham or Yvette Cooper - would have behaved much differently. But thanks to Mr Corbyn's eurosceptic past, he has little credit in the bank of the parliamentary Labour Remainers. They suspect he is a Brexiter in Remainer clothing. I suspect this is somewhat unfair, though the truth may be even more damning. Mr Corbyn might have no love for the EU, be deeply sceptical of it, but it is not a cause which occupied much of his political career. He was not a Labour Bill Cash or John Redwood, obsessed with all matters European, committing himself to "freeing" Britain of the EU's yolk. Thanks to Mr Corbyn's Eurosceptic past, he has little credit in the bank of the parliamentary Labour Remainers. They suspect he is a Brexiter in Remainer clothing. Although he voted against virtually every European treaty, he barely mentioned the subject in parliament before he became leader. As source after source has told me time again, the truth is, it is not an issue which exercises Mr Corbyn much, he's largely uninterested and wishes it would go away so he could focus on other priorities. Thus Brexit is not, as for some of his colleagues, part of his socialism. It is therefore an issue to be managed to maximum political utility, a matter of head not heart. This, perhaps more than anything else, is the ultimate sin for his enemies, so much more attached to the EU than he. Mr Corbyn will not back another referendum unless he has absolutely no choice. By way of illustration, look at his actions on Wednesday evening: refusing to engage with the prime minister's cross-party talks on Brexit until she takes no deal off the table, which he knows she will not. He hopes, I'm sure, to run down the clock until the prime minister is out of options, save for one: a new election. For Jeremy Corbyn, Brexit will always remain just that - his best (but most perilous) electoral opportunity. | https://news.sky.com/story/what-is-corbyns-next-move-after-unsuccessful-no-confidence-vote-11609257 |
Will Mayor David Briley get derailed Music City Music Council back on track? | Buy Photo Nashville Mayor David Briley has reiterated his faith in the Music City Music Council and expressed confidence the group will get back on track. (Photo: Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean) Ten years after the Music City Music Council was launched by former Mayor Karl Dean with tremendous fanfare, the music business advisory board has found itself stuck in neutral. Dean created the Music Council with visions of connecting Music Row to Metro and jump-starting music industry economic development initiatives. The 20-person board included leading executives from every corner of the music industry and A-list Nashville artists such as Emmylou Harris and Jack White. But in the last year the Music Council has languished. The group has met just once in the last 12 months, and after its highly regarded executive director Justine Avila departed for another job, Mayor David Brileys administration created a job description for her replacement that includes economic development projects outside the narrow focus of the music industry. Among its accomplishments over the last decade, the Music Council played a key role in creating the artist housing development Ryman Lofts, provided input for the construction of Ascend Amphitheater, helped recruit music business jobs such as the Warner Music back-office expansion and lured the annual Music Biz conference to Nashville. The Music Council also played a key role in an economic impact report that found in 2013 that the music industry has a $9.8 billion annual impact on Nashville. Through a spokesman, Briley reiterated his faith in the Music Council and expressed confidence the group would get back on track. Mayor Briley supports the Music City Music Council, Briley's spokesman Thomas Mulgrew said. His vision for the council mirrors MC2s mission statement, which is for the organization to be dedicated to developing strategies toward heightening the awareness and development of Nashvilles world-wide reputation as Music City. That optimism was echoed by Music Council co-chair Scott Clayton, a managing partner at the Nashville office of WME. I look forward to working with Mayor Briley and his administration alongside vice chair Sally Williams and all of the current council members, Clayton said. I am very proud of what the Music City Music Council has accomplished in the past, and I remain optimistic about what we will achieve together in our continued commitment to growing the music business in Nashville and promoting the citys status as the leading global music destination. The Music City Music Council met once in 2018 shortly before former Mayor Megan Barry resigned from her job. Metro was in a state of flux after Barrys departure, with Briley, who had been vice mayor, taking over and then winning election. Avila left as executive director of the Music Council. In November, Brileys administration forwarded the Music Council a job description for Avilas replacement. The job focus includes music industry initiatives but also added other economic development areas, including special projects. Thanks to the leadership of MC2 and other key stakeholders, Nashvilles music and entertainment industry is stronger than ever, Mulgrew said. Since 2009, MC2s role as an organization focused on promoting and growing these sectors of our economy has played a central part in a number of major developments, notably the expansions of Sony/ATV and Eventbrite and the creation of the Ryman Lofts, among others. Reach Nate Rau at 615-259-8094 and [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @tnnaterau. Be in the know: Learn about the latest business news and developments. Sign up for our free newsletter. Read or Share this story: https://www.tennessean.com/story/money/2019/01/16/music-city-music-council-nashville-david-briley/2592253002/ | https://www.tennessean.com/story/money/2019/01/16/music-city-music-council-nashville-david-briley/2592253002/ |
Is Nokia to open iTunes challenger? | Nokia could be about to challenge Apple's iTunes Store by opening its own online music service, just a month after Apple invaded Nokia's patch by launching the Apple iPhone . Nokia, the world's biggest handset maker, is launching its own online music service at a London event on 29 August, Fortune Magazine has reported. The new Nokia music service will let you download songs to your computer and transfer them to mobile phones and other portable music players, just as Apple's iTunes Store . Nokia is expected to let its users transfer songs to non-Nokia phones using digital-rights-management software. No info on what record labels or artists may have been signed up to the Nokia service has been given at this stage. Around a million songs will be offered at the autumn launch, and it is likely the download service will also include digital games. Nokia would neither confirm nor deny the launch. Spokesman Kari Tuutti told Fortune Magazine he "could not comment" on what the company will announce. New music handsets are also likely to be on their way. Tech.co.uk is obviously on the guest list for the Nokia event on 29 August and will of course report on any announcements. Nokia's CEO, Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo, will be present at the all-day launch event in Central London, with an evening bash scheduled for the Ministry of Sound nightclub. | https://www.techradar.com/uk/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/internet/web/audio/hi-fi-radio/is-nokia-to-open-itunes-challenger-154670 |
Could the Marcus Sherels era be over in Minnesota? | Marcus Sherels has been a Vikings fan favorite over the years. Sherels, 31, was born in Minnesota and attended the University of Minnesota. From 2012-16, he emerged as one of the best punt returners in the NFL, having five punt return touchdowns in that stretch, including two in 2016. Sherels hasnt had a touchdown since, although in 2018, he did average 12 yards per return, the third-highest mark of his career. Sherels is a free agent in 2019. The Vikings could decide to bring him back relatively cheap. He was paid just $1.4 million last season. But the Vikings could also rely on either Mike Hughes, Brandon Zylstra, Chad Beebe Holton Hill to handle the duties. Hughes and Hill are much better in coverage than Sherels, and it would enable the Vikings to use Sherels roster spot elsewhere. For a team that is cash strapped heading into the 2019 offseason, this is something to keep an eye on. | https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/2019/01/16/could-the-marcus-sherels-era-be-over-in-minnesota/ |
Why did Jets Adam Gase pick Gregg Williams as defensive coordinator? | Adam Gase landed his defensive coordinator on Wednesday, as the Jets officially signed Gregg Williams to a three-year contract. That means Gase now has two of his three coordinator positions filled, with Brant Boyer returning to lead the special-teams unit. Williams comes to the Jets with plenty of baggage given his Bountygate history but also some shine after an eight-game stint as the Browns' interim head coach. Simple: Hes always had a tough time competing against him. It was always a challenge, always loved the way his guys played, the intensity they played with, they defended every blade of grass, Gase said on SiriusXM NFL Radio. "I mean, they would always get after it, it was always really tough to move the ball, it was tough to get in the end zone and you knew you were in for a 60-minute battle. His guys always just always played exactly the way you want a defense to play. Bringing in Williams will require some major changes from the Jets, however. He is known as a 4-3 coach, while the Jets have run a 3-4 base defense for more than a decade. Adjusting to the new scheme will require some roster maneuvering by general manager Mike Maccagnan and could play a major role in how some of the Jets' current players contribute next season. But Williams should also bring a spark to the defensive side of the ball. Hes known as a bombastic figure who is not afraid to push his players and demand accountability, which at least some players believe the Jets need entering 2019. Matt Stypulkoski may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @M_Stypulkoski. Find NJ.com Jets on Facebook. | https://www.nj.com/jets/2019/01/why-did-jets-adam-gase-pick-gregg-williams-as-defensive-coordinator.html |
How Does the Government Shutdown Affect Medicare? | [Answer]No. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has been funded through September 30, 2019, and its programs (Medicare and Medicaid) haven't been affected by the partial government shutdown. Claims continue to be processed as usual. SEE ALSO: 10 Things You Need to Know About Medicare Medicare enrollment, which is processed through the Social Security Administration, hasn't been affected, either. The SSA has also been funded through fiscal year 2019 (which ends on September 30, 2019), and branch offices continue to be open on their regular schedule. If you're turning 65 and signing up for Medicare, however, the most efficient way to enroll is online at www.ssa.gov/medicare, even if you aren't signing up for Social Security benefits yet. (If you delayed signing up for Medicare past the age of 65 because you were working and had employer coverage, you'll need to fill out some extra forms and either mail them to the SSA or visit a Social Security office rather than signing up online.) These procedures haven't changed because of the shutdown. See Signing Up for Medicare When You're Still Covered by an Employer's Health Plan for more information. You can continue to contact Medicare's toll-free 800-Medicare number (800-633-4227) with any questions on the program, although the phone lines tend to be busy early in the year; some other resources might be easier to reach, regardless of the shutdown. You can get help from your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program counselors, who can answer questions about Medicare enrollment, rules and appeals. You can find contact information for your local SHIP at www.shiptacenter.org. Another good resource is the Medicare Rights Center, which runs a national helpline and includes answers to many questions at Medicare Interactive. And you can find out about Part D and Medicare Advantage plans in your area through the Medicare Plan Finder. See Switching to a New Medicare Advantage Plan Gets Easier for more about when you can switch plans after open enrollment. Medicare.gov also has a lot of great resources to help answer your questions about Medicare coverage and rules. The Shutdown's Impact on Health Coverage for Veterans, Government Employees The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has been funded through fiscal year 2019 and is not affected by the shutdown. The Department of Health and Human Services, which also has been funded for fiscal year 2019, runs the ACA marketplaces, and subsidy payments will not be disrupted. If you move or leave your job and qualify for a special enrollment period to buy individual health insurance on the exchanges outside of open enrollment, you can still go to Healthcare.gov to purchase a policy or find links to your state exchange. Federal employees continue to be covered by the Federal Employees Health Benefits program during the shutdown, even if they have been furloughed. However, any changes to their coverage (say, for a life event, such as moving, changing jobs or having a baby) may be delayed while they are furloughed. EDITOR'S PICKS Copyright 2019 The Kiplinger Washington Editors | https://news.yahoo.com/does-government-shutdown-affect-medicare-212721127.html |
What are the Portuguese man o war found in the Caribbean and why are they dangerous? | At first glance, the Portuguese man o war (fragatas portuguesas in Spanish) can be striking and even beautiful to observe, but its best to keep a safe distance and never, ever, under any circumstances, touch any. Their appearance is deceptive. The Physalia physalis is a marine hydrozoan of the family Physaliidae found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans. Its long tentacles deliver a painful sting, which is venomous and powerful enough to kill fish or, rarely, humans. Despite its appearance, the Portuguese man o war is not a true jellyfish but a siphonophore, which is not actually a single multicellular organism (true jellyfish are single organisms), but a colonial organism made up of specialized individual animals (of the same species) called zooids or polyps. The strong winds of the past days and the swell, have caused that the also called false jellyfish arrive to Costa Ricas Caribbean coast. Their presence motivated a call of warning on the part of the Centro de Investigacin en Ciencias del Mar y Limnologa (Cimar) Center of Investigation in Sciences of the Sea and Limnology of the University of Costa Rica (UCR). A complex species This species have tentacles that store toxins that are used as a defense mechanism and also in order to catch the prey. One of the problems with identifying these stings is that the detached tentacles may drift for days in the water, and the swimmer may not have any idea if they have been stung by a man o war or by some other less venomous creature. Detached tentacles and dead specimens (including those that wash up on shore) can sting just as painfully as the live organism in the water and may remain potent for hours or even days after the death of the organism or the detachment of the tentacle. Stings usually cause severe pain to humans, leaving whip-like, red welts on the skin that normally last two or three days after the initial sting, though the pain should subside after about 1 to 3 hours (depending on the biology of the person stung). However, the venom can travel to the lymph nodes and may cause symptoms that mimic an allergic reaction including swelling of the larynx, airway blockage, cardiac distress, and an inability to breathe. Other symptoms can include fever and shock, and in some extreme cases, even death, although this is extremely rare. Medical attention for those exposed to large numbers of tentacles may become necessary to relieve pain or open airways if the pain becomes excruciating or lasts for more than three hours, or breathing becomes difficult. Instances where the stings completely surround the trunk of a young child are among those that have the potential to be fatal. In Costa Rica According to Jeffrey Sibaja Cordero, Cimar investigator, speaking to La Nacion, the fragatas portuguesas are normally found in oceanic waters, so it is not uncommon to see them in the Pacific, but they can also be present in the Caribbean. What happens is that by winds and waves, they are taken to the coast and to the beach, said the expert. This is where this situation (presence in beaches) occurs , since they can be in very shallow waters, where people are bathing or in the sand on the beach, that is what would could happening right now, according to reports from people, he added. Sibaja said that this proximity to the coast is not rare, it happens from time to time. For his part, Dr. Yayo Vicente, from the Directorate of Health Surveillance, of the Ministry of Health, confirmed on Sunday they received photos of these organisms on the beaches of Cahuita. We were very worried, first because we did not know of their presence in the country. This type of aguamala (medusa) is more frequent in the Pacific, in warm waters and we did not know they were present in the Caribbean, Vicente told La Nacion. So far, the Ministry of Health has no record of anyone who has been affected by coming into contact with any of these complex organisms. Treatment of stings Stings from a Portuguese man o war are often extremely painful. They result in severe dermatitis characterized by long, thin, open wounds that resemble those caused by a whip. These are not caused by any impact or cutting action, but by irritating urticariogenic substances in the tentacles. Treatment for a Portuguese man o war sting usually begins with the application of poured salt water to rinse away any remaining microscopic nematocysts. Salt water should be used as fresh water has been shown to cause nematocystic discharge. Predators and prey The Portuguese man o war is a carnivore. Using its venomous tentacles, a man o war traps and paralyzes its prey while reeling it inwards to the digestive polyps. It typically feeds on small marine organisms, such as fish and plankton. Related | http://qcostarica.com/what-are-the-portuguese-man-o-war-found-in-the-caribbean-and-why-are-they-dangerous/ |
Could the Next Microsoft HoloLens Come at MWC 2019? | Share Microsofts next-generation HoloLens could be coming soon. After not having a presence at Mobile World Congress (WMC) for three years, Microsoft is now sending out media invites for a press conference at 11 a.m. ET on Sunday, February 24, during the annual event in Barcelona, noting it will be hosted by CEO Satya Nadella and HoloLens inventor Alex Kipman. Since it is longer selling phones, Microsofts presence at Mobile World Congress further hints that the press conference could be centered on HoloLens version 2.0. Alex Kipman has also been closely involved with the development of HoloLens and a Microsoft webpage dedicated to MWC makes references to transforming spatial understanding through advanced sensors and AI at the edge to make technology more personal and natural. It was previously confirmed by Microsoft that the next HoloLens would feature an A.I. processor for machine learning, so this supports a possible indication of a HoloLens version 2.0 unveiling. Asides from the A.I. processor, rumors have indicated that Microsofts next HoloLens could come with an ARM Processor on board, instead of Intel. With the release of both the Surface Pro Advanced LTE and Surface Go with LTE, Microsoft has also been pushing for a new culture of work. A HoloLens 2.o with an ARM processor capable of LTE connectivity would support the initiative and the enterprise audience which Microsoft is currently targeting. Code-named Sydney, it also has been rumored that the new HoloLens headset could be cheaper, lighter, and have a larger field of view. That is just gossip, however, as HoloLens has always been marketed towards businesses, complete with a suite of applications for remote assistance, and making designs in custom 3D spaces. Timing also seems appropriate since the new HoloLens headset could run on Windows Core OS, for which an internal Windows build for recently surfaced online. A HoloLens 2.0 would come over four years after the launch of the first HoloLens and it could just be the start of Microsofts 2019 devices lineup. According to rumors, the company is working on several new devices, including a folding Surface Centarus as well as a modular Surface Studio. Dont expect these at MWC 2019, though, as Microsofts Surface chief Panos Panay wont be speaking at the event. | https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/next-microsoft-hololens-mwc-2019/ |
Will the Shutdown Go 60 Days? | I'd hate to see it but in many ways The only movement that I can much see Is the shuffle to mic of Chuck S and Nan P., To explain once again they're doing their best, But it's our president who must do the rest. . Which would work just fine with a regular prez, Who does what he can if not what he says, Or a regular Congress that's not full of jerks: Some Repubs who to their prez can talk turks, And split a few hairs and give each side a win, And once that's done kick each other in shin. . Thing is, ol' Don is no regular prez, More of a pasha but without the red fez. He sees The Wall as divine re-election, The gain of respect and less circumspection, His beloved cage match of winner-all-take, Political survival clearly at stake. . And by hook or by crook, Don sure survives all, Bankruptcy, dear Stormy, the I.R.S. trawl, And it ain't by ceding that Don did all that; It's by NOT ceding, though he had to turn rat, Turn rat or cretin or Janus-faced lover, Using who's needed to give his rump cover. . So I suggest Democrats just make a fuss, And cry the nation must get back on the bus, And give in to blackmail, say they were forced, Cry dirty pool, with Trump's motives ill-sourced, 'Cause Don won't back down and make no mistake: To him two months shutdown's a quick piece of cake. - Advertisement - opednews.com I live in Madrid, Spain, where I teach English on a freelance basis. My four novels can be seen on my website: www.philipkraske.com I live in Madrid, Spain, where I teach English on a freelance basis. My four novels can be seen on my website: www.philipkraske.com Philip Kraske Social Media Pages: The views expressed herein are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors. , OpEdNews depends upon can't survive without your help. If you value this article and the work of OpEdNews, please either Donate or Purchase a premium membership. STAY IN THE KNOW If you've enjoyed this, sign up for our daily or weekly newsletter to get lots of great progressive content. Daily Weekly OpEdNews Newsletter Name Email (Opens new browser window) | https://www.opednews.com/articles/Will-the-Shutdown-Go-60-Da-by-Philip-Kraske-Blackmail_Congress_President_Shutdown-190116-798.html |
Will China's economy hit a great wall? | THE other day, I issued a warning about the Chinese economy. It is, I wrote, "emerging as a danger spot in a world economy that really, really doesn't need this right now". Unfortunately, the other day was more than six years ago. And it's not just me. Many people have been predicting a China crisis for a long time, and it has kept on not happening. But now China seems to be stumbling again. Honestly, I have no idea. On one side, China's problems are real. On the other, the Chinese government - hindered neither by rigid ideology nor by anything resembling a democratic political process - has repeatedly shown its ability and willingness to do whatever it takes to prop up its economy. It's really anyone's guess whether this time will be different, or whether Xi-who-must-be-obeyed can pull out another recovery. But maybe this is another example of Dornbusch's Law, named after my old teacher Rudi Dornbusch: The crisis takes a much longer time coming than you think, and then it happens much faster than you would have thought. So it seems useful to summarise why people have been worried about China, and why China's troubles are a problem for the rest of the world. sentifi.com Market voices on: The fundamental problem with the Chinese economy is that it's highly unbalanced: It has extremely high levels of investment, seemingly without enough domestic consumption to justify that investment. You might be tempted to say this doesn't matter, that China can just export its surplus production to other countries. But while there was a period from the mid-2000s to the early 2010s when China ran huge trade surpluses, those days are past. It's hard to see how companies can avoid running into strongly diminishing returns. It's true that very high investment can be sustained for a long time in a rapidly growing economy (the so-called accelerator effect). And China has indeed achieved incredible growth. But the potential for future growth is falling, for a couple of reasons. One is that as Chinese technology converges on that of advanced countries, the room for rapid improvement through borrowing declines. The other is that China's one-child policy has produced demography that looks a lot like Europe or Japan, with a working-age population that has stopped growing. So China really can't keep investing 40-plus per cent of GDP. It needs to shift over to higher consumption, which it could do by returning more profits from state-owned enterprises to the public, strengthening the social safety net, and so on. But it keeps not doing that. Instead, the Chinese government has been piling on loans to businesses and state-owned enterprises, pushing the SOEs to spend more, and so on. Basically, it has kept investment going despite low returns. Yet this process has to have some limits - and when it hits the (great) wall, it's hard to see how consumption can rise fast enough to take up the slack. However, if this sounds like a compelling case, bear in mind that it's the same case I and others made in 2011. So apply appropriate scepticism. The important thing to realise here is that China no longer runs huge trade surpluses with the world as a whole (the US bilateral deficit is exceptional and deceptive). And as a result China has become a major market. China's imports from other countries as a percentage of world GDP have gotten quite big: In 2017, Chinese imports were US$2.2 trillion, compared with US$2.9 trillion for the US; they're almost as much of a locomotive for the world economy as we are. What this means is that a Chinese stumble would hit the world economy pretty hard, with special damage to commodity exporters (including American farmers). In other words, there are scary things out there besides Trump and Brexit. NYTIMES | https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/opinion/will-chinas-economy-hit-a-great-wall |
Should the Mavericks Trade Dennis Smith Jr.? | The NBA rumor mill is starting to heat up as the trade deadline draws near. The Mavericks have reportedly engaged in discussions on finding a trade partner for point guard Dennis Smith Jr. The former lottery pick has struggled in his first two seasons in the NBA and with the emergence of Luka Doncic as a playmaker, it might be time to explore options. On the latest episode of the Open Floor podcast, Andrew Sharp and The Washington Posts Ben Golliver examine trade ideas for Smith Jr. and his lack of success in Dallas. (Listen to the latest Open Floor podcast here. The following transcript has been edited and condensed for clarity.) Laughs. Sharp: Oh man! This is a really tough situation for me because you know I am not a Rick Carlisle guy, never haven been and I really would love to crush them for not giving Dennis Smith Jr. enough time and for basically wasting a top 10 pick. I think some of that is probably fair because Carlisle just can't make it work with guys. Its not just Smith Jr., it goes back to Rondo and Nerlens Noel. Its really hard to completely crush them for this. I think people have been criticizing this and saying the Mavs are going to get screwed in this trade and its just a bad look for the organization. I am just not a big fan of Smith Jr. and where he is going. Golliver: Last time I talked about Dennis Smith Jr. it got transcribed and it went viral because I was so mean, so I am not going to try to repeat that. I am just going to say in Dallas defense, if you look at that class behind him, its not like he is the only mistake. But Malik Monk and Luke Kennard Sharp: We dont talk enough about Stan Van Gundy taking Luke Kennard 12th. That was a really deep draft and Van Gundy made that pick and everyone was like What the hell is he doing? The only reason why that pick didnt get much heat is because no one really cares about the Pistons. On the night of the draft, this is not hindsight, but Donovan Mitchell would have made 10x more sense for the Detroit Pistons than Kennard did. Golliver: There were guys that was behind Smith Jr. You got Mitchell, Bam, John Collins in Atlanta who has had a really nice season, Kyle Kuzma and Josh Hart. It wasnt just Dallas saying like, Oh Dennis Smith Jr. we are randomly just high on him. Sharp: Yeah, he was top five to top 10. People really liked him and I think what Dallas was doing, which actually made sense at the time, was saying like We dont know if we are going to continue to be in the top 10 and while we are here, we rather take a big swing on a guy that could be a legit superstar. For about one week at NBA Summer League during his rookie year, Dennis Smith was like the talk of summer league. People were convincing themselves that he was a future All-Star and everything was great. Everyone kind of sobered up midway through last year. This guy is not very efficient; hes too small to ever be good on defense and kind of looks disinterested in playing defense whatsoever. Golliver: The comparison I made for him last time was to Emmanuel Mudiay and the advantage Dallas has if they think about trading him now, that means they gave up quicker than Denver did on Mudiay, so you should get a bit more on the return package. I just think the book is out on him. Hes a very inefficient shooter, poor decision maker and its not a Carlisle thing, he just makes bad decisions. Its possible. Sharp: Its possible. Golliver: I dont see it. He is just somebody elses problem to me. If I am Orlando or if I am Phoenix and I got nothing going on at the point guard position, I would be like okay lets roll the dice. If I am a team with a capable point guard, I would pass. | https://www.si.com/nba/2019/01/16/dennis-smith-jr-dallas-mavericks-trade-rumors-open-floor |
Is Facebooks 10-year challenge really as innocent as it seems? | If youre using social media, youve probably noticed a number of people posting then-and-now pictures. Its a trend, best known as the "10 year challenge" or the "glow up challenge" that calls for social media users to post a photo of what they looked like a decade ago next to what they look like now. Now, after the challenge went viral, some people are starting to question if the challenge really is as innocent as it looks. For many of us, looking back at old photos of ourselves can be both a painful, embarrassing and funny experience. But the 10-year challenge isnt just making people look back at their old photos, it challenges us to actually share them online. In the challenge, people are posting photos of themselves in 2009 and compares them to ones taken in 2019 on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Currently, the hashtag #10yearchallenge has 1.6 million posts on Instagram, still counting. The viral challenge also proved to be popular among a number of celebrities, with everyone from Tyra Banks, Caitlyn Jenner and Miley Cyrus to Nicki Minaj and Madonna taking part. The 10-year challenge sure looks harmless and fun, but now experts are arguing that it could be a different agenda behind it. A theory is that the challenge could be a form of social engineering, meant to collect information on how you age. This theory suggests that companies could collect data from the pictures and use it to advance facial recognition technology to factor in aging. Tech-writer Kate ONeill shared a Tweet asking if the challenge "could be mined to train facial recognition algorithms on age progression and age recognition?" Me 10 years ago: probably would have played along with the profile picture aging meme going around on Facebook and Instagram Me now: ponders how all this data could be mined to train facial recognition algorithms on age progression and age recognition Kate O'Neill (@kateo) January 12, 2019 ONeills Tweet spurred a discussion with mixed opinions. Some people argue that these pictures probably have been posted on Facebook before and therefore the site already has the information. Sadly, if this is the case they already have access to all of your pictures with associated image metadata. Emory Serviss (@eserviss) January 12, 2019 Facebook already has that information. All the photos that have been uploaded have been tagged so they already know age progression. So does Google. It's too late to try and hide from the beast Walter Estrada (@BionicWally) January 16, 2019 While others point out that some people are using photos they had never posted online before. ONeill says in a WIRED column, that what makes this challenge different from simply posting photos is that theyre labeled as "then and now" which makes it easier for data mining. But age progression technology could be both good and bad. For instance, ONeill points out that it could be used to help find and identify missing children. Last year, police reported tracking down nearly 3,000 kids in New Dehli, India. But it can also be used for bad purposes. As an example, O'Neill explains that a health insurance company could determine that you appear to be aging too quickly, making them increase the cost of your insurance. ONeill adds that "we need to approach our interactions with technology mindful of the data we generate and how it can be used at scale." Twitter 10-year challenge memes Harmless or not, the challenge has created a lot of funny memes and posts online. Saw everyone posting these 2009 vs 2019 pics so here's mine pic.twitter.com/nIn5TU7zNE Sam Thorne (@Strippin) January 13, 2019 me in 2009 vs me in 2019 pic.twitter.com/WgNRgyh8ZV Tyler Coates (@tylercoates) January 13, 2019 Stumbled across some old pics of Gritty day after a victory! 2009 vs 2019 #HowHardDidAgeHitYou pic.twitter.com/4h6xFoqlsK NJ Devil (@NJDevil00) January 13, 2019 #2009vs2019 glow-up. | https://www.metro.us/the-big-stories/facebook-10-year-challenge |
Will Carson Wentz be Eagles starting quarterback next season? | After the dust settled from the Philadelphia Eagles' heart-wrenching loss to the No.1 seed New Orleans Saints last Sunday in the NFC Divisional Round of the 2018 NFL playoffs, head coach Doug Pederson, along with executive vice president of football Howie Roseman held a joint press conference earlier this week. Among the topics that were discussed was the future of quarterbacks Nick Foles and Carson Wentz, who have been joined at the hip for the last two seasons. While it has been widely reported that Foles will have a quality trade market this offseason, Pederson made his intentions clear about who will be the Eagles' starting quarterback next season. "Yes, Carson is the quarterback going forward. And in Nick's case, listen, we would love to have everybody back throughout the roster," he said. "But as I've said many, many times, it's not about one guy. It's about the team. We're going to do what's best for the team." Wentz returned earlier this season from a serious knee injury that he suffered last season, but ended up missing the last five games due to a fractured vertebra. Before suffering the season-ending back injury, Wentz put up some solid numbers across the board. He completed a career-high 69.6 percent of his passes for 3,074 yards, 21 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. However, he was sacked an enormous 31 times, which was the second-highest mark of his young career. That being said, it does not come as a surprise to see the Eagles sticking with Wentz. Regardless of some fans and analysts thinking that Foles should be the guy going forward, it would be foolish for the front office to move on from their franchise quarterback this early into his career. Even though Foles looked good in spurts this season and last, Wentz has a dynamic arm and does things on the field that the reigning Super Bowl MVP simply cannot do. Along those same lines, with Foles not in the picture for next season, there will be immense pressure on Wentz to not only stay healthy but also lead the Eagles to the playoffs. "It could [add pressure]. Without a doubt," Wentz said (h/t NBC Sports Philadelphia). "You look at that and you could say it could put more pressure. I mean, you can say coming into the season there was more pressure." "But I do everything I can to block that stuff out. I think right now, going forward, my focus is getting my body right. And to play this game freely the way I did last year before the injury and cut it loose. Get rid of all that pressure and anxiety and whatever it may be, just play the game freely. And thats where Im going to get to." In addition to that added pressure to succeed is a looming contract extension for the young quarterback, which Roseman was asked about on Tuesday. "We're going to look again and have a meeting with the coaching staff this week and talk about kind of where we are and what we're trying to do going forward," he said. "We haven't had a lot of substance in those conversations, and because we want to have relationships with our players where we keep those talks close to the vest, I don't know that it would be helpful to talk about any player, about what we want to do. It's our job to keep as many good players here for as long as we can. In their prime and guys we drafted, those are guys that are always going to be a focus for us." The next few months should be interesting for the Eagles as they try to figure out what to do with Foles but also how Wentz performs with a lot on the line. | https://www.metro.us/sports/philadelphia/will-eagles-carson-wentz-be-the-starting-quarterback-next-season |
Does Apple's Smart Battery Case work with iPhone X? | Best answer: The Smart Battery Case should work with the iPhone X, though the case won't fit as well as if you were using it with an iPhone XS. Because of this, you might still want to get a case meant for the iPhone X, like the Mophie Juice Pack Air. While Apple only lists the compatibility of the iPhone XS Smart Battery Case as being iPhone XS, according to Apple, the case should still work fine with the iPhone X. That being said, some users might see a compatibility error when they connect the iPhone X to the case, but you should just need to dismiss the error in order to get the case to start working. Ok, heres the correct info: You CAN use iPhone XS battery case with iPhone X. You may get that incompatibility pop up. But, if you dismiss it, it should charge fine. (Update iOS/reboot if not.) (Speaker/mics still wont be aligned, if you care about acoustic performance.) pic.twitter.com/05IQyUctcQ Additionally, there are some fit issues between the Smart Battery Case and the iPhone X. While the iPhone X and iPhone XS are almost exactly the same size, there are some differences in the size of the camera module and placement of the speaker/microphone grills on the bottom that lead iPhone XS cases not quite fitting correctly on the iPhone X. If you choose to use the Smart Battery Case with the iPhone X, expect reduced acoustic performance. If you want a battery case meant for your iPhone X, there are other options If you want a battery case that is sure to fit with your iPhone X, there are plenty of options available. A number of companies produce battery cases for the iPhone X, including Mophie, which makes the Juice Pack Air, a case that can extend the battery life of your iPhone X by up to 30 hours. Or you can choose from one of the other cases listed in our guide right here. A lot of them are even cheaper than the Smart Battery Case. Best iPhone X Battery Cases to Extend Battery Life | https://www.imore.com/does-apples-smart-battery-case-work-iphone-x?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheIphoneBlog+%28iMore%29 |
Can Hampton Roads get hit with a big earthquake? | NORFOLK, Va. After the U.S. Geological Survey reported a 4.7 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Maryland, 13NewsNow wanted to find out the likelihood of an earthquake hitting Hampton Roads. According to Rip Hale, Assistant Professor at Old Dominion University for Ocean, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, he said it is incredibly rare for an earthquake to hit the East Coast. In a place like California you have the plates colliding, said Hale. Here the plates are moving together in the same direction so there is shifting on continental plates through time and that's presumably what caused this earthquake. Hale said a tsunami is the greatest threat to the Hampton Roads region if an earthquake were to hit. Earthquakes can cause tsunamis in two primary ways, said Hale. Either the movement of the crust itself will displace the water initiating a tsunami or as a result of the shaking mud on the continental shelf will slump and that slumping of the sediment can cause a tsunami but with a magnitude 4.7, thats not a risk for either type of tsunami. Erin Sutton with Virginia Beach Emergency Management said when the 2011 5.8 magnitude earthquake centered in the town of Mineral in Louisa County, a lot of people did the opposite of they should do. Since we are not familiar with earthquakes here on the East Coast, a lot of folks ran outside, got out of their cars things like that and the biggest recommendation is to stay inside, duck and cover, said Sutton. The good news it the likelihood of an earthquake hitting the East Coast is less than a fraction of a percent per year, according to Hale. | https://www.13newsnow.com/article/news/local/can-hampton-roads-get-hit-with-a-big-earthquake/291-1c08b92d-89da-4224-893d-283a77e0c8bd |
Will the Chiefs keep Seattle's win streak vs. Super Bowl champs alive? | Its been nearly five full seasons since the Seattle Seahawks won the Super Bowl and four years since they were last in one. Each year since their loss to the Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX, the closest Seattle has gotten to the big game is the divisional round. Despite the recent lack of deep playoff runs, the Seahawks are still proving they are more than capable of beating any team, anywhere. Seattle is in a bit of an unusual win streak, haven beaten the last two eventual Super Bowl champions in the years those teams went on to win it all. In 2016 Seattle traveled to Foxborough to face off against the Patriots. Seattle was a 7.5 point underdog to New England, yet surprised everyone by leaving Gillette Stadium with a 31-24 upset victory. The Seahawks gave the Patriots their second and final loss of the year as they went on to win Super Bowl LI a few months later. Similarly, in 2017, the Seahawks faced off against the red hot Eagles, only this time at home. The Eagles were a league-best 11-1 and were rare road favorites in Seattle. However, the Seahawks defended their turf with a 24-10 victory over a Philadelphia team that would go on to defeat the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII. The Seahawks are no longer playing but there is still a chance for this bizarre streak to be kept alive. In Week 16, the Seahawks hosted a heavily favored Chiefs squad, and yet again Seattle prevailed with another convincing upset win. Now the Chiefs are one of the final four teams competing for the Super Bowl this year, and should Kansas City hoist the Lombardi, it will be the third straight year the Seahawks will have beaten the eventual world champions in the regular season. Interestingly enough, all three of these victories occurred during Sunday Night Football. Of course, the Chiefs still have to get past the Patriots in the conference title game and defeat either the Saints or the Rams in Super Bowl LIII. | https://seahawkswire.usatoday.com/2019/01/16/will-the-chiefs-keep-seattles-win-streak-vs-super-bowl-champs-alive/ |
Did Chapo really pay Mexicos ex-president $100M? | The claim, made by a witness Tuesday at the trial of Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, stretches credibility, experts say starting with the fact that it would take a truck to transport that much cash. Colombian drug trafficker-turned-state witness Alex Cifuentes surprised the courtroom in New York and caused a firestorm of controversy in Mexico when he alleged that El Chapo had paid the bribe to then-president-elect Enrique Pena Nieto in 2012. But while there is no doubt that Mexico is awash in all the ingredients of the story drug money, corrupt officials, powerful kingpins there are many reasons to doubt it, according to people who know the murky nexus of politics and narcotics. It would have been the biggest bribe in all of history. Ive been with DEA (the US Drug Enforcement Administration) for 31 years, Ive seen bribes of millions of dollars, hundreds of thousands of dollars, but certainly not a bribe like that, said Mike Vigil, former head of international operations for the DEA. Once when I was working undercover in Panama, I borrowed $1 million from the CIA to flash to these drug traffickers from Bolivia and Colombia. They were all in $100 bills, and I needed a huge suitcase to put that stuff in. So you would have needed a truck for $100 million. What did they do, drive up and give it to the president? After Cifuentes made the accusation, Pena Nietos supporters rushed to argue that the former president (2012-2018) was the one who made sure El Chapo was re-arrested after his brazen prison escape in 2015, then extradited to the United States. Partisan politics aside, there is something to that argument, Vigil said. If I had taken a bribe from Chapo Guzman, the last thing I would have done is extradite him to the United States, he told AFP. He would come here (to the US) and start immediately making allegations against you. Red flags There are several reasons to question Cifuentess story. For one thing, he is testifying as part of a plea deal, in exchange for a softer sentence. He also provided no proof, and admitted he was unsure about key details, including the amount and the date. Then there is the fact that the information comes second-hand: Cifuentes said El Chapo is the one who told him the story, in which he purportedly gave the money to a woman named Comadre Maria to give to the president-elect shortly before he took office. But El Chapo would hardly be the first drug trafficker to brag about huge bribes supposedly paid to high-ranking officials, said Vigil. Both Guzmans stories and Cifuentess have shown a certain flare for drama as they have emerged in court. On Wednesday, Cifuentes testified that El Chapo was once tortured by army soldiers who dangled him upside-down from a helicopter to find out where his drugs were. Guzmans own version, as told to a film producer whom he wanted to make a movie about his life. Finally, there is the fact that the bribe story emerged during questioning by Guzmans own lawyers who have sought to portray their client as a scapegoat for corrupt officials and the man they say wields the real power in the Sinaloa cartel, Ismael El Mayo Zambada. If there is any truth to the story, there should be evidence somewhere, said Raul Benitez, a professor at Mexicos largest university, UNAM. Normally, when drug traffickers give money to politicians or businessmen, they record the handover, because thats how they blackmail the person if they need to, he said. You cant hide $100 million. There would have to be a bank transfer or real-estate or jewels, and the drug traffickers would need proof for it to work. Everything is possible Then again, anything is possible when it comes to corruption in Mexico, said journalist Jose Reveles, who has written books on the countrys multi-billion-dollar drug-trafficking business. No drug cartel operates without official protection, he said. Its possible some government officials could have lied and said they were representing the president, or that the kingpins really do have access to the president. Everything is possible. We know this country is rife with corruption from top to bottom. He urged Mexicos new government, led by anti-establishment leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, to investigate the bribe accusation. But he is not optimistic the truth will come out, he said. This idea of things being revealed as true, false or half-true exists in other countries. Not in Mexico, he said. Here, total concealment is the rule. | https://www.journalducameroun.com/en/did-chapo-really-pay-mexicos-ex-president-100m/ |
How should Jews react to the Belgian ban on shechitah? | Recently the Belgian government banned the practice of shechitah (Jewish ritual slaughter). Jewish Veg, formerly Jewish Vegetarians of North America, of which I am president emeritus, is against all slaughter, but we object when shechitah is signaled out for criticism or is banned. Shechitah was designed to minimize pain, but even if it is carried out perfectly, the many months during which animals are mistreated on factory farms should be considered. People who think that other methods of slaughter are more humane should read the book Slaughterhouse: The Shocking Story of Greed, Neglect, and Inhumane Treatment Inside the U.S. Meat Industry by Gail Eisnitz. It documents the many problems at slaughterhouses where animals are stunned prior to slaughter, with many of the workers becoming sadistic and cruel under the horrible conditions of their daily efforts. There is a familiar admonition that states that when one is given a lemon they should make lemonade, meaning make the best of what appears to be a negative situation. I believe this can happen in the case of the Belgian ban on shechitah. While meat-eaters will understandably have a negative reaction to the ban, if it leads some Jews to shift to a vegetarian or vegan diet, there could be many benefits: There would be a reduction in the widespread heart disease, several types of cancer, and other diseases afflicting many Jews and others. There would be a reduction in the emission of greenhouse gases. While the world is increasingly threatened by climate change, a 2006 U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization report, Livestocks Long Shadow, indicated that animal-based agriculture emits more greenhouse gases (in CO2 equivalents) than is emitted by the cars and all other means of transportation worldwide combined. There would be a reduction in environmental problems, including deforestation, soil erosion, water pollution, loss of biological diversity and desertification. Resources would be used more efficiently. In an increasingly thirsty and energy-dependent world, a person on an animal-based diet requires up to 14 times as much water (mainly for irrigating feed crops) and 10 times as much energy as a person on a vegan (only plants) diet. There would be a reduction in the number of animals who suffer greatly from cruel treatment on factory farms. There would potentially be a reduction in the number of hungry people. At a time when food prices are skyrocketing, an estimated 20 million people are dying annually worldwide from hunger and its effects, and almost a billion of the worlds people are chronically hungry, since 70 percent of the grain produced in the United States and 40 percent produced worldwide are fed to farmed animal. What makes that even more shameful is that the corn, soy and oats that are high in fiber and complex carbohydrates are converted into animal products that are devoid of these nutrients, but high in cholesterol and saturated fat that are so harmful to health. It should also be considered that plant-based diets are most consistent with Jewish teachings on preserving human health, treating animals with compassion, protecting the environment, conserving natural resources and helping hungry people. Also, such diets are consistent with conditions during the two ideal times pictured in the Jewish tradition: the Garden of Eden (based on Genesis 1:29) and the messianic period, based on Isaiahs vision of a peaceable kingdom (Isaiah 11:6-9). The shechitah ban must be opposed, but it is hoped that rabbis and other Jewish leaders will help increase awareness of the many benefits of vegetarianism and of Jewish teachings that point to it as the ideal Jewish diet. This would help revitalize Judaism by showing the relevance of its eternal teachings to current realities, bring many idealistic Jews back to Judaism, and help shift our precious, but imperiled, planet onto a sustainable path. Richard H. Schwartz, Ph.D., is the president emeritus of Jewish Veg, formerly Jewish Vegetarians of North America. | https://washingtonjewishweek.com/50772/how-should-jews-react-to-the-belgian-ban-on-shechitah/editorial-opinion/voices/ |
Can Blockchain Solve Child Labor in the Cobalt Industry? | Six months ago, I traveled to the Democratic Republic of Congo with photographer Sebastian Meyer and revealed how thousands of young children were working 14-hour days digging cobaltan essential mineral found in every one of our mobile phones, electric vehicles, and computersfor just a few dollars a day. The scene was heart-breaking. Children living in desperate poverty were servicing giant tech and auto industries, whose products they would surely never be able to own in their lives. Now a few companies have seized on a possible solution: Using blockchain to track and monitor how their cobalt is mined and marketed. Ford Motor Company; the Korean battery-manufacturing giant LG Chem; Chinas Huayou Cobalt; and RCS Global, a London-based organization for responsible supply chains, announced this week that they will jointly create the first blockchain distributed platform to encompass the entire production cycle for cobalt. IBM will power the technology. The group claims that the immutable identity of the information uploaded on to the blockchain will allow it to monitor and assess every step of production, from the moment cobalt is dug out of the ground in remote southern Congowhere most of the worlds cobalt reserves lieto the smelters and refineries in Asia, and finally the global trading market. The risks we are looking for are operational health and safety, conflict financing, and child labor, Nicholas Garrett, CEO of RCS Global, tells me. Under the new blockchain system, each entity will report its stage of the process. Each player assesses for responsible practices, he says. The idea is to scale up the blockchain, allowing more and more mining and refining companies to join the platform. Any company failing to meet due-diligence standards will be ejected from the platform. The incentive for companies joining the blockchain is to keep extracting Congos huge resources, while still claiming to the world that they are following ethical business practices. We remain committed to transparency across our global supply chain, says Fords vice president for global purchasing and powertrain operations Lisa Drake; the company recently announced it is investing $11 billion on EVproduction over the next few years. As our reporting in DRC showed, cobalt mining in Congo has been riddled with human-rights violations and corruption for years, and operates in a vast Central African country beset by violent conflict. Given that, the new blockchain project might deliver fewer results than the companies claim. It is beginning with just one pilot site, Luswishi Industrial Mine in DRCs southern province of Lualaba, which uses machine techniques to extract cobalt. As such, the initiative does not (for now) tackle artisanal mines, which industry analysts believe account for about 20% of cobalt production, and which continue employing the child miners we met in the DRC last year, like 11-year-old Daniel and 15-year-old Lukasa. Traceability is not the final objective, it is just a means to an end, says Rashad Abelson, legal advisor on mineral supply chains for the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in Paris, which has drafted codes of conduct for the industry. Theres a risk that companies could treat blockchain technology as a panacea that is going to solve all the problems, he says. Children like Daniel and Lukasa will almost certainly continue digging for cobalt as long as they can, since the root causes of child labor remain: Deep poverty, and a lack of education and job opportunities. Even leaving aside child labor, there are other problems too: As we saw in the villages, cobalt markets and mines we visited, there are few resources to scrutinize peoples work habits. In the Kasulo mine, which is operated by Huayou, we watched hundreds of men digging cobalt with manual tools, and with no protective gloves or hard hats. And that was the site Congos local provincial officials wanted us to see, as an example of good mining practices. Abelson fears that the bare-bones conditions in Congo could also lead to bad information being uploaded on to the new blockchain platform, in areas where there is low literacy, and almost no experience of software technology; in some areas, there is not even Internet access. In addition, there will be few ways to know whether the data on the blockchain is true or false. It is not yet totally clear how this technology would resolve the issue of validating information that is fraudulent from the outset, he says. The stakes for fixing the labor violations and corruption in cobalt production are high indeed. As people increasingly choose electric vehicles over fossil-fuel models, global demand for cobalt could increase 700% by 2030, according to the cobalt-trading company Darton Commodities in London. The question now is whether the world can embrace green technology, and still adhere to ethical standards. | http://fortune.com/2019/01/16/can-blockchain-solve-child-labor-in-the-cobalt-industry/ |
What Happens to U.K. Companies if There's a No Deal Brexit? | The very possible scenario that the U.K. leaves the European Union without a negotiated exit deal would be a shock to everyones system. With no trade deals in place, tariffs would jolt into effect, causing shortages on shelves and blockages in ports. Many financial services firms are moving assets out of the U.K. and into the EU. As the consultancy giant EY reported, 20 companies have already publicly announced such shifts. EY put a conservative estimate of 800 billion pounds ($1.02 trillion) on the total. Barclays has shifted ownership of its French, German, and Spanish operations from its British base to its Irish subsidiary. More than a third of big U.K. financial services firms are moving staff abroad. Many industries are stockpiling. Though the British government has announced that medicine imports will get priority at the ports in the event of no deal, pharma giants such as AstraZeneca and Merck are caching meds, just to make sure. (AstraZeneca has also begun parallel testing at a Swedish site, owing to likely sudden changes in regulation.) And in the auto industry, Aston Martin and Volkswagen-owned Bentley are not only stockpiling components in order to avoid manufacturing disruptions, theyre also arranging to use ports other than Dover, the U.K.s main ferry link with the European mainland, which is likely to become heavily congested. We have to prepare for the worst-case scenario, Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer told Reuters. This article originally appeared in the February 2019 issue of Fortune. | http://fortune.com/2019/01/16/no-deal-brexit-emergency-plans/ |
Will The Super Bowl's TV Ratings Rebound From Their Recent Slump? | In todays fractured media market where people have a seemingly infinite number of viewing choices, nothing quite compares to the Super Bowl, which is almost always the most watched television show in any given year. I expect 2019 to be no exception According to Nielsen, last years NFL Championship game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the New England Patriots attracted more than 104 million viewers, the games smallest audience since 2009. The NFL, though, has proven to be more resilient than many pundits including yours truly expected thanks to rules changes that made the game more interesting to fans. During the first 13 weeks of the current season, the NFL averaged the most points (47.8), yards (718.4) and passing touchdowns per game (3.5) in its history. As a result, TV ratings for NFL games rose 5 percent in 2018, rebounding from two years of declines. The momentum should help bolster the Super Bowl ratings since there are plenty of compelling storylines to entice viewers. The NFC and AFC Championship games will feature future Hall-of-Famer Quarterbacks Tom Brady of the New England Patriots and Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints against the respective dynamic young leaders of the Kansas City Chiefs Patrick Mahomes and Jared Goff of the Los Angeles Rams. Lets not forget Chiefs Coach Andy Reid who was fired by the Eagles in 2012 after a 14-year career where he lost the NFC Championship four times. The Rams returned to Los Angeles in 2016, 14 years after leaving Southern California for St. Louis and have struggled to attract fans. Advertisers are shelling out more than $5 million on average to CBS for 30-second sport on the big game, roughly what NBC charged last season. More than 90 percent of the available ad inventory has been sold, according to CBS. As the game day comes closer, odds are that the ads will be sold out. First-time Super Bowl advertisers include Procter & Gambles Olay skin care products, the Bumble dating/networking app, Kraft-Heinzs Devour line of frozen foods, according to AdWeek. Planters Nuts is returning after an absence of more than a decade. Other brands at the game include Skittles, Anheuser-Busch and Mercedes-Benz. A recently released poll of 2,000 consumers from Morning Consult and The Wall Street Journals CMO Today found that more than two-thirds of respondents said they thought it was inappropriate for advertisers to advance a political agenda. Coca-Cola, Dodge Ram Trucks, and T-Mobile used their Super Bowl ads as a forum to discuss diversity and the virtues of public service during last season's game. To be clear, consumers are fine with advertisers talking about non-controversial issues such as helping veterans (70 percent) and providing disaster relief (58 percent), according to the poll. Since most commercial times is bought in advance based on existing viewership, CBS, NBC, Fox, and ESPN couldnt charge as much for commercial time on NFL games that they had previously. According to Standard Media Index, NFLs ad revenue slumped 19 percent in September and October as the number of spots that aired fell 6 percent. The effects of the lower audiences last year are spilling into this season, as NFL revenue is down, said James Fennessy, CEO of Standard Media Index. Nevertheless, as the market reports improving viewership, we will see how these trends change over the remaining months of the season. | https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonathanberr/2019/01/16/will-the-super-bowls-tv-ratings-rebound-from-their-recent-slump/ |
How Much Longer Will TSA Agents Work For A Delayed Paycheck? | The partial shutdown of the Federal government hits its 26th day on Wednesday, January 16, continuing the longest government shutdown in US history. Although it took me less than a half an hour to get through Transportation Security Administration (TSA) lines at LAX and Nevadas McCarran last week, this week trouble spots are starting to show. On January 14 the official Twitter account for Atlantas Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) the worlds busiest airport (104 million passengers a year) tweeted #ATL is experiencing longer than usual wait times during peak travel. Please plan ahead and give yourself 3 hours to clear security. Long wait times have also been reported in Dallas (DFW), while both Miami International (MIA) and Houstons George Bush (IAH) reportedly closed terminals due to a shortage of TSA screeners. Nonetheless, Matthew Bradley, former CIA agent and current Regional Security Director Americas at International SOS (a leading medical and security assistance company) and Control Risks, believes US airports are holding up remarkably well so far during the shutdown. Bradley, who travels 150,000 miles a year himself, says Right now Atlanta and Dallas are the only ones with significant issues. We havent seen any significant disruption. When the TSA doesnt have enough employees to operate all the security lines, as in Houston and Miami, Bradley says it will close the ones it cant man, pushing people to the remaining open lines. Bradley says this will create longer lines, but there will still be good security practices followed. However, Bradley believes that if the shutdown drags on much longer, the situation may worsen. Bradley says TSA numbers show that on one recent date during the shutdown, some 6.8% of TSA workers called in sick versus 2.5% on the same date last year. The implication is that some government workers are not willing to work for a delayed pay check. (Government employees will get paid when the shutdown is finally resolved.) Behind the scenes, at least 800,000 federal employees have been affected by the shutdown, (including 57,000 at the TSA) with many missing their first paycheck on Jan. 11. (TSA airport security jobs typically begin at $25,518 to $38,277.) While other Federal workers at the airports are also working for a delayed paycheck, Bradley says air traffic controllers will stay on the job because they cant get a better job. But if you are TSA officer, you can get other jobs that pay as well. A mobile food bank in Phoenix reports serving 300 TSA agents, theres another in San Antonio, while this week Tampa International Airport, Feeding Tampa Bay and United Way Suncoast set up a food bank for TSA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Federal Aviation Administration workers. The situation is particularly difficult for TSA workers with young families. There are reports of TSA workers calling in sick to drive for Uber and Lyft to earn extra money during the shutdown. The unemployment rate, although marginally off a 49-year low of 3.7% in December, is still just 3.9%. I havent seen anything that shows that they are going to quit en masse, says Bradley. But if it goes on, if they think it could go on for months, many of them will have to find a different job so they can get paid. Robert Costa, a political reporter with the Washington Post, tweeted on January 15, senior Republican lawmakers tell me the only way this [the shutdown] breaks open is if TSA employees stay home and Americans get furious about their flights. Even after the shutdown is settled, Bradley says there is a possibility of lingering delays if a significant number of TSA dont come back to work. The longer it goes on the more likely you have people calling in sick or not coming back to work when the government starts up. The TSA screens literally millions of passengers a day. While most weapons are detected, earlier this month a man managed to bring a gun on a flight from Atlanta to Tokyo. Two agents were fired after the incident, which the TSA says was unrelated to the shutdown. Sometimes things get past them, Bradley observes, but most TSA workers are still diligently doing their jobs. They provide a valuable service we cant do without. Hopefully the support they are getting now from passengers and members of their communities should carry over after the shutdown. For now, Bradley suggest travelers should arrive at airports an hour and half early if they have pre-check status for that flight, two hours if they are standard travelers. He adds that too often, People are unprepared for the inspection. You know you have to take out your electronics, take your belt and shoes off, and dump your liquids. Unnecessary delays occur because people are unprepared. In terms of security, If you see something say something, as always. Help these guys out. Above all, Bradley says, Be courteous to TSA employees. Lines can be longer and tempers can be shorter. Dont make their job harder. Remember, its not their fault. Its not normal times, so these are not normal delays. | https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelgoldstein/2019/01/16/how-much-longer-will-tsa-agents-work-for-a-delayed-paycheck/ |
Did Former President Enrique Pena Nieto Take That $100 Million Bribe? | In Mexico, like were becoming accustomed to in the U.S., there are many versions to truths and facts. Jaqun El Chapo Guzmn Loera was until very recently, in his own words, a simple farmer. He was also, in the words of his associate, Alex Cifuentes Villa a former drug lord in Colombia who worked with Guzmn more powerful than the president of Mexico. So powerful, Cifuentes told a courtroom on Tuesday, that Guzmn paid the countrys top official $100 million to leave him and his Sinaloa Cartel in peace. Cifuentes hails from a family of drug traffickers who worked with Pablo Escobar. In two days on the stand, he told a story that any Hollywood screenwriter would scrap at the risk of seeming too fantastic: assassination plots involving Canadian Hells Angels; gun deals with an Ecuadorian military officer, whom they later spent half a million dollars freeing from trial, only later to kidnap; a fledgeling autobiographical movie, based, of course, on a memoir Guzmn wrote. And yes, while he hid with Guzmn in Mexicos Sierra Madre mountains, living in pine huts with plasma TVs, Cifuentes said he helped bribe the countrys president. Enrique Pea Nieto, who left office in November, hasnt addressed these new allegations. But earlier in the trial when talk of presidential corruption surfaced he denied any connection. Imagine, though, the president who caught Guzmn twice and oversaw his extradition to the U.S., early in his term took the drug traffickers money. Like most tantalizing threads pulled from the Mexican drug war, this one sounded too absurd for reality. Its also one that, whatever the facts or rumors, probably wont be investigated by the countrys government partly for fear of what truth may be tied to the other end. Pea Nieto has been accused of many things. He might have forged his undergraduate law thesis. He may have granted government contracts during his time as governor of Mexico State to a company that built and paid for his familys $7 million, 15,000-square foot home. His administration also oversaw the investigation into the 2014 kidnapping of 43 students, in which a local mayor, police and the nearby military unit all likely played part in working with, or as part of, a local cartel. Two outside, international teams found Pea Nietos investigation was at best painfully mishandled, and at worst sabotaged to hide the truth. Did members of the administration take bribes? says Alejandro Hope, a Mexican security analyst and columnist at the El Universal newspaper. Yeah maybe. But at the end of the day the Guzmn was captured twice, then extradited. So if he did make those bribe they were very poor investment. Not that this kind of corruption hasnt been suggested before. Investigative reporter Anabel Hernandezs 2010 book, translated into English as Narcoland, accuses both of Pea Nietos predecessors of meeting with or taking money from Guzmn. The drug lord did, after all, escape from prison the first time under the administration of Vicente Fox. And later during the Felipe Caldern administration, the U.S.-backed policy of taking down cartel kingpins seemed inequitable in its targets. An analysis by NPR in 2010 found federal authorities arrested the Sinaloa Cartels biggest rival, Los Zetas, nearly four times as much. In Guzmns trial, other high-ranking officials have been accused of corruption, including a former head of public security, and a senior police commander who worked both sides of the law and who 20 years ago claimed to hold the secrets of another administrations bargain with cartels. Corruption in Mexico is pyramidal, Hernandez told PRI after the English debut of her book, and from the presidency it permeates other institutions. Of course, not everyone believes this. And among all these figures, Pea Nieto might have the strongest claim against having a pact with Guzmn. Upon taking office he had promised to remove the military from cities which his predecessor deployed in the countrys most violent regions, and which had sent murder rates soaring higher. He also vowed to stop targeting top cartel capos, a strategy used by Caldern that only seemed multiply drug trafficking outfits and sow more violence. None of this ever fully materialized. The biggest change was the absence of headlines touting big cartel arrests, which continued, although without the government spectacle of presenting captured leaders to the media in front of piles of drugs and guns. Pea Nietos policy was, in practice, the exact policy of the last administration, with a major caveat: He captured Guzmn twice. That is one major reason why Hope, the security analyst, finds it hard to believe Pea Nieto made any deal with the drug lord. Guzmns entire defense is focused on making him the unwilling pawn of the government, and of another Sinaloa leader, Ismael Zambada Garca. Pea Nieto was amazingly corrupt, Hope says, but in the ways the U.S. doesnt care about. Taking handouts from business has become almost expected, especially among members of Pea Nietos PRI party, which ruled Mexico for 71 years. Taking a briefcase of cash from the worlds most sought-after drug lord, though, is a brazen, idiotic move, Hope says. You would think someone in that position could at least transfer it through shell companies in the Cayman Islands. Plus, Pea Nieto who while at a literary conference once failed for four, slow, painful minutes to mention one book that made an impact on his life was never viewed as the brains behind his own administration. Why would you pay off George [W.] Bush, Hope asks, if Dick Cheney is holding his hand out? If anyone could crack down on massive corruption at the highest levels of the government, it is Mexicos current president, Andrs Manuel Lpez Obrador, who took office last month. As an outsider who started his own political party, a war against corruption and the mafia of power that controls the country was practically his campaign slogan. But he is unlikely to do anything. For one, during the trial, another drug capo accused someone in Lpez Obradors administration of taking a bribe while Obrador was mayor of Mexico City. And while the current president seems by far the most unlikely to be making deals with cartels, an investigation goes counter to his own drug war policy. Lpez Obrador represents the most radical promise for change Mexico has seen, arguably, since its revolution a century ago. Hes said he will look at legalizing drugs. He wants to invest hundreds of millions of dollars into social benefits and education to dissuade kids from joining cartels. And, most controversially, he has suggested amnesty for drug cartel leaders as a way to get them to close down their criminal enterprises, similar to Colombias deal with the FARC. Twenty years ago, journalist and author Charles Bowden wrote a book teasing out another rumored tie between a presidential administration and the countrys then-most notorious drug lord. In it, Bowden wrote that rumors fly across Mexico, facts crawl. Whatever is at the other end of this string, it will probably join the other fantastical rumors in Mexicos drug war too crazy to be truth, too often repeated not to have some fact. | https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/el-chapo-pina-nieto-100-million-bribe-claim-legacy-780040/ |
Will the Supreme Court end the BCCI's chaos? | On Thursday, the Supreme Court will reconvene to hear the longstanding case related to the BCCI. The most important point on the agenda is the status report submitted last October by the Committee of Administrators (CoA) asking the court to bar voting rights of non-compliant states and finalising a timeline for BCCI to conduct elections within a set timeframe. Here's a guide to what is expected at the hearing, which is scheduled to begin at 3 pm. This hearing has the potential to end the bizarre situation where the BCCI has not carried out the Supreme Court's orders on reforms. On July 18, 2016, the court approved the reforms recommended by the RM Lodha Committee and directed that they be implemented by all state associations; it subsequently amended certain reforms at the request of several state associations. To date, though, not a single member association of the BCCI, nor the parent body itself, has implemented the recommendations in toto. The CoA has now recommended that the BCCI conduct elections within 90 days from the court's ruling and has requested, in its status report, that the court approve a timeline for elections. To conduct the elections, the states and the BCCI first need to comply with the new constitution, which was registered last August. That means they have to agree unconditionally to all reforms. Not one of the 34 state associations of the BCCI was fully compliant at the time when the CoA submitted its status report on October 27 last year. The CoA identified seven states as being "non-compliant", while the rest fell under the "partially compliant" and "substantially compliant" categories. Although the state associations have set the ball rolling, many have dragged their feet on key reforms such as the cooling-off period, disqualification criteria, and selection panels. The most significant reform that BCCI members want the court to re-examine is the nine-year tenure limit set for office bearers in the new constitution. The members have suggested that as per the original order of the court in 2016, the office bearers' tenure at BCCI and state associations was distinct, giving office-bearers a potential cumulative life of 18 years. However, under the new constitution, that limit has been reset to a cumulative nine years - whether at state level or at the BCCI or both. Follow the CoA's recommendation of barring errant state associations from their voting rights in the BCCI elections and also withholding their funding. Several BCCI members want the CoA's reign to be brought to end. But that will only happen if they conduct elections. Nonetheless, the members want to make the court aware of the deep divisions and distrust within the two-member CoA comprising Vinod Rai, the former Comptroller & Auditor General of India, and Diana Edulji, the former India women captain. Some members feel that would allow them to regain control of the BCCI despite being forced to implement reforms unconditionally. It matters because the CoA's squabbles have now spilled over to the cricket arena and are in danger of affecting India's World Cup preparations. Take the controversial TV-show comments of Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul: Rai and Edulji agree the players ought to be penalised, but have differed strongly on how to go about it. Both players have now been suspended and are out of the ongoing ODI series in Australia and are set to miss the limited-overs tour of New Zealand as well. The BCCI's legal team recommended that the players be suspended pending an inquiry with the Ombudsman being the final adjudicator. Both Rai and Edulji want the court to give directions on the appointment of an Ombudsman, a position the BCCI has not filled since late 2016. The court is also likely to hear a petition, filed by whistleblower Aditya Verma, to make public the findings of the ad-hoc committee that handled the sexual misconduct allegations against BCCI CEO Rahul Johri. The CoA will submit the findings in a sealed envelope but Verma has petitioned the court to ask the CoA to make the findings public. At least three chief justices have presided over the case stretching back five years. On Thursday the bench will comprise Justices SA Bobde and AM Sapre. | http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/25776083/will-supreme-court-end-bcci-chaos |
Could Jalen Hurts make Heisman history with Oklahoma? | Jalen Hurts is officially transferring to Oklahoma from Alabama, the star quarterback announced Wednesday in a Players Tribune essay. News broke last week that the Alabama backup was looking to finish his college career somewhere other than Tuscaloosa, and he decided on the Sooners after also visiting Maryland and Miami. Because hes a grad transfer, Hurts can play immediately for Oklahoma, which lost its starting quarterback Kyler Murray to the NFL, MLB or both. Baker Mayfield won in 2017 during Lincoln Rileys first season as Oklahomas head coach, and Murray did it again in 2018. Both quarterbacks were transfers, both were the backbone of high-powered offenses that finished No. 1 in the country and both led the Sooners to the College Football Playoff in their Heisman years as well. After Murray won, the way-too-early 2019 Heisman odds had Hurts with the 10th-best chance. But after he began exploring transfer options, his odds got a big boost to third, behind Alabamas starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and Clemsons Trevor Lawrence, per BetOnline.ag. And that was before Wednesdays transfer announcement. 2019 Heisman odds via @betonline_ag: Lawrence 3/1 Tagovailoa 4/1 Hurts 9/1 Etienne, Fields, Fromm, Swift & Taylor 12/1 Book, Ehlinger & Herbert 16/1 Harris, Higgins, Jeudy, Kendall & Patterson 25/1 D.J. Moore 28/1 Costello & Martinez 33/1 Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) January 15, 2019 Because Hurts is eligible to play immediately, he doesnt have the additional year to get acclimated both Mayfield and Murray had when they transferred from Texas Tech and Texas A&M, respectively, as undergrads. But, neither of them went to Norman with the experience Hurts has, and going from Alabamas spread offense to Oklahomas, the mobile, dual-threat quarterback should have no problem adjusting to his new team. Hes also going from unquestionably one of the best offenses in the nation to the No. 1 group in the country, and clearly Riley is doing something right with his passers. As Nick Sabans starter in 2016 and 2017, Hurts led the Crimson Tide to back-to-back national championship games although Clemson won the first, and his first-half struggles in the latter against Georgia led Saban to bench him in favor of Tagovailoa. While Tagovailoa ultimately claimed the starting job this season, Hurts stuck around and played in 13 of Alabamas 15 games. Most notably, he replaced an injured Tagovailoa in the fourth quarter of the SEC championship game as the Crimson Tide were down and carried them to victory, completing 7-of-9 passes for 82 yards and a touchdown and rushing for 28 yards and another touchdown. In Hurts first two years with Alabama, he was completing more than 60 percent of his passes, while he threw for 2,780 yards as a freshman and 2,081 as a sophomore and ran for 954 yards and 855 yards, respectively. Overall, he leaves the Crimson Tide with 5,626 passing yards, 48 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, plus 23 rushing touchdowns with 1,976 yards on the ground. Jalen Hurts with the comeback story of the year pic.twitter.com/s3CGP79DQz Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 2, 2018 For Murray this season, he edged out Tagovailoa for the Heisman not only because of his powerful arm and accuracy on deep passes he threw for 4,361 yards, 42 touchdowns and seven interceptions with a 69.0 completion percentage but also thanks to his speed and agility, which allowed him to rack up 1,001 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. Hurts can carry the Sooners offense in a similar way to Murray, and for what the 20-year-old might lack in accuracy and power compared with Murray, he can make up for it on the ground and could expand the teams run game, which still finished seventh nationally. The numbers from Hurts best statistical season fall short of Murrays, and theres still plenty of room for improvement. But with Rileys help as the former offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach and an Oklahoma team coming off back-to-back 12-win seasons and consecutive playoff appearances (three in the last four years), Hurts could see his stats climb, have his NFL draft stock increase and give Tagovailoa and Lawrence some real Heisman competition in what was once considered a two-man race. Plus, playing against the Big 12s defenses, which range from mediocre to practically nonexistent, doesnt hurt either. With a new team and likely return to a starting lineup, Hurts could do more than just bring home a third consecutive Heisman Trophy to Oklahoma. For himself, he could find himself in a fourth straight College Football Playoff National Championship game and a chance to win a second title with another team. | https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/01/jalen-hurts-oklahoma-football-alabama-transfer-heisman-history-lincoln-riley-mayfield-kyler-murray |
What's next for the convention center project? | Below is the closed-captioning text associated with this video. Since this uses automated speech to text spelling and grammar may not be accurate. progress progress progress continues to bring a convention center to downtown terre haute. leaders hope to have the facility up and running by 20-20 at the earliest. news 10's alia blackburn caught up with leaders this morning. she explains what's next for the project. < from the outside... to the inside. we've seen what a state of the art convention center could look like in terre haute... now leaders are focusing on making sure they're ready to run it. it starts with the building's infrastructure... efforts to relocate water utilities are moving forward.. that's as the capital improvement board is working on a contract with indiana american water. another big step for the c-i-b- is bringing on a firm to help with operations... mayor duke bennett says this firm would play a consulting role. the group would give insight on the building's design and how to effectively run it. officials haven't selected a firm.. but they are expecting this to cost no more than 50-thousand dollars. bennett says he's excited about the direction the about the direction the project is heading. mayor bennett: "there's a lot of pieces to it. we've been working on it for about five years now and it's finally coming to fruition and it's exciting for me to see soon we'll have, we'll be turning dirt for this project.." the "convention and visitors bureau" -- terre haute city and vigo county have put in millions towards this project.... so... leaders plan to put together a funding agreement. mayor bennett says they'll meet next week to determine "how" an when money will be paid. in the newsroom... ab... back to you.> "mayor bennett" says the meeting is scheduled for the 23rd at 2:30. storm team 10's kevin orpurt is sporting a long tie today-- so don't bank on any sunshine. | https://www.wthitv.com/content/video/504449922.html?ref=922 |
When does the 2019 college softball season start? | The road to Oklahoma City and the Womens College World Series is upon us. First pitch of the 2019 college softball season is set for the weekend of Feb. 7. BRACKET: 2018 WCWS interactive bracket | Printable The 2018 college softball season concluded with Florida State raising its first national championship trophy at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium. The Seminoles lost on Day 1 of the Womens College World Series before storming back to win six games in a row en route to the title. UCLA, who also made it to the WCWS last year, is among a handful of teams who open its season on Feb. 7 at the Hawaii Paradise Classic in Honolulu. The Bruins open with a doubleheader against UT Arlington and then Fresno State. The reigning national champion Seminoles open up at the Joanne Graf Classic the next day, playing Iowa State, UNC Greensboro and UNC Wilmington from Feb. 8-10. SCHEDULE: Dates and times for the 2019 Women's College World Series Here are a few other opening weekend tournaments we are excited to see: National runner-up Washington heads to Mexico, where it will face off against six 2018 tournament teams between Feb. 8-15 in Mexico in the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge. South Carolina, who wrapped up 2018 ranked No. 11, will also be in Puerto Vallarta that week. Arizona State hosts the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Arizona opening against Western Michigan and Missouri on Feb. 8. Oregon, who lost to both Florida State and Washington in Oklahoma City, also opens in Tempe on Feb. 8 against Kansas and CSUN. Florida will face three 2018 tournament teams in three days at the USF Opening Weekend Invitational in Tampa, Florida beginning Feb. 8. The Gators open against Illinois State on Feb. 8, then play Michigan and Arizona on Feb. 9 and NC State and USF on Feb. 10. MORE COLLEGE SOFTBALL: History | Top news | https://www.ncaa.com/news/softball/article/2019-01-15/when-does-2019-college-softball-season-start |
Is there a road to redemption after the #MeToo movement? | As a result of the viral hashtag, over 250 men, who were previously shielded by their social status or high-profile jobs, had to answer for their behavior publicly. Many of these men were forced out of their jobs, but a growing number of them are trying to make their way back into public life. Comedians like Aziz Ansari and Louis C.K. MPR News host Kerri Miller spoke with two guests about the road to redemption after the #MeToo movement. Guests: Anna North Senior reporter at Vox covering gender issues Zainab Salbi Founder of Women for Women International, host and creator of a special on PBS last year, #MeToo Now What, author of the new book "Freedom is an Inside Job" To listen to the full discussion you can use the audio player above. | https://www.mprnews.org/story/2019/01/16/miller-is-there-a-road-to-redemption-from-the-metoo-movement |
Which musical theatre favourites have been revisited? | Starring Dale Pengelly, the show features songs from music theatre favourites such as Singin' in the Rain and Chicago. Starring Dale Pengelly, the show features songs from music theatre favourites such as Singin' in the Rain and Chicago. Contributed SWOON and sway to timeless tunes from the Rat Pack and Nat King Cole in the Pilbeam Theatre's first Morning Melodies for 2019, The Lounge Suite. Starring Dale Pengelly, the show also features songs from music theatre favourites such as Singin' in the Rain, The Boy From Oz, Chicago and Hot Shoe Shuffle. The Lounge Suite is a high energy celebration of dance and song. It beckons you to peek behind, through its curtains. Travel back to the way it was; discover the allure of nostalgia and be carried on a journey through Dale Pengelly's incredible career in the world of performance. Supported by his Loungin' Ladies, you'll be hard pressed to resist singing and dancing your way through the swing era hits with this sensational trio. A former Central Queenslander, Dale Pengelly is a seasoned performer with credits including Hot Shoe Shuffle, Chicago, The Boy From Oz, Singin' in the Rain, Mary Poppins, Shout!, just to name a few. He has also directed and choreographed productions including Cabaret, Guys and Dolls and The Addams Family. Morning Melodies - The Lounge Suite will be performed at Morning Melodies at Rockhampton's Pilbeam Theatre on Monday, February 18, at 11am. Tickets, at $20 for adults with concessions available, are on sale now from the Pilbeam Theatre Box Office, phone 4927 4111 or online at seeitlive.com.au. Morning Melodies is presented by Rockhampton Regional Council and Bolsover Radiology. There will be a free morning tea provided by Brumby's Allenstown, Gracemere and Parkhurst before the show. | https://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/news/which-musical-theatre-favourites-have-been-revisit/3624340/ |
Should the State of the Union be postponed until the government shutdown ends? | Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has taken the unprecedented step of un-inviting the president from delivering the State of the Union to Congress. In a letter to President Donald Trump, Pelosi said the ongoing shutdown had left many government security officials furloughed and unable to adequately prepare security measures for the event. Not allowing the president to speak directly to the American people for an hour would also be politically advantageous for the Democrats. PERSPECTIVES The Washington Post reports in her letter to the White House, Pelosi urged the president to pick a different date to deliver the State of the Union. "Sadly, given the security concerns and unless government re-opens this week, I suggest that we work together to determine another suitable date after government has re-opened for this address or for you to consider delivering your State of the Union address in writing to the Congress on January 29th," Pelosi wrote in the letter. The Speaker of the House typically invites the president to deliver the State of the Union to a joint session of Congress. However, that has not always been the case. For 112 years, between the presidencies of Thomas Jefferson and Woodrow Wilson, the president submitted the State of the Union in writing. Wilson restarted the tradition of delivering the address to Congress. When asked whether she had un-invited the president as punishment for his intransigence during the shutdown, Pelosi maintained the decision was based only on security concerns, saying the decision was a "housekeeping matter... honor the responsibility of the invitation we extended to the president. He can make it from the Oval Office if he wants." Politico reports Pelosi's decision had support from fellow Democrats. "This shutdown is ridiculous and the people tasked with protecting him and protecting us are not getting a paycheck," said Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass. ), the House Rules Committee chair. "So it's inappropriate to carry on with business as usual." While the Speaker said her decision was based only on logistics, there are clear political benefits to postponing the event until the end of the shutdown. Per The New York Times: With Democrats and Mr. Trump at an impasse over his demands for funding for a wall along the southern border, the speech would give Mr. Trump a nationally televised bully pulpit to hammer away at Ms. Pelosi and her party. Politico reports some Democrats have been concerned about the unfettered access the State of the Union would provide the president. But privately, Democrats also don't want to give Trump a major platform to blame them for the shutdown when Trump's demand for billions in wall funding has been the main driver, according to a Democratic lawmaker close to leadership. Trump has tried to pin the blame on the shutdown on Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, but public polls shows the public largely blames the president. Some may wonder whether these political concerns justify delaying or canceling one of the most important political events of the year. 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/politics/index.ssf/2019/01/should_the_state_of_the_union.html |
Whats the best programming language to learn this year? | Whether its your first programming language or youre just adding a new string to your bow, keep an eye out for these ones that have grown in popularity. With the tech talent shortage, proficiency in a programming language can almost always be considered a valuable skill. The popularity of programming languages changes all the time. Some newer ones can gain traction and therefore become more popular among the programming community. Others can be in greater demand for the industry and therefore pay more. According to Tiobes search engine-based ranking, Java has topped the latest list, having seen the largest rise of any language, closely followed by C and Python. Tiobe is a world-recognised authority when it comes to programming language popularity. It takes data from hundreds of different sources and compiles it in an index based on a myriad of metrics, including the number of experienced engineers in a language, the amount of courses available and the search engine popularity for that language. Java is widely used for building enterprise-scale web applications. It is known to be extremely stable, and so many large organisations have adopted it. Java and C are also both widely considered to be two of the easiest languages to learn. Interestingly, though one of the most popular and well-known programming languages, Python has been slow to climb to the top of the Tiobe index. While it is widely considered as the best programming language for beginners and is the go-to language for a number of jobs in machine learning, web programming and statistical analysis, it only made it into the top three languages on the index in September 2018. A likely cause of the sudden popularity for a language that has been around since the early 90s is the fast-growing need for talent in data science. Data science still remains one of the hottest areas in the tech industry and the number of queries for Python and data science have shot up in recent years. Python has also climbed to the top spot in the PYPL Popularity of Programming Language Index, which measures the proportion of people searching for programming language tutorials, based on data from Google Trends. Two newer languages to watch out for this year include Android app programming language Kotlin, which rose from 39th to 31st place, and Rust, which moved from 46th to 33rd place. Tiobe forecasts that Kotlin will join the top 20 most popular languages this year. Indeed, the number of contributors using Kotlin to build projects hosted on GitHub more than doubled in 2018. Meanwhile, Rust is a new system-level programming language that came in first place in the 2018 Stack OverFlow Developer Survey for developers most loved and wanted language. | https://www.siliconrepublic.com/advice/programming-language-java-python |
What goes into a judge's wine rating? | Recently, a reader wrote to me about judges and wine ratings and who to trust when looking up new wines. And also what websites, books and magazines could give the most accurate information. One friend whips out his iPhone and uses an app that gives him "instant" ratings as he scans wine labels in the store. I couldn't agree with most of those ratings that I saw. Experienced wine and beer writers, sommeliers, cicerones and judges have elaborate descriptions and usually use the 100-point system. As a former wine shop owner, I can tell you that higher ratings do sell better than one that is not rated. Higher ratings also naturally make a difference in the awareness of the product and probably the enjoyment. It really shouldnt, but it does. It all comes back to tasting experience, reading and knowing what you like. As a lauded wine expert, I have blind-tasted a bunch over the years. Its a wonderful opportunity to taste something and decide whether I like it or not. When that decision is finally made, the pedigree of the bottle is revealed along with the price. Sometimes I agree with the rating, sometimes Im certain were not talking about the same wine. Recently, I was asked to play the guess-what-this-grape-is game. Im good deciding if I like a beer or wine, but not so good at this. Recalling the last 10 minutes of dinner conversation regarding Rhone-style wines recently purchased, I guessed a Rhone-style blend. Nope, it was a Sangiovese from a Washington winery that I greatly admire and has garnered many 90-plus point wines. All puzzling questions for an industry that gives objective ratings on a subjective subject. With the internet, there has been a rise in amateur critics to choose from Yelp, Ratebeer or Vavino to name a few. These and other sites allow those with the time and elucidation to opine (witticism intended) about their favorite or not so favorite products. Many of these ratings are from people that have a modicum of tastings under their belt. Professionals have a broad experience, tasting hundreds, even thousands of product in a day or a month. With that broad experience, you have a better understanding of what to expect from a producer, style or region. They can deduce a lot about a product just from reading the label. I remember the day I blind tasted over 80 red wines in one day. I was judging for the Puyallup Fairs amateur wine competition. My job was to taste, score and award the best wines. Seventeen other judges and I sat at tables of three and scored each wine brought to us on the traditional 20-point system, which quantifies aroma, color, palate and overall impression. I was assigned the red wine table. Even after spitting out every wine I tasted, by lunch my tongue was black, my teeth purple and I wanted a cold beer with my sandwich. After lunch, it was back to the judging. I was not looking forward to this, but low and behold, the best wine of the day was presented to our table that afternoon. It was a beautifully balanced blend of blackberry and merlot. I can still remember the taste. That experience and many others like it have shaped how I choose a bottle of wine or beer. I do utilize some of the ratings and I confess that a 90-plus wine or beer does have a certain appeal. But who does the actual description or rating is of great importance. Because of years of experience, Ive come to know some of the critics palates and how they align with my likes and dislikes. Thats one of the keys to choosing a bottle of beer or wine. A trusted producer or critic or favorite grape or region influences my decision in addition to the many tastings over the many years. So trust me when I say that a 90-plus rating, pretty label or flowery description should not be the singular reason to buy that bottle. The 100-point rating system began in the early 1980s, when Robert Parker, a lawyer turned wine critic, developed a scale that has dominated the rating system. His 100-point scale is 96100 Extraordinary; 9095 Outstanding; 8089 Above average to very good; 7079 Average; 6069 Below average; 5059 Unacceptable. Ratings are a subjective score given to a particular batch of wine or beer or cider. Ratings could be assigned by a critic or team of critics and would be based on quality as determined by each individual critic. During the scoring process, wines, beers and other libations are tasted blind; tasters have no knowledge of label, price or lack of pedigree other than it may be a Cabernet, an IPA or a cider. Their tastings are performed blind, although reviewers may know style, variety or region but never the producer or price. Imagine a group of tasters reviewing more than 15,000 wines each year in blind tastings before publishing anywhere between 700 to 1,800 reviews a year. Using the 100-point rating system, this international magazine has built a following over the years. There is a big difference in this rating system: its a group of tasters that changes every so often. A collective palate rather than one individual palate is harder to gauge. So the key to deciphering a wine rating is finding a critic you can trust. Keep in mind, the best way to find a wine critic you trust, is to try a few different wines and see which critic you agree with the most. Until you find a critic that you trust, take all wine ratings with a grain of salt, continue to read and choose bottles you think are good. Blind taste them and take notes! Blind tastings are educational, for novice and critic alike. Never stop reading books, magazines and newspapers, and websites contribute to the knowledge about the who, what, why and where of that testy beverage in your glass. Cheers! Mary Earl has been educating Kitsap wine lovers for a couple of decades, is a longtime member of the West Sound Brew Club and can pair a beer or wine dinner in a flash. She volunteers for the Clear Creek Trail, is a member of the Central Kitsap Community Council and a longtime supporter of Silverdale. Mary Earl (Photo: Kitsap Sun) Read or Share this story: https://www.kitsapsun.com/story/life/2019/01/16/what-goes-into-judges-wine-rating/2597425002/ | https://www.kitsapsun.com/story/life/2019/01/16/what-goes-into-judges-wine-rating/2597425002/ |
Are bridal shows worth attending for photographers? | Editors note: This is a guest article from Florida based wedding photographer Richie Acevedo. Richie was one of the first photographers mentored by Vanelli many years ago. Impressed with how far he has come, Vanelli suggested Richie start sharing his knowledge through writing and video tutorials. In business, the truth is it takes money to both make or waste money. We should start by asking questions and seeking advice from those that have succeeded or failed in the venture. Over an early morning breakfast, I asked Richie Acevedo a talented wedding photographer who just came back from a bridal show if the show was worth attending and having a booth at the event. His simple answer, yes. Heres why he feels photographers should consider attending bridal shows. Gaining new clients The obvious benefit of attending a bridal show is to gain new clients. This bridal show only had 200 couples, but they were quality leads. They have already committed to getting married and in need of specialty services making this event worth it for wedding photographers, florists, DJs, wedding planners and boutiques selling wedding dresses (obviously divorce lawyers and online dating sites would not do well). These quality customers need your services and they need to make arrangements by a certain date in the near future. Exposure in the community The bride and groom are not the only ones attending the show. Sometimes they drag a family member or friends with them. These are potential new clients for other photography services you offer family, seniors or baby portraits. If they are impressed with your skills as a wedding photographer, they may remember you when they need a photographer. Networking with other businesses Bridal shows are a fantastic way for brides and grooms to get started or complete their wedding plans. Its a one-stop shop for them to meet and potentially hire wedding service providers. Its also a great opportunity for photographers to network with these providers. Sharing a few behind-the-scenes photos with these providers and letting them use these images for social media or even advertising will keep you on their mind and refer their clients to you. A good return on your investment The cost to attend this bridal show was about $500 not including personal time. Three couples signed contracts and paid an upfront deposit on the day of the bridal show. The average packaged sold was a little over $2000. So it took $500 to make a little over $6000. Not a bad return on my investment! And keep in mind this doesnt include potential customers or following up with couples after the show. Before you jump in and start investing in bridal shows, attend one in your area as a guest. If the cost to rent a booth is right and you feel its a quality event, take a chance on the next show. The odds of spending money to make money is in your favor. | https://photofocus.com/2019/01/16/are-bridal-shows-worth-attending-for-photographers/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PhotofocusBlog+%28Photofocus+Blog%29 |
Did 'Chapo' really pay Mexico's ex-president $100M? | The claim, made by a witness Tuesday at the trial of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, stretches credibility, experts say -- starting with the fact that it would take a truck to transport that much cash. Colombian drug trafficker-turned-state witness Alex Cifuentes surprised the courtroom in New York -- and caused a firestorm of controversy in Mexico -- when he alleged that "El Chapo" had paid the bribe to then-president-elect Enrique Pena Nieto in 2012. But while there is no doubt that Mexico is awash in all the ingredients of the story -- drug money, corrupt officials, powerful kingpins -- there are many reasons to doubt it, according to people who know the murky nexus of politics and narcotics. "It would have been the biggest bribe in all of history. I've been with DEA (the US Drug Enforcement Administration) for 31 years, I've seen bribes of millions of dollars, hundreds of thousands of dollars, but certainly not a bribe like that," said Mike Vigil, former head of international operations for the DEA. "Once when I was working undercover in Panama, I borrowed $1 million from the CIA to flash to these drug traffickers from Bolivia and Colombia. They were all in $100 bills, and I needed a huge suitcase to put that stuff in. So you would have needed a truck for $100 million. What did they do, drive up... and give it to the president?" After Cifuentes made the accusation, Pena Nieto's supporters rushed to argue that the former president (2012-2018) was the one who made sure "El Chapo" was re-arrested after his brazen prison escape in 2015, then extradited to the United States. Partisan politics aside, there is something to that argument, Vigil said. "If I had taken a bribe from Chapo Guzman, the last thing I would have done is extradite him to the United States," he told AFP. He would come here (to the US) and start immediately making allegations against you." - Red flags - There are several reasons to question Cifuentes's story. For one thing, he is testifying as part of a plea deal, in exchange for a softer sentence. He also provided no proof, and admitted he was unsure about key details, including the amount and the date. Then there is the fact that the information comes second-hand: Cifuentes said "El Chapo" is the one who told him the story, in which he purportedly gave the money to a woman named "Comadre Maria" to give to the president-elect shortly before he took office. But "El Chapo" would hardly be the first drug trafficker to brag about huge bribes supposedly paid to high-ranking officials, said Vigil. Both Guzman's stories and Cifuentes's have shown a certain flare for drama as they have emerged in court. On Wednesday, Cifuentes testified that "El Chapo" was once tortured by army soldiers who dangled him upside-down from a helicopter to find out where his drugs were. Guzman's own version, as told to a film producer whom he wanted to make a movie about his life. Finally, there is the fact that the bribe story emerged during questioning by Guzman's own lawyers -- who have sought to portray their client as a scapegoat for corrupt officials and the man they say wields the real power in the Sinaloa cartel, Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada. If there is any truth to the story, there should be evidence somewhere, said Raul Benitez, a professor at Mexico's largest university, UNAM. "Normally, when drug traffickers give money to politicians or businessmen, they record the handover, because that's how they blackmail the person if they need to," he said. "You can't hide $100 million. There would have to be a bank transfer or real-estate or jewels, and the drug traffickers would need proof for it to work." - 'Everything is possible' - Then again, anything is possible when it comes to corruption in Mexico, said journalist Jose Reveles, who has written books on the country's multi-billion-dollar drug-trafficking business. "No drug cartel operates without official protection," he said. "It's possible some government officials could have lied and said they were representing the president, or that the kingpins really do have access to the president. Everything is possible. We know this country is rife with corruption from top to bottom." He urged Mexico's new government, led by anti-establishment leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, to investigate the bribe accusation. But he is not optimistic the truth will come out, he said. "This idea of things being revealed as true, false or half-true exists in other countries. Not in Mexico," he said. "Here, total concealment is the rule." | http://www.digitaljournal.com/news/world/did-chapo-really-pay-mexico-s-ex-president-100m/article/541085 |
What is a metabolic equivalent? | There are probably many days when you say you don't have time to exercise. Blame your job, your kids or the dog, but life often seems to get in the way. There's just not enough time to fit in at least 30 or 40 sweaty minutes of heart-pounding exercise, so you give up and try again another day. But the thing is and you probably kind of know this already exercise doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing prolonged burst of cardio fitness. It counts if you just move in small bursts throughout the day. Health experts measure these movements in METs or metabolic equivalents. A MET is the ratio of the work metabolic rate to the resting metabolic rate. One MET is defined as 1 kilocalorie/kilogram/hour and is about equivalent to the amount of energy you spend when you are just sitting quietly, according to the Compendium of Physical Activities. For the average adult, this works out to be about one calorie for every 2.2 pounds of body weight per hour. So someone who weighs 160 pounds would burn about 70 calories an hour just while sitting or sleeping, according to Harvard researchers. Adding up your MET numbers Of course you want to pick up your exercise game and burn a few more calories than that. So when you think you can't make it to the gym or spend time on that exercise bike in the spare bedroom, concentrate on your METs. Just sweeping the floor or briskly climbing the stairs can mean serious business. To count as moderately intense activity, the goal is to reach between 3 and 6 METs. Here's a look at MET expenditure for just a few everyday activities. Sweeping 3.8 Carrying groceries upstairs 7.5 Walking, running, playing with animals 5 Disco or line dancing 7.8 Gardening 3.8 Fast stair climbing 8.8 Brisk walking 4.3 Cooking, washing dishes 3.3 For a list of nearly everything you do in a day, click on activity categories to find a specific action. Easy ways to exercise Parking a little farther away is an easy way to sneak more exercise into your day. (Photo: Christopher Gardiner/Shutterstock) So this means you shouldn't get discouraged when you can't put aside a serious block of time to do a class at the gym or tackle the StairMaster. Just let all this little stuff add up and give yourself credit for parking far away at the grocery store on taking the steps instead of the elevator. "The research does now show that basically all movement counts, and anything is better than nothing," Michelle Segar, a psychologist and director of the University of Michigan Sport, Health and Activity Research and Policy Center, tells NPR. She says people don't realize all these little exercise opportunities they can easily fit into everyday life. "I've been astounded that even up until today, very educated people don't know don't believe that walking actually 'counts' as valid exercise," she says. MNN's Starre Vartan offers lots of great suggestions for other great things that also "count" like pacing while talking on the phone or throwing a solo dance party. Her ideas each take just 10 minutes out of your day and even with our busy lives we can all find 10 minutes. Knowing how to measure metabolic equivalents is an easy way to sneak in exercise and make sure all your movements count. | https://www.mnn.com/health/fitness-well-being/stories/what-metabolic-equivalent |
What Does Socialism Have to Do With Sex? | One of the most popular tourist attractions in Berlin is the D.D.R. Museum, which opened in 2006 and aims to show visitors what life was like for ordinary people in the German Democratic Republic, or East Germany, before the fall of the Berlin Wall. The museum uses interactive installations and cleverly designed displays of documents, photographs, and household goods to summon the recent past. Schoolchildren line up for the opportunity to sit in the drivers seat of a Trabant simulator, to perch on a couch in a reconstructed East German apartment, or to see examples of the games played and the foods eaten by Germans who lived behind the Iron Curtain. The exhibits are generally fascinating, although embarrassed middle schoolers may scoot quickly by the extensively illustrated display dedicated to the East German enthusiasm for nudism. The less savory aspects of the East German regime are chillingly represented: theres a mock interrogation room of the sort that would have been used by the Stasi, and a prison cell with a grim, narrow bed, underlining the brutality of the regime for anyone who crossed the secret police. The descriptive panels accompanying the displays, which are in German and English, often have an oddly pejorative, snarky tone, even in exhibits on the more benign aspects of everyday East German life. In a re-created kindergarten classroom with books, wooden cars, a shoe rack, and a linoleum floor, the wall text notes that attending kindergarten was an exercise in conformity rather than an opportunity to develop individual skillspresenting the fact that children were all required to nap at the same time as damning evidence of a repressive state, as opposed to an eminently sensible practice observed by caregivers of small children in societies even as capitalistic as the United States. The tone of superiorityas if the decades of socialism in East Germany were nothing but a misguided aberrationis hardly limited to the curators of the D.D.R. Museum. It is, in fact, a pervasive attitude found in contemporary liberal democracies toward the leftist political alternatives that existed in many parts of the world during much of the twentieth century. In Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism: And Other Arguments for Economic Independence, Kristen R. Ghodsee, who teaches Russian and East European studies at the University of Pennsylvania, seeks to counter this narrative, arguing that for all the crushing repression under a political system like that of the former East Germany, women in those countries enjoyed certain freedoms, both material and existential, that were and remain largely unavailable, or even unimaginable, to women in liberal democracies. Ghodsees title is a memorable one, with its suggestion that under socialism women might all be having as much fun as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez pirouetting on a Boston rooftop. As in the Times Op-Ed from which the book originated, the title refers to the results of studies conducted in Germany from the mid-nineteen-eighties onward, which reported, among other intriguing findings, that eighty per cent of East German women always experienced orgasm during sex, compared to sixty-three per cent of women in West Germany. Ghodsee cites the work of a number of scholars of sexuality, who have addressed these topics in greater depth. But her own point is a larger one. Unregulated capitalism is bad for women, she writes. If we adopt some ideas from socialism, women will have better lives. The two Germanys, whose populations were ethnically and culturally identical before the political division, offered researchers an irresistible natural experiment through which to explore womens rights and experiences. Ghodsee discusses several fascinating studies that suggested East German women reported higher levels of satisfaction, even the non-orgasmic kind, than their West German sisters. The division of domestic labor in the East was more equitable, in part because of a system of state-funded creches that allowed East German women to remain a part of the workforce. Because men in the East could not depend upon wealth or economic success to win over a mate, they had to rely upon other attributes, including, Ghodsee argues, a greater sensitivity to the needs of women. Divorce was easier in the East, so women could liberate themselves from unhappy relationships with less difficulty. And, as Ghodsee suggests, the very aspects of East German life that struck the West as the most repugnantthe totalitarian foreclosure of the public spheremeant that the domestic and private spheres became, perforce, more important and more worthy of care and personal investment. Elsewhere in the state-socialist East of the twentieth century, womens rights and freedoms were extendednot with the intention of cultivating womens self-actualization, as Western mainstream feminism sought to do, but for more basic economic reasons. Women made up half of the potential workforceand more than half in countries where the male population had been ravaged by war. In 1950, fifty-two per cent of Soviet workers were female, compared with twenty-eight per cent of North American workers. While American women were being encouraged to find fulfillment as wives and mothers, Soviet women were being sent to universities to become scientists or trained to become cosmonauts. Women in the Eastern Bloc were, like their Western counterparts, encouraged to have children. But they were entitled to state-funded maternity leave, a provision that, outrageously, still eludes American women. Nearly thirty years after the end of the Cold War, the United States remains one of only a handful of countries that lacks legislation guaranteeing any kind of paid maternity leave. (The others include Suriname and Papua New Guinea.) Ghodsee acknowledges that women who lived under the various iterations of state socialism in Eastern Europe were often worse off in many specifically feminine ways than their Western sistersfrom shortages of sanitary towels in Bulgaria to the tragic natalist policies practiced in Ceausescus Romania, where women were forced to bear children they couldnt afford to raise, then obliged to give them up to orphanages. Yet, stressing that she is by no means advocating a return to the repressive practices of the Communist Bloc, Ghodsee points out that some aspects of socialism, such as the provision of state-funded parental leave and free higher education, have been successfully implemented in Scandinavian social democracies without being accompanied by shortages or enforced childbearing, let alone the cruelties carried out by the Stasi. She seeks to remind her readers that, as difficult as it may be to imagine an alternative political structure from within an existing one, even countries committed to neoliberal capitalism are capable of having different priorities; she cites the example of Finland, which has had legislation providing maternal job protection in place for a hundred years. The virtue of Ghodsees smart, accessible book is that it illustrates how it might be possible for a womanor, for that matter, a manto have an entirely different structural relationship to something as fundamental as sex, or health. The United Kingdom, for example, has hardly shied away from capitalist enterprise, but thanks to the National Health Service, or N.H.S., Brits reflexively assume that the government will provide free health carean unimaginable expectation among Americans. (Two of the most cherished institutions in the U.K. are the N.H.S. and the monarchy, proving that it is possible for a populace to see simultaneously the appeal of socialism and feudalism.) Ghodsee approvingly notes the growing appeal of socialist ideas among young people in the United States and Western Europe, and her book is a useful reminder that the spread of these ideas would not just advantage the Bernie bros but might also better womens lives in significant ways. More orgasms alone might be a fine thing. But a change in the structural conditions under which more orgasms might be possible is another level of turn-on entirely. | https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/what-does-socialism-have-to-do-with-sex |
Is shutdown merely a ploy to make the federal government smaller? | CLOSE Dozens of furloughed federal workers visited the Capitol Hill office of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to make a personal appeal to end the partial government shutdown because of the financial hardship it's causing. (Jan. 16) AP FBI agents are not being paid because of the layoff. The Coast Guard suggested that family members could walk dogs, babysit or have garage sales to make ends meet, as they face no paychecks. Airports are struggling to get enough TSA agents to screen passengers and lines are getting longer and slower. A million federal employees and private contractors are working without pay or furloughed. President Trump has said these are mostly Democrats. Its also worth noting that they are government employees so they fall into the category of workers for the deep state as Breitbarts Steve Bannon has called them. The deep state is big government which as Ronald Reagan stated, "Government is not the solution to our problem; government IS the problem." Then it seems that laying off or forcing government workers to work with no pay is not a problem, its actually a solution to big government. President Donald Trump speaks at the American Farm Bureau Federation's 100th Annual Convention, Monday Jan. 14, 2019, in New Orleans. (Photo: Jacquelyn Martin, AP) The Air Traffic Controllers association is worried that many of its employees are now retiring early or quitting to find other jobs because they will not work without pay. If you want to shrink big government a shutdown is just what the doctor ordered. So are a budget deficit and an exploding national debt. How so? you ask. The answer is that the bigger the deficit and the bigger the national debt the more unsustainable big government becomes. Its like a company that is bled of funding, loaded with impossible debt and then shut down. There is no other explanation to the runaway deficit and debt train that is rushing down a hill to catastrophe. Several years ago, a conservative Republican friend of mine speculated how to best stop the continued growth of the federal government. Pushing the costs of government by increasing spending and blowing up the debt with big tax cuts was EXACTLY what we discussed. There is no other reasonable explanation for why our Republican congressional leadership, which in the past was known as fiscally conservative, is now comfortable with a grossly bloated budget and deeply shrinking revenue precipitated by budget cuts. It has to be a deliberate strategy to disable the deep state. Whether it will backfire depends on how deep the wounds of disabled federal agencies and programs hurt farmers, air travelers, FBI crime investigations, and counterterrorism monitoring by government agencies of cyber attacks. In my American Government class, we do an exercise where students analyze how government affects them positively and negatively. Most of them are amazed, for better or worse, how much of their lives and those of their employers, educators and their family depends on smart and uninterrupted functioning local, state and federal government. The shutdown is likely to make millions of Americans suddenly realize how much of their lives are affected by these programs. In deeply Republican Texas, South Carolina and Florida, hurricane recovery victims will be shocked to see their relief funding used to fund a wall on the Mexican border. If that happens, the shutdown will actually work against the small government movement. Steffen Schmidt is a professor of political science at Iowa State University. (Photo: Special to the Register) Read or Share this story: https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/opinion/columnists/iowa-view/2019/01/16/shutdown-ploy-make-federal-government-smaller/2597259002/ | https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/opinion/columnists/iowa-view/2019/01/16/shutdown-ploy-make-federal-government-smaller/2597259002/ |
Is Miley Cyrus pregnant with Liam Hemsworths baby? | Weeks after getting married, Hollywood power couple Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth are reportedly expecting a baby. OK Australia reports the 26-year-old American popstar and actress and her 28-year-old Australian actor husband are expecting their first child. A source reportedly told the publication the baby is a girl. The couple are understood to have married on December 23 in an intimate ceremony at Cyrus family home in Nashville, Tennessee. Camera Icon Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth wed in a small ceremony in Tennessee. Picture: Miley Cyrus/Instagram Photographs showed off on social media showed Cyrus in a stunning, ivory off-the-shoulder Vivenne Westwood gown and Hemsworth in a classic black suit. Cyrus and Hemsworth met about a decade ago on the set of The Last Song, the film adaptation of Nicholas Sparks novel. The couple have had a rocky start to their relationship. They were engaged in 2012 but broke it off a year later, before reuniting in 2015. Camera Icon Young love: Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth in The Last Song. Picture: Sam Emerson Touchstone Pictures In November, Cyrus tweeted the pair made it out safely after their home was ravaged by wild fires in California. | https://thewest.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/is-miley-cyrus-pregnant-with-liam-hemsworths-baby-ng-b881076505z |
Does Sally Webster die in Coronation Street is Sally Dynevor leaving? | Fans have been left wondering if Sally will be left for dead as the evil Marcia returns out of solitary in tonights episodes, hellbent on getting revenge. Its clear Marcia is a nasty piece of work and she hates Sally, blaming her for being the reason she went into solitary confinement. Sally was protected from Marcia when Abi Franklin was her cellmate, but ever since Abi was let free, fears over Sallys safety have been growing. Street fans saw Sallys life turned upside down after evil Duncan accused her of fraud and claimed she was having an affair with him to extort money from the council, with the result being Sally sent to jail. Advertisement Advertisement After initially doubting his wifes innocence, Tim has been desperately trying to free Sally, with the help of her daughter Sophie. And they finally got Duncan to confess to his sins in Mondays episodes, meaning Sally is set to walk free. However, after learning that Marcia was being returned to the cell after completing her stint in solitary, Sally is left petrified in tonights installment. And Sallys fears are confirmed when the unhinged Marcia, angry for Sallys part in her being locked away on her own, brandishes a knife. The situation looks dire. As Sally tries to find a way out of the situation, Marcia lunges. All will be revealed Coronation Street airs tonight on ITV at 7.30pm and 8.30pm. MORE: Emmerdale star Kelvin Fletcher reveals new role away from Andy Sugden | https://metro.co.uk/2019/01/16/does-sally-webster-die-in-coronation-street-is-sally-dynevor-leaving-8352032/ |
Who was Callum and how did he die as Nick blackmails David in Corrie? | Nick Tilsley has pulled out the big guns in his newly reignited war with David Platt in Coronation Street as he has threatened to expose the murder of Callum Logan. Lets cast our memories back. Played by Sean Ward, who recently opened up about how his Corrie fame led to addictions, Callum was the drug dealing leader of a local gang, which also boasted Gemma Winter as a member. He terrorised the locals no end, not least of all Kylie, the mother of his son Max. The feud heightened as David stood up to Callum and when Callum then targeted Davids sister Sarah out of spite, things got personal. Sarah eventually cottoned on to Callums true colours as he made more threats of murder and wanted to get his hands on Max so she lured him into a trap, hoping to get him to confess to his many crimes. However, in a live episode of Coronation Street, Callum attacked Sarah, forcing Kylie to attack Callum and kill him. David and Sarah then helped to bury him beneath an oblivious Gails annex floor. Advertisement Advertisement The weight of the crime weighed on them and the body was eventually exposed when the van driven by Tyrone and Fiz accidentally smashed into the house. David, Kylie and Sarah managed to shut down the investigation and get away with it but Nick knows the truth and is now prepared to use it to stop David blabbing about the fact that he stole Audreys money. Of course, this would also land Sarah right in it but Nick has made it clear that he is prepared to go to any lengths, leaving him and David at a bit of a stalemate. Even in death, Callum seems to continue haunting the Platt family | https://metro.co.uk/2019/01/16/who-was-callum-logan-in-coronation-street-and-how-did-he-die-as-nick-blackmails-david-8353081/ |
Is Leela Lomax pregnant in Hollyoaks? | Kirsty-Leigh Porter will be taking a break from Hollyoaks when she becomes a mum (Picture: Channel 4) Hollyoaks Leela Lomax hasnt had the easiest time of things. From her difficult relationship with troubled daughter Peri to her affair with Louis Loveday, its been all drama for the character since she first appeared in 2013. And now fans have also been asking if the character might be pregnant as Kirsty Leigh-Porter, who plays her, takes a break from the soap. Well Leela isnt expecting but Kirsty is, having previously confirmed she is expecting her first baby with her partner Paul. The characters not had the easiest time of it (Picture: Channel 4) Kirsty revealed the happy news in OK! Magazine in November, confirming at the time that she was six months pregnant. You just feel everything at once, she said in the interview. With acting, you dont know when youre okay to be like: Lets take a year out and do this. Youre just prepared when it happens, and were so happy its happened for us now. The character is not pregnant (Picture: Channel 4) She added that her own relationship was much better than with Leelas partner Louis Loveday, who cheated on her. Advertisement Advertisement Something just clicks. If youre in a relationship and its not working then you find yourself having to try. With him, its just not like that, she explained although admitted they had no plans to marry just yet. Its yet to be confirmed how long a break Kirsty-Leigh will take or when she plans to return to the soap. Hollyoaks airs weeknights on Channel 4 at 6.30pm and E4 at 7pm. 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/is-leela-lomax-pregnant-in-hollyoaks-8352023/ |
What happened to Hunter in EastEnders is Charlie Winters character dead? | (Picture: BBC) EastEnders fans have been left wondering what on earth has happened to Hunter Owen. The rebellious character hasnt been seen since the gun shot cliffhanger, which saw him pointing a gun at himself with a shot ringing out. The last time we saw Hunter on screen was in 4 Januarys episode the aftermath of him murdering his dad, Ray. Mel had decided to help cover up her sons killer act and headed back home to fetch their passports, seemingly to make a getaway. Hunter was last seen in 4 Januarys episode of EastEnders (Picture: BBC) Hunter was seen in their living room looking at the gun with a rather sadistic smile on his face, with the scene then cutting to Mel in the kitchen. And as it did, a gun shot rang out. Advertisement Advertisement Viewers were left shocked and unsure as to whether Hunter had fired the shot or if it was Mel having a flashback to her husbands murder. Amy Clarke (@Amy_Clarke08) January 4, 2019 Mel and Hunter havent been seen in Walford since and, nearly two weeks later, the question of what actually happened and where the mother and son are is still unanswered. Ridiculous one episode BANG then nothing or have I missed 1 #eastenders #bbc Marcus74 (@marcusprosser74) January 16, 2019 Missing: Mel and Hunter plot on #EastEnders. If anyone finds it please return it to @bbceastenders immediately,i think they need it. Starting to think not #EastEnders Court (@courtneyy_ac) January 15, 2019 Since these scenes aired, EastEnders bosses announced that Charlie Winter, who plays Hunter, would be leaving the soap in 2019. This led to some viewers believing Hunter must have killed himself. However, in reality, Hunter is still alive and will be seen back on screens soon he and Mel are just spending some time away Walford to lay low following Rays death. Advertisement Advertisement While EastEnders bosses arent revealing just when Hunter will be back, we know he will return soon as pictures of him filming scenes emerged at the end of last year. In the scenes, shot in December, Jack calls on the old Bill to arrest Hunter, and when he and Mel realise the trap theyve walked into a huge fight ensues, and Hunter snaps strangling Jack for his deception and in a bid for freedom. Mel tries to fight for her son too, attacking a police officer who tries to restrain her as she lets her full fury flow at Jack. As Mel causes a commotion Hunter makes his escape, but he doesnt get far before hes tackled by the boys in blue and its game over. A furious Mel turns on Jack and unleashes her full fury. Of Charlies exit, a soap spokesperson said: We can confirm Charlie Winter is leaving and wish him all the best for the future. An insider added to Digital Spy: Bosses are staying tight lipped on exactly how Hunter exits Walford, but after he shot Ray dead at New Year, it promises to be dramatic. Hunter will be on our screens for a while yet and there is still a lot more drama to come as he and his mum are faced with the fallout of his actions. Advertisement Hunter is Charlies first professional acting role but the young star also performs under his rap alter ego Chaz, recently teasing his first music video entitled Cheeky Chappy Flow. The announcement of his exit comes amid a wave of casting announcements for EastEnders from new boss Kate Oates, including Chantelle Taylor, Iqra and Habiba Ahmed and the return of Lola Pearce. | https://metro.co.uk/2019/01/16/happened-hunter-eastenders-charlie-winters-character-dead-8350850/ |
Is snowbound at home so bad? | We have officially endured our first winter storm of the season, and for the most part I believe we made it through. I always enjoy watching the reaction of people upon notice of an impending snow storm because the grocery stores are over-run like New York City on New Years Eve, fuel prices of all kind tend to peak, and if you are brave enough to venture out during the blast, you cant find a spare gallon of milk with a search warrant. Usually, the result of such a winter climatic event is a psychological phenomenon we call cabin fever. I say usually because, while watching the descending white death, I noticed a tremendous number of motorists braving the treacherous conditions of the highways and roadways over the weekend, and most long before snowplows ever made a pass. Now, if there is a medical emergency for a family member or a friend, or your hair is on fire, then I can see that but otherwise, I dont get it. Growing up on the farm we seldom had the chance to get cabin fever because we were out working most of the time. It seemed that there was always a cow to milk, a hog to feed, stalls to be bedded down or ice to break to make certain livestock could access drinking water, so we were always on the move even at home. Little chance for cabin fever to catch us. When we werent working, we were often found sled riding down a hill, building a snowman or in a snowball fight. There was always something to take our minds off the limitations the bad weather placed on us, even when our video games werent operating properly. I do remember the blizzard of 1978 that socked most of the Midwest inside for what seemed to be an eternity. Cabin fever was rampant. The ice storms that struck the Ohio Valley in the early part of the 2000s not only left most of us homebound, but without electricity and water for days on end. In both events, the walls seemed to close in around us. I find it interesting, though, that when I ask my kids, and my brothers daughter, to name some of the best times of their childhood, they without fail mention the ice storm. We were all huddled around a fireplace for warmth, we cooked on a gas fueled burner and obtained water from melting snow and ice. Maybe its a vivid memory of times like those that instill a phobia deep inside us that makes our psyche scream for freedom. It must be akin to claustrophobia, both of which are very real. Perhaps it instills a caged animal effect in us. I do believe that we have become so much attuned to changing backgrounds thanks to videos, gaming and incessant travel that we find it difficult to remain in one place for any length of time without a changing scenery. By contrast, we were content with staying home, making chili and lots of other comfort food, watching television, catching up on some work around the house and just hanging out with one another. I must confess that once the highways were clear, we did venture out a couple of times over the weekend to catch a movie. So perhaps, whilst I point a finger at someone else, I need to notice that three fingers point back at me! One thing I did find a little disheartening was that, while just about every church had canceled services Sunday morning, indoor soccer venues and other recreational establishments were full. Its like the fellow who was asked on the golf course Sunday morning why he was golfing rather than attending church that day, and he responded that it would have been impossible for him to go because his wife had the sniffles. I guess we will find a way to do what we really want to do. If youd like to stop by and shovel out my driveway, let me know. Ill pull up a chair and watch. Yeah, Im easily entertained. Herb Day is a longtime local radio personality and singer-musician. You can email him at [email protected] and follow his work at www.HerbDayVoices.com. https://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2019/01/web1_f-herb-day-mug-1.jpg | https://www.wnewsj.com/opinion/columns/94209/is-snowbound-at-home-so-bad |
Why can't Louisville airport change its airline code from SDF to ALI? | CLOSE Louisville International Airport will be renamed after the city's legendary boxer, Muhammad Ali. Too bad that's not an option. Louisville officials announced Wednesday that the airport will be renamed Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in honor of the boxing legend and humanitarian. But its airport code SDF will not change. Background: Louisville is renaming its airport after Muhammad Ali That's because there's already an airport with the code ALI. Alice International Airport is about 50 miles west of Corpus Christi, Texas. Louisville's airport got its code from its former name, Standiford Field. It was named after businessman and legislator Dr. Elisha David Standiford, who owned part of the land on which the airport was built. Several years ago, an airport terminal was renamed for longtime Mayor Jerry Abramson, but the entire airport is simply Louisville International. That's already taken, too. Bowman Field, about 5 miles east of downtown Louisville, already claimed the airport code LOU. So while Louisville is on track to have one of the punchiest airport names of all time, the airline code will have to remain less than stellar. But, honestly, you can call it whatever you want. It's not about flights Read or Share this story: https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2019/01/16/louisville-muhammad-ali-airport-code-sdf-wont-change/2597080002/ | https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2019/01/16/louisville-muhammad-ali-airport-code-sdf-wont-change/2597080002/ |
Is 2019 the year we finally cancel toxic masculinity? | Were two weeks into 2019 and it has already been a bumpy ride for macho and right-wing men. While the last year of the #MeToo movement has been about sharing womens stories, now it seems that ever increasingly (if still maddeningly slowly), toxic masculinity and our boys will be boys culture is being held accountable much to the anger, fear and hysteria of many men. Here is whats happened so far: APA study says traditional masculinity is toxic for men, men respond with toxicity The American Psychological Association (APA) put out guidelines last August on traditional masculinity and its harm on boys and men. The report takeaway is that traditional masculinity aggressiveness, dominance, competitiveness, homophobia, emotional stoicism, self-reliance and messages like boys dont cry causes them to suppress their emotions. That the report said being a man was a sickness. Though the report was already months old, media reported the APAs Guidelines for Psychological Practice With Boys and Men findings earlier this year. A compilation of more than 40 years of research, it found that men are 3.5 times more likely to die by suicide than women and commit 90 percent of homicides (and make up 77 percent of victims). Boys face more challenges at school than girls, including harsher punishments, and boys engaged in more homophobic taunting. For boys who were part of more than one minority group, such as boys of colour or boys who are gay, the report found that they have a difficult time with identity-related conflicts, possibly deciding to negate one identity for the other in order to fit in. But one of the most worrisome conclusions from the guidelines was that men who adhered to traditional masculinity and its values were less likely to seek mental health supports than those who had more open attitudes toward gender. Alas, hard facts on how toxic masculinity harms men and boys something we already knew, albeit and a chance to start changing the conversation, especially among men. Instead, many men (and women) on the right called the report a war on men, some outright defending traditional masculinity and calling the report emasculating. R Kellys history of violence and abuse is put on blast, accomplices get dragged too The stomach-turning, six-part Lifetime series Surviving R Kelly, which started airing on Jan 3, put the music industrys best-known secret on full blast. Several of Kellys survivors revealed not just the monstrosity of Kelly but his devoted circle of enablers. The documentary weaves together the harrowing stories of Black and brown women whose voices have long been silenced or ignored when talking about sexual assault, and draws on interviews with musicians and members of Kellys own entourage who were complicit in his crimes. The documentary has also led to a game-changing shift in demanding accountability among Black men in Hollywood. Terry Crews, a sexual assault survivor, has been vocal about the dismissal of Black womens stories of sexual assault in the industry. He also called out Kevin Hart for the way he handled his homophobic tweets, gaining the respect and admiration on Twitter as the realest one. Nas has also called out Jay-Z, saying the rapper knew about Kellys past when they collaborated. Though decades too late, artists including Lady Gaga, Chance the Rapper and Celine Dion have started pulling their collaborations with Kelly from streaming services. Its definitely been a bad month for Kelly, made even worse by Chicago police, who have visited his home several times following the airing of the documentary. Bohemian Rhapsody wins Golden Globe awards, says Show Must Go On to Bryan Singer When the biopic about Queen frontman Freddie Mercury won best picture on Jan 6, there was zero mention of Bryan Singer, the director of the film, in the acceptance speech. And when the films star, Rami Malek, won best actor in a drama, Singers name didnt come up either. Thats because Singer, who has a history of unprofessional behaviour, was fired from the film in late 2017, two weeks before shooting wrapped. There were numerous issues, including reportedly not showing up to set, throwing equipment and fighting with Malek. Singer was also facing a lawsuit over allegations that he raped a 17-year-old boy at a party in 2003. Singer acknowledged the best picture win on Instagram with an obnoxious post from the set in which he is sitting in a chair labelled director but the rest of the cast and crew are still treating him as the Invisible Man. Kevin Spacey pleads not guilty to indecent assault, then gets pulled over for speeding Kevin Spacey finally came out of hiding to attend a court hearing in Nantucket, Massachusetts, to plead not guilty to groping an 18-year-old busboy in 2016. Spacey was arranged on a charge of felony indecent assault and battery on Jan 7. If hes found guilty, he could face up to five years in prison. Spacey has been hit with numerous sexual misconduct allegations that have spanned decades, and more than 30 people have accused him of sexual assault. And it gets even stranger: Weeks before the arraignment, Spacey posted a bizarre video called Let Me Be Frank, in which he tries to defend himself with a Southern accent, the same as his House of Cards character Frank Underwood. Then, after the court appearance, Spacey was pulled over for speeding and just given a warning. Warnings are where Spacey has been able to hide for years that is, until now. An ad from Gillette asks men to do better, men (and women) respond by being the worst Gillette asked men to stop harassing and beating people up. Now, men are angry at razors. Shaving products brand Gillette did something that major corporations, just mere years ago, would never take a chance on. Its recent ad targets toxic masculinity and the enabling of a boys will be boys attitude in the #MeToo era, adding a new take on its mantra, the best a man can get. The short commercial video, published Jan 13, also tackles bullying, gender-based stereotypes and the importance of accountability. It was too close a shave for many mens rights activists and right-wingers, who were not happy about men being asked to be less terrible to women and other men. Mass hysteria ensued: ranting posts about the ad being hideously woke, a global assault on masculinity and emasculating; a flooding of dislikes on the YouTube video that has surpassed the number of likes; and men who felt so personally victimized by a razor that they decided to boycott the company and take their business elsewhere. Men boycott Gillette for Dollar Shave Club and Axe, not realizing that both have boycotted toxic masculinity In light of the Gillette boycott, men have vowed to never shave again or, less dramatically, switch to other popular brands such as Dollar Shave Club and Axe. But wait! In their blinding masculine anger and spite, these men have forgotten that both brands also think toxic masculinity is a big problem. In 2017, Axe ran a campaign similar to Gillettes, partnering Promundo, a male grooming brand. Together, the brands launched The Man Box report, which looked at how masculinity and socialization affects the lives of young boys and girls. Axe has also tackled questions of gender, homophobia and masculinity in past campaigns. As for Dollar Shave Club: Its been redefining masculinity through Mel Magazine, the publication extension of Unilever: stories on covering men in the #MeToo era, first-person essays detailing the vulnerabilities and insecurities of being a man today, and gasp! the prevalence of toxic masculinity around the world not your typical man rag. | https://www.dailyxtra.com/is-2019-the-year-we-finally-cancel-toxic-masculinity-138703 |
Could there be an end to the struggle for beloved Saint Long? | The appointment of Martin ONeill as Nottingham Forest manager reminded us of two things: firstly, that football people still believe being a club legend gives you super-powers; and secondly, the value of good PR. ONeill, you may remember, spent the dog days of his Ireland reign telling the world how bad his team was. This seemed a slightly counter-productive approach to winning football matches, but ONeills strategy was far more sophisticated than it appeared. He was playing the long game, you see, plotting the course way beyond his eventual sacking and toward his return to the English job market. The message that he had done a loaves and fishes job with Ireland played well to a Forest tribe looking for a messiah. In fairness to ONeill whose attacking strategy by the end of his Ireland reign amounted to catapulting Shane Duffy headlong into the opposition penalty box a central plank of his argument was the lack of a prolific striker, a Robbie Keane type who scored lots of goals, and the undeniable fact that his most high-profile forward, well, didnt really score goals at all. Shane Longs two years without an international goal coincided with the decline and fall of the ONeill-Keane empire, though the general sense of escalating chaos means blame does not lie solely at his door. Still, not having the German-slayer version of Long on-hand didnt help ONeill. Shane Long's wonder strike against Germany is the 3 International Goal of the Year! What a moment! #COYBIGhttps://t.co/gH4b71HNDZ FAIreland (@FAIreland) March 20, 2016 Longs last goal for Ireland, scored in the 3-1 win in Moldova in October 2016, was followed by five more for Southampton that season. This was a bumper crop compared with the slim pickings ahead: three goals in 73 appearances, in nearly two years. With any luck, the lonely struggle of Shane Long will have had its moment of deliverance on Saturday, when a clipped finish against Leicester ended a nine-month spell without a goal. At last, Long could celebrate; his face lit up with joy and relief. Some said his shot was going wide, that Kasper Schmeichels foot diverted it into the net and that it should be considered on own goal; the Dubious Goals Committee, one presumes, did not have the heart to convene. The greater football world was amused: Twitter sniggered when journalist Richard Jolly pointed out that Longs last four goals for Southampton had come under four different managers. Shane Long almost breaks the deadlock in last nights FA Cup replay againt Derby at St Marys last night. Picture: Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty We in Ireland, didnt find it so funny. Long holds a special place in Irish hearts, and not just for the shot that arrowed past Manuel Neuer in October 2015. Hewn from the hurling fields of Tipperary to Cork City, Long then seemed to take a bit of that world with him into professional soccer. The spring-heeled leap, the hearty appetite for a physical tussle, the full tilt gallop into space Long the boy hurler-turned-soccer star was a very Irish hero, and all the more so because he seemed to have remained humble and untainted by success. The goal against Germany was followed by a purple patch with Southampton as they finished sixth in the Premier League under Ronald Koeman in 2015-16. This form earned Long transfer links with Liverpool and, soon after, the ultimate accolade an episode of Living With Lucy, in which the eponymous presenter hung out with the striker and his family in their south of England mansion. The Longs Shane, wife Kayleah, and daughters Teigan and Erin could not have come across any cuter if they had been living in a giant cupcake. Viewers were bewitched by the strikers guitar sing-songs with his daughters and the familys sweet-natured frolicking in their indoor swimming pool. A nation wrapped its protective arms around the hero and his rosy-cheeked clan. And then, from the moment Lucy and her camera crew pulled out of the driveway, everything seemed to go wrong. The goals, never a torrent, became a trickle. Long snatched and swiped at whatever chances he could muster. It became hard to watch. One night with Ireland stands out: the 2-0 home win over Moldova in October 2017. Long missed a hatful, the last a botched prod off his right heel wide of an open goal. He threw his arms up, punched the air, howled in self-disgust, scrunched the legs of his shorts and howled again. We turned our eyes away. A struggling footballer calamity keeper or clumsy centre-half is always the subject of jokes, but the humiliation of a striker who cant score goes beyond the taunts of opposing fans. It feels like emasculation; in sports culture of caustic masculinity, it suggests a loss of potency. Longs game was never based on goals, granted. Only twice in his career has he reached double figures in league football. But he had, as they say in baseball, the tools: pace, aerial ability, that leap and crucially, a great attitude. READ MORE: Derby hold their nerve to beat Southampton on penalties Managers love that kind of player, a handy adjustable wrench in the tactical tool-belt. But the goals, the goals. Going home each night to his loving family, with the weight of it all on top of him. Ralph Hasenhttl has rejuvenated Southampton since taking over from Mark Hughes and likes the cut of Longs jib. Mick McCarthy is in charge of Ireland now and that camp should be a positive place to be again too. Long will never be prolific, but perhaps the struggle is over now, and Saturdays effort will return him to being the useful supplier of many things, of which a modest haul of goals is just one. | https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/could-there-be-an-end-to-the-struggle-for-beloved-saint-long-898092.html |
What is Kylie Jenner's net worth? | She was recently outshone by a photo of an egg... The Kardashian family probably needs no introduction, but just to recap - we have momager Kris Jenner and her five daughters Kim, Kourtney, Khloe, Kylie and Kendall. Although, technically, Kylie and Kendall are Jenners, as their second parent is Caitlyn Jenner (previously known as Bruce Jenner). Since starting their hit show Keeping Up with the Kardashians in 2007, each star has gone on to carve a successful career in their own right. This includes the youngest of the Kardashian clan, 21-year-old Kylie Jenner, who was recently predicted to be the "youngest self-made billionaire" by Forbes magazine in 2018. Kylie Jenner is the daughter of Olympic champion Bruce Jenner (now Caitlyn Jenner) and TV personality Kris Jenner. When Kylie was around nine years old, her family became famous after starring in the reality TV show Keeping Up with the Kardashians in 2007. Since then, her profile has raised thanks to the continuing success of the show, business opportunities and a huge social media following. Kylie is a business woman and has had many successful ventures over the last few years. She launched a hugely popular Topshop fashion line with her sister Kendall Jenner in 2015, and has fronted campaigns for big brands such as Puma. Kylie later announced in 2015 that she would be launching her first lipstick line as part of her new company Kylie Lip Kit. This name was then changed to Kylie Cosmetics, which expanded its product range and became hugely popular. She also advertises products and uploads sponsored posts on her Instagram, which is followed by over 126 million fans. Kylie's biggest job at the moment is perhaps being a mum to her baby daughter Stormi who was born in February 2018. According to Forbes magazine, Kylie's net worth was $900 million - that's just over 7.25 in pounds sterling - in 2018. The magazine also predicted that she would become the "youngest self-made billionaire". She has made this vast amount of money over the last three years, due to having 100% ownership of Kylie Cosmetics. Kylie has the biggest net worth out of her siblings (Kim is said to be worth $350 million!). Kylie was born on August 10, 1997 - which made her 21 in 2019. Sign up to our newsletter to get other stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. | https://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/2019011666705/what-is-kylie-jenners-net-worth/ |
Will phones shed light on our lives? | A research project is being set up to define whether mobile phones can help to uncover some sociometric truths about human interaction. By using Bluetooth and mobile phone triangulation, coupled with landline call data and crime and economic information, Prof. Vassilis Kostakos, a visiting fellow at the University of Bath and Assistant Professor at the University of Madeira, believes he can find out some interesting information about human behaviour. The question is: how does information flow through the city? says Kostakos. We intend to use mobile devices as routers to help us find out. The project has already been tested in Bath, where four mobile scanners were used to trace people moving through the city by the Bluetooth identity emitted by their mobile. But the new idea will see data from calls made on fixed landlines, such as which areas are calling which others, coupled with data tracking those moving through the test area. Kostakos says he is already in discussions with landline and mobile operators to help him gain the necessary anonymised information for the study. If we can link an area with a set of sociometric values; i.e. a certain area code voted for a certain party in an election, and we could also see the amount of crime in that area, we could learn how people interact by combining that with other data gained from mobiles. Blue sky thinking The project would involve a number of Bluetooth scanners, and Kostakos plans to achieve this by getting the public to download the software onto their PCs to make them into Bluetooth scanners, with the data gained uploaded to the project. Currently, the software has been downloaded around 3,000 times, but Kostakos estimates it will need around 200-400 machines in the city alone to achieve meaningful data. There is also the problem of tracking the general public as they might not turn on their Bluetooth at all times or might not bring their mobile with them. Another path of us is to work with a mobile operator, who could provide real-time positional data. However, this study would not involve the general public [due to the sensitive nature of the data], so we would need around 20-30 volunteers happy to do this as an alternative to Bluetooth tracking. | https://www.techradar.com/uk/news/mobile-phones/phone-and-communications/will-phones-shed-light-on-our-lives-382211 |
Why is the SFO dragging its heels over cases? | The Serious Fraud Offices track record is again under scrutiny following the acquittals of the defendants in the recent Tesco trial. What may be of more concern is not when individuals are prosecuted and then acquitted, but where individuals are not prosecuted at all for years after criminal investigations first commenced. In April last year many expected that David Green, QC, would end his tenure as director of the SFO with some decisions being made on criminal investigations, some of which have a very long tail. That proved to be a false dawn and attentions turned to the new director, Lisa Osofsky, who said in September that one of her focuses would be to address the relatively slower progress of some cases. She said she | https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/why-is-the-sfo-dragging-its-heels-over-cases-7whhlghq3 |
What did the shellacking in Charlottesville tell us about the Hokies? | Last night's rivalry game against Virginia... didn't go so well. Of course not: a top-10 team losing on the road to the No. 1 team in the country (according to the coaches, at least, and likely to the AP if they manage to beat Duke this weekend) is hardly shameful. Most VT fans - and this particular media outlet - have been skeptical that Buzz Williams's squad belongs among the top 10 anyway, with a 15-20 ranking seeming more fair given this team lost to a Penn State squad that is bound for a sub-.500 record on the year, among other things. | https://virginiatech.rivals.com/news/what-did-the-shellacking-in-charlottesville-tell-us-about-the-hokies- |
Are Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth expecting a baby? | Newly-married Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth are reportedly expecting their first child. A source told the magazine OK! Australia that couple, who wed on December 23, that they are thrilled by the baby news. "Miley's over the moon because she's carrying Liam's baby... It's a girl, which is what [they] hoped for," claimed the unnamed source. "He called his brothers and parents. [Miley] got him to Skype call her family, too. Her mum was crying." Advertisement The singer reportedly wants to raise her first child in Hemsworth's home in Australia, specifically the coastal town of Byron Bay - where the couple regularly visit Chris Hemsworth and his wife Elsa Pataky. "Byron Bay feels like a second home to her... Miley wants to buy a house next to Chris and Elsa's, so they can all spend more time together and the cousins can grow up together," the insider said. Cyrus has previously vowed to be married with children by 2019, in a previous interview with Glamour magazine. In 2009, when asked where she sees herself in decade she said: "Hopefully I'll be settled: making movies, living in a house, maybe even married. "I think my mom [Tish Cyrus] did everything pretty close to perfect, and I want to be the cool mum that the kids run home to." The Hollywood couple's fairytale romance began in 2009, when they met on the set of coming of age drama The Last Song. The couple got engaged in 2012 but but broke up the following year. However, they rekindled their relations in 2016 and Cyrus was pictured wearing her ring again. Last year on December 23 , they got married in Tennessee, surrounded by family and friends. | https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=12191857 |
Are all cooking oils created equal? | Cold weather is here, which means many of us will do some cooking and baking. But when it comes to choosing the right cooking oil, the choices can be overwhelming. You need some fat in your diet. But you want to look for oils that are made mostly of healthy fats, such as monounsaturated fat and polyunsaturated fat. Those fats will help you lower your risk of heart disease and other health conditions.Here's some CR guidance on which oils you should you use, and how you should you use them.The mild, sweet flavor of Coconut oil will enhance your Asian dishes. But it is mostly made up of heart unhealthy saturated fat - so it's best used in moderation.Here are some other oils you can use that are packed with good fats. If you like your meats nicely seared outside, avocado oil may be your go-to. Use it when high heat is called for. It has a nutty, buttery flavor.If you don't want the flavor of the oil to come through in your cooking, canola oil's neutral flavor is a good choice. Use for everything from baked goods to a delicate fresh fish.Olive Oil has a bold flavor range - from grassy, peppery, to fruity. Use it to saut veggies or meat, or simply let it stand on its own as a dip for raw vegetables, or as a dressing for salads.Deep frying calls for oil with a high smoke point. Safflower oil is a good option - it's also good for general cooking, and its mild, nutty flavor is fine for baked goods.One more tip from Consumer Reports - instead of using a fat-free dressing on your salad, drizzle it with one of the "good" oils we just mentioned, like olive oil, and a little lemon or vinegar. Your body needs that good fat to better absorb the nutrients in your salad. | https://abc30.com/food/are-all-cooking-oils-created-equal/5091097/ |
Can an old drug prevent type 1 diabetes? | DENVER, Colo. (Ivanhoe Newswire) - Less than 10 percent of people with diabetes have type 1 diabetes. Patients with type 1 must take insulin to stay alive and theres been no way to prevent the disease. Now, for the first time, researchers say there may be a way to prevent or delay the disease in some people with a genetic risk. Lisa Meyers wears an insulin pump and checks her blood sugar several times a day to keep her type 1 diabetes in check. Meyers said, Its a 24/7 thing. Its just a constant thought about blood sugar and how it relates to what Im gonna do. Shes a diabetes educator and helps patients navigate the disease. Its a job she wishes she didnt have. If other people could be prevented from having to live this that, to me, is a joy, Meyers said. Aaron Michels, MD, Associate Professor of Pediatrics & Medicine and Frieda and George S. Eisenbarth Clinical Immunology Endowed Chair at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus says doctors are better than ever at predicting who will develop type 1 diabetes. If a disease can be predicted, it really should be prevented, Dr. Michels said. About 60 percent of patients have a gene called HLADQ8. In a years-long search for a way to block that gene, Dr. Michels found promise in an unlikely place, a decades-old blood pressure drug called methyldopa. It blocked DQ8. It blocked its function, said Dr. Michels. That means the drug could delay the diagnosis, or even prevent it altogether. If the research pans out in bigger trials, it will be a major milestone. Dr. Michels said, Living with diabetes is a lot of work. And its a lot of work that doesnt go away. For Dr. Michels, its personal. Hes been living with type 1 diabetes for 26 years. Things really do need to be done to lessen the burden for patients and their families, Dr. Michels shared. His oldest daughter has it too. Any amount of time we can have a child and their family not have to deal with those burdens of type 1 diabetes would be fantastic, Dr. Michels told Ivanhoe. People with the DQ8 gene are about ten-times more likely to develop type 1 diabetes. A larger clinical trial will start enrolling patients in the next couple of months. People with a relative with type 1 diabetes can get tested for the DQ8 gene. If they have it, they may be a candidate to enroll in the trial. Contributors to this news report include: Stacie Overton Johnson, Field Producer; Rusty Reed, Videographer; Cyndy McGrath, Supervising Producer; Hayley Hudson, Assistant Producer; Roque Correa, Editor. Copyright 2019 by Ivanhoe Newswire - All rights reserved. | https://www.ksat.com/health/can-an-old-drug-prevent-type-1-diabetes |
Why was Jesus baptized? | Twenty years ago, director M. Night Shyamalans movie The Sixth Sense changed how viewers experienced the power of perspective. If someone stopped watching before the climactic reveal, they perhaps could have offered a reasonably coherent plot summary. But as soon as they reached the ending, everything they thought the movie was about had to be reevaluated, and their reasonably coherent plot summary would not have worked at all. A similar change in perspective is needed when considering Jesus baptism. Today, baptism means something particular to many Christians: The ritual is an outward sign of the welcoming of people into the church and of Gods forgiveness of sins. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that through baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God. But in presuming that because this is what baptism is, this is also what baptism has always meant, we make a Sixth Sense-ish error. Our present view glosses over the past: In fact, when John baptized Jesus, it meant something different. The Greek word baptizo means to plunge, to drown, or to sink. In first-century Palestine, Johns baptism of Jesus was one of many water rituals that included the daily ritual bathing of monks at Qumran, Jewish ceremonial washing (John 2:6), and the Pharisees ritual handwashing (Mark 7:35). Josephus, the first-century Jewish historian, notes that John the Baptist baptized individuals to mark the ritual completion of their journey toward conversion. Rather than creating purity by forgiving sin, Johns baptisms commemorated the purity achieved when individuals turned away from sin in anticipation of the coming of Gods reign. This may be why John baptized in the Jordan: Maxwell Johnson, in The Rites of Christian Initiation (Liturgical Press), describes how Israel first crossed the Jordan to enter the Promised Land. Now John demands that the people wade into the Jordan again to anticipate the promised age. In this light, Jesus baptism makes sense. It is the moment where the heavens open, the Spirit descends, and the voice of the Father names the Son. It is the moment that precedes the temptation: Will Jesus rest on his privileged relationship, or will he set out to proclaimin words, actions, death, and resurrectionthe in-breaking of Gods kingdom. The resurrection is the foundational Sixth Sense moment that compels the disciples (not just those on the road to Emmaus) to reevaluate everything they thought they knew about Jesus and his ministry. They could better understand how his baptism was more than a moment; it began his way of life and death. Thus, rather than our baptism shaping our understanding of what Jesus meant, it must be his that defines ours. Again and again, the heavens open, the Spirit descends, and children of God are named. Again and again, temptations emerge, causing us a crisis of faith. This article also appears in the January 2019 issue of U.S. Catholic (Vol. 84, No. 1, page 49). Image: via Wikimedia Commons | https://www.uscatholic.org/articles/201901/why-was-jesus-baptized-31610 |
Why are the Chinese buying fewer cars? | Image copyright Getty Images Image caption The fact that President Trump's limousine is a Cadillac is said to have helped the US carmaker's sales in China If you're selling Cadillacs in China, it helps that the US president is driven around in one. Cao Chenyi, the boss of a Cadillac dealership near Shanghai, told me that customers know that Donald Trump's presidential limousine is made by the US carmaker. He says they like the prestige. But Mr Cao's had a bad year. Demand dropped 30% in 2018. He's had to shut five of the 11 dealerships his family business owned. Almost half, gone. "The sales on every new vehicle is causing us to lose money. Basically the more we sell the more we lose," he says. Loss leaders are painful. Mr Cao has been forced to shift excess stock, and quickly. The red Cadillac he drove me around in is currently on sale at half price. Image caption Cao Chenyi's family have had to close five of their dealerships - these customers did not make a purchase Nationally, 2018 was a very hard year for the car industry in China, the world's biggest car market. Just over 22 million new cars were sold last year. But that's a near 6% drop on 2017. The first fall in two decades. Inside Mr Cao's Cadillac showroom various models are side by side. An SUV at the back has a canoe on its roof rack. I watched a group of three youngish men come in and sit down for the sales treatment. They didn't buy. They didn't even have a good look inside the cars. Mr Cao thinks the main reason is a tax cut that has gone away. "In 2018 the government cancelled the tax subsidy on car purchases, which was a shock to us," he says. This benefit has been gradually wound down. Others think a credit squeeze has caused the demand for cars to drop. Image caption Cao Chenyi thinks that the end of a tax credit is the main reason behind falling car sales After a decade of near doubling its debt - to almost 300% of China's GDP - 2018 was the year that the government tried to deal with the aftermath of a credit crisis. That crisis was centred on peer-to-peer lending, known as P2P. P2P lenders offer loans to individuals from a pool of funds supplied by other individuals and other businesses, thereby cutting out banks. Cars and houses Economist Andy Xie says the previously increasing national debt kept demand high, particularly in the property and car sectors. "Now the property market has tipped over, and it's affecting a lot of things," he says. "Auto sales are highly correlated to property sales," Mr Xie says. "When people buy property it seems they buy a car at the same time. So when the property market is not doing well the auto demand is down." Image copyright Getty Images Image caption The Chinese government is moving to reduce the country's debt level The collapse of many of the P2P lending platforms is thought to have had a significant impact on both house and car sales, because borrowed money was being used as down payments for both. Mr Xie says the credit system "used to be lubricated by these guys" and suddenly that has stopped. "They lent to people who could not pay back. [Borrowers] shifted their debt from one platform to another." He tells me he's heard statistics suggesting one in four such borrowers "have no ability to pay back". Slowing economy China's car industry is also a key driver of industrial output and a barometer of consumer demand. But growth in China's economy is slowing, and the trade war with the US is starting to bite. Retail sales have slowed to a pace not seen for more than a decade. A couple of hours away from the car dealership is a tiny hair salon, in the heart of Shanghai's old west side. Sun Qiang is the owner and haircutter-in-chief. For a few hours I sat and watched him deal with a handful of customers. First up were three women, two of whom had curlers in, and didn't look happy to be there. Image caption Hairdresser Sun Qiang is saving money to pay for education and healthcare He told me he'd cut my hair for 40 yuan ($6; 4.50). His place is at the bottom end of what you might call the barometer of China's consumption. But business isn't dropping off. He is, though, a barber who also cuts women's hair. When it comes to cars he'd like a Chinese brand SUV. But it's not likely any time soon. He doesn't live that far from work and the buses are good. Plus he doesn't want to borrow. "I think some car dealers, they want to boost their sales, so they need such consumers who love to pay by loans," he explains. "But as a traditional Chinese person, I think we should only buy stuff that we can afford." Global Trade More from the BBC's series taking an international perspective on trade: Traditional attitudes People like Mr Sun are the other problem for China as it contemplates a slowing economy. He is in his mid-40s and has what you might call the traditional Chinese attitude towards borrowing. He says he's worried about mounting healthcare costs and other possible "emergencies". "Medical care and education costs us a lot," he says. "That's why we have to save money." Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Car sales in China may have fallen, but 22 million new cars were still bought in 2018 Just outside the hair salon is a scene of China's changing economy. Demand may have tanked, but there are still plenty of cars on the streets. Next door is a boutique shop selling high-end women's clothes. There's a pair of Louboutin high heels in the window. Just down the street I watched as two female construction workers, with their yellow hard hats on, took down some bamboo scaffolding. China is trying to move from an economy dependent on public investment and exports to domestic consumption. But that transition has taken a knock. The slowdown is here. China's car dealers and hairdressers know it. So do this country's leaders. | https://www.bbc.com/news/business-46887984 |
Is there a better way to control office temperatures? | By Carol Menassa, Da Li and Vineet Kamat University of Michigan In any office, home or other shared space, theres almost always someone whos too cold, someone whos too hot and someone who doesnt know what the fuss around the thermostat is all about. Most often, building owners and operators find out how their heating and cooling systems are doing by asking occupants if theyre comfortable or whether they want to be cooler or warmer. However, everyone has a different ideal temperature at any given time, based on all sorts of factors, including their age and gender, their physical activity level, what theyre wearing and even how much stress theyre feeling at the moment. This is a complex problem: For instance, people entering a cool room in the summer may initially feel comfortable but end up feeling too cold after a while. Those human variables are considered static over time in the current industry guidelines for heating and cooling, which recommend a range of 68.5 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit in winter and 75 to 80.5 in summer. As a result, people often feel too hot or too cold, despite how much energy heating and cooling systems use. More people would be more comfortable improving their health and productivity if furnaces and air conditioners could respond in real time to how building occupants were feeling, including how they change through the day. Our research group has been working on how to incorporate human feedback about room temperatures into heating and cooling systems. What were developing could help people feel more comfortable, and even let buildings use less energy. Getting peoples feedback Some researchers have proposed asking officemates to basically vote on what the temperature should be. Using a phone app or website, building occupants say whether theyre too hot or too cold, and what would make them more comfortable. An algorithm then analyzes the groups answer and calculates a temperature estimated to be most acceptable to most people. However, that method has two significant limitations: To work best, it requires near-constant input from people who are supposed to be working and still doesnt factor in whether someone who is uncomfortable could help themselves by putting on or taking off a sweater. It also doesnt take into account how peoples bodies experience temperature, which is closely tied to how cool or warm they prefer their environment to be. Monitoring temperature remotely In previous research, our group placed multiple temperature sensors around an office, and combined their data with information from wristbands that sensed occupants skin temperature and heart rates and apps that polled workers about how they felt. We found that adding the data about how peoples bodies were reacting made the algorithm more accurate at calculating the room temperature at which people occupying a given space would feel most comfortable. Our current project, seeks to make things even easier and less intrusive for people, eliminating the wristbands and apps, and only using remote sensing of peoples skin temperature to measure how comfortable they are. We developed a method using regular cameras, thermal imaging and distance sensors to detect occupants presence in a space, focus on their faces and measure their skin temperature. From that data, our algorithm calculates whether and how to change the temperature in the room regardless of the number of occupants in the space. When we tested it in an office occupied by seven people, they complained less about feeling uncomfortably cold or warm. This method is most effective in multi-occupancy spaces, like open-plan offices, meeting rooms and theaters. It can accommodate, and account for, differences in temperature between people in different areas of a room, whether they are standing or sitting or moving around. And it can adjust on the fly without requiring active human feedback. Our group will continue to explore this and other non-intrusive methods to help people feel more comfortable and be healthier and more productive. Gain access to all of our great content with a month-to-month subscription. Start your subscription here. | https://finance-commerce.com/2019/01/is-there-a-better-way-to-control-office-temperatures/ |
Is Alison Victoria Married to Donovan Eckhardt? | Alison Victoria is one of the biggest names in reality TV, with a starring role on HGTVs latest series, Windy City Rehab. On the show, she works alongside Donovan Eckhardt to turn dilapidated properties into refurbished homes that anyone would love to live in. Read on. Donovan is Alisons friend and lead contractor on Windy City Rehab. They may appear in many of each others Instagram photos, but theyre just good buddies. In fact, Alison is married to a man named Luke Harding. The two have been together since 2003; Harding owns an insurance company. According to Frost Snow, the pair met in 2011 and started dating. Two years later, they tied the knot. They even share a daughter, whose name has been kept under wraps. In a recent interview with HGTV, Alison shared, Flipping houses in my hometown of Chicago is my dream And its my dream because the architecture is there, and it has been there for more than a hundred years. According to his LinkedIn, he graduated from University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign in 2004. Afterward, he went on to work at BE Custom Millwork. Today, Donovan is the Company Owner at Greymark Development Group, LLC. The reality star is a Chicago native and moved to Las Vegas in 1999 to attend the University of Las Vegas, Nevada. It was in Nevada that she began her professional career as a designer. After gaining a few years of experience in the workforce, Alison founded her own consulting firm, Alison Victoria Interiors. Within no time, she was hired by Silverton Casino Hotel in Las Vegas a creative director. Alison went on to be the first female host of the Crasher series on DIY Network. These days, she splits her time between the two cities. Alison shares, Ultimately, all that my goal is and all my goal has ever been is to be able to really do what I want and do what I love and make a difference in the city because these homes that are going up by other developers Im not saying all of them but some developers are putting up homes just to make money. She added, Theres no architectural appeal to it, and so I can see why neighbors would be scared of developers, of course, but what were doing is delivering a different product, and what were doing is being true to the neighborhood and bringing the history back. So until they actually grasp that, all they think is that were in there, were trying to turn it, make a buck and get out. But my business partner and I, we care so much about everyone in the neighborhood, everyone on that block. We want to make sure our job sites are clean. We want to make sure that we are not hurting the neighborhood, but people dont like change. Be sure to tune into Windy City Rehab Tuesdays on HGTV at 9pm ET/PT. | https://heavy.com/entertainment/2019/01/alison-victoria-married-donovan-eckhardt/ |
Is Temptation Island Host Mark L. Wahlberg Married? | Temptation Island: Revival is a spinoff thats premiering on USA nearly two decades after it was first canceled on Fox. It takes four couples who agree to live on an island with one another, and pairs people with the opposite sex. Then, they decide if they want to stay with their current partners or break up. Host Mark L. Wahlberg tells USA Today of the show, The age-old question of (whether) youre with the one youre supposed to be with is always relevant, even more so in the age of (dating apps), where you have options on your phone at any given time. Read on to learn more about the host of Temptation Island: Revival. Mark Lewis Wahlberg has been married to his wife, Robbi Morgan, since 1987. According to her IMDB bio, Morgan is an actress and was born in 1961. She made her movie debut playing the title character in the drama film Me, Natalie. She went on to play hitch-hiking camp counselor Annie in the cult classic film Friday the 13th. On Broadway, Morgan acted in the stage production of the musical comedy Barnum, which ran from 1980 to 1982. Together, she and Mark have two children. According to her IMDB page, Demi Moore served as a bridesmaid at Morgans wedding to Wahlberg. Mark and Robbi certainly keep their marriage out of the spotlight, and youll be hard pressed to find references to their marriage in interviews. In one interview from 2010, however, Wahlberg answered some questions after he was made the host of Antiques Roadshow. Asked if he is a collector, he said, I dont have the collecting gene. My son, daughter and wife are a little bit more into collecting. But one of the things I learned when I first got the show was that, while I have things I love in my home, I dont think I have anything of tremendous value. Asked if he could choose one item in his house to have appraised, what it would be, he continued, My wife [actress Robbi Morgan Walberg] has a couple of circus collectibles that Id like to get appraised. Youve probably seen him before! Mark L. Wahlberg has been hosting for years. In 2010, he hosted a series on CMT titled Your Chance to Dance. These days, he still hosts PBS Antiques Roadshow, along with The Game Plane, which debuted on Discovery Family channel in 2014. On top of that, Wahlberg has been a spokesperson for 23andMe. | https://heavy.com/entertainment/2019/01/mark-l-wahlberg-married/ |
Is New Amsterdam Star Ryan Eggold Married? | Ryan Eggold continues his role as Dr. Max Goodwin on New Amsterdam tonight, in the first season of the new NBC drama. The show took a winter hiatus in November, and last weeks episode picks up the plot where the fall finale left it. While Ryan Eggold is a famous figure on television and film, he has done a good job keeping his romantic life private. If hes been in any kind of relationship recently, its been successfully kept out of the public eye, as he currently appears to be single. According to Just Jared, Eggold was linked to Ashley Greene in 2008; they reported that a friend of the alleged couple said, Its pretty new, but theyre totally together. Neither Eggold nor Greene confirmed the relationship directly, however they say that Eggold told Life & Style around that time Im sort of dating someone shes an actress. According to LiveRampUp.com, Greene started dating Paul Khoury in 2013. On The Blacklist: Redemption, Eggolds character FBI agent Tom Kleen was married to Elizabeth Keen, who is played by Megan Boone; however, the on-screen husband and wife never publicly engaged in an on-screen romance. Boone gave birth to a baby girl in 2016, who she shares with her fianc Dan Estabrook. In 2014, the Daily Telegraph said that Eggold told them I am an old man. I go for the quiet. I wouldnt say I handle attention well, Id say I stumble over pick-up lines poorly. Im not good at any of that. They reported that this was in reference to his romantic life On the Today Show in June 2018, while promoting New Amsterdam, Hoda Kotb asked Eggold arent you engaged? To which he jokingly confirmed the news before saying no, Im not engaged. No, no, who said that? Then, she asked him if he was with someone, to which the answer was also no. Elaborating, Eggold said I am the same old, broken alone man that you met from last time. There is no who said there is a girlfriend or a fianc? Kotb said she heard the news from sources (which she did not identify), but Eggold asserted that at that point in his life, he was not romantically involved. On the Rachael Ray Show, Eggold told Ray that his last film project (which was his directorial debut) was inspired by [his] own fledgling romantic life. Continuing to explain the plot and its themes, Eggold said the permanence of marriage is so fascinating to me. How we choose the people we end up with. She didnt ask him if he was seeing anyone, but the film is about a man who goes to his college ex-girlfriends wedding and has to cope with past feelings. According to Page Six, who talked to Eggold about the film at its afterparty, told them that an ex-girlfriend once told him she was getting married to someone else and that Eggold would regret their breakup for the rest of his life. Watch Ryan Eggold on New Amsterdam on Tuesdays at 10pm on NBC. | https://heavy.com/entertainment/2019/01/ryan-eggold-wife-girlfriend-new-amsterdam/ |
Does Laura Betancourt Get Fired on Below Deck? | Bravos Below Deck is back on Tuesday, January 15 at 9/8c, and fans of the show are curious whether or not the new third stew Laura Betancourt is still below deck with the rest of the crew, or if shed been fired following a tense altercation with Chief Stewardess (and HBIC) Kate Chastain. For those who need a quick recap, after Chandler Brooks was fired, Caroline Bedol put in her notice, which prompted Captain Lee to promote Ross Inia and call in backup to help Chastain out. Betancourt was Bedols replacement, and quickly raised some eyebrows when she started voicing her opinion on how things were run, putting her in Chastains bad graces. You can watch clips of the rising tension between the two in the video below: Honey, if you were a chief stew that knows as much as you say you do, you should already know how to do turn down, Kate told the cameras on the show. Laura has a lot of opinions. If Laura had ever really been a chief stew, she would put herself in my position and wouldnt come out too hot from the start. The tension between the two ladies escalated quickly after Chastain checked in on Betancourts turndown service, where Betancourt told Kate to check yourself, prompting Chastain to go to Captain Lee with an ultimatum: We can fire her, or Ill quit. Check out a clip of the argument below: Laura later provided some more insight into what was going through her mind during her confrontation with Kate during the latest installment of the Below Deck Season 6 After Show. At first, she was taken aback by Kates comments. And then, she got angry. Listen, like, Ive been working hard. Recognize that, please. Like, Im working hard, she said in the above clip. After Chastain went to Captain Lee about the third stew, the captain had a long chat with Betancourt, during which he claims she realized that she was close to losing her job and changed her attitude completely. Even Chastain said that she and Betancourt get along much better now, and that she completely changed her tune after sitting down with the captain. I noticed a swift change, Chastain said in the video above. I love Laura now. I knew I would like her she just needed to be knocked down a couple pegs. So as of right now, it doesnt look as though Betancourt lost her job, although she is still on thin ice, according to Captain Lee. Tune in for new episodes of season six on January 15 on Bravo, with repeat episodes of the first half of the season preceding the new episode. READ NEXT: Made in Staten Island Cast Spoilers 2019 | https://heavy.com/entertainment/2019/01/laura-betancourt-fired-below-deck/ |
Could ex-49ers QB coach take Garoppolo backup to Broncos? | SANTA CLARA Jimmy Garoppolo, Nick Mullens and C.J. Beathard will have a new quarterbacks coach when they report back for the 49ers offseason program in April. That assumes one of them particularly Mullens, then Beathard doesnt first get dealt to the Denver Broncos, who hired Rich Scangarello on Wednesday as a first-time offensive coordinator. Scangarello spent the past two years as the 49ers quarterbacks coach. He schooled up a steady rotation of starters, from Brian Hoyer to Beathard to Garoppolo to Beathard again to Mullens, the latter of whom Scangarello campaigned to sign after the Southern Miss quarterback went undrafted in 2017. The Broncos quarterback situation has been unstable since Peyton Manning left after the 2015 seasons Super Bowl run. Case Keenum went 6-10 this season including a Dec. 9 loss at the 49ers and, with only one year left on his contract, the Broncos and new coach Vic Fangio are hunting for a new QB. Obviously, weve got to Case (Keenum) is probably a short-term fix find the long-term guy for us, general manager John Elway told NBC Sports Peter King. When we do find that guy, weve got to have the continuity on the offensive side to where we can train him and develop him and get him there. This is our fourth offense in probably three or four years. Quarterbacks need to be developed. You dont find one ready-made. We got to have a solid system in place for when we do go after whatever guy it may be, a young guy or a trade or whatnot. Garoppolo, whos coming off reconstructive knee surgery, is the 49ers long-term guy. Keeping both Mullens and Beathard in the bullpen is wise until Garoppolos health is assured, but trading one of the backups is indeed possible, and Mullens likely would be more coveted. Championed by Scangarello in a pre-draft visit to 49ers HQ, Mullens went 3-5 last year, after spending 2017 on the practice squad as an undrafted rookie. He passed for 2,277 yards with 13 touchdown, 10 interceptions and a 64.2 completion percentage. Beathard, a 2017 third-round draft pick, went 1-4 last season and 0-5 this season, passing for 2,682 yards, 12 touchdowns, 13 interceptions and a 57.3 completion percentage. Mullens will become an exclusive rights free agent after this year, and Beathard a restricted free agent, so they basically remain under team control. Despite losing Scangarello, coach Kyle Shanahan still has his closest offensive confidants in Mike LaFleur and Mike McDaniels, who serve as coordinators of the 49ers pass and run games, respectively. Either could be shifted into Scangarellos old role, and if its LaFleur, perhaps that means a promotion for Katie Sowers to become the wide receivers coach. The 49ers reportedly denied other teams from interviewing LaFleur and McDaniels for offensive coordinator roles; assistants only cant be denied for head-coach opportunities. Were getting an experienced coach who was a trusted and valued assistant with Kyle Shanahan for three seasons, Fangio said in a statement. He worked wonders with all the quarterbacks who started for San Francisco during the previous two years as quarterbacks coach. With his background and knowledge, its the perfect time for Rich to be an offensive coordinator in the NFL. I find this opportunity for Rich very similar to when I first became a defensive coordinator many years ago and he is ready to take this step. Whenever a quarterback came off the field and onto the bench during a game, it was Scangarello who would sit with him and review footage of plays. 49ers DeForest Buckner goes from Pro Bowl snub to sub Report: 49ers hire Joe Woods to oversee pass defense The Garoppolo-Beathard-Mullens trio passed for 4,247 yards this season, the franchises most since Steve Youngs final full season in 1998 (4,510 yards). Neither the 49ers nor Broncos have hinted at a potential quarterback trade, which can be agreed to anytime but not formalized until March 13. These franchises have become intertwined in recent years, from training-camp scrimmages to swapping personnel (see: Vernon Davis, 2015; nearly Colin Kaepernick in 2016-17; player-personnel executive Adam Peters in 2017; Kapri Bibbs, 2017). Other obvious connections are the Shanahan lineage, and John Lynchs friendship with Elway. Another addition to Fangios Broncos staff is defensive coordinator Ed Donatell, who worked as the secondary coach with Fangio on the Bears the past four years and with the 49ers from 2011-14. | https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2019/01/16/could-ex-49ers-qb-coach-take-garoppolo-backup-to-broncos/ |
Why Is the AP Carrying Water for William Barr? | A president facing a major scandal, just as the highest-profile trial is about to begin, pardons the indicted or convicted officials around him to effectively stop the investigation thats closing in on his own illegal conduct. Well see. But this actually describes what President George H.W. Bush did in 1992. The Iran/Contra scandal revealed, among other things, that the Reagan/Bush White House had secretly sold missiles to Iran in exchange for hostages held in Lebanon, using the proceeds to fund right-wing forces fighting the leftist Nicaraguan government in violation of US law. On Christmas Eve 1992, just as the indicted former Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger was about to face trial, Bush pardoned him and five others, including former Assistant Secretary of State Elliott Abrams and and former National Security Advisor Robert McFarlane. The New York Times (12/25/92) reported this as Bush Pardons 6 in Iran Affair, Averting a Weinberger Trial; Prosecutor Assails Cover-Up. The attorney general for Bush who approved the pardons, William Barr, is now being nominated for the same position by Trump. Though current news columns are rife with speculation that Trump might likewise protect himself by pardoning his indicted or convicted associates, the dominant US news wire service doesnt seem to think so. In Barr as Attorney General: Old Job, Very Different Washington (1/14/19), Associated Press reporter Eric Tucker made no mention whatsoever of the Iran/Contra pardons. Rather than seriously examine the trajectory of presidential power and accountability, Tucker framed the story, as the headline indicates, as a stark contrast between the gentlemanly Bush and the twice-divorced Trump: Serving Trump, who faces intensifying investigations from the department Barr would lead, is unlikely to compare with his tenure under President George H.W. Bush. The false implication is that Bush did not himself face intensifying investigations from Lawrence Walsh, who operated out of the Justice Departments Office of Special Counsel. The misleading comparison is compounded by Tucker describing Trump as breaking with the practice of shielding law enforcement from political influence and ousting Attorney General Jeff Sessions for not protecting him in the Russia investigationas if Barr didnt have direct experience in the first Bush administration with imposing political influence on law enforcement to protect a president from investigation. Instead, Tucker cites Barrs supporters calling him driven by his commitment to the department and very much a law-and-order guy. (The praise for the new head of the department Tucker regularly covers marks his article as a beat-sweetener, a long and unfortunate tradition of journalists making their jobs easier by sucking up to sources.) This deceptive piece was apparently picked up by literally thousands of media outlets. A search of unlikely to compare with his tenure under President George H.W. Bush produces over 2,400 results. As Consortium News founder Robert Parry, who broke much of the Iran-Contra story for AP, would later write in a review of Walshs book Firewall: Inside the Iran/Contra Cover-Up: The Republican independent counsel [Lawrence Walsh] infuriated the GOP when he submitted a second indictment of Weinberger on the Friday before the 1992 elections. The indictment contained documents revealing that President Bush had been lying for years with his claim that he was out of the loop on the Iran/Contra decisions. The ensuing furor dominated the last several days of the campaign and sealed Bushs defeat at the hands of Bill Clinton. Walsh had discovered, too, that Bush had withheld his own notes about the Iran/Contra Affair, a discovery that elevated the President to a possible criminal subject of the investigation. But Bush had one more weapon in his arsenal. On Christmas Eve 1992, Bush destroyed the Iran/Contra probe once and for all by pardoning Weinberger and five other convicted or indicted defendants. Parry, who died a year ago, left AP after many of his stories on Iran/Contra were squashed (Consortium News, 1/28/18). After I criticized AP on Twitter for the omission, a later piece by Tucker, co-written with Michael Balsamo, noted perfunctorily in the 16th graph: As attorney general in 1992, he endorsed Bushs pardons of Reagan administration officials in the Iran/Contra scandal. (A search on as attorney general in 1992, he endorsed Bushs pardons of Reagan administration officials in the Iran/Contra scandal produced a mere 202 results.) While much of the media obsesses over every bit of Russiagate, some breathlessly anticipating the next revelation will surely bring down the Trump presidency, its remarkable how little interest there is in the trajectory of presidential power. Rather, much of the establishment media has gone to great lengths to rehabilitate officials from both Bush administrations, including the elder Bush himself when he died last month. (One exception to the generally hagiographic coverage of his death was Arun Guptas Lets Talk About George H.W. Bushs Role in the Iran/Contra Scandal in The Intercept, 12/7/18.) Indeed, Trump naming Barr just after George H.W. Bush and Trump Dovetail. APs actions also fit into the institution-protecting mode of what Parry derided as the conventional wisdomwhich in its current formulation depicts Trumps authoritarian tendencies as aberrations from the norms of US politics, rather than a continuation of the worst tendencies of his predecessors. | https://www.truthdig.com/articles/why-is-the-ap-carrying-water-for-william-barr/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Truthdig+Truthdig%3A+Drilling+Beneath+the+Headlines |
How well are European asset owners portfolios aligned with the Paris Agreements climate goals? | On the occasion of COP24, WWF launched his report European Asset Owners: Climate Alignment of Public Equity and Corporate Bond Portfolios. The report offers a forward-looking climate scenario analysis on how Europes largest asset owners are aligning - or not - their public equity and corporate bond portfolios with the Paris climate goal of keeping global warming well below 2C. WWF identified the largest asset owners in 11 European countries and approached 88 of them to undertake a forward-looking climate scenario assessment [1]. 33 agreed to disclose their climate alignment results in this report for a set of key climate-relevant technologies: coal power, renewable power, coal mining, oil production and gas production. Sebastien Godinot, Economist at WWF European Policy Office and lead author of the report said: Investment decisions need to be guided by the risk considerations of a rapidly changing natural world. WWF applauds the 33 asset owners that disclosed forward-looking climate scenario analyses for demonstrating best practice. Asset owners that choose to undertake forward-looking climate scenario assessments will put themselves ahead of the curve in understanding the climate-related risks and opportunities within their portfolios. The three major findings of the research are: 1. Much greater efforts are needed to ensure that public equity and corporate bond investments align with the well-below 2C transition.There are encouraging indications that asset owners investments are partly aligned with that goal for some of the technologies included in the WWF research. However, none of the asset owners is aligned for all technologies. 2. There are clear differences between countries in terms of willingness of asset owners to participate and disclose climate alignment findings. In Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden) there is extensive disclosure of climate alignment results and several investors are actively engaged in international initiatives. In the Netherlands and France there is some degree of disclosure. In other countries (Belgium, Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom) there is zero disclosure. 3. There are encouraging indications of a growing recognition among asset owners of the importance of climate-related financial risks and opportunities. 55 out of the 88 contacted asset owners (61 percent) are actively engaging in forward-looking climate scenario analysis. Anna Hyrske, Head of Responsible Investments, Ilmarinen Mutual Pension Insurance Company said: Ilmarinen utilizes climate scenarios in its investment operations. In our opinion it is vital to create different types of scenarios despite the challenges related to the analysis and methodologies. Investors are heading in the right direction but there still a lot to do. It is also important to get those investors involved who are yet to take climate change into account. It is great to see Nordic investors leading through example on climate transparency. WWF will continue to advocate for establishing harmonised frameworks for forward-looking climate scenario assessments via industry practices and standards, supervisory oversight and regulation. For WWF, these actions and policies must ultimately lead to the alignment of financial flows and economic activities with the Paris climate goals. | https://www.next-finance.net/How-well-are-European-asset-owners |
Could Asus' new 'TV services' tablet be where hardware is heading? | Back in June, Asus launched what it called the world's thinnest 8-inch LTE tablet, it has now brought that tablet, without LTE connectivity to Europe as the ProSieben Entertainment Pad. It is the first time Asus announced such a tie up with a content provider in Europe; ProSieben is one of the biggest commercial television station in Germany with a significant foothold in neighbouring countries as well. The tablet, which is on sale for 149 Euros (about 125, $200, AU$210), comes with a subscription package to ProSieben services worth 100 Euros (about 80, $140, AU$150). Asus has only committed to selling the tablet in Germany and it will be interesting to see whether, if successful, it will enlist other subscription-based service providers. A branded Sky or Virgin tablet could entice some especially if the tablet is free; Virgin Media is already giving a free 7-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 to new customers but it's a freebie rather than one which is tightly integrated with Virgin's service. The ME181CX, as it is also known, comes with a quad-core, 64-bit Intel processor, the Z3745, one that has a base clock speed of 1.33GHz. Other features include Android 4.4, 1GB of RAM, 16GB onboard strorage, an 8-inch 1,280 x 800 pixel IPS panel, rear and front cameras, Wi-FI, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, a 9-hour battery life. Asus MemoPad HD 7 review | https://www.techradar.com/au/news/mobile-computing/tablets/could-asus-new-tv-services-tablet-be-where-hardware-is-heading-1264188 |
Is Donald Trump Blackmailing Senator Lindsey Graham? | Although there might not be a pee tape, many have wondered how John McCains best friend, who often acted like a maverick, regularly eschewing the Republican ethos, did a complete 180 and became Donald Trumps mouthpiece. MSNBC anchor Stephanie Ruhle speculated without proof that President Trump could be holding something pretty extreme on South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham (R) and she may be right. Before Trump took office Graham had been one of the most vocal Republican leaders against his presidency. In fact, in 2015, Graham called Trump a xenophobic, race-baiting bigot. While Trump has done nothing to change Grahams 2015 feelings, somehow Graham has done a complete 180 degree turn and has become Trumps lap dog. On MSNBCs Velshi & Ruhle on Tuesday morning, former GOP congressman David Jolly (I-Fla.), who left the Republican Party in 2018 had this to say about Trump and Grahams relationship. Advertisement Before Don got elected, Lindsey Graham called Donald Trump a racist, xenophobic bigot. Those are Lindsey Grahams words, Jolly said, The Hill notes. I doubt Lindsey Graham could tell you Donald Trump has had a change of heart in the last 24 months, I bet the change of heart has been with Lindsey Graham, not the president, he said. Maybe. Its probably not the best move to speculate wildly as to why a Senator has a had a huge change of heart towards a man whom he once believed was a racist, anti-immigrant bigot. But I dont think shes wrong. Trump moves more like a member of the mafia than the senior most member of America politics, so it wouldnt be shocking if Trump pulled Graham into the Oval Office to show him footage of himself in his teens stealing from a Piggly Wiggly. Advertisement From The Hill: Graham has been one of Trumps more vocal defenders since he took office, particularly during the confirmation process for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh in the fall. But the former 2016 presidential rival has also recently criticized the president on big issues, including over Trumps abrupt declaration last month about a U.S. withdrawal from Syria. Graham vehemently opposed the move, calling it a disaster and a stain on the honor of the United States. He maintained that despite Trumps initial declaration, the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria had not been defeated in Syria. To say theyre defeated is an overstatement and is fake news, Graham said on the Senate floor Dec. 19. It is not true. They have been severely damaged but they will come back unless were there to stop them. Advertisement So now we wait to see if the Graham dossier is exposed. Probably from the secret white hardware retailer, Wypipo Depot. I bet its a tape of Lindsey Graham that will ruin his career with his Republican base. Its probably footage of him doing something very liberal like solving an algebra equation or treating a Mexican like a human being. God help us all. | https://www.theroot.com/is-donald-trump-blackmailing-senator-lindsey-graham-1831815993 |
What are corticosteroids? | Corticosteroids are synthetic drugs that are used to treat a wide vari ety of disorders, including asthma, arthritis, skin conditions and autoimmune diseases. The drug mimics cortisol, a hormone thats naturally produced by the adrenal glands in healthy people. Cortisol, commonly called the stress hormone, is a steroid hormone (not to be confused with anabolic steroids, which are sometimes abused by athletes) thats released in response to stress. Its involved in a wide range of processes in the body, such as metabolism, inflammation, blood pressure regulation and bone formation, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Corticosteroids work by decreasing inflammation and suppressing the immune system, according to Cleveland Clinic. Left untreated, excess inflammation can damage healthy tissue, as well as cause redness, swelling and pain. The first use of corticosteroids dates back to 1948, when rheumatologists at the Mayo Clinic treated a patient who had debilitating rheumatoid arthritis, according to a 2010 article published in the journal Clinical Chemistry. The patient, who was treated with the then-experimental injectable drug, was able to walk out of the hospital after the third treatment and go on a 3-hour shopping spree, according to the author. There are several types of corticosteroids, including cortisone, prednisone, dexamethasone, prednisolone, betamethasone and hydrocortisone. Cortisone was the first corticosteroid drug approved for use in the U.S., which happened in 1950, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health. Corticosteroids are often used as a anti-inflammatory medications and immune suppressants to treat arthritis, asthma, autoimmune diseases (including lupus and multiple sclerosis), skin conditions (such as eczema and psoriasis), some types of cancer (such as leukemia), and the aftermath of organ transplant, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Depending on the specific treatment goal of the drug, it may be used orally, injected, inhaled or applied topically, according to the Mayo Clinic. Oral corticosteroids are typically used to treat and help control symptoms of chronic conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, by reducing inflammation throughout the body. Injected corticosteroids treat a specific location, such as inflammation or pain caused by tendinitis in a joint. Corticosteroids are inhaled to treat asthma by reducing inflammation and swelling of the airways, and they can also help lower the risk or frequency of future attacks. Topical steroids are usually put into creams and ointments to treat and soothe skin conditions. Share on: WhatsApp | https://pakobserver.net/what-are-corticosteroids/ |
Can the Patriots limit Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce? | FOXBORO Minutes after an exhilarating win against the Chiefs in October, Patriots veteran Duron Harmon summed up his night against Tyreek Hill in a dozen words. He is, Harmon said, by far the fastest person Ive ever come in contact with. Hes a matchup nightmare, but then again so is his entire team. Facing the Chiefs is a game of whack-a-mole for any defensive coordinator. Prioritize Hill, and Sammy Watkins pops up. He was on pace for 1,000 yards before a foot injury wiped out of the second half of his season. Double-team Travis Kelce with a safety, and youre taking chances one-on-one elsewhere. You cant stop it all. I think you have to put your chips on something, Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. If it is, nobodys figured out the formula. The Chargers shut down Kelce to the tune of one catch for 6 yards in the season opener. Hill went nuts for 169 yards and two touchdowns. The 49ers held Hill to two receptions in Week 3 but allowed Kelce to catch eight passes for 114 yards. The Raiders almost blanked Hill in Week 13, limiting him to one catch for 13 yards. Kelce destroyed them for 12 receptions, 168 yards and two touchdowns. Only one team held both Kelce and Hill under 70 yards: The Chargers in a 29-28 victory in Week 15. When the Patriots beat the Chiefs in Week 6, they allocated extra resources to both All-Pro pass-catchers. The goal was to disrupt Kelces release wherever he went. If Kelce was aligned from a traditional tight end position, that meant the defensive end (in many cases Trey Flowers) would bump him as he started his route. If Kelce was detached from the formation, a linebacker followed him and did the same. The strategy was mostly effective, even though it meant subtracting a potential pass-rusher from the equation (sometimes Donta Hightower would jam Kelce and then rush a second or two late). The Pats didnt allow much to Hill when they were in man coverage with a safety shading toward his side. But attempts to jam him were basically a waste. On a third-and-17, Kyle Van Noy stood over Hill in the slot. Hightower followed Kelce outside the numbers. Hightower got a decent jam on Kelce. Van Noy didnt get a hand on Hill. Because both linebackers were occupied, the Patriots could only muster a three-man rush. This enabled Patrick Mahomes to drift to his left, extend the play and find Hill 27 yards downfield against zone coverage. Hills 75-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter also was against zone coverage and a three-man rush. Zone coverage with two deep safeties. Also a three-man rush. The Pats wont enter Sundays AFC Championship with an identical gameplan. Their personnel has changed, as undrafted rookie J.C. Jackson has emerged as a strong No. 2 cornerback. They might trust Jackson to man up with Watkins, a high-end No. 2 receiver, and let Gilmore chase Hill. They know what worked and what bombed the first time around. There will be tweaks from the Patriots side. Theyre surely anticipating adjustments from Kansas City, too. When youre dealing with Andy Reid, a great offensive mastermind, hes going to make it hard on the defense, Harmon said. Its going to be like a chess match, something that were excited and ready for. Thats what these types of games are. Championship games are (won) not just lining up and playing, but being able to adjust, being able to play fast. BOSTON MA. - JANUARY 16: Tom Brady (12) of the New England Patriots warms up during practice at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2019 in Boston, MA. (Staff Photo By Nancy Lane/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald) BOSTON MA. - JANUARY 16: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots is bundled up against the cold during practice at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2019 in Boston, MA. (Staff Photo By Nancy Lane/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald) BOSTON MA. - JANUARY 16: Julian Edelman (11) of the New England Patriots warm ups during practice at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2019 in Boston, MA. (Staff Photo By Nancy Lane/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald) BOSTON MA. - JANUARY 16: Albert McClellan (59) of the New England Patriots runs through warmups during practice at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2019 in Boston, MA. (Staff Photo By Nancy Lane/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald) BOSTON MA. - JANUARY 16: J.C. Jackson (27) of the New England Patriots warms up during practice at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2019 in Boston, MA. (Staff Photo By Nancy Lane/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald) BOSTON MA. - JANUARY 16: James White (28), Sony Michel (26) and Rex Burkhead (34) of the New England Patriots on the field for warm ups during practice at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2019 in Boston, MA. (Staff Photo By Nancy Lane/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald) BOSTON MA. - JANUARY 16: Tom Brady (12) of the New England Patriots warms up during practice at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2019 in Boston, MA. (Staff Photo By Nancy Lane/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald) BOSTON MA. - JANUARY 16: Stephon Gilmore (24) of the New England Patriots stretches during practice at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2019 in Boston, MA. (Staff Photo By Nancy Lane/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald) BOSTON MA. - JANUARY 16: Stephon Gilmore (24) of the New England Patriots stretches during practice at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2019 in Boston, MA. (Staff Photo By Nancy Lane/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald) BOSTON MA. - JANUARY 16: David Andrews (60) of the New England Patriots takes questions during player availability at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2019 in Boston, MA. (Staff Photo By Nancy Lane/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald) BOSTON MA. - JANUARY 16: Devin McCourty (32) of the New England Patriots leaves the podium after player availability at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2019 in Boston, MA. (Staff Photo By Nancy Lane/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald) BOSTON MA. - JANUARY 16: Tom Brady (12) of the New England Patriots answers questions during player availability at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2019 in Boston, MA. (Staff Photo By Nancy Lane/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald) In the Week 6 matchup, the Patriots thrived when linebackers and defensive backs hovered over the ball before the snap, making it difficult for the offensive line to identify which players were rushing and which were dropping. That trend has continued late in the season. As Reid said, Theyre bringing everybody. Youve got to come up with a plan to try to put body-on-body, the coach added. Theyre moving people around and they mess with you that way. On a third-and-4 at the Pats 24-yard line, the Pats showed seven potential rushers at the snap. Hightower and Van Noy retreated to the shallow middle at the snap. Devin McCourty and Harmon rushed with three defensive linemen, and the Kansas City offensive line didnt make the read quickly enough. Harmon got a free run at Mahomes, forcing him to unload early. He missed Kelce on a corner route and the Chiefs settled for a field goal. Theres danger in sending extra rushers at Mahomes; if he side-steps the tackler and flees the pocket, hell spot Hill inevitably running away from the one defensive back covering him. As the Patriots learned in Week 6, theres equal danger in rushing three and letting Mahomes calmly scan the field. Theres risk in pretty much everything against the Chiefs offense. Andy does a great job of putting the defense in compromising positions where you have to make choices, Belichick said. There are no perfect answers. The Patriots can simply hope the lane they choose ends up working just well enough. | https://www.bostonherald.com/2019/01/16/can-the-patriots-limit-tyreek-hill-and-travis-kelce/ |
How do we get lead out of New Jerseys drinking water? | Jersey Water Works has put together a 25-member task force to help solve the problem of lead in New Jersey's water systems. Chris Daggett, the chairman for the statewide task force of lead and drinking water, says any workable solution could take years to accomplish. Daggett, a former state environmental commissioner and a one-time independent candidate for governor, said the task force is made up of members of utility companies, nonprofit organizations, environmental organizations, government officials and scientists. The task force will wrap up its work in September, then make general recommendations for policymakers. Daggett said there are about 1.5 million people in New Jersey who are getting water from systems that have had some issues of lead in their drinking water. While the source of the water may not have lead, the element leaches into the water passing through old pipes. Urban areas with aging buildings are a prime concern. School buildings that are 50 to 100 years old have been found to have water fountains and faucets with lead in the water. "New Jersey has 11 cities that have a higher proportion of lead-affected children than Flint, Michigan, and an estimated 350,000 homes and small businesses the fifth highest of any state that have lead lines coming into their buildings," said Kiki Jameson, president of The Fund for New Jersey , which is lending financial support for the initiative. More at New Jersey 101:5 | http://nj1015.com/how-do-we-get-lead-out-of-new-jerseys-drinking-water/ |
Is my pet needy or attached to me? | Srividhya S By Express News Service I have a four-year-old pitbull. He seems to be very needy. He always seeks my attention and I have to take him everywhere I go, even when I brush my teeth or step out to throw garbage. Sushmita R When a dog gets deeply attached to one person, they begin to exhibit a clingy behaviour and tend to follow the person around all the time. This is not necessarily true always, for there are dogs that are just as much attached to their pet parent but are more relaxed and not bothered about what the family member is up to. This is just a personality trait and depends on how secure and confident your dog feels. Observe him carefully to understand if he is just needy or if he actually panics in your absence. If latter, then he probably has separation anxiety issues that need to be addressed. Consult with a professional behaviourist if this is the case. If he is sick and is confused by his illness, he may try to cope up by sticking close to you as he is unsure of what to do. If this is a sudden behaviour that you are observing, get him checked by a vet. Senior dogs who tend to have impaired hearing or vision also stick close to their owners. Talk to your vet and understand how you can make him comfortable if this is the case. Environmental changes also trigger this behaviour. If you have moved houses or recently adopted him after abandonment, the new surroundings might be intimidating for him and he probably feels safe around you. Work with him on setting a routine that he can ease into and get comfortable in the new home. One other underestimated reason is boredom. If he is bored and is looking for something to do, he will eagerly follow you around wherever you go. You become the main source of his entertainment. If thats the case, make sure that he gets sufficient physical exercises and mentally stimulating games that keep him occupied. Spend quality time with him so that he gets abundance of you time. This will also build his overall confidence. Do not smother him with attention when he is needy. You will unknowingly encourage his insecurity and neediness. Appreciate and encourage his independence. Persistence and patience will help you help him. | http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2019/jan/16/is-my-pet-needy-or-attached-to-me-1925568.html |
Can Hervey Bay's winning-streak produce another millionaire? | Nextra Fraser Gateway Newsagency staff Leonie Ellis, Bre Hancock and Chris McKechnie are perpared for the surge of people buying Powerball tickets for this Thursday's first division prize $100 million. Nextra Fraser Gateway Newsagency staff Leonie Ellis, Bre Hancock and Chris McKechnie are perpared for the surge of people buying Powerball tickets for this Thursday's first division prize $100 million. Powerball Australia's Division One prize has blown out to a massive sum and you have until 7.30pm to buy a ticket. Although the chances of winning may be slim, Hervey Bay has a reputation for creating millionaires. The biggest was a $70 million ticket, which was won by retired grandparents in 2016. In 2017, a Hervey Bay dad bagged a $30 million jackpot in Oz Lotto. Recently, a man in his 20s won $10 million on Christmas Day, a Pialba mum won more than $1.3 million in a Saturday Gold Lotto draw and a young Hervey Bay woman won $1 million in a Saturday Gold Lotto. Other local punters have claimed $4 million in a Saturday Gold Lotto and a Wednesday Gold Lotto, both sold at Nextra Fraser Gateway Newsagency at Stockland Shopping Centre. UNDER THE PUMP: Nextra Fraser Gateway Newsagency 's Leonie Ellis, Bre Hancock and Chris McKechnie are prepared for the surge of people buying Powerball tickets for tomorrow's first division prize of $100 million. Jodie Callcott Newsagency store manager Chris McKechnie said Powerball ticket sales have doubled due to tomorrow's $100 million prize. To ease the flow of people buying tickets, the staff have set up a barrier making it easier for customers to form a line. "Get in and get that ticket because someone has to win it," Mrs McKechnie said. "We've had the $30 million in Oz Lotto, we've had division one in the Saturday and Monday Oz Lotto, so we're actually after a Powerball winner because we've never had one in this shop. "This week people are buying the Power Hit because that's what is being advertised the most, where you already have the Powerball number. "Some people say they'll come back and take us out to dinner and then we say, 'Well we want to go for dinner in France, not McDonald's'." | https://www.frasercoastchronicle.com.au/news/can-hervey-bays-winning-streak-produce-another-mil/3624405/ |
Can the Illinois GOP still be effective as a superminority? | Illinois Republicans seem in an unenviable position today. The party controls no constitutional offices in state government. Democrats have more members in the Legislature than at any time since it took on its modern size, with supermajorities in both chambers. But that doesn't mean local GOP lawmakers are disconsolate. They're not thrilled at the position their party is in. But each says he sees opportunities to be effective even from a position in which Republicans alone can't deliver the votes to pass a bill or override a gubernatorial veto. Right now Democrats have a 40-19 edge in the Senate and a 74-44 advantage in the House once two Democratic vacancies are filled. The ability to get something done comes down to building relationships and communicating effectively with other lawmakers, most said including ones who served during the last time the GOP had a superminority in the House from 2013-17. "You represent your district, you work with people, you focus on building relationships," state Rep. Keith Sommer, R-Morton, said. "... I'm always hopeful that while we disagree on some issues, the Legislature can pull together and do its job." Rep. Mike Unes, R-East Peoria, agreed that continuing "to build relationships across all walks of life and across the aisle" is important, especially when doing so can help benefit district-specific priorities. He noted that since he was inaugurated in 2011, the Legislature has nearly 90 new members offering opportunities to "build trust and relationships" with new colleagues. "We are going to have to work in a collaborative and bipartisan manner, but we should be doing that no matter what," Rep. Ryan Spain, R-Peoria, said. Such an approach being respectful of others and logic-based in arguments seeking support for bills has paid dividends, Sen. Chuck Weaver said. The Peoria Republican noted that even though the Senate already had supermajority Democrat control he passed 16 bills out of both that chamber and the House in the last session. Outreach and ideas The communication won't just be within the walls of the Statehouse, either. Weaver said he has found it helpful to pursue legislation suggested by constituents, a process he refers to as citizen legislating. Often, those advocates then come and testify on the reasons the proposed bill should become law. That "gets the common person in front of legislators, and when they hear (their) story, legislators react," Weaver said. Unes, too, pointed to bill ideas that came from local residents that were easier to press for because their voices were added into the mix. Those included a law last year to help increase the number of medical caregivers trained to help assist in treating victims of childhood sexual assaults, which was pushed by the Pediatric Resource Center locally, and legislation that prevents penalties on Gold Star widows breaking their leases, inspired by Sgt. Douglas Riney's widow Kylie's experiences in Texas. Weaver also stressed that Republicans need to do a better job reaching out both to constituents and to members of the media about measures under consideration. "While Republican votes on the floor may not be able to stop legislation, our duty will increase with regard to communicating to the public so the public can engage with legislators of both sides," he said. Positive signals Several lawmakers also said they've seen positive bipartisan outreach from the Pritzker administration. Unes said that Pritzker's willingness to meet with House Republicans and minority leader Jim Durkin is encouraging. "I hope that continues," he said. "I hope there is that good faith, and I think that if we see that, he'll find a caucus that is willing to work with him, though there's obviously going to be things that we're just not philosophically able to agree on." Sommer praised Pritzker's inclusion of Republicans on his transition advisory teams, and his decision to name retiring Republican state Rep. David Harris to head the state Department of Revenue. "I think that's a sign that he wants to cooperate and not just be one-party rule," Sommer said. "I think he's willing to accept input from everyone, and that's encouraging." Spain said that even Pritzker's decision to stop in and mingle with GOP lawmakers at their post-inauguration celebration early this month was a positive gesture in terms of keeping the lines of communication open. But, he said, he hopes that as Democrats seek Republican support for legislation they also remain open to adopting some GOP initiatives. "That just can't be a one-way street where we're putting Republican votes on to support initiatives from the governor and it's not reciprocated where we're allowed to put our ideas forward," he said. | http://www.pekintimes.com/news/20190116/can-illinois-gop-still-be-effective-as-superminority |
Who will be Tottenhams striker after Harry Kanes injury? | Following the news that Harry Kane is ruled out until March with ankle ligament damage, Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has a big headache as to where his goals are going to come from over the next couple of months. Kane is Spurs top scorer with 20 goals so far this term. The situation is exacerbated because second top scorer Heung-min Son (12 goals) has just left to join South Koreas Asian Cup campaign in the United Arab Emirates. After that its down to single figures with Lucas Moura (eight), Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen and Erik Lamela (all six). Fernando Llorente Spanish veteran Llorente is Kanes main understudy. The 33-year-old has scored just one Premier League goal in 21 games since arriving from Swansea City in 2017. There are mitigating circumstances in that with Kane the undisputed first-choice striker Llorente has been restricted to a bit-part role. He has a record of a four goals in 11 games this season a goal every 43 minutes but none of his strikes have been in the league. He had been expected to rejoin former club Athletic Bilbao this month, but that now looks highly unlikely. Hes probably going to be the first port of call for Pochettino. Vincent Janssen The Netherlands international, aged 24, has flopped since his 17m signing from AZ Alkmaar in 2016. He currently has no squad number and spent last season on loan at Fenerbahce. Although he has recently returned to fitness after an injury, it is difficult to imagine Pochettino welcoming him back into the fold at this stage. Josh Maja The Sunderland striker was linked with Spurs last summer and the Express reported over the weekend even before Kanes injury that the north Londoners had reignited their interest. Maja is out of contract at the end of the season and has so far declined to commit to a new deal. He has been impressing in League One scoring 14 goals in 23 appearances but being dropped into the Premier League mid-season would be a huge step up for the 20-year-old. Giuseppe Rossi The easiest proven top-level goalscorer to sign at the moment is Giuseppe Rossi. The Italy international, aged 31, is a free agent and training with Manchester United to rebuild his fitness after leaving Genoa at the end of last season. But the latter stages of his career have been ravaged be knee injuries and, realistically, he is unlikely to approach anything near Premier League sharpness before Kane is back. Marko Arnautovic The West Ham United man is pushing for a move during the current window, with a transfer to the Chinese Super League. An unnamed side lodged a 35m bid earlier in the window. He has the pace and goalscoring ability to fit into the Spurs side, but there will be question marks over his attitude and temperament. It also remains to be seen whether chairman Daniel Levy has the appetite to spend 30-40m when he has a new stadium to pay for. Lucas Moura If Llorente fails to impress, Pochettino might take a leaf from counterpart Maurizio Sarris book. Unimpressed with his striker options in recent weeks, Sarri has deployed Eden Hazard as a false nine. Pochettino could do similarly. Moura is the most prolific of his attacking midfielders. England international Dele Alli might also be under consideration for the role. | https://www.offthepost.info/blog/2019/01/will-tottenhams-striker-harry-kanes-injury/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+offthepost%2FTLAa+%28Off+The+Post%29 |
Who is Man Utd transfer target Steven Bergwijn? | Manchester United have been scouting PSV Eindhoven winger Steven Bergwijn with a view to signing him, according to The Sun. The report claims the Red Devils are considering making a 25m this month, with Liverpool, Torino, Bordeaux also said to be keeping tabs on the youngster. The 21-year-old is a left winger, who can also play on the right or as a central striker. He has two caps for the Netherlands, making his debut in the UEFA Nations League win over Germany last October. He had previously represented the Netherlands at every age group from under-17 up. His club career started in the youth ranks at ASC Waterwijk. He joined Ajax in 2009, but left in 2011 after a clash with one of his coaches. He joined PSV and has been there ever since. His senior debut came in 2014. Bergwijn has scored nine goals in 16 league games so far this season, and that form has increased interest among other clubs, including United. He played against Tottenham Hotspur in PSVs 2-1 Champions League defeat at Wembley in November. Bergwijn signed a new contract at the start of the season and is tied to PSV until June 2022. Any move to Old Trafford would increase speculation about Anthony Martials future at the club. In Martial and Alexis Sanchez, United already have two left-sided attackers who can play through the middle. | https://www.offthepost.info/blog/2019/01/man-utd-transfer-target-steven-bergwijn/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+offthepost%2FTLAa+%28Off+The+Post%29 |
Are the odds makers right for Saturdays Dillashaw vs Cejudo bout? | When we found out we were going to see UFC flyweight champ take on bantamweight champ TJ Dillashaw at this Saturdays UFC Brooklyn event on ESPN+ we were excited. Then we heard that TJ would be the one dropping down instead of the traditional idea of a fighter moving up. McGregor moved up to fight Alvarez, Penn moved up to fight Hughes, GSP to fight Bisping, Nunes to face Cyborg, and so on. When this happens the lighter of the two champions is usually the underdog so it would seem natural to think someone coming down to invade another division would have the odds against him for a number of reasons. WRONG. Dillashaw is the favorite on every major betting site we could find. Here are three of the biggest sites as examples BOVADA Dillashaw -205 Cejudo +165 SPORTSBOOK Dillashaw -215 Cejudo -175 PINNACLE Dillashaw -200 Cejudo +176 As you can see we were wrong and Henry is getting no love despite Dillashaw looking depleted ahead of the fight and the question of how much strength and speed he is giving up by cutting all of that weight needs to be answered. Alternate realities exist. We keep saying it. | https://prommanow.com/2019/01/16/are-the-odds-makers-right-for-saturrdays-dillashaw-vs-cejudo-bout/ |
Why Not a Sleek Modern Farmhouse Near East Hampton Village? | Southampton, Sag Harbor, and East Hampton villages are still such wonderfully walkable areas, with shopping, restaurants and the movies in easy reach--something that's becoming more and more rare in America. And while this property is juuuuust outside East Hampton village limits, it's an easy walk to Mary's for a morning muffin or Cittanuova for a lunchtime pizza. Shingled on the exterior but sleek and modern on the interior, this new house boasts plenty of room, with 5100 square feet, five ensuite bedrooms (and two powder rooms), an attractive kitchen, indoor and outdoor fireplaces, and a finished lower level. The plot size isn't huge, though, at 0.36 of an acre, which is fairly standard size for the area, but of course there's a gunite pool out back. The finished lower level has been left simply, so the new owner can add whatever they want: yoga room, media room, wine room, whatever. We think the price, $3.8 million, listed with Scott Bradley at Saunders, is fairly realistic. Anyone could just move in immediately and start enjoying that downtown. For more, click here. 16 Palma Terrace, East Hampton | https://behindthehedges.com/not-sleek-modern-farmhouse-near-east-hampton-village/ |
Will Gonzalo Higuain star in the Supercoppa Italiana against Juventus? | Gonzalo Higuain is having a torrid time at AC Milan. After signing on loan in the summer, Rossoneri fans were full of optimism about the Argentine; hoping he could bring them up to the Champions League. However, Higuain has been disappointing and his frustration has grown with the Milan management to the point where he is now requesting to leave the club.Chelsea are interested in the forward and the Blues interest in Higuain has only increased with time. Regarding the Supercoppa Italiana, Sky Sport are reporting that Higuain may feature tomorrow in the Supercoppa against Juventus. However, the reports also suggest that if Chelsea are able to agree a deal with Higuain and Juventus/Milan, he will not play.A meeting is set today between Juventus and AC Milan, to discuss what next for the player and how they will approach the coming weeks. Milan may look to purchase Higuain outright themselves before shifting him on to Chelsea, or, if not, Juventus will need to cancel the loan and therefore cut the costs Milan have been paying.For more news, views and features, visit our homepage. | https://www.calciomercato.com/en/news/will-gonzalo-higuain-star-in-the-supercoppa-italiana-against-juv-45583 |
Did Gritty and Flyers goalie Mike McKenna become best friends? | Its been a challenging season for the Flyers thus far. The club has used an NHL-record seven goaltenders. But the most recent addition, journeyman Mike McKenna, has fit right in despite getting only one start in relief of Carter Hart. McKenna showed off a newly redesigned mask prior to Wednesdays prime-time tilt against the Boston Bruins at the Wells Fargo Center. He then met the Flyers furry and possibly frightening mascot prior to the game. Zack Hill/Philadelphia Flyers Flyers goaltender Mike McKenna shows off his mask along with new friend Gritty. Flyers goaltender Mike McKenna shows off his mask along with new friend Gritty. (Zack Hill/Philadelphia Flyers) The Flyers currently lead the Boston Bruins, 3-2, after two periods thanks to a pair of goals from Sean Couturier and one from Oskar Lindblom. | https://www.mcall.com/sports/hockey/phantoms/mc-spt-flyers-gritty-mckenna-20190116-story.html |
Will Kanimozhis Thoothukudi tour transform to poll battle? | Express News Service CHENNAI/ THOOTHUKUDI: Kanimozhi, DMK Rajya Sabha MP, is to take part in village meetings of the party in Thoothukudi district for 12 days from January 18. Party sources say this may be with an aim to contest from Thoothukudi parliamentary segment in this years general elections. In order to prepare the party cadre at the grass-root level for getting them involved in the elections and create awareness among voters on the recent political developments, the DMK is conducting village-level mass gatherings. The DMK high command has deputed front line leaders as the chief guests at the village meetings in every district. As Kanimozhi is said to be interested in contesting the elections from Thoothukudi constituency, she along with the State secretary of partys womens wing will attend the village meetings in the district. Sources in the DMK said that Kanimozhi would camp in Thoothukudi for 12 days and tour the district to know the grievances of the people. The tour schedule has been prepared to cover nine unions and 47 villages across Thoothukudi district. According to highly reliable sources of the party, Kanimozhi has been keen on contesting from Thoothukudi parliamentary constituency in the last two years. She has been carrying out various welfare measures in the district and is in touch with the party functionaries even at the grass-root level. Kanimozhi had adopted Venkatesapuram village, a remote village in Sathankulam taluk, and launched various facilities for the benefit of the public. Sources further said that the Rajya Sabha MP is interested in facing the direct elections instead of continuing as a member of the Upper House of the Parliament. Kanimozhis candidature will also bring a lot of attention to the constituency as four of the six Assembly segments in Thoothukudi parliamentary seat was under the AIADMK fold, until two AIADMK legislators from Ottapidaram and Vilathikulam were disqualified. So, the party is thinking of fielding a star candidate there, a source said. Also, fielding Kanimozhi in Thoothukudi would be tactical as the DMKs North and South units in Thoothukudi are mired in factional feuds. Kanimozhis candidature would get the warring groups to work together, say sources. Some other party leaders, on condition of anonymity, said, Initially, she expressed her wish to contest the Lok Sabha seat either from Thanjavur or Thoothukudi among her close circles. But, her well-wishers said Thoothukudi is safer than Thanjavur, as the party functionaries are considering that Thanjavur is weak for DMK. At the same time, some other functionaries and sympathisers are said to have told her that even if she is victorious in Thoothukudi, the success will not be attributed to her influence. Hence, they have urged her to choose a seat either from northern or western Tamil Nadu. We have to wait to see her and partys final decision, they said. Getting the credit Some party functionaries and sympathisers are said to have told her that even if she is victorious with a huge margin in Thoothukudi, the success will not be attributed to her influence and it would be translated as a victory of her caste influence, and she would be considered as a caste-based leader in future. | http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2019/jan/17/will-kanimozhis-thoothukudi-tour-transform-to-poll-battle-1926198.html |
Is ideology of greed back? | Share: After the breakup of the mighty Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) on December 26, 1991 politics of the left suffered a serious setback. Centrist parties emerged with flavours of both left and right. Instead of ideology, focus shifted on economic growth. Privatisation, Globalisation, de-regulation became the buzz words. Free market approach was adopted worldwide. While the global economic order is in a big mess today as humanity stands divided between haves and have-nots. Only Peoples Republic of China has been able to manage its course of human development. Last year I had a chance to interact with the Russian Ambassador. On my straight question, I got an honest answer as follows, today the country is moving towards capitalism, Socialism has been left behind. While the comrades still gather at the Red Square in Moscow to celebrate the Bolshevik Revolution of October 1917, the government of Vladimir Putin is moving in the opposite direction. The right wing onslaughts of Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher forced the progressive forces to move towards the centre but it did not help. The retrogressive elements became stronger as they faced little resistance. Instead of marginally right or left of centre the political pendulum has now swung in the extreme right direction. The era of centrist politics is coming to an end negative ideologies are back. There were several upheavals in the 20th century. Three major revolutions and two world wars took a heavy toll of human lives; the struggle eventually resulted in equitable distribution of wealth. Welfare of the masses became the focus of many advanced nations. In March 1969, Pakistan came close to a revolution when the first dictator was toppled. Charles De Gaulle barely survived in France. So far the 21st century remains barren despite skewed distribution of wealth and resources together with its resulting human miseries. Extreme right wing nationalist parties are gaining grounds in the West. With deregulated economies this can prove to be lethal. Socialists are in disarray. While poverty is on the rise worldwide, the rich are getting richer by the day. Human sufferings are all over. Homelessness has become rampant even in the developed world. The government of PTI has decided to build shelters to place a roof over their head, which is a good move. Nordic welfare states provide hope for mankind. China has emerged as a true Peoples Republic. While it all started in Medina, the Islamic world is in bad shape mired in corruption, conflict and lawlessness. The Prime Minister (PM) has repeated his pledge to create a welfare state on the lines of Riyasat-e-Madina. With a population of 220 million people, Islamic Republic of Pakistan needs a pro-people system of governance where the focus of the state is on the masses not just the classes. Workers of the world unite, they have nothing to lose except their chains, and this is the inscription on the tombstone of Karl Marx the founder of pro-people socialist doctrine. It is time for the progressives of the world to unite before they are politically annihilated and the world moves back into the dark ages of unbridled, deregulated capitalism a la Donald Trump style. In the sixties, progressive politics became popular in Pakistan. Bhutto launched his Peoples Party on a socialist ideology; he called it Islamic Socialism. After him the party moved to the centre Pakistan Muslim League (N) came out of Islamic Jamhoori Ittehad (IJI) with right wing leanings. After coming into power it too moved to the center. Today the country has no real ideological party in the political arena. Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) the far right political coalition did not farewell. The leadership of the two centrist parties is in serious trouble. Nawaz Sharif has been convicted, while Asif Zardari is close, lack of ideology has resulted in massive unbridled corruption. PTI is talking about a welfare state but in its fold are several discredited leaders of the past. The party has to set its future course. The myriad of problems being faced by the country calls for major ideological commitment to change. Progressive politics is the need of the hour in the Islamic Republic similar to the People s Republic of China. Focus has to be on the suffering masses. Riyasat Hogi Maa Jaisi (The State will be like a mother). Deprivation of the people has to be addressed without delay or excuse. Issues of Roti, kapra aur Makan (food, clothing and shelter) have to be resolved. As a nation we could not build 5 million permanent dwellings in seven decades now the challenge is to double them in the next five years. It is a colossal task which poses a serious challenge to the professional leadership entrusted with the undertaking. The cold war should be started against the corrupt who have usurped the resources of mankind pushing them into deprivation. Ideology of greed has to be challenged by progressive politics. Comrades of change have to get organised to take on the retrogressive forces of status-quo to deliver the meaningful change required for the uplift of the common man. Politics of greed has to be replaced with genuine commitment to service of the suffering masses. The Writer is Ex-Chairman, Pakistan Science Foundation. [email protected] | https://nation.com.pk/16-Jan-2019/is-ideology-of-greed-back |
Will James Hardens Hot Streak Burn Him Out? | James Hardens style of offense isnt everyones cup of tea. Some fans feel like his trademark stepback move is a travel the vast majority of the time he does it. Some knock his tendency to draw fouls, sometimes fooling referees into giving him free throws when he barrels toward the rim. But whatever you feel about the reigning league MVP, hes putting together a solid case this season to win the award for a second time. Harden has compiled video-game numbers lately, averaging 42 points, 8.4 rebounds and 9.7 assists since the calendar flipped to 2019. And his Houston club which struggled badly out of the gate and has watched just about every one of Hardens teammates fall victim to the injury bug is now 14-4 over its last 18 games. That dilemma is a ways off, though. For the time being, the Rockets have to be thrilled with the production theyve gotten from Harden, who scored 57 points in Mondays win over Memphis. He has notched 30 points or more in 17 straight games, the longest streak since the merger in 1976. The Rockets star has long been a statistical outlier, but this season has brought some eye-popping metrics, even when judged against Hardens lofty standards. He leads the league in points per game and is scoring 5 more on average than the No. 2 scorer, Steph Curry. And he drives to the basket an NBA-high 20 times per game. The Beard averages a league-high 37 minutes per night and has launched 512 3-pointers, almost 13 per game the most in the NBA. But Hardens craziest offensive number, and perhaps the one thats most concerning, is his 691 direct isolation plays (a 1-on-1 play that ends with a shot, turnover or foul). Thats more than any other NBA team has had so far this season. Once more for emphasis: According to stat-tracking database Second Spectrum, Harden all by himself has gone 1-on-1 more than any teams full roster, combined, has. Maybe it shouldnt be surprising that Mike DAntoni and the Rockets have resorted to having Harden isolate more, with both Chris Paul and Eric Gordon out of the lineup, but all that 1-on-1 play can be super draining. And that could be one reason that Hardens shooting percentages have been falling considerably during games. (In particular, in fourth quarters, hes shooting just 47.4 percent from the restricted area perhaps a sign that hes fatigued and not getting enough lift to finish shots over taller players.) During the 2016-17 campaign, Harden dominated much like he has this season before ultimately burning out and having one of the most lifeless series-ending showings ever for a star player. In fact, the lefty has seen quarter-by-quarter declines in his efficiency numbers each of the past three seasons. James Hardens effective field goal percentage by quarter quarter 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 1Q 54.1% 57.7% 56.9% 2Q 49.8 55.2 56.3 3Q 54.7 53.4 55.1 4Q 49.3 48.8 46.4 Sources: NBA, NBA Advanced Stats Although it might seem too early to start talking about burnout, its worth noting that Hardens degree of single-handed dominance is approaching 2016-17 Russell Westbrook levels. Harden has a current usage rate of 39.9 percent, down slightly from the NBA-record 41.7 percent mark that Westbrook posted after Kevin Durant left Oklahoma City to join the Warriors. The problem is that players who log usage rates that high in the regular season generally dont enjoy much playoff success. In fact, no player who had a regular-season usage rate of 35 percent or higher has ever won an NBA championship in that season. And of the players with the seven highest single-season usage rates, none made it out of the first round of the postseason in those years. Even if the Rockets did want to limit Hardens usage before the playoffs, Houston is running out of other players to use at least at the moment. The team lost yet another weapon on Sunday, when Clint Capela damaged his right thumb ligament. Hell now miss 4 to 6 weeks. Capelas absence, on top of Pauls, is a huge blow. The Harden-Paul-Capela trio was essentially unbeatable last season, and the Rockets went 42-3 in the regular season when that lineup took the court. Without those two or Gordon, Harden has no choice but to go out with guns blazing. In the three games this season in which Harden scored fewer than 20 points, the Rockets lost by a whopping 18, 19 and 27 points. DAntonis teams have long been top-heavy, and that flaw has reared its ugly head come playoff time. But now, the thin nature of the Rockets roster is showing itself in January, and its putting even more strain on an MVP whos already carrying a historic amount of weight on his back. Check out our latest NBA predictions. | https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/will-james-hardens-hot-streak-burn-him-out/ |
Will Star Trek Online trump WoW? | If not, then you're not a true Trekkie... The latest news on the Star Trek Online MMO due from Atari-owned Cryptic Studios later this year is that players will be able to create an entire race, going by the latest demos of the game given at Comic Con in New York. Attendees at Comic Con were able to see the Star Trek Online Alien Creator in action, while developer Cryptic said of the feature: "There are literally thousands of combinations available in the alien creator, which will offer an unprecedented level of customization options." The hype surrounding the game and the excitement of Trekkies worldwide about being able to finally live their Klingon dreams is to be expected. "The crossover between Star Trek fans and MMO gamers is obvious, but the same could be said about Star Wars and Lord of the Rings - two massive licenses whose MMOs failed to knock World of Warcraft from the top spot," opines PC Zone's Deputy Editor, Steve Hogarty. "Star Trek's certainly a huge name, and it'll make for an interesting MMO at the very least, but the fanbase is massively discerning and just as likely to crucify the game as adore it," adds Hogarty. "Anyway, without Shatner on board it's dead in the water..." Star Trek Online has an official website here and is being developed for home console and PC, with the game set to take place after the events of the latest TV series. Players will be able to command their own Starfleet or Klingon ship. | https://www.techradar.com/sg/news/gaming/will-star-trek-online-trump-wow-527456 |
Can Graham's program rise from the mat? | With low interest, school goes without wrestling team GRAHAM There might be an attempt to resurrect Grahams wrestling program after the school is without a team this season. Low interest caused the shuttering of the program, athletics director Mike Williams said. Two wrestlers came out for the sport in the fall, both newcomers to the program. That wasnt enough to keep the team afloat. Williams said the possibility of forming a club team in the spring could regenerate interest and allow the Red Devils to field a competitive team for next season. Hopefully, well be able to get it back and get it rolling again, Williams said. Graham generally produced a sprinkling of entrants for the state tournament in past seasons. The Red Devils, competing most recently in Class 2-A, didnt have a qualifier for the state tournament last year. For longtime Cummings High School coach Andy Hawks, the situation with Grahams program is a bummer even though it comes at a rival school. Hawks is a 1973 Graham graduate and former wrestler and coach there. Yeah, its sad for me, Hawks said. I hate it. Same program that we participated in, you hate to see it closed down. Even without a team, the Graham Thanksgiving Duals were contested in late November. That has been a long-time staple on the area wrestling calendar, often kicking off the season for teams. Williams said it made sense to go through with that event, which the schools booster club helps conduct. Those other nine teams were already committed, Williams said. They were counting on it. | https://www.thetimesnews.com/sports/20190116/can-grahams-program-rise-from-mat |
Will the Saturday Farmers Market Move to De la Guerra Plaza? | Although theres reportedly been considerable interest in such a moveeven excitementby members of the Santa Barbara Certified Farmers Market board of directors and the City Council, the council just voted to allocate $40,000 to wage a public outreach campaign. That process is to ensure theres no repeat of the abrupt manner in which City Hall announced this past fall that the Cota Street lot was the preferred location for the new police station. That news caught the farmers market community by surprise and triggered a quick firestorm of confusion mixed with outrage. By Paul Wellman (file) The council hired land-use consultant Suzanne Elledge. They will also hire an architect to hammer out plans showing how De la Guerra Plaza could be redesigned to accommodate an event as big as the farmers market. To make it work, the entire plaza would have to be raised up to curb level. The lawn would go. In addition, De la Guerra Street would be blocked off at State and Anacapa streets, as is done every year during Fiesta. No estimate exists yet for how much such a transformation would cost, but its expected that most of the money would come from the citys Measure C infrastructure funds. Paul Wellman Plans to reconfigure De la Guerra Plaza have been pursued before, but foundered in the face of opposition from the News-Press. Subterranean political efforts are reportedly now in play to enlist News-Press support; the News-Press employee parking lot would help address concerns about adequate parking among market vendors. Even without the News-Press lot, project manager Brad Hess said, there was no shortage of public lots nearby, including City Halls. Relocating the farmers market to De la Guerra Plaza, Hess said, would give downtown Santa Barbara a much-needed shot in the arm. The plaza was dedicated to the city in 1853, Hess said, but functioned as the town center for 30 years prior to that. That legacy will need to be acknowledged in any new plans, he said. | http://www.independent.com/news/2019/jan/16/will-saturdays-farmers-market-move-de-la-guerra-pl/ |
Is Modi govt weakening HAL? | January 16, 2019 19:17 IST With no payments coming in, HAL for the first time ever taken a bank loan of Rs 7.81 billion. Ajai Shukla reports. IMAGE: In 2016, then Indian Air Force chief, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, flew a trainer version of the indigenous Tejas Light Combat Aircraft at HAL airport in Bengaluru. Photograph: Press Information Bureau By the end of this financial year, the Indian Air Force will soon owe Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd dues of Rs 200 billion (Rs 20,000 crore), says its chairman, R Madhavan, including Rs 70 billion (Rs 7,000 crore) carried forward from last year. While the IAF has held back HAL's payments during this two-year period, it has paid foreign vendors on schedule. MoD sources say Dassault Aerospace has got close to Rs 200 billion (Rs 20,000 crore) towards 36 Rafale fighters contracted in September 2016. Smaller sums, in the region of Rs 20 billion (Rs 2,000 crore) annually, have been paid to Boeing for contracts signed in 2015 for Apache and Chinook helicopters. Dassault deliveries of the Rafale fighter are due to start later this year. The same is true of Boeing. On the other hand, as Madhavan points out: "The IAF owes the HAL money for aircraft, helicopters and services that we have already delivered. Current dues are Rs 15,700 crore (Rs 157 billion)and will rise to Rs 20,000 crore by March 31." With no payments coming in, HAL had an unprecedented negative cash balance at the end of the year. The company's 29,000 employees -- already hurting from Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's statement in September that HAL was incapable of building the Rafale -- entered New Year 2019 without their December salaries credited to their accounts. Consequently, to meet the monthly salary bill of Rs 3.58 billion (Rs 358 crore), and to keep HAL's production lines running, which requires Rs 13 billion to Rs 14 billion (Rs 1,300 crore to Rs 1,400 crore) per month, the firm has -- for the first time ever -- taken a bank loan of Rs 7.81 billion (Rs 781 crore) in January. HAL, traditionally a cash-rich firm, has steadily transferred Rs 110.24 billion (Rs 11,024 crore) of its cash reserves to the government. In 2015-2016, the MoD ordered an 'equity buy back scheme' that required HAL to transfer Rs 63.93 billion (Rs 6,393 crore) to the government. The firm made payment in two tranches -- Rs 52.65 billion (Rs 5,265 crore) in 2015-2016 and another Rs 11.28 billion (Rs 1,128 crore) in 2017-2018. In addition, over the past five years, the HAL paid the government dividend and taxes worth Rs 46.31 billion (Rs 4,631 crore). Madhavan says he will request the defence secretary to ask the IAF to pay at least part of its dues immediately. The army and navy have always paid on time. The IAF's non-payment illustrates how foreign buys have strained its finances. Despite receiving the lion's share of the defence capital budget -- Rs 355.76 billion (Rs 35,756 crore) compared to the army's Rs 266.88 billion (Rs 26,688 crore) and the navy's Rs 208.48 billion (Rs 20,848 crore) -- payments to overseas vendors have left the IAF with no money to pay HAL for the equipment it has received. This includes Sukhoi-30MKI and Tejas fighters, upgrades to the Mirage 2000 and Jaguar fighter fleet, and large supplies of indigenous Dhruv and Rudra helicopters. With little hope of getting payment soon, HAL has instituted austerity measures. A letter from the company's finance director, which this correspondent reviewed, states: '(The) current cash flow situation of the company is very critical. Against our annual budget requirements of Rs 19,334 crore (Rs 193.34 billion) during 2018-2019, so far only Rs 6,415 crore (Rs 64.15 billion) has been allocated and the money collected.' 'This has necessitated HAL to borrow funds from banks, which is Rs 781 crore (Rs 7.81 billion) as on 31.12.2018.' 'It has also been understood during the discussions held with the MoD last week that further allocation of budget from the IAF and other defence customers may not be forthcoming up to March 31.' 'This would result in a cash deficit of around Rs 6,000 crore (Rs 60 billion) up to March 31, even after considering postponement of major expenditure including certain procurements. Further the order book position of the company is not comfortable for long term sustainability.' HAL's chairman admits that the IAF's inability to pay its bills would affect the company's share price. "Effectively, HAL's shareholders are taking a hit on their share prices because the government is not paying its bills," says a senior HAL official, speaking anonymously. Asked whether HAL's mandatory public statements reflected this decline, Madhavan stated: "Outstanding dues are reflected in HAL's quarterly statements and reports. Until the last quarter, we had a cash balance of Rs 700 crore (Rs 7 billion). But that has been steadily run down and the report for this quarter will reflect a negative cash balance." Even more worrisome is the impact on HAL's work of the funds shortfall. "We have been maintaining the serviceability of the IAF's aircraft fleet, but next year this may be affected badly. If we are unable to pay for raw materials and spares, how will we keep the fleet going?" wonders Madhavan. Also affected will be a range of HAL-funded projects. The enhancement of Tejas production capacity from 8 to 16 fighters per month requires HAL and the IAF to share the Rs 13.81 billion (Rs 1,381 crore) cost. There will be no money for this. Separately, HAL is funding the Rs 5 billion (Rs 500 crore) development of the HTT-40 basic trainer, which is nearing completion but could grind to a halt. HAL is also putting in Rs billion (Rs 200 crore) towards the development of the Light Combat Helicopter, until the IAF places an order. The vitally important Light Utility Helicopter project also requires HAL funding. A key question that remains is how a publicly listed company, which includes seven independent directors -- former Indian Railway Accounts Service officer Dipali Khanna; former IAS officer Siddharth (who goes by a single name); chartered accountant Neelakanta Iyer; former Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers chief, Rear Admiral K C Sekhar (retd); Centre for Policy Studies chief Jatinder Kumar Bajaj, former Bharat Electronics Ltd executive Anil Kumar and former banker Dr S Malla Reddy -- on its board, has entered a negative cash balance position without any evident protest from on the board. In the winter session of Parliament, Sitharaman said HAL already had orders worth Rs 1 trillion in the pipeline. While HAL has already rebutted that statement, the revelations about the IAF's non-payment indicates that the current crisis is not only about a shortage of orders, but even more about non-payment for orders received and fully discharged. | https://www.rediff.com/news/report/is-modi-govt-weakening-hal/20190116.htm |
What are Modi-Shah's plans for Lok Sabha polls? | January 17, 2019 08:29 IST 'The party will keep to the script that its core supporter understands: Temples, statues, Muslims and cows,' says Aakar Patel. The obvious conclusion will be that the BJP will take fewer seats than in 2019. The history of electoral alliances in India is that when the dominant party faces a joint Opposition, it gives up seats. This was the case for the Congress party when it was the dominant force for five decades after Independence. Whenever the Opposition came together, as it did in 1977 and 1989, it was able to overwhelm the big party. The theory is that because most parties in India are caste-based, alliances tend to work and are able to increase vote share. When large alliances form against the ruling party, it gets into trouble. That may or may not be the case in May this year and it could be that the BJP will still come back to power, though in an alliance. But there is little doubt that it will have to face a much stronger resistance than it did in 2014. Between Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, the expectation is that the BJP could lose as many as 100 seats. Most of these losses will not be recoverable in the parts of India where the party will gain, for example in Kerala and West Bengal. We will soon know what is happening when the opinion polls begin to roll out from next month onwards. There is another effect that the alliances and the weakening of the Modi-Shah combine will have inside the BJP and let us take a look at that. What I mean is what will happen within the party. In many ways, the BJP is unique because it looks on itself as an ideological party. In comparison, the Congress has no real ideology. It can say it has values, for example secularism, or that it has some policies, for example liberalisation. But it does not have a fixed set of beliefs, and that is what an ideology is. Parties such as the BSP, the SP, the TMC, the BJD etc also do not have any particular ideology. The Samajwadi Party will say it is Lohiaite, but not many party workers or even SP leaders will be able to explain what that means in real terms. The Communists say they have a Marxist or Leninist ideology but they cannot really express the ideology when they are in power in a state. Kerala does not look particularly different under a UDF government led by Congress than when it is under an LDF government led by the Marxists. But the BJP claims it has a proper ideology, and it calls this ideology Hindutva. We should expect that some consequences will follow. The first is that in times of uncertainty, ideological parties tend to fall back on their first principles. In the case of the BJP this means that the party will keep to the script that its core supporter understands: Temples, statues, Muslims and cows. These are reliable things where the party is surefooted and its stand on these things separate the BJP from its competitors. The result of this is that it will pull the leadership towards the extreme. Within the party, the second rung will try to position themselves with the expectation that the uncertainty will produce opportunities later on. Modi and Shah will be more vulnerable in these circumstances. They will have less space to talk about development and inclusion and will have to move towards the right. This is why we are seeing no emphasis on these things this time versus in 2014. The pressure is already on them and will continue to build through the next few months. As Modi and Shah move to the right, centrist BJP leaders like Nitin Gadkari will also have a larger opportunity to expand their non-Hindutva appeal. The vulnerabilities will therefore be on both sides. This can be seen as something that is good for the party because right now it is quite closed and undemocratic at the national level. But inclusion and development are not core to the BJP's appeal, and so we must conclude that the change this period will produce will be more visible in religious and nationalistic issues than in everyday and material ones. The findings of the opinion polls, as the alliances are formed and announced, will keep this framework locked in. The space for Modi will continue to shrink and the drift towards the right and the extreme will accelerate. Aakar Patel -- winner of the 2018 Prem Bhatia Award for Political Reporting -- is Executive Director, Amnesty International India. The views expressed here are his own. | https://www.rediff.com/news/column/what-are-modi-shahs-plans-for-lok-sabha-polls/20190117.htm |
Does the penalty suit the crime? | Buy Photo Paul Bugbee (Photo: Times photo) OK, Ill admit it. This year I was two days late in filing my annual resort license applications and associated licensing fees. Between a resort license, food license (we scoop ice cream cones in our "Bee Sweet" shop) and our pool licenses, my annual licensing fees with Stearns County equal $1,152 for 2019. But this year I simply forgot to get the completed application forms and fees in the mail and post-marked by Dec. 31, 2018. In Stearns County, that is considered a grave offense, with an immediate penalty assessment equal to 100 percent of the original licensing fees. Theres no room for compromise, forgiveness or reconsideration. Guilty as charged! Yes, I did set aside the licensing notifications which were mailed on Nov. 1, placing them in an obvious location so as not to forget to submit them by the deadline date. Yes, I did get a form letter from the county on Dec. 15 reminding me that license applications and fees that didnt meet the deadline were Subject To A Penalty Equal To The Current License Fee. Yes, I made a mistake in not fulfilling my licensing renewal application in a timely fashion, let alone meeting the deadline which was made abundantly clear to me. But to assess a penalty equal to the licensing fees themselves seems just a bit over zealous. A Minnesota Supreme Court ruling (State v. Rewitzer) states thata fine is unconstitutional as applied if the fine isgrossly disproportional to the gravity of the offense. Disproportionality depends on three factors: 1. the gravity of the offense and harshness of the penalty, 2. a comparison of the contested finewith fines imposed for the commission of other crimes in the same jurisdiction, and 3. a comparison of the contested finewith fines imposed for commission of the same crime in other jurisdictions. In an attempt to seek pardon, I tried to follow Stearns County protocols, notifying the licensing department for resorts Stearns County Environmental Services of my error with pleas that the penalties be removed. I stated that the licensing fees seemed to be excessive." Perhaps I should have used legal-speak: The fines seem to be grossly disproportional to the gravity of the offense. The county responded, saying that I could appeal the Food and Pool penalties in front of an administrative hearing officer with a $500 filing fee. The resort, or lodging, appeal would need to be in front of the Stearns County Board of Adjustment, at an additional fee of $550. Simple math tells me that spending $1,050 in an appeal to save $1,152 before two appellate hearings just isnt good accounting; especially when your chances of winning are zero to none. I suspect I could do better by purchasing a stack of pull-tabs at a local tavern. Im angry. My wife says to take a deep breath, pay the penalty and move on. Those who know me, however, know that I wont easily step aside on matters of injustice and principle. Id rather contribute "grossly disproportional" sums of money to a worthy cause or undertaking for the sake of what feels right than to cave into laws, rules or impositions that are wrong. To me, it is apparent that Stearns County deliberately assesses grossly disproportional fines for the sole purpose of enhancing county coffers. I have asked, specifically, for a breakdown of county revenues by department, including licensing fees, taxes, fines, penalties and other assessments. It would be nice to know just how much the county takes in on an annual basis from fines and penalties, on the backs of businesses and the public whom they purportedly serve. A copy of the countys annual budget, in response, wasnt what I was looking for. Hanging my laundry out for the whole world to see, or at least Central Minnesotans, may not be the smartest thing Ive ever done. I know that youre only hearing my side of the story; even though Im doing my best to be objective. I know that our system of governance requires some degree of discipline, even for those of us who simply forget to meet deadlines from time to time. Never before have we seen such discontent with governmental agencies at all levels. If I may be so bold, this is just another example of why. This is the opinion of Paul Bugbee, a Central Minnesota resort owner. His column is published the third Thursday of the month. Read or Share this story: https://www.sctimes.com/story/opinion/2019/01/16/does-penalty-suit-crime/2595755002/ | https://www.sctimes.com/story/opinion/2019/01/16/does-penalty-suit-crime/2595755002/ |
How much do European citizens know about space? | Europeans are undeniably interested in space activities, and the idea of pooling resources between European countries is considered important unanimously by European citizens: just two of the fascinating findings from a recent survey of public perceptions of issues related to space. Carried out on behalf of ESA by Harris Interactive in December 2018, the survey questioned over 5000 people aged 18 or older and representative of the public in Europes five most populous countries, Germany, UK, France, Spain and Italy. The survey found that, almost unanimously, Europeans identified three main uses for space: better understanding the Universe, observing our own planet, for example the effects of climate change, and they recognised the ability to make life on Earth easier, for example in transportation or communications. Fewer people believed that space activities could protect us against threats from space, though almost all agreed this should be a priority. This can be seen as a strong endorsement for the Space Safety elements of the programme proposals being made later this year at our Space19+ conference. Disappointingly, only 4 out of 10 Europeans felt well informed about European space activities. While many had heard of European space programmes and ESA, they struggled to see what exactly was at stake. When asked if they knew about ESA, 83% said they did, but only 37% said they knew precisely what it was. Interestingly, even though people didnt know much about ESAs activities, they significantly overestimated the cost of space activities for the public finances of their countries. While this cost represents around 10 per year per citizen in the countries concerned, very few respondents estimated this correctly. On average, Europeans estimated the cost of space activities at 245 per year per citizen, more than 20 times the actual amount. It is interesting to note that Europeans still identified two historical space superpowers, United States and Russia, but with Europe as their main competitor rather than China. Almost everyone agreed that European countries must pool their resources to do so. It was noted that in all European countries, the weight attributed to Europe exceeded that credited to their own country (even 85% of British citizens interviewed, in a context heavily influenced by the exit of the UK from the European Union, considered it important that European countries pool their resources for space activities). Overall though, 90% of respondents had a positive view of space activities. | http://www.esa.int/About_Us/Welcome_to_ESA/How_much_do_European_citizens_know_about_space |
Is Brand Loyalty Possible in the Online Age? | Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash Every businessperson worth their salt knows that a brand without a product is nothing. A brand is worthless if what youre selling isnt worth buying. And every good entrepreneur also knows that without brand loyalty, keeping a business afloat can prove to be a titanic struggle. Cultivating a strong customer base has always been a challenge, yet across the connected world, brands are being given an unpleasant wake-up call to a problem that, up until the mid-2000s, wasnt even on the radar. The issue at hand is that of online shopping or, to put it more broadly, online spending. Although the internet has been around for much longer than the early part of the 21st century, its widespread adoption by customers is a relatively new phenomenon. Initially, the high street remained convenient enough for shoppers and for those of a certain age, and the tussle to win their trust remained in the hands of the bricks-and-mortar stores. In the early days of e-commerce, complex logistics and slow delivery speeds, combined with the unfamiliar and a lack of trust, kept customers coming back. Photo by Hello Im Nik on Unsplash However, with the growth and increasing ubiquity of Amazon, alongside improved broadband speeds, user-friendly website design, and stronger security protocols, it was just a matter of time before customers traded in schleps to the shops for next-day delivery in slippers. And with this newfound convenience also came wider choice, which spelled trouble, even for those traditional retailers with the foresight to open an online store. Changing where you shopped became as simple as typing in a new web address. And because the online experience removes the human element, there was no guilt felt about switching from Sainsburys to Tesco or from your local bookstore to the behemoth that is Amazon. Yet despite all this, brand loyalty is still possible online today. But achieving it demands more from brands than it ever has. When its so easy to switch, a brand needs a unique selling point now more than ever. So while Amazon still requires a minimum spend for free delivery, online competitor Wordery offers free international shipping on all orders thats how they remain competitive. The battle of the supermarkets is just as intense online, with Tesco introducing same-day delivery on internet orders and Iceland making real inroads by offering free delivery for customers. Unlikely markets have been shaken up too; the world of gambling has even stepped up to the plate, with the likes of William Hill Casino introducing features like 100% buy-in bonuses to keep them ahead of the pack. The major banks are in on the action too, upgrading their online banking services for increased security, making it easier to pay your bills and friends, and even introducing features such as cheque paying in thats done solely on your mobile phone. Of course, theres no guarantee of brand loyalty there never has been. But as high streets around the world increasingly move onto the information superhighway, the businesses that stand the best chance of survival will be innovative, provide an excellent experience, and offer customers a USP so valuable, they choose to click and connect with those brands. | https://www.businessfirstonline.co.uk/articles/is-brand-loyalty-possible-in-the-online-age/ |
What made Duterte suspect Bacolod top cop Ebreo of drug links? | President Duterte claims Senior Superintendent Francisco Ebreo demonstrated 'strange behavior' that indicated he was at the very least a 'protector cop' Published 10:18 AM, January 17, 2019 The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) have said in separate statements that former Bacolod top cop Senior Superintendent Francisco Ebreo was not on any drug watchlist, yet President Rodrigo Duterte believed otherwise and fired him. Duterte gave an idea of his basis for sacking Ebreo during a chance interview with reporters in Malacaang on Wednesday, January 16. Responding to questions, the President claimed that Ebreo was at the very least a protector cop. He said his suspicion was piqued when he heard that Ebreo and his deputy made a hospital visit to a Bacolod City councilor who had been ambushed, and assigned security to him. You know there was this si Cano, a councilor who has been tagged by the PDEA (Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency) almost a decade ago to be engaged in trafficking, na-ambush (was ambushed). Eh nag-aaway daw (There was a fight). There were about 3 ambushes before that incident na pumunta sila sa ospital, silang dalawa ng deputy niya (when they went to the hospital, him and his deputy), said Duterte. Cano refers to Ricardo Tan, a councilor who was ambushed, along with his wife, on December 14, 2018, in Barangay Alangilan, Bacolod City. Despite Duterte's allegation of Tan's drug links, the PDEA regional office in Western Visayas said the councilor is not on their watchlist of drug personalities, according to an Inquirer report. 'Strange behavior' During the Palace interview, Duterte described Ebreo's order to assign security guards for Tan in the hospital as strange behavior. Whats the fucking business, you are going to the hospital of a ambush ng drug lord tapos nag-iwan pa sila ng dalawang security (a drug lord was ambushed then you leave two security personnel with)? said Duterte. For Duterte, it would have been expected of Ebreo to send a topnotch investigator to the hospital but he found it suspicious that Ebreo and his deputy themselves went there. Nagtataka ako kung bakit ganoon (Im wondering why). Strange behavior, said Duterte. But police assigning security to a government official with reason to believe his life is in danger is not out of the ordinary. After all, cops have typically been assigned as security detail for government officials. 'Tentacles of information' Despite the Chief Executives suspicions, the PNP said Ebreo was not on its list of drug personalities. The PDEA had also said it had no information linking Ebreo to illegal drugs. Ebreo had been cited for his "exemplary performance" as Bacolod police director. In November 2018, he received the PNP Medalya ng Kasanayan or Efficiency Medal. In May 2018, Bacolod police personnel received medals from Police Regional Office 6 for a successful drug operation under the supervision of Ebreo that led to the death of Western Visayas top drug lord Ramy Poja. Under his watch, high-value target Rayden Palomero, an alleged illegal drug supplier in Negros Occidental, was arrested in July last year. As with many of Dutertes shocking allegations about government officials, Malacaang did not specify the Presidents basis, merely saying he had his own sources. Probaby the President had a different source of information. This President has many tentacles of intelligence, said Panelo on Tuesday, January 15. Malacaang meeting Duterte held a Palace meeting with Ebreo and the 4 other Bacolod cops he had dismissed on Tuesday evening, January 15. He had castigated the group for supposedly allowing illegal drugs to spread in Bacolod City, according to Presidential Spokesman and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo. Duterte had also been frustrated about how the cops had no knowledge about the presence of certain personalities in Bacolod who are involved in the illegal drug industry. Ebreo and the rest have been relieved and remained on floating status pending their investigated. Rappler.com | https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/inside-track/221171-duterte-bares-reason-made-him-suspect-bacolod-police-chief-ebreo-drug-links?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rappler+%28Rappler%29 |
Does Trump's decision to pull US troops out of war-torn Syria make sense? | wants to pull out of Syria as quickly as possible. Well, its Wednesday, so thats what the president wants now. Tomorrow, who knows, maybe hell insist that Syria pay for the pullout. Maybe Trump will decide to hold a summit with Bashar al-Assad after deciding that the Syrian leaders not such a bad guy after all, since he also doesnt like the and owes his position to Russian support. Maybe Trump will team up with Turkey to build a wall around Syria because if we stop them over there, we wont fight them over here. With Trump, all options seem to be in play, and it all depends on what Fox News covers, what the last autocrat or three-star general whispered in his ear, and whether the presidents spleen is acting up or not. The opinions of his own advisors or the foreign-policy commissariat seem to matter little. If anything, Trump delights in confounding the experts. After all, he believes himself to be the expert-in-chief. ALSO READ: Why American troops should leave a volatile area like Syria immediately Foreign policy making in the Trump era is a lot like curling. Trump lets lose the stone and then the other members of the team start sweeping at the ice in an attempt to alter the trajectory. Sometimes Trump throws in the general direction of the target. Sometimes his aim is so errant that theres nothing the sweepers can do. So, after Trump tweeted his new Syria policy, National Security Advisor and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo went into action to alter its trajectory. In an attempt to placate allies aghast at Trumps decision, Bolton put so many conditions on the pull-out as to seem to render the announcement null and void. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo similarly tried to assure Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, and the Gulf States that US policy remains steady: defeat the Islamic State, shut out This cavalcade of caveats accomplished little more than to confuse allies and mystify observers. Bolton angered Recep Tayyip Erdogan so much with his remarks about continued US support for Syrian Kurds that the Turkish president refused to meet with the national security advisor when he visited Ankara this month. A prominent pro-government newspaper decried Boltons soft coup against Trump. Trump has subsequently changed his mind about Syria, somewhat, but it wasnt at the behest of Bolton or Pompeo. The president was persuaded to go slow on the withdrawal when he received a briefing in Iraq from a lieutenant general who explained that the military needed more time to wrap up operations in Syria. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis had probably said the same thing to Trump. He resigned when the president ignored his advice. Mattis had disagreed one too many times with the president and thus undermined his authority. With Trump, proximity breeds contempt. Trump originally demanded that troops withdraw in 30 days. Now, the has four months to redeploy the couple thousand troops. The rush to the exit will be more like a covert crawl. And they wont likely be going very far. The latest reports suggest that the redeployed soldiers are heading for Iraq to bases in Kirkuk and Anbar. A History of Ambivalence Trump has been roundly criticized for the incoherence of his policy toward Syria. But lets face it, Washington has never figured out how to deal with the country its ruthless leader, its fragmented opposition, its breakaway Kurds, its covetous neighbors since the Arab Spring protests broke out in 2011. At the very outset, the Obama administration hesitated to throw its support behind pro-democracy demonstrators and was even more ambivalent about intervening militarily when the demonstrators chose to take up arms. This was not surprising. Obama had been slow to withdraw support from Hosni Mubarak in Egypt earlier that year when crowds gathered in Tahrir Square. When civil strife broke out in Libya, Obama was equally reluctant to get involved, finally opting to lead from behind in the effort to oust Muammar Gaddafi. The situation in Syria promised to be even more complicated and volatile. Eventually, the Obama administration dipped its toe in the water with two principal programs, one run by the Pentagon, the other covertly by the CIA. The Pentagons program was a spectacular failure, with graduates of the training program either exiting the program to fight for radical groups the disdained or going on to ignominious defeat on the battlefield. This initiative ended in 2015. ALSO READ: 'Trump decided on Syria pullout after Erdogen said Turkey can do the job' The CIA program, Timber Sycamore, funneled billions of dollars of arms and equipment to fighters on the ground in Syria, thanks to Saudi financing and Turkish logistics. This program, too, encountered many difficulties. For instance, arms ended up in the hands of al-Qaeda sympathizers. The was also reluctant to go all in for fear of provoking Russia. In 2017, Trump canceled this program. Trump or no Trump, the faces myriad problems in Syria. Assad has consolidated his position, with the help of Russia and The has been reduced to a beleaguered fiefdom, but religious extremism hasnt disappeared and a pretty unsavory group remains in control of Idlib province. The Kurds in the north have established an autonomous region, with U.S. assistance, but the Turkish government considers them a mere extension of the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK) that its fighting within its own borders. The United States cant expect to influence this state of play in Syria, and certainly not with only 2,000 troops. So, it makes a lot of sense to pull them out. Let the Israelis and Saudis get angry, and let the Russians, Iranians, and Turks rejoice. U.S. involvement in Syria hesitant, misguided, quixotic has been benighted from the beginning. Trump recently tweeted in support of his action that the United States must stop the endless wars. That makes eminent sense. But dont be fooled into thinking that Trump actually believes what he tweets. Even as he was making his withdrawal announcement, the president was directing the to increase its air strikes on targets in Syria. More War, Not Less Its ludicrous to paint as a peace president. The man is only selectively anti-war. He just doesnt like the wars that other presidents started. ALSO READ: With ISIS destroyed, US to withdraw troops from Syria in 4 months: Trump Trump threatened to use nuclear weapons against North Korea. He considered military options in Venezuela and discussed the potential of a coup with dissident army officers. But its thats served as the focus of Trumps most hawkish ambitions. The president hasnt been content just to unravel the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the nuclear agreement that the Obama administration, alongside representatives of several other countries, negotiated with Iran. Nor does Trump want to stop at simply applying another round of economic sanctions against the country. In September, asked the for military options to strike Iran. It definitely rattled people, a former senior official said. People were shocked. It was mind-boggling how cavalier they were about hitting Iran. But Trumps confrontational approach to Iran preceded the brashness of Bolton, who has openly advocated regime change in Iran. Shortly after entering the White House, Trump began pushing for the Pentagon to blow up Iranian boats in the Persian Gulf. Mattis, whod been fired from the Obama administration for his anti-Iranian obsession, thought the plan was ludicrous and never provided the plans Trump wanted. ALSO READ: Trump defends Syria pullout, says US cannot be the world's policeman Countering Iran has been an organizing principle of the administrations foreign policy, from helping the Saudis in Yemen to pressuring countries worldwide not to trade with Tehran. In his recent speech in Cairo, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made clear that even with the Syria pullout the administration remains focused on countering Iran, which has spread its cancerous influence to Yemen, to Iraq, to Syria, and further into Lebanon. With Bolton and Pompeo by his side and Mattis departed, Trump may well go with his gut and attack Iran militarily. Hell be encouraged in this delusion by Israel and Saudi Arabia. Hell be looking for some way to distract the media and the American public from his disastrous record as president and the multiple investigations into his affairs and policies. He wont care about the consequences. The forever war in the Middle East is far from over. is the director of Foreign Policy In Focus and the author of the new dystopian novel Frostlands. | https://www.business-standard.com/article/international/does-trump-s-decision-to-pull-us-troops-out-of-war-torn-syria-make-sense-119011700139_1.html |
Can Lakewood Ranch High go higher? | Its the main question asked by Dustin Dahlquist, the new principal at Lakewood Ranch High School. Can we do better? Dahlquist, who officially becomes the schools principal Jan. 22, said he knows he is stepping into a tradition of success as Lakewood Ranch has long been A-rated by the state, has strong program offerings and solid athletics. Theres the music program, the arts, the television production, the student journalists, Dahlquist said. There is a committed group of students and teachers. Its high-achieving everywhere. That may not leave much room for improvement, but Dahlquist said hes coming to the school in observation mode. He has an open mind and ears, ready to listen to teachers, staff, parents and students about what they like, what they dont like and what could perhaps be added. A culture of success is already here, he said. Im here to enhance that. You have to provide that vision. About Dustin Dahlquist What: New principal at Lakewood Ranch High School Age: 44 Family: Wife, Megan, and son, 10-year-old Dane Experience: One year teaching at Southeast High School and then 18 years at Palmetto High School, first as a teacher, then in other roles, including coach, athletic director and assistant principal. He served as assistant principal there from 2007 to 2016. He worked as a principal at Buffalo Creek Middle School from 2016 to present. Dahlquist said Lakewood Ranch High is a top-rated high school with a 91% graduation rate. How are we going to do better? Dahlquist said. It wont work if its just my ideas. Dahlquist said his initial objectives are to build relationships, to see whats happening in classrooms and to keep seniors focused the second half of the year as they prepare for graduation. He also wants to deepen roots in the community, seeing how the school can partner with Lakewood Ranch businesses and organizations. He plans to spend a lot of time at after-school events and other functions to fulfill those goals. I plan to be here a lot. Im not adverse to work. My wife (Megan) married a coach and teacher. I can bring my son (Dane) and he can take in all the things that go on and see all the possibilities for him (Technology Student Association), television production, agriculture, ROTC. Its going to be good for myself and my family. Dahlquist comes to Lakewood after serving as Buffalo Creek Middle Schools principal since 2016. Before that, he worked at Palmetto High School for 18 years, first as a science teacher and later as physical education teacher, athletic director and assistant principal. He worked in administration from 2007 until starting at Buffalo Creek. Although Dahlquists principalship has been at the middle-school level, he said hes excited to get back to the high school level. Dahlquist said his time at Buffalo Creek has given him more perspective into the social, academic and other growth children go through in the grades leading up to high school, and he can better understand what needs freshmen, in particular, may have. The last four years at Buffalo Creek have been invaluable, Dahlquist said. I understand student growth and development so much more. | https://www.yourobserver.com/article/can-lakewood-ranch-high-go-higher |
How did a photo of Justin Trudeau and his family in a canoe wind up on a billboard in Kentucky? | OTTAWA You might think the last thing youd stumble onto on a rural road in central Kentucky is Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Chances are many of the people who pass by the intersection where Mammoth Cave Road meets Old Mammoth Cave Road dont even notice that they did. But there, on the right side of the road, about two hours south of Louisville at the edge of a national park, is a giant billboard advertising the Mammoth Cave Canoe and Kayak operation, one mile ahead on the left. And the photo on the billboard, of a smiling family of four in a canoe, is clearly the Canadian prime minister, his wife, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, and their two oldest children, Xavier and Ella-Grace. They are in a red canoe, all clad in life jackets, and Sophie and Ella-Grace are waving. A call to Mammoth Cave Canoe and Kayak went unreturned Wednesday, but a man who owns a cabin rental operation across the street from the billboard confirmed its existence. He said he hadnt looked at it that closely before and was surprised to learn it featured Trudeau. The billboard photo wasnt there in June 2015, when Google captured an image of the spot for its Google Street View page. But it has been there since at least 2016, when an observant Facebook user spotted the sign and posted about it in French. Another person mentioned the billboard on Twitter last June. But the story seemed to take on more legs Wednesday after a Reddit user posted a photo of the billboard captioned, Did you ever hear about our Trudeau billboard down here in Kentucky. We havent quite learned not to steal pictures from the Internet yet. It prompted Trudeau to tweet a response. For the record: This was taken in Yukon in 2013. A spectacular part of this country to explore. For the record: This was taken in Yukon in 2013. A spectacular part of this country to explore. #ExploreYukon cc: @TravelYukon https://t.co/nMVQCA50AV Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) January 16, 2019 Trudeau originally tweeted the photo himself in August 2013 when he announced he and his wife were expecting their third child. Thrilled to let you know were going to need another seat in our canoe: Sophie is pregnant! #threeisthenewtwo, he posted, more than two years before he would become prime minister. When it comes to advertisers nabbing internet photos of unwitting politicians, Trudeau was portrayed in a somewhat more flattering light than Conservative MP Michael Chong. In 2017, a Canadian woman noticed a photo of Chong was being used in a poster campaign in Guatemala advertising sanitary bathrooms. | https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/kentucky-canoe-outfit-borrows-photo-of-trudeau-family-to-market-business |
Did 'Chapo' really pay Mexico's ex-president US$100m? | Alex Cifuentes, a close associate of the accused Mexican drug lord Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman (not shown), is seen testifying in this courtroom sketch in New York January 15, 2019. The claim, made by a witness Tuesday at the trial of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, stretches credibility, experts say starting with the fact that it would take a truck to transport that much cash. Colombian drug trafficker-turned-state witness Alex Cifuentes surprised the courtroom in New York and caused a firestorm of controversy in Mexico when he alleged that El Chapo had paid the bribe to then-president-elect Enrique Pena Nieto in 2012. But while there is no doubt that Mexico is awash in all the ingredients of the story drug money, corrupt officials, powerful kingpins there are many reasons to doubt it, according to people who know the murky nexus of politics and narcotics. "It would have been the biggest bribe in all of history. I've been with DEA (the US Drug Enforcement Administration) for 31 years, I've seen bribes of millions of dollars, hundreds of thousands of dollars, but certainly not a bribe like that," said Mike Vigil, former head of international operations for the DEA. Once when I was working undercover in Panama, I borrowed US$1 million from the CIA to flash to these drug traffickers from Bolivia and Colombia. They were all in US$100 bills, and I needed a huge suitcase to put that stuff in. So you would have needed a truck for US$100 million. What did they do, drive up... and give it to the president? After Cifuentes made the accusation, Pena Nieto's supporters rushed to argue that the former president (2012-2018) was the one who made sure El Chapo was re-arrested after his brazen prison escape in 2015, then extradited to the United States. Partisan politics aside, there is something to that argument, Vigil said. If I had taken a bribe from Chapo Guzman, the last thing I would have done is extradite him to the United States, he told AFP. He would come here (to the US) and start immediately making allegations against you. Red flags There are several reasons to question Cifuentes's story. For one thing, he is testifying as part of a plea deal, in exchange for a softer sentence. He also provided no proof, and admitted he was unsure about key details, including the amount and the date. Then there is the fact that the information comes second-hand: Cifuentes said El Chapo is the one who told him the story, in which he purportedly gave the money to a woman named Comadre Maria to give to the president-elect shortly before he took office. But El Chapo would hardly be the first drug trafficker to brag about huge bribes supposedly paid to high-ranking officials, said Vigil. Both Guzman's stories and Cifuentes's have shown a certain flare for drama as they have emerged in court. On Wednesday, Cifuentes testified that El Chapo was once tortured by army soldiers who dangled him upside-down from a helicopter to find out where his drugs were. Guzman's own version, as told to a film producer whom he wanted to make a movie about his life. Finally, there is the fact that the bribe story emerged during questioning by Guzman's own lawyers who have sought to portray their client as a scapegoat for corrupt officials and the man they say wields the real power in the Sinaloa cartel, Ismael El Mayo Zambada. If there is any truth to the story, there should be evidence somewhere, said Raul Benitez, a professor at Mexico's largest university, Unam. Normally, when drug traffickers give money to politicians or businessmen, they record the handover, because that's how they blackmail the person if they need to, he said. You can't hide US$100 million. There would have to be a bank transfer or real-estate or jewels, and the drug traffickers would need proof for it to work. 'Everything is possible' Then again, anything is possible when it comes to corruption in Mexico, said journalist Jose Reveles, who has written books on the country's multi-billion-dollar drug-trafficking business. No drug cartel operates without official protection, he said. It's possible some government officials could have lied and said they were representing the president, or that the kingpins really do have access to the president. Everything is possible. We know this country is rife with corruption from top to bottom. He urged Mexico's new government, led by anti-establishment leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, to investigate the bribe accusation. But he is not optimistic the truth will come out, he said. This idea of things being revealed as true, false or half-true exists in other countries. Not in Mexico, he said. Here, total concealment is the rule. AFP | https://www.malaymail.com/s/1713435/did-chapo-really-pay-mexicos-ex-president-us100m |
Could esports help high school athletics balance the books? | It was an information item on the agenda for Wednesdays meeting of the local governing body for high school sports, but it most certainly got the attention of everyone in attendance. Jerry Schniepp, commissioner of the CIFs San Diego Section, said an annual audit of his office completed in December showed the section to be very clean. However, the spending of reserve funds has raised concerns. The last five years, there has been a significant drop in revenue, Schniepp told the section board of managers in a meeting at Sweetwater school district offices. Several revenue streams have dried up. The biggest expenditure has been rent. The San Diego Section staff was forced to leave its offices in Balboa Park when the Hall of Champions closed nearly two years ago. Rent there amounted to about $700 a month. After a search by Schneipp and Assistant Commissioner John Labeta, the section offices were relocated to Mission Valley at a rent of about $7,000 a month. Im the first to admit we had a sweetheart deal at the Hall of Champions, Schniepp said. Basically, we only paid for meeting space. In addition, the San Diego Section lost $75,000 annually when Toyota left as a title sponsor and $82,000 a year when Time Warner Cable didnt renew its cable TV contract. Plus, revenues from championship events were down $23,553 from the 2016-17 school year to 2017-18. The biggest loser was basketball, which ran $25,906 in the red. Baseball lost $8,600, soccer $7,392 and boys and girls volleyball lost a combined $4,443. Football brought in $16,338, boys water polo $7,659 and softball $2,508. We wanted to get this out now to be fully transparent, said Tim Glover, superintendent of the Grossmont school district, who serves as chairman of the board of managers. We have some work to do to shore up the CIF office. The San Diego Section receives $82,282 from the California Interscholastic Federation in sponsorship money. The section generates $113,500 in in-kind sponsorships, which includes $17,000 from the Padres and $15,000 from the Union-Tribune. Plus, there is $30,000 from the NFHS Network and $57,440 from ball sponsors Head/Penn Tennis, KAP7, Spalding, Molten and Diamond. Weve worked hard to secure sponsors, Schniepp said. No longer, though, are companies willing to give $50,000 to hang banners at our championship events. The marketing world has changed. And facility rental fees for our championships are up. Things are more complex. Schniepp said there are three ways to get revenues back on track marketing, sponsorships and an increase in dues paid by the schools. For the good of the students, the CIF must be stable, said Scott Giusti, director of PE, health and interscholastic athletics for the San Diego school district. Rent and expenditures are critical. This isnt going to stabilize unless we do some things. Schniepp said there could be as much as $100,000 in late dues that must be collected. He also said the dues each school pays the section must increase. The San Diego Section has 129 schools and approximately 160,000 students. Over two years, Schniepp would like to raise the average annual dues from $3,080 per school among the lowest for the CIFs 10 sections to $4,830. That would be near the top but not the highest in the state. We realize this is a significant increase, but its what we need to move forward, where we need to be, Schniepp said. Currently, the section bills schools per the number of sports they offer and per student participation about $60 per sport and 44 cents a student. By 2020-21, that could increase to $94 a sport and 68 cents a student. Another potential revenue stream is student participation in computer competition known as esports. Were seeking an education-based sponsor to create this as an activity, Schniepp said. This is a chance to engage students who arent normally engaged. Its a chance to get the kids who are in their room drinking Monster and eating Flamin Hot Cheetos involved in a school activity. New Mexico and Arizona already have championships in esports. There is potential and opportunity here. Ron Nocetti, the CIFs associate executive director, said only games that are CIF approved would be offered. There was concern, but no dissent among the members of the board of managers on dues increases and esports. Certainly, the increase would be significant, but we have a little time to digest all this, said Bill Singh, who represents the San Marcos school district. The proposal to increase the dues will be presented as a first read at the next board of managers meeting in March. It would come to a vote at the May meeting and take effect June 1. Enrollment factor The City Conference proposed a revision in how football teams are placed in divisions for the playoffs. Though competitive balance will still hold sway over enrollment, the number of players in a schools program also will be factored in. Its not about raw numbers (enrollment), but the right numbers, said Giusti. Over half the schools in the City dont field football teams at all three levels (varsity, JV and freshmen). Giusti cited several examples of small schools Santa Fe Christian, Christian, La Jolla Country Day and Bishops playing larger schools and winning big in football. Matt Hannan, principal at Santa Fe Christian and a member of the board of managers, argued that it isnt about the numbers on the scoreboard, but the number of players on the sidelines. He cited the Eagles Division II football playoff game with Central a 28-16 Central win as an example. Football is a game of attrition, Hannan said. At the end of the season, the end of a 13- 14-game season, we were suiting up 25 players. Central, a great team and a classy program suited up 50-60. So numbers do matter. The proposal passed 18-2 with one abstention. Continuation school eligibility A proposal to allow continuation school students to compete in athletics for schools in the same district passed unanimously. Continuation students would not be eligible to participate if they are at that school for disciplinary reasons. Notable There is concern over the CIF master calendar with football practice dates falling as little as nine days before a first contest if the starting date for practice stays at Aug. 1. There is a proposal to move the start of practice to July 30. | https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/high-school-preps/sd-sp-preps-esports-san-diego-section-jerry-schniepp-20190116-story.html |
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